Chapter 67
How could this be?!
Xu Chun instinctively looked toward Jiang Banxia, only to find her expression blank, her red lips pressed into a tight line.
Jiang Banxia stared at Yu Sui’an, her eyes nearly emotionless. Xu Chun’s arrival had doubled her anger at Yu Sui’an’s relentless pestering and unreasonable clinging.
She fought down the fury churning inside her and signaled with her eyes for Zheng Yanran to take Xu Chun to the adjoining reception room to rest.
Zheng Yanran still wanted to protect Xu Chun and help her curse Yu Sui'an a couple of times, but after seeing Jiang Banxia's taut expression, she ultimately backed down. She nodded worriedly and said, “Then call me if anything happens.” Only then did she turn to Xu Chun. “Let's go. We'll sit nearby for a bit and wait until they finish talking.”
At those words, Xu Chun snapped out of her shock. Feelings tangled, she looked at Jiang Banxia, then at Yu Sui'an, racking her brains and still unable to figure out how things had turned into something so absurd and bizarre.
Although she badly wanted to probe into the matter, she knew this was not the time.
She nodded, and Xu Chun followed Zheng Yanran out of the office door. Before leaving, her searching gaze swept over Yu Sui'an several times.
This person's female-lead halo was simply too much. Not long ago, Zhao Ciying had blacklisted her, and it had looked like there was no possibility of a comeback; who would have known that she would now become President Jiang's illegitimate daughter?
She was as tenacious as a cockroach that refused to die.
But at this moment, what Xu Chun cared about more was Jiang Banxia's feelings. She already had so many older and younger brothers and sisters to deal with, and now a low-tier version of Zhao Ciying had popped up. For her, this was just one more burden on top of everything else.
Xu Chun's brow stayed tightly furrowed. Zheng Yanran had also gradually recovered her reason from anger and instead comforted Xu Chun. “Don't worry. Xiaxia isn't that easy to bully.” The calmer she became, the more she felt Yu Sui'an's little scheme would likely fall through this time. “In Xiaxia's hands, it's still uncertain who'll win and who'll lose.”
Her tone was certain, and every word expressed praise for Jiang Banxia's methods. Xu Chun pressed down her slightly irritable and uneasy mood and nodded, yet her eyes could not stop drifting toward the tightly closed door.
That said, Yu Sui'an did have a bit of female-lead halo on her. Where she was concerned, one could not judge by common sense.
Yu Sui’an knew her own life trajectory all too well. She grew braver with each setback, like a phoenix reborn from ashes. So now she had not only swept away her previous gloomy, despondent mood but also gained a certain calm from having her premonition confirmed. As expected, victory was well in hand.
She watched Jiang Banxia, who was calmly watching her, with a light heart. Her pale lips curved gently. “Sister, long time no see. I hope you've been well.”
Jiang Banxia heard the smugness in the other's words. Looking at Yu Sui'an's smiling face, she could not help laughing softly. “What are you hoping for right now?” She raised an eyebrow with an air of leisure. “Do you think that just because you've become my younger sister, and gone from an ordinary person with a poor family and no one to rely on to a noble young lady with status and prestige, you can reconcile with her and let bygones be bygones?”
Yu Sui'an's expression involuntarily stiffened.
Jiang Banxia slowly lifted her steps and closed in on her, leaning slightly toward Yu Sui'an. The oppressive aura around her made Yu Sui'an unconsciously retreat half a step.
After realizing her reflexive movement, Yu Sui'an's small face went pale, and she instinctively pressed her lips tightly together. She could no longer smile.
Jiang Banxia watched her with a half-smile. The smile on that exquisite, bright face deepened as time passed, and it made Yu Sui'an more and more uneasy.
“Do you still think that once you become the Jiang family's young lady, your life will be smooth sailing from now on, that you'll get everything you ask for?”
Admittedly, that was exactly what Yu Sui'an thought.
As long as her identity as the Jiang family's young lady was exposed, not to mention that Zhao Ciying might let her off for the sake of her wealthy biological father, even ordinary people would look at her with considerably more respect because of it.
Especially her fans.
As long as she and her manager did some careful marketing, wouldn't all her future resources in the industry be hers to pick from? Who would dare give her attitude then? Who would dare snatch her resources then? If they dared, it would be equivalent to slapping the entire Jiang family in the face; her father certainly would not let them off easily.
There were only so many young masters and young ladies mixed in the entertainment circle. Setting them aside, and setting aside those whose backers were especially powerful, Yu Sui'an truly could not think of any obstacle she would still encounter in the entertainment industry in the future.
Before coming to find Jiang Banxia tonight, she had even already thought about how to join forces with her manager to expose her background and raise her status.
She was already fantasizing about how, after her background was exposed, she would be pursued and adored online.
All her former diligence, hard work, and suffering would seem especially pitiful and moving beside her current noble status. Her public persona in the entertainment industry would thus become unique, incomparably stable, and impossible to replicate.
As long as she behaved herself afterward and gave no more openings, her road to stardom would be bright and limitless, and no one could shake it.
She pressed her palm and spoke with feigned composure. “Isn't that so?”
“Everything you have now was kindly bestowed on you by Father. Without him, you are nothing.” The more Yu Sui’an spoke, the more confident she became. She would never forget how surprised and excited Father had looked when he found her. The man’s eyes had shown undisguised fondness for her, and Yu Sui’an immediately understood. She could absolutely use his guilt and fondness to achieve her own goals.
Family affection? To her, it did not exist.
She had been abandoned by her parents as a child, and she had long since held no expectations for family affection.
Likewise, she knew very well in her heart that this nominal father of hers had found her at this time only because he wanted to use her to achieve some goal of his own.
It just so happened that she thought the same way. They could both play dumb and use each other; that was not bad at all.
Only shared interests made for the most stable relationship.
Jiang Banxia looked at her deeply and did not argue. She merely straightened up and said lightly, “Since Father has already acknowledged you, then come back.” Just as a hint of doubt rose in Yu Sui'an's heart, she heard Jiang Banxia continue arranging, “I will have someone pay the breach-of-contract penalty for you to terminate your contract with your agency.”
“On what grounds?” Yu Sui'an unconsciously raised her voice. “When did I ever say I wanted to terminate my contract with my agency?!”
She stared fixedly at Jiang Banxia and could not help questioning loudly, “What right do you have?”
“I am only considering things for your sake.” Jiang Banxia looked at her in surprise, seeming somewhat hurt by her lack of appreciation. “You are already a noble young lady of such status. It is hardly appropriate for you to keep going out and showing your face to film.”
“From now on, you represent the face and reputation of our entire Jiang family. If anything happens to you, it will implicate and affect the whole family.” She let her tone grow heavier. “If something really happens, can you bear that cost?”
Jiang Banxia slowly narrowed her eyes and kindly reminded her, “Yu Sui'an, from the moment those online claims about your background appeared, you no longer had a choice.”
“Even if you brought Father here today to confront me face to face, you would still have to terminate your contract and leave the entertainment industry for me.”
She spoke word by word, allowing no refusal. Yu Sui'an clenched her palms tightly, her face red with anger. “Jiang Banxia, don't go too far.”
“I am merely following Father's wishes.” Jiang Banxia looked at her in surprise and guessed, “You aren't planning to defy him and oppose him right after recognizing each other, before the two of you have even cultivated any feelings, are you?”
“Then this hard-won favor and wealth will probably scatter with the wind very soon.”
“After all, before you, Father had several other children, didn't he?” She curved her lips. Her tone clearly had not changed, but it made people feel a threat. “Father hates disobedient children the most.”
Yu Sui'an was immediately alarmed and uncertain. She had never imagined that the initiative would be snatched away and grasped by Jiang Banxia within just a few minutes. Now not only had everything deviated from her predictions and plans, but Jiang Banxia had even forced her into a position with no choice.
She could not help pointing at Jiang Banxia angrily. “You did this on purpose!”
She was only afraid that once Yu Sui’an’s status rose, she would compete with her for Sister. She was only afraid that Yu Sui’an would grow and threaten her interests. Father’s claim that he was doing this for her own good was just a high-sounding excuse.
But unfortunately, she had no other choice now.
“Then you are welcome to try.” Jiang Banxia smiled brightly, utterly composed. “See whether the words of someone who has lived with Father for over twenty years are credible or not.”
Jiang Banxia drew out her words, and the slight upward lilt at the end hooked into Yu Sui'an, leaving her less calm and certain than before. In this sort of matter, Jiang Banxia did not seem to have any reason to lie to her. Moreover, based on her contact with and impression of Father over the past two days, a voice in her heart had already told her that what Jiang Banxia said was true.
“Did you know that when I went to the set to film before”—Jiang Banxia suddenly spoke, and only after successfully drawing Yu Sui'an's attention did she slowly continue—“my family froze all my bank cards?”
Yu Sui'an's heart sank, and the realization sent a wave of panic through her.
Her career and the identity of the Jiang family's young lady… did she really have to abandon one of them?
She hesitated, her heart in turmoil, but Jiang Banxia did not want to give her time to think. She softened her tone and said, “You are intelligent. If you follow Father and learn to run the company and do business, it will likely be no worse than the entertainment industry.”
“Besides, in the entertainment industry, to get resources you still have to please others everywhere. But if you follow Father…” Jiang Banxia did not finish the rest, but Yu Sui'an quickly understood her meaning.
If she followed Father, her status as a young lady would mean that others eagerly flattered her instead of her having to bow and scrape to beg favors everywhere.
Yu Sui'an had to admit that at this moment, she was fiercely tempted.
But she did not let down her guard. “Since you make it sound so wonderful, why don't you go do it yourself?”
“Father doesn't like me.” Jiang Banxia answered cleanly, showing not the slightest intention of hiding it from Yu Sui'an. “And I also don't like others controlling my life. Is that so hard to understand?”
Yu Sui'an fell silent. Right. These young ladies and young masters were clearly pampered from childhood and lacked nothing, yet they were rebellious by nature, as if their brains were broken, opposing their families all day long. If it were her, she would wish her family would pour all their resources into her, help her complete her transformation, and let her stand firmly on her feet.
If obeying and being docile could get her everything she wanted, she was willing to be a puppet on someone else's strings—until she had enough ability to resist.
At this point in her thoughts, the scales in Yu Sui'an's mind had gradually tipped.
Doing business was not hard. When she followed Zhao Ciying, she had almost never failed. Every negotiation she helped Zhao Ciying with succeeded, as if it were her innate talent.
Or perhaps… she was born suited to do business in a wealthy family and carve out a world of her own.
The scales in her mind tipped harder and harder, until she saw Xu Chun's faintly swaying figure beyond the blinds. Finally, Yu Sui'an made up her mind. The long-awaited opportunity was right before her; she could not miss it.
Although her identity was only that of an illegitimate daughter, if she had ability, openly inheriting the family business was not impossible. When that day came, who would still be able to easily suppress and threaten her?
Thinking of that day, Yu Sui'an's heartbeat sped up uncontrollably.
But she could not help asking, “Why are you telling me all this?” Was Jiang Banxia really this kindhearted? She did not believe it.
“Naturally, because I have no other choice now.” Jiang Banxia spoke slowly.
After a moment of blankness, Yu Sui'an quickly reacted and gave Jiang Banxia a deep look. Right. The current Jiang Banxia had already been forced out of the house by those illegitimate children and had fled here in such a sorry state. Other than befriending her, did she have any other choice?
No.
The smile on Yu Sui'an's face instantly deepened. Jiang Banxia turned a blind eye to the smile on her face and only said, “Since you've already decided, then go settle things with your company as soon as possible. I will coordinate with you on Weibo when the time comes to declare your true identity.”
This matter was easy. Her company was already under pressure from Zhao Ciying and wanted to terminate her contract. If she agreed now, she could still get a compensation payment.
After silently sorting out her thoughts, Yu Sui'an slowly nodded. “Thank you.”
“No need.” Jiang Banxia said without emotion. Then she urged Yu Sui'an, “You'd better move quickly. Otherwise, once the others get the news, they will likely make a big fuss over your affairs in the entertainment industry.”
“After successfully terminating the contract, you had best post a clear announcement on public platforms that you are retiring from the industry. That way you won't leave them any opening to make things difficult for you.”
Hearing this, Yu Sui'an unconsciously knitted her brows and pressed her lips together, gaining a preliminary understanding of how difficult the other illegitimate children were. But she did not care, because fate always favored her.
She could not help looking at Jiang Banxia a couple more times. “You are much more flexible than I imagined.”
Jiang Banxia's lips twitched slightly in response. “Since you're fine now, leave. I'm getting off work.”
Her intention to see her out was so obvious. Although Yu Sui'an did not want to miss this hard-won chance to run into Xu Chun, she also knew that handling her personal affairs and standing firmly in the family was more important right now. So she did not linger and hurriedly strode away.
Tonight she had come only to provoke Jiang Banxia, carrying resentment over Jiang Banxia's earlier dislike of her. Who would have known there would be such an unexpected delight?
And she had to admit, Jiang Banxia's current situation deeply pleased her.
Yu Sui'an was in a good mood, and even her steps carried a faint trace of jubilation. Jiang Banxia narrowed her eyes and stared motionlessly at her back, the corners of her crimson lips slowly curving upward.
Zheng Yanran was the first to notice Yu Sui'an leaving. Only once the other's figure could no longer be seen did she immediately rush up to Jiang Banxia and look her up and down. “Xiaxia, how are you? She didn't do anything to you, did she?”
“No.” Jiang Banxia shook her head, lowered her eyes to look at her, then looked toward Xu Chun, unwilling to discuss the topic further. “Let's go eat first.”
The flood of concerned words in Zheng Yanran’s throat caught there. She could neither say them nor swallow them back.
Xu Chun pulled her a little and tilted her chin to signal her. “Let's go.”
Why insist on asking now? There would be plenty of chances when they ate later. After receiving Xu Chun's eye signal, Zheng Yanran thought about it and agreed, so she did not continue questioning.
Although Xu Chun stopped Zheng Yanran from pursuing the topic, she herself could not help sneaking several glances at Jiang Banxia. Jiang Banxia noticed, but the gaze she sent back was calm and placid, as if she had not been affected in the slightest.
Xu Chun sized up Jiang Banxia's resilience for a while and felt somewhat reassured.
Someone as resolute and composed as Jiang Banxia clearly would not fly into a rage just because of the provocation of a mere illegitimate daughter. Otherwise, before Yu Sui'an, she would already have been angered to death by those illegitimate children.
The restaurant was not far. As soon as Zheng Yanran sat down, she could not wait to ask. Jiang Banxia's expression was calm. “What effect could she possibly have on me? One more of her wouldn't be too many; one less wouldn't be too few.”
That said, Zheng Yanran was still furious. She rubbed her hands together. “Anyway, she has no backer behind her now. I'll immediately have someone blacklist her so she can't survive in the entertainment industry!” Zheng Yanran chattered on. “How can my Xiaxia, whom I can't even bear to bully, be made to suffer at the hands of someone like her?”
Before she finished, Jiang Banxia interrupted her. “In the next few days she will announce that she is withdrawing from the entertainment industry and will never film again.”
Zheng Yanran: “?” Why.
“I will also personally announce and acknowledge her identity.”
Now even Xu Chun could not help casting a questioning look at Jiang Banxia. Jiang Banxia's lips tugged lightly. “If you want to take something of mine, it's only reasonable that you lose something first, isn't it?”
Seeing that she had a plan in mind, Xu Chun did not ask more. Zheng Yanran also sank into thought, her eyes repeatedly drifting toward Jiang Banxia; no one knew what was going on in that little head of hers.
Yu Sui'an seemed very impatient. Before that meal was even over, she posted online that she had terminated her contract with her agency and was about to retire from the entertainment industry and stop filming. She used the same old methods as before; between the lines, she revealed the company's pressure and her own helplessness and inability to resist, quickly sparking heated discussion online and attracting a wave of pity and sympathy.
【What's going on? Why would Suisui suddenly announce her retirement from the entertainment industry? Isn't she in the rising phase of her career? Did Xu Chun PUA her again?!】
【If Yu Sui'an's fans don't have eyes, at least use some brains. Can't you see your idol's agency personally came out and said it was because your idol's demands didn't match the company's development plans, so the two sides finally decided to part ways? Don't just throw mud at my Sister Xu whenever something happens, without distinguishing right from wrong.】
【What does the company's statement mean? The company took the initiative to fire Yu Sui'an?】
【Yes. A friend of mine works at Yu Sui'an's company. I heard Yu Sui'an offended someone before, so she was blacklisted. Of course, under pressure, the company didn't dare keep working with her either; otherwise, who knows when they might get dragged down with her.】
【Huh? Could it be a certain big shot with the surname Z?】
【I have a friend who is gravely ill. She says she really wants to know who this big shot with the surname Z is before she dies.】
【I also have a friend…】
【What a pity. I thought Yu Sui'an would keep shining in the acting world. Her popularity and traffic aren't low at all; retiring now is really such a shame.】
【Good that she's out. Look at how she's turned the entertainment industry into such a foul, chaotic mess.】
【Is Suisui really going to retire? Could this be something said in anger? Or was she threatened by someone? If she leaves the entertainment industry, what will she do afterward? Open a shop? Become an influencer and do livestream sales?】
【Someone making three thousand a month should worry less about others. The money Yu Sui'an earned before is enough for an ordinary person to live on for several lifetimes.】
The online discussion was heated. Beyond the huge shock brought by Yu Sui'an's retirement, the company was also dragged into the whirlpool of public opinion because of this sudden contract termination.
Of course, more people cared about where Yu Sui'an would go after retiring.
Because of this curiosity, all entries related to Yu Sui'an hung high in the front rows of trending searches, more popular than at any other time in her career.
When Yu Sui'an's manager saw the trending searches, he nearly went mad. The artist under him had, out of nowhere, posted news that she was about to retire, without even discussing it with him, just making the decision on her own. What did that make him? A decoration?
The manager was furious and immediately called Yu Sui'an. “Yu Sui'an, what do you mean by this?!”
He cursed loudly, having already tried to make his tone seem less fierce and severe, but he ultimately could not control it. The only seedling in his hands with a chance to become hugely popular had just slipped away; how could he not be frantic with anger?
Having lost Yu Sui'an, where was he supposed to find another clever person who could stir up trouble, know how to make waves, and maintain her own popularity?
Yu Sui'an had long since thought of an excuse to fob off her manager. “Brother, I had no choice either. The company kept pressuring me; they kept using Zhao Ciying to force me to sign this consent form. They said if I didn't sign, I would have nothing left. But if I did sign, they promised me a compensation payment…”
“Stop trying to fool me with that!” The manager could not bear it anymore and cut her off, saying coldly, “Yu Sui'an, stop using the tricks you use on outsiders on me.”
“I clearly already smoothed things over with the company for you. They absolutely could not suddenly force you to terminate your contract.”
After hearing her manager's words, Yu Sui'an was silent for quite a while before saying, “The matter is already settled now. There's nothing I can do.” She gently advised, “Brother, while there's still time, go look for some new seedlings.”
The manager immediately hurled his phone violently to the ground. He had known Yu Sui'an for so long and was clearer than anyone about her profit-seeking nature. As soon as her new drama aired, she would immediately become hugely popular and famous everywhere. So the manager did not believe she would watch helplessly as her rare chance to rise to fame slipped away—unless…
She already had another, better way out.
Just as the manager was alarmed and uncertain, wildly guessing which big shot Yu Sui'an had latched onto, several new trending entries suddenly caught his attention.
#JiangBanxiaYuSui'an#, #YuSui'anTrueIdentity#, #JiangBanxiaYuSui'anSisters#, and several other entries were lined up beneath the entries related to Yu Sui'an's retirement, extremely eye-catching.
His mind still hesitating, his hand had already clicked in on its own.
After he skimmed through the contents of the topic, the manager immediately cursed aloud. So that was it. He knew it!
Just now, Jiang Banxia had personally posted on Weibo explaining her relationship with Yu Sui'an, and between the lines, she was clearly defending Yu Sui'an. Her action of unhesitatingly standing on Yu Sui'an's side instantly won the favor of Yu Sui'an's fans, and she gained countless followers in a short time. At the same time, her exposure rose with the matter, successfully bringing her into the public eye.
Although most people were not very familiar with Jiang Banxia, with enthusiastic netizens providing explanations, everyone quickly realized her identity and the family background behind her.
Yu Sui'an's fans were instantly overjoyed. Although their Suisui had been fired by the company, fortunately she had gained new family, and the family member was so protective and kind to her. It sent them into fits of joy.
【Suisui is the best, as expected! Even in a situation like this, she can find a way out and be protected. She really must be some little angel reincarnated!】
【Am I the only one who thinks everything that happened tonight is too coincidental? The timing of Yu Sui'an's retirement is very coincidental, and the timing of Jiang Banxia acknowledging her identity is also very coincidental. Rather than Yu Sui'an being fired by her agency, I'm more inclined to think she feels her identity has changed and she has a decent family background now, so she doesn't want to keep working herself to death.】
【I have a question.】 A comment suddenly appeared: 【Isn't Jiang Banxia an only child? How could a younger sister suddenly appear now? Could she be Madam Jiang's second child who was kidnapped?】
【You clearly don't know. Yu Sui'an is just an illegitimate daughter, and the Jiang family has several other illegitimate sons and daughters like Yu Sui'an. She's just slightly more famous among these illegitimate children.】
【Huh? Then what's worth celebrating about this?】
【That President Jiang is way too scummy, isn't he? One illegitimate child is one thing, but who would have thought there were actually several.】
【There's a lot you haven't thought of. Jiang Banxia's several half-sisters all have different biological mothers. Understand what I mean?】
【Understood. I have to say, Jiang Banxia is magnanimous.】
【Magnanimous about what? I think she's planning to thoroughly cut off Yu Sui'an's retreat in the entertainment industry, then drag her back home to deal with her slowly! Very few young ladies raised in wealthy families are naive, sweet little fools, all right? Now Yu Sui'an's fans are going to cry themselves to death.】
No matter how the netizens chattered and discussed, Jiang Banxia sat as steady as a mountain, not moving at all, not even lifting her eyelids once. Xu Chun and Zheng Yanran exchanged a couple of glances. “You really plan to take her home?”
At that, Jiang Banxia moved her gaze away from the phone screen and seriously corrected the two of them. “It's not that I plan to take her home; it's that she is single-mindedly trying to grasp the family affection she lost and regained.” She smiled slightly. “My several good brothers and sisters should be very happy to be reunited with her as a family.”
Xu Chun immediately gave her an appreciative look. Nice! First let that bunch fight among themselves and drain one another, then once they've fought enough, appear and pull the weeds out by the roots. Truly the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Zheng Yanran quickly understood as well and could not help complaining, “Your family doesn’t even have a throne to inherit. I really don’t know what the point is of producing so many princes and princesses.” She held back the urge to vent everything. “With your dad’s genes, what good could possibly come of it? Well, except for you, of course.”
Zheng Yanran quickly tried to make up for it. “Your ancestors must be looking down and smiling. Your dad must have accumulated a mountain of good karma in a past life to have a daughter like you, fair-skinned, beautiful, and brilliant.”
Xu Chun could not help reminding her, “Her dad couldn't have given birth.”
Zheng Yanran could not help glaring over at her. Are you specifically trying to oppose me?
Seeing this, Xu Chun immediately shut her mouth. Only then did Zheng Yanran retract her gaze in satisfaction, then could not help blurting out an “oh ho.” “Sister Xu Chun, you finally managed to film one drama, and in the end the second female lead and the third female lead both left the industry, and one went off to run a company. Now you're the only one left in the circle.”
She shook her head regretfully. “What a sin.”
At this moment, Xu Chun finally reacted, and her temples could not help throbbing hard. Wasn't that right? Secret Crush was the drama she was counting on to turn things around! With Yu Sui'an pulling such a stunt, what was she supposed to do now?
She finally realized the seriousness of the matter and instantly became worried and frowning.
But Jiang Banxia spoke up to comfort her. “It’s not a big problem. Traffic is what rules now, and Yu Sui’an’s retirement can bring a lot of attention. Just considering her fans alone, they definitely won’t let the drama’s numbers look bad. After all, this is Yu Sui’an’s last work in the entertainment industry.”
So when the time came, Yu Sui'an's fans would definitely fight tooth and nail to boost the drama's numbers, and even if that meant Xu Chun would benefit along with it.
Xu Chun suddenly felt a little complicated. This was the first time she had been carried by a rival… Why did it feel a bit like she had picked up a huge bargain for nothing?
Regardless, Secret Crush's ratings were definitely secure.
The original novel’s melodramatic plot and Xu Chun and Yu Sui’an’s first collaboration after their breakup could attract attention. So could Jiang Banxia and Yu Sui’an’s opposing scenes as biological sisters before they recognized each other, and the gimmick of Yu Sui’an’s retirement work. Xu Chun’s traffic would draw people in steadily as well.
Even Zheng Yanran, after clarifying the complicated relationships involved, could not help looking forward to it. “I really want to see you all in the drama soon, putting on hypocritical acts with your exes, clearly hating each other to death yet having to perform a loving, deeply affectionate scene in front of the audience, and biological sisters turning against each other for the same woman, scheming against one another. Those would be such thrilling scenes.”
After saying that, she thoughtfully rubbed her chin and muttered to herself, “I just don't know if it's still in time for me to invest and sponsor now…”
After noticing two cold gazes falling on her, Zheng Yanran quickly raised both hands to prove her innocence. “Joking, I'm joking!”
“How could I possibly watch such a vulgar, repulsive drama that has caused you all so much psychological trauma!”
“I will definitely only recommend it to my enemies in secret!”
As the lead actresses, Xu Chun and Jiang Banxia immediately: “…” Such a fine person, what a pity she grew a mouth.
At this time, the audience clearly also realized that the two people at the center of today's storm had a drama that was about to air soon. For a while, some speculated whether this was the production team's marketing tactic, but Yu Sui'an's fans quickly denied it.
Everyone thought about it and felt it was unlikely. Even for marketing, Yu Sui'an probably would not treat her reputation and acting career as a joke. After all, she herself had personally said she was retiring. If she went back on it later, it would become the joke of her life, constantly dug up to slap her in the face on the spot.
After confirming Yu Sui'an was not joking, everyone openly began teasing the drama Secret Crush.
Everyone discussed it without restraint, until a meme blogger suddenly posted on Weibo: 【I remember Jiang Banxia is Xu Chun's white moonlight, right? What if… Xu Chun and Jiang Banxia get together? Then wouldn't Yu Sui'an have to call her ex—sister-in-law?】
One stone stirred up a thousand waves. Everyone who read that sentence could not help falling into thought: “…?”
Seems… yes?!
TL Note:
female-lead halo (女主光环) = plot armor that makes a story’s female lead improbably lucky and protected.
cockroach that refused to die (打不死的小强) = an idiom for someone extremely resilient and hard to get rid of.
white moonlight (白月光) = slang for an idealized, unattainable first love or cherished crush.
mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind (螳螂捕蝉黄雀在后) = an idiom meaning one schemer is being outschemed by a hidden third party.