Chapter 117

Kong Xiyan hadn't expected that overnight, such a major event would rock the industry. Even without unlocking her phone, she could see the flood of news.

Shan Cheng and Ding Siyuan had been detained for drug use.

The severity of drug use far outweighed other matters, causing online sentiment to swing overwhelmingly in one direction—everyone was screaming for them to be blacklisted!

Yet some of their fans still tried to side with them, using the excuse that everyone makes mistakes and that celebrities face immense pressure. They were immediately torn apart, barely avoiding doxxing that would have exposed their personal information.

This incident was so egregious that netizens, for once, united in outrage, determined to force both men out of the industry.

By the morning of the second day, neither Shan Cheng's nor Ding Siyuan's studio had issued a response. Meanwhile, a television station had managed to interview Ding Siyuan and Shan Cheng directly. Both claimed their first drug use occurred three years prior, introduced to them by a senior figure in the industry.

That senior had been emotionally devastated at the time and turned to drugs. Curious, they'd given it a try.

The interview immediately caused an uproar. Everyone began speculating about who this senior could be. They guessed through everyone connected to Shan Cheng and Ding Siyuan until finally suspecting that the senior in question might be He Wei.

Three years ago, emotionally devastated.

An artist under her studio.

All the conditions matched, so netizens redirected their fury toward He Wei.

Kong Xiyan watched as He Wei's Weibo was once again overrun. A cold light flickered in her eyes. Fu Qiu sat beside her and, seeing Kong Xiyan staring at her phone, asked curiously, "Sister Kong, what are you looking at?"

"Hmm?"

Kong Xiyan turned her head, masked the coldness in her eyes, and smiled warmly. "Nothing. Just watching a good show."

Fu Qiu understood at once. "Are you talking about Shan Cheng and Ding Siyuan?"

"I saw that too, but I can't guess who the senior they mentioned is."

Kong Xiyan patted her head.

There was no senior.

Everything those two said was aimed squarely at He Wei.

Obviously, seeing that He Wei hadn't made a move, they were using this as leverage, threatening her to get them out.

If they really had evidence of He Wei's drug use, she wouldn't be sitting idle. So clearly, they were just setting off a smoke screen.

After all, they were already mired in trouble, with limited options. The best and most effective tactic was to drag He Wei down with them, ensuring she couldn't stay silent.

Kong Xiyan hadn't heard any news about He Wei for a long time. After the press conference, she and Wei Yan had become pariahs, their fortunes spent, unable to stir up more trouble. He Wei and Wei Yan had been lying low, barely appearing in public.

He Wei and Wei Yan had been hiding all this time.

Hiding from her, from the media, from everyone.

But this time, there was no escape.

Kong Xiyan pressed her lips together, put away her phone, and looked out the window. The world was reviving—lush grass and thriving trees, a perfect time of year.

Before long, Fu Qiu, sitting beside her, called out, "Sister Kong, we're here."

Kong Xiyan nodded and got out of the car.

The next two days were set for promotional photo shoots. Originally, she'd planned to use the momentum from the opening ceremony to boost publicity, but now it looked like the release date for the photos would have to change.

Fortunately, this would give them more time to prepare, unlike the rushed photos for "Breaking the Cocoon."

After getting out of the car, Kong Xiyan saw many people had already arrived. Yuan Xiujun was speaking seriously to a few actresses playing college students, who nodded intently, two even noting down his words.

He was passing on acting tips.

Kong Xiyan walked in and spotted Gu Ling sitting nearby.

Gu Ling's face was a bit pale, and despite the warm weather, she was dressed in heavier clothing. Frowning, she spoke with her assistant. Seeming to sense Kong Xiyan's gaze, she turned and met Kong Xiyan's eyes directly.

Kong Xiyan walked over with Fu Qiu.

Gu Ling rose and greeted her, "Sister Kong."

Kong Xiyan smiled. "I heard from Xiao Qiu you've been sick. Are you better now?"

Gu Ling nodded. "Much better."

As she spoke, she kept her eyes on Kong Xiyan, scrutinizing every facial expression. Kong Xiyan laughed softly. "Gu Ling?"

Startled, Gu Ling looked away.

By just after nine, most had arrived. Kong Xiyan sat beside Gu Ling, listening to the crew behind them discuss the news on Weibo.

"I say they deserve it! You can wash away anything, but drugs? No way!"

"Exactly, if my favorite celebrity did drugs, I'd disown them on the spot! Don't they realize they're not just taking drugs, they're drinking blood!"

"Drinking the blood of the police!"

The chatter from behind wasn't loud, but sitting close, Kong Xiyan and Gu Ling heard every word. Gu Ling thought for a moment, then leaned toward Kong Xiyan and asked, "Sister Kong, have you seen Weibo?"

Kong Xiyan pulled her gaze back. "What about Weibo?"

Gu Ling replied, "About Ding Siyuan."

Kong Xiyan hummed in acknowledgment. "I heard a bit."

Gu Ling took a sip of hot tea. "What do you think, Sister Kong?"

Kong Xiyan turned to look at her and smiled. "What I think doesn't matter."

Gu Ling knew she didn't want to dwell on it and nodded. "True, what we think doesn't matter."

With that one comment, she bridged the distance between them.

Kong Xiyan offered no further opinion on her words.

Gu Ling tilted her head to look at Kong Xiyan's profile—delicate and beautiful, with sunlight slanting in, casting a soft glow. Her long lashes blinked like butterfly wings, poised for flight. Gu Ling tightened her grip on her hand and murmured, eyes downcast, "Sister Kong, can I ask you a personal question?"

Hearing her whisper and lean in, Kong Xiyan glanced at her. "What question?"

Gu Ling's heart pounded. She wanted to ask but couldn't bring herself to speak. Her expression twisted with inner turmoil. Kong Xiyan watched her, confusion flickering in her eyes.

"I saw on Weibo, some people mentioned you and President Chi..."

Before Gu Ling could finish, Director Lin approached and called out to the group, "Are the stylists and makeup artists here?"

A few people rushed in, panting. "Yes, we're here!"

Director Lin glared at them. "Then get to makeup already!"

The group scattered immediately; two young women stopped in front of Kong Xiyan and said, "Ms. Kong, let me take you to change your clothes."

Kong Xiyan stood up from the stool and turned to Gu Ling. "What were you about to ask?"

Gu Ling glanced at her expression. "Nothing, just curious."

Kong Xiyan looked at her thoughtfully, then Fu Qiu urged quietly, "Sister Kong, let's go."

"Alright."

She turned and left.

Gu Ling exhaled, watching Kong Xiyan's retreating figure. Her heart had been clenched tightly, as if squeezed in a fist, aching to the point she could hardly breathe.

The promotional photo shoot went relatively smoothly. Yuan Xiujun was a seasoned actor, and Kong Xiyan's acting ability was beyond doubt. Despite the age gap and their first time working together, there was no awkwardness.

People who could act showed it in their eyes alone. Kong Xiyan played a righteous journalist, willing to sacrifice everything for the truth, fearless of hardship or authority.

In the film, the five missing female college students had gone on an expedition. When they hadn't contacted their families for three days, their relatives reported them missing.

Five people disappearing at once was no small matter. It quickly caused a stir in society, and reporters from various outlets rushed to the expedition site for the latest news.

Kong Xiyan's journalist character was among them.

But they got no frontline information. Upon arrival, they discovered the five girls had driven there, and their car was found at the edge of a cliff, beneath which flowed a great river—infamous as the River of Death.

Legend had it that every year, people chose this spot to end their lives. The government had banned access, but the mountain was vast and connected to other ranges, making isolation difficult. So year after year, the number of suicides only grew.

Now, the girls' car appearing there had netizens buzzing.

Meanwhile, someone posted a message from one of the girls on Weibo before her disappearance.

"It's so hard to live."

A month and a half after the incident, the authorities concluded the five girls had agreed to commit suicide. The cliff overlooked a river, and their bodies had been swept away, which was why they hadn't been found.

The reporters who'd come with Kong Xiyan were all recalled by their magazines. The uproar faded into silence.

But Kong Xiyan's journalist didn't believe that. She was convinced the five girls were still alive.

Her theory had no supporting evidence. The authorities summoned her for a talk, accusing her of inciting public opinion, and ordered her to stop reporting on the case. The public sentiment had just calmed, and the families were beginning to accept reality. Revealing her speculation would cause panic.

So Kong Xiyan was barred from investigating further. But she didn't stop. When others at the magazine found out, they reported her, and she was fired.

After losing her job, she had even more time to think about the case. She repeatedly returned to the site until she discovered a village nestled in the mountains.

It was then she realized the so-called River of Death was nothing but a hoax.

Kong Xiyan's stills transitioned from a polished urbanite to someone bound in a thatched hut, a stark visual contrast. Combined with the shift in her eyes, it stirred curiosity about the story.

Yuan Xiujun's male lead met Kong Xiyan's character in that hut. Deep in the night, surrounded by darkness and unknown dangers, Kong Xiyan didn't trust him. Though bound, she kicked at him and cried out. He lunged, covering her mouth with his hand, signaling her to be quiet.

Just then, sounds came from outside the hut. Both held their breath, turning to look, tension and fear in their eyes.

Their exceptional acting made even the onlookers hold their breath, hearts racing. Fu Qiu's palms were genuinely sweating. She watched Kong Xiyan and Yuan Xiujun's scene without blinking, inwardly marveling: brilliant!

Absolutely brilliant!

She had a feeling this film would make Sister Kong truly shine.