Ji Nian came to the crew early in the morning, but as soon as she got off the car at the gate of the film city, she was surrounded by reporters. Seeing the congested traffic and the crowd of reporters approaching, she widened her eyes and stood there stunned.
"May I ask if you're dating Yu Luobai?"
"Fans online are discussing that you're dating Luo Bai because of your mystery appeal. What do you think about that?"
"The whole internet is against you two dating. What's your response, Ms. Ji?"
"I remember previously on Happy Big Show, Ms. Ji still couldn't let go of her feelings for Cheng Liran. Have you moved on now?"
Xiao Tang acted swiftly and shielded her from the crowd, but they were still stuck and unable to move forward.
Meanwhile, He Yi and Shen Shuyao heard the news and rushed over in a panic, but there were too many people blocking the way, and He Yi couldn't push through.
At this moment, Cheng Liran also arrived at the crew. He saw the woman in the distance, looking flustered and surrounded by reporters.
For some reason, it reminded him of the time she caused a ruckus at the company, when she had the same helpless expression.
"Cheng Liran is here!" A reporter shouted.
In an instant, everyone fell silent, almost instinctively making way for him.
Ji Nian watched as the man strode over, grabbed her wrist calmly, and led her out of that place.
Once they entered the film city, people around them finally snapped out of it and started taking pictures frantically.
Ji Nian looked at the man releasing her wrist with an indifferent face. She was stunned for a moment, then said blankly, "Thank you."
Cheng Liran glanced at her and said flatly, "I just didn't want to delay the filming."
Ji Nian didn't say anything and followed him into the set.
He Yi rushed over and asked, "Sister, are you okay? So many people surrounded you."
Shen Shuyao also came over with concern, calling out, "Xiao Nian."
Actually, Ji Nian was still in a daze. What did the reporters say earlier? Her and Yu Luobai were dating? When did that happen? She had no idea.
"Oh my god, I saw the hot topic on Weibo today. There was a video and photos from your interview yesterday, showing Yu Luobai holding your hand." He Yi explained.
"So?" Ji Nian looked puzzled. "Is that why that group of people came to surround me today?"
He Yi nodded and asked, "You didn't know?"
Ji Nian shook her head in disbelief. "I didn't know."
Just for such a small thing... so many people came...
Seeing the cast and crew looking over, He Yi hurriedly pulled her aside and whispered, "You're really not dating?"
Ji Nian shook her head and said, "Not at the moment..."
"At the moment? What does that mean?" He Yi looked confused.
"He confessed." Ji Nian said softly.
"What?!" He Yi exclaimed in surprise, then covered her mouth and whispered, "What?"
"I didn't agree... I think I need some time to think about it." Ji Nian looked perplexed, her heart conflicted.
He Yi slapped her back in exasperation. "Sister, he's a superstar! You're aiming too high if you don't agree!"
Ji Nian's feelings were complicated. "You don't understand."
This was a book, and in her eyes, everyone here was like characters on paper. She didn't know if one day she would go back to her world, or maybe this was just a dream?
"Okay, okay, I don't understand." He Yi said helplessly. "Do we need to make a statement?"
"What about Yu Laoshi?" Ji Nian asked.
"So far, they haven't made any statement, but I saw a lot of posts attacking you getting deleted. There were also some marketing accounts trying to turn public opinion around." He Yi pondered, then continued, "I suspect Yu Laoshi hired people to suppress the hot topic for you."
Ji Nian was stunned. "Then let's not say anything for now, we'll see how Yu Laoshi handles it..."
He Yi looked conflicted. "Okay, you just focus on acting for now."
Ji Nian nodded, but her heart was in turmoil. She didn't deny that she did have feelings for Luo Bai - he was handsome, had a great physique, and a nice personality...
Meanwhile, Yu Luobai saw another news report popping up. He opened it, and his body froze when he saw the photo of Ji Nian's wrist being grabbed by Cheng Liran. He remained silent.
Peng He walked over, saw the news, and sighed, "Ji Xiaonian was surrounded by reporters at the film city today. Cheng Liran pulled her out."
"And they were holding hands..." Yu Luobai said bitterly.
"That wasn't holding hands, he just grabbed her wrist to lead her out," Peng He tried to comfort him.
Yu Luobai closed the news and asked, "How's the handling of the online haters going?"
"We hired internet mercenaries to control the narrative. Posts are coming out gradually, but they keep getting deleted. The company hasn't made any official statement. You're a shareholder, practically the boss, so you can decide how to deal with it," Peng He said after taking a sip of water.
Yu Luobai didn't respond. He opened Ji Nian's WeChat chat and tried to type something several times, but ended up deleting it all. He was agitated and closed the chat window.
By late morning, Ji Nian had finished filming for the day. Normally, she would go to the company in the afternoon for Yu Luobai's acting class, but after yesterday's awkwardness, she didn't feel comfortable going today.
"He Yi, can you find me another teacher? I still need to continue my acting lessons," Ji Nian said.
He Yi looked puzzled as she ate her lunch box. "Isn't Yu Luobai teaching you?"
Ji Nian sighed, "It's a bit awkward. I may need some time to myself first, so I won't find him for now."
"Really not considering it? The news is out anyway, why not just date? I think you two are quite suitable and get along well," He Yi said as she ate.
"No, I haven't figured out my feelings yet," Ji Nian looked lost.
"Okay, I'll arrange for another acting teacher for you," He Yi nodded.
"What about Shu Yao?" Ji Nian looked around but didn't see the female lead.
"She said she had something come up, so she needs to calm down for a couple of days too," He Yi said helplessly.
Ji Nian: "..."
Didn't they agree to support her before?
That afternoon, Yu Luobai was still at the company, constantly checking the time. It was already 3 PM, but the woman hadn't shown up.
"Is Ji Xiaonian running late today?" Peng He asked tentatively.
Yu Luobai put down the spare script he had kept here, stood up and said indifferently, "She probably won't come."
Peng He was stunned. Did they break up?
The saying really was true - if the confession failed, they couldn't even be friends anymore...
