Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Suddenly, the internet was flooded with a deluge of slander against Bai Chenxi. Whether the video was real or not didn’t matter; what mattered was that there would always be people who believed it.

“Sister Wang, look, people are attacking me online,” Bai Chenxi called Wang Ling the moment she saw the news, her tone playful and seeking comfort.

“I saw it. I’ll handle this. Who dares to defame my artist?” Wang Ling was already searching online for the source as she spoke on the phone.

“Sister Wang, you’re so fierce.” Bai Chenxi had every confidence in Wang Ling’s abilities.

“I just contacted the ‘Star Diary’ production team—they’ll cut out the controversial segments when the episode airs. The rumors will collapse on their own. Those who curse you now may well become your fans in the future.”

After thinking for a moment, Bai Chenxi asked, “So, Sister Wang, does this count as the legendary ‘notoriously popular’?”

Wang Ling scoffed, “At your level? You’re not there yet. By the way, who did you offend lately? It’s obvious this is an organized attack.”

Bai Chenxi protested innocently, “Who could I possibly offend? I’ve been livestreaming all day—you can see that for yourself.”

Wang Ling’s expression was enigmatic. “Looks like you’re getting a bit popular and blocking someone’s path.”

Bai Chenxi grew excited. “Wow! Sister Wang, am I really popular enough now to get in someone’s way?”

Wang Ling’s mouth twitched. Since when was that something to be proud of?

“Bai Chenxi, next time you come over—” Wang Ling began, intending to say she’d bring her some walnuts, but suddenly remembered Chu Muyun.

She’d let it slide before, but this time she had to get to the bottom of it.

“Bai Chenxi, be honest with me—what’s your relationship with Chu Muyun?”

“Huh? Why do you ask, Sister Wang?” Bai Chenxi hadn’t expected this question.

Seeing her evasiveness, Wang Ling pressed, “Are you two dating?”

“Of course not!” Bai Chenxi retorted immediately, then stammered, “We… we’re just friends.”

Wang Ling felt a moment of relief at the first half, but her brow furrowed at the second. After a pause, she said, “I recall not long ago when I asked you, you said you had nothing at all to do with him. How is it you’re friends now?”

Bai Chenxi gave a sheepish laugh. “We weren’t close then, and there were some misunderstandings. Now we’ve gotten to know each other.”

Wang Ling gave a cold snort. “I hope the next time I ask, you haven’t upgraded from friends to boyfriend.”

Bai Chenxi grinned, “Of course not, don’t worry, Sister Wang.”

After hanging up, Bai Chenxi tossed her phone aside. The internet was full of people insulting her. No matter how much she enjoyed gossip, she had no desire to read things about herself—especially when they were false.

She wasn’t avoiding Weibo for fear of getting upset or angry, but worried she might impulsively lash out at someone. Even with an alternate account, she might get exposed, giving her detractors more ammunition.

Lying on the sofa, Bai Chenxi groaned, “So bored!”

She spotted Caesar resting in the distance and called out, “Chu Muyun?”

Caesar’s eyes snapped open and he looked around, then barked at Bai Chenxi.

She hurried over, coaxing the dog, “Don’t be mad, okay?”

As soon as her hand reached out, Caesar got up and walked away. Bai Chenxi called after him, chasing him around the house—her life once again a chaotic whirlwind of dogs running, people chasing.

Elsewhere, Chu Muyun was calling Zhang Kai. “Well? Any news?”

“I found it—and it has something to do with you,” Zhang Kai said, still drawing it out.

“Out with it.”

“It’s an actress named Li Keke.”

“Li Keke? Who’s that?” Chu Muyun wracked his brain but couldn’t place the name.

Zhang Kai silently mocked him—of course he didn’t know; apart from Bai Chenxi, he probably didn’t recognize any female celebrities.

After his internal grumbling, Zhang Kai explained, “Li Keke is with your former agency, Fishbrocade Entertainment.”

At the mention of Fishbrocade, Chu Muyun’s brows knitted instinctively. It had been ages since he’d heard that name.

He spoke coldly, “Sneaking around with dirty tricks—that’s their style. After all these years, they’re even more foolish than before.”

Zhang Kai, well aware of the enmity between Chu Muyun and Fishbrocade, wasn’t surprised.

After a moment, he added, “But honestly, I doubt this was the company’s idea. I know Li Keke’s manager—she’s not that brainless. This was done so blatantly, it must be a rookie’s handiwork. Li Keke probably acted on her own.”

Chu Muyun sneered, “Birds of a feather.”

“Need me to handle it?” There was a hint of eagerness in Zhang Kai’s voice.

After a brief pause, Chu Muyun replied, “No need. Didn’t you say you know her manager? She’ll take care of it once she finds out.”

Zhang Kai sounded disappointed. “Really don’t need me? This would be a perfect moment to show off your boyfriend skills.”

Chu Muyun was speechless—here we go again. “No, I’ll save this rare opportunity for you and your dear Ling’er. After all, you’re not getting any younger, right?”

Something about that didn’t sit right with Zhang Kai.

“Hey, wait a second. Ling’er and I are just friends. How could you sully our pure friendship?”

Chu Muyun was quietly satisfied. Let him get a taste of being misunderstood. “If I say Bai Chenxi and I aren’t a couple, would you believe me?”

Without missing a beat, Zhang Kai retorted, “Not a chance.”

“The same goes for you.” With that, Chu Muyun hung up.

“Hey! He hung up…” Zhang Kai hadn’t finished speaking.

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully—him and Ling’er together? As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he shook his head vigorously.

No way. Not even rabbits eat the grass by their own burrow, and Ling’er wasn’t even grass—she was family.

With that, Zhang Kai called his “family,” Ling’er.

“Hello? If you have something to say, say it. If not, I’m hanging up.” She picked up immediately, but her tone was clearly foul.

Zhang Kai teased, “Who made our Ling’er upset? Just say the word and I’ll take care of it for you.”

Wang Ling’s voice was icy. “You’re asking because you already know, aren’t you?”

Zhang Kai straightened up at once. “Of course not. I’m here to bring you firsthand news. I know who’s targeting your Bai Chenxi.”

“Who?” Wang Ling demanded, eager to see who would dare.

“It’s Li Keke from Fishbrocade Entertainment,” Zhang Kai said, silently offering her his condolences.

“Li Keke from Fishbrocade.” Wang Ling considered the name, then said in a curious tone, “Zou Tang really hasn’t matured at all. Is he that reckless now?”

Zhang Kai, oblivious to the shift in her tone, pressed on, “I don’t think it was Zou Tang. It was done so obviously—it must be one of his artists acting on her own.”

“Oh, you sound like her brother-in-law, speaking up for her like that.” Though she joked, her tone was anything but playful.

Zhang Kai slapped his forehead; he’d forgotten about that history. Now old and new grudges were all tangled together. He couldn’t help but think: Women really do bear grudges—how long has it been?

He chuckled awkwardly, “That was so long ago. If you hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve forgotten. Nothing’s more important than you, Ling’er! The moment I heard someone dared attack your artist, I rushed to get to the bottom of it.”

A cold snort came from the other end.

Sensing danger, Zhang Kai quickly retreated. “Ling’er, I’ve found the culprit for you. The rest is up to you—good luck!”

After hanging up, Zhang Kai felt a lingering fear. Women’s battles were truly terrifying—best to leave them to it.

He thought to himself: Ling’er used to be gentle. But ever since falling out with Zou Tang, her temper had become more and more unpredictable.