The celebration banquet was in full swing. Everyone from the production team took turns raising their glasses to celebrate the drama’s explosive success on its premiere.
Wen Yusui calmly accepted everyone’s congratulations with a glass of wine in hand. She had never imagined that she would have a day like this. She was wholeheartedly enjoying this wonderful moment.
Seeing that she had already had quite a bit to drink, He Yanzhou understood how happy she was, but he still advised her, “Yusui, drink a little less. You’re getting drunk.”
Wen Yusui’s face had turned slightly red from the alcohol. She shook her head happily.
“He Yanzhou, you’re the one I should toast first. If you hadn’t brought me into the entertainment industry, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today. I’m truly grateful to you!”
He Yanzhou was genuinely happy for her as well. He said sincerely, “Yusui, everything you’ve achieved today is really because of your own hard work. I’ve always believed in you, and I’ve always trusted your abilities even more.”
His gaze softened as he recalled the first time they had met in college. He added quietly, “Even back in college, you already stood out in my eyes. You were born to become an outstanding actress.”
Wen Yusui was deeply touched by his words. Her fingers tightened around the champagne glass.
She had never expected that He Yanzhou had believed in her so much, from their university days all the way until now.
Her miserable marriage to Gu Huaichuan had wasted the best years of her life and trapped her for nothing. Ultimately, it was because she had failed to recognize the kind of person he truly was.
Fortunately, it was not too late.
From now on, she had decided to put love aside and live only for herself, devoting herself wholeheartedly to her acting career.
“He Yanzhou, I won’t let your trust in me go to waste. From now on, let’s work well together and win together.”
With that, the two raised their glasses and drank their champagne in one go.
After that, the director, assistant director, and even Luo Huai all came over to drink with Wen Yusui.
He Yanzhou wanted to stop them, but Lin Yinyin spoke up from the side.
“President He, Sister Wen rarely gets this happy. Just let her drink.”
He Yanzhou eventually nodded.
It was fine to let her indulge herself a little.
No one knew how much time had passed before Wen Yusui was thoroughly drunk and began to grow drowsy.
He Yanzhou was just about to help her up and take her home when he saw Lin Yinyin clutching her phone, her face pale with panic.
“President He! Something’s happened!”
Afraid of waking Wen Yusui, He Yanzhou could only lay her down on the sofa and take off his own jacket to cover her.
He looked at Lin Yinyin and asked, “What happened?”
Lin Yinyin was frantic and anxious.
“There are rumors and scandalous stories about you and Sister Wen all over the internet! They’re saying Sister Wen used her looks to sleep her way to the top!”
He Yanzhou immediately understood.
Gu Huaichuan had made his move.
He took Lin Yinyin’s phone and saw photos circulating online of himself having dinner with Wen Yusui at the restaurant, along with several supposedly intimate photos.
He knew that the photos of them eating together were real, but the rest had all been fabricated.
The public backlash had only just begun. It had not reached the trending headlines yet.
He Yanzhou immediately picked up his phone and contacted the public-relations department, instructing them to prepare at once. The moment the scandal reached the trending lists, they were to issue a clarification, release evidence proving that the fake photos had been fabricated, and have the lawyers prepare a statement announcing that legal action would be taken.
Meanwhile, Qiao Yao watched as the rumors began spreading online, and she was practically beside herself with excitement.
She sneered inwardly.
“Wen Yusui, your doom has arrived.”
She continued messaging the person behind the campaign, urging him to find more people to repost and comment on the photos so that Wen Yusui would trend again.
Unexpectedly, the person replied that he had already hired plenty of people. At the rate things normally spread, the photos should have reached the trending headlines long ago, but for some reason, they simply could not get there today.
Qiao Yao replied, “Then expand the operation and find more people. I’ll pay extra!”
The person behind the campaign then said something that sent a chill down Qiao Yao’s spine.
“I’ve already paid extra. Otherwise, the photos wouldn’t have been able to spread at all. A lot of people have reported that whenever they try to repost or comment, their phones freeze, or they suddenly shut down automatically.”
At first, he had thought it was just a coincidence. But as more and more people reported the same thing, even he began to find it bizarre.
Qiao Yao, however, thought he was just scaring himself.
“You’re fine, aren’t you? Those people probably think the money isn’t enough. Either they’re making excuses to get more money out of you, or their phones are just garbage.”
The person replied again.
“I’ve experienced it myself too. More than a dozen computers and phones suddenly shut down for no reason. The power even went out. In the end, I had no choice but to come to an internet café. And on the way here, I somehow tripped several times for no reason. Being able to get these photos circulating at all is already a miracle.”
Qiao Yao’s face was filled with unwillingness. She angrily hammered at her phone.
“What’s the point if we can’t get on the trending headlines? I don’t care! I have plenty of money. Even if you have to drag people off the street and make them repost the photos, you’d better get me on the trending list! Otherwise, I’ll make sure you go out of business and lose your job for good!”
The person behind the campaign was speechless.
He should never have taken this job in the first place. It was all because he had been blinded by the money.
He was just about to spend more money getting the people at the internet café to help repost the photos when—
“Bang!”
The power went out again.
He let out a deep sigh, helplessness filling his heart.
This Wen Yusui was truly terrifying!
Once he finished this job, he was definitely going to burn some incense and pray for protection!
Gu Huaichuan returned after paying the bill and saw Qiao Yao holding her phone, her expression looking extremely unpleasant.
He immediately asked with concern, “Yao, are you feeling unwell? Why do you look so pale?”
Qiao Yao had been so furious over Wen Yusui’s situation that she had not paid attention to the discomfort in her body.
Only after Gu Huaichuan reminded her did she realize that her stomach was hurting a little.
She instantly became tense and did not dare move an inch.
With a sob in her voice, she cried out, “Huaichuan! My stomach hurts! Hurry and take me to the hospital!”
Gu Huaichuan immediately picked Qiao Yao up and rushed her to the hospital.
At the celebration banquet, everyone was already drunk and sprawled out in various places.
He Yanzhou had also finished making arrangements with the PR team. He planned to take Wen Yusui home to rest first, then return to the company to deal with whatever sudden crises the public backlash might trigger.
He silently swore that he would never let Gu Huaichuan hurt her again.
He supported Wen Yusui with one arm, doing his best to let her lean against him as he half-carried, half-dragged her along.
Lin Yinyin, walking beside them, suddenly reminded him, “President He, you could just carry Sister Wen in your arms! How long are you planning to drag her like that?”
He Yanzhou calmly explained, “The two of us are currently at the center of the controversy. If someone with ulterior motives takes a photo of us, it’ll only create more trouble.”
Lin Yinyin nodded in belated understanding.
“Then I’ll help support Sister Wen!”
But He Yanzhou did not let go.
“No need. I’m worried you might drop her. I’ll just support her like this.”
The moment they reached the entrance of the banquet hall, He Yanzhou immediately noticed a man standing in the shadows by the doorway, wearing a mask.
The man was tall and slender, dressed in a simple black casual outfit. Even with the mask covering his face, it could not conceal his refined features and striking eyes.
He Yanzhou stopped walking.
His brows furrowed as he stared intently at the man standing by the entrance.
Seeing He Yanzhou stop, Lin Yinyin also looked up toward the doorway.
She unconsciously exclaimed,
“Mu Chao?!”