The next day.
When Bai Jin woke up, she saw a new message on her phone.
It was from Ji Xiaoyun.
After learning that he was already waiting downstairs, she immediately threw off the blanket, washed up, and went straight downstairs to leave — not even responding to Bai’s mother calling her from behind to eat breakfast.
“Why did you come so early?”
Seeing the familiar car at the entrance, Bai Jin got in and said, “Sorry to make you wait so long.”
“It’s fine.”
Ji Xiaoyun glanced toward the Bai residence, rested his hand on the steering wheel, adjusted his position, and smoothly drove away.
When they arrived at the studio, as soon as they stepped out of the car, they felt many eyes turning toward them.
“Are they all looking at me?”
Bai Jin tilted her head toward Ji Xiaoyun and whispered, “I feel like everyone is paying attention to me.”
“That’s normal.”
Ji Xiaoyun didn’t take it seriously and said calmly, “If they weren’t looking at you, that would be strange. After all, there aren’t many people in this industry with your looks.”
His last words carried a slightly teasing tone.
Bai Jin glared at him and said nothing more.
“Miss Bai.”
When the director saw Ji Xiaoyun bring Bai Jin over, his eyes lit up. He smiled and said, “Although President Ji guaranteed your acting skills, we still need to follow the process.”
“You just need to perform a short scene.”
Bai Jin nodded.
She took the script the director handed her and quickly understood the emotions she needed to portray.
In the next second, she completely immersed herself in the role.
The director’s expression shifted from neutral to increasingly impressed — and finally to pure delight.
“Excellent!”
He had originally planned to find an excuse to reject Ji Xiaoyun’s recommendation, but now that was completely unnecessary.
Bai Jin’s performance fit the character perfectly, and he could also use this opportunity to do Ji Xiaoyun a favor — killing two birds with one stone.
“Miss Bai, I’ll send the contract to your agent later. You don’t need to worry.”
When the director walked Bai Jin and Ji Xiaoyun out, his attitude was completely different from before.
After leaving, Bai Jin immediately told her agent the good news.
“Xiao Jin.”
Her agent called almost instantly. “I have something to tell you.”
Bai Jin felt confused.
Before she could speak, her agent quickly explained the current situation online.
“Right now, netizens are divided into two camps. One group says you’re playing three men at once — leaving Gu Zhan’s house late at night, having a relationship with Ji Xiaoyun, and being entangled with Sheng Muchen before.”
“The other group believes you and is defending you. The arguments are intense — but in any case, you’ve become very popular.”
Bai Jin quickly understood what was going on.
She felt speechless, and just as she was about to say something, she suddenly remembered a plot from the original novel.
Su An’an had a fight with Gu Zhan and stormed out in anger. Paparazzi captured her leaving — and that was how their relationship was exposed.
But now… the protagonist had become her.
“Can you think of a way to suppress those trending topics?”
Bai Jin had a headache. She didn’t want to be deeply entangled with Su An’an and Gu Zhan.
“There’s no way.”
Her agent comforted her instead. “You don’t need to worry too much. News spreads fast, but people also forget fast. In a while, everyone will move on.”
Knowing there was no better solution, Bai Jin could only agree.
While she was on the phone, Ji Xiaoyun stood quietly beside her.
After she hung up, he asked calmly, “What happened?”
“If you need help, you can tell me directly. After all, our public image is now connected.”
“It’s nothing, just a trending topic.”
Bai Jin looked a bit defeated. Even if she didn’t say anything now, Ji Xiaoyun would find out sooner or later.
【Why am I so unlucky? I just gave Gu Zhan a ride home and somehow ended up on trending!】
【If I’d known, I wouldn’t have tried to be kind.】
【If I tell Ji Xiaoyun this was all a coincidence, will he believe me?】
Ji Xiaoyun clearly heard her thoughts — and his smile deepened.
“Don’t worry.”
He suppressed the discomfort in his heart and said, “Since it’s a rumor, there will be a solution.”
“But if you beg me and promise to repay me later, I don’t mind helping you.”
Repay?
Bai Jin looked up at him, eyes flickering.
【His ‘repay’… isn’t what I’m thinking, right? Should I refuse?】
Seeing her mind racing in dangerous directions, Ji Xiaoyun suddenly flicked her forehead hard.
“What are you thinking?”
His voice was cool but teasing. “If you keep imagining weird things, don’t blame me for taking action — you won’t be able to escape then.”
Bai Jin glared at him.
Her ears turned slightly red as she shot back, “You can’t do anything to me! If you dare, I’ll expose your true personality and destroy everyone’s image of you.”
Ji Xiaoyun laughed softly.
After that, Bai Jin was called away to try on her costume and makeup.
Meanwhile, Ji Xiaoyun called his assistant and told him to monitor online public opinion — especially any rumors linking Bai Jin with other men.
His assistant immediately understood.
A few hours later, all online rumors about Bai Jin and Gu Zhan disappeared. Instead, photos of Ji Xiaoyun and Bai Jin together started circulating, and some fans even began shipping them.
“President Ji really cares about Miss Bai.”
After seeing Bai Jin in costume, the director became even more satisfied and said, “All those marketing accounts spreading rumors about Miss Bai have been silenced. They won’t say anything inappropriate again.”
Bai Jin was confused.
After the director left, she checked her phone and saw that all news about her and Gu Zhan was gone.
She assumed her agency had handled it.
After all, Ji Xiaoyun hadn’t said he would help — he even wanted something in return.
Thinking of this, Bai Jin snorted quietly.
After finishing things at the studio, Bai Jin went home to pack — she would enter the film crew in three days.
“Xiao Jin, Muchen has been wanting to see you.”
When Bai Jin returned, Bai’s mother grabbed her arm gently. “Even if you can’t be a couple, you’re still friends, right? Can’t you just meet and talk properly?”
“No!”
Bai Jin refused immediately, then brought up Ji Xiaoyun. “If the Ji family finds out, it might leave a bad impression. I can’t create problems for myself.”
After sending Bai’s mother away, Bai Jin finally relaxed.
Once she joined the crew, she could avoid Sheng Muchen and wouldn’t have to worry about him causing trouble.
She finished packing, and just then her phone buzzed with a new message.
She opened it — it was from Su An’an.
She was asking to meet in person.