21 – Familу Рrоtесtiоn
А revamреd vеrsiоn оf “Unchanging” instantlу рushed audiеnce sресulаtiоn tо its pеаk.
Еvеn beforе the show was editеd аnd airеd, Jiаng Ning wаs оnсe аgаin а massive hit.
Тhе toр three trending tоpiсs were all rеlatеd to Jiаng Ning.
Тrending Tоpic Onе: “Тhе Rеmix of ‘Unсhаnging’ Rеаches Lеgendаry Status.”
Тrending Tоpic Тwo: “Jiang Ning and Yе Сhеn Suspесted of Relаtionshiр Тurmoil.”
Trеnding Toрic Тhrее: “Jiang Ning аnd Ye Chеn Apреаr United but Are Actually Divided, Susреcted of Hаving Аlready Вrоken Up.”
Fans were not blind. In the livestream, the change in Jiang Ning’s attitude toward Ye Chen from the first day to the second was glaringly obvious. Not only that, she had even cried.
Fans who had waited for the show without watching the livestream clicked into the trending topics and, upon hearing the remixed version of “Unchanging,” were stunned by Jiang Ning’s talent while imagining all sorts of dramatic stories.
Some influential bloggers even analyzed the various details of the suspected relationship turmoil between Ye Chen and Jiang Ning.
These bloggers loved stirring up drama, but without concrete evidence, they feared backlash from the celebrities. They were relatively cautious, using more subtle wording and not directly mentioning Jiang Zhi.
Netizens, however, had no such fears.
Those who had watched the livestream pointed out that Jiang Ning’s attitude toward Jiang Zhi was noticeably cold, suspecting that something was going on between Ye Chen and Jiang Zhi.
These speculative guesses, lacking confirmation or evidence from the parties involved, were fiercely resisted by fans.
Jiang Zhi’s fans went into overdrive, flooding comments everywhere to refute the claims.
“Please don’t spread baseless rumors, okay? Your goddess acted like a diva and ignored our Xiao Zhi, so how is it our Xiao Zhi’s fault? Didn’t you see how much she tried to avoid suspicion?”
“Taking Xiao Zhi away from this mess, haha.”
“She was putting on a one-woman show. Who knows why she was so upset? Don’t drag our Xiao Zhi into this, okay?”
“Exactly. Our Xiao Zhi already said she’s not close to Ye Chen in private. Just because she’s not as famous doesn’t mean you can step all over her.”
However, no matter how fierce Jiang Zhi’s fans were, they couldn’t compare to Jiang Ning’s fans in sheer numbers.
Still, Jiang Ning had already discussed this with Sister Ai in advance.
As a result, both the public relations team and the fans excelled at controlling the narrative. This time, instead of attacking Jiang Zhi, they responded to posts analyzing Jiang Ning’s coldness toward Jiang Zhi and Ye Chen’s questionable relationship with: “No official announcement, don’t speculate.”
This approach left a very positive impression on casual observers.
In contrast, Jiang Zhi’s fans continued to viciously criticize Jiang Ning, using her cold attitude toward Jiang Zhi as ammunition. This led casual observers, who had previously held a favorable impression of Jiang Zhi, to develop feelings of annoyance and disgust toward her because of her fans.
Of course, as a newcomer, Jiang Zhi didn’t have a large fanbase. No matter how much her fans stirred up trouble, they couldn’t create significant waves. Casual observers even felt they were overstepping and too eager to take offense.
After seeing the trending topics, Jiang Zhi angrily called Ye Chen.
As soon as the call connected, her tone immediately shifted. Her voice trembled with tears: “Brother Chen, what should we do? If people find out about us… Maybe I should just leave the industry. I can’t let this affect you.”
She was skilled at manipulating people, knowing that saying this would not only prevent Ye Chen from letting her leave the industry but would also make him feel more favorably toward her.
Sure enough, hearing her self-sacrificing words, Ye Chen felt guilty toward Jiang Zhi and admired her kindness even more.”Xiao Zhi, don’t worry, this matter hasn’t reached an irreparable point yet. As long as we flatly deny it, no one will keep pressing on something without evidence. I understand Jiang Ning—she won’t speak out.”
Frustrated and restless, Ye Chen immediately called to have the trending topic removed.
Then he called Jiang Ning, but she didn’t answer, so he switched to sending a WeChat message.
“Xiao Ning, are you free? I’d like to talk to you…”
Jiang Ning sank into the sofa, saw the trending topic had been removed, and guessed it was Ye Chen’s doing. She chuckled softly but took no action.
A fire is only interesting when it burns slowly.
Jiang Zhi was still just a small newcomer at this point—burning her now wouldn’t be interesting.
Jiang Zhi became a rising star after the broadcast of her first TV drama, Provoke, which she co-starred in with Ye Chen.
Shortly after, following their collaboration on the second TV drama, Reincarnated Millennia, Jiang Zhi firmly established herself in the film and television industry.
Reincarnated Millennia hadn’t been signed yet, and Provoke was about to be released.
So, the best timing would be after Provoke aired.
Exposing the affair too early with solid evidence wouldn’t benefit her, especially since Jiang Zhi had the protagonist’s halo, and the internet tends to forget celebrities’ wrongdoings over time.
By revealing it when Jiang Zhi was at the peak of her popularity and then exposing her two-faced behavior, fans would remember what she and Ye Chen had done more vividly.
Jiang Ning remained calm, but Jiang Zhi couldn’t hold back.
She proactively posted a Weibo update.
“Spreading rumors comes at a cost. I’ve contacted a lawyer to protect my rights.”
She attached a screenshot of a prominent influencer’s post, which directly speculated that she and Ye Chen had an improper relationship and that Jiang Ning had discovered it, which was why she was so heartbroken.
After watching the drama unfold, Jiang Ning was quite satisfied with Jiang Zhi’s attempt to clear her name.
After all, the more forcefully she refuted it now, the harder the slap in the face would be later.
As for the influencer, Jiang Ning felt no sympathy either, as they were merely jumping on trending topics for attention, not genuinely speaking up for her.
Seeing Ye Chen’s WeChat message, she snorted lightly and ignored it.
Under Ye Chen’s forceful measures, the trending topic was removed quickly.
Jiang Ning began contacting Sister Ai to find suitable movie scripts for her.
Sister Ai, thinking she wanted to act in a film, was shocked and skeptical: “Little ancestor, you’re not thinking of switching careers, are you?”
Jiang Ning’s status and reputation in the music industry allowed her to dominate the entertainment world, but venturing into film and television might not go well…
It would likely attract criticism.
Jiang Ning chuckled softly: “It’s for Gu Chi.”
Although she also planned to venture into film and television, it wasn’t the right time yet.
“Gu Chi?” Sister Ai’s lips twitched. “If I remember correctly, he also came from a singing competition…”
“It’s fine, he can do it.”
Jiang Ning stated directly.
Sister Ai had no choice but to agree. She acted quickly, selecting scripts for Gu Chi within just two days, but she first brought them to Jiang Ning for review.
Seeing the title Hidden, a flicker of surprise crossed Jiang Ning’s eyes.
If she remembered the plot correctly, Gu Chi rose to become a film emperor through this very movie.
Had it appeared this early?
What did this mean…
It meant the plot had completely deviated from the World Consciousness’s intended path.
Excellent.
Jiang Ning decisively pulled out the script for Hidden, tapped it with her fair fingers, and smiled. “Give this to Gu Chi and have him audition.”
“Hidden?”Sister Ai was somewhat worried. “Can Gu Chi handle it? This film is a martial arts movie, which requires actors to have martial arts skills. Moreover, the director of this film almost never uses current trendy young idols…”
Not to mention, Gu Chi has just made a comeback and doesn’t have much popularity yet.
Jiang Ning chuckled softly. It was perfect that martial arts skills were required.
If she remembered correctly, Gu Chi was excellent at martial arts scenes.
“It’s fine, he can do it.”
Sister Ai didn’t understand why Jiang Ning had so much confidence in Gu Chi. Was it just because of the “filter” from sleeping together?
Sister Ai’s mind drifted into the gutter, and she couldn’t help but wonder—was Gu Chi exceptionally strong in that area?
So after just one night together, Jiang Ning trusted him completely?
Seeing Sister Ai’s expression gradually turning strange, Jiang Ning glanced at her. “What are you thinking?”
Sister Ai snapped back to reality and waved her hand with a sly grin. “Nothing at all… pfft.”
Jiang Ning: “”
Your expression doesn’t look like you’re thinking of nothing.
Sister Ai quickly changed the subject. “Now that things have blown up so much, are you confident you can directly take down Ye Chen and Jiang Zhi? Even though you’re a top star now, Ye Chen’s fanbase is not to be underestimated. If you’re not sure, it’s best not to speak out just yet.”
“Speaking out,” of course, referred to the matter of Jiang Zhi and Ye Chen.
Moreover, Ye Chen and Jiang Zhi’s “Provocative Flames” was about to be released. Given Ye Chen’s talent and popularity, it was hard to imagine the drama not becoming a hit.
Jiang Ning smiled and patted her shoulder. “If I weren’t confident, do you think I would have deliberately acted that way on the show?”
“That’s true, you never do anything you’re not sure about,” Sister Ai said with a laugh.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning’s eyes darkened. Did she never do anything she wasn’t sure about?
No, over the past ten lifetimes, due to the suppression of the World Consciousness, she had done countless things she was sure about, only for them to ultimately turn into uncertainties.
Although the trending topic incident had been suppressed, it still didn’t escape the Jiang family’s notice.
Jiang Ning’s eldest brother, Jiang Chengyu, was currently the CEO of Jiang Sheng Group.
He took a moment from his busy schedule to call Jiang Ning, his gentle voice filled with concern. “Xiao Ning, is what’s being said on the trending topics true? About you and Ye Chen?”
Hearing her family’s voice again, a feeling akin to “nervousness when returning home” washed over her. For a moment, Jiang Ning actually felt a reluctance to get close.
She opened her mouth, her throat tight and aching, but in the end, she couldn’t say a word.
“Xiao Ning?” Not hearing a response, Jiang Chengyu called out worriedly.
Jiang Ning quickly snapped back to reality, suppressing the longing that surged in her heart, and forced a smile. “Big brother, I’m fine. I’ll handle this matter, don’t worry…”
She tried hard to control her emotions, but unexpectedly, as soon as she spoke, her voice trembled with tears.
Jiang Chengyu’s expression immediately turned grim.
“So, what those marketing accounts said is true, isn’t it? Ye Chen really did something to hurt you. I’m going to confront him.”
The man who had always been gentle in front of Jiang Ning suddenly became stern. He spoke one sentence after another, not even giving Jiang Ning a chance to refute, and directly hung up the phone, instructing his assistant to drive to Ye Chen’s place.