Sure enough, one could clearly see Lin Shen’s ears turning bright red.
As a top-tier star, every move Lu Jing made could quickly ferment online, sparking a frenzy.
Less than five minutes after the Weibo post went up, the number of reposts and comments had already soared past ten thousand.
The surrounding buzz of discussion grew louder and louder. Lin Shen stood there somewhat dazedly, staring at the Weibo post Lu Jing had sent.
After who knows how long, Xiao Xu nudged Lin Shen. “Brother, there are too many people here. Should we leave first?”
Snapping back to reality, Lin Shen put away his phone and nodded.
On the way, Xiao Xu cautiously asked, “…Brother, do you have any scenes with Actor Lu?”
Since joining the crew, Xiao Xu had been with Lin Shen almost constantly. He kept track of every scene Lin Shen had to shoot, when they were scheduled, and who he acted with, all recorded in his memo without any mistakes.
And now, Actor Lu, who had never appeared in the work memos, suddenly posted on Weibo telling everyone that he had scenes with Lin Shen.
Lin Shen, as one of the parties involved, was also a bit confused. “I don’t know. I haven’t received any notice.”
Xiao Xu facepalmed, flipping through Lu Jing’s Weibo post for what felt like the umpteenth time.
[“Lin Shen is an exceptionally outstanding actor. The rumors online about ‘Lin Shen’s insufficient acting skills’ and ‘Lu Jing repeatedly expressing dissatisfaction and demanding retakes’ are all fabrications deliberately spread by certain individuals, distorting the facts. The number of NGs during that shoot was not due to any lack of ability on Lin Shen’s part, but rather the production team’s pursuit of perfection for the final outcome and many other special, uncontrollable factors.
On set, through acting opposite Lin Shen, I could directly feel that his acting skills are truly excellent. In private, our relationship is also very good. Lin Shen is not guilty of ‘clinging to fame’ as the rumors suggest. I urge all rumor-mongers to stop spreading falsehoods immediately.”]
Xiao Xu: “He really said he acted opposite you on set, but you don’t have any scenes with Actor Lu at all, not even group scenes. What if when it airs, someone catches on and exposes it? Are they going to have the director specially add scenes for you and Actor Lu because of this? Or maybe…”
Xiao Xu spoke rapidly, as if he couldn’t stop.
Lin Shen listened in silence, then suddenly thought of something and interrupted Xiao Xu. “Wait, Lu Jing has been on set for a while, but he’s been doing the director’s work and hasn’t started filming yet.”
Turning his head, Lin Shen asked with a puzzled expression, “Do you know which character he’s playing?”
Xiao Xu’s thoughts stalled for a moment before he stared blankly at Lin Shen. “Seems like… I don’t know.”
Lin Shen said, “Then how can we be sure that I don’t have any scenes with him in this drama?”
A film or TV drama often involves numerous characters, and roles with limited screen time aren’t usually finalized at the start of production—they’re often cast as filming progresses.
On Lu Jing’s first day on set, the director had introduced him as a guest star with only a few scenes.
After thinking carefully, Xiao Xu replied, “That’s true.”
Buzz—
It was the sound of Lin Shen’s phone vibrating.
Lu Jing: [Is filming over?]
Lin Shen typed a reply: [Yes.]
Lu Jing: [I’m waiting for you in the lounge.]
Lin Shen: [Okay.]
“Let’s go to Lu Jing’s lounge,” Lin Shen said to Xiao Xu as he put away his phone.
The lounge area was still quiet. Lin Shen pushed the door open to find Lu Jing pouring water.
Handing the water to Lin Shen, Lu Jing said, “The person spreading rumors behind your back has been found.”
The slightly empty lounge was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Lin Shen held the cup, his fingers gently rubbing its surface as he asked, “Who is it?”
Lu Jing didn’t answer immediately.
He looked at Lin Shen, his gaze obscured by his long eyelashes, appearing inscrutable.
Lin Shen tightened his grip on the cup.
After a long pause, Lu Jing finally spoke, revealing a name Lin Shen would never have expected.
“Bai Jian.”
The second son of Chiyun, Bai Jian.
Lin Shen exclaimed in surprise, “Him?”
Lu Jing nodded. “Yes, him.”
“What about my endorsement deal…”
“That was him too,” Lu Jing said. “He orchestrated your endorsement from the start. The moment he saw you that day, he probably recognized you. He deliberately gave you an endorsement opportunity on the spot, making it seem like a whimsical decision, then ensured you passed the audition smoothly and became Chiyun’s spokesperson. On the day Chiyun announced you as their endorser, he posted on Weibo to generate buzz for you, bringing you into the public eye. After that, he had people keep an eye on you, fabricating ‘scandals’ about you.”
There was one thing Lin Shen couldn’t quite understand. “But wouldn’t exposing scandals about me also affect Chiyun?”
Chiyun’s customers were now in an uproar on the brand’s official Weibo, demanding refunds.
Lin Shen frowned slightly, feeling utterly perplexed.
Lu Jing, however, wasn’t in a hurry to explain. He glanced down at Lin Shen’s lips. “You had a lot of lines in today’s scene—your lips are dry.”
Placing his palm over Lin Shen’s hand, he guided the cup to his lips. “Have some water first.”
The sudden touch made Lin Shen’s heart tremble. His thin lips pressed against the rim of the cup as warm water moistened them. He buried half his face behind the glass, trying to hide his slightly flushed cheeks.
Half the water was quickly gone. Even though Lu Jing’s hand had only brushed against his briefly before moving away, Lin Shen still felt the back of his hand burning.
Under Lu Jing’s somewhat puzzled gaze, the water in the cup gradually disappeared, forcing Lin Shen to finally reveal his face from behind the cup.
“Didn’t you drink water on set?” Lu Jing asked with concern. “Still thirsty? I’ll get you more.”
Lin Shen hadn’t actually been thirsty; his earlier actions were merely to conceal his blushing.
Even though they had already shared a bed, there were still moments when Lu Jing’s actions could make his heart race.
It felt like experiencing the excitement of a lover’s affection during the honeymoon phase.
“No need,” Lin Shen quickly said as he saw Lu Jing reaching for the cup in his hand. “I’m not thirsty anymore.”
Lu Jing’s fingers paused briefly, likely noticing Lin Shen’s unusual behavior.
Looking up, he clearly saw Lin Shen’s ears flushed red.
A smile touched Lu Jing’s eyes as he withdrew his half-extended hand, choosing not to expose him.
After Lin Shen placed the cup back on the table, Lu Jing continued, “The impact of your scandal on Chiyun is temporary. If you manage to clear your name in this incident and restore your public image, Chiyun can continue working with you without significant losses. But if your public image cannot be salvaged, Chiyun only needs to terminate the contract with you and then present themselves as the victim to the public.”
By then, Chiyun might even earn praise for “proactively terminating contracts with controversial artists.”
After hearing this, Lin Shen felt a chill. Without Lu Jing’s public support on social media, his current situation would have been far more difficult.
Yet even so, it still didn’t explain why Bai Jian would do such a thing.
Recalling Lu Jing’s earlier words—”the person they truly want to target might be me”—a cloud of suspicion seemed to hang over Lin Shen’s head.
Lin Shen asked in confusion, “Then why would Bai Jian do this? Why do you say the person Bai Jian wants to target might be you?”
Their eyes met as Lu Jing looked into Lin Shen’s. “Because Bai Jian knows about our relationship.”
Lin Shen still didn’t quite understand.
Lu Jing clarified further, “Our married relationship.”
Lin Shen’s pupils suddenly widened.
Author’s Note:
My apologies for the long wait (bowing in apology).