Chapter 45 Chapter 45 (Revised)

Because of Qin Wen's hot search, "Six Gates Secret Affairs," whose popularity had gradually declined after the finale aired some time ago, became a hot topic again.

Other actors also gained popularity.

Especially the female lead, Xia Ruoying. Originally, the role she played, Rong Yu, had romantic scenes with both the male lead and the second male lead, which is easily criticized if not acted well.

However, she perfectly portrayed the character. Rong Yu seemed impulsive but was actually meticulous. Her martial arts skills were on par with the male lead and the second male lead, and she was never clingy in her relationships, but rather straightforward, free-spirited, and generous.

She truly portrayed a chivalrous woman.

Viewers, who had long been tired of the typical, weak female leads in domestic entertainment, finally saw the kind of female lead they wanted.

As for Xia Ruoying herself, it is said that she worked in the film and television city since she was very young, working as an extra for several years before gradually rising through her skills in recent years.

This year, she is a strong contender for the Golden Lily Award for Best Actress.

Recently, there has been a sudden increase in interviews featuring Xia Ruoying.

She has gained more fans again due to her ambition in acting.

The only regret is that she never talks about her family; she spent New Year's Eve filming on set, and when asked about her family, she always smiles and avoids answering.

Therefore, when a video titled "Xia Ruoying Refuses to Acknowledge Parents; Biological Parents Kneel and Beg" went viral, everyone was shocked.

In the video, Xia Ruoying seems to have just finished recording a program and was stopped by an elderly couple. The couple were crying and trying to talk to her, but Xia Ruoying remained cold and indifferent, instructing her bodyguards to stop them. Finally, the couple knelt down and kowtowed to her, but she left without looking back.

【Xia Ruoying said she has a good personality? She looks so fierce in the video! This must be her true self; she was just acting before the cameras.】

【I've been a fan of Ruoruo for many years, she's definitely not like that; there must be a misunderstanding.】

【Who knows if they're really her parents? Just two random people rushing up. If I were Xia Ruoying, I wouldn't have a good face either.】

【Even if they aren't her parents, two elderly people are kowtowing to you, anyone with a little bit of manners wouldn't just ignore them and walk away.】

【I think they might be her real parents; although their faces are aged, they do look a bit like Xia Ruoying.】

…

While online discussions raged, the couple in the video started a live broadcast.

Both of them looked honest and simple, sitting awkwardly in an old and dark room.

The woman cried, her face covered in tears and snot, speaking in broken Mandarin: "I know we are poor, Ni'er (Xia Ruoying's childhood nickname), you've disliked us since you were young, but you are a piece of my flesh and blood. You stole all the family's money and ran away, causing your father to injure his leg while working and unable to afford treatment. We don't blame you for that, we're just afraid you've been deceived out there. After learning about you, we took a 10+ hour car ride just to hear you call us Mom and Dad again…"

The man remained silent, his head bowed.

【Seeing them reminds me of my own parents…】

【She's crying so pitifully; I'm a mother too, I can really empathize.】

【Xia Ruoying is so selfish! Running away is one thing, but she even stole all the family's savings!】

There was another plainly dressed woman with them, claiming to be Xia Ruoying's junior high school classmate. She looked disappointed as she addressed the camera: "I don't know whether I should call you Xia Ni or Xia Ruoying. I used to envy you; you were pretty and had fair skin. Later, I found out that your family wasn't well-off, but your parents were especially kind to you. During the harvest season, we all had to work in the fields, but you didn't…"

Netizens, comparing the three people's dark skin to Xia Ruoying's fair skin, were already largely convinced.

【I'm from the countryside; I can testify that during the harvest season, the whole family, young and old, has to work in the fields. It's incredibly hard work; not letting her work is really spoiling her.】

【I didn't like Xia Ruoying before, she has a shrewd look. It seems my intuition is quite accurate!】

【Sigh, I admired Xia Ruoying's ambition before, but it turns out she's like this. Fan turned hater!】

…

For a time, the internet was filled with criticism of Xia Ruoying.

Gu Xing Shi happened to see this hot search and frowned.

Based on his short interactions with Xia Ruoying, he didn't think she was as the couple described.

Thinking of this, he called out to the system: 【System, any gossip?】

System: 【Host, we are truly of one mind! I was about to tell you!】

【Actually, the truth is completely different from what they said. Xia Ruoying's situation is quite tragic. Her parents were extremely patriarchal. When she was born, her father wanted to drown her because she was a girl, but someone said she had a good face and might have a great future, so she survived.】

【Her parents weren't hardworking people; they were lazy, loved gambling and drinking. Xia Ruoying had to do all the housework from a young age and work in the fields. However, she was naturally fair-skinned, and after careful skincare as an actress, her skin recovered. Even though she was obedient, her parents would beat her when they lost money or got drunk.】

【After her younger brother was born, she became his nanny. She had excellent grades, and was offered a free scholarship to the county's high school, but her parents locked her up and wouldn't let her go. Even worse, Xia Ruoying was only 15 at the time, and they took a large amount of betrothal money and wanted to marry her off to a widower who had beaten his wife to death.】

【Xia Ruoying found out and ran away. She didn't take the family's savings; it was money she secretly saved by collecting scrap. As for them saying their savings were gone and her father injured his leg, it's because they gambled away the betrothal money and were beaten by the widower's men.】

Gu Xing Shi felt a mix of emotions.

No wonder Xia Ruoying worked so hard on set; this drama has a lot of fight scenes, and she did all the stunts she could.

Qin Wen said she was injured several times, but she endured the pain to avoid affecting filming.

It was all because of her background.

The system continued: 【That's not all! There's even bigger gossip!】

Gu Xing Shi: 【There's more?!】

System: 【Xia Ruoying's younger brother, Xia Yaozu, isn't actually her father's son!】

Gu Xing Shi: 【！！！】

System: 【Xia Ruoying's mother couldn't have a son, and was abused by her husband. Later, she had an affair with another villager, often sneaking around when her husband wasn't home. Xia Yaozu is the child from that affair. As for Xia Ruoying's junior high school classmate, that's also fake; she's a neighbor who learned the secret and blackmailed Xia Ruoying's mother. This time, she's also involved to extort money from Xia Ruoying.】

After hearing this, Gu Xing Shi had only two words to describe it: 【Explosive.】

Yet, it was this group of explosive people who were trying to destroy Xia Ruoying, who had escaped the abyss and was striving to live her life.

-

Xia Ruoying pleaded with her agent: "I've worked for the company for so many years and made them so much money. Won't the company even help me clear my name? Even if you don't help me clear my name, just give me my Weibo password, I can do it myself!"

The agent feigned a sigh: "Ruoying, it's not that I'm unwilling to help you, but cold treatment will be better for this kind of thing. And if you try to explain, you don't have any evidence, no one will believe you."

Xia Ruoying clenched her fists tightly, feeling dejected.

Yes.

Outsiders only see her glamorous appearance and her parents' poverty.

They see her cold demeanor and her parents' desperate pleas.

She has no evidence to prove what she has suffered, but outsiders can see her escaping her hometown, her father's broken leg, and the so-called "junior high school classmate" testifying against her.

She is alone, so small in the face of the torrent of public opinion.

Seeing this, the agent quickly produced a contract: "I've been with you for so many years, how could I harm you? Once you renew the contract, leave everything to the company, and everything will be fine."

Xia Ruoying looked at the harsh terms in the contract and sneered: "Sister Cai, you're making me sign this kind of contract, aren't you making me work for free for the company?"

"What are you saying?" The agent said sarcastically, "Let me be frank, reputation is the most important thing for a female actress. With your current reputation, the company would spend a lot of time and money to clear your name. If it weren't for you working for the company for so many years, who would want to take on this hot potato?"

The agent used a carrot-and-stick approach, softening her voice, "Don't blame me for being blunt, weren't there so many agencies contacting you before? They spoke so nicely, but now that you're in trouble, haven't they all disappeared? It's a dog-eat-dog world, everyone wants to make money, you think you're still the same as before. Honestly, even if you go begging now, no one will sign you, and even if they did, do you think the conditions would be better than ours?"

Xia Ruoying subconsciously bit her lip.

After the explosion of "Six Gates Secret Affairs," many agencies had indeed contacted her, including some well-known ones.

But as the agent said, after the video appeared, these people never contacted her again.

Seeing her hesitation, the agent said, "That's how things are. Think carefully. But I advise you, the world is like this, there's no real affection, only interests. Even your biological parents treated you this way, what about strangers?"

These words were like a needle, piercing Xia Ruoying's heart, making her body tremble.

After the agent left, only she remained in the room.

Xia Ruoying could no longer hide her vulnerability; she curled up, her arms tightly around herself.

Yes.

There's no such thing as true affection in this world.

When she was popular, countless people wanted to be her friend.

But after she got into trouble, these people avoided her like the plague.

Only a few people from the "Six Gates Secret Affairs" crew sent messages to comfort her, but they were all constrained by the company and didn't dare to say much.

She had never felt so lonely and hopeless.

She thought she had escaped the abyss, but now it seems she never truly escaped.

Maybe the agent was right.

While she still has some value, she should just sign it.

Otherwise, with her ruined reputation, she won't be able to act anymore, and she will only be worse off.

Xia Ruoying held the pen, trembling as she was about to sign her name.

But at that moment, her phone rang.

She stared at the phone, seeing the three words "Gu Xing Shi."

Xia Ruoying controlled her emotions before answering the call: "Mr. Gu, hello."

Hearing her voice, which was extremely suppressed but still hoarse, Gu Xing Shi anxiously asked: "Are you alright?"

The warm voice pierced into Xia Ruoying's ears, like a warm current, slightly relaxing her tense body.

This was the first person to call her after the incident and ask, "Are you alright?"

She, who hadn't cried since the incident, felt like crying for the first time.

But she managed to restrain herself: "Thank you, I'm fine."

Gu Xing Shi organized his words: "I heard about what's happening online, I believe you're not that kind of person."

Xia Ruoying was stunned.

This was the sentence she most longed to hear these days.

But her agent didn't say it, nor did her friends in the industry.

It was Gu Xing Shi, whom she didn't know very well, who said it.

Gu Xing Shi comforted her for a while, then said meaningfully: "Don't worry, the truth will prevail; this world will definitely give you justice!"

Xia Ruoying didn't think much of it.

Although it was just a short phone call, she had already gained strength from it.

When she looked at the contract again, her face was no longer vulnerable, only strong.

She could defeat fate and escape the abyss back then, so she could do it now.

Just as she tore up the contract and prepared to fight back, she suddenly saw that 10086 had posted on Weibo.

【The gambling mother, the abusive father, the broken her, and someone else's Yaozu.】

As a top gossip account, 10086's Weibo post immediately attracted everyone's attention.

In this post, 10086 concisely described Xia Ruoying's experiences over the years, each word full of blood and tears.

【？？？？Such an explosive family!】

【It's 2024, and we're still seeing such outrageous parents!】

【Ruoruo is so pitiful, no wonder she never talks about her family. I almost believed those old people before, now I feel so guilty! Wuwuwuwu, Ruoruo I will protect you for life!】

【Although it's bad, I really want to laugh, someone else's Yaozu hahahahaha】

【That green-hatted turtle didn't cherish his daughter, but he did a great job raising someone else's son. I wonder how he'll react when he finds out the truth】

…

Live broadcast scene.

Xia's father and mother were still crying about their miserable lives and Xia Ruoying's ingratitude, with the "junior high school classmate" adding fuel to the fire.

The three of them watched the netizens scolding Xia Ruoying with them, feeling very pleased.

Once the heat rises further, they would go to the TV station, forcing Xia Ruoying to recognize them, and then make her pay to support them. She's been a star for so many years, she must have tens of millions!

Just as the three of them were daydreaming, the content of the bullet screen suddenly changed.

They were all 【The gambling mother, the abusive father, the broken her, and someone else's Yaozu.】

Some people were scolding them and feeling sorry for Xia Ruoying.

The three of them were stunned.

The "junior high school classmate," following the clues in the bullet screen, clicked on the Weibo post, and her face changed.

Xia's father snatched the phone, his face turning pale after reading the content; someone had actually revealed their past experiences.

But the further he read, the more confused he became: "What does it mean by someone else's Yaozu?"

【hahahahahahahaha, this is so obvious! It means the son you've been raising is not yours!】

【To put it simply, your wife cheated on you!】

Xia's father suddenly looked up, just in time to see Xia's mother and the "junior high school classmate" looking guilty; he immediately understood: "You b*tch!!! I always wondered why Yaozu didn't look like me! You said he just hasn't grown up yet! It turns out he's not my son at all!"

"I'll kill you…"

He cursed obscenely as he grabbed a chair and smashed it down. Xia's mother's screams were heard.

The junior high school classmate tried to run, but he grabbed her hair: "And you! You knew this b*tch was cheating and hid it from me, and you want to share Xia Ni's assets with us!!"

【Oh—】

【So this is the truth!】

【Recorded, reported to the police, you're welcome!】

Although the live broadcast was quickly shut down due to violence and abuse, according to netizens who reported it, all three were arrested and would face legal judgment.

The live broadcast was also widely circulated, causing the online wind to reverse immediately.

Xia Ruoying hadn't even reacted yet.

But after the shock, her first reaction was gratitude.

Everyone knows that the great 10086 only speaks for Gu Xing Shi's artists. This time, breaking precedent to speak for her, it must be Gu Xing Shi who helped.

She wasn't even under Gu Xing Shi's agency, and to Gu Xing Shi, she was just a not-so-familiar person.

Yet he was willing to help her so wholeheartedly.

Tears finally fell from Xia Ruoying's face.

But it was because of warmth.

At this moment, her agent walked in, holding a new contract, smiling ingratiatingly: "Ruoying! I finally managed to secure a new contract for you, let's sign it quickly, we can still promote you before the Golden Lily Awards…"

Before the 10086 incident, Xia Ruoying had already decided not to cooperate with her anymore.

Now she was even more confident.

She didn't even look at the contract and directly rejected it.

The agent was anxious and flustered: "You don't really think you can sign with a big company, do you? Don't dream…"

Before she finished speaking, Xia Ruoying's phone rang again. It was an agent from Xingyao Media, offering a contract far more lucrative than any previous agency.

Xia Ruoying ignored the pleading agent and walked out of the room.

This time, she might have truly escaped the abyss.

-

After signing the contract with Xia Ruoying, Xingyao Media's agent let out a long sigh of relief.

She had always been optimistic about Xia Ruoying, and she knew Xia Ruoying's former crew leader, vaguely knowing something about Xia Ruoying's family situation. She liked this strong and ambitious girl very much.

After the incident, she had been trying her best to help.

Until 10086 posted on Weibo.

This matter also caused a stir in Xingyao Media.

Xingyao Media and Sweet Orange Video, as the two most important pieces of Wen's entertainment sector, had always cooperated and competed with each other.

In the past, Xingyao Media had always been ahead of Sweet Orange Video, but since "Boy Group Training Camp," Sweet Orange Video had been catching up, and now it had surpassed Xingyao Media.

Not to mention, there was Sun Hongfei, whose promotion was like a rocket, his current status was different, he had a close relationship with Tang, the assistant, and was about to become Wen's confidant.

There were rumors before that Gu Xing Shi, the CEO of LeShi, had a close relationship with their CEO Wen. Sun Hongfei had achieved his current glory because he had found the right person to cling to.

Now, is untold wealth finally going to come our way!!

Compared to the commotion within Xingyao Media, Sun Hongfei scoffed.

His relationship with Gu Xing Shi could not be simply described as "clinging to someone powerful."

They had been through so much together, they were brothers who would die for each other!

Besides, everyone thought Gu Xing Shi was just Wen Yue's kept man.

Only he knew the truth of their beautiful love story!!

Wen Yue had protected Gu Xing Shi's career, and Gu Xing Shi had done the same.

Indeed, one should never doubt the love between Gu Xing Shi and Wen Yue!

So, during the next work report, he casually mentioned this matter.

Wen Yue was startled.

He helped Gu Xing Shi to repay a favor.

Besides, he didn't do anything, just ensured a fair environment; if Gu Xing Shi's artist wins an award, it's her own ability.

But Gu Xing Shi did this without any ulterior motives, purely out of help.

Thinking back to earlier, Gu Xing Shi privately recommended Wen's company to Feng Tingyun. Others would have used such a huge favor to ask for a lot from him.

But Gu Xing Shi didn't say a word to him. If Sun Hongfei hadn't been present and overheard, he wouldn't have known at all.

In the end, Gu Xing Shi hadn't considered any of these things.

He was just genuinely enthusiastic.

Wen Yue was used to the intrigue and deception of this circle, but this was the first time he had seen someone as honest and sincere as Gu Xing Shi, almost foolishly so.

The ice in his heart seemed to melt slightly.

Although his expression didn't change, all the subordinates who reported their work that day felt Wen Yue's unusual gentleness for the first time.

They felt their life expectancy increased!

Only Tang Ling: "..."

My boss seems a little off.

-

The Golden Lily Awards ceremony soon arrived.

Gu Xing Shi was worried that Qin Wen was attending such a large event for the first time, and his resources in the fashion industry were insufficient; he might not be able to borrow a high-profile outfit.

Unexpectedly, Xingyao Media, unusually enthusiastic, proactively helped Qin Wen borrow clothes.

Gu Xing Shi was puzzled, but then he thought, Xia Ruoying signed with Xingyao, she must have put in the effort.

Qin Wen, despite being on the red carpet for the first time, was not nervous.

Cameras flashed incessantly.

After signing and taking pictures, Qin Wen walked to the media interview area and slowly smiled.

The media: !!!

The usually lively media interview area suddenly fell silent.

After a long time, a media outlet finally stepped forward. This media outlet was known for its sharp and pointed questions, adept at poking at artists' weaknesses.

Everyone looked at him expectantly, only to hear him ask: "Qin Wen, what's your feeling attending the Golden Lily Awards for the first time?"

Everyone: ???

That's it?!

Where's your sharpness! Where's your pointedness!!

Qin Wen answered blandly.

The media area fell into an eerie silence again. The host, seeing Qin Wen's expectant gaze, could only helplessly cue another media outlet.

The lucky media outlet asked tremblingly: "That... Qin Wen, what did you have for dinner today?"