Chapter 93
The storm of public opinion showed no sign of abating. Su Rui completely shut herself off, refusing to answer her phone or browse the internet. Like a frightened shell, she closed herself tightly, avoiding any external harm. Her studio's phone was bombarded with calls, and her private messages and comments on social media were filled with all sorts of unsightly speculation, insults, and snooping.
In the midst of this chaos and despair, the doorbell rang gently.
Su Rui curled up on the sofa, unresponsive. A moment later, his phone screen lit up with a message from Shen Qingyuan: "Su Rui, it's me. I'm downstairs at your house. If you don't want to see me, I'll leave immediately. I'm just... worried about you."
His tone was restrained and respectful. Su Rui read the message, a tiny stone seemingly dropped into the numb lake of his heart. The last thing he wanted to see right now was anyone connected to that circle, but Shen Qingyuan… he seemed to be a victim of this unprovoked disaster, too. His message contained no prying, only pure concern.
After hesitating for a long time, Su Rui finally stood up slowly and walked to the door. Through the peephole, she saw Shen Qingyuan standing outside. He was wearing a hat and a mask, and his figure was straight, but he exuded a rare gentleness and...apology?
Su Rui opened the door.
Shen Qingyuan saw his pale and haggard appearance, and a trace of heartache immediately flashed in his eyes. He did not rush in, but just stood at the door and asked softly: "Are you okay? Can I come in?"
Su Rui nodded silently and stepped aside to let him in.
The room was dim and the air was heavy. Shen Qingyuan didn't look at it for long, but simply placed the thermal bag he was carrying on the table. His voice was still gentle: "I brought you some porridge and some side dishes, so eat at least a little."
Su Rui didn't say anything, just lowered her head.
Shen Qingyuan felt a pang of pain as he watched him lose his soul. He knew the truth, the origin of the cold hand manipulating everything, and Ling Yao's tacit approval. But as he looked at Su Rui, who was almost broken, the words kept turning around in his mouth, but he didn't say them.
He couldn't tell him. Telling him how his lover had watched him being pushed into the abyss and chosen to protect herself was too cruel. He couldn't rub salt into Su Rui's wounds.
So he chose another way to help.
"Su Rui," Shen Qingyuan's voice was calm and reassuring. "Public opinion is going crazy right now. You can't handle it alone. If you trust me, let me help you handle it, okay?"
Su Rui finally raised her head, her eyes bloodshot, confused and tired.
"First, your social media platforms and studio phone number must be closed," Shen Qingyuan analyzed calmly. "Those harassment and malicious comments will only continue to drain you. I'll contact my technical friends and help you delete as many offensive comments as possible. First, cut off the source of this negative information so you can breathe."
He took out his cell phone and began to make arrangements in a low voice as he spoke, speaking quickly and clearly.
Su Rui looked at him, her nose suddenly sore. When he was most isolated and helpless, the one who stood up to help him clean up the mess was Shen Qingyuan, who was also "implicated" by him and was in the vortex.
"I'm sorry..." Su Rui's voice was hoarse, "I've caused you trouble..."
Shen Qingyuan looked at him with an extremely serious look in his eyes. "You're not the one who should apologize. Su Rui, you and I are both victims in this matter. There's nothing wrong between us, and there's no need to apologize to anyone. The most important thing now is to protect yourself and not let those malicious voices hurt you."
He walked over, without excessive physical contact, and continued in a reassuring tone, "Try not to go out during this period. I can have necessary supplies delivered to you. Everything will pass. Rumors are just rumors, and they will eventually be cleared up. But for now, you need to calm yourself down, okay?"
His words were like a solid wall, temporarily shielding Su Rui from the bloody storm outside. He didn't ask anything about Ling Yao, nor did he inquire about his feelings. He simply provided the most practical and needed protection and comfort.
Under this meticulous and respectful protection, Su Rui's nerves, which had been tense to the extreme, finally relaxed a little. He looked at Shen Qingyuan, and finally couldn't hold back his tears, which silently slid down.
This time, it is not for the lost love, but for the rare warmth that comes in time of need.
Shen Qingyuan watched him cry, but didn't stop him. He simply handed him a tissue and stayed with him quietly. In this chaotic and cruel world, he temporarily provided him with a small, quiet space where he could breathe.
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