Chapter 27 I woke up to find the sky had collapsed.
Wait a minute, nobody told me that just a few words could contain so much information!
[You're telling me that Mu Jiu just called Ling Zhao to Fang Yucheng? You think I'd believe that...? You two weren't serious?!]
Just as most people were recovering from the shock, the direction of the comments section took a complete 180-degree turn.
[Is Mu Jiu blind? Our Cheng-ge's charisma, height, and superior profile—is he even on the same level as that Ling Zhao?]
[This was absolutely intentional! She faked illness and weakness, deliberately mistook someone for someone else to create buzz and ride on our brother's popularity!]
[This scheming woman is confirmed! She took advantage of our kind-hearted Yu Cheng to create sweet moments for her own couple. It's disgusting!]
[Is the production team and Mu Jiu ganging up on our honest Fang Yucheng?]
[Taking Chengbao away, no thanks! I refuse to be leeched off! Ladies, please walk independently!]
Fang Yucheng's fans were completely distraught, fiercely criticizing Mu Jiu in the live chat.
But the eyes of the masses are always discerning.
Although there were only a few scattered comments in the live stream defending Mu Jiu and Ling Zhao, the number of posts on social media quietly increased.
Fang Yucheng's appearance wearing a baseball cap confused many passersby who vaguely recognized the two individuals. Coupled with Mu Jiu's initial reaction of calling out the name, this led many to a ridiculous notion.
[What kind of stunt double trope is this that's come to life?]
[Could it be that Fang Yucheng's fans have been relentlessly attacking Mu Jiu for years, only to discover that she's been using their brother as a substitute for Ling Zhao all along?]
Fang Yucheng only loves Meng Shuning! Meng Xiangcheng is the real one, and Yucheng is not a substitute for some other guy!!
[I wouldn't have dared to think this way two days ago, but Mu Jiu already denied liking a certain colleague during a live stream, which can only prove that Chao Mu is real!]
Things are different now. "Our Past" has become a phenomenal variety show, and after each episode airs, various live clips are already circulating everywhere.
Yesterday was a rest day and the live stream was suspended. The newly released edited version of the video also attracted many viewers who usually only watch the single-view live stream.
Unlike regular live streams where observing reactions from multiple parties necessitates adopting the perspective of an elderly man in a monitoring room, the edited version offers a comprehensive view of the highlights of guest interactions. Many viewers have even developed their own fanbases for different pairings through these edited versions.
Not to mention, the topic's popularity has skyrocketed this week.
First, Fang Yucheng and Meng Shuning clarified the misunderstanding about their breakup during a live broadcast, subtly suggesting a possible reconciliation.
Then Mu Jiu took the initiative to clarify her relationship with Fang Yucheng. After that, Fang Yucheng also took the initiative to explain that Ling Zhao's attempt to gain popularity was a misunderstanding.
In the previous episodes, viewers who shipped the couple were wary of the fighting power of Fang Yucheng's fans, and most of them only dared to enjoy it in their own little world. This time, the CP fans can say that they are eating candy with tears in their eyes.
Even though it's just a crumbly candy, the tiny bits of candy that slip through my fingers every morning and evening are enough to keep me going for another day.
I felt so sorry for her when she kept saying "I have a headache." She never dared to say it in front of others, only acting coquettishly in front of Ling Zhao.
Every time this happens, I wonder if I'm a bit of a masochist. Why am I even opening "My Way"? A couple I became a fan of had already ended in a bad relationship.
...
Fang Yucheng raised his eyes and looked at the man not far away.
The other person's silver-gray hair gleamed with a cool sheen in the dim light. His face was expressionless, but his eyes, which always seemed distant, were sharply fixed on him.
For a moment, he felt a sense of oppression, as if he were being watched by wolves.
It was a kind of almost instinctive protectiveness of food, perhaps without the other person even realizing it.
His eyes subtly swept over the live-streaming camera out of the corner of his eye.
Now is not the time for conversation.
The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds, and no one spoke.
In the end, it was Fang Yucheng who broke the delicate stalemate.
He lowered his hand, which was raised in mid-air, and took a step back casually, saying in a natural tone, "She doesn't seem to be feeling well. I'm just checking if we should take her to the hospital."
When Mu Jiu walked down the stairs, he looked different from usual.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes were tired and listless, and her steps were slightly unsteady.
This statement perfectly shatters all romantic speculations, preventing people from wondering if he has any ulterior motives or from perceiving him as overly cold and heartless.
This only made Ling Zhao's questioning seem somewhat aggressive.
Fang Yucheng wore a polite smile, but secretly he was coldly observing the man in front of him.
Do you see him as a stand-in for Ling Zhao?
This kind of thing can only fool the audience. In the entertainment industry, which is a big melting pot, how could there be such sincere and pure feelings?
The reality here operates according to the rules of society, not a fairy tale.
There was no word of these two people in the industry. Even if they had dated, it was just a relationship that was all talk and no action.
That's all? How could it be...?
Ling Zhao has not yet responded.
Instead, a slightly hoarse but clear voice broke in.
"I've mistaken you for someone else. I'm so sorry, Teacher Fang."
Fang Yucheng slowly and somewhat dazedly lowered his head and looked at Mu Jiu sitting on the sofa.
In stark contrast to her unconscious, dependent voice just now, Mu Jiu's behavior at this moment seemed as if the warmth in her words had been suddenly stripped away, leaving only a polite and distant apology.
Even now, the dazed vulnerability caused by the high fever is completely gone. Instead, it has been replaced by a deliberate, almost wary, clarity.
There wasn't a trace of lingering affection in those black, glassy eyes.
It was as if it were a blatant mockery of his unrequited love.
On the other hand, the person involved was not as calm, rational, or even invincible as they appeared.
Mu Jiu's mind was a complete mess.
A sense of urgency made her quickly realize the awkward situation she had just been in, but in reality, she just forced herself to stand up slowly, trying to keep her tone relaxed: "I'm just a little sleepy, I'll just go back to my room and rest for a bit."
Before Fang Yucheng could respond, footsteps sounded from the stairwell. Xiang Wan, Guo Zifu, and the others who had just gone upstairs came down one after another.
"Xiao Jiu, don't move yet," Xiang Wan said gently but firmly, waving a package in her hand. "I just found a bag of brown sugar ginger tea. I'll go brew it right away, it'll be ready soon."
Guo Zifu took out a portable ear thermometer from her pocket, stepped forward, and pressed the button next to Mu Jiu's ear. Upon seeing the number, she immediately frowned: "39.2 degrees?! With such a high fever, how dare you run around? Sit down first."
Meng Shuning also walked over quickly and handed over a fever-reducing patch that emitted a minty coolness: "I have a fever-reducing patch here. Put it on quickly, it will make you feel more comfortable."
Even Qi Qing, who had just arrived at the cabin today, brought over a soft, thick blanket and gently covered Mu Jiu's legs: "It's chilly at night, so I brought an extra blanket. Let's warm ourselves up and sweat a bit."
In an instant, Mu Jiu was surrounded by the female guests. They chatted away, their movements gentle yet highly efficient.
In no time, she was wrapped up tightly, looking like a plump, white silkworm cocoon, and a steaming cup of hot brown sugar ginger tea with a spicy and sweet aroma was stuffed into her hand.
Surrounded by this sudden, overwhelming care, Mu Jiu passively accepted everything before blinking blankly.
Surrounded by various "first aid measures," she looked much better, but she still hesitated as she looked at everyone surrounding her: "Um... anyway, thank you all so much for your help, but everyone's love is so warm and overwhelming, I feel a little overwhelmed."
Having grasped the deeper meaning, Guo Zifu smiled and loosened the blanket for Mu Jiu. Seeing this, the others also returned to the sofa, chatting and laughing.
The strange atmosphere in the living room was quietly dispelled.
[Waaaaah, girls are so wonderful! The world can't be without sweet, soft, and adorable girls!]
In times of crisis, it's always the sisters who matter! The eagle-like women who shoulder the burden of care provide a stark contrast to the useless men.
[The previous scene initially gave me a fleeting thought of shipping a cult-like love triangle, but seeing Mu Jiu surrounded by her sisters now, I instantly felt relieved.]
[The friendship between Mu Jiu and all the female guests is so sweet! Let's not overanalyze these beautiful scenes of mutual help! Focus on the lovely girls!]
Having enjoyed the treatment of being the group's darling, Mu Jiu didn't quite remember what happened, only that she was vaguely tucked into bed.
I slept without any dreams.
The next day, when Mu Jiu groggily opened his eyes, he felt as if he had just been pulled out of the water.
I was soaking wet, sticky but not uncomfortable. My body felt much lighter, and the mental sluggishness I felt yesterday had almost completely disappeared.
Although my throat is still a little itchy, my physical condition has improved significantly.
Surprisingly, the production team did not urge her to get up early to participate in the variety show activities.
Mu Jiu glanced at the sun high in the sky outside the window, then lazily shrank back into bed. After letting out a long yawn, she habitually reached for her phone on the pillow.
My relaxed mood was almost completely ruined the moment I saw the screen unlock and the lock screen filled with unread notifications and a series of missed calls.
Most of the calls and messages came from her agent, and a few were from mid-to-high-level managers in the company who disliked her and hadn't been in contact with her for years.
Such a scene made Mu Jiu almost think that the company headquarters had been bombed.
She rubbed her eyes, opened the chat interface, and swiped upwards. The timestamps of the latest messages showed they were sent just a few minutes ago.
After the message was marked as read, the agent sent several more messages.
[Agent: You're awake?]
[Agent: Congratulations, the company has decided to stop promoting you and Fang Yucheng as a couple from now on.]
Mu Jiu blinked, and before she could process the news, a new message popped up.
[Agent: They've decided to start hyping you and your ex instead]
Mu Jiu: ?
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