Chapter 77.2

On Golden Osmanthus Festival day, the traffic is insanely high, but every year around this time, scandals involving celebrities emerge one after another. People who follow these scandals during this period tend to be more cautious. The scandals released around the Golden Osmanthus Festival are often orchestrated by rival companies, with a mix of truth and lies, purely to manipulate netizens.

No one likes to be played for a fool, to be tricked into helping others count their money. So, after many experiences, netizens naturally become skeptical of the scandals that surface around the Golden Osmanthus Festival.

Netizens are not stupid; they are just too lazy to think. After all, for most people, going online is just for relaxation, and it’s best not to use their brains. This makes them easily swayed and manipulated. But when they start to think and discern for themselves, those posts that deliberately try to steer the narrative lose their effectiveness.

Moreover, Yun Feiwu’s public favorability has been on the rise recently.

Previously, Yun Feiwu earned the title of “National Daughter” just by acting, especially favored by the older generation who don’t go online. She naturally has many fans across other age groups, but Yun Feiwu doesn’t follow the traffic route. Her fan club, although coordinated with her company, mainly operates spontaneously and isn’t very strong in organizing and controlling public opinion. Besides fans, many people who know Yun Feiwu are acting enthusiasts who don’t care about her personality or private life. Whether she has scandals or is being framed doesn’t matter to them; they just enjoy the movies she acts in.

However, after participating in “Adventures of Mountains and Rivers,” Yun Feiwu’s image among casual fans noticeably changed. Previously, they didn’t care about Yun Feiwu as a person because she rarely appeared in public events outside of acting. Since they weren’t star-chasers, they had no chance to get to know her.

At that time, in their eyes, Yun Feiwu was just a distant actress, a cold and unapproachable symbol rather than a person with emotions.

But by participating in “Adventures of Mountains and Rivers,” Yun Feiwu essentially showcased her true self to the public. From then on, in the eyes of casual fans, she was no longer just the aloof actress Yun Feiwu who only knew how to act. She became a living person who could smile gently, take care of friends, occasionally playfully tease, and act coquettish (especially towards Xia Shutong).

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Jiang Feng blinked, nodded heavily, then looked up and gave Xi Ao a kiss on the cheek, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile.

Xi Ao averted her eyes, her short hair unable to hide her slightly red earlobes.

…

The nanny van first dropped Xi Ao and Jiang Feng home, and it was already late at night when they returned to the Xia family.

Xia Shutong changed into pajamas and was about to take a bath with Yun Feiwu when her phone suddenly vibrated. She glanced at it, “Xi Ao sent something over, probably asking about the signing matters on behalf of Jiang Feng. Maomao, you go ahead and start the bath; I’ll join you in a moment.”

Yun Feiwu glanced at the phone and nodded.

Xia Shutong unlocked her phone and looked at the link Xi Ao sent. The warmth and affection in her eyes instantly turned cold, filled with killing intent and rage.

Xia Shutong’s grip on the phone tightened, and her legs involuntarily stepped back, causing her to slump onto the bed. Especially after seeing the pictures in the article, a sudden flash of memory surged in Xia Shutong’s mind, causing excruciating pain.

Nine years ago, the “Miles Away” film crew, retiring from the screen…

Countless fragmented memories surfaced, piecing together into a complete picture.

Just like recalling the car accident that night, past events rushed into Xia Shutong’s mind without any buffer. She weakly held her forehead, her eyes bloodshot from the intense pain, her hair falling over her face, giving her a somewhat terrifying appearance, like a ghost emerging from hell.

Until this moment, Xia Shutong’s memory had almost fully recovered, except for the fragments from when she was nineteen and left Yun Feiwu.

However, just now, after seeing that article, she began to… slowly remember the final piece of her memory.

And this small fragment was something Yun Feiwu had never mentioned to her, something she had subconsciously been avoiding, the most painful experience of the past twenty years.

Even recalling it now was excruciatingly painful.

Xia Shutong licked her lips weakly, suddenly realizing that they tasted salty and bitter.

She didn’t know when she had started crying.

…

Nine years ago, Yun Feiwu passed the audition for “A Thousand Miles Away” and successfully landed the female lead role.

At that time, Zhou Hanchi was busy with the company’s IPO and preparing to relocate to Haicheng, so he was swamped. Apart from coming back to sign contracts, he spent most of his time out of town.

Coincidentally, Huang Qiongyi had some family issues and took a long leave. With few assistants in the company, Ouyang Chao’s assistant had to help take care of Yun Feiwu.

Interestingly, the crew of “A Thousand Miles Away” suddenly invited the lead actors, director, and investors for a meal together.

Although Yun Feiwu was only fifteen, she had attended many dinners with the crew. Moreover, Xinghui Entertainment always kept a clean environment, protecting Yun Feiwu well and shielding her from the industry’s dark side.

Yun Feiwu, who loved lively events, had joined countless crew meals over her three years in the industry. For her, eating was just eating; there was nothing to fear.

However, before accepting the crew’s invitation, Yun Feiwu obediently called Zhou Hanchi.

“Uncle Zhou, Uncle Zhou!” Yun Feiwu’s voice was full of energy. “The crew of ‘A Thousand Miles Away’ suddenly invited me to dinner. Sister Huang is out of town. Can I go with Ruan Ruan?”

Yun Feiwu had the speaker on, and Xia Ruan, sitting beside her, shyly lowered her head.

On the other end, Zhou Hanchi hesitated for a moment, then chuckled and agreed, “Alright, Yun Yun, listen to Xia Ruan at the dinner table and don’t cause any trouble.”

Under normal circumstances, Zhou Hanchi wouldn’t have felt comfortable letting Yun Feiwu go without Huang Qiongyi.

But “A Thousand Miles Away” was a public welfare movie focusing on the stories of left-behind children. The lead actors were all of Yun Feiwu’s age, the production team was clean, and with Xia Ruan accompanying her, Zhou Hanchi eventually agreed.

Xia Ruan had always been meticulous and mature, and at nearly nineteen, she was practically an adult. Zhou Hanchi trusted her to take care of Yun Feiwu.

“I always listen to Ruan Ruan…” Yun Feiwu hummed, holding Xia Ruan’s hand.

Xia Ruan sat quietly beside her, letting Yun Feiwu play with her fingers absentmindedly.

“That’s good,” Zhou Hanchi continued. “Text me before you leave and when you get back. And don’t be tempted to drink if others do. I’ve told you many times, you’re not of age yet, and you’re slightly allergic to alcohol…”

“A little won’t hurt…” Yun Feiwu started to argue but quickly changed her tune when she saw Xia Ruan’s glance.

“Okay, okay, no drinking. I’ll have juice.”

“Also, be safe on the way and be careful crossing the street…” Zhou Hanchi continued his advice.

“Uncle Zhou, you’re so naggy,” Yun Feiwu sighed, pretending to be annoyed.

Zhou Hanchi laughed, “Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Bye now.”

After the call, Zhou Hanchi sent several messages to Xia Ruan with more instructions before diving back into his work.

No one thought much of that dinner.

Until two days later, something happened to Yun Feiwu at the “A Thousand Miles Away” dinner.

As soon as Xia Ruan entered the private room, she felt something was off. The people inside were unfamiliar, dressed lavishly, and looked more like idle rich kids than crew members.

Just as Xia Ruan wondered if they had entered the wrong room and wanted to leave with Yun Feiwu, a pot-bellied middle-aged man walked in. Xia Ruan recognized him as Mr. Li, the biggest investor in “A Thousand Miles Away,” from the Li Group.

“Hey, everyone’s here?” Mr. Li smiled, his face full of wrinkles. “Yun Feiwu and this young lady, why are you standing? Come sit by Uncle and let’s get to know each other. This table is full of ‘A Thousand Miles Away’ investors, here to treat you to dinner.”

Xia Ruan lowered her head, frowning silently. She instinctively felt afraid of this man.

Yun Feiwu, sensing her fear, gently squeezed her hand. Xia Ruan then followed Yun Feiwu to the table, but inexplicably, she seated herself next to Mr. Li, signaling Yun Feiwu to sit beside her.

Mr. Li’s eyes darkened momentarily but quickly regained his smile. “Young lady, are you Yun Yun’s assistant?”

Xia Ruan nodded, her eyes timid.

Yun Feiwu blinked in confusion but mimicked Xia Ruan, saying, “Yes, Sister Ruan Ruan is my assistant.”

For the rest of the dinner, Mr. Li mostly ignored Xia Ruan, chatting directly with Yun Feiwu about her experiences on set and mentioning his own child of similar age.

The other people at the table were busy with their own activities, making a lot of noise.

Mr. Li maintained a warm smile throughout.

Xia Ruan remained fearful, forcing herself to put on a dutiful assistant facade.

Midway through the dinner, Mr. Li suddenly leaned back in his chair, casually tossing a few hundred yuan to Xia Ruan and ordering, “Young lady, go buy me a pack of cigarettes from the hotel counter. I see you’re uncomfortable here, so take a break.”