Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Logically speaking, 3:53 am is generally when everyone is asleep. However, Song Chen’s news erupted like magma, it is very rare for it to spread so quickly on the internet. In less than twenty minutes, it landed on the third slot on the hot search.

Song Chen pinched her arms to awaken herself from her fear. She needs to think rationally right now.

There had been no news from the company and she couldn’t even contact her agent. Everything's happening so fast. If someone said that there isn’t anyone pulling the strings at the back, Song Chen wouldn’t believe it.

Calm down, calm down, calm down, Song Chen took a deep breath. She fiercely pinched herself to force herself calm down, and look at those pictures carefully.

She is very clear that she never took these intimate photos before. She is already this big and had only had that one boyfriend. They have never done those large-scale film, so where did these photos come from?

Did someone secretly install some cameras at her house?

Song Chen looked at those photos. She does not have the slightest impression of them at all. That woman in the picture looks nothing like her at all.

Could it be photoshopped?

Thinking till there, Song Chen’s heart tightened. Who would use so much effort to compile all these photos to ruin her?!

Song Chen forced herself to calm down and analyze the situation in front of her. She couldn’t get in contact with her agent or her company which shows that person informed the company in advance. What benefit does the company receive from ignoring her other than to cut her off?

She ruled out the people who would do this. Someone who is very powerful and could get both her agent and company to ignore her, therefore, it could not be some common artist who is in conflict with her. She excluded them right away. Song Chen sneered.

Li Mo Qing, you can also play this trick?

How could she forget? Li Mo Qing’s new lover is in the same cast as her and had been offended by her.

For his new lover, he would even stab his old one.

She took out her phone and called each of her friends one by one. Some did not even pick up as if they had been warned by Lishi, some picked up but were only stalling. Song Chen sneered, she knew deep in her heart that Li Mo Qing had cut off any retreat for her.

Also, her company and agent is shutting her off, who else is going to help her?

There’s no way to help Song Chen anymore, where must we get involved?

She doesn’t have many female friends in the entertainment industry, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have any. However, the ones that Song Chen consider a good friend and would look for her at a time for help, there aren’t many.

The closest person to her is Du Yu Shu but she must already be asleep.

Song Chen bitterly smiled.

In just a few minutes, it had already spread rapidly. Ever since the scandal was exposed, all of Song Chen’s dark history had been dug out. Everything has been distorted as if it was the truth. If it wasn’t herself, Song Chen would’ve thought she was a heinous evildoer.

Sex scandal, poser, bully newcomers, affair with directors, no respect for seniors, rude, no manners, scheming whore, slapped newcomers.

These things are compiled together to seem like they were facts. Even though there were no evidence or photos, the netizens went with the flow and started cursing.

Her most recent post has more than one hundred thousand comments. Song Chen couldn’t help but laugh. It’s rare for her to break one hundred thousand comments and it’s all because of this.

“Ding dong…”

“Ding dong…”

“Ding dong…”

The doorbell continued to ring. Song Chen slowly regained her thoughts, who would ring the doorbell at this hour?

Song Chen opened the door and saw Du Yu Shu anxiously standing there in her pajamas, “Song Chen! Why did you only open the door now!”

“Aren’t I opening the door right now?” Song Chen casually said, as if nothing was wrong. However, her face is very pale, giving Du Yu Shu quite a shock.

Du Yu Shu pushed through the door and poured a glass of hot water for Song Chen. She whispered, “Such a big matter happened, why didn’t you call me. You don’t have to carry all this by yourself. I’m telling you, there is no way someone is doing this behind. It hasn’t even been an hour and it had already spread like wildfire. Among these people, I don’t know how many are water navies*. Don’t worry too much.”

Du Yu Shu took a deep breath, “Did you contact the company?”

Du Yu Shu originally had a good night sleep. She doesn’t know what happened but she suddenly woke up, checked the time on her phone and went to the restroom. When she was scrolling through Weibo in the restroom and saw Song Chen on the hot search, all her sleepiness have disappeared.

When she confirmed that Song Chen did not give her a call, Du Yu Shu immediately ran out to the house next door. At this crucial moment, Song Chen needs someone to keep her company. It’s a sex scandal, it could ruin an actress’s career.

“I was abandoned.” The warmth the glass warmed her fingertips. Song Chen bitterly smiled in her heart but displayed a light and clear appearance on her face, ‘Shu Shu, don’t worry about this matter. Everything was premeditated, it is out of your control.”

"Just forget about it."

“Shut up!” Du Yu Shu coldly shouted, “Song Chen, look at yourself. How long have you been in the entertainment industry?! You’re acting like a newbie giving up without a fight! Are you trying to court death?!”

“We are all very clear what type of place the entertainment industry is. You have been in it for ten years, do you still not know?! Give up? Don’t even think about it!” Du Yu Shu coldly said. She really wants to pour a glass of water over her head, “Now tell me, did you ever take these types of the picture!”

“How could I ever do such a thing!” Song Chen calmed down and took a deep breath and strongly advised, “Shu Shu, don’t get involved with this matter otherwise you will be brought down with me. The company had already given up on me, I can’t even get in contact with my agent. Yun jie had been with me for nine years but she had already given up. Why are you so persistent?”

“I already know who is behind this. We can’t fight him so we should just forget it.”

“Who is it?” Du Yu Shu coldly said, “It doesn’t matter who did it! No one steps on my friend and gets away with it. If I don’t rip him to piece, my last name is not Du!”

“Song Chen,” Du Yu Shu let out a long sigh, “Is it Li Mo Qing?”

“The only person who is in conflict with you wants to harm and has the ability to get your company and your other friends to remain silent is Lishi Media’s young master, Li Mo Qing.”

“Is what I said correct?” Du Yu Shu comforted her, “Don’t worry, Ah Chen.”

Song Chen threw herself into her arms, and whispered through her sobs, “...I didn’t think he would do this to me…”

At some point, they were in love and after going through five years of youth, they broke up. At that time, Song Chen cried like a child, but what did she do wrong?!

She loves her career. She doesn’t want to be a housewife or have a child at an early age. What did she do wrong?!

Why did it become like this?

Did Li Mo Qing give her a choice? Did he say either give up the entertainment industry or break up? Didn’t he give her a choice?!

So she chose to break up. What qualifications does he have to blame her?

“So these two days, those negative publicity of me and Ye Jing An is him warning us?” There was some amusement in Du Yu Shu’s eyes, “I was thinking that Xia Ning Hua was really courageous at that time. She obviously has no relationship or connection to Ye Jing An but still boldly claimed that they were an item.”

“If those pictures weren’t released as well, no matter what the truth is, people would always side with the weak. By that time, a lot of people would pass by Ye Jing An’s Weibo and curse at him. His usually good image that has always been maintained would be ruined. So it turned out it is the young master of Lishi Media’s doing.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Also with today’s matter. I have always wondered why so many people are dedicated to my and Ye Jing An’s relationship when 《VHA》aired and caused us to be in the hot search. So it was a warning from Lishi’s Young Master!”

“It really is…” A coldness swept through her eyes, “An eye-opener.”

“Don’t worry, Ah Chen, you just need to sleep right now. You’re too tired.” Du Yu Shu patted Song Chen’s back as she soothed her with a calm voice. Song Chen’s anxious mood instantly relaxed, “Ah Chen, sleep, I’ll be here with you.”

“Don’t be afraid. After a few days, everything will be fine. Trust me, okay?”

“Okay.” All of Song Chen’s sad and desperate negative emotions came out as she stiffly nodded her head.

She really is tired. Today, she hurried to finish her filming for the day and even spent the time in the car to put on her makeup, all in the hope of accompanying Du Yu Shu to watch the first episode of 《VHA》. After all, it is her best friend’s first reality show.

But Du Yu Shu already had someone to accompany her so she could only watch the show in disappointment. After that, she brushed up on Weibo and played some games. Finally, she found out that her best friend had got herself a boyfriend and that boyfriend turns out to be Ye Jing An who had always “bullied” her. Song Chen was worried that Du Yu Shu would get hurt.

Then at three in the morning, only then did she saw that Weibo is focused on her!

“Okay, go to sleep Ah Chen, I’m here for you, shhh…..”

This voice was very gentle and soothing. Song Chen firmly grasps onto Du Yu Shu’s clothes. Her nerves slowly relaxed and finally fell into a deep slumber.

Du Yu Shu looked at Song Chen’s sleep visage and smiled. She looked at the content on Weibo and sneered. Lishi Young Master, are you having fun?

At first, Du Yu Shu had thought of many culprits but Li Mo Qing never crossed her mind. But after this broke out, she is definitely sure it was him.

She isn’t very clear about the hatred between Li Mo Qing and Song Chen, only that they dated for many years. However, because of family backgrounds, they peacefully broke up.

However, during that time, Song Chen cried very pitifully and wasn’t able to recover for an entire week. She even started withdrawing from the entertainment industry. Only then did Du Yu Shu feel that their break up wasn’t so simple. However, she was too embarrassed to ask and could only silently accompany Song Chen.

Six and a half years, Du Yu Shu and Song Chen had been best friends for six and a half years.

Their relationship cannot simply be explained as some “bosom friend.” Du Yu Shu remembers one time when she had a fever, Song Chen set aside all her work to keep her company the entire night and was even scolded badly by her agent Yun jie.

The entire entertainment industry knows Du Yu Shu only had two female friends, Song Chen and Wang Jie. She has good relationships with others as well but they could only be considered at friendly terms.

Now that something happened to Song Chen and the main culprit had even gone against her and Ye Jing An, how could she not raise her hand.

“Hello, Wang Jie,” Du Yu Shu called her agent and whispered, “Are you asleep? I’m sorry for waking you but can you go on Weibo right now, something big has happened.”

“Song Chen?” Wang Jie lazily yawned, “Sex scandal? Poser? This is planned by someone?”

“En, go investigate Li Mo Qing, Lishi Media’s young master. There must be something going on at his side. Also,” A thought flashed through her head, “Investigate his most recent lover, the one who recently joined Song Chen’s cast. If Li Mo Qing’s hands are clean, it doesn’t mean that his lover is not involved.”

“A few days ago, there is a rumor of about Ye Jing An and Xia Ning Hua, and right after today’s broadcast, it is of me and Ye Jing An. There is definitely someone pushing this on from behind. If I don’t guess incorrectly, it must have something to do with this young master of Lishi Media.” Du Yu Shu sneered, “He is warning me and Ye Jing An.”

“Okay.” Wang Jie seriously said. This time, she is fully awake. To her, someone going against Song Chen is completely different from going against Du Yu Shu. Du Yu Shu is someone she must wholeheartedly protect.

“I don’t know how they find out about me and Ye Jing An’s relationship. Go investigate this as well.”

After she finished explaining, Du Yu Shu hung up the phone. Song Chen is quickly sleeping on her lap, clutching her clothes in her sleep.

“Ding dong….”

“Ding dong….”

Du Yu Shu froze. Don’t know if it is Ye Jing An who is awake next door. After a moment of hesitation, she carefully pried Song Chen’s hand from her clothes and took a pillow to replace her thigh. Fortunately, she did not wake her.

Du Yu Shu sighed with relief and opened the door. Sure enough, a sleepy Ye Jing An stood at the other side.

Ye Jing An’s hair was a bit disheveled and his eyes were half-closed. When he saw her, he lazily yawned and joked, “It’s already so late, if you don’t come home at night, I will be jealous.”

“Did I wake you?” Du Yu Shu looked at him apologetically.

“No,” Ye Jing An narrowed his eyes and smiled, “I just woke up and saw that your door was open and you weren’t in your room, so I came here to try my luck. Fortunately, you were here.”

“What happened?” Ye Jing An opened his eyes and asked, “If there’s nothing wrong, then you should be sleeping in the room next door, so don’t tell me you miss Song Chen. I will be very jealous.”

Ye Jing An joked. Du Yu Shu’s previously bad mood took turned around. She pursed her lips and let out a small laugh, “Don’t talk rubbish. Why would you get jealous of me and Song Chen.”

“Those novels always write about people getting jealous of blood-related relationships, not to mention bosom friends.” Those Ye Jing An confidently said. When he saw the curve on Du Yu Shu’s lips, he smiled, “So, can you tell me what happened?”

“Lovers must help one another when they need it. Don’t let me think you are shutting me out.”

“En….” Du Yu Shu sighed and handed him her phone, “Look at the first item on the hot search. Song Chen’s situation is too strange. I don’t believe there is no one controlling from behind. Someone who is in conflict with her and wants to harm her and with the ability to keep her friends and company silent. I reckon it is Li Mo Qing, Lishi Media’s young master.”

“In fact, it is very reasonable. I have been wondering, why didn’t Xia Ning Hua discuss anything with you and brazenly announced you guys were in a relationship. If you refuse, it wouldn’t look so good and there were be a lot of criticism.”

“Then, I thought for a moment. No matter what, there are a few intimate photos of you and Xia Ning Hua together. If you were to refute, the public would unconsciously sympathize with the victim or the weak. Then, her purpose would be achieved.”

“Coupled with some media guidance, by the time you could cover it up, you would be labeled a degenerate. Even though our company and PR team are not vegetarians, this type of situation isn’t good as well. There would always be some people who are like mad dogs who would tear you apart.

“Last night, after the first broadcast of《VHA》, most of the attention has been focused on our relationship. Didn’t you say there seems to be someone pulling the strings from behind, someone with great influence? Now there are a lot of people hating on me”

“What you’re saying is, this is a warning?” Ye Jing An narrowed his eyes.

“Correct,” Du Yu Shu smiled, “Obviously, the situation with Xia Ning Hua last time was a warning to you, but your countermeasures were strong and in place. So this time, the warning is mainly for me not to get involved with Ah Chen’s affairs.”

“I think it is because your counterattack was too strong which is why they put off their plans for so long. Only until today did they restart their plans again. As long as they subdue me, I won’t get involved with this matter and you wouldn’t as well.”

“Well, all I want to know is, at that time we still haven’t established our relationship. How did he know of our relationship? Or should I say, how did he know you like me?”

Ye Jing An pondered for a long time and then took out his phone to make a few phone calls. He has a few drinking buddies who aren’t asleep at this time. When they heard his question, they all shook their head and said, "How can we tell someone else? With your scary attitude, why would we dare to reveal even a slight sliver?"

However, there is only one person who seriously contemplated before replying, “I seem to have talked with Li Mo Qing before when I was drunk. At that time, we have both broken up and drank a couple of rounds. I mentioned that the powerful, influential, talented, etc. Ye Jing An is pursuing Du Yu Shu.”

“What is it? I was wrong. QAQ Jing An, please look at our many years of….”

Ye Jing An ended the call with a click. He smiled brightly but that smile couldn’t help but make others shiver, “Talking nonsense when you’re drunk, I will never let you drink….”

“Ye Jing An.” Du Yu Shu suddenly asked.

“Hm?”

“Have you cured your eighth-grade syndrome*?” Du Yu Shu seriously looked at him, “I will recommend you some hot-blooded anime so you can learn from the protagonists how to cure it, ok?

T/N: 中二病 (Eighth-grade syndrome): Japanese tern which means someone pretends to know how the world works in spite of being a kid, or someone who pretends to be special far from others. More info and definition.

Ye Jing An, “....”

Ye Jing An doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Actually, it could already be determined it is Li Mo Qing’s doing. But the question is, why did he decide to set down his hand?” Ye Jing An sat next to her on the sofa and hugged her, “In fact, there’s no use in thinking so much. There are only two things that need to be done. One, deny the rumor. Two, have the evidence point toward Li Mo Qing. Even then, it is no use blaming him. The damage had already been done. What we need to do is deny the rumor as soon as possible.

“You think this picture is photoshopped?” Ye Jing An seriously studied it, “I don’t think so. Also, I don’t think he would be so stupid to put a photoshopped picture online.”

“Li Mo Qing and Song Chen were once a couple, right? Have they ever gone this far? If so, when Song Chen was tired and asleep, Li Mo Qing would have enough time to take these photos.”

“Then you will have no other way to take explain these photos, Shu Shu.”

Ye Jing An’s eyes were filled with calm and seriousness. Du Yu Shu pursed her lips, “Ye Jing An, I have a feeling that it won’t end here.”

“Perhaps, his ultimate goal isn’t only Ah Chen.”

“Don’t worry.” Ye Jing An embraced her and smiled, “I will protect you. I hate to see you sad so…”

“For you, I will also protect Song Chen.”

“Puchi….” Du Yu Shu smiled and pinched his cheeks, “My mighty knight, you should go to bed now or else how would you go back to the crew tomorrow?”

“I can ask for a leave of absence.”

“Get out! Quickly go back to the crew. The promotion will begin in two days, don’t give Director Zhang any reason to chop you up.”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Du Yu Shu smiled.

The next day, Du Yu Shu has to attend an event so she had to leave early. She left a note for Song Chen telling her not to look on Weibo or watch TV and left some books for her to read when she is bored.

However, Song Chen’s residence information suddenly got released. Fortunately, the community’s security did a good job of keeping reporters out.

Wang Jie furrowed her brows, “When we came, there were some reporters but it wasn’t as much as this. Does this Li Mo Qing want to skin Song Chen alive?

“Call the police and the Ministries of Communications department and say that there are people endangering the public's safety, leading to a lot of traffic accidents. The scene is very chaotic at the moment and will most likely lead to mass casualties. Please send the police right away.”

“Don’t forget to tell them the name of the town. Also, inform them that the president of Guangyu Group is also injured.” Du Yu Shu raised her lips, “I don’t believe they won’t come.”