Chapter Thirty-One: Rumors and Whispers

Before going to bed, Sang Yijia received a screenshot from her agent, Mo Yani—it was the trending search about Shen Jin and Lan Qing’s relationship.

Then, Mo Yani called her.

Seeing the caller ID, Sang Yijia paused for a second before answering, turning to look at the camera she’d already shut off. “Is something the matter?”

Long ago, Sang Yijia used to pick up the phone with a simple “hello,” but a senior once told her it wasn’t polite to clients, so she eventually changed her ways.

Mo Yani was taken aback for a moment on the other end, licking her lips before she spoke. “Jiajia, don’t pay any attention to the trending topic.”

Mo Yani sent the screenshot out of concern that Sang Yijia might explode if she found out later. Every time there was a trending topic about Shen Jin, she’d send it in advance and then try to stop Sang Yijia from acting impulsively, though it never really worked.

But Mo Yani persisted.

“I know.” Sang Yijia wasn’t the original owner after all; whatever happened between the male and female leads was of no concern to her.

Mo Yani let out a sound, thinking perhaps she’d misheard. “Jiajia, actually, I heard a bit of gossip.”

Mo Yani felt a bit dazed—Sang Yijia was being unusually agreeable. Though she’d acted similarly a few days ago, Mo Yani figured it was just an act, that after seeing Shen Jin today she’d reveal her true colors.

But Sang Yijia hadn’t. During the livestream, she hadn’t clung to Shen Jin. The more Mo Yani watched, the more uneasy she felt, but the company had too many matters to deal with.

Mo Yani hadn’t found time to talk to Sang Yijia.

“Go on,” Sang Yijia replied, her tone calm and unwavering.

Mo Yani furrowed her brow, feeling something was off. “For this romance show, Shen Jin’s agent spoke with the production team.”

“To get Shen Jin and Lan Qing paired up, right?”

Mo Yani admitted it.

“I see,” Sang Yijia pressed her lips together. “You don’t need to tell me about Shen Jin anymore.”

“I’m not interested.”

Mo Yani agreed, sensing Sang Yijia was about to hang up and almost forgot something else. “Jiajia, there’s one more thing.”

“Not only did Shen Jin ask to be paired with Lan Qing, he also asked the show to pair you with one of the ordinary contestants.”

With the conversation turning to her own artist, Mo Yani’s expression grew serious. “This Lu Wenchuan—I haven’t been able to find much about him yet, but it’s best if we avoid getting involved with him.”

After all, Sang Yijia had just publicly declared she wouldn’t entangle herself with Shen Jin anymore. If rumors started swirling about her and Lu Wenchuan, it wouldn’t be good for her.

“I understand.”

Sang Yijia was especially easy to deal with tonight. After the call ended, Mo Yani pinched her own cheek in disbelief, the pain convincing her it wasn’t a dream.

On the other side, Sang Yijia hung up and placed her phone on the nightstand, then lay down to rest, not dwelling on anything.

Mo Yani, however, was kept up half the night by the call. When she got up the next morning, dark circles ringed her eyes, looking as though she hadn’t slept at all.

Mo Yani dragged her “panda eyes” to the company, and her colleagues couldn’t help but glance at her a few times.

“Well, if it isn’t Sang Yijia’s agent.”

Mo Yani was waiting for the elevator, unaware of the familiar voice behind her. Her brows knitted; she had no intention of turning around.

But the person walked right up, slinging an arm over her shoulder. “Let’s see, didn’t sleep well again last night?”

“Looks like you spent quite some effort suppressing that trending topic.” Lei Yang curled his fingers delicately, glancing down at Mo Yani in his arms. “Must be tough managing talent like that.”

“No need for your concern.” Mo Yani pushed his hand away, clearly annoyed. “I’m doing just fine.”

“Are you?” Lei Yang smiled. “I heard you’ve taken on a few new trainees.”

“What, aren’t you afraid Sang Yijia will find out?”

Mo Yani shuddered, her hands clenching tight. Sang Yijia was too unpredictable and hard to manage. Mo Yani didn’t want to handle just one artist, so she privately started a small team. Now, that team was about to appear on a show.

She wasn’t at ease, so she had to go along and keep an eye on things.

That was why she hadn’t followed Sang Yijia to the recording, though she told Sang Yijia it was because there were too many company matters and she had no time.

Sang Yijia hadn’t objected, and Mo Yani thought it was fine.

She hadn’t expected Lei Yang to bring it up so openly today.

Mo Yani glared at him, answering through clenched teeth, “Really, you needn’t worry. Our Jiajia has no objections.”

“She’s well aware of the situation.”

Lei Yang laughed. “Yani, you know something?”

“You always blink when you lie.”

He squinted, still smiling. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ve already spoken to Sang Yijia for you.”

At that, Lei Yang raised his hand to check the time. “She’s probably already heard by now.”

“She should be calling you soon.”

Mo Yani’s heart suddenly felt hollow; she nervously glanced down at her bag, but her phone inside remained silent.

—

Sang Yijia had indeed seen the message, but paid it no mind.

In the original plot, after the original owner was sent to a psychiatric hospital, the boy group Mo Yani managed successfully debuted.

Still, even after all that happened, Mo Yani didn’t kick her while she was down; she did everything she was supposed to.

Sang Yijia deleted the message and prepared to get up when her door was knocked.

“Jiajia, are you awake?” Yan Ningsi’s first act upon waking was to check her phone. Seeing that Sang Yijia hadn’t recommended Zhuang Fei as a friend, she felt disappointed, so she couldn’t help running over.

“Coming.” Sang Yijia put down her phone and went to open the door.

Yan Ningsi arrived, not alone, but accompanied by an entire filming crew.

“Good morning,” Yan Ningsi greeted from the doorway, not entering.

Sang Yijia stepped aside. “Come in.”

“Sorry, I haven’t washed up yet.” Sang Yijia paid no attention to the crew, doing what she needed.

Yan Ningsi glanced around, opened the covered camera, and asked, “Jiajia, what do you want for breakfast?”

“Anything’s fine.”

The sound of running water came from the bathroom, so Yan Ningsi fell silent, found a chair, and sat down to look at the camera.

A staff member handed her a phone.

“What are you guys talking about?” Yan Ningsi glanced boredly at the live chat.

[Wow, Sang Yijia sleeps late.]

[She’s only waking up around noon.]

[Is Sang Yijia really bare-faced?]

[Definitely not!]

As soon as someone asked, another replied.

Yan Ningsi clicked her tongue twice. “Jiajia really is bare-faced, she hasn’t put on any makeup.”

“What’s wrong with you all?” Yan Ningsi scrolled through a few comments and lost interest. “My fans wouldn’t care if another actress is prettier than me.”

“Come on, tell me—are you trolls?”

The audience in the livestream burst into laughter.

[Exactly, our Ningsi is already beautiful, no need for comparisons.]

[They must be trying to stir up trouble. Ningsi, don’t pay attention to them.]