Chapter 12: At Most, Just Self-Defense
Faster than gossip came the counterattack from Song Yiren’s fans.
That evening, a clip of the conversation between the two on the show was edited and uploaded online. After numerous shares by marketing accounts and the intervention of Song Yiren’s fans, Pei Baoyuan’s name shot straight up to the trending list.
Song Yiren’s fans demanded an explanation from the production team and leveled several serious accusations against Pei Baoyuan:
1. Pei Baoyuan, as a host, lacked professional hosting skills.
2. Pei Baoyuan showed disrespect and deliberately smeared the guest.
3. Pei Baoyuan was suspected of having the backing of a powerful sponsor.
The evidence included two clipped segments of Pei Baoyuan chatting with Song Yiren on the show, as well as photos—apparently sourced mysteriously by Song Yiren’s fans—of Pei Baoyuan’s dressing room covered in roses and a diamond necklace following the first episode.
Before going to bed, Pei Baoyuan read through a lengthy complaint from a devoted fan of Song Yiren and laughed so hard she nearly gasped for air.
Whether she had professional skills or not wasn’t for them to judge.
As for disrespect and malicious slander, well, she had indeed thought that way—but only about Song Yiren herself.
And the last one…
Did Pei Baoyuan need a backer? She was the backer herself.
Her phone buzzed several times; the paparazzi she contacted were reliable, sending many photos of Song Yiren and Huang Zhenyu.
The paparazzi messaged, “Got the shots, but these two aren’t showing any intimate interaction, so it’s hard to tell if they’re a couple. But these two look like a couple.”
More photos of Song Yiren and Huo Yanci arrived.
In them, Song Yiren had her arm around Huo Yanci’s neck, their faces barely half an inch apart.
Pei Baoyuan hadn’t expected such an unexpected find.
“Ahhh, that vicious supporting actress actually hired paparazzi to photograph Yiren and Huang Zhenyu.”
“I feel like the supporting actress has come back to life—she suddenly seems so cunning.”
“What photos did the paparazzi send next? I can’t see—just a big mosaic blur. Is it another glitch?”
Pei Baoyuan’s hand hesitated over her phone.
A second time.
The live comments couldn’t see her side of the story.
Last time, she spoke with Ke Xianbo in the club’s lobby; this time, it was with the paparazzi.
If there was one similarity—
Both times, the comments made it known that she was aware of Huo Yanci’s affair with Song Yiren.
Suddenly inspired.
So the meaning was that whenever anything involved Huo Yanci and Song Yiren, the comment screen automatically blocked it.
If it happened once more, she could be certain.
Pei Baoyuan replied, “You may use the first few photos to negotiate with Song Yiren’s side. Whatever they offer, I’ll pay double.”
“If you want to have a place in the paparazzi circle like Mr. Zhuo, listen to me: save them first and don’t leak anything. Later, I’ll make sure you rise swiftly.”
Her phone kept showing “typing...” obviously still considering.
“I’m dying to know, what kind of photos are they?!”
“The leads are messing around together—is it photos of the leads?”
“That supporting actress is so vicious. If she’s up to something, can someone warn the female lead to watch out for her?”
Her phone buzzed again. The paparazzi sent two words—
“Okay.”
Pei Baoyuan put away her phone and glanced at the comments, all hurling insults at her.
She accepted them with pleasure.
A woman who’s not ruthless can’t hold her position.
Besides, Song Yiren started firing at her first; she was just defending herself.
...
Pei Baoyuan didn’t have many followers. The few thousand she had on Weibo were mostly attracted by her looks, a stark contrast to Song Yiren’s tens of millions of well-trained fans.
She woke up to find her Weibo being slaughtered by Song Yiren’s fans.
Fortunately, she didn’t habitually browse Weibo and didn’t care much.
However, Ms. Song Xuanling anxiously asked early in the morning if she needed help.
Pei Baoyuan declined, saying this small matter she could handle herself.
Still uneasy, Song Xuanling called Ms. Song Xuanli, who then called Pei Baoyuan’s phone just as she left home.
The Song Corporation’s headquarters stood in the heart of the imperial capital, where every inch of land was precious.
Her aunt, Song Xuanli, occupied the top-floor office, looking down like a lion surveying ants.
When Pei Baoyuan arrived, she saw a young master in the office.
She blurted out, “Why are you here?”
Ke Xianbo lounged on the sofa, legs crossed, lazily raising his eyebrows at her. “Of course, I’m here to discuss business with President Song.”
Pei Baoyuan sized him up from head to toe.
Blue hair, hoodie, sneakers—not exactly the look of a businessman, more like a recent graduate not wanting to work hard.
“Is the Ke family from Harbor City planning to expand inland?”
She sat beside Song Xuanli, voice neither too loud nor too soft, “Auntie, what kind of business do you have with him?”
Song Xuanli smiled, “It’s a collaboration between the Song Corporation and Xianbo, unrelated to the Ke family.”
Pei Baoyuan was taken aback.
Ke Xianbo was slovenly and bad-tempered—he had this capability?
“Then you,” Song Xuanli asked sternly, “what’s going on online? Has someone bullied you? Do you want Auntie to help?”
“No need~ Don’t listen to my mom, it’s a small matter. I can handle it myself.”
Song Xuanli said, “That’s what I told your mom. After all, I raised you. Except for your taste in men, your brain and abilities are quite good.”
“...” Pei Baoyuan coughed awkwardly.
The person her family disliked most was Huo Yanci.
Her older brother probably disliked him too, but it took years to finally confront it. Her aunt was different—since she found out about Pei Baoyuan and Huo Yanci being together, she opposed it.
However, the child was grown and had her own choices. Song Xuanli didn’t interfere but occasionally kept an eye on Huo Yanci.
Suddenly, Song Xuanli was called away by her secretary, leaving Pei Baoyuan and Ke Xianbo alone, staring at each other.
Clearing her throat, Pei Baoyuan asked, “Um... what business were you discussing with my aunt?”
Song Xuanli never took company matters lightly. If Ke Xianbo was negotiating with her, he must have some talent.
“Business involving murder and arson,” Ke Xianbo replied.
“...” Pei Baoyuan gave him a look that said, “Do you think I believe you?”
They stared at each other for a long moment before Pei Baoyuan gave up, mumbling, “Mean... I’ll ask my aunt later.”
Ke Xianbo sighed, “Behave yourself. I can’t tell you now, but you’ll know later.”
His tone was somewhat resigned, like a compromise.
Pei Baoyuan didn’t understand and felt her face flush.
This guy could speak properly but insisted on adding those two words, like coaxing a child.
She wasn’t a child.
“Something’s off, very off!”
“What’s this? The supporting actress is flirting with a minor male character who barely appeared before? Is that right, girl?”
“Why is your face so red?” Ke Xianbo suddenly asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Oh, just a little warm.”
“Is that so? Hearing you say that makes me feel a bit warm too.”
Ke Xianbo got up and went to the door, quickly turning on the air conditioning.
A cool breeze blew directly toward them, making Pei Baoyuan shiver unexpectedly.