Chapter 6: Spotlight

The trending news caught her off guard, and it was only the next morning that Meng Ying found out about it. Liu Qin, with a face full of disbelief, shouted about it, and the group chat of the crew was blown up.

The main reason was that the pictures on Weibo were from the filming set. It was obvious that someone from the crew had posted them. There were three pictures in total. The first showed Meng Ying standing in front of Gu Yan, dressed in a simple skirt. She was of the perfect height to reach his shoulder, both of them smiling softly, gazing at each other with deep affection.

The second picture showed Gu Yan reaching out to Meng Ying. Her hand rested in his large hand, and they still looked at each other, their smiles growing deeper.

The third picture was of the two of them walking up the stairs. Meng Ying had a slim waist and a lifted bottom, her hair flowing like a dark cascade. Gu Yan was tall and handsome, his back looking imposing, and the lighting was perfect, creating a beautiful image.

The account that posted the pictures boasted, “These two are really a perfect match. This back view is stunning.”

The viewers couldn’t help but agree that they indeed looked good together. Comments flooded in, and soon, Gu Yan’s massive fan base arrived, each leaving a comment, effectively pushing this post to the trending topics. At the same time, Gu Yan followed Meng Ying and liked her latest Weibo post.

It was like sending a pillow to someone who was already about to fall asleep, and naturally, the trending topic heated up even more. Of course, not all the comments were positive. There were still many who criticized Meng Ying for riding on Gu Yan’s popularity.

[Yan’s Little Eyelashes]: “I told you so, Meng Ying is just another opportunist, first riding on Yang Tong’s coattails and now using our male god to climb up.”

[Spicy Dish Cutie]: “Heh, Meng Ying is just like Xu Qing—cheap. Without any real talent, she’s just using others to climb up.”

[Gu Yan’s wife]: “Why did my husband take this drama? Or maybe we should ask the crew why they cast Meng Ying as Ling Yao. I’ve been unhappy about it for a long time.”

[A fan with a heart for Gu Ya]n: “These photos weren’t released by Meng Ying, they were released by the crew to hype up the drama. Definitely.”

[A fan supporting Gu Yan]: “I’ll say something fair here. Didn’t you guys notice that they really suit each other?”

[Street food vendor]: “Why are you shouting? You’re saying Meng Ying is riding on your fame, but have you checked who has been secretly following her and liking her posts? If Gu Yan hadn’t been so thoughtful, would he have been so proactive?”

After these comments came out, the criticism of Meng Ying decreased and there was more curiosity. However, the crew wasn’t going to let it slide. Director Jiang yelled in the group chat.

[Director Jiang]: “Who posted this? Come out now. If you confess, it’ll be better for you. If I find out on my own, you’d better watch out.”

When Director Jiang spoke, many people in the crew fell silent, and only a few spoke up. The producer paused and sent a message in the group.

[Producer Ling Y]i: “Director Jiang, calm down. Why don’t we ask the person involved how they feel?”

In situations like this, it depends on the person’s status. Director Jiang was mostly upset because he feared angering Gu Yan. Gu Yan’s identity and position meant that he joined the project as a favor to a friend, and now there was this issue on set, especially involving Meng Ying, who had a reputation for “riding coattails.” Director Jiang naturally wanted to warn the staff and probe Meng Ying.

If it were someone else, Jiang wouldn’t have cared so much.

After Ling Yi’s message, he tagged Gu Yan, worried that Gu Yan might forget to check his phone since they were about to leave for the shoot.

Not long after, Gu Yan replied with a simple message.

Gu Yan: “It’s fine.”

Instantly, the atmosphere in the group relaxed. Meng Ying, seeing the message, understood Jiang’s intentions and, not knowing what to say in the group chat, decided to explain it face-to-face with him later. Gu Yan’s sudden message made Liu Qin feel at ease and she said, “Since the Film Emperor doesn’t mind, we can relax too.”

“We don’t need to spend money to remove the trending topic. It’s not worth it. You’ve been on trending a lot, so it’s fine,” Liu Qin said as she helped Meng Ying with her outfit for the day. Neither of them had enough money to remove the trending topic, and the company wouldn’t pay for it either. Since the trending topic brought Meng Ying some attention, they decided to save costs. Fortunately, Gu Yan didn’t mind—he was a nice person.

Meng Ying hummed in response. She was mainly concerned about delaying the shoot and the potential of the lead female role being recast.

She lowered her head and checked Weibo again. The photo she had posted last night was carefully selected, showing off her collarbones and shoulders. Some people had commented before that her collarbones could hold water. Xu Dian liked to look down at her with a smile while tracing her collarbones with his finger, watching her shrink away.

Every time this happened, the man was both wicked and sexy.

She had purposely posted the photo to show him. Unfortunately, he hadn’t replied to her WeChat, only posting on Weibo.

Most of her fans were drawn to her looks, and they were all now shouting in the comments. Of course, some fans came to check things out after seeing Gu Yan liking her post. In just one night, she gained more followers. There were even people tagging her with photos of her and Gu Yan. At first glance, without looking too closely at the woman’s face, one might feel the photos were well taken and the pair looked great together.

She then saw that the trending topic “#Huaying puts huge investment in Interstellar” had been pushed down, while this new topic held the number one spot. Anyone who was following would see the posts on Weibo.

He should see it, right?

After all, this was her first time being involved in a scandal with a male actor.

At this moment, Xu Qing sent a WeChat message: “You’re something else, causing a scandal. Has Mr. Xu gotten jealous?”

Meng Ying: “I don’t know. Maybe he hasn’t seen it yet?”

Xu Qing: “He’s already seen it. I heard from the assistant that Mr. Xu visited Yang Tong on set last night, and Yang Tong’s assistant mentioned this incident right in front of him.”

Xu Qing: “He hasn’t reacted yet? Meng Ying, are you sure he really likes you? I’ve told you before, he’s too indifferent to you. You’re just foolishly throwing yourself at him!”

Xu Qing: “If he were a normal man, someone who truly cherished you, he’d be throwing a fit by now. Moreover, with his power, he should have had the trending topic removed by now. Look, it’s still trending, right?”

Xu Qing’s words pierced straight into her heart, each sentence feeling like a sharp knife. Her fingertips trembled, unsure how to respond to Xu Qing. The relationship between her and Xu Dian was known only to Xu Qing. She really had no one else to confide in, so she could only tell Xu Qing. But every time Xu Qing spoke, it felt like it was driving the knife in deeper.

In the end, she put down her phone, not replying to Xu Qing, and just glanced at the trending topic on Weibo before being hurried to the set by Liu Qin.

After the initial panic, seeing the trending topic’s popularity made Liu Qin feel somewhat pleased. “I have to admit, you and Gu Yan really look good together. You should add him on WeChat in the group.”

When she looked up, she saw Meng Ying’s face was pale, so Liu Qin froze for a moment. “What’s wrong?”

They were getting close to the set, and Meng Ying snapped back to reality, offering Liu Qin a smile. “It’s nothing.”

Her expression returned to normal, and Liu Qin, concerned, tucked her hair behind her ear. After a moment of studying her, seeing that Meng Ying had calmed down and her complexion had regained some color, she stopped asking.

Meng Ying sighed inwardly.

She had known what kind of person he was. What use was there in being upset now?

At the end of the day, it was her own choice to pursue him. She had fallen for him at first sight in college, gathering information about him, cautiously stalking his news. Two years ago, they met again when she went to Haishi for a show, and that day, Liu Qin hadn’t accompanied her.

After the show, she was waiting for the company’s car when she coincidentally bumped into Yang Tong, who was also waiting for a car. At that time, she and Yang Tong weren’t familiar with each other—she was just a minor character. Standing in the wind, Yang Tong looked at her several times and even complimented her earrings. She shyly greeted Yang Tong, calling her “senior” in a respectful manner.

Yang Tong smiled politely, maintaining a strong sense of distance.

Soon, a black car quietly arrived in front of Yang Tong. She lifted her skirt to get into the back seat. At that moment, the car window on the driver’s side rolled down, and Xu Dian’s head tilted slightly, his eyes narrowed as they landed on her face.

After clearly seeing the man’s appearance inside the car, Meng Ying’s heart raced, and the wind howled as it blew around her. She kept brushing her hair away from her face. Xu Dian, cold and aloof, examined her for a long while without showing any expression, then pressed the window button. The window slowly rolled up, and the black sedan sped away from in front of her.

At that moment, she thought he had recognized her from the entrance of Licheng University.

But it wasn’t the case.

The second time they met, he sat across from her, smoking a cigar, his shirt collar open, exuding a carefree, lazy charm.

He smiled and complimented her: “The earrings are beautiful, they suit you.”

Then, in front of a table full of people, he handed her a brocade box filled with red earrings—some with gems, some with pearls, and others of fine craftsmanship, all dazzling. The women around them gasped in admiration. Many encouraged her to take it quickly.

It was said that the young master of the Xu family rarely gave gifts, and at that time, she still didn’t know he was the CEO of Huaying. Amid the teasing, she didn’t take the box, but instead pushed it back toward him. As her hand brushed the box, his hand holding the cigar touched her hand. She lowered her head and met Xu Dian’s smiling gaze. He gently tapped the back of her hand and asked, “What’s your WeChat?”

She answered.

He added her, and that evening, they exchanged messages, but she didn’t know what to say at first, only sending a smiley face in reply.

A few minutes later, he replied, asking, “You don’t like the earrings, what do you like?”

In that moment, she blurted out, “You.”

He responded with a low, deep laugh that made her heart race, feeling dizzy and out of control. Later, she took the initiative to message him, but his replies were infrequent. Occasionally, he would call her and even invite her out. One day, when they were having a meal together, he pointed to her ear and said, “There’s something here.”

She thought he was referring to something else, turned her head to show him, and asked him to help remove it. But instead, he took a pair of ruby earrings and put them on her right there.

The earrings were cool to the touch, and she was startled. Just as she was about to speak, he kissed her, sucking on her earlobe, his voice low as he whispered, “How about a drink at the Hilton tonight?”

The Hilton was a hotel, and drinking meant something more, something she understood. But this person was so close to her, within reach, and she couldn’t maintain her composure. In the end, they went. They were intimate that night, and though it hurt since she was still a virgin, she pushed him away. He laughed lightly and became gentler.

From that day on, every time they went on a date, there was always something physical between them.

One time, after getting out of bed, she leaned against Xu Dian’s chest and asked him, “What’s our relationship?”

Xu Dianjin lazily stroked her shoulder and answered, “Isn’t it a romantic relationship?”

He toyed with her hand, squeezing it and laughing as he replied, “Girlfriend.”

At that, she became more serious, fully committing to this relationship. When the person she had secretly admired became her lover, Meng Ying’s heart became entirely attached to him. When he said their relationship had to be kept secret, she agreed. When he said he wouldn’t reply to messages, she agreed. She knew that many wealthy young women in Licheng were lining up to be his girlfriend, so she compromised more, just to be with him. As long as he still liked her a little, she was willing to do anything.

Xu Qing scolded her for being foolish and naive.

She pretended not to hear, as long as he still liked her.

As long as.

There were so many women in the world, but he chose her. He liked her. This was what she told herself. And this was how she comforted herself. But people, their hearts are greedy. She didn’t know when it started, but she began to mind how he doted on Yang Tong, though she had to suppress her feelings and not show it. Because he could easily pull away, but for her, it was far more difficult.

That glance at the entrance of Licheng University ruined her life.

Meng Ying closed Xu Dian’s chat window and put her phone away. She walked into the set and bumped into Gu Yan, who was coming toward her. Meng Ying paused, and Gu Yan also stopped, leaning against a pillar and giving her a smile. Meng Ying instantly relaxed. It seemed that he really didn’t mind the trending topic and wouldn’t claim that she was riding on the wave of popularity.

She smiled back at Gu Yan.

“Let’s go, it’s time to start,” Gu Yan waved.

“Okay.”

Meng Ying walked toward him with a smile.

Liu Qin, who was behind, squinted her eyes, clicking her tongue a couple of times. She stared at the two people ahead, her gaze shifting to the tall Gu Yan, and she remembered how he had actively followed Meng Ying and liked her posts.

The usually serious and focused movie king, Gu Yan, had never done something like that before. No wonder there weren’t many fans of Gu Yan criticizing Meng Ying—most of them had quietly switched to following Meng Ying.

Liu Qin thought of this and became excited. She quickly chased after them. “Wait for me!”

There were many scenes to shoot today, and Meng Ying was fully immersed in the work. During a break, Liu Qin suddenly slapped her thigh, clearly excited. “I can’t believe Yang Tong made it to the trending list, and… haha, look at this!”

She pushed her phone toward Meng Ying.

#Yang Tong yells at her assistant on set, assistant cries and kneels# 【Trending】

The trending topic was a video. In the video, Yang Tong was standing with her arms crossed, coldly staring at the kneeling assistant, even kicking her with her high heels.

The way she acted was outrageous, arrogant, and cruel.

Immediately following that trending topic, several more appeared:
#Yang Tong has a bad temper#
#Yang Tong has a terrible personality, and her acting is bad#
#Yang Tong is bad at acting, so if anyone praises another actor, she gets angry#

The entire trending list was filled with comments attacking Yang Tong, bashing her. Just recently, she had been shining brightly, with her popularity soaring, and now she suddenly faced a downfall.

“Hahaha, I told you she couldn’t stay on top forever.”

“So what if Huaying supported her? She still crashed.”

“Hahaha, I’m going to take this opportunity to snatch her endorsements. I’m calling right now.” Liu Qin, feeling a sense of satisfaction, started dialing on her phone.

Meng Ying took a sip of water, asked Chen Jie for her phone, and began scrolling through the trending topics. In the past, whenever she and Yang Tong were on the trending list, it was always her. Right now Yang Tong was being criticized. This was the first time she had seen Yang Tong getting bashed instead.

[A Fence]: I told you, does Yang Tong have a good temper? A young lady’s temper? What a load of nonsense.

[Lazy Lazy]: I feel so sorry for the assistant. I even cursed Meng Ying for her before, haha.

[Knock Knock Knock]: Hey, you guys were praising her to the sky earlier. Whoever becomes her assistant is doomed.

[Little One]: Calling her a young lady is just giving her face. Can a young lady bully her assistant like this? Too much, with such a bad temper. She should go back to being a young lady.

[Did I Sleep Today]: Huaying is still supporting her? This is what Huaying is promoting? They should kick her out of the entertainment industry.

Scrolling down.

The hot search list on Meng Ying’s Weibo started changing. The Weibo page refreshed at a noticeable speed. Yang Tong’s negative trending topics quickly dropped down, and soon, Meng Ying’s topics climbed up, pushing Yang Tong’s off. It was as if an invisible hand was behind the scenes making it happen.

Then.

#Meng Ying is very compatible with Gu Yan#

#Did Meng Ying hook up with Gu Yan?#

#Meng Ying is holding hands with Gu Yan#

Fans, who were just watching the drama, went crazy. They stared in disbelief as Meng Ying’s trending topics rose again, which instantly sparked a wave of anger.

[Damn it, wasn’t this hot search up earlier this morning? Why is it trending again? Meng Ying must have bought the trending topics. How long is she planning to leech off of this?]

[Maybe after seeing her hot searches being pushed down by Yang Tong’s, Meng Ying spent money to get herself back up.]

[Meng Ying should also get out of the entertainment industry!]

Yang Tong’s black hot searches disappeared, and Meng Ying’s topics were pushed up. Fans, who hadn’t had enough of cursing Yang Tong, began venting their frustration on Meng Ying instead.

Liu Qin jumped up in anger: “What’s going on? Damn it…”

Chen Jie also defended Meng Ying: “Why is this happening? Yang Tong’s hot search… gone so quickly?”

Suddenly, everyone on set turned to look at Meng Ying, and the director hesitated to ask: “This isn’t something you bought, is it?”

This was too much. Seeing her decent acting, they had let their guard down. But now, this? The director’s face wasn’t looking good…

Meng Ying shook her head: “No.”

Liu Qin smiled at the director: “We would never buy hot searches, we’ve never done that, director, you have to believe us.”

After saying this, she turned away with a dark face and picked up her phone to make a call.

A few seconds later, Liu Qin turned back and glared at Meng Ying angrily: “It’s Huaying again. In order to cover up Yang Tong’s bad news, they pushed your hot search up again.”

The fingers gripping her phone cracked, and Meng Ying stared blankly at Liu Qin.

Liu Qin’s eyes were red, pointing at Meng Ying: “Who told us we don’t have a good backer.”

Liu Qin was genuinely concerned for Meng Ying. Seeing the look on her face, Meng Ying felt a dull pain in her heart. 

Meng Ying then stood up, took her phone, walked to a corner, lowered her head, and dialed Xu Dian’s number. It rang for a long time.

Finally, it was picked up.

Xu Dian’s voice sounded a little lazy: “Hmm?”

“Did you push me onto the trending list to save Yang Tong?” Meng Ying asked, her voice trembling.

On the other end.

The sound of a lighter was heard as Xu Dian played with a cigarette, laughing: “I’m just giving you some attention.”

“Isn’t it good?” His tone was indifferent.

Meng Ying tightly gripped her phone, wanting to ask, Aren’t you jealous?

In the end, she didn’t ask. She just lowered her head and ended the call. What difference would it make to ask? He clearly didn’t care. If he did, he wouldn’t have pushed her hot search alongside another man’s…

Meng Ying rested her forehead against the wall, turned her head, and let the tears fall.

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