Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I took a moment to compose myself, forcing my mind to go calm.

After finishing my morning routine mechanically, I found sleep completely elusive. I felt like a shriveled sponge, unable to squeeze out even a drop of cognitive energy.

Around four in the morning, my phone rang. I lunged for it, heart racing with anxiety.

It was as if I were desperate to prove something.

The name flashing on the screen was Sister Zhou, not Shen Sui.

I tried my best to sound like my usual self, keeping my voice loud to mask the fact that my spirits were at rock bottom.

“It’s so late. Is something wrong?”

“You and Shen Sui were photographed entering and leaving multiple locations on the same day. What a coincidence.”

I gripped my phone tight.

It wasn’t like there hadn’t been similar rumors before, but Sister Zhou never used to ask questions; she would simply issue a clarification and a debunking notice immediately.

Why this time-my heart sank.

“Just have the team arrange a clarification. Why are you calling me about this?”

There was a lot of noise on the other end; she was clearly still busy.

“The situation is getting a bit out of control. Lu Li’s side has stepped in to steer public opinion. The company’s account and your personal Weibo have been overrun.

“Go and appease your fans.”

After I agreed, Sister Zhou hung up in a hurry, likely heading off to find a solution.

I logged onto Weibo. The constant stream of notifications caused my phone to freeze for a good ten seconds.

The comment section of my latest post had transformed from fans’ praise into vitriolic abuse.

[Are you trying to be a homewrecker? You’re actually disgusting. Too bad President Shen doesn’t want you. Seeing how well he treats Lu Li, are you dying of jealousy?]

[If you had this much acting talent in your movies, you would’ve won an award ages ago. You’re just a money-losing hack that nobody wants, even when you’re throwing yourself at them.]

[You made Lu Li so sad. You really deserve to die.]

…

Feeling a bit dazed, I typed “Lu Li” into the search bar.

Lu Li V: I’m so sad. Before returning to the country, I watched your interviews and thought about learning from you. I never expected your character to be so low. Why does it have to be like this? I can’t understand how someone can be so cruel. I’ve been crying all night. If he wasn’t here for me, I wouldn’t know what to do. I really cherish our relationship. I truly do.

She had attached a photo of a cutely decorated little cake and two cups of milk tea. Zooming in, you could see a man’s hand, looking as though it had been caught in the frame by accident.

Netizens quickly identified the watch on the man’s wrist as the one Shen Sui had been wearing for the past two days.

Combined with the paparazzi leaks showing me entering and leaving various places with Shen Sui, I was being accused of malicious harassment.

Everything aligned with Lu Li’s vague Weibo post. Angry fans and “righteous” bystanders flocked to my Weibo to vent their fury.

The more viciously they cursed me, the more sincere their blessings seemed for Lu Li and Shen Sui as a couple.

And yet, I was the one who was actually Shen Sui’s fiancée.

But I had never received a blessing in any real sense.

It made sense, I suppose. The moment he left here, he couldn’t wait to go see Lu Li.

He never accompanied me to any formal occasions, yet he appeared in public with Lu Li in a high-profile manner.

To ensure she won that award, he didn’t hesitate to use the very tactics he usually despised.

No matter how you looked at it, Lu Li seemed more like his lover than I did.

I forced a smile, unable to keep the bitterness from creeping in.