Chapter 267: Chapter 268: Xia Yangyang Get Out of the Entertainment Circle
Xia Yangyang was startled. She had only used the situation as an example.
“That’s not what I meant; I was just using it as an example,” she clarified.
“So you haven’t gotten over that jerk yet?” Gu Qichen pressed.
“No, I moved on a long time ago,” she replied.
“Are you still in touch with him?”
“No, absolutely not.”
Xia Yangyang blushed, flustered, looking as if she wanted to swear to the truth. Gu Qichen reached out and tousled her hair. “You’re not allowed to even think about that man, got it?”
Xia Yangyang obediently murmured, “Oh.”
Gu Qichen’s interruption had made her forget what she was about to say. Regardless, despite the frightening day, Xia Yangyang’s gloomy mood of the past half-month lifted. She wanted to ask about the necklace but hesitated. Shen Shichuan had already mentioned the investigation was at a standstill. The auction house employees had vanished without a trace, strongly suggesting a powerful hand manipulating events from behind the scenes. Xia Yangyang wasn’t sure if it was Shen Manbing, but she believed the truth would eventually emerge.
The next day, explosive headline news erupted. Both social media and entertainment sections were flooded with reports of Shen Manbing nearly losing her life to a crazed fan. Fortunately, reporters were present and recorded the entire rooftop incident. While the social issue of crazed fans dominated the headlines, entertainment media sensationalized certain aspects of the video. A leaked portion revealed that Gu Qichen had been Shen Manbing’s secret boyfriend for years. It showed Shen Manbing proposing to Gu Qichen at Lake Bay, only to be rejected. Another segment featured Gu Qichen stating that Shen Manbing was the woman he loved most.
Xia Yangyang, having witnessed the event, knew the media was twisting the facts to generate buzz. Those present understood the fan’s instability; Gu Qichen had only spoken as he did to lower the fan's guard. But now, the media’s exposé cemented the relationship between the “Queen of Heaven,” Shen Manbing, and Gu Qichen. What began as a social issue transformed into a scandalous gossip story about Shen Manbing.
Numerous versions of the story circulated, but the most prevalent rumor claimed Xia Yangyang had interfered in the relationship between Shen Manbing and Gu Qichen. According to the timeline mentioned by the fan, Xia Yangyang and Gu Qichen were still dating when Shen Manbing proposed to him at Lake Bay. However, Gu Qichen’s previously announced wedding date indicated he and Xia Yangyang had already obtained their marriage certificate.
The implication was clear: Shen Manbing had been unknowingly in a lovey-dovey relationship, even publicly proposing to her boyfriend as a surprise. The proposal had been reported earlier, but the news was quickly suppressed, and the parties involved remained silent. Time passed, and the story faded into rumor. But the hostage incident brought everything to light, exposing the Queen’s love life and instantly propelling it to the top of various trending lists.
Xia Yangyang even saw a trending tweet from fans: “Boycott Cinderella, home wrecker get out of the entertainment circle!” Thousands of replies echoed the sentiment, mentioning Xia Yangyang’s name.
Xia Yangyang remained unconcerned. Having witnessed the events firsthand, she held no misconceptions. Gu Qichen had only been trying to save Shen Manbing. As a communications major, she knew such gossip would fade within a month, especially without a response.
However, a nagging hunch persisted. The media typically presents multiple perspectives, but this overwhelming, one-sided narrative – the online community overwhelmingly slandering and cursing her – led Xia Yangyang to suspect a PR firm might be manipulating public opinion.