Chapter 33: Termination of Partnership

“If it weren’t for the video this time, Yun Fu would probably have ended up like those other actresses, torn apart by her fans!”
“Her team is even more shameless than she is. That woman is disgusting.”
“A real-life white lotus. I’ve learned something new today.”
Ning Lan was lambasted by netizens, her team issued several statements to no avail—after all, the evidence was irrefutable, and the online masses refused to believe them.
Aside from Ning Lan’s own fans, the tide of public opinion online had entirely shifted in favor of Yun Fu.
Firstly, from that brief video, people felt Yun Fu’s portrayal of Qian Xuan truly captured the essence of the character, and praise for Yun Fu abounded.
Secondly, they believed she had been wrongly accused by Ning Lan this time, yet she did not make a scene—she was innocent and composed.
Yun Fu’s number of fans consequently swelled.
Meanwhile, the person at the heart of the controversy lay calmly on the sofa, took a sip of water, and continued her game.
Beside her, Qiao An was speechless.
She truly wanted to submit a question somewhere: What should one do when their artist is overly obsessed with gaming?
Ning Lan smashed everything in the hospital that could be smashed, causing the nurses to keep their distance.
She now resembled a female demon, nothing like the sweet, pure, and charming figure her fans once described.
She kept dialing Du Xingyuan’s number, but no one ever answered.
Her gaze sharpened instantly, venomous as a serpent. “Fine, Du Xingyuan, if you’re merciless, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
At that moment, Shi Daiyu happened to push open the door.
Hearing Ning Lan’s words, full of hatred, Shi Daiyu involuntarily shuddered.
Meeting Ning Lan’s poisoned gaze, she felt her scalp tighten.
“Shi,” Ning Lan called her once, then curled her lips into a smile.
Shi Daiyu felt a chill run down her spine; her instincts told her she would not escape this time.
Sure enough—“If I expose what you did to Yun Fu and the others, what do you think will happen?”
Shi Daiyu stared at Ning Lan’s smiling face and tensed, not daring to answer.
Ning Lan answered for her, “You’ll be finished in this industry, reduced to an ordinary person forever, even worse off than Qiao An.”
That last sentence was the straw that broke Shi Daiyu’s resolve.
She looked up, meeting Ning Lan’s eyes, her face pale, lips trembling. “What do you want me to do?”
“Go online and take full responsibility for this incident,” Ning Lan said with a radiant smile. “Remember, I have absolutely nothing to do with this—you acted on your own, I knew nothing about it. Understand?”

Looking at the girl’s pure and innocent face before her, Shi Daiyu felt utterly desolate inside.
She let out a cold laugh. “I understand.” In the end, Ning Lan simply wanted her to be the scapegoat—Ning Lan’s cruelty truly hadn’t changed.
Ning Lan looked at her, knowing she was unwilling, but it didn’t matter so long as she did as told.
“If you do as I say, I’ll leave you a way out—you can stay with Starry.”
“...I understand.”
The incident fermented throughout the night, trending on social media for a full evening.
At nine in the morning, netizens saw that Ning Lan’s agent, Shi Daiyu, had posted a statement.
She claimed the entire matter was her doing, saying she simply couldn’t stand Yun Fu, and that Ning Lan was completely unaware. She admitted her fault and hoped everyone would not blame Ning Lan.
At the same time, Ning Lan posted, saying she knew nothing about it, apologizing sincerely to Yun Fu for the trouble.
She even tagged Yun Fu, offering a formal apology.
Yun Fu, of course, paid no attention to it, but Qiao An saw everything.
She told Yun Fu about it.
For once, Yun Fu was not gaming, but tapping away at her computer. Upon hearing this, she merely responded with an indifferent “Oh.”
Qiao An sighed deeply, helpless.
As a top figure in the entertainment world, Shengshi naturally knew about the matter, as did its boss, Qin Yi.
Seeing Yun Fu, he recalled the girl that Lian Hanqi had brought that day—such an unprecedented event, he was certain she was no ordinary person.
So, upon learning of the incident, he immediately called Lian Hanqi.
At that moment, Lian Hanqi was using his alternate account, lurking in Yun Fu’s fan group, watching them finally speak openly of Yun Fu’s past grievances and Ning Lan’s tricks.
His gaze grew colder, frosted with bone-deep chill.
That stubborn girl’s face flashed in his mind again. Just as he was about to act, his phone rang.
“Qin Yi.”
“Brother Hanqi, I just sent you some information. Take a look—how do you plan to handle it?”
In Qin Yi’s mind, Lian Hanqi was always a model official, unlikely to pay attention to entertainment gossip.
He never expected Lian Hanqi to reply, “I’ve seen it. Some people clearly find their lives too easy.”
Was he about to stir things up? Qin Yi’s eyes lit up. “Brother Hanqi, do you need my help?”
“As you like.”

“Alright, I’ll get started.”
A barely perceptible emotion surfaced in the depths of Lian Hanqi’s eyes—anger.
He usually hid his feelings well, but after seeing those things, he was truly incensed.
He picked up his phone and sent a message to the young woman.
“What are you doing?”
The reply came quickly: “Watching TV.” Not gaming, it seemed—Lian Hanqi raised an eyebrow.
“Dinner tonight? Lingran Residence?”
“Alright.”
“I’ll pick you up then.”
“Okay.”
Yun Fu put down her phone, picked up the glass of water on the table, and cupped it in her hands, curling up into a small bundle, looking petite and fragile.
For once, a thin mist clouded her eyes, as if she were puzzled.
She took out her phone to check, but before she could unlock it, several push notifications appeared.
“Orange Fruit brand announces termination of partnership with Ning Lan!”
“Amy’s official account declares Ning Lan is no longer their spokesperson!”
“‘Nationwide Pursuit’ announces the female lead will be replaced!”
“Variety show ‘Maybe It’s True’ announces they are ending their long-term partnership with Ning Lan—she will no longer be a regular guest!”
All the products Ning Lan endorsed, all the resources she held, vanished in an instant.
Brands terminated contracts, TV dramas recast, variety shows ceased invitations...
“Impossible, impossible!” Ning Lan shook her head, retreating in disbelief. “No, it can’t be!”
Shi Daiyu beside her was equally bloodless, staring at the phone as messages poured in.
Those who once held them in the palm of their hand had become viciously sharp-tongued.
If this were only about framing Yun Fu, Shi Daiyu would never have believed such a backlash.
There had to be a greater force behind Yun Fu—only then would the brands dare to offend them so boldly.