After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 35: Decisive and Swift Clarification Statement
Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Decisive and Swift Clarification Statement
No one would be in a good mood if they were woken abruptly from a sound sleep.
Especially when Jiang Xiyu was in the middle of a dream that was about to come true, being suddenly interrupted nearly made her swear out loud when she opened her eyes.
But when she saw her cousin’s face full of panic mixed with anger, she paused for a few seconds and then calmed down, "What happened?"
Her cousin had to know the reason why she went to bed early today, and wouldn’t disturb her unless something very important had happened.
"Xiyu, something big has happened!" Jiang Yuting trembled as she tried to explain the situation she had just learned, but not knowing where to start, she handed over the phone she had brought with her, "Take a look at this message first."
Jiang Xiyu rubbed her still sleepy eyes, pursed her lips, and took the phone. Her heart sank immediately as she read the content.
On the screen was an apology and clarification statement, issued by Xu Wenyue Studio, in black text on a white background, sealed with a stamp, leaving no doubt.
Jiang Xiyu bit her lip and patiently read every word on the statement, unconsciously tightening her grip on the phone.
The main point of the entire statement was to clarify her relationship with that mysterious man, and she could only think of one person who could do such a thing.
Above her head, Jiang Yuting’s voice sounded, "We always suspected that the press release from the day before yesterday was issued by Jiang Lingxi’s side, but we didn’t expect it to be Xu Wenyue. It’s true that a biting dog never barks."
"For Xu Wenyue’s studio to issue such an apology statement in the middle of the night, I guess it must have been Mr. Shen who made a move. This really uproots the issue from the source, dragging out what was hidden at the back, much more straightforward than just suppressing the news."
"Looking at it this way, Mr. Shen must not have any..."
"Stop talking!" Jiang Xiyu sharply interrupted.
Jiang Yuting had to swallow back the ’meaning in that aspect’ she was about to say.
"Xiyu, don’t be too downcast. I told you before, you two are from different worlds, we can’t reach that high."
The dream was shattered so quickly, Jiang Xiyu could hardly stand hearing that now, "I told you to stop talking, go out, I want to sleep!"
"Alright, alright, I’m leaving. But I need to remind you of one more thing, Xu Wenyue has now been forced to expose how she was manipulating her former co-actresses online, which is a significant blow to her reputation. The drama you both acted in together, with her as the lead, might face some challenges, it might not even air."
After all, once people know that an actor has a bad reputation, who would bother watching?
It’s not like it’s the only drama being aired.
Jiang Xiyu’s response was to finally hurl the pillow nearby.
Seeing her furious look, Jiang Yuting quickly retreated from the room and closed the door.
People say Jiang Xiyu has a good temper, especially compared to Jiang Lingxi.
But since Jiang Yuting and Jiang Xiyu grew up together, she just ranked at that.
Not only was Jiang Xiyu’s side in chaos, but online it was also boiling over.
During the day, everyone has work or school, or at least family to accompany, so evening is the only time everyone surfs the net together.
The first to see the apology statement were Xu Wenyue’s fans who had set special alerts.
The initial reaction after reading it was disbelief.
Xu Wenyue has been in the industry for nearly ten years, many grew up watching her dramas, she’s certainly considered a competent actress in the entertainment world.
How could such a talented and beautiful actress be involved in releasing press to slander juniors?
Fans immediately left messages, hoping for an explanation from their idol.
But Xu Wenyue’s side seemed to have cut all ties with the outside world, so fans went from anxiously waiting to gradually feeling disappointed in a very short time.
Then the largest group of online bystanders noticed.
Their knowledge of Xu Wenyue was limited to knowing she was a decently renowned actress, and now witnessing such an active self-exposure and apology, they eagerly discussed the situation.
"Everyone suspected Jiang Lingxi, but Xu Wenyue came forward first, gotta say, commendable courage!"
"That’s not the right use of commendable courage, Xu Wenyue and her studio wouldn’t release such an apology statement unless forced, it’s obvious."
"Let me analyze, Jiang Xiyu shouldn’t have that much influence, considering how many hands the press release must’ve passed through before being published. You never find where such releases originally came from, most are buried with money or left to cool off slowly, but this time, it directly pointed to Xu Wenyue, forcing her to release a clarification and apology statement even if it risks her career.’
"Continuing from above, the only one capable of such a move is the mysterious man mentioned in the news. His power is such that even Xu Wenyue has to comply despite the reluctance."
"Kudos to the analysis above. Applause. But us netizens have been so ineffective. It’s been two days and nights, and even with a clarification statement out, none of us have caught a whiff about this mysterious man."
"Considering what you just said, Xu Wenyue admitting defeat suggests something obvious, right? Be cautious with your curiosity about this mysterious person, or you might end up implicating yourself before finding anything."
"I just really want to see a front shot of that man, his back alone was amazing, not seeing the front is so tempting."
"I’d advise you to give up that dangerous notion soon, some people are beyond investigation."
"Agreed, count me in."
...
Jiang Xiyu scrolled crazily through the comments on her phone, torturing herself, more than once tempted to use a secondary account to type out the name ’Shen Yunqing,’ but she bit her tongue every time and refrained at the last moment.
The way he handled Xu Wenyue showed that he spared no one.
She didn’t dare to gamble that she might be the exception.
If they traced it back to her, Xu Wenyue’s present could very well be her future.
But this should have been the last time she and that person were mentioned together!
Torn and troubled for half the night, though aware she should decisively put down her phone and try to sleep, Jiang Xiyu found herself truly unable to fall asleep!
And she wasn’t the only sleepless one.
Everyone at Xu Wenyue’s studio, including Xu Wenyue herself, stayed awake throughout the night, their eyes bloodshot, a stifling atmosphere permeating every corner of the studio.
No one could understand, "How could it be that person?"
Similar ambiguous press releases had been issued countless times before, yet nothing ever happened, except this time they stumbled so badly, it might be impossible to recover.
Even if it had been a top-tier celebrity emperor, they wouldn’t be convened like this in the middle of the night just to discuss a damage control plan for their collapsed reputation.
As dawn broke, Xu Wenyue, who had been sitting rigid on her chair, finally picked up the phone beside her, took a deep breath, and called the director, "Director, I’m sorry, I will pay for my mistakes."
The voice on the other end was just as hoarse and weary, "Wenyue, you’ve been around long enough to know which people can and cannot be offended, didn’t it? This drama was supposed to be your ace for the upcoming TV awards season, now even airing it on schedule is in jeopardy!"
"I truly didn’t expect this!"
All she had seen was a back view; she even arranged for the car’s license plate to be hidden, thinking she had respected an outsider’s privacy well enough. How could she have thought they’d trace back to her so quickly and deal so mercilessly?
She believed her status in this industry was solid enough, yet forgot there are always higher mountains, people who can crush her effortlessly, and she naively provoked them.
Now she regretted it, but it was too late!
