Showbiz Scandal: The Official Announcement of My Ex and Myself-Chapter 220: Just Who Is Dating Whom in This Relationship?
In the following days, Yu Xia noticed that there really were paparazzi stalking her.
After finishing a magazine shoot, she went out to eat with everyone, wrapped up tightly, and yet people still recognized her and were fixated on taking her picture.
As soon as she got out of the car, she had a gut feeling, turned her head, and sure enough, there were two paparazzi squatting in the distance.
Yu Xia waved cheerfully in that direction, and someone from the magazine team looked over and grinned, "You’re even greeting the paparazzi?"
Someone nearby joked, "You really do have a ’scandalous’ aura, can’t escape paparazzi surveillance. They must have heard about your third collaboration with Xie Qingci and are following you thinking there’s something going on, right?"
"Probably." She didn’t avoid the topic.
Then that person continued to ask, "So was your third collaboration with Xie Qingci planned?"
It was a pretty roundabout way to ask, but hit on the point that could be answered.
"Actually, it wasn’t," she said, taking off her mask as she entered the restaurant, "Pure coincidence. I wanted to join that variety show, and it just so happened that Changhui also recommended it to him."
He Ci chimed in, "We put a lot of effort into joining this show; there’s no reason to give up this opportunity just to avoid rumors with him."
Others nodded in sudden understanding.
Yu Xia lagged behind, not speaking further, and glanced at her phone.
News about Xie Qingci had been bombarding her recently, in an escalating manner—seemingly benign at first, then more poured in the next day.
Wanting to know what she’s doing, eating, and who she’s with, just like a jealous husband checking up on her.
She just replied briefly: [Having dinner with a colleague, focus on your work.]
Then she tucked her phone away and entered the private room with a big smile.
This time’s magazine cover was quite significant, being one of the "Big Five."
The entertainment industry puts emphasis on the "Big Five" fashion magazines, especially during the "Golden September and Silver October" period.
Getting on the cover of these top five magazines basically indicates that one is currently the most talked-about star in the entertainment circle, with high popularity and wide influence.
Of course, the Golden September and Silver October is more competitive, but it’s still a long way from March now. With her current popularity, she’s already landed two covers.
The official announcement of the "Infinite Escape" variety show boosted her popularity further, leading to more mainstream magazine contacts.
Navigating the fashion circle isn’t easy; she initially gained a foothold with a high-end red carpet appearance that left a good impression in the fashion circle.
Shooting isn’t easy either, climbing trees, going underwater, shooting in the wild, all common tasks. This time, she’ll be heading to the seaside for the rest of the shoot.
Midway through dinner, a photographer suddenly exclaimed, talking to the person beside them:
"Shu Ran is in a relationship!"
Everyone looked up in shock, and the magazine director quickly asked, "With who? Is it Shi Yuhuai?"
Shi Yuhuai was a model who previously collaborated with Shu Ran on a hit variety show.
The photographer shook their head, "The photos aren’t clear, can’t tell, but definitely quite tall. Besides, this might not be love; they were just walking side by side without holding hands or anything."
So, everyone just treated it as a false rumor.
Yu Xia went back to eating, but after only a couple of bites, she heard the photographer exclaim again.
"Xie Qingci is in a relationship too!"
Yu Xia: "?"
He Ci immediately raised his head, trying to remain calm, "Huh? With who? It’s not with our Yu Xia, right?"
Photographer: "It’s not with her, don’t worry. It’s with a newly debuted rookie."
He Ci was relieved but immediately concerned again, turning to look at Yu Xia.
Yu Xia squinted slightly at the trending news on the photographer’s phone, said nothing, and resumed eating.
The dish was pierced by chopsticks, snapped in half, and then discarded aside as she picked up a new piece.
He Ci’s eyelid twitched as he joked with the photographer, "Fake, right? Could he really start dating now? Even if he did, Changhui wouldn’t let this news get out."
"True, Changhui is very efficient, wouldn’t stand by while this news damages Xie Qingci’s public image. Look, a statement is out already, saying it was just a coincidence that they went to the same place and they don’t even know each other. That was quick clarification."
Someone else commented, "Changhui is Changhui, Shu Ran’s clarification is out too. Their company’s artists are interesting; they don’t ban dating, but they do ban using scandals for clout."
The photographer laughed, "Wonder what happens if they really start dating; do they announce it immediately?"
"They have only three artists, Shu Ran and Lin Lian dating should be fine, but Xie Qingci debuting as an idol might be tough."
"Not necessarily, after everything that happened last year and into this year, fans have built strong tolerance. Dating is the least of their concerns now, as long as there’s no moral issue like cheating or dishonesty, it can be handled easily."
He Ci finally relaxed, joining the conversation, "Plus, there are tons of fake rumors now, many fans are used to it and maintain an attitude of not believing or spreading unverified news."
"Like Yu Xia’s rumors, right?" Everyone laughed kindly, "Last year’s rumors were monthly, if they weren’t cleared up completely, I’d be worried about seeing a scandal between us and you tomorrow."
Yu Xia said helplessly, "Maybe I just seem like someone who enjoys playing around."
Everyone laughed again, "Indeed, such allure, gaining a boyfriend with every drama, and everyone believes every pairing was real at some point. I was even shipping you with Yu Zhi!"
She raised both hands in refusal, "Please, no, don’t ruin his chance for a second love."
After the playful banter ended for the day, Yu Xia needed to pack for tomorrow’s trip to the seaside.
In the car, Mei sat in the back whispering to her.
"He should call to explain, right? Why hasn’t he called yet?"
Yu Xia looked at her, "Why are you more anxious than I am?"
Who’s really in this relationship?
Mei admitted she was a bit excited, but she still softly shared her precious insights gained from watching numerous dramas and reading novels.
"Given your current situation, having just argued and you gaining the upper hand, it’s hard to say he won’t want to make a comeback."
Yu Xia supported her head, curious, "For example?"
"For instance, after his accidental rumor, he might hold back from explaining immediately, leaving you to stew in anger, disappointment, and doubt, testing whether you’d confront him. You get it, right? Some guys enjoy getting confirmation of your affection through such confrontations.
Or if you don’t confront him, he might delay calling for as long as possible to explain, making you feel joy after disappointment, letting you also experience his previous torment. Wouldn’t that give him control over your emotions?"
"Brilliant." She applauded the analysis.
Then calmly said, "But isn’t the protagonist of this scenario doomed without a man?"
Mei: "...I almost forgot, sis, you’re not like other girls in relationships."
Xie Qingci, with his girlfriend brain, is also not like other guys in relationships.
