Chapter 45
Due to Qin Wen’s trending topic, Secrets of the Six Doors, which had been gradually losing heat after its finale aired some time ago, suddenly reignited in popularity.
Along with it, the other actors also gained a surge of attention.
Especially the female lead, Xia Ruoying. Her portrayal of Rong Yu involved romantic storylines with both the male lead and the second male lead—a type of role that, if not performed well, could easily attract criticism.
However, she handled the character exceptionally. Rong Yu appeared impulsive but was actually meticulous. Even in combat prowess, she was on par with the male lead and the second male lead. When it came to love, she was never clingy—decisive, straightforward, carefree, and generous.
She embodied the true essence of a heroine.
For audiences who had long suffered from lackluster female leads in domestic entertainment, they finally saw the kind of protagonist they had been yearning for.
As for Xia Ruoying herself, it’s said that she started working in film studios at a very young age, spending several years as an extra. Only in recent years did she climb up step by step through her own efforts.
This time, she is a very strong contender for the Best Actress award at the Golden Lily Awards.
Recently, interviews featuring Xia Ruoying have suddenly increased.
Her ambition for acting has won her even more fans.
The only regret is that she never talks about her family. Even on Lunar New Year’s Eve, she was filming on set. When asked about her family, she would just smile and not respond.
Therefore, when a video titled [Xia Ruoying Refuses to Acknowledge Parents; Biological Parents Kneel and Kowtow] shot up the trending charts, everyone was shocked.
In the video, Xia Ruoying had just finished recording a program when she was blocked by an elderly couple with weathered faces. The couple, tears streaming down their cheeks, tried to say something to her, but Xia Ruoying remained cold as ice, directing her bodyguards to keep them away. In the end, the couple knelt on the ground and kowtowed to her, but she left without looking back.
[Netizens’ Comments]
[Didn’t they say Xia Ruoying has a great personality? She looks so fierce in the video! So this is the real her, huh? All that in front of the camera was just an act?]
[I’ve been a fan of Ruoruo for many years; she is definitely not like this. There must be some misunderstanding.]
[Who knows if they’re really her parents? Just any two people rushing up—if it were me, I wouldn’t be friendly either.]
[Even if they’re not her parents, two elderly people kneeling and kowtowing to you—anyone with a bit of manners wouldn’t just ignore them and walk away, right?]
[I think it might be true. Although those two look old, their facial features do resemble Xia Ruoying a bit.]
*
Just as the internet was abuzz with discussions, the couple from the video started a live broadcast.
Both appeared simple and honest, sitting very reservedly in a shabby, dimly lit room.
The woman cried with snot and tears all over her face, speaking in broken Mandarin: “I know we’re poor, Nier, and you’ve despised us since you were little, but you’re a piece of flesh that fell from my body. Back then, you stole all the family’s money and ran away, causing your father to break his leg while working, and we had no money for treatment. We don’t blame you for any of that; we’re just afraid you’ll be deceived out there. After hearing news about you, we took a bus for over ten hours, just hoping to hear you call us Mom and Dad again…”
The man beside her said nothing, just kept his head down, sitting next to her.
[Netizens’ Comments]
[Seeing them reminds me of my own parents…]
[She’s crying so pitifully. As a mother myself, I can truly empathize.]
[Xia Ruoying is really selfish. Running away is one thing, but she even stole all the family’s savings!]
Next to them was another plainly dressed woman who claimed to be Xia Ruoying’s middle school classmate. With a face full of disappointment, she looked into the camera and said, “I don’t know whether to call you Xia Ni or Xia Ruoying. I used to envy you—you were beautiful with fair skin. Later, I found out your family’s conditions weren’t good, but Uncle and Auntie treated you exceptionally well. During the summer harvest, we all had to work in the fields, but you didn’t have to…”
Netizens looked at the three people in the video with their dark skin and then thought of Xia Ruoying’s fair complexion, and they were mostly convinced.
[Netizens’ Comments]
[I’m from a rural area, and I can attest that during the summer harvest, the whole family, young and old, has to work in the fields—it’s extremely hard. Not making her go is really spoiling her.]
[I never liked Xia Ruoying; she always seemed cunning. Seems my intuition was right!]
[Sigh, I used to admire actresses like Xia Ruoying who have their own ideas. Didn’t expect her to be like this. Switching from fan to hater!]
*
For a time, the internet was in an uproar, filled with criticism of Xia Ruoying.
Gu Xingshi happened to see this trending topic and couldn’t help but frown.
From his brief interactions with Xia Ruoying, he felt she wasn’t like what this couple was portraying.
Thinking of this, he called out to the system: [System, got any inside info?]
The system responded: [Host, we’re really on the same wavelength—I was just about to tell you!]
[Actually, the truth is nothing like they’re saying. In fact, Xia Ruoying has had it quite rough. Her parents are extremely patriarchal. When she was born, her father saw she was a girl and wanted to drown her immediately. But someone said she had good features and might achieve great things in the future, so they spared her.]
[Her parents aren’t hardworking at all—they’re lazy, greedy, love gambling, and are heavy drinkers. From a very young age, Xia Ruoying had to do all the household chores. She also had to work in the fields. She was naturally fair-skinned, and later, when she became an actress and took good care of her skin, it recovered. Even though she was so obedient, whenever her parents lost money or got drunk, they would beat her.]
[Later, her younger brother was born, and she became his nanny. She had excellent grades; the county high school offered her free tuition and scholarships. But her parents locked her up at home, not allowing her to go out. What’s worse, when she was only 15, they accepted a large bride price to marry her off to a widower who had beaten his previous wife to death.]
[When Xia Ruoying found out, she found a way to escape. And she didn’t take the family’s savings—that was money she had secretly saved by collecting scrap. As for them claiming their savings were gone and her father was injured while working, in reality, they gambled away the bride price and were beaten by that widower and his men.]
Gu Xingshi felt a mix of emotions.
No wonder Xia Ruoying was always so dedicated on set. This drama had many martial arts scenes, and she did all the ones she could herself.
According to Qin Wen, she had been injured several times but endured it so as not to affect the filming schedule.
So this was the kind of environment she came from.
The system continued: [That’s not all! There’s an even bigger scoop!]
Gu Xingshi exclaimed: [There’s even more?!]
[Xia Ruoying’s younger brother, Xia Yaozu, isn’t even her father’s son!]
[What?!]
[Because her mother couldn’t give birth to a son, she was domestically abused by her father. Later, she gradually got involved with another man in the village, often fooling around when her father wasn’t home. Xia Yaozu was born from this affair. As for that so-called middle school classmate of Xia Ruoying, she’s a fake. She’s actually a neighbor of the Xia family who accidentally discovered this secret and has been blackmailing Xia’s mother ever since. This time, she came along to extort money from Xia Ruoying together.]
After hearing this, Gu Xingshi could only sum it up in two words: [Mind-blowing.]
Yet it was precisely this group of explosive individuals who were trying to destroy Xia Ruoying, who had escaped the abyss and was striving to live a better life.
*
Xia Ruoying looked pleadingly at her agent. “I’ve worked at the company for so many years, made so much money for them, and the company isn’t even willing to help me clarify? Even if you won’t help me, at least give me access to my Weibo account; I can clarify things myself!”
The agent sighed hypocritically. “Ruoying, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. Handling this quietly might be better. Besides, even if you explain, you have no evidence; no one will believe you.”
Xia Ruoying clenched her fists tightly but felt a sense of despair.
Yes.
Outsiders would only see her glamorous appearance and her parents’ poverty and destitution.
They would see her cold demeanor and her parents’ desperate pleas.
She had no evidence to prove the suffering she had endured, but outsiders could see she ran away from home, see her father’s broken leg, see the so-called “middle school classmate” testifying against her.
She felt so insignificant in the face of the overwhelming tide of public opinion.
Seeing this, her agent quickly took out a contract. “I’ve managed you for so many years; how could I harm you? Once you renew your contract, leave everything to the company, and everything will be fine.”
Looking at the harsh terms in the contract, Xia Ruoying sneered, “Sister Cai, you want me to sign this kind of contract? Isn’t it just making me work for the company for free?”
“What are you saying?” the agent replied sarcastically. “Let me be blunt. For an actress, reputation is everything. With your current reputation, who knows how much effort and money the company will have to spend to clean it up. If it weren’t for the fact that you’ve been with the company for so many years, who would want to take on this hot potato?”
Following the tactic of a stick before a carrot, the agent softened her tone. “Don’t mind my harsh words. Weren’t there so many agencies approaching you before? They said all kinds of nice things, but as soon as something happened, didn’t they all run away? All crows under the sun are black; everyone’s out to make money. Do you think you’re still who you used to be? Honestly, even if you go begging now, no one will sign you. And even if they do, do you think they’ll offer better terms than our company?”
Xia Ruoying subconsciously bit her lip.
Indeed, after Secrets of the Six Doors became a hit, many agencies had contacted her, including some well-known big companies in the industry.
But just as her agent said, after that video surfaced, none of them had reached out again.
Seeing her wavering, the agent continued, “That’s how things are. Think it over carefully. But let me give you a word of advice: the world is like this—no feelings, only interests. Even your biological parents treat you this way; what about outsiders?”
These words were like a needle, piercing deep into Xia Ruoying’s heart, causing her body to sway slightly.
After the agent left, she was alone in the room.
Xia Ruoying could no longer hide her vulnerability. She curled up, hugging herself tightly.
Yes.
In this world, where is there true affection?
When she was popular, countless people surrounded her, wanting to be her friend.
But after she got into trouble, all of them avoided her like the plague.
Only a few people from the Secrets of the Six Doors crew sent her comforting messages, but due to company constraints, they didn’t dare say more.
She had never felt so lonely and desperate.
She had thought she had escaped the abyss, but now it seemed she had never truly left it.
Perhaps her agent was right.
While she still had some value, she should sign.
Otherwise, once her reputation was ruined and she could no longer act, she’d be worse off than she was now.
Holding the pen, Xia Ruoying’s hand trembled as she prepared to sign her name.
But at that moment, her phone rang.
She stared blankly at the screen, seeing the name “Gu Xingshi” appear.
Composing herself, she answered the call. “Hello, President Gu.”
Hearing her strained yet hoarse voice over the phone, Gu Xingshi couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Are you okay?”
The warmth in his voice flowed into her ears like a gentle stream, slightly easing her tense body.
This was the first person to call her after the incident, asking, “Are you okay?”
She hadn’t cried since the incident, but now, for the first time, she felt the urge to weep.
But she forced herself to hold back. “Thank you, I’m fine.”
Gathering his thoughts, Gu Xingshi said, “I’ve heard about what’s happening online. I believe you’re not that kind of person.”
Xia Ruoying was stunned.
This was the sentence she had most longed to hear these past few days.
But her agent hadn’t said it; her friends in the industry hadn’t said it.
Instead, someone she hadn’t known for long—Gu Xingshi—had said it.
Gu Xingshi comforted her for a while and finally hinted, “Don’t worry; the innocent will clear their name. The world will definitely give you justice!”
But Xia Ruoying didn’t think much of it.
Although it was a brief call, she had already drawn strength from it.
When she looked at the contract again, the vulnerability on her face had vanished, replaced by determination.
She had defeated fate and escaped the abyss back then; she could do it again now.
Just as she tore up the contract and prepared to face everything head-on, she suddenly saw that #10086 had posted on Weibo.
[A gambling mother, an abusive father, a broken her, and someone else’s Yaozu.]
As a top-tier gossip account, whenever #10086 posted on Weibo, and it immediately captured everyone’s attention.
Under this post, #10086 succinctly recounted Xia Ruoying’s experiences over the years—every word a tearful revelation.
[???? What an explosive family!]
[It’s already 2022, and we still see such outrageous parents!]
[Poor Ruoruo, no wonder she never talks about her family. I almost believed those old liars before. Thinking back, I’m so stupid! Waaa, Ruoruo, I want to protect you forever!]
[Though it’s not good, I can’t help but laugh—’someone else’s Yaozu,’ hahahaha.]
[That cuckold didn’t cherish his daughter but eagerly raised someone else’s son. I wonder how he’ll react when he knows the truth.]
*
At the live broadcast site.
Father Xia and Mother Xia were still lamenting their miserable lives and accusing Xia Ruoying of being ungrateful, with the “middle school classmate” adding fuel to the fire.
The three of them watched netizens join them in condemning Xia Ruoying, feeling quite pleased.
Once the hype grew a bit more, they’d go to a TV station, force her to acknowledge them, and make her give them money to support them. She’s been a star for so many years; she must have tens of millions, right?
Just as the three were daydreaming, the bullet comments suddenly changed.
All at once, they read: “A gambling mother, an abusive father, a broken her, and someone else’s Yaozu.”
Some were cursing them and expressing sympathy for Xia Ruoying.
The three were stunned.
The “middle school classmate,” following clues from the comments, clicked into Weibo, and her face changed.
Seeing this, Father Xia snatched the phone from her. After reading the content, his face turned pale. He hadn’t expected someone to expose their past.
But the more he read, the more confused he became. “What does ‘someone else’s Yaozu’ mean?”
[Hahahahahahaha, can’t you understand? It means the son you’ve been raising isn’t yours!]
[To put it bluntly, your wife cheated on you!]
Father Xia suddenly looked up, seeing Mother Xia and the “middle school classmate” looking guilty. He immediately understood. “So that’s it!! I wondered why Yaozu doesn’t look like me! You said he hadn’t grown into his features! So he’s not my son at all!”
“I’ll beat you to death, you old… You #%$#…”
He cursed profanely while grabbing a chair and smashing it toward her. Soon, Mother Xia’s screams echoed through the scene.
The “middle school classmate” tried to run but was grabbed by her hair. “And you! You knew this slut was cheating but hid it from me, and you wanted to share Xia Ni’s money with us!!”
[Whoa—]
[So this is the real truth!]
[Recorded and reported to the police. You’re welcome!]
Although the live stream was quickly shut down due to violence and profanity, netizens who reported it later said that all three were arrested and would face legal consequences.
This segment of the live broadcast was also widely shared, causing public opinion to reverse instantly.
Xia Ruoying hadn’t even had time to react.
But after the shock, her first feeling was gratitude.
Everyone knew that Boss #10086 always spoke up for artists under President Gu. This time, speaking up for her was unprecedented; it must be President Gu helping behind the scenes.
She wasn’t even an artist under President Gu, and to him, she was someone not very familiar.
Yet he was willing to help her so selflessly.
Tears finally fell from Xia Ruoying’s face.
But this time, it was because of warmth.
Just then, her agent walked in, holding a new contract, smiling ingratiatingly. “Ruoying! I finally managed to get a new contract for you. I think we should sign it quickly, and we can promote you again before the Golden Lily Awards…”
Even before #10086’s intervention, Xia Ruoying had decided not to work with her anymore.
Now, she was even more confident.
Without even looking at the contract, she directly refused.
The agent became anxious and flustered. “Do you still want to sign with a big company? Stop dreaming…”
Before she could finish, Xia Ruoying’s phone rang again. It was an agent from Starshine Media, offering a contract even more favorable than any she had received before.
Ignoring the pleading agent, Xia Ruoying lifted her head and walked out of the room.
This time, perhaps she had truly escaped the abyss.
*
After signing the contract with Xia Ruoying, the agent from Starshine Media breathed a sigh of relief.
In fact, she had always thought highly of Xia Ruoying. She knew the casting director who had previously worked with her and was vaguely aware of her family situation. She had a good impression of this strong and thoughtful young woman.
After the incident, she had been working hard to secure her.
Until #10086 posted on Weibo.
This matter also caused quite a stir within Starshine Media.
Starshine Media and Orange Video, as the two most important pieces in Wen’s entertainment sector, had always cooperated and competed.
In the past, Starshine Media overshadowed Orange Video. But since [Boy Group Training Camp], Orange Video had been catching up, now even surpassing Starshine Media.
Not to mention, there was Sun Hongfei, who had been promoted like a rocket, now in a different position, closely connected with Assistant Tang, and seemed poised to become President Wen’s trusted aide.
Previously, there were subtle rumors that President Gu of LeShi Entertainment, Gu Xingshi, had a close relationship with their President Wen. Sun Hongfei’s current success was because he had latched onto the right person.
Now, is great fortune finally descending upon us!!
Compared to the internal commotion at Starshine Media, Sun Hongfei scoffed.
His relationship with President Gu couldn’t be simply described as latching onto someone powerful.
They had been through so much together; their bond was forged through life and death!
Besides, these people thought President Gu was just President Wen’s kept lover.
Only he knew the beautiful love between the two!!
President Wen safeguarded President Gu’s career, and President Gu did the same.
Indeed, nothing should be doubted about the love between President Gu and President Wen!
Therefore, during the next work report, he casually brought up this matter.
Wen Yue was taken aback.
He had helped Gu Xingshi to repay a favor.
Besides, he hadn’t done much, just ensured a fair environment. If Gu Xingshi’s artist could win an award, it was due to his own ability.
But what Gu Xingshi did was without any ulterior motives—purely to help.
Thinking back to earlier when he privately recommended Wen Corporation to Feng Tingyun, if someone else had such a significant favor, who knows how much they would ask for in return.
But Gu Xingshi hadn’t said a word to him. If Sun Hongfei hadn’t happened to overhear, he wouldn’t have known at all.
In the end, he hadn’t considered these at all.
He was just filled with pure enthusiasm.
Wen Yue had long been accustomed to the deceit and intrigue of this industry, but it was the first time he had met someone as upright and sincere—almost naively so—as Gu Xingshi.
It made the ice in his heart begin to subtly melt.
Although he didn’t show any expression on his face, that day, all the subordinates who came to report work felt warmth from President Wen for the first time.
They even felt that their pallor had faded quite a bit!
Only Tang Ling thought, “…”
My boss seems a bit off.
*
Soon, it was time for the Golden Lily Awards ceremony.
Initially, Gu Xingshi was worried that since this was Qin Wen’s first time attending such a big event and his own resources in the fashion circle were limited, it might be hard to borrow outfits of sufficient caliber.
Unexpectedly, Starshine Media was uncharacteristically enthusiastic and even took the initiative to help Qin Wen borrow attire.
At first, Gu Xingshi was puzzled, but then he thought that since Xia Ruoying had signed with Starshine, she must have helped.
Although it was Qin Wen’s first time walking the red carpet, he wasn’t nervous.
All that could be heard on-site was the continuous clicking of cameras.
After signing his name and taking photos, Qin Wen walked to the media interview area and slowly revealed a smile.
The media: “!!!”
The previously lively media interview area suddenly fell silent.
After a long while, a media outlet finally stepped forward. This media was known for its sharp and incisive questions, specializing in hitting artists’ sore spots.
Everyone looked at him expectantly, only to hear him ask, “Qin Wen, this is your first time attending the Golden Lily Awards. How do you feel?”
Everyone: “???”
That’s it?!!
Where’s your sharpness? Your incisiveness?!!
Qin Wen calmly answered.
The media area fell into an eerie silence again. The host, seeing Qin Wen’s expectant gaze, had no choice but to helplessly prompt another media outlet.
The selected reporter nervously asked, “Um… Qin Wen, what did you have for dinner today?”
everyone is scared of qin wen ahahhahahah
Thanks for the chapter! All smily, “Hello media! Ask me questions!” lol
They want gossip but also don’t want gossip
Kinda hoping she would sign with leshi…..
Me too.