After Spectating Gossip, the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Big Shot – CH76

Chapter 76

The production team, frustrated, had to adjust their plans and, as per the original rules, allocate the highest travel fund to Ruan Xiyin and Xing Ling.

Xing Ling stared at the thick stack of bills in her hand, feeling a mixture of disbelief and luck, as though she’d just been hit by a windfall.

Her manager was right!

Choosing the right team was more important than working hard!

This only strengthened her resolve to stick close to Ruan Xiyin.

In stark contrast, the other guests held a pitifully thin amount of cash in their hands.

Jiang Yi looked down at his own money, then at the stacks held by Ruan Xiyin and Xing Ling, envy plain on his face. “What can we even do with this little bit of money?” he muttered.

It probably wouldn’t even cover lodging.

The director finally felt a sense of satisfaction as he addressed Jiang Yi. “Well, then you’ll just have to complete some tasks!”

With that, the staff brought out a set of task cards they had prepared well in advance.

Each task had been carefully crafted by the production team, and as the guests read through them, their expressions changed drastically.

“This is way too hard! How are we supposed to do this?”

“This is practically torture! You might as well tell us to sleep on the street!”

The director, seeing their complaints, actually felt relieved.

Now ‘this’ was the chaotic variety show pace they were used to!

He smiled cheerfully and said, “Well, you’ll have to find a way…”

The next second, Jiang Yi dropped to his knees, sliding dramatically toward Ruan Xiyin. “Sister Ruan, save me!!”

Ruan Xiyin jumped in surprise.

Jiang Yi regretted everything. If he’d only listened to her earlier, he wouldn’t have to do these exhausting tasks; he could have just relaxed with Xing Ling!

Looking at her with pleading eyes, he said, “Sister Ruan, my dear, smart, beautiful, and charming sister! Save your little brother’s life, and I’ll be forever grateful—reincarnated as a horse or ox in my next life if I have to! Do you have any insights on these tasks?”

Ruan Xiyin couldn’t help but laugh at his exaggerated pleas. After hesitating briefly, she replied, “You could start with Task Three—it has the best value for effort. The route to these locations is…”

Seeing this, the other guests, who had been feeling down, quickly gathered around.

“I need Sister Ruan’s help too!”

“Sister Ruan, I’ll carry your bag! Please save us!”

[Hahaha, where’s everyone’s dignity?]

[Mengmeng, you’re an idol! Remember your expression management!]

[@Li Lezhe, I thought you said you’d rely on yourself? Look at you now, shameless! [dog face]]

On the other side, Ruan Wenrou stood alone, her face alternately pale and flushed with anger.

It felt as if every word they said to Ruan Xiyin was a slap in her face.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this!

Ruan Xiyin was inferior to her in every way—the one who should be surrounded, adored, and flattered was her, like it used to be in school!

But no one paid any attention to Ruan Wenrou.

Ruan Xiyin selected the best task routes for each person based on their strengths.

Jiang Yi was stunned. “Sister Ruan, you’re amazing. You know me better than I know myself! Wait, did you research the shows we’ve been on and all our interviews beforehand?”

Ruan Xiyin bit her lip. “Not… really…”

She had indeed brushed up on some background info, but she didn’t know them in such detail.

It was actually Qin Wen who had suggested she ask President Gu for help, where she’d obtained the complete dossiers. However, she worried that mentioning this would reflect poorly on Gu Xingshi, so she left her explanation vague.

Unexpectedly, everyone misunderstood.

[Aww, little Ruan put in so much effort! Mengmeng studied art for years, which only her old fans would know about, yet little Ruan not only knew but specifically gave her a chance to shine—so heartwarming!]

[If I’d had little Ruan’s dedication back in the day, I’d have gotten into Tsinghua or Peking University by now!]

[The Gu’s Family… they really don’t support idlers, huh (shook)!]

After everyone successfully completed their tasks, they were thoroughly impressed with Ruan Xiyin.

Jiang Yi, brimming with excitement, asked, “Sister, what should our next task be?”

Ruan Xiyin shook her head. “That’s enough. No more tasks needed.”

Jiang Yi froze. “But according to the itinerary, this money still isn’t enough to cover our expenses for the next few days—accommodations, meals, plus there are several scheduled check-in locations…”

Ruan Xiyin explained in detail, “It’s enough. I’ve already mapped out a plan. Not all the scheduled locations require spending, and I’ve calculated the costs in advance. As for lodging and food, I’ve come up with a few options, so you can pick whichever suits you.”

Everyone: “!!!”

The production team: “!!!”

[Oh my god!!! Please grant me a travel buddy like little Ruan!]

[What?! She can make it work on such a small budget? I spent twice as much when I visited, and I didn’t even stay or eat as well as they will!]

[Hahaha, saving money—little Ruan’s ultimate domain!!!]

[It’s not just saving money; it’s about eating and playing well too! That’s the real magic here!]

[@ProductionTeam, could you please share little Ruan’s notes? I’d gladly pay to view them!]

[Count me in for paid access +1]

*

Ruan Wenrou, prideful as ever, had been reluctant to turn to Ruan Xiyin for help.

But who would’ve thought these tasks would be so difficult? As a pampered young lady unaccustomed to physical work, she couldn’t even complete the simplest tasks.

In the end, she had to grit her teeth and approach Ruan Xiyin for help.

She thought that since she was humbling herself, Ruan Xiyin would surely help her.

To her surprise, Ruan Xiyin barely glanced her way. “Sorry, I’m not helping.”

Ruan Wenrou’s expression twisted instantly. “You…”

Realizing they were being live-streamed, she quickly suppressed her anger and put on a pitiful face. “I know you don’t like me, and if I’ve done something wrong, I’ll apologize. But we’re sisters, after all. If you treat me this way, it’ll hurt our parents and brother when they see it…”

Ruan Xiyin replied coolly, “Yes, I don’t like you, so I’m not helping.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Ruan Wenrou stood there, stunned. “Aren’t you afraid of what Mom and Dad will think…?”

Ruan Xiyin chuckled softly.

Once, she might have cared a lot about that. Having never known love, she had chased after it desperately.

But now that she had joined LeShi, she was no longer that lonely girl yearning for acceptance. Now, she had an unshakable support system behind her.

[Isn’t little Ruan being a bit harsh? She’s still family…]

[Can we stop with the moral grandstanding? Just look at how her brother treats her—it’s obvious that little Ruan had a tough time with the Ruan family. Why should she repay coldness with kindness?]

[Exactly! Little Ruan’s awesome! She doesn’t owe anything to people she doesn’t like!]

Thanks to Ruan Xiyin’s guidance, the other guests checked into their accommodations comfortably and without any issues.

Ruan Wenrou, however, was forced to book the cheapest hotel she could find, her face sour the entire time.

Of course, she wasn’t one to suffer when she didn’t have to. The moment the cameras were off, she grabbed her bag and moved to the best hotel in the area.

In her room, she replayed the events of the day in her mind, growing increasingly resentful of Ruan Xiyin.

She took out her phone and messaged the online trolls she’d arranged beforehand.

That night, a flurry of posts and discussions about Ruan Xiyin began appearing online.

[I know Ruan Xiyin; she’s a classmate of mine. Honestly, I was shocked to see her debut—I barely recognized her. Back in school, she was decked out in designer brands and owned multiple Hermès bags. Seeing her dressed so plainly now is honestly a bit jarring!]

[I can’t believe people actually like someone like Ruan Xiyin. She was into smoking, drinking, and even bullied her classmates. My cousin went to her school and always avoided her in the hallways.]

[Believe it or not, my parents know her parents. Her family treated her exceptionally well, but she never showed any gratitude. Her family was so disappointed in her, which is why they’ve distanced themselves!]

[Everyone knows that #10086 has close ties with President Gu. Of course, they’d shield her and never expose any dirt on her!]

*

The internet was abuzz with gossip.

Meanwhile, Gu Xingshi was attending a business gala.

By now, he was no longer the obscure businessman who needed introductions just to secure investments. As his network grew, he became a welcome guest at all the high society events, a figure whom many sought to please.

Yet Gu Xingshi’s demeanor remained as composed and unwavering as ever—neither arrogant nor servile, undisturbed by either praise or criticism.

This calmness made it hard for others to guess his thoughts, which only heightened their respect and deference toward him.

Having just finished exchanging pleasantries with a group, Gu Xingshi suddenly heard the gossip system’s voice: [Host, the fake heiress is spreading rumors online about our little Ruan!]

His brows knitted slightly. Keeping a neutral expression, he took out his phone and scanned Weibo. His face turned cold.

The system, eager for action, suggested: [Need me to jump in as #10086 and give her a big smackdown?]

Gu Xingshi thought for a moment. [Hold on.]

Although #10086 could easily reveal the truth, Ruan Chengze was blindly infatuated with Ruan Wenrou. If Gu Xingshi stepped in to expose her, it would not only be troublesome but could also cause new harm to Ruan Xiyin.

Even though Ruan Xiyin was strong now and had moved past her original family, Gu Xingshi still wanted to protect her as much as possible.

At that moment, Wen Yue, standing nearby, noticed his distraction and asked with concern, “Xingshi, is everything all right?”

Gu Xingshi snapped out of his thoughts, and a spark of inspiration hit him. He winked at Wen Yue, then put on a look of frustration. “Oh, it’s nothing—just someone bullying one of our artists online!”

A gentle wave seemed to sweep through Wen Yue’s heart. Though he knew Gu Xingshi was signaling him, he couldn’t stop his blood from stirring.

After a pause, Wen Yue joined in. “Who’s causing trouble?”

Gu Xingshi held up his phone and sighed in feigned helplessness. “It’s Xiyin’s so-called ‘sister,’ the fake heiress. Not only did she pay to join Xiyin on the same variety show, but now she’s buying trolls to smear her. I’d love to clear things up, but you know her family situation. I don’t want Xiyin to end up in the middle of all this; it’s such a dilemma…”

Understanding the cue, Wen Yue smiled to himself but played along patiently. “In that case, why don’t I have someone handle it?”

Hearing this, a few people who had been hovering nearby, eager to curry favor, immediately chimed in.

“Oh, please! Such a trivial matter—let us take care of it for you.”

“Yes, Mr. Wen, Mr. Gu, I was there in person with my daughter and saw everything clearly. She’s always on Weibo, so this is perfect for her.”

“Exactly! That fake heiress is despicable. Count me in on standing up for Xiyin!”

*

As netizens were catching up on the latest gossip, some suddenly noticed that a popular wealthy influencer had just posted a bombshell on Weibo:

[Laughable! The fake heiress has been posing as the real one for years. If she had any decency, she’d crawl back into the gutter where she belongs. Instead, she’s actually trying to step on the real heiress to climb higher—what a twisted turn of events!]

Netizens: [Whoa!!! What kind of juicy scandal is this?!]

Influencer: [It’s about a certain travel variety show. The elder sister is the real heiress, and the younger one is a fake. The real heiress went missing when she was young, so the family took in the fake as a stand-in. When they finally found the real daughter, the fake heiress pretended to be innocent and vulnerable, stopping them from revealing their true identities. She put on airs as the family’s lady at school, bullying the real heiress every chance she got.]

[Now, after seeing the real heiress become famous, she shamelessly paid her way onto the same show, hoping to use her to gain popularity. When things backfired, she didn’t hesitate to buy trolls to slander her. Fake is fake—a rat wearing peacock feathers is still a rat!]

Netizens: [!!!]

[Got it! So the older sister is the real heiress, Ruan Xiyin, and the younger one is the fake, Ruan Wenrou ?]

[I knew it was suspicious to see so many random accounts trashing little Ruan tonight. Turns out someone hired trolls!]

[This tea is scalding hot!!!]

Soon, hashtags like #RuanWenrouFakeHeiress#, #RuanXiyinRealHeiress#, and #Year’sBiggestScandalTrueVsFakeHeiress# shot to the top of the trending list.

[Haha, some people are doubting the influencer’s story? Please, unlike these random trolls hating on little Ruan, this influencer has flaunted their wealth honestly for years—they’re a real second-gen rich kid! dog-face emoji]

[Another rich kid I follow just posted supporting evidence too, confirming everything. This is solid!]

[Omg! A classmate who used to hang out with Ruan Wenrou is live-streaming right now, exposing her as a fake heiress who always smeared and bullied the real heiress at school!]

[Haha, what’s going on with you rich families? Did you all get a memo to start spilling tea tonight?]

[Warning ahead—this is no drill, folks. It’s all real high society drama!]

*

While most netizens were indulging in the drama, a few dug deeper, piecing together the hardships Ruan Xiyin had endured over the years.

[So little Ruan went through so much, finally made it back to her real family, only to be sidelined by this manipulative fox who took her place and was ignored by her own father, mother, and brother? How could anyone do this to their own daughter?!]

[@RuanGroup, when the fake heiress was bullying little Ruan, you never made any effort to clarify that she was the real Miss Ruan. But now that she’s famous, you’re trying to ride her coattails!]

[I couldn’t figure out why a wealthy young lady like little Ruan would know so many tips on budgeting and managing money so well. Turns out it’s from her own hard-earned experience!]

[Just imagining it breaks my heart. If I were little Ruan, I don’t know how I’d bear it. It’s always the ones closest to you who hurt you the most. The more I think about it, the more it makes me want to cry…]

[@RuanWenrou, how could there be someone as repulsive and cruel as you? Just looking at your face makes me sick!]

[You’re a fake—marketing yourself as a wealthy young lady while stealing someone else’s place. Enjoying that stolen life, are you? Thief!]

[Even with low standards in showbiz, we still have limits. No place here for someone as vile as you.]

A flood of angry comments inundated Ruan Wenrou’s Weibo.

As she read them, her face turned deathly pale, her hands and feet cold.

How… how could this happen…

Why were these people suddenly spilling the truth?

Were they insane? Why meddle in her business?

Her reputation, her future—completely ruined by their interference!

Just then, Ruan Wenrou’s phone rang.

It was her father.

As soon as she answered, she was met with a torrent of scolding: “Look at what you’ve done! The company’s now dragged into this mess because of you! If the stock price takes a hit, don’t even think about coming back home!!”

Ruan Wenrou tried to explain, but Ruan Yi didn’t give her the chance. After venting his anger, he hung up abruptly.

Clutching her phone, her body trembled uncontrollably.

The thought of being thrown out of the Ruan family, losing the wealth and privileges she’d grown used to, filled her with genuine fear for the first time.

It was then that Ruan Chengze arrived.

Seeing him, she felt as if she’d found a lifeline. She flung herself into his arms, crying, “Brother…”

Seeing her tear-streaked face, whatever questions Ruan Chengze had been planning to ask faded from his mind.

He knew he was fond of Ruan Wenrou.

Even though he knew she had done wrong, he couldn’t bring himself to let her go.

He held her shoulders gently and said, “Wenrou, your brother will protect you.”

Ruan Chengze then logged into his Weibo, taking full responsibility for everything. He claimed he was the one who hired the trolls, saying he’d been upset seeing Ruan Wenrou bullied on the show and just wanted to stand up for her.

He went on to describe, at length, how Ruan Wenrou had been mistreated since Ruan Xiyin’s return, as though everyone was somehow in the wrong.

Netizens: [???]

[Are you kidding?! Who’s the one really being bullied here?]

[I’m about to be sick. That’s your biological sister! And you hired trolls to harass her? How can you say that with a straight face?]

[‘Poor fake heiress’??? Yeah, poor thing, living in luxury under someone else’s name, bullying the real heiress at school. Must be ‘so’ hard for her!]

[Wait a minute, something feels off… Don’t tell me you’re in love with Ruan Wenrou?]

Ruan Chengze replied without hesitation: [That’s right. I love her.]

Netizens: [???]

[!!!]

[What the—? I knew something was weird, but are we seriously in Autumn in My Heart territory here???]

[No more words needed. Trash attracts trash, happily ever after.]

[Cough, cough… Am I the only one finding this kind of… romantic? I mean, isn’t he kind of… bold?]

[Yes, you’re the only one.]

[You must be ‘starving’ if you’re willing to eat this kind of gossip!]

*

Gu Xingshi stared coldly at Ruan Chengze’s response.

How deep his feelings seemed to run.

But soon enough, Ruan Chengze would have to see if he could withstand what was coming next.

Five minutes later.

Gossip System #10086: [@Ruan Chengze, you’re in love with your aunt. Do your parents know?]

Ruan Chengze: [!!!]

Netizens: [?!!!]