Chapter 42: Sister Bai Behind on News
[I’m just a normal friend of Brother Hai @Kou Dehai. Please stop spreading false information. We reserve the right to pursue legal action against those who spread rumors.]
Jiang Yu posted this clarification on his Weibo, then went back to browsing gossip on his alt account.
Both Kou Dehai and Jiang Yu posted clarifications, giving their fans confidence to start debunking the rumors. But since there were only two posts without evidence, many onlookers didn’t believe them and still suspected an affair. Fans, casual viewers, and trolls argued loudly.
The rumors escalated. A whole day passed, Kou Dehai had said he’d handle it, but took no action. Jiang Yu, having seen enough gossip, was getting anxious.
He wanted to discuss it with Kou Dehai but Qi Sheng told him Kou Dehai wasn’t on set, likely taking care of the matter. Qi Sheng subtly suggested Jiang Yu relax, implying Kou Dehai wasn’t just an ordinary actor and could manage it.
Unable to reach him, Jiang Yu returned to the hotel, only to be “kidnapped” by Sister Bai and shoved into a car.
“Sister Bai, at my age, you won’t find anyone to buy me even if you try. If it’s important, just speak properly—you scared me half to death pretending to kidnap me!” Jiang Yu complained, his heart pounding, as two burly men covered his mouth.
“I’ve told you countless times—do you listen? I’m asking you, what’s going on with you and Kou Dehai?” Sister Bai brandished a popsicle, banging the car seat.
“We’re just extremely ordinary friends, barely even friends. We just acted in a scene together,” Jiang Yu explained.
“Then why did you go back to the hotel together?”
“We stay at the same hotel, same floor. I’m in 508, he’s in 521. His car was broken, so I gave him a ride. Check the hotel cameras— we parted ways at my door.”
“No need for me to check. The hotel footage has been replayed so much it’s almost damaged. You think the paparazzi didn’t see you split up? They just cut the part they wanted to see, who cares about the truth?” Sister Bai smashed the popsicle against Jiang Yu’s head.
“They meant no good—I can’t help it. What else can I do?” Jiang Yu rubbed his head, frustrated.
“You don’t avoid suspicion! You two couldn’t enter the hotel separately? Why insist on going to the room together? He’s a big star—taking a taxi wouldn’t have killed him. Why do you insist on being ‘helpful’?”
As a star, first rule is avoiding suspicion. I’ve reminded you countless times—why can’t you remember?
I’m telling you, Han Cheng saw the gossip about you and Kou Dehai. He’s furious. Today at the meeting, he scolded several people. Be ready—if Han Cheng comes to you, straighten your attitude. Don’t make him angry, understand?”
Jiang Yu frowned, confused. “Sister Bai, Han Cheng and I have already broken up—you didn’t know?”
Sister Bai was stunned. “Broken up? When?”
“Several days ago. Sister Bai, could you show a little concern? I haven’t even left the industry yet. With your work attitude, not caring about your boss’s feelings, you might end up sucking up to the wrong people. Has Meng Yi’s back healed? I haven’t seen him on TV lately.”
“I don’t know. You’re barely managing yourself, and you’re worrying about others? Did you really break up with Han Cheng?” Sister Bai still didn’t believe it.
Jiang Yu wanted to show her the WeChat message about breaking up with Han Cheng, then remembered he had deleted Han Cheng—so there were no messages left.
He put down his phone, sighed, and said seriously, “I really broke up with Han Cheng. It’s official, and he was the one who initiated it. After this film, I’m leaving the industry, so you don’t need to worry about me upsetting him anymore.”
“Han Cheng was very angry today. Not because of you?”
“Are you sure he wasn’t mad because those people were ridiculous and got scolded?”
Sister Bai frowned, staring at Jiang Yu. After thinking it over, she still didn’t believe he had really broken up: “Regardless of whether you two broke up, if Han Cheng comes looking for you, just don’t make him angry, got it?”
Jiang Yu nodded helplessly: “Got it. You’ve said that eight hundred times already. When would I dare make Han Cheng angry?”
“Don’t act smart. You could say it eighty thousand times, and you still keep making him angry. About you and Kou Dehai, Han Cheng has already sent people to handle it. Don’t even go back to the hotel—it’s full of paparazzi. I’ll take you to another hotel for a few days. Once this blows over, you can return to filming.”
“Han Cheng is helping me deal with this?” Jiang Yu was surprised. They’d broken up, yet Han Cheng was still so considerate? And he wasn’t worried Ji Xu would be upset?
“If Han Cheng didn’t handle it, who would you rely on? Kou Dehai? Today, Han Cheng tore into the entire PR department from top to bottom just because they didn’t clarify things for you immediately.
Stay away from Kou Dehai and don’t spread more rumors. If Han Cheng comes for you, don’t say anything about the breakup to make him angry. It’s been six years—how are you still causing drama over a breakup?” Sister Bai rolled her eyes at Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu wanted to argue but was cut off by a sharp glance. He sighed helplessly; why does telling the truth never make anyone believe me?
What is Han Cheng doing now—really getting mad at the PR department because of him? Why doesn’t he trust anyone?
Sister Bai took Jiang Yu to a hotel a bit farther from the set, right next to Sun Haoxuan.
The young man looked much more polished than last time—they were doing fairly well recently. Jiang Yu had occasionally seen him on TV; he was slowly rising.
Wang Huan hadn’t finished packing yet, but Sun Haoxuan flitted around attentively, even more diligent than an assistant, so energetic that Jiang Yu felt slightly embarrassed.
Sister Bai leisurely sucked on a melted popsicle and, seeing Jiang Yu flustered, said calmly: “Just let him serve you. Thanks to you, those few songs you didn’t want, three of them went to him. They’re already recorded—once released, he might go viral. That’s all thanks to you. Haoxuan, thank Jiang Yu properly.”
“Thanks, Brother Yu,” Sun Haoxuan said, sunny and energetic, bowing as he spoke.
Jiang Yu looked at the sweat on his forehead from all the busy work but saw the excitement in his eyes for potential fame. He suddenly thought of Meng Yi.
When Jiang Yu first met Meng Yi, he was also so bright and energetic. These two were very similar, though Meng Yi was a bit more attractive than Sun Haoxuan.
“What are you staring at? Don’t get him any ideas. I finally found such a good prospect. If Han Cheng knew you liked this kid, I’d have to switch trainees again,” Sister Bai warned, tossing the popsicle wrapper.
Jiang Yu laughed in exasperation, while Sun Haoxuan smiled awkwardly at him.
Jiang Yu hurriedly explained: “Don’t listen to Sister Bai. I have no such thoughts. You have great looks and talent—work hard, and you’ll rise eventually. Don’t thank me; thank yourself. Sister Bai, next time you mentor someone, just handle it yourself. Don’t drag me into it.”
Jiang Yu didn’t need anyone’s thanks—he didn’t want to produce another Meng Yi. Sister Bai’s behavior was just causing trouble for him.
