Chapter 39: Winning Fans Through Livestream

The words from the television spread to every corner of the room.

Lin Xi had been drowsy, but she instantly sobered up when she heard them. She slipped on her shoes and moved to Wen Jin’s side, reaching out to rest her hand on Wen Jin’s shoulder. “Xiao Jin…”

Wen Jin finally registered what was happening, and panic seized her. What was she supposed to do? She had already lost her mother; would she lose her home too?

She turned her head, as if searching for something, and wandered absentmindedly toward the kitchen. Perhaps she was too lost in thought, for she forgot about the small step and tripped, her body pitching forward uncontrollably.

“Careful!” Lin Xi shouted from behind.

Gu Yao, having heard the television, was already approaching Wen Jin. Seeing her stumble, he hurried forward, and Wen Jin fell straight into his arms.

“My darling, are you alright?” Gu Yao finally exhaled in relief.

Wen Jin looked up at him, still shaken, her wide round eyes staring at him. “I… I didn’t do it on purpose.”

He gently helped her to her feet and wrapped her in his embrace. “Of course you didn’t do it on purpose. You’re mine, Wen Jin—you belong with me.”

Wen Jin breathed in his scent, a wave of reassurance washing over her.

Gu Yao steadied her by the shoulders, gazing into her eyes. Her clear gaze held no complexity, no impurities, no bitterness or sharpness—untouched by the chaos of the world, a purity even Lin Xi herself never possessed.

He wanted to protect that gaze for a lifetime.

His little girl had always been like this—never complaining, never voicing her pain, lacking even a stubborn refusal to submit. She was obedient and quiet, never sharing her burdens, carrying everything alone, swimming against the current. It was precisely this nature that made his heart ache for her all the more.

“My darling, don’t be afraid. Whatever happens, you have me to face it with you.” Gu Yao lowered his eyes to her, his voice hoarse, his hand gently resting on the back of her head, softly stroking.

Wen Jin’s tears fell silently into his embrace.

Lin Xi watched them for a while, then quietly gathered her food and retreated to her room. Being single was truly a lonely business.

---

Gu Yao drove both of them to the recording studio.

As soon as each guest entered the building, they were escorted separately to small rooms. The final episode of the variety show was about to begin, and it would be broadcast live.

After Lin Xi entered, a staff member explained, “Miss Lin, this last episode is a little different. Each guest will record individually. Just speak openly—share what’s in your heart, confess to your fans, say anything you wish. Like yesterday, it’s live.”

Lin Xi sat in front of the camera. The staff member gave her an OK sign. She was silent for a long time, as if sorting her thoughts and emotions, and the staff, understanding, did not disturb her.

Meanwhile, the live chat was already exploding:

“Ahhh, it’s live! I made it, she’s so beautiful!”
“She’s the only one here—what’s the production team up to? Stirring up drama?”

At last, she lifted her head and began, “Hello, everyone. I’m Lin Xi.”

Instantly, the screen filled with “Good afternoon, Xi Xi!”

She nodded gently and continued, “Landing in everyone’s view overnight, I can understand why many people found it hard to accept at first.

“Since entering the entertainment industry, things have gone relatively smoothly for me. I never deliberately concealed my identity, so unlike other artists, I’ve never had to worry about resources. My third and fourth brothers have always looked out for me, which spared me a lot of trouble, but also brought quite a bit of criticism from netizens. To this, I only want to say: I have no intention of competing with your idols, nor do I wish to be dragged into messy fan wars. Please, don’t involve me. Thank you!”

She smiled politely.

The live stream was immediately filled with comments like, “She’s so bold!” “That background, I’m jealous!” and before long, she and Gu Yao were being called the “Sassy Siblings.”

She lowered her head, smoothing her hair, then went on.

“Now that I think about it, I suppose I’ve experienced cyberbullying too. Before my third brother went public, there were rumors of ‘being kept’ and ‘casting couch’ scandals, and afterward, accusations of ‘using connections.’ I never bothered to defend myself, because I’ve always believed that the innocent need no defense.

“Many people will say I’m too ostentatious, too arrogant. But I want to say: I have the capital to be who I am—why shouldn’t I use it? Am I supposed to struggle in the industry for ten years like some Cinderella, just to satisfy you? Why should I accommodate you? It’s my freedom to live as I wish—I don’t need your approval, do I?”

She brushed her hair, raised an eyebrow, the blue bracelet on her wrist catching the light—a sight that made her fans swoon.

Unbothered, she continued.

“My agent, Sister Zhou, once asked me what kind of image I wanted. I told her, I don’t want any fake persona. I am myself—Lin Xi, just being Lin Xi. There’s no need to project the image of an independent woman; I’ve never thought of myself as especially strong or self-reliant. I need my family, my team, and the support and love of my fans and friends.”

“Of course, I’m not a goddess—I can’t please everyone. So, I want to thank all my ‘Little Sunshines’ who have supported me. I love you! In the future, I’ll give you even better work in return. As for those who doubt my abilities, just wait for ‘The Splendid Age.’ I promise you’ll be proven wrong.”

She finished with a light, confident smile, lifting her chin.

The online comments erupted instantly.

“No way, this girl is exactly my type! I’m a fan for life!”
“I absolutely adore how cool and unapologetic she is. She’s the very definition of ‘You may not like me, but you can’t do anything about it!’”
“This is what it means to live authentically—free, genuine, unpretentious. How many people can really do that?”
“I knew it, my idol is a boss! So powerful! I chose right!”

Lin Xi, having said her piece, glanced sideways at the director. “I’m done, director—anything else?” Then she clapped her hands to the camera, making a “cut” gesture, charming the viewers all over again.

The director hesitated, then spoke. “There is one more question—many viewers are curious, and I wonder if you’re willing to answer…”

“Go ahead, director, don’t be so hesitant. If you want to ask, just ask.” Seeing his awkwardness, Lin Xi had a pretty good idea what was coming.

The director steadied himself. “Your fans all want to know: what’s your relationship with Master Xiu? Are you seeing anyone?”

He’d voiced the very question in every fan’s heart. The comments overflowed with prairie dog screeches of “Ahhh!”

Lin Xi lowered her head with a knowing smile. As expected.

The live comments rolled in: “I’ll protect that smile!” “Is she thinking of someone? Our Master Xiu! They must be together! She’s going to admit it!”

She looked directly at the camera and, in a light, casual tone, shattered their fantasy. “You’re all mistaken!”

The chat: ?????

“I know everyone’s curious about me and your Master Xiu. Let me clarify officially: we’re just very good friends. We’re not together.”

The comments: “No way! You’re lying!” “I give up on love!” and a few, “Thank goodness!”

Lin Xi smiled calmly, then continued, “I believe that somewhere out there is a person who, like me, feels lonely—wandering, searching, until he meets me. He’ll brave all obstacles, just for me. Until then, I’ll work hard to become the best version of myself, worthy of him and of all good things.”

Her words touched everyone.

“This is the girl I love—she deserves the best. We can wait, he’ll come!”
“I’m crying! I’ve been single all my life and had given up on love, but now I believe again! I’ll wait for him too!”
“Xi Xi, just for these words, I’ve gone from hater to fan! Such a healthy worldview—so rare in the entertainment industry. I absolutely love her, she’s so honest!”

Lin Xi’s speech was quickly edited and posted to Weibo, instantly becoming a hot topic.

Trending: “Lin Xi denies romance with Master Xiu.”
Trending: “Lin Xi’s views on love in variety show receive praise.”

Lu Yuxiu had been following Lin Xi’s livestream from home and naturally heard her words, a sharp pain stabbing his heart.

He’d already gone public with his feelings in such a high-profile way on variety shows—yet she still wouldn’t accept him? Was this a roundabout rejection? Or had he not been clear enough? Did she really not understand what he meant?

Lu Yuxiu’s eyes narrowed, his grip on his phone tightening until it nearly shattered. He truly didn’t know what to do with her anymore.

“Boss, Miss Xi’s video…” At that moment Zhou Jun burst in, clearly anxious.

But when he saw Lu Yuxiu’s lifeless state, as if he were a puppet whose strings had been cut, he fell silent—clearly, the boss already knew.

Zhou Jun saw Lu Yuxiu slumped in defeat, his spirit utterly crushed.

He couldn’t help but speak up: “Boss, what now? Are you really going to give up? We searched for Miss Xi for so many years—are you going to let her fall into someone else’s arms?”

At these words, Lu Yuxiu suddenly straightened, clenching his fist and slamming it on the table. Impossible! The very thought of Lin Xi being close with another man made it hard for him to breathe.

His brows furrowed, his eyes icy cold. Since that’s how things stood, he would go all in. There was no way he’d hand over the girl he loved to someone else. Her future, her husband—had to be him!

“I’ll post on Weibo tonight. Get the PR ready,” Lu Yuxiu said, his voice cold and resolute, his eyes steely.

“Yes, boss.” Zhou Jun instantly understood and left.

That night, a single Weibo post shot to the top of the trending charts, spreading rapidly across all major platforms.

After finishing the recording, Lin Xi was in low spirits, returning home early to lie alone on the sofa. Her script for “Polaris” lay untouched beside her—she couldn’t read a word.

Though she had appeared so nonchalant and confident on camera, fooling everyone, she couldn’t deceive her own heart.

Now, she realized clearly that the one meant for her had been by her side all along—she just hadn’t noticed. But now, he belonged to someone else, and she had no right to grieve or demand anything.

Lin Xi sat there, tears sliding down her cheeks in silence. It was over before it ever began.

Now she understood what heartbreak truly was—each breath was a struggle, worse than any illness she’d ever endured, like being bitten by thousands of ants.

There was nothing she could do but swallow all her pain alone, carrying on as if nothing had happened so as not to worry those around her. Even if the pain was overwhelming, she’d act as if nothing was wrong, remain his friend, continue filming.

She didn’t know how long she could keep this up. Maybe she’d collapse halfway, leave everything behind and return to Country Y, disappearing entirely; or maybe, from then on, her heart would be as still as water, caring for nothing at all.