Chapter 95: The Interview Controversy

Lin Xi rushed to the film studio just on time, and Lu Yuxiu was still waiting for her. When he saw her hurrying over, he said nothing, only took her hand and led her to the waiting room.

By the time they went in, Director Yan Mei, Fan Mingxuan, and Shu Yuyi had already arrived, and it looked as though they had been waiting for a while.

“Sorry, sorry, Director. I’m late.” Lin Xi hurriedly bowed in apology, afraid she had delayed everyone.

Yan Mei waved it off carelessly. “Ah, no problem. The staff haven’t come to call us yet.”

Lin Xi let out a long breath.

But not even two seconds later, a staff member suddenly knocked on the door. “Teachers, the interview is about to begin. Please head over to the venue.”

Lin Xi lifted her brows.

“Haha, what a coincidence. As soon as you arrived, it started. Let’s go.” Fan Mingxuan, as though he were a waiter, made a polite inviting gesture.

At the event venue, the director and four actors stood in a neat row to be interviewed by the host. Below them, a crowd of media reporters shot photos with frantic enthusiasm; the flashbulbs never stopped, and cameras were set up to record the whole event.

“Thank you to the crew of the film for joining us in today’s interview. Media friends and fans alike are welcome to ask your questions!” The host turned with a bright smile toward the reporters below.

A female fan in a pink baseball cap waved excitedly. Noticing her, the host said, “Come now, have the staff pass the microphone to this little sister here.”

The fan clearly looked overjoyed, and her hand trembled as she took the microphone. “I-I’m so excited, so excited! Xixi!”

“Hahaha!” Everyone burst into laughter. Lin Xi smiled with her lips pressed together and looked at her with a soothing gaze.

“Look at our little sister here, she’s lost her words just from seeing her idol.” The host guided her gently. “I wonder what you want to ask the cast?”

“Uh...” The little fan was flushed red from excitement. She asked, “I want to know, were there any challenges during filming? And does the movie have any special surprises?”

The host looked to the creators and handed the microphone to Director Yan Mei. “This question is most fitting for the director to answer.”

Yan Mei took the microphone with easy good humor, speaking in a half-mysterious tone. “There were indeed some challenges during filming. We had to bring out everything we wanted to express, every emotion. Fortunately, our actors were all highly professional and very hardworking, and we nearly perfected every take. As for the film’s surprises, you’ll all have to see for yourselves then. Everything you want is in there.” With that, she even lifted a brow toward the camera.

“Aah!” The fans below let out a wave of squeals, and the reporters’ shutters clicked nonstop.

“Alright, on to our next question. The gentleman in the blue shirt over there, please.” The host continued to call on people.

“For this one, I want to ask the legendary Xiu,” the young man said boldly.

Lu Yuxiu smiled faintly and nodded, all ears.

“If you and Sister Xi ever argued, what would you do?” he asked earnestly, but the question itself sent the fans into a silent frenzy, each holding back screams of excitement.

On stage, Lu Yuxiu seemed slightly surprised. He turned to glance at Lin Xi and saw her covering her mouth, secretly laughing.

Lu Yuxiu had no choice but to answer honestly, no longer caring about showing off their affection in public. His voice was cool and clear. “We’ve never argued.”

“Wow!” Another round of astonished cries swept through the venue. The sweetness was being flung straight into everyone’s faces.

“Oh my!” The host could not help teasing them as well. “The emperor and empress couple are publicly serving up candy!”

Lin Xi was still rather shy in front of the public. She hooked an arm around Lu Yuxiu’s shoulder and hid behind him, which only drew more whoops and whistles from the crowd.

“Come, come, our next question.” The host invited another media representative to ask.

“What would the two ladies want to be in their next life?” It seemed to be a reporter, with a badge hanging from the chest.

Lin Xi and Shu Yuyi exchanged a glance. Reporters truly were different; even their questions were so unlike the others.

“Then let our Xi speak first.” The host handed over the microphone.

“Mm...” Lin Xi tilted her head in thought for a moment, then smiled. “Our national treasure, the giant panda!”

“Ohhh—” Everyone nodded in understanding. So the goddess was also a fan of the adorable bear.

“Looks like even Xi can’t resist the charm of those clumsy little panda cubs!” the host exclaimed.

Only Lin Xi and Lu Yuxiu knew the story behind their panda plush toy. Their hands, hidden behind them, lightly tangled and tugged at one another, and Lin Xi’s lips rose before she could stop them. The two of them now seemed to be in the furtive, sweet haze of secretly dating.

Smiling, the host turned to Shu Yuyi and asked, “And what about Yuyi? What would you want to be in your next life?”

Shu Yuyi curved her lips faintly, the words carrying a hint of melancholy. “A cloud, perhaps. Faint, indistinct, something that may or may not be there.”

The moment she said it, the entire venue fell into a brief silence, and Lin Xi’s heart gave a jolt.

Fortunately, the host was quick on her feet and immediately picked up the thread. “Haha, clouds are nice too—carefree and light!”

“Right, and your name has ‘cloud’ in it too.” Lin Xi also moved closer to Shu Yuyi, slipping an arm around hers to smooth things over.

The interview continued from there and ended smoothly.

Yet by afternoon, several new hashtags had already climbed the trending list, including “Shu Yuyi’s Cloud Theory” and “Shu Yuyi Is Overly Delicate.”

A fresh wave of black campaigns against Yuyi began to spread like wildfire. In no time, she was besieged again, every vile comment on display, almost too much to imagine.

Once more, she became the target for online trolls to vent their fury.

Still, this incident was quickly overshadowed by the romance rumors surrounding Wen Jin and Gu Yao.

After dropping Lin Xi off, Gu Yao returned once more to Wen Jin’s apartment. He was truly not at ease about that foolish girl, and he felt she had been given more than enough time to think it over. It was time for them to have a proper talk.

Coincidentally, just as he reached upstairs and was about to press the doorbell, Wen Jin opened the door, and the two of them came face to face.

“Sweetheart...” Gu Yao called out in surprise.

“...” Wen Jin froze for a second, then stepped aside and said, “Come in first.”

They sat down, silent for a long while.

Gu Yao’s dark eyes fixed on her without blinking, his expression determined. He spoke first. “Baby, let me make one thing clear: there is absolutely no way we are breaking up!”

Hearing his overbearing words, Wen Jin’s heart throbbed again and again. She loved him so much.

Head lowered, she bit lightly at her lip. “Yao, I really like you. But you’re just too wonderful, and I’m so afraid someone will take you away...”

“Wen Jin.” This was the first time Gu Yao had called her name so seriously. Wen Jin stared blankly at him.

“How little faith do you have in your man? I can write you into a song, and I can also write you into the family registry. Once I met you, I was never going to win against myself again.” Gu Yao reached out and firmly held her shoulders, speaking to her with solemn gravity.

Wen Jin’s eyes reddened at once, mist welling up until they glistened with moisture.

Looking at the little figure before him, Gu Yao’s heart softened completely. His deep, dark eyes burned as he stared at her. He lifted her small face and said softly, “Fool, keep a good watch over me. Don’t let go of my hand anymore.”

A tear slipped down Wen Jin’s cheek as she choked out, “Okay.”

Sunlight streamed inside, making her face glow. Her long lashes trembled lightly, her skin delicate and smooth, like a beautiful porcelain doll.

Gu Yao suddenly reached out and pulled her fiercely into his arms, the force of it so great it seemed he meant to press her into his very flesh and blood.