Chapter 13: Just Right

"The other party is asking for one million."

After waking up, Pei Baoyuan received a message from the paparazzi. In just one day, the fact that the paparazzi could get Song Yiren to name such a price showed he certainly had his ways.

She transferred two million into the paparazzi's account without hesitation. "I want to see the photos you have in your possession achieve their maximum effect within twenty-four hours."

The paparazzi replied that he had received it, and shortly after, sent another message: "Do you have some deep-seated grudge against her?"

Pei Baoyuan smiled and replied: "Knowing too much will do you no good."

Someone who could produce two million on a whim clearly had the strength to back it up; the paparazzi did not ask again.

By the time Pei Baoyuan finished a meal, the gossip online had become increasingly mysterious. Instead of dumping everything at once, the paparazzi chose to test the waters with teasers.

The office workers who were slacking off during the workday saw this fresh and sensational entertainment news and flocked to it. Just a day prior, the internet had been filled with people cursing Pei Baoyuan—fans and passersby alike—but now that the teasers were out, the number of people attacking Pei Baoyuan had actually decreased.

Pei Baoyuan was delighted to see this.

However, the live-stream comments were still calling her vicious every single minute. Pei Baoyuan did not know who was behind every comment, but all they did all day was mindlessly defend Song Yiren. Sometimes, even the male lead, Huo Yanci, would receive a few insults.

Unable to let these people know that she could see what they were posting, Pei Baoyuan could only curse them in her heart: a bunch of blind, foolish people.

In the afternoon, during the sleepiest part of the day, the paparazzi posted the photos of Song Yiren and Huang Zhenyu online, accompanied by an eye-catching headline: #Popular Starlet in Passionate Romance with Wealthy Young Master, Still Entangled After Work#.

Pei Baoyuan could have applauded. The two million had certainly not been spent in vain.

Song Yiren’s fans stopped chasing Pei Baoyuan to curse her; they were too busy trying to control the narrative. Other artists who were in direct competition with Song Yiren were eager to jump in and stomp on her to snatch up her resources. Over the past two years, Song Yiren’s resources had been impeccable. As an artist who had only debuted a few years ago, every recent production she starred in featured her as the lead; even when she played supporting roles, they were all big-budget projects.

[The supporting actress is evil! Yiren is good! Hugs to my baby~]
[The male lead is holding her waist to comfort her; who understands the contrast between his large hand and her slim waist? Swoon~]
[Little Song and the male lead are the perfect match. May they last a long time and drive the supporting actress crazy.]

It had been three days since the recording of the show began, and Huo Yanci, Pei Baoyuan’s official boyfriend, seemed completely oblivious to the online abuse Song Yiren’s fans were hurling at her. Watching the comments scroll by, Pei Baoyuan knew that Song Yiren was currently in Huo Yanci’s arms, crying and begging for comfort.

Heh. What a good boyfriend. It’s a pity he wasn’t hers.

Two messages popped up on her phone, sent by Ke Xianbai.

Ke Xianbai: A graduation gift.

A message without a beginning or an end, followed by a very short video—

Coconut ran over, picked up the ball Ke Xianbai had thrown with its mouth, and finally ran back excitedly, begging for praise. Its shiny, beautiful fur blew backward in the wind, and the signature smiling lips of the Samoyed looked cute and docile.

Pei Baoyuan heard Ke Xianbai say: "Good boy, give it to J..."

The video cut off abruptly there. Pei Baoyuan couldn't hear what else Ke Xianbai said. Give it to J... J what? Could this video, which was less than thirty seconds long, be her graduation gift?

It was strange; when she thought of Ke Xianbai, the first thing that came to mind wasn't his flashy blue hair, but the mole on the tip of his nose. Not too big, not too small, not too deep, not too light. It was just right. It was perfectly placed on the tip of Ke Xianbai's nose.

What kind of person was Ke Xianbai, really? Rumors said he was eccentric and reckless, someone who feared nothing. Not to mention Hong Kong City, where the Ke family was entrenched, even in the Imperial Capital, everyone gave him a wide berth. Yet, he was favored by her aunt, and even his brother treated him better than he treated Huo Yanci.

She had met Ke Xianbai a few times before going abroad, and they were clearly just nodding acquaintances. After returning to the country, she felt that Ke Xianbai had started to hover around her, bickering with her and acting shamelessly. Ke Xianbai surely wasn't the person the rumors made him out to be.

Pei Baoyuan held her phone, lost in thought, and was shocked when she finally came to her senses. She had actually been daydreaming about Ke Xianbai!

[What is the supporting actress thinking about for so long?]
[Heh, our male lead is about to fly into a rage for the sake of his beloved. Just you wait, supporting actress.]
[The male lead truly loves the female lead. As soon as he knew she was in trouble, he spent money to suppress the search results and handle PR. The supporting actress doesn't get that treatment~]

Pei Baoyuan sneered.

The paparazzi was also quick to respond. "Song Yiren's side hired people to pay to suppress the search results. There's nothing we can do."

Pei Baoyuan told him not to worry. If Huo Yanci could spend money to suppress the results, she could spend money to push them back up. However, spending money was pointless. Song Yiren and Huang Zhenyu weren't actually dating, but now that the lie had been told, they had to find a way to cover it up. To avoid raising suspicion, Song Yiren's side would have to issue a statement saying they had peacefully broken up. Whether they had actually dated or not, she would have to swallow the bitter pill.

Pei Baoyuan spent the afternoon at home drinking tea and eating cake, and by the time she thought about the matter again, it was almost bedtime. Unexpectedly, Song Yiren’s search result hadn't been suppressed as expected; instead, it had climbed to the number one spot.

Pei Baoyuan was a bit stunned. Her first reaction was: Had the Huo family really gone bankrupt after Huo Yanci took over? They couldn't even handle an entertainment news story that could be suppressed with money.

When she checked the comments, she was even more shocked.

[Did the supporting actress buy search results again while we weren't looking? How is it that the male lead spent money and the results still won't drop?]
[The heart of the most vicious supporting actress! This is the most evil supporting actress I've ever seen! And the most useless male lead!]
[The male lead is already on his way to see the supporting actress. He will arrive on the battlefield in three seconds.]

Pei Baoyuan wanted to protest: Slander! It’s all slander! Although she had money, she wasn't a fool! She knew that such matters could be resolved with a simple explanation; spending so much money now would just be a waste, so why would she do it?

Suddenly, it was as if someone had plucked a string. Pei Baoyuan suddenly remembered the inexplicable message Ke Xianbai had sent that afternoon. So this was the graduation gift he wanted to give her.

Pei Baoyuan: !!!

She immediately pulled up Ke Xianbai's contact information. "You caused the search trend."

The moment Pei Baoyuan sent the message, Huo Ciyue's message popped up simultaneously.

Huo Ciyue: Sister Baoyuan, my brother said you blocked him and he can't reach you.
Huo Ciyue: He's waiting at your door and hopes you can come out to see him.

Pei Baoyuan remembered that when she was looking at Ke Xianbai's message that afternoon, she had blocked Huo Yanci out of habit.

She stepped out of bed, barefoot, and walked to the balcony. The gate was already open, but Huo Yanci’s car was still parked outside, having not entered. He was standing outside the car, gazing with feigned affection toward the direction of Pei Baoyuan's bedroom.

Pei Baoyuan: ...

What a lunatic.