CH 9.2

okumi11-14 minutes 11.06.2023

Part 2 of Chapter 9

Hate Her 09 – Rose-themed unique cemetery

And soon, the guest appeared.

There was hardly any suspense.

Ning Lin walked out in a white dress, holding a bouquet of roses, with a gentle and obedient smile. The scene looked quite aesthetically pleasing.

Ning Lin introduced herself to them and gave a slight bow.

Everyone applauded politely but perfunctory.

Lin Yanyan, however, quickly stole a glance at Shang Lu, nervously observing her expression.

Fortunately, there was no major abnormality. Maybe… everything was fine.

The director’s team specially cued Shang Lu and Ning Lin, saying, “There have been rumors in the outside world that Teacher Ning and Teacher Shang don’t get along. Now that you two are appearing together on this variety show for the first time, would you like to take this opportunity to clarify?”

Ning Lin’s face showed a helpless expression as she said, “There’s no such thing, everyone please don’t guess randomly. Strictly speaking, Teacher Shang and I have worked together twice before, but unfortunately, although we were on the same set, we didn’t have many scenes together. Teacher Shang always finished early, so we didn’t have a chance to become friends formally. I also hope to get closer to Teacher Shang through this opportunity.”

The barrage was full of compliments for Ning Lin’s beauty and kindness.

[So, Ning Lin is clarifying the rumors of Shang Lu being a third party on behalf of her. If they become friends, even if it’s just for show, the rumors of Shang Lu being a third party will be easily debunked.]

[Wow, Ning Lin is so kind. I knew I didn’t choose the wrong person as my idol.]

[Ning Lin is really too kind. She even considers Shang Lu. I hope someone won’t be ungrateful.]

However, in the face of Ning Lin’s “declaration of friendship,” the corner of Shang Lu’s lips couldn’t help but twitch slightly.

Forget it.

They were not friends.

But in order to prove her sincerity, Ning Lin approached Shang Lu with the bouquet of roses.

Shang Lu, who rarely lost her composure, took several steps back with a look of disgust on her face, and blurted out, “Don’t come closer!”

Ning Lin stopped in her tracks and stood still, looking at Shang Lu with a distressed and helpless expression. She said, “I really want to be friends with you sincerely, and this bouquet of roses is hand-wrapped by me.”

Ning Lin’s words were just right. She didn’t blame Shang Lu for her cold attitude, but emphasized her own efforts.

Because those words didn’t need to be said, the audience would speak up for her.

And indeed, at this moment, the viewers in the live broadcast room were standing on Ning Lin’s side.

[Isn’t Shang Lu’s attitude a bit excessive? Putting oneself in Ning Lin’s shoes, it must be very hurtful.]

[Ning Lin came to this show in person, trying to mend her relationship with Shang Lu and proactively make friends, but she was rejected like this. It’s heartbreaking to see her genuine efforts being treated so poorly.]

[I feel sorry for Ning Lin. Shang Lu’s inability to be empathetic is a reflection of her character. She doesn’t even give basic respect to the other party.]

Ning Lin once again showed a face of understanding and a willingness to make efforts to reconcile with Shang Lu, and then hesitated as she asked, “Do we have any misunderstandings?”

On the other hand, Shang Lu took another step back, making sure to keep a sufficient distance from Ning Lin, looked somewhat annoyed as she scratched the back of her hand, and said, “I’m allergic to roses.”

Upon hearing Shang Lu’s words, Ning Lin’s previously pitiful face showed a look of helplessness.

[Shang Lu is telling the truth. She had been to the hospital and was trending on social media because of this issue during the filming of a drama before.]

[I also have an impression. It was on Valentine’s Day, right? It’s really hard to guard against roses everywhere.]

[So… Ning Lin didn’t even bother to find out about this before trying to be friends with Shang Lu?]

[Ning Lin seems insincere. If Shang Lu ends up in the hospital now, is Ning Lin trying to make friends or make enemies?]

Of course, there were immediately Ning Lin’s fans who rushed to her defense.

[Come on, Ning Lin is usually so busy with work, it’s normal for her not to know these details.]

[Who knew Shang Lu was so delicate? It’s not Ning Lin’s fault. Who checks the other’s medical reports before making friends?]

Ning Lin’s fans’ arguments were valid, but soon a barrage comment appeared:

[But if I remember correctly, Shang Lu was only in one filming crew in February, and that crew also included Ning Lin.]

This was awkward.

[It’s hard to believe that Ning Lin didn’t know about this when an actor in the same filming crew experienced it. It’s really hard to defend Ning Lin.]

[If she claims to want to be friends with Shang Lu, she should at least remember that. It’s not like they are strangers or that she doesn’t care.]

Ning Lin’s fans’ attempts to clarify the situation seemed weak and futile, but they still staunchly defended their idol.

[It’s just polite words, don’t you understand? You guys are making a big fuss out of nothing. I think you and Shang Lu are of the same kind!]

The barrage comments started to argue with each other.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere on the set became awkward.

Ning Lin knew that Shang Lu was allergic to roses, and she also knew that the bouquet of roses on Valentine’s Day was sent to Shang Lu by someone from the Jiang family in Jiang Yi’s name. Shang Lu cherished it so much that she didn’t even throw it away despite breaking out in a rash all over her body due to the allergy.

Ning Lin’s face was filled with apology, but her words sounded deliberate: “I’m sorry, Shang Lu. It wasn’t intentional. Because I really like roses, I wanted to give you my favorite thing. My friend bought a beautiful rose manor, and I was planning to invite you to go there after the recording ends. Fortunately, I know now.”

The barrage comments were shocked.

[?]

[Can you just buy something like that casually? Is this the world of rich people?]

Lin Yanyan was also surprised and asked, “Is it the one in City A? I remember the housekeeper there is a quirky old foreign man. How did your friend convince him?”

Lin Yanyan also liked roses, and she had even considered buying that manor before.

Her father even offered a price that was twice as high as the market price, but the old foreign man still refused to sell to them.

“I’m not sure about the details,” Ning Lin shook her head, then smiled lightly and said, “But I can ask Jiang Yi for you when I go back.”

The netizens in the live broadcast room: “!!!”

[So, Ning Lin’s friend is Jiang Yi?]

[As we all know, when a guy gives roses to a girl, it represents something. President Jiang took Ning Lin to his rose manor, doesn’t that explain the problem?]

[So, is Ning Lin now declaring her sovereignty in front of Shang Lu? Can the camera zoom in on Shang Lu’s expression when the show is broadcasted, please?]

However, after hearing Jiang Yi’s name, Lin Yanyan rolled her eyes directly and said, “Him? That’s not necessary.”

Lin Yanyan glanced at Shang Lu quietly, but their eyes met.

Lin Yanyan : “!!!”

She immediately averted her gaze, feeling extremely awkward, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile, Ning Lin was still looking at Shang Lu, seemingly waiting for her reaction.

The netizens in the live broadcast room were also waiting eagerly.

There was a hint of confusion on Shang Lu’s face.

Wasn’t the rose manor bought by Shang Mu? What does it have to do with Jiang Yi?

Two years ago, Shang Lu had a severe argument with Shang Mu, so as a punishment, her brother gave her the first birthday gift of her life, which was also a gift she could never touch or approach—

A rose manor.

Shang Lu also knew that the eccentric foreigner mentioned by Lin Yanyan, he used to be her mother’s vocal teacher, Elvis. He had a debt of gratitude towards her mother and had stopped being her mother’s teacher after developing a drinking problem. In these years, he had been supported by the Shang family’s money.

Elvis didn’t want to take the Shang family’s money for nothing, so he had been entrusted by Shang Mu to manage some properties. Later, he proposed to manage the rose manor on behalf of Shang Lu.

Thinking of this, Shang Lu tilted her head slightly and looked at Ning Lin, saying, “But I heard that the rose manor is going to be turned into a cemetery.”

The netizens couldn’t understand the meaning behind Shang Lu’s words for a moment, and even thought that she was intentionally trying to provoke Ning Lin.

[What is Shang Lu talking about? Ning Lin already said that the rose manor was given to her by Jiang Yi. How could it be turned into a cemetery?]

[I think Shang Lu is just jealous. She deliberately said such things when Ning Lin was showing affection with Jiang Yi.]

[That rose manor is quite famous, you know? I haven’t heard any news about it being turned into a cemetery. Shang Lu must have come up with this idea.]

Ning Lin also thought that Shang Lu was deliberately saying such things out of jealousy, and she felt even better. She said, “Where did you hear this rumor? There are a lot of fake information online every day.”

Shang Lu did not respond to her, but frowned as if she was still thinking about something.

At this moment, Xu Ze suddenly walked up to Ning Lin and pointed at the bouquet of roses in her arms.

Ning Lin didn’t quite understand what Xu Ze was trying to do, so she asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xu Ze frowned slightly and said, “I’ll help you put it in your room.”

Ning Lin was slightly taken aback, and then she smiled gently, handing the roses to Xu Ze and saying, “Thank you so much. I’ll leave it to you then.”

The netizens in the live broadcast room were confused: “?”

[Damn, is this the first time Xu Ze has taken the initiative to speak in this variety show when it has nothing to do with him?]

[Didn’t Xu Ze and Ning Lin work together before? But that drama didn’t do well, not many people have seen it.]

[Yeah, it was probably when Xu Ze just debuted. He played a supporting role in Ning Lin’s drama, they might know each other.]

Everyone naturally assumed that Xu Ze did it because of Ning Lin.

When Xu Ze carried the bouquet of roses into the villa, he deliberately avoided Shang Lu and took the farthest side door.

Shang Lu looked at Xu Ze’s back and thought that the bouquet of beautiful roses in his arms was indeed very attractive.

Everyone was waiting for Xu Ze to come back, as they had nothing else to do.

So Shang Lu looked at the show’s staff and asked, “Can you lend me your phone for a moment? I want to send a message.”

Although the staff didn’t understand, they still complied after getting permission from the director.

Shang Lu lowered her head and opened WeChat, messaging Elvis, a contact in her list.

[Transforming the rose manor into a rose-themed unique cemetery, and consider selling slots to the public.]

The response came back immediately.

[?]

[Are you serious?]

Shang Lu replied : [ . ]

Another quick response came back.

[Received.]

rokumi’s note : well, I agree that Ning Lin and Jiang Yi is a match made in heaven.