CH 10

Translator: Aafkee

Proofreader: ChaiTea

“I’m sorry, Sister Mei. It’s due to my carelessness that others have a chance to take advantage of me. I’ll have to trouble you to come up with some ideas.” Shen Yu forced himself to calm down after his initial shock and began reflecting on his own mistakes immediately. Pleased by his words, Mei Fei’s tone softened. “You can’t really be blamed for this, there are many people’s interests involved and it’s too complicated. You have never been popular before so it’s natural that you weren’t mindful now that you’re suddenly trending.” Mei Fei spared a few words of consolation for Shen Yu before she changed her topic abruptly. “I have asked around about this Wan Sheng just now. How should I put it, she does not have a good reputation among the rich people's social circle although it was never exposed to the public. Thinking from the long term perspective, I suggest you do not get too involved with her.” A temporary scandal was usually beneficial for both the male and female parties but if their public images were bound in the public’s eyes, the other party would also be dragged into it if one party was to get into any kind of trouble. It could also be said that the merits and drawbacks of both parties would be tied together. It was due to Mei Fei’s sincere consideration for Shen Yu that she decided to be blunt. Shen Yu was, after all, a celebrity that had been under her care for a few years. Even though he did not end up being popular, Shen Yu had always been sensible and had never given her any unnecessary troubles so at the very least, she did feel affection for him. “You should know me by now, Sister Mei.” Shen Yu was quite astonished by Wan Sheng’s true colours but he did not ask any further. When he heard Mei Fei’s words, he could only let out a bitter laugh, “There wouldn’t be any need to trouble you for so many years if I had such intentions.” “I know you don’t like getting involved in such things but I still have to remind you. It’s fine as long as you understand. Be mindful in the future not to get involved with Wan Sheng. I’ll try my best to suppress the scandal so you don’t have to show any response to it. The public won’t remember this for long as long as there is no continuation of this.” “Thank you, Sister Mei.” Shen Yu put his phone on the side after the other side had hung up and let out a sigh. He was in no mood to continue the movie after such an incident had happened. Too many things had happened in the short half a day, it was quite difficult to manage even for a grown man like Shen Yu. He had yet to become popular and yet, he had already experienced the troubles a little popularity could bring. Shen Yu sat still quietly for a while before he could not control himself and opened his Weibo app. As the search terms were entered into the search bar, the comments there were no longer as harmonious and affectionate as they had been in the morning. Shen Yu’s sudden and temporary popularity had resulted in several marketing account’s howling in grief in their articles. “Stay calm. No matter what, Brother Yu is already 27 years old. Isn’t it normal for him to have a girlfriend? Although it doesn’t make me feel good inside.” There were people who were pretty optimistic as they tried to console others. “Wake up, guys. Brother Yu himself hasn’t even said anything yet. Why are y’all rushing to help him recognise his girlfriend?” Someone actually got the point. “Stop making excuses for him, there’s even a video. Didn’t you see them drinking from each other’s bottles? Even their smiles were filled with affection for each other. I’ll punish myself by copying and writing out the whole “Pursuit of the Wind” novel.” Someone countered.

“I don’t care. Do you think we don’t know what Brother Yu’s personality is? He’s literally like a normal middle-aged uncle. He would even serve you water courteously. That video didn’t even capture Brother Yu’s face, only that influencer was smiling throughout the video. Who knows what that influencer’s intention is?” “You Yu-fans* sure are vulgar, what’s wrong with our Wan Sheng being an influencer? Ho, why don’t you confirm who is actually more popular?” It seemed like Wan Sheng’s fans got mixed in as well. (T/N*: Just a way of referring to Shen Yu’s fans.) “Look at how Wan Sheng’s fans are involved now. This is what I call the pot calling the kettle black. You guys are saying that as if she was some top star. The main person involved has not even said a single word yet, who are you to say this and that in another’s territory? Brother Yu can get into a relationship, but his taste shouldn’t be this bad. I’ll put it out there first, if Brother Yu and Wan Sheng are really dating, I’ll immediately stop being his fan and become Wan Sheng’s anti-fan for the whole of my life.” It was known that the fans’ temperaments generally followed their idol’s. Shen Yu’s fans were usually as calm and tranquil as he was but the situation was not that common, causing storms in the little fan circle of his. There was also a small part of Wan Sheng fans who took advantage of the situation and made the atmosphere even worse. However, standing in their shoes, regardless of sister-fans or girlfriend-fans*, it must have been unpleasant for them when they suddenly got to know that the idol that they had always loved had been attached to someone else. (T/N*: As in fans who treat themselves as the idol’s sisters or girlfriend. It is a common way for fans to describe themselves. There are even mama-fans, they are fans who look at their idol with caring and tender eyes as if the idol is their son/daughter. If you get what I mean LOL.) Shen Yu felt slightly ashamed after looking through Weibo for a while. He had always thought that it was a very magical thing to have a group of people, whom he had never met before, show him affection so willingly. He was extremely grateful for such affection but he never wished to affect his fans’ lives excessively. He only hoped that he was able to bring them happiness during their free time. They should not have to worry about such a hideous mess. Shen Yu really wanted to tell his fans personally not to worry, that he was not dating Wan Sheng. But this statement should never come from him no matter what. In a scandal that involves the relationship between a male and a female, the male party would definitely be penalised if he was to act overly cold and heartless, regardless of who was wrong in the first place. The young lady had yet to say anything yet, so why would you, a grown man, rush in to emphasise your innocence in this scandal? In the end, it all boiled down to how he did not have enough popularity or status. Shen Yu gripped his phone tightly. He had never felt as helpless as he was feeling at that moment, not even when his acting role and resources were stolen from him. This industry was too interconnected with capital, fame, and profit. It was almost impossible to focus on only acting in such an environment. Shen Yu received another call before he could think of a solution. This time, it was a call from the investor cum original author cum screenwriter of the “Pursuit of the Wind”, He Caicai. “Hello, Brother Shen, are you free right now?” He Caicai went straight to the point the moment the call connected, her voice loud and clear.