After the amusement park photo was exposed, Xi Nan immediately contacted Wen Ci. Upon learning that it was a photo from five or six years ago, she quickly had her team reach out to partnered marketing accounts on various platforms. The general idea was to explain that the incident was so long ago that it was understandable for Wen Ci to have forgotten, and that this didn’t necessarily prove he was lying on purpose.
In reality, though, no one could be expected to remember every little detail from a casual outing five or six years ago. However, Wen Ci’s previously flawless victim image had been pushed to a moral high ground by the public. A simple excuse like “I forgot” clearly wasn’t going to appease the once-righteous netizens who had fervently defended him.
And then, as if on cue, the second photo—one of Wen Ci swimming—was released just as Xing Ci was scrambling to clear his name over the “misremembered” amusement park visit. The impact of this revelation caught Xi Nan’s PR team completely off guard.
Xi Nan herself had no idea that Wen Ci had learned to swim three years ago. The main point of contention had always been whether Mo Ming had intentionally caused Wen Ci to fall into the water, as if the truth lay solely in those two options. Now, with the second photo out, proving that Wen Ci wasn’t as innocent as he claimed, the public started considering a third possibility: Wen Ci had been framing Mo Ming all along.
【How can you forget something as simple as whether you can swim or not?】
【I used to think Mo Ming was the mastermind, playing innocent. But now it seems like Wen Ci is the real genius, pretending to be the victim all along.】
【Does this mean Wen Ci deliberately unbuckled the safety harness and then blamed Mo Ming?】
【That’s entirely possible. Mo Ming probably saw Wen Ci unbuckle the harness, which is why he looked so unfazed on camera.】
Xi Nan quickly realized that the earlier aggressive PR push had backfired, and the negative narrative was spiraling out of control.
While initially alarmed, Cheng Jing and Zhao Li’s teams quickly saw the opportunity. Especially Cheng Jing’s manager, Chen Li, a PR expert who rivaled Xi Nan herself. He jumped into the fray, using the situation to boost Cheng Jing’s public image while capitalizing on the sudden influx of attention. Suddenly, the two who had been so harshly criticized were now soaking up all the spotlight.
Things were starting to spin out of control…
Many of the most influential marketing accounts online had partnerships with Xing Ci Entertainment. Normally, these accounts would be assets during a PR crisis. But now, even with discreet efforts to manage the situation, many accounts seemed to have turned against them, refusing cooperation and continuing to fan the flames.
Xi Nan could tell that whoever was behind this had invested significant resources and was highly skilled in manipulating public opinion. The initial push to elevate Wen Ci as a victim and place him on a moral pedestal hadn’t even come from her team. The so-called “well-intentioned” PR was actually a trap, one as insidious as it was effective.
As she directed her team to keep working on damage control, Xi Nan also reached out to the platforms to prevent the photos from trending. Xing Ci Entertainment was backed by the powerful Sheng Da Group, and curbing public opinion was not difficult. But the damage had already been done. Wen Ci, one of Xing Ci’s top artists, couldn’t afford to have his image and persona tarnished like this.
Time could help fade the public’s memory, and gradually releasing positive stories could rehabilitate his image. Or, they could find a perfect PR strategy to turn the situation around tonight.
Xi Nan naturally preferred the latter option…
When Wen Ci arrived at the company, Xi Nan immediately suggested he go see Mo Ming.
“Get a photo of you and Mo Ming together.” Xi Nan said to Wen Ci. “Let’s put those rumors of discord to rest.”
Wen Ci’s expression soured.
“I can argue that you simply forgot about the amusement park. The key is getting people to believe it.” Xi Nan’s tone was stern. “Right now, they’re debating whether Mo Ming harmed you or if you framed him. If you two show that you’re on good terms, the controversy will die down, and this whole thing can be chalked up to an accident.”
Wen Ci’s expression grew complicated. “I understand what you’re saying, Xi Nan, but with things the way they are, I don’t think Mo Ming will cooperate.”
Xi Nan suddenly remembered that Mo Ming had officially terminated his contract with Xing Ci today. Mo Ming was never someone she could command at will, and now she had no reason to expect him to help her.
After some thought, Xi Nan decided to call Mo Ming herself. In her mind, Mo Ming was mild-mannered and respectful toward her, so even after leaving Xing Ci, she thought he might still be willing to do her this favor.
There was a complex feeling in her heart as she made the call. The company had been less than kind to Mo Ming during the initial stages of the scandal, and now they were expecting him to help clean up the mess. It wasn’t exactly fair.
When Mo Ming answered Xi Nan’s call, he had just finished dinner and was walking his dog, Xiao Han, by the lake.
Xi Nan’s request didn’t surprise Mo Ming. He hadn’t been constantly checking his phone, but he could guess how things had developed.
He knew Xi Nan was still an excellent manager.
The evening breeze was chilly, but the air by the lake was refreshing.
Mo Ming looked at the tranquil lake and replied softly, “If he just turns off his phone, none of this will affect him, right, Xi Nan?”
“……”
That was exactly what Xi Nan had told Mo Ming yesterday.
“Mo Ming, on behalf of the company, I apologize.” Xi Nan said.
“The most sincere apology would be for Wen Ci to publicly admit he framed me.”
“If that happens, what’s the point of getting your photo together?”
She didn’t know the full truth, but her professional instincts told her that if Wen Ci admitted to lying, the fallout would be even worse than the current negative press. It would be a near-fatal blow to his image.
“So, this call was pointless.” Mo Ming said.
“Mo Ming, please, just do me this one favor. I know you’re a good person…”
“With your skills, it’s just a matter of time before you can clear his name. Xing Ci won’t let this affect him too much.” Mo Ming replied coldly. “He’s paying such a small price, while I’ve endured an overwhelming amount of personal attacks because of him. I haven’t even received an apology. Do you really think I should keep being ‘good’?”
Mo Ming’s response left Xi Nan speechless.
She couldn’t believe how gently but firmly Mo Ming had turned her down.
After a long pause, an unsettling thought crossed Xi Nan’s mind. She tentatively asked, “Mo Ming, were you involved in this online mess?”
As soon as she said it, Xi Nan felt ridiculous. How could that be possible?
Mo Ming simply replied, “I’ve been doing what you suggested, keeping my phone off.”
“……”
After ending the call with Xi Nan, Mo Ming noticed several messages from Cheng Jing.
【Cheng Jing】: Thanks, my popularity’s through the roof now! [doge]
【Cheng Jing】: The ones who were attacking you are now turning on Wen Ci. It’s hilarious. Wen Ci’s PR team is probably pulling an all-nighter.
【Mo Ming】: Thanks
【Cheng Jing】: All you ever say is thanks. Treating us to a meal would be more practical.
【Mo Ming】: Sure
【Cheng Jing】: Then it’s settled. This Sunday, I’ll see if Zhao Li is free.
【Mo Ming】: Sure
Xi Nan, worried about Wen Ci’s state, told him to take a couple of days off and focus on preparing for the audition for Liu He Kun’s new movie. The online chaos would be handled by the company.
Wen Ci was indeed in poor shape. Being embroiled in such a scandal was humiliating and absurd to him. He was meant to be elegant and composed under the spotlight, not caught in such a mess.
He wished he could go back to three years ago.
Shen Pei Ling was deeply remorseful. She believed Wen Ci’s current ordeal was due to the photo she had carelessly posted two years ago. At the same time, she grew to despise Mo Ming even more.
She was convinced Mo Ming had caused Wen Ci to fall into the water, and now the real culprit had walked away unscathed. It was infuriating.
“Wen Wen, listen to your mother. You should talk to Xiao Han. That Mo Ming needs to give us an explanation.” At breakfast, Shen Pei Ling suggested sternly, “And Xiao Han should be doing something instead of just letting those people slander you online.”
Wen Ci, already in a foul mood, retorted, “Mom, just stop. Han Shao Zhou doesn’t like me anymore. He likes Mo Ming…”
Shen Pei Ling and Wen Zhong Chong were both taken aback.
“I’m done eating.”
Wen Ci stood up and left the table, heading upstairs.
Wen Zhong Chong set down his newspaper and looked at his wife. “Are the kids fighting? Why would Wen Ci say that Han likes Mo Ming?”
“Even a dog would develop feelings after three years, but that’s not the same as love.” Shen Pei Ling put down her utensils. “But if Wen Wen says so, then there must still be something between Xiao Han and that Mo Ming… Some things can’t be delayed. We don’t want Xiao Han making any rash decisions.”
“These are matters between the kids. We shouldn’t get involved.”
“Still, we should remind Xiao Han and look into Mo Ming’s background. What kind of family raises someone like that, willing to sleep around for money and even harming my Wen Wen? I need to know what kind of background this person has…”
Around nine in the morning, Shen Xi Xi arrived at the Wen family villa.
After greeting Shen Pei Ling, she claimed to have something important to discuss with Wen Ci and hurried upstairs.
Wen Ci was lounging in a chair by the bedroom window, reading a book. He didn’t even look up when Shen Xi Xi entered, asking directly what she wanted.
“Are you still upset, Cousin?” Shen Xi Xi asked softly. “I really just wanted to help…”
The initial leak about the “accidental fall” had been orchestrated by Shen Xi Xi, who had her brother Shen Qian reach out to a marketing company for assistance. They’d even paid a hefty sum to get internal footage from the show. But their influence was only enough to get the ball rolling. Xing Ci Entertainment had then taken over, turning the incident into a full-blown PR campaign.
Yesterday morning, Shen Xi Xi had eagerly sought praise from Wen Ci for her efforts, only to see everything fall apart in the afternoon.
“Cousin, don’t be mad. I actually came to show you something that might cheer you up.” After speaking, Shen Xi Xi turned around and locked the door.
Seeing her secretive behavior, Wen Ci frowned. “What is it?”
Shen Xi Xi pulled out a small, palm-sized red box, her expression complicated. “I originally planned to return this to Han Shao Zhou, but I got delayed for a few days and forgot. Now, I don’t know how to explain it, so I thought I’d give it to you…”
“What is it?”
Shen Xi Xi bent down and gently opened the box. “Cousin, look. It’s a pair of couple’s rings from Han Shao Zhou.”
Wen Ci took the ring box from Shen Xi Xi’s hand and stared at the two exquisite rings, momentarily dazed. The letters engraved on the platinum bands were clear as day, tightly nestled together: HW.
“Where did this come from?” Wen Ci asked.
“It fell out of Han Shao Zhou’s pocket.” Shen Xi Xi replied.
