After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 21

The room was dead silent.

Xiang Ling was the first to find her voice again. Her eyes, fixed on Ying Xu, were filled with shock. “Impossible!”

She muttered the word several times before finally realizing who the instigator was. Anger flared as she snapped, “Shan Qiaoyun, you’d better get your head straight. Ying Xu did nothing wrong in this matter. Even if she apologizes now, what if something else gets dug up later?”

A flicker of surprise flashed through Shan Qiaoyun’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself and smiled. “Miss Xiang’s concerns are not unfounded, but priorities must be weighed. Since Miss Ying has made her decision, I naturally won’t dissuade her.”

“After you,” she said, even using an honorific as she led the way for Ying Xu. Yet her expression remained as haughty as ever, as if this small gesture was already an act of supreme mercy.

Watching the Alpha obediently follow Shan Qiaoyun without any resistance, Xiang Ling could no longer hold back.

She turned to Gu Qingzhu in disbelief. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing?”

“I let it slide last time when she got scalded, but why are you allowing this again?”

“Have you already met Wei Xuyan? Do you really think she’s just going to sit back and do nothing?”

Finally, the Omega lifted her face.

“Wei Xuyan…” She stared at Xiang Ling. “What is her relationship with Ying Xu? How much do you know? Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“Why, at a time like this, are you still fixated on Wei Xuyan and the Xu family?” Xiang Ling retorted furiously. “If you have even an ounce of pity left for Ying Xu, call off Shan Qiaoyun’s livestream.”

Her head throbbed. Gu Qingzhu pressed a hand to her temple. After a few seconds of silence, she said quietly, “This is Ying Xu’s own choice. I’m surprised too but only surprised.”

“Miss Xiang, one should focus on their own affairs first, don’t you think?”

Xiang Ling glared at her. A few seconds later, she stormed out in anger.

When Ying Xu stepped into the room, she finally understood just how low Shan Qiaoyun’s standards truly were.

The space was divided into two sections. The inner area was only a few square meters, housing a massive screen and harsh fluorescent lights.

The livestream was already in test mode, with occasional comments scrolling across the screen. The font was just the right size, anyone seated in the center would have no trouble reading every word.

Cables snaked across the floor. Behind a glass partition, Shan Qiaoyun stood beside the staff, murmuring instructions. The lighting was warm and inviting, with plush sofas, cushions, and a table laden with steaming coffee and exquisite pastries.

For Ying Xu, however, there was only a cold metal chair. Sitting on it sent a chill creeping up her spine.

Disgusting.

Like an animal on display in a glass cage.

But when she thought about it, wasn’t that exactly what this livestream and “Ying Xu” herself represented? Worthless, meaningless, existing solely for others’ amusement.

“You can put on the headset now.”

Only when Shan Qiaoyun’s voice rang out did Ying Xu glance behind the woman one last time.

Gu Qingzhu lounged on the sofa, toying with something in her hands. Xiang Ling stood further away, her gaze fixed on Ying Xu through the glass, her expression unreadably complex.

Ying Xu reached up and put on the headphones, shutting out all sound.

Out of the corner of her eye, it seemed Gu Qingzhu turned her head at that moment but Ying Xu had no time left to observe her.

The screen displayed her own reflection, the image unusually cold. Ying Xu saw herself against a backdrop of a bay window, curtains swaying in the breeze, the hazy moonlight refracting in like a sheer veil.

[“I don’t care, I’m first!”]

[“Who is this? Looks familiar. Is she Gu Qingzhu’s Alpha girlfriend?”]

[“LOL, as if Gu Qingzhu would ever be into someone like her. Just a fling, don’t inflate her status.”]

[“Probably self-promotion. So gross.”]

[“She’s so ugly, what part of her is even worthy of Gu Qingzhu?”]

Depending on their level, the color of the comments on the live-streaming platform varied. Ying Xu’s eyelashes fluttered involuntarily from the harsh light. In her ear, Shan Qiaoyun’s cold voice rang out: “Ying Xu, don’t forget what you promised.”

After a few seconds of silence, Ying Xu stood up, ignoring the flood of speculation and question marks in the comments. Just as Shan Qiaoyun was about to issue another warning, she bent forward.

“I’m sorry.” Her lips parted slightly, her voice clear and audible to every viewer watching the live stream.

Just three words, and Shan Qiaoyun let out a long sigh of relief, a relaxed smile curling at the corners of her lips.

Assistant Lu fell silent, unwilling to watch further. Xiang Ling’s gaze shifted to Gu Qingzhu, her eyes filled with disappointment.

The latter simply lowered her head, her fingers unwrapping a pill and letting it rest in her palm.

“Regarding the rumors about my relationship with Ms. Gu Qingzhu a few hours ago, I would like to formally apologize to her,” Ying Xu said softly, enunciating each word clearly. “The entire incident was fabricated by me alone and has nothing to do with Ms. Gu.”

[“Fabricated? Did I hear that right? So none of it was real?”]

[“I always said spreading rumors comes with consequences. Off to jail with her.”]

[“What about the hand-holding? Wasn’t there a post saying it wasn’t photoshopped?”]

[“Qinghong PR works fast. Actress Gu’s methods are truly impressive.”]

“I have never had any intimate relationship with Ms. Gu Qingzhu,” Ying Xu slowly raised her face, the screen’s light casting over her features as she spoke deliberately. “Everything was driven solely by my own selfish desires.”

The script had been prepared in just a few minutes.

At the end of the day, what everyone wanted was for Ying Xu to publicly admit that she and Gu Qingzhu had no connection whatsoever.

Gu Qingzhu would forever remain the untouchable moon in the sky, while Ying Xu was nothing more than a scandal-ridden failure. Even having their names mentioned together was an insult to Gu Qingzhu.

In those few minutes, Ying Xu spun a twisted “truth” for the live-stream audience.

In this story, she had once encountered Gu Qingzhu at an event and fallen for her at first sight. She secretly followed her, collecting photos and memorabilia, playing the role of a devoted admirer. Then, when Redemption began filming, their characters shared scenes on set.

Due to Ying Xu’s own incompetence, she made repeated mistakes, delaying Gu Qingzhu’s shooting schedule. Overcome with guilt, she apologized, but the Omega showed no resentment. Instead, she took the initiative to communicate, helping Ying Xu understand her role and guiding her through every line and action during filming.

The entire narrative painted Gu Qingzhu as the “perfect victim.”

A small portion of the photos showing them getting into the car were actually taken during breaks when Gu Qingzhu proactively helped Ying Xu understand the script, mentoring her junior colleague. As for the airport hand-holding photo, Ying Xu admitted it was photoshopped by a professional, the person whose hand was held was actually Gu Qingzhu’s former assistant. Due to the chaotic crowd of fans at the airport, Gu Qingzhu had stepped in to protect her, leading to the physical contact.

Netizens found the explanation both bizarre and oddly plausible.

After all, compared to Gu Qingzhu, a figure renowned for her impeccable reputation and icy demeanor, Ying Xu was a D-list celebrity mired in scandals, infamous for years due to negative press. Gu Qingzhu’s fame and public favor were simply in another league.

More importantly, the words came straight from Ying Xu’s mouth.

If she was truly “innocent,” why would she take full responsibility for the entire incident?

For a moment, even the anti-fans who despised Gu Qingzhu and had come specifically to revel in the drama struggled to find excuses to defend Ying Xu.

What flashed before Ying Xu’s eyes were only the barrage of insults censored with asterisks or homophones by the platform, hurled by outraged passersby and fans.

[Gu Qingzhu treated you so well, how could you do this? Don’t you feel disgusted with yourself?]

[My heart aches for Qingzhu. Her kindness was wasted on trash. Why is being kind a mistake?]

[Just seeing your face makes me want to vomit. Go die.]

[Ying Xu, get out of the entertainment industry! Ying Xu, get out of the entertainment industry! Ying Xu, get out of the entertainment industry!]

[Disgusting.]

Meanwhile, the trending list on StarNet kept refreshing shifting from [Gu Qingzhu’s Romance] to [Ying Xu Apologizes], [Ying Xu Admits She Staged Everything], and [Gu Qingzhu’s Misfortune].

Both the Alpha’s response and the public’s reaction far exceeded Shan Qiaoyun’s expectations.

Her eyes gleamed with approval as she chuckled softly. “Miss Xiang, I told you, Miss Ying would handle everything perfectly. See? Wasn’t I right?”

The Beta turned around, only to find that the mentioned Xiang Ling had already left at some point. Come to think of it, there had been the sound of a door closing when Ying Xu mentioned “staging everything.”

But Ying Xu’s calm expression, juxtaposed with the hateful comments flooding the screen, was far too captivating for Shan Qiaoyun to tear her gaze away.

Assistant Lu stood by the door, her eyes flickering with anger. As Gu Qingzhu’s assistant, she knew the truth better than anyone.

Shan Qiaoyun smiled faintly, she loved seeing expressions like this. The more powerless resentment, the better.

“Xiao Lu,” she drawled leisurely, “being too kind isn’t good. Don’t you agree, Qingzhu?”

Assistant Lu stammered, but Gu Qingzhu finally spoke. “Enough.”

“End this,” Gu Qingzhu murmured. “It’s time to stop. Don’t let her keep spouting these, lies.”

Shan Qiaoyun still felt it wasn’t enough, but she wouldn’t argue with Gu Qingzhu in front of outsiders. She simply smiled. “Let me just say one more thing to her”

But when she turned back to the screen, the floating barrage had already shifted direction.

[I claimed 19 gold beans from the deluxe gift box sent by sqy5! Try your luck too!]

Apart from a few scattered insults in the corners, the rest were all automated messages from users claiming gifts.

She stared in shock at the equipment before her the gift interface. An account named [Sheng Qiuyu] had been sending gifts nonstop for the past few minutes, totaling over a hundred thousand yuan by now.

Paid gifts could include messages, and bold red text was prominently displayed at the center of the live stream:

[Who told you to apologize? Why are you apologizing?]

[You didn’t do anything wrong. Stop saying this * nonsense.]

[Where are you? I’m coming to find you right now.]

[Gu Qingzhu, go to I , you.]

“Block these keywords,” Shan Qiaoyun immediately ordered. “Then ban her account”

The staff member wiped sweat from his temple. “This is already the fourth one we’ve banned.”

“Xiao Lu, go and contact Sheng”

“Can you not hear what I’m saying?”

The pill was clenched tightly in her palm as Gu Qingzhu said coldly, “Make her end the stream, shut up, and then get out.”

“Can’t understand, or can’t hear me?!”

The sudden outburst made Shan Qiaoyun freeze.

She frowned but didn’t question it. Instead, she picked up the device and icily said to Ying Xu, “Give one last apology, and this stream can end.”

Separated by just a “wall,” Ying Xu’s ears were filled with two opposing sounds on one side, Shan Qiaoyun’s nauseating voice, and on the other, the system’s overly intense notifications:

[Sheng Qiuyu’s favorability increased by 0.1. Current favorability.]

[Cheng Jun’s favorability increased by 1. Current favorability.]

Both of them were actually watching her live stream. Ying Xu was slightly surprised.

But upon reflection, the public outcry over this incident was too intense, it would be stranger if they weren’t watching.

Most of Sheng Qiuyu’s gifts and messages had been visible to Ying Xu.

Undeniably, compared to the cold, attacking words, watching those overly dazzling gift effects bloom before her eyes made Ying Xu feel an odd sense of relief.

If there was one good thing that had happened since her transmigration, perhaps it was meeting Sheng Qiuyu on the set of Redemption.

Cheng Jun hadn’t posted a single comment in the stream, but her increased favorability proved she had been moved.

In contrast, Gu Qingzhu’s favorability hadn’t fluctuated at all. The woman’s heart was like unyielding stone, impossible to melt.

A person’s reputation could be salvaged in countless ways, but the sincerity of a “madwoman” could only be touched in those fleeting few minutes.

This wasn’t a perfect transaction, and it seemed to have failed now, but Ying Xu didn’t regret trying.

Bowing again was far easier to stomach than the first time she’d lowered her head.

She tilted her head slightly downward and recited the words she’d prepared long ago:

“Finally, I once again apologize to Ms. Gu Qingzhu, who was affected by this incident. Whether or not Ms. Gu forgives me, I will spend the rest of my life expressing my remorse to her.”

She stood up, assuming the stream would end right after.

But on the screen, all the gift effects had already been banned. The illusory “dream” Sheng Qiuyu had woven for Ying Xu vanished, replaced once more by the most naked, direct malice.

[Get lost.]

[Die.]

[‘Spend the rest of your life apologizing’? If you really want to apologize, look behind you.]

[Why not jump off somewhere to show your remorse?]

[Is this your so-called guilt?]

[Disgusting.]

Every word was enlarged and bolded in red, like a rain of blood.

[System Notification: XY has been permanently banned from the platform. Please communicate kindly and maintain respect.]

The stream abruptly ended. Ying Xu took off her headphones and turned to look out the window.

Raindrops mixed with wind slapped against her face through the eighteenth-floor bay window.

Only then did Yingxu realize, her hands had long been drenched, though she couldn’t say when it had begun.