After Redeeming the Female Lead, I Faked My Death and Escaped - Chapter 36.4

Even when the barrage of comments couldn’t tolerate Xiao Nian’s high-pitched crying and started complaining, Ying Xu on screen didn’t seem bothered at all. She simply wiped away the child’s tears over and over, patting their back soothingly meticulous, patient, and tender.

Many netizens instinctively typed [Get lost] upon seeing her face, but after watching the entire clip, not only did they hesitate, but a few even tentatively voiced: [Is this really Ying Xu?] […Could this be photoshopped?] [Such a gentle Alpha must be acting!]

Within moments, a flood of curious onlookers swarmed Ying Xu’s profile, only to find her comment section filled with vitriol under her reposts of the production team’s promotional posts.

After piecing together the context, these newcomers were left bewildered.

The Ying Xu in the video was so gentle and composed, nothing like the person who would do the things she was accused of.

For hours, she had maintained that demeanor. If this was acting, then what was real?

Soon, nested replies filled with question marks flooded the comment sections, and even the torrent of abuse in Ying Xu’s topic tags paused briefly, shifting into curiosity about her.

This was exactly the kind of reaction Ying Xu had wanted.

Gu Qingzhu had once said that even if Ying Xu followed the same steps, her video wouldn’t be leaked online.

At least for now, Ying Xu had no intention of doing anything without value. Even without Lin Jian, these clips would have found their way online through some “accident.”

As notifications for Ying Xu’s account exploded, a single reply from Cheng Yun seemed almost inconspicuous:

[Helped you out this time, Miss Ying. Would you honor me with a meal next time? ]

A knock came at the door the teacher had arrived to take Xiao Yi and Xiao Nian back.

Xiao Nian, now awake, played quietly with building blocks, not disturbing Ying Xu. Xiao Yi clung to her neck, occasionally glancing at the screen, though likely unable to understand much.

Neither of them cried or fussed, which eased Ying Xu’s tension.

She told them, “Next time, I’ll come see you again.”

Xiao Nian nodded happily in agreement. But Xiao Yi shook her head and said, “No, sister.”

The teacher, who had just relaxed at the children’s good behavior, suddenly paled. “Miss Ying, why did she mention ‘sister’?”

After the woman explained, Ying Xu learned that Xiao Yi had been sent to the orphanage because her older sister had passed away, leaving no other choice. The clothes she wore had been prepared by her late sister.

Ying Xu frowned at the teacher, wanting to ask more, but found no words.

Xiao Nian had already started bouncing around, her lively personality shining now that she’d grown comfortable. She was showing Xiao Yi something.

Only after the three of them had completely disappeared did Ying Xu finally lower her head and reply to Cheng Yun: [Okay.]

The screen switched back to the livestream. In just that short span of time, Lin Jian had completely lost control of the situation. His face was ashen, a far cry from his earlier confidence about making Ying Xu pay.

Although only a dozen centimeters away from his car, he ultimately retreated back into the welfare center.

The reporters still refused to leave, leaving no choice but to wait for the police to disperse them. The standoff lasted nearly half an hour.

It wasn’t until the sky darkened, heavy with gray clouds hinting at impending rain, that the anger of netizens in the live stream began to subside slightly.

[What, is Lin Jian determined to be a coward? Can he hide for a day, or can he hide forever?]

[Perfect, Ying Xu is inside too. If we can’t find Lin Jian, let’s go for Ying Xu. She doesn’t seem as shameless as Lin Jian, she’ll probably answer a few questions out of courtesy.]

[How many of Ying Xu’s PR team have infiltrated this live stream? How can anyone like an alpha with such poor character? It’s all an act, only fools would believe it.]

[If Gu Qingzhu really hated Ying Xu as much as you claim, why would she still be acting in the same drama with her?]

The live stream descended into chaos, but the reporters’ cameras unexpectedly captured an unexpected figure.

Almost instantly, someone shouted, “Ying Xu! Look here!”

The flash went off, illuminating the asphalt road covered in a layer of snow already tainted by dirt, like a long, filthy carpet.

A cold wind brushed past, lifting the alpha’s hair and revealing her striking face.

The barrage of comments froze for a second, then erupted into frenzy again at the unmistakable fear in her eyes and the obvious confusion on her face.

[Finally decided to stop being a coward, huh? #YingXuGetOutOfEntertainment]

[#PeopleTellingOthersToGetOutShouldGetOutFirst]

[Why is Ying Xu even responding? This has nothing to do with her.]

[Didn’t someone already expose that Ying Xu’s agency treats her terribly? She’s probably being forced.]

[Oh, everything’s ‘forced’ now? Was she forced to spread rumors about her relationship with Gu Qingzhu too?]

[Look, she’s not even answering you.]

Amid the storm of comments, Ying Xu moved closer and closer to the cameras.

Until she stood fully under the spotlight, bathed in snow-white light that made even the floating dust visible. The lenses of the cameras felt like countless eyes staring back at her.

Luo Zhu seized the moment to interject, “Sorry, no interviews. Please make way we’re leaving.”

Her tone was firm, but the reporters’ questions still flew past her, rapid-fire:

“Ying Xu, does your continued role in Redemption mean you still have feelings for Gu Qingzhu and refuse to give up?”

“Gu Qingzhu has never responded to your rumors. Has she forgiven you? What were the terms of your reconciliation?”

“Gu Qingzhu’s fans have publicly issued death threats against you. Have you seen them? How do you respond?”

Buried grievances were dug up with the most ruthless words and tactics.

Through the lenses, everyone captured the reaction they wanted the alpha’s expression turned utterly lost. She seemed to be growing afraid, her fingers trembling faintly beneath her sleeves.

“Sorry,” she murmured, barely audible, “Gu Qingzhu and I, we’ve already”

“No interviews!” Luo Zhu raised her voice again, cutting Ying Xu off mid-sentence.

The comments grew even more frenzied.

[Already what? Reconciled? Or sworn never to see each other again?]

[There’s no way Gu Qingzhu would reconcile with Ying Xu stop dreaming!]

【The fact that Ying Xu can continue acting in the series only proves two things: 1. Gu Qingzhu has forgiven her. 2. There really is a powerful backer supporting her against all odds. Meaning, some fans shouldn’t act like they hold the moral high ground,Gu Qingzhu herself doesn’t even care anymore, so you all look pretty ridiculous.】

【Did Gu Qingzhu whisper in your ear that she doesn’t care? Who are you to tell me what to do?】

At some point, a light rain began to fall from the sky.

“Qing”

Assistant Lu opened the door, the sound of raindrops tapping against the glass serving as background noise, while the room was filled with the voices coming from the woman’s screen.

“Ying Xu,” “Ying Xu,” “Ying Xu”

No matter the question, they always prefaced it with this name, the clamor blending together before being drowned out by the rain, grating on the nerves.

Assistant Lu was stunned, but from Gu Qingzhu’s nearly bloodless face, she realized something major concerning Ying Xu had happened.

She approached Gu Qingzhu, just as Shan Qiaoyun had once advised: “Qingzhu, maybe you should stop watching for now.”

“Contact Qinghong… Sheng Changming personally to reach out to these media outlets.” Gu Qingzhu’s gaze didn’t shift toward her, but she recited the names of several media companies without hesitation, some of which had been long-term partners of Qinghong. “Either they apologize for what they’ve done to Ying Xu, or I’ll acquire them and expose Qinghong’s dealings, forcing a public apology.”

It was only then that she finally looked at Ying Xu on the screen.

The long-range lens, emboldened by her cooperative demeanor, pushed closer. The rain blurred the buildings behind her, making the white-clad alpha almost blend into the background. Her hair was nearly soaked through, and though she was being relentlessly criticized, she remained patient and gentle, doing her best to respond.

Even if her answers didn’t satisfy the reporters or many others, more and more people were softening, flooding the chat with pleas for leniency.

This was less of a livestream and more of a trial every question felt like an accusation, every camera angle evidence, all part of a farcical spectacle judging the entirety of a person’s life.

Ying Xu gradually grew more accustomed to it, even feeling tears welling up in her eyes, ready to fall at the next explosive question.

But Luo Zhu beside her grew increasingly uncomfortable in the stifling atmosphere, so Ying Xu changed her mind.

She had already appeared enough no matter how this ended, it would spark heated discussions online.

Just as Ying Xu was about to casually wipe away her tears, a woman’s voice rang out:

“It’s reported that your agency, Feiyun Entertainment, is 20% owned by Gu Qingzhu. Can we reasonably suspect that this entire incident was an orchestrated publicity stunt to maintain Gu Qingzhu’s relevance?”

As the words trailed off, even the reporters fell silent for a moment. To avoid legal threats from the industry, most had tactfully avoided this topic, sticking only to the romantic drama. Who would’ve thought someone would dare to chase headlines like this…

No one could think of a more provocative question. The cameras all turned toward Ying Xu, only to see the alpha instinctively cover her lips with her hand. Between fluttering lashes, tears rolled down her fingertips.

“It’s not a stunt. Everything is my fault it has nothing to do with her.”

“I won’t run from the mistakes I’ve made, but I also hope no one wrongs an innocent person.”

Anyone witnessing this scene would feel a pang of sorrow for Ying Xu. Yet, despite being treated this way, the person on camera remained gentle in demeanor, even attempting to bow in apology before being stopped by the manager.

Inside the car, the driver had been waiting for a long time, only now turning on the lights.

Ying Xu quickened her steps, following behind the manager. After a brief silence, the crowd chased after her retreating figure and the increasingly blurred car lights in the rain: “Ying Xu, answer one more question.”

Only when the car had completely left the welfare institute behind did Ying Xu finally let out a long sigh of relief.

Her clothes were soaked through, and the warmth inside the car wasn’t enough to dispel the chill in her body. Yet, she paid it no mind, as an emotion more overwhelming than the cold had taken hold of her.

Joy.

She had repeated that lie in front of everyone once again.

The lie that changed everything.

Those who manipulate public opinion will eventually be consumed by it.

When Qing Hong schemed against her, trying to protect Gu Qingzhu, they should have realized that everything Ying Xu endured would ultimately rebound upon them a hundredfold.

Their malice toward Ying Xu might not have been intentional.

But Ying Xu’s malice toward them came straight from the heart.

The phone rang just as Ying Xu was drying her hair with a towel.

The caller ID read “Assistant Lu,” but the person answering and the one speaking to Ying Xu could only be Gu Qingzhu.

“Ying Xu.”

Perhaps it was the distance of the screen, or perhaps the delayed chill had dulled her senses, but Ying Xu felt Gu Qingzhu’s voice sounded slightly distorted.

Still, she didn’t dwell on it, only unconsciously tightening the blanket around her before loosening it again.

“I know about what happened today,” Gu Qingzhu’s response took Ying Xu by surprise. “I’ll give you an explanation.”

The recordings, the videos, the sudden storm of public opinion everything reeked of deliberate coincidence.

Given Gu Qingzhu’s methods, connections, and intelligence, if she wanted to investigate, she could uncover the truth at any moment.

In Ying Xu’s imagination, Gu Qingzhu might have seen her as an innocent victim or suspected her involvement but lacked evidence.

She had never considered the possibility that Gu Qingzhu believed everything was connected to Ying Xu.

Yet, Gu Qingzhu chose not to pursue it.

In her ear, there was only the faint sound of the woman’s breathing, seemingly trembling slightly.

“Is that a promise?” Finally, Ying Xu broke the silence with this question.

The Omega replied, “If you think it is, then it is.”

Listening to her voice, Ying Xu couldn’t shake the feeling that Gu Qingzhu’s mood wasn’t the best, which in turn pulled her away from that near-blissful joy.

Regaining her composure, just as she was about to end the call herself, Gu Qingzhu spoke again: “Tonight, there’s a wrap party for the crew. You should come.”

No reason was given. Simply because Gu Qingzhu wanted her there, Ying Xu was expected to go.

This arrogance was ingrained in her bones. Even if she occasionally recognized its inappropriateness, more often than not, she still acted according to her nature.

In the past, Ying Xu would have agreed without hesitation.

But now, she felt that refusal might be a good thing.

There were so many people in this world who faced rejection Gu Qingzhu ought to learn to reflect.

It might be difficult, but Ying Xu believed she could manage it.

Words of refusal hovered on her lips. Just as Ying Xu was about to casually pick one to dismiss Gu Qingzhu.