After the Female Star Was Slandered Onto the Trending Search List - Chapter 68

Chapter 68: End of Main Story

Wen Xi knew who Shen Yu’s mother was.

The actress who appeared on screen in her prime, a fleeting glimpse of wonder, yet vanished from the public eye like a meteor.

But the entertainment industry evolves too quickly; the consequence of not appearing is gradual forgetting.

Who knew, she had long gone to another place.

“What do you want to buy?” Shen Yu parked the car, ready to unbuckle her seatbelt and get out.

Wen Xi stopped her. “You don’t need to go. I’ll go buy them. Wait for me here obediently.”

Shen Yu chuckled, “Okay.”

Half an hour later, Wen Xi returned, holding two bouquets of vibrant red roses.

“Roses suit her; they are as beautiful as she was,” Wen Xi explained. “I’ll buy another bouquet for my mom. Otherwise, she’ll complain later that I’m unfair.”

“What does Auntie like?” Shen Yu asked. “I need to buy something.”

Wen Xi originally wanted to say there was no need, that her mom would surely like Shen Yu, and she should just go. But then she remembered she had just said that bringing a gift was about showing sincerity, so she said, “Buy some apples? She loves them. She often used to tell me when I was little that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

Wen Xi then added with a smile, “Maybe she didn’t love eating them that much, but just thought apples were good and wanted me to eat more. But I can’t quite remember.”

Shen Yu raised her hand, stroked Wen Xi’s hair, and answered softly.

They first went to Shen Yu’s mother’s grave, then crossed half of Sui City to Wen Xi’s parents’ graves.

When introducing each other, they both said, “This is my girlfriend, the person I want to spend my life with.”

Afterward, it was already four or five in the afternoon.

After getting in the car, Shen Yu asked Wen Xi where she wanted to eat.

Wen Xi raised her hand to answer, “Can we go to the snack street near the high school? I really miss the food there. I just don’t know how much it has changed. I hope the few shops I liked are still there.”

Shen Yu hadn’t been there for years either, mainly because every time she went back, she couldn’t help but remember her days with Wen Xi.

Shen Yu: “Then let’s go check first. If you don’t find what you want, we’ll go somewhere else.”

Wen Xi quickly said yes.

The school was still in the old city, but it was historically significant and had good teaching resources. Perhaps to commemorate its history, there had been no thought of renovating or changing the campus all these years.

As the car drove along, the roadsides were lined with old trees covered in vines, still lush and green despite the southern winter.

Wen Xi looked out the window. “Not much change, huh?”

“It is the old city after all,” Shen Yu replied. “But the government is apparently planning to promote this area as a tourist spot.”

Wen Xi nodded. After living in bustling areas for so long, it was nice to occasionally visit a place like this to relax.

The snack street outside the school hadn’t changed much either. Only a few shops that weren’t doing well were gone, replaced by currently popular milk tea shops.

Shen Yu still couldn’t get out of the car. Wen Xi, however, put on her mask and rushed out energetically to forage for food.

Wen Xi walked up to the familiar chicken strip shop and said to the slightly gray-haired owner, “Boss, can I get two large portions of chicken strips to go, with chili?”

It was after school hours. The owner, working non-stop, said, “Sure, sixteen yuan. The payment code is above.”

After finishing the task at hand, the owner looked up and asked, “Was that two large portions?”

Wen Xi: “Yes.”

The owner gave a startled “Eh,” then asked, “Is that Wen Xi? Hey, long time no see. Oh, it’s been too long. You haven’t been here in ages.”

Wen Xi was surprised. “I even have my mask on. How can you still recognize me, Boss?”

“I see you every day,” the owner spared a moment to point at the photo wall. “Your painting is still up there. It’s so beautiful. It’s been hanging for over ten years; I can’t bear to take it down. Look, you and Shen Yu… She’s a big star now, truly amazing. Lots of people come to take photos of her picture. There are so many that I was afraid they might steal it, so I installed a security camera specifically aimed at the photo wall a few years ago.”

In the past, shops outside the school loved to create atmospheric decorations to attract girls and couples to visit and take photos. They put up labels and pictures.

There were quite a few high school students in the shop now, so the owner deliberately spoke quietly, making sure no one heard.

Wen Xi walked up to the photo wall. Her and Shen Yu’s photos were taken separately, the only common point being the background. Wen Xi remembered they used Shen Yu’s Polaroid camera back then, taking pictures of each other.

Over the years, the number of photos had increased, and many might have been replaced, but hers and Shen Yu’s were still there.

This was perhaps because they were familiar with the owner, or perhaps because of Shen Yu’s presence as a photo-op spot.

Their photos weren’t next to each other, a space was left in between, but now it was filled with sticky notes and messages from Shen Yu’s fans, with a few interspersed comments about how beautiful Wen Xi was too.

The two young girls near Wen Xi were also looking. One said, “The other sister looks like Shen Yu’s girlfriend! Were they together back then?”

The person next to her shook her head. “I don’t know, but they look like they had a good relationship. Haven’t they not admitted to dating yet?”

“True, but what’s the difference between this and admitting it… My goodness, from high school to work, both of them are still so excellent. I ship it so hard!”

Wen Xi smiled, stepped back a few paces, and took a photo of the wall with her phone.

After getting the chicken strips, Wen Xi returned to the car and handed them to Shen Yu. “Eat them while they’re hot. It’s cold outside, and they’ll cool quickly.”

Wen Xi picked up a piece first, squinting her eyes. “So delicious. It tastes exactly the same as before!”

Shen Yu also picked up a piece and ate it, observing Wen Xi for a moment. “Are you feeling better?”

Wen Xi smiled and handed over her phone. “Look, the photos we took back then are still there.”

Shen Yu took the phone, zoomed in on the photo, looked at it repeatedly, and finally said, “We have too few photos together.”

“It seems so,” Wen Xi thought back. “But we can take some now.”

“When can we take a more ‘official’ one?” Shen Yu looked up.

Wen Xi: “What do you mean by ‘official’?”

Shen Yu sighed. “Look, doesn’t this count as meeting the family? When are you going to give me a title?”

Wen Xi understood immediately. She slapped Shen Yu’s hand. “You’re thinking well. Just wait. Whenever I’m in a good mood.”

“And when Baby is in a good mood?” Shen Yu asked. “Then what?”

“Then…” Wen Xi leaned in close to Shen Yu’s ear and whispered, “We’ll take an official relationship photo.”

Rarely, Shen Yu’s ears turned red as if they were about to drip blood.

During these days in Sui City, Wen Xi and Shen Yu went out every day to reminisce, visiting the sea, climbing mountains, shopping… They relived the past, walking the paths they once walked again.

Of course, in crowded places, Wen Xi would stay in the car with Shen Yu. Enjoying the scenery from the road was just as good.

When the holiday ended, Shen Yu returned to the film set.

Wen Xi also moved into the new house. It was very large, so Shen Yu asked Pu Tao to move in with Wen Xi for a while. It was different when there was someone to talk to at home.

During this period, as the online storm subsided, those who had cursed and spread rumors about Wen Xi gradually began to send handwritten apology letters.

Later, at Wen Xi’s strong request, Shen Yu simultaneously sued the anti-fans.

Shen Yu’s fans were almost in tears. Goodness knew how little Shen Yu cared about those who criticized her. Her inner strength was terrifying. This was only the second time Shen Yu had sued anti-fans since entering the industry. Oh, the first time was against those who rumored about her dating.

This was why Shen Yu’s anti-fans had been so rampant before.

Shen Yu’s fans frantically took to Weibo, cheering.

“I won’t say it. It’s just different when someone is watching over her, huh!”

“Please watch over her more! Please exert your influence!”

Wen Xi adjusted her state well and slowly started working again. She worked during the day and video-called Shen Yu until they fell asleep at night. Sometimes Shen Yu would fall asleep first; sometimes it was her.

Life was slowly getting back on track.

Wen Xi’s clients were also tacitly acting as if the incident hadn’t happened. Only very close clients would jokingly congratulate her on finding a partner, then sighing and saying that someone was finally by her side after all these years.

Wen Xi didn’t refute them, only smiling shyly.

Actually, the exposure and public scrutiny she had feared before weren’t so terrifying.

After all, they got through it, and Shen Yu was there with her.

About a month later, Shen Yu returned from the film set.

That night, she pinned Wen Xi down on the bed, sniffing left and right like a puppy, saying, “Baby, I missed you so much!”

Shen Yu kept her word and pushed back all the work she could.

As a result, Shen Yu’s fans were horrified to find that her schedule had become so sparse. Could it be that she was being blacklisted because she was a lesbian?

The fans grew increasingly scared and immediately prepared to roll up their sleeves for a fight.

But then Shen Yu posted a clarification on her fan forum.

Shen Yu: “Just tired, taking a break. Don’t worry, everyone.”

The fans were silent for a moment.

After a long time, they typed out comments with trembling hands.

“Let me translate: Her meaning is she’s given up hiding, she’s not pretending anymore, she’s returning to her haven of comfort.”

“…Don’t get too lost in your haven of comfort. Think about your career.”

“Ahem, if she hadn’t been… you know, wouldn’t Shen Yu’s next career breakthrough be international? Every script in the country is vying for her!”

After sending that Weibo post, Shen Yu disappeared again for a month.

She was bold. Over time, she wasn’t afraid of being photographed secretly. After all, the news that Shen Yu secretly sued the paparazzi who first exposed her and Wen Xi’s relationship had spread throughout the paparazzi circle. Shen Yu was not soft-hearted.

Being photographed by paparazzi? Fine.

It depended on whether they had the guts to publish it.

When Shen Yu was gone for too long, the fans became very distressed, crying to the fan club daily about how much they missed their jiejie.

The fan club had no choice but to communicate with the studio again.

So, Ke Han could only helplessly call Shen Yu. “My ancestor, I beg you, can you post on Weibo? Your fans are sobbing uncontrollably!”

Ke Han had been busy lately. Shen Yu had entrusted her with several newly signed artists at the studio.

When Ke Han called, it was evening. Wen Xi and Shen Yu had already washed up and were in bed. Wen Xi was using Shen Yu as a backrest, playing a game in her arms.

Shen Yu thought for a few seconds, then nodded yes.

So, Shen Yu’s fans finally waited for her to post on Weibo after countless attempts.

Shen Yu: “How do you play this game? I don’t understand it.”

The comment section was strangely silent for a few seconds again.

Until Shen Yu finally got the comment she wanted to reply to.

“Is she playing it?”

Shen Yu Reply: “Yes, and once she starts playing, she ignores everyone. I want to go and keep her company.”

Unexpectedly, after all that waiting, they got a serving of public display of affection.

Of course, this happened frequently afterward.

In Shen Yu’s words, it was desensitization therapy for the fans.

The fans thought about it and decided it was fine. Shen Yu posting Weibo updates with a touch of ordinary life was much better than before.

Currently, Shen Yu had no work, and Wen Xi hadn’t finished her tasks, so the travel plans Shen Yu had proposed were repeatedly postponed.

Wen Xi felt bad for her, only able to stay at home all day, with video calls only happening around noon.

Shen Yu even complained that she was going to get moldy staying at home.

So, on New Year’s Day, Wen Xi woke up early. It was a holiday. She planned to take Shen Yu to see a recently popular movie.

Shen Yu asked with a smile why she was so energetic.

Wen Xi rolled her eyes at her and tossed the clothes she had chosen for Shen Yu. “Get up quickly. Look at the time.”

Shen Yu reached out and pulled Wen Xi closer. Wen Xi, momentarily unprepared, was pulled back onto the bed, falling onto her.

Shen Yu then wrapped Wen Xi up in the blanket, saying, “Come here, give me a kiss.”

Wen Xi turned her head, refusing to let her kiss. Shen Yu then reached out and tickled Wen Xi.

They wasted quite a bit of time in bed early in the morning.

Shen Yu was aware of the time; the movie started late, and they had plenty of time to get there.

The movie had two female leads, but due to censorship issues, the protagonists’ relationship was ambiguous throughout and never officially confirmed.

However, the film unexpectedly exploded in popularity online, receiving unanimous praise, with comments consistently calling it sweet.

Many people on Weibo also tagged Wen Xi and Shen Yu to go watch it. Hence, Wen Xi had already bought the tickets.

Because Shen Yu was with her, Wen Xi chose seats in the very last row.

Many people came to see the film. The venue was lively before it started. Wen Xi was leisurely drinking cola and eating the popcorn Shen Yu fed her.

It wasn’t until the movie entered its climax that the audience belatedly realized something was wrong.

What’s happening? Why did the style suddenly change? Where did my sweet campus romance go?

Toward the end, Wen Xi heard several young girls quietly sobbing.

Everyone was shocked by the sad ending. Didn’t they say it was sweet? Where’s the sweetness?

The ending turned out to be one person being forced to leave, and the other unable to let go, staying in their hometown for life.

It never said what happened to the person who left, only leaving suspense. In the final scene, the person trapped in the same place for life looked into the distance, their eyes adorned by sunlight, as if they had brightened again.

After it ended, some people cried and complained, “D*mn it, a bunch of liars! Didn’t everyone say it was sweet? Where’s the sweet part?”

“I’m about to start cursing! Why is the ending like this! She must have come back! She must have come back! She’s the softest-hearted!”

“Speechless! Speechless! Are my tears worthless! How can everyone’s lips be so sealed!”

So, they also decided to keep their lips sealed. As soon as they left, they commented online about how sweet, sweet it was, and that watching it would lead to a lifetime of regret.

Wen Xi was also taken aback by the sudden tragic turn. Perhaps she was reminded of her own experiences. She blinked at the dark screen, as if she hadn’t fully processed it.

When they were leaving, her legs felt wobbly. Shen Yu pulled her up, then pulled out a tissue to wipe Wen Xi’s eyes.

Shen Yu looked at her, wiping carefully. “You’re going to cry yourself into a little kitten.”

“You say,” Wen Xi placed her hand on Shen Yu’s arm, her voice very low, “What will our ending be like?”

Shen Yu took Wen Xi’s slightly cold hand, warming it with the heat of her own palm.

Wen Xi heard Shen Yu say very solemnly,

“Growing old together.”

(End of Main Story)