As a Scummy Omega, I Ran Away with the Baby - Chapter 38

When Gu Yining stepped into the interview room, it was no surprise that every gaze turned toward her. As the current focal point of public opinion, such attention was inevitable. Composed, she took the seat at the center of the room and accepted the microphone handed over by the press.

Eyes followed her every move—some sharp with hostility, others curious, watching for a show. Gu Yining merely cast them a brief glance before withdrawing her gaze. The corners of her lips lifted into a faultless smile, no one could find fault with.

From the shadows, a staff member wearing a BaiXing badge signaled the reporters to begin. That tiny gesture was like water splashing into hot oil—instantly igniting the room. Reporters craned their necks, leaned forward, and nearly thrust their recorders right up to her face.

“Ningning, regarding the rumors that you were treated unfairly by BaiXing Entertainment, can you comment?” A young reporter was the first to break the silence, firing off a sharp question.

Gu Yining’s gaze swept over. The reporter, though wearing a mask, couldn’t hide her youthful inexperience. She was dressed in the official uniform of Fruit TV. No wonder she’d snagged the first question—big networks always moved fast on hot topics. Fortunately, Gu Yining’s relationship with Fruit TV wasn’t bad. She could trust they wouldn’t deliberately distort her words just for traffic.

For all the sensationalism in entertainment, television networks still weren’t as shameless as marketing accounts.

Reassured, Gu Yining smiled warmly and answered, her voice clear and steady.

“I need to clarify: during my time at BaiXing, I was never subjected to unfair treatment. On the contrary, BaiXing has always supported and cared for me. These rumors are completely baseless.”

The statement was categorical, leaving no room for doubt. She framed the entire matter as nothing more than fabricated slander.

This, however, went directly against the PR advice she’d received and against Bai Qingqiu’s plan. By taking such a decisive stance, she was tying herself firmly to BaiXing’s ship. Any future developments would have to be faced jointly by her and the company—leaving no escape route for herself.

The reporters stirred restlessly, exchanging looks of dissatisfaction. Clearly, her answer hadn’t satisfied them.

Gu Yining knew this was only the beginning. They wouldn’t let her off so easily.

Refutations lacked the punch of a juicy scandal. Even if the truth eventually came out—that she, the supposed victim, had chosen to stand with the supposed perpetrator—public interest would fade quickly, leaving only a few passing jeers from bystanders. Beyond her fans and those with vested interests, no one would care about the aftermath.

And sure enough.

“But recordings have surfaced of someone claiming to be a BaiXing agent verbally abusing you and manipulating your work assignments. The content aligns with leaked documents from the whistleblower. How do you respond?” Another reporter jumped in, his tone edged with provocation.

“We’re already investigating. If the recordings are authentic, we’ll pursue legal action against the individuals involved. I trust BaiXing will also provide me with a fair explanation.”

She’d anticipated this question and remained calm, answering unhurriedly. Her tone and phrasing were airtight, leaving no cracks for reporters to exploit.

She was no longer the naïve songbird sheltered under Bai Qingqiu’s wing.

Facing these sharks, even if she wasn’t entirely sure of victory, strength and composure could still command respect.

To protect BaiXing’s reputation, she had to step forward herself. Only by putting her own name and stance out front could she seize the initiative and steer the narrative. Had she followed the advice to stall until PR drafted a statement, it would have been far too late.

As soon as she finished, another reporter leapt in.

“Ningning, will BaiXing’s other artists and employees back your statement—or is this only your personal declaration?”

This question was trickier than the last. If she said no, it would undermine everything she’d just said. But if she said yes, critics could twist it into an accusation of staging a performance.

Gu Yining paused, weighing her words, but before she could answer, the room stirred. Reporters were glancing down at their phones, and moments later, one shot his hand up.

“Ningning, BaiXing just issued a statement declaring full support for you and promising an internal investigation. Were you aware? Was this a coordinated strategy?”

Gu Yining’s chest tightened. She hadn’t expected Bai Qingqiu to respond so quickly. Drawing a steadying breath, she replied evenly:

“I wasn’t informed in advance. But we’ll work together to uncover the truth and provide everyone with a fair explanation.”

Just then, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Bai Qingqiu strode into the room, and every lens swiveled toward her.

Gu Yining’s heartbeat quickened. She hadn’t expected Bai Qingqiu to appear in person.

But under so many scrutinizing eyes and cameras, she kept her face composed, drawing her gaze back without a flicker of emotion.

Bai Qingqiu had known Gu Yining wouldn’t handle this crisis the way she’d advised.

When she’d signaled her earlier, she’d already prepared for multiple scenarios—the worst being Gu Yining’s words twisted and blown out of proportion by the press. BaiXing had prepared PR statements for such contingencies anyway.

But one thing she never doubted: Gu Yining would never follow her lead.

Given the tension between them, Gu Yining had every reason to throw BaiXing under the bus. Yet, instinct told her she wouldn’t.

And indeed, once Gu Yining stepped into the room, she soon heard her unwavering defense of BaiXing.

What Bai Qingqiu hadn’t anticipated, however, was the extremity of her choice. Out of all possibilities, Gu Yining had taken the most uncompromising route, leaving herself no fallback. Not only that—she handled the reporters’ traps with effortless poise, her official-sounding responses rivaling those of a seasoned spokesperson.

Five years had truly transformed her.

Still, no matter how capable Gu Yining had become, Bai Qingqiu knew she herself had to step forward—to stand publicly beside her as the face of the company. A press release alone wasn’t enough. By being present, she could also monitor Gu Yining directly instead of listening from outside.

As she mounted the stage, she caught Gu Yining’s gaze. But before she could signal her, Gu Yining calmly looked away.

Bai Qingqiu arched a brow, steadied her breath, and walked up to stand at her side.

Gu Yining turned her head, her eyes silently questioning why she’d chosen to appear now. Bai Qingqiu pressed her lips into a faint line, then glanced at the microphone in her hand, motioning for her to pass one over.

Obligingly, Gu Yining handed it to her. Their fingers brushed—warm and deliberate, or perhaps entirely by accident. They stood close, her breath brushing faintly across Bai Qingqiu’s cheek. Their eyes met, and Gu Yining leaned in ever so slightly.

Bai Qingqiu didn’t move. With so many eyes and cameras watching, she knew Gu Yining wouldn’t overstep.

Her face drew nearer, lips pausing just short of contact.

“What are you trying to do?” Bai Qingqiu asked softly, unfazed.

“I’m just saying—if you keep standing up here with that scowl, the reporters will think we’re at odds.” Gu Yining’s tone was frank, her expression devoid of any hidden intent. With that, she pulled back, turned toward the press, and offered a flawless smile.

Bai Qingqiu couldn’t help a faint curl of her lips. Gu Yining wasn’t wrong.

So why not play along?

The reporters had likely caught that whisper between them anyway. Bai Qingqiu lifted her free hand, slid it behind Gu Yining’s back, and wrapped an arm lightly around her waist.

She felt the immediate stiffness ripple through Gu Yining’s body. Out of the corner of her eye, Gu Yining shot her a glance, but Bai Qingqiu ignored it, raising the mic to speak with calm authority.

“Thank you all for coming today. I’m Bai Qingqiu, Chairwoman of BaiXing Entertainment. Ningning and I are here to clear up the rumors and present the truth to the public.” She paused deliberately, letting the attention shift fully onto her. “First, I want to thank Gu Yining. During her five years with the company, she excelled and made significant contributions. As for the false rumors circulating online, BaiXing will investigate thoroughly and will not tolerate any malicious slander.”

Flashbulbs erupted as she spoke, the cameras capturing her every expression. Once she had delivered her message, she subtly withdrew her arm from Gu Yining’s waist. A gesture was enough; there was no need to hold on longer.

Gu Yining, perfectly attuned, picked up right where she left off.

“As President Bai said, I believe BaiXing will provide me—and the public—with a fair and satisfactory explanation.”

Together, they both smiled gracefully for the cameras, united under the press’s gaze.

The seamless display of solidarity sent ripples of surprise through the reporters, who had expected sparks and discord. They quickly scrambled to shift their questions, still probing for cracks.

Bai Qingqiu nodded toward a woman in the front row.

“President Bai, you and Ningning seem very close. Will your relationship affect the impartiality of the investigation?”

A soft, almost imperceptible “tsk” came from beside her. Clearly, five years of growth hadn’t dulled Gu Yining’s impatience with these tricks. Bai Qingqiu, amused, betrayed nothing on her face as she answered smoothly.

“BaiXing has already established an investigation committee and will coordinate with partner firms on the matter. Regardless of my relationship with Gu Yining, the results will remain objective. Over the years, our cooperation has always been harmonious, and I look forward to working together again in the future. On behalf of BaiXing, I welcome Ningning back anytime.”

“Thank you, President Bai. I also hope to collaborate with BaiXing again one day.” Gu Yining responded without hesitation.

The reporter’s eyes flickered with frustration. But with the two of them in such perfect sync, there was no angle to exploit. Resigned, she lowered her microphone.

Meanwhile, behind the equipment, Zhang Yue whispered while typing updates into the work group chat.

She was the very Fruit TV reporter who’d asked the opening question.

“Sis Li, do you think they’re telling the truth? Ningning didn’t seem like she was lying, but those leaks were way too detailed. Who would go to the trouble of forging so many documents, even recording fake audio?”

Li Jing, typing her own draft at lightning speed, barely looked up.

“True or false, it doesn’t matter to us. If it’s true, someone didn’t like how close Gu Yining was getting to BaiXing and wanted to block her from re-signing. If it’s false, the motive’s the same—stop her from returning. If you ask me, she probably gained something valuable from BaiXing in exchange for defending them. Otherwise, why bother? Either way, whoever orchestrated this scheme has failed completely.”

“The entertainment industry really is deep water,” Zhang Yue muttered in awe. “If I were suppressed like this, no hush money in the world would stop me from taking BaiXing down with me.”

Li Jing glanced at her a few times, as though about to say something more, but in the end, she only kept typing silently.