Dating My Drama Queen Girlfriend On A Slow-Paced Variety Show - Chapter 52.1

The sky in the courtyard grew dark, and warm orange lights replaced the sun.

The light reflected in Li Yue’s eyes.

After eleven days of non-stop work from Evening Home to Inspiration Explosion and back to Evening Home. Li Yue showed no signs of fatigue. She was like a tightly wound string, bathed in soft light, yet that string felt like a sharp blade, coldly observing the malicious carnival on the screen.

[Luo Mingzi’s glory didn’t even last three years, she’s finally fallen. I thought she just liked acting like a big shot, but I didn’t expect her to actually bully junior artists behind the scenes. Truly disgusting.]

[I only heard from people who used to be close to her that she was picky about her food and clothes, never that she was a diva? Wasn’t her biggest flaw always her acting?]

[Not a diva? After Min Xueren and Zhong Jiaquan’s livestream, how many people have come out to expose her? Among them are the very people you mentioned who were close to her. Isn’t that enough proof?]

[Rumor has it that A Dream of Tiannan replaced Luo Mingzi with Zhong Jiaquan because they couldn’t stand her temper. They’d rather pay the breach of contract fee to get rid of her. Some analyze that the crew actually has dirt on her “diva” behavior, which is why she didn’t end up getting a payout.]

[Tsk tsk, back then some people pretended to be crew members to speak up for her. Looking at it now, it’s a real slap in the face. She brought this on herself. Why is a tainted artist who was fired for bullying still in the industry? Just because of that face? She must be banned!]

[The number of insiders who have come out to say they were bullied by Luo Mingzi is no less than five now, including Min Xueren and Zhong Jiaquan. Besides small actors, there are costume designers and makeup artists. I can’t imagine how many ordinary people without backgrounds she’s stepped on!]

[I woke up and the sky fell. I actually genuinely stanned her. She has the face of a wealthy heiress and the temperament of a noble lady, but she’s a habitual bully! I hate bullies most! Ban her already!]

[So funny. You thought she was a socialite, but the temperament was all an act. In reality, she offended a real tycoon, a truly wealthy person. Of course, I don’t dare speak in detail; the topic is sensitive and gets deleted instantly.]

Thrum.

Thrum.

Li Yue’s fingers plucked the strings idly as she exited the social media platform. Her eyes quietly watched the dust motes dancing in the artificial light. Hearing the “tap-tap-tap” of phones, she tilted her head. Eight monkeys were sitting in a neat row on the porch, heads down, frantically typing.

Yu Bilan happened to walk over. “What are you doing? Why aren’t you resting?”

The monkeys didn’t look up. “Nothing… we’re not doing anything.” Their voices were weak, but their fingers were working hard.

The corners of Li Yue’s mouth curled. “Don’t use your main accounts,” she reminded them.

The monkeys froze, then looked up in unison, giving Li Yue an affirmative thumb-up. Obviously! Otherwise, Yu Bilan would skin them alive and throw them into the sea.

Yu Bilan realized what was happening and said speechlessly, “What’s the point of arguing with those people? They’re either bots or people looking for drama. Is it useful?”

The monkeys shook their heads obediently. No, it wasn’t useful. But if they didn’t argue, they’d explode from anger! Humans cannot insult Li Shen and Luo Shen! Humans cannot bully the King and the Queen!

The observing idols suddenly understood. They thought everyone was just playing on their phones, but they were actually fighting anti-fans for Li Shen. Damn, these monkeys really know how to suck up! As if we don’t have alt accounts too! The idols rolled up their sleeves.

Yu Bilan crossed her arms. Forget it, let them scold. She was fuming too. She turned to Li Yue. “The company contacted Min Xueren and Zhong Jiaquan’s teams. Their side says they are ‘sorry’ this happened, but since their artists didn’t name names, they claim the online accusations against you and Teacher Luo have nothing to do with them.”

“I saw,” Li Yue said calmly, holding up her phone.

On the screen was a post Min Xueren made at noon: Instead of asking why this happened, why not reflect on what you’ve done? Everyone must pay the price for their actions. Zhong Jiaquan had replied with a “covering mouth-laugh” emoji.

Yu Bilan was baffled. “Why did these two suddenly target you? They’re trying to bury you.”

Li Yue smiled at her. Yu Bilan took a breath and whispered, “It couldn’t really be that matter…”

The eavesdropping monkeys: What matter?

Yu Bilan continued, “I discussed it with Sister Su. We’ll use your official accounts to state that the artists hinted at in the livestreams weren’t you. But since they’re determined to blacken your names with bots, our counterattack won’t be polite either.”

Li Yue nodded and asked, “Sister Lan, the thing I asked you to do?”

Yu Bilan gave an ‘OK’ sign. “I’ve been in this industry for years. I have that much capability.” She asked, “When do you plan to start?”

“Now,” Li Yue said. Under the curious but cautious gazes of the monkeys, she calmly opened her phone.

Wednesday, 7:00 PM

It was the time when many office workers were getting home and ordering takeout. An actress named You Shiyi started a livestream to chat with fans.

“Today’s livestream has three special guests. Can you guess who?” You Shiyi smiled.

Because of the recent drama, “Min Xueren” was the most guessed name. You Shiyi clicked “Invite,” and soon, the exquisitely dressed Min Xueren appeared on the screen. She looked indifferent, clearly just there to fulfill a contract.

“Wait, there are others?” Min Xueren said unhappily as You Shiyi clicked “Link Microphone.” The screen split into four.

Under dim light, Director Liu’s stern face stared directly into the camera. And in the bottom-left corner, a beautiful woman holding a Pink Swan instrument casually tilted her lens, making eye contact with Min Xueren through the screen.

Li Yue’s lips curved upward, but her pupils were darker than the night. Her cold gaze watched Min Xueren’s eyes widen in terror.

“Good evening,” Li Yue said politely.

The comment section froze for a second before exploding.

“Why are you leaving? Guilty conscience?” Li Yue asked as Min Xueren’s finger hovered over the exit button.

“How could I be? I have nothing to be guilty about,” Min Xueren forced a fake smile.

The “Braids” monkey sitting next to Li Yue “whispered”: “People talk the most when they have a guilty conscience.”

Director Liu spoke up. “Min Xueren, I only have one question. Given that you signed a confidentiality agreement, why did you leak program secrets and disrupt our official promotion?”

Min Xueren immediately denied it. “I never mentioned Evening Home.”

Director Liu sneered. “You didn’t hint to your fans? Don’t worry, I don’t need an answer from you. I’m just here to inform you of a regrettable matter. Due to ‘technical issues’ with the second half of the Episode 6 tapes, they won’t be aired on TV. Instead, they will be released exclusively and for free on the app.”

He added, “Welcome everyone to watch the web version of the Evening Home Special Edition. Since there were no breach of contract clauses regarding the ‘influence’ of Episode 6 guests, the program won’t be liable for anything. Enjoy.”

With that, Director Liu went offline.

In the three way stream, Li Yue plucked a heavy note on her strings. Thump.

“Did Mingzi and I bully you?” Li Yue asked point-blank.

The livestream went wild. Min Xueren stammered, “I… I don’t want to say anything…”

“What are you hesitating for?” Li Yue’s eyes were like blades, pinning Min Xueren to her seat. “You don’t remember the person who bullied you, or did they simply never exist?”

“Did we scold you? Did we hit you?”

Min Xueren sat frozen, cold sweat sliding down her temples. Her phone on the table was buzzing, it was her manager screaming at her to end the stream but she couldn’t move. She was paralyzed by Li Yue’s gaze.

Li Yue looked at the screen and said calmly, “Miss Min, if you encounter someone who gets physical with you, please call the police immediately. Our country’s emergency number is 110.”

Min Xueren finally found the strength to disconnect.

“She ran away…” You Shiyi whispered.

“Mhm. Thank you for the help,” Li Yue said gently. She then looked at the camera and smiled. “I’ve invited a few people who have claimed over the last 24 hours that Mingzi ‘bullied’ them. I’d like to have a detailed chat with them about the specifics of this ‘bullying.’ If everyone has time, you’re welcome to watch.”

Before she could finish, a sweet, happy voice broke into the stream.

“But don’t forget! Tomorrow, Thursday at 12:00, Inspiration Explosion officially launches on the Mingyue App! Everyone must watch!”