I Swear I Don’t Want to Be Everyone’s Favorite - Chapter 31

Despite Fu Yunqing and Yu Jingtang’s immediate and vehement objections, Xiang Fan still managed to take Jiang Luoyue away with the program team’s permission. Before leaving, she deliberately asked the cameras to capture the moment as ‘evidence’ for later use.

Even as they got into the car, Jiang Luoyue still didn’t understand her intentions. Xiang Fan fastened her seatbelt and smiled, “Playing the victim isn’t her exclusive trick.”

So what if it’s a pity contest? How could Jiang Luoyue possibly lose to Jiang Lianyan? At least, Xiang Fan didn’t think so.

Jiang Luoyue hesitated but nodded. She wasn’t sure what the right move was, but Xiang Fan seemed experienced. Trusting her probably wouldn’t hurt, right?

When they arrived at the hospital, numerous reporters were already camped outside. Since I Hate Me was a live-streamed variety show, except for dangerous terrains like rainforests, reporters would stop at nothing for a scoop at any other time.

Neither Jiang Luoyue nor Xiang Fan had disguised themselves. While Jiang Luoyue was still in the passenger seat figuring out how to avoid the reporters, Xiang Fan unexpectedly stepped out of the car. Immediately, someone noticed her and swarmed over, eagerly asking, “Director Xiang, are you here to visit Jiang Lianyan?”

The entire incident of Jiang Lianyan’s injury had been clipped into a standalone video. Anyone with eyes could see the injury wasn’t serious, which was why public opinion had turned so harshly against Jiang Luoyue. Just as everyone was scrambling for the next explosive angle, Xiang Fan appeared.

If she was the only one visiting, could this confirm that the others were ‘isolating’ Jiang Lianyan?

Xiang Fan raised an eyebrow, “I’m just here to drop Luoyue off at the hospital. As for the others? I’m not too familiar with their situation.”

Jiang Luoyue was “Luoyue,” while Jiang Lianyan was lumped into “the others” the disparity couldn’t be more obvious.

Someone quickly followed up, “Is Jiang Luoyue injured too?”

Xiang Fan nodded, “Actually, it’s not just her. The other guests also had minor accidents during the game segments. For example. Fu Yunqing hurt her leg and is currently getting a cast at the hospital.”

“What?!” The reporter gasped, “That serious?”

But hadn’t Fu Yunqing just gone on a rant on Weibo twenty minutes ago, slamming netizens for their conspiracy theories about Jiang Luoyue?

“I’m not sure about that.”

Xiang Fan had never had a cast herself and didn’t know if you could use your phone during treatment. But to avoid her lie being exposed on the spot, she smoothly changed the subject, “I just think that since multiple guests were injured, everyone should focus on holding the program team accountable instead of scrutinizing one particular guest under a microscope.”

Xiang Fan had given countless interviews and was effortlessly articulate in front of the camera. Gradually, she steered the reporters off track, making them accept her narrative and even diligently jot down key points.

Jiang Luoyue watched from the car, stunned. Even when Xiang Fan opened the passenger door for her, she still couldn’t snap out of it.

Seeing her dazed expression, Xiang Fan smirked, “Let’s go.”

Her words were the same as at the restaurant, but Jiang Luoyue felt much calmer now. Following closely behind Xiang Fan, the reporters no longer shot her malicious looks. Instead, they expressed concern for her injury and even took a few photos.

Only after entering the hospital and completely escaping their gaze did Jiang Luoyue hesitantly ask, “Director Xiang, what about Fu Yunqing”

“Not injured.” Xiang Fan glanced down, amused, “Worried about her?”

But when Jiang Luoyue nodded, it was Xiang Fan who averted her eyes with a frown, “She won’t expose the lie, don’t worry.”

Not only would she not expose it, but she’d probably even get a cast to play along. Imagining that scene, Xiang Fan finally felt a bit better, “Next episode, we’ll get to see Fu Yunqing struggling to walk.”

Hearing her gleeful tone, Jiang Luoyue was at a loss for words.

Was Xiang Fan deliberately getting back at her? Right?

Thinking about Fu Yunqing’s inevitable outburst, Jiang Luoyue sighed in exasperation.

As they talked, they reached the private ward. A nurse was giving instructions, and standing in front of her was someone Jiang Luoyue knew all too well.

Turning around and seeing Jiang Luoyue, Zhou Ruonian instinctively called out, “Luoyue?”

The moment the name left her lips, Zhou Ruonian remembered Jiang Luoyue’s coldness and past actions. She wasn’t sure why she’d blurted it out maybe force of habit. Regaining her composure, she immediately frowned, her eyes filled with disdain, “Lianyan is resting. If you’re here to visit, come back another time.”

Jiang Luoyue stared at Zhou Ruonian and the ward behind her, suddenly asking, “Are you her new manager now?”

“I don’t owe you any explanations.”

Zhou Ruonian scoffed, her tone mocking. But it made Jiang Luoyue recall her past life, when she’d been recognized by the Jiang family based solely on a DNA test report. She’d never known or cared, how the Jiangs had obtained her sample.

Now, seeing Zhou Ruonian already acting as Jiang Lianyan’s manager, a suspicion formed. What if Zhou Ruonian had been in contact with the Jiang family even before Jiang Luoyue was recognized? That would explain both the DNA sample’s origin and Zhou Ruonian’s deep affection for Jiang Lianyan.

She’d spent far more time with Jiang Lianyan than with Jiang Luoyue.

Jiang Luoyue’s silence only fueled Zhou Ruonian’s smugness.

Thinking Jiang Luoyue had pieced together her connection to the Jiang family and was now regretting cutting ties so early, Zhou Ruonian was about to taunt her further when a cool female voice interjected, “You get ten sentences for every one asked? If you’ve got so much free time, maybe focus more on caring for Jiang Lianyan.”

Zhou Ruonian was stunned. She’d noticed Xiang Fan earlier but never expected her to intervene for Jiang Luoyue, “I was just concerned”

“What a peculiar way of showing concern,” Xiang Fan sneered, “By berating others to highlight yourself.”

Her tone was icy, her words dripping with sarcasm. Zhou Ruonian was momentarily speechless, her gaze shifting to Jiang Luoyue.

Jiang Luoyue had already regained her composure. Listening to Xiang Fan, she unconsciously smiled. Noticing Zhou Ruonian’s stare, she leisurely added, “Ms. Zhou, you’ve been monologuing this whole time. Seems like you’re the one who needs a check-up more than Ms. Jiang.”

She lightly tapped her temple. Xiang Fan teased, “Early detection, early treatment. I never knew you were such a kind soul.”

Jiang Luoyue paused, almost losing her composure at Xiang Fan’s remark.

Zhou Ruonian paled. Clenching her teeth, she couldn’t muster a retort. Offending Xiang Fan might jeopardize her artists’ resources.

Inside the ward, Jiang Lianyan leaned against the door, listening to Zhou Ruonian’s transition from arrogance to silence. A shadow crossed her face. Returning to bed, she tearfully called Jiang Yu.

“Sis.”

When Zhou Ruonian entered, Jiang Lianyan was still sniffling. Her palm, wrapped in gauze, looked terrifying. Jiang Yu, on the video call, was equally shocked, “Wasn’t this just a variety show? How did you get hurt?”

Jiang Lianyan hemmed and hawed, reluctant to explain. Jiang Yu redirected her anger at Zhou Ruonian.

Thinking of Jiang Luoyue, Zhou Ruonian shifted the blame without hesitation. After hanging up, Jiang Yu’s barely restrained comforting words still seemed to echo in the room.

Zhou Ruonian finally relaxed slightly, speculating about the retaliation Jiang Luoyue would face, when Jiang Lianyan rasped, “I want an apple.”

Peeling one with a fruit knife, Zhou Ruonian offered it, but the girl said, “This one’s no good. Get another.”

Zhou Ruonian froze, not overthinking it.

But the second, third, fourth.

By the time the apples had oxidized and the trash bin overflowed with peels, Zhou Ruonian, exhausted from intense focus, still hadn’t met Jiang Lianyan’s standards.

Zhou Ruonian stammered, “There aren’t any left.”

“If there’s no fruit, why tell me instead of going to buy more?” Jiang Lianyan gazed at her calmly. Perhaps from crying too long, her eyes remained misty, like a forest fawn. Her gentle tone belied the chill in her words, “Can’t you even fulfill such a small request?”

“Maybe I should tell sis.”

Zhou Ruonian stood, hastily offering reassurances before leaving. Watching her go, Jiang Lianyan’s expression twisted in disgust before she tossed the fruit knife into the trash.

The elevator doors opened. Xiang Fan mused, “I didn’t think you had it in you to insult people.”

Who knew Jiang Luoyue’s first move would be to suggest Zhou Ruonian get her head examined? That soft yet threatening remark lingered in Xiang Fan’s ears. Initially composed, she finally cracked up watching the doctor treat Jiang Luoyue’s arm, teasing her all the way back.

Jiang Luoyue touched her bandaged arm, still unused to the restraint, and muttered, “I learned from the best.”

Hearing everyone trade barbs daily, how could she not pick it up?

“Really?” Unfazed, Xiang Fan grinned, “So who’d you learn the most from? Me? Fu Yunqing? Or Ning Fuguang?”

Jiang Luoyue: “Why not Yu Jingtang?”

Xiang Fan: “She’s spoken fewer words than we have right now.”

Xiang Fan waited cheerfully for Jiang Luoyue’s response, but silence stretched.

Pausing, she turned to find Jiang Luoyue rooted in place, staring blankly ahead.

A middle-aged woman, dressed luxuriously and flanked by bodyguards, spoke softly to an assistant as she headed for the VIP elevator.

The face wasn’t unfamiliar. Whenever gossip accounts touted Jiang Lianyan’s illustrious background, they included her parents and elder sister’s photos. Xiang Fan had initially dismissed it as pointless, but now, those subconscious memories identified her as Jiang Lianyan’s mother, Jing Lan.

Assuming Jiang Luoyue feared recognition, Xiang Fan prepared to reassure her, until she noticed the striking resemblance between Jiang Luoyue and Jing Lan’s facial contours.

As a director, Xiang Fan constantly screened actors, attuned to distinguishing features. In contrast, Jiang Lianyan, though pretty, shared no likeness with Jing Lan.

Recalling Jiang Luoyue’s ‘animosity’ toward Jiang Lianyan and her earlier question outside the ward, a suspicion dawned on Xiang Fan. Staring at Jiang Luoyue in bewilderment, she finally murmured, “Luoyue?”

Jiang Luoyue startled, meeting her gaze.

Masking her emotions, Xiang Fan casually patted her arm, “You’re practically disabled now. Let this sole functional human help you.”

Jiang Luoyue chuckled, “It’s just a scrape.”

If she wanted to link arms, she could’ve just said so.

Pleased with the slight weight on her arm, Xiang Fan remarked, “Fu Yunqing’s going to lose it when she sees the news photos.”

Jiang Luoyue offhandedly said, “If I had to get a cast because of someone else’s lie, I’d be furious too.”

“Really?” Xiang Fan smiled, “I think she’d be happy to do it for you.”

Jiang Luoyue puzzled, “Why?”

“Because you need her, of course.”