Superstar Assistant [GL] - Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Liu Xinxin, due to her self-destructive behavior, was completely cut from the production. The director found a newcomer to replace her.

However, the “aftereffects” of Liu Xinxin’s online smear campaign remained. Li Ziyu’s public image had taken a hit, and she had lost many casual fans on Weibo. Once filming wrapped for the day, Zhou Tiantian tracked down the director. “Director Sun, do you have any candid footage of Li Ziyu and me from the set?”

Director Sun arranged for the crew to dig up some material for her. Unlike the old days of film, modern directors often have cameras rolling to capture behind-the-scenes clips or “making-of” tidbits for promotion.

The paid internet trolls had gradually retreated since Liu Xinxin no longer dared to target Li Ziyu; with the funding gone, the trolls stopped working. However, many regular netizens had already been swayed by the narrative. Even without the trolls, many people were still denouncing Li Ziyu.

Swayed by the public outcry, Li Ziyu’s own fans swarmed Zhou Tiantian’s Weibo, demanding an explanation and asking her to confirm that Li Ziyu wasn’t abusing her. Yet, Tiantian remained silent. This led fans to turn on her as well: “We liked you so much, but now that something’s happened, you’re hiding? We totally misjudged you!” “This assistant is so cowardly. Would it kill her to just come out and clarify the situation?”

Passersby mocked the fans: “Even if the assistant explains, it’ll just be a company script. It won’t be voluntary.” Many people agreed. This was exactly why Tiantian hadn’t rushed to post a simple explanation—people brainwashed by the trolls wouldn’t believe words alone. She needed undeniable evidence.

Once everything was ready, Tiantian posted a single sentence on Weibo: “Ziyu really didn’t mistreat me. She treats me wonderfully!”

Predictably, she was met with mockery. But by that evening, several major entertainment accounts began “leaking” videos, claiming they were provided by “internal staff members.”

…

Fang Qiu, a college freshman, had become a fan through the viral “shipping” videos of Ziyu and Minsi. But when the rumors of Ziyu’s character surfaced, she turned into a hater. She followed the “smoking gun” evidence and criticized Ziyu for not making a statement.

That night, while browsing the forums, a new thread caught her eye: A Turnaround? Media outlets release videos of Li Ziyu and Zhou Tiantian to debunk rumors!

Fang Qiu clicked the link. It was a video from a famous entertainment account with the caption: “Heard Li Ziyu was ‘abusing’ her assistant. If this is abuse, please abuse me too!”

In the video, a pregnant Zhou Tiantian stood by Li Ziyu, sticking heating pads on her. Once finished, Li Ziyu gently pressed on Tiantian’s shoulders to make her sit in her own exclusive star chair. She patted Tiantian’s belly and then turned to walk onto the set with Dong Minsi.

Fang Qiu watched it twice. Li Ziyu’s gaze was undeniably tender, her movements natural. Tiantian didn’t look scared at all; she looked accustomed to it, clearly a regular occupant of that chair.

Fang Qiu’s face flushed. Did I really misunderstand her?

As the attitude of the public shifted, more videos emerged. They weren’t just the company’s PR; they were real moments. Fans saw Li Ziyu giving up her seat, pouring hot water for Tiantian, and peeling fruit for her. They saw that Tiantian’s lunch was just as good as the star’s. The “abuse” photos were revealed to be out-of-context captures.

Fang Qiu rushed to Ziyu’s Weibo to apologize: “Ziyu! I was blind to believe the haters. Will you despise me?” The veteran fans comforted her: “Ziyu was hit hard this time. It’s understandable to be misled. As long as we trust and protect her from now on, she won’t mind.”

The topic #Li Ziyu Misunderstood# hit the hot searches. Not only did she regain her lost followers, but her overall popularity doubled. It was clear that once The Legend of Consort Yuan aired, she would officially break into the ranks of third-tier A-list stars.

…

During a break, Li Ziyu began browsing Weibo. She enjoyed seeing the fan-made content, but one specific fan-fiction (fanfic) caught her eye. She read it with great interest.

The author had added a disclaimer that it was pure imagination. The plot? A dramatic one-night stand leads to Zhou Tiantian getting pregnant with Li Ziyu’s child. To take care of them, Li Ziyu makes Tiantian her personal assistant to keep her close.

Li Ziyu: “…” Is this author psychic?

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Ziyu sat down next to Tiantian. “Tiantian, read this story.”

Tiantian was currently on the phone with a producer for the hit variety show Mommy, Here I Come!—a parent-child travel show. Because of Ziyu’s rising popularity, they wanted her as a special guest.

After finishing the business call, Tiantian took Ziyu’s phone. As she read, her face went from white to red. She looked at Ziyu in horror. “Does she know something?” It was terrifying how the author had written the exact truth.

Li Ziyu pinched Tiantian’s chin and laughed. “Silly, how could she know? Only a few people know the truth.”

Tiantian felt a wave of shame because the dialogue in the fanfic was… intense.

“Woman,” Li Ziyu’s voice dropped. Tiantian looked up to find Ziyu’s eyes full of “wicked” intent. She leaned in close while holding Tiantian’s chin. “You were just talking to another man and ignored me. How do you think I should punish you?”

Tiantian’s face turned scarlet. That was a direct quote from the fanfic, but it fit their current situation perfectly. It was embarrassing enough to read, but hearing Ziyu say it was overwhelming.

Tiantian jerked her head away, only to see Xiao Xu, the life assistant, standing frozen in the doorway, caught between entering and fleeing.

Tiantian jumped up. “It’s not what you think!”

Li Ziyu found her panic adorable. She stood behind Tiantian and teased, “How do you know what Xiao Xu is thinking?”

Xiao Xu nodded frantically. “Right! I’m not thinking anything!”

Li Ziyu put an arm around Tiantian’s shoulder, leaning her head against Tiantian’s. “Why are you here so late? Didn’t you say you were going to sleep?”

Xiao Xu stammered, “I… I saw Weibo. Fans aren’t attacking Ziyu anymore, but now they’re saying Tiantian is a ‘diva assistant’ who acts more like a star than the star. I came to see if I should help with anything.”

Tiantian pried Ziyu’s hand off her shoulder, forcing herself to be professional. “I saw that too. I’ll have the company release a video of Minsi and Ziyu to distract everyone. Don’t worry about it.”

Xiao Xu nodded dumbly, closed the door, and returned to her room. As she lay in bed, she was reeling. Why did I just see a scene identical to that fanfic in real life? Is this reality? Or did I somehow transmigrate into a book?