The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 21

Xu Qing thought for a moment, choosing her words carefully to sound pleasant. “Miss Wen Mian has been doing very well lately. She’s currently participating in a variety show and has stopped… chasing after Film Queen Gu. It’s just…”

As she spoke, Xu Qing observed Pei Ting’s expression, hesitating whether to mention that Wen Mian was currently caught in a public relations storm, especially since the matter had already been resolved. More importantly, she had always heard that the relationship between the two sisters was quite strained.

Pei Ting picked up her cup and took a small sip of coffee. “Continue.”

Xu Qing shuddered and spoke quickly, “Miss Wen Mian was the victim of fake dirt bought by another guest on the show yesterday, but it has already been handled.”

Pei Ting’s hand holding the coffee paused. The rising steam obscured her eyes, making her expression unreadable. Only her voice, soft yet laced with a sudden chill, could be heard: “Fake dirt? How was it handled?”

Xu Qing rattled off the explanation in a single breath: “Film Queen Gu posted a message to clarify, and the video evidence was released.”

Pei Ting set the coffee cup down gently, making a crisp clink. She said calmly, “I was referring to that guest.”

Xu Qing swallowed hard, replying in trepidation, “Evidence is still being gathered.”

Pei Ting nodded, drawing out her words, “I see..”

She looked up at Xu Qing. Her fox-like eyes, so similar to Wen Mian’s, were now flashing with a cold light that made one shiver. “You don’t need to worry about the rest. As for yesterday’s reward, it will be transferred to your account after you leave.”

Xu Qing nodded submissively, feeling a second of pity for Song Xue. Of all the people to provoke, why Wen Mian? Don’t you know the entire Wen Corporation stands behind her?

However… as Xu Qing left the office, she couldn’t help but wonder. Wasn’t it said that Wen Mian has a bad relationship with her family? Why does the rumor feel so false?

Finally, she concluded: rumors really are unreliable! Otherwise, Song Xue wouldn’t have dared to touch Wen Mian in a million years.

After Xu Qing left, a special assistant carrying a wine red coat walked in and quietly closed the door.

Seeing Pei Ting with her eyes closed and her brow still furrowed, she softened her steps and leaned over to drape the coat over Pei Ting’s shoulders.

Pei Ting didn’t open her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You’re here.”

The assistant gave a gentle “Mm,” straightened up, and said quietly, “Still worried about Miss Wen Mian.”

The frown on Pei Ting’s brow deepened. “Yes, I just don’t know…” She paused, eventually sighing helplessly. “Forget it…”

She opened her eyes and looked up to meet Lin Tanwei’s gaze. “Tanwei, could you do me a favor?”

Lin Tanwei agreed naturally. “I will always agree to your requests. What is it?”

Pei Ting smiled, her fox-eyes sparkling. “Wen Mian was bullied. As you know, we people of the Wen family aren’t the type to be bullied without biting back.”

Lin Tanwei nodded. “Understood.”

Pei Ting sat up straight, the wine red coat sliding off her shoulders and revealing her delicate collarbones. She picked up the coat, intending to quietly set it aside.

Lin Tanwei cleared her throat as a reminder.

Pei Ting’s face slumped, her expression showing reluctant protest as she drawled, “Tanwei I don’t want to~”

Lin Tanwei looked away, unmoved. “You must wear it. You just recovered from a cold.”

Pei Ting continued to act spoiled. “It’s fine! Besides, the heater is on in here!”

Lin Tanwei shook her head, mimicking Pei Ting’s tone to reject her: “No can do!”

Pei Ting huffed and indignantly put the coat back on. She sat back at her computer, not forgetting to order Lin Tanwei around as if to get revenge for being forced into the coat: “The coffee is too bitter, I don’t like it!”

Lin Tanwei nodded calmly and leaned over to take the cup. “Very well, President Pei.”

She walked away in her high heels, her expression serene. A moment later, she returned with the cup. “President Pei, your coffee.”

Pei Ting grew even more annoyed. She glared at Lin Tanwei and took a large gulp. The temperature perfect. The sweetness, just right. It was exactly the way she liked it.

Realizing she couldn’t ruffle Lin Tanwei’s feathers, Pei Ting became even more frustrated, turning her head away to ignore her and focus on her reports.

A smile tugged at the corner of Lin Tanwei’s mouth as she looked down quietly at Pei Ting.

Meanwhile, the team assigned to the task began working overtime.

The Wen Corporation worked with incredible speed. Within half an hour, they found a mountain of dirt on Song Xue. They didn’t even need to exaggerate anything; the truth was more than enough.

They discreetly leaked these scandals to unscrupulous marketing accounts. Since Song Xue enjoyed using such accounts, she could taste her own medicine.

The hot searches exploded instantly.

• [EXPLOSIVE – The infighting in the dating show!]
• [EXPLOSIVE – The person who leaked Wen Mian’s fake dirt was actually HER!]

The headlines were undeniably eye-catching. Curious netizens clicked in to “eat melons,” only to find the protagonist was Song Xue.

Netizens marveled: The previous drama hasn’t even cooled down, and we’re already being fed a fresh batch.

Wen Mian’s fans were both relieved and furious. Major fan accounts began to take action.

“Since SX (Song Xue) bullied our Mianmian, we won’t show her any mercy!” “Agreed. To think she dared to frame Mianmian. If Mianmian wasn’t mentally strong, she might have succeeded.”

The conversation around Song Xue skyrocketed. Seeing this, brand sponsors gripped their phones and rushed to release public statements.

• Momo Brand: “We were blind to the truth this time. To rectify our mistake, we have terminated our cooperation with Ms. Song Xue. We wish Ms. Song well. Furthermore, we have decided to contact Ms. Wen, hoping she will become our new brand ambassador.”
• Feirou Brand: “Cooperation terminated. We wish Ms. Wen a happy life.”

The brands issued their notices, only three in total, and none were high-end brands, but it was enough. Netizens nodded in satisfaction.

Since the livestream wasn’t on, netizens swarmed the official Weibo of the show. Seeing no announcement regarding Song Xue, they demanded justice.

“Where is the director? Why is there no announcement?!” “Are you protecting SX after what she did?”

The backend monitoring staff nearly fell off their chairs. He frantically dialed a number, heart pounding.

“Hello, what is it?” Wang Qiang asked impatiently.

The staff explained, “Director, the rumors about Ms. Wen Mian have been cleared… and it was revealed that Song Xue did it. Many brands have pulled out, and netizens are cursing us for not speaking up.”

“What?!” Wang Qiang’s voice boomed. He checked his phone and saw the wave of condemnation.

Assistant Director Zhong Li walked over. “What happened?”

Wang Qiang, still fuming, snapped, “Can’t you see for yourself on the internet?”

Zhong Li wasn’t offended. She checked her phone and quickly understood the situation. “Do we need to issue a statement?” she asked.

Wang Qiang nodded. “We have to, but a standard official response might not cut it now.”

Zhong Li pondered for a moment. “How about I handle it?”

Wang Qiang turned his head sharply. “You?”

Zhong Li nodded firmly. “Me.”

Wang Qiang fell into thought before nodding. “Fine. But if you can’t solve it, your position as assistant director is gone.”

“Understood,” Zhong Li said seriously. As she turned, a smirk appeared on her face, her eyes glinting with ambition.

Zhong Li moved fast. The moment the current game ended, she found Song Xue before she even got her phone back.

She looked at Song Xue coldly. “Ms. Song, given that you spread false rumors online, according to your contract, the program has the right to demand your withdrawal. I suggest you consider this carefully so we don’t make things too ugly.”

Song Xue snapped her head up, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. She shrieked in disbelief, “What did you say?!”

Zhong Li frowned. “You can check Weibo yourself. Good luck.” She walked away without a second glance at Song Xue’s distorted face.

At the stairwell, she crossed paths with Wen Mian. Zhong Li’s expression softened slightly. “Song Xue has withdrawn from the recording. The penalty fee will be transferred to you, Ms. Wen.”

Wen Mian raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, a smile spreading across her face. “Then, thank you, Assistant Director.”

The production team’s response was a bit slow in Wen Mian’s eyes, but their attitude was acceptable. Besides, no one says no to money.

Thinking of the comments online, Wen Mian’s eyes flickered with a mischievous light. Song Xue wouldn’t be able to run away this time…

Smart people can communicate with just a look. Zhong Li left a final remark: “It’s what you deserve,” and they walked past each other.

On the other side, Song Xue clutched her phone, her expression panicked, her eyes wide and bloodshot.

Looking at the overwhelming backlash online, her heart thudded. She knew: she was finished.

She paced back and forth, biting her nails. “Pick up! Pick up the phone!”

The ringtone, which she once thought would bring good news, now sounded like a death knell, piercing her nerves. Veins popped on her forehead as sweat rolled down, leaving streaks on her phone screen.