[Pei Yan: I'll handle the online rumors. Sorry for dragging you into this.]
Just that short sentence gave her a strong sense of security.
He was the one being cursed the most online, yet he was worried about her.
Su Zhiyi couldn't help but think of the CP comments she'd seen earlier.
Was this the charm of an older man?
She had been the one riding on Pei Yan's popularity. Now, Pei Yan was being slandered by his enemies using her, caught up in rumors.
She felt she should comfort him.
[Su Zhiyi: It's okay~]
[Su Zhiyi: It's also my fault. President Gu and I were really just discussing a collaboration. I didn't expect someone to take our picture and implicate you.]
The rumor-mongering Weibo about Pei Yan was posted last night, but Su Zhiyi and Gu Yu's photo leaked this morning.
The culprit simply used her and Gu Yu's photo to add fuel to the fire, trying to confirm the rumor that Pei Yan was a homewrecker.
Their target was Pei Yan from the start.
Pei Yan obviously understood that.
[Pei Yan: I know.]
[Pei Yan: It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself.]
[Pei Yan: Focus on preparing for next month's shoot.]
[Pei Yan: This is your first movie, and our first collaboration. It's far more important than this.]
When Su Zhiyi saw Pei Yan's last sentence, her heartbeat quickened. A visible blush crept across her snow-white cheeks.
She couldn't help exclaiming, "The damn irresistible charm of an older man!"
[Su Zhiyi: Mm-hmm!]
[Su Zhiyi: I'm really looking forward to our first movie together too.]
After just a few lines about the unpleasantness, Pei Yan sent her the script for the next movie, asking her to familiarize herself with it in advance.
Su Zhiyi opened the document and skimmed through it, marveling at Pei Yan's strong connections.
She had thought Pei Yan was arranging a bit role with only two or three lines for her.
After all, for a traffic vase with no acting skills and no fame, being able to act in a movie directed by an internationally renowned director and having a few lines was already good.
But her role was a main character in one of the movie's segments, with quite a lot of screen time.
If she acted well, she might become famous overnight like Pei Yan.
Pei Yan was older and experienced. He didn't dwell on being slandered online or bring negative emotions to her.
Su Zhiyi believed Pei Yan could handle this himself, so she stopped comforting him and seriously discussed the script with him.
They briefly chatted about the script, then Pei Yan said someone was calling him. Su Zhiyi knew he probably had to deal with the trending topic, so she quickly ended the conversation.
Only one person was left to reply to.
Gu Yu.
Su Zhiyi stared at Gu Yu's avatar, her finger hovering over the screen, hesitating to tap.
Gu Yu gave her a strange feeling.
Gu Yu was her fan. It was normal that he didn't want to see her act in kissing scenes with other actors.
Gu Yu was her fan. It was normal that he was willing to provide her with resources.
Gu Yu was her fan. It was normal that he wanted her career to flourish.
But... why did it feel a bit strange?
[Gu Yu: A subordinate just told me you're trending.]
[Gu Yu: I didn't expect that photo of us to be taken, nor that they'd create such rumors from a few pictures.]
[Gu Yu: Sorry, you just wrapped up and haven't rested, yet I got you into trouble.]
[Gu Yu: Do you need me to handle it?]
Su Zhiyi didn't reply immediately. She carefully pondered Gu Yu's messages.
They sounded sincere. Like her, he seemed confused about the trending topic. He hadn't expected the photo from their collaboration meeting to be leaked, nor that it would add fuel to Pei Yan's fire.
Gu Yu seemed... like he just found out?
Su Zhiyi didn't really trust Gu Yu.
She still remembered Gu Yu punching Pei Yan in front of everyone on set.
That Gu Yu had been terrifying...
And now, Gu Yu was asking if she wanted him to handle it.
"Even Pei Yan can't handle it. Can Gu Yu?"
Su Zhiyi muttered to herself, then typed a reply.
[Su Zhiyi: Yeah, it did bother me.]
[Su Zhiyi: I filmed for ten hours straight before wrapping, then went to the wrap party at Director Zhou's invitation, then flew four hours back home...]
[Su Zhiyi: I fell asleep as soon as I got home. Before I could get enough sleep, Sister Xie called and told me I was trending. I'm still dazed.]
[Gu Yu: Sorry.]
[Gu Yu: I only found out too.]
Without needing Su Zhiyi to prompt him, the sensible Gu Yu understood what she meant.
[Gu Yu: I'll get someone to take down the trending topic right away. I'll also have Greta's PR team post early to reveal the mysterious spokesperson. Please repost Greta's official announcement.]
As expected of an entertainment company president, Gu Yu's handling speed and solution were concise and efficient.
Su Zhiyi didn't want to meddle anymore. Since they weren't cursing her, she didn't care. It just brought her more traffic.
[Su Zhiyi: No need to apologize~]
[Su Zhiyi: I'm just a bit surprised. I know it's not your fault. Blame the paparazzi! They're terrible!]
[Gu Yu: Okay.]
[Gu Yu: Get some rest. It's noon now, don't forget to eat lunch.]
Su Zhiyi had just sent a cute emoji when her phone rang. An incoming call popped up, showing "Jiang Yuanheng."
She answered and said softly, "Hello? Yuanheng?"
Jiang Yuanheng's voice came through, background noise loud—he was probably in a crowded place.
His clear, pleasant voice, muffled by a mask and filtered through the screen, still sounded as beautiful as music.
"Sister, I just drove to the supermarket near your place."
"You haven't eaten yet, have you? What dishes do you want? I'll buy groceries and come cook for you."