Lin Chudong's expression shifted several times. Then he stood and said,
"No. Absolutely not!"
Li Dan stood too. "Why not? We're about to leave the industry anyway. I don't care."
The others were stunned. Jia Lu's eyes widened as she asked,
"Brother Fei, you're going to fake a romance with her? What about Zhang Yao?"
Zhang Yao smiled. "Like we said, it's just a rumor. Fake news."
"Oh."
Jia Lu seemed to understand, but not quite. "But wouldn't that hurt your reputations?"
Li Dan and Zhang Yao were famous in the industry for being a loving couple, and they were just as devoted in private. When they married, they would be the model couple.
Many couples looked up to them. If they suddenly stirred up a romance rumor, a lot of people probably wouldn't be able to take it.
Lin Chudong said, "If you fake a romance with me, the good reputations you've spent over a decade building will be ruined."
Li Dan replied, "We're leaving the entertainment industry soon. What good is our reputation to us? When we were in our greatest trouble, you helped us. Now you're the one in trouble. All I'm doing is stirring up a rumor. It's nothing."
Zhang Yao said, "Da Fei, don't agonize over it. We were going to do this first and come find you afterward, but then we thought it'd work better if you played along. We don't mind."
Lin Chudong fell silent.
Liang Yin, standing beside them, was visibly moved. "It's clear you're true friends. But how are you going to spread the rumor?"
"It's simple," Li Dan said. "My wedding will be streamed live across several platforms, including Dou Yu Hu Ya. We'll have Da Fei make an appearance, and it'll be easy to make people think there's something going on."
Liang Yin looked surprised. That was one way forward.
If the rumor drew attention to Lin Chudong, he'd surely get plenty of offers.
Li Dan looked at Lin Chudong. "Da Fei, don't overthink it. A rumor is just a rumor. When the truth comes out, not only will our reputations be intact, but people will also say we're loyal friends."
Only then did Lin Chudong nod.
"All right. Since you're sincerely trying to help me, I won't stand on ceremony. But everything will go according to my plan. Once it works, I'll give you two a song as a farewell gift before you leave the industry."
Li Dan nodded. "Then let's plan it carefully. We don't have much time. We'll get it done today!"
Lin Chudong nodded. "Don't worry. If I'm doing this, I'll do it right. I won't let your kindness go to waste."
Lin Chudong hadn't wanted to agree at first, but Li Dan's words made sense.
A rumor was only a rumor, and the truth would come out soon enough. The image of Music World's Condor Heroes would still remain in everyone's hearts.
Now that he'd made up his mind, Lin Chudong started planning the wedding.
"Everyone, here's my plan..."
After a meeting that lasted over an hour, Liang Yin was left speechless.
So this was how you stirred up a rumor?
With this plan, they wouldn't need to make a single intimate gesture, yet the rumor would seem practically confirmed—maybe even like there was solid proof.
And after the wedding, it wouldn't have much of an impact on them. No wonder he was Da Fei!
Li Dan and Zhang Yao were pleased too. "The wedding is the morning after tomorrow. I'll do everything I can to promote it and draw attention. You're all welcome to come celebrate with us. We're leaving the industry, so no gifts—just come and show your support."
After that, Li Dan and Zhang Yao put on their masks, got in the car, and drove away.
Liang Yin still hadn't quite come back to herself. "Da Fei, would this count as malicious publicity?"
Lin Chudong smiled. "Did I publicize anything? I didn't do a thing. We don't have any paid commenters or people pushing the story, and we haven't lied. At most, it's a harmless joke."
Liang Yin nodded. "All right. We'll be in the audience the day after tomorrow. I'm looking forward to your performance!"
The announcement of Li Dan and Zhang Yao's wedding shot straight to the top of Trending Search.
Li Dan had said before that the two of them would leave the entertainment industry after getting married and enjoy a quiet life.
This time, nearly all the discussion centered on that.
"Will this model couple really leave the industry? They're at the height of their popularity, and the money-making days are just beginning. Can they bear to walk away?"
"They've made plenty over the past few years. They're definitely set for life. If they really leave, they'll be among the rare few with a clear head."
"Speaking from thirty years of shipping couples: this has to be publicity. If they leave the industry, I'll livestream myself eating shit."
"Maybe it's real. I heard several major platforms are streaming the wedding, and the host and guests are all big names. With an event this big, it really does feel like a farewell performance."
"..."
The news drew widespread attention. Women wanted to see the extravagant wedding, while men wanted to find out whether the couple would really leave the industry.
If they kept shamelessly making money in entertainment, they'd probably be despised across the internet.
"@Ma Jinlong, Old Ma, did you get invited to Li Dan's wedding? Dare to take on the challenge?"
"Ma Jinlong: I'm not important enough to go. Sorry, buddy."
"Haha, there are actually events Old Ma isn't important enough to attend?"
Some people brought up Ma Jinlong, but nobody mentioned Lin Chudong anymore. His situation had attracted plenty of attention at the time, but afterward, people stopped caring.
Shen Jianbin had received an invitation. He was eating with Sun Jie and complained irritably,
"If they're leaving the industry, then let them leave. What's the point of making a whole production out of it? It's just wasting traffic."
Sun Jie said, "How about we go and ride the wave?"
"Let's not. We've got a few variety shows coming up, then we need to focus on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. It's going to be live this year. If that idiot Wu Bo messes up again, we're finished."
Wu Bo could sing just fine, but his emotional intelligence was low, he had little performing experience, and he wasn't very bright. All he had going for him was a good voice somewhat like Da Fei's.
"Right, okay. I'll ask someone to bring a Red Packet over, then."
"Don't bother with a Red Packet either. They're leaving the industry. Let's just pretend we didn't see the invitation."
"Fair enough."
Amid everyone's anticipation, Li Dan's wedding day finally arrived.
Early that morning, Li Dan finished applying her most beautiful makeup and sat in front of the vanity.
Looking at Zhang Yao, smiling behind her, she asked,
"We only get married once in our lives, and our wedding has turned into a sideshow for Da Fei. Does that bother you?"
Zhang Yao shook his head. "Of course not."
"Back when we lived in that rental, we could barely afford even the basement. If Da Fei hadn't helped us out, we might have gone back to our hometown to work in a factory."
"We owe everything we have now—both fame and money—to those songs Da Fei gave us. What's one wedding compared to that?"
Li Dan smiled and took Zhang Yao's hand.
"I'm touched you feel that way. Da Fei is our benefactor. Before we leave the industry, I'm going to use whatever influence I have left to help him get back everything he lost!"
Zhang Yao nodded. "We're ready. The rest is up to Da Fei."
"Don't worry. He's never let us down."
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