Shen Ting's phone was practically ringing off the hook. His father, his mother, Shen Rui, the director-one after another, without a pause.
The vibrations beneath Shen Ting's pillow made his whole head shake, his chubby cheeks trembling as though electricity were running through them.
Shen Ting knitted his brows tightly and unhappily reached under his pillow to fish out the culprit disturbing his beauty sleep.
Just as Shen Ting took it out, the director called.
Shen Ting answered, then put the phone straight to his ear.
"For heaven's sake! You finally picked up! The internet's in an uproar, did you know that?"
The director's booming voice startled Shen Ting so badly that the phone slipped right off his ear.
"Seriously, did you offend someone? Even if someone has dirt on them, it couldn't possibly all come out at once, could it?" The director kept talking on the other end, worry audible in his voice.
Shen Ting was just about to pick up the phone to reply, but before he could speak, the screen suddenly went black.
Puzzled, Shen Ting pressed the power button. Nothing happened. The battery had probably died.
Shen Ting took out a charging cable and plugged in his phone, then turned it on and called his father, his mother, and Shen Rui back.
The voices on the other end were all soft and gentle, as though they were afraid of upsetting him.
Shen Ting was even more bewildered after hanging up, but then he remembered the director saying the internet was in an uproar. He opened his account and started looking at today's trending topics.
#Shen Ting acts like a diva# Exploding
#Multiple celebrities expose Shen Ting# Exploding
#Shen Ting steals scenes# Exploding
Well, well. He wouldn't have known without looking, and what a shock it was. He occupied six of the top ten trending spots-the first six, at that.
Speechless, Shen Ting tapped the first topic and immediately saw what Hao Jian had posted.
Shen Ting ground his back teeth. He seemed to remember this Hao Jian.
Not long after the original owner of his body had entered the industry, he had been eager to prove himself and used his connections to get himself into a production. Hao Jian had been its director.
The original owner's role had been the third male lead, a fairly likable character with few lines but plenty of screen time.
Having just entered the industry, the original owner hadn't understood much. He had simply felt that he had too few lines and wanted a few more.
But after the original owner brought it up with Hao Jian that afternoon, Hao Jian slipped him a room key card after the crew's dinner that evening.
Everything he said carried just one meaning: if he wanted more lines for his character, he would have to submit to the casting couch.
As the Shen Family's young master, the original owner had grown up being doted on, and his temper had never been particularly good. When Hao Jian also tried to get handsy, the original owner had been so furious that he hit him with a wine bottle. The next day, he announced that he was leaving the production and went straight to the one next door. That incident was also where the rumors that he had offended a director began.
The matter with Zhang Xin had been a coincidence, too. The production Zhang Xin was acting in had been the original owner's first since entering the industry. The original owner had eagerly hoped it would air smoothly and catapult him to fame, so he had someone look into the cast. That investigation ended up uncovering a whole pile of dirt on Zhang Xin.
The original owner couldn't stand for that and sent all the dirt straight to the director in one package. After seeing it, the director hadn't dared keep Zhang Xin and had hurriedly withdrawn the contract.
Looking at the bustling trending topics, Shen Ting laughed in anger. They really were two toads at a night market, each jumping around more than the other.
Since you're so eager to get hammered with proof, I'll generously grant your wish.
Shen Ting came up with a good idea and suddenly no longer felt sleepy. He changed his clothes and headed downstairs.
As soon as he reached the lower floor, he saw Yan Yi sitting there drinking tea.
Shen Ting blinked in surprise. "When did you get here? Why didn't the butler call me?"
"The butler told me you were taking a nap, so I told him not to disturb you. You've heard what happened? Need any help?" Yan Yi set down his teacup with a smile.
"I have. I've already figured out what to do." Shen Ting waved a languid hand.
"What are you going to do?" Yan Yi asked, a little curious.
"Want to know?" Shen Ting walked over to Yan Yi and quietly leaned closer.
Yan Yi nodded.
"I'm not telling you yet. Just wait and see." Shen Ting veered away, picked up the plate of washed cherries on the table, and began eating them one by one.
Yan Yi couldn't help laughing at that.
After eating and drinking his fill, Shen Ting called his eldest brother.
Hearing Shen Ting's request, Shen Rui's cool, handsome face showed a rare look of bewilderment.
"What did you say? You want me to invite all the reporters to the house?"
"Yes." Shen Ting's voice over the phone was full of certainty.
Shen Rui rubbed between his brows with a headache. He opened his mouth to say something, but ultimately agreed.
At seven that evening, car after car entered the Shen Family estate.
Reporters and camera operators stepped out of every car.
"Were you invited here too?" a female reporter asked curiously, nudging a colleague beside her.
"Yes. I'm guessing he wants to hold a press conference?"
"Who holds a press conference right at home, and at night, too? I keep feeling there's some huge scoop coming."
"Listen to yourself. Isn't Shen Ting already a ripe scoop? Whatever he says today, we can edit it a bit and it'll definitely blow up tomorrow."
The reporters' speculation grew louder and louder. Just then, Shen Ting and Yan Yi walked out.
Shen Ting wore a stylish outfit and a pair of sunglasses.
Yan Yi wore a simple white shirt, also with a pair of sunglasses.
The reporters' eyes lit up at the sight of Shen Ting, and they rushed forward with their microphones, only to be stopped by bodyguards after a few steps.
"Mr. Shen, are the online claims about you acting like a diva true?"
"Mr. Shen, do you have anything to say about Director Hao Jian's statements?"
"Mr. Shen..."
The barrage of questions made Shen Ting's head ache. He quickly spread both arms and loudly stopped the crowd in front of him. "Quiet!"
At that, the reporters fell silent and switched on their voice recorders.
"I know you all have plenty of questions for me because of the trending topics. I invited you here today to settle these matters, too, but we won't be settling them here. Follow me somewhere first." With that, Shen Ting pulled Yan Yi into the black sedan a bodyguard had driven over.
Hearing this, the reporters got back into their cars and followed closely behind Shen Ting's car.
Looking at the vehicles trailing behind them, Shen Ting curled his lips in satisfaction.
"Where are you taking them?" Yan Yi asked from beside him with a smile.
"It's a secret. You'll know when we get there."
The car soon came to a stop.
Shen Ting and Yan Yi got out of the car. The moment they stepped out, they saw the luxurious hotel before them: the Fenghua Hotel, the largest hotel in City A.
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