Chapter 21: The Fallen Child Star (21) part 1

Yao Rong could never have anticipated that her actions would expose a flaw.

Perhaps it wasn’t truly a flaw at all.

Xu Weiheng had gradually come to understand Yao Rong’s style of doing things.

He knew that even if he were indifferent to rumors and gossip, Ms. Yao wouldn’t stand idly by while he was vilified. She would certainly protect him in her own way.

Every image and statement from the ‘Entertainment News Bureau’ was clear, concise, and powerful, starkly contrasting their usual Weibo style. It was obvious that this content didn’t originate from the ‘Entertainment News Bureau’ itself.

This lethal approach was exactly Yao Rong’s specialty.

Xu Weiheng scrolled through the comments below the Weibo post.

In the comment section, many opinionated netizens had labeled Xu Yiyuan as a ‘thief’.

[The blogger is right. Although the illegitimate child is innocent, Xu Yiyuan is the beneficiary. If he were more low-key, it wouldn’t be a problem. But every time he drags Xu Weiheng into it, it’s truly disgusting.]

[No wonder I felt uncomfortable when my classmates said Xu Yiyuan’s smile was especially sunny. His smile is largely built on Xu Weiheng’s pain. I really can’t agree with this kind of sunshine.]

[Haha, Xu Yiyuan’s fans used to say they wanted Xu Weiheng to get out of the entertainment industry. Now I want to say, the tables have turned, Xu Yiyuan should get out of the entertainment industry!]

After reading for a while, Xu Weiheng couldn’t help but smile, feeling a bit of schadenfreude.

At that moment, curiosity struck him:

Xu Yiyuan was used to smooth sailing. Every time they clashed, Xu Weiheng was always the one who suffered.

This time, the flower of evil had finally backfired on Xu Yiyuan.

He wondered how Xu Yiyuan would feel upon seeing the trending topics.

“Bang—”

Xu Yiyuan angrily crushed the soda can.

He kicked it towards the trash bin, growling, “What’s wrong with those netizens? How is Xu Weiheng’s misfortune my fault? Is it my fault that he’s not talented enough?”

“And—”

Xu Yiyuan turned to his mother, venting, “Mom, why didn’t you give me a heads up before hiring that water army?”

“Look, now the whole internet thinks we hired trolls to smear Xu Weiheng.”

Xu Yiyuan’s mother felt both embarrassed and somewhat wronged.

She couldn’t tell Xu Yiyuan the real reason: that she did all this out of jealousy for Yao Rong.

“I just thought you two looked too stressed these past few days…”

Xu Yiyuan dismissed her explanation, feeling resentful towards his mother.

She really shouldn’t have complicated matters like this.

Since the revelation of his illegitimate status, his popularity had plummeted. He had hoped this variety show would be his comeback, but now public opinion was gradually turning against him.

Xu Ji sat silently in the center of the sofa, not participating in the conversation between mother and son.

He was absorbed in a photo of Yao Rong.

At first glance, he could hardly believe it.

This face was undoubtedly familiar to him.

Yet after more than a decade, Yao Rong looked even more beautiful.

Though time had clearly left its mark on her, she radiated a brilliance more vibrant than during their divorce.

Then, Xu Ji noticed the trending topic about ‘Starry Sky’, and felt increasingly shocked.

Though she was once his closest companion, Xu Ji realized that he had never truly understood Yao Rong at all.

“Dad, what do you think we should do for the next episode of the variety show?” Xu Yiyuan suddenly asked.

It took two repetitions for Xu Ji to snap back to reality.

He frowned, trying hard to suppress the panic rising within him.

After a moment, Xu Ji let out a long sigh, as if trying to expel all the frustration from his heart.

“Yao Rong and Xu Weiheng have changed too much. Public opinion is against us now. We must find a way to ease the situation.”

“How do we ease it?”

“By being conciliatory and showing weakness.”

Time flew by, and soon it was time for Xu Weiheng’s appointment with Qin Lele.

Xu Weiheng, wearing a yellow pullover short-sleeve shirt and dragging a large suitcase, took a taxi to Summer Orphanage.

When he arrived, Qin Lele was already playing “Eagle Catches Chicks” with the children there.

Though she was the smallest among the group of children, she energetically took on the role of a protective mother hen. Her spirited appearance brought a smile to anyone who saw her.

Qin’s father and an elderly woman with graying hair sat in the corridor, watching the children play while chatting quietly.

Xu Weiheng guessed that the elderly woman must be the director of the orphanage.

He walked over and greeted them with a smile.

Qin Lele’s father returned the smile, his gaze moving to the suitcase at Xu Weiheng’s side. Just as he was about to speak, Qin Lele suddenly appeared from somewhere, hands on her hips, saying, “Big brother, why are you so late? I’ve been here for ages!”

“I’m sorry, there was some traffic on the way,” Xu Weiheng replied, rubbing his nose sheepishly.

“It’s okay!”

Qin Lele reached into her jeans pocket.

Quickly, she pulled out two orange-flavored lollipops and stood on her tiptoes to hand them to Xu Weiheng, her expression particularly serious.

“I brought you some candy. Thank you for coming to visit the children at the orphanage.”

Xu Weiheng was taken aback.

He hurriedly crouched down, feeling both flattered and surprised.

“All for me?”

Qin Lele giggled, finding his question adorably silly.

She made a gesture, spreading her hands wide.

Xu Weiheng, puzzled, opened his palms.

Qin Lele placed two lollipops in his hands, then gently closed them with her own soft little hands.

Now, Xu Weiheng’s hands completely enveloped the lollipops.

“There! Giving you candy is such a hassle!” Qin Lele fanned her face, pretending to be exhausted.

Xu Weiheng blinked, feeling a warmth bloom in his heart.

He hadn’t expected to receive a gift from Qin Lele.

Though just two lollipops, for a child, this was already something precious.