Chapter 32: He Wants to Marry You

A well-meaning person advised Lu Hui’s fans to stop struggling. The more they spoke, the more evidence they would give, and it would be better to just lie down and accept it. After all, dating a mentor wasn’t anything shameful. At most, it would only make people think that some of the competitions Lu Hui had won in the past were a bit fishy.

In any case, Lu Hui’s situation wasn’t a particularly annoying scandal, and its impact wasn’t as big as it seemed. Moreover, Cen Yueze wasn’t deeply involved in the entertainment industry, and while he had many fans, no one could truly meddle with his affairs.

Initially, rumors about her love life wouldn’t have been very damaging to Lu Hui as a rising artist. However, recently, her fantasy drama had become a huge hit, and not only were the ratings soaring, but so were the CP (couple) fans between her and Yu Li. In the drama, their on-screen torment was intense, but behind the scenes, the sweetness was enough to melt people’s hearts.

The CP fandom exploded, and so did the drama’s popularity.

In just a few days, the viewership on online platforms had surpassed one billion, with daily views hitting two hundred million, making it the number one trending show of the year.

Fans even dug up a live video from the filming where Lu Hui helped Yu Li fend off paparazzi, shouting that this pair was incredibly sweet.

The official social media accounts were flooded with comments asking for behind-the-scenes content or additional episodes.

But the sudden scandal was like cold water poured on the passionate fans, draining their enthusiasm for the show.

The lead actress’s team, experienced in handling such matters, privately used a number of marketing accounts to try to turn the rumors about Lu Hui and Cen Yueze into a truth. They wanted to downplay Lu Hui’s rising popularity and steal the attention away from her.

Marketing accounts with millions of followers used the same promotional text—”Cen Yueze and Lu Hui’s sweet dating photos exposed, reviewing their romantic moments is literally killing me.”

After sending out the press release, they felt it wasn’t enough, so they bought trending topics to boost their visibility.

Unfortunately for them, their efforts didn’t succeed. The drama’s fans didn’t buy into the rumors, dismissing them as lies and fiercely criticizing the people behind the rumors.

“Crazy! Who’s messing with our little drama!”

“With that kind of confidence, I thought they’d actually found bed photos. Hammering away every day—why don’t you go hammer your mom and dad?”

“Is this a defamation attempt? Even ants passing by would say how absurd it is.”

“Did we all forget the variety show we saw before? How could Cen Yueze, the cold-hearted guy, possibly date Lu Hui? He’s basically indifferent to romance, I’ve said this a hundred times.”

“Which little flower is so impatient, starting to resort to dirty tricks so early? No matter how much they try to shut it down, people will rise based on their looks and talents. What’s meant to be popular can’t be stopped. Go sleep, it’s over.”

This unexpected turn of events caught everyone by surprise—the ones who initiated the attack, and even Lu Hui, who was preparing to retaliate on Weibo.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Hui deleted the uncivilized response she had drafted in her Weibo drafts. She sat on her bed, carefully typed a few words on her phone: “Thanks to Teacher Cen for giving me a ride.”

After posting the Weibo, Lu Hui noticed her follower count had quietly risen to six million, and her new post had received over a thousand comments in just a few minutes.

No one was insulting her, and she felt a bit lost. When Lin Tong had mentioned her small level of fame before, she hadn’t fully believed it, but now it seemed like she was genuinely loved by people.

Fans were thrilled and moved by her new post. “Xiao Hui doesn’t usually post much, but now that she’s posted, it’s like she’s finally acknowledging us!” They even wondered if she had forgotten her Weibo password at one point.

Crying with excitement, they begged her for more posts and scolded Lin Tong on his own Weibo if she didn’t deliver.

Even though it was just a short statement, they were very happy because it was ten full words! As for the content, that didn’t matter.

“Xiao Hui, don’t worry about all that nonsense, just rest well.”

“I’ve been watching the new drama, when will you post a selfie?”

“We haven’t seen a new photo of you in so long, please post one, we miss your face!”

Their simple requests showed their deep affection for her, even though they didn’t expect her to follow through.

Soon enough, they found a selfie she had posted on Weibo in the comments section.

Xiao Hui was finally showing off her beauty today, a beauty that should be flaunted to slap the faces of those who think they’re the fairest.

Lin Tong, feeling gratified, asked, “Why are you being so obedient today and posting a selfie?”

Normally, he had to beg her for one, but today she had done it without any prompting.

Lu Hui smiled lightly, “Because they asked me to post one.”

Lin Tong rolled his eyes, “Then why don’t you listen to me when I ask you to post one?”

Lu Hui gave a faint smile, “They are my fans, they’re so cute, it’s hard not to spoil them.”

“Seems like I’m useless,” Lin Tong sighed and then changed the topic, “How did you end up getting in Cen Yueze’s car so late?”

Lu Hui swore, “It was truly a coincidence.”

Lin Tong nodded, “I know that.” He still wanted to ask, “But with his bad temper, how did he let you into the car?”

Lu Hui’s expression grew serious as she sighed, “I did get the ride, but I endured a lot of humiliation in that car.”

Lin Tong rolled his eyes, “Don’t get weird.”

Lu Hui: “…”

Lin Tong had also seen the paparazzi video, which wasn’t revealing much but the timing of it late at night made it sensitive.

“You should have just had him drop you off at the community gate, that way there wouldn’t have been so much trouble.”

“I did say that, but he seemed like a good guy and insisted on sending me all the way.”

Lin Tong skeptically asked, “Could it be that he was worried it wasn’t safe?”

Lu Hui thought for a moment, “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?” Lin Tong pressed, “It’s midnight, and you’re a woman alone—it would make anyone worry.”

Lu Hui replied firmly, “Because Cen Yueze said I looked very safe.”

Although this wasn’t his exact wording, his sarcastic question seemed to imply it.

Lin Tong felt a bit speechless and changed the subject, saying, “The variety show for San Tai starts the day after tomorrow. Pack your things in advance; each recording will probably take three to five days. To pass the review, I heard they recruited two new guys, both young and quite handsome.”

Lin Tong warned her, “Keep at least a meter away from them! Babe, we’re not going for the fox spirit persona.”

Lu Hui was speechless, “I didn’t do anything; they’re the ones licking up to me.”

“I get it, you’re just bragging,” Lin Tong said. “Don’t worry, once I find out who those new, rookie guys are, I’ll go warn them to stay away from you.”

“That works,” Lu Hui said shamelessly. “I do have some extraordinary charm.”

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San Tai’s variety shows have always been the highest-rated and most talked-about in the industry. This slow-paced show with kids had been quite popular in the past two seasons, featuring renowned veteran actors and big names. It had a bit of a snobby air, looking down on guests from less prestigious backgrounds.

The director was a regular for San Tai, deeply ingrained with the motto “Look up to the big names, step on the small ones” to the point that it was engraved in his soul. He wasn’t familiar with Lu Hui and had no good feelings toward her. The new, rookie guests were seen as soft targets, not to receive special treatment, meant solely to stir up drama.

So, the night before the recording, the director contacted Lu Hui in advance, giving her a warning and demanding that all guests cooperate fully with the program’s promotion.

Lu Hui didn’t say anything discontented and simply acknowledged it.

She knew what was expected, but whether she’d cooperate would depend on her mood.

That night, Lu Hui quickly packed some clothes and essentials before heading downstairs to find something to eat.

At the dining table was Sheng Zhaoming, whom she hadn’t seen for a while. He was sitting there with takeout on the table, chopsticks in hand. He paused for a moment, then casually started eating.

Lu Hui wasn’t planning to join him for a meal. She opened the fridge and quickly made herself a bowl of noodles.

The noodles smelled fragrant and hot, with a misty white vapor surrounding her vision.

Lu Hui quietly finished her bowl of noodles. Sheng Zhaoming had already discarded his chopsticks, barely touched his food.

He calmly observed the woman sitting across from him, his hand clenched, before calling out to her as she was about to leave, “Full?”

Lu Hui nodded, “Yes.”

Sheng Zhaoming, almost out of things to say, muttered, “Have some more.”

Lu Hui raised an eyebrow, “Huh?”

Was he trying to insult her with his leftover food? How malicious!

“No, thanks.”

“I haven’t touched it.”

“Then why did you order takeout?”

“I have the money, I can spend it however I like. What’s wrong with that?” Sheng Zhaoming stood up, regretting his words as soon as they left his mouth.

He intended to reconcile with her, realizing he shouldn’t have gotten so angry at the hospital that day.

Lu Hui, no longer putting up with men’s bad tempers, said, “I have a mouth, if I want to eat, I eat; if not, then I don’t. What’s the problem?”

Sheng Zhaoming was about to soften but then couldn’t help but retort, “Fine, don’t eat then, I wasn’t begging you.”

Lu Hui didn’t bother with him and turned to go upstairs. Before she did, he called out to her back, “How did you meet Yu Mandong?”

Lu Hui, out of patience, replied, “None of your business.”

Sheng Zhaoming clearly didn’t like the men around her and sarcastically said, “Yu Mandong is a man in his thirties, with a leg disability—still, you don’t mind?”

Hearing the name “Yu Mandong” made Lu Hui sick to her stomach. She smirked coldly, “As long as they have money and look good, I can accept anyone—even if they’re eighty years old and ready to go into the ground.”

Sheng Zhaoming was left speechless, his face turning red and blue with embarrassment. He muttered in a tone that was both sarcastic and bitter, “Yu Mandong wants to marry you, you really are lucky.”

Sheng Zhaoming had heard some rumors about their altercation with the police. He hadn’t expected Yu Mandong to go straight to his father and propose a marriage, offering a huge dowry. He promised to treat Lu Hui like a treasure and care for her for life.

Sheng Zhaoming really wanted to know what kind of spell Lu Hui had cast on Yu Mandong, a man feared by both the legal and illegal circles.