By all logic, which star hasn’t been embroiled in a few scandals?

Shen Huai had his fair share of being shipped with others before, especially due to his previously gentle and senior image in the show “Idol Star Map,” where he had several ‘ships’ with the contestants.

But most fans just indulge in this for fun; no one really believes it’s serious. In fact, Shen Huai and Sang Le’s situation isn’t considered grave compared to those caught in bed together or suddenly exposed paternity scandals—a mere forehead kiss in the entertainment world is indeed trivial.

However, the timing of this particular news release was too coincidental, especially since it involved Sang Le, who is currently the subject of self-directed controversy.

From Su Ning’s press conference to the in-depth expose that was suddenly deleted last night, the previously pitiable Sang Le’s reputation has continuously declined.

Everyone knows Sang Le lacks strong backing, which was his most sympathetic trait, but now Langbo is scrubbing his negative news clean. Even those who saved the long image to repost find it disappearing upon refreshing, as if the system automatically detects and blocks the keywords, keeping the scandal within the fan circles and preventing it from spreading wider.

How could such treatment befall a backgroundless trainee who hasn’t even debuted? This is something even top stars can’t necessarily achieve, even with money.

What the public can realize, Su Ning had already perceived—Sang Le is not as helpless as he appears. Who’s behind him?

Just then, the scandal about Shen Huai exploded, instantly clarifying the mystery.

Shen Huai’s team is known for their swift response. With such a significant incident, his fan club immediately explained it was just a comforting gesture during a visit, as Sang Le was emotionally agitated due to recent events. They claimed the video was misleadingly edited and even sent a legal notice to the paparazzi before the video was abruptly deleted—a drastic move.

Previously, this tactic might have fooled some, but now it seemed utterly futile, especially when combined with the forced deletions, prompting further speculation.

“Getting so cozy and still claiming innocence? Laughable. Do they think we’re fools?”

“Nowadays, celebrity legal notices are just worthless paper. Surely everyone knows that by now.”

“If it’s all a misunderstanding, why suppress the discussion?”

“Sang Le deletes, you delete; the pattern is identical. You say there’s no connection—who would believe that?”

Amid the bustling discussion, Shen Huai, being a major influencer, had numerous fans, many of whom were female. Some fans were so disillusioned that they withdrew their support.

While this seemed unrelated to Su Ning, the ongoing discussions invariably connected back to him.

Initially, not many sided with him, especially since his fans had all but vanished. At most, some commented, “The tripping incident might have been a real misunderstanding,” but many also criticized, “They’re all villains,” given that Su Ning admitted to past wrongdoings at the press conference.

Yet, someone in the industry couldn’t help but comment on their private blog late at night.

“Ah, it’s not about victim-blaming, but now I think someone had reasons for their bullying behavior. Who could endure watching their fiancé cheat?”

“If it were me, it wouldn’t just be bullying—I’d go straight for the scumbag and the third wheel. No wonder Su Ning couldn’t hold back and interrupted the scumbag at the press conference. After loving him for so many years, he never used to say harsh words; now, he must be heartbroken, which is quite tragic.”

This private blog, originally with just a handful of followers and not very famous, was just a late-night emotional post with keywords from the press conference. However, keen-eyed fans unearthed this post, screenshotted it, and shared it.

“Friends, I was just revisiting Su Ning’s statements from the press conference, then I stumbled upon this post in the plaza, and it felt odd,”

“Oh, yes, the timing with the press conference doesn’t seem right. There haven’t been many press conferences these days.”

“Wait, combining the keywords mentioned here, the more I look, the more bizarre it seems. I even looked up the original blog. It seems to be a minor account, but some photos don’t look like they’re from an ordinary person. Look at this one; it even caught half of a company logo.”

“I checked too. Oh, her nails look familiar. Isn’t that the internet celebrity Juju Sauce? You see, her family is genuinely in the entertainment industry, significant shareholders of Peak Film Industry.”

Though the account owner quickly deleted their account upon realizing the mistake, the screenshots remained.

As the sharing escalated, discussions intensified, and someone eventually clarified in the wee hours, “With all this chaos, I think there’s nothing left to hide. Many in the industry know about the marriage contract between the Shen and Su families. I thought they’d marry this year. Su Ning may be a clueless rich second generation, but his feelings for Shen Huai are undeniable. Old Mr. Su, before he passed, even favored Shen Huai more than his own son. He managed to secure Shen Huai’s first film role with great effort. Back then, no one heard him complain. Seeing what’s happening after the father’s death, I can’t stand it.”

Then, another industry insider reposted this statement without further comment, seemingly affirming it.

Su Ning’s reputation was average, but his father’s connections were indeed solid, prompting a few to speak out righteously on this critical occasion.

The situation exploded even more.

Despite Langbo’s efforts to suppress the heat all night, the issue gradually spread to other platforms, becoming uncontrollable and more explosive than the previous uproar caused by Su Ning.

Su Ning, usually indifferent to social media when busy, hadn’t checked in due to the morning rush. But when he finally opened several major platforms, his name once again topped the trending searches.

Certainly, the situation had reversed since the beginning.

“Looking at it now, Su Ning is truly tragic. He’s the legitimate fiancé, after all. Disliking the third wheel is only human.”

“That press conference was probably to save face for both families. They didn’t mention this issue or say anything against Shen Huai, even apologizing to Sang Le. Wow, apologizing to the third wheel at such a grand event is insane. They really have the nerve.”

“Now it seems, Shen Huai’s comments that day were just to ignite sympathy for Sang Le. It was deliberate, wasn’t it?”

“I’ve always felt Shen Huai wasn’t a good person, but I didn’t expect him to be this disgusting. Now, deleting Sang Le’s posts comes naturally to him. The trending bashing Su Ning was just a pretense at suppression; it hardly moved and hung there.”

“But Su Ning has already withdrawn from the competition, alas…”

“By that logic, Sang Le should also withdraw, huh? I guess he can’t bear to leave. Shen Film Industry is still issuing three clarifications of the so-called ‘rumors,’ probably hoping to whitewash peace, pretending nothing happened once the heat dies down.”

“Steaming goose heart.jpg”

“Shen Huai’s five-year-old fan here, self-certifying. I’m disgusted, unsubscribed, and threw the merch in the trash.”

After reading all this, Su Ning felt somewhat enlightened.

No wonder Zhou Chunqing looked odd this morning, her hesitant way of speaking, and even the glances from some staff members felt strange.

It was a mix of sympathy, pity, and curiosity, as if the issues he caused for the production team had indeed passed and weren’t his fault after all.

By now, everything that needed clarification had been addressed, and the replacement competition somewhat mitigated the production’s losses, pushing the heat up again compared to the pitiful, overturned persona of Sang Le. At this point, Su Ning, as the cuckolded character, seemed pretty stable.

Public anger and sympathy often arise simultaneously; Su Ning was cuckolded, and the public knew it—speaking out was genuinely tragic.

“Ah, I’ve been munching on melons all night, hardly slept,” Liang Xiaoliang mentioned the issue excitedly, nudging him with an elbow. “Shen Film Industry is always strong in PR, but now they’re panicking with the deletions. Not all platforms are buying their act. Just wait, this isn’t over.”

Su Ning: …

The person involved didn’t quite understand.

Liang Xiaoliang, looking haggard, leaned in closer, whispering, “Tell me the truth, you did it, right? Su Ning, I’ve always known you’re not the type to suffer in silence. This whole orchestrated act is just too perfect. It really is…” Yan Shanting thought.

In Director Liang’s view, this move was brutally efficient. The situation had reached a point of no return, impacting Shen Huai and Sang Le immeasurably. Not deleting would let the issue ferment; deleting was like the proverbial silver found on the ground—an endless vicious cycle.

No matter what they did, it was pointless because it was all true—Sang Le’s fall was real, the engagement was real, their intimacy was real. There was no way to explain it away.

The only thing slightly misunderstood by the public was that Su Ning genuinely didn’t care much about Shen Huai’s cheating.

After seeing everything, apart from feeling a bit of wry amusement, he was mostly unfazed, but even if he said so, no one would believe him.

“It wasn’t me,” Su Ning explained immediately, with utmost honesty, “I went to bed on time last night; this has nothing to do with me, it’s all just a coincidence…”

Before he could finish, seeing Liang Xiaoliang’s “you’re still pretending” expression, he shut up.

“I underestimated you,” Liang Xiaoliang marveled, “Little Master Su, it turns out you were still holding back with me.”

He wouldn’t want to be enemies with someone like that.

Su Ning: …

Even the way he was addressed had changed.

He had nothing left to say to Liang Xiaoliang; no matter what, he wouldn’t believe him, so he just wore a speechless expression and confirmed today’s schedule with Chen Yuan, who apparently also knew about the incident. Looking at him, he even seemed somewhat compassionate and sympathetic, patting his shoulder, “No worries, relax, you’ll find someone better later.”

Su Ning: …

He gave up explaining.

After finishing his rounds, he felt it was better to stay with Li Chu. He hurriedly turned back, but as he walked through the corridor, he saw a figure leaving the makeup room.

He recognized him instantly—it was Shen Huai.

No wonder he’s been in the entertainment industry for so many years; his mental fortitude was indeed strong. Despite the chaos outside, he was reportedly attending the recording as a mentor today without asking for leave from the production team.

Engaged but not yet married, no matter how big the scandal, it still fell within the realm of rumors, and the production team couldn’t just kick him out. Maintaining the status quo was Shen Huai’s best option to keep things stable; otherwise, the fallout would only worsen.

But his appearance at Li Chu’s makeup room was highly suspicious.

Su Ning frowned and quickened his pace, but his expression darkened the moment he entered.

The partitioned makeup room was cramped, chaotic inside, with makeup products scattered on the small table as if someone had angrily shoved them. Li Chu’s shirt was wrinkled as if someone had forcefully grabbed it.

When Su Ning entered, Li Chu was picking up the spilled makeup, startled by the sudden visitor but relaxed upon seeing it was Su Ning.

“Sorry, Young Master, the foundation bottle accidentally broke,” Li Chu whispered, “It wasn’t intentional.”

“Are you okay? Where’s the makeup artist? Where’s Zhou Chunqing?” Su Ning asked him, “Who just came by?”

Li Chu explained, “I’m fine. The makeup artist had just arrived when someone from the production team called her away for a moment. I was checking the performance outfit when I noticed an accessory was missing, probably left in the car. Sister went to help look for it, and she’ll be back soon.”

Of course, it wasn’t that simple.

In fact, Li Chu noticed something was off with the person who sent the makeup artist away, so he deliberately sent Zhou Chunqing away. Sure enough, someone showed up shortly after.

The scandal had stirred up a storm all night; Shen Huai was bound to come and confront the issue. Li Chu was prepared, not wanting his sister to witness it. With the Young Master absent, it was a chance to clear the air.

“Don’t cover it up. I just saw Shen Huai leave. Did he bully you?” Su Ning helped him pick up the items, stopping him from touching the broken foundation bottle, “It must be because of the trending topic yesterday involving you, this maniac.”

“You’ve been wronged. It’s my oversight. I should have arranged for more people to be here.”

From Su Ning’s perspective, Li Chu had nothing to do with the incident. He assumed Shen Huai wanted to vent on him, and failing to find the intended target, he took it out on Li Chu.

Li Chu looked up at him, offering a faint smile, “How could I blame you, Young Master?”

Sometimes he thought Su Ning was very clever, other times, a bit naïve. Even now, Su Ning hadn’t suspected him, focusing instead on comforting others.

That’s nice.

So much better than the impotent rage of Shen Huai.

Just now, Shen Huai had come to accuse him. Li Chu wasn’t foolish; he guessed those photos and videos were orchestrated by him, so Shen Huai grabbed him by the shirt almost immediately upon entering.

“Do you want to die? How much did you record? What else do you have? You think you don’t have any leverage against me? I still have the video from Diao Chun Jiang! Your sister is in my hands!”

He suspected Li Chu had recorded all their calls, not guarding against him before, thinking Li Chu wouldn’t dare.

But Li Chu was unfazed.

He didn’t resist when yanked over, even wearing a slight smile.

“You finally came.”

“Don’t scare me. How could you carelessly handle the Diao Chun Jiang video or other pictures? Once it ties back to Jiang Chenfeng, you’re done,” Li Chu looked at him, “Even if you block out Jiang Chenfeng and only expose me to cut off my path, what heat could such a minor figure’s issue possibly draw compared to yours, Shen, the great Film Emperor?”

Shen Huai: …

He breathed heavily, unable to speak, and Li Chu easily pushed his hand, still gripping his shirt, down.

“Better not use my sister to threaten me.”

“Shen Huai, if you still think you can do something to me, then I’ll continue exposing our collusion in using Su Ning and Jiang Chenfeng.” His voice grew colder, “I’m not the unheard-of nobody I used to be, and you’re no longer the impeccable Film Emperor.”

“You still need this celebrity status, right?”

Shen Huai: “You wouldn’t dare!”

“I wouldn’t?!” Li Chu looked at him, his eyes shifting, “Last night was a reminder. Don’t think I can’t do it. I’m capable of anything.”

Despite being much shorter, the way he spoke and looked at Shen Huai in that moment almost frightened Shen Huai into stepping back.

“Don’t push me, don’t provoke me, stay away from the Young Master.”

“Shen Huai, if you try to cut off my path, we’ll both go down.”