A delicate and petite nose, bright, soulful eyes like crescent moons, a smooth and full forehead and cheeks, and slightly upturned cherry-pink lips.
This was Wen Xiaoxiao, whom she had known for many years, as familiar as she could possibly be.
Seeing her best friend's face on the video call, Shi Xinxin was too emotional to speak for a long time. If she hadn't held back, she would have been in tears by the next second.
"Shi Xinxin, what's wrong? Your eyes were red the moment you answered the call. Did someone bully you?"
While video calling Shi Xinxin, Wen Xiaoxiao casually took a small plastic jar from her drawer and popped a preserved plum into her mouth, chewing it absentmindedly.
Shi Xinxin frowned slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed, and whispered, "No one bullied me. I just really missed you."
Her gaze drifted to behind Wen Xiaoxiao, where countless staff members were busily setting up lights and shooting. At this moment, Wen Xiaoxiao seemed to be in her studio.
Even though her studio was so chaotic, she still made time to video call her… Shi Xinxin thought, a pang of guilt and apology welling up in her heart.
Wen Xiaoxiao popped another preserved plum into her mouth, chewing with a "crackling" sound, and said to the video screen, "Xinxin, just be honest. Were you framed by that Liu Jia last night? I saw the news on Weibo."
Hearing Wen Xiaoxiao's words, Shi Xinxin's body jolted. As expected of Wen Xiaoxiao; nothing escaped her eyes!
Shi Xinxin nodded and sighed, saying, "Although I retaliated and fought back, I didn't get hurt. But I'm not happy in my heart."
She paused, then puffed out her cheeks and said, "I just feel like I'm becoming more and more like Ye Yun back then. Scheming, unscrupulous, harming others for my own benefit… Sigh, Xiaoxiao, tell me, am I right or wrong?"
As soon as Shi Xinxin finished speaking, Wen Xiaoxiao made a face that was a mixture of crying and laughing. She frowned, thought for a long time, and finally uttered, "Shi Xinxin, Shi Xinxin, I thought you would have become a little smarter after training abroad for so long. But what happened? You're still as foolish as ever!"
"..." Shi Xinxin looked up at Wen Xiaoxiao with a wronged expression, as if waiting to be scolded.
Seeing her like this, Wen Xiaoxiao found it hard to scold her. In the end, she sighed and said earnestly, "Xinxin, Liu Jia set a trap to harm you first. You were merely defending yourself and retaliating. Her current predicament, her ruined reputation, and everyone's scorn are all self-inflicted. She deserves it! Why are you blaming yourself? You are the best and kindest girl in the world, do you understand?"
Hearing Wen Xiaoxiao's words, Shi Xinxin suddenly felt as if a veil had been lifted, and a great enlightenment had dawned upon her. She pursed her lips and nodded heavily, "Mm, thank you."
Unexpectedly, Wen Xiaoxiao immediately rolled her eyes at her. "You're thanking me? If we're best friends, don't say thank you! Alright, I have to get back to work now. Try to relax. Bye!"
With that, Wen Xiaoxiao's face disappeared from the computer screen. Shi Xinxin gazed at the now-closed video window, a smile slowly curving her lips.
In any case, I still have to thank you. Xiaoxiao.
As of now, Liu Jia had not left her house for three days and three nights. She still couldn't believe how things had escalated to this point! This was not how she had planned it!
Her parents came to see her, but she refused. Her friends came to see her, but she chased them away. Her assistant came to find her, but she shut the door on him.
She no longer knew how to face others, with what attitude or expression. She felt like the whole world was questioning her, doubting her, and cursing her. All she could do was try to shrink into a corner and wait for this to pass.
After all, the news cycle in the entertainment industry was so fast.
Perhaps in a week or two, everyone would gradually forget about her situation.
However, the matter did not subside so easily. The trajectory of events was moving in a direction Liu Jia had never anticipated.
At noon today, Liu Jia ate a few mouthfuls of the lunch she had made herself and then went to the television to watch entertainment news. As soon as she turned it on, the headline was about her situation.
What Liu Jia hadn't expected was that the situation had completely deviated from her intentions. Her original goal was to ruin Shi Xinxin's reputation and make her unable to continue in the entertainment industry.
And then, to try not to involve Yue Ran, because Yue Ran hated these entertainment gossips the most!
Unexpectedly, the media had still turned its attention to Yue Ran.
Liu Jia closed her eyes slightly and thought carefully. It was normal for the media to focus on Yue Ran. After all, this whole affair started because of Yue Ran.
When Yue Ran appeared on the television screen, Liu Jia thought she was mistaken. Sharp eyebrows, piercing eyes, a high-bridged nose, thin and handsome lips, a chiseled face with sharp contours, and a height of over 1.8 meters. If it wasn't Yue Ran, who could it be?
As soon as Yue Ran appeared, he was surrounded by reporters holding microphones, forming several layers. Their questions were increasingly strange and audacious.
"Mr. Yue Ran, hello. According to an insider, you and Shi Xinxin are now together and living together. Is this true?"
"Mr. Yue Ran, do you have any plans for your future work?"
Just then, a reporter, with a bold and perhaps foolish audacity, asked, "Mr. Yue Ran, what are your thoughts on Liu Jia framing Shi Xinxin?"
The moment the reporter finished speaking, Yue Ran's face turned ashen. But he quickly regained his usual composure and calmness. He smiled confidently at the camera and said, "I don't know the Ms. Liu Jia well."
At that moment, Liu Jia felt something in her chest shatter with a crackling sound.
Every sentence, every word he uttered, seemed to carry countless daggers, piercing Liu Jia, leaving her covered in wounds.
The reporter seemed unsatisfied with Yue Ran's answer. Holding the microphone, she persistently pressed on, "But, Mr. Yue Ran, you've acted with Liu Jia before, and not just in one project."
Faced with the reporter's relentless questioning, Yue Ran's composure surprised everyone.
He smiled calmly and said, "I've been in this industry for many years and have worked with many celebrities. From the leads to the supporting roles in a TV series, there are at least dozens, and up to hundreds or even thousands. I can't possibly remember every single face and name clearly. Therefore, I am not familiar with that lady!"