Ch 42: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

Qin Leyi was one of the hottest female stars of the past two years, with a huge fanbase.

Her fans were convinced she had been wronged.

In no time, the official social media accounts of both the program and the drama crew were flooded with comments from Qin Leyi’s fans.

They didn’t outright curse anyone. Many even pretended to be neutral bystanders, asking why the casting was different from earlier leaks and demanding a reasonable explanation.

But Jiang Zhi’s side wasn’t so lucky.

Her comment section was completely swarmed.

Unflattering pictures, old interview “black history,” and plenty of fresh “scandals” were all being dug up.

Many new accounts claimed with certainty that Jiang Zhi had found a new backer—otherwise, how could she possibly have landed such a role?

【I don’t get it. In terms of looks, popularity, or fit for the role, how is Qin Leyi worse than Jiang Zhi?】
【Jiang Zhi’s been in the industry for years, always a lukewarm supporting actress. Suddenly she gets such a great role—nobody thinks that’s suspicious?】
【Ha, Jiang Zhi always claimed a “professional and Buddhist” persona, but she’s better than anyone at stealing roles.】
【Shameless role-stealer!】

Jiang Zhi might not have been very popular, but she still had a small loyal fanbase. Seeing this, of course they couldn’t sit still.

【Certain fans shouldn’t act all sarcastic. Before you accuse others of having sugar daddies, maybe check if your own idol’s slate is clean. The industry’s biggest “connections baby” has the nerve to mock others?】
【What do you mean, ‘stealing roles’? The crew never announced any cast list. Your idol’s fans bragged by themselves, and now they’ve been slapped in the face—whose fault is that?】
【Not suitable? In terms of skill and acting, our Zhi is definitely stronger than some resource-fed starlet.】

…

When Qin Leyi saw the mess online, she immediately turned to her agent.
“You hired water armies?”

The agent denied it. “No.”

She still didn’t know which higher-up Qin Leyi had offended, nor what their attitude toward her really was. How could she dare step in to clean things up?

Amy, seeing how anxious Qin Leyi looked, couldn’t help asking,
“What’s going on with you? From the way you sound, you don’t want this to blow up?”

She hesitated, then added,
“If we guide public opinion a bit, it could work in your favor.”

After all, Qin Leyi was the victim. At most they’d gain some sympathy. But the other side had already secured real benefits.

Qin Leyi only shook her head.

Irritated, she walked into another room and called Cheng Qian.

Because of Mu Xing, the two had been deliberately keeping their distance and hadn’t met for days.

As soon as he picked up, Qin Leyi said,
“Cheng Qian, you’ve seen the news online, right? Mu Xing’s out for revenge on me. I can’t stay at Glory anymore.”

Of course Cheng Qian had seen it. He was out drinking with friends, but after gesturing to them, he stepped outside and leaned against a wall.
“Then leave.”

Qin Leyi snorted.
“Easy for you to say. I have a contract with Glory—the penalty fee is in the tens of millions.”

Cheng Qian was silent for a moment, then cautiously suggested,
“Then maybe you should endure it for now?”

Qin Leyi raised her voice.
“You want me to endure it? If I don’t leave Glory, my career will be ruined! Whose fault do you think this is? Are you even a man?”

Their relationship wasn’t yet as deep as in the “original storyline.” They weren’t even an official couple.

That kind of tone was not pleasant for Cheng Qian to hear.

His face darkened.
“It takes two to tango, Leyi. Don’t put all the blame on me.”

Hearing the displeasure in his tone, Qin Leyi almost lashed out again, but thought better of it.

She had already completely offended Mu Xing—she couldn’t afford to offend Cheng Qian too.

At least she still had some kind of fling with him. If she didn’t find someone to protect her, how would she survive Mu Xing’s revenge?

She said pitifully,
“But Cheng Qian, you can’t just abandon me. I like you so much, I’ve given you everything. If you don’t help me, Mu Xing really will drive me to death!”

Cheng Qian was doubtful.
“Mu Xing wouldn’t go that far, would he?”

Qin Leyi said,
“He told me to my face he can’t stand the sight of me. He’s already blacklisted me. This is just the beginning.”

Cheng Qian still had some feelings for her.
“So what do you want?”

Qin Leyi said,
“You pay my penalty fee. Then, doesn’t your family have stakes in entertainment companies? I’ll sign with yours. Then Mu Xing can’t touch me.”

Cheng Qian shook his head.
“No.”

Qin Leyi said matter-of-factly,
“Then buy one. With your family’s money, that’s easy.”

Cheng Qian stared at the phone in disbelief.
“Are you crazy, Qin Leyi?”

Qin Leyi froze. “What?”

Cheng Qian found it laughable.
“You think acquiring a company is as easy as saying it? You want us to buy an entire company just to keep you?”

Qin Leyi shot back,
“What do you mean ‘keep me’? With my popularity, it’d be a win-win for the company and me—”

“Win-win?” Cheng Qian sneered.

Suddenly he remembered why he had been attracted to her in the first place.

That day, he’d seen her standing at a street corner. Though her body was petite and delicate, her features fine and fragile, there had been a proud, cold defiance in her bearing.

Like a delicate yet unyielding flower—irresistibly drawing him in, making him want to pluck it, to taste it.

But now, looking back, that fragility was probably fake. That toughness too.

Beneath that flower were countless twisted roots, waiting for a chance to coil around a target, strangling tightly, draining away its life.

There was mockery in his eyes, and his expression gradually turned careless.
“I’ll transfer the money to you later. As for anything else—don’t come to me again.”

Qin Leyi frowned. “What do you mean?”

Cheng Qian said meaningfully,
“Fools like Mu Xing—I won’t say there’s only one in the world, but Qin Leyi, in your whole life, you’ll probably only ever meet one like him.”

For some reason, he suddenly felt a wave of boredom.

Ignoring Qin Leyi’s questioning words, he ended the call listlessly, then contacted his assistant to transfer money into Qin Leyi’s account.

Before Qin Leyi could even get angry over being hung up on, there was a knock at the door.

Her agent Amy stood outside, expression unreadable.
“Jiang Zhi just posted on Weibo.”

A bad feeling rose in Qin Leyi’s chest. She quickly opened Weibo.

@JiangZhiV: Been focused on studying my script lately. Don’t bother cueing your Sister Zhi for no reason. I can swear on my conscience that every role I’ve gotten has been earned by myself. Can certain rumor-mongers dare say the same for their idol? [smile]
Oh, and I’ve never been ‘Buddhist.’ I just can’t be bothered to respond.

This post had been up for less than ten minutes, yet it already had thousands of comments. It was now trending, its heat rising at an astonishing speed.

At this time, with these words—everyone knew Jiang Zhi was throwing shade. It was practically an open slap, accusing Qin Leyi of having a sugar daddy.

The comment section below was already a battlefield.

Amy thought back to what had just happened.

Jiang Zhi was also signed to Glory. Amy had just reached out to a deputy general manager she had a good relationship with, but the other party flatly told her: don’t get involved in this matter.

The meaning was crystal clear.

The company had abandoned Qin Leyi.

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