Ch 49: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

This talk show was quite famous—not because it was particularly entertaining, but because the host dared to ask.

Compared with ordinary variety shows, the questions here were sharp, sometimes even ruthless.

For many guests, a careless answer could mean instant disaster.

The program had offended plenty of people, yet the host hadn’t been replaced in ten years.

Many netizens joked that the show survived this long mainly because the host was a genuine rich socialite with a background even harder than money itself.

She wasn’t afraid of threats, had no ambitions of climbing higher, and lived like a salted fish—so really, no one could do much about her.

For Qin Leyi to land a spot on this show, she had paid no small price.

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An Beibei was just an ordinary office worker. Her biggest joy after work was taking a shower, sprawling on the couch, scrolling through makeup videos, and catching up on gossip.

Weekends, when she didn’t have to work, were even better.

That night, she was lounging on the couch like a salted fish, smugly waiting for her midnight snack—decadent, unhealthy, but absolutely delicious.

While scrolling on her phone, she remembered it was Saturday. Checking the time, she switched on the TV to watch her favorite talk show, Heart to Heart.

A familiar face filled the screen unexpectedly.

Compared with the host’s polished makeup, Qin Leyi looked almost barefaced—light brows, faint lipstick, simple and delicate.

She looked pitiful, the very image of a fragile little white flower.

“Ugh!” An Beibei froze, then frowned. “Why is she the guest tonight?”

She really didn’t want to see this woman.

But her eyes betrayed her; she kept staring at the screen.

Host Jiayi was famous for her sharp tongue. Beibei couldn’t help but wonder: what kind of cutting questions would Jiayi throw at this cheating starlet?

She wasn’t the only one thinking that way. Many tuned in with the same curiosity.

Jiayi didn’t disappoint.

“As everyone knows, last year your love life became a huge scandal. Afterward, you also parted ways with your company, leaving the spotlight at the peak of your career…” Jiayi’s voice was crisp, her eyes sharp. “Do you regret it?”

Faced with such a question, Qin Leyi remained calm.

Those who knew her well noticed the difference—gone was the youthful arrogance of a star who’d risen too easily. Now she seemed tranquil, composed, unruffled.

She bowed her head slightly, sorrow flickering in her brows. “I’ve regretted it. And I regret it every moment of every day.”

A bitter smile curved her lips, then softened into resignation. “My love, my career—I ruined them with my own hands. I deserved it.”

Jiayi couldn’t help but acknowledge her inwardly: well played.

She personally had no fondness for Qin Leyi—anyone with normal values wouldn’t.

When she’d learned who the guest was, she’d even been annoyed.

But the station had given her almost complete freedom with her show, so she didn’t need to fight over small matters.

Her pointed question had been deliberate: good for ratings, and she’d wanted to watch the train wreck herself.

She hadn’t expected Qin Leyi to own up so bluntly.

No dodging, no deflection—she admitted it was entirely her fault.

That honesty actually softened many viewers’ feelings toward her.

Jiayi herself wasn’t so easily moved—she simply acknowledged the skill.

With her smile unchanged, she continued: “I think you’ve changed a lot. I’m sure the audience here and at home sees it too. Over the past year, you’ve rarely appeared in public. Could you share with us your journey and what you went through?”

Surprised, Qin Leyi glanced at her. The host seemed unusually accommodating, almost as if working from a prepared script.

Was the money spent well? she wondered.

Sitting gracefully in her chair, Qin Leyi spoke softly: “At first, I was terrified of going online. I couldn’t face what was being said about me, nor the fans I had hurt. My mental health deteriorated badly.”

“Later, it was my childhood friend who helped me. She dragged me to see a therapist, took me traveling, encouraged me to volunteer at shelters and help children in need…”

Her eyes shimmered with tears. “She saved me from the edge of collapse.”

Catching herself, she took a deep breath. “Forgive me.”

Once composed, she continued gently: “After half a year, I was much better. I began working out, learning a new style of dance. These things filled my days with meaning and joy.”

She smiled faintly, serene and unshadowed.

Watching online, many viewers were struck:

【Qin Leyi looks even prettier than before.】
【She’s so inspiring.】
【Not everyone has the courage to climb back from rock bottom.】
【Wait, are you guys serious? This is just a cheating star whitewashing herself.】
【Everyone makes mistakes. Owning up and changing is what matters.】

Jiayi’s gaze shifted. Impressive, she thought.

Meanwhile, Qin Leyi kept speaking: “There isn’t much to say about my journey. From guilt, regret, and fear… to now, when I still regret—but can face my mistakes calmly.”

She playfully winked at Jiayi. “I guess I’ve grown up.”

But Jiayi wasn’t fooled.

Her professional smile stayed in place. “I’m glad to see a transformed you. Since you can face your past so calmly now, then forgive me for being blunt. It’s a question both I and the audience are curious about: from what we’ve seen, in looks and in affection, your ex-boyfriend was clearly far superior to the man you cheated with. So why did you cheat? Was it just boredom after too long in a relationship?”

Qin Leyi: “…”

An Beibei, who had unknowingly sat up straighter on her couch: “…”

Whoaaa！ So direct! Sister Jiayi is amazing!

Qin Leyi’s perfect smile nearly cracked. She knew Jiayi had a sharp tongue, but she hadn’t expected this.

Did she have no EQ at all?

Struggling to stay calm, Qin Leyi lowered her head. “That… that is something I’ll regret all my life. It’s a scar that can never heal. I don’t want to speak of it in front of the public.”

Jiayi knew when to pull back. “I see. My apologies. It’s only because you said you could face everything calmly that I asked. I didn’t realize…”

Her face was full of regret. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not being more sensitive.”

Qin Leyi: “…”

Didn’t anyone smell the tea brewing in here?

The audience, however, smelled nothing—only found it exciting. Some even called out, demanding Qin Leyi’s answer.

And viewers watching at home started to catch on too:

【Wait a minute. Didn’t Qin Leyi just say she’d moved on? So why clam up now?】
【Because what she says and what she does are two different things.】
【LMAO, this is why I’ve stanned Jiayi for six years. Absolute queen.】
【The Tea Master never fails.】

From that point on, the interview unraveled for Qin Leyi.

Jiayi’s gentle tone was gone. Every question was sharp as a knife:

“Have you contacted Mu Xing? Did he accept your apology?”

“It’s said that while you were with Glory Entertainment, you monopolized the company’s best resources. Yet this year, Jiang Zhi won Best Actress with A Woman’s Story, and newcomer Lin Dingdang blew up on variety shows. Many netizens say your two years at Glory delayed your colleagues’ development. What’s your response?”

“Do you still have contact with Cheng Qian?”

Qin Leyi: “…”

Meanwhile, An Beibei gnawed happily on skewers, watching Qin Leyi’s smile falter and nearly collapse.

By the time the program ended, Beibei still wasn’t satisfied. She grabbed her phone, ready to share the joy with her friends—only to see the group chat already buzzing:

【Quick! Watch tonight’s Heart to Heart. I’m living for this. [link]】

She hopped onto Weibo.

The topic had already hit fifty million views—and the show had just ended.

Comments poured in:

【Jiayi’s combat power is as strong as ever.】
【I swear I saw Qin Leyi’s face fall at the end.】
【Jiayi is targeting her on purpose. So gross!】
【Gross? Please. That’s Jiayi’s style. Don’t like it, don’t watch.】
【Honestly, Qin Leyi looked fake. Her calm, elegant persona didn’t match her reaction at all.】
【Who in their right mind would go on Jiayi’s show? She’s a walking lie detector.】

【Wait—Qin Leyi just posted on Weibo!】

The gossip-hungry Beibei rushed to check.

Qin Leyi didn’t mention the show at all.

Actor Qin Leyi: Today I heard the best news of the year. Congratulations on your recovery. It eases my guilt, even just a little.

She had reposted a trending article: Zhaoxing Group founder Mu Yuanjing’s birthday banquet—his eldest son Mu Xing made a grand appearance. Most importantly: he walked.

Mu Xing’s legs had recovered.

【Aaaaah, he’s standing again!】
【So handsome. Men in suits are lethal. I’m buying my husband one.】
【Wake up! That’s bespoke haute couture. And let’s be real—the suit isn’t what makes him handsome, he already is. The man could wear a sack and still stand out.】
【Daily reminder that Qin Leyi’s blind.】
【She does seem open about her mistakes, though.】
【More like staging it.】

…

Mu Xing was once again interrupted by his little brother.

“Bro, look at Weibo! That woman’s clinging onto you again!” Mu Shao was fuming.

Mu Xing frowned and opened Weibo.

Three minutes later, he logged into his verified account.

Zhaoxing – Mu Xing: Thank you for your concern, but it’s unnecessary. As long as we never appear in the same place again, I think I’ll stay healthy.

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