Chapter 24: To Each Their Own Abilities

Lu Yao frowned; the war had begun even sooner than she had anticipated.

Live stream comments:
[Who is this President Gu anyway?]
[Gu Yuyao. Devoted to public welfare, obsessed with her personal image. Her family owns a museum, and she hosts a charity auction every year.]
[I’m an early bird, I know what’s going on. I saw the female lead call her this morning, saying the secondary female lead is just a stand-in who’s still clinging to the male lead. That’s why President Gu doesn't want the secondary female lead to interview her.]
[She just believed it, just like that?]
[She doesn't know the secondary female lead personally, but she knows that little delinquent Yun Qingqing. She assumes they’re all cut from the same cloth.]

Su Muxue maintained a sweet, elegant smile on her pretty face.
"Interviews should be a matter of one's own ability, shouldn't they?"
She felt smug; she came with her own resources—what could an unfavored daughter of the Yun family possibly have to compete with her? This hosting spot for *Celebrity Face-to-Face* was as good as hers.

Yun Chuxia looked away from the live stream comments and spoke calmly and steadily.
"Slinging mud at others isn't an 'ability'; it's called slander."

Lu Yao had no intention of getting involved in the conflict. If it had been fair competition, she would have benefited regardless, but if the tactics were too underhanded, she felt compelled to intervene. Yun Chuxia looked at Lu Yao, her demeanor neither servile nor overbearing.
"I would like to speak with President Gu for a few minutes. Even if she still chooses to be interviewed by Ms. Su, I need to clear up some misunderstandings."

Just as Lu Yao was about to nod, Su Muxue interjected.
"So, when you say I’m slandering, isn't that just throwing mud at me?"
She shifted the decision-making power to Lu Yao as well.
"Why don't we make a bet while President Lu is here? Whoever manages to secure the interview with President Gu takes charge of *Celebrity Face-to-Face*, and the other takes *Yancheng Current Affairs*. How about it?"
She wore an expression of absolute certainty, desperate to suppress Yun Chuxia; she refused to be her understudy.

Lu Yao crossed her arms and pondered. As it stood, *Celebrity Face-to-Face* had many high-profile guests already confirmed by the Jiutian agency; a good job there could lead to instant fame. While she valued Yun Chuxia’s ability and traffic—and wanted to do Si Yuchuan a favor in the process—it seemed clear that Su Muxue could generate just as much buzz. *Yancheng Current Affairs*, on the other hand, was struggling with investment and likely to die in the cradle. However, if Yun Chuxia were to head it, Si Yuchuan’s sponsorship would likely follow, potentially breathing new life into the program.

Still, Lu Yao felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort. Su Muxue was attempting to bypass her authority by using a bet to force a personnel shift. She was even using her as a pawn to intimidate Yun Chuxia.
Lu Yao asked Yun Chuxia, "What do you think?"

Yun Chuxia had seen Lu Yao’s hesitation and calculation. Although Lu Yao appeared to be throwing the decision back to her, she had effectively already made her choice. If Su Muxue was a better fit, then so be it. It was just a program; why fight to the death? Besides, it wasn't yet decided who would have the last laugh.
"Fine. I accept."

Without another glance at Su Muxue’s smug expression, Yun Chuxia walked out.

Gu Yuyao was in another dressing room. Upon hearing that Yun Chuxia had arrived, a trace of contempt appeared on her face. A stand-in, a homewrecker, and with a sister like that—she simply couldn't bring herself to like the woman. She remembered when Yun Qingqing had attended one of their charity galas; she had gotten drunk, smashed a display case containing one of Gu's collectibles, and refused to apologize. Afterward, she even had the audacity to demand that Gu Yuyao give her the diamond bracelet from the shattered display. She was utterly shameless.

Gu Yuyao didn't offer a pleasant look, nor did she invite Yun Chuxia to sit down as she stood nearby. After finishing her makeup, she noticed Yun Chuxia still standing quietly to the side and couldn't help but speak up.
"You want me to grant you an interview?"

Yun Chuxia remained calm, maintaining her composure.
"No. I only came to clear up a misunderstanding."

Gu Yuyao turned to look at her, her eyes scanning her with scrutiny. "What misunderstanding? Are you not a stand-in? Are you not a homewrecker?"

"I am the victim," Yun Chuxia said, meeting her gaze steadily. "And you, President Gu, are one of the perpetrators."