Chapter 82: Rumors and Slander, Condemned by All?

“What do you mean by that?” Luo Shui’s delicate brows drew together, her anger rising.

“What do I mean? Don’t you know perfectly well yourself, Sister Luo?” The speaker was a woman of striking beauty and alluring figure.

Her name was Qiu Xuan, a newly cultivated star in the company, enjoying immense popularity and a promising future.

Unlike Luo Shui, Qiu Xuan was eager to cling to Han Ziyu at every turn, begging for joint appearances and seeking every opportunity to work alongside him.

“There’s no denying Ziyu is outstanding, but you can’t stoop to any means just to latch onto him!” Qiu Xuan said with a lilt. “I’ve heard, Sister Luo, that you deliberately invited Ziyu to the flower market to stir up attention, even arranged for someone to take photos. Maybe this entire news scandal is a script written and directed by you.”

She waved her hand as if what she said was beyond dispute.

“Don’t make baseless accusations. My encounter with Luo Shui was nothing but a coincidence,” Han Ziyu replied coolly.

Qiu Xuan only smiled, her eyes drifting to Luo Shui.

“Ziyu is always so gracious. Unlike some people who barge in acting hysterical—looking as if that time of the month has come. And to think she’s our company’s leading lady. If this gets out, a little embarrassment to the company is the least of it—just don’t drag Ziyu down with you.”

“If you say one more word, I’ll tear your mouth apart!” Luo Shui was furious.

She was born into a strict and upright family, where her reputation had always been of utmost importance. Before she met Qin Mu, she had always kept her distance from men.

Now, to be slandered so shamelessly by Qiu Xuan—how could she endure it?

“Ziyu, aren’t you going to rein in your woman?” Qiu Xuan feigned fear.

Her words, both open and insinuating, clearly sought to highlight Luo Shui and Han Ziyu’s relationship.

“My junior didn’t mean it. After all, it’s understandable she’d be upset after something like this,” Han Ziyu said, mediating, yet without denying Qiu Xuan’s words.

“Enough, all of you. You’re the company’s top stars. What kind of spectacle is this, squabbling like street vendors?” The chairman, seated at the head of the table, rapped the desk to silence them.

Even the board had been alerted to this matter, which spoke volumes about its seriousness.

Qiu Xuan huffed but, cowed by the chairman’s authority, held her tongue. Luo Shui shot her a furious glare before taking her seat at the meeting.

“You two are at the center of this. Do you have any suggestions on how to resolve it?” the chairman asked.

“Actually—”

“I believe the most urgent task is to publicly clarify our relationship. Otherwise, these rumors will only harm the company’s reputation,” Luo Shui cut in, interrupting Han Ziyu just as he was about to speak.

She had already thought through her plan on the way here. This was the wisest course: both she and Han Ziyu were at the height of their fame, the company’s brightest stars, with promising futures ahead.

A romance scandal at this juncture could cause fans to turn their backs, leading to a sharp decline in popularity and eventually relegating them to minor celebrity status.

“But from what I’ve seen, fans seem delighted at the prospect of you two together. There’s nothing negative at all,” Qiu Xuan interjected casually.

“How so?” the board members inquired.

“Every social media platform’s comments have evolved from initial skepticism to widespread blessings,” Qiu Xuan said, handing her phone to the chairman. The comments were overwhelmingly supportive, praising Luo Shui and Han Ziyu as a perfect match.

“If that’s the case, a forced denial might make fans think we’re meddling in a budding romance, which could backfire and damage the company’s reputation,” Zhang Hong, seated nearby, advised.

“My suggestion is that the company not issue a denial. Instead, we should publicly announce the relationship—hold a press conference tomorrow and let both parties confirm their romance openly.”

“That’s out of the question! I don’t agree!” Luo Shui’s eyes widened in protest.

Her proposal was so easily dismissed, and now they wanted her to publicly declare herself as Han Ziyu’s partner. She, Luo Shui, would never agree!

Han Ziyu noticed her reaction, a sly, devilish smile curling at his lips. He’d used such tactics countless times before, but Luo Shui was still too young, her manager Zhang Hong handling everything, leaving her ignorant of these unspoken rules.

First, they would employ internet trolls to steer public opinion, creating an illusion that the majority supported the romance.

“Your objection is meaningless now. The facts are clear—announcing your relationship with Han Ziyu is the best solution,” Zhang Hong said. “Later, when the public’s attention fades, you can claim irreconcilable differences and break up.”

“Exactly. Ziyu is lowering himself to be your boyfriend—you should count yourself lucky,” Qiu Xuan added with a sneer.

Luo Shui struggled to keep her composure. “There’s nothing between me and Han Ziyu. No matter what, I won’t agree to this!”

“Why must you be so difficult?” Zhang Hong frowned.

Just as the atmosphere reached an impasse, one of the directors’ phones rang. He answered, his expression darkening as he listened, and then hung up slowly.

“What’s happened?” Han Ziyu asked, feigning ignorance.

“We’ve found the person who took the photos at the flower market. He confessed everything,” the director replied.

“Really? Then let him set the record straight!” Luo Shui exclaimed anxiously.

With this recording, the company could justifiably declare their relationship a baseless rumor.

The director, eyeing Luo Shui’s hopeful expression, frowned and played the audio. A rough male voice came through:

“I’m a reporter from the Jiangcheng Daily. I admit, I was hired by Luo Shui. She paid me half a million yuan to wait at the flower market. She said she’d invite Han Ziyu there, then pretend to embrace him so I could snap some photos and send them to her phone.”

“Miss Luo Shui, I’m sorry—I can’t go through with this. I’ll transfer the money back to you shortly.”

The recording stopped abruptly.

A heavy silence fell over the room. Every word on the recording was clear to all present.

“Luo Shui, is this true? Hand over your phone,” Zhang Hong demanded, disappointment etched on her face.

“I—I didn’t bring my phone,” Luo Shui stammered, unable to believe what she’d heard, panic tightening her voice.

“Oh? Did you forget it, or are you too guilty to bring it?” Qiu Xuan tittered maliciously.