Chapter 11

Chapter 11: 011: the So-Called “Truth”

Qiao Qing Yan didn’t glance sideways. Her eyes moved over the crowd in one slow sweep, and when she spoke, her tone was unhurried.

“Whether I’m confident or not doesn’t matter. As long as the judging panel is absolutely fair and impartial, that’s enough.”

For a fraction of a second, the host froze.

That answer was polished and calm, but the implication was a blade: fair and impartial—as if that were a question.

The host’s smile tightened.

“Then, Miss Qiao… do you think today’s news will affect your award?”

“You already said it’s a rumor.” Qiao Qing Yan’s voice didn’t rise. “If it’s true or false, how would you know?”

Xu Shu Jing’s hand shot out and caught Qiao Qing Yan’s arm.

“Sister Qing Yan…” Her grip was light, but urgent. “It’s almost time. We should go inside.”

She turned to the camera, eyes shining with sincerity that looked almost painfully pure.

“Host, I believe the Sister Qing Yan I know wouldn’t do something like that. It must be a misunderstanding. People saw wrong…”

She played the innocent little white-flower act as if she’d been born for it.

Qiao Qing Yan looked at her and smiled—only with her lips. Her eyes stayed cold.

Because Xu Shu Jing’s words weren’t a defense. They were a trap.

I believe the Sister Qing Yan I know wouldn’t.

Meaning: if Qiao Qing Yan did, then she wasn’t the person Xu Shu Jing knew.

A neat, slippery statement—one that left Xu Shu Jing spotless no matter where the truth landed.

With that vague kindness hanging in the air like perfume, Xu Shu Jing tugged Qiao Qing Yan away from the cameras and the shouting.

As soon as they were off the main path, Qiao Qing Yan’s soft laugh cut through Xu Shu Jing’s hurried breathing.

“Xu Shu Jing.”

Xu Shu Jing stiffened without turning around.

“What are you afraid of?” Qiao Qing Yan asked, voice light. “Feeling guilty?”

A few staff members nearby went still, eyes widening as they tried to pretend they hadn’t heard.

Xu Shu Jing glanced around—saw the stares—and her face tightened. Then, as if on cue, a single tear slipped down.

“Sister Qing Yan… I was doing it for your own good. How—how can you slander me?” Her voice trembled perfectly. “I just didn’t want things to get ugly, so I tried to help you. You… how can you…”

Help.

What a clever word.

Xu Shu Jing wiped her tears with the back of her hand and ran off, shoulders trembling, leaving behind the image of a wronged victim fleeing cruelty.

And the entire thing went out live.

Not long after, an anonymous staff account posted what they claimed was the conversation between them.

Rumor hardened into “fact” in the space of a few refreshes.

The morning’s scandal target snapped into focus: Qiao Qing Yan.

Within minutes, the livestream chat was drowning in one chant.

“Qiao Qing Yan, get out of showbiz.”

Wu Lan had been watching from the sidelines the entire time. She didn’t miss an opening this perfect.

A paparazzi tipster dropped a “shocking” bundle of photos and audio.

The photos showed Qiao Qing Yan entering a hotel room. The next day, she appeared beside a noble lady. The woman’s face was blurred, caught at an angle, but Qiao Qing Yan’s features were sharp and unmistakable.

Then came the audio.

A secretly recorded clip. Two female voices.

A: “Sister Lan, you have to help me. I really want to get into that production crew.”

B: “Don’t be impulsive. I’ll talk to the company and see if there’s any way.”

A: “There’s no time. The company definitely won’t help me. Sister Lan, please. I heard Director Liu…”

B: “Think it through. Director Liu has a family. Don’t be impulsive. If it goes wrong, no one will be able to save you.”

A: “Sister Lan, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. If you don’t say anything, who would ever know?”

Netizens didn’t need long.

“In the audio, that’s a Q-surnamed artist and her agent, right? Solid proof. Let’s see how she denies it now.”