Chapter 5: Official Announcement

A silence fell over the room.

On the other end, Lin Yun seemed to sense something was wrong: “Keke? Say something? Is Yan Yunzhi in your bed?”

Ning Ke: “…”

She really wished she could sew Lin Yun’s completely unrestrained mouth shut.

Yan Yunzhi: “Apologies, I’m here. I overheard your chat.”

Lin Yun: “Ah…”

What kind of outrageous things did she just say?

She fell silent, the awkwardness practically spilling through the screen.

Ning Ke took a deep breath, pretending to be nonchalant: “Don’t joke around like that.”

Yan Yunzhi asked, “Xiaolin, what were you going to say?”

Lin Yun: “Sister Azhi, let Keke tell you. I’m hanging up now.”

The Yan and Lin families also had connections; they had met before, which is why Lin Yun called her ‘Sister’.

After hanging up, Ning Ke said uncomfortably, “She was talking nonsense, don’t mind her. It’s nothing.”

Yan Yunzhi stood still: “What did you want to tell me?”

Ning Ke paused, “Lin Yun is directing a show and wanted to ask if you could participate. I told her you don’t have time, no need to worry about it.”

“But,” Yan Yunzhi smiled deeply, “I do have time. I can participate.”

Ning Ke: “You can participate?”

Yan Yunzhi nodded: “The tour is over, I’m idle at home with nothing much to do. Besides, you gave me a sweater today. Shouldn’t I return the favor?”

Ning Ke pressed her lips together.

‘Very good, this reasoning is very Yan Yunzhi.’

‘If someone shows her one bit of kindness, she has to return three, never owing anyone anything, always maintaining a polite and distant boundary.’

Since she had agreed, Ning Ke had nothing more to say: “Okay, I’ll tell Lin Yun tomorrow.”

Yan Yunzhi hummed in agreement.

Before leaving, she stood at the door, turned back, and said, “Rest early. Your mask is a bit dry, remember to wipe it off.”

Ning Ke gave a nonchalant “oh.”

Only after Yan Yunzhi closed the door did she rush to the mirror.

Seeing her own pale face covered in the mask, she was completely stunned.

‘Which female ghost is this!’

‘And this is supposed to be stunning beauty and a hot body!’

‘How could she let Yan Yunzhi see her looking so terrible!’

‘Ah!’

The next day, Ning Ke had scheduled activities.

An Yu came to pick her up to film a public service VCR sending New Year blessings to children in mountainous areas.

On the way, Ning Ke messaged Lin Yun: “[Yan Yunzhi agreed to join the show.]”

Lin Yun replied instantly: “[Oh my god! Ning Keke! You are my goddess! I’ll devote my life to you!]”

Ning Ke: “[Get lost.]”

Lin Yun: “[You’re so mean, you’ll hurt my feelings QAQ.]”

Ning Ke: “[Send the contract to my home. I have plans today. Contact her yourself.]”

Lin Yun: “[Okay okay okay, the show promotion team is rushing me anyway.]”

Having clarified things, Ning Ke didn’t follow up further.

Arriving at the filming location, many celebrities were standing outside the car when she got out.

Ning Ke immediately spotted Tang Xi talking to several senior actors, her smile gentle and appropriate.

Ning Ke didn’t like mingling and stood aside with her arms crossed.

An Yu muttered softly: “She really knows how to socialize.”

“Everyone in this circle is shrewd. Do you think others will really like her ‘innocent little flower’ act?” Ning Ke shook her head. “Alright. Let’s go in.”

Before filming, Ning Ke received a call from Lin Yun: “Ke-Keke! Your Yan Yunzhi is too cooperative! She signed the contract without a second word after it was delivered. I asked if we could start promotions today, she said anytime!”

Ning Ke: “What’s the big deal? Look how excited you are!”

Lin Yun: “Of course, I’m excited! I thought she wouldn’t agree.”

‘Over the years, Yan Yunzhi had maintained an image of being detached from worldly desires, uninterested in fame or fortune. She rarely held world tours, often declined invitations to CCTV galas, and had never appeared on entertainment variety shows. Yet, this time she agreed to join an online variety show!’

Ning Ke touched her ear, turning her head away: “Who knows what she’s thinking.”

‘Anyway… she had never understood this person.’

Lin Yun: “Hahaha! Regardless of why she agreed. Quick, look at Weibo, I had the official account post a teaser.”

Ning Ke: “Mm, gotta hang up first.”

She commonly used three Weibo accounts.

Her main account was restricted by Xu Jian from casual use.

Her secondary account inexplicably became her major fan account after she posted her precise itinerary under a negative trending topic to prove she hadn’t met a male star late at night.

The third was her most frequently used ‘tiny’ account, where she shared daily life records.

She logged in with her tiny account.

The “Perfect Partner” official Weibo posted an anonymous teaser: Genius violinist, cool beauty, tall figure.

Not many people fit these criteria simultaneously.

Soon, someone guessed if it was Yan Yunzhi.

This Weibo post didn’t have many retweets, likes, or comments.

Ning Ke casually commented “Looking forward to Teacher Yan Yunzhi” as her contribution to the traffic.

The VCR filming began.

The format was common: each person recorded a segment first, then everyone sang a song together, with copyright fees donated to charity.

Ning Ke wore a red sweater, the color vibrant and beautiful.

Facing the camera, she smiled brightly: “I hope you can see a bigger, wider world in the future.”

It was just one line.

She had practiced it many times at home yesterday to ensure her state was perfect.

After filming her segment, Ning Ke checked her phone again.

Lin Yun had just sent a message: “[Show’s official Weibo posted the second guest teaser! Remember to retweet with your main account!]”

Ning Ke: “[OK.]”

Logging into her tiny account first, Ning Ke found her account had been reported and was unable to comment for a few days.

She frowned: “What’s wrong with these people? Why block my tiny account for no reason?”

Looking closely, it was because her retweet included the full name and appeared on the public feed, discovered by Yan Yunzhi’s fans.

Some major fans started making sarcastic remarks, implying that Teacher Yan wasn’t someone any flop show could leech off.

‘Are Yan Yunzhi’s fans this aggressive?’

‘The fan’s actions reflect on the idol.’

Ning Ke decided to settle scores with Yan Yunzhi tonight when she got home!

Putting that aside, Ning Ke switched back to her main account and saw the second full-cast teaser Weibo post: [Looking forward to @NingKe @YanYunzhi @JiangLin @YuYou.]

She had asked Xu Jian’s opinion last night.

She retweeted with one click and was then called to film the next part.

As soon as it ended, An Yu immediately brought over her coat: “Ning Jie, you must be freezing. Jian Ge came over too. He ran into Teacher Gao Qi at the door and started chatting.”

Xu Jian was a social butterfly, able to chat with anyone.

Ning Ke guessed he was discussing a role audition: “Got it. There’s a small bonus clip later, then we’re done.”

Lin Yun said she wanted to meet her for dinner.

Ning Ke replied “Okay.”

With nothing else to do, she opened Weibo again.

Remembering her blocked tiny account, she still felt unhappy.

Her main account showed countless red notification dots.

Yan Yunzhi had retweeted her Weibo post: [Hello everyone.]

‘Why didn’t she retweet the official account, but retweeted hers instead?’

‘But Yan Yunzhi only has a few million followers, how could there be so many messages?’

Ning Ke was holding her phone when An Yu called her: “Jie. Tang Xi.”

Ning Ke put down her phone and looked over coldly.

Tang Xi was passing by, talking with Chen Xuan, a male star from the same agency.

Enemies often cross paths.

Ning Ke had worked with Chen Xuan on an idol drama, not only forced into a CP hype but also relentlessly attacked by his fans.

Tang Xi still spoke in her gentle tone: “Ning Ke, I heard Yan Yunzhi is joining your show. How did you manage to invite her? Can you teach me?”

“Teach you?” Ning Ke never minced words when insulting someone. “Too bad, you’re not worthy.”

Tang Xi’s face darkened: “Ning Ke!”

Chen Xuan pulled her back: “Why bother arguing with her? Her variety show is as flop as it gets. So what if they invited Yan Yunzhi!”

Chen Xuan had suffered at Ning Ke’s hands before.

He had grabbed her hand deliberately to hype their CP, only to receive a slap across the face from her.

He wanted to hit back but was stopped, told she wasn’t someone he could afford to provoke.

Ning Ke found it somewhat amusing: “Don’t speak too soon.”

There was no one else around.

Tang Xi smiled, “True. Coincidentally, the romance show I’m on just announced its lineup. The discussion on the trending topics is very heated.”

Her young assistant beside her suddenly paled and tugged at her sleeve: “Tang Jie…”

Tang Xi frowned and asked in a low voice: “What’s wrong?”

“Hasn’t Teacher Tang Xi noticed yet?” Xu Jian appeared out of nowhere, bringing Lin Yun with him. He smiled, his peach blossom eyes curving, “Remember to tell Yang Ming to buy a few more ad slots when you get back.”

Lin Yun waved her phone, “I don’t think your discussion level matches our show’s. Which show is actually the flop, Miss Tang?”

‘Jian Ge said yesterday he bought the third spot on the trending list, but it actually jumped straight to number one! Too awesome!’

Ning Ke glanced down at her phone.

Best Actress Qin Pei and Best Actor Gao Qi had retweeted the teaser post, and surprisingly, they retweeted her Weibo post.

Not her Weibo post… more accurately, they retweeted the one Yan Yunzhi had retweeted from her.

[@GaoQi: Looking forward! //@YanYunzhi: Hello everyone //@NingKe: Retweet Weibo]

[@QinPei: Happy! //@GaoQi: Looking forward! //@YanYunzhi: Hello everyone //@NingKe: Retweet Weibo]

This trending topic probably wasn’t bought by Xu Jian; it genuinely exploded suddenly.

Tang Xi’s face turned pale.

Ning Ke had always had poor connections in the industry.

Why would Gao Qi and Qin Pei suddenly retweet Ning Ke’s Weibo!

She had just managed to establish a connection and had only spoken a few words with Qin Pei!

Ning Ke sized her up: “Teacher Tang Xi doesn’t look well. But it suits your fragile little white flower persona. Remember to take a selfie and post it on Weibo to gain sympathy from your fans.”

Tang Xi: “What nonsense are you talking about…”

Before she could retort, there was a commotion behind her.

She turned and saw a couple approaching.

The newcomers were none other than the director of today’s VCR, Best Actor Gao Qi, and his wife, Best Actress Qin Pei.

This couple won Best Actor and Actress awards when they were young.

In recent years, Gao Qi became a director, gaining even more fame.

Qin Pei walked ahead, while Gao Qi lagged a step behind his wife.

Tang Xi intended to secure the second female lead role in Gao Qi’s new film.

She had just connected with Qin Pei yesterday via phone call.

Qin Pei had promised to reply tomorrow. Why were they here now?

She had a vague, uneasy feeling but still proactively extended her hand: “Teacher Qin Pei, Teacher Gao Qi…”

Ning Ke instantly guessed these two came looking for her because of Yan Yunzhi, so she walked towards Qin Pei and Gao Qi, simultaneously extending her hand proactively.

Tang Xi stood further out, her extended hand still hanging in mid-air.

Yet Ning Ke also reached out.

This act of contention was overly obvious.

Tang Xi’s face turned extremely ugly, her gaze hateful, fixed tightly on Ning Ke.

But Ning Ke merely swept a faint glance at her, walked right past her, and stopped in front of Qin Pei, her smile sincere: “Teacher Qin, Teacher Gao, hello, I am Ning Ke.”

Two hands were extended simultaneously in mid-air; it was undoubtedly a choice.

Qin Pei turned her head, smilingly sized up the two women—one with smiling eyes, poised and generous; the other with a complex expression, tightly clutching the corner of her clothes.

The difference was immediately apparent.

This wasn’t a difficult choice.

She thought briefly, and under the watchful eyes of the surrounding crowd, directly grasped Ning Ke’s hand: “Hello Ning Ke. Very pleased to meet you.”

Ning Ke’s smile deepened: “Very pleased to meet both teachers. It’s my honor.”

Although she didn’t know what Yan Yunzhi had done, since it was something Yan Yunzhi had secured for her, she absolutely had to seize it.

She absolutely wouldn’t… let Yan Yunzhi down.