At the headquarters of Xinbo, Xu Hui finished replying to comments, exited the official account which now had a flood of 999+ messages and private letters, and let out a sigh.
He left behind the outraged netizens in the official account's comments section, who had suddenly fallen silent upon reading the statement, "Because he is our CEO himself~". They looked at each other, unable to believe what had just happened.
Then, clicking on the avatar from that comment, they saw the blue verification checkmark, complete with identity authentication. This wasn't a disruptive impersonator account; it was indeed the real official account.
Everyone: ?
Is this even allowed???
The official account was so adamant, saying they knew the truth because the seemingly ordinary, weak, pitiful, and helpless young man that everyone thought was being framed and silenced by powerful forces... was actually their CEO?
Connecting this to the whole story of today's gossip...
The official account couldn't possibly lie. If that ordinary man really was the CEO of Xinbo, surely no one would dare to forcibly frame or silence him. However, Maozhao's statement had labeled him as a one-sided pursuer who had acted inappropriately. So, in the end, there seemed to be only one explanation: what Maozhao said was true. Gu Ran was indeed single. That man knew he was in the position of a pursuer whose actions were deemed improper, and... that man, the CEO of Xinbo, didn't mind being seen in that light in front of Gu Ran.
Holy crap!!!
The plot twist came too fast. Soon, the relevant Weibo posts were flooded with comments:
[Well, well. I was feeling sorry all this time for the weak, pitiful, helpless ordinary guy who was being framed and silenced, and it turns out he's the CEO of Xinbo himself. My smile is twisted.jpg]
[What to do? Now that I know who he is, this whole 'improper pursuer' narrative suddenly feels a bit terrifying.]
[Isn't the even more terrifying part that the CEO actually agreed to this narrative...]
[Getting photographed hugging and clinging, yet not even earning the title of boyfriend, only appearing in the company statement as a pursuer—and one whose behavior was improper and warranted a warning—that's a bit tragic.]
[I already thought the ordinary guy sounded pitiful and humble from the statement, but now knowing he's the CEO of Xinbo, I feel like it's even more pitiful and humble.]
[+1. Clearly, they've hugged and even kissed, yet he's still labeled as an improper pursuer. The CEO's status is so low.]
[Wuwuwu the GIF is so sweet, drooling]
[The CEO wouldn't possibly give up the boyfriend title to admit to being just a pursuer. He probably really is chasing after her and hasn't succeeded yet. Gu Ran wasn't lying; she really is single.]
[Holy crap, Gu Ran actually hasn't agreed. I thought in these situations people would be rushing to attach themselves. Bitter smile.jpg]
[I always thought the CEO had a wealthy fiancée. And the CEO's silhouette looks so handsome. Bitter smile again.jpg]
[Friend above, someone is rushing to attach themselves, it's just not Gu Ran, it's...]
[Dmn, I'm already imagining the scene of a domineering CEO humbly begging for recognition and to go public, but the little wife won't agree. (PS: This has nothing to do with Gu Ran, I'm just randomly imagining, I don't mean to cause you pressure or force you! It's your right to decide your feelings, whether you agree or not!)]
[Hahahaha the person above has such strong survival instincts.]
[Wuwu I kinda find it sweet too. Ah, no! Can't use public opinion to pressure Ranran into agreeing! In the photo, Ranran was drunk, right? Even though she leaned on him first, this 'ordinary man' didn't righteously push her away but took the chance to hug her—that's indeed very improper! Everyone, come and scold him together!]
[Despicable.]
[Yeah! That CEO is a big xx, a big piece of trash! (If my account gets deleted, everyone please call the police for me; it must be Xinbo's doing.)]
Everyone: [...]
...
The hashtag #OrdinaryManIsXinboCEO trended on Weibo. What was originally thought to be a top female streamer exposed for deceiving fans about a relationship turned out to be this. The fact that the CEO of Xinbo was reduced to an improper, pursuing admirer in front of his own company's female streamer made many people's jaws drop.
Gu Ran silently read those comments on Weibo.
Ji Shiyu drove over to see her. Gu Ran refused to meet him, so he still parked his car in its usual spot downstairs and made a phone call.
"Ranran." Ji Shiyu looked up at the light in Gu Ran's apartment.
"It's settled," he told her.
Gu Ran held the phone, looking through the window at the car downstairs.
Outside, a light rain began to fall, fine droplets clinging to the windowpane, fogging up the glass inside the room.
Hesitating, Gu Ran finally replied with a soft "Mm."
She paused, then added, "It's raining. Drive carefully on your way back."
Ji Shiyu seemed to chuckle, though the laughter wasn't very clear. He answered, "Okay."
...
The next day, after much deliberation, Gu Ran finally mustered the courage to open her "Ranran's Fish Pond" fan group.
She had been afraid to look at the fan group, fearing it would be full of declarations of unfollowing or a barrage of criticism, that all her fans would have left, just like when she first started streaming—with no fans, alone in her livestream room.
Until she saw her fan group still buzzing with lively conversation, and it wasn't about unfollowing.
In the Fish Pond group, the little fish fans, having survived the false alarm of the relationship exposure, now faced this sudden pursuer with complex feelings.
They had just set standards for Ranran's ideal partner in a livestream a few days ago. To be honest, from certain perspectives, this person's conditions didn't seem bad?
The fans quickly stopped this dangerous line of thought, then gritted their teeth again at the inappropriate sneak photo.
How infuriating!
Even if Ranran leaned on your shoulder first, so what? She was drunk! Without a confirmed relationship, taking the chance to hug a drunk Ranran instead of pushing her away—that's your fault!
So what if you're a CEO? As long as the great beauty Gu Ran doesn't acknowledge you, no matter who this scheming man is, he can forget about ever moving up in status.
[This scheming man definitely wanted to use this chance to force her hand. Disgusting. Thankfully Ranran didn't fall into the trap.]
[Seeing him, a CEO, only able to wear the title of an improper pursuer... Hah, serves him right. I feel satisfied.]
[Even though anyone would be tempted if Ranran leaned on them, that's no excuse for him to take the chance to get close to her!]
[Wuwuwu, just thinking about Ranran being clung to makes my heart ache.]
[No matter how humble he acts, it's useless. So many people want to pursue Ranran, who does he think he is? What's so great about having a bit of money and being a little handsome?]
[He's just as clueless as that ungrateful man from before...]
...
Looking at her fiercely protective fan group, who defended her with utterly unreasonable logic—where it's always the man's fault, never Ranran's—Gu Ran felt a complex, subtle emotion.
She went online to apologize to her fans, saying sorry for not handling her private life well, and promised to be more careful not to get drunk outside in the future, urging everyone not to follow her example and that girls must protect themselves when out.
The fans readily accepted her apology.
"Spirit Realm 2" was launched for open beta as scheduled, unaffected by the incident, and Gu Ran's promotional advertisement was also released.
The less than two-minute advertisement was stunning. Not only were the scenes grand and the special effects vivid and lifelike, but Gu Ran's subtle eye acting was particularly praised. Especially that shot where she watched the person she loved being with someone else, her eyes rimmed red – it was so heart-wrenching it made viewers ache for her.
Who knew a short ad could showcase such acting skill? How many more surprises do you have in store for us?
Gu Ran felt a bit ashamed reading all those over-the-top compliments online that praised her, a live-streamer, for acting circles around certain young starlets known only for wide-eyed stares and pouts.
She hadn't been acting; those were her genuine, heartfelt reactions, stirred by the scene.
Remembering those scenarios, Gu Ran fell silent.
But she had no desire to be like Xing Yao from the ad. Watching the person you like be with someone else was bad enough, but to ultimately die saving those two? No thanks.
Ding Ze mentioned that many film and TV companies had seen the ad and contacted Maozha, saying they had suitable scripts and asking if she was interested in a screen test.
Gu Ran could hear the hesitation and reluctance in Ding Ze's voice as he told her this.
After all, nowadays every live-streamer was desperate to break into the entertainment industry, and everyone in entertainment was scrambling to get into the inner circle of film and television. Regardless of their background, all sorts of artists and idols ultimately wanted to act.
Now, film companies were actively extending an olive branch to her. With her looks, she could definitely act.
However, if she really went in that direction and joined a production, filming would take two to three months at a time. Clearly, her nightly live streams couldn't be guaranteed.
Gu Ran knew that deep down, Maozha didn't want her to go, but Ding Ze had still faithfully passed on all the invitations.
Gu Ran: "My contract says I stream five days a week. Going on variety shows is fun, but acting? Forget it."
"Your girl Gu Ran has a serious image to uphold, okay? I'm not about to act with my facial features all over the place and get mocked."
Ding Ze laughed: "Alright, got it."
Gu Ran hung up the call with Ding Ze.
She checked WeChat again. Lately, her so-called "plastic sisters" had been excessively enthusiastic, constantly sending her invitations to various girls' gatherings and events.
Gu Ran declined them all, one by one, citing a busy schedule.
Then she noticed an email in her inbox.
Opening it, she found an invitation.
It was from a famous international luxury brand.
This brand held an annual salon event, similar to a tea party, inviting their vvip clients whose yearly cumulative spending exceeded a certain amount.
Gu Ran had attended this brand's vip gatherings before. She couldn't remember exactly how much she'd spent with them, but it was certainly no less than ten million. Every visit meant the store manager would clear the store for her.
The salon would include an exhibition and sale segment, offering vips rare vintage pieces or special items.
Even though she had left Ji Shiyu now, her contact information was still in the brand's vip database.
Staring at the invitation, Gu Ran felt a flicker of desire.
The tea party itself wasn't rare, but the exclusive sale was. She was earning her own money now and wanted to see if there were any hard-to-find little pieces of jewelry or bags.
But Gu Ran ultimately pursed her lips at the invitation and gave up.
Because without Ji Shiyu, she was no vip at all.
Gu Ran closed her email and saw a new message from Ding Ze.
It was another invitation file.
Could it be for the same brand salon tea party?
Just as she was about to ask what was going on, Ding Ze sent: [For you. From the Vice President.]
[Let me be clear, it's not that the VP is trying to curry favor. Top female streamers get some brand event perks every year. Last year's went to Meng Miaomiao.]
Gu Ran, who had just been regretting not being able to go, was now delighted: [Thanks~]
She hurried to her closet to pick an outfit. These brand salons were semi-formal. While there wasn't a strict dress code requiring gowns, it was definitely an event where everyone dressed up. Showing up in a T-shirt and jeans was not an option.
Gu Ran picked out two dresses, one green and one white, and couldn't decide between them.
She simply posted a streamer update, saying she was going to an event and asking her fans which color was better.
The fans started voting between green and white.
...
Ji Shiyu saw the update Gu Ran posted.
He imagined how Gu Ran would look in each dress and finally cast a vote for green.
Then his focus shifted to the event Gu Ran mentioned she was attending.
What event?
Ji Shiyu asked Xu Hui about it.
Shortly after, Xu Hui replied that Miss Gu was likely attending a brand salon.
Ji Shiyu nodded.
He remembered Gu Ran seemed to like that brand quite a bit; she had bought many bags from them.
After mentioning the brand event Gu Ran was going to, Xu Hui looked at Ji Shiyu, hesitated for a moment, then added: "For that event... Miss Qin Wenyi might also be attending."
