Chapter 64: Back to School
The last day of the holiday saw the usually quiet entertainment industry explode. Netizens were abuzz, feasting on the unfolding drama.
Endless gossip, trending hashtags, and dropped jaws.
Pai Peng Daily’s apology letter topped the trending list.
Unexpectedly, Pai Peng Daily, notorious for its manipulative video editing, issued a public apology on its official account, firing employee Wu.
However, this was just the beginning.
A paparazzi suddenly revealed that veteran actor Zhuang Gui had been arrested. Before the shock subsided, more revelations followed: various actors, variety show hosts, and idols were also targeted by police.
Netizens quickly realized that all these individuals were signed to Can Yi Entertainment. The remaining Can Yi artists’ social media accounts were flooded with comments.
As the scandal escalated, the paparazzi dropped another bombshell: Can Yi Entertainment’s top executives had all been arrested for investigation.
Netizens speculated wildly about Can Yi’s actions.
Police released a statement: Can Yi executives and some staff and artists were arrested for tax evasion, bribery, prostitution, and false imprisonment.
The entire internet went wild!
Public opinion was in uproar. Netizens were shocked by the breadth of Can Yi’s crimes.
On the first workday after the holiday, the entertainment industry’s attention shifted to Yi Shang and Hua Rui Entertainment.
Hua Rui’s major drama, “Under the Phoenix Throne,” was about to air, but its director Wu Yongzheng, screenwriter Gao Zhimei, and supporting actor Ma Yuanzhi had all jumped ship to Yi Shang Entertainment. Industry insiders tried to uncover the reasons.
Meanwhile, a story about a female freshman was also quietly spreading.
Back at school, students discussed the endless entertainment news.
“I can’t believe Zhuang Gui is like that. I thought he was nice to my sister; he was just scheming.”
“Can Yi is a den of vipers.”
“Can Yi’s been doing this for years. Who finally brought them down?”
Liu Zhan and Yang Xuan, sitting in front, turned around and joined Gu Wanrong and Yu Yingying’s gossip.
Yu Yingying raised an eyebrow, teasing Gu Wanrong, “Perhaps this powerful figure acted out of love.”
Gu Wanrong twitched her lips, “How charming would that person have to be?”
“Maybe it was for love!” Liu Zhan said dreamily, “A man willing to offend the industry giants for her… that’s romantic!”
Gu Wanrong broke Liu Zhan’s fantasy, “Maybe it’s a woman, not a man.”
“Stop with the CEO fantasies, reality isn’t that nice,” Yang Xuan shook her head, “It’s probably a business dispute.”
Liu Zhan’s daydreaming ended when she saw Yu Yingying’s Cartier pink sapphire bracelet.
Her eyes lit up. She grabbed Yu Yingying’s arm, curiously asking, “Do all rich second-generation girls have this bracelet?”
Yu Yingying looked bewildered, “What do you mean? Yuan Yuan gave it to me.”
“Gave it to you?” Liu Zhan exclaimed, “Did she give you a pearl necklace and a diamond bracelet too?”
Gu Wanrong was also puzzled; only her roommates had seen the gifts, and Liu Zhan wasn’t close enough to them to discuss this.
Seeing their confusion, Liu Zhan was even more surprised, “Could she have given you identical gifts?”
As they were confused, the school bell rang, and the teacher started class.
Gu Wanrong’s phone lit up. It was a message from Liu Zhan.
Liu Zhan: The person who submitted to the “Wasteful Talk Senior” account… I think it’s you.
Gu Wanrong was bewildered and replied with a “?”.
She didn’t know who “Wasteful Talk Senior” was, and searched for him on Weibo.
She quickly found the post Liu Zhan mentioned.
Post Title: “Freshman, my roommate is much richer than me, what do I do?”
Gu Wanrong clicked on the post, which included photos.
The first two were screenshots of a chat:
“I’m a freshman, and my roommate is obviously much richer than me. I’ve never interacted with rich second-generation girls before, and don’t know how to get along with her. Are there any friends like me?”
“My roommate is even richer than I imagined. When she gave gifts, I realized she’s ‘Money to Burn’ on Weibo.”
“Pictures x4”
Four comparison photos were included, showing the gifts Gu Wanrong gave Yu Yingying next to screenshots from Gu Wanrong’s “Money to Burn” account.
: “Money to Burn” sis, no, lil sis, is just an adult.
: Rich second-generation girls usually have good manners.
: Isn’t this “Money to Burn” sis who I missed the giveaway for?
: “Money to Burn” sis seems easygoing in the videos.
: Is “Money to Burn” changing careers? Trying to debut?
: This poster, cling to your roommate; you’ll barely see this level after graduation.
…
Most comments were positive, suggesting the poster get along with Gu Wanrong.
Gu Wanrong wasn’t happy because there were more posts. She clicked on the poster’s second post.
Money to Burn follow-up. Pictures x3
“What do I do? I think I discovered my roommate’s secret. At a class gathering, a rich classmate booked a high-end club. My roommate didn’t go, but I saw her there later with someone else.”
“Picture x1”
“That rich classmate knows this man and says he’s not related to my roommate. I don’t know what to think; who’s telling the truth?”
Gu Wanrong recognized the photo as one taken of her, Yu Yingying, Liu Zhan, and Yang Xuan at Si Hai Club.
The angle was sneaky; only she and the club manager were visible. The manager was actually very respectful; the photo implied something romantic.