Chapter 177: The Ultimate Drama Queen
Seeing Ling Hanmu’s displeased expression from the side, Xia Chenge immediately snatched his mobile phone, returned to the main page, locked it, and put it away.
“It’s time to eat, no playing with your mobile phone,” Xia Chenge warned.
Ling Hanmu pouted but didn’t say anything, obediently waiting for the food to be served.
After those people finished taking photos, they also returned to their seats, chattering and laughing.
The meal was very enjoyable for everyone.
Originally, they wanted to drink, but for safety reasons, Xia Chenge asked Ling Hanmu to promise to treat them after filming wrapped up.
After all, they were in an unfamiliar place, and there were people eyeing them covetously, so it was really not suitable.
After eating and drinking their fill, Xia Chenge and Ling Hanmu deliberately left last, walking hand in hand through the town.
The evening breeze was gentle, and the heat of the day had subsided, making it very comfortable and pleasant.
“Where were you last night?” Ling Hanmu brought up the matter again.
“I saw someone suspicious, and I didn’t have time to explain before I chased after him,” Xia Chenge said truthfully. She had intended to tell him about it anyway. “Later, he entered a guesthouse inn, and I overheard some strange conversations.”
“What conversations?” Ling Hanmu looked confused.
Xia Chenge thought for a moment and told Ling Hanmu the conversations verbatim.
Upon hearing this, Ling Hanmu frowned slightly and fell into thought.
Xia Chenge didn’t disturb him, quietly holding his arm as they walked forward.
She thought Ling Hanmu would say something after he had thought it through, but he didn’t utter a single word until they reached the hotel.
His expression was calm, but his thoughts were unfathomable.
What was he thinking? Xia Chenge wondered to herself with a complex mood as she returned to her room.
The next day.
The official Weibo continued its official announcements of characters: 《Apocalypse》03 Falcon @Meng YufeiFeifeiFliesToTheSky
Meng Yufei had a positive image, and coupled with being the campus heartthrob of Yan Sheng High School, his persona of being both handsome and rich had earned him some fame on Weibo, with tens of thousands of followers.
Once his character’s costume photos were released, his fans went wild, generating a wave of popularity.
Meanwhile, the calls for Xia Chenge and Ling Hanmu to apologize for the counterfeit money incident grew louder. They believed the two had tarnished the town’s reputation for movie promotion, and their generalizations were negatively impacting the town’s tourism development.
Xia Chenge and Ling Hanmu remained indifferent, ignoring the accusations.
Just as the topic of condemnation against the two was gaining momentum, the official Weibo account of the police issued a notice: The police have cracked a case of manufacturing and selling counterfeit money in XX Town, seizing 3 million yuan in counterfeit currency. Twelve criminal suspects, including Chen X, Li XX, and Wang X, have been criminally detained by the police according to law. The case is under further investigation.
This announcement struck the keyboard warriors who were jumping around like swollen steamed buns. The marketing accounts that were stirring up trouble quickly deleted their Weibo posts to protect themselves, changing their content to praise and commend.
The video of Ling Hanmu beating up the stall owner immediately became a symbol of justice, adapted into countless versions. However, Xia Chenge, who had initially stepped forward, saw no significant change.
Jiang Feifei also gained a large number of fans from this, and her popularity significantly increased.
Everything seemed to be developing in a positive direction, but someone miraculously started shipping Ling Hanmu and Jiang Feifei as a couple using the “hero saves the beauty” trope.
Jiang Feifei, who was filming the last day of desert scenes, almost threw her mobile phone when she saw the CP of herself and Ling Hanmu while browsing Weibo during a break.
She was very grateful to Xia Chenge for saving her and treated Ling Hanmu like a younger brother, having no romantic intentions whatsoever. These netizens were pushing her into a deep pit and ruining her!
Jiang Feifei quickly found Ling Hanmu and handed him her phone: “Young Master Ling, I had absolutely no idea about this. Please don’t blame me. Quickly think of a way to resolve this.”
“It wasn’t you?” Ling Hanmu glanced at her intentionally or unintentionally after reading the Weibo post.
Jiang Feifei immediately broke out in a cold sweat, relieved that she didn’t have such thoughts, otherwise, she wouldn’t even know how she died!
“I swear to heaven, if it was me, may lightning strike me,” Jiang Feifei vowed.
Ling Hanmu’s expression changed, and he smiled: “You don’t have a talent agency yet. It’s likely someone trying to sow discord. Don’t say anything about this; I’ll handle it.”
Hearing this, Jiang Feifei patted her chest: “My heart has finally returned to its place.”
“What, afraid I’ll kill you?” Ling Hanmu teased.
“Of course, I’m afraid. I cherish my life,” Jiang Feifei nodded vigorously.
Ling Hanmu rolled his eyes.
“Hey Young Master Ling, can you pay attention to your image? You actually made such a girlish expression like rolling your eyes!” Meng Yufei walked over.
Ling Hanmu smiled faintly: “I think you’re itching for a beating!”
“No, brother, I was wrong, okay?” Meng Yufei surrendered, admitting defeat because he couldn’t win.
At the same time, Xia Chenge also successfully completed her scenes and walked towards Ling Hanmu.
Jiang Feifei immediately handed her phone to Xia Chenge, explaining: “Chenge, I just found out about this too.”
Xia Chenge glanced at the Weibo content, smiled, and patted her: “Sister Feifei, I believe you.”
“Thank heavens, as long as you believe me, that’s all that matters,” Jiang Feifei breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of this movie’s success, Xia Chenge had shown her kindness, and she didn’t want to be ungrateful. “Have you two thought of how to suppress this scandal?”
Xia Chenge’s eyes darted around, and she looked at Ling Hanmu.
“Hmm?” Ling Hanmu’s voice rose slightly.
“How about we film a spoof video?” Xia Chenge said mischievously.
“Okay!” Ling Hanmu agreed without hesitation.
Xia Chenge’s gaze fell on Meng Yufei and Zhong Yujin. The two shivered in unison and looked at her warily: “What do you want?”
“A spoof video, how can we do without the two of you!” Xia Chenge smiled like a little devil.
“Don’t mess around!”
“We’ll fight to the death!”
The two clutched their chests, adopting a posture of complete resistance.
“Whoever refuses, this Young Master will cut all their scenes!” Ling Hanmu threatened unhurriedly.
The two exchanged glances, clasped their heads, and cried, singing in unison: “Little white cabbage, yellow in the field, entering the film crew, being bullied…”
“Alright, stop being so dramatic!” Ling Hanmu pushed them away. “If you two want to be gay, at least consider Mingming’s feelings, okay?”
Li Yuming’s face was indifferent: “I’m just a spectator!”
“Mingming, why are you so heartless?” Meng Yufei looked at her in despair. “Remember us back then, under the moon, with vows of eternal love…”
The other crew members around couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Xia Chenge’s forehead was covered in black lines as she interrupted him: “Meng Yufei is definitely a drama queen!”
“Okay, let’s ignore that drama queen. What video are you planning to film?” Ling Hanmu returned to the main topic.
Xia Chenge grinned, her teeth showing: “You guys wear dresses and dance!”
“Pfft…”
“What did you say?”
“Dresses?”
The three who were named widened their eyes.
“Yes, let’s do a dance that otaku love the most,” Xia Chenge nodded, her expression conveying ‘you heard correctly’.
“I have a bad feeling about this!” Zhong Yujin’s hair stood on end.
“I think I vaguely know what it is!” Meng Yufei’s mouth twitched.
“It couldn’t be 《Pure Land of Bliss》, could it?” Ling Hanmu rubbed the goosebumps on his arms.
