After Swapping Bodies with the Movie Queen, She Ended Up with Me (GL) - Chapter 27

“Responsible?” Ming Qiao looked at her with amusement, though her eyes were cold. She questioned, “How exactly do you plan to take responsibility?”

“I…”

“If you still want to survive in this industry, watch your words.”

Ming Qiao didn’t bother looking at her, turning instead to Shen Nian. “Stay in your room until this morning’s incident blows over. Don’t go anywhere.”

Shen Nian watched as Ming Qiao opened the door and left. Standing in the small living room, she gripped her phone, watching the time tick to exactly 5:00.

One more hour. Two at most.

The entire internet would know about her feelings for Mu Lingwan…

The empty corridor was only illuminated by the harsh light seeping from under the door. Ming Qiao stood in the hallway as the motion-activated light above flickered on. She raised her head to see a figure approaching her step by step.

Ming Qiao’s eyes widened slightly. She never expected that at this critical moment, the person seeking her out wouldn’t be Mu Lingwan, but… Rong Qing?

“Why is it you?” Ming Qiao asked curiously.

Mu Lingwan was equally surprised to see someone other than Shen Nian at the door. Crossing her arms, she said, “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

Ming Qiao gave Mu Lingwan a once-over. They had been on this show for three or four days now, and she knew this girl called ‘Rong Qing’ had a terrible temper—even daring to yell at the director. Whether it was youthful recklessness or genuine audacity, Ming Qiao couldn’t tell.

During tasks, they were usually separated, and even when they occasionally gathered, Ming Qiao had never interacted with her much. This seemed to be their first proper face-to-face conversation.

“Where’s Mu Lingwan?” Ming Qiao said coolly. “Don’t tell me she’s still asleep?”

Mu Lingwan let out a soft laugh, her gaze playful as she studied the woman before her. Suddenly, she said, “Honestly, I really dislike you.”

Ming Qiao lifted her eyelids, giving her a deep look.

Back when Ming Qiao was still a rising star, Mu Lingwan had actually liked her quite a bit. The girl was clever, quick-witted, bold, and had her own ideas. On top of that, Ming Qiao was beautiful—standing out among the newcomers. So Mu Lingwan had given her plenty of resources, even frequently passing on scripts originally meant for herself to Ming Qiao.

Mu Lingwan’s reasoning was simple: in the entertainment industry’s murky waters, having a trustworthy friend who knew her well was valuable.

Unfortunately, Ming Qiao’s beauty and intelligence were all directed at Mu Lingwan. After poaching several of her staff and establishing her own agency, she even snatched away Mu Lingwan’s connections and networks. Their projects kept overlapping afterward.

Mu Lingwan couldn’t understand—had she treated Ming Qiao poorly?

Or had she treated her too well?

“Is that so?” Ming Qiao’s tone remained calm as she chuckled lightly. “Whether you like me or not—what does it have to do with me?”

“Heh.” Mu Lingwan smirked before saying, “I won’t be entering your room. Go call Shen Nian out. I need to talk to her.”

“If it’s about the trending topic, you can discuss it with me,” Ming Qiao replied, idly playing with her hair while crossing her arms.

“You can make decisions for her?” Mu Lingwan sounded surprised.

Ming Qiao arched an eyebrow. “Can you make decisions for Mu Lingwan?”

Mu Lingwan scoffed. “Of course. I have full authority over everything concerning her.”

Ming Qiao took a deep look at the person before her. Judging by the tone, this person must have considerable influence? But after all these years in the industry, she had never heard of any tycoon surnamed Rong. After all, such a unique surname would be unforgettable if it ever appeared.

“Who exactly are you?” Ming Qiao frowned and asked.

“That’s not for you to ask,” Mu Lingwan replied, turning slightly. “If you’re responsible for this matter, then come with me. Let’s discuss how to handle this trending topic.”

With that, Mu Lingwan turned and walked away. Ming Qiao hesitated for a couple of seconds before following. The two walked one after the other down the second-floor hallway and entered the newly renovated room.

After a night of escalation, by seven in the morning, the video of Shen Nian and Mu Lingwan had exploded, landing three consecutive trending topics. The three clips posted by the production team the night before had each been reposted millions of times. Media outlets that had already reported on it the previous night revisited the story, ensuring that nearly every working professional woke up to this sensational scandal!

#Shen Nian Cheating#

#Shen Nian Mu Lingwan#

#Another Bombshell on Heartbeat Moment#

Netizens were stunned. The first video clearly showed Shen Nian throwing herself into Mu Lingwan’s arms. The second clip captured Shen Nian following Mu Lingwan and Rong Qing to the laundry room. The third was an audio recording where the unmistakable sound of kissing could be heard.

What the hell did I just wake up to?! Didn’t Shen Nian just go public with Ming Qiao?

Not just Shen Nian—Mu Lingwan also just announced her relationship with Rong Qing!

So, both couples posted their announcements one after the other. Feels like there’s some history here.

After some investigative work by eagle-eyed netizens, it was discovered that ever since Shen Nian debuted, she had attended nearly every high-profile event Mu Lingwan was at. In group photos, she always positioned herself as close to Mu Lingwan as possible.

Additionally, several candid shots of their interactions at these events surfaced—almost all showing Shen Nian smiling sweetly while trying to strike up a conversation, while Mu Lingwan remained cold and indifferent.

Coupled with the way Shen Nian looked at Mu Lingwan on the show and called her “Sister Mu,” fans couldn’t help but spin an elaborate narrative!

Here’s what I think happened: Shen Nian has always had feelings for Mu Lingwan. When she saw Mu Lingwan go public with Rong Qing, she couldn’t take it. After learning Mu Lingwan was on this dating show, she got together with Ming Qiao just to join. Once they met, Shen Nian lost control—hence the first video.

But Mu Lingwan is already with Rong Qing. Even if Rong Qing is just a minor celebrity, popularity doesn’t dictate who gets to be the main partner!

Stop making things up! Our queen has never given Shen Nian the time of day—she’s never liked her.

So, Shen Nian has been pining after Mu Lingwan all along?

Still no statement from her—must be guilt, right?

I used to be a fan, but turns out she’s just another scheming person. What a waste of such a pretty face.

The online comments were sharp. Netizens reposted and discussed the scandal during breakfast and subway commutes, crashing the servers three times. The buzz around Heartbeat Moment skyrocketed, making it the most talked-about topic across the internet.

The director got up early, rubbing his hands in delight as he saw the trending topics filled with guests from his show.

“It’s done, it’s done!” the director exclaimed joyfully. “The hype is massive! Our show is bound to become a classic across the internet. No variety show in the next decade will surpass the popularity of ‘Heartbeat Moment’ Season 3!”

Overjoyed, he paced around the room before pulling out his phone to call the investor. Flatteringly clutching the phone, he said, “Mr. Wang, have you seen the trending topics? It’s a massive hit, an absolute sensation!”

“With this level of hype, our show will undoubtedly attract the highest attention. We can then secure more sponsorships and ads—I’ve even drafted the ad slogans for you! Those manufacturers who wanted to collaborate before will probably call us today, and we can name our price!” the director gushed. “So, how about it? My strategy for drawing attention worked brilliantly, didn’t it?”

Whatever was said on the other end of the line made the director bow repeatedly. “Yes, yes, it was a risky move, but don’t worry about Shen Nian. I’ll handle the guests—they’re public figures, after all, and have to endure gossip. Besides, Shen Nian is just a young girl without any powerful backers, just a few investors. She’s easy to manage.”

“Mu Lingwan? Mu Lingwan isn’t a problem either. All the focus is on Shen Nian—Mu Lingwan doesn’t need to do anything.”

“What? Mr. Wang, what do you mean?”

“Withdraw funding? Why withdraw now? Everything’s going according to plan! Did I do something to displease you?”

“Mr. Wang, hey, Mr. Wang, you can’t do this! I did all this for the sake of the show! You can’t pull out at this critical moment—where am I supposed to find another investor?”

Clutching his phone anxiously, the director cried, “Mr. Wang, Mr. Wang, can’t we discuss this properly? The trending topics are all about us right now! As long as you don’t withdraw, ad revenue will keep pouring in!”

The person on the other end sneered. “That’s exactly why you’re a fool. I let it slide when you pushed Rong Qing into the spotlight during the solo interview, but this time you’ve offended practically everyone in the industry. This isn’t how you make a show. You’re only thinking about views and drama—have you considered whether ‘Heartbeat Moment’ will even have a fourth season after this?”

“Mr. Wang, just hear me out—this isn’t unsalvageable! If our gimmicks are strong enough, we’ll definitely draw a huge audience!”

“And then what? Once the industry sees what a mess this show is, what guest would ever want to join?”

“As long as we pay enough, guests will come.”

The voice on the phone laughed mockingly. “Hah! You think filling the show with third-rate nobodies will keep it popular? Don’t forget—the audience and fans aren’t here for you, the director, or the production team. They’re here for the guests.”

The director froze, momentarily speechless.

“That’s all I have to say. Take a look at the trending topics again,” the voice continued. “Your so-called gimmicks have become a joke. Get ready for the lawyers’ letters.”

The call ended, but the director still couldn’t process what had happened. Five minutes later, he finally opened his computer and saw—for some inexplicable reason—a new trending topic had appeared out of nowhere:

#Shen Nian Speaks Out Live#

The first entry was a Weibo post shared by Shen Nian just over ten minutes ago, featuring a link to a live stream.

The live stream was packed with viewers. Shen Nian, dressed in a lovely little white dress with fair skin, delicate features, and smooth hair, sat on the small sofa in the suite chatting with netizens.

“That’s not true at all. I’ve known Sister Mu for a long time. I participated in her trainee program, but unfortunately, I didn’t make the cut.”

“Sister Mu and I have a great relationship. She’s always been my idol, and I’m really happy to be on the show with her.”

“Sister Mu is also an amazing cook. I thought she couldn’t cook like me, but the vegetable stew she made yesterday was delicious. She even sent me the recipe, and I plan to try it today.”

Shen Nian watched as the barrage of comments flew by, with all sorts of remarks—some even bluntly asking if she had cheated. After glancing at them, she raised her hand to beckon Rong Qing, who had just entered the room, her eyes crinkling into a smile as she said, “Sister Mu, come over quickly! They all want to meet you properly!”