Divorce Is An Absolute Must! - Chapter 12

Chapter 12: A Slap in the Face

◎You’re the greasy man, your whole family’s greasy men!◎

“You’re the greasy man, your whole family’s greasy men!” Zhu Qing was exceptionally angry. She switched to an alternate account and started a heated argument with people online.

“What’s wrong with you people? You’re going to insult someone just because you don’t like their style?”

“Are you all a bunch of overgrown babies? What’s so bad about a model releasing photos in different styles? If something doesn’t go your way, you gang up on people and cyberbully them?”

It was fine when she didn’t speak, but as soon as she did, the fans saw a traitor among the masses and immediately focused their fire on her.

Online insults never stay on topic and are more often personal attacks on Zhu Qing.

Being cursed at, Zhu Qing became even more enraged.

What was the difference between this kind of collective irrationality, using freedom of speech to wantonly attack others, and bullying?

Zhu Qing was truly annoyed, and a strong sense of disgust and rejection rose within her.

…

Meanwhile, on the way to the airport, Qian Chu had just finished reporting the incident to Li Lan.

Li Lan was clearly flustered. “What did you say? Attacking the photographer?”

She snatched Qian Chu’s phone and clicked on the comments. Sure enough, it was a one-sided attack, and the language was sharp.

“I looked at the overall feedback,” Qian Chu said calmly, a little happy even. “The main thing is that they’re not satisfied with this style. After all, your return to the domestic market was with a viral historical-themed show, so the fans’ first impression of you is still a classical beauty.”

“So? Why are they cursing the photographer?” Li Lan immediately retorted.

Qian Chu said, “That’s just how it is. If the photos aren’t good, they’ll curse the makeup and styling. If they don’t like the style, they’ll curse the photographer. If you act in a show they don’t like or take on an advertisement they don’t like, they’ll curse the studio and the company.”

Qian Chu paused and spread her hands. “Of course, the fans will soon find out that I’m your agent and assistant, and they’ll drag me into whatever curses they throw out in the future.”

“But I think the hot search feedback is pretty good. A lot of casual passersby like your style this time, so it’s a good amount of exposure.”

Li Lan frowned tightly. “Get someone to take down the hot search.”

Qian Chu was surprised. “Why? The hot search feedback is great. Although some fans are unhappy, you’ve attracted a wave of casual fans…”

“Didn’t you see? They’re cursing the photographer. I can’t let them keep cursing,” Li Lan’s tone became more forceful. She suddenly thought of something and said nervously, “Quick, I need to log into my account.”

Qian Chu didn’t move. She frowned. “The photographer?”

Li Lan said without looking up, “The photos were taken by Zhu Qing. I don’t know if she’s seen the hot search. You tell the studio to contact them to take down the hot search. I’ll log into my account and explain to the fans.”

Qian Chu snatched Li Lan’s phone, trying to stop her. “What’s there to explain? Listen to me, it’s different here than abroad. Fans are often like this…”

“You don’t understand,” Li Lan interrupted her, her gaze cold. “Xiao Qing has a very, very, very strong dislike for the fan culture.”

Li Lan’s palms clenched her knees, and the stinging pain made her thoughts clearer. She remembered the fierce argument she had with Zhu Qing not long ago.

“She doesn’t like the entertainment industry, not because she has a problem with anyone or thinks people in the industry are bad, but because she can’t adapt to that atmosphere where everything needs to be managed and is constantly scrutinized.”

Qian Chu asked, puzzled, “But that’s just what the entertainment industry is like. She’s your partner, and you’re in this environment. Can’t she just ignore it?”

Li Lan shook her head. She knew Qian Chu couldn’t understand. Even she couldn’t understand at first.

If Zhu Qing didn’t like the entertainment industry, she didn’t have to. She wouldn’t force her into it. But gradually, Li Lan realized that it wasn’t like that.

When Zhu Qing hated an environment, she would unconsciously distance herself from the people in that environment.

Zhu Qing undoubtedly liked her, but as time went on and her career continued to develop, Zhu Qing would gradually avoid many things she didn’t approve of.

Li Lan didn’t want to go back to those awkward days with Zhu Qing, nor did she want to see the distant, questioning look in Zhu Qing’s eyes.

A while ago, someone took a photo of Li Lan making a phone call on set. Her expression was probably too gentle at the time, and someone was able to read her lips and confirm that she was talking to her lover.

Li Lan had never concealed the fact that she was married. When she was abroad, she even publicly stated that her partner was a woman and had endorsed brands that supported the LGBTQ+ community.

But even so, her partner, who had never been exposed to the public, was still the target of countless malicious, imaginary attacks.

Due to the investors’ operations, Li Lan couldn’t get revenge for Zhu Qing and had to pretend to be on good terms with those people.

Zhu Qing had a fierce argument with her, and their relationship took a turn for the worse.

Li Lan sighed. She hadn’t expected that just asking Zhu Qing to take some photos would push her into the public eye.

The phone suddenly rang. Li Lan didn’t react at all, so Qian Chu had to take out her phone.

“It’s a call from Ms. Zhu,” Qian Chu said.

Only then did Li Lan move. She turned her head and looked at the phone.

Qian Chu answered the call, and a cheerful female voice came through.

“Li Lan? Is your Weibo account managed by your studio?” Zhu Qing said quickly.

Li Lan was silent for a second. “Yes.”

“Then can I log in?” Zhu Qing asked.

Qian Chu wanted to stop her, but Li Lan raised a hand to stop her from speaking and asked, “What do you want to do?”

Zhu Qing laughed awkwardly, then said fiercely, “I want to reply to the fans’ comments.”

Qian Chu couldn’t take it anymore and immediately tried to stop her. “Ms. Zhu, you can’t use Ms. Lan’s…”

“You can,” Li Lan’s tone was as calm as if she were saying the weather was nice today. “I’ll send you the account and password later.”

After hanging up the phone, Qian Chu said anxiously, “Ms. Lan, how could you let her use your account to reply just like that! She’s definitely going to start a fight with the fans!”

Li Lan shook her head calmly. “She won’t. She won’t feel the need to trample on people who disagree with her just because she likes a person or a thing. Her personality is easygoing. She won’t argue with people in a black-and-white manner.”

Qian Chu was dumbfounded. She didn’t believe for a second that Zhu Qing would say anything nice. At this moment, she looked at Li Lan as if she were looking at a king who had been bewitched by an enchanting concubine.

In ancient times, King You of Zhou lit the beacon fires to amuse his concubine. Now, Li Lan was giving up her Weibo account to get a laugh from Zhu Qing.

The world had gone mad.

Qian Chu messaged Zhu Qing on WeChat, warning her not to say anything reckless. Zhu Qing didn’t reply. Qian Chu was so anxious that she had an idea and asked Qian Cancan for help.

Qian Cancan replied quickly, but she was clearly enjoying the show.

“I’ll help you ask. What’s the backend of a big star’s Weibo account like? Are there tens of thousands of messages? If “Li Lan” speaks up for the photographer, isn’t she just giving the fans a hard slap in the face, hahaha”

Qian Chu couldn’t take it anymore and turned off her phone.

She was like an ancient official who would kneel and offer a “death-plea” to the emperor. Li Lan, ignoring everyone’s protests, just sent Zhu Qing the account and password.

Soon, “Li Lan’s” reply appeared prominently at the top of the comments section.

“Li Lan” replied to a comment from “Li Lan’s Appendix” that said: [photo] “Who took this photo? Why is the lens shoved so close? The photographer’s male gaze is a little too obvious. It’s disgusting.”

Li Lan: “I took it myself.”

Qian Chu: !!!!

The continuously scrolling trending topic page fell into a deathly silence.