The Ex's Tears Are So Hot - Chapter 9

As many had predicted, the microblog post that had initially only drawn a small audience exploded in popularity once the person involved personally left a comment — sending it straight to the trending list.

A flood of online users rushed to reply beneath his comment, snapping screenshots like they were clocking in for work. Even people completely unrelated to the situation began chiming in with unsolicited advice.

“Classic move — sobbing in the rain, playing the pity card, textbook chasing-your-ex-back-after-a-breakup trope. You earned it.”

“Recommended reading list: My Mischievous Husband from the Golden Era, Can’t Escape the Palm Bird, Young Master Gu Regrets Breaking the Engagement, He Went Cold After the Stand-in Quit. Please memorize these stories word for word. 🤭”

While many were just joking around with memes and banter, some actually offered genuine advice.

“You should really reflect on your own behavior first. Give him space to breathe, then find the right moment to talk things through sincerely — no games, just honesty.”

“His reputation has already taken a hit, and there are still people who’d rather believe rumors. Your top priority right now should be damage control — help shift public opinion and think carefully about how to restore his image.”

Interestingly, Xie Zhixin liked and replied to the more sincere comments, thanking those who took the time to offer thoughtful feedback.

Though some still mocked him for being hopelessly in love, others began to take notice of his vulnerability. That stark contrast — once criticized, now endearing — started winning people over. His follower count, which had plummeted, began to climb again.

Meanwhile, Guan Jinnian had figured out everything that happened. He first sent a string of ellipses to Lin Shen, clearly unimpressed, then quietly unfollowed Xie Zhixin’s account — removing the special attention notification he had once set.

Whatever Xie Zhixin was planning, it no longer concerned him.

Now that Xie Zhixin had officially terminated his contract and was out of the storm, Guan Jinnian wasted no time. He turned in Lin Shen’s video evidence to the authorities.

He also contacted a supporting actor he knew from filming a web drama — someone well-connected behind the scenes.

[Guan Jinnian]: “Brother Qi, got a moment? I need a favor.”

A few minutes later, a reply came through.

[Brother Qi]: “Just say the word. No need to be formal with me.”

Guan Jinnian sent over photo and video evidence of Wu Zhaoyan being involved with multiple shady businessmen.

[Guan Jinnian]: “Thanks, Brother Qi. I need help getting this circulated, quietly. Be careful — they might retaliate. If it comes back to bite, just say I made you do it.”

[Brother Qi]: “Relax, bro. I’ve been in this game for a while. I know how to handle things.”

Guan Jinnian thanked him and offered to treat him to a meal sometime. Brother Qi replied instantly:

[Brother Qi]: “No need to thank me! I owe you. If it weren’t for you back then, I wouldn’t be here chatting now. When you drop by set, dinner’s on me!”

Years ago, while they were filming overnight, Brother Qi suddenly collapsed from low bl00d flow to the brain. Guan Jinnian rushed him to the hospital and even paid the bill up front. That act stuck with him ever since.

Despite feeling awkward asking for help, Guan Jinnian had few people he could truly count on. So he turned to the one who owed him a life.

As for Wu Zhaoyan, who had targeted him again and again — Guan Jinnian’s eyes turned cold. He’d shown enough leniency. Any more, and he’d only be hurting himself.

Not bothering to keep up with the gossip afterward, Guan Jinnian simply chose a quiet time to resume his live streams.

However, his early streams didn’t go smoothly. He kept getting reported, and viewers showed up not to shop, but to pry into his personal life. Real supporters were few and far between.

Due to the constant reports, his account’s visibility was throttled.

With no better options, he had to follow the trend: joining live stream “PKs” to boost engagement.

But without loyal fans or big spenders backing him, he kept losing. At first, the punishments were light-hearted — the streamers he matched with didn’t give him too hard a time.

But over time, he ran into all kinds of trolls.

One day, he got paired with a sleazy man in his 30s or 40s, who immediately spammed annoying laugh effects and ogled Guan Jinnian’s body inappropriately.

When Guan Jinnian frowned in disgust, the man picked up on it and got nastier.

“Let’s make it interesting,” the man grinned creepily. “If you win, I’ll hand over all my earnings for the night. If you lose… come sleep with me.”

The whole chat exploded in disgust.

[WTF?! What kind of creep is this?]
[I’m throwing up through the screen.]
[The live streaming world is truly filthy… I finally believe it now.]
[Host, please destroy him. I don’t even like you, but I’m on your side this time!]
[Take him down! I’ll send gifts too. This guy is gross beyond words.]

Though Guan Jinnian was furious, he hesitated — the guy had over two million fans. Picking a fight might backfire.

But his audience rallied behind him.

[Don’t back down. Trust me, no real “whales” would support a scumbag like him. I’m calling reinforcements. Just fight!]
[Yeah! If you don’t push back, who knows what other disgusting things he’ll say. Go get him!]

“Alright,” Guan Jinnian agreed. “But everyone, spend within your limits. Please be rational.”

He immediately entered PK mode, and thankfully, the audio spam stopped once the host switched over.

[Finally some peace — that laugh effect made me want to punch a hole in the wall.]
[This live streaming gig is a minefield. You should go back to acting.]
[Actually, your acting’s really good. I watched the short drama you were in. You totally nailed it!]
[Same here. Your portrayal of Luo Kai felt so real. Better than half the actors out there!]

The praise genuinely surprised him. Guan Jinnian chuckled softly, his smile warm and his honey-colored eyes catching the light.

“Thank you. I don’t deserve all that, but I really appreciate the encouragement.”

Suddenly, the chat went wild.

[Okay wait… I get why someone would fall for that face now.]
[Why is he getting more attractive the longer I watch?!]
[He’s totally giving stay-at-home husband vibes. The kind who waits for you in an apron.]
[No joke, I’m starting to believe I could actually marry someone like this one day…]
[Wife material!]

“Wife…?” Guan Jinnian blinked, then blushed. “Don’t call me that!”

[Too late! Wife! Wife! Nian Nian wife!]
[Nian Nian wife supremacy!]

Flustered, he covered his face. “You guys are ridiculous…”

The match was going smoothly until, with one minute left, the other streamer’s points suddenly skyrocketed.

[Uh-oh! They’re catching up!]
[This is planned — they’re sniping last minute to throw us off!]
[Too dirty! Can we still win?!]

Just as it seemed like defeat was inevitable, a spectacular gift animation lit up the screen. Someone with the username “Happy New Year” sent a flurry of high-value gifts, completely reversing the outcome.

[YESSS! MVP!!!]
[Who is this legend?!]
[We win!!]

“Thank you, ‘Happy New Year,’ but this is too much,” Guan Jinnian said gratefully. “I’ll return it later.”

[Happy New Year: No need.]

The user didn’t say anything else, no matter how much he tried to engage. After the stream, Guan Jinnian messaged them privately — same response: “No need.”

And so, every time he streamed after that, “Happy New Year” showed up. Quiet, mysterious, constantly gifting.

Guan Jinnian couldn’t help but wonder — was this Xie Zhixin? The username felt way too deliberate.

But he never asked. And Xie Zhixin never explained. It became their unspoken secret.

Of course, online sleuths also had their theories. On a gossip forum, a post popped up:

“Hey fam, those who watch gjn’s streams regularly — be honest. Is the #1 gifter XZX’s alt account??”

The replies rolled in:

[LOL I thought the same! That name is way too pointed.]
[Totally him. Unless someone says otherwise, we accept it as canon.]
[Peak “secretly chasing your ex” behavior 😂]
[Okay, I confess. I ship them now. I’m down bad for this couple.]

[Wait, didn’t they break up??]
[I joined the fandom late — I thought I was biting into candy but it turned out to be shattered glass 💔]