“Serves him right! Who told him not to watch his mouth?” Ouyang Yuyuan gloated.
Lin Hang thought thoughtfully: “He was probably set up.”
He had read Reporter Wan’s articles, which were mostly taken out of context or exaggerated, but he was clever enough not to name names in unverified gossip, using nicknames instead.
There were plenty in the industry who hated him, but this was Chu Yi’s first encounter with him. It was impossible for Chu Yi to have anticipated being targeted… So, he really read it from his physiognomy?
Lin Hang had heard rumors about Chu Yi’s abilities but never dared confirm them. Now that he had witnessed it firsthand, he couldn’t help but feel excited!
“Too amazing!”
“This is nothing…” Seeing that Lin Hang had figured it out, Ouyang Yuyuan no longer hid anything and shared all he knew about Chu Yi’s exploits. The two huddled in a corner, chattering away, not caring if the press conference had started—they didn’t need to go on stage anyway.
The press conference did indeed begin. Director Mo followed protocol and first played a twenty-plus-minute promotional reel, which included basically every major role.
The male and female leads’ romance line, the male lead’s intrigues in the court—from an overlooked prince to steadily advancing, defeating the crown prince—these key plots took up over ten minutes.
Chu Yi appeared for less than a minute: from his gentle, jade-like entrance to the desperate fight in the rain, revealing his sharp edges. Though just a minor supporting role, it was enough to catch the eye.
The press conference was live-streamed, and the promo reel was synced online simultaneously. The live chat exploded with messages.
【Wow, the visuals look so exquisite! I wasn’t planning to watch a court drama, but how do I deal with being hooked by this steady pacing and intense plot?】
【What else? Watch it, duh. I already subscribed to that video site membership just waiting for this drama to air.】
【Support Baby Weiyu—her styling in this drama is too beautiful, even her crying looks stunning!】
【The makeup and costumes are great, but credit goes to Director Mo’s taste: all handsome guys and beautiful women.】
【Exactly! So many hunks in this drama. Male lead Qin Xiaoran aside, Qi Yun and Zhuo Zhenyit are good-looking too. But the handsomest? Surprisingly, it’s Chu Yi playing the antagonist! No dissonance in ancient costume, and in a suit? So hot your legs go weak!】
【Right, right! I noticed his suits are super hot too!】
【I’m different—I fell for our dear President Yu! President Yu, look at me! I’m your future Mrs. Yu!!】
Chu Yi spotted this line on the venue screen and immediately felt a bit unhappy.
Yu Qingxian keenly noticed his displeasure and softly asked: “What’s wrong?”
Chu Yi’s face was stern: “Someone’s trying to poach my corner.”
Following his cue, Yu Qingxian also saw the line and nearly burst out laughing.
Chu Yi in disbelief: “You’re laughing?”
“No, no.” Yu Qingxian quickly schooled his expression. Fortunately, he was used to maintaining a stern face, so his smile wasn’t too obvious.
“People are just joking. You’re taking it seriously?” His tone softened as he pointed to another comment on the screen about someone wanting to bear Chu Yi’s monkey children: “Look, so many people have their eyes on you too.”
Chu Yi: “…” What kind of savage words were these!
The two took advantage of the venue lights not being too dim and openly huddled together whispering, completely forgetting this was a press conference site.
Normally, Chu Yi wouldn’t have been seated next to President Yu. But who could argue when President Yu wanted to sit with his boyfriend? Using the excuse that he wasn’t the star today, he voluntarily took a corner seat.
Qin Xiaoran was about to explode with anger. He had finally hooked up with Cui Ran, but after sleeping together twice, Cui Ran went dark. Later, through connections, he learned the Cui Family had troubles and immediately didn’t dare contact Cui Ran anymore.
Chu Yi, on the other hand, had directly hooked up with President Yu!
Who didn’t know Yu Family Third Young Master kept himself clean, and Director Yu valued this younger brother greatly? Compared to the promiscuous Cui Ran, who had no standing in the Cui Family, President Yu was leagues above!
But Qin Xiaoran could only seethe inwardly. Why had he worked so hard to hook up with Cui Ran? Because he had no background himself! President Yu wasn’t a fool like Cui Ran—earlier, he had already warned him with several glances. The importance he placed on Chu Yi was self-evident…
It seemed he couldn’t target Chu Yi anymore, or he wouldn’t even know how he’d die!
Qin Xiaoran quickly made up his mind, and in the subsequent interviews, he intentionally mentioned Chu Yi several times.
Chu Yi was just a minor supporting role; even with his outstanding looks, few paid attention. But now, because Qin Xiaoran acted like they were on great terms, online discussions about Chu Yi surged. Some even got excited and shipped them as a CP.
Two handsome guys in ancient costumes: one a brooding prince unloved by the emperor, the other a Canal Transport Governor’s son who seemed gentle as jade but was ruthless inside. Thinking about it, it was pretty intriguing?
Some video-editing bloggers who lived off clips immediately rubbed their hands in anticipation, declaring they’d cut a “lovers to enemies” video once the drama aired…
Yu Qingxian saw these comments on his phone and his face darkened. Earlier, netizens had speculated about him and Chu Yi’s CP vibe from their whispering, but now with Qin Xiaoran’s stunt, everyone had jumped ship!
Yu Qingxian put down his phone and coldly shot Qin Xiaoran a glare.
Qin Xiaoran: “…”
Hadn’t he already dropped his hostility and tossed Chu Yi some lines? Why was President Yu still glaring at him?
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