HuaYu: The most muscular director in history!

Chapter 143 Yifei's Views on Love, Scandals Arise

"That blockhead did nothing wrong! Why can't I speak up?"

A large single-level apartment in Paris, France.

Yifei sat on the sofa with her arms crossed and her brows furrowed, while Liu's mother sat restlessly to the side, glancing at the news on the coffee table and then at her stubborn daughter.

"Mom isn't saying your blockhead did anything wrong. Anyone with eyes can see that it's his rival stirring up trouble. Mom is just telling you not to speak up for him online. Aren't you just putting yourself in the spotlight?"

"That's not how it works, Mom!"

Yifei took a deep breath, composed herself slightly, and then turned to look at her mother: "Mom, you approve of Xiang Nan, right?"

Liu's mother rolled her eyes.

Actually, I don't really agree with it.

"Mom, say something!"

"Yes, yes!"

"Okay!" Yifei nodded, took Liu's mother's hand and held it in her palm: "Mom, when two people are together, they can't just talk about self-interest, but they have to support each other."

"But there's not that much support either!"

Liu's mother interrupted her, pulling out a finger and pointing to the trending topics on her laptop: "Look, now the battle has spread to you. Things like 'climbing the ladder by relying on Xiang Nan,' 'a crooked actor with terrible acting skills'—you're serious! You're innocent! But netizens won't care about that!"

Yifei shook her head, moved the laptop closer to her, and didn't even glance at the scrolling negative comments on the screen. She just stared at Liu's mother.

"The more critical the moment, the more I cannot abandon the big log."

"Let netizens slander me, it won't hurt me."

Liu's mother leaned back on the sofa, letting out a long sigh: "Why are you so stubborn? If you try to get closer now, aren't you just handing yourself a target?"

Yifei sat up straight and retorted without hesitation, "I'm his girlfriend. If I can't stand firmly behind him, then who will?"

"You know his influence in this industry. He should have already handled things properly. Why would he need you to stand up for him?"

"Mom." Yifei raised her hand to smooth the stray hairs by her ear and slowly shook her head: "You're a blockhead, but I am me."

"I just want to firmly tell him, and tell myself, that I chose him and I won't regret it."

As she spoke, she leaned forward, her big eyes looking at Liu's mother with wide eyes: "Mom, isn't the only way for love to truly last—to choose each other firmly and support each other?"

Liu's mother opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

A firm choice?

Looking at the determination in her daughter's eyes, she suddenly thought of her own failed marriage.

Yes, if I myself am a typical example of a failed marriage, what right do I have to judge my daughter's choices?

She slumped onto the sofa, looking deflated, rubbed her temples, and finally waved her hand dismissively.

"Fine, do whatever you want."

"Mom doesn't care about you anymore."

She turned her face away, looking out at the Parisian street scene, her voice lowered.

"Our Sisi has really grown up."

Yifei's eyes lit up instantly. She lunged forward, hugged Liu's mother's arm, and nuzzled her head against her shoulder. "Mom, you're the best! You're the kindest and most beautiful mom in the world!"

Liu's mother slapped her head away, raised her hand and poked her forehead, but couldn't help but smile.

Seeing her daughter frantically typing on her phone, she ultimately didn't stop her. She simply closed the pages filled with vulgar language on the computer and got up to pour her a glass of warm milk.

Yifei held her phone, her fingers tapping on the screen, deleting and revising it several times, and finally only posted a simple Weibo post.

There were no lengthy explanations, no rebuttals with presented evidence, only three simple words: "I believe him."

The moment the message was successfully sent, the comment section exploded.

Previously, Liu Yifei had a hashtag #LiuYifeiIBelieveInHim# that went viral, and now she's repeating the same thing again?

What does this mean? You two still say there's nothing fishy going on between you!

Liu's mother leaned over and glanced at the screen, then rolled her eyes.

Isn't this the same as before?

Meanwhile, in a penthouse suite at a hotel in Manhattan, New York.

The heavy blackout curtains were half-drawn, allowing the afternoon sunlight to slant into the room and fall on the large glass coffee table.

Xiang Nan sat on the sofa, his 196cm frame filling the entire space. His computer screen was on an international flight booking page, and he was finalizing the information for the next direct flight to China.

"Ring ring—"

The phone next to him suddenly rang; it was an outside call transferred from the front desk. He picked it up and pressed the speakerphone button.

Han Jianu's voice came through the receiver, filled with barely suppressed urgency.

"Brother Nan, the situation in China isn't good."

"Speak." Xiang Nan's finger slid across the mouse, filtering through flight departure and arrival times.

"Huayi and Tangren joined forces to stir up trouble, and Taiwan also got involved. The entire internet was flooded with negative press releases and smear campaigns. Our PR account's clarification was immediately buried by online trolls as soon as it was published."

"Phew—" Xiang Nan let out a long breath and quickly calmed down.

"Yes, I understand."

"Beep beep beep————"

After hanging up the phone, Xiang Nan raised his hand to rub his temples and began brainstorming.

Although Han Jianu is the general manager of Xingnanfei Film and Television Company, she is still somewhat lacking in the ability to handle these issues.

It's those same old rivals stirring things up again in China. Three parties of capital have joined forces to control public opinion, and public opinion is completely out of control.

While I was abroad, it made it easier for them to smear me. I must return to China as soon as possible to take control of the situation and not passively wait for the public relations crisis to escalate.

Having figured out the key point, he checked the flight information again.

Just then, the suite door was suddenly pushed open, and Chen Yaochuan strode in.

"Xiao Nan, you've seen the public opinion in China, haven't you?"

Xiang Nan raised his eyes, without stopping what he was doing, and just grunted in response.

"The whole internet is cursing you now. The fabricated dirt on you is getting more and more outrageous. It's gone from dereliction of duty and disregard for human life to drug use and being a Cao fan. It's impossible to suppress." Chen Yaochuan sat down next to him, his tone quite urgent.

"I know." Xiang Nan's tone was indifferent, still without much variation.

This made Chen Yaochuan even more anxious: "You have to do something! I've discussed it with the music department team, and we suggest you quickly issue a clarification statement, soften your attitude, apologize to the public, and suppress the public opinion first."

Xiang Nan paused as he pressed the button, frowned, and looked up at Chen Yaochuan.

"Apologize? I won't."

"Don't be so stubborn! The whole internet is watching you right now. We're not making you admit to the rumors circulating online because we want you to back down first, since someone died!" Chen Yaochuan stomped his feet anxiously, sweat beading on his forehead.

"I did nothing wrong, why should I apologize?" Xiang Nan's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable force. His gaze was fixed on Chen Yaochuan's face, unwavering in the slightest.

"But what netizens want now is an attitude! If you don't apologize, they'll only think you're arrogant, and those scandals will be even harder to clear up!" Chen Yaochuan continued to persuade.

"The security setup was the highest level allowed by the local venue, and I didn't miss a single step in the aftermath, from offering comfort and compensation to cooperating with the police investigation." Xiang Nan's voice gradually rose: "I did everything I was supposed to do, there's no reason for me to apologize."

Chen Yaochuan opened his mouth, wanting to persuade him again, but Xiang Nan raised his hand and waved it, indicating that he didn't need to say anything more.

He got up and walked to the window, looking at the endless stream of cars below, his chest heaving more and more.

An apology? Why should I apologize!

Li Jiaqi, who sells products online, apologized because he was originally a beast who preyed on consumers.

The anchor, Zhou Shuyi, apologized, saying that she had always liked to be a "broken shoe" (a woman who has been cheated on).

Why should I apologize?

"Xiang Nan!"

"No need to say anything more!" Xiang Nan raised his hand to stop Chen Yaochuan from speaking.

He spoke again, with a touch of youthful stubbornness: "I'll say it again, why should I apologize?"

"The security measures were already at their maximum, and I took a series of remedial measures afterward. Are the allegations of drug use, Cao Cao's fandom, and dereliction of duty true?"

"Just because someone sings doesn't mean someone else will listen. What does that have to do with me?"

"The reason it's become such a big deal is simply because people back home have exaggerated it! We'll talk about it again when we get back tomorrow!"

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