First Kiss Diary - Chapter 28

Ji Shiyan’s simple statement, « Beauty is just the least of his advantages, » once again propelled the two of them to the top of the trending charts.

Being at the top means being at the top. Just a casual remark in a small interview sparked a frenzy of discussion within half an hour.

Now it’s not Ji Ning chasing after the traffic, it’s the traffic chasing after him.

Some bystanders were shocked, unable to express their feelings clearly: « The man who originally had nothing to do with the matter suddenly participated in the woman’s topic? And praised so harshly? Tsk, are they not angry at all? »

Haiyan Sister is quite logical, leaving a long string of remarks: « Was Ji Shiyan paid to appear? In such a sensitive situation, what else could he say? Should he say that the other person is ugly or that he was kidnapped? Mutual compliments in business are just basic etiquette. Just listen and don’t overthink it. Is it because he’s never been in a relationship that everyone is so eager for him to have a love history? »

In fact, Ji Ning didn’t know how Ji Shiyan responded at the time, but now after reading this comment, she felt like she had grasped something.

If Fu Xuan loves to ride on popularity, maybe he just wanted to express his dissatisfaction in his name, and then being mentioned by the media later, he couldn’t say he was lying at the time, even if he had to continue praising with a straight face.

Things like this in front of the camera are sometimes true and sometimes false. It’s best not to believe them completely.

Even if Ji Shiyan really thinks he’s beautiful, he’s beautiful. It’s just a commercial recognition, what else could it mean?

She figured it out and decided not to think about these ambiguous things, and switched from Weibo to WeChat.

Before that, she had asked her friends to contact the big Vs to post on Weibo. Sheng Qiannight and Lin Luosang were best friends, and gratitude became estrangement, but it was different with Ji Shiyan and Zhuo Gong.

Asking for help from others is quite a big deal, and the price is definitely not within the range of ordinary interpersonal relationships, and it has to be repaid.

She asked Zhuo Gong how much it would cost, and Zhuo Gong said: « It’s too tacky to give money. If you really want to reciprocate, just arrange a support food truck for me at that time. My new drama ‘Dual Voice’ is about to start shooting. »

After a new drama starts shooting, idols usually receive various support, such as sending water and food to the staff, some are from fan clubs or fan organizations, and some are sponsored by friends.

Ji Ning happily agreed: « Okay, then I’ll arrange a food truck for you at that time. »

After arranging things with Zhuo Gong, she sent a message to Ji Shiyan again. Obviously, the man who didn’t even take her money before, it’s even more impossible for him to mention a price now.

Ji Ning tried to coax him, but he remained tight-lipped.

――It’s too difficult, it’s really too difficult to give him money.

Afraid that he would really get angry the next second, Ji Ning could only change her words: « Then I’ll buy you something, I just saw some things recently that I feel are quite suitable for you. »

Ji Shiyan: « Okay. »

Two days later, Ji Shiyan received the things Ji Ning sent.

The moment he opened the package, Jiang Sheng, who was still napping on the sofa holding a pillow, burst into laughter, rolled off the sofa in a circle.

He just lay on the blanket and continued to laugh loudly, even wrinkling his nose.

« What did I think it was? After all this fuss, it’s just a damn massage chair and eye steamer hahaha! »

Ji Shiyan took out the massage chair, opened it, and tried it out.

He didn’t know why Jiang Sheng was laughing like this, but he found this thing practical and convenient.

After turning on the massage mode, the man lying on it hadn’t enjoyed it for a few minutes before he was suddenly stopped by someone.

Jiang Sheng stood in front of him, patting his shoulder with a solemn expression: « Seriously, just by looking at these two gifts, I would think you’re 62 years old this year, just like my dad. »

« Get lost. »

« Isn’t it? Think about it seriously. Would a normal young person give someone their age these things? » Jiang Sheng scratched his chin, « So this can also tell where you stand in Ji Ning’s heart. »

Ji Shiyan squinted, « What? »

« A well-respected… old man with both virtue and talent. »

The motorhome, which was driving steadily, suddenly stopped by the roadside, and then the door opened, and the previously wise and heroic Jiang’s agent was thrown into the middle of the road.

The car drove away with a long tail of cold and stern exhaust.

Jiang Sheng: ……………

On that day, Jining’s schedule was just filming. Both the producer and the male lead were absent today, so she filmed her solo scenes, which weren’t many, and finished by five o’clock. Checking the logistics records, Jishiyanshi found that Jishixi had received the items she had sent, so she drove to her next itinerary with peace of mind.

This itinerary was just added temporarily. Originally, she was planning to attend an acting class tonight, but a variety show director called her, saying he heard she was filming locally and asked if she could help out. A certain variety show guest had an urgent matter at home and had to rush back, but the program couldn’t continue without her, so the director thought of Jining who was nearby and asked if she was available. Since this director had helped her with publicity before, she agreed to come.

Although it was just decided, the program team would insert a role for her during editing to create a feeling of continuity throughout the episode, so her appearance wouldn’t be too abrupt. Twenty minutes later, Jining arrived at the shooting location, only to find… Sun He was also there. Having a wealthy father as the boss was indeed great; various good resources could be obtained without lifting a finger.

Before the program started recording, as soon as Sun He saw Jining, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes openly, probably still feeling very unhappy about not getting her yesterday. Jining didn’t think much about shooting with this young lady, but luckily, she would only be recording for two hours. The program began, with the MCs saying a bunch of clichéd words of welcome, congratulating Jining on her arrival. Sun He couldn’t help but wear a black expression throughout.

Soon, it was time for the grouping part, where the two were paired up and could choose freely. Somehow, the conversation turned to Tang Xin, who had just debuted, and Sun He quickly said, « The little sister just debuted, let her choose first. I think Zheng Ju is very clever. Why don’t you two be a team, one with high IQ and the other with high EQ. » Zheng Ju was a chubby comedian and host. Sun He probably didn’t want to be closely teamed up with him, so she kept urging him and Tang Xin to be a team.

« Zheng Ju is so smart. He just solved the code for me, and I was stunned. » Tang Xin also had backers behind her, so naturally she wasn’t willing at this moment. She fake-smiled and said, « I just arrived and don’t know anyone yet. I’m fine with being in a group with anyone. If sister likes him so much, just be in a group with him. I won’t ruin your fun. » Just a moment ago, Sun He was saying how great Zheng Ju was, but now she suddenly fell silent and looked embarrassed.

Tang Xin continued, « Is it settled then? » Sun He forced a smile, « What’s going on? You don’t want to be in a group with your brother Ju? » It seemed harmonious between the two, but the atmosphere of passing the buck was palpable, and Zheng Ju was inexplicably put in an awkward position, as if he had been rejected. An MC quickly came out to save the situation, and Jining also handed her wristband to Zheng Ju. Zheng Ju said, « No need, I was planning to be in a group with Jining anyway. » Then he raised the wristband that Jining had just given him, indicating the grouping.

The MC teased, « See, our Ju Ju is so popular. These two beautiful ladies are fighting over him, while another little fairy has already been snatched away by another. I’m so jealous. » Tang Xin also chimed in, « Ning Ning sister is so fast. » Sun He’s lips curled up, « That’s really a pity. » Later, everyone subdivided into groups. Zheng Ju looked at Jining and whispered, « Thank you. » Jining shook her head and said it was nothing. It didn’t matter who she worked with, but just now Zheng Ju already had a difficult expression and seemed stiff. If she didn’t intervene, things would only get worse.

After the groups were sorted out, the competition began. This time it was a water game with two teams competing against each other. Jining and Sun He were in opposing teams. Their teammates first had to grab balls in kayaks on the water and then pass them to their teammates. The teammates then had to contend for the balls in the water and finally get them into the opposing team’s goal to win. The water level in the pool wasn’t high, but it wasn’t low either, probably just above Jining’s head. She and Sun He put on their swimming rings, and the competition began.

The MC on the kayak first had a round of hilarious ball-grabbing, then Zheng Ju grabbed the ball and threw it to Jining. Just as Jining reached out to catch it, she suddenly felt something at her waist, and Sun He kicked her leg hard, giving her a kick underwater. Caught off guard, she didn’t get the ball, and Sun He got it instead. Of course, Jining wasn’t going to back down. Because she had learned to swim when she was young, she quickly caught up with Sun He. After a fake move, she snatched the ball from Sun He. The people on the sidelines were excited, « Wow! Jining even knows how to fake moves! »

After Ji Ning got the ball, Sun He chased her closely, whether it was for the sake of variety show effects or purely personal revenge, Sun He’s target inexplicably became her. In the chaos, Sun He grabbed her necklace, whether it was intentional or not, and with a sudden tug, Ji Ning felt a fiery pain around her neck as the necklace was forcibly snapped by Sun He. However, the camera was far away, and the necklace was small, so it’s uncertain if it would be captured.

Enduring the pain in her neck, Ji Ning exerted herself and threw the ball into the opposite frame. There was a scream by the poolside. The second round quickly began, and this time Ji Ning deliberately kept her distance from Sun He to avoid being kicked or hurt by the young lady. She was busy watching the competition on the kayaks and didn’t notice Sun He’s movements. When she caught the ball, there was a moment of confusion—where did Sun He go, why didn’t she see her? The next moment, as she swam forward, she felt a snag on her foot, as if something was entangled.

It was only then that Sun He emerged from underwater, wearing a victorious smile on her face. With a splash, while Ji Ning was blinded by water, Sun He seized her ball. Ji Ning wiped her face, took off the swimming ring, and untangled the ribbon wrapped around her ankle. No wonder she felt something on her foot just now, thinking it was a prop or a camera set up by the production crew, but it turned out to be Sun He tying her legs. As she untied it, Sun He threw the ball into her frame, winning this round.

In the third round, when Ji Ning thought she had seen all of Sun He’s tricks, the young lady told her, « No, you’re too naive. » This time, Sun He directly punctured several holes in Ji Ning’s swimming ring with her rivet ring. Ji Ning simply gave up the ring, hugged the ball, and dove underwater, stubbornly holding her breath to deliver the ball to the opposite frame. Two to one, she won.

After coming ashore, Sun He innocently smiled at her, trying to justify herself, « Sorry, I did that just for the show. I hope you’re not angry. » Ji Ning, touching the still burning wound on her neck, smiled and reminded her, « Don’t be upset for losing to me either. I can tell you tried your best too. » Sun He’s expression was momentarily complicated.

Later, they had several more chaotic battles, and Ji Ning and Zheng Juo won, earning the right to choose a punishment. Zheng Juo probably couldn’t stand Sun He’s antics either, suggesting punishing their team, suggesting Sun He sit on a springboard and be bounced into the water. Ji Ning didn’t want to be involved in anything related to Miss Sun anymore, so she let Zheng Juo handle it himself.

After that episode aired, the discussion index soared, and Ji Ning saw her and Sun He’s names rise from the thirtieth to the first in the hot search. Everyone was talking about the inexplicable actions Sun He had done to her.

[What’s Sun He doing? Really puzzled. Doesn’t she understand how dangerous it is to tie someone’s legs underwater? What if Ji Ning couldn’t swim? Without a swimming ring, it’s easy to have an accident, shouldn’t there be a limit to this nonsense? Just because her dad is the CEO of Andong Century, does it give her the right to do whatever she wants?]

[She’s lacking in manners and very scheming. Did you notice that in one shot, she almost pulled Ji Ning’s clothes down just to get the ball, regardless if it’s a game or not, this way of dealing with opponents is too much…]

[Not only that, that night Ji Ning went to record the show with her hair tied up, but after recording, she let her hair down. Later, fans found out she was injured on the back of her neck and was afraid we’d worry, so she covered the wound with her hair.]

Initially, Sun He’s fans were defending her:

[Who told Ji Ning to wear a necklace while playing a game? Isn’t it common sense not to wear accessories during intense physical activity? It’s also easy to injure the opponent. Besides, it was chaotic at the time, and Sun He probably didn’t see clearly what she grabbed, so stop making conspiracy theories.]

[Isn’t variety show meant to give it your all to make it entertaining? What’s the point of watching two people being soft?]

Lemon Sister directly confronted them:

[OK, let’s see how our « for the sake of variety show effects » Sun He tore off Ji Ning’s necklace and injured her. Who’s still not a fan’s darling? Can’t we express our feelings? Also, for the one who said it was Ji Ning’s fault for wearing a necklace, Sun He has a set of rivet bracelet and ring, in terms of injuring opponents, your sister is quite skilled.]

There was a segment in the comments showing the enlarged clip of the necklace being pulled, directly shutting down the fans, with a string of shocked onlookers underneath—

[This is too fierce, that expression makes even me, a grown man, shudder.]

[What’s this? Can apologizing afterward with « I did it for the effect » erase the previous harm? I felt repelled by her at first sight. It seems that appearance reflects one’s inner self. No matter how much the marketing tries to hype her up, I have no goodwill toward her.]

[Bai Hehua: A new term derived from Bai Lianhua (white lotus) + Sun He, describing someone who clearly has evil intentions but pretends to be innocent.]

[The team shouldn’t cast her as a sweet and innocent girl, with our Miss Sun’s style, the malicious supporting actress might explode.]

Then someone brought up Zheng Juo’s matter:

[Ji Ning has really high emotional intelligence, and it’s not the kind that deliberately tries to sell a good person image, but silently lets the topic pass, also giving Zheng Juo some face.]

【I really love Jining, maybe the kind sister who descended from heaven isn’t so great after all.】

【What’s wrong with being chubby? A lively chubby person is very cute.】

【Isn’t Sun He just the typical « what I say goes, what you say doesn’t » type? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, I suggest banning her.】

【Earlier, everyone had to make lunch with ingredients they found themselves. Sun He’s group only found rabbit meat, and she insisted on not eating it herself and asked her teammates to release it. As a female artist, it’s fine if she doesn’t eat it, but there are still two men in the group who are in their twenties. My boyfriend is very thin and needs to eat two bowls of rice at noon. Moreover, male artists consume a lot of energy running around. Are they supposed to starve just to accompany her because of her kindness? It’s really selfish. We’re not friends, why should we accommodate her? If she doesn’t want to eat, she can go aside. Why interfere with others?】

As soon as this Weibo post came out, someone immediately searched and found something. Everyone was surprised to find out that three years ago, Sun He also posted a Weibo and paired it with a GIF of herself enjoying eating――【Rabbits are so cute, but they’re meant to be eaten.】

#SunHeEatsRabbit# immediately surged in hot search, and everyone was surprised that Sun He, who pitifully said in the show, « How can anyone bear to eat such a cute rabbit, » was then exposed the next second to not only bear to eat it but also quite enjoyed eating it.

【Establishing a persona will eventually backfire.】

【??? Shocked my whole family, totally didn’t expect her to have said « I never eat animals » before.】

【Stop talking nonsense. If you don’t eat beef, lamb, fish, or pork, you don’t eat animals. Now female celebrities blabbering nonsense to gain favor also has its limits, can’t you use your brain before deceiving the audience?】

【Earlier still selling the image of being kind-hearted, while Jining directly revealed her true nature. Should we say she can’t even fake it or her brain is too dumb to act?】

【Did Jining even participate in punishing her later? Jining is really good, not bothering with her.】

【I don’t think Jining even wants to deal with her.】

【Hahaha, the person upstairs is right, whoever deals with the mentally disabled is mentally disabled themselves.】

Her Weibo post from three years ago was immediately filled with various comments, and even big fans who hated iron for not becoming steel――

【Lying habitually is one thing, but why are the statements inconsistent and you forget to delete the Weibo? Do you know how tiring it is for fans to control the comments? If you don’t have the ability, don’t try to establish an image. That’s something only smart actresses can do. If it were you, you’d only end up with an out-of-character image and be ridiculed by the masses. Is that interesting? You really don’t understand, liking you is too tiring, I’m leaving.】

Then they directly left with a blank profile picture.

Every artist has big fans, who generally produce a lot or have ideas, so many people follow them. When something happens in the fan circle, big fans have a lot of weight and are trusted by many, and because there are many people relying on them, very few big fans will openly unfollow.

A blank profile picture indicates « this person 404 does not exist, » which is a very harsh way to unfollow.

The level of disappointment accumulates, and after sighing time and time again, all that’s left is heartache and indifference――if they weren’t truly disappointed with Sun He, big fans wouldn’t choose to leave this way.

The emptiness of the fan circle is a wild celebration, and all night long Nono watched the earth-shattering events in Sun He’s super topic, almost laughing herself to death.

She was live-streaming to Jining as she watched, « Sun He didn’t have many fans to begin with, but even after some strong promotion, she accumulated some fans. But after this incident, the fan circle is in chaos. »

« Oh, so this incident was just the catalyst. She used to lie frequently, like sometimes saying she’s been committed to skincare for ten years, selling herself as the beauty queen, and sometimes saying she’s a rough tomboy who often doesn’t wash her face; sometimes saying she loves eating so much she’s a foodie, and sometimes saying she’s not interested in food because of dieting, claiming to have had anorexia for a long time, but then the next day she’s photographed eating barbecue. »

« Her figure deteriorates, but fans hide it, retouching photos and finding angles for her; her acting skills are not good, but fans uphold her, saying she’s a newcomer and needs more space, but after several years, her acting is still the same. »

« Either she hasn’t tried hard enough or trying hard is useless. In any case, she really isn’t suitable for this line of work. These resources would have made someone else a top star long ago, but she’s still wandering around in the bottom ranks with top-tier resources. »

Jining was silent for a moment, then said slowly, « She really let down her fans. »

Those people who truly liked her, didn’t expect anything in return, and worshipped her like a deity, they didn’t know how dark and twisted her soul hidden beneath their belief was. Artists all know how to use fans to encourage themselves, but she only becomes more and more reckless with those who like her, probably because she was spoiled since childhood.

It must be very hard for fans to accept the truth when they find out.

« Why are you sighing? » Nono nudged her, « You haven’t let down your fans. It’s great to have your own fans. Why bother with Sun He? »

« I just heard that Sun He is asking around whether you’re the one behind the whole internet backlash against her. I laughed so hard, hahaha, she really has no idea about her own hated and cunning nature! »

« Yesterday, the whole internet was in an uproar, and today Miss Sun is so angry that she postponed all her announcements, saying she won’t participate in any activities for a week. » This news was heard by Ji Ning from Nono in the car.

« Some people are so angry at home that they can’t even eat, while others are happily coming out to record programs. Maybe this is karma, » Nono tapped the armrest satisfied, « the way of heaven has its own cycle, good and evil will eventually be repaid. Look up, who can escape the heavens’ judgment. »

Ji Ning was about to shoot part of « First Kiss Diary » next. It had been a while since she last saw Ji Shiyi – she didn’t know if he liked the massage chair she sent him before. It took her a long time to select it, and she had to ask a friend to get it from a research institute because it wasn’t available on the market.

Soon they arrived at the shooting location, almost simultaneously with Ji Shiyi’s car. Ji Ning got off to do her makeup, and when she was doing her hair, he was next to her, asking casually, « Is the back of your neck feeling better? » She instinctively touched the scar on the back of her neck and raised her eyes, « You know? »

« Yeah, I saw it last night, » he said.

« You were actually browsing hot searches yesterday… » Ji Ning chuckled awkwardly, « I thought you never checked Weibo. »

He coughed, « I happened to see it yesterday. »

Top stars also have their own dignity, one of which is never allowing anyone to say they are an old-fashioned person who dates younger people. So Ji, the top star, had given up his bedtime activities for several days and started checking Weibo hot searches instead. Unexpectedly, yesterday he happened to see the whole internet boiling over Ji Ning and Sun He’s affair, and Sun He was very much condemned by everyone.

Logically, Sun He deserved to be scolded, so it’s not surprising that she stayed on the hot search list this morning.

Today’s shoot was in a famous water town. Ji Shiyi had filmed here before, and it was one of Ji Ning’s favorites, which she had watched many times. So when Ji Ning and he sat down on the boat together, she couldn’t help but wonder if there would be scenes or symbols from previous dramas in this episode.

The houses were built next to the water, and Ji Shiyi was rowing in front, while Ji Ning was leisurely leaning on his arm watching the scenery. Besides Ji Ning, Ji Shiyi also had some thoughts. It was hard not to recall something at such a landmark.

His first transformational drama was filmed here. Before that, he had sung for a few years and acted in several idol dramas. Although he could live well on fan economy, he always felt that wasn’t what he wanted.

So he waited for a year and finally got the script for « Nameless Crime ». It was the first time he spent nearly half a year understanding a supporting role – previously, he could finish filming an idol drama in three months and earn much more than a serious drama. But « Nameless Crime » gave him a sense of achievement in acting for the first time and made him recognized by the mainstream circle, starting to be nominated for awards.

Although he didn’t win any awards later, he fulfilled one of his wishes, which was still meaningful to him. He turned to Ji Ning and asked, « Do you have anything special you want to do? »

« Now? » Ji Ning was dazzled by the sun.

« Now or later, it’s fine. »

Ji Ning put down the curtain and thought for a while. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly saw a newspaper outside a building, covered in footprints, and almost instantly thought of a famous scene from « Nameless Crime ». Excitedly, she shouted to him, « Hey, the newsp… »

« Is that the newspaper you used to solve the case in the drama? » Before she finished, she realized she might have mistaken it, and her sentence stopped abruptly, only managing to say one word.

« Hmm? » The man tilted his head, « Hug? Hug what? » The words felt somewhat unnecessary as there were only the two of them now, what else could the hug be for? But… now?

« Wait, it’s not— » Ji Ning looked at his furrowed brows and suddenly doubted herself seriously, suspecting she remembered the plot incorrectly. Afraid he might think she was too careless, she quickly said, « Wait for me to rethink, don’t be angry… »

« I won’t, » he said.

Ji Ning leaned forward, ready to take a closer look at whether the thing was really the newspaper used to solve the case in the drama, when she was suddenly pulled into his arms. Her spine stiffened.

His palm was placed on her back, and his voice seemed to be right in her ear, accompanying the gentle breeze in a swirling dance. « Like this? »

Author’s note: Ji Shiyi, this damn man, stole my heart.