After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows
Chapter 617 - 607: Assistant Shen Takes Office

Chapter 617: Chapter 607: Assistant Shen Takes Office

By the next morning, nearly twenty-four hours had passed, yet the hashtag related to Bai Shengyu’s case still dominated the top spot on the trending list.

After all, this generation of netizens is the most inquisitive and thorough.

Although most people gave respect to the victimized girls, a few individuals sought popularity by conducting hasty investigations and then posting random articles online.

Added to this was the fact that Bai Shengyu and the accomplices didn’t deserve respect; people would dig up as much dirt as they could, posting everything online. Not only could they join others in condemnation, but also, incidentally, attract followers and popularity to their accounts—why not?

Even Cheng Qian, who had remained lukewarm as an actor before, ended up with his own trending topic this time.

But he probably didn’t want that hashtag because when people clicked in to see the deep dives detailing his misdeeds in the entertainment industry, there was a consensus in the comments saying that an eight-year sentence was too lenient; it should be at least ten years.

Some people were happy to see the hashtag stay popular, believing that the longer it stayed up, the more it could serve as a warning to others.

Before doing something bad, one could consider this as a cautionary tale.

Others were unhappy with the trending list being firmly occupied by this topic.

"My suggestion is not to buy any trending spots today. Bai Shengyu’s case is still too high-profile, involving actors from the upcoming drama ’Empress Yuan Zhao.’ Even if we bought a spot, we wouldn’t get to the front page—money down the drain."

"So annoying. Of all times to hold the trial, it had to be now, screwing up all the careful planning!"

The team felt helpless too.

The number of domestic entertainment stars who received invitations to the international fashion gala wasn’t small, not reaching hundreds but at least fifty or sixty.

However, only about a dozen of them actually held endorsement deals with major international brands, receiving invitations with brand logos.

These people carried significant weight. Their trips to the fashion gala were supported by these brands, which provided clothes, jewelry, and arranged all activities, almost like a full-service package.

For the others, being mere brand friends, their status was far lighter than that of an endorser. The brand might extend a courtesy by sending an invitation and paying some attention but wouldn’t regard them as a priority.

In fact, there were those who didn’t even receive invitations due to insufficient buzz this year; the difference in treatment was stark.

The former are used by brands for promotion, while the latter, once there, might have to bask in the brand’s glory.

So, if one wanted to stand out, they had to find ways themselves.

Many, therefore, went all out in dressing up before departure, aiming to hit headlines by posting airport candid shots and buying some trending topics. But how plans couldn’t keep up with changes—this ’Bai Shengyu’ case overshadowed all other trending topics.

"Look at the bright side, we can’t use this tactic, but neither can others. Plus, those with big brand endorsements must be more upset; they lost a chance to hit the trending top without any hitch."

"We can only comfort ourselves like this for now. Still, since preparation has been made, let’s release the candid shots as planned, hoping for some buzz."

Not all invited celebrities resided in the same city, but most had properties in the Imperial City, so the majority would depart from there.

Wei Minmin had a luxury jewelry endorsement and was naturally invited by both the international fashion gala and the endorsing brand.

Upon finding out Jiang Lingxi also had an invitation, she initially planned to travel together.

Not just to have a familiar companion to chat with along the way, but also because it was Jiang Lingxi’s and her team’s first time attending the fashion gala internationally. With her, sort of a veteran, leading, the arrangements abroad would go more smoothly and comfortably.

As for the online speculation questioning the authenticity of Jiang Lingxi’s invitation, she scoffed at it, not even bothering to look.

Anyone could do such a thing, but not Jiang Lingxi!

Yet the same plan couldn’t keep up with changes. She received an urgent request from her former employer, and the day before departure, had to fly to another city to fill in for a program recording.

By the time the recording concluded, there wasn’t time to return to Imperial City and regroup, so she had to fly straight from there.

Jiang Lingxi received an apologetic call from her, "Let’s meet at the International Fashion Town then."

"Sister Xi, see you there!"

As Jiang Lingxi hung up amid the airport announcements Wei Minmin was hearing, she turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Tong Yue entered, first giving a glance to Jiang Lingxi, who appeared casually dressed sitting in the chair, but even her headband was carefully coordinated, then couldn’t help but look at the figure beside her, who as low-key as he was, couldn’t help but draw attention.

Clearing her throat, "Lingxi, Mr. Shen, the nanny van is parked downstairs; we can set off now."

Jiang Lingxi tucked her phone into her pocket, stood up, and took out two silk embroidered masks, one black, one white. Keeping the white for herself, she handed the black to the side, "Let’s go."

Shen Yunqing silently took it and put it on.

Going abroad this time didn’t have the same freedoms as at home; all accommodations for guests were pre-arranged by the organizers. Since Jiang Lingxi knew this was the arrangement, she didn’t plan on making any special exceptions.

But this created a problem.

The two, who were supposed to attend the gala and have a vacation together, now couldn’t stay in the same place.

Jiang Lingxi shared the organizer’s plan with Shen Yunqing, who said, "That’s easy to fix."

Hence, on Jiang Lingxi’s team heading to the international fashion gala, there was an additional member—Assistant Shen.

Upon learning this arrangement, Tong Yue was speechless: "..."

All she could say was that you youngsters sure know how to have fun.

Although she tried, she couldn’t bring herself to call him Assistant Shen.

Since there were no outsiders now, calling him Mr. Shen was fine.

When in public, they’d address it differently then!

The three of them took the elevator down.

Jiang Lingxi was accompanied by her small team as usual: Lu Zhengzheng and Fang Yao were assistants, while Xiaoxiao and her assistant-apprentice were responsible for all her outfits and styles on this trip, plus her manager Tong Yue. Compared to other teams of tens or even dozens, this didn’t seem like much.

Adding one more male assistant didn’t really stand out.

However, when the newly appointed Assistant Shen appeared, the four who were jokingly checking and organizing luggage in front of the nanny van suddenly focused only on their own tasks, even whispering.

Tong Jie had already cautioned them; they thought they were prepared and would feel more at ease upon meeting him.

But now it was clear they had overestimated themselves.

No matter how low-key the person dressed, even with a mask covering the face, they couldn’t help feeling nervous!

Jiang Lingxi: "..."

Hopefully, spending more time together would help ease things.

Usually, the seat beside Jiang Lingxi in the nanny van was occupied by either Tong Yue or Lu Zhengzheng, but this time, both quietly relinquished it to the newly appointed Assistant Shen.