Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Confused by Concern

Public opinion manipulation always strikes with such ease.

Business tycoons, oppression, abuse, duplicity...

Just combine these words randomly, and you get explosive headlines.

Not to mention, Shi An’an is a public figure with a massive fan following.

It’s evident that things have already started to ferment.

"Young master...what should we do now?"

Bai Xu anxiously inquired, "Should we take care of Shi An’an’s remains first?"

"Let others handle that; focus on suppressing the online discourse for now," Li Sihe ordered in a husky voice, his indescribable tiredness spreading.

Yet Bai Xu, ever rational, frowned and replied, "The situation has already spiraled; it’s hard to suppress now. Besides... if it were possible, Shen Jinci would have done it already."

After all, Shi An’an wasn’t just some obscure actress. Her enormous fanbase, driven to despair by her coerced death, couldn’t be silenced merely by force.

Li Sihe suddenly looked at Bai Xu, his eyes bloodshot, his words slow and chilling, "I need results now."

Bai Xu frowned, sensing Li Sihe’s irrationality.

It’s been a while since the young master lost his composure like this.

It must be due to his deep concern.

But why such concern, only to let it all slip through his fingers?

The online situation was snowballing uncontrollably, like snowflakes cascading from the sky.

Even Wen Jiao, far away abroad, had seen the news.

Shi An’an’s fans had launched a massive denunciation online, demanding Bian Yue crack open her own head in public and pay the price.

Wen Jiao, anxious, couldn’t stay calm and inquired about the whole situation over the phone. Decisively, she took the first flight back from abroad.

On the fastest available flight, every second counted.

That night, at Shen Family Mansion, Bian Yue was reviewing the account book Shi An’an had given her in the hall.

When Wen Jiao entered and saw Bian Yue composed, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "How can you sit there so peacefully!"

Bian Yue then realized Wen Jiao had arrived, surprised: "Jiaojiao, I thought you were arriving tomorrow."

"I chose the fastest flight back. You’re too innocent! Shi An’an truly went mad, using her own life to smear you! To make you watch as she fell to her demise, handing you a pot of filth!"

Wen Jiao sat next to Bian Yue, chiding, "She contacted you definitely for no good reason! You shouldn’t have gone!"

"I know, but she blackmailed me with the accounts of Bian Group; I couldn’t just ignore it..."

Bian Yue spoke softly, looked towards Wen Jiao, "Even knowing her ulterior motives, I couldn’t abstain. I just never thought she’d use her own life to scheme against me."

Wen Jiao fell silent for a moment.

"Who could have anticipated this... Isn’t living better than anything?" Wen Jiao sighed, scanning the surroundings, "Where’s Shen Jinci?"

"He’s discussing with the PR department how to suppress this incident, but... I know it’s almost impossible. I’m just afraid..."

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid that this will affect Lixing Group’s stocks."

Wen Jiao’s expression darkened further; she whispered, "If this impacts Lixing Group, Shen Jinci will have a hard time explaining."

Bian Yue placed the account book aside, leaning into Wen Jiao’s arms.

"It’s so good to have you back."

"With such a serious matter at hand, how could I not come back? Bian Yue, you are my best friend!"

Wen Jiao gently patted Bian Yue’s back, feeling guilty about her previous tone of voice.

She said, "You can’t be blamed for this. No one expected Shi An’an would rather die than see you ruined. I was just too hasty earlier; I didn’t mean to scold you."

Bian Yue smiled lightly, looking up at Wen Jiao, "I know you too well; no need for apologies."

Wen Jiao stroked Bian Yue’s hair with a grave expression, "What will you do if Lixing strikes against you? Do you want to hide at my place for a while?"

Bian Yue declined, saying she had decided to publicly explain herself.

"Do you know how many people online hate the wealthy? No one will listen to your explanations, especially since the video is more convincing than your words—Shi An’an is indeed dead!"

Wen Jiao gripped Bian Yue’s hand tightly, urgently saying, "It’s best not to respond! Let this pass with time!"

Bian Yue just smiled, after a silent moment, she comforted, "Don’t worry, I will handle this."

Shen Jinci returned home at midnight. Bian Yue, in her pajamas, sat in the dimly lit hall.

The sound of footsteps grew closer, and Bian Yue turned her head, seeing the man standing before her.

He was in a gray suit, his long fingers lightly pulling his dark tie, casually placing it aside.

He took a few steps towards her, crouched down, and holding her hands squeezed gently, "Why aren’t you asleep?"

Bian Yue looked down at Shen Jinci, her eyes downcast, her voice hoarse, "Shen Jinci, I’m sorry."

She had waited up this late just to apologize to him when he got home.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I didn’t consult you before going to see Shi An’an, leading to her suicide in front of me, affecting Lixing’s stock prices, making you work late to deal with my troubles..." Bian Yue meticulously articulated, her remorse clearly genuine and profound.

Shen Jinci’s gaze was gentle as he remained crouching, a superior lowering his stature, tenderly saying, "I wasn’t home when you went to see Shi An’an; you didn’t intentionally keep it from me. Her jumping from the building, even I couldn’t have guessed. Yueyue, I know you feel guilty, but much in life is unpredictable."

"Will it affect you?" Bian Yue guiltily asked, "Will the Lixing board make it difficult for you?"

"Can I take that as you caring about me?" Shen Jinci said before softly coughing, his face paling, yet his eyes brightened with a smile as he looked at Bian Yue, gently urging, "Can I? Yueyue."

Bian Yue truly worried Shen Jinci might wear himself out sooner because of taking on her burdens.

She agreed, and after a brief pause added, "Shen Jinci, I don’t want to implicate you, and also, you must take care of your health."

"I’m aware of my health, and as for Lixing, I can handle it; don’t worry, it won’t affect me. But remember to bring bodyguards when you go out during this time, just to be safe."

Shen Jinci squeezed Bian Yue’s hand, his gaze focused, "Yueyue, I’ll sort this out; you just need to be happy."

His tone was calm, taking full control of the situation with composure.

Bian Yue’s guilt deepened; she whispered, "I don’t want you to clean up my messes, Shen Jinci, is there anything I can do to help?"

"There is."

Anticipation gleamed in Bian Yue’s eyes.

Shen Jinci leaned forward, embracing the girl in front of him.

He seemed to sigh contently, saying, "Let me hold you."

Bian Yue didn’t resist, even feeling a twinge of emotion, she said, "Shen Jinci, you are too good to me."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Tip: You can use left, right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.Tap the middle of the screen to reveal Reading Options.

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.

Report
Follow our Telegram channel at https://t.me/novelfire to receive the latest notifications about daily updated chapters.