Chapter 44: A Man's Heart is as Inscrutable as the Ocean Floor

Peng Lei finally managed to get through to Si Yuchuan on the phone.

"Mr. Si, we've noticed the news about Madam online. It's clearly a trending topic deliberately bought by someone with an agenda, and we'll handle it immediately."

Si Yuchuan's somewhat languid voice came through:

"Why handle it?"

"Huh?" Peng Lei looked at his phone in bewilderment, confirming that he was indeed speaking with his boss.

"Didn't you say that while you were away, we should protect Madam?"

Si Yuchuan's attitude was unequivocal:

"No need to handle it for now."

The call ended, leaving Peng Lei with no time to present any of his Plans A, B, or C.

You've got to be kidding me. Did the boss and his wife have a fight?

A man's heart is as unfathomable as the deep sea.

Peng Lei silently offered a two-second prayer for Yun Chuxia. With such overwhelming and damning negative publicity, she, a newcomer just starting out in the industry, would probably be instantly crushed and washed away like a wave hitting the beach.

Yun Chuxia scrolled through the comments on her phone and asked Jing Zhi with a hint of amusement:

"Buying me a trending topic must cost a pretty penny. It seems the person trying to ruin me is quite willing to spend."

Jing Zhi: "..."

Is that really the main point here?

"Sister Chuxia, do you have a response strategy? Our show is being broadcast live, and it's only been one episode, but people are already starting to boycott you."

Yun Chuxia pondered for a moment: "Did Master Chen, the person we're interviewing today, say she wouldn't accept interviews?"

"Not at all," Jing Zhi replied, checking her phone notes:

"An artisan of her advanced age probably doesn't pay much attention to online gossip."

Yun Chuxia swung her legs out of bed and got up:

"The shooting schedule continues. As for the rest, I'll handle it as I see fit."

Yun Chuxia pulled open the drawer beneath her vanity, where an exquisite black velvet gift box lay quietly.

With a snap, the box opened, revealing a dazzling, brilliantly refractive diamond ring before her eyes.

She slipped it onto her ring finger: It looks like I'll have to announce my married status on today's show.

Reason and propriety dictated that she should inform Si Yuchuan, but she found his phone unreachable, likely because he was busy, so she let it drop.

Yun Chuxia felt a flutter of nervousness.

Just announcing that she was married without revealing the specific identity of her partner shouldn't impact him too much, right?

She hoped he wouldn't mind.

*

In a small traditional courtyard in the southern part of Yancheng lived Chen Shuhua, a master of lacquerware and an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage.

Though her hair was completely white like a crane's, she remained spirited and full of vigor. Hearing that a show was coming to promote the craft of lacquerware, she had gotten up early to bustle about.

She pulled Yun Chuxia in front of the camera and introduced the craft with immense passion.

"When I was learning the art of natural lacquer back in the day, I was one of the very few students in our group who didn't have an allergic reaction. My master said then that I was naturally destined to make a living in this trade."

The lacquerware, featuring exquisite decorative patterns, possessed a brilliant spectrum of colors, carrying a unique rustic elegance without losing its magnificent splendor.

From something as small as a plate to items as large as wardrobes and beds, every single piece was nothing short of breathtakingly intricate.

As Yun Chuxia marveled at the profound depth of traditional aesthetics, she intentionally or unintentionally let the ring on her ring finger catch the light.

The livestream's viewership surged today along with her negative publicity, though the comment section was mostly filled with vitriol, with some even claiming she was defiling traditional culture.

The harsh words turned Jing Zhi's face frighteningly dark as she stared relentlessly at her phone, itching to roll up her sleeves and hurl insults right back at them.

She reminded the cameraman to focus on Yun Chuxia's ring, and sure enough, viewers in the comment section spotted it.

[Is Yun Chuxia married?]

[Didn't the exposes say she was strapped for cash and promiscuous? Is there really someone willing to marry her?]

[Please, can we stop fabricating unfounded sexual rumors about a woman without even grasping at straws?]

[Bad publicity is still publicity; who knows if she bought the trending spot herself.]

[But if she's married, the credibility of those rumors drops drastically. Besides, that diamond ring is huge and looks immensely valuable; perhaps a rival in the industry grew jealous and bought a smear campaign against her.]

[The lacquerware is gorgeous. Are you putting up a purchase link?]

……