Chapter 185 - 142: She Was Cruel First, So Don’t Blame Me

Chapter 185: Chapter 142: She Was Cruel First, So Don’t Blame Me

When Xiao Ran heard the ringtone, he instinctively glanced at his phone screen.

He had assumed it was Yan Li, but to his surprise, the name displayed was Liu Min.

He was slightly taken aback, then quickly put the phone to his ear. "Hello, Sister Liu."

"Let me ask you, have you seen that video online?" Liu Min got straight to the point. People in media like them were more sensitive to this sort of thing than anyone.

Hearing Liu Min’s serious tone, Xiao Ran just smiled calmly. "Mhm, I’ve seen it."

"Is it true?" Afraid he would misunderstand and think she was just calling to gossip, Liu Min quickly added, "You know, we only just started filming this show. If your scandal causes our public reputation to plummet, neither of us can afford the consequences."

He might just be the writer, but his work was the very core of the entire production.

If his scandal caused people to boycott the show, the production team would be utterly ruined.

As Liu Min asked, her mind was already running through every possible solution for this kind of situation.

There were solutions if it was true, and solutions if it was false!

All she needed now was a straight answer from him!

Hearing this, Xiao Ran was taken aback. "Of course not. I am indeed with my ex-wife’s younger sister, but I’m not freeloading off of her. We’re genuinely in love, and this is definitely not some scheme against my ex-wife. I’m not that petty."

Yan Xici, who was sitting beside him, had been listening intently with her ears perked. When she heard what Xiao Ran said, she quickly leaned in and explained earnestly into the phone.

"Yes, yes, it’s true! I can vouch for him. I’m the sister!"

’Even though I don’t know who’s on the other end of the line, I have to help Brother Xiao Ran clear up this misunderstanding!’

’I would say the same thing to anyone!’

Hearing the other voice on the line, Liu Min understood. ’So that’s it. This "sister" must be why Xiao Ran wasn’t interested in me.’

’Thinking back, I’ve actually met her before—that time she fell off her electric scooter. The girl is very pretty, polite, and quite likable.’

Her brow twitched. "I understand."

After a moment’s thought, she added, "Director Zhang has already given the order. He told me to find people to handle this for you. But you need to be more careful in the future and avoid things like this. After all, you’re a semi-public figure now. These things will inevitably affect your reputation."

Out of her admiration for him, Liu Min was still happy to help him solve the problem, even though he already had a girlfriend.

But at the same time, she couldn’t help but offer him some advice.

’After all, no matter how you look at it, Ai Qi will have to take a hit. Countless male celebrities have to apologize to the public just for smoking, let alone something like Xiao Ran’s situation. If this really blows up, the public backlash alone would be enough to destroy him.’

’At that point, not only would he be finished, but the show’s reputation would also plummet!’

Hearing this, Xiao Ran couldn’t help but marvel internally. ’Ai Qi really lives up to its name. A major corporation through and through.’

’Their support is top-notch.’

’They can even help smooth over a scandal like this.’

’And they’re so efficient too!’

’The news has only been out for a couple of hours, and Liu Min is already on the phone with a clear course of action.’

However, he didn’t feel it had reached the point where he needed to use Ai Qi’s resources.

’This is a personal matter. I should handle it myself.’

Xiao Ran paused for a moment before speaking. "Well, actually, I know who’s behind this. I think I should talk to her first."

Liu Min’s brow twitched, and she was secretly surprised. ’Anyone else in this situation would probably be laughing with joy under their covers if someone offered to clean up the mess for them.’

’But Xiao Ran actually turned it down. It seems he really has some tricks up his sleeve.’

’This man is far more capable than I thought.’

She nodded. "Alright, then. If you can’t handle it, let me know anytime."

"Okay, thank you in advance then, Sister Liu," Xiao Ran said before hanging up.

Yan Xici’s anxious eyes never left Xiao Ran’s face. When she saw him hang up the phone, she asked in a serious tone, "Are... are you going to go see my sister?"

Xiao Ran nodded. "Mhm."

’Yan Li is Xici’s sister,’ Xiao Ran thought. ’Honestly, I know that from her perspective, she wouldn’t want things between me and her sister to get too ugly.’

’It would definitely hurt her.’

’After all, they’re still family.’

At his words, the beautiful starlight in the girl’s eyes slowly faded.

Her expression grew more and more serious.

’I really didn’t want to see things get this ugly, but now that it’s happened, I absolutely will not let my sister bully Brother Xiao Ran.’

’This is all because of me. If possible, I want to go with him!’

’I want to face this problem with him!’

"How about... I go with you?" the girl said, looking at Xiao Ran and speaking each word with deliberation.

Looking at her sincere eyes, Xiao Ran felt a warm current ripple through his heart.

’I never expected that at a time like this, instead of defending Yan Li, she would actively offer to go with me.’

’It seems I’m truly important to her.’

’A confrontation between sisters would undoubtedly be painful—that much is obvious.’

’How could I have the heart to put her through that?’

’I just want her life to be as peaceful as possible.’

’In fact, from the moment I decided to be with her, I’ve been prepared to shoulder all the responsibility.’