The Rise Of The Forgotten Film Empress! (17)

A couple of days later a gossip article titled, "Newest Rising Star Is Actually A Kept Woman?" started trending online.

As expected, it was about Xia Zhilan.

A large photo of Xia Zhilan and Tang Yu eating together was also attached to the article.

Because of the angle and editing, the atmosphere looked warm and intimate so without context, it was extremely misleading.

As the real president of Orchid Entertainment is still a mystery, the vice-president, Tang Yu, is the face of the company.

Due to the company's sudden success, his face had been in many business articles and magazines and was quite well-known within the business world.

Whilst Xia Zhilan was becoming quite well-know as she was starring in a few upcoming films and dramas.

Obviously, the article was not written in Zhilan's defence.

In summary, it said that Xia Zhilan was using Tang Yu to climb up the ladder in the entertainment industry and that was why she had become so popular all of a sudden and had starred in projects with well-known directors.

In this industry, situations like this are actually quite common; however, it would rarely be exposed to the public, so when secrets like these are revealed, it becomes a very hot topic very quickly.

"Sir?" A charming woman's voice rang out into the spacious office.

"What is it?" Fu Sihan replied impatiently in his signature icy voice

Miao Zhiling eyes grew even brighter as she placed the latest business newspaper on her boss' desk, a coquettish smile hanging on her beautiful face.

"Here's this mornings' paper. There's been a lot of news about our rival company, Orchid Entertainments recently," she said subtly before turning to leave, the gloating smile growing even wider.

'Wasn't I right in the end? From the moment I first saw that slag-woman, Xia Zhilan, I knew she was a dirty golddigger. Although my man may have been blind for the past years, this will finally allow him to see that whore's true self.' The obsessive look which had been hidden in the depths of her eyes slowly began to surface. 'Finally. Finally, he'll see me, Miao Zhiling, his real true love!'

Miao Zhiling giggled to herself, ignoring the strange looks she was attracting to herself because of her creepy smile.

...

Meanwhile, the main character of this drama was reading the article with an amused expression on her bed.

"What the fuck is this?" Xia Zhilan laughed loudly to herself, tears welling up in the corner of her eyes.

Even whilst looking through the wave of hate comments under every social media she had, Xia Zhilan still giggled carelessly as if the person they were insulting wasn't her.

'Host, why are you just sitting here laughing? Shouldn't you go deal with it? Your reputation is on the floor! Did you forget what your mission is?' System 005 said worriedly.

"What are you so worked up for, System?" she replied nonchalantly whilst closing all the irrelevant tabs on her phone. "It's no big deal."

'I'm just concerned about your mission... You've already messed up one of your tasks with Liu Jianhong and now this?" 005 sulked.

"Don't worry about it, 005. Stop disturbing me now. I gotta go to work." Xia Zhilan said as she continued to scroll through the pages of hate comments.

'Host wha- Urgh nevermind...' System 005 decided to mute itself and watch from the background. 'don't blame me when you fail!'

When Xia Zhilan had finally gotten ready and left her apartment complex, she was immediately surrounded by reporters like vultures

"Xia Zhilan, are the rumours true?"

"Is it true that you're sleeping with Orchid Entertainment's vice president to get ahead?" They asked without a shred of manners.

"Damn, when did I get so popular?" Xia Zhilan chuckled without a hint of nervousness or surprise. "Also, that was kinda rude." she joked light-heartedly

"Miss Xia, please answer our questions," they said, ignoring her comments, as they shoved microphones up to her face.

"Sure, what do you wanna know?" she said languidly "Come on, ask. I don't have all day."

"Is it true you're using Tang Yu, the vice-president of Orchid Entertainment, to get ahead in the entertainment industry?"

Xia Zhilans lips stretched into a gorgeous smile as she laughed beautifully. Despite her angelic beauty, her eyes twinkled mischievously.

The crowd of reporters watched her intently.

"The vice-president? Of course not. I'm a lot more ambitious than that..."

"What do you mean by that?" the reporters asked with eyes like wolves hunting their prey.

"I'm aiming for the president of course," Xia Zhilan said flirtatiously whilst winking at the camera. "Remember to call me, babe." She said as she brought her hand, with the pinky and thumb sticking out, next to her ears.

The crowd of reporters burst into an uproar. When had they ever seen a celebrity so bold, especially a newcomer?

In the moment they were distracted by her shameless statement, Xia Zhilan had quickly slipped away, laughing brightly.

'Host, what are you doing?! Please stop! Xia Zhilan why did you say that?"

System 005 felt like bawling.

It had guided many hosts before this yet it had never experienced anything like this. Was it's host rebelling? Why is she like this?

'Xia Zhilan.' System 005 said seriously. 'This is not your life to be playing with like this. The original owner has made a purchase from us and she expects the best possible results possible. Please take your missions more seriously, host.'

"Don't worry, my little system. I never do anything half-assed, I know what I'm doing. Just trust me." Xia Zhilan said in comfortingly as if talking to a child.

System 005 sighed. "Fine, I'll trust you."