CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 467: "ROMANCE" HAT

Shen Zai’s appearance could be completely disregarded.

In celebrity relationships, it’s usually the woman who is criticized. Qi Ming is currently following an idol route, and if a relationship were to be revealed, he might lose a portion of his female fans. However, it would also elevate his popularity once more.

The release of the video with him and Qi Ming, with Qi Ming’s arrogance serving as a backdrop, would also earn him a slice of good reputation. As more people value the behind-the-scenes efforts, and with the online keyboard warriors taking the moral high ground to unleash their invectives, in comparison, he would be the one to profit.

Moreover, the release of this video would also win him some favor from the general public.

But, as the netizens’ excitement and outrage subside, they would think twice and spot the trickery involved.

And he would become someone who climbed up completely by stepping on others.

Shi Koufan calmed down, suddenly recalling the video Wen Qiao had mentioned to him.

His suspicions became clearer.

When he initially received the invitation from the "Unexpected" show, his manager, who was also one of the bosses at Shengchao Entertainment, planned a series of publicity stunts for the future.

Wen Qiao, being the recent center of attention, was naturally targeted by his manager to be the primary focus of the publicity, planning to create some ambiguous interactions on camera to fuel shipping speculations in the future.

He was also advised to perform well off-camera, fostering a humble and diligent persona.

It’s no secret that variety shows are scripted. Even though the "Unexpected" show was broadcasted live, indicating that the production team had not arranged any scripts, very few netizens really believed that.

Thus, the off-camera performance was particularly crucial.

The video that was posted online was filmed by a temporary assistant arranged by his manager. When the staff came to deliver the luggage, his assistant found an excuse to follow and aimed to capture some footage of Shi Koufan "caring for the staff" as speculative material. However, they didn’t anticipate Qi Ming’s appearance, giving the video an entirely different implication.

"I think I understand now, this matter does involve me, and both you and Qi Ming were dragged down by me, I’m really sorry. Once I sort this matter out, I’ll properly apologize to you and Qi Ming."

Hearing Shi Koufan say this, Wen Qiao knew he must have figured out who the perpetrator was, which also calmed her anxious mood slightly.

"It’s all trivial, just issue a statement to clarify things when the time comes. It was all a baseless rumor anyway."

Wen Qiao’s tone sounded much cheerier than before: "Let me know when you find the real culprit behind this. I’d like to vent, they’ve messed up my reputation as the darling of the group."

This huge "relationship" label placed on her was simply damaging her reputation.

Shi Koufan laughed at her comment, agreeing.

The phone call should have been coming to an end, but just as Wen Qiao was about to say goodbye, Shi Koufan suddenly asked her, "Haven’t you ever suspected that I orchestrated this whole drama? Although there might be netizens who start doubting me, still, not everyone will see this layer."

"I did suspect, but not today. If you wanted to create a scandal with me, you wouldn’t have included Shen Zaiye."

Shi Koufan’s emotion tensed up again, "Why did you suspect me?"