Chapter 12

Ji Yan prepared all the essentials for me.

After taking a shower, I lay on the bed and browsed through their comments on my phone.

Ji Yan placed a cup of hot water by the bedside, “No need to look anymore.”

“It’s just the same old slut-shaming remarks.”

I exited the page.

Opened my WeChat.

The chat record interface kept accumulating red dots.

There were classmates, colleagues, old friends I hadn’t seen in years, and even celebrities I had once collaborated with.

-“Zhaozhao, are you okay? I saw the trending topic. Is there anything you need my help with? [Hug]”

-“Senior, I’m sorry, I wish I had known earlier. Those days you took leave, I thought you were sick and wanted to visit you in the hospital. You said you’d be fine in a few days. It’s all my fault for being so slow. Senior, people online don’t know anything and are just talking nonsense. I’ve already scolded several people today [Hug]. If you need me, please contact me anytime!”

-“Zhaozhao, you’re such a strong girl. I never imagined something like this would happen to you. Thankfully, you’re not trapped. If there’s anything I can help with, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

-“Ming Zhao, where are you?”

-“Do you need me to help remove the trending topic?”

-“I’m working at Nanyue Media now, Zhaozhao. If you need, I can arrange an interview to clarify things. [Hug]”

-“Don’t be afraid, Zhaozhao! I’m helping you track down the person who spread the rumors. Once I find them, we’ll deal with them together!!”

-“Are you okay, Zhaozhao? Do you need me to come over and keep you company?”

-“I’ve bought a ticket, arriving at midnight. Where are you? I’ll come find you, Zhaozhao, wait for me.”

-“Miss Ming, although we haven’t known each other long, I trust your character. The online noise is overwhelming, don’t let it bother you. If you need anything, please contact me.”

…

-“Zhaozhao, Mom and Dad are always behind you, don’t be afraid.”

I raised my hand to wipe away the tears at the corner of my eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

I looked up and gave Ji Yan a smile.

“Nothing.”

It’s just…

I was never alone.

Shi Chuan was never my lifeline.

By the time I replied to all the messages, it was already midnight.

Ji Yan lay beside me and asked, “Do you want me to give you a few days off?”

I put down my phone, “No need. The work project only has a little bit left to wrap up. It’s not good to hand it off to someone else for no reason; everyone has their own things to be busy with.”

“What about the trending topic…?”

“Let it be.”

I smiled, “In our line of work, isn’t traffic what we love the most?”

“Since someone delivered it, I’ll just keep it.”

Ji Yan paused for a moment, then suddenly rolled over and hugged me, “Zhaozhao.”

“You really are…”

“Always so strong. Sometimes, you can try leaning on me.”

I lifted my head from the embrace filled with the scent of wooden flowers, my eyes curved:

“Then I’ll rely on you to solve breakfast for tomorrow morning.”