"No, it's nothing." Lin Xiaoxiao waved her hand. "I mean, I'll go see a doctor when I get back, don't worry." She wouldn't go to the doctor. Lin Xiaoxiao knew very well why she had insomnia, and she felt that maybe she would get better after a while.
Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's shifty gaze, Tang Xue was genuinely at a loss for words. Had this girl not noticed that when she lied, her gaze would wander and she wouldn't dare look at her directly? "Tell me, why are you having insomnia?" Tang Xue coughed lightly, and only asked after attracting Lin Xiaoxiao's attention.
Lin Xiaoxiao touched her nose, feeling that the reason for her insomnia was strange. If Tang Xue knew, would she think she was weird? "I just... I just can't sleep."
"I'm asking you why." The more Lin Xiaoxiao avoided the question, the more Tang Xue wanted to know. She didn't know why she was so insistent on the answer. She wasn't a doctor, and even if she knew, she might not be able to help Lin Xiaoxiao.
However, she didn't like Lin Xiaoxiao hiding things from her; it made her very uncomfortable, though she couldn't quite explain why.
She just wanted Lin Xiaoxiao to rely on her. Perhaps it was because Lin Xiaoxiao had been so good to her that she wanted to repay her and help her.
Tang Xue felt that this was probably the reason for her persistence. Once she had found a reason for her unusual behavior, the hesitation in her heart disappeared.
Tang Xue grabbed Lin Xiaoxiao's shoulders, looked into her eyes, and made it clear that she wouldn't give up until she got an answer.
With Tang Xue's shoulder held captive, Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't avoid Tang Xue's gaze, even though Tang Xue didn't force her to look at her directly. Tang Xue's gaze was so intense that Lin Xiaoxiao had no way to escape, and she quickly gave in.
But she still didn't dare to look at Tang Xue, and said in a weak voice, "I'm just not used to you not being home."
Because they were closer this time, Tang Xue, who was listening intently, heard Lin Xiaoxiao's soft voice. However, what Lin Xiaoxiao said made Tang Xue pause for a moment.
For a moment, she was at a loss for how to react. After a long while, Tang Xue tentatively asked, "You've been having trouble sleeping these past few days because I wasn't home, so you can't sleep?"
Lin Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and nodded vigorously, "Yes."
Tang Xue fell silent, and her gaze towards Lin Xiaoxiao became somewhat strange. Lin Xiaoxiao's answer was truly beyond her expectations.
She truly hadn't expected that just a few days at Lin Xiaoxiao's house would make her such an important figure in Lin Xiaoxiao's life.
Although surprised, a hint of joy spread through her heart, instantly filling her entire being. This feeling was something she had never experienced before, but she didn't dislike it at all.
On the contrary, she felt very satisfied, her heart pounding. Was this what it felt like to be valued and needed so much? Tang Xue reached out and pressed her heart, a gentle smile appearing on her lips that she herself was unaware of.
“I don’t have any strange hobbies. I’m just someone who has always lived alone and has never been so close to anyone before. That’s why I feel a little uncomfortable after you left. Don’t worry, I’ll adjust quickly. Trust me, I really don’t have any strange hobbies.”
After saying that, Lin Xiaoxiao didn't dare to look at Tang Xue at all. Not hearing Tang Xue's voice, Lin Xiaoxiao became a little worried, afraid that Tang Xue would think she was a strange person.
Seeing Lin Xiaoxiao's flustered and helpless explanation, as if afraid that she would start to dislike her, Tang Xue's eyes softened even more. She reached out and grabbed Lin Xiaoxiao's still flailing hands, "You mean to say that you can't sleep peacefully without me?"
Her voice was tinged with laughter, and it seemed to have a magical calming effect on Lin Xiaoxiao's ears. Her tense and worried mood disappeared just like that. When Lin Xiaoxiao looked up, what came into view were those gentle eyes, as if they could embrace all her unease.
Lin Xiaoxiao nodded almost unconsciously, "I have indeed been having trouble sleeping these past few days while you were away. When I wake up in the morning and don't see you, I feel listless."
After saying that, Lin Xiaoxiao immediately covered her mouth and stared at Tang Xue with wide eyes, seemingly unable to believe that she would say such a thing in front of Tang Xue.
Lin Xiaoxiao's appearance was incredibly cute to Tang Xue. She reached out and ruffled Lin Xiaoxiao's hair, her smile growing wider.
Chapter 33
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Thinking about what had just happened, Lin Xiaoxiao patted her face, blushing slightly. She hadn't expected that she would blurt out those words so easily.
Thinking about the way Tang Xue looked at her after she said those words, those gentle eyes that seemed to encompass everything, made her feel as if she were walking on cotton, enveloped in warmth.
But when she thought about how she had acted like a child, Lin Xiaoxiao felt quite embarrassed. Luckily, Tang Xue was eventually called away by Li Zhen, otherwise, she would have really wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.
Shaking her head, Lin Xiaoxiao stopped thinking about these things and her expression turned serious. She should bear the consequences of what she had done, instead of letting Tang Xue suffer all of this alone.
Since she said she would protect him and give him the best, she shouldn't go back on her word. Starting the car, Lin Xiaoxiao sped towards the Lin Group.
After returning to the company, Lin Xiaoxiao called Bai Bing to ask how Tang Xue's matter was going. Of course, the reply she received was that there was still no progress.
Staring at the computer on her desk, Lin Xiaoxiao no longer hesitated. Since public relations couldn't handle this matter, she would solve it in her own way.
She opened Weibo, logged into her account, and looked at the original owner's Weibo account. After only a moment's hesitation, Lin Xiaoxiao's fingers flew across the keyboard as she typed.
Although the original owner's Weibo account didn't usually post much, it still had quite a few followers, not to mention after what happened with Tang Xue.
Many book fans also flocked to the scene, and numerous comments demanding that she replace Tang Xue have been piled up countless times under this Weibo post.
Therefore, when Lin Xiaoxiao posted this Weibo, it was like a huge stone being thrown into a lake, creating quite a few ripples.
Meanwhile, Bai Bing sensed something was off about Lin Xiaoxiao's tone after she hung up the phone, but before she could think about it, she was pulled by the person next to her.
"Bai... Sister Bai, look!" The girl who was holding Bai Bing's arm was speaking incoherently. She pointed at her computer screen, her eyes wide open, as if she had seen something that shocked her.
Bai Bing frowned and leaned down to look at the other person's computer screen.
Lin Xiaoxiao V:
I am Lin Xiaoxiao, the person in charge of the Lin Group. I would like to apologize to everyone for the calls for us to replace the actors.
We haven't given everyone a reply yet, but today I want to say that changing the actor is not an option. Choosing Tang Xue to play Shen Xinyu was a decision we made after careful consideration.
The author of "I Want to Become a Demon" is also someone who approves of Tang Xue, and director Li Zhen, as the director of this drama, has also recognized Tang Xue's acting skills.
Therefore, the actress playing Shen Xinyu cannot be changed. Please be aware of this. First of all, I want to say that I am the one who chose Tang Xue; I am the one who cast her as the female lead in this drama.
As an artist under the company, she has no choice but to obey. Regardless of any dissatisfaction that book fans may have with this decision, please direct it at me and stop harassing an actress who is working hard to bring better works to the public.
You are welcome to vent anything you want, and you can curse as much as you want. But let me make it clear first, I will not read private messages, but I welcome your insults.
"This girl is really..." After reading Lin Xiaoxiao's Weibo post, Bai Bing twitched her lips, unsure whether to cry or laugh. But thinking about Lin Xiaoxiao's intention in posting the Weibo, Bai Bing couldn't help but feel moved by Lin Xiaoxiao's concern for Tang Xue. Considering that Lin Xiaoxiao had repeatedly denied liking Tang Xue, Bai Bing found it quite amusing.
"Sister Bai, what should we do?" Lin Xiaoxiao's Weibo post left the young girl at a loss. They had been trying to change public opinion for some time, but with little effect.
But after Lin Xiaoxiao posted this Weibo post, the work pressure on their side was reduced a lot, because many people went directly to Lin Xiaoxiao's Weibo to curse her.
Bai Bing hesitated for a moment, then said, "Never mind, let's leave it at that. Everyone has worked hard these past few days, so let's go home and rest early today."
After saying that, Bai Bing prepared to go find Lin Xiaoxiao. Although Lin Xiaoxiao was a bit impulsive, perhaps her Weibo post could become a breakthrough in changing public opinion.
"Sister Bingbing." Seeing Bai Bing push the door open and come in, Lin Xiaoxiao subconsciously sat up straight, knowing that her behavior would have a bad impact.
After all, it would indeed be somewhat beneath her, as the president of a company, to directly engage in a public feud. However, Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't bear to watch Tang Xue be attacked by the public, so she could only act impulsively this once.
Bai Bing raised an eyebrow, walked closer to Lin Xiaoxiao, and looked down at her. Just when Lin Xiaoxiao thought Bai Bing was going to get angry, Bai Bing brought up a topic that had nothing to do with the present, "You've done so much for her, and you still say you don't like Tang Xue."
Lin Xiaoxiao blinked, somewhat taken aback. How did this come up again? "Sister Bingbing, have I caused a lot of trouble for your work?" Lin Xiaoxiao didn't refute anything, but was a little worried that her actions would cause trouble for Bai Bing's subsequent work.
"I don't believe you didn't think of this when you did it." Bai Bing glared at Lin Xiaoxiao. Seeing the girl lower her head, looking very remorseful, Bai Bing's cold face naturally couldn't be maintained anymore. "Your fuss might actually be a turning point."
"I knew nothing could stump Sister Bingbing."
Looking at that overly bright smile, how could Bai Bing not know that she had just been fooled? She pinched Lin Xiaoxiao's cheek and warned, "Don't post on Weibo for a while."
"Yes, ma'am." Lin Xiaoxiao winked playfully at Bai Bing.
Just as Bai Bing said, Lin Xiaoxiao's Weibo post was a real turning point for them. As soon as Lin Xiaoxiao posted the post, public opinions diverged. But what Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know was that among these comments, there would be a side she had never even considered.
"Look, the powerful figure behind Tang Xue is no ordinary person. He's the president of the Lin Group. As long as this big boss gives the order, what chance do others have?"
"No wonder our Actress Lin didn't get selected. It's not that she lacks ability, but that the other party's backing is too strong. Ordinary people simply can't compete with them. Our Actress Lin has to beg for a living under their thumb, so she can only swallow her anger."
"Tang Xue is really something else. How did she manage to hook up with the president of the Lin Group? I'm genuinely curious."
"Some people's thoughts are just filthy. President Lin has already said that the casting of Shen Xinyu was done after consulting Xixi and Director Li Zhen. If Tang Xue's acting skills are not up to par, no matter how much President Lin promotes her, do you think Director Li Zhen will agree?"
"Li Zhen is known in the industry for his integrity and uprightness. It is absolutely impossible to make Director Li Zhen bow down to capital."
"I've been wanting to say this before: this young lady may not have any works, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have acting skills. Besides, who has works as soon as they enter this industry?"
"I've seen Tang Xue's stills. To be honest, I think she fits Shen Xinyu's temperament quite well—flowing white clothes and an ethereal air."
"Didn't Xixi say before that Tang Xue is the Shen Xinyu in her heart?"
"You guys are obviously trolls trying to stir up trouble. She's supposed to fit Shen Xinyu's image? If she were to play Shen Xinyu, it would be a complete disaster for the original work."
"They had a more suitable candidate, but they chose not to use her and instead picked this guy who appeared out of nowhere. How can we believe that she really has the ability?"
"I still believe in Director Li Zhen. Since he chose Tang Xue, it means that Tang Xue must have something special about her."
"I don't deny that the former director Li Zhen was trustworthy, but now, haha."
"I'll just say one thing, just one thing: don't you all think that President Lin's statement has a very domineering CEO vibe?"
"A domineering CEO and his little wife?"
"Hahaha, I can't laugh myself to death."
"You know what, he really did have that vibe. He couldn't stand seeing his little wife being wronged, so he got angry for her sake. To sum up President Lin's Weibo post, it was basically: 'Come at me if you have a problem, don't hurt my little darling.'"
"Hahaha, sweetie, are you trying to make me laugh to death? She's not a sweetie, she's a mature woman!"
"So... the untold story of the domineering CEO and the mature woman?"
"Good heavens, I'm totally blown away! Help! Why do I feel this way?"
+1.
+2.
"+ID number".
"So, right now, it's the couple I ship who's giving us sweet moments."
"This candy is really sweet, and it's even a little sticky."
"I hereby declare that from this day forward, I am a fan of the Lin Xue CP. New CPs are just so great, even the sweet moments are freshly made."
The atmosphere under Lin Xiaoxiao's Weibo posts gradually became somewhat strange, with all sorts of comments mixed together. In the end, the CP fans who had inexplicably emerged gained the upper hand, and the dissatisfaction of the book fans was even suppressed at the bottom.
If at the beginning, Lin Xiaoxiao's Weibo was filled with comments about her abusing her power and insisting on choosing Tang Xue despite the opposition from her fans, then in the end, it became a playground for CP fans to go wild, something Lin Xiaoxiao could never have imagined.
Chapter 34
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After Lin Xiaoxiao left, Li Zhen told her that he would rectify the atmosphere of the crew and prevent her from hearing any more gossip. Although Tang Xue didn't care much about being talked about, Lin Xiaoxiao's thoughtfulness still made Tang Xue very happy.
But during the afternoon filming, Tang Xue could always feel the gazes of the staff around her lingering on her for longer and longer periods of time. Although they didn't say anything, Tang Xue always felt something was off.
Although such things had happened frequently before, she had been the subject of much discussion online.
But back then, the way these people looked at her was completely different from how they looked now. Tang Xue could sense that there was no malice in their eyes, but she still couldn't understand why they looked at her like that.
"Li Yu." Tang Xue waved to her assistant.
Li Yu: "Teacher Tang."