Besides her, who else would want to ruin Liang Shi's reputation?
"The one where you acted with Liang Shi." Zhang Yangning chuckled, "I just... subtly tampered with things a little."
Liang Xinran: "..."
Zhang Yangning laughed even more unrestrainedly: "That idiot fell for it. Don't worry, you just need to play your part well at the Liang family's place. You don't know anything anyway, so even if they investigate further, they won't be able to find you."
Liang Xinran was taken aback, then threatened, "It had to be that way."
//
After learning that it was Sun Chengcheng who did it, everything made sense.
After all, she's quite adept at kicking the actress she worked with after they've already collaborated.
She used to step on it directly, but now she's doing it in a different way.
Liang Shi didn't rush to resolve the matter; she first went to ask Gu Yixue.
Gu Yixue didn't take it to heart; for her, box office revenue was just a side effect.
They did not intend to get rich through box office revenue.
However, it is indeed upsetting that someone in the same group caused such a thing.
It felt like being betrayed.
Unfortunately, Gu Yixue couldn't say anything, and Sun Chengcheng was doing all this behind the scenes.
It's not exactly lying.
However, since Liang Shi's identity, which he had concealed for so long, was suddenly exposed, he would definitely have to admit it.
It's frustrating, but it's the only thing I can do.
Liang Shih had Chang Hui issue a statement, but it was only a drop in the ocean.
The public opinion has not completely dissipated.
Later, Liang Xinzhou registered a Weibo account overnight, got verified, and then posted a pinned post.
@Liang Xinzhou: Liang Shi's surname is Liang, right? @Liang Shi.
He publicly supported Liang Shi.
The second Weibo post reads: Liang Xinran also has the surname Liang. @LiangXinran
It's like telling everyone: These are all my sisters, there's no need to fight over them.
Chang Hui's public relations team also stepped in, stirring up public opinion online and shifting the narrative to "the mistaken identity of the person whose life was switched was not what they wanted."
The matter was finally settled, but Liang Shi's identity could no longer be hidden.
People then began to scrutinize her interactions with Liang Xinran on variety shows.
In short, she trends on social media every day, without even needing the production team to buy her way in.
Fortunately, "Heart's Journey" was not affected.
Liang Shi arranged to meet with Sun Chengcheng.
At that time, Sun Chengcheng had just announced an endorsement and a drama series, which was an S+ project by a well-known team.
He's doing quite well.
After all, in her original world, someone of her caliber wouldn't even be able to get a supporting role in an S+ project, let alone a lead role.
When Liang Shi saw her, he slowly poured himself a cup of tea, his eyes lowered, looking very gentle.
"What do you want from me?" Sun Chengcheng asked. "We probably don't have anything to talk about, do we?"
Liang Shi chuckled: "Is that so?"
Sun Chengcheng was taken aback, but continued with a cold expression: "Otherwise what?"
“Sun Chengcheng.” Liang Shi stared at her. “You’re getting more and more skilled at smearing your fellow actresses in the same production.”
Sun Chengcheng's expression changed slightly, but she quickly recovered and pretended to be clueless: "What are you talking about? I don't understand."
Liang Shi sneered: "You don't need to understand."
No sooner had she finished speaking than a cup of tea was splashed on her face, catching her completely off guard.
Sun Chengcheng was stunned for a moment, then shouted, but Liang Shi calmly straightened his sleeves and a few seconds later splashed another cup of tea over her.
Tea leaves were stuck to Sun Chengcheng's face.
“Liang Shi! Are you crazy?!” Sun Chengcheng shouted.
Liang Shi nodded, smiled, and said with a playful glint in his eyes, "The first toast is to you for your previous revelations about me sexually harassing you."
Sun Chengcheng's eyes changed instantly, "You...you you..."
So shocked that he couldn't even speak properly.
Liang Shi continued to smile, saying, "The second cup is to thank you for exposing my identity this time, and for stepping on my co-star during the release of 'Heart's Journey'."
Sun Chengcheng was stunned and speechless.
Liang Shi raised his hand and splashed another cup at him.
“I used to think that taking a step back would open up a whole new world,” Liang Shi chuckled. “But now I realize that if I take a step back, you will take an inch and then a mile.”
“This cup is a warning to you. If you do it again, I will definitely make sure you leave the industry.” Liang Shi slammed the teacup down on the table. “I’m not the same as before, you know that.”
"So what?!" Sun Chengcheng roared, "You're just the daughter of Minghui Jewelry, aren't you? You don't even have Dongheng's protection, so what are you?! Why should I leave the entertainment industry?!"
"Just because I married the heiress of Minghui Jewelry... no, she's now the president of Minghui Jewelry," Liang Shi said, "isn't Minghui Jewelry enough to deal with a minor celebrity? Do you really need Dongheng? You think you're worthy?"
Sun Chengcheng: "..."
"You...you knew I was Sun Chengcheng all along, didn't you?" Sun Chengcheng suddenly realized.
“Yes, from the first moment I saw you,” Liang Shi said, “because an unpleasant quality can’t be hidden.”
Sun Chengcheng was shocked, but a few seconds later, Liang Shi suddenly chuckled: "By the way, your professional career ends today."
"What do you mean?" Sun Chengcheng asked, puzzled.
Liang Shi waved his phone. "See for yourself."
After Liang Shi finished speaking, he stood up to leave, but Sun Chengcheng quickly glanced at her phone and saw that the hashtag #SunChengchengBreachesBreachOfContract# was trending on social media.
Gu Yixue directly had her studio's legal department send a lawyer's letter. When Gu Yixue signed the contract with the actor, it included a clause stipulating that he should not do anything detrimental to "Heart Journey" during its release.
This is something Gu Yixue has always included in her contracts, including violations of laws and regulations, moral depravity, chaotic private life, betraying teammates, and reckless marketing.
Sun Chengcheng breached the contract.
Meanwhile, someone revealed that Sun Chengcheng frequented a certain club, which was a notorious place for male prostitutes.
He's been branded with another reputation for a chaotic private life.
Sun Chengcheng was shocked: "No... I went there just to look for someone."
Liang Shi smiled and said, "I don't know about that."
Sun Chengcheng's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "Liang Shi! You!"
“An eye for an eye.” Liang Shi stood up, his tone becoming increasingly nonchalant: “I originally wanted you to start over here, but you have no intention of doing so, so let’s end it here.”
After saying that, he walked out.
All of Sun Chengcheng's photos and scandals were released by Xu Qingzhu.
The photo was taken by Xu Qingzhu, who framed her, but Sun Chengcheng has no evidence to prove it.
All of Sun Chengcheng's media accounts were blocked overnight.
All existing contracts were cancelled.
When Liang Shi walked out of the restaurant, Xu Qingzhu was taking a walk by the roadside. Liang Shi immediately jogged over and asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you wait in the car?"
Xu Qingzhu chuckled: "You need to walk around more; your back hurts from sitting all the time."
"Shall I walk with you a little longer?" Liang Shi asked.
"Let's go home," Xu Qingzhu said.
The two did not linger outside for long; after returning to the neighborhood, they took a walk for a while.
Xu Qingzhu asked her how things were going.
Liang Shi quipped, "With Professor Xu's name on the team, things went very smoothly."
“I didn’t do anything,” Xu Qingzhu said.
Liang Shi put his arm around her waist and said, "It's enough that you're here with me."
Xu Qingzhu was still worried about her future and sighed, "This industry is so chaotic."
"No," Liang Shi said, "it's people's hearts that are in turmoil."
Liang Shi shrugged: "She never followed the proper path in the past. She always thought that if she pulled others down, she could rise up. But in reality, even without me, there are other people competing with her. Instead of focusing on improving her professional skills, she puts effort into unorthodox methods, which is why she is like this."
“But I still don’t want to see you suffer.” Xu Qingzhu pulled her to sit on a bench downstairs in the community, her voice very soft: “You’ve already had a very hard time.”
"No," Liang Shi chuckled, reassuring her, "You've misunderstood me, haven't you?"
Xu Qingzhu glanced at her sideways; she still smiled gently, her eyes sparkling like the brightest stars.
Liang Shi said calmly, "I have you, and now I have a baby. I have a family, so how could it be hard? If work is hard, then you must be working much harder than me."
Liang Shi hugged her and stroked her head, her soft, long hair twirling around her fingers: "I already feel guilty for not being able to share the risks and discomfort of pregnancy with you, so don't worry about me anymore. Take good care of yourself."
"And what about you?" Xu Qingzhu asked.
Liang Shi: "Hmm?"
Are you taking good care of yourself?
Liang Shi paused for a few seconds, turned his head and met her gaze. He leaned down and kissed her on the corner of her lips, chuckling as he said, "Yes, I still need to take good care of you all."
"Is it mainly me or them?" Xu Qingzhu asked, pointing to her stomach.
Liang Shi blinked, but didn't answer immediately.
Xu Qingzhu nodded: "Okay, I understand. The main thing is to take care of your babies."