Chapter 20: Complete Derailment

The assistant director and the camera operator who had just arrived didn't notice the situation inside the villa. Seeing Ziqi's face, the camera operator pushed the camera hard against Ziqi's face, as if trying to capture every pore in perfect clarity.

The assistant director beamed, "Is this what they call telepathy? We've just arrived, and Ziqi opened the door. What a coincidence! Ziqi, quickly smile and greet the camera!"

Ye Leyao reached out and pinched her arm hard to keep from laughing aloud.

"Look at how drenched Ziqi is in sweat. Do you think he can manage a smile right now?"

Mr. Huo had specifically zoomed in on the surveillance footage at the entrance, and on the screen, every micro-expression on Ziqi's face was crystal clear—

Ziqi's eyes were bloodshot, his gaze vacant. Hearing the assistant director's words, he tried to force a smile, but as soon as the corners of his mouth rose, they fell sharply, as if pulled down by an invisible force, into a smile uglier than a cry!

After several attempts, Ziqi's face became distorted.

Mr. and Mrs. Huo couldn't help but burst into laughter in front of the monitor.

This scene was naturally live-streamed into the live broadcast room.

The program's camera captured images clearer than the surveillance footage. Not only could one see micro-expressions, but even the fine hairs in the pores of his face were visible.

Ziqi was the most popular regular guest on "Let's Go on an Adventure," and as soon as the live stream began, a large number of fans flooded into the room.

However, unlike the usual screens filled with "kisses" and "hugs," this time the chat was full of disappointment and ridicule:

"I finally understand what they mean by Sichuan Opera face-changing."

"Just thinking about how I genuinely shipped Ziqi and President Huo makes me sick now."

"Who gave you the nerve? It's one thing to stir up rumors, but to deceive your fans too?"

"Lying, invading private property, not apologizing when caught in a lie, and instead lashing out at your own brother...I can't believe it took me this long to see what kind of person you really are."

"Ziqi, I'm so disappointed in you."

The production team placed great importance on this live stream, so each group of guests was equipped with a large LED screen for them to watch the live chat in real-time.

Because Huo Jing had given prior instructions, Ye Leyao's team did not bring this screen.

But Ziqi's filming crew was different. Ziqi usually enjoyed interacting with viewers and fans during live broadcasts, and before this shoot, he had specifically instructed his agent to ensure that the chat screen would be placed in a prominent location.

So when Ziqi opened the door, not only was the camera shoved in front of his face, but the massive chat display screen was also placed right in front of him.

Seeing the endless stream of messages like "Scram," "You disgust me," "Unfollowing," and similar comments, Ziqi's expression became increasingly contorted. He struggled to suppress the turmoil within him, attempting to ignore these words.

But thinking about how his carefully cultivated persona had derailed, and that more and more netizens would learn about this incident, and even his competitors would mock him, he felt a tightness in his chest, his eyes reddened, and his breathing became rapid.

No.

He couldn't continue like this; he had to find a way...

Ziqi turned around to look for Assistant Feng, but the moment their eyes met, Assistant Feng unhesitatingly looked away.

Ziqi's heart sank.

Has Assistant Feng given up on him too?

Ziqi shook his head in disbelief.

No, impossible.

Assistant Feng would definitely help him. Whether in childhood or now, whenever he asked for assistance, Assistant Feng always managed to handle things perfectly.

Ziqi slowly took a step forward.

Then he saw Assistant Feng take a big step back.

The last shred of hope in his heart was ruthlessly severed. Ziqi felt a darkness before his eyes, his head buzzing, and his body swaying.

"Don't you think this scene feels familiar?"

"When Su Rui left Second Brother, wasn't he like this too?"

Almost as soon as Ye Leyao spoke, before Huo Jing could refute, there was a loud "bang," and Ziqi actually fainted!

Chaos erupted on the scene, and the live streams from both rooms were cut off simultaneously.

Although the live stream was cut off, the netizens' internet connections were not.

From the start to the end of Ye Leyao's live stream, which lasted only forty minutes,

apart from the first ten minutes of interviews, the following half-hour was packed with high-energy moments, fully documenting the entire process of Ziqi's derailment.

The crowd was electrified.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh This is the juiciest, most complete melon I've ever eaten!"

"I ask you, is there any other scandal where the main character personally serves up the juicy details? Ziqi, you're my one and only bro! I hereby dub you the Self-Detonation King!"

"Stop, stop, it's really too satisfying! This video has it all: plot twists, comeuppance, and a clear rhythm. Isn't this what modern feel-good fiction is all about?"

"Hahahaha hahahaha Yes! I was there at the scene, and I couldn't type my chat messages fast enough to keep up with the pace of the comeuppance. It was truly exhilarating!"

Once the video was uploaded, it garnered over a million views in just an hour.

Major marketing accounts went wild sharing it, and even a short video platform used Ziqi as a prototype to create a novel-reading video.

Netizens laughed while leaving comments under the video:

"You have fast internet, and I was just pretending with the other bloggers, but I'm genuinely playing with you~"

"Don't think that by changing Feng Ziqi's name, I wouldn't recognize you!"

When Ye Leyao came across this "real-life adaptation" novel, he couldn't help but read it aloud with full emotion in his heart:

"I did something wrong, but you're my older brother. What's the big deal about taking the blame for me?!"

"Isn't it normal for brothers to help each other out?!"

"You only lost a job, but I lost an opportunity to show off!"

Downstairs, Mr. and Mrs. Huo sighed simultaneously.

When would Ye Leyao learn to control his volume?

However, this novel was indeed well adapted. Not only was the plot smooth, but it also amplified some of the exciting moments, making the couple engrossed in the story.

As for Feng Ziqi, he had truly crashed and burned. It had been two whole days since the shooting, yet the incident remained a hot topic. This was undoubtedly the peak of Feng Ziqi's career, but unfortunately, his path in the entertainment industry had come to an end after this scandal.

Through this event, Feng assistant finally saw the true colors of his family.

After the live stream was cut off, they sent Feng Ziqi to the hospital.

The doctor diagnosed him with simple stress-induced illness, stating that he would recover quickly with rest and a peaceful mind.

Feng assistant spent half a day by his bedside before Feng Ziqi regained consciousness.

But upon waking up and seeing his assistant, his first reaction was to tell him to get lost, blaming him for his current state and accusing him of having ulterior motives.

The insults were harsh, but Feng assistant didn't refute any of them, listening silently instead.

Eventually, a nurse intervened, unable to bear the situation any longer.

With such a commotion, Feng assistant's father and stepmother naturally rushed over.

Like Feng Ziqi, their first reaction upon seeing Feng assistant was to berate him without any reason. After their tirade, they demanded that he help clear Feng Ziqi's name.

Since Feng assistant started working, his father and stepmother hadn't held jobs.

All household expenses relied solely on Feng's assistant, who selflessly dedicated everything to his family. But what did he receive in return?

Everyone was considering their own interests, with no one thinking about Feng assistant.

Despite being prepared, hearing these words firsthand still left him feeling somewhat hurt.

However, this realization made him completely give up. In just half a day, he severed ties with the Feng family.

After the incident, Huo Jing gave Feng assistant a week off to handle the matter. Surprisingly, the next day, he returned to work in high spirits and even entered the office to sincerely thank Huo Jing.

Huo Jing didn't look up as he replied, "If you want to thank someone, thank Ye Leyao. As for me..."

He paused.

Feng assistant was surprised. "It was Young Master—"

Huo Jing raised his eyes expressionlessly.

He had let slip too much.

"After all, if he hadn't agreed to participate in the shoot," Huo Jing finally straightened out his logic, relieved, "we wouldn't have coincidentally bumped into each other."

Feng assistant nodded repeatedly. "Mr. Huo is right."

That afternoon, Feng assistant accompanied Huo Jing back to the Huo residence.

Feng Ziqi's incident had become so significant that the production of "Let's Go on an Adventure" had been halted. Naturally, Ye Leyao didn't continue filming either. However, due to Feng Ziqi's self-exposure video, Ye Leyao gained a small surge in popularity online. His newly registered Weibo account already had 500,000 followers!

Many netizens sent private messages asking when Ye Leyao would participate in another program.

Ye Leyao's unseen agent, Li Li, also contacted him, suggesting that he should occasionally manage his Weibo account.

Ye Leyao readily agreed.

Feeling somewhat fresh from his first taste of minor fame, when Feng assistant came to thank him, he was still pondering whether to take a selfie for promotion. Hearing the purpose of Feng assistant's visit, he laughed. "No need, no need."

"It was just a small favor while enjoying the drama. There's really no need for such a formal thank you."

Mr. and Mrs. Huo nodded in agreement.

They enjoyed the drama as well, and Feng assistant had resolved a major issue. It was a win-win situation!

However, Feng assistant was deeply moved. He even held Ye Leyao's hand and said that if Ye Leyao was willing, he could serve as his agent in the future.

Ye Leyao was taken aback.

"Serving as my agent?"

"Feng assistant thinks too highly of me. My allowance isn't enough to cover his annual salary!"

"And I wasn't intentionally helping Feng assistant. Mainly, as written in the novel, after Feng assistant was transferred to plant strawberries in Africa, it did have some impact on my older brother's company. I was also helping my brother."

The Huo family: "…"

How did it turn into planting strawberries again!

However, it was indeed a waste to have Feng assistant serve as Ye Leyao's agent. Mr. and Mrs. Huo quickly spoke up to persuade him.

After much persuasion, Feng assistant tearfully agreed to continue working for Huo Jing.

Huo Jing: "…"

There was no need to cry as if she were being forced!

Mr. and Mrs. Huo invited Assistant Feng to stay for lunch. After the meal, Feng quickly shifted into work mode, briefing Huo Jing about his upcoming schedule: "There's a transnational meeting tonight, the board meeting is tomorrow morning, and in the afternoon, there's an art exhibition to attend…"

Huo Jing frowned upon hearing this: "An art exhibition?"

Why would such an odd event be on his schedule?

Assistant Feng glanced at Huo's mother, subtly reminding him: "The artist of this art exhibition is a renowned foreign abstract painter. Previously, Mr. Huo mentioned wanting to purchase a painting from the exhibition as a gift."

Huo Jing recalled.

It was almost Mrs. Huo's birthday, and since she lacked nothing, every year, they, the younger generation, had to rack their brains for her birthday presents. Coincidentally, he had heard about an exhibition featuring a famous artist not long ago, so he planned to check it out.

However, Huo Jing had recently gotten in touch with a Chinese painting master and bought a Chinese painting from him, so he didn't need to prepare any other gifts.

Huo Jing nodded, about to say that he wouldn't go—

"Ah? An abstract painting master's art exhibition?"

"You mean the abstract painting master who fell in love with twin siblings?"

"If I remember correctly, on the first day of the exhibition, the twin sister went to catch him cheating, only to find her own brother?"

Ye Leyao hastily took out her phone, even more shocked:

"The twin brother is actually Brother Three's teammate!"

The "no" that was about to slip off Huo Jing's tongue was forcefully swallowed back down under the pressure of his parents' gazes. Through gritted teeth, he changed it to: "…Then let's all go together."

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