Fall In Love With A Substitute

The day after the endorsement incident, everyone was working hard at their morning jobs when a sudden clap of thunder shook the flat ground.

Lin Qinglu was gay? And even sexually harassed her previous assistant?

Regardless of whether it was from a friend circle or a group of colleagues, Lin Qinglu, these two words flooded the internet like crazy.

The volume of visitors on Weibo skyrocketed at a tremendous speed, and the servers couldn’t bear the heavy load as they were directly crowded to the point of collapse.

After the wait for Weibo to return to normal finally passed, everyone immediately rushed to the trending item that exploded to number one—#Lin Qinglu is Gay#.

The one who broke out with this story was a paparazzi studio that had terrible reviews, highly notorious due to always acting like some lingering ghost. According to them, while the other people’s eyes were being diverted by this time’s dubious incident surrounding Lin Qinglu and the mysterious person, they, however, were looking everywhere for a person who could provide them information. And as it just so happened, they found Lin Qinglu’s previous assistant Jiang Meng.

Under the lens of the pinhole video camera, Jiang Meng, having curly hair, heavy makeup, and bright clothes, was charming and seductive. Although she was unconcerned, she insisted that Lin Qinglu could not have possibly gained the endorsement through the unspoken rules of some mysterious person.

The paparazzi repeatedly pestered her, asking her how she was so sure of this. A little annoyed, Jiang Meng finally let something slip: “Because Lin Qinglu is gay! She also doesn’t like people who are more powerful than she is!”

The paparazzi were as excited as hyenas that had smelled the scent of meat. After they had settled on a hefty price, they were able to pry open Jiang Meng’s mouth and obtained enough material to cause an outburst among the masses.

“Lin Qinglu is actually gay? Are you sure!”

“It’s precisely because I refused to be together with her that I left Brilliant Moon. There was nothing I could do unless I left.”

“So what you mean is, Lin Qinglu sexually harassed you?” The paparazzi spoke with agitation, and their hyena-like eyes were suffused with a red glow.

Jiang Meng threw her head to the side and said with disgust, “Mhm.”

“Lin Qinglu isn’t some good person.” She buried her face in her hands, appearing helpless and in pain.

Whether it was the paparazzi’s behavior or Jiang Meng’s repeated acts of silent endurance before breaking the news, both made the video’s credibility soar.

The cast and crew rushed back to the film site that very night, and the actors were given the morning to rest and adjust themselves. In her room, Ye Zixuan was both amazed as well as excited as she watched the complete chaos occurring on Weibo.

So that’s how it is! To think it’s like this!

“With President Ji making a move, there’s definitely no mistake. Lin Qinglu is actually gay, huh!” Gao Min shouted, “Considering that frigid appearance of hers, I really didn’t expect it.”

Ye Zixuan drew back her red lips, revealing a hint of viciousness.

This time, she wanted to see just how Lin Qinglu would die.

Jian Yixin closed Weibo and grabbed a thin overcoat as she left the hotel room.

09 estimated the impact of being subjected to the news on the internet and said in a puzzled tone, “Since you already figured out what their plan was yesterday, why didn’t you resolve it in advance?”

Jian Yixin was walking through the corridor. Lifting her eyelids, she spoke patiently: 

“How should it be resolved?”

09 thought about it: “Jiang Meng was fired because she embezzled activity funds. From Brilliant Moon’s side, this is really easy to take action against. Sexual harassment forcing her to resign is completely unfounded.”

“Mhm, you’re correct.”

09, filled with confidence, continued, “As for her orientation—”

“Hm?” 

“the mission target really seems to be bent, hah…” 09 whispered abruptly.

The edges of Jian Yixin’s lips curved upward into a soft arc, and she spoke, half-consoling-half-teaching:

“Therefore, the matter this time should not be resolved by us arbitrarily. We have to look at the implicated party’s wishes.”

“Only Lin Qinglu has the right to choose whether to cover up the truth or to make it public.”

09 responded without thinking, “The less trouble the better. Of course, the answer is to cover it up!”

She and Host came here to do the mission, and every action was for Lin Qinglu’s sake!

Jian Yixin slowly shook her head. Her voice was still as gentle as before but also contained a resoluteness:

“No, this is her freedom. It’s not our place to interfere even if done under the banner of being for her benefit.”

09 was dazed.

While looking at the glass adorned with light toward the end of the corridor, Jian Yixin spoke:

“This is respect.”

09 almost asked something around the lines of “Then, how come you didn’t ask Lin Qinglu about it before the incident happened?” Fortunately, she thought about it for another second and didn’t ask this type of dumb question—

Not many people knew about the matter regarding Lin Qinglu’s homosexuality, and they themselves had only learned about it from that Shen Yu. The body’s original owner had acted as a little dance understudy, so she definitely had no way of knowing.

“Moreover, no matter what choice Lin Qinglu makes, we have the ability to take care of it for her.” Jian Yixin’s eyes curved and the morning sunlight reflected off of her pupils. “Don’t worry.”

Conquered by her host’s formidable yet tender appearance, 09 with all of her being just wanted to embrace her host like a spoiled child. In an instant, she had changed her attitude and acted like an obedient little chick: “Okei.”

Jian Yixin rang the doorbell to Lin Qinglu’s room.

It was Liu Lele that came to answer the door: “Oh hey, Pianxian, you’re here. You’ve also looked at Weibo?”

Jian Yixin nodded: “Yes, I’m here to see Ms. Lin.”

“Ah! I was scared out of my mind when I checked Weibo today.” Liu Lele’s whispered words shot out rapidly like a machine gun: “Anyway, Big Sister Qinglu has absolutely no relations with Jiang Meng! I didn’t say this, but if Big Sister Qinglu really did that to her, it’s not certain who is the one actually suffering a loss.”

Liu Lele’s face was seething with anger, and she spoke very rudely, her words containing a protectiveness over Lin Qinglu.

Indeed though, below practically all the popular posts, excluding Lin Qinglu’s devoted fans and the passersby that dissed Lin Qinglu’s mixing of truths and lies, there was oddly also a surge of similar statements that always became the top three comments:

“Sisters, you’ve really profited”[1]

“Lin Qinglu’s gay??? There’s such good news??? Big Sis, to be a grass fan I can be top or bottom for Big Sis and never rest”[2]

“I… I want to…”

These sorts of remarks were then utilized by observant and conscientious people to mock this society that only looked at the face and valued entertainment until death. The two sides tore each other apart, covering the floor in chicken feathers.

Jian Yixin laughed a little and didn’t think about it any longer, following her inside: “You can relax. I know.”

She still hadn’t caught sight of Lin Qinglu. In fact, it was Luo Chun that walked out right in front of them, her footsteps hurried: “Hey, you came.”

“Big Sister Luo.”

Luo Chun subconsciously took a glance into the room.

Gee, if it weren’t for the fact that she needed to rush back to the company, she really wanted to stay behind and see what the forced-to-come-out-of-closet Movie Queen Lin’s appearance would be after meeting Song Pianxian.

Her hair will probably be standing up on end.

After saying goodbye to Luo Chun, Jian Yixin spotted Lin Qinglu.

Lin Qinglu was sitting on a sofa with its back toward the door. Her chin rested on the sofa’s back, and she was facing straight at the door.

Immediately upon coming in, Jian Yixin was met with that pair of clear reddish-brown eyes.

Without waiting for her to discern the sentiments within them, Lin Qinglu slid down and stopped leaning, sitting upright on the sofa. As if nothing had happened, her voice was as tired and languid as before:

“It’s you, huh. Looking for Liu Lele?”

“No, I’m here to see how you, Qinglu, are holding up.” The trending topic was earth-shattering, so it was impossible not to know about it. Jian Yixin tactfully and naturally said, “Are you okay?”

“That matter about Jiang Meng? Big Sister Luo went to handle it,” Lin Qinglu replied quickly. She paused for a bit and then continued to seem casual as she said, “I really don’t know what they’re thinking, grabbing this kind of nonexistent matter to slander me.”

She seemed to particularly emphasize the word “slander”, and Jian Yixin tacitly chimed in, “That’s good. When I saw the video, I just wasn’t convinced.”

Lin Qinglu lifted her chin and curled her lips slightly, but her smile was fleeting.

Lin Qinglu fixed her gaze onto her face. Jian Yixin tilted her head a little and said, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Lin Qinglu denied, picking up the memo book and pen. Jian Yixin noticed that the joints of her hand were strained.

Yet her voice was airy and breezy: “There’s also that thing about being gay…”

Lin Qinglu is bringing it up of her own accord? Jian Yixin didn’t expect this, but quickly continued the conversation: “Mhm, I’ve seen it.”

Lin Qinglu raised her head, and the pen tip, which was on the paper, halted. She stared at Jian Yixin, missed a breath, and then carried on as if nothing had happened.

“It’s true.”

“Ah.” Jian Yixin diligently put on the appearance of someone who had only just found out. Her mouth partially opened and her pupils instantly dilated. However, she swiftly put away her surprised expression, returning to being relaxed and understanding: “It turns out that Qinglu likes girls.”

Her attitude considerate and her expression gentle, Jian Yixin leaned her body forward as her eyes contained compassion and a pacifying smile hung from the boundaries of her lips.

Lin Qinglu’s grip around the pen in her hand loosened a bit and then tightened even more soon after.

Having heard that Song Pianxian was fine with it, she subconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

But…just like that?

There’s nothing else?

Lin Qinglu resembled a cat that had tried to step on the empty air. Gazing at its furry paw, it was somewhat frustrated, somewhat crestfallen, and even somewhat angry.

Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was silent for a moment.

“Then, how does Qinglu intend to respond?”

The author wants to say something:

Movie Queen Lin: That’s it?

To briefly summarize Lin’s perspective for the readers:

Her head stretches toward the door after hearing voices → Crap, I was found out, got to hurry and sit properly → Obviously knows that she’s here for her but still asks whether or not she’s here for her assistant anyway → Replies super fast and also nonchalantly points out that she was slandered and exceedingly wronged → Realizes that the little dance understudy believes in her character and feels elated. Recalls that she has yet to make clear her orientation and her heart begins to grow heavy → Makes clear her orientation and is very nervous → Discovers that the little dance understudy doesn’t really mind that she’s actually a lesbian and receives it well. Lets out a sigh of relief and, at the same time, doesn’t feel that happy. Is somewhat crestfallen and droops her ears

Even now, if I said that Lin Qinglu was the top, would you guys believe me? (solemn expression)

TL Notes:

I love these author’s notes lol

[1] 血赚 (xue4 zhuan4): Literal meaning is “bloody returns/profit”. I wasn’t quite sure about how to TL this one honestly. Mainly used to say you gained a lot from smth (depends on context)

Examples: buying an item you want for your desired price or under the market price, investing in a project and receiving a lot in returns, etc.

[2] 草粉 (cao3 fen3): not sure how others TL this but i’m just using the literal one (“grass fan”) for now. It’s a term to describe the type of fan that has a physical relationship with the celebrity