Chapter Fourteen: Self-Directed Performance

Shen Li’s words ignited an explosive public outcry online, and the clip of the "fake fish" vanishing into thin air also sparked heated debate:

#BlackVsWhiteProgramCheating#
#ForcedSmearCampaign#

--Although I don't like those disgraced artists either, the production team's actions are truly unscrupulous. At the very least, they should have hidden it better; how could they let it be discovered like this?
--What’s wrong with cheating? They’re "mistresses," they insult women, they’re murderers—if they can do that, why can’t they be cheated against?
--I just want to see those morally bankrupt people get tortured by the production team.
--Let’s look at the facts: the production team’s behavior clearly violates the show’s integrity. It’s not exactly something to be proud of. Or is my moral compass broken?
--Defending murderers and mistresses—you think your moral compass is fine?
--But Shen Li looked so genuinely devastated. What if she’s telling the truth?

As the public opinion grew increasingly volatile, the show’s official social media page became a battlefield for various fan factions. Pei Wenxuan glared at the discourse, his face terrifyingly dark, while the director trembled in fear.

Pei Wenxuan paced back and forth, attempting to maximize his brainpower through motion to find a solution to the current predicament. However, his efforts were futile; every method he proposed was vetoed by Pei Wenxuan. After a long while, a cold sneer crept onto Pei Wenxuan’s grim face.

"I will make you suffer the consequences of your own actions."

...

The program was suspended, and with it, the live stream. The four members of the "Disgraced Team" sat together in silence. Shen Li leaned against a tree, gazing out at the endless ocean.

The other three exchanged glances. Qiao Le let out a long, complicated sigh before finally deciding to ask: "Why did you say we were being framed?"

In the past, she had been convinced that Shen Li was the murderer of Pei Wantian. Everyone in the industry said so, and it was presented with evidence; she had naturally assumed that was the truth.

But the way Shen Li had wept in agony just moments ago was all too familiar to her. When she had been subjected to the endless, overwhelming abuse of the entire internet, that was exactly how she had felt—crying out to the heavens with no one to answer, feeling completely helpless.

Everyone around her had abandoned her, as if she had committed some heinous crime. For a celebrity, especially a female one, "infidelity" was a "charge" sufficient to destroy a career—a standard applied with far more leniency toward male celebrities.

So, the moment she saw Shen Li in that state, it was like a sudden, jarring wake-up call. She fell into self-doubt: Had she misunderstood Shen Li? Had she truly done something wrong? Had she become just another snowflake in the avalanche?

Had she become the very person she hated most?

But if it wasn't Shen Li, who else could it be? She didn't know how to face her.

Shen Li turned around. She had stopped crying, but her red, swollen eyes and the tear tracks beneath her lids were proof that the chaos of moments ago had been entirely real. She scanned the three of them, her gaze finally landing on Qiao Le: "Could it be that those things are actually true?"

At these words, the three fell silent.

Ji Beishu clenched his fists, his pale lips pressed into a thin line. After a long pause, he finally spoke: "It’s not true." His voice was suppressed with anger and resentment.

He, too, had once been a popular young actor, praised as a talented performer with a bright future ahead of him. But his career had come to such an abrupt halt—how could he not be resentful?

Shen Li looked at them earnestly: "Do you want to take back what belongs to you?" The steady light in her eyes proved she wasn't joking.

"I..." Bai Qiuya kept her head bowed, her eyes shifting restlessly.

"Of course I do!" Qiao Le exclaimed passionately, wishing she could go and clear their names immediately, but a second later, she slumped. "Just the few of us? If we could pull it off, we wouldn't have ended up in this position."

It wasn't that she hadn't thought about fighting back, but reality had forced her to stay silent.

Ji Beishu dug his nails into his palms: "How?" He looked at Shen Li. He didn't care if Shen Li could actually pull it off, nor did he care if the news stories about her were true or not. If there was even a chance, he was willing to help Shen Li and himself. He didn't want to give up acting.

The corners of Shen Li's mouth curled up slightly—a faint expression, yet one that struck straight to the heart: "This show is our best opportunity."

The sea breeze howled, whipping against Ji Beishu's face. He pursed his lips and finally said, "Fine. I’m with you. But let’s be clear: we are just cooperating. I don't want to get involved in the news surrounding you."

"Of course," Shen Li smiled.

"Then I’m joining too!" Qiao Le interjected. "I want to clear my name—bah, I mean, clarify things." She elbowed Bai Qiuya. "What about you?"

Bai Qiuya hesitated, struggling for a moment before saying weakly, "Then I’ll join too."

In that moment, the four of them officially became a team. But this was only the beginning.

...

The live stream resumed, but the live chat was in chaos:

--Shen Li, get off the show!
--I actually believed Shen Li was being framed; turns out it was all just acting.
--Pei Wantian’s close friend has already come forward to slam Shen Li. Shen Li is the mastermind; she should be blacklisted!
--Her acting is really good, too bad it’s being used in the wrong place. I almost cried watching her earlier. I’m the clown here.
--She’s just putting on a show to whitewash her reputation because she doesn't want to take responsibility for killing Pei Wantian. She wants to return to acting, make money, and get famous. Sisters, don’t ever give people like her a chance to make a comeback, or the domestic entertainment industry is doomed!
--Shen Li is self-directed and self-acted, a manipulative green-tea bitch! A murderer! Get out of show business!

Behind the monitors, Pei Wenxuan watched the one-sided tide of public opinion and revealed a satisfied, sinister smile.

...

The two teams gathered on the beach to prepare for the next round of challenges. The staff cast furtive glances at Shen Li, but she, the center of the controversy, was now remarkably calm.

She looked into the camera, as if she could see the person behind the monitors. A sharp, piercing light flashed in her eyes.

If her guess was correct, her outburst against the production team earlier would definitely trigger a massive reaction, especially her comment about "accepting" the smear campaign. Netizens would surely start questioning the authenticity of her words.

Human nature being what it is, people are always eager to explore the unknown. Once curiosity is piqued, it is hard to let go. Therefore, a portion of the public would inevitably lean toward believing her, and no matter how small that portion was, Pei Wenxuan would never allow it to exist.

In her past life, Pei Wenxuan’s most common tactic was to manipulate public opinion. He didn't care if Shen Li was truly the culprit behind his sister’s death, nor did he need evidence to prove she was the killer. He only needed someone to pay the price for his sister’s death; it seemed that was the only way to alleviate the lingering pain of his loss.

Yet, one person’s tragedy does not erase their cruelty.

According to her deduction, the online discourse had already been steered by Pei Wenxuan, so they must all be cursing her now. Since that was the case, Shen Li curled her lips slightly, fixed her gaze on the camera, and bowed ninety degrees.

Everyone on set was startled by her sudden action, all eyes converging on her.

Pei Wenxuan didn't care; no matter how Shen Li struggled, she would never escape his grasp.

However, Shen Li’s next words left him completely stunned...