You have been betrayed.

Besides Qu Wan, there was another female MC, Sun Yuxin, who had already participated in the previous season of the show.

From the moment Qu Wan arrived, she could sense Sun Yuxin’s hostility toward her.

To be honest, it was clear that nobody really liked Sun Yuxin, at least not from what Qu Wan observed—except, of course, for Gu Siyuan. But if that kid ever dared to have a problem with her, Qu Wan would show up at his house in the middle of the night and knock some sense into him.

Everyone got into the car arranged by the production team, heading to the market.

“I didn’t expect you to come on a variety show too, Qu Wan.”

Qu Wan looked at her in puzzlement. “Is there something wrong with me joining a variety show?”

“Oh, I just thought you wanted to focus on acting in films. Your movies are really enjoyable, after all.”

Qu Wan glanced at Sun Yuxin’s smiling face and realized how low her game was—this was a blatant attempt to stir up trouble.

Qu Wan returned a faint smile. Did Sun Yuxin really think she’d be embarrassed? Not a chance. If you don’t allow yourself to feel awkward, the awkwardness falls on others. “I’m actually preparing to hone my acting skills before joining another film crew. By the way, I watched your recent stage performance—the singing was quite good.”

Sun Yuxin’s smile froze. That recent performance—she had lip-synced and got called out by the music director on the spot. She’d been mocked for ages, and the matter had only just died down. She hadn’t expected Qu Wan to bring it up so easily.

Qu Wan smiled again. “I don’t have many strengths, but I do know what I’m capable of. Some people, though, even when they know they can’t do something, won’t admit it. They don’t even carry a sense of self-awareness when they go out.”

Sun Yuxin clenched her fists tightly, forced to keep her composure for the cameras. Her expression was a mess of emotions, but she didn’t dare to retaliate. She hadn’t expected Qu Wan to call her out so directly in front of the cameras.

She was completely unprepared and had no way to respond.

[Is Qu Wan always this direct? Someone mocks her for winning a Golden Broom, and she immediately brings up Sun Yuxin’s off-key singing and calls her clueless, hahaha.]

[Is that really funny? Qu Wan’s being disrespectful, isn’t she? Is this really something to bring up?]

[I laughed. Disrespectful? Wasn’t it Sun Yuxin who started it? She really thinks people can’t pick up on her passive-aggressive digs?]

[Let me say quietly, Qu Wan’s looks far outshine Sun Yuxin’s. No objections, right?]

[Who is Qu Wan to be compared to our Yuxin?]

[If you’re blind, go get your eyes checked. Don’t spend all your money chasing stars and none on the hospital. I don’t even like Qu Wan, but her looks are undeniable.]

[Qu Wan ugly? I laughed. How good-looking do you think you are to call her ugly?]

[Did Qu Wan hire internet trolls? Have you all forgotten whose wife she is? Jiang Zeyu!]

Gu Siyuan looked on, utterly entertained, almost wanting to applaud Qu Wan.

Xu Jiawei glanced at him. “Gu, you seem quite familiar with Qu Wan. Did you know each other before?”

Gu Siyuan nodded slightly. “We did. She’s my ex-fiancée.”

The car fell into utter silence—even Qu Wan was stunned for a long moment.

Live chat exploded with question marks.

Qu Wan glared at the man in front of her. Was his brain directly connected to his mouth?

Gu Siyuan immediately realized he’d misspoken, but it was a live broadcast.

“Fiancée? Ex-fiancée?” Sun Yuxin and Xu Jiawei were both shocked, wondering if they’d misheard.

Qu Wan hurried to smooth things over. “Don’t listen to him. He’s joking. We’ve just known each other for years.”

“Childhood engagement then?” Xu Jiawei pressed.

“Our families joked about it when we were kids. It wasn’t serious.”

Gu Siyuan coughed awkwardly. “What’s with all the gossip? Qu Wan is like a sister to me. I’ll look out for her from now on.”

[Did I just hear what I think I heard?]

[Are those two involved? No way. Qu Wan cheating on Jiang Zeyu?]

[What nonsense are you spewing? Didn’t they just explain it was a childhood joke? Can’t you see Gu Siyuan was joking too?]

[Now I’m really curious. Gu Siyuan’s family is so wealthy—what kind of family could have arranged a childhood engagement with his? What’s Qu Wan’s background? If she had family support, she wouldn’t be struggling to land a decent role, would she?]

[Could this be another of Qu Wan’s publicity stunts?]

[What’s Qu Wan’s secret? How does she get both Jiang Zeyu and Gu Siyuan to back her up?]

At this moment, Jiang Zeyu’s fans were overjoyed, spamming the chat.

[Qu Wan, hurry up and get a divorce! Go be with your ex-fiancé!]

[Jiang Zeyu’s fans still haven’t faced reality? Don’t drag us Gu fans into this! Also, wishing Jiang Zeyu and Qu Wan a long and happy marriage and many children!]

Nothing could be more cutting.

/

Jiang Zeyu was working out on a treadmill, sweat dripping down his face and sliding from his chin.

His phone rang nearby.

Jiang Zeyu answered the call, put it on speaker, and slowed his breathing.

“What is it?”

“You’re trending right now, did you know?”

“Haven’t checked my phone,” Jiang Zeyu replied evenly, continuing his run.

His agent hesitated. “Zeyu, what’s going on with your wife?”

“What happened?” Only then did Jiang Zeyu frown, slowing his pace.

“She’s on a variety show with Gu Siyuan, and Gu Siyuan just announced on air that Qu Wan was his ex-fiancée.”

Jiang Zeyu stopped to listen, stepping off the treadmill.

“I’ll send you a clip from the live broadcast—have a look yourself.”

Jiang Zeyu opened the video, watching Qu Wan and Gu Siyuan sitting together. He saw Gu Siyuan’s unintentional slip, Qu Wan’s momentary daze, and her awkward smile.

He saw the barrage of insults on screen.

Qu Wan hadn’t done anything, yet she was the one being scolded.

His agent’s voice came through again. “What’s the story here? Did you know anything about their past? Even though Qu Wan explained right away, netizens aren’t buying it—they’re saying you’ve been cheated on.”

Jiang Zeyu pursed his lips tightly. “Contact the show’s producers. See if they need a guest appearance.”

“What? Aren’t you supposed to be resting at home? If you show up now, the whole show will be a mess! Can’t you handle this privately with your wife? Why make a scene on the program?”

“There’s nothing to handle in private—there’s nothing going on at all. Didn’t you say the producers reached out to you? This is a good opportunity. I have nothing else to do at home. A cameo on a variety show couldn’t hurt.” Jiang Zeyu’s voice was calm.

“I really don’t think it’s appropriate. The three of you on stage together—won’t that be awkward? I’m embarrassed just thinking about it. What are you going for, to catch them in the act or demand a public explanation? The fans will go crazy if you all appear together!”

“We’ll have to share a stage sooner or later. Just go contact them.”