Chapter 304: Releasing a Clarification Statement

As expected of the gossip queen of the entertainment industry, Fan Bingbing was long accustomed to such matters and reacted quite swiftly.

Three minutes ago, she had already issued a clarification on Weibo.

She claimed that the two were merely friends, that they had just happened to run into each other and grabbed a meal, and that they had stayed in separate rooms at the hotel.

She also attached proof of the room bookings.

There was nothing more to be said; one could only wait for the public opinion to slowly subside. As for whether the public believed it... there was nothing we could do.

Let's look at the various messages coming in like a landslide.

Hao Anqi: "I couldn't get through to your phone. Do you and Fan Bingbing really... have some kind of special relationship?"

After taking a deep breath, Shen Yan dialed the number again.

"Hello!"

A low, listless voice came from the other end.

Shen Yan said in a deep voice: "You seem to lack trust in me right now. Just because of some baseless rumors online, you're there letting your imagination run wild."

Fearing that her little boyfriend might misunderstand, Hao Anqi hurriedly expressed: "Of course I believe you, but with something like this happening, I have to ask, don't I?"

Shen Yan's tone softened: "Let me explain. I've known Fan Ye for a while. She came to the set to film, I invited her to a meal, and we separated once we reached the hotel. It's a very simple matter."

"So that's how it is!"

Hao Anqi clearly believed this explanation, but she wasn't particularly happy, simply because Shen Yan seemed to have a few too many friends, and every one of them had quite the background.

This made the sense of disparity in Hao Anqi's heart grow ever larger.

It felt as if she and Shen Yan were no longer people from the same world.

Hao Anqi sighed, her eyes dim and lusterless: "Shuai Yan, can you understand how I feel right now? Your friends all have significant backgrounds, while I am just an ordinary student. Sometimes, I really worry that the distance between us will only grow further."

After a moment of silence, Shen Yan organized his thoughts and comforted her: "I'm with you not because of anything else, but simply because I like you as a person, so you have absolutely no need to think so much. In the future, let's not talk about outside matters. Wouldn't it be nice to just eat, drink, and travel around together when we have time?"

"Mm-hmm! I'll listen to you."

Hearing this, Hao Anqi felt a slight sense of relief in her heart.

In truth, she knew very well that being like this wasn't good—being overly sensitive and worried, acting like a completely different person from who she used to be. If this continued, their relationship would very likely run into problems.

Things having reached this point, she could only force herself not to let her imagination run wild and strive to return to being the carefree, cheerful, and lively Hao Anqi from before.

The call ended, and Shen Yan opened the chat window with Wu Yue'er.

Wu Yue'er: "(Picking nose) (Picking nose)"

Shen Yan: "Don't tell me you also suspect that I have something going on with Fan Ye?"

Wu Yue'er: "No way, I just wanted to ask when you're coming back, Hubby. I want cuddles (acting cute)"

Shen Yan: "I'll arrive tomorrow night. Scrub up clean and wait for me."

"Shy face!"

Following the publication of Fan Bingbing's Weibo statement, the online fervor quieted down rapidly, like a lion whose throat had been tightly gripped by an invisible giant hand.

After all, it was just a video without a beginning or an end; it didn't prove anything.

Even so, those who were familiar with Shen Yan could not help but feel a wave of surprise.

That was the famous Fan Ye, after all; to think she was actually friends with Shen Yan.

In their eyes, it was simply a fantasy.

Consequently, Shen Yan received all sorts of bizarre gossip messages, and quite a few people sought him out to help them get Fan Ye's autograph.

Shen Yan ignored them all.

Early the next morning, Fan Bingbing took a flight to her next work location.

And at this juncture, Shen Yan had no intention of going back to the filming site.

Over the past five days, Xu Zheng had already proven his talent with facts, and with the notes Shen Yan had left on the script, he believed there wouldn't be any major deviations from the original film.

The crew wouldn't be any worse off with him, nor any better off without him.

Walking out of the hotel, he was, as expected, besieged by media reporters. Pairs of eyes that looked as if they were watching prey, and seven or eight microphones were thrust right into his face.

Several cameramen followed behind.

"Mr. Shen, are you and Fan Bingbing in a romantic relationship?"

"Mr. Shen, how do you view May-December romances?"

"Mr. Shen, as a student, how did you come to know Fan Bingbing?"

"..."

The noisy, fly-buzzing sounds left Shen Yan speechless.

This group of unscrupulous media didn't care about the previous statement at all. Whether it was true or just baseless rumors, all sorts of tricky questions kept popping up, as they desperately wanted to dig some earth-shattering scoop out of Shen Yan's mouth.

Shen Yan raised his hand to signal for quiet.

Tsk tsk! It was rare for these people to be as obedient as lapdogs.

The scene immediately fell silent, waiting for Shen Yan's response.

"Let me state one thing first: Fan Ye and I are just ordinary friends. There is absolutely no such thing as a May-December romance or any other relationship. If you want to dig up some big scoop from me, you are destined to return disappointed."

"Alright, please move aside. Don't delay me from catching my flight."

Having said that, Shen Yan prepared to squeeze out a path to leave the scene.

However, the reporters wouldn't just give up like that and continued to press him relentlessly: "Mr. Shen, as far as I know, you don't come from a wealthy family. Are you planning to climb the social ladder by getting close to Fan Bingbing?"

Shen Yan raised his hand wearing the Green Water Ghost and said expressionlessly: "You all better be careful. If you accidentally scratch this watch, I reckon a few months of your wages wouldn't be enough to pay for it."

Once these words were out, everyone subconsciously looked at the wristwatch gleaming in the sunlight.

Immediately, they all widened their eyes in unison.

Good heavens! It was actually a Rolex Green Water Ghost; you couldn't get one for less than a hundred thousand.

And even if you had the money, you weren't guaranteed to be able to buy one.

It turns out he is no simple character; no wonder Fan Bingbing would make friends with him.

If he were to get bumped or bruised, there would truly be no tears left to cry.

And so, with the luxury watch leading the way, the reporters reluctantly cleared a path.

Sitting in the Chevrolet waiting at the hotel entrance, Shen Yan could not help but feel a sense of emotion; being too low-key is not necessarily a good thing, as a proper display of wealth can save one from many unnecessary troubles.

Five o'clock in the afternoon.

The sky was pitch black, looking very much like the dark clouds hanging over a city, ready to crush it.

Today was the registration day for the Communication University of China; students were coming and going at the school gate, either young sisters arm-in-arm or young couples intimate and inseparable, preparing to welcome a wonderful nightlife.

Hao Anqi was dressed in a khaki wool coat with a dark-colored top underneath and a pair of small black leather shoes on her feet, making her look fashionable and elegant, with a touch of a young girl's romantic atmosphere.

She gently brushed her small ponytail and craned her neck to look toward the road on the right.

Until a taxi stopped in front.

Seeing that familiar face, the corners of Hao Anqi's mouth curled into a bright smile unconsciously.

Immediately, she walked over quickly like a little elf.

Meeting again after a month, Hao Anqi seemed to have become a bit fuller, and her every gesture was full of femininity; after she sat in the car, Shen Yan gently stroked her face.

He teased, "You seem to have gained quite a bit of weight; it seems the food at home is very good."

Hao Anqi puffed out her cheeks like a steamed bun and pouted coquettishly, "I have not! It is clearly the same as before."

After saying this, she threw herself straight into Shen Yan's arms.

Her nose twitched slightly as she greedily breathed in that long-missed scent.