Chapter 305

"Wang Ke, I've got work back at the company—I'm leaving now, we'll touch base later."

Yu Yanli stayed a little longer to ensure the filming was done properly, then greeted the bride and groom.

"Alright, then, President Yu, you go ahead—I'll see you off."

Wang Ke understood Yu Yanli wouldn't stay long; though disappointed, he didn't dare insist he remain, so he took his wife Liu Tao to see him off. She quickly gathered some wedding candies, chocolates, and red wine as gifts, which Yu Yanli had his people accept.

Yu Yanli took these items without hesitation—let alone the benefits he'd brought Wang Ke by showing up.

He'd genuinely given 8, 88 yuan as a wedding gift!

There was no way to attend a banquet without contributing—it wouldn't be proper. Yu Yanli wasn't that kind of person; eight or ten thousand was just right, a meaningful gesture, so taking some candies and gifts was perfectly justified.

When they reached the door, Liu Tao was stunned to see Wu Jiani there, holding a small bag as if ready to follow Yu Yanli away.

Liu Tao and Wang Ke couldn't help exchanging a glance—since the introduction, barely ten minutes had passed.

This damn thing was too fast!

Both of them were quick—they'd gotten married within a month of meeting—but at least they'd had a few meals together, gotten to know each other, gone on dates, and only then grown closer.

No wonder he's a big boss and a playboy tycoon—efficiency is insane, tactics are brilliant.

Yu Yanli offered no explanation, simply gestured for Wu Jiani to get in the car. Liu Tao and Wang Ke were just about to comment when they noticed Yu Yanli and Wu Jiani getting back out, speaking a few words, then getting back in again.

"???"

Both Liu Tao and Wang Ke were baffled—what was going on? Meanwhile, a Weibo employee in the corner, watching the photos on his camera, was thoroughly satisfied.

Yu Yanli had specifically instructed: sneak shots from the corner—taking obvious, blatant photos would look fake.

Pick the best photos, send them straight to Weibo's team, post them via a small account, then boost the traffic. Let Weibo's behind-the-scenes media partners or collaborators repost them, and finally, let Weibo's official account jump in.

This sequence was crucial. Although Yu Yanli hadn't publicly announced he was Weibo's boss, many people knew.

If Weibo's official account jumped in right away, it would look too contrived. Better to use "gloves"—as long as the traffic flowed to the platform, who posted didn't matter.

Besides, this wasn't a one-off. Exposing the rumor was one wave of traffic; the follow-up clarification would be another.

Weibo's official account couldn't jump in on the first wave, but it could be active on the second—even pinning a full-platform announcement.

Whether users believed it or not, whether anyone saw through it or not—Weibo could also push out skeptical and debunking posts to spark discussion and controversy. As long as the trending status stayed high and remained on Weibo, Yu Yanli would accept it.

In the car

After glancing at the message sent by the Weibo team lead, Yu Yanli put his phone away, satisfied, and turned to Wu Jiani.

"Talk to your company—just cooperate with the clarification later. Have you opened a Weibo account? It'd be more effective if you post directly there."

"I have."

Wu Jiani nodded. Qiong Yao's company had a good relationship with Yu Yanli, and with Qin Lan's mediation, they'd been respectful—every artist under their label had registered a Weibo account, though whether they used it was up to them.

Good. When the parties involved publicly clarify on Weibo, it'll generate another wave of traffic.

Yu Yanli gave a few more instructions, felt he'd said enough, then added: "Where are you going? I'll drop you off, or leave you somewhere for someone to pick you up."

?

Wu Jiani gave Yu Yanli a resentful look—he was heartless, using her and then dumping her.

Knowing this opportunity was rare, she clenched her teeth: "President Yu, thank you so much for helping me boost my fame. I'd like to treat you to dinner, just to show my appreciation."

Yu Yanli paused thoughtfully, then shook his head: "No need to be formal—I've got things to do. Maybe next time."

She was a bit dark—he wasn't into that type.

Besides, she'd clearly come prepared, acting so enthusiastic—hard to say if she had ulterior motives. And with the rumor just breaking, better to be cautious.

Wu Jiani hadn't expected to be turned down again. Gathering courage, she tried to say more—but Yu Yanli had already closed his eyes, ignoring her.

Afraid of upsetting Yu Yanli further, Wu Jiani fell silent, trying to comfort herself.

Big bosses aren't easy to approach. At least this time she'd gotten her face seen and gained fame from the rumor. With this incident, she'd left an impression—there might be chances later.

At Zhichun Road, Yu Yanli prepared to get out, then told the driver to take Wu Jiani.

Just before stepping out, he suddenly remembered: "Yi'an is collaborating on a youth idol drama—you could audition. I'll give you a word."

Wu Jiani was stunned by this unexpected bonus and exclaimed: "Thank you, President Yu!"

Yu Yanli smiled and shook his head: "No need to thank me—just cooperate well with the rumor clarification, don't mess anything up."

Wu Jiani understood the subtext: whether she got the role depended on whether she knew how to behave—if she caused trouble, everything would fall apart.

"I understand. I'll cooperate fully."

Yu Yanli nodded with a smile, stepped out, and left. Inside, he considered: relying on outsiders wasn't safe—he'd need to find a way to control them.

Next time something like this comes up, better to use "familiar" people he could control—people who wouldn't cause trouble.

After grabbing a quick meal downstairs, he returned to Weibo's office—the rumor about him and Wu Jiani had already begun spreading.

This was Weibo's efficiency and immediacy.

In the past, such gossip spread slowly through news portals, updated infrequently, and people could only watch—then discuss on Tieba or Tianya, if anyone even cared.

Weibo was different: directly through topics and reposts, it spread virally, updated in real time, and interested netizens discussed right under the news and topic threads.

Frontline gossip—rumors right at the forefront!

Yu Yanli checked: the original leak post, boosted by Weibo's official promotion, had over 3, 00 comments and nearly 10, 00 reposts within two hours.

That was just the source post—countless follow-up and reposted Weibos were still spreading. Unofficial estimates put the reach at over 100, 00 users.

"Good."

Yu Yanli nodded, ignoring the insults and mockery: "Keep pushing. After the first wave is digested, get the major portals to follow up. By afternoon, I'll have Yi'an post a clarification to sustain the momentum, then do another round."

The Weibo team lead nodded and asked: "President Yu, would you like to post a Weibo too?"

"Hmm. I'll post after the company and Wu Jiani clarify."

Yu Yanli had already planned his Weibo post—no need for a formal clarification; too serious.

【Attended @WangKe @LiuTao's wedding, gave a friend a ride. Everyone's thinking too much. Why not go vote for Weibo Goddesses? Welcome to support @FanBingbing @WangOu @ChenSu… #LiuTaoWedding #WeiboGoddess #YuYanliClarifiesRumor】

Yu Yanli finished drafting the Weibo and saved it in drafts, waiting to post.

It addressed the rumor, tied in two other Weibo hot topics, and gave a promotional boost to his artists.

Hmm, perfect!

…

Yu Yanli didn't take the rumor seriously at all. After arranging everything, he went back to work.

But while he remained calm, others who didn't know the situation couldn't sit still.

Shanghai, "Ip Man" set

This film shot half its scenes in Guangdong, mostly around Shanghai, because Shanghai had more Republican-era architecture and film studios.

This made it convenient for Wang Ou—when she had free time, she'd visit her best friend Yang Rong.

Too bad Yu Yanli was busy and couldn't come to Shanghai—otherwise he could handle two at once.

At that moment, Wang Ou, dressed in a qipao, was removing her makeup in the dressing room when she received a call from Wu Jiani.

"Weibo? Wu Jiani?"

Confused, Wang Ou told her assistant to fetch the laptop. After quickly removing her makeup and changing clothes, she checked Weibo in the chauffeur-driven car and immediately called Yang Rong.

"Baby, we've been breached."

On the other end came Yang Rong's slightly annoyed voice: "I've told you a hundred times—don't call me Baby."

No one knew how Wang Ou had gotten the info from Yu Yanli, but after learning he called Yang Rong "Big Baby," she'd started using it too—even dragging Yu Yanli into it sometimes.

Yang Rong hated it—she was nearly thirty, what kind of "Baby" was that? But Wang Ou did as she pleased.

"Baby" was polite—when no outsiders were around, she'd even call her "Big Wa" or "Big Nai Wa."

"Whatever you call me, check Weibo—some little bitch named Wu is chasing after President Yu."

"I already saw it."

Yang Rong had been off work lately, staying home watching dramas and browsing the internet—she was even more informed than Wang Ou.

"What do you mean 'already saw it'? Why aren't you worried at all?"

Wang Ou was furious. Yang Rong rolled her eyes: "This is his usual routine—eating from one bowl while eyeing another. What's there to worry about? And what he does, what's it got to do with me?"

Even so, Wang Ou knew her too well—she heard the bitterness in Yang Rong's tone.

That little brat was just being stubborn!

Wang Ou didn't call her out—if she did, Yang Rong would shut down and play ostrich. Instead, she gently coaxed.

"Fine, you're not worried—I am, then."

"Wu Jiani alone isn't enough. I'm filming and can't return to Beijing—you go watch things there. Beijing's empty right now—don't let anyone slip through."

"If you won't help, I'll find someone else. Remember that little sister Bai Bing I told you about? She's eager."

Wang Ou mixed persuasion with threats. After a pause, Yang Rong replied: "Fine, I'll help you this once—but when you finish filming, I'm coming back."

Hmph, you just don't want to leave Beijing!

Internally grumbling, Wang Ou checked the schedule—her scenes in "Ip Man" weren't many; she could return to Beijing by mid-to-late month.

Then, if Yang Rong was still in Beijing, she'd drag her into the game—both of them, plus Wu Jiani—any Qiong Yao actresses could go play elsewhere.

Hengdian, "Yan Zhi Xue" set

Watching Yang Tianzhen hand over the laptop, Fan Xiaopang glanced at it briefly and snorted.

"Dogs can't change their shit-eating ways."

Then she realized she'd just insulted herself—she spat, then scowled.

"Ignore these messy little things. Fly to Sanya yourself—accommodation's on me. Find some good food, fun activities, suitable for middle-aged and elderly people."

Yang Tianzhen nodded seriously. She knew what Fan Xiaopang meant—this year, Fan Xiaopang was spending the New Year with Yu Yanli's family in Sanya.