Chapter 195

After being eliminated, Qin Wei's assistant sent a message to her agent Li Yao. Qin Wei did not bring much with her, so after the assistant packed up her things, she chatted with Wei Lai, who was also waiting to leave.

It was Wei Lai who brought up the topic while pushing her suitcase from behind the sofa. She happened to see the wallpaper on Qin Wei's phone and stopped in her tracks:

"Doraemon?" (Note: Japanese anime)

Qin Wei turned her head in pleasant surprise:

"You like it too??"

Too? Wei Lai reacted for a moment, then nodded:

"I like it. I've watched all the episodes released so far, and all the movies too. I collect whatever merchandise I can get my hands on. As long as I'm not too busy, I make time to watch an episode every day, otherwise I feel like something's missing from my day... I didn't expect you to like Doraemon too... Do you really like it?"

Qin Wei was a little excited too. A lot of people have watched Doraemon, but few genuinely and wholeheartedly love Doraemon like she does. Meeting a kindred spirit today makes her feel it's not easy to come by. Although her all-time favorite is Strawberry Bear, that doesn't affect Doraemon's ranking in her heart.

"I like it. I've seen everything released so far."

Wei Lai suddenly asked her:

"What color is Nobita's family car?"

It seems Wei Lai doesn't believe her and is testing her.

Qin Wei answered without thinking:

"So far, they've changed cars three times. The first one was blue, the later ones were green."

"What's Nobita's older brother's name?"

"Nobisuke."

"Who is Doraemon's best friend?"

"I feel it's Suneo."

When Qin Wei gave this answer, Wei Lai grabbed her hand and looked at her earnestly:

"You really do like Doraemon. I asked you details and you answered without hesitation. And I feel Doraemon's best friend is Suneo too.

Qin Wei, if you don't mind, from now on we're friends, or even unofficial siblings!" Although after some time together, Wei Lai was certain Qin Wei was not the aloof ice queen portrayed in rumors, and she was actually quite nice and easy to get along with.

But she still didn't seem like someone who would watch anime...

Wei Lai regretted listening to Liu Xin's words earlier. Liu Xin said Qin Wei had an eccentric personality and was withdrawn. Plus her long period of inactivity and some so-called black history, many colleagues believed it when they were recording "Against the Wind". To avoid potential conflicts, Wei Lai kept her distance from Qin Wei like the rest.

[You shouldn't get to know someone based on what others say about them.]

Now Wei Lai realized it's easy to say but hard to do. She also couldn't help being prejudiced. Her knowledge about Qin Wei was limited to online news and hearsay.

Public opinion can be scary. Stereotypes can be scary.

These caused her to only get to know Qin Wei now.

It's not easy to meet a confidante. What a pity for not meeting sooner!

For Qin Wei, this conversation also pleasantly surprised her. Although they were in the same team before, Qin Wei and Wei Lai didn't chat one-on-one. They had an ordinary relationship. If not for this coincidence where both were eliminated from the show and happened to chat while waiting, Qin Wei probably wouldn't have gained such a like-minded friend when it comes to hobbies and interests.

Having a common interest catalyzes a friendship!

"Sis Qin, the car is here."

The assistant knocked on the door, interrupting their chat. Qin Wei waved Wei Lai goodbye:

"When we return to record the show, we must watch it together!"

Wei Lai kept nodding, also reluctant to part.

Only after leaving the hotel and getting in the car with her assistant did Qin Wei realize the person driving was neither Li Yao nor the company driver, but Xu Mingchuan.

"President Xu?"

Qin Wei was a bit surprised. She looked out the window again and asked softly,

"Why are you here yourself? Aren't you afraid the paparazzi will photograph you?"

Xu Mingchuan started the car calmly and said,

"I'm not afraid at all. I drive this car all the time. I have nothing to hide so I don't care what they say."

After hearing this, Qin Wei's heart lurched. She looked worried and said,

"Bro, I'm worried even if you're not. The public doesn't care if gossip is true or false. In the blink of an eye they start rumors, while we waste effort and money dispelling them... No matter how little I read comments, I still hear all kinds of preposterous rumors."

"I'm just joking with you."

Xu Mingchuan glanced at her from the rearview mirror. He was joking, but he did harbor personal intentions to probe her. He didn't expect her to be so quick to distance their relationship.

So does she still like Shen Kai?

"Check the company's official Weibo account."

Although feeling dejected, Xu Mingchuan didn't show it. He simply added this line. Qin Wei obediently followed his suggestion and opened Weibo —

【Anxing Entertainment: President Xu's Itinerary Today — Picking up Sis Qin Wei @QinWei_Vivian from the filming location to congratulate her on completing the show's recording】

Scrolling down, yesterday's Weibo post —

【Anxing Entertainment: Congratulations to @Anxing-UU on becoming the Asia spokesperson for @MxM! Also, President Xu's Itinerary — Sending UU back to the "Against the Wind" filming crew】

Similar itinerary updates are posted daily.

Reading the comments —

【Wow Anxing can't even afford a driver? President Xu has to go the extra mile?】

【With a 1.2 million car like this, President Xu has several similar ones. How can someone like him not afford a driver? Obviously the false news last time scared him badly, it almost affected Qin Wei's business. 】

【Scared? President Xu sued the rumor marketing account out of business. The first rumormonger, account plus company, completely gone】

【Is President Xu that powerful? Single-handedly calling the shots?】

【Not exactly, just claiming compensation legally. Simply not accepting private settlements. Xu is loaded anyway, he dragged the guy to bankruptcy by suing continuously】

【Hope President Xu takes down other trashy marketing accounts too! Making up details and posting black history about my brother all day, truly disgusting...】

...

Only now did Qin Wei understand Xu's motives for publicly disclosing his schedule. This way even if photographed together, there was nothing to hide. This showed all parties had clear consciences without fear.

However...

"President Xu, our company's official Weibo only has 2,000 followers?"

In comparison, she alone had over 5 million followers. Her company's account seemed so pitiful...

President Xu was stunned for a moment:

"1,500 of those followed during last time's rumor clarification... Don't worry about these trifles... Not to criticize you, but you can't see the key point. You won't pass reading comprehension exams..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Wei fell into deep thought:

"Hmm... The follower growth is too slow. My personal account only had 1 million followers several months ago, mostly antis and zombie fans..."

Xu Mingchuan couldn't help laughing. What was the point of debating her? He might as well entertain her line of discussion to please her:

"When you have time in the next couple days, come to the company and do a livestream with the official account to help increase our followers."

But Qin Wei didn't seem too willing.

Xu Mingchuan took her lack of refusal as agreement. He then talked about the schedule arrangements afterwards:

"How about tomorrow night? In the morning you have school event autograph signing, in the afternoon shooting a video, I'll arrange the livestream at night."

"Signing what at school?"