Chapter 44: The Official Announcement Sends Shockwaves

After Lin Ziheng began his afternoon schedule, the studio busied itself preparing to update Weibo, officially announcing Lin Zhiwei’s arrival. Lin Zhiwei, meanwhile, was occupied with setting up her own Weibo, cooperating with the publicity efforts.

Ruoyu Studio: Welcome to our new director, Lin Zhi.

Lin Zhi: Hello everyone, my name is Lin Zhi. From now on, I’ll be in charge of some of Ruoyu’s collaborations.

In an instant, the Feather Girls were in an uproar. Ruoyu Studio hadn’t had any new members for years; usually, their posts consisted of nothing but promotional content. Now, they were making a big deal out of announcing a director?

It seemed the new director must be something special. But after checking the new director’s Weibo, it was clear it had just been registered—no photo, not even a scrap of gossip to be found.

Devoted to Ruoyu: A new guy?? Wow, can’t wait!!

Your Feather: I wonder if he’s handsome??

Maomao’s Snow: Handsome or not doesn’t matter—the most important thing is that the new director must be strong, strong, and stronger, and beat Chu Chuo and the fly brigade.

Ascend as Feather: Agreed! Protect our beloved Ruoyu! Down with the fly legion!

...

Lin Zhiwei scrolled through the Feather Girls’ comments with a smile. Their powerful and almost terrifying ability to guide public opinion was a tremendous asset—a fan club this united was a major advantage.

“Director Lin, look, look! So many fans are curious about your looks,” Xiaoyu gossiped eagerly. “Director Lin, what kind of image are you planning to debut with?” Her eyes blazed with curiosity.

Leaning her head on her hand, Lin Zhiwei replied calmly, “Well… naturally, it’ll be extremely ordinary, extremely unremarkable, extremely safe. Also, calling me Director Lin sounds too formal. You all should change how you address me.”

“Ah… that’s really a shame,” Xiaoyu wailed in disappointment. “With that face, Director Lin, it’s not easy to look ordinary.”

“If Director Lin is so awesome, how about we call you Lin-ge? Doesn’t that sound cool and bold?” Mei Ning asked, biting her pen.

“I like it!” Xiaoyu agreed at once. “From now on, Lin-ge!”

Zhao Lei nodded in quiet approval.

Lin-ge? Lin Zhiwei didn’t mind the nickname, but she couldn’t help feeling it doomed her to eternal singleness and the permanent extinction of any romantic prospects.

Just then, everyone’s phone chimed.

They pulled out their phones, instantly stunned.

Ling Ruoyu: @Lin Zhi, welcome aboard. Looking forward to working with you.

All eyes turned to Lin Zhiwei, all of them equally shocked.

Lin Zhiwei replied earnestly: Thank you, boss. I’ll give my all, to the last breath.

She rocked back in her chair, unfazed, but suddenly sensed something was off. Why was it so quiet? Looking up abruptly, she found the three of them staring at her, dazed.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

Xiaoyu cupped her face, looking unusually serious. “Lin-ge, are you the money behind all this?”

“Huh?” This time, it was Lin Zhiwei who was startled. What was this talk about being the boss behind the scenes? Did she look rich?

“Lin-ge, are you secretly loaded, with a hidden identity as the real owner?” Mei Ning quickly nodded in agreement, having long suspected as much.

Zhao Lei, the only one in the know, smiled faintly, suppressing his own astonishment.

“Do I look loaded? I barely brought any clothes,” Lin Zhiwei protested, utterly baffled at their train of thought.

“Impossible, you have connections,” Mei Ning insisted, raising an eyebrow.

Well… if you put it that way, she did have some background—possibly, maybe, probably the future heir to a domain.

Lin Zhiwei replied evasively, “You’re overthinking it.”

“Ling-ge actually reposted the announcement himself. Just wait, the comments are about to explode,” Mei Ning shook his head. Every time Ling-ge posted on Weibo, it caused a storm. Now, with such a grand announcement, it was bound to go viral.

“Look, look! The reposts are over ten thousand, and the comments… the comment section is blowing up!” Xiaoyu exclaimed.

Lin Zhiwei glanced at it, her expression darkening—

My husband actually posted on Weibo! A once-in-a-century event—front row for a group selfie!

Ruoyu, I’ll have your babies! Look at me, look at me!

Ruoyu actually made a special post—this means the new director is definitely true love!

Huh???? No way, really?? Please, no??

Could it be…

Please, stop speculating! I won’t listen, I won’t listen!

In the end, the fan club president intervened to control the situation and prevent wild speculation from spreading further: Everyone, let’s focus more on Ruoyu’s works. The studio has its own arrangements. Ruoyu is just cooperating; please don’t make baseless guesses or cause unnecessary trouble! Thank you!

...

A man’s identity is already a source of speculation; as a woman, it’s even trickier. Being Ling Ziheng’s director was certainly no easy task.

Seeing Lin Zhiwei’s slightly dazed expression, Xiaoyu tried to comfort her, “Lin-ge, don’t worry. The Feather Girls are very unified.”

“Wait, I just want to ask—does Ruoyu usually have any scandals?” Lin Zhiwei inquired curiously.

All three shook their heads.

“Female celebrities?”

Another shake.

“Male celebrities?”

The three exchanged a glance, then shook their heads again.

Lin Zhiwei covered her face. Just how hard was it to stir up a CP with him?

“Let me put it another way—have any female celebrities shown interest in him?”

All three nodded in unison.

Lin Zhiwei spread her hands, prompting them to continue. Why did the three of them only know how to nod and shake their heads mechanically? Couldn’t they be a bit more forthcoming?

“Oh, there are loads—so many we can’t even count!” Xiaoyu was first to speak.

“Then tell me about the craziest one, so I know to steer clear and avoid trouble in the future,” Lin Zhiwei said, realizing this was a thorny problem.

“There is, there is—the craziest is Ye Linyun. She pounces at every opportunity, tries to force a scandal and bind herself to him. Brother Lei is already sick of it. Thankfully, the fans don’t buy it, so nothing’s come of it for years,” Xiaoyu replied, clearly exasperated.

Zhao Lei nodded, answering seriously, “That’s right. She’s the most notorious, has considerable status and means in the industry, and her family background is impressive. She’s definitely difficult to handle.”