Chapter 81: A Public Apology

While Ye Ziyan was filming on set, he received a call from home. Only then did he learn that Shangguan Renran had been attacked in City A. He immediately requested leave and flew to City A in Country Z. His agent, unable to dissuade him, accompanied him along with two assistants who doubled as bodyguards.

Meanwhile, netizens flocked to Shangguan Renran’s social media to offer comfort.

“What happened to my goddess? A gunfight? Just how cruel is that so-called princess?”
“What should we do? Our movie king must be secretly wiping away tears—I heard he even stopped filming.”
“Is what the person above said true? Is it really Ye the Movie King?”
“Hugging our goddess, don’t cry, be strong, we’re all behind you!”
“I feel like this isn’t just a private matter anymore—it’s escalated to a national level. Like if you agree.”
...

Shangguan Renran received Ye Ziyan’s call at two in the afternoon. She immediately took Ye Zuo with her to the airport to pick him up. Since they were meeting the movie king, Shangguan Renran wore a hat and mask. Fortunately, no one expected him to appear in City A.

After arriving, Ye Ziyan would certainly visit Shangguan Xing, so he had his luggage sent to his private residence and went directly with Shangguan Renran to the Shangguan family villa.

Ye Zuo drove, with Shangguan Renran and Ye Ziyan seated in the back.

“Brother Ye, what brings you here?”
“I was worried about you, so I came to check. Is the person behind this related to Qian Suyin?”
“Yes, I think you know her. She seems to regard me as a rival, determined to take my life.”
“She’s always been that ruthless.”

Shangguan Renran looked at him, full of concern. “Brother Ye, is it because of her that you’ve never liked anyone?”

“Not entirely.”

Partly, his acting career left him with no time, but also, he had witnessed Qian Suyin murder one of his fans simply because the fan declared she would publicly pursue him, leaving him with a lingering shadow.

Ye Ziyan bought some gifts and brought them to the Shangguan family, where he also shared a meal.

Shangguan Renran found him a bit formal, but he insisted it was a matter of etiquette, not to be neglected.

Since he had come to City A, he decided to stay for several days. He planned to visit his uncle Ye Liting (the son of his grandfather’s brother) and also hold a fan meeting while in town.

Country Z’s fans were overjoyed, all declaring they would attend. Many speculated whether he had come out of concern for his sister, making the long journey. He openly admitted it!

This stirred up a lively buzz under Shangguan Renran’s social media, provoking Huangpu Shenqing’s jealousy.

She began to sneak over to Lianran Group more often.

“Mr. Huangpu, do you like my playing?”
“It’s lovely—everything you play is beautiful!”
“Is Mr. Huangpu still angry?”

Leaving the zither, Shangguan Renran rushed over, sat astride him, her tone softly sweet.

“What do you think?”

Huangpu Shenqing tapped her nose—one appeared in the comments, another downstairs, how could he not be angry? How could he not be jealous?

She was about to say that meant he wasn’t angry, but then the phone rang.

“Hello, Wanqing?”

Tsk—

This damn man, pinching her cheek.

Huangpu Shenqing was thoroughly disgruntled—finally some alone time, only to be interrupted.

“Ranran, go turn on the TV. Qian Suyin is publicly apologizing to you right now.”

After hanging up, Shangguan Renran was momentarily bewildered, only gradually realizing what Wanqing meant.

Huangpu Shenqing had already switched the phone to the broadcast channel.

He turned her in his lap so both could face the screen. Shangguan Renran obediently sat on him, watching Qian Suyin’s global livestream.

“I am here to apologize for my actions! I deeply repent for the crimes I have committed. Miss Shangguan, I am sorry—I misunderstood you. I also apologize to my people. I know I have committed unforgivable crimes, so I voluntarily renounce my royal status; from this day forward, the royal family has no Princess Qian Suyin.”

“What? She’s been expelled?”
“Princess, don’t lower yourself for others!”
“That’s harsh!”
“She did it voluntarily? Why do I feel a bit sorry for her?”
“She will always be our princess!”
“Good riddance. Don’t ever come back to our country and kill again.”
“Who is Shangguan Renran anyway? We don’t accept this decision—the princess’s fate should be decided by our people.”
“Why should our princess be expelled? We need a parliamentary review!”
“Just leave! Disgusting.”
“We don’t know Shangguan Renran. If our princess tried to kill her, there must be a reason.”
“I support our princess!”
“How dare you bully the movie king’s sister—get lost! Never show up again.”
“Our goddess was shot for no reason—is that wrong?”
“People from Country G, please think before you speak.”
...
...

The comments soared into the hundreds of millions. Most people from Country G felt sorry for their princess’s expulsion. The citizens of Country Z maintained fairness, with the movie king’s powerful fan base supporting his sister, Shangguan Renran!

Shangguan Renran ignored the comments, but Qian Suyin herself captured her attention.

She had never met her; just one meal with Brother Ye, and she’d been marked as a rival, nearly killed in broad daylight.

She held no fondness for her; now hearing her claim to voluntarily renounce her title, she didn’t believe a word—what a lie!

Yet, the world is full of people like her, who act solely according to their own wishes, never considering others, selfish and unscrupulous, willing to do anything to get what they want, utterly lacking any moral boundaries.