Press Conference (III)
Press Conference (III)
The reporters and fans watching the live broadcast were speechless. Were they announcing that Han Liang had joined the company instead of addressing the scandal?
"Have they gone crazy?" was a thought shared by many.
Han Liang's fans were curious about where he would go after his seven-year contract ended with his previous company. They never dreamed he would join a newly established company, leaving behind all the top, successful entertainment firms.
"If this had been earlier, I'd have been the happiest because Han Liang and Luo Dan would be in the same company. But after this scandal, I'm not sure. I can't look at him and Jia Fei the same way as before," one fan expressed online.
Others took a more dramatic tone: "Han Liang, you're ruining your life. You deserve better. Leave Luo Dan and Jia Fei, marry me instead!"
Fans argued about his decision, while reporters at the press conference grew impatient. Yet Luo Dan's cold gaze kept them in check.
With composure, Luo Dan dropped another bombshell, "And for the third announcement, it's about our artist Jia Fei, another great musician, and soloist with our company. She has been working hard these days and will soon release a spring comeback single, collaborating with Han Liang."
"The fans can expect a fantastic collaboration between artists, who are now under HJ Entertainment. I'm sure everyone will be pleased," she concluded, her voice carrying a confident, meaningful tone that left everyone in the room eagerly anticipating what was to come.
The low whispers that had been buzzing in the hall erupted into open confusion and dismay after Luo Dan finished speaking. Her last two announcements had caused chaos, and it was hard to control the reaction.
"What is going on? Wasn't this press conference to kick out Jia Fei from the company? What in the world is happening here?" one of the reporters exclaimed, disbelief in his voice.
"At this time, the last thing they could do is to lay low, but they're announcing a collaboration? What about the scandal? Is it truly just a rumor?" another chimed in, his frustration evident.
"But how could that be possible? I checked those pictures; those cannot be fabricated," insisted a third, adding fuel to the fire.
"Looks like they're trying to divert attention from the main topic. However, there is no way they can get away from this," someone muttered, skepticism clear in their voice.
Online, the situation was no calmer.
While the reporters were going into a frenzy, the fans of both sides were stunned. They began arguing online, each side trying to protect their idol while blaming the other.
Social media platforms were flooded with comments and opinions.
"How could they do this to us?" one fan cried out on a forum. "I thought Han Liang was better than this!"
"It's all Jia Fei's fault. She must have seduced him! She is such a Sl*t," another fan cursed.
"Collaboration? Now? Are they even serious about the feelings of the fans? This is like rubbing salt into our wounds!" a fan angrily posted on social media.
"I've supported Han Liang since the beginning, but this? This is betrayal. How could he work with her after what happened? How can he cheat on Luo Dan? Shameless!" another fan lamented, her comment flooded with crying emojis.
"I'm done. I'm burning all my Jia Fei merchandise that I bought on her birthday. I can't support her anymore, not after this," a former fan declared, posting pictures of the Jia Fei merchandise items in a trash bin and setting it on fire.
"I don't care about the scandal; I just want good music. If they can give us that, then why not?" a more pragmatic fan argued, trying to bring some balance to the heated discussion.
"To the comment above, I hope your boyfriend cheats on you with your best friend and shows off his relationship with her in front of you. Then say this line again; I hope you get what you deserve!" one angry fan retorted. The situation was going out of control as people were after their throats, making personal comments.
"Why are people jumping to conclusions? Let's wait and see what they have to say. Maybe there's more to this story," a hopeful fan suggested, urging patience among her fellow supporters.
While the fan wars were going on the internet, many of the fans became antis, hating their idols and blaming Jia Fei and Han Liang for ruining their fandom's reputation by indulging in what they saw as a shameless act of infidelity.
Seeing the reporters getting impatient, Luo Dan didn't waste her time and decided to pull her ace card, putting an end to all of this confusion.
She looked at the reporters coldly and said, "I am sure everyone must be waiting for me to talk about this and I believe everyone must be curious about the articles and photos of Han Liang and Jia Fei that have been circulating, especially in front of the gynecology department."
"Am I correct?" she asked.
The reporters' faces lit up, and they answered her in unison, "Yes, we want to know what the company has to say about this matter."
"Ms. Luo Dan, how do you feel about Han Liang cheating on you?"
"How is the relationship between you and Jia Fei now? Is there any crack between you two? Weren't you two best friends?" another reporter asked boldly.
Luo Dan brushed off their questions, leaning in with a meaningful grin, "Before I make the fourth and last announcement, aren't you guys curious why the usually ever-present CEO of HJ Entertainment isn't here today?"
The room's energy shifted; some reporters shook their heads, totally hooked on the upcoming scandal, while others perked up, genuinely curious about why the CEO and that famous ex-manager of The Knights were front and center in this drama.
Luo Dan smiled knowingly and unveiled her news, "The reason she's absent is that for the past four months, she's been on maternity leave. Yes, you heard right. Maternity leave."
She then narrowed her eyes and spoke in a more somber tone, "The pictures you saw online of Han Liang and Jia Fei embracing at the hospital were from the day Xu Nuan gave birth to a baby girl. They were not, as the rumors suggested, celebrating a pregnancy between Jia Fei and Han Liang."
She paused to let her words sink in before continuing coldly, "At that time, along with Han Liang and Jia Fei, I was also present, standing by their side. But someone chose to crop me out of the frame, displaying only Han Liang and Jia Fei, thereby creating this immense misunderstanding."
Her revelation hung heavily in the room, casting a new light on the photos that had caused such a scandal and starting to untangle the web of misinformation that had ensnared them all.
"You're wondering about my relationship with Jia Fei? Let me paint you a picture: I cooked her favorite breakfast this morning and then practically had to drag her off the couch for a workout. So yeah, we're doing just fine," Luo Dan said with a wink, toning down the dense atmosphere.
"And as for Han Liang, well, he's the one who dropped me at the hotel for the press conference. I mean, come on, everyone knows I can't drive. If a boyfriend doesn't play chauffeur now and then, who will?" She raised an eyebrow at the reporters, a knowing smile playing on her lips, shutting them down in an instant.
Her words, delivered with casual confidence, diffuse the tension in the room, making the reporters feel more like they were sharing inside jokes than probing for a sensational story.
The fans and reporters were stunned by this announcement, and the room was suddenly awash in awkwardness. They'd all been so sure that this was Jia Fei's ticket out of the industry, but now?
Things had taken a wild twist.
Some reporters put their hands down, maybe rethinking their approach, but a few brave souls plowed on.
"Ms. Luo Dan, how do we even know you're telling the truth? Just because Xu Nuan had a baby doesn't mean those rumors about Han Liang and Jia Fei aren't true. How can we believe in your words only?" One reporter asked.
"He's your boyfriend, sure, but why was Han Liang at the hospital? Can you fill us in on why all of you were there when Xu Nuan's just the CEO of HJ Entertainment?" The reporter's blunt query seemed to catch others off guard, a flush of embarrassment visible on some faces.
Yet, despite the awkwardness, the room was filled with palpable curiosity. What was the underlying reason for this strong bond? How had their relationships transcended the typical boundaries of employee and employer? The question lingered, adding another layer to the intrigue that had enveloped them all.