Xia Wei Liang gave her a look that said "calm down," then addressed the reporters with neither subservience nor arrogance, "What kind of person I am is for everyone to judge, but I don't care."
"So, you admit that Mrs. Xia's evaluation of you is accurate?"
Xia Wei Liang smiled and turned her gaze to the reporter, "May I ask which media outlet you're from?"
The reporter faltered for a moment, then evasively replied, "It doesn't matter which media outlet I'm from, what matters is that you keep evading the question!"
"Don't say it doesn't matter!" Xia Wei Liang continued to smile, her demeanor calm and collected. Through the camera, she seemed to possess her own filter, shining brilliantly.
"Let's take this opportunity to get to know your platform better. This is a great chance for publicity!"
"I don't want to..."
"Heh, this is the first time I've encountered a media outlet that doesn't want the spotlight."
She directed her gaze to the microphone in the reporter's hand and recognized the logo with a sudden realization, "Oh~ it's from Anshi platform. Old acquaintances, I'm quite familiar with your sister Guan Fei~"
This statement was undeniably passive-aggressive.
Previously, her appearance on Guan Fei's "Jin Fei Xi Bi" had caused such a stir that it directly led to the cancellation of Guan Fei's new program and brought her professionalism into question within the industry.
Since this reporter was from Anshi, their intentions were clear.
"Alright, then let's get back to your question. What others say or do truly, truly has no impact on me! I don't live for anyone. I know very well what kind of person I am, so why should I bare myself for you all to see?"
She smiled faintly, "I understand how difficult it is to be human better than you do. Therefore, I will not let down the opportunity heaven has given me. I will live very, very hard, not for anyone else, but to be the best version of myself."
A silence fell over the crowd. Everyone exchanged glances.
Honestly, they had all witnessed her efforts. To speak ill of such a young girl struggling to survive in the entertainment industry made them feel a pang of guilt.
Xia Wei Liang, however, remained composed. "Heh, come, let's continue."
She had unconsciously taken control of the situation, simultaneously casting a glance of approval at Nuomi, who was recording the entire process on her phone.
The little girl was becoming more and more clever.
"Who else wanted to ask a question earlier? Let's go one by one. Please be civilized, polite, don't interrupt, line up properly, and no cutting in line."
Surprisingly, the reporters were quite cooperative, lining up neatly to be interviewed in turn.
"Miss Xia, Mrs. Xia implied that you targeted Xia Yiran on the show. Do you have any explanation for that?"
Xia Wei Liang sighed, "Whoever 'implied or stated it directly' should be the one you ask. Why should I waste my energy answering a non-existent question?"
After speaking, she looked up, "Next."
"...Did Xiao Yi's sudden appearance on 'Courage' have anything to do with you?"
"Only Teacher Xiao can answer this question. You can't bully me just because he has a higher profile than me and you're afraid to ask him! That's not honorable! Alright, next."
"Miss Xia, do you still have contact with your biological parents? Have you helped them improve their lives? If not, aren't you afraid of being called unfilial by the outside world?"
"Yes, I'm terrified. That's why I plan to quickly find them, coordinate our stories, and then appear on a popular national program for a grand reunion."
"..."
"Jin Fei Xi Bi" has been subtly alluded to.
When Ji Huan and others emerged with security, the interviews had concluded.
After ushering the reporters away, Xia Wei Liang checked on Nuomi, "How was it?"
Nuomi grinned, "Full HD throughout."
Ji Huan asked, "Our Meiyu usually has pretty good relations with the media. Why were there so many reporters here today?"
"They were clearly here for me. We'll just have to wait and see what they write when they get back."
Just then, her phone rang.
"Wei Liang... it's Mom."
The call was from Su Hui.
Xia Wei Liang's cheerful mood instantly vanished as she lowered her gaze, her smile fading.
"I want to explain to you, the Weibo post wasn't from me."
Su Hui's voice was weak, "Yiran took my account. I don't log in often, so I didn't think much of it when I gave it to her."
Xia Wei Liang listened quietly, not doubting her.
If it was Xia Yiran, it wasn't surprising.
"Wei Liang, Mom really didn't mean to. Please don't be angry with me, okay?"
The solution to this matter was actually quite simple. If Su Hui issued a statement saying it wasn't her, it would suffice.
Of course, doing so would undoubtedly contradict Xia Yiran.
Therefore, all Xia Wei Liang received was an apology over the phone.
This meant that Su Hui was willing to let her be misunderstood by everyone in order to protect Xia Yiran's reputation. The call itself was merely for her own psychological comfort.
Xia Wei Liang no longer held any expectations.
"Mrs. Xia, I don't care about this matter. However, the company may still need to handle public relations for my image."
Her tone was indifferent.
"Public relations? Are you saying you want to continue slandering Yiran online?"
Su Hui's tone suddenly turned anxious, "How can that be! She took part in your show and received so much criticism, of course, we need to find a way to resolve it! You just need to not respond, and this will pass quickly!"
Xia Wei Liang took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm.
"Firstly, the show isn't mine, and I wasn't aware she would be a guest beforehand. Secondly, if she wants to shake off negative influences, she uses her parents' name to insinuate that my character is problematic. This is spreading rumors and defamation! Why shouldn't I respond? Why should I take the blame for her? Mrs. Xia, do you know that if I'm branded with this label, I'll never be able to clear my name? Just because she's your precious daughter, I deserve to bear it?"
"Wei Liang... Mom didn't mean that..."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Xia, your daughter is Xia Yiran, not me."
Su Hui softened her tone, speaking gently, "Mom knows you've been wronged, but once you respond to this kind of thing, it will be endless, and it won't be good for either of your images."
"Heh, what image can I possibly have as a fake heiress who stole someone else's nest?"
"Wei Liang, don't say things out of anger. Mom called to resolve this matter with you, not to argue with you."
No matter what, Xia Wei Liang didn't compromise, and Su Hui's tone began to show impatience.
Xia Wei Liang didn't want to argue with her over the phone. Regardless of what Su Hui thought, in Xia Wei Liang's heart, she still couldn't treat her as a stranger.
"Mrs. Xia, I've already said everything has been handed over to the company. If there are any issues, please contact my agent." Su Dan Xiao Shuo Wang
With that, she directly hung up the phone.
For a long time, she remained silent, feeling a sense of bewilderment.
Could a mother and daughter who were once so close truly become strangers once the blood tie was broken?
Ji Huan, sitting opposite her, had heard their entire conversation.
She stood up and approached Xia Wei Liang, gently patting her shoulder, "Don't worry about it. I've got your back."
Even if the company had planned to handle this with cold detachment, after this call, they would have to fight back with all their might, otherwise, people would truly think they were alone and isolated!