Chapter 127-Part 1

When the news broke, Jiang Nian had already been in the mountains for over a month. Since she was filming a crime-action movie, the chase and combat scenes in the mountains were a top priority, consuming considerable time and effort from the entire production team.

When Jia Ping saw the news and relayed it to Jiang Nian, he looked exasperated: “These people have too much free time on their hands. They’ll write anything for clicks. Which celebrity doesn’t dress extravagantly these days? You just went a little overboard, wearing two ‘toilets’ instead of one. Why does that mean you’re flaunting wealth or living excessively? And not moving to a new house makes you unfilial now? Can’t it just mean you’re sentimental about your old home?”

In truth, simple displays of wealth would normally just provoke mild annoyance or dislike; they wouldn’t trigger such widespread outrage.

The crux of the issue lay in the accusations that Jiang Nian was not only materialistic but also unfilial, with an added allegation that she frequently acted like a diva on set, causing delays.

With all these claims stacked together, public discontent found its justification—it became a righteous crusade against her.

Moreover, photos of Jiang Nian’s parents’ current residential complex were posted online as supposed evidence of her neglect.

The complex was decades old and served as Jiang Nian’s parents’ marital home.

Jiang Nian herself was now twenty-eight or twenty-nine, meaning the family had lived there for over thirty years.

Naturally, the complex appeared aged and worn down.

A few interviews with security guards and neighbors confirmed that Jiang Nian’s family still resided there, further cementing her image as an unfilial daughter.

Now, the rumors about Jiang Nian spread like wildfire, carrying an air of absolute certainty, as if the accusations were indisputably true.

…

…

Although the news was unfavorable to Jiang Nian, she seemed quite entertained by it. While there were many inaccuracies, one detail was undeniably true: she loved Big Gold deeply, and she was indeed vain and fond of luxury!

Jia Ping sighed, feeling the only accurate part of the news was that Jiang Nian did indeed have a powerful backer behind her.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already asked the studio to issue a statement clarifying your good relationship with your family. The reason you didn’t move was simply because of sentimental attachment to the place. The trending topic has been removed. We can even sue them for defamation over these false claims.”

Jiang Nian gave a casual “mm” and didn’t let it disrupt her focus on making money. Jia Ping also felt reassured. With the statement out and everything explained, the public opinion should settle down.

But Jia Ping didn’t expect that the statement would not quell the controversy—it became evidence of guilt instead.

Netizens didn’t believe a word of it!

The situation escalated further, with Jiang Nian’s fans clashing fiercely with her detractors and rival fan groups.

The removed trending topic once again surged to the top spot in real-time searches.

Jia Ping immediately suspected foul play.

Someone was deliberately fanning the flames, trying to smear Jiang Nian’s reputation.

With awards season approaching, the timing felt too convenient.

Could this be a calculated attack to ruin her chances?

“I always thought Jiang Nian was glamorous. Even one of her handbags costs more than years of an average person’s salary. I didn’t expect her parents to live in such a rundown place.”

“Yeah, isn’t she an only child? She’s made so much money and couldn’t even buy her parents a decent house? That’s really crossing a line.”

“All her money must’ve gone into buying luxury brands and living the high life. How could there be any left for her parents?”

“And who’s her sugar daddy? I’ve heard he’s incredibly generous, buying her multiple properties in the capital. Tsk tsk… Who would’ve thought…”

Of course, Jiang Nian’s fans fought back, saying she had worked diligently in her career, avoided scandals, and had every right to enjoy luxury.

“The studio already said her parents stayed because they’re sentimental about their longtime neighbors!”

“If you’re accusing her of having a sugar daddy, show us evidence!”

But no matter how much they explained, people still had something to say.

“Of course her team would defend her. Family members can’t even testify in court—who’d believe them? And about the sugar daddy thing, rumors don’t come from nowhere. If she weren’t questionable, why would anyone accuse her?”

And so, the online arguments raged on.

Eventually, Jiang Nian became synonymous with being materialistic and unfilial.

Her public image plummeted.

Seeing how things unfolded, Zhou Shanshan couldn’t help but feel a surge of glee.

All she had done was leak a few tidbits of gossip, and now Jiang Nian was being torn apart online.

It was an incredible return on investment.

With things blowing up so dramatically, the Xue family must have heard by now.

How would they view Jiang Nian? Could her wedding still go forward?

But beneath her joy, Zhou Shanshan felt a sliver of fear.

If this situation were traced back to her, would Xue Hang retaliate against her?

No, she reassured herself.

She had only shared some information and photos, and everything she said was true.

Jiang Nian was vain and materialistic—it wasn’t her fault that people hated her for it.

At that moment, another person was feeling equally triumphant: Wang Jingjing.

Ever since her schemes against Jiang Nian had been exposed a few years ago, netizens had turned against her.

With deliberate suppression from Xue Hang, no production crew dared to cast her.

Rendered useless, her company shelved her indefinitely.

Sister Chen even forced her to sing in bars for side income, taking a cut from her meager earnings.