Not only that, even the non-mainstream photos she had previously posted on other platforms were dug out.
Phrases such as "ugly girl craving swan meat," "arrogant, wasteful daughter of a rich family," and "slacker from a third-rate college" were all bound to her name.
Looking at this negative material, Jiang Li's emotions weren't greatly affected.
After all, these were indeed the settings the novel had given her, and there was nothing to be angry about.
However, when Lin Man Ru saw the news, she wasn't so calm and rushed into the study, her face filled with tension.
"Lili, have you seen those things on the internet?"
Jiang Li closed the book and looked at her mother.
"I saw them, what about them?"
Lin Man Ru sat down next to her, reassuringly taking her hand.
"Don't worry, Mom will handle it. I've already reached out to public relations to suppress the trending searches. Those people are just smearing you out of jealousy. Don't take it to heart."
Jiang Li shook her head, "There's no need to suppress the trending searches. 'When a crime is desired, an accusation is never wanting.' If you do this, they will only escalate their efforts."
"What should we do then? We can't just watch those people talk about you like this."
"Even your brother, when such a big thing happened to his sister, he doesn't come back, just knows how to squander time outside. I've always said that he should get married and stay at home honestly; otherwise, he will eventually be the death of me."
Jiang Li lowered her eyes as if pondering something.
At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the study.
"Come in."
The door was opened slightly, a dark head peeked in, then a pair of clean, beautiful eyes appeared.
"It's me..." Shi Xu whispered.
Jiang Li nodded, "Come in. Is there something you need?"
Shi Xu carefully opened the door and stepped in, glancing at Lin Man Ru beside him with a slight discomfort on his face.
However, he suppressed the awkwardness, then held up his cellphone.
"I just..."
"Did you also see those things online?" Jiang Li cut straight to the point, "I actually need to talk to you about something, come have a seat."
"Then you two talk, I'll go to the kitchen and cut some fruit for you," Lin Man Ru said as she stood up, and with lingering concern, she added, "Lili, if you're feeling upset, tell Mom. I'll take you out for a walk, don't stay home all alone."
"Okay."
Once the door of the study closed again, Shi Xu looked up uneasily towards Jiang Li.
"Are you... upset? Is it because of this matter?"
His hair had been cut much shorter under Jiang Li's instructions; now, his beautiful eyes were fully visible.
His eyelashes were thick and dense, occasionally a timid light flickered in his eyes, resembling a porcelain doll, possessing a fragile beauty.
Under Jiang Li's correction over the past few days, his diet and daily routine had improved, his pale face finally had a hint of color, making him look more like a young man.
However, the melancholy and fragility still clung to him like a persistent illness.
Jiang Li put the book back in its place and looked into his beautiful eyes.
"I'm not in a bad mood. The public opinion online won't affect my mood."
"That's good."
Shi Xu nodded, not probing further, clearly trusting every word Jiang Li uttered.
"What did you want to see me for?"
The corners of Jiang Li's lips curved up slightly: "Of course, I need your help."
-
After getting into the limousine, the driver still looked incredulously at the two in the backseat, finally settling his gaze on Shi Xu.
"Shi Xu rarely feels like going out, so that's nice."
Aware that he subconsciously wanted to hide, Shi Xu instinctively straightened up when he caught Jiang Li's gaze.
The clarity and strength in her eyes clearly encouraged him to bravely take each step.
Remembering what she had told him during meals before, Shi Xu finally mustered the courage to reply to the driver.
"Because, because my sister promised to cook something delicious for me and teach me 'Dancing Gun.'"
As the driver started the car, he chuckled, "It seems that the relationship between the young miss and Shi Xu is really good, I have never seen the young miss cook for anyone before."
Upon hearing this, Shi Xu's heart warmed, and he instinctively looked towards Jiang Li.
Jiang Li also responded with a gentle smile.
"See, interacting with others isn't so difficult, and during the conversation, you will experience different kinds of spiritual pleasure," she said.
Shi Xu nodded vigorously.
Most importantly, people were saying that they were the best siblings in the world.
Of course, he was happy to hear that.
Still...
Thinking about the place he was about to go to, Shi Xu couldn't help but look solemn.
As he clenched his fists slightly, a warm hand reached out and covered his palm.
A soft voice reached his ears.
"If you don't want to go, I can ask the driver to turn around; there's no need to force yourself."
Shi Xu looked down at his palm covered by that hand.
It was white, beautiful.
The nails were neatly trimmed; the lunula was tidy, and even the skin was smooth and delicate, like pearl cream.
More importantly,
It was warm enough.
Shi Xu pursed his lips, then lifted his head.
"No, I want to stay with my sister."
Jiang Li didn't say anything more, simply nodded, then turned her gaze out the window before suddenly saying,
"Shi Xu, the next time you feel nervous, look at the scenery and the sunlight around you; light always has power."
He had been enveloped in darkness for too long, so long that he had forgotten what light looked like, and naturally, he lost interest and courage in social interactions.
Jiang Li knew somewhat about the reasons from books.
It was because of his parents.
Shi Xu's mother, Shen Lan, was a celebrated top agent in the entertainment industry.
And his father, her second uncle, was once the most prized talent Shen Lan had nurtured.
However, for some unknown reason, during Shen Lan's pregnancy, they had argued, and her second uncle had left the industry in anger.
This incident was still occasionally brought up by industry insiders to stir up some attention.
The external public pressure, coupled with the strife between the couple, led Shen Lan to develop mild anxiety during her pregnancy, resulting in Shi Xu being born exceptionally introverted and timid.
Afterward, their relationship worsened, with her second uncle using traveling as an excuse to take global trips with his friends, staying away from home all year long.
Meanwhile, Shen Lan went to the other extreme, working day and night, eventually even taking her meals and accommodations at the company.
Their years of absence made the already sensitive Shi Xu believe that all these issues were caused by him.
After all, his father was once a highly sought-after star, and his mother was the top agent in the entertainment industry.
Just because of his arrival, both were severely affected by public opinions, not to mention their careers being hindered, and their once somewhat sweet relationship ended up fractured.