"Lady Tico, this is how things unfolded. Because of that false report, many people now think we are a couple and have misunderstood our relationship. To restore our reputations, we must clarify the facts."
After listening to Yang Yu explain the whole situation, Tico couldn’t help but blush—she had never imagined that she’d be troubled by tabloid news one day.
As Latis had once said, fame comes with its challenges.
After gaining fame, there are more matters to handle, things to consider which were previously never an issue. One must act prudently because, with one false step, one’s image could dramatically collapse, leading to countless people unfollowing.
This was the first time Tico had faced such a situation, and she was completely inexperienced and clueless about how to handle it. She could only look helplessly at Yang Yu for answers.
Yang Yu could only offer three suggestions:
First, clearly define your stance and demonstrate it through your actions. Be careful not to speak carelessly, especially ambiguous statements that could lead to misunderstandings, to avoid being suspected of having a differing stance.
Second, the remover of the bell must be the one who tied it. Find the journalist who wrote the article, take her out for a meal, and debunk the rumor together.
Third, even if you can’t debunk the rumor quickly, don’t be impatient. As the saying goes, ’More haste, less speed.’ Overly worrying will only keep the rumor circulating; maintaining usual demeanor is best, as time will solve many things.
Yang Yu had seen rumors spread countless times in real life, but this was his first time dealing with one himself. He had no more strategies at the moment; he could only lay out the ones he thought of and adjust based on the situation as it unfolds.
Yang Yu was determined; he would not let the situation worsen to an irreparable state.
Therefore, he had to caution Tico to never let her parents or anyone else influence her.
He absolutely could not allow comments like "You are so worried, it seems you really care about him," "Aren’t you acting like you have feelings for her?" or "If it were just a regular fan or celebrity, you definitely wouldn’t be taking these actions," to sway Tico’s resolve.
After spending some time teaching Tico how to respond to different situations, and confirming she had memorized everything, Yang Yu finally stood up to leave,
"Let’s leave it at that for today. Lady Tico, remember, if you encounter a situation you can’t resolve, do not force an explanation. At those times, silence is the best response. As for your mother, I am not comfortable letting you handle it alone. It’s best that I talk to her, but dealing with your mother will also require your help, and when necessary, you need to assert your stance."
Tico nodded, indicating she would fully cooperate with Yang Yu in debunking the rumor.
Honestly, Yang Yu didn’t care much about the rumor. After getting what he wanted, he planned to leave the All Things Library and wouldn’t return for a long time. As time passed, the rumor would naturally fall apart without his interference.
Yet what Yang Yu was truly worried about was Emily, Tico’s mother, forcibly pushing for marriage.
Considering her blunt desire to marry off her daughter, Yang Yu fully believed Emily would go out of her way to become his mother-in-law, seizing him as a well-off son-in-law.
Yang Yu was also worried that the rumor would prevent him from obtaining data from Ying Luo and starting the task.
Ying Luo’s attitude was clear; she looked down on those who fed off others.
Now in her mind, Yang Yu was firmly branded as someone who entered the All Things Library by seducing women, with no real skills or knowledge.
Without clearing up the misunderstanding, Yang Yu feared he would never be able to get the task from Ying Luo.
Addressing the rumors about himself and Tico might just be the prerequisite for improving Ying Luo’s impression and obtaining the task.
Thus, Yang Yu naturally had to put some effort into dispelling the rumor and tactfully demonstrating his capabilities.
Tico couldn’t discern Yang Yu’s real intentions, assuming naturally that Yang Yu was making all this effort for her. She waved goodbye to the increasingly distant figure of Yang Yu, then headed back to her room along the staircase.
Sitting by her bed, Tico’s hands shimmered, conjuring a crystal ball from the magic array in her palms.
Latis was so popular, she must have faced related issues; gaining some experience from her could better facilitate cooperation with Yang Yu.
However, as the crystal ball settled completely in her hands, Tico’s movement abruptly halted. She suddenly realized that Latis had subscribed to the Library’s newsletter.
"Latis, who reads every issue of the newsletter, couldn’t possibly be unaware of that article in the newspaper. So why hasn’t she contacted me yet? Could it be that others really see us as lovers?"
Putting down the crystal ball, Tico plunged headfirst into her pillows, clutching her heated cheeks.
She was only sixteen now, having never been in a relationship, and without knowing what love truly was, she couldn’t clarify her own feelings.
"If it were someone else, they definitely wouldn’t be troubled by this sort of thing, and even a slight romance wouldn’t attract attention. Why did it have to be me encountering this? Is it just because I am talented?"
Tico first became aware of the heavy pressure that talent could bring.
And because of that man, she thought long and hard, ultimately growing significantly.
On the other hand, Yang Yu, well acquainted with the route, returned to his dormitory.
Bai Jin stood absentmindedly at his door, holding a long magic wand, as if pondering how to start speaking, completely oblivious to Yang Yu approaching.
"Bai Jin, is there something you need from me?"
The sudden voice gave Bai Jin a start. Upon seeing Yang Yu, she became hesitant, "Well... this... I do have something I want to talk about."
Bai Jin lifted her head, her worried gaze appearing and disappearing beneath her messy hair, then she lowered her head as if fearful of hearing the answer she least wanted.
Though he was unsure how many had subscribed to the Library’s newsletter, a genius of the Library and a rising star being seen together was bound to draw significant attention.
It was only a matter of time before the news reached Bai Jin and Iyas.
Seeing her reaction, Bai Jin must have heard.
"Let me be completely honest with you, Bai Jin, this development was entirely unexpected. But the rumors about Tico and me hooking up are totally fabricated."
"I went to her villa today to discuss how to dispel these rumors. Rest assured, our journey is far from over, and we won’t give up halfway. Just trust in me as your companion. I can handle this situation and won’t be bound by the rumors to this place.
Today was rough, but it’s unlikely that things could get worse than they were today.
So, let me show you how I’m going to effectively squash these rumors!"