Just as netizens were hotly debating and speculating whether Chi Yu was being ironically self-deprecating, or if he accidentally liked something, Chi Yu replied in his commentary to his official fan account:

[It wasn’t an accident, nor ironic self-deprecation; I realized everyone was right. I’ve learned my lesson.]

Believe it or not, aside from some naturally confident celebrities, many of them have a sense of self-doubt.

After all, the glamorous appearance is just a persona. Once the facade is shattered, there’s nothing beneath it. What fans see is just the side that celebrities want them to see.

Chi Yu thought his spontaneous reply would disappoint everyone and cause him to lose a lot of followers.

Who would have thought that not only did he not lose followers, but he also gained nearly a million more.

Fans praised him like this—

[Yu Zai’er is the only clear-headed one amidst the chaos. I just like someone as clear-minded as Chi Yu.]

[I like Yu Zai’er, whether he’s gentle or temperamental, I like him because I like the person himself.]

[It’s the first time I’ve liked a stranger like this over the internet. I’ll try to meet Yu Zai’er after graduation.]

[I think many haters would say it’s all just a persona. I’d just like to say, Yu Zai’er rarely uses Weibo. His Weibo is mostly managed by his agents, and many posts are essentially made by them. But this response was his personal reply. He’s not suddenly going through an emotional phase, he’s just clear-minded and willing to live genuinely.]

[I also want to say, it’s partly due to luck that Yu Zai’er became popular so quickly, and it’s also thanks to us fans who love him. We’re willing to love him and put him on a pedestal.]

[Chi Yu is really excellent. Sometimes I even feel that I’m not worthy of liking him. Maybe that’s what low self-esteem as a fan is.]

Chi Yu held the phone in one hand, casually scrolling through the screen with his thumb. As he scrolled, he saw that comment—saying he was too excellent and fans were too self-conscious to feel worthy of liking him.

Chi Yu tapped the screen and began typing a reply to this person:

//:[When you feel unworthy of liking me, just think about my singing and handwriting; you’ll suddenly realize not only are you worthy, but I’ve overestimated myself.]

This reply came out.

It caused a bigger sensation than Chi Yu’s reply about not being an accidental like.

Originally not even in the top ten trending list, because of this reply, Chi Yu’s personal popularity shot up to fourth place among the top ten.

His followers quickly increased by two million more.

Now his Weibo has over fourteen million followers.

Though there’s still a long way to hit fifty million and become a top-tier celebrity, perhaps that day’s not too far off.

Back to the start of the TV drama awards ceremony—

Chi Yu couldn’t sit still backstage at the awards ceremony, frequently sending voice messages or texts to ask Gu Yuan when she would arrive.

Gu Yuan’s work wasn’t finished yet; her subordinates were still reporting on important matters after the meeting, and her phone on the desk vibrated occasionally, reminding Gu Yuan that Chi Yu was urging her again.

Spring was warming up but then turned cold again, signaling the arrival of spring.

The two had spent a whole year busy with their work, and in the new year, Chi Yu’s career in the entertainment industry reached new heights.

He was about to receive an award tonight.

A very important award to him, and also a recognition of his acting career.

’Buzz-buzz—’

The phone vibrated twice.

Even the subordinates couldn’t bear to see it, gently reminding Gu Yuan, "President Gu, maybe you should check your phone first?"

Gu Yuan acknowledged, pushed her chair back slightly, then picked up the phone on the desk.

She opened the voice messages Chi Yu sent, put on Bluetooth earphones, and played his messages:

[Yuanyuan, the awards ceremony rehearsal is about to start.]

The second voice message:

[The dress you ordered fits perfectly, I like it a lot.]

The third voice message:

[Yuanyuan, when are you coming? I’m about to grow grass on my head... You have no idea, so many women with wolf-like eyes are staring at me. If it weren’t for Yi Shu and Xiong Yao shielding me, I would have been devoured!]

The fourth message was a sticker:

[Trying to attract a beauty’s attention jpg]

A few minutes passed without a reply from her, and Chi Yu sent another sticker:

[A handsome guy sending a photo, mesmerizing everyone jpg]

This sticker was made by his fans, and he had collected quite a few, often sending them to Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan replied to him:

[It’ll be about half an hour before I finish work. You go rehearse first; maybe I can catch you winning the award when I’m done.]