Chapter 18: The Three Grass Principles of Romance
Yu Wanwan's apology statement shot up to #6 on the trending topics almost instantly, giving Pu Tong his first taste of what true top-tier celebrity influence looked like.
He couldn't help but sigh.
As expected of Yu Wanwan. Everything she does comes with insane traffic... I'd better keep my distance from this girl.
The comments under her post were surprisingly interesting.
Many fans were sincerely reflecting on their behavior.
Quite a few people who had participated in that morning's commotion immediately apologized, saying they had simply been so angry at "that pig trying to steal our cabbage" that they had acted impulsively, and they swore never to do it again.
Seriously? How did this become my fault again?
One thing he had to admit about Yu Wanwan's fans was that they genuinely treated her like a daughter or a little sister they wanted to protect.
They weren't the brainless kind of fans who worshipped celebrities as gods.
"Having a group of fans who genuinely care about her... doesn't actually seem so bad."
Thinking back to those middle-aged uncles and aunties, he found them oddly amusing.
Thankfully, he wasn't actually secretly in love with her.
Otherwise...
...they'd probably burn him at the stake.
Just as Pu Tong was about to put away his phone and continue studying, he noticed—
He was trending too.
Trending #48: Pu Tong Reposts Yu Wanwan's Weibo
...This made the trending list?
If I changed my profile picture, would that trend too?
Sure enough, Yu Wanwan herself was the ultimate traffic code.
Touch anything related to her, and her overwhelming popularity would drag you along with it.
Still puzzled, Pu Tong tapped into the topic.
The hottest post read:
"PuYu Forever OTP": "Just moments after Yu Wanwan posted her apology statement, Pu Tong immediately reposted it. Does this prove anything?"
Attached were screenshots of both their Weibo posts.
A textbook repost-and-analysis thread.
Pu Tong's eyelid twitched.
What kind of username is "PuYu Forever OTP"?
Another CP shipper?
Terrifying.
He honestly couldn't understand what exactly there was to ship between him and Yu Wanwan.
The comments below were full of speculation.
Some said the repost openly acknowledged they were just friends.
Others claimed his account had obviously been taken over by management.
Some even insisted this was the prelude to an official relationship announcement.
Everyone had a different opinion.
Pu Tong couldn't be bothered.
I've already clarified things.
What more do you people want?
Be grateful you even got an explanation.
Just as he was about to resume studying, his phone buzzed with a new message.
A girl with a koi fish avatar had sent him one.
Yu Wanwan: "Why did you repost my Weibo?"
Pu Tong replied:
Pu Tong:"See? By openly reposting your post, doesn't that prove we're just ordinary friends?"
Yu Wanwan: [I guess so...]
[But this was way too casual. People are even wondering whether your account is run by a bot now. Was writing an actual clarification really that hard? 🤨]
Pu Tong: [Should I post another one? 😲]
Yu Wanwan: [No need. Since you've already reposted it, just leave it. But maybe reply to a few comments and answer people's questions. Be a little more active or something.]
Pu Tong understood what she meant.
Clarifications actually benefited from attracting attention.
As long as the clarification itself left a deep impression, its purpose would naturally be achieved.
Pu Tong:
[Alright, I'll go reply to a few comments.]
Yu Wanwan:
[Go go go.jpg]
After exiting their private chat, Pu Tong stared thoughtfully at the seven-day chat streak flame icon between them.
Who would've imagined...
At first, he'd wanted to block Yu Wanwan entirely.
Now they'd somehow chatted enough to earn a friendship streak.
"I'd rather starve to death or jump off a building than add Yu Wanwan as a friend!"
...
Reality was cruel.
Turns out... it really does smell good.
("True fragrance"—the classic Chinese meme meaning someone ended up loving what they once swore they'd never do.)
He had to admit—
Yu Wanwan handled things very reliably.
With her powerful family background, she wasn't someone to be underestimated.
Come to think of it...
If the rumors about him secretly loving Yu Wanwan continued spreading...
Wouldn't the story eventually turn into one of those cliché plots?
"You're not worthy of her!"
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west!"
...
Yeah.
He definitely needed to clear this up as soon as possible.
Not because of anything else.
He was simply worried about being crushed by a wealthy family.
Answering netizens' questions?
That was something he excelled at.
Pu Tong opened his latest Weibo post and began replying one by one.
Meanwhile...
"Well?"
Yu Wanwan looked expectantly at the woman in front of her.
"Aunt Jiang, what did Director Xu say?"
The elegant woman motioned for her to sit down.
"So now you remember to come begging me for help?"
Jiang Yun sat beside Yu Wanwan and sighed.
"That man's temper is still just as awful. But he agreed not to deliberately film Pu Tong anymore."
"You're amazing, Aunt Jiang!"
Yu Wanwan immediately scooted closer and shamelessly clung to her arm.
Jiang Yun was Yu Wanwan's manager.
She also acted as half nanny, half secretary.
Other than her parents, she was probably the person closest to Yu Wanwan.
"Wanwan."
"I'm not trying to pry, but let me ask you something."
"...You haven't actually fallen for that kid, have you?"
"No way."
Yu Wanwan curled her lips.
"Do I look that easy to fool?"
"I was just helping him out while I was at it."
"I certainly hope so."
Jiang Yun rolled her eyes before scrolling through Weibo again.
"Hm?"
"Your little boyfriend is trending again."
"What trending...? Pfft, pfft! What little boyfriend? Stop talking nonsense!"
Yu Wanwan's cheeks instantly turned red as she hurried over, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Hm?"
"Huh?!"
Jiang Yun frowned.
The expression on her face changed several times in succession, leaving Yu Wanwan completely confused.
"Wanwan."
"Look at this."
She handed over her phone.
On the screen was a screenshot of Pu Tong replying to netizens.
Comment:
"You really don't like Yu Wanwan? I don't believe you."
Pu Tong replied:
"There are plenty of beautiful flowers in the world."
(Chinese proverb: Why obsess over one flower when there are countless others?)
Comment:
"Such a sweet deskmate couple, and now you're denying it. What a pity."
Pu Tong replied:
"A rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its own burrow."
(Meaning: Don't date people too close to home.)
Comment:
"You're denying it now so you can officially announce it later. We've seen this countless times in the entertainment industry."
Pu Tong replied:
"A good horse never grazes on the grass behind it."
(Equivalent to: Never go back to an ex.)
The #2 trending topic was now:
Pu Tong's Three Grass Principles of Romance
It had exploded.
Yu Wanwan was dumbfounded.
How had he come up with such bizarre yet oddly profound sayings?
And somehow...
These three principles sounded like universal truths.
First—
"A rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its own burrow."
Dating someone close to your everyday life often becomes awkward.
You'd constantly be under each other's watch.
Being tied down all the time was exhausting.
Could a relationship without freedom really be called love?
Second—
"A good horse never grazes on the grass behind it."
If someone dumped you...
Then came back a few days later asking to reconcile...
Would you really agree?
It was like someone slapping you across the face until you cried...
Only to come back a few days later, rub your cheek twice, and offer a few comforting words.
History has a habit of repeating itself.
Sooner or later...
They'd slap you again.
Better to let the past stay in the past.
Out with the old.
In with the new.
Finally—
"There are plenty of beautiful flowers in the world."
You shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.
Nor should you hang yourself from a single tree.
You should broaden your horizons and look toward the future instead of obsessing over what's right in front of you.
The future was full of possibilities.
If one didn't work out...
Why not choose another?
Using vivid metaphors to explain romantic principles so clearly and simply...
How did he even think of these?
Yu Wanwan and Jiang Yun exchanged a glance.
Both saw the same disbelief in each other's eyes.
"Your little boyfriend..."
"...might actually be a genius."
"I was starting to think the same..."
"...and I already told you, he's not my little boyfriend."
Yu Wanwan frowned.
Only then did she remember...
Back in Chinese class, he'd also delivered an incredibly impressive speech.
He could write songs that amazing...
He was really that talented?
"Achoo!"
Pu Tong sneezed.
Who's talking behind my back this time?
After solving practice problems for an hour, he figured enough time had passed and finally picked up his phone to check the aftermath of his replies.
Then he froze.
He had casually written three simple sentences...
Yet netizens had summarized them into something called The Three Grass Principles of Romance, and were even treating them like the Bible of Dating.
Wait...
Those sayings don't exist in this world either?
That's... kind of tragic.
Looking at how wildly things were spiraling out of control, Pu Tong decisively turned off his phone and resumed studying.
Whatever.
The misunderstanding had already been cleared up.
He and Yu Wanwan had nothing to do with each other.
As for everything else...
Let it go viral if it wanted.
As long as it didn't interfere with his studies, he couldn't care less.
"...Come to think of it, there's actually a fourth 'grass' saying."
"An old cow loves eating young grass."
He thought about it for a second...
Then shook his head.
"...Yeah."
Definitely not posting that one.
(End of Chapter)
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