The Reconciliation / 分久必合 Chapter 1

(Last edited on 30 June 2025)

Chapter 1: Breaking News 

Yu Xi has publicly come out.

One hour ago, on Channel X's live broadcast, Yu Xi calmly took the phone held out by the host, and accepted a challenge.

The challenge: While live on stage, give a call to your first love.

Without any hesitation, she dialed a number and soon after, a woman's voice sounded, “Hello?"

The voice was deep and with a hint of unfamiliarity. The people on set were shocked, even the host awkwardly laughed and confirmed, "Ms Yu, did you perhaps call the wrong person?"

Yu Xi shook her head with a light smile and gently replied, "I did not."

It was as though realsing her response was quite incomplete, Yu Xi added, "My first love, is a very pretty girl."

There was a moment of silence followed by the abrupt sound of a phone hanging up. The host was left stunned by the revelation!

Of course, she was not the only one. The entire audience, including those viewing the live online, were at a lost for words. 

There was an immediate influx of comments, Yu Xi likes girls!; OMG Yu Xi is gay!; Who exactly is Yu Xi's first love? The live's chat box quickly filled up with similar comments. On the other side, the Tianya online forums were filled with countless discussions and theories. On Weibo's trending page, two headlines stood at the top: #ThreeTimeWinningActressIsGay #YuXiPublicallyCameOut

Heated discussions stormed the online web. Yu Xi's fans taken aback by the news, wailed and spewed their dissatisfactions on Weibo.

What did I just read? Is it April Fools? [122222♡]

I don't believe this! Xi Xi you must have been joking, right? [88888♡]

I knew it! Always knew that Yu Xi was not normal. Disgusting! Hope she gets cancelled! [43438♡]

I agree! Gay people are all mentally challenged! [33567♡]

Wait, what do you mean by not normal? Mentally challenged? Xi Xi has yet to make an official statement, could it be because of the channel's producers? Even if that isn't the case, so what if she likes women? How does it bother you? If you don't know how to speak properly then get lost! [33333♡]‪‪

Yu Xi's originally calm heart rose as she saw the last comment. A faint smile appeared on her face. She was about to like the comment when Zhong Chen took her phone away.

"Bai Jie already said that from now onwards, you are not to post or interact with anyone or anything on Weibo."

Noticing Yu Xi's unwavering gaze, Zhong Chen gave a light cough and quickly said, "But, if you need to, you can use one of the burner accounts."

Yu Xi stretched out her palm and Zhong Chen placed her spare phone onto it. 

The spare phone contained all the accounts that were usually used to retaliate against online trolls.

The first thing Yu Xi did upon receiving the phone was open the page of her official Weibo account. She scrolled for the comment that she saw just now and gave it a red heart. She also did not forget to leave a reply, Oh~ You said it so well!! (˶  >   ₃  < ˶)❤︎‬

Zhong Chen rolled her eyes.

You thought Yu Xi was mature and elegant? No! That whole persona is fake!

After liking the comment, Yu Xi returned the phone to Zhong Chen. Looking up at her, Yu Xi asked, "When is Bai Jie coming over?"

Zhong Chen glanced at her wristwatch and replied, "Almost. She mentioned that she would be arriving at around 12 o'clock. Also, when she arrives, please don't be stubborn. Just follow our instructions."

"Got it." Yu Xi replies before standing up to walk towards the window. She pulled the curtains slightly apart and peeked outside. Reporters and paparazzi were surrounding the main entrance to the apartment complex. Every one of them had professional cameras hanging from their necks. Despite the weather being so hot, they stood their ground, continuously wiping their sweat as they focused their attention towards her apartment. 

The bright sun rays pierced through the gap created between the curtain, and Yu Xi soon dragged the curtains shut.

As soon as she had closed her curtains, unbeknownst to her, a dark grey car had pulled up to the main entrance of the apartment complex. 

Immediately, the car was surrounded.

"Ms Bai, are the things Ms Yu said during the live true?"

"Ms Bai, is Ms Yu really gay?"

"Ms Bai, will this matter affect Ms Yu's future as an actress?"

"Ms Bai, did you already know that Ms Yu was gay before the live broadcast?"

Despite the strong soundproofing of the car, Bai Yu Tang who sat near the car window, could still hear bits and pieces of the questions being asked. She gently closed her eyes and instructed the driver, "Proceed ahead."

The dark grey car rolled forward as security guards blocked the reporters and paparazzi from trailing after. 

Sun rays passed the windows and fell into the car. 

Bai Yu Tang sighed tiredly.

She had just obtained two big awards and the publicity for being the first and youngest three time winning actress had not even been released yet. Now, look at the mess that has been created. This girl...

Bai Yu Tang clenched her jaws and took a deep breath. Before entering the apartment, she made sure to try to calm her heart and mind. She did not press the doorbell. Instead, she knocked on the door, a little harder than usual. 

Zhong Chen's hair stood on ends as she heard the loud knocking. Based on her experience, Bai Yu Tang only knocks on the door when she is really angry.

A perfect example would be right this instance.

Zhong Chen opened the door and guiltily called out, "Bai Jie."

Bai Yu Tang brushed Zhong Chen away, and with her high heels still on, she walked into the apartment. As she walked, Zhong Chen desperately latched onto her arm, "Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Bai Jie calm down. I just gave Xi Xi a stern scolding and she knows that she is in the wrong. She really regrets what she did! She feels so so bad! She blames herself! She-"

Zhong Chen's words were caught in her throat as she saw Yu Xi, who had already changed into her home clothes, with a small plate of nicely cut and peeled apple slices, prepared to appease Bai Yu Tang. Each apple slice even had a toothpick poked into it. 

Yu Xi appeared unbothered and her body was moving around lightly and carefreely. 

Zhong Chen hit her chest with two loud thuds. She felt as though the toothpicks that were poking into the apple slices, were actually being stabbed into her heart. Her face instantly turned pale. 

Bai Yu Tang turned and glanced at the person hugging her arm before slowly asking, "She really regrets what she did?"

"She feels so so bad?"

"She blames herself?"

“Oh and what else was she feeling?"

Zhong Chen swallowed loudly and replied, "Like she's going to die."

She really felt like dying on the spot.

Bai Yu Tang glared at her and shrugged her off her body. She walked to the sofa alone and sat down. 

Yu Xi brought the plate of apples to Zhong Chen's side and heard a whisper, "Didn't we agree that you would be acting pitifully?"

Yu Xi pinched one of the toothpicks and brought an apple slice to her mouth. The crisp sound and fresh sweetness permeated the air as she faintly replied, "Being pitiful doesn't really match my persona."

Zhong Chen rolled her eyes.

Screw her and her persona!

Bai Yu Tang paid little attention to the hush back and forth whispering of the two women.  She reapplied a thick coat of red lipstick, and asked, "What exactly happened?"

She was only abroad for a short while and delegated Zhong Chen with the task of following Yu Xi along to the broadcast. Who would have expected such a big scandal to unfold. Before returning back to the country, she watched a playback of the moment recorded by her assistant. When she heard Yu Xi confess that her first love was a woman, she almost did not make it out of her chair.

Even though the broadcast was promptly wiped off the internet, there were still many people online that had viewed the livestream. Additionally, Yu Xi's popularity had been on a high recently, resulting in online trolls to intentionally throw out suspicions of behind-the-scene actions that resulted in Yu Xi's recent wins and awards.

How great.

There is now another reason for people to target and attack Yu Xi.

Even the company reached out with various questions regarding the broadcast, causing Bai Yu Tang great frustration.

Noticing Bai Yu Tang's exhausted demeanor, Yu Xi walked over and sat besides her on the sofa. Handing the small plate of apple slices over, Yu Xi calmly said, "Bai Jie, the media was bound to find out eventually."

Afterall, she has never once tried to hide her own sexual orientation. She knew that it would not be kept a secret forever.

Even though it has been a few years since she her debut as an actress, due to her family background and relationship with Bai Yu Tang, the media has never dared to pursue and enquire on her relationship history. Now that she has become more popular, the media is sure to closely watch and examine her every move. So, to completely cover up the truth of her sexual orientation, it is almost impossible. 

Bai Yu Tang understood what Yu Xi meant but this entire event was too sudden and unexpected. Had Yu Xi discussed things with her first, and created opportunities for them to test the waters, they would have been in a better predicament. Instead of now, waiting for things to unfold around them. 

Upon seeing Bai Yu Tang's breath return to normal, Yu Xi handed her a toothpick with an apple slice. Bai Yu Tang sternly glared at her before biting the apple off the toothpick.

"Let me tell you, in the coming days, you had better be on your best behaviour. Don't try any funny business."

"Zhong Chen, watch over her, and make sure that she doesn't touch the phones, tablets or any form of internet."

Zhong Chen hurriedly nodded her head and replied, "Of course."

"Regarding whatever that is online, I will be letting out two bigger scandals to bury this news as mush as possible. However, be mentally prepared for what's to come. You have just received two huge awards, and now the entire media has their eyes on you. it will be very difficult to bring their attention elsewhere."

"The company has also called to inform that several advertisement companies intend to severe their ties with you. So, in a while, I will be making my way down to the company."

Yu Xi nodded her head, "Is there any news from Director Mei?"

When she asked the question, she fiddled with the plate of apples and her body unconsciously tensed up. It was very obvious that she cared about the answer to her question.

Bai Yu Tang gently knocked her forehead, "Oh? You still remember Director Mei exists?"

"I thought you had flown off from the nest and didn't care about any other things."

Director Mei was the first director Yu Xi collaborated with, when she first debuted. Initially, Yu Xi had auditioned for a supporting role but she caught the attention of the director, and was immediately casted for the role of the female lead. That television drama was a massive hit and launched Yu Xi into stardom.  

Though it was too due to the hard works of Yu Xi, but if back then, had Director Mei not casted her as the lead role, her path in the media industry would not have been as smooth.

So in Yu Xi's heart, Director Mei is her benefactor.

She can remain unbothered by the reactions of the other people in the industry but when it comes to Director Mei, she cannot bring herself to be indifferent.

Bai Yu Tang could feel the anxiousness radiating off the person beside her, she stoically comforted, "Alright. I already contacted Director Mei when I first returned. The audition is still happening three days from now, at the same time and location."

"During this time before the audition, make sure to be well familiar with the script. Don't make any mistakes."

Yu Xi breathed a sigh of relief and replied, "Okay."

Bai Yu Tang glanced over at her relaxed expression and warmly remarked, "There is one more thing I haven't mentioned."

Yu Xi's brows furrowed, "What is it?"

Bai Yu Tang pointed towards the tightly shut curtains surrounding the four walls of the apartment, "We need to move house."

"Move house?"

Bai Yu Tang replied, "All those reporters and paparazzi are not going to budge, at least for the next few months. The entire media industry is dying for a crumb of information about you. Even something as simple as closing the curtains, can land you on tomorrow's frontpage."

She is not wrong.

Yu Xi nodded her head in agreement, "Where are we moving to?"

Bai Yu Tang handed her a slip of paper, "This was a place I found while looking for a place for our new boss. The location and transport in the areas is not bad. Most importantly, the security guards do their jobs well, no matter how hard any reporters or paparazzi try, they won't be able to find a way in."

Yu Xi took the slip of paper, lowered her eyes and asked, "Mr Hu* has really left?"

(*The ex-president of the company that Yu Xi is under.)

Bai Yu Tang hummed in affirmation, "He just left in the afternoon, and the new president will be arriving tomorrow. You should make a trip down to the company and meet them. We can discuss any other changes in plans there too."

"Okay."

After replying, Yu Xi handed the slip of paper to Zhong Chen, who folded it and placed it in her wallet. Just as she placed the paper into her wallet, her phone buzzed. Zhong Chen opened her Wechat* and saw a message from the assistant of an artist she met previously.

(*A messaging app.)

Chen Jie, are the things said in the post on the Tianya forum true?

Zhong Chen furrowed her brows in annoyance.

What post?

Very quickly, she received a link to the post. After a few minutes of reading the post, she called, "Bai Jie!"

Bai Yu Tang was in the midst of a conversation with Yu Xi and turned to look at her. Her right eye twitched as she noticed Zhong Chen's pale expression, and quickly walked over to her. She looked down at the phone in Zhong Chen's hands, and saw the post.

Breaking News! Yu Xi's first love is her high school classmate!! Her surname begins with the letter J!!!