I was criticized on a dating reality show, but I retaliated and became an internet sensation.

She appeared on camera without makeup, her eyebrows and eyes were clean, and her expression was calm, showing no sign of guilt.

Her gaze fell on a sarcastic comment, and she read it aloud: "She must have had plastic surgery, otherwise she couldn't possibly look this good without makeup."

Shu Zi smiled slightly, her eyes crinkling, her tone slightly smug:

"Thank you to this netizen for acknowledging my beauty. Although my mouth isn't great, my taste is still excellent. I'm all-natural, born with a beautiful face. You could put a bucket of water on my face and it wouldn't even change shape."

"Oh my, there's another person here who says I climbed the ladder by clinging to powerful figures."

Shu Zi rolled her eyes without any attempt to hide it. "This sister with the ID 'Wanli Shiyu Benfu Yuze,' are you trying to make me laugh to death?"

"I'm the best myself, why would I need to rely on others?"

She rested her chin on one hand, her tone casual and straightforward:

"I'm here to debunk the three trending topics all at once: secret meetings, clandestine encounters, and chaotic private lives. All three are completely fabricated and pure rumors."

The viewers in the live chat remained unconvinced and continued to criticize the comments.

[Think you can whiten your teeth just by saying they are? The photos are crystal clear.]

No matter how unconventional the angle, it's still you. How do you explain smiling so ambiguously at a strange man?

Shu Zi didn't hold back at all and directly confronted him:

"First of all, the man you've all imagined as a romantic interest or a mysterious big shot is actually my senior brother. He's married, his kid is old enough to run two miles, and he has a happy and fulfilling family life. Thank you all for trying to play matchmaker."

"Secondly, Qishan is not some kind of private club for couples. Anyone with a brain can find out by doing a quick search. Besides, yesterday there were six people at the table, both men and women, all of them artists. It was a pure art exchange meeting."

At this point, Shu Zi's tone lightened: "Oh, right, there's one more thing I forgot to tell you."

"Haven't you all been wondering if I know the mysterious painter Aci? No need to know him, because I am him! Surprised? Unexpected, right?"

She faced the camera and smiled candidly: "My name is Shu-Tzu, also known as A-Tzu."

[Haha, Senior Brother? I'm Pigsy! There are so many excuses these days, who believes them?]

[66666, these days people will do anything to clear their name. They know Aci is popular so they're trying to piggyback on it, huh? Where's their shame?]

[Can you please be a little less dramatic? Impersonating Aci without even knowing your own limitations.]

[Trying to use an anonymous expert as a shield? They've completely screwed me over.]

[I'm laughing so hard! She'll tell any lie to clear her name. If she were Ah Ci, I'd eat my phone right now.]

Anyone with a modicum of aesthetic sense knows that she couldn't possibly be Aci herself.

Upon hearing this, the live chat exploded with comments. However, Shu Zi was so engrossed in the camera lens, unable to tear herself away from her own beauty, that she kept saying:

"A group of artists got together to talk about composition, brushwork, and art exhibitions, and the paparazzi photographed them as if they were having a secret rendezvous and having an affair. With such strong imaginations, it's a waste of your talents not to write mindless, feel-good novels."

As she spoke, Shu Zi gave a thumbs-up to the camera.

She paused, then shrugged:

"Some people are even criticizing my private life, saying that I betrayed Gu Yan, that I was trying to gain his favor and messing around? There's no need for that. Gu Yan and I are completely innocent now, and whatever happens in the future is none of your business."

"Some netizens, on the other hand, have nothing better to do than stare at other people's private lives and imagine 800-word erotic novels. Is their life too boring and they want to add some spice?"

Just as she was unleashing her furious output, the comments section suddenly changed its tone.

The densely packed text all contained only five characters: 【Go check out Weibo!】

Shu Zi, however, paid no attention and continued to complain earnestly:

"The internet is not a lawless zone. Just because someone is stirring up trouble doesn't mean you can blindly follow suit. Can't you use your brain when you go online?"

"Besides, my master is a leading figure in the calligraphy and painting world, and all my fellow students are famous painters in the industry. I have been learning to paint since I was a child, and the circle of my master is there."

"So, having a meal with my senior brother makes me a crook of position? If I go to have tea with my master every day, won't I be stuck in the same place?"

After saying that, Shu Zi slowly noticed the screen full of notifications. She blinked and asked, "Checking Weibo? What Weibo?"

She casually grabbed the iPad next to her and opened Weibo.

Upon seeing the contents, her eyebrows lifted slightly, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upwards.

One after another, verified Weibo posts from influential figures popped up, flooding the screen at an absurdly fast pace.

The first to respond was Lu Jing, the second senior disciple, a well-known landscape painter and verified influencer, who directly reposted the trending topic with concise and powerful words:

[Lu Jing V: Yesterday, the entire sect had a gathering. All members are fellow disciples; the matter is completely innocent. Let's stop spreading rumors. @ShuziziV, my junior sister is dedicated to learning painting and has impeccable character. Please do not maliciously smear her.]

But when it comes to the third senior brother, Qin Mu, the style changes drastically. He becomes a grumpy old lady, directly attacking marketing accounts:

[Qin Mu's Painting Doesn't Make Me Bald V: A few out-of-context photos and you think you can spread rumors? A bunch of country bumpkins, calling a sect gathering a private meeting—they should donate their brains if they don't need them. My junior sister is none of their business!]

[Qin Mu's Painting Doesn't Make Me Bald V: @Shu Zi Zi V, Aci, you're famous now! Although it's an undeserved disaster, you really should be called a big star now (strong) (strong)]

Shu Zi looked at the two thumbs and her lips twitched.

Thank you so much!

She casually gave it a like and replied with an emoji that said, "Three deductions, but we need to keep a low profile."

Immediately after replying, Han Jingxue also reposted the post:

[Han Jingxue V: Qishan is my grandfather's private clubhouse, only open to close friends and relatives of his disciples. I accompanied him throughout yesterday's visit, and Shuzi did not engage in any inappropriate behavior. Rumors stop with the wise.]

However, the funniest one was the senior disciple Zhou Yan, who simply uttered three words, simple and direct:

[Zhou Yan V: Haters, get lost!]

Shu Zi looked at the word "get lost" and couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Without a doubt, these domineering and confrontational quotes were sent by her hot-tempered sister-in-law.

Before netizens could even process it, a major trending topic suddenly appeared at the top of the search results.

Han Yixiao, a leading figure in the world of traditional Chinese painting, personally spoke out, accompanied by a group photo of his students' dinner gathering yesterday. The group of six, including the master and his disciples, were all neatly arranged, their smiles clearly shattering all previous attempts to take ambiguous photos.

[Han Yixiao V: My disciple Shuzi, also known as Aci, is a devoted painter with a pure and kind heart. During a small gathering of our students, she was unjustly smeared. We in the industry stand by her side and condemn malicious marketing and spreading rumors.]

Following closely behind, prominent figures in the art world, including professors from major art academies across China, renowned painters, art critics, and gallery founders, joined the fray.

They are all genuine industry authorities, each with a high level of expertise. One Weibo post after another went viral, all referring to Shuzi as "Junior Sister" or "Aci," showing unanimous support.