【Yes, we do have a relationship.】
Netizens love drama, and even if they weren’t Zhou Yi’s fans, they were determined to get to the bottom of this.
Now, even those who hadn’t known Zhou Yi before were aware of him, and his popularity skyrocketed overnight.
Kong Huaijin reached out to Luo Bingqing for help, and the topic immediately exploded as a trending hashtag.
The headline was quickly followed by this clarification:
【However, it is only me who has feelings for and is pursuing Mr. Zhou Yi.】
【He has not yet accepted my advances, and for now, we are simply friends and business partners.】
In her statement, Kong Huaijin explained the origin of the photo.
Since her close friend Luo Bingqing was a fan of Zhou Yi, she had asked Kong Huaijin to invite him for a meal. With Luo Bingqing’s corroborating post as evidence, the situation was easily clarified.
Kong Huaijin also detailed how she came to know Zhou Yi—through his accidental healing of her younger brother.
She even emphasized the word "accidental."
The timeline traced back to Zhou Yi’s participation in the national competition. The statement included a group photo of the contestants from S Province, featuring a young man who bore a striking resemblance to Kong Huaijin—Kong Xiaohe.
Kong Huaijin explained that Zhou Yi hadn’t known Kong Xiaohe at the time but had helped him out of kindness. This part of the statement highlighted Zhou Yi’s compassionate nature and his exceptional medical skills.
Later, the Kong family arranged a dinner to express their gratitude, which was how she met Zhou Yi. She openly admitted her admiration for him, praising his character, abilities, and more, leaving no doubt about her feelings.
The statement was well-crafted, clearly outlining the sequence of events so that readers could grasp the situation at a glance.
【The use of "for now" twice is so strategic—classic CEO energy. She’s clearly not giving up on pursuing Zhou Yi.】
【I thought something was off! The clothes in the photo match the ones from the day he had dinner with Luo Bingqing. How did the rumors get so twisted? Some people really believe anything.】
【Honestly, it makes sense that Kong Huaijin would fall for him. She mentioned her brother had been ill for years with no cure, and Zhou Yi healed him without even knowing who he was. That’s incredibly rare. Plus, with Zhou Yi’s looks? I’d fall for him too.】
【Announcing her love for Zhou Yi on the company’s official account? She’s iconic.】
【Rich heiresses do what they want, and I’m here for it.】
【But what about the other three women? Maybe Kong Huaijin is just another victim of Zhou Yi’s playboy act!】
【You really think a CEO is that naive? Don’t project your own stupidity onto others.】
Kong Huaijin’s statement amassed over 70,000 comments in under an hour—proof of netizens’ insatiable appetite for gossip. Luo Bingqing also reposted the statement to clarify things further.
The unprecedented nature of the situation only fueled the public’s curiosity, sparking endless discussions about her and Zhou Yi’s relationship.
Within the hour, Jiang Ruolan stepped forward with her own explanation—this time in a video.
Her expression was one of sheer exasperation.
She began by introducing herself: "I am Zhou Yi’s assistant, Jiang Ruolan."
"Given how much attention this has drawn, I feel compelled to clarify: Zhou Yi and I do not have the kind of relationship people are speculating about. There’s no office romance or any ‘playing the field’ nonsense."
"However... I’ll be honest. I do have feelings for Zhou Yi, though he has not accepted my confession."
"As his assistant, I know him better than most. It’s hard for any woman to spend so much time with him and not be captivated by his charm."
Jiang Ruolan then recounted how she fell for Zhou Yi. Though the video was short, the sincerity and emotion in her words were undeniable.
Her video quickly climbed the trending charts, right behind Kong Huaijin’s statement.
【I get it. As an employee, seeing how well he treats his staff, it’s hard not to admire him.】
【If this is acting, she deserves an Oscar.】
【It’s actually touching. When she talked about helping Zhou Yi take Huanyu to greater heights, her determination moved me.】
【How could you not fall for a guy like him after working together every day? I’d be head over heels instantly.】
【So the rumors about him treating employees well are true. While you’re all gossiping, I’m applying for a job at Huanyu.】
【But what about the other two women? Are they misunderstandings too?】
【This reeks of a smear campaign. Someone’s clearly out to get him with these photos. Take online rumors with a grain of salt.】
Zhou Yi’s reputation was halfway restored.
By evening, Su Ning issued her own statement.
As the heiress of the Su Group, she came forward with a lawyer’s notice from her brother, threatening legal action against the rumor-mongers. The anger in the wording was palpable.
But Su Ning’s explanation was the most explosive of all, giving netizens even more to chew on.
She revealed that she and Zhou Yi had been classmates in college and laid bare their complicated history—placing most of the blame on herself.
She admitted to hitting Zhou Yi after learning he had a crush on her.
She confessed her regret after discovering he had saved her life.
She described her relentless efforts to make amends.
And finally, she disclosed that she had confessed to Zhou Yi, only to be rejected.
The photo in question was taken that day, and Zhou Yi’s gaze in it wasn’t one of love but something far more complex.
After reading her lengthy account, it became clear why Zhou Yi had looked at her that way.
Her statement ended with this line:
I used to think it was a shame—two people who once loved each other ending like this. But in life, as in chess, there’s no undoing a move. I knew then that we could never be. And when I saw the trending topics, I almost wished your rumors were true.
Su Ning’s words were drenched in longing and remorse, laying her heart bare for all to see.
This was a woman hopelessly in love, unable to move on.
【Real-life ‘chasing love into the crematorium’...】
【This is the second time I’ve heard about Zhou Yi saving someone. He really has a hero complex. How could someone like him do the things people are accusing him of? I don’t buy it.】
【So tragic. They looked perfect together in the photo—a campus romance turned bitter. That last line shattered me.】
【"I almost wished your rumors were true." She wanted Zhou Yi to love her... My heart aches for her.】
Isn't anyone else curious about how Zhou Yi manages to make so many goddesses willingly fall for him? Even if he's not playing the field, these women genuinely adore him! Is it too late for me to become his disciple?
Just look at this lineup—two heiresses from major conglomerates, an overseas-educated elite—all "unilaterally" infatuated with him... Master Zhou, please start a class. I'll kneel and take notes, I swear!