Chapter 22 - 2#

This was the first time Chi Gui had heard Jing Shun address him with such a term—not the respect and flattery of others, but laced with a hint of playful teasing.

He let out a short laugh and instructed Chen Yiming in the front row, “Did you hear that? Find out as soon as possible.”

Even if Jing Shun hadn’t brought it up, Chi Gui had already intended to investigate thoroughly.

Chen Yiming was well aware of Chi Gui’s tough methods and style, and promptly agreed, “Yes, sir. I’ll make sure to get to the bottom of it for Young Master Jing.”

…

At the Bizarre Club in Haishi.

A waiter handed a glass of champagne to Meng Zhide. “Sir, please enjoy.”

Meng Zhide said nothing, masking his expression with a fake smile as he looked at the two people across from him—

Dong Qihao, who had been riding a wave of popularity lately, and his agent, Sun Yan.

Sun Yan met his gaze and raised a hand in invitation. “Brother Meng, this wine was brought back from overseas by our Xiao Dong a couple of days ago. We’ve been waiting to invite you to taste it together.”

A bottle of imported liquor worth over a hundred thousand—they were really pulling out all the stops.

Meng Zhide picked up the champagne and said with hidden meaning, “Oh, looks like Qihao has been doing quite well lately. Let me just say, being an actor in China pays a lot more than being some little idol overseas, doesn’t it?”

Dong Qihao caught the underlying tone, and a flicker of shame and irritation crossed his brow.

But recalling his agent’s recent warnings, he forced a slight smile. “Just a small actor, Brother Meng is joking.”

Sun Yan was also a shrewd operator; he immediately understood that Meng Zhide was “hinting” at something.

He raised his glass in a toast. “Brother Meng, the breach of our promise to the show was our fault. We really couldn’t fit it into our schedule, and it wasted your kind invitation. Let me drink a glass as a penalty first.”

“…”

Meng Zhide leaned back into the sofa, squinting slightly. “Old Yan, sensible people don’t play dumb. The online uproar right now—that’s your team’s doing, isn’t it?”

“What I don’t get is, when I sent out the collaboration offer, you agreed verbally, then changed your minds at the last minute, almost leaving the whole production team in the lurch.”

Because of that, he’d had to hang his head in front of that woman Yu Yinhe—just thinking about it still made him furious!

“Now that Jing Shun has taken over and the show is gaining traction, you’re not satisfied?”

Meng Zhide took a sip of champagne and countered, “What, you want to come back to the show? Now you’re coming to me for help?”

Dong Qihao’s face immediately fell at Meng Zhide’s accusatory tone.

Who wanted to go back and film that show anyway? Play a fringe observer panel guest? Dream on!

That Jing Shun, some unknown little actor who showed up out of nowhere, seemed to be a cripple picking up his leftovers!

If he had been the one on that variety show, the buzz would’ve been even bigger.

Sun Yan, well aware of his artist’s “over-the-top” spoiled temperament, silently patted Dong Qihao’s thigh under the table to signal him to stay quiet. Then, with an even softer attitude, he said, “Brother Meng, that’s not it at all.”

“A piece of pie that’s already been handed to someone else—how could we take it back?”

The entertainment industry was brutal; popularity was the foundation of everything.

After gaining fans, every artist had to think of ways to milk sympathy and solidify their fanbase, right? Only then could they stimulate fandom spending.

This time, they had used Jing Shun, yes—but wasn’t it just because he happened to be the perfect target at the right moment?

As long as Dong Qihao didn’t make a public statement, no one could pin anything on them. The only ones to blame were the anonymous leaks and fandom disputes.

Sun Yan concealed his true intentions and said with a smile, “We invited you here today for two reasons: first, to apologize, and second, to discuss a new collaboration.”

Meng Zhide caught the key phrase. “A new collaboration?”

Sun Yan said, “I heard that Haishi’s Dream Journey is starting to screen guests for Season Four? And they’re overhauling the production team?”

A glint of shrewdness showed behind Meng Zhide’s glasses. “You’re pretty well-informed.”

Haishi’s Dream Journey had always been a hit variety show, and Season Three’s buzz had reached the highest among all online streaming platforms from the previous year!

During its broadcast, the regular cast members’ popularity soared, drawing in even more fans than typical TV dramas!

The show had a strong audience base, so even before Season Four began, countless artist teams were already sniffing around, hoping to get a piece of the pie!

A while back, the head director of the first three seasons had taken a long leave due to illness.

From what the station said, Season Four would switch to a new head director and continue filming, maintaining the momentum of one season per year.

Meng Zhide was interested in vying for the position, but he was worried the station’s higher-ups might pick Yu Yinhe or someone else.

Sun Yan and Dong Qihao exchanged a look, then Sun Yan held up a hand gesture. “Brother Meng, we’ll bring this much. Could you negotiate with the station?”

“When you become the head of Season Four, just leave a regular guest slot for our Xiao Dong. How about that?”

Meng Zhide paused, hiding his surprise. “You can really come up with that much? And have me negotiate with the station?”

Dong Qihao had only been back in the country for less than a year—where did he have that kind of money?

His backing company, Huanhua Media, was just a run-of-the-mill outfit, wasn’t it? Would they really spend that much to promote him?

Dong Qihao caught the shift in Meng Zhide’s attitude and pressed, “Brother Meng, you don’t need to ask about that. You be the head director, I’ll be a regular guest. Just make sure I get enough screen time during the show’s run.”

Meng Zhide felt a twinge of displeasure at his arrogant tone.

But for the sake of the money, he held back and said, “Fine. I’ll think it over and get back to you in a couple of days.”

Sun Yan raised his glass. “Brother Meng, let me toast you again.”

“Yeah.”

After nearly two hours of conversation, Meng Zhide left the club’s private room, carrying the scent of alcohol.

Dong Qihao stared at the closed door and couldn’t hide his sneer. “Just a money-grubbing fool. Who’s he pretending to be?”

With that, he pulled out a cigarette and lighter from his pocket, lit up, and took a deep drag.

Sun Yan, long accustomed to his private arrogance and rudeness, stood up to avoid the smoke. “Put it out. What are you smoking indoors?”

“What’s the big deal? The curtains are closed.”

Dong Qihao took another deep drag and blew a smoke ring. “It’s all because you had to invite him for drinks and talk business, wasting over an hour. I was dying for a smoke.”

“Brother Sun, I don’t get it. Haishi TV has more producers than just Meng Zhide. With the investment I’m bringing, why would I have trouble getting a regular guest spot?”

“You don’t get it. Meng Zhide has been climbing the ranks at Haishi for years—he’s a veteran.”

“His abilities might not be great, but he’s top-notch at sucking up to the higher-ups and lining his own pockets.”

In business, you need mutual interests to get things done.

“Fine, you handle it.”

Dong Qihao flicked his ash carelessly, thinking about something else. “The magazine pre-sale is this Sunday. Make sure the team stirs up the fanbase again, using this wave of buzz to milk sympathy and push sales.”

Magazine sales were said to be the litmus test of an actor’s popularity. He didn’t want to embarrass himself or get mocked by rivals!

Sun Yan swirled his glass. “Yeah, I’ve already given the orders.”

It was just Jing Shun’s bad luck to pick up what they’d discarded. For now, he’d have to serve as a stepping stone for their rise.

…

With the team’s covert guidance, Dong Qihao’s fans found a “rallying point”—

They not only swarmed Jing Shun’s Weibo comments but also took over the top comments under various reposting accounts, accusing Jing Shun of leading netizens astray while simultaneously whining for sympathy for their own idol and promoting his upcoming magazine.

After a day of fermentation, the topic #DongQihaoJingShun# climbed higher and higher on the entertainment hot search list.

Just when netizens thought Jing Shun was about to be “crushed,” at 6 PM, Jing Shun, one of the parties involved, finally posted on Weibo.

@JingShun_JS: First of all, thank you to all fans, netizens, and media friends for your concern.

In late November last year, I had an accident on set. A fall from height caused lumbar damage. During this period, I have indeed needed to rely on a wheelchair for mobility. I am currently undergoing surgical treatment with my medical team.

I started filming at the age of four. Over the years, I have been fortunate to receive everyone’s love and support. I hope one day I can stand in front of the camera again and truly repay everyone’s affection. Thank you.

Attached to this Weibo post were eighteen photos—

All the medical reports had certain personal information redacted and were displayed in chronological order, each stamped with the hospital’s official seal and signed by the attending physician.

In addition, there was Jing Shun’s signed surgical consent form.

Jing Shun had never thought of staging his pain for show; he provided solid proof. As soon as the post was made, fans and netizens flooded in with comments.

—Oh my god, he finally came out and said it. Jing Bao, you have to keep going! Get well!

—The medical reports are crystal clear. How can anyone say he’s faking being in a wheelchair? Do they have no heart?

—I was just here for the gossip, but now I really feel for him. How much pressure must he be under to make his wounds and disability public?

—Sympathy +1. The comments on his last post were way too harsh.

—Can we stop changing the subject? Explain how you stole someone else’s resources by pulling strings!

—Who’s to say these reports aren’t faked? Didn’t he fall from a wire rig? Where’s the video?

—The kid kept it hidden for four or five months, only ever sharing good news. Old fans have been on edge ever since the accident. Some people’s fans need to stop spreading rumors! Do they really think Jing Shun has no active fans?

Some fans and netizens felt for Jing Shun, while Dong Qihao’s fans continued their malicious doubts.

Amid the back-and-forth chaos, Zhulin Agency’s official account also made a move:

“Today, our artist Mr. Jing Shun has been subjected to online defamation, slander, and verbal attacks by some netizens, seriously affecting his reputation and mental state. Our company has gathered all evidence and will release corresponding statements and pursue legal responsibility one by one!”

“Secondly, regarding the major negligence and infringement caused by the film Counterkill crew, Mr. Jing Shun has fully authorized our company’s legal department to handle subsequent actions!”

Along with this concise statement, Zhulin Agency released a video of the accident!

In the video, Jing Shun was suspended at a height of four to five meters on a wire rig. To match the film’s plot, he took a leap toward the building across, only to feel the taut wire suddenly give way!

Caught off guard, Jing Shun lost his balance, slammed into the building’s wall, and then fell straight to the ground!

Amid the terrified screams of the crew, the video footage shook for two seconds before the cameraman frantically ended the recording.

After confirming the video’s authenticity, netizens erupted again.

—Holy crap! There were some blurry videos and photos from that earlier hype, but the full long shot the company released is terrifying!

—This is a serious accident on a film set, isn’t it? Why was it so hushed up back then?

—Speaking from a burner account: Jing Shun went unconscious on the spot after the fall, with a lot of blood on his head. The crew was terrified someone would die and immediately clamped down on information, ordering staff to delete videos and photos from their phones. After confirming he wasn’t in life-threatening danger, they deliberately downplayed the incident.

—Jing Shun didn’t have an agency back then? Even though he was a child star, he wasn’t a big name. Was he bullied by the film investors?

—When Jing Shun was rushed in for emergency, I was on duty. He ended up in the ICU for several days. I can’t believe anyone would say he’s faking this.

—I ran into him in the hospital at the end of last year, took a photo and sent it to a friend, wondering why this handsome guy was in a wheelchair. I only realized it was Jing Shun now! [Photo]

More and more netizens came forward, offering bits and pieces of evidence.

Seeing the tide of public opinion start to shift, the head of the PR team breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “Thank goodness President Yu stepped in to get the accident video from the crew. That one move killed all the fake claims.”

One team member chimed in, “Of course. Falling from that height looks deadly! Who would stage something like that?”

This video was something Jing Shun had asked Yu Xiuzhu to obtain from the crew on the company’s behalf.

In recent years, more and more artists in the entertainment industry had been playing up their suffering, using all sorts of tactics to stir up fans’ sympathy. Even a minor scratch would be tagged as “dedication.”

With this tactic overused, ordinary netizens wouldn’t bat an eye and would even find it off-putting.

Jing Shun had anticipated that if he only released the hospital records, some would cry foul about forgery. Since he decided to come clean about his condition to gain public sympathy, he had to go all out.

If they wanted video proof? Then open their eyes and look!

Although Jing Shun hadn’t had many film or TV projects in recent years, he had played many memorable roles as a child. There was a nostalgic filter over him in the public’s eyes.

As the video and statement spread, netizens’ affection for him grew:

“Come on, I’ve watched this kid grow up! With that innocent face of Jing Shun, does he look like someone who would steal someone else’s resources? Others stealing from him is more like it!”

“Anyone who knows a bit about him knows Jing Shun’s resources have been pitiful. His last self-directed art film barely scraped together enough investment!”

“Please stop spreading rumors about the kid! He’s already miserable enough!”

He suffered such a serious injury last year, yet he kept it hidden all this time? Only when faced with overwhelming malice did he release proof to clear his name?

That’s not playing for sympathy.

That’s a well-behaved kid nobody cares for.

…

In a private break room, Jing Shun scrolled through netizens’ real-time comments.

Suddenly, a steaming cup of jasmine tea was handed to him. “Take a break?”

Jing Shun looked up at Chi Gui, who had appeared out of nowhere, and the jasmine tea specially steeped in a thermos for him. He was surprised. “…When did you get here?”

Chi Gui sat down beside him. “Just arrived. You were too focused on Weibo.”

Jing Shun took the thermos. The temperature of the tea was just right. He smiled. “Thanks.”

Those peach-blossom eyes sparkled with the steam, the gloom and exhaustion in them fading, making his whole demeanor brighter and more lively.

Chi Gui’s gaze fixed on his face. “Jing Shun…”

Suddenly, the break room door was pushed open. Yu Xiuzhu walked in, unintentionally breaking their private moment.

Chi Gui’s rare flicker of annoyance crossed his face as he looked away.

Yu Xiuzhu met Chi Gui’s vaguely murderous stare and paused for two seconds. “Chairman Chi, you’re here too.”

Chi Gui composed himself and gave a slight nod.

Jing Shun was still holding the thermos. “Brother Yu, what’s up?”

Yu Xiuzhu snapped back to reality. “Oh, Fu Changting just retweeted your Weibo and spoke up for you. You might want to reply appropriately?”

“Huh?”

Jing Shun, hearing this, quickly set down the cup and grabbed his phone. “Let me see.”

This was unexpected.

Fu Changting, after all these years in the industry, had always been adept at protecting himself in various entertainment storms, never taking such an overt “side.”

Yu Xiuzhu added, “This is great. Fu Changting publicly speaking out for you, and his fanbase rallying behind you—public opinion is firmly on our side now.”

“…”

Hearing the unforgettable name “Fu Changting,” Chi Gui felt a subtle unease.

He looked at Jing Shun, who was checking his phone, and blurted out, “By the way, I’ve found some leads on what you asked me to look into.”

Jing Shun’s attention immediately shifted back. “That fast?”

Chi Gui met his gaze and lifted his chin slightly. “Yeah. Ready to strike whenever you are.”

Yu Xiuzhu was confused. “What is it?”

Jing Shun didn’t explain right away. Instead, he checked the time on his phone.

Eight PM—prime traffic hours.

Seizing the opportunity, Jing Shun said, “Brother Yu, it’s time. Tell the PR team to move to the next step.”

Some artists and their teams hid behind the scenes, silently slinging mud, thinking they could just stay quiet and everything would blow over? Wishful thinking!

Now it was time to return the dirty water to them.