Chapter 29 – Public Opinion
Another half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and Xiao Fang’s work on the drama was nearing its end. Director Hu also announced some good news: the production had signed a contract with one of the country’s top streaming platforms. The show was scheduled to be released about half a month after filming wrapped.
For a small-budget production with a relatively unknown cast like theirs to receive such attention was something that would have been absolutely impossible in the past. Even Director Hu found it incredible when he announced it. Xiao Fang, however, knew exactly what was going on. Without Fei Xiangnan’s intervention, they would never have gotten such a good deal.
And so, Xiao Fang found some time to specifically call Fei Xiangnan to express his gratitude. He didn’t hold back on the flattery, and surprisingly, Fei Xiangnan patiently listened to the very end this time. Before hanging up, he once again reminded Xiao Fang to take care of his health, mentioning that he was too busy to visit for a while, and that he should have Que Jiang restock the mini-fridge whenever it was empty. He was so incredibly gentle that Xiao Fang began to suspect he had undergone a personality change.
The thought of seeing his first project in this world being released was still very exciting for Xiao Fang.
The weather was getting hotter, and everyone had switched to short sleeves. Xiao Fang’s belly was becoming somewhat noticeable. When he wore a t-shirt, it just looked like he had a small paunch. To be safe, he now stayed in his room watching scripts and sleeping, only going out when he had to film.
Perhaps the heavens couldn’t stand to see Xiao Fang so idle, because despite doing absolutely nothing, he somehow ended up being flamed on the Hot Search list.
That evening, Xiao Fang was semi-reclined on his bed, trying to break his record in a little programming game. Just as he was about to succeed, the door was violently thrown open. Xiao Fang’s hand twitched in fright, and his record said its goodbyes.
“Brother Xiao, this is bad!” Xiao Ma rushed in, looking extremely upset.
Seeing the situation was serious, Xiao Fang swallowed the complaint he had for Xiao Ma and asked grimly, “What’s wrong?”
Xiao Ma pulled his phone from his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, and then handed it to Xiao Fang.
Xiao Fang looked down. Good heavens, the comments section was a work of art in terms of insults, cursing him and his entire ancestry. Scrolling up, Xiao Fang finally understood what had happened.
The cast list for Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Spicy had been announced. They hadn’t specified the roles, just listed the actors in order of importance. Xiao Fang was near the bottom, but he was still being flamed. It just went to show how much of a lightning rod for hate he used to be.
Little Bear Sweet Bean: LMAO, I have to laugh. How did a rat dropping like this get mixed into such a serious production by Director Ruan? Who doesn’t know that Xiao Fang is a rich kid who buys IPs and has acting skills that are rock bottom? None of his shows have ever scored above a four on any rating site.
I Love All Movies: He’s not even good-looking. These days, at least the pretty boys can sell their faces. This guy doesn’t even have a face to sell. How does a no-name, no-talent, no-looks product deserve to be in Director Ruan’s movie? I’m out, this is a deterrent!
Aiyi-chan: And he’s Xiao Qi’s brother. How is someone like him worthy of being Xiao Qi’s brother? My Xiao Qi works so hard, never relies on his family’s money, and won the Film Emperor award on his own merit, which is why Director Ruan chose him as the lead. And Xiao Fang? He paid his way in and still acts like crap. Garbage!
Passing by Netizen A: Garbage +10086.
Did Pleasant Goat Air Today: Garbage + my ID number.
…
The comments tore Xiao Fang apart from head to toe. In the past, when the original owner acted, he would hire a water army to suppress the hate. This time, it was too sudden, and Xiao Fang himself had no intention of hiring one. The situation was completely one-sided. He had very few real fans, and even if he did, they were hopelessly outnumbered. For instance, whenever he saw a rare comment defending him, the replies would drown it in a sea of vitriol.
Is Your Chuunibyou Spirit Burning?: Don’t be like that. Let’s wait until the movie comes out before judging. Celebrities are people too.
Xiao Qi’s Little Cutie: Hehehe, I have to laugh. White lotus, please change the channel.
Has Xiao Fang Quit the Circle Today?: If that loser Xiao Fang can act well in this role, I’ll write my name backwards on this day next year!
Xiao Fang’s University Classmate: Haha, if that good-for-nothing slacker can act well, I’ll call him daddy!
My Idol Must Be Well Today: Trash is trash. I bet he paid to get into the cast.
…
Xiao Fang put down the phone.
Xiao Ma was red in the face with anger. “Those people are all talk. They just hide behind their keyboards and curse people. My Brother Xiao got in this time based on his own ability! Brother Xiao, don’t get angry with them. It’s not worth it.”
Xiao Fang was still a bit dazed. In his entire career in the entertainment industry, he had never even dreamed of being on the Hot Search list. He was a born nobody, so the Hot Search was an impossibility. He didn’t even have the potential for infamous fame. But he never expected to get on the Hot Search list just like this after coming here. For others, it might not be a good thing, but for Xiao Fang, it was all very new and interesting.
“I’m not that angry,” Xiao Fang gave him a reassuring look.
Xiao Ma was furious. He resorted to his old tactic: “Brother Xiao, should we hire a water army? I guarantee we’ll teach those little girls a lesson!”
Xiao Fang chuckled and waved his hand. “No need. Let them curse. With my level of fame, the topic will probably be off the Hot Search list in a few hours.” Xiao Fang had an incredibly zen attitude towards the ups and downs of the entertainment industry.
Xiao Ma felt a sense of disappointment, as if hating iron for not becoming steel. Where had his free-spending Brother Xiao gone?
Seeing that Xiao Ma was still unhappy, Xiao Fang was in a rare mood to counsel him. “Let me ask you, if I hire a water army for this, what will be the result?”
“They’ll just keep arguing, until the other side can’t argue anymore.”
Xiao Fang smiled, his handsome eyes looking at Xiao Ma. “And won’t that take time?”
Xiao Ma nodded as if it were a matter of course.
“If I hire a water army and they keep arguing, on the surface it’s for my own good. But your Brother Xiao knows in his heart that I have no capital to boast about from my past. When the time comes, what will they say when they’re thrown at the water army? A bunch of random praise. If we do that, not only will Xiao Qi’s fans be alienated, but my public image will be ruined. People will get the impression that Xiao Fang’s fans are all blind fools. If that happens, even if I get real fans in the future, is that the gift I want to give them? Also, this drama is almost finished, and Director Hu has already negotiated a platform. If I ruin everyone’s hard work because of my own issues, how will I face them?”
Xiao Fang’s analysis was clear and logical, leaving Xiao Ma stunned. If someone told him that Xiao Fang had been replaced by a different person, he would have believed it.
And Xiao Fang was right. If he made a scene and hired a water army now, Brother Xiao would really only be able to take the route of infamous fame. With the current momentum, Xiao Fang’s abilities were gradually being recognized by everyone.
“So we can only endure it like this?” Xiao Ma was worried that Xiao Fang wouldn’t be able to take the abuse.
Xiao Fang stretched. He wasn’t the type to obsessively check Weibo anyway. Wasn’t it better to just play some games and film his scenes? Why think so much?
“Don’t worry, your Brother Xiao can handle this. It’s eleven o’clock, it’s getting late. Go to bed. We have to travel to a new location tomorrow.” Xiao Fang picked up the warm yogurt from his bedside table. It was one that Fei Xiangnan had bought for him. He drank a bottle every day. This yogurt had a rich, milky flavor and a top-notch texture. Xiao Fang couldn’t help but squint his eyes in pleasure as he drank.
Xiao Ma looked at the completely stress-free Xiao Fang and felt a little more at ease. Brother Xiao being like this wasn’t bad. He was happy just eating and drinking. Let the people outside curse. It wasn’t bothering Brother Xiao anyway.
Xiao Ma said a quick “rest well” and went out, only to see Que Jiang hanging up the phone.
“Ho ho, talking to your girlfriend late at night, huh? You sly dog,” Xiao Ma teased.
Que Jiang stared at Xiao Ma with an icy face for a long time before finally saying, “I don’t have a girlfriend.”
Que Jiang’s stare made Xiao Ma uncomfortable. He wasn’t that interested in Que Jiang’s personal life anyway, so he quickly changed the subject. “You know, our Brother Xiao has such a good temper. So many people are cursing him online, but he’s still eating and drinking like nothing’s wrong.”
Que Jiang nodded. He had long since experienced the Young Madam’s good attitude. “You don’t need to worry about this. It’s good that Young Master Xiao has a good mentality.”
This was the first time Que Jiang hadn’t shared his righteous indignation. Xiao Fang was one thing, but how could they, as assistants, not get angry on behalf of their master? “I see you just don’t care about Brother Xiao. And after he’s been so good to you!”
Que Jiang’s face darkened. He quickly and accurately grabbed the back of Xiao Ma’s neck. “Tell me how I don’t care about Young Master Xiao.”
Xiao Ma struggled to break free, but the iron grip was determined. Like a cat held by the scruff of its neck, Xiao Ma was powerless to escape and could only retort verbally, “Brother Xiao is being cursed like this, and look at you, acting like nothing’s wrong!”
Que Jiang gave Xiao Ma a helpless look. “It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that someone will take care of this problem for him.”
“Who?” Xiao Ma heard a glimmer of hope and was instantly re-energized.
“You’ll find out later,” Que Jiang said, being deliberately mysterious.
Xiao Ma was itching with curiosity. Even after Que Jiang let go of his neck, he clung to him.
“Don’t be stingy, bro. Tell me, I promise I won’t tell anyone else!”
“If your promises were worth anything, the dinosaurs wouldn’t have gone extinct.”
“Are you really going to use such a corny old line on me?”
“Mm, it suits you.”
…
Fei Xiangnan hung up the phone and immediately wanted to find someone to handle the matter. Hiring a water army was unrealistic, as Xiao Fang’s current fan base was too weak, and it would only damage his reputation. Thinking about it, there was only one other option.
A person immediately came to Fei Xiangnan’s mind.
Before bed, Xiao Fang was bombarded with text messages from Zhang Hang. Zhang Hang had taken on a modern drama, also as the second male lead. The director was quite strict, so they had less time to contact each other. Xiao Fang simply replied with “I’m fine,” not wanting to blow the matter out of proportion.
Zhang Hang continued to ask him many questions, and even the thick-skinned Xiao Fang vaguely felt that Zhang Hang was overstepping his boundaries. Xiao Fang’s preferences in people were based on a feeling, and Zhang Hang had never been in his range from the beginning, so he didn’t want to give him any false hope.
The next day, during an outdoor scene, Xiao Fang received comfort from all sides. Given his popularity in the crew, everyone advised him to take it easy. However, there were also some who looked at him with questioning eyes. After all, he had bought his way into this drama. Although his acting had been recognized, a purchase was a purchase. It was an undeniable fact.
Xiao Fang magnanimously ignored them. The entertainment industry was just a world of truth and falsehoods.
And, it was ever-changing!