Volume One, Chapter 88: Sponsorship Withdrawn, Chilled to the Bone in One Night
Jiang Yu had just taken a sip of water and almost spat it out, coughing twice in embarrassment. “By the way, how did things turn out before? I haven’t really been using my phone. My aunt wasn’t scolding me, was she?”
Seeing this message, Su Muyu couldn’t help but laugh, and began to recount the events of the past two days to Jiang Yu.
That day, the uproar online grew louder and louder.
The company and team behind Hua Fan, seeing things spiral out of control, started taking action: hiring people to delete videos, remove trending topics, and even calling Su Ling to beg Jiang Yu to make a statement in their favor.
But they ignored them, simply responding with, “Fan behavior has nothing to do with the artist; we don’t wish to get involved.”
Although Huayue Entertainment didn’t participate, given Hua Fan’s resources, they should have been able to suppress the incident!
But just after Jiang Yu finished singing, something happened that plunged them into despair.
Guoming Daily directly reposted a clip of Jiang Yu’s performance, praising him highly.
Shortly after complimenting Jiang Yu, an article titled “Celebrities Cause Airport Congestion, Enable Fans to Harm Veterans” appeared.
Not long after Guoming Daily published that article, it shot to the top of the trending topics.
Anyone with sense knew exactly who it was referring to.
#GuomingDailySharpCommentaryOnHuaFan#
#No matter who you are, you should never cause trouble for others#
With a story like this featured in Guoming Daily, no matter how powerful their backing or how skilled their team, nothing could change the outcome.
Moreover, Hua Fan had endorsed many trendy brands, luxury goods, and famous products. All of them simultaneously announced they would terminate their endorsement contracts and sue him for violating the terms.
Fan behavior, idol pays the price.
Hua Fan’s endorsements were revoked, and overnight, his career turned cold!
Upon hearing the news, Jiang Yu shook his head. “Those who act unjustly will bring ruin upon themselves. Since he chose this path, he must bear the consequences.”
After a while, Su Muyu sent another message.
“By the way, Director Yan from ‘Idol Two and a Half Years’ called the company. After you said you’d quit last episode, the crew got a lot of backlash. They’d like to invite you back for one last appearance to help explain things.”
Jiang Yu was taken aback. “Quit and then go back? Isn’t that going back on my word?”
“No, you’d be a guest, not a contestant.”
“No, there’s no point. I already said I’d quit, so I should stick to it.”
“They said they’d pay you based on your current market value, and you can even ask for twenty percent more.”
“Wait, when’s the recording? The money doesn’t matter, the key is Director Yan was always good to me. I kind of miss that old fellow.”
Su Muyu couldn’t hold back a laugh.
“It’ll be a couple more days, so no rush. You can enjoy a few more days in the capital, eat something delicious.”
“Delicious? Like what? Soy juice? No, no, I’ll book a ticket home for tomorrow!”
Thinking of this, Jiang Yu immediately opened the ticketing app to arrange his trip home.
At that moment, his phone rang suddenly.
Jiang Yu hesitated for a second. The caller ID showed two words: ‘Mom.’
He answered the video call without hesitation.
On the screen, instead of his mother Pan Lanzhi, his sister Jiang Ru appeared.
“Brother!”
“Xiao Ru, just got out of school?” Jiang Yu smiled naturally.
“Yes!” On video, Jiang Ru’s dimples showed. “Brother, I saw you on TV today. Are you a big star now?”
“Well, not exactly... I suppose so.” Jiang Yu scratched his head. “Are Mom and Dad nearby?”
Since they’d seen him on TV, Jiang Yu didn’t plan to hide it any longer.
Jiang Ru handed the phone to their mother.
A burly man and a middle-aged woman appeared on screen.
Jiang Yu hesitated for a moment. “Dad, Mom, how have you been lately?”
Pan Lanzhi smiled. “We’re doing well. We saw you on TV today. How have things been? You haven’t called since graduation.”
“I’m doing fine. After graduation, my teacher recommended me for a show, and after performing well, I was signed by a management company.”
Sitting beside him, Jiang Ru shouted excitedly, “Brother, I knew it! That was definitely you on TV. I can’t believe my brother’s about to become a celebrity!”
Jiang Yu couldn’t help but smile at his sister’s words. “Study hard. If you get into a top university, your brother will support you.”
“Yay~!”
“You spoil her!” Pan Lanzhi tapped Jiang Ru’s forehead gently, rolling her eyes before looking at the screen. “Son, our family has neither money nor power. Is this really the right path?”
“Mom, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.”
“Is your agency reliable? I’ve heard lots of young people get taken advantage of by those companies.”
Jiang Yu, who had just taken another sip of water, nearly choked. His mother really knew a lot.
“They’re reliable. Didn’t you just see me on TV today?”
“That’s good. Don’t wear yourself out. Don’t worry about the family. Whether you make money or not, your sister has your dad and me. We can still work.”
Jiang Yu smiled at her words.
“Mom, I’m not tired. Life is good now—I don’t have to pay for food or lodging. You can rest assured.”
He turned the phone around his room as he spoke.
Seeing the environment her son lived in, Pan Lanzhi’s worries eased. “Will you come home for the National Day holiday?”
“I’ll be back in a couple days.”
Beside him, Jiang Anfu didn’t say anything, but hearing his son would come home, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Alright, Mom will make dumplings for you, pork and green onion.”
At that moment, Jiang Ru chimed in, “Brother, have you ever been on a show before?”
Jiang Yu wanted to answer directly, but remembering his temper on that show, he didn’t want to worry his family, so he shook his head. “Not before. The company’s arranged a program for me. When it airs, I’ll tell you, okay?”
“Okay, then buy me a VIP membership!”
“No problem, I’ll get you a year pass!”
After hanging up, Jiang Yu let out a long sigh.
Thinking of the promise he’d just made to his family, it seemed he’d better choose a more low-key show next time.
……
After disembarking, Jiang Yu returned to Tan Palace.
“Surprise!”
He’d planned to report to the company the next morning, but unexpectedly, Su Muyu and Su Ling were already waiting in his room, ready to throw him a celebration banquet!
“Jiang Yu, you’re incredible…” Su Ling had worked in entertainment for years, but never had she seen such a remarkable newcomer. In just two months, he’d appeared on two top-tier gala events.
“Just routine operation,” Jiang Yu replied without any change in expression.
Su Ling paused, rolled her eyes, and glanced at Su Muyu. “He’s really full of himself, isn’t he…”