Chapter 115: Reaction 01

Curious about Song Wan’s acting skills and eager to witness her performance once more, as well as intrigued by how actors film scenes on set, countless netizens clicked on the video—

“What the heck, I actually cried watching this?”

“Can I say I felt Song Wan’s despair and the hidden sorrow beneath another actor’s anger? Does this mean I have acting skills too?”

“Bestie… I think I finally understand what this movie is about… It’s so heartbreaking…”

“Feeling blue and sad…”

“Huh? Why are my eyes sweating?”

“Even though tears are streaming down my face, I still have to ask—who is the actor acting opposite Song Wan? Doesn’t look like a newcomer.”

“I want to know too…”

“Me too!”

…

Seeing the follower count on the official account skyrocket, the publicist’s smile stretched from ear to ear.

But the truth of the world is: joy often gives way to sorrow.

Smack—

A sudden hand on the publicist’s shoulder startled him so much he nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Who?”

He immediately stood up and turned around in one swift motion.

But upon seeing the figure behind him, all his bravado vanished instantly. His previously soaring confidence deflated.

“Director Zhao…”

“Heh, so you still remember I’m Director Zhao?” Zhao Qing gave a sardonic smile, eyes sharp as he looked at the small-time publicist. “I thought you’d forgotten who’s in charge of this crew.”

“Never…” the publicist lowered his head, softly protesting.

“What’s the meaning of this video? Where did you copy it from? Did I tell you to post it?”

Three rapid-fire questions bombarded the publicist relentlessly; Zhao Qing was clearly furious at the publicist’s impulsiveness.

“But this is how commercial films are promoted!” the publicist argued, knowing full well Zhao Qing disliked such tactics but still wanting to defend his approach.

Commercial films and art films have fundamentally different production goals and audiences, so naturally their promotional methods differ greatly.

Though Zhao Qing was slick and appeared willing to go with the flow, when it came to film promotion, any out-of-line move—like exploiting fabricated scandals or notorious gossip—was utterly incomprehensible to him.

He refused to let his films be tainted by such things; to him, it was an insult.

Yet this time was fundamentally different from all previous situations!

The publicist felt inexplicably wronged: “Director Zhao, this time I’m not trying to ride on any messy scandals.”

“If it’s not some messy scandal, then why are you hiding and sneaking around?” Zhao Qing stubbornly glared at him.

The publicist thought, Isn’t this just to avoid upsetting you? Who knew someone who never checks Weibo suddenly logged on?

“This time the Weibo headline is about our lead, Song Wan’s excellent acting,” the publicist glanced at Zhao Qing and lowered his head quickly when he saw the displeasure on his face. “Because Han Sen wanted to snatch the male supporting role from the new drama Song just joined, but Director Zhou Qi rejected him, so Han Sen started making veiled accusations online—only to be dealt with by the ‘Starlight’ crew…”

Zhao Qing paused, raising an eyebrow. “Zhou Qi and Song Wan are working on the same project?”

Their fates really do intertwine.

Zhao Qing lowered his head to think, momentarily sparing the publicist.

But before the publicist could breathe a sigh of relief, Zhao Qing snapped out of his thoughts. “What did you just mean?”

The publicist perked up and continued to explain, “The ‘Starlight’ crew, to fight back, released some audition clips of the actors, which unexpectedly blew up. Since it was a hot topic about Miss Song’s acting, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ride the wave…”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

The publicist’s expression stiffened—how could he answer that?

Zhao Qing thought for a moment, realizing his own temperament and deciding it wasn’t worth quarreling further.

He frowned and tossed out, “I’ll go check what’s going on first, then decide if you need to be dealt with.” With that, he left.

—

The situation online grew increasingly chaotic, muddled by multiple parties. Eventually, it spiraled beyond anyone’s control.

Though they could still ride the wave of popularity, Han Sen and Mingcheng Films weren’t the kind to let just anyone step on their toes to rise. Besides, without genuine talent, they risked gaining nothing but trouble.

By now, Zhao Ken and Li Yu were nearing the audition site for the ‘Starlight’ crew.

Watching the online buzz intensify, Li Yu’s heart stirred with restless excitement. His usually pale cheeks flushed rosy red, radiating vitality.

“Stop entertaining unrealistic thoughts,” Zhao Ken immediately doused him with cold water.

Li Yu was stunned. “Why? Everyone else is riding the hype; why can’t I?”

Zhao Ken sighed and shook his head at Li Yu. “Haven’t you noticed, from start to finish, the ‘Starlight’ crew never once mentioned you? And that promising newcomer with great acting… Although their skills seem better than yours, I’m pretty sure that newcomer is actually you. Without prior preparation in such a short time, they couldn’t have found a newcomer who fits Han Sen and you so well.”

This meant…

“Brother Zhao, you’re saying the ‘Starlight’ crew wanted to give up on me long ago?”

“Not exactly,” Zhao Ken said irritably, tugging at his hair. “I mean, after the signed newcomer turned out to be Han Sen, the crew prepared to mess with him like this.”

“And me…”

“You’re just a scapegoat,” Zhao Ken said seriously, looking at Li Yu. “Because you gave up this opportunity, and since you and Han Sen and Qin Fei have certain connections…” He paused, “Maybe they never intended for you to benefit from this since you’re a signed artist of Mingcheng Films.”

After all, anyone with eyes could see that Mingcheng Films was involved in this from the start.

Most importantly, this all began because Li Yu gave up the role and passed it to Han Sen. Now the crew doesn’t want Han Sen around, but the role has been handed back to Li Yu…

No matter how you look at it, this all feels strange and deeply unsettling to those in the know.

Li Yu’s heart suddenly raced in panic. “But I didn’t give it up voluntarily…”

Lu Yang was his first audition role and the first role he landed. If nothing had gone wrong, it would have been his debut.

Such a high starting point—he would never have given it up willingly.

“But no one else knows you didn’t choose to,” Zhao Ken cruelly shattered his hopes. “And even if they did, as long as they know you and Han Sen share the same agent and company, whether you gave it up voluntarily or not doesn’t matter to them.”

Industry insiders know all too well how tight the constraints are on unknown artists by agents and companies.

If your role was taken once, why wouldn’t it be taken twice, thrice, or subject to all kinds of disgusting mishaps?

Li Yu opened his mouth but couldn’t utter a word.

Zhao Ken sighed and patted his head. “In the past, I would have told you to give up and look for other chances.” He looked at the rapidly climbing topic count on his phone. “But I know you’re not willing now, so…”

“Then try!”

If they didn’t try, the lingering resentment in both Li Yu and his agent’s hearts would never let go.

And if the drama succeeded, he would only feel worse.

Because of this stubbornness, they didn’t change the car’s direction; they sat inside, ready to continue on to the ‘Starlight’ audition location.

—

Unlike the atmosphere between the two, which was tinged with disappointment yet still held hope, the mood on Tang Su’s side was so dead silent you dared not breathe loudly.

“Well? What’s the plan now?” Qin Fei sneered, sitting off to the side, coldly watching the pair opposite him.

He ordered Han Sen to delete the post and apologize quickly, yet Han Sen was still dragging his feet, apparently hoping for some gain…

Gain? What gain!

Yet Tang Su actually let Han Sen get away with it!

Look at the online comments—if it weren’t for netizens being captivated by the unexpectedly brilliant acting of Song Wan and that newcomer, they’d be chanting for Han Sen to get out of the entertainment industry.

But amid such tension, Han Sen remained calm: “Brother Qin, you’re my agent. Isn’t handling unexpected situations your job?”

His eyes held a threat that sent a chill down the spine.