A note from the author:
#Mr. Zhang and his sworn enemies among his fans#
I visited the set, but not completely.
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 53
[Are you crazy? Why do you want to replace Chenbao when filming is almost over?!]
[Hehe, it's due to health reasons. Just two days ago, our Chenbao was posting his morning exercise routine, and within three days he suddenly fell ill and couldn't finish filming, right?]
We need an explanation! The role of Chang Xiaoyue was practically tailor-made for Chenbao; you could say there would be no Chang Xiaoyue without Chenbao. Why was filming halted?!
[If you're not a die-hard fan, can you please stop talking? And what's with the "tailor-made" thing? How big of a face does your Chenbao have to dare ask a sect's founder to tailor-make something just for him?]
[Everyone, calm down! Have you noticed that Chen Bao has lost several endorsements and drama promotions recently?! Is it possible that he's too outstanding and is blocking someone's path? (smiles) (smiles)]
Director Zhao was extremely efficient. Almost immediately after Zhang Chaohe sent them the threatening video, Director Zhao contacted Bai Chen's company and stated that he would release the video if Zhang Chaohe did not leave the production crew.
However, He Guangyin had already given instructions, and the company knew perfectly well that Bai Chen was no longer of any value. Therefore, without any struggle, they cleanly and decisively agreed to terminate the contract.
Bai Chen found it unbelievable: "Can't even a peaceful parting be achieved?"
The higher-ups looked at him as if he were an idiot: "Do you know who you've offended? Young Master He... Ah, you've got some nerve, going after Second Young Master Zhang?"
"If you want to make a comeback, you'll have to pull some strings in the capital before these two will even give you a second chance!"
Bai Chen thought calmly. He gripped the table as if in despair, but his mind was racing. He spoke slowly, "I accept all the company's arrangements... I only ask that the company not release the video."
The higher-ups were amused by his naiveté: "Of course, Bai Chen, why would you think we're going to release the video? Even to protect Young Master Zhang's privacy, we wouldn't do that."
"Go back now. The studio will issue a statement on your way out of the industry. You are not allowed to do or say anything, understand?"
Bai Chen walked out of the company building in a daze. He looked back one last time at the grand gate he had entered and exited countless times before—he had once thought that stepping into the entertainment industry meant standing out from the crowd, a glamorous and meteoric rise to success.
Young Master Zhang…this ruthless and vicious man! Bai Chen stubbornly sneered: I will make you pay the price!
⚹
Meanwhile, the ruthless and vicious Mr. Zhang is being mercilessly tortured by the goose-training expert, unaware that the slow-acting biological bomb he planted has already been defused.
Chen Xingting, holding a megaphone, loudly proclaimed, "I told you to smoke cigars, not to chew on tree branches!"
"You are the commander-in-chief! Commander-in-chief! Don't smoke cigars like a street hustler smoking a cigarette!!"
"Do you smoke? Do you smoke? Do you smoke!"
This scene depicts Chang Xiaoyue, who was half-dead after being rescued and recuperating, visiting her savior.
In Chen Xingting's vision, the scene should be like this: the commander's study is covered by heavy velvet curtains, with only a sliver of light showing through; the man sits in an armchair, leaning back and smoking a cigar, looking at the actor in front of him with a casual yet meaningful gaze through the hazy smoke.
As a result, Zhang Chaohe's posture was decent, but he messed up everything else. He looked like a handsome young hoodlum with a twig in his mouth, ready to harass a respectable woman.
Zhang Chaohe: Don't think that just because you can punish Caiye, I'll be afraid of you!
However, what came out of her mouth was: "I don't smoke qaq".
Chen Xingting was shocked: "Don't you smoke cigars, Mr. Zhang!"
Zhang Chaohe firmly shook his head—he wouldn't even smoke cigarettes, let alone cigars! Smoking is not only harmful to health, but it also yellows teeth and leaves you with a foul tar smell. He absolutely refuses to smoke!!
Chen Xingting stood with his hands on his hips, desperately trying to figure out what to do. He tentatively suggested, "Why don't you try taking a couple of deep breaths?"
Cheng Jixue sat on the sofa watching the show. He was also very curious about how Zhang Chaohe's scene would be filmed... He saw Zhang Chaohe with a bitter expression, holding a cigar in his mouth, and then, after trying to mentally prepare himself, he suddenly gasped!
The cigar went into his lungs, and Zhang Chaohe coughed violently, staring blankly at the cigar in his hand, utterly dejected.
Chen Xingting: I thought the second generation all smoked, drank, and drove sports cars, but I didn't expect that Mr. Zhang was so different from them.
He was all set to create the scene with dry ice, but then he saw Cheng Jixue stand up, patting the wrinkles in her clothes with a helpless expression.
"Come here, I'll teach you."
Cheng Jixue took the cigar from his hand, which he was holding blankly—the staff had helped him cut it, and the opening position and size were just right. He held it to his nose and smelled it; it was probably a Friend E2, with a mild tobacco flavor and a hint of vanilla cream sweetness.
This is a small citrus that is quite suitable for beginners to try.
Cheng Jixue skillfully held the cigar to his lips. Chang Xiaoyue, after all, had just recovered from a serious illness, and the makeup artist had specially painted his lips a light, fruit-colored lip. At this moment, his slightly parted lips were biting the hard cigar, yet he exuded a delicate and sexy charm.
Zhang Chaohe inexplicably tensed up. He finally understood why so many sexy women loved to smoke cigars and strike a pose—their eyes, hidden behind the smoke, held an indescribable wildness and allure, looking at people as if they were hooked...
Lust and allure adorn the unrestrained and seductive nature of the character, yet it also exudes a dignified and proud air, making it seem untouchable.
Zhang Chaohe immediately felt that his old habit was about to flare up again, but Cheng Jixue was seriously explaining the essentials of smoking a cigar to him.
"After inhaling, use the tip of your tongue to stir the smoke, savor its unique flavor, and then slowly exhale. Don't inhale the smoke into your lungs in one gulp; do it slowly and deliberately, perhaps even dragging it out a little to express a state of deep thought... Mr. Zhang, are you listening?"
Zhang Chaohe's mind was filled with indescribable erotic nonsense, and he only remembered one thing: "spit it out" and "draw it out a bit." He said sincerely, "I'm listening, I'm listening—I've got it!"
However, the next second, Cheng Jixue took the cigar off, and Zhang Chaohe clearly saw a thin, damp lip print on the end of the cigar... He suddenly remembered that he had just been smoking this cigar!
Damn it, he just took a bite of what looked like a jelly-like jelly!
Zhang Chaohe's face finally turned bright red. He watched as Cheng Jixue nonchalantly cut open a cigar for him, lit it evenly with a flint and torch, and handed it to him with a smile: "Would you like to try it again? It has the sweetness of vanilla cream!"
Cheng Jixue smiled like a sly fox who had just stolen some cream—he clearly knew!
Zhang Chaohe felt the atmosphere on set had become terrifying; he felt restless, as if he were being lightly tickled by feathers. He took the cigar, closed his eyes, and took a puff with the determination of a warrior cutting off his own arm, then mechanically followed Cheng Jixue's instructions to exhale.
"Bullshit vanilla cream..." Zhang Chaohe was going crazy. His mind was filled with that ambiguous wet stain!
So he subconsciously ignored the question of why the well-behaved Cheng Jixue would smoke this stuff...
Chen Xingting, with a complicated expression, shouted "Okay"—Please don't flirt on my set!
Someone, do something about them! I really can't take it anymore!
The filming went very smoothly. Zhang Chaohe was intelligent and never had any problems with his lines. At this moment, his heavy mood and slightly self-destructive, impotent rage unexpectedly portrayed the deep and thoughtful side of Gu Yinqiu.
After this scene was filmed, all the scenes in Gu Yinqiu's study were completed, and the entire crew wrapped up. Chen Xingting strolled over, seemingly considerate but actually warning: "You don't have to look at me with such lingering eyes."
Zhang Chaohe hung his head in guilt, secretly chanting the Heart Sutra frantically... "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Don't be like a donkey seeing a carrot when someone beckons you with a flick of their finger, Zhang Chaohe!!"
Cheng Jixue's heart was pounding—just now, when he lit a cigar for Zhang Chaohe, he clearly saw a raging storm in those beautiful and deep eyes, as if they were about to engulf him, filled with intense passion and desire.
He suddenly felt like he had found a new approach?
During his break after work, Cheng Jixue pondered Tencent's new policy while browsing trending topics and gossiping... He paused, then suddenly sat up and called to Zhang Chaohe, "Mr. Zhang, would you like to take a look at the trending topics?"
Zhang Chaohe's expression was arrogant and aloof, showing no signs of the intense shock he had just experienced... He was now almost developing PTSD from people asking him to check the trending topics—it was never a good thing when someone asked him to!
Clicking on the trending topics, the top trending topic was actually #BaiChenAnnouncesRetirementFromEntertainment#!
Zhang Chaohe clicked in with great interest to see what was going on, but found that something seemed off about the trending topic.
Bai Chen's statement about leaving the entertainment industry was standard and unremarkable; Zhang Chaohe saw nothing to criticize. He was only disappointed that this seemingly innocuous statement had been so quickly dismissed. Further reading of the Weibo post's built-in event analysis, Zhang Chaohe instantly understood that Bai Chen's management company simply wanted to back down and give up!
Bai Chen announced his withdrawal from the filming of "Wild Geese Crying" and then immediately announced his retirement from the entertainment industry – an action that immediately aroused strong suspicion among fans!
Just two days ago, Chenbao posted photos of his daily morning exercise on Weibo, so why did the production team only say that he was leaving the filming due to "health reasons"... and then immediately announce his retirement from the entertainment industry?
Isn't all of this just too much of a coincidence?
The fact that the studio is playing dead and the agency is keeping silent has infuriated some extreme fans, who are demanding an explanation and protesting the agency's unjustified suspension of their work!
Bai Chen is a rising star in recent years. He has starred in several popular idol dramas and has a loyal fan base. He has also been praised by CCTV for his special role in "spreading and promoting traditional Peking Opera culture." He is considered one of the more shining stars in the entertainment industry.
Now stars can just fall from the sky? The stars would be the first to object!
So the little police officers went out to investigate and finally found something suspicious—didn't Chenbao's actions seem a bit like someone blocking someone's way and then being silenced and put on hold?
So, who benefits the most from Bai Chen's retirement from the entertainment industry?
Fans immediately launched a barrage of attacks—and Cheng Jixue, who plays the same role as Bai Chen, is also a Peking Opera actor and a recently joined newcomer, was the first to be targeted!
Some people even gave a seemingly logical but ultimately flawed analysis and confidently published their own:
I believe Chen Bao's retirement from the entertainment industry is inevitably linked to Cheng Moumou. Firstly, Chen Bao's identity as a Peking Opera artist and promoter of traditional culture (officially confirmed by CCTV, please don't criticize) will hinder Cheng's career advancement. His existing fan base is almost entirely concentrated with Chen Bao; if he wants to quickly establish himself in the entertainment industry, he must take away Chen Bao's high-quality amateur fan base! But as long as Chen Bao is around, we will support him, so Chen Bao is a thorn in his side! Secondly, Chen Bao and Cheng Moumou both played the role of Chang Xiaoyue, and anyone with eyes can see that Chen Bao outshone Cheng Moumou; he must be jealous!
Below were comments like "+1!", "That's so well said!", and "Clear and well-organized, thumbs up!"
Zhang Chaohe: "..."
His facial expression went from confusion to the elderly man on the subway looking at his phone, and then to doubting whether they were brainless or he was. It was a series of twists and turns, and quite a dramatic one.
That's a good analysis; please don't do it again next time.
However, despite the fans' outburst, the fire only burned within a small circle of Bai Chen's fans. This long post was simply too outrageous; anyone without the fan filter would immediately think it was a fan going crazy and making wild accusations—how powerful must Cheng Jixue be to so openly and blatantly sideline a popular young actor?
Zhang Chaohe didn't think this matter would cause much of a problem. At most, it was just that the agency was afraid of He Guangyin and simply abandoned Bai Chen. Without him, the agency could quickly launch thousands of other Bai Chens. There was nothing to regret.
So he threw himself into the new scene. It was a group scene filmed in one continuous shot, and several accidents happened in the middle. Everyone finally managed to shoot a perfect scene. As soon as Zhang Chaohe finished filming, he saw about ten missed calls from Cheng Xuelan on his phone.
His heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously glanced at Cheng Jixue, who was having Xiaowen wipe her sweat. He quietly turned his back slightly and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Ah, in that 'National Collection' segment that aired before, some people questioned whether Cheng Jixue used his connections to squeeze out a direct descendant of Peking Opera actors. Mr. Zhang, could you please give your phone to Cheng Jixue? I need to talk to him." Cheng Xuelan was speechless about this; it was obvious that someone was taking advantage of Bai Chen's troubles to stir up trouble!
When National Collections contacted her saying that a master had recommended Cheng Jixue, she shouldn't have been so greedy for that bit of professional attention that she let Cheng Jixue take the job!
Wouldn't acting be more lucrative than singing? He's limited by his gender, meaning he can only get a stable job at the National Academy of Peking if he has exceptional qualifications... Why should she try to have it both ways?
Zhang Chaohe handed the phone to Cheng Jixue as instructed, then snatched Director Chen's phone to check the trending topics—he wouldn't be angry if he didn't look, but looking at it made his temples flare with rage!
The reason why those who questioned Bai Chen's sudden departure from the entertainment industry is because Cheng Jixue's extreme fans have moved on to a new tag!
The new tag became popular because a veteran Peking Opera enthusiast who claimed to "not be able to bear seeing Peking Opera culture become a fandom" posted a heartfelt blog post.
This person elaborated on why he was so indignant and tirelessly advocating against allowing fan culture to tarnish traditional Peking Opera, focusing on both the actors' fame and experience.
The Peking Opera actors who appeared on the show with Cheng Jixue were almost all pillars of the National Peking Opera Company and the Provincial Peking Opera Company, and were also the direct descendants of the third or fourth generation of their respective singing schools. They were familiar faces who could be seen every year on the Spring Festival Gala or the Opera Gala.
Suddenly, Cheng Jixue appeared among them?
"Can an unknown 'young Peking Opera actor' openly replace a leading female role on stage simply because they've profited from the entertainment industry? Does this mean that as long as there's traffic and buzz, even sacrificing artistic standards is acceptable? If this continues, this once-respected and elegant art will be tainted by the morbid and distorted entertainment industry! I urge all Peking Opera enthusiasts to stand up and speak out, to protect the last bastion of Peking Opera art, and to reject the fan-driven culture within the Peking Opera circle!"
When the show aired, Cheng Jixue sang quite well, and no amateur singers specifically criticized it, so the matter didn't escalate. However, with someone secretly stirring things up, it was immediately seized upon by those with ulterior motives:
What makes you, Cheng Jixue, worthy of performing on the same stage as them?
Did the leading actress, who was supposed to perform alongside other masters, receive unfair treatment because of you?
Zhang Chaohe was so angry that his head was buzzing. Although he didn't know much about the messy things about seniority in the Peking Opera circle, in his impression, Cheng Jixue was like this in his profession: a graduate of a prestigious school, a student of a famous master, and after graduation, he visited a hidden master to learn the skills of other singing styles, and also went deep into the grassroots to perform for the masses!