However, if this role were played by Chu Meibo, it would be a bit too beneath her.
Shen Huai thanked Ming Wei, but said he should ask Chu Meibo about this matter first.
Chu Meibo finished reading the contract and signed her name.
Mingwei glanced at it: "Chu Meibo? Is that a stage name?"
Chu Meibo hesitated for a moment, then nodded, her expression seemingly nostalgic. This was actually her real name, but back then she insisted on becoming a movie star, which led to a break with her family and she was not allowed to use her real name. So she used her mother's surname, Gu, plus the character "Mei" from her given name, as her stage name.
Back then, she worked incredibly hard to gain her family's approval and to use her real name with dignity. Who knew that after all these years, she would finally use this name, but her family would be gone.
After signing the contract, the two drove back. While driving, Shen Huai relayed the news that Ming Wei had told him to Chu Meibo.
Chu Meibo: "Director Gao? A fantasy drama?"
Shen Huai: "Yes, Director Gao is a good director, the atmosphere on set is also very good, and his dramas are guaranteed to have high ratings, but... the plot is a bit too simple."
To say it's too simplistic is a bit of an understatement; to be precise, it's extremely naive and sweet, the kind of drama that makes you want to complain about it while simultaneously being unable to stop watching.
Chu Meibo frowned and pondered, "This name seems familiar..." As she spoke, she took out her phone to search for it.
Shen Huai glanced at it, somewhat helplessly. It had only been a few days, and even the legendary actress hadn't been able to resist the power of the phone, mastering its use so quickly.
Chu Meibo searched for a while, then suddenly realized: "I remember this director, I've seen his TV series..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Huai said, "If you don't like it, we can pick up someone else..."
"I don't dislike it," Chu Meibo said, looking at him in surprise. "I think it's quite interesting. It's an audition, right? When?"
Shen Huai: "..."
Shen Huai: "Okay, I'll go to the film and television department and get an audition schedule."
Chu Meibo: "Then it's decided."
She thought for a moment and added, "After the audition, could you find me an assistant? That way, Xiao Ye won't look like she's just broken up with her boyfriend every time you come out with me. It's not a good look."
Shen Huai: "..."
He said helplessly, "You've misunderstood, we really aren't..."
Chu Meibo smiled and said, "Don't be shy. Just be open and honest about dating. It's no big deal."
Shen Huai felt increasingly helpless and felt it necessary to clarify: "Sister Mei, we are not in the kind of relationship you think we have. I will not date my own artists; this is a manager's professional ethics."
Chu Meibo responded with an "Oh".
Looking at her ambiguous smile, Shen Huai felt as if he had punched a pillow, utterly powerless. He felt he needed to correct some historical misunderstandings about the legendary actress; wasn't this filter a bit too thick?!
Just then, Shen Huai's phone rang; it was Ye Cang calling.
Chu Meibo: "Tsk tsk tsk, Xiao Ye is really too impatient. It's only been a short while and she's already calling."
Shen Huai: "..."
He ignored Chu Meibo's teasing and let her answer the phone.
However, as soon as the call connected, Xue Chengge's anxious voice came from the other end.
"Brother Shen, something terrible has happened! Someone online is smearing Brother Ye!!"
Chapter 41
Shen Huai quickly returned home, where the alarm upstairs was already going off incessantly.
He ignored Chu Meibo and quickly returned to his room. Just as he sat down at his desk, the information intercepted by the alarm popped up with an extremely sensational headline.
—Ye Cang verbally and physically abused his fans; did he become arrogant after just becoming famous?
The accompanying photos are pictures of Ye Cang arguing with obsessive fans. They are obviously taken secretly, and the angles are very deceptive. Ye Cang clearly did not hit anyone, but in the photos it looks like he did.
There's even a photo of Ye Cang getting his wound bandaged at the hospital, wearing the exact same clothes. It must have been taken at the hospital that night after Ye Cang saved someone.
Putting these two photos together naturally evokes associations.
After the incident involving obsessive fans, Shen Huai posted on Weibo, along with photos of his car being scratched. Fearing that the obsessive fans might try to shift the blame, he also attached a statement reserving the right to pursue legal action.
I just didn't expect that while I could keep out stalkers, I couldn't keep out these ubiquitous paparazzi.
Ye Cang is a rising star who is currently enjoying great popularity. News about him is already attracting attention, especially such a scandal. The news was released at noon, and in less than two hours, the hashtag #YeCangAssaultsFans# had already climbed to the top of the trending searches.
Marketing accounts, like sharks drawn by the smell of blood, have jumped in one after another, along with online trolls stirring up trouble. The comments below are already appalling.
[I'm no longer a fan. Hitting a fan is simply unacceptable.]
[I initially thought it was just a matter of being timid and hesitant to show up, but it turns out they resorted to swearing and physical violence?? This kind of person has no manners.]
【stench!】
Hitting someone is disgusting enough, but hitting a fan is even worse! Holy crap!
[I could tell during the competition; wasn't he always so sarcastic on stage? Fans kept saying it was just his true nature, but they've proven them wrong!]
[Brother, why did you hit me? Waaaaah!]
I used to really like his songs, but I never imagined he was such a bad person. I regret all the votes I cast for him!
Although many fans were still trying to explain to him, they seemed powerless in the face of the photos. On the contrary, many who spoke up for Ye Cang were chased and scolded by angry netizens.