For a moment, the news was overwhelming, and Ye Feifei felt somewhat dazed.
It wasn't a stand-in, nor was it the actor herself who appeared in the show; what they called "slide show" was a montage of two people's images stitched together and then blended with the background.
Oh ~ my God!
In a bid to make a quick buck, the drama producers' creativity knew no bounds. They must have hired a top-tier post-production team to create a hundred percent lifelike effect. Not to mention, the shortage of post-production funds was a fatal flaw. And just like that, a super-modern IP that was well-received and hugely popular was ruined.
Ye Feifei said, "If it's all about making money, why resort to such a disgusting gimmick when they could rely on actual talent? Isn't this clearly courting death?"
Xia Yichu laughed coldly again, with a hint of nihilism floating around: "Ha… in this chaotic world, the waters are always muddy with all sorts of creatures. The internet is full of seasoned drivers; where are all the innocent Little White Rabbits? Otherwise, why can't we ever suppress the market for low taste? But this is content that goes on television. The broadcasting authorities still maintain a baseline, so this is already the maximum limit under strict regulation. Who would pass up such an opportunity?"
Suddenly turning around, Xia Yichu's lustrous, straight hair traced a perfect arc in the air, sadly spreading over her sleek, upright back. "Although 'Rose Sea' is also an IP, it's not as popular as other IPs with tens of millions of original fans. At the beginning, not everyone was optimistic about it, but the producers wanted to make a lot of money in one fell swoop – how could they refuse to join this irresistible, wicked market? It's just that this time, they went too far!"
Ye Feifei looked at her back and instantly understood.
She realized why Xia Yichu had suddenly turned her back and revealed all this. Frowning, she listened as Xia Yichu continued: "Actually… as long as it makes money, that's all that matters. In today's world where things change faster than flipping a book, what is reputation really worth?"
So, nothing is surprising when it comes to making money by any means necessary.
That's the ultimate goal for those who enter the circle to get their share. Compared to the shiny fame, Grandpa Mao banknotes are much more straightforward, not to mention, isn't the ultimate purpose of gaining fame also for 'Grandpa Mao'?
So why care so much about how it is obtained? As long as you don't break the law, you won't go to jail, so what else is there to fear?
"Besides, isn't there the concept of 'infamy leading to fame'?" Xia Yichu laughed coldly again.
Ye Feifei couldn't help but sigh inwardly: In this noisy and extravagant entertainment industry, the number of onlookers, or rather the crowd of spectators, is frighteningly large. Who would have thought that the mysterious truths within this circle possess an allure akin to that of money and power, enticing hordes of Keyboard Warriors to track tirelessly through the night! Hence the birth of 'infamy leading to fame,' a term which despite negative connotations is embraced by some as a shortcut.
The internet, after all, is the modern person's most uncontrollable outlet for stress and fast-paced life, an abyss where souls can be released without stepping outside the home.
However, someone still has to carry the blame for this mess.
Wu Di is a top-tier celebrity and doesn't belong to Hongyu. His relationship with Hongyu is purely cooperative. According to Xia Yichu, Wu Di was on the verge of publicly falling out with Hongyu over this issue. With such a mess on their hands, the drama producers (that is, Hongyu) would naturally not ask Wu Di to come out and clarify.
The cannon fodder thrust into the eye of the storm turned out to be the most innocent Xia Yichu.
Hongyu's top brass had unexpectedly notified everyone to prepare for a press conference at three-thirty in the afternoon. The draft to appease the media and paparazzi was swiftly written within two short hours and handed to Xia Yichu without missing a single word—and it was personally delivered by Sister Zhang.
This sudden transformation into "cannon fodder" really caught people off guard. At that time, Xia Yichu was casually dressed, wearing a casual shirt and black yoga pants in her office, working with Ye Feifei on the red carpet attire. Sister Zhang, with a slightly awkward expression, explained the company's decision. Xia Yichu looked utterly confused at Sister Zhang, not knowing how to respond.
—As the lead actress, I've always been diligent, never using a body double, never taking leave, never editing photos, never acting like a diva, and now, lying there taking the undeserved blame, I also have to clean up after so many "shameless" people. So, am I just here to pick up trash?!
Ye Feifei listened calmly, thinking that if she were Xia Yichu, she could literally explode at the speed of light on the spot!
Yet at this moment, she deeply admired the self-control of an enraged to the max Xia Yichu. Her smile might be stiff, but it was present throughout. Perhaps, this was the most dismal aspect of a female artist just starting to make a name while struggling to make ends meet.
Xia Yichu, with hardly any refusal and not even hesitating for three seconds, reluctantly accepted the company's arrangement.
However, her current outfit was utterly unsuitable for appearing in front of the media, let alone such a solemn and important occasion.
So, Sister Zhang's disdainful gaze couldn't help but sweep over to Ye Feifei, "Feifei, we have to trouble you. Please help Yi Chu change her attire. Don't make it too flashy; keeping it low-key this time is good enough!"
—Keep it low-key?! Her current outfit couldn't be more low-keyed. What else is there to change?!
Ye Feifei cast a glance half-closed eyelids. She thought she didn't have the same unshakable composure as Xia Yichu, who remained unfazed despite the sky falling around her. She thought her cold face must look especially unattractive at the moment, but, apologies, she just couldn't manage a smile.
Sister Zhang, as if turning a blind eye, continued, "Yi Chu has always followed a mature and modest style. Elegance is key, so let's take that light blue floral dress we prepared earlier for Yi Chu!" Saying this, she glanced at her watch, frowned slightly, and said, "It's about 40 minutes until 16:30. It'll take roughly half an hour to get to the press conference venue by taxi from here. Yi Chu, you better get ready quickly, don't be late. We really don't want a headline about the lead actress acting like a diva!"
—What! What did you just say?!
At this moment, Ye Feifei really wanted to swear! Because the dress Sister Zhang had picked was at her apartment! Not—at—the—office!
—So, you don't even need to bother calculating the time it'll take me to go back to my apartment to fetch the dress before heading to the press conference venue? Conservatively speaking, going back and forth, all by taxi, with only 40 minutes left, just touch your conscience and tell me, can I really make it in 40 minutes by flying on seven-centimeter heels? Is it enough?! Is it enough?! Is it enough?! What about humanitarian spirit?!
—If time's so critical, why did you ramble on for so long earlier? Would you die if you said to hurry up?!
—wuli baby's all energies are about to erupt again…