Caught in Affairs with Superstar

Chapter 241: Chapter 203: Rising Phase: 39

”People always say, celebrities are celebrities, and actors are actors. Especially in the current, more disjointed environment, the distinction seems clearer. To use a phrase that’s been overly clichéd in this context - only those who speak with their works are called actors. In reality, in a mature entertainment industry, a celebrity should inherently have works to their name, which would count as their debut.

Nowadays, those superstars we discuss? Who isn’t surrounded by several classic works? Even the famously decorative Guan Zhilin, who has never won an acting award, has an unforgettable character like Aunt Thirteen from the Huang Feihong series.

However, under the impact of capital, some have discovered a short-lived, quick-money-making path. Package a celebrity, milk them for two or three years, and make a tidy profit. The celebrity quickly fades away, no problem, a fresh batch of newcomers will emerge. This is not sustainable, everyone knows it, for visual aesthetics lead to fatigue. Even the most superficial standards of beauty will change with time, craving the stimulation of novelty. But the model can be replicated.

Of course, of course, I know there’s another path called the ’topic route.’ This type of person has so many talking points, whether they show up or not, that as soon as they’re mentioned, there’s a plethora of controversies to discuss. Such people aren’t born celebrities; they’re made. Their life experiences are like mysterious rivers, tempting countless individuals to plunge in and explore. People both fear and yearn for fame and fortune. Just as with these celebrities, we repel their bee-and-butterfly-attracting aura yet can’t help but be curious about the extravagance behind it.

Do you want to be a celebrity?

A question is laid before you, and you may readily have an answer.

To be or not to be.

Do you want to be a celebrity?

An opportunity is presented, as long as you’re willing, the gates to the arena of fame and fortune swing open.

Will your answer remain consistent?

Amongst the masses, that is the most expedient path to widespread attention.

Even if there are thorns, can you bear not to walk that path?

Humans are creatures who fear pain, but that’s okay, some sufferings can be overlooked if certain things can be acquired.

Whether as an actor or a celebrity, for fame or profit, original intention or desire, art or vulgarity, which way will your scale tip?

Or become a Ferris wheel, cycling endlessly, never escaping the loop?

-

When April arrived, an earthquake shook the entertainment industry.

A highly respected elder figure was killed by his lover.

The reason was that she had been his mistress for ten years, and he had promised her that he would divorce his wife and marry her one day.

She waited ten years, until she was hysterical, and a war erupted.

Everyone around Zhou Yun was discussing it. Really, everyone.

Even Yuk Chu, who seldom gossiped with Zhou Yun about the industry, brought it up on a call.

”I was truly shocked when I heard the news! He always seemed like a very family-oriented good man, always attending events with his wife. I always thought they were a match made in heaven! Damn, to think he actually had a mistress on the side, and for ten years!” Yuk Chu’s voice was both excited and angry, ”It’s unbelievable!”

”Do you know him?” Zhou Yun asked.

”Me? Of course, I don’t know him,” Yuk Chu said, ”but the image he presented to the public was so good! Damn it, truly, appearances are deceiving.”

”Even so, we’ll still make the same mistakes in the future.”

”We can’t blame ourselves for that; we can only blame some people for their superb acting skills.”

Zhou Yun sighed, ”Aside from that, I feel his wife is somewhat tragic, receiving two such terrible pieces of news at once.”

”Yeah,” said Yuk Chu, ”and, I heard he hasn’t saved much money over the years, lost a lot in gambling, and is in debt. I heard they’re liquidating now. His wife is really pitiful; she has to pay off his debts too.”

”Harming oneself and others,” Zhou Yun commented.

As Zhou Yun and Yuk Chu discussed the matter, they did not expect it would eventually involve Song Chi.

Before things escalated to this point, no one anticipated it.

It all began because Song Chi had once worked on a film with this senior, and they were on good terms. There was an interview where Song Chi expressed his respect and admiration for this senior.

The impact was because of their good relationship.

This kind of incident was not uncommon. When A had a problem, BCD, who were close with A, would be affected. Generally, as long as BCD did not have a direct connection with what A did, they could just dodge the storm.

But Song Chi couldn’t avoid the storm. Someone on the internet pointed fingers at Song Chi, insinuating that he must have known about the affair his senior was having. All men are tarred with the same brush; the incident had been going on for a long time, and yet Song Chi had not spoken out.

An onslaught of criticism against Song Chi appeared online.

”Looking at the situation, it seems that someone has decided to take advantage of this and smear Song Chi,” Zhou Lan scrolled through Weibo, saying to Zhou Yun, ”Song Chi is too popular and is blocking too many people’s way. As soon as there’s a problem, they can’t wait to kick a man when he’s down.”

Zhou Yun said, ”Surely this shouldn’t affect him too much, right?”

”Rest assured, with the status Song Chi has reached, as long as he doesn’t do something foolish, commit some principle error, nothing can shake him,” Zhou Lan said. ”Those who are stirring up trouble now are just trying to fish in troubled waters.”

Zhou Yun sent a message to Song Chi, asking: Now so many people are cursing you online, why has there been no response from your side? Where is your PR team?

Song Chi didn’t reply for a long time.

Not until the evening did Song Chi finally respond: Had some things to do this afternoon, just checked my phone, it’s nothing, don’t worry.

Seeing the last four words Song Chi sent, Zhou Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

Although she knew that Song Chi would not easily be defeated by these petty tricks, Zhou Yun couldn’t help but worry.

She asked: Can you talk on the phone now?

Song Chi: Reporters are all around me.

Zhou Yun couldn’t help but wonder, where was Song Chi now that he was surrounded by reporters? And more critically, if he was encircled by reporters, how could he still have the time to respond to her messages?

It wasn’t until eight o’clock in the evening that Song Chi returned Zhou Yun’s call.

”How’s it going?” Zhou Yun took the call and asked immediately.

Song Chi responded, ”It’s fine, not too bad, for now, the only option is to lie low.”

Zhou Yun said, ”Don’t you have a professional agent to handle this for you?”

”What are you thinking? How could I not have a professional agent? Do you think I handle all these works by myself?” Song Chi said, ”Right now, no matter what I do, it’s just going to add fuel to the fire; I just hope this will pass quickly.”