Xiaobai looked at him, deeply questioning his ability to do the job.
“Now, here’s your first task.”
Based on Ji Yuan’s behavior, Lin Xiaoman predicted he would create publicity about them, so she wanted to preempt it. “I estimate that by tomorrow or the day after at the latest, there will be photos of me and Ji Yuan together. When that happens, organize the fans to clarify that there’s no romance and no drama.”
Xie Chi nodded heavily, took out his computer, and started typing rapidly. The previously timid and shy man became focused and serious, unexpectedly reliable.
Everything happened as Lin Xiaoman expected. The day after the advertisement shoot, photos of Lin Xiaoman and Ji Yuan on set began circulating online.
Although Lin Xiaoman maintained a polite distance from Ji Yuan and didn’t make any misleading expressions, the photos were magical. Sometimes they were far apart but still appeared close together.
Lin Xiaoman looked calm, but Ji Yuan gazed tenderly, and with their good looks, they seemed like the perfect couple from a youth drama.
Many fans who only looked at appearances became their shipping fans, and the “#YuanMan” hashtag was created. After marketing accounts shared the photos, #LinXiaomanJiYuanRomance quickly became a trending topic.
Wei Qinghuan called Lin Xiaoman immediately after hearing about this: “Do you want me to beat that dog up?
“
“Some people need to be taught a lesson again,” Lin Xiaoman said calmly, looking at the files Xie Chi had organized for her.
Afterward, under Xie Chi’s organization, fans clarified that this was their first collaboration and they were just colleagues, not romantically involved. Comments suggesting otherwise were buried, while supportive comments were upvoted.
Then fans redirected attention to Ji Yuan’s habit of riding on female celebrities’ popularity, and an analysis post titled “Female Celebrities Ji Yuan Has Piggybacked On” became popular, making Ji Yuan the target of criticism.
Lin Xiaoman provided guidance, and Xie Chi executed these tasks alone. Xiaobai saw how capable he was and felt reassured.
Just as this matter was dying down, Xiaobai received a vacation notice. Lin Xiaoman, understanding his hard work, gave him two days off to spend with his girlfriend.
When Xiaobai was preparing for his date, he received a call from his uncle, Manager Chang, asking him to come to the company.
When Xiaobai arrived at Manager Chang’s office, he saw Ji Yuan and his agent.
Ji Yuan is an artist from the neighboring Youchuang Entertainment Company. Although the two companies have had some interactions in the past, the relationship is tense. He should not be here.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” Director Chang said bluntly.
“I called you here to discuss helping Xiao Man create a rumored romance.”
“This isn’t helping, it’s harming her,” Xiao Bai retorted.
“You child, let me finish,” Director Chang glanced at him, signaling him to calm down. “Xiao Man’s traffic is currently good because the show just ended. But fans these days have a short memory and will forget about Xiao Man when the next attractive star appears. So we need to be proactive. To help Xiao Man maintain her popularity, I’ve decided to accept Youchuang Company’s suggestion and create a CP (couple) rumor between Xiao Man and Ji Yuan.”
“Uncle, are you crazy?”
Creating a CP rumor – he can actually say this out loud. Xiao Man currently has no works and relies on support from otaku and young female fans. Creating a CP rumor – is this gaining fans or driving them away? Moreover, even if they were to create a CP rumor, it shouldn’t be with Ji Yuan.
Xiao Bai has been a manager for three years and has handled many artists, but none compare to Xiao Man. He might be a bit greedy and take small advantages when possible, but everyone understands these are permitted.
He takes the blame, gets only a small share of the benefits. But it doesn’t matter – after all, the entertainment industry is a place of fame and profit.
Everyone’s desires are clear, and as long as they get what they want and cooperate happily, that’s fine.
He’s been like this for so long that he’s forgotten his original intention, forgotten that his initial purpose was to help those shining people reach higher places.
Until he met Xiao Man. She’s beautiful and talented – but most importantly, she’s dedicated. Whether it was a five-cent advertisement or a signing event, she treated everything seriously. She would still do wire stunts when injured, sign autographs letter by letter even when in pain, and would even care for fans who might be obsessive.
“Uncle, I absolutely won’t agree!” Xiao Bai’s attitude is firm.
“I’m not asking for your opinion, just informing you,” Director Chang said calmly.
“The company must also consider whether the artist is willing!”
“It seems you’ve really lost your mind,” Director Chang laughed. “The only thing the company considers is whether the artist can make money. Aren’t you clear about this?”
“But Xiao Man is my artist, and I won’t allow the company to exploit her!”
“Xiao Bai,” Director Chang’s smile was full of sarcasm, “have you forgotten that you were the one who persuaded Lin Xiao Man to sign this contract? And now you’re playing the good guy?”
Xiao Bai’s face instantly turned pale. How could he forget Lin Xiao Man’s oppressive contract?
He had previously used the contract terms to threaten Lin Xiao Man to accept advertisements.
“Lin Xiao Man must follow all company arrangements, with a breach of contract penalty of 10 million,” Director Chang said triumphantly. “Do you think she can afford that?”
With Lin Xiao Man’s current popularity, taking more advertisements could cover the penalty. However, the contract not only restricts her right to speak but also explicitly states a 2:8 profit split, leaving her with very little.
Xiao Bai suddenly remembered the first time he met Lin Xiao Man. She said she had no place to stay, no family, nothing.
When Xiao Bai placed the contract in front of her, she signed without even reading, smiling innocently and saying, “I trust you.”
Xiao Bai had always thought she was naive, an easy target.
Before this, he had never felt guilty. If he didn’t deceive her, someone like Lin Xiao Man would eventually be deceived by others. Plus, he considered himself loyal – he found her a place to stay, helped her get on shows, helped her become famous and earn money.
But now, he regrets it. In his entire life, he has never felt as guilty as he does at this moment.
He turned Lin Xiao Man into a puppet. He harmed Lin Xiao Man! He is no different from the disgusting man in front of him!
Leaving the house, Xiao Bai slammed the door angrily, hearing Chang Zong shouting behind him: “Chang Xiao Bai, you’ve grown wings, you’re rebelling!”
Xiao Bai cried, because of his uncle’s cold-hearted nature, and because of his own doing. With great difficulty, he had found a girl he wanted to appreciate, but he had ruined her with his own hands.
After running out of the company, Xiao Bai’s first thought was of Lin Xiaoman, but he dared not tell her about this. However, Ji Yuan would definitely take action, and he wanted to stop everything.
The company people couldn’t be relied on; they would surely listen to Chang Zong. He thought of Xie Chi; now, only this strange man could help him.
Xiao Bai dialed the phone without hesitation.
After the taxi stopped, Xiao Bai looked at the address on the navigation, certain that the place Xie Chi mentioned was this residential complex. At the entrance, he saw a man standing conspicuously with an umbrella, drawing unusual glances from passersby. Xiao Bai was reluctant to greet him.
But Xie Chi had already happily waved at him.
Xiao Bai covered his face and walked over, whispering: “Weren’t you going to let me come up myself?”
“Not easy to find…”
