China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 899 Director Sun, which female celebrity do you want to date? [Two-in-One]

Ever since Renren.com launched Weibo on Sun Yi's advice and naturally developed the Weibo Hot Search List, it has become a place for netizens to collectively enjoy gossip.

Its underlying mechanism is that the Weibo platform uses big data algorithms to capture certain topics based on their popularity and sensationalism, and continuously pushes them to the top, thus creating one "public forum" after another in the shortest possible time.

The amplification of netizens' actions such as searching, forwarding, and commenting drives the topic's popularity and ultimately pushes it onto the trending search list.

In this process, netizens can gain a great sense of sharing and participation, and even feel a great sense of accomplishment after the topic makes it onto the list.

Throughout January, the first thing to trend on social media was the 2013 Spring Festival Gala.

Every day, one or two topics related to the Spring Festival Gala trend on social media.

The production team proposed balancing excessive entertainment with a stronger educational message.

Then Uncle Benshan's skit was rejected again.

Everyone took a look.

Well, if I can't afford to offend them, I can at least avoid them.

At this point, the topic of the Spring Festival Gala quickly lost its popularity, with only one or two pieces of news occasionally making it to the trending searches. Even then, they wouldn't stay on the list for more than half a day before being quickly pushed off.

Then came the "five gold items" incident where Liu Yifei and her mother were photographed together, followed by the topic of Sun Yi and Liu Yifei's wedding date, which began to dominate the Weibo hot search list. It was as if netizens were completely shifting their attention away from the topic and focusing it all on the two of them. For several days in a row, the topic remained highly popular.

Sun Yi initially opted for a hands-off approach, but the effect wasn't very significant.

Firstly, with the Spring Festival holiday approaching, everyone's minds are wandering and they're no longer focused on work. What else can they do besides gossip?

Secondly, there really haven't been any other topics that have attracted everyone's attention during this period.

So, he ended up in a very passive position.

It's not that Sun Yi didn't want to share with his fans and netizens, but his wedding with Xiao Nizi involved many aspects and was not very convenient.

Just as he was considering whether to use public relations to take some measures to cool things down,

A seemingly ordinary post quietly appeared on Weibo late one night.

The headline is extremely sensational:

[Shocking Secret! Chen Kaige wasn't the real director of "Farewell My Concubine"?! In-depth analysis of the truth that was covered up all those years ago!]

The post, which is thousands of words long, is full of references and quotes. It also includes relevant interview clips from earlier years, script revision comparisons, and even an analysis of the huge differences in the film's style compared to Chen Kaige's earlier and later works.

Its core argument points out that the artistic achievements and final presentation of "Farewell My Concubine" are mainly due to the behind-the-scenes contributors such as screenwriter Lu Wei, original author Li Bihua, cinematographer Gu Changwei, and the late Peking Opera instructor. Chen Kaige was merely a nominal director, and his actual contribution was seriously overestimated.

The post even subtly implied that these behind-the-scenes elites were all recruited by Chen's father, who used his last bit of energy and past connections to entrust them with his care, and then personally taught and supported them until their final moments, even having them sign their names.

Finally, they posed the thought-provoking question: "Who is the true leader?"

This post didn't cause much of a stir at first, but it was reposted by some influential blogger and happened to coincide with the huge traffic generated by the "five metals trending" topic of Sun Yi and Liu Yifei. It was like adding a spoonful of water to a boiling oil pan!

"Holy crap! Really? This post's analysis seems to make some sense."

"What?! What did I just hear? Farewell My Concubine wasn't directed by Chen Kaige?!"

"I've always felt that Chen Kaige was overrated; what kind of garbage did he make after that! It turns out that his masterpiece was someone else's achievement!"

"Fatherly love is great~~ I wish I had a wonderful dad like that~"

"We need a deeper investigation! We need evidence! This is a huge scandal!"

"@Director Chen Kaige, aren't you going to say something?"

Questioning, shock, anger, gossip, and taking sides—various emotions intertwined and rapidly escalated online.

When netizens are convinced of something, they all turn into Sherlock Holmes, searching for every clue to prove it.

The debate over the director's credit for "Farewell My Concubine," whether the collective credit for the film's creation should be attributed solely to the director, and Chen Kaige's artistic career has spread explosively!
Topics such as #FarewellMyConcubineDirectorControversy#, #ChenKaige#, and #WhoIsTheRealFarewellMyConcubine# soared like rockets, climbing to the top of the trending topics list within a day, far surpassing the original topic of Sun Yi and Liu Yifei's wedding, and instantly gaining overwhelming dominance!

The entire entertainment industry, cultural circles, and even the vast majority of netizens were caught up in this sudden online storm.

The media began to frantically besiege Lu Wei, Gu Changwei, and others. Some film school professors, film critics, and industry insiders who had no connection to the film industry jumped in to express their opinions and start to gain traffic. A major debate about film history, authorship rights, and artistic ethics was launched in full swing.

Director Chen's team was furious. His company immediately issued a statement condemning the rumors and even sent a lawyer's letter, stating that most of the actors from the "Farewell My Concubine" crew were still alive and ready to confront them. They warned the other party to immediately delete the posts and apologize, or face legal action.

Not only that, but they also questioned media outlets such as Tianya that forwarded this popular Weibo post, accusing them of being irresponsible and deliberately creating trouble without investigation.

Related topics have all flooded the trending searches.

Sun Yi and Liu Yifei stared in disbelief at the rapidly changing trending topics list on their phone screens.

The two looked at each other, both completely bewildered.

What's going on here?

"My God!" Liu Yifei patted her chest, still shaken. "That was so sudden."

Sun Yi put down his phone and actually smiled with some relief, saying with emotion, "At crucial moments, it's still my Director Chen who's so loyal!"

"Oh dear, don't talk nonsense~" Liu Yifei raised her small fist and gently punched Sun Yi, but the next second, she couldn't help but laugh. She laughed quite easily, as if the pressure of being urged to get married by the whole nation had disappeared in an instant.

She said softly, "That's great, now everyone has even more juicy gossip to eat, and we can finally catch our breath."

"That's right, that's why I always say our Director Chen is so loyal!"

"Hehehe~" Liu Yifei pursed her lips and giggled, not thinking that Sun Yi was talking nonsense. She immediately joined the gossip army and asked Sun Yi with a look of not wanting to miss the fun, "Brother, what do you think Director Chen is feeling right now?"

"Those two are probably ready to kill right now."

Liu Yifei covered her mouth and chuckled, then curiously continued to ask, "Brother, do you think what was said in that post, just about the signature, could be true?"

"It's hard to say. You might say it's fake, but there's a lot of evidence to back it up. The best evidence is Director Chen's own work."

"What do you mean?" Liu Yifei was a little confused.

"Look at what kind of garbage he's made in recent years: The Promise, Forever Enthralled, The Orphan of Zhao, and Caught in the Web. Only the last one, Caught in the Web, scored 7 points, and The Promise scored even lower, around 5 points. This is hardly the level of a director who could make Farewell My Concubine. No wonder netizens are not convinced."

"Director Chen's two most outstanding works are 'Yellow Earth' and 'Farewell My Concubine'." "The former was his first collaboration with director Zhang Yimou. At that time, Zhang Yimou was still the cinematographer. Although the director's name was listed as Director Chen, the entire film is full of Zhang Yimou's color style."

"As for the latter, it's exactly as the post says."

As Sun Yi spoke, Liu Yifei recalled scenes from the film "Yellow Earth" in her mind. She had watched this classic work by a fifth-generation director countless times when she was taking classes at the Beijing Film Academy. Even though she was a serious absentee, she had still watched the film many times.

Looking back, it really is true.

"Really?!" Liu Yifei excitedly grabbed Sun Yi, her beautiful phoenix eyes filled with the surprise of having stumbled upon some juicy gossip. "Honey, could it be..."

"Hey, stop." Sun Yi quickly covered Liu Tianxian's lips. "I didn't say anything, I just offered a very reasonable guess."

"If that's true, then in all these years, no one has asked?" Liu Yifei winked at Sun Yi, clearly still burning with gossip.

"Anyone who makes it in this industry who's so gossipy doesn't have a mouth!"

"Oops~"

Sun Yi gently flicked Liu Tianxian's nose, eliciting a soft, disgruntled cry from her.

"Besides, given Director Chen's current status, who can undermine him, and who would dare to do so? What benefit would those with the power to undermine him gain from doing so?"

“In our circle, there are many people who harm others for their own benefit, but no one would do something that harms others without benefiting themselves.”

Sun Yi continued, "The fact that Director Chen is still so successful shows that no matter how bad the reviews are for his movies, they can still make money, it's just a matter of how much. Even if one movie flops, people will still bet on his next one to make money. That's the benefit of his fame back then."

"Director Wang Jing once said that for a director, nothing is a capital offense. You can do anything. You can embezzle money, sleep with female stars, be late or leave early, curse, flip tables, and nothing will happen."

"There is only one capital offense: not selling for money."

"No matter what you did before, as long as you make money, everyone will forgive you. If you don't make money, even if you live like a saint, no one will ask you to act."

"This statement may be somewhat pragmatic, but it undeniably reveals the true nature of the entertainment industry."

Sun Yi was still lecturing the little girl, unaware that Liu Tianxian's gaze towards him had already changed.

"Hey, Sisi, what's wrong?"

Liu Yifei squinted and pulled out her phone with a forced smile.

"Director Sun, which female celebrity are you looking to date? Want me to set you up?"

"."

With the online sentiment shifting and everyone's attention drawn away by the righteous Director Chen, Sun Yi and Liu Yifei seized the opportunity to continue preparing for their wedding.

The first step is the exchange of gifts between the two families.

Mr. and Mrs. Sun, along with Sun Yi's uncle and Sun Yi himself, brought the prepared betrothal letter and gifts, as well as various symbolic gifts such as lotus root and peanuts, and other gifts such as cigarettes, alcohol, and fruit, and took the initiative to visit.

Liu Yifei returned home a day early and waited with her mother and father.

The moment she opened the door for Sun Yi, she blushed like a young bride-to-be, her pretty face flushed with embarrassment, unsure of what to do with her hands.

"Uncle, Aunt, Little Uncle."

She greeted everyone sweetly, but when it was Sun Yi's turn, all that remained was a loving gaze.

Seeing this, Liu's mother felt both gratified and helpless.

My little bok choy, which I've raised for over twenty years, is about to be pulled up by someone.

In addition to the betrothal letter and betrothal gifts, there is also a bride price.

Six hundred and sixty-six thousand six hundred and sixty-six, the main theme is "six sixes bring good fortune".

This is a number that Sun's mother and Liu's mother had discussed in advance.

Both of them knew that the two younger ones were not short of money at all, and Sun Yi had transferred a portion of the company's shares to Liu Yifei's name long ago. Many of the properties they later purchased were also registered in Liu Yifei's name.

Therefore, Liu's mother didn't care at all about her daughter's so-called future security; Sun Yi's sincerity couldn't be more than enough.

The amount of the bride price is simply to bring good luck.

Afterwards, everyone took their seats and discussed the specific wedding arrangements while eating.

Since both Sun Yi and Liu Yifei are public figures, both families agreed that there was no need to be too ostentatious. On the wedding day, each family would simply invite genuine relatives and friends.

Regarding the wedding process, style, and the wedding car fleet, Sun's parents stated that everything would be done according to Liu Yifei's ideas, without any compromises.

Liu Yifei, perhaps in a blissful daze, blurted out at the dinner table that she wanted to ride in a sedan chair, the kind that bounces around like in the movies.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Sun's parents immediately nodded in agreement and then turned their gazes directly to Sun Yi.

The meaning couldn't be clearer: you should get on with it as soon as possible.

Sun Yi had no idea when the little girl came up with this idea, and she had never told him about it.

Of course, at this point, he was not allowed to refuse, but he offered a small suggestion at the end.

There's no problem with the sedan chair for the wedding procession, and even if it's bumpy, that's manageable. The only issue is that the sedan chair needs some modifications, at least a heater should be added, since it's the twelfth lunar month!

Liu's mother was embarrassed and gave Tianxian a good talking-to, completely dispelling her unrealistic idea.

In the end, we decided to use a racing team.

Not enough. Looking at the aggrieved little girl, Sun Yi suggested that although it was not appropriate to use a sedan chair for the wedding procession, it was still acceptable at the wedding venue.

In a traditional Chinese wedding, the bride enters in a phoenix palanquin—it's quite fitting, isn't it?

Upon hearing Sun Yi's suggestion, Liu Yifei would have loved to give him a kiss immediately, if it weren't for the presence of both sets of parents.

This is her real husband; she'll treat him to a nice meal tonight.

　Thank you to Panda*Egret for the generous donation. Wishing you good health and all the best.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)