Generation Z Artists

Chapter 136 I will wait for your triumphant return
"The following is an international news report."

The classic pairing of hosts Li Ruiying and Zhang Hongmin is known for its flawless performance, but today, her voice carried a rare hint of excitement.

"The recent international cultural exchange tour undertaken by Fang Xinghe, a renowned young Chinese writer, has generated a sensation in Southeast Asia and Japan..."

The screen played some clips that Wang Bin had sent back in advance.

Among them are the grand scene of Vietnamese fans crowding the airport, the symposium in which Fang Xinghe was warmly welcomed by the Thai cultural community, the pedestrian street in Singapore where it was impossible to move during his autograph session, and the final scene is the concert-like dome venue.

"...Wherever he went, he was enthusiastically received by fans and warmly welcomed by the cultural community, achieving a major breakthrough in promoting Chinese culture overseas. Nobel laureate in literature, Japanese left-wing leader, and legendary writer Kenzaburo Oe highly praised him, saying: 'Fang Xinghe's character is as magnificent as his works. A good writer must dare to write, dare to speak, and dare to challenge the public. There are no such people among the younger generation in Japan today...'"

The evening news program on CCTV devoted a full minute and a half to describing Fang Xinghe's international trip.

Every frame of the broadcast was stunning.

However, the focus was mainly on the enthusiasm of the fans and the response from the cultural community, such as the Thai King's reception, the North Vietnamese fans collectively singing "I Like You", and the Japanese fans chanting "No" for thousands of people.

None of the truly sensitive information was released.

For example, the minor conflict with American soldiers in Singapore was completely cut out, and the current rhetoric that is causing such a stir in Japan was not mentioned at all.

The propaganda policy during this period was limited by the overall environment, by hard power, and even by the conservative and cautious nature of some leaders. In short, it was impossible to fully explain such sensitive events.

Local media tend to be bolder, while print media are even bolder.

Well, it's necessary to mention the media in Jilin Province separately. They weren't just bold, they were outrageous—newspapers and television stations produced nearly 20 consecutive reports, never stopping since Fang Xinghe went abroad, creating daily drama.

"Fang Xinghe's classic novel 'Cang Ye Xue,' a cultural icon of my country, is a bestseller overseas, repeatedly breaking local sales records..."

"Fang Xinghe, a cultural icon of our province, has become a sensation overseas with his powerful personal charm. Wherever he goes, fans flock to him in worship..."

"Kyrgyzstan teenager conquers Asia, thousands of fans weep in the streets..."

"Online discussions in many countries are raging: How can we obtain Chinese citizenship? We want to breathe the same air as Fang Xinghe!"

The above are all topics from official news. They are exaggerated, but they still have some semblance of decency. If you look at those non-news programs and tabloid topics, even a god would blush and leave.

For example, the story goes like, "The Thai King wanted to arrange a marriage, but Fang Xinghe declined, and the princess couldn't hide her disappointment." They just took a side view photo of the princess chatting with Fang Xinghe and started making things up.

Outrageous, but it still sells.

Until Fang Xinghe blew up Japan, the country was filled with jubilation, and most people felt very uplifted because they were proud of Fang Xinghe's great success.

However, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse after the autograph session in Osaka.

Jilin TV News extracted several segments from Fang Xinghe's answers to Japanese reporters' questions and turned them into news, which immediately caused a nuclear-level shockwave in Chinese public opinion.

The entire video recording failed to pass the review of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and cannot be released.

The selected clips are all relatively mild parts; the truly explosive content has all been cut, and the news anchors can only read their scripts in a veiled manner.

However, the newspaper the next day was much clearer.

Fang Xinghe's Trip to Japan—I'm Here Not Just to Sell Books, I Also Want to Ask: When Do You Plan to Repay What You Owe the Chinese People?

Articles themed around "blood debts" immediately caused an uproar in China.

However, the result was not flowers and applause, but rather mixed reviews and endless arguments.

The top state media outlets have an ambiguous stance; newspapers like People's Daily barely mentioned it at all, while financial media outlets like Southern Metropolis Daily have focused their attacks on Fang Xinghe.

Cheng Dayi: "This is a disgrace to the nation and a loss of civility."

Butcher: "The willful and reckless Fang Xinghe has finally embarrassed himself on the international stage."

Lieyan Mountain: "Under the overall situation of economic development, Fang Xinghe, as a youth idol, finally dealt us a heavy blow with his sensationalism."

Xiao Chuan: "Fang Xinghe's crime of disrupting peace and stability is unforgivable."

In an instant, he was condemned by everyone, and the curses never ceased.

Strictly speaking, Fang Xinghe's actions received even less support domestically than in Japan.

In this era, anti-Japanese sentiment is not a mainstream ideology, at least not among the elite.

During the two honeymoon periods, Japan's long-term economic aid to the country included many key projects such as direct investment, low-interest loans, academic support, study abroad assistance, and cultural exchanges. A large number of cultural and academic elites received support to varying degrees through visits to Japan for exchanges, study abroad, tourism, and cooperative projects, and the "psychological relationship" was quite close.

The number of pro-Japanese elements among the elite class far exceeds the number of anti-Japanese elements.

By the time Luo Taijun rose to power, the situation was actually much better, far from being as one-sided as it is now.

So Fang Xinghe vented the anger of the lower classes in China, but he was fiercely criticized by the cultural and media circles. This time, even economic experts and local government officials criticized him for being "barbaric and disregarding the overall situation."

Wang Chali was stunned, Fang's fans were stunned, and the Chinese people were stunned.

No way, you can criticize this?!

can.

They pinpointed the flaws very accurately. For example, the articles about Lieyan Mountain, with their consistent deceptive nature, captivated a large group of blindly following people.

"I completely agree with the legitimacy of Chinese people hating Japanese people, and I understand Fang Xinghe's strong personal feelings, but I can't help but ask: Is it really necessary for us to intensify the already greatly eased contradictions in such a situation, on other people's land, in the most irrational way?"

Which is more important, personal feelings or national development?

Our national income is still very low, we have 8 million farmers who still rely on the weather for their livelihood, we have 2.5 million people living in extreme poverty, and many urban working-class families are struggling to send their children to school...

Therefore, joining the WTO is imperative, and adhering to opening up and deepening reform is the common goal of all Chinese people.

Our efforts to acquire capital and technology from Japan, South Korea, and the United States are not a surrender to capitalism, but rather an effort to feed our compatriots. The most pressing issue facing us is not resolving hatred, but solving the problem of survival.

The Northeast in Fang Xinghe's "Cangye Xue" is a microcosm of all the economically collapsed areas in the country. Only development can tear through the darkness, and only by finding a way out can the smiles return to the faces of laid-off workers.

Doesn't Fang Xinghe understand this principle?
No, he understands. He's just used to being willful, self-righteous, and attention-seeking.

He earns tens of millions of RMB from a single book, and is adored by everyone wherever he goes. He and we are no longer the same kind of people, so why should he care about our overall situation?

Japanese businesses are outraged, protests have erupted in multiple locations, and several major investments have been blocked...

It only affects local residents, local development, and the country's diplomatic relations; it doesn't affect him at all.

If this matter continues to escalate, it will deal a heavy blow to our newly recovered economy. But to use Fang Xinghe's favorite phrase: What does it have to do with me?

Ha! The more he makes a scene, the more advantageous it is for him.

I've always said this kid is too selfish, and now you've seen it with your own eyes—the glory goes to him, we bear the pain. This is Fang Xinghe, a cultural idol erected by a few fools.

This powerful article brought Lieyan Mountain back to its peak.

People who haven't studied logic really can't understand the various amplifications and substitutions involved.

He also included several unverified examples in the article, such as the suspension of construction at a factory in Qingdao, the obstruction of multiple investments in Nanjing, and the doubts of many foreign investors about the domestic investment environment. Ordinary readers, who are not capable of distinguishing between truth and falsehood, simply felt that Fang Xinghe had indeed caused a great deal of damage.

The self-proclaimed mature and rational middle-aged people immediately found the truth, and they all embraced the lofty idea that "the release of personal emotions should not affect national development," believing that Fang Xinghe's words and actions were excessive, too arrogant and conceited.

The 13 ugly guys have also become smarter and seized this angle to criticize harshly.

"Personally, I also hate Japan's militarism back then, but today's Japan is not the same Japan as back then. Similarly, the main contradiction facing China today is not the same as the main contradiction facing China back then..."

"As one of the leading figures in Chinese culture, Fang Xinghe no longer represents only himself, but he has not realized this and has shown a very bad attitude to the outside world."

"To call someone an idiot on someone else's land and in someone else's media is simply a sign of poor personal character, and it's a disgrace to the international community."

"I do not accept Fang Xinghe's representation. I need a clear reason to hate anyone. As Chinese people, do we really need to hate the Japanese now? No. I think I am the same as them, just an ordinary person struggling to make ends meet. On the contrary, I think Fang Xinghe and I are no longer the same kind of people—he is already a capitalist. Class is greater than nationality, that is my point of view."

"His tremendous success in a short period of time turned Fang Xinghe into a monster, a combination of the brutality of Jie and Zhou and the arrogance of Dongfang Bubai, showing no respect for people or things whatsoever..."

Too many people followed suit and started talking, and another campaign of criticizing Fang spread like wildfire.

In an instant, support erupted like sparks, while insults rained down like a storm, and Fang Xinghe's reputation seemed to be teetering on the brink of collapse.

Things are different now than in the future. In the future, anyone who dares to insult top celebrities on a public platform will be taught a lesson by the explosion of fans and the iron fist of the platform.

In the era of print media, only the media could speak out; what did so-called fans matter?
All they could do was rage on the internet. The internet was a scene of rage.

It wasn't just Fang's fans who were furious; patriotic hotheads were even more enraged. They were arguing fiercely with so-called rational and objective groups and Japan fans, with every corner filled with online battles.

Fang Xinghe took a moment to log onto the domestic internet and was immediately shocked.

In the era when he was active, you wouldn't see such blatant profanity and vulgar language.

Good news: He has a lot of supporters.

The bad news: As the conflict escalates, fans are becoming increasingly extreme.

Fang Xinghe nestled on the sofa, staring at the computer screen in deep thought for a long time.

"What's wrong?" Wang Chali realized something was amiss and took the initiative to talk to him. "Are you under too much pressure?"

"These people in China are absolutely insane!" Senior Sister Shi Zi was furious and spoke without thinking. "They worship foreign things, forget their own roots, and actually defend the Japanese. They're a bunch of traitors!"

After a moment's hesitation, documentary director Wang Bin announced another piece of bad news: "The station's opinion is that our documentary cannot be broadcast. I called my superior, and just as I was about to bring it up, he criticized me."

"What's the reason?"

Wang Charlie's eyes widened.

Wang Bin replied with a wry smile: "The higher-ups mean that as a central media outlet, we shouldn't get involved in this kind of thing. With China's entry into the WTO imminent and Japanese-owned factories all over the country, exacerbating the conflict could easily affect the overall situation."

"Grass!"

Photographer Xiao Zhang angrily threw his hat down: "We've worked so hard taking these photos for so long!"

"It's alright." Fang Xinghe waved his hand. "Cut it up and give it to me. There will always be a chance to release it."

His commanding presence eased the tension in the room somewhat, but the team remained indignant on his behalf.

Senior Brother Huang sneered, "That's fucking hilarious! In Japan, we're still treated like royalty, with fans crying and begging to see our junior brother every day. But back home, everyone's calling us 'bastards'..."

Wang Bin smiled bitterly, shook his head, and sighed.

Fang Xinghe could really understand it—before 2014, local governments were frantically attracting investment, and GDP was directly linked to official positions. Japanese, Korean, Hong Kong, and Taiwanese businessmen were treated like big shots in China, getting land and schools as they pleased, enjoying the best treatment for decades.

Now, if an unrelated so-called idol tries to disrupt their plans, ruin their achievements, and affect their promotion and wealth, who wouldn't be anxious?
When local Party newspapers started criticizing Fang Xinghe, how could the colonists not follow suit in a frenzy?
Those born in the 60s and 70s, who are accustomed to obtaining information from print media, have cognitive abilities that are not as good as junior high school students in 2025. How could they possibly understand the elements of international relations, economic environment, and culture?
Nature can only sway with the wind.

This is not a problem that can be solved in a short time; it requires development, time, and, more importantly, the awakening of the public.

"So..." Kadokawa Haruki asked cautiously, "Do you face even greater trouble in Japan?"

"how come."

Fang Xinghe smiled at him.

"I had anticipated this little disturbance, and I can handle it."

In reality, he had no way to salvage his declining reputation. He was not facing pressure from various sectors within the country, but rather from the pressure of the times themselves.

But he knew exactly where the breakthrough lay—protecting his core fanbase, then persevering, fighting on, waiting for the times to loosen their grip, or personally changing something.

It's difficult, but that's what makes it interesting, he genuinely felt.

"Where is President Kadokawa? How's my business partnership going?"

It didn't go very smoothly.

Many companies that were previously extremely enthusiastic have begun to adopt a wait-and-see attitude.

For example, Prada doesn't really care about Fang Xinghe's position, but because of this incident, they suddenly drastically reduced their prices.

They were only willing to give 500 million per year originally—Fang Xinghe's appeal in the luxury goods sector could not be effectively verified, unlike the credit card business of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, which had an immediate effect.

So Wang Chali and Kadokawa basically agreed to the price of 500 million RMB per year, but now they are trying to push it up to 200 million, which is unacceptable.

However, Prada is considered particularly sincere among all the companies it has approached. Local brands, fearing pressure from the right wing and middle-aged conservatives, have basically given up on hiring Fang Xinghe as their spokesperson.

He now has fame, influence, and a large fan base, but no commercial value—only a very few brands that primarily target the youth market are willing to continue to engage with him, and they are very cautious about the offers they make.

It's somewhat similar to what happened to Brother Chicken after the incident. His fans are still very enthusiastic and willing to spend money to boost sales, but brands that value their image don't dare to use him because the temporary increase in sales is definitely more trouble than the long-term negative impact.

The same goes for Fang Xinghe. 99% of the merchants are watching and waiting for Mitsubishi Bank's credit card issuance data and the reaction after the listing, in order to determine whether Fang Xinghe is poison or a magic pill.

If the situation is not ideal, they will immediately go from observing to staying away.

"It's very troublesome."

Kadokawa Tsutohiko rubbed his face vigorously: "The public opinion in your country has forced out some very bad things..."

Fang Xinghe understood what he meant.

In later generations, when public opinion in China collectively supported going to war with Japan, the entire Japanese political, business, and cultural circles were particularly cautious, sensitive, and highly restrained.

But now, with public opinion turning against Fang Xinghe, he is fighting alone and immediately becomes an outcast, attracting increasingly rampant attacks.

When you are weak, he is strong; this has always been the case.

"This is really difficult to solve..."

Kadokawa Tsutohiko is showing signs of backing down. He fully supports Fang Xinghe because of his value, but once Fang Xinghe loses that value, he will have to start to consider the extent of his investment.

"Then we won't seek solutions at this level."

Fang Xinghe realized the other party's hesitation and immediately decided to personally step in to turn the tide.

"Oh?" A strange light flashed in Kadokawa Tsutohiko's eyes. "Your Highness means..."

"Let's pack our things." Fang Xinghe stood up and gestured for the team to get moving. "We're heading to South Korea ahead of schedule."

Kadokawa Tsutohiko was taken aback: "But the follow-up activities... there's plenty of money and opportunities now..."

Yes, with Prince Fang Xinghe's popularity, he could easily make a fortune doing anything in Japan.

Even commercial endorsements aren't entirely off-limits—just lower the price, and a large number of merchants will flock back. Isn't Duanwang known for its products being cheap but not of high quality?
But Fang Xinghe completely disdained this line of thinking.

Modern Japan is like a pot of boiling soup, the lid is tightly closed, and it continues to simmer in the pot, destined to be cooked sooner or later.

Instead of frantically searching for help in the soup pot, it's better to step outside and seek value elsewhere.

"It's no longer interesting."

Fang Xinghe stood up and walked to Kadokawa Tsutohiko, gently patted his shoulder, and asked meaningfully, "Do you know which place in all of Asia welcomes me the most?"

Kadokawa subconsciously turned to look at the world map on the wall, with a cecum sandwiched between China and Japan.

He was very confused: "But your insulting remarks have already spread through the South Korean media, haven't they?"

"hehe."

Fang Xinghe shook his head and smiled softly: "Whether I humiliated them or not is not important. What matters most is how I humiliated you. Right now, they're eagerly awaiting my return..."

Yes, the friendship between China and South Korea relies on Japan, and South Korea is currently going crazy for Fang Xinghe.

A look of shock flashed across Kadokawa Tsutohiko's eyes. He swallowed hard, and a ridiculous yet most realistic guess came to mind—could it be that you had already planned your next move before blowing up Japan?!

This fucking...this fucking...

Kadokawa Tsutohiko gasped, stunned for a moment, then suddenly grinned, his smile as wide as a rotten chrysanthemum.

"Your Highness, go forth and conquer! I will safeguard the Japanese market for you and await your triumphant return!"

　For the next week, I had to go to and from the hospital every day.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)