Film and Television World Life Record

Although he is now a down-on-his-luck painter, he is not an amateur; he graduated from the prestigious Central Academy of Fine Arts and was quite well-known at the school.

After graduation, I successfully landed a job at a public institution with excellent benefits and promising career prospects.

However, it wasn't comfortable to do. There were too many rules and regulations within the system, and as a painter, I was subject to too many constraints.

After barely managing to hold on for two years, Li Mu resigned.

Over the years, he has traveled and wandered around, writing and painting, and has become a down-on-his-luck painter.

A little over a month ago, Li Mu arrived in this city and found the scenery and people to be quite nice, with many picturesque spots worth lingering over. So he paused his wandering and rented an apartment to stay in.

Chapter 243 Value Conflict

Back in his studio apartment, Li Mu tidied up his belongings. He usually made a living by selling paintings and painting for others, but because of his somewhat aloof personality, his income was not much.

Over the years, I've barely managed to make ends meet.

After taking out all my bank cards and cash, I found I only had a little over 20,000 yuan.

Thinking about what needs to be done next, this isn't enough.

There was no other way, so I turned on my computer, installed the newly released Windows 8 operating system, and started looking for vulnerabilities.

Around 1 a.m., after working for most of the day, Li Mu sold two common operating system vulnerabilities for $3.3 million through the dark web, and used cryptocurrency to cash out a portion of the funds to his bank account in China.

Fortunately, virtual currencies are still relatively new, and there are no restrictions on their trading in China.

After carefully cleaning up my activity history on the internet, I shut down my computer, washed up quickly, and then rested.

On the other hand, Yang Jiaqi had received news from Yang Shoucheng that a wedding at his workplace was going to turn into a farce, and he was going there to film some eye-catching news footage.

I encountered Ye Lanqiu on the way and took a picture. I thought it was newsworthy, so I skipped the wedding and went straight back to the TV station's program production center.

Yang Jiaqi returned to the production team excitedly.

"Sister Xi."

Chen Ruoxi frowned: "Why are you back so soon? Where's the footage? Did you get any shots?"

Yang Jiaqi quickly shook her head: "Sister Xi, I didn't go to the wedding. I filmed another video on the way, and I think it's more interesting than that one. Take a look."

As Yang Jiaqi spoke, she connected the data cable and imported the video to the computer.

Chen Ruoxi remained noncommittal.

"Jiaqi, I have something to say to you! You're new to the industry and don't know what kind of news grabs the most attention. Making decisions on your own in private is something you can't do again."

Yang Jiaqi replied obediently, "I understand, Sister Xi."

As the video was imported, Chen Ruoxi clicked on it and started playing it.

To be honest, seeing Ye Lanqiu's beautiful face and aloof demeanor, she felt a little jealous—someone like that taking the bus. But seeing the old man stop next to Ye Lanqiu and ask her to give up her seat, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

To her surprise, she had assumed that a woman with Ye Lanqiu's looks and temperament would not argue with someone over a mere seat. She thought Ye Lanqiu was the kind of gentle, quiet, and delicate woman who would wait for a knight-like man to protect her.

Unexpectedly, she argued back, not only refusing to give up her seat but also getting into a verbal altercation with the old man and the ticket seller.

Later, they even patted the old man's leg and let him sit on it.

Chen Ruoxi immediately realized that this was an excellent hot topic, perfect for hype.

Next, the story unfolds from the old man getting on the bus and asking Ye Lanqiu to give up her seat, to the two arguing, the ticket seller getting involved, and then Li Mu getting involved later.

It can be described as full of twists and turns, and ups and downs.

The only pity was that Yang Jiaqi was sitting opposite Li Mu in the same row, and there were people standing in the aisle between them.

In addition, Li Mu was tall and strong, and his temper in the car wasn't very good. Yang Jiaqi only dared to secretly film Ye Lanqiu and the old man. With people blocking the way, she couldn't film Li Mu, and she didn't dare to openly film him either.

Therefore, there is only his voice in it, but no image.

Chen Ruoxi watched the video in silence, and after a long while nodded: "Jiaqi, well done. Edit it properly, and we'll have tomorrow's hot news."

Yang Jiaqi was delighted to receive recognition. She adjusted her glasses, her heart filled with joy. She had always wanted to showcase herself and shed her intern status as soon as possible.

Chen Ruoxi clapped her hands and beckoned to her group of people.

"Everyone, please take this time. We'll use this for tomorrow's news. Let's coordinate the resources, and I'll personally edit it. This news is likely to go viral, so let's all get involved."

"Ok"

"Okay, Sister Xi."

Upon hearing her words, her team members all got up and began to work.

"Cut this part out, and this part out too. Cut out all the parts that don't have explosive moments."

"I just don't want to give up my seat; this statement needs to be emphasized."

"Slap your thigh and sit down here. This part needs to be heavily edited to highlight the key moments and attract more attention."

Two hours later, a short video was edited out. After careful editing, cutting off the beginning and end, it was completely different from the original video.

Under Chen Ruoxi's skillful editing, Ye Lanqiu became a completely unreasonable young woman who even flirted with an old man, drawing condemnation from everyone on the bus; the old man became the victim, not only having nowhere to sit but also being flirted with by the young woman.

The video even gave Ye Lanqiu a nickname, "Sunglasses Sister".

As for Li Mu, since only his voice was in the video, the effect when it was broadcast on TV was not good, and he was completely cut out, as if he had never appeared.

When Yang Jiaqi saw the final product, her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"Sister Xi, the edited version is different from what I filmed! The woman in sunglasses wasn't that mean."

Chen Ruoxi said earnestly, "Jiaqi, for us in the news industry, if we want high ratings and to create buzz, do you know what's most important?"

Yang Jiaqi thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Is it true?"

Chen Ruoxi smiled and asked, "Do you know what reality is?"

Yang Jiaqi hesitated for a moment: "The truth."

Chen Ruoxi said, "Truth is only part of the facts."

Then he asked, "Do you know what a lie is?"

Yang Jiaqi looked at her with a puzzled expression.

Chen Ruoxi said, "A lie is also a part of the truth."

Sometimes, the truth is a lie, and a lie is the truth. Who can tell the difference, and why should we?

"We should do our job well and do what is most beneficial to us. Other things are not issues we need to consider."

Yang Jiaqi was confused. In the past, she was extremely angry about the popular term "journalist" or "prostitute," and she would argue her case with great fervor, as if she wanted to take the stage and turn the tide.

Chen Ruoxi, however, simply laughed it off and never argued.

Perhaps it's because she's a newcomer, a blank slate. The other person is a seasoned veteran, their past glories stained and blackened.

Perhaps, influenced by her environment, she will eventually dye her hair the same color.

Yang Jiaqi hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Sister Xi, wouldn't broadcasting this be bad for that lady?"

Chen Ruoxi laughed and said, "I didn't expect you to be so compassionate. It's a pity you're using your compassion in the wrong place."

"What's most important for us in the media? Hot topics, attention, and influence are the most important, not those dry, so-called facts."

"Like this time, a beautiful, elegant, and well-mannered lady not only refused to give up her seat on the bus, but also openly harassed an elderly person. Isn't that a great sensation?"

"In addition, this lady's good looks will make men curious and women jealous, attracting more attention and increasing the topic of conversation."

"For us in the media, everything is important; you should know that."

"Sister Xi..."

Chen Ruoxi interrupted, "Alright, that's enough. This matter is settled. Go get to work."

Yang Jiaqi nodded silently: "Oh."

Chapter 244 Program

The next morning, Li Mu got up early and exercised in a nearby park, jogging and practicing boxing.

After breakfast, I returned to my accommodation. I casually turned on my computer, and a local breaking news article popped up online. Clicking on it, I saw it was a popular segment on the local TV station called "Today's Events."

"Hello, viewers! Recently, the following incident occurred on bus route 812 in this city. What we see on screen now is the protagonist of this incident, a mysterious young woman, whom we will call 'Sunglasses Sister' for now."

"At that moment, an elderly man got on the bus and stood next to her, while our sunglasses-wearing lady fully demonstrated the modern-day characteristic of minding her own business with composure..."

After the host of "Today's Events" finished speaking, the screen cut to a deliberately edited, most controversial, and infuriating scene.

"I'm not giving up my seat."

Faced with the accusations from the old man, the ticket seller, and the passengers on the bus, Ye Lanqiu patted her thigh and said to the old man, "There are no seats available, you can sit here."

……

Sure enough, yesterday's events made the news. And it was a news story that cut out the beginning and end, distorted the truth, and deliberately created conflict and focus.

As for Li Mu, he didn't appear at all. He had a significant role in yesterday's events, but it was completely cut out.

After watching the video, I opened the comments section and found it to be a complete mess.

"She looks so beautiful, how could she be this kind of person?"