The Entertainment Industry in Turmoil: Young Actresses All Want to Rise to the Top

In Beijing, Feng Xiaogang was lounging on the sofa at home, looking at the trending topics that had just been pushed to his phone. He was holding a glass of red wine in his hand, but after holding it for a long time, he didn't take a single sip.

On the screen, screenshots of Liu Haocun's family affairs and Tian Xiwei arguing with netizens both topped the trending searches, ranking first and second respectively.

The topic's readership surged at an astonishing rate, increasing by tens of millions in just a few minutes.

He stared at the screenshots for a long time, and the smile on his face became more and more obvious.

He dialed Wang Zhonglei's number directly. The phone was answered after ringing twice, indicating that the other party's attention was also on his phone.

"Hey, Xiaogang," Wang Zhonglei's voice was laced with barely suppressed laughter. "You saw the trending topics?"

"I saw it."

Feng Xiaogang placed the wine glass on the coffee table with a soft sound.

"Mr. Wang, where did you get this information?"

He didn't even ask if Wang Zhonglei did it; there was no need to ask.

He couldn't think of anyone else besides Wang Zhonglei.

Wang Zhonglei's hearty laughter came from the other end of the phone, full of pride, a kind of exhilarating feeling of finally being able to hold back for a long time.

"Hahaha! Xiaogang, this is actually not difficult at all."

Wang Zhonglei's voice was slow and leisurely.

"It was easy to find out where Liu Haocun's hometown was and what her mother used to do by checking her personal information."

Feng Xiaogang raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

Wang Zhonglei continued speaking, his pace gradually quickening, clearly getting into the swing of things.

"Her mother used to run a dance training class in her hometown, but the class was closed after the incident."

"I had someone go to her hometown and find a few teachers who had taught there back then, as well as a few students' parents."

He paused, then his laughter grew louder.

"Spend a little money, and you'll find out everything."

Feng Xiaogang nodded, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip.

"But I saw on the trending topics that the family initially sued, but later withdrew the lawsuit."

"Yes, the lawsuit was withdrawn," Wang Zhonglei said. "So we never intended to make a big deal out of this."

"I was thinking of making things difficult for Shen Mo, making him anxious and stressed for a while, that would be enough."

He paused, a hint of regret in his voice.

"After all, the lawsuit was withdrawn, which means that Shen Mo has definitely handled it properly. Even if he wanted to escalate it, it wouldn't work out."

Feng Xiaogang hummed in agreement, his gaze fixed on the phone screen.

"Unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise!" Wang Zhonglei's voice suddenly rose. "That Tian Xiwei actually came forward on her own!"

"She actually posted on Weibo to speak up for Liu Haocun!"

"Until the official InkSign releases a clear statement!"

Wang Zhonglei laughed heartily, "And it wasn't just posting a message; he went to the comments section and started arguing with netizens!"

His voice was full of schadenfreude.

"Did you see those screenshots?"

"One person cursed dozens of people, and the curses they used were incredibly nasty."

"Tsk tsk tsk, a popular young actress personally engaging in online cursing—it's been so many years since the domestic entertainment industry has seen someone like this! I kind of miss the old days, hahaha!"

Feng Xiaogang quickly glanced at the screenshot on his phone and nodded thoughtfully, "This girl has quite a temper."

"That's more than just outrageous! It's downright brainless!"

Wang Zhonglei's laughter grew louder and more triumphant.

"When I had someone check her information before, I found some problems with her. I was originally thinking of releasing her after a while, but now, I don't mind adding fuel to the fire."

Feng Xiaogang's brow twitched slightly. "So, those provocative comments in the comments section were also arranged by you?"

"This kind of girl can't stand it when people say bad things about her friends," Wang Zhonglei said without any attempt to hide it.

"So as soon as I saw her post on Weibo, I immediately arranged for a group of people to add fuel to the fire in her comment section."

"What do you mean by 'daughter of a deadbeat,' 'blood-soaked bun,' or 'bullying at Tongzhong High School'? We'll do whatever is provocative."

His voice slowed down, as if he were savoring a brilliant game of chess.

"She really has a temper; she couldn't hold back. She argued back at him point by point, and in the end, she just started swearing."

The smile on Wang Zhonglei's face grew wider and wider.

Feng Xiaogang snorted coldly and couldn't help but laugh; he could almost see the scene.

A girl of seventeen or eighteen, holding her phone, was so angry that her eyes were red. She was slapping her fingers on the screen, fighting against hundreds or thousands of online trolls in the comments section. The more she cursed, the more agitated she became, and the more agitated she became, the more she cursed, until she finally lost control completely.

In all his years in the entertainment industry, this was the first time he had ever seen a celebrity actually arguing with netizens online.

"This is a pleasant surprise."

"That's right!" Wang Zhonglei's voice was full of smugness. "Originally, I just wanted to make things difficult for Shen Mo, but now look what's happened. The little flower that Mohen promoted has turned herself into the enemy of the entire internet."

He paused, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"This matter has blown up so big, I'd like to see just how capable Shen Mo is, and how he'll manage to suppress it!"

Feng Xiaogang was silent for a few seconds. "Has Shen Mo reacted at all?"

"There's still no movement," Wang Zhonglei said.

"But it'll probably happen soon. He'll definitely come out to protect him, after all, he's the one who trained him."

Feng Xiaogang nodded. "Actually, it would be much easier if he protected us."

"Shen Mo is protecting an artist who's been swearing; isn't that tantamount to covering it up?"

"Doesn't that prove that the ink stains are all bad from top to bottom?"

Wang Zhonglei laughed heartily and continued speaking, revealing a hint of ruthlessness.

"What if he doesn't protect her? Even better!"

Feng Xiaogang remained silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking.

"Mr. Wang, you've played this game very deep."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Wang Zhonglei's laughter came through the receiver, "Xiaogang, it's not that I'm good at chess, it's that Shen Mo gave me the opportunity!"

"You dismembered my Huayi Group? Do you really think I'm easy to bully?!"

His voice suddenly turned cold.

"If he's unjust, don't blame me for being unjust."

"Anyway, my brother and I took the money and went to do real estate with Hengda. He can't do anything to me in the entertainment industry now, but I've caused him enough trouble when I'm bored."

Feng Xiaogang picked up his wine glass, took a slow sip, and asked, "Is Mr. Wang really planning to leave the entertainment industry?"

"Not really. We'll still set up a film and television investment company. That way, we can make use of our connections built up over the years and make the entertainment industry more asset-light."

"The focus will likely shift to real estate. My brother finally managed to get on the good side of Hengda Group, which is why others are willing to let us invest together."

Wang Zhonglei shook his head, then suddenly remembered something, his tone revealing a hint of concern, "How's the progress of 'Mr. Six' going?"

"It's alright," Feng Xiaogang said. "We've finished filming and are now doing post-production."

"That's good. Once this is all sorted out, Shen Mo will be too busy to compete with you, and your 'Mr. Six' can be released smoothly."

Wang Zhonglei said, "If there are any new projects coming up, feel free to contact me anytime."

Feng Xiaogang's lips curled up slightly. "Then I'll take Mr. Wang's good wishes."

After hanging up the phone, Wang Zhonglei looked at the screenshot of Tian Xiwei cursing on his phone screen and gently shook his head.

This girl was really too impulsive, and she gave him way too much of a chance!

But then again, if she hadn't been so impulsive, the game wouldn't have gotten this far.

His gaze fell into the distance, in the direction of the ink marks.

"Shen Mo".

"How do you plan to respond this time?"

-

In the film set's rest area, Liu Haocun had stopped crying, but his eyes were still red.

She leaned on Li Lin's shoulder, her eyes glazed over, as if all her energy had been drained away.

Li Qin put one arm around her and held a thermos cup in the other, bringing it to her lips. "Take a sip."

Liu Haocun mechanically opened his mouth, swallowed, and then returned to his sculpted state.

Bai Lu sat across from me scrolling through her phone, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper as she kept refreshing the page, watching wave after wave of negative comments flood in.

Suddenly, she stopped moving.

"Huh?" She looked up and glanced around. "Where's Xiaotian?"

Li Qin's gaze shifted from Liu Haocun's face and swept around the rest area. There was nothing there. There was nothing in front of the makeup mirror, nothing on the other side of the sofa, and nothing at the bathroom door.

"It was just here..." Bai Lu stood up and looked around.

In the corner of the rest area, there were several discarded prop boxes piled up. Bai Lu noticed that Tian Xiwei was squatting behind the pile of boxes, with her back to them, curled up into a small ball.

She had her head down, her shoulders slightly hunched, and her fingers were rapidly tapping on the phone screen; the speed was clearly that she was typing frantically.

Bai Lu's heart skipped a beat. She walked over quickly, her heels clicking rapidly on the floor.

"Little Tian!"

Tian Xiwei turned around abruptly, her face showing a guilty conscience for doing something wrong, but even more so, stubbornness and grievance.

"I just posted it on Weibo."

Her voice was muffled, but her enunciation was strong.

"Those trolls are infuriating; I have to speak up for Cunzi."

Bai Lu snatched her phone away, and the Weibo post was clearly visible on the screen.

After scanning for a few seconds, Bai Lu almost felt dizzy.

"Tian Xiwei!"

"what!"

Tian Xi stood up abruptly, her neck stiff and her chin held high, but her eyes were already red and her voice was trembling.

"I'm telling the truth! Why should they spout nonsense?"

"Do you know you're just making things worse?"

Bai Lu suppressed her anger, but her voice was already trembling.

"Brother Mo said he'll handle it, why are you getting involved?"

"Me, get involved?" Tian Xiwei's voice suddenly rose, like a taut string suddenly snapping.

She pointed in Liu Haocun's direction, her fingers trembling.

"Cunzi is my best friend! We've known each other since junior high. She was being insulted like that, am I not allowed to say a word? Am I just supposed to stand by and watch?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back. "If that's the case, what kind of friend am I?"

Bai Lu was speechless for a second by her imposing manner, then stomped her foot in frustration.

"It's not that I can't say it, it's just not the right time!"

She grabbed Tian Xiwei's wrist and pulled her towards the sofa. "You're only making things more complicated!"

"How is it complicated?" Tian Xiwei was being pulled along by her, but she kept talking nonstop.

"I'm stating the truth! Why would I be afraid to speak the truth?"

Liu Haocun, who was in Li Lin's arms, raised his head and looked at Tian Xiwei. His swollen eyes slowly welled up with tears again.

"Xiaotian..." Her voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible. "You...you should delete your Weibo account...don't do it for me..."

Tian Xi was stunned. She looked at Liu Haocun's red and swollen eyes and pale face, gritted her teeth, and shook her head.

"I won't delete it!"

She wiped her face, hastily wiping away the tears welling up in her eyes, but her voice grew even louder.

"Everything I posted was the truth, why was it deleted? Why should you be the only one getting scolded? Why?!"

Just as she finished speaking, Tian Xiwei's phone rang, sounding particularly jarring in the suddenly quiet rest area.

She glanced at the screen; it was her agent.

hang up.

It rang again; I hung up again.

It sounded for the third time.

Bai Lu snatched the phone and answered it.

"Feed her? She's here, just a moment."

She held the phone to Tian Xiwei's ear, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"catch!"

Tian Xi glanced at her phone, then looked up and glared at Bai Lu.

She took a deep breath, took the phone, and held it to her ear.

"Feed?" Tian Xiwei's expression changed drastically. "...What? Delete the post? On what grounds? But...I..."

Her voice trailed off, "...Okay. I understand."

The call ended, and she stood there, head down, motionless, with everyone watching her.

A long silence.

Then, Tian Xiwei raised her hand and tapped the screen a few times with her fingers.

That Weibo post has disappeared.

But it was too late; the screenshots had already gone viral across the internet.

#Tian Xiwei angrily confronts netizens#

#Tian Xiwei swears#

#Tian Xiwei lacks manners#

Tian Xiwei's words, word by word, were intercepted and paired with sarcastic captions, spreading like a virus.

[Oh, so the little delinquent is showing her power?]

Who is she? What gives her the right to judge others?

[Birds of a feather flock together, what kind of good people can hang out with the daughter of a deadbeat?]

Breaking news! She used to fight in junior high school and had sex with 80s!

[Her true colors have been revealed! She's not a good person either!]

Is this the quality of the artists at Mohen? Not a single one of them is good!

Tian Xiwei stared at the comments on her phone screen, each one like a knife, cutting into her heart.

She gripped her phone tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"They..." Her voice trembled, "What right do they have to say that?"

Bai Lu opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't say anything. She could only walk over and gently pat Tian Xiwei's shoulder.

"Alright, stop looking."

Liu Haocun got up from Li Qin's arms, stood up from the sofa, reached out and gently hugged Tian Xiwei.

"Xiaotian..." her voice was hoarse, "I'm sorry...it's all because of me..."

Tian Xi was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly hugged Liu Haocun tightly, buried her face in her shoulder, and her body began to tremble slightly.

Li Qin watched this scene without saying a word. She simply took out her phone and sent a message to Shen Mo.

[Tian Xiwei posted on Weibo and then deleted it, but screenshots had already spread, and public opinion began to attack her.]

Shen Mo replied in less than a minute.

【Understood. Keep an eye on them and prevent them from speaking out again. I'll expedite the process here.】

Li Qin looked at the message, then at the two girls hugging each other.

One was seventeen, and the other was eighteen.

What exactly did they do wrong?

Li Qin sighed softly.

"Bang--!"

The door was suddenly pushed open, slamming against the wall with a loud bang.

Everyone looked up at the same time.

Li Yitong stood at the door, her chest heaving violently as she gasped for breath.

Her makeup was a bit smudged, and her hair was a little messy, as if she had run over there.

Her gaze swept across the room and landed on the two girls who were hugging each other.

"Haocun, Xiaotian'er—"

Her voice was rapid and panting, "Are you alright?"

Tian Xiwei, who had been holding on, suddenly reddened her eyes and two lines of tears streamed down her face the moment she saw Li Yitong.

She released Liu Haocun and practically pounced on Li Yitong.

"Sister Tong—"

She threw herself into Li Yitong's arms, buried her face in her shoulder, and collapsed completely.

Then, with a loud "waaaah," like a child who had been wronged and finally met their parents, they cried out all the things they had been holding back, enduring, and bearing.

Li Yitong paused for a second, then instinctively caught her.

She looked down at the girl in her arms, who was already half a head taller than her, but was crying like a child.

She put one arm around her back and patted her gently with the other.

After a few seconds of silence, a muffled sound came from her arms, intermittent and tinged with sobs.

"Sister Tong...did I...get into trouble again...?"

Li Yitong paused for a moment.

She turned her head to look at the back of Tian Xiwei's head, which was buried in her shoulder, and at her trembling shoulders.

She had never seen her cry like this before.

Li Yitong sighed softly.

"You did nothing wrong."

"Our Tian'er did the right thing."

The person in his arms stiffened for a moment.

Then, she cried even harder.

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