Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: My Childhood Sweetheart is Boss Yang

The black minivan drove smoothly on its way home.

Yang Mi was still excited and leaned against the back of the driver's seat, chattering like a lark, recounting Gu Heng's amazing sword strike to Wang Gang, who was driving.

"Brother Gang, you didn't see it! That sword flashed! It was just a hair's breadth away from the camera!"

Yang Mi gestured dramatically, pinching a slit between her thumb and forefinger, "Our CEO Gu's sword strike was practically like Ximen Chuixue possessing him, it was incredibly cool!"

Wang Gang could only nod with a sheepish smile, stealing glances at his boss in the rearview mirror.

Gu Heng sat in the back row with his eyes closed, resting, his lips twitching slightly.

He raised his hand and lightly patted Yang Mi on the back of the head like he was bouncing a ball.

"Alright, Yang Xiaomi."

"Save your energy. Whether this sword strike can cut off the trouble ahead is still uncertain."

Yang Mi covered her head, turned around, and narrowed her eyes slightly: "Trouble? The contract is already signed, what trouble could there be? What can Chen Sicheng do to me?"

"Chen Sicheng isn't scary; what's scary is people's hearts." Gu Heng looked at the street scene rushing past the window. "The big female lead at CCTV, the people eyeing this piece of fat meat, are more numerous than you think."

three days later.

A bombshell has exploded in the entertainment industry.

CCTV-8 and China Media Group, in conjunction with Vision Entertainment, officially released a notice:

The cast for the historical epic "Wang Zhaojun" has been finalized. Directed by renowned director Chen Jialin, the cast includes Yang Mi (as Wang Zhaojun), Gu Heng (as General Wang Dun), Liu Dekai (as Emperor Yuan of Han), and Cong Shan (as the Empress)...

The announcement caused an uproar.

Although the internet in 2005 was still largely dial-up, netizens' ability to hurl insults was in no way inferior to that of keyboard warriors in later generations. Tianya Forum, Baidu Tieba, and the entertainment sections of major portal websites were instantly flooded with this news.

That year, Yang Mi played Guo Xiang, but "The Return of the Condor Heroes" had not yet aired. In the public eye, she was merely a newcomer who had played the third female lead in "The Story of a Noble Family".

Why cast a freshman in the role of Wang Zhaojun, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China?

Is it still airing on CCTV?

This is absolutely outrageous! It's outrageous beyond belief!

The criticism came like a premeditated tsunami, crashing down on us.

On the Tianya gossip forum, a post titled "Let's expose the rise of a certain newcomer surnamed Yang. What is CCTV's bottom line?" received over a thousand replies in just one morning.

"This is outrageous! What kind of complex role is Wang Zhaojun? Are they casting a mere, inexperienced young girl? Has Chen Jialin lost his mind?"

"The person upstairs is naive. Look at the production company list: Vision Entertainment. I heard this company was just established, and Yang is one of its only two artists. Does that even need explaining?"

"It's confirmed that she got the role by bringing her own funding! What a pity for my goddess Cong Shan, having to play a supporting role to this kind of resource-backed actress."

"Boycott! Resolutely boycott! Destroying a classic!"

Even worse, some people went directly to the message board on CCTV's official website and flooded it with comments, demanding an explanation.

Vision Entertainment's temporary office.

Su Qing frowned, looking at Gu Heng who was sitting calmly on the sofa drinking tea, her tone somewhat hurried.

"President Gu, the public opinion is not right."

"Several media outlets have clearly taken bribes, as their press releases are too coordinated. Some people have even dug up Mimi's embarrassing childhood history, although they are all trivial matters, but the pace is aimed at ruining her."

Yang Mi sat next to Gu Heng, her head down, her face full of worry.

She grew up in a hutong (traditional alleyway) and, although she was quick-witted, she had never experienced such a massive online attack. The feeling of being verbally abused by countless strangers made her feel like she could hardly breathe.

"They're saying I am... saying I am..." Yang Mi bit her lip, unable to utter the unpleasant word.

Unspoken rules.

This is the kind of dirty water that all actresses are most afraid of getting involved with.

Gu Heng put down his teacup and reached out to hold Yang Mi's cold hand.

A warm touch came, and Yang Mi trembled slightly, looking up at Gu Heng.

The boy's eyes were calm, like a bottomless lake, instantly swallowing all her panic.

"What's the panic?"

"Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. If you can't even handle a little criticism, how will you ever reach the top?"

Gu Heng turned to look at Su Qing.

"Has Director Chen contacted you?"

Su Qing nodded: "I've contacted him. Director Chen is very angry, saying that these people are questioning his professional judgment. He's willing to step in."

"That's good."

Gu Heng stood up, straightened his collar, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "They say Yang Mi has no acting skills? Then let's show them her acting skills. They say Yang Mi has no looks? Then let's show them her looks."

"Su Qing, no matter the cost, contact the largest portal websites on the internet. I need these photos and videos to appear on everyone's computer screens by tomorrow morning."

"I've already thought of the title: Chen Jialin angrily denounces haters: She is the most perfect Wang Zhaojun in my heart! Yang Mi's charming clips have been released, and she amazes the audience by playing two roles."

This title is corny, but it's explosive in this day and age.

Gu Heng casually tossed a USB drive onto the table.

"Since some people are so shameless, we'll take the trouble to help them relax."

The next morning.

The onlookers, who were originally waiting to see the joke, were instead met with a set of promotional photos that completely blew them away.

In the photo, Yang Mi is dressed in a heavy Han Dynasty court robe with red and black stripes, holding a pipa (a Chinese lute). The background is a desolate desert with lone smoke rising from the sky.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes cold and stubborn.

The girlish naiveté and the weight of national righteousness were contradictory yet harmoniously blended on that nineteen-year-old face.

nice.

Breathtaking beauty.

Immediately afterwards, a three-minute behind-the-scenes video of the audition was released.

No filters, no post-production editing—just the raw, unfiltered footage from the camera.

In the video, Yang Mi first plays the pampered and charming Lady Li, her eyes full of allure. Then, the scene shifts, and her eyes instantly dim, transforming her into Wang Zhaojun, about to depart for the border. That tearful glance back is absolutely captivating.

At the end of the video, director Chen Jialin's excited voiceover exclaims, "Great! This is the Wang Zhaojun I wanted!"

This series of combined punches instantly reversed the tide of public opinion online.

"Holy crap...this face...I admit I was a little too loud."

"Playing two roles? That's impressive. Looks like Chen Jialin isn't senile."

"Just a casual observer, but to be honest, this girl is really beautiful. As long as the movie itself isn't bad, I'll watch it."

The posts that were originally clamoring about unspoken rules and getting into the group with financial backing were instantly drowned out by comments that said it was actually quite good.

This is a case of overwhelming power.

When you are good enough, all doubts will become a backdrop to highlight your brilliance.

After the public outcry subsided, Yang Mi disappeared.

To be precise, he was exiled by Gu Heng.

In early October, the river breeze in Zigui, Hubei, already carried a hint of coolness. This is the hometown of Wang Zhaojun, and also where Yang Mi will be living for the next two weeks.

There was no assistant, no nanny van, and not even a water heater.

Gu Heng arranged for Yang Mi to stay with a fellow villager. Her daily tasks included learning Han Dynasty etiquette, weaving, and cooking from the villager, as well as spending two hours each day at the Zhaojun Temple to experience the mindset of that woman from a thousand years ago.