“She can pick it up and put it down. I never expected Xu Mei to be so resolute after clearing her mind. This move of drawing fuel from under the cauldron is brilliant.”
Wen Ying had known Xu Mei for so long, yet this was the first time she gave the girl such high praise.
Zhao Dong wanted to use Xu Mei’s “black history” to attack “Alleyway Folks”. Xu Mei first thought to talk it out properly with her ex. When ex Cao Bo avoided her, Xu Mei simply drew fuel from under the cauldron.
“Alleyway Folks” had just reached the episode where Xu Mei’s role appeared.
If Xu Mei’s remaining scenes were cut, she would go from supporting role to a fleeting extra.
Whether an extra had black history or not would not affect a drama’s broadcast.
No need for Ji Xin to spend a fortune on PR. Xu Mei’s move of drawing fuel from under the cauldron made Zhao Dong’s plan impossible to execute.
This way, Ji Xin suffered the least loss, and Xie Qian expended the least effort.
The one with the greatest loss was Xu Mei. After jumping ship to Ji Xin, she had lurked for so long. She had finally waited for “Alleyway Folks” to air, only to have her scenes cut suddenly. To minimise bad impact, perhaps even the opening and ending songs she sang would need replacing.
Xu Mei herself saw it openly. She said there was another drama airing this summer. Losing her scenes in “Alleyway Folks” would not hurt her to the bone. But Wen Ying knew it was not that simple.
When the time came, media would flood with bad news targeting Xu Mei. Who knew if her other drama could still air on schedule.
“Xu Mei being able to pick it up and put it down is one thing. You are not really agreeing to cut her scenes, are you.”
Wen Ying pressed Xie Qian for his thoughts. Xie Qian glanced lightly at her. “What do you take me for.”
Xu Mei’s undeserved disaster stemmed from being implicated by Xie Qian. If her scenes truly needed cutting, the company would certainly offer proper compensation.
But as Wen Ying said, Xu Mei’s scenes in “Alleyway Folks” could be cut. What about the other drama she had airing this year. How to cut that.
In terms of scene weight, Xu Mei was a “dual female lead” in the romance queen’s new drama. Forget cutting all scenes involving Xu Mei. Even if edited more in post-production, the role Xu Mei played would lack depth.
“This is Ji Xin’s crisis, and also the romance queen’s crisis. I think the other side would not want to scrap a finished project and redo it.”
Ji Xin had no connections in Xiang Province and was not familiar with Xiang Province TV. The romance queen’s side had cooperated multiple times with Xiang Province TV. Having them step in to mediate would be far more effective than Ji Xin.
Xu Mei wanted to draw fuel from under the cauldron. Xie Qian would use borrowed strength to strike.
Wen Ying then showed her lawyer’s action. “I will call Teacher Yuan right away. She should know the romance queen. We can reach the other side fastest this way.”
Unexpectedly, Xie Qian refused. Wen Ying’s eyes widened slightly. Xie Qian hid his smile. “I will talk to Teacher Yuan myself. Cannot keep making you owe her favours.”
Though whoever owed Yuan Fenghui a favour had to repay it, Yuan Fenghui lately liked teasing Wen Ying. Xie Qian did not want his little hamster bullied.
When Xie Qian connected the call, Yuan Fenghui’s tone was not good. “I just got news. The launch press conference for ‘Crown of Thorns’ has been brought forward.”
“Not enough time.”
Xie Qian frowned.
Yuan Fenghui sighed. “Not enough. The press conference will be in half an hour. Unless we keep Cao Bo from the site, contacting anyone for help is useless. Like this. I will call Director Fan and have him think of a way.”
Why would a perfectly fine launch press conference suddenly be advanced.
Xie Qian could only think of one reason. Zhao Dong again.
Zhao Dong, to make “Alleyway Folks” stop airing, not only found Xu Mei’s ex Cao Bo but also persuaded Guan Zong to advance the “Crown of Thorns” launch press conference.
The world’s affairs were so wondrous. The person Xie Qian despised had crossed paths with the one Wen Ying loathed.
“Thank you, Teacher Yuan. No need to trouble Director Fan. Some things, if they cannot be stopped, then let them take their natural course.”
In an instant, Xie Qian had decided.
Cao Bo this ex was Xu Mei’s unavoidable “past”. If this mine was fated to explode, better early than late.
After hanging up on Yuan Fenghui, Xie Qian dialled Gong Sheng’s number.
From the receiver, Gong Sheng’s voice was also urgent. “Boss, I heard.”
“The ‘Crown of Thorns’ launch press conference was advanced, right. I already know. ‘Alleyway Folks’ cannot stop airing for any reason. Xu Mei must be protected too.”
Xie Qian’s decision was not to cut Xu Mei’s scenes.
Gong Sheng had no objection to this.
Actually, just an ex speaking out would at most make Xu Mei dinner table gossip. The truly devastating reveal for Xu Mei would be Cao Bo, as former boyfriend, spilling nine parts false one part true black material.
For example, why the two broke off the engagement.
If Cao Bo slandered Xu Mei for climbing up by offering herself to investors, what then.
Gong Sheng knew that was false.
When Xu Mei was at Guan Zong’s company, her best opportunity was playing in the romance queen’s new drama. That was because the producer spotted her. The producer was a woman. Xu Mei never accepted any unspoken rules.
But the audience did not know.
Xu Mei’s fans did not know.
Media facing such scandalous gossip would only stir it up. Few reporters would bother seeking the truth.
In such chaos, if the company insisted on protecting Xu Mei, not cutting her scenes, not replacing her opening and ending songs, it would cost a great price.
Gong Sheng reminded Xie Qian. Xie Qian understood even more clearly than Gong Sheng. “Where money can solve it, do not fear spending. Xu Mei is the first artist I signed after taking over Ji Xin. If even she cannot be protected, how would other capable artists be willing to join Ji Xin. Money makes the mare go. You stay in Xiang Province. After they finish the press conference, intercept the invited media reporters on site. They changed the time last minute, so not many media reporters should be there. Even if you negotiate house by house, buy their reports. After the reporters, see Cao Bo. Zhao Dong can buy Cao Bo. We can similarly spend to make Cao Bo change his tune. Negotiate the price with him. Remember to have him sign an agreement.”
Gong Sheng was stunned by his boss’s bold spending.
This was using a large hush money to suppress potential scandalous public opinion for Xu Mei.
And to make Cao Bo shut up for good.
It was a good plan, just too expensive. It made even Gong Sheng’s heart ache.
With that money, they could sign another artist and retrain… Heart aching aside, Gong Sheng knew Xie Qian was right. Ji Xin protecting Xu Mei so fiercely would not only make Xu Mei loyal to Ji Xin but also show the whole industry Ji Xin’s “protectiveness”.
“Boss, I know what to do.”
Gong Sheng hung up and headed straight to the “Crown of Thorns” launch press conference site.
On the way, Gong Sheng squeezed in a call to Xu Mei to tell her not to use the mutually destructive method yet.
Xu Mei gripped her phone tightly and let out a long breath.
Only at this moment did Xu Mei truly relax.
After so many losses and deceptions, this time, she really had not chosen the wrong company.
With the company fine, what else to say. The artist just follows the company’s arrangements.
…
Xu Mei was no longer anxious.
At the “Crown of Thorns” launch press conference site, Cao Bo as producer would speak on stage soon. Now his palms were all sweat.
He did not know why he was nervous. It was not like reciting wedding vows.
The launch press conference was advanced last minute. That Zhao fellow was ruthless, coming with a portal site reporter.
Unlike traditional media with lag in news release, portal sites released news fast. For big news, just a pop-up… Zhao Dong feared Cao Bo backing out. He wanted to nail Xu Mei and “Alleyway Folks” in one go.
Going over the script Zhao Dong provided in his mind, Cao Bo sweated as he stepped to the podium.
“Welcome media friends. Today is the launch ceremony for ‘Crown of Thorns’.”
The reporter Zhao Dong brought interrupted Cao Bo. “Mr Cao, your former fiancee Miss Xu Mei has a new drama airing. Have you been in contact lately.”
Compared to a standard launch press conference, gossip was more exciting. With someone leading, reporters chased questions.
Asking if Cao Bo and Xu Mei had contact.
Asking if the two would reunite.
Chattering made the site lively. Cao Bo did not know which to answer first. He smiled and brushed off. That portal site reporter pressed step by step and led the direction again.
“I hear the two’s breakup was not amicable. Rather, Mr Cao caught Xu Mei in an affair.”
