"Woo-wah—woo-wah—"
The sound of ambulances echoed outside the venue. The exit, which had been surrounded by fans, was now being strictly cleared away by security personnel. Then everyone saw the ambulance enter the underground parking garage.
The fans who had been waiting outside looked at each other in bewilderment.
"What's wrong? What happened?"
"Did something happen inside?"
"Who's in trouble? Who?"
"Ahhh, please don't let it be me! I'm so worried!"
The concern for their idols caused intense anxiety among the peripheral fan groups, and the inexplicable negative emotions that arose instantly ignited everyone.
However, the ambulance arrived and left in a hurry, preventing fans from finding out what was happening. The security personnel on both sides of the road were on high alert, and anyone who tried to rush up to check on the situation was quickly intercepted, with unprecedented efficiency.
Other, more rational fans were also unhappy and spontaneously helped to stop those who wanted to rush over the barrier. One girl with a loud voice even roared, "At a time like this, what are you still doing crowding around? Don't you want the ambulance to save people?"
"Are you guys crazy? You think rushing in will save someone?"
"Everyone back down! Whoever tries to get in is responsible for their own actions! Back! Back!"
The situation at the scene was slightly out of control, but rational people prevailed, and after a brief period of chaos, the ambulance managed to get out safely.
As the group of fans took photos of the scene, preparing to share the news online and inquire about what was happening inside, they saw another new message—
"Sister Liu! Sister Liu!"
Xiao Chen rushed over.
Liu Rulan and Xiao He, who had just put the person on the ambulance, looked over at the same time.
Liu Rulan seemed to have anticipated this, and asked Xiao Chen, "How is it?"
"Sister Liu, you were right!" Xiao Chen said breathlessly, "The situation online isn't good."
"What's the meaning?"
Xiao He took out his phone with a puzzled look and looked at Liu Rulan with a questioning expression.
"Hmph, a leopard can't change its spots."
Liu Rulan sneered and also took out her phone.
The gala performances are not over yet, but new public opinion has already begun to emerge.
However, this public opinion was neither praise for tonight's stage performance nor the ambulance involved in the sudden accident outside the venue, but rather an overwhelming barrage of ridicule and abuse.
【Xiao He's stage mishap】
【Xiao He accidentally bumps into his teammate on stage】
【Xiao He's performance on stage】
...
When Xiao He saw these headlines, he almost thought he was seeing things.
"When did this happen? Did I perform anywhere else?"
At this moment, Xiao He was still somewhat incredulous, turning his head to look at Xiao Chen, as if trying to confirm that he hadn't been sleepwalking recently.
Xiao Chen shook his head: "Brother Xiao, it really is tonight's performance."
"That shouldn't be the case—"
Xiao He murmured.
He was behaving perfectly well, so how did he get involved with this?
Even if passersby don't praise it, they shouldn't throw mud at it like this!
【Some people are really not suited to doing things outside their field; otherwise, it can really damage their image.】
【Yesterday the marketing was all over the place, but today it's all been exposed. I feel embarrassed for Xiao He's family.】
【He even messed up the beat of such a simple song and dance routine, almost bumping into his teammate. I find it hard to judge how some actors have gotten to where they are today.】
【This is hilarious! Yesterday they were marketing ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) a superstar persona, but I still don't get it. What representative works does Xiao He have? Just because he sang a few lines on stage doesn't make him a superstar? Then the entire Chinese entertainment industry would be a star-studded lineup.】
【That's how Xiaohei's company is; their marketing is incredibly effective, those who know, know.】
【Whose good people are constantly marketing themselves as villains?】
【Their fans are so strange. Ugly villains are condemned and cursed, but when it comes to handsome guys, they're all practically calling them "husband." I'm so confused. How did they even come to like someone who specializes in playing villains?】
【Actually, I've always been quite afraid of people like Xiao Hei. They've completely lost their moral compass, they can like any character, and they're satisfied just by looking at a face. It's really terrifying.】
【? Xiao He's performance tonight was pretty good, but I didn't understand it.】
【What happened? Why is everyone suddenly talking about Xiao He?】
【Great! I thought I was the only one who disliked Xiao He, but it turns out everyone feels the same way. I'm relieved.】
【???】
Has the online sentiment shifted? Yesterday, netizens held a different view.
【Which company has made a strong push?】
Negative public opinion suddenly emerged online, and many people who disliked Xiao He could no longer hide their dissatisfaction and began to use this incident to express their discontent.
Even after Xiao He understood the cause and effect, he was still completely bewildered.
The cause of this incident is actually quite simple. A blogger posted a selfie from tonight's performance, highlighting the moment when Xiao He almost bumped into Lu Yuxi while backing up. The blogger then claimed that Xiao He had a stage accident tonight, and that actors should just stick to being actors instead of trying to cross over into other fields. The blogger said that Xiao He's professional skills were lacking, but his marketing tactics were top-notch.
Most importantly, whether the blogger did it intentionally or not, the background music and visuals on stage were not fully synchronized. As a result, Lu Yuxi, who was originally off-beat, returned to the normal rhythm in the video, while Xiao He made a lot of mistakes.
Xiao He: ...
First of all, it was Lu Yuxi who took my spot. Secondly, I'm an actress; I was just invited here to sing and dance a little on the side. I haven't committed any heinous crime, have I? Why are you all jumping around trying to pin this on me? Other actors also have diverse careers! Why are you all being so hypocritical? Everyone else can cross over into other fields, but I can't, right?
Finally, while you may be good at marketing, that's no excuse for you to twist everything into a conspiracy! We've truly been caught in this mess without anyone knowing!
Xiao He turned his head and looked at Liu Rulan: "Sister Liu, what do you think?"
"I now strongly suspect that the cause of this negative public opinion is Lu Yu. I'm afraid that the time she spent arriving late was spent preparing for this public opinion campaign."
This stage mishap wasn't that serious, after all, it was just a regular gala performance, and similar incidents have happened in previous years. At most, netizens would laugh at it and then forget about it soon.
This kind of operation is truly disgusting.
He was saving people backstage, but this guy was secretly stabbing him in the back.
"Do you think Lu Yuxi knew about this?" Liu Rulan looked at Xiao He. "To be precise, do you think Lu Yuxi did it on purpose?"
Xiao He pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "He did put in a lot of effort on stage. He was probably already in bad shape at the time, but he gritted his teeth and persevered. Although I don't like him, I still tend to think that he was unaware of the situation."
"Moreover, the traces of this online troll campaign are rather crude; I think it's more like Lu Yu's spur-of-the-moment decision."
If it had been prepared in advance, Lu Yu wouldn't have arrived at the scene so late, unless he had a sudden idea after witnessing the stage accident from the audience.
Although Lu Yuxi himself might not know about this, Xiao He still felt somewhat disgusted.
Xiao He: "What's she after?"
"Of course, it's about generating buzz and public opinion."
Liu Rulan answered without hesitation.
"First, we'll shift the blame to you. After a marketing campaign, we'll have Lu Yuxi clarify things for you and pretend to be your brother. In that case, a minor stage accident will be transformed into a harmonious and successful marketing campaign. We can even let Lu Yuxi ride on your popularity and make you feel like you owe them a favor."
Lu Yu probably never expected that once the stage was set up, her own people would fall first, disrupting all subsequent plans. She even found herself temporarily unable to manage public opinion.
Otherwise, Lu Yu would never have targeted Xiao He like this again.
Xiao He, however, felt a pang of pity: "She really doesn't treat Lu Yuxi like a human being! If she really does that, we're not stupid. If we suffer a great loss, we'll probably hold a deep grudge against Lu Yuxi."
"I don't know much about their affairs, but this move is definitely offensive." Liu Rulan shrugged. "But there's a saying that goes, 'black is red,' right?"
"Right now, Lu Yuxi's fate is unknown. A human life is far more serious than a stage accident. Rather than helping to clarify the situation, the organizers probably hope you can help them withstand the pressure from public opinion."
"If I'm not mistaken, the director will be coming to see us soon."
As soon as Liu Rulan finished speaking, Li Qing walked over with a troubled expression.
"that--"
He glanced at Liu Rulan, then at Xiao He, and said awkwardly, "Could you two come over and talk privately?"
Xiao He and Liu Rulan exchanged a glance and gave each other a bitter smile.
