After Zhang Xiaowan finished arranging the interview times and personally saw the media off, she turned around to see An Juexiao’s small, delicate face tucked into a fluffy hood. Her bright eyes blinked as she looked at her, both innocent and guilty.
Although it was only autumn, once the sun set, the mountain breeze was cold enough to make people wish for thermal pants, so after filming, they all put on thick coats.
Zhang Xiaowan asked, “What kind of expression is that, sis?”
An Juexiao said guiltily, “You already spoke to Sister Xi, right? Did you get scolded because of me?”
Zhang Xiaowan was about to answer when her phone rang again. It was Li Xi.
“Give it to me.” An Juexiao put on a resolute expression, as if ready to face punishment. “I’ll confess to Sister Xi myself and try to get leniency.”
Zhang Xiaowan suppressed her laughter and handed the phone over with a straight face.
An Juexiao took a deep breath, braced herself, and answered the call.
“Juexiao, you’re really something, you’ve made another big headline for me!”
An Juexiao froze. That tone did not sound angry at all.
“Sister Xi, you’re not mad?”
“Mad? What would I be mad about?” Li Xi asked, puzzled.
Hearing this, An Juexiao glanced at Zhang Xiaowan, who could no longer hold back and burst out laughing. Then she heard Li Xi continue on the other end, “You just spoke frankly in front of the media, it’s no big deal. You should know, being straightforward is fine, being foolish is not. If someone is foolish and still not popular, then they’re beyond saving. You did very well this time. Not only did you gain popularity, you also strengthened your connection with Peng Chenglang. His background is solid. Building a good relationship with him brings only benefits.”
“I spoke up for him just to be true to myself and tell the truth, not to gain anything.” After explaining, An Juexiao still felt uneasy. “Will what I said offend a lot of people and make things difficult for you?”
“Haha, silly girl.” Li Xi said leisurely, “People in this industry are narrow-minded. If you get in their way, they can find a thousand ways to drag you down and smear you. But when the price is right, they suddenly become broad-minded. Any grudge can be resolved.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already made arrangements.” Li Xi said confidently, “If I can’t even handle something like this, I don’t deserve to be your manager.”
“Juexiao, your performance just now made quite a splash in the company. Several managers regret not taking you under their wing.” Li Xi added with a lively tone.
In the eyes of managers, minor fame could be cultivated, but major fame depended on fate. They were not afraid of their artists causing trouble, they were afraid of them having no presence at all. As long as it did not violate laws or core public values, they could turn trouble into opportunity and lay it down as a path for their artists.
“Made a splash?”
“When Wanzi was livestreaming to me, I was in a company meeting, and the big boss was there too.”
The “big boss” of Yaohui referred to Huo Mingze. An Juexiao held her forehead. If Huo Mingze knew, then Gu Zhanran probably knew too.
Thinking about it, she actually had to thank Gu Zhanran. His words had given her clarity.
That very night, media outlets rushed to publish their articles.
“An Juexiao boldly declares, if you have the guts to expose, use full names!”
“An Juexiao speaks up for Peng Chenglang, questions authenticity of allegations”
“An Juexiao: Don’t diss us just to elevate yourselves”
With unease, An Juexiao read several articles and found none of them taken out of context or used her as a pawn to attack others. The coverage was objective and fair.
After thinking it over, she figured this was probably due to Li Xi’s capability.
Among the reactions, the first to respond were Peng Chenglang’s fans. They spread the news enthusiastically and reposted it everywhere. During this period, they had been criticized from all sides and had long been holding it in. Now that their grievances were finally cleared, how could they not be excited? Many even went to An Juexiao’s Weibo to express their thanks.
“Thank you, miss, for speaking up for our brother. You’re beautiful and kind.”
“Miss is an angel.”
“I always knew my brother is the best. He buys snacks for fans who visit the set and reminds us to stay safe. He chats with fans at the airport. How could he possibly bully junior actors, sob sob.”
Some straightforward and generous fans even commented after browsing An Juexiao’s page, “Miss is a newcomer? It seems there’s nothing yet that I can support with actual money, but that’s fine. Wishing you great success. When your dramas come out, I’ll watch them all. If you endorse something, I’ll buy everything.”
When An Juexiao saw that comment, she burst out laughing. These fans were just too adorable.
Besides the people going “ying ying ying” praising An Juexiao, and those shouting “buy, buy, buy” to show their support for her, there was also a group of calm fans who analyzed the situation with clear reasoning and evidence.
“I can finally breathe a sigh of relief, the innocent will prove themselves.”
“Ever since those marketing accounts stirred things up last time, a lot of bystanders have been bashing young actors, as if doing that makes them politically correct.”
“Anyone can jump in with red eyes and take a jab, then just shift the blame onto young actresses and idols and call it a day. But what about the capital that interferes with normal filming, is that not a problem? And those agencies that endlessly hype traffic stars, are they not at fault? It is just that artists are the ones exposed to the public, so they become the easiest targets.”
“Sweeping everyone into one category, that is truly malicious. Thankfully, someone dares to speak the truth, real truth!”
Among these rational comments, many also took the opportunity to praise An Juexiao. Soon after, they posted another update expressing confusion, “Huh? Which big shot bought me a headline slot?”
That night, it was not only the media and fans who were busy fighting online, Gu Zhanran’s assistant was busy too.
The assistant sat on the bed, holding his laptop with a bitter expression, going through small fans’ comments one by one, liking them and buying headline placements. As he worked, he sighed to his girlfriend beside him, “President Gu really lives up to his reputation. Even when chasing a celebrity, he does it in such a unique way. He just sent me a bank card and told me to spend.”
Right after he finished complaining, another transfer came into the account, the amount so large it made his heart tremble.
Assistant: Boss, there is still enough money on the card.
Gu Zhanran: Overtime pay, thanks for your hard work.
Assistant: !!!!!!
The assistant immediately hugged his girlfriend, tears streaming down his face, “Let us pray our boss chases a few more celebrities!”
His girlfriend, sharp-eyed as ever, replied, “Your boss is not chasing a celebrity, he is probably chasing the boss’s wife.”
An Juexiao’s statements continued to ferment online. In the end, the discussion was no longer just about Peng Chenglang, but more about the chaotic problems within the industry.
After reading it, An Juexiao felt relieved. At least there were still some rational and clear-headed people who were not swept away by the herd mentality online.
Although the online uproar that night was overwhelming, filming on set continued in an orderly manner.
The next day happened to be the day Peng Chenglang was discharged from the hospital. The moment he saw An Juexiao from afar, he excitedly rushed toward her, ready to give her a big hug.
“Peng Chenglang, do not jump on me!” An Juexiao cried out in panic, “This princess costume I am wearing is practically a cultural relic, be careful!”
She was dressed in a heavy princess costume, her hair adorned with jeweled hairpins that sparkled under the sunlight, making her fair face glow like a bright, clear moon.
Peng Chenglang halted abruptly, frozen in place, and exclaimed in surprise, “A cultural relic? Our production is that impressive?”
He looked her up and down, half believing, half doubtful, “Is it really a relic? Can museums even lend those out?”
“Although it is not an actual relic, it is still extremely precious,” An Juexiao carefully explained, “This princess outfit was borrowed from a private collection after a lot of effort. Every stitch was reconstructed based on historical artifacts, and it took over a year to hand sew. The moment I put it on, I felt like I evolved. If I do not act well, I would not only be letting myself down, but also the person who lent us the costume.”
Peng Chenglang suddenly understood, “No wonder this outfit looks more luxurious than the others.”
After a pause, he puffed up angrily, “Wait, that is not right, I refuse to accept this. I am the nation’s first love, how can I lose to a piece of clothing!”
An Juexiao burst out laughing, “Looks like you have fully recovered, you are so energetic.”
“I am young and strong, of course I recover fast,” Peng Chenglang said proudly, raising his arm to show off. When he realized he did not have much muscle, he quickly lowered it again and awkwardly changed the topic, though he still said sincerely, “Thank you for what you did this time.”
Peng Chenglang had always been well liked in the industry. After this incident, most of his friends advised him to endure it. Very few people, like An Juexiao, stood up publicly to speak for him. He did not blame his other friends, but precisely because of that, he cherished his friendship with her even more.
Adding flowers to brocade is always nice, but offering help in the snow is even more precious.
“No need to be polite,” An Juexiao waved her hand generously, “I was just telling the truth. Besides, because I spoke up for you, your fans are really protective of me now.”
“Protective?”
“Yes, haha, they compliment me with rainbow praise every day. Do you want to see?” As she spoke, An Juexiao took out her phone, eagerly wanting to share, “Each of them has such a sweet tongue, they are so good at flattering people.”
Peng Chenglang looked at her with sympathy, “Do you not have fans? What is with this proud, late in life joy like you just gained a child?”
“Ahem, you have many fans, of course you would not understand how I feel.” An Juexiao cheerfully showed him her QQ fan group again, “Look at my QQ fan group, there are quite a few new members. They are all in the group every day, looking forward to my new drama.”
Peng Chenglang could not help laughing and crying at the same time, “You secretly lurk in your own fan group and watch them?”
“Of course. Do you not join your own fan groups? Aren’t you curious what they say?”
“I have too many fan groups, I cannot keep up, so I gave up.”
“…” An Juexiao, who only had one fan group, shot him a glare and said coldly, “Our friendship is over.”
“Wah, sis, I was wrong.”
Today’s shoot was a palace pavilion scene. An Juexiao wore an exquisitely embroidered long gown adorned with flourishing patterns, her hair styled in elegant, cloudlike buns decorated with flowers. She leaned quietly against the railing of the waterside pavilion, gently fanning herself with a silk fan. Every frown and smile painted a refined and radiant picture.
In the camera, she seemed to glow, whether it was her graceful bearing or her ornate attire, everything reflected the splendor of the Tang dynasty.
Peng Chenglang, playing the male lead, walked toward her. She slightly lifted her eyelids and gazed at him with a soft, enchanting look.
At this moment, she was no longer the spirited and heroic princess who had grown up with Peng Chenglang, but a princess possessed by a seductive spirit, now alluring and enchanting.
She extended her fair wrist and gently lifted Peng Chenglang’s chin with her fan, then smiled softly, “You are here.”
Her voice was languid, like a cat basking in the sun on a rooftop.
“Cut!” Director Zhang said with satisfaction, “OK, this take is good. Group B, get ready.”
As soon as Director Zhang called it, An Juexiao switched from a lazy cat to a husky in a second.
“Wow, I feel like wearing this outfit automatically gives me a princess aura. Filming feels especially smooth. Even though it takes hours to get into it, it is totally worth it.”
Just hearing that made Peng Chenglang’s scalp tingle, “I really do not understand you women.”
The costume designer beside them smiled, “Sister Juexiao, you only get to wear this costume a few more times.”
“Ah, every time I wear it is one less time left,” An Juexiao said, touching the costume with reluctance.
“If you like it, you can buy it,” Peng Chenglang said, “I know quite a few actors who buy costumes or props they like during filming as souvenirs. Did not Lan Xue also buy the sword she used?”
An Juexiao looked at the costume designer with bright eyes, only to see the designer hold up a number with her fingers.
“………………” An Juexiao clicked her tongue, “Forget it, even if you sold me, I still could not afford it.”
The costume designer laughed, “Besides, this is from an old professor’s private collection. It was only borrowed through a favor from President Huo’s friend. The professor probably would not sell it anyway, so you do not need to feel regret.”