Tokyo: The evil god doesn't want to be the top star

Chapter 367 Concession
"President, public opinion and popularity votes are at a critical stalemate, which is related to the guarantee of the program results..."

"Now that Fushan has been closed down, how about I find another one?"

After organizing his thoughts, Director Ozawa cautiously tested Matsudaira Johnny's attitude.

"Find another one? No, it's not appropriate to do anything during this sensitive period. Let's just follow the normal procedures for now..."

"On the trending search side, arrange for the company's artists to release some explosive news, such as releasing an album, coming out, cheating, and being a father..."

"Also, you guys should mobilize all the publicity and promotion resources at the company level and put the funds originally allocated to Tianren Network into the trainees who have been scheduled to debut. You must make every effort to cover the voting window for the show."

Matsudaira Johnny pondered for a moment and rejected his suggestion.

"Tianren Network" has been acting as a "cyber mercenary" for the three companies J, A, and S for a long time. If the police investigate thoroughly and reveal the manipulation of public opinion and buying of internal votes, these companies will not only lose their reputation but also be charged with a series of crimes.

Under the current circumstances, finding another "cyber mercenary" is no different from repeatedly jumping under the police's nose, which is tantamount to playing with one's own fire.

"Go through normal promotion channels? Run for the hot search?"

"But with Xia Fan's current popularity and votes, even if we promote other trainees and those gossips about the underdog artists, it will probably be difficult to stop him from making his debut..."

Director Ozawa organized his words in a panic.

He almost said it directly. With Xia Fan's appearance, strength, and controversy, the top nine trainees combined couldn't compare to him...

And those low-level artists don’t have much traffic to begin with, so even if they release some explosive news it’s just to make people laugh, and it’s hard to create any sensational effect.

The previous "network-wide blacklisting" operations could not defeat him. How could he achieve his set debut goal by relying solely on conventional "publicity and marketing competition"?

"This Xia Fan is not as simple as you think. If we can't stop him...there's nothing we can do..."

"Even if we give him a debut spot, we can't sacrifice the company's foundation."

Matsudaira Johnny, who was originally gritting his teeth, suddenly became weak in his tone.

"So what if he debuts? The limited group is still in my hands, and there's still a long way to go..."

The president of J Company, who had vowed not long ago that he would use the entire company's strength to prevent Xia Fan from making his debut, has rarely softened his attitude.

"Okay... okay... President, I understand..."

Supervisor Ozawa hung up the phone listlessly and slumped into his office chair in a daze.

This seems to be the first time since he joined J-company decades ago that President Matsudaira has made concessions on the results of the draft.

"Supervisor, this is bad. Xia Fan is in the top ten of the trending searches again! Those accounts that slandered him suddenly went silent. Netizens are more convinced that several companies hired cyber-trolls to suppress him, and the situation has become even more serious..."

"As for the popularity votes, Xia Fan has surpassed Nagase Kaito and returned to third place!"

The staff waiting outside the door ran in anxiously.

As if it was planned, as soon as the public opinion offensive from "Tianren Network" stopped, Xia Fan's positive hot searches immediately made a comeback, and the support votes also rose like crazy...

"Put it on the map. All previous plans will be suspended. All resources will be put into 'positive publicity'."

"Also, clear all evidence of contact with the Tianren Network. From today on, no one in the company can mention anything related to them."

After organizing his thoughts, he called the staff waiting nearby and gave detailed instructions.

"Could it be that something went wrong with Tianren Network? However, if we only rely on positive publicity to compete..."

"Don't I know? Don't be so long-winded. This is the president's highest order. Just follow it. As for what kind of results can be achieved, just leave it to fate."

"Anyway, I only took over halfway. If the company wants to hold them accountable, they can only blame Akimoto Manjiro for failing to control the situation in the early stages, which allowed Xia Fan's popularity to grow..."

Without waiting for the other party to finish speaking, Supervisor Ozawa took out a cigarette and a lighter, muttered to himself, and walked out of the office. …

Nine days later, at Section 9 headquarters.

Xia Fan, wearing a black shirt, black pants, a baseball cap and a black mask, was walking in the corridor of the ninth class office area.

"Good morning, Consultant Xia Fan!"

"Hello, Consultant Xia Fan!"

The agents who were in a hurry along the way would stop for a moment when they saw him, and either bow or salute, and greet him loudly and vigorously.

"Consultant Xia Fan, congratulations on your discharge!"

Aiba Yui came over from the other side of the corridor and handed over a bouquet of pink roses with gentle eyes.

"Ah, thank you... I'm not really in the hospital, there's no need to be so formal..."

"Speaking of which, why is it that even though I'm dressed as a 'zongzi', everyone still recognizes me?"

Xia Fan politely accepted the bouquet of roses and muttered something curiously.

"Perhaps, it's because your eyes are so special..."

When her eyes met his, Aiba Yui folded her arms across her chest, turned her face away shyly, and twisted her slender legs restlessly.

During this period, for some reason, Xia Fan's image, whether in photos or videos, was particularly lively, giving people a sense of reality that was within reach...

This resulted in her being forced to surrender under the "eye attack" every time she returned to her boudoir, which was covered with Xia Fan's image.

And now that Master Xia Fan was in front of him, his eyes, as gorgeous as gems, set off by the tightly wrapped black suit, released an even stronger and unique charm that made people unable to look directly at him...

Aiba Yui's body reacted reflexively and she felt like surrendering right there.

"So it's the eyes? Then I'll wear sunglasses next time..."

"By the way, Inspector Higurashi and Jinguji asked me to come here. Are they here yet?"

Unaware of the female agent's strange mood, Xia Fan was curiously looking at the offices in the corridor.

Today is the day when those involved in the "Idol Birth Festival Recording Safety Accident" have completed their "treatment observation period".

During this period, the "Fishing Operation" of Lesson 9 has yielded great results both online and offline. Not only did it capture a group of remaining fanatics of Amabie, it also helped the Cyber ​​Police Department crack down on a professional "cyber crime gang" and unearthed several wanted fugitives...

The trainees, mentors and staff involved in the incident also gradually eliminated the "hallucination memory" caused by "excessive gas inhalation" through "psychological treatment" day and night...

It seems that everything is back on track.

Xia Fan had just officially ended his reclusive life in Mao Dizang Hall when he received an invitation from Lesson 9 to come and help investigate another "supernatural case."

"Inspector Higurashi and Counselor Jinguji arrived early in the morning and are interrogating the suspect in the 'confidential area' over there. I have already notified Inspector Higurashi and he will be out to pick you up soon. Please wait here."

When it comes to official business, Aiba Yui answered very professionally.

The two of them just waited quietly in the corridor.

"By the way, Consultant Xia Fan..."

Aiba Yui had a conflicted look on her face, but suddenly, as if she had made up her mind, she blushed and bowed to Xia Fan: "Tomorrow is the day you will officially debut. Congratulations in advance!"

(End of this chapter)