How can you become a star without money?

Chapter 34 He who steals a hook is punished; he who steals a state becomes a prince.

"If You Are the One" is a variety show that Jiangsu TV launched in 2010.

It was also the year's top-rated show, surpassing Hunan TV's "Happy Camp." The main reason behind this was the combination of a talent show and a dating show format, along with the core of public opinion involving emotional analysis and clashes of values.

It satisfied the desire for entertainment and gossip among people of almost all ages at the time.

This variety show has created many legends. It is rare for a show to maintain its ratings for 10 years. It has even spawned an overseas version and is almost a benchmark variety show in China.

This is mainly thanks to the initial creative team of the show. In selecting guests and creating conflicts in their personas, almost every guest's persona was guided by professional sociology and psychology experts in order to produce the greatest program effect.

Therefore, the main guests of this program are basically selected by the production team from major brokerage companies across the country and have signed a series of contracts.

Meishe Company is the main partner, providing male and female guests year-round.

Ma Ruo and Feng Jiao were among the first batch of carefully selected female guests, so their contracts were also carefully chosen.

However, after the third episode aired on Sunday night, Ma Ruo's line, "I'd rather cry in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle," propelled "If You Are the One" to the top of the national ratings, making the show a huge hit.

Ma Ruo made a scene at the company on Monday.

Wang Yao was also pulled into the meeting by He Ming.

"So what if netizens are criticizing you? Just tell me you're famous now, which celebrity hasn't been criticized when they debuted? Zhang Ziyi and Fan Bingbing have been criticized for almost ten years, but they've become more and more popular. Being criticized in the entertainment industry is a good thing. Okay, stop crying." He Ming scolded with a stern face.

Ma Ruo across from me had swollen eyes from crying; she probably didn't sleep all night.

After all, it would be strange if an ordinary person could fall asleep when facing criticism from hundreds of thousands of people for the first time.

"But the insults they hurled were so awful! Those lines on the show were all scripted. I only get 2000 yuan a episode, and so many people are insulting me. I feel so wronged!" Ma Ru complained tearfully.

"You think you're just going to make a cameo appearance and get paid? The company invested a lot in you to get exposure. Didn't we say that being criticized and attacked is something every celebrity has to go through?"
"The more people criticize you, the more potential you have to become famous. Besides, aren't there still some people who support you?" He Ming patiently comforted him.

After the show aired last night, Ma Ruo's materialistic remarks immediately became a trending topic, catching him off guard, and the trending topic is gaining momentum.

It wasn't just Weibo; even the three major portal websites, Tencent and NetEase, publicly posted similar messages, and countless smaller websites followed suit.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he became famous overnight.

However, to be fair, such a strong momentum is definitely not something that can be achieved naturally. It is clear that Jiangsu TV is exerting its influence behind the scenes and is probably trying to squeeze every last drop out of Ma Ruo's case.

This is not a good thing for Tianhuo Company.

Although people may say that being famous for being infamous is still fame, it's very difficult to whitewash such a negative persona. While being materialistic and attracting attention through nude photos or selling sex appeal may both seem like negative traffic, they are fundamentally different in nature.

The worship of metal is a matter of values, which is the most sensitive point for most ordinary Chinese people who have lived their lives in accordance with the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues.

Netizens criticize those who sell sex appeal, but they secretly admire it.

However, when netizens criticize those who are materialistic, they criticize them from every angle.

Therefore, this surge in traffic had almost no positive impact on Ma Ruo's later development; it was as if this promising talent had been ruined by being forced to grow too fast.

In the future, she'll probably only be able to take on minor, negative roles, serving as a publicity stunt to attract criticism.

However, they couldn't cause trouble for Jiangsu TV, because the contracts and lines were all under confidentiality agreements, making it impossible to clear their names.

Therefore, He Ming was also very upset.

"Ah Yao, you talk to her and comfort her. I'm going to take this call." He Ming couldn't stand Ma Ruo's constant crying and made an excuse to leave her to Wang Yao.

"Sister Ruo, have some water. Crying like this takes a lot of energy." Wang Yao thoughtfully handed her some water.

"Waaaaah, Mr. Wang, what am I supposed to do now? I feel like I'm going to get beaten up as soon as I go out," Ma Ruo said, taking a sip of water.

"It's not that bad. Most netizens are just joking around online, but it's true that the production team keeps using this gimmick for promotion, which isn't good for us," Wang Yao sighed.

"Yeah, this is bullying honest people!" Ma Ruo said in a desperate tone, even using a Beijing accent.

"Were the lines provided to you directly by the production team?" Wang Yao asked curiously.

"Yeah, I even acted with that rich kid a few times. He's having a blast, not only do the women sympathize with him, but even the men are helping him. It's all an act, so why am I so miserable?" Ma Ruo said aggrievedly.

It's because you're brainless.

Wang Yao, suppressing his sarcasm, asked, "When you received the lines and script, didn't you feel there were any problems or risks?"

“No, I thought it was normal at the time. Why did I have to suffer with a poor man? Why couldn’t I choose to live with a rich man? Was I not good enough for him?” Ma Ruo said indignantly.

Objectively speaking, it's normal for materialistic remarks to occur in the context of blind dates. After all, people who come to blind dates are obviously objectifying themselves and putting a price tag on themselves, regardless of gender.

However, the show's producers were disgusting; they deliberately blurred the blind date setting into a romantic setting, thereby inciting most people's anger towards materialistic views in relationships.

However, it's also a pity that Ma Ruo was born at the wrong time. Ten years later, her remarks might be seen as positive and clear-headed statements from a strong female leader, and she might even be able to make money off gold diggers and independent women.

Ok?
Wang Yao suddenly had a flash of inspiration and remembered the two young socialites he had met at the Peninsula Hotel a few days ago. It seemed that they might actually be worth cashing in.

While crying, Ma Ruo angrily cursed the production team. The more she cursed, the angrier she became. She got a little carried away and said she would sue the production team for fabricating the story.

“That won’t do. You signed a confidentiality agreement with the production team. If they sue, regardless of the outcome, you’ll have to pay at least 200 million yuan in compensation,” Wang Yao refused.

"Why?! I only get paid 2000 yuan per episode, but I have to pay 200 million yuan in compensation? Is that reasonable?" Ma Ruo was shocked.

“You signed a total of 20 contracts, which is 40,000 yuan in remuneration. If you breach the contract, it’s not just a 20-fold penalty, but also compensation, confidentiality agreements, and other miscellaneous things. 2 million is reasonable,” Wang Yao explained.

"Ah? The entertainment industry is so dark, sob sob sob." Ma Ruo's momentum immediately weakened.

If she could pay a few hundred thousand to get justice, she would grit her teeth and do it, but if she had to pay 200 million, she would have no choice but to swallow her anger.

“However, the pay is indeed less. We’ve suffered such a great injustice, so we deserve some extra compensation,” Wang Yao said seriously.

"Ah? Yes, yes, Mr. Wang, we can't just suffer losses." Ma Ruo nodded in agreement.

"I'll go and call Mr. He back." Wang Yao called He Ming back and explained his idea of ​​trying to get compensation from the production team.

"That's unlikely. Jiangsu TV is known for its domineering attitude. Besides, the agreement itself includes a clause for coordinated hype. Even if we manage to get it, it won't be good compensation." He Ming frowned.

He certainly didn't want to suffer this injustice in silence, but let alone him, even the owner of Meishe had to bow down when dealing with Jiangsu TV.

My abilities simply don't allow it.

"Mr. He, I've heard a saying: When the rules are in my favor, I emphasize the rules; when the facts are in my favor, I emphasize the facts; when neither the facts nor the rules are in my favor, I'll flip the table and muddy things up."

Wang Yao chuckled and said, "Since Jiangsu TV wants more viewership, let's cooperate with them and make the viewership even bigger."

"How do we do it?" He Ming raised an eyebrow.

“Public opinion cannot be reversed, but it can be followed. Since everyone thinks Ma Ruo’s persona is materialistic, then we will transform materialism into real gold.” Wang Yao tapped the table lightly.

He Ming and Ma Ruo's hearts skipped a beat at the same time.

"How will it change?" Ma Ruo asked curiously.

"Sister Ruo, you need to be mentally prepared. You might face more attacks, but if this wave of traffic succeeds, you could potentially enjoy even greater benefits."

However, similarly, you might have to withstand attacks from hundreds of thousands or even tens of millions of people. Wang Yao first gave them a heads-up.

"Tens of millions of people are cursing me?" Ma Ruo was bewildered for a moment. "What's the difference between hundreds of thousands and tens of millions of people, and the current situation?"

She's become somewhat reckless and is now filled with resentment.

"The saying goes, 'He who steals a hook is punished, he who steals a country becomes a prince.' When tens of thousands of people curse you, you are insignificant to Lizhitai, but when tens of millions of people curse you, Lizhitai may have to kneel down and beg you."

Wang Yao narrowed his eyes and revealed a subtle smile.

"How do we do it?" He Ming was immediately eager to get started.

Because in his eyes, Ma Ruo's value was almost that of trash. He didn't seek to turn trash into treasure, but it would be great if it could be reused.

Wang Yao turned to look at Ma Ruo.

"Mr. Wang, I'm willing to cooperate. Whether it succeeds or not, at least I'll get my revenge. If a toad jumps on my foot, I'll bite it to death!" Ma Ruo said angrily.

"Um, will this cause any other losses?" He Ming asked again.

"No, it's completely legal and compliant. They should thank us." Wang Yao chuckled.

That afternoon.

Ma Ruo, who was criticized across the internet, posted a Weibo post consisting of a text message and a photo.

In the photo, Ma Ruo, with red and swollen eyes and a haggard expression, is slumped over the steering wheel with the BMW logo showing, the composition conveying a faint sense of sadness.

"Please stop scolding me! I really did cry in the BMW, I'm not lying."

provocative!

A blatant provocation!

When have netizens, who have always been the ones to unilaterally inflict violence, ever been provoked like this?
Within half an hour, the popularity of the name Ma Ruo surged again.

It ignited the entire internet.

　Thank you to Water Powder Oath for the donation.

　　Thank you to the following readers for their monthly tickets and recommendation votes: I Want a Divorce, God, Encounter at Will, Lost Little Bookworm in the Mortal World, Ask Paper, Schopenhauer, Gentle Breeze and Bright Moon FANG, Gu Shiyan, Youren, and Book Friend 20250429182523440.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)