Chinese entertainment industry has been booming since 2008.

Signing a record deal is a hassle with little money and lots of work. Zhang Yang isn't short of money right now, so he naturally doesn't want to sign his songs out. If he were to create a "sole original singer" label later, that would be even more troublesome.

Besides, Zhang Yang didn't lie to Bi Xiaoshi. His main focus was indeed in the film and television industry, and he only occasionally dabbled in the music industry.

Besides Bi Xiaoshi, Zhang Yang was also invited by the Spring Festival Gala, but he declined directly. He didn't need the Spring Festival Gala to increase his popularity or raise his value.

The main reason why celebrities are so keen on winning awards is to elevate their status and increase their pay. As for their talk of artistic pursuits, just listen to it and forget about it. It's like the slogans shouted by ancient scholars—just self-aggrandizement.

In his spare time, Zhang Yang updated his Weibo with a new post. There was no text, only a partial image of the concept poster for "The Heirs": a slender hand holding an antique key, with a hazy classical garden in the background, and the caption was just three words: She has arrived.

The Weibo post was forwarded over 100,000 times in an instant, and fans went from being angry to curious.

"Although, but, but, but, the quality of this poster is absolutely amazing!"

"Zhang Yang never speaks without reason, so I've decided to observe first."

"The key represents inheritance? That's an interesting image."

On December 10th, at the opening ceremony of "The Heirs", the red carpet stretched from the parking lot all the way to the temporary main stage. Both sides were crowded with fans and reporters holding up support signs and telephoto lenses. The drum team played their best, but the deafening drumbeats could not suppress the noise and commotion at the scene.

When Zhang Yang appeared with his cast, the flashbulbs went off like daytime, and the screams nearly lifted the roof off.

Jing Tian stood beside Zhang Yang, facing such a scene for the first time as the female lead.

She wore a haute couture pale gold gown, her makeup was exquisite, and she tried her best to maintain a proper smile, but her tightly clenched hands betrayed a hint of nervousness. The reporters' cameras greedily captured every subtle expression of hers.

When the second female lead, Wang Like, was introduced, a suppressed gasp and whispers clearly rose from the audience.

Wang Like was once a promising young actress, but her career has been mediocre in recent years. Standing next to Jing Tian, ​​her smile is still sweet, but her eyes are complicated and hard to read.

The reporters exchanged glances, silently marveling at the dramatic scene of a "washed-up actress playing a supporting role to a well-connected actor."

When it came to the second male lead, Lin Yushen, the situation was different. Some well-informed reporters revealed ambiguous smiles that said, "Just as I expected."

It's no secret in the industry that Lin Yushen has a powerful background. Many people believe that he was able to get this important role as a condition that Zhang Yang signed Yang Mi.

He himself appeared calm and composed, waving to the camera with an air of ease.

During the group interview with the media, the atmosphere immediately became tense, with reporters asking increasingly pointed questions that directly addressed the core issues.

A male reporter wearing glasses was the first to challenge: "Zhang Yang, what qualities did you see in Ms. Jing Tian when you chose her as the female lead? Are you worried that as a newcomer, she won't be able to carry the ratings?"

Faced with the reporter's difficult questions, Zhang Yang remained calm and responded composedly: "Jing Tian possesses a purity and resilience rarely seen in this era, which highly aligns with Lin Wan'er's (the female lead's) core. I believe that with the collaboration of a professional team, she will deliver a satisfactory result."

"Ms. Jing Tian, ​​this is your first time taking on such an important role. Do you feel any pressure working with a senior like Ms. Wang Like? What are your thoughts on the online discussions about you being a 'resourced' actress?"

Faced with the reporter's pointed questions, Jing Tian took a deep breath and, following his prepared remarks, spoke clearly but somewhat stiffly: "I am honored to learn from Teacher Wang Like. I will turn the pressure into motivation and prove myself through my work."

These two reporters were actually arranged by Zhang Yang. They seemed to be making things difficult, but in reality, they were used to silence others. In this way, the battle smoothly spread to other people.

"Like, do you need to adjust your mindset for playing the second female lead this time? Do you feel wronged?"

Wang Like's smile froze slightly, but he quickly recovered: "No role is too small or too big. Every role has its own unique charm. I really like the character Cui Xin'ai that I play. She is very three-dimensional and very challenging."

"Yu Shen, I heard that many talented young actors competed for this role, and you were ultimately chosen. Is there anything you'd like to say about it?"

Faced with the standard questions, Lin Yushen smiled, his tone relaxed yet carrying a subtle sharpness: "Thank you for the trust of the producers of 'The Heirs.' I believe that actors ultimately have to rely on their acting skills and the characters they portray. I will strive to portray Zhou Zeyuan well and live up to everyone's expectations."

Zhang Yang, Jing Tian, ​​Wang Like, and Lin Yushen's answers displeased some reporters who wanted to stir up trouble, so the questions became increasingly difficult, even delving into private matters and deliberately provoking conflict.

Zhang Yang gave director Liu Junjie a look, and the latter immediately understood. He picked up the microphone at the right moment, interrupting yet another question trying to dig into Jing Tian's background. His tone was gentle but carried an undeniable authority: "Thank you for your enthusiastic questions, friends from the media. 'The Heirs' is a story about youth, struggle, and inheritance. Our entire team has devoted ourselves to the creation with the utmost sincerity and enthusiasm. I believe that when the work is released, all the discussions and doubts will find the best answers. Today is a joyous day for the start of filming, so let's focus more on the work itself. Thank you everyone."

Liu Junjie's words both protected the actors and brought the focus back to the work, cleverly ending the potentially heated group interview. The host immediately understood and announced the next segment.

The opening ceremony continued amidst the commotion, but everyone knew that the discussions and scrutiny surrounding "The Heirs," especially Jing Tian, ​​would not stop there.

.....

On the night of December 10th, a short video titled "Shocking! Backstage at the celebration banquet, Jia Qing gives Zhang Yang intimate clothing, the scene is hot!" quietly appeared online and spread like wildfire.

The video angle is tricky. In the picture, Zhang Yang is indeed holding an open, exquisite gift box. Due to the shooting angle, the contents of the box show a striking black lace, the material of which is very similar to women's underwear.

Jia Qingzheng reached out anxiously, seemingly wanting to take back or close the gift box, her face flushed with panic and embarrassment.

The entire interaction took place in a luxuriously decorated lounge, where the ambiguous lighting created a scene that was impossible to refute.

"Sending underwear directly? Jia Qing's move is too outrageous!"

"It's confirmed?! That's explosive!"

"This gift is so private..."

"Giving this as a gift? Their relationship must be quite close!"

"Appears abstinent on the surface, but a confirmed playboy in private!"

As the video spread, the internet exploded, with discussions reaching fever pitch. Haters swarmed out, flooding the comment section with taunts and insults. Gossip forums were abuzz with discussions, determined to bring Zhang Yang down from his pedestal.