Huayu: The young actress is heavily dependent on me

Yu Zheng didn't notice the subtle change in his assistant's expression; he had already picked up the internal phone and dialed the publicity team.

"First, immediately organize our own online army—yes, the same ones from last time—to counterattack!"

"Douban, Weibo, and Tieba have been fully deployed to suppress the promotional posts for 'Wu Xin: The Monster Killer,' pushing out rhetoric such as 'there is no market for fantasy web dramas set in the Republican era' and 'newcomer Han Dongjun cannot carry the ratings.'"

"Secondly, we will increase the release of clips of Chen Li's action scenes in our drama and the CP mashup of Dilraba Dilmurat, and use the topic of 'Chen Li's most handsome ancient costume look' to bring the audience's attention back."

"Third, find a few marketing accounts to do comparative reviews—compare Chen Li's period drama costumes and Republican-era looks. The titles should be ambiguous, such as 'Chen Li's period drama costumes are legendary, can his Republican-era looks surpass them?' On the surface, it's to drive traffic to 'Wu Xin,' but in reality, it's to use Kou Feng to first anchor the audience's hearts."

"Hmph, Cai Yinong wants to step on me to get ahead, doesn't she know who the real pioneer of this industry is!"

After hanging up the phone, Yu Zheng sat back down in his chair, picked up the cup of tea that had been shaken down to half full, and took a big gulp.

He stared at the data still fluctuating in real time on the screen and forced out a sentence through gritted teeth:

"Come on, let's rub against each other—let's see who ends up benefiting whom in the end."

That evening, the two sides' online trolls clashed across three major battlegrounds: Douban, Weibo, and Tieba.

"Ban Shu" is painted with "Chen Li and Kou Feng, handsome men in ancient costumes", and "Wu Xin" is painted with "Zhang Xianzong, a god in military uniform".

Fans of "Ban Shu" criticized Chen Yao for being unknown, while fans of "Wu Xin" criticized Jing Tian for lacking acting skills.

The two sides went back and forth, arguing about everything from the characters to the actors' looks, acting skills, and the chemistry between the two leads, creating a huge uproar.

Bystanders were having a field day, with some even posting jokes on Weibo:

"Can you two stop fighting? It's all Chen Li anyway, can't we just chase them both?"

This Weibo post was forwarded more than 20,000 times, and the comment section was full of "+1", "truth", and "Chen Li has won big".

Meanwhile, Chen Li, who sparked this chaotic fight, was carrying large bags and small packages on his way to Xu Xiaodan's home.

When Bai Mengyan handed him her phone, he glanced at the trending topics list.

The names "Ban Shu Legend" and "Wu Xin: The Monster Killer" were among the top three trending topics, with the comments section filled with spectacular scenes of online trolls from both companies tearing each other apart.

Chen Li glanced at it once and then looked away, saying casually:

"Let them fight. No matter who wins, I'll still be the second male lead."

Xu Xiaodan's home is on the top floor of an old six-story building in the Beijing Film Academy faculty and staff residential area. Several half-dead potted green plants are piled up in the corridor, and cement patches left from the heating pipe renovation a few years ago remain on the walls.

Chen Li carried a box of finely packaged tea in one hand and a basket of fruit in the other, while Bai Mengyan followed behind him, carrying two gift boxes in her arms, panting as they climbed to the sixth floor.

"Boss, are we here to visit relatives or to offer New Year's greetings?"

Bai Mengyan tilted the gift box upwards, biting her lower lip with her canine teeth, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Chen Li turned around and glanced at her:

"Ms. Xu is my homeroom teacher. She has helped me so much, but she didn't come to wish me a Happy New Year. I'm making up for it now."

The door opened, and Xu Xiaodan appeared wearing a casual knitted cardigan, her hair loosely tied back.

Seeing the two people standing at the door carrying large and small bags, they paused for a moment, then smiled and stepped aside.

"Are you two moving? Come in, come in."

Chen Li placed the tea leaves and fruit next to the coffee table and looked around at Teacher Xu's living room.

It wasn't big, but it was kept very clean. The bookshelf behind the sofa was filled with books on performance theory and photos of graduation plays from previous students.

One of the photos is of himself, a picture of him with Professor Xu when he won an award for his short film at the end of last year. It was solemnly placed in the center of the second shelf.

"Teacher Xu, it's been a long time. You look better and better." Chen Li sat down on the sofa and naturally took the teacup that Xu Xiaodan handed her.

"At the last school meeting, Teacher Wang Jinsong praised your class of 13 for producing the most outstanding results in recent years."

Xu Xiaodan sat down opposite him, holding a thermos, a smile in her eyes: "Teacher Wang is just being polite."

"How could that be? When has Teacher Wang ever been so polite? He said that your class produces many actors—senior sister Yao Chen, senior sister Zhang Xiaofei, and now we have a few more outstanding ones from our class. When I'm filming outside, my colleagues' attitudes immediately change when they hear that I'm Xu Xiaodan's student."

Xu Xiaodan was both amused and exasperated by his flattery. She picked up her thermos to cover her mouth, but ultimately rolled her eyes at him.

"You never come here without a reason. Don't think I can't see through your sweet talk—tell me, what's the purpose of your visit this time?"

Chen Li chuckled, placed the teacup on the coffee table, his expression impeccably sincere:

"Professor Xu, I've come here specifically to thank you. Without your signature on that project proposal, without your help in contacting the school's equipment room and the Huairou Film and Television Base, and without your endorsement on behalf of the Performing Arts Academy, my film 'So Cute Us' would never have been made. Seven hundred million views and an 8.2 rating on Douban—you're the one who made all of these achievements."

Xu Xiaodan's gaze softened slightly. She placed the thermos on the coffee table, and her tone became gentler than before:

"Alright, your sweet-talking skills have improved faster than your acting. Let's get down to business."

Chen Li put away her playful expression and sat down on the sofa:

"Teacher Xu, I heard that Senior Sister Yao Chen recently opened an actor training class at the Beijing Film Academy, which is specifically for basic acting training for young actors. It's a small-class teaching program, and she personally teaches the students. Senior Sister Yao Chen is one of your most outstanding students."

"I would like to ask you to help me get a referral so that one of my signed artists can attend this training program."

After listening, Xu Xiaodan picked up her thermos and slowly took a sip.

Chen Li's request was actually not difficult—Yao Chen was one of her students from the class of '99, and she listened to her a lot when they were in school, and still often comes back to visit after graduation.

She could recommend a student to her training course with just one phone call.

"That's no problem. I'll just put in a good word with Yao Chen—what's your artist's name? I need to tell her beforehand."

Bai Mengyan also perked up her ears when she heard this.

The boss actually made a special trip to visit his teacher just for a female celebrity?

Which vixen is this? Why is she so interested?

I really need to listen carefully; this is a potential future boss's wife...

Chen Li stood up, extended her hand to Bai Mengyan who was standing next to the sofa, her smile carrying a hint of solemnity:

"It's her. Bai Mengyan—my executive agent, personal assistant, and project coordinator, and also the first artist signed to my studio."

Bai Mengyan was staring blankly at the empty gift box when she heard these words. She froze, her eyes wide as she looked at Chen Li, her mouth slowly forming a perfect "O" shape. After a long pause, she finally managed to utter:

"Boss—you mean me?"

What?

The proprietress is actually myself?!