2001 Media Godfather

Chapter 63 has a very tricky angle.
"Entertainment Frontline" on Beijing-Tianjin TV is a talk show that focuses on gossip in the entertainment industry.

It is presented to the audience by a male and a female host who work together to crack jokes and talk about actors and artists.

Among various entertainment programs, its viewership ranks only in the middle to lower range.

Occasionally accepting some "sponsorship" and creating some trending gossip topics can boost the viewership ratings.

This episode features two second-tier actresses, and the topic is particularly intriguing—who is the most domineering on set!

This topic is clearly aimed at Chu An.

The conversation was also very targeted.

It started as a discussion about who has the most power on set and whether the director has absolute authority.

Then, suddenly changing the subject, the female host mysteriously dropped a bombshell, "Let me tell you something truly domineering!"

"It's a male celebrity friend of mine, but I won't say who it is. It involves a lot of sensitive people and things, and I'm afraid of causing trouble for him."

Upon hearing this, the male host immediately objected, "Xiaoju, don't be so secretive. We're all friends, what can't we say?"

The other two guests also pressed for an answer, so the female host, Xiaoju, had no choice but to back down, saying, "How about a male celebrity with the surname 'J'?"

"In short, it's a new drama starring male celebrity J, and the female lead he's working with is actress L."

Everyone looked on with curiosity, asking, "Who is it? Who is it?"

Xiaoju: "Oh, stop asking! Anyway, she's that super famous person!"

"The most outrageous thing I can tell you isn't the actress with the surname L, but her friend!"

The others were immediately intrigued. "Is L really that domineering?"

Xiaoju: "L's friend is also a male actor, and a newcomer at that! He debuted as the male lead, but his acting skills aren't that great, yet he's become very popular online."

Everyone exclaimed, "Wow!"

Xiaoju, "Let me finish! L just worked with that friend, and then the friend came to visit the set. The two of them are very close, you know what I mean?"

"These things were never a big deal."

"Because my friend has some screenwriting skills, the director was just being polite to him! He meant, what do you think of our script? Does it need any changes?"

"And guess what happened?"

Everyone asked, "How is it?"

Xiaoju's expression was exaggerated: "He really had the nerve to go to someone's film crew and revise the script!"

"What's even more outrageous is that this person completely messed up the script in order to add more scenes for L! Note that it was completely messed up! Originally, my friend with the surname J had a lot of scenes and a very positive character."

"Now it's all been added to the female lead's story."

Everyone looked at each other in disbelief. "Impossible, right? The director tolerates him acting so recklessly?"

Xiaoju shrugged. "Of course the director couldn't tolerate it! But what could he do? He's just so domineering, with a really, really powerful background. And this newbie is playing the male lead! Isn't that amazing?"

Upon hearing this, the male host smiled knowingly and said, "I know who this newcomer you're talking about is."

"Is he a newcomer with the surname C? Besides L, X is also in his first film. Are two big names acting alongside him?"

"Oh!" The two guests immediately raised their voices, "We know too!"

Xiaoju continued, "We won't reveal who it is, okay? Let's stick to the facts. Tell me, isn't this newcomer domineering enough?"

The male host asked, puzzled, "Your friend with the surname J is quite influential in the industry, isn't he? Why does he just let a newcomer bully him?"

Xiaoju: "That's what I said too! A newbie bullying a senior is really unacceptable! I feel so sorry for him!"

"However, my friend said, 'Forget it! It's normal for a newcomer to want to prove themselves. It's not easy to make a name for yourself, so why make things difficult for them?'"

Everyone immediately exclaimed that the male celebrity surnamed J was truly a paragon of virtue and talent.

Next, the four of them engaged in various charades and deceptions surrounding the newlywed with the surname C, a situation that was half-true and half-false, half-open and half-closed.

As expected, the show was a ratings hit as soon as it aired, and newcomers with the surname C, actresses with the surname L, and veteran artists with the surname J were all exposed.

Just put these letters in the box and you'll know who's who at a glance!

Chu An specifically sought out the replay to watch.

After reading it, I was stunned. "It's so well-written!"

Lu Mingze, Lin Wanchen, and Lin Wanxing, who were standing to the side, looked worried.

Lin Wanchen said, "Ji Yang is cunning enough to use a friend's leak as a tactic. He manages to clear himself of all charges while simultaneously dragging you down with him."

Lu Mingze was smart for once, saying, "Usually, this kind of prepared public opinion campaign wouldn't be carried out by just one station like Beijing, Tianjin, or Taiwan."

"Other media outlets will follow suit. First, those closely associated with Ji Yang will exaggerate the story. Once the buzz builds, other media outlets will follow the news frantically without needing their intervention."

"At that time, public opinion will be overwhelmingly in favor of the government!"

Lu Mingze's concerns are not unfounded; just look at the people present:

Chu An has no connections; Lu Mingze just broke up with Tian Du, so he's nobody.

The Lin siblings have accumulated some media resources in the past two years, but they have no real foundation.

They are no match for Ji Yang and the capital behind him.

"What should I do? What should I do?" Lin Wanxing was so anxious that she jumped up and down, not expecting that she had really caused trouble.

Will Chu An's budding acting career be ruined by her?
"That new singer from last year was forced out of the industry by Ji Yang just for alleged plagiarism. We've offended him so badly, surely he won't go after Chu An with his life?"

These words silenced Lu Mingze and Lin Wanchen; it was clear that the other party was aiming to kill.

This is just the beginning. Later, the media followed suit, public opinion became one-sided, and with the attacks from Ji Yang's fans, Chu An found it difficult to cope.

Lu Mingze suggested, "Why don't you go find Director Sun? He has a good impression of you, maybe he can mediate between you?"

Looking at Chu An, he said, "Don't be too stubborn. At worst, you can just back down to Ji Yang."

Lin Wanchen also offered words of comfort, saying, "Although we don't know many media outlets, we can contact a few more and hold a press conference or something."

"Just pay me then!" he said, feigning nonchalance. "The Lin family may not have much else, but they have plenty of money! I'll prepare ten million for you first, and I don't believe they won't put in a good word for us after you take the money!"

Chu An was dumbfounded again, looking at his three companions who were crying and shouting in grief, yet still full of energy, as if they were three idiots.

"What kind of lousy ideas are these?! They're really rich and stupid!"

Seeing that he disagreed with spending money, Lin Wanxing immediately said, "Then I can mobilize my fans! They're very supportive!" She gritted her teeth cutely, "They might not lose to Ji Yang's fans!"

"Give me a break!" Chu An glared at her. "If you get your fans involved, we'll really be involved in a scandal."

It's the kind of thing that can't be explained clearly.

Lu Mingze said, "Don't take this lightly. There's still time to come up with a solution!"

"Once public opinion takes hold, you won't even have a channel to fight back or speak out, and at that point, no media outlet will dare to take your money!"

Chu An, "..."

Once again, I realized how much these idiots need me.

"I thought Ji Yang would come up with something special, but this is all? What's the rush?"

Everyone was stunned. What did that mean? Why didn't he take it seriously?

But then Chu An, watching the rebroadcast of "Entertainment Frontline," suddenly blurted out, "Aren't they openly saying I have connections?"

He turned around and asked, "Is there such a saying?"

Three people, "..."

Lin Wanxing thought carefully, "It seems...there is?"

Lin Wanchen confirmed, "That host, Xiaoju, did indeed say it."

Chu An chuckled, "That's enough!"

He took out his phone, dialed a number, and said in a cheeky tone, "Grandma Zhang? Missed me?"

Opposite her was Tong Meng's mother, Zhang Lanfang, a national treasure-level actress.

Upon hearing that it was Chu An, Zhang Lanfang on the other end of the line said, "Xiao Tong is absolutely right. You definitely had to call, since you don't know anyone in the industry."

Chu An: "Oh, Sister Tong isn't home?"

Zhang Lanfang: "I'm on my way to your place! I heard about it this morning and went right away."

He teased Chu An, "What's wrong? Got into trouble and came to me to be a peacemaker?"

"This is not a good matter. I don't know anyone at Ji Yang's company, and I've never met Ji Yang in person."

"However, it is possible to contact them through friends."

Upon hearing this, Chu An exclaimed, "No! Please don't!"

Zhang Lanfang asked, puzzled, "Why not? Don't you need me to mediate?"

Chu An grinned, holding his phone, "I appreciate your kindness, at least we have some backing in this industry!"

"However, there's no need for mediation. Let him make a scene! The media just needs a topic, and I have to cooperate to hype it up."

Zhang Lanfang, "..."

Even more confused, she asked, "Then why did you contact me?"

Chu An, “Did you watch that interview? I think that program spoke too recklessly, blatantly saying that I have connections!”

Zhang Lanfang immediately understood. "I understand. Let me help you clarify things." She pondered for a moment and said, "They did say something wrong. Do you think I don't know your background? This is indeed a good point of counterattack."

Chu An followed up with a flattery, "My background is you! It's quite deep indeed."

This made Zhang Lanfang laugh out loud, "You naughty child."

Chu An changed the subject, "But there's no need to clarify, it would be a waste to use a reversal here."

"Huh?" Zhang Lanfang was confused again. "Then what are you going to do?"

Chu An said, "You see, a provincial satellite TV station should be serious, fair, and rigorous!"

"Yet, on the program, without any investigation, they openly promoted the exchange of power for money, claiming that so-and-so had a powerful background!"

"Is this a very serious matter?"

"I believe this trend should not be allowed to continue. The broadcasting and cultural departments must crack down on it severely and make an example of one to deter others!"

"The best approach would be to shut down the entire program, from the host to the program itself, and completely ban them."

Zhang Lanfang: "..."

The three people around him: "..."

Holy crap! Is the angle really that tricky?
Everyone was dumbfounded. What kind of approach was this?
Do not retaliate against Ji Yang.
He targeted "Entertainment Frontline"!
……

.

I'm so busy, I'm so busy, that's all for today.

Um.
Here's the thing, as longtime readers know, Lao Cang rented a courtyard to run a bed and breakfast two years ago, but then encountered policy issues and struggled for over a year before finally opening just before the Spring Festival.
Then, they opened a bar last year.
Everyone knows this.

What most people don't know is...
There was actually a guesthouse upstairs from the bar, but it was shut down due to policy issues. Although everything was resolved this year, and operations resumed smoothly.

But we need to open before the summer vacation, so there's a lot to do.

There's probably no need to worry about writing the book.

First of all, although the things at the shop and the construction site are trivial, there is still time in the evenings.

Secondly, I didn't have high expectations for this book. I hadn't written anything for over two years, so I needed to gradually get back into the swing of things. I'll just treat it as practice. Actually, it's somewhat similar to "Song Dan".

Anyway, I'm in a good mood and writing is very relaxed. I like my current state. It's just that my writing skills aren't as good as before. What I think of in my mind, I can't write down. I need to take it slowly.

(End of this chapter)