Brother Dao Took the Entertainment Industry by Storm, Fans Beg Me Not to Kill Anymore-Chapter 379: Public Opinion Explodes — What the Heck Is She After?
"Woo-wah— Woo-wah—"
The sound of an ambulance pierced the air outside the venue. The exit, originally surrounded by fans, was now being strictly cleared by security personnel. Then, everyone saw the ambulance enter the underground garage.
The fans waiting outside looked at each other in confusion.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"Did something happen inside?"
"Who's hurt? Who is it?"
"Ahhh, please don't let it be my idol! I'm so worried!"
Worry for their idols created intense anxiety among the outer fan groups. A nameless surge of negative emotions instantly ignited the crowd.
However, the ambulance came in a hurry and left with someone just as hastily. The fans couldn't even get close to find out the situation. The security personnel on both sides of the road were on high alert, intercepting anyone who tried to rush forward to check, their efficiency unprecedentedly high.
Other, more rational fans weren't having it either, spontaneously helping to stop those who wanted to cross the barrier. One girl with a particularly loud voice even roared out, "What are you all trying to do at a time like this? Don't you want the ambulance to save people?"
"Are you crazy? Can rushing forward save anyone?"
"Everyone, get back! Anyone who pushes forward will be responsible for the consequences! Back off! Back off!"
The situation on-site was slightly chaotic, but the rational people held the upper hand. After a brief period of disorder, the ambulance still managed to drive away smoothly.
Just as these fans were recording the scene, preparing to spread the news online and inquire about the situation inside, they saw another new wave of information—
"Sister Liu! Sister Liu!"
Xiao Chen ran over in a hurry.
Liu Rulan and Xiao He, who had just sent someone off in the ambulance, both looked over at the same time.
Liu Rulan seemed to have anticipated something and asked Xiao Chen, "What's the situation?"
"Sister Liu, you guessed right!" Xiao Chen said, panting heavily. "The situation online isn't good."
"What do you mean?"
Xiao He, puzzled, took out his phone while looking inquiringly at Liu Rulan.
"Hmph, a dog can't change its habit of eating shit."
Liu Rulan sneered coldly and also pulled out her phone.
The evening gala performance hadn't even ended yet, but a new wave of public opinion had already surged.
However, this public opinion wasn't praise related to tonight's stage performances, nor was it about the ambulance for the unexpected incident outside the venue just now. Instead, it was a deluge of mockery and slander.
【Xiao He Stage Mishap】
【Xiao He Accidentally Bumps into Teammate on Stage】
【Xiao He's Singing and Dancing Stage Performance】
…
When he saw these headlines, Xiao He almost thought he was seeing things.
"When did this happen? Did I perform somewhere else?"
For a moment, Xiao He couldn't even believe it. He turned to look at Xiao Chen, as if wanting to confirm he hadn't been sleepwalking recently.
Xiao Chen shook his head. "Brother Xiao, it's really about tonight's performance."
"That shouldn't be—"
Xiao He murmured.
He performed just fine, how did this get linked to him?
Even if passersby don't praise him, they shouldn't be throwing dirty water like this, right!
【Some people really aren't suited to cross over into certain fields, otherwise it just ruins their reputation.】
【Yesterday, marketing was flying everywhere;today, the truth is exposed. I'm embarrassed for Xiao He and his team.】
【Even such simple singing and dancing, and he still steps on the wrong beat, almost bumping into his teammate. How certain actors have managed to get to where they are today, I really can't say.】
【LMAO, yesterday they were still marketing him as a superstar persona. I really don't get it, does Xiao He even have any representative works? Singing a few lines on stage makes him a shining superstar? Then the entire domestic entertainment industry must be an all-star lineup.】
【That's just how Little Black's camp is. Their marketing is especially top-tier, those who know, know.】
【What decent person markets a villain persona all day long?】
【Their fans are really strange. An ugly villain gets condemned and cursed, but when it's a handsome one, everyone can't wait to call him husband. I'm so confused, how do they even fall for a villain specialist?】
【Actually, I've always been kind of scared of Little Black and his fan group. Throw your moral compass out the window, and you can like any character. Getting off just on a face is really terrifying.】
【? Xiao He's performance tonight was pretty good though, I don't get it.】
【What happened? Why is everyone suddenly talking about Xiao He?】
【Great, I thought I was the only one who disliked Xiao He. Turns out everyone feels this way, so I'm relieved.】
【???】
【Has the online trend changed? Netizens weren't like this yesterday.】
【Which camp is making a move?】
Negative public opinion suddenly erupted online. Many people who disliked Xiao He couldn't hide anymore and joined in, using this incident to voice their dissatisfaction.
After understanding the cause and effect, Xiao He was utterly dumbfounded.
The origin of this matter was actually quite simple. A blogger posted a self-recorded video of tonight's performance, specifically circling the clip where Xiao He stepped back and almost bumped into Lu Yuxi. The blogger then claimed Xiao He had a stage accident tonight, saying actors should just stick to acting and not dabble in crossovers all the time, that his professional skills were lacking but his marketing tactics were number one.
The main issue was, whether the blogger did it on purpose or not, the background music and the video footage weren't perfectly synced. This resulted in Lu Yuxi, who had actually rushed the beat on stage, appearing to be on the correct rhythm in the video, while Xiao He seemed to be full of mistakes.
Xiao He: …
First of all, the one who stole my position was Lu Yuxi. Secondly, I'm an actor, I was just invited here to sing, with a bit of dancing on the side. I didn't commit some heinous crime that outraged heaven and man, did I? Why are you all jumping around trying to pin this shit on my head? Other actors have diversified too! Why the double standard? Others can cross over, but I can't, is that it?
Finally, yes, we know how to market, but that's not a reason for you to turn everything into a conspiracy theory! We really are suffering an Unforeseen Disaster this time!
Xiao He turned his head to look at Liu Rulan. "Sister Liu, what's your take?"
"I now strongly suspect the source of this negative public opinion is that Lu Yu. I'm afraid the time she arrived late was spent preparing for this public opinion campaign."
This stage accident wasn't really that severe when you think about it. After all, it was just a regular gala performance. Situations like this have happened in previous years. Netizens would at most laugh about it and forget soon after.
But this kind of maneuver is purely disgusting.
And to think he was saving someone backstage, while this person was sneakily stabbing him in the back.
"Then, do you think Lu Yuxi knew about this?" Liu Rulan looked at Xiao He. "To be precise, do you think Lu Yuxi did it on purpose?"
Xiao He thought for a moment, then still shook his head. "On stage, he really was putting in the effort. His condition probably wasn't great even then, gritting his teeth to persevere. Even though I don't really like him, I'm leaning towards him not knowing about this."
"Besides, the traces of the water army in this public opinion campaign are relatively crude. I think it's more like Lu Yu came up with it on the spot."
If it had been prepared in advance, Lu Yu wouldn't have arrived at the venue so late, unless she saw this stage accident from the audience and came up with the idea then and there. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖
However, even though Lu Yuxi himself might not know about this, Xiao He still felt a bit sick to his stomach.
Xiao He: "What is she even trying to gain?"
"Naturally, she's trying to gain heat, to control the public opinion."
Liu Rulan answered without hesitation.
"First, throw the blame onto you. After marketing it for a wave, then have Lu Yuxi help clarify things for you, putting on a show of brotherly affection. Then, a not-so-serious stage accident smoothly transforms into a harmonious, positive heat marketing campaign. It could even allow Lu Yuxi to leech off your heat a bit more, making you owe them a favor on the surface."
It's just that Lu Yu probably never imagined that after setting up this stage, her own person collapsed first. All subsequent plans were completely disrupted, and she probably couldn't even spare the effort to manage the public opinion side right now.
Otherwise, Lu Yu definitely wouldn't have targeted Xiao He like this.
Xiao He, however, felt a bit of pity. "She really doesn't treat Lu Yuxi like a human being! If they really did that, it's not like we're idiots. After taking a big loss, we'd probably hold a serious grudge against Lu Yuxi."
"I'm not too clear about their affairs either, but this move really does offend people." Liu Rulan shrugged. "But as the saying goes, Negative Popularity is still popularity."
"And right now, Lu Yuxi's life hangs in the balance. A human life is far more serious than a stage accident. Compared to helping with clarification, the organizer probably hopes you can help them shoulder some of the public opinion pressure instead."
"If I'm not mistaken, the Chief Director will come looking for us in a moment."
As soon as Liu Rulan finished speaking, Li Qing walked over with a troubled expression.
"Um—"
He looked at Liu Rulan, then at Xiao He, saying very awkwardly, "Could you two come over for a private chat?"
Xiao He and Liu Rulan exchanged a glance, both letting out a bitter smile in unison.
