Full-Time Public Enemy-Chapter 583 - 470 Exposure

"Captain," Shang Qingye’s voice resonated within the channel. "No need to go; that’s Bai Yunjing."

There was silence on the communication channel, as no one knew who Bai Yunjing was. Qin Zhe, adopting the stance of a seasoned veteran toward Shang Qingye, who had just been recruited into the Bureau of Mystic Security, said, "No matter who he is, in this weather, wearing a trench coat and sunglasses, he’s obviously trying to hide his movements—that’s very suspicious..."

Shang Qingye could only explain, "He stars in the recent popular drama, ’Love Above the Clouds.’ But I don’t think his getup is for hiding his movements—as you said, wearing a trench coat and sunglasses in this weather stands out too much. He’s just recently become famous and is deliberately dressing this way. It might *seem* like he’s trying to hide his movements, but I actually think he wants to attract paparazzi attention to increase his exposure..."

Meanwhile, the action team had already been dispatched. Before they could reach the man in the white trench coat, a few maglev motorcycles suddenly rushed in from a side street, one executing a drift stop right in front of him. Various pieces of camera equipment were already rolling, and then, before the man in the white trench coat could react, they swiftly sped away.

Chen Jixian rarely praised anyone in public. However, seeing that Shang Qingye, a newcomer, possessed such insight and analytical ability, he couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow slightly and utter, "Not bad."

Qin Rui felt a bit embarrassed but kept silent.

Chen Gu’s voice arose in the communication channel, "You must be patient. The Digital Group is well hidden and won’t expose themselves so easily."

Then, Chen Gu added, "Send a team to keep an eye on Bai Yunjing!"

Shang Qingye was taken aback, and Chen Gu explained further, "When dealing with an organization of the Digital Group’s caliber, we can’t overlook any hint of suspicion."

"I’ve just checked. Bai Yunjing wasn’t scheduled for filming today. His presence here is very likely just to increase his exposure, but as long as there’s even a tiny bit of suspicion, we can’t let it go."

"This is our only advantage against the Digital Group: we have strength in numbers!"

Everyone laughed at his words. Although Chen Jixian, their leader, was reluctant, he didn’t show it on his face and still assigned the same team to covertly follow Bai Yunjing.

...

While a false alarm played out outside the film set, inside, Mao Yuanhui’s performance brightened both Yu Mozi’s and Chen Gu’s eyes.

It wasn’t that Mao Yuanhui was a genius actor. Rather, it was because the performances of those who had gotten in through connections had been so painfully bad. So, when someone young but with a normal level of acting ability suddenly appeared, it was hard not to feel a sense of "relief."

Yu Mozi checked Mao Yuanhui’s records and couldn’t help raising an eyebrow, smiling. "So he’s a graduate from the Central Academy of Drama. No wonder he’s at this level."

This school was one of the top three film academies in the Confederation, a place Yu Mozi had longed for but could never reach.

Mao Yuanhui said sheepishly, "My dad donated a building to the school and sponsored the graduation projects of an entire class. That’s how I got in."

His honesty brought a smile to Chen Gu’s and Yu Mozi’s faces, while the other crew members stared at him with stars in their eyes. Oh, the envy of having a wealthy father, how wonderful!

"Alright, let’s call it a day," Yu Mozi said. "Chen Gu, let’s discuss which actors to invite to reassemble the cast."

Chen Gu waved his hand. "Director, you handle it. I’m not familiar with this circle."

This circle, in this world, I am not familiar with.

Yu Mozi paused. "But you’re a major investor..."

Chen Gu joked, "I brought a connection myself." He pointed at Chen Qingyu, who adorably came to Chen Gu’s side and said softly, "Grandpa has got my back."

Before Yu Mozi could think of which actors to approach, Gao Mengjiu’s phone rang. Man Suling’s highly recognizable voice came through, "I heard that Chen Gu unleashed his domineering aura and sent all those connections packing? Teehee, that’s my idol, so radiant with every move! Mhm mhm mhm, so now are you short on actors? I can perform, no salary required, a free cameo—the kind where I play the female lead from start to finish. But I have one request, eh? There have to be more than six kissing scenes with the male lead, no body doubles!"

Gao Mengjiu hurriedly ended the call. The future diva’s voice had such a penetrating quality that even without the speakerphone on, those nearby, including Director Yu Mozi, heard it.

His eyes lit up. "Is that really what she said..."

Chen Gu glowered at him. "Really my ass! No deal! I hold fifty percent of the investment in the film; I have the final say!"

Yu Mozi pleaded earnestly, "If Man Suling is willing to play the lead actress, your fans and hers will guarantee a good box office. At least we won’t lose money..."

"No!"

Chen Gu sternly refused and walked away with a scowl.

But the thought was indeed tempting: it was an investment of a whole hundred million, after all. If he could ensure we broke even, what was wrong with sacrificing a bit of his image? It wasn’t unacceptable. Six kissing scenes for a hundred million—that’s almost twenty million per kiss. At that rate, his own worth... would he be the Confederation’s top male escort?

Chen Gu quickly shook his head, trying to discard these terrifying thoughts.

After stepping out, he spoke with Chen Jixian. "Is there a problem with Bai Yunjing?"

"At least, nothing has been found yet."

Gong Shuxu also joined the conversation. "Chen Gu, you need to find a way to increase the film’s exposure. The bigger the hype, the more ashamed the Digital Group will feel, prompting them to make a move."

Chen Gu thought for a moment and reluctantly said, "Alright."

Old Man Gong Shuxu just had to say the words; he made it sound so easy. How do you increase a film’s exposure? It all comes down to spending money.

Without paying for promotional articles or hiring internet shills to create buzz, how could you get any exposure?

But the entire investment was only two hundred million Starshields, and the budget for early promotion was zero. Everyone had originally thought that with the livestream providing a foundation, there would be nothing to worry about.

After Chen Gu ended the call, he couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, looking up at the sky. For a moment, he was utterly bewildered: How did this whole affair become so convoluted?

No, I need to think this through carefully...

At first, it was to counter the influence of the livestream. The military and the Bureau of Mystic Security—represented by Ding Zhou at the time—wanted me to make a movie.

They didn’t know that in my past life I was a Best Actor... Okay, I’m talking to myself now, no need for self-deception. A small-time actor—but at least the king of extras, right?

To persuade me to participate, they tempted me with a five-hundred-million-Starshield mega-production.

I’m afraid Ding Zhou had already decided back then that the ’five-hundred-million mega-production’ title was just to coax me, right?

Hmm... wait a second. Then who was the genius who came up with the plan to ’lure the snake out of its hole’ and ’kill two birds with one stone’? Using this blockbuster to draw out the Digital Group, making them attack the film crew, then grabbing their tail to trace them back and take down the entire Digital Group?

It seems... it was me?!

And it seems the person in charge at the Bureau of Mystic Security back then wasn’t Ding Zhou anymore; it had switched back to Aviloya?

Oh my god! No wonder that woman’s eyes were filled with such encouragement and delight when I proposed this plan!

...So, I basically tied a noose and put it around my own neck?

Because of my professional integrity, I couldn’t stomach the garbage Ding Zhou tried to force into the film, so I took on half of the investment myself. If the movie project fails, I’ll lose a hundred million?

Although the Bureau of Mystic Security was there with career advancement resources as a safety net, a loss is still a loss.

And for me, a Best Actor... alright, the king of extras, to have my very first work in this life flop... Doesn’t the king of extras have any pride?

Chen Gu sighed and realized that the two threads he had summarized actually converged:

The first thread: to provoke the Digital Group into action, they needed to increase the movie’s early exposure.

The second thread: to avoid taking a loss, all kinds of promotional work had to keep up, which also meant increasing exposure.

Now, a golden opportunity was right in front of me: the young diva who came with her own massive following... but it required me to sacrifice my dignity.

Chen Gu let out a long sigh, looking up at the sky. This is definitely not because I think that little she-wolf has fame and beauty, and that I wouldn’t be at a loss if something happened between us. I’m a man of principle! This is purely... purely because life compels me!

...

After an intense negotiation lasting precisely... three minutes and forty-seven seconds, Man Suling, the singing sensation and rapidly rising star, decided to join the cast of "Glory of the Warrior." She would take the lead actress role, pairing up with Chen Gu, the new star of the Behemoth Alliance, as an onscreen couple, cruelly preparing to shower the public with their affection.

Once this news was announced, it indeed significantly increased the movie’s exposure. Heated discussions erupted among fans of both stars, quickly spreading to music fans and the entire fanbase of the Behemoth Alliance.

Number 21, on the Interstellar Quantum Network, "witnessed" far too much discussion about this movie and its so-called "pre-promotional trailer." Even though he had already transformed into a special, eternally-living entity on the network, he was still so angry his code practically glowed red!

He also unhesitatingly forwarded various "infuriating" online comments to the inbox of every "Digital."

He didn’t need to fan the flames; these comments were enough to make any "Digital" explode on the spot.

Soon, a new chatroom was established. Protected by Number 21, it ensured their absolute safety on the Interstellar Quantum Network, allowing them to speak their minds freely.

"Creator 0, we must not let this movie be released! If it is, I’d rather disembowel myself!"

"This is an outright mockery of us! Our plan failed, but the Bureau of Mystic Security didn’t achieve a true victory either. They can’t find us. This round can, at best, be called a draw. How dare the Bureau of Mystic Security make a movie about this and arbitrarily alter the final outcome?" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Let me go! I’ll level the entire film set!"

Creator 0 finally appeared. "Shut up, all of you!"

"All of you, think calmly, and you’ll understand that this is likely a trap."

"Besides, even if the movie is really released, so what? Aside from the Bureau of Mystic Security and us, who else would know it’s mocking us?"

"Since no one else knows, what harm does it do us?"

"Let the Bureau of Mystic Security indulge in their fantasies. We won the first round, the second was a draw, so we’re still in the lead. And in the third round, we’ll win again!"

The chatroom gradually quieted. Creator 0’s words made sense; they had merely been blinded by anger. Once they calmed down a little, they could see that there was likely some conspiracy hidden behind this movie.

But within the following twelve hours, the crew of "Glory of the Warrior" announced the movie’s main villain: Zero!

And they also announced subsequent projects, including the development of a major game based on the movie’s plot, where the ultimate boss would be the film’s main villain, "Zero."

During an interview, Chen Gu, the movie’s star, smiled at the camera and said, "Please trust me, once the movie and the game are released, the fans’ daily routine will become ’eat, sleep, beat Zero,’ HAHA!"

The Digital Group lost it! They couldn’t take it anymore!