Is This How the Entertainment Industry Works? (GL) - Chapter 21

Alin’s anger redlined. She lunged forward to start a physical fight with Zhao Baoshang.

Zhao Baoshang stepped aside to dodge. Immediately, bodyguards rushed up and dragged Alin away. The cameras recorded every second of the scene.

The “Zhao-haters” watching the live stream instantly began posting:

【Zhao Baoshang is a bully. In broad daylight, she explicitly stated she would use “inside influence” to eliminate someone. Multiple pictures inside, enter with caution!】

【Innocent Contestant: “Is being rich everything?” Zhao Baoshang: “That’s right, being rich is everything.”】

【Zhao Baoshang can rely on money to eliminate people now; will she rely on money to do even more morally corrupt things in the future?! I demand an explanation on behalf of the internet!】

…

The other contestants off-stage were terrified into silence. Yu Lian, taking control of the situation, hurriedly shifted the topic: “Alright, let’s have the second group come up for the competition. Even though a big-shot Movie Queen is here, the audition spots for the new movie are still based on the rankings. It has nothing to do with her.”

Everyone perked up again. That’s right—they came here to win. They couldn’t let a little farce stop their progress.

The cameras began capturing everyone’s expressions. Xu Weiwei looked distressed, Della was expressionless, and most people looked indignant, feeling that Zhao Baoshang was being a bully.

One camera was pointed directly at Fang Hexu. Her expression wasn’t great either. She smiled at the camera and said, “I really didn’t expect Yan Zhen to have such a good relationship with the judges. Sorry, it seems I’m reminiscing about things from middle school again.”

She was currently sticking to the “die-before-admitting-to-lying” strategy. This route was indeed effective. Many people still felt Fang Hexu was an innocent “white lotus,” and that the online “skinning” of her past might not be true—it could easily be lies made up by paid shills. Consequently, Fang Hexu’s popularity began to warm up again.

Among the live viewers, Fang Hexu’s fans continued to resolutely boycott Yan Zhen.

【Why should someone with character issues be allowed to participate in the competition?】

【And she knows Zhao Baoshang—Zhao Baoshang has character issues herself. Is there even any integrity left in this competition?】

【Poor Alin was used as a stepping stone.】

A passerby replied below: 【Regardless of anything else, those ancient poems were genuinely difficult.】

A hater cursed: 【What’s so great about reciting ancient poems? I could do that in first grade.】

The passerby countered: 【I didn’t want to say anything, but reciting ancient poems is impressive. Do you even know the titles of those poems? Never mind you—even a professor of Chinese studies from a prestigious university might not be able to recite the full lines from memory.】

The hater’s voice weakened: 【That woman didn’t recite them in full either; she just gave the preceding or following lines.】

The passerby said: 【If you insist on being stubborn, there’s nothing I can do. Go eat sh*t.】

Although some people were helping Yan Zhen, the situation remained unfavorable for her. Many people who disliked her labeled her as a “charlatan” or a “social climber.” By the end of the round, the winners were Della and Xu Weiwei. They secured audition spots for an arthouse film; as long as their acting was decent, they would get good roles.

In the evening, Alin entered the Confession Room and spoke to the camera: “I definitely could have taken first place in the challenge, but you know what? Yan Zhen is a b*tch! She intentionally used incomprehensible words to make things difficult for me! Enough is enough! Could she not have used a simple translation?”

“If it weren’t for her show-off behavior, I definitely would have gotten that audition. She ruined my future.”

“That’s why she has no friends and everyone hates her. Even Xu Weiwei broke off their friendship; I think that says a lot.”

“Once I’m famous, I definitely won’t let her off.”

Alin let out a sigh of relief after finishing. She walked out of the Confession Room, only to find Yu Lian waiting for her at the door.

“Hey, girl,” Yu Lian greeted her.

Alin was flattered. “Ms. Yu Lian!”

“Do you know why I’m looking for you?” Yu Lian asked. Alin shook her head nervously.

Yu Lian said, “You’ve been caught.”

Alin froze for a second. “What?”

“You’ve been caught, dear.” Yu Lian took out her phone and played a recording. It was a confession. In the recording, a staff member revealed that she had delivered the answers, and the people who made her do it were Alin’s parents. In other words, Alin knew the answers in advance.

Alin’s face went pale. “This is a frame-up!” Her mind was a mess, but she knew the camera was right there; she couldn’t show weakness. Otherwise, not only would she suffer, but her parents’ reputation would be ruined. She repeated, “This is definitely a frame-up! It’s because Zhao Baoshang wants me to quit, so she fabricated this!”

Yu Lian said, “Little Zhao does have a bad reputation, but that’s no reason to make her the scapegoat.”

Tears welled in Alin’s eyes. Yu Lian continued, “I will not allow a cheating contestant to remain in the competition.”

Alin demanded, “Then why don’t you investigate Yan Zhen? She definitely cheated too! How can a normal person memorize so many ancient poems?”

Yu Lian glanced at her. “If she really cheated, I will catch her too. Now, please go pack your things.”

Alin was unwilling. But the evidence was too clear; if she fought it, the consequences could be terrifying. She had to pack her bags and leave in tears.

When Xu Weiwei and Della saw this, they were in disbelief. Della didn’t step forward, but Xu Weiwei ran up to say goodbye to Alin.

Alin took her anger out on Xu Weiwei: “You really are a jinx. Why did you have to be friends with me? You caused me to be disqualified.”

Xu Weiwei: “…Is it my fault?”

Alin cursed, “It is your fault!” As she spoke, she pushed Xu Weiwei. Xu Weiwei fell backward onto the steps. Pain flooded her body, leaving her unable to speak. Alin laughed and walked away after the push.

Della watched from the doorway for a while before returning to her room. Several people passed by, but they were just getting food; seeing Xu Weiwei on the ground, no one stopped to help her.

After a while, a staff member walked over and asked, “Do you need help?”

Xu Weiwei was crying too hard to speak. Just as she was about to nod and ask for help, a sudden wave of heat spread across her back. It felt like someone had applied something to her, and then she felt a push—some kind person must have helped her up.

Xu Weiwei sat on the ground, wanting to turn and see who was behind her. She thought it would take a lot of effort, but to her surprise, she turned easily. There was no pain in her body at all.

Xu Weiwei hurriedly asked the staff member, “Who just helped me?”

The staff members looked at each other, and one of them said, “It was Yan Zhen.”

It was actually Yan Zhen. Xu Weiwei was in disbelief. “How is that possible?” she muttered to herself. She had just insulted Yan Zhen and chosen to end their friendship, yet Yan Zhen didn’t hold a grudge. She had even applied a “Dog-Skin Plaster” (traditional medicated patch) to help her recover completely.

Xu Weiwei burst into tears of regret once again.

The viewers on Weibo didn’t pay much attention to this interlude; everyone was arguing about Alin’s cheating.

【If Zhao Baoshang says someone has to quit, they have to quit. She really covers the sky with one hand.】

【Are some people deaf? Did you not hear the recording? It’s clearly real!!】

【It was obviously Zhao Baoshang’s doing for that Yan Zhen person. Birds of a feather—I’m a lifelong hater of both!】

…

Below, someone silently mentioned a “cult-following” topic: 【Don’t you think Yan Zhen is a little angel? Everyone ignored Weiwei, but only she helped in secret.】

【OP +1, the Zhen-Wei ship is sailing.】

【OP -1, Zhao-Yan is the official pairing. Zhao-Yan forever!!】

Author’s Note:

Zhao Baoshang: Director, why didn’t I appear today? I’m going to throw a tantrum.

Xiao Feng Feng (forcing an appearance): Be good, daughter. I’ll give you some piping-hot “tofu” to eat tomorrow.

Yan Zhen: …What are you all planning to do?