Chapter 188: Showing Off the Physique
Yin Chengjue pondered for a moment, then made a decisive decision: "Change into a tight-fitting workout outfit now, one that can show off your abdominal muscles, and go to the gym. I'll help you take a set of photos. After this episode of 'Wisp of Smoke' ends, post them on Weibo using this set."
Rong Yu was puzzled: "But isn't everyone right now annoyed with me for messing up in the kitchen? Posting these kinds of photos showing off my abs, wouldn't that backfire, making people think I'm showing off?"
Yin Chengjue: "'Wisp of Smoke' spent more than half of this episode highlighting your destructive power. If we simply refute it, we won't gain anything. But if we add fuel to the fire, it will make people think this is a deliberate persona being created for you."
Rong Yu looked confused: "But isn't creating a persona not good? If the persona collapses, the artist's image completely crashes. That's what you told me."
Yin Chengjue: "Yes, a well-established persona, once it collapses, will definitely cause many fans to leave immediately. But... this isn't a persona for you."
Rong Yu smiled: "Brother, you mean to say, this is how I really am, so I'm not afraid of it collapsing, right?" The smile was somewhat menacing.
Yin Chengjue cleared his throat: "Let's first discuss how to perfectly resolve this matter."
Rong Yu raised an eyebrow and grabbed Yin Chengjue's collar: "Isn't what you're talking about right now my persona?"
Yin Chengjue: "Yes, correct, persona. Nowadays, as soon as people hear the word 'persona,' they think it's fake. The program used so much time to highlight your destructive power. Regardless of the program's intentions, judging from the audience's reaction, those who believe it's true think your behavior is bad and seriously delayed everyone. Others think this is creating a 'Hercules' persona for you."
Yin Chengjue took the opportunity to grab Rong Yu's wrist, pulling him into his arms. He wrapped one arm around Rong Yu's narrow waist, gently squeezing it as he spoke: "The 'Wisp of Smoke' variety show has always prided itself on being 'authentic and non-hyped,' which is why it managed to stand out among many variety shows and become one with high ratings. What the audience wants to see is the real side of celebrities. So 'Wisp of Smoke' has another nickname: 'The Smoke Skinning.'"
"So, if we proactively take on the 'Hercules' persona the program is highlighting for you and hype it up, what will onlookers think?"
Following Yin Chengjue's reasoning, Rong Yu had a sudden insight: "They'll definitely think this must be a coordinated hype between the program and Huansheng Entertainment to create this persona for me!"
Yin Chengjue nodded: "Yes. Perhaps the program initially just wanted a gimmick, using your special strength to boost ratings. But as long as our company goes along with this and actively promotes the 'Hercules' persona for you, the show's production team won't be able to clear their name even if they had a hundred mouths to explain themselves."
After all, it's normal for a company to hype a persona for its own artist. However, "Wisp of Smoke," a variety show that has always prided itself on "authentically showing the daily lives of celebrities in the countryside," will inevitably be labeled as "creating personas for artists."
Otherwise, why would your program spend so much screen time editing to highlight Rong Yu messing up in the kitchen?
So many artists recorded for three days, and you only focused on editing Rong Yu?
In a ninety-minute episode, Rong Yu's screen time, both group and individual combined, accounts for at least seventy percent. If this data were presented, fans of other artists would definitely feel uncomfortable. Even if they avoid open criticism to protect their idol's public image, they are still likely to voice their discontent indirectly using anonymous or secondary accounts.
With such data, even if the program team denies colluding with Huansheng, others won't believe it.
Once the matter escalates, the program team will certainly issue a statement. At that point, Huansheng will issue a statement, politely stating there was no collusion with the program to create a persona, and then present evidence of Rong Yu losing fans because of this program.
The point is this: everyone is complaining that Rong Yu appeared too often and took up too much screen time. But these scenes weren't even positive portrayals. The show didn't include his good moments, only focusing on his flaws and mistakes, all while insisting this is 'showing reality'—as if the program wouldn't feel authentic unless it drives away millions of his fans.
This way, Rong Yu and Huansheng can successfully distance themselves and then pass the buck back to the program team to solve.
At that point, whether the program team regrets it or not has nothing to do with Rong Yu's side anymore.
After listening, Rong Yu couldn't help but sigh: "So, brother, I was tricked by the program team and then tricked them back?"
"Well, not exactly. The program team isn't really tricking you; they just want to use your high-profile actions for hype. After all, compared to others, the other artists seem quite ordinary, lacking many highlights or memorable points." Yin Chengjue patiently explained: "Actually, if you create data from the timestamps of this episode's bullet comments, you'll find that whenever you appear, the number of bullet comments skyrockets. This is a level of engagement that many artists, who deliberately put on an act to grab attention on variety shows, struggle to achieve.
"And with your current number of fans, they couldn't possibly have generated this volume of activity on their own."
"So, although you lost fans at a frantic rate because of these scenes, the 'Wisp of Smoke' program gained bullet comments and viewership at an equally frantic rate because of your performance."
"Therefore, the whole gimmick of 'showing the most real celebrity' is just to increase bullet comment discussions and viewership for the show. As for how many fans the celebrity loses or how much criticism they attract because of this 'reality,' the production team doesn't care at all. This is the real reason many artists are reluctant to appear on this show," Yin Chengjue said.
Rong Yu widened his eyes in surprise: "It can be like that? Then, why did Sister Sally ask me to go? And you didn't stop me when you heard I was going?"
Yin Chengjue: "Because for an artist, what's more frightening than 'losing fans' or 'attracting criticism' is being ignored and generating no buzz or discussion."
Yin Chengjue ruffled Rong Yu's soft hair and said gently, "So, do you think this industry is very chaotic and complicated?"
Rong Yu pondered for a long time before saying: "Actually, it's not too bad. Whatever the circle, as long as there are many people, it will become complex and chaotic. So what's complex isn't the circle, but people."
Whether to adapt or to withdraw is a question that requires careful consideration from anyone who fully enters a particular social or professional circle.
Following Yin Chengjue's instructions, Rong Yu put on a tight-fitting black outfit and went to the gym.
The two of them came here to work out every day, but this time it was with a mission.
Watching Yin Chengjue continuously snapping photos with the camera, Rong Yu couldn't help asking, "Brother, are you really sure you just want me to post a set of workout photos?"
Yin Chengjue remained calm: "To be honest, my phone's lock screen and wallpaper need changing."
Rong Yu felt a bit displeased: "You won't even let me use your photo as my lock screen. It's not fair."
Yin Chengjue: "Be good. You often appear in public places, and your phone might be captured on camera at any time. Using my photo as your lock screen is too dangerous."
"But I want to be able to see your face anytime, anywhere too!" Rong Yu protested.
Yin Chengjue said, "Then... how about I post selfies on my WeChat Moments frequently, and set them so only you can see them?"
Rong Yu's expression brightened considerably. "It's a deal!"
Yin Chengjue raised the camera. "First, go on the treadmill. Put one end of the white towel over your shoulder, hold the other end in your hand, use it to wipe your chin, and then look at the camera."
Rong Yu followed the instructions. As he looked into the camera, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
Yin Chengjue focused the lens on Rong Yu's six-pack abs, clearly defined by the tight clothing, and pressed the shutter.
Next, Yin Chengjue had Rong Yu pose on various pieces of gym equipment, then selected the photos that best showcased Rong Yu's biceps, triceps, chest muscles, and abdominal muscles, instructing him to post them on Weibo.
As expected, just three seconds after Rong Yu hit send, a flood of comments came rushing in!
Big Fish Eats Little Fish V: Baby, mommy's here! Mommy's first!
Little Fish Eats Shrimp V: Our little one finally posted an update, wuwuwu!
Corn Kernel V: Ahhhh!
Yu Ji V: Holy crap! Am I seeing things? What am I looking at?
Big Fish Eats Little Fish V: Holy crap!
The comments from fans that followed were filled with variations of "holy crap"!
No wonder—Rong Yu usually only reposted official stills or close-up selfies, rarely posting this kind of muscle-flaunting photo. Fans had long held an image in their minds of their idol being slender. Seeing their idol's actual physique so suddenly left them momentarily stunned.
The muscle definition on Rong Yu's body wasn't the exaggerated, bulging type. Instead, it looked natural and smooth, as if meticulously sculpted. Each muscle was positioned just right—not appearing overly brawny and bulky, nor too thin and soft.
Such a physique, paired with Rong Yu's handsome face, looked very harmonious—unlike those "muscle-bound Barbie" types where the face and body seem drastically mismatched.
Soon, fans who had processed the shock realized that Rong Yu was proving himself to those netizens who had questioned his strength.
The recent airing of "Wisp of Smoke" had clearly dealt a significant blow to Rong Yu. Viewers either thought Rong Yu was a nuisance or believed this was Rong Yu crafting a persona—and an extremely peculiar "Hercules" persona at that.
So now, Rong Yu was revealing his true physique.
You think I'm fabricating a persona? Then I'll turn your "assumption" into reality. I really will start "promoting" it. But when it's fully presented to you, will you be able to handle the truth?
Looking at a physique like this, tell me honestly—are you convinced?
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