Chapter 209: Center Position
The official Weibo account of the Lingxiao Awards Gala once again confirmed the event's schedule. Fans of various artists had long since prepared their support plans. Fans of some first and second-tier celebrities were already well-versed; knowing the Lingxiao Awards Gala would be held during this period, they had even started preparing online and offline support plans for their idols months in advance.
Even if fans of newly popular trending artists weren't clear about these arrangements, they would learn the news through the artist's team or other channels. At the latest, they would know when the Lingxiao Awards Gala's official Weibo released the invitation list, allowing them to make support preparations.
Since the Lingxiao Awards Gala would be live-streamed, there could be both online and offline support. Online support was handled by fans unable to attend the venue, while offline support was taken care of by fans with the ability to purchase tickets and enter.
Of course, the number of entry tickets was limited; not every fan could enter. Generally, large fan account organizers would distribute entry tickets, allowing those who received them to enter on behalf of the fan group. Fans who obtained tickets would also, under the organization of large fan accounts, prepare support slogans in advance and familiarize themselves with on-site taboos to uphold the fan group's prestige and avoid embarrassing situations that could lead to ridicule.
Yin Chengjue had never been interested in attending such crowded events. In his previous life, it was always Shang Liu who represented the company. However, this time was different. When the Lingxiao Awards Gala's official Weibo posted the invitation shortlist online, Rong Yu's name was on the red carpet invitation list, and among the nominated films, there was also the movie "Ghost Traces."
As the behind-the-scenes author of "Ghost Traces," Yin Chengjue naturally also made it onto the invitation list.
Huansheng Entertainment had other artists nominated this year as well. Combined with the invitation letters sent to Huansheng Entertainment by the Lingxiao Awards Gala organizers, a total of twenty-four Huansheng artists could attend, which was quite a considerable number.
Upon learning that Yin Chengjue was going, Shang Liu was naturally happy to take it easy, even finding the leisure to post a teasing message on Weibo.
Shang Liu V: President Yin is about to march into Lingxiao with his harem of three thousand beauties. Stay tuned. [Image][Image][Image]
The images featured Huansheng artists confirmed to attend Lingxiao.
Of course, it wasn't a group photo but a composite made by editing individual photos of several people together.
In the past, the center position in these group photos was a major flashpoint for fan wars. Each fanbase believed their idol deserved that prime spot.
In the hearts of fans, this concerned their idol's ranking and the company's level of regard for their idol. So, while not a major issue, it touched upon the idol's prestige, something fans always fought for.
But now, somehow Shang Liu had instructed the editors—he actually placed a photo of Yin Chengjue in the middle, with the other artists' photos surrounding Yin Chengjue's photo in a circle.
Well, that settled the debate. With the boss himself taking the center position, not highlighting any particular idol, leaving fans who were primed to battle for their favorite's spot with no clear target to fight over.
Logically, Shang Liu's phrase "harem of three thousand beauties" should have hit fans' anger points—'Screw your consorts! Your whole family are consorts! Our idol is our precious darling!'
However, Yin Chengjue's face was just... too unfair...
Fans who prized good looks were already swooning, teetering on the edge of switching loyalties and at risk of jumping ship at any moment.
The top hot comment under Shang Liu's Weibo post was the best explanation.
Comment 1: Honestly, President Yin's face among the three thousand beauties... uh, I mean, among these handsome men and beautiful women, really has no sense of incongruity, even... well, I dare not say.
Comment 2: dbq, I'm a Qiu Yang fan, and I'm sitting on the wall.
[dbq: Abbreviation for 对不起 (duìbùqǐ), meaning sorry]
[骑墙 (qí qiáng): lit. Sitting on the wall; fig. Being undecided or wavering between two choices, often used to describe being a fence-sitter or having divided loyalties between two idols/options]
Comment 3: dbq, I'm a Shu Liubai fan, I'm sitting on the wall.
Comment 4: dbq, I'm a Xiao Miyue fan, I'm sitting on the wall.
Comment 5: This is the man who, with just one selfie, could make a flock of squealing chickens willingly spend money on "Ghost Traces" movie tickets!
Comment 6: Hey! What kind of wild talk is that from the comment above! Squeal if you want, but how can you call us chickens? I'm no chicken! If you want to be a chicken, be one yourself!
Comment 7: Comment 6, just say it straight—you're one of the people Comment 5 described!
Yin Chengjue looked speechlessly at the comments under Shang Liu's Weibo post and couldn't help but call Shang Liu.
The other side picked up quickly.
"What do you mean by this?" Yin Chengjue said.
Shang Liu: "Hmm? Are you talking about the Weibo thing? Just routine promotion. To prevent those fans from making a fuss, I didn't put an artist's photo in the center position. Putting yours works just fine. See, indeed no one's making a fuss, right?"
Yin Chengjue: "..." The fans of Huansheng Entertainment's artists weren't making a fuss, but my domestic situation is about to kick up a storm.
Yin Chengjue was just about to post a Weibo to clarify when he noticed that just seconds ago, Rong Yu had reposted Shang Liu's Weibo with a caption full of suggestive implications.
Rong Yu iycj V: Because of your words, my Twin Jades CP partner had to coax me for a long time in bed [Smiley][Smiley][Smiley] Repost @Shang Liu V: President Yin is about to march into Lingxiao with his harem of three thousand beauties. Stay tuned. [Image][Image][Image]
Shang Liu obviously also noticed this repost, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "Not bad. Can't tell Rong Yu is so good at fan engagement. Looks like this wave of traffic is secured. This time, Huansheng can grab at least half of the Lingxiao Awards Gala's buzz."
Shang Liu's words were no exaggeration. Because after Rong Yu reposted this, the comments section below completely exploded.
Since Rong Yu had set it to repost with a comment, after his comments section blew up, his comment was naturally pushed to the top of the hot comments on Shang Liu's post. Anyone clicking in to see the gossip would immediately see Rong Yu's statement.
First, in the finale of "Don't Look Back in the Dark," Yin Chengjue revealed he would CP-bait with Rong Yu to maintain the first season's residual heat. Then came the hashtag #RongYuKept#. And now, Rong Yu reposting Shang Liu's Weibo with such a bold comment clearly gave the impression—this CP isn't just officially promoted, it's openly acknowledged and played along with by both individuals involved.
Not only acknowledged, but they also seemed to be having quite a bit of fun with it.
However, the more openly they acted like this, the less likely others were to think in that direction.
Even anti-fans' first reaction was: Screw this CP-baiting, screw this marketing, trash artists only know how to attract attention by selling BL.
And most netizens' reactions were also: Tsk tsk, clearly fake. Who would dare act like this if it were real? Artists these days are getting bolder and bolder in their play.
Yuxiang Rousi fans collectively wailed: Brother, if the company is forcing you, just blink!
Meanwhile, the miscellaneous fans who followed Yin Chengjue's Weibo for various reasons chimed in: Your Majesty! With a harem of three thousand, working the night shift every night is extremely taxing on the body. We suggest Your Majesty search for some kidney-tonifying herbs to have on hand, just in case, hehehe~
Yin Chengjue: "..." What kind of demons and monsters are following this account of mine?
The term "Your Majesty" showed how deeply Shang Liu's Weibo post had influenced things.
However, what left Yin Chengjue even more speechless was yet to come.
The Huansheng artists listed by Shang Liu who could attend Lingxiao Awards Gala also reposted Shang Liu's Weibo at this time. But the captions they attached were more and more jaw-dropping.
Qiu Yang V: Because of your words, His Majesty promised to favor me alone tonight. [Image] @Shang Liu.
Curious people clicked on the image, finding it was a screenshot of a WeChat chat between Qiu Yang and Yin Chengjue, though the chat content was very brief... well, one could say excessively brief—
Qiu Yang: President Yin, could you reply to one of my messages?
Yin Chengjue: .
Netizens and fans who saw these two lines collectively: "..." You call this 'favoring alone'? More like falling out of favor!
Of course, the most outrageous caption among them came from the male artist famous for being a goofball within Huansheng Entertainment.
Yang Yueyue yy V: Because of your words, the royal heir in my belly almost didn't make it! [Image]
The image showed Mr. Yang Yueyue's eight-pack abs.
What kind of idol attracts what kind of fans, so the comments section under Yang Yueyue's post was also a carnival of goofballs, with all sorts of wild remarks popping up, as if afraid the Weibo moderators couldn't find things to ban.
As more and more declarations in the same format appeared, everyone's attention wasn't solely on Rong Yu anymore. Instead, they focused on these several Huansheng artists, becoming increasingly convinced this was just a marketing tactic by Huansheng to generate hype, with its authenticity approaching zero.
Seeing Huansheng vigorously boosting their artists' popularity in this way, the Lingxiao Awards Gala organizers didn't want to be outdone. They directly @mentioned Yin Chengjue, expressing their anticipation for his arrival.
Other entertainment companies saw this and followed suit, riding this wave to fiercely boost their own presence.
Fans of various artists also pitched in enthusiastically, doing their part to promote their idols.
All in all, that evening was harmonious and celebratory for all, everyone looking forward to the arrival of the Lingxiao Awards Gala.
By the time Yin Chengjue returned home, it was already dark. The house was pitch black; it seemed Rong Yu hadn't returned yet.
Because of the Weibo incident, Yin Chengjue was still worried about whether Rong Yu might mind. He was still tangled over how to explain it to Rong Yu. Seeing Rong Yu wasn't home, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he could still think about his wording.
However, just as he closed the door, he noticed something flash in the darkness.
Yin Chengjue was stunned, hadn't yet figured out what that was when he felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck! His body involuntarily went limp and collapsed.
In the last moment before his consciousness sank into darkness, Yin Chengjue realized—there was actually a dark figure hiding behind the door!
When Yin Chengjue woke up again, he found himself handcuffed to the bed, limbs spread wide.
And around the bed—front, back, left, and right—cameras were set up, their dark lenses all aimed in his direction.
If he hadn't recognized this as his own bed, Yin Chengjue would have thought he'd been kidnapped.
"Xiao Yu?" Yin Chengjue tentatively called out.
Unfortunately, no one answered. So Yin Chengjue raised his voice and called out a few more times.
"I'm right here~" A voice came from beside his ear. Only then did Yin Chengjue notice a mobile phone placed next to him, and the voice was coming from that phone.
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