I have a persona specifically for acting.

What on earth is going on?

Forget about the haters and bystanders; even the fans, who should have first-hand information, are at a loss and can only rush to share in the fan groups, hoping to get clarification from the fans with better sources.

Both the fans and the haters are confused.

Many of the well-informed fans and studio leaders collaborate with entertainment companies, achieving mutual benefits and collectively reaping profits, aiming for a goal of shared prosperity.

Tong Zhao’s contract with the company is quite flexible. She has also emphasized to her manager that she does not want to follow the idol route, so her fans naturally formed on their own without the need for deliberate cultivation—

Thus, Tong Zhao’s fan base has a relatively average fighting capacity.

Unless provoked by someone else, they will never rush to respond.

Some in the fandom feel that Tong Zhao’s camp lacks the right atmosphere and doesn’t have that sought-after flavor of the domestic entertainment industry. However, Tong Zhao’s fandom is also one of the more comfortable ones for outsiders to support, as they don’t focus rigidly on album sales or engage in various messy voting schemes, while also dabbling in other fields that occasionally surprise fans.

With pros come cons, and Tong Zhao is quite satisfied with the current state of affairs.

Overall, it’s just fine. She isn’t planning a rebellion or preparing private troops, nor does she want to be the leader of a crab cult that unifies the world for generations.

During the fans’ period of confusion, they noticed that Director Shi followed Tong Zhao—

@Shi Dingjunv:

“Welcome the lead actress of ‘The Knives of the Maiden’ and our little junior sister @Tong Zhao!”

[Audition Screenshot 1.JPG][Audition Screenshot 2.JPG]

……

[So she really became a junior sister? Congratulations to Director Shi.]

[Oh my gosh, a plot twist??? So the marketing accounts were spreading fake news??? @Guajie, come out and get beaten up.]

[Wasn’t it said that she had high aspirations and used her unique subconscious as a gimmick, and that she got scolded by you??? How did she turn around??? Did she ultimately bow to capital???]

This is a suggestion that Tong Zhao has capital backing her.

Even though she had publicly distanced herself from the Tong family long ago and retained her surname simply because it shares a character with her mother’s, she had also cut ties with Tong Zhenming and had a reputation that was not merely damaged, but practically shattered. If she wasn’t stepped on, it would be a stroke of luck; how could anyone help her? But she also has a wealthy and unattainable rumored boyfriend, Wei Zekai, along with the entertainment company behind her.

Conspiracy theories never go out of style.

There are no absolutes in this world; from another perspective, it’s a good thing for the public to remain vigilant.

Shi Dingjun responded directly to this comment: “After the audition, I planned to finalize Tong Zhao. However, because we intended to use a special filming method, it would increase certain costs, so I needed to discuss it with the investors. They ultimately strongly supported my decision. I only heard about this rumor today; I was too busy preparing for the master’s birthday and the new movie… That rumor has been false since I first trained her; it’s all misinformation.”

To increase his credibility, Shi Dingjun even posted a comment with a picture.

It was a record of his WeChat conversations with Tong Zhao, clearly showing that they added each other as friends on the morning of the audition. After the audition, they chatted for a bit, and the conversation was filled with appreciation. From the timing of their discussions, it was clear that any notion of capital pressure was nonexistent, and he liked Tong Zhao very much.

So where did the rumors come from?

Director Shi said it might have originated from the conversation he had with the supervisor after the audition. They both came from the same hometown and spoke a mix of dialect and Mandarin. Some people only understood part of the conversation and took it upon themselves to spread it as a serious rumor, which is quite unethical. He hopes the rumors can stop.

This blocked the last point of doubt.

Shi Dingjun has a great image, and his words carry weight more than anything else.

[It’s too funny to be a bystander during all this hhhhh]

[Got it, the end result of mocking with loans is getting slapped in the face.]

[A little bit of rumor-catching drew all the foolish haters out; I’d call it a skill.]

Fans who were previously anxious suddenly found their backbone.

In reality, being eliminated from the audition isn’t a big deal.

However, being publicly scolded by the well-liked and prominent Director Shi is quite an embarrassing black mark, and it’s likely to resurface in the future whenever there’s a dispute with other companies.

With the burden lifted, it’s time to settle accounts with the rumor mongers!

[Seriously, think about how awkward this is. How long have Director Shi and Tong Zhao known each other? If it were someone else, and there were all these rumors about that person badmouthing you behind your back, would you still consider them a friend? The rumor mongers have dirty hearts; I hope they get their mouths sewn shut in the future.]

The true source of the rumors is untraceable, but the origin of the sarcastic posts that really spread them is easy to find.

It was a minor role who didn’t leave after the audition that day, named Yun Zhiran. Her level of fame is only slightly different from that of a regular person; she had never landed an important role before, so just getting a minor role with lines in ‘The Knives of the Maiden’ is a breakthrough for her.

Fans are itching to confront her.

At this moment, Tong Zhao first retweeted her thanks to Shi Dingjun and then posted a new Weibo update.

@Tong Zhao v:

“I hope the audience can find joy in my work.

I hope my fans can draw positive energy from liking me; there’s no need to fight for me, and don’t hate or belittle others because of me. I will fight my own battles, and I will walk my own path. When I’m weary, you support me; when I’m weak, you encourage me; when I succeed, I can share it with you. That is enough.”

This statement was calculated and well-considered.

Of course, fans need to be restrained. At the very least, she herself set the tone; even if they want to act out, it won’t be too outrageous. By nipping the signs of toxicity in the bud at the beginning, it can prevent things from spiraling out of control later—why are there so many instances of “bystanders wishing for her downfall, while fans wish nothing but for their idol to thrive”? Because short-sightedness for immediate gains set a bad precedent, and the fan groups that developed afterward resemble a high-speed car with malfunctioning brakes, completely out of control and impossible to rein in even by the idol herself.

Why not stop it?

Because the capital behind the idol has already earned its money, and there are very few young idols with the foresight and resources to reject toxic fan behavior from the start.

If you won’t support me, I’ll find someone else to lift up.

Why not support them?

After all, they’re just a fast-moving product that will only be popular for one or two years. If they lose control, they can just disappear from the entertainment industry with a fortune.

In this world, everyone is bustling for profit; the world is chaotic because of profit flowing away.

Tong Zhao knew that her fans were excited, and it wouldn’t be good to harshly criticize them or pour cold water on their enthusiasm. So, she chose to give a more gentle hint, affirming the unwavering support her fans had shown her lately.

Tong Zhao wasn’t afraid that her fans wouldn’t understand.

What is there for fans to misunderstand? Most people in the fandom have excellent reading comprehension skills.

[Got it, we won’t give our sister any trouble; good luck to her in her new drama! /Heart emoji [Tong Zhao cute expression pack.jpg]]

[Quietly waiting for ‘The Knives of the Maiden’; Sister looked so beautiful at the birthday banquet! [Edited high-quality photo.jpg]]

[We don’t spread hate / We’re cute, we also don’t belittle others / So happy, hope the rumor-mongering monsters stay away from our sister / Smile]

This sarcastic Weibo post and the three default expressions show the repressed anger of some of the more combative fans, warning certain competitors who can’t stand Tong Zhao’s success and bored haters to focus on their own happy lives and not bother them anymore.

After Tong Zhao posted on Weibo, she glanced at the comments, knowing it was enough that her mainstream fans had received her message.

After all, a celebrity’s fanbase influences each other.

She found it quite interesting to look at the comments on her Weibo.

If only everyone would talk without constantly posting her photos, it’s a bit too brainwashing; she had become numb to it and was starting to lose the ability to discern her own beauty from ugliness.

After soothing her fans, Tong Zhao didn’t intend to suffer insults without reason.

She directly told Director Shi to remove Yun Zhiran from her role, with a ready-made justification—someone who spreads half-truths and rumors clearly has questionable character. Moreover, if she has such strong opinions about the lead, what if that hatred unconsciously affects her and leads to a big problem during filming, like stabbing the lead with a knife? A minor role can be easily swapped out.

The director’s reply was: “Actually, I was already planning to cut her anyway.”

After all, half of this rumor was pinned on him, which was quite unfair.

When Yun Zhiran received the news that she had been temporarily cut from the role, she was momentarily stunned. Putting together the current events, she guessed it had something to do with Tong Zhao—she believed that Director Shi wouldn’t hold a grudge against a young girl; it had to be a case of women making things difficult for each other. It was just like how she felt a sense of secret joy when she heard that Tong Zhao had “failed” the audition and was eager to have more people witness her downfall. Yun Zhiran managed to obtain Tong Zhao’s work WeChat through some minor methods, hoping to apologize and plead for mercy.

When she saw Yun Zhiran send a long string of messages, Tong Zhao felt not a single ripple of emotion.

Tong Zhao: “Firstly, I don’t have much say in casting decisions; changing actors is not my responsibility. I’m sorry you lost this role, but I don’t know much about the related matters. If you do well in your audition, perhaps you’ll have more opportunities.”

Then, she blacklisted Yun Zhiran.

Whether it was a phone call or WeChat, there was always a risk of being screenshot or recorded. Tong Zhao was in the right and wasn’t afraid of a dispute.

However, she didn’t plan to get entangled in endless disputes with a minor role; it would be too embarrassing. If this were a TV drama, this minor character would only be a brief interlude to adjust the pacing; wanting the lead to interact with them for three or four episodes? They’d need at least a top star for that!

Yun Zhiran felt a tightness in her chest from Tong Zhao’s last line: “If you do well in your audition, perhaps you’ll have more opportunities.”

Because she had mocked Tong Zhao in her social circle with the line, “It’s the director who doesn’t like her being too dramatic; if she auditions well, there might still be opportunities,” now that the same words were thrown back at her, Yun Zhiran felt like she was having a heart attack. Tong Zhao guessed correctly; she indeed wanted to argue with Tong Zhao. By stirring up controversy, she could gain heat and attention. Unfortunately, Tong Zhao didn’t fall for it and remained calm, which made her uncomfortable.

As she was about to say something, she received a red exclamation mark.

Yun Zhiran: “…?”

Did she just get blacklisted?

No rebuttal?

No insults?

Yun Zhiran had also mocked her on Weibo.

Since Tong Zhao had previously stated not to engage in such antics, the fans who came to her defense were few, and passersby quickly forgot about it. After all, they weren’t on the same level; they only knew that Tong Zhao quickly clarified the rumors against her and publicly showcased a great resource, gaining the endorsement of credible figures in the industry and maintaining an excellent image…

That bit of negative impact dissipated silently.

At that moment, the criticism Yun Zhiran faced was significantly smaller than the wave of collective mockery directed at Tong Zhao that had arisen after her rumors.

Spreading rumors felt good at the moment, but when the backlash came, she realized how painful it could be.

In an instant, Yun Zhiran understood.

This complete disregard from Tong Zhao truly made her uncomfortable—enjoying fabricating rumors behind someone’s back? That’s fine; just focus on being a rat in the gutter and don’t come prancing in front of her. She wasn’t worthy.

After Tong Zhao blacklisted Yun Zhiran, she completely removed that name from her mind.

Just a nobody.

What mattered more was her reputation.

This was something her agent and her company had been striving for—

They didn’t expect to mold Tong Zhao into a flawless person, but if the dirt thrown at the “Tong Zhao” brand was false, they needed to wash it away as much as possible. Fortunately, as Tong Zhao had said, there was no need to escalate it into a messy war of words… After being properly “soothed,” the fans’ anger significantly decreased, and the keywords in their comments shifted from aggressive terms like “rumor-mongering dogs,” “haters,” and “anti-explosion” to a focus on the new drama and Tong Zhao’s appearance at the curator’s birthday banquet.

Many people on Director Shi’s Weibo were asking what this new filming method that would increase costs was all about.

Director Shi smiled and said he had to keep it a secret for now.

But surely they could talk about Tong Zhao becoming their little junior sister?

Not only did Shi Dingjun generously mention it, but some videos from the birthday banquet also leaked, and many attendees proudly showcased it on Weibo. Sister Chu thought correctly; that night, many important figures from the film industry and political circles gathered, especially since the old curator had made significant contributions to martial arts in China. Those involved in this field had some historical connections; in short, it was no small matter.

Tong Zhao’s careful preparation had not gone to waste.

Considering this wasn’t a fashion show, being too deliberate would invite ridicule. The stylist chose a subtle and elegant high-grade gray outfit, and her long hair, tied in a ponytail, lessened the formality of the gown while emphasizing a youthful vibe appropriate for her age.

Many photos with Tong Zhao ended up in the news.

The fans happily basked in her beauty, putting aside the unpleasantness.

After all, the sister said she wanted to bring them positive influence.

Being a fan should be fun!

Tong Zhao, dazzling with the aura of Consort Chen, managed to handle all the scheming behind the photos where only she was edited in, as no amount of editing would work unless they made her look ugly—then it would be too obvious and would lead to endless mockery from the all-seeing netizens.

Other female stars also attended the birthday banquet, ready with their glamorous press releases…

But they seemed a bit unconvincing!

Especially for those who shared the frame with Tong Zhao; only their own fans could praise them with their eyes closed, while passersby looked on with a face full of “Emmm…”

Consort Chen felt quite wronged.

Consort Chen: “I’m just a tool for Zhao Zhao to shine in the spotlight.”

Consort Chen: “Youth fades, but affection has already withered, wuwuwu…”

Seeing her pretend to cry while covering her face, Tong Zhao was speechless.

Tong Zhao: “I’m afraid if I let you out for a moment, the sect will turn into a fish pond later.”

Consort Chen blinked her beautiful and innocent eyes as if asking her: “What’s wrong with that?”

Tong Zhao felt that everything was wrong.

Because after talking with Elder Deng, when he proposed to take her as his last disciple, the atmosphere was very warm and serious.

Director Deng explicitly mentioned that he saw her as a good candidate for martial arts, and her subconscious in “One Life Survivor” exhibited a kind of decisive aura that all his disciples lacked… reminiscent of his comrades from his fighting days. When Director Deng was young, he was part of the effort to defend the country, and he admired her particularly: “It would be a shame not to join the military.”

After a moment of thought, Director Deng added, “Actually, not all disciples are lacking, but those that are, didn’t survive.”

The disciples he took in their thirties all died on the battlefield.

The following thirty years witnessed the rapid development of China.

So, his gaze toward Tong Zhao was filled with nostalgia.

Aside from Director Deng’s pure fondness for her, the other senior brothers’ friendliness toward her was polite and somewhat distant, knowing she was about to star in Shi Dingjun’s film. Their conversations revolved entirely around the movie. Tong Zhao keenly observed that this sect resembled the Jewish community in Hollywood, supporting younger members and exchanging benefits… Action movies are one of the more profitable genres, and nearly ninety percent of the excellent action films on the market in Huaxia come from Director Deng’s disciples, who wouldn’t be willing to share this cake with outsiders.

However, there were very few female disciples under Director Deng, making Tong Zhao a low-threat, high-value new member for them.

From the news and the public’s perspective, Tong Zhao, surrounded by admirers while sitting next to Director Deng, appeared to be the “darling of the group.”

But at the core, Tong Zhao understood very well…

This was yet another venue for exchanging benefits, and she had inadvertently obtained a ticket to enter.

Just like in more traditional settings, there were always the remnants of drinking culture, but no one forced her to drink and no one made vulgar jokes at her expense. Because she was recently very popular and was expected to become even more so, there were no handles or black spots to use against her. Her demeanor constantly emphasized that she did not intend to leverage her beauty to gain anything…

After a few rounds of drinks, Tong Zhao assisted the elderly director’s wife into a car and remained sober.

She sat in the nanny van and took out her phone to check the online response.

The atmosphere was anything but calm.

In the world of showbiz, one had to keep fighting every day.

Fans’ excited emotions were calmed down; there was no widespread online outrage, and the trolls quickly fell silent. Some even turned their attitudes 180 degrees and angrily criticized the rumor mongers—ironically, the ones who cursed the most fiercely were not Tong Zhao’s fans but those who had initially followed the trend to mock her, only to realize they had been slapped in the face.

Some trolls showed traces of being backed by other groups, and their operations were not clean enough, leaving behind evidence that was noted down.

Tong Zhao only recognized some names as fellow actresses of the same age group.

Their faces were blurred, and she had little impression of them.

The malice directed at her was overwhelming.

However, this was not a personal grudge; if she accumulated more mocked history, it could indeed tarnish her currently glittering crown for a while.

The assistant who flew with her to Qin City handed her a thermos: “Sister Zhao, you didn’t eat much at the birthday banquet, did you? Do you want to drink something?”

Tong Zhao unscrewed the cap, revealing steaming hot chicken soup inside.

Due to her cultivation practice and good fitness habits, she didn’t pay much attention to her diet. At this moment, she was indeed hungry, so she smiled and thanked her assistant, then lowered her head to sip the chicken soup in small gulps. The rich and fragrant soup soothed the slight turmoil stirred up by the online chaos—

It was over.

Whether in reality or the online farce, everything had temporarily come to a close…

Not so fast!

Reality does influence the subconscious, so before filming began, Tong Zhao had to stay in Qin City to learn all the martial arts that might be used in “The Knives of the Maiden.” She didn’t aim to master them; at the very least, she wanted to keep the concepts in her mind, which was a kind of “skill” in the film industry, proven to be somewhat helpful.

Since Tong Zhao’s role in “The Knives of the Maiden” was a done deal, the focus of fans and reporters shifted to—

Since learning martial arts is so difficult, will she study hard?

Tong Zhao: “Save the children.”

Duan Ge: “Okay.”

Shuyi: “Do I also need to learn together?”

Tong Zhao: “It’s decided. You will take turns sitting in the main character’s position, and I’ll be in charge of supervision.”