Chapter 224: Counterattack

*Book Club* aired a little earlier than *Zhi Xing*.

On the day of the broadcast, Lu Yan He didn't even know there was such a program.

It was Yan Liang who sent a few screenshots to the group and asked Lu Yan He: Old Lu, do you have a grudge against this writer named Yu Jiang?

Lu Yan He was confused, saw what Yu Jiang said, and said: No, I don't even know who she is.

Yan Liang: It feels like she is targeting you.

Li Zhibai: This person's face looks a bit mean.

Yan Liang: When did you learn to read faces?

Lu Yan He: Am I innocently lying down, or am I being targeted?

Yan Liang: I don't know. Compared to you, there are actually more opinions from the fans of those idol artists who have acted in her novel adaptations.

Li Zhibai: Huh?

Yan Liang: Yu Jiang's books have been adapted into film and television dramas many times, and many actors are idol artists. She said such things, and many fans feel that their idols were swept away, especially the fans of several very popular people. Now they are scolding her under Yu Jiang's social media.

Li Zhibai: I just searched it. Most of the film and television dramas adapted from her novels are acted by idol artists, and they are all popular idols.

Yan Liang: Yeah, so everyone has a lot of opinions.

The direction of the matter and the focus of public opinion becoming like this was also something *Book Club* didn't expect.

At first, everyone's expectation was that Lu Yan He's fans would make trouble, but now it's not like that at all.

Lu Yan He's fans expressing dissatisfaction with the program and Yu Jiang is only a very small part of the voice. The most dissatisfied are the fans of those idol artists who have cooperated with Yu Jiang.

When the *Book Club* program team held a meeting together, screenwriter Zheng Huai directly complained about this matter: It's good now, everyone's attention is on Yu Jiang, and they are all negative news.

Yu Jiang is almost besieged by the whole network now—she of course also has fans, but compared to those idol artists' fans, it is a drop in the bucket. In this case, Yu Jiang's personal homepage almost completely fell.

Yu Jiang herself was stunned.

Her original intention was just to diss Lu Yan He? How did it suddenly become like this?

Yu Jiang didn't even realize that what she said swept away a large area of people.

She had to call several idol artists she had cooperated with, explaining this matter, and wanted to ask them to speak for her, but no one was willing to stand up and speak for her.

"Teacher Yu, I am just a small idol artist, and my words are useless."

"Teacher Yu, what should I say? Isn't it you who said that idol artists don't have acting skills and are not suitable for acting?"

The artists who had cooperated before, not one was willing to speak for her!

Yu Jiang stood in her living room in disbelief, for a moment like a forest suddenly invaded by the north wind, suddenly covered with frost, not only her expression, but even her movements seemed to be frozen.

Why is this?

Zheng Huai came to a restaurant near the company, ordered a chicken chop rice for himself, looked around, confirmed that there were no acquaintances, and then dialed a phone.

"It's been a long time since I saw your methods, and they are still so swift and decisive," Zheng Huai said with a smile. "If you don't make a move, you make a move that makes people marvel. Now the contradiction is transferred, and Little Lu is directly picked out."

Chen Ziyan's voice came from the other end of the phone: "This is not to thank you for giving me a letter in advance, allowing me to make preparations in advance. That Xu Bantian is still not dead, and wants to trip Little Lu again. Why are people so cheap?"

Zheng Huai smiled and said: "Looks like a petty person."

Chen Ziyan: "Anyway, thank you this time. I remember this favor."

"What are you polite for? You helped me a lot back then," Zheng Huai said. "On the contrary, when *Book Club* has a suitable theme, invite Little Lu to play together."

"Forget it. Your first episode broadcast Yu Jiang's complaints about Little Lu. Although we transferred the focus of public opinion now and let the controversy not fall on Little Lu, wouldn't it cause new controversy if he appeared on your program again?"

"Also, then we will talk about it when there is another suitable program," Zheng Huai said.

"Next time you are the director yourself, I will let my artists all come to your program."

"Okay," Zheng Huai nodded with a smile.

Why is the trend of this matter not quite the same as he imagined?

Xu Bantian was full of doubts.

It inexplicably became a conflict between other idol artists and Yu Jiang, and Lu Yan He was picked out instead.

Xu Bantian didn't believe in accidents. He knew that there must be a pusher behind this matter manipulating the direction of public opinion.

Otherwise, this matter shouldn't skip Lu Yan He. Lu Yan He was the one who was discussed first.

Just wondering, Xu Bantian's phone suddenly vibrated.

"Old Xu, someone is digging you online," a colleague from Jingtai said incredibly.

"Digging me?" Xu Bantian was even more confused when he heard his colleague say this, "Digging what about me."

"See for yourself."

The colleague hung up the phone and sent a link.

Xu Bantian clicked

The title of the post was "Who exactly is Xu Bantian, the assistant director who appears on major variety shows?"

The article was very long, first listing in a flowery manner the production staff lists of seven or eight variety shows, all of which were programs Xu Bantian had participated in, and his name was marked with a red frame in the pictures.

After the list, it expressed confusion as to why Xu Bantian was able to participate in so many program productions at such a young age and serve as an assistant director for all of them.

It was followed by a photo of Xu Bantian, and there was no telling where it had been dug up from.

Seeing this, Xu Bantian felt a bit nervous, instinctively worrying that someone would accuse him of using his father's connections to get through the back door.

That was indeed the case.

However, upon seeing what followed, Xu Bantian suddenly wished it had been that kind of content.

Unfortunately, it wasn't.

The article suddenly shifted its tone, returning to the programs he had participated in, and pointed out a fact: among the programs produced by Xu Bantian, a female artist named Xu Xiaowen appeared in four of them.

When he saw the three characters "Xu Xiaowen," Xu Bantian's expression changed.

Because Xu Xiaowen was his ex-girlfriend; they had dated for a period of time before breaking up.

This matter had never been made public; on one hand, Xu Bantian himself didn't want to disclose it, and on the other, it was because Xu Xiaowen had previously been a female idol and it wasn't appropriate for her to date.

He hadn't expected that after being broken up for some time, it would suddenly be dug up by someone now.

The end of the article talked about how Xu Bantian had once dated Xu Xiaowen, and the two of them had taken advantage of work to like each other.

After finishing this exposé post, Xu Bantian's face turned directly black.

In his heart, only one voice remained: it's over.

"This article by Li Zhibai is written quite well; are you really not planning to include it in the book?" Xu Mingyue asked.

Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi looked at each other and said, "Publishing this article now is a bit sensitive; let's take it down, forget it."

There was no telling if Meng Ling would really do anything.

Xu Mingyue regretfully crossed out Li Zhibai's article.

"The total word count of the manuscripts we have now is 90,000 words. To publish a theme book, the word count is actually relatively small," she said. "How many manuscripts are still outstanding?"

Lu Yan He said, "Only Jiang Yuqian hasn't given me a manuscript yet. Should we go and solicit a few more? If the word count isn't enough."

"It would be better to be able to solicit more manuscripts," Xu Mingyue said. "Otherwise, the volume of this book will only be this big, and it will be difficult to set a price. If it's set too low, it's easy to lose money; if it's set too high, readers will feel it's not worth it."

"Then let's go find some more manuscripts," Lu Yan He said.

Xu Mingyue nodded, "Actually, I don't think we should be limited to those already famous writers or celebrities. If there are well-written manuscripts, like the one written by this new author named Bai Yu, they can be used just the same."

"She is my classmate. I know she has been writing novels, which is why I solicited her. Besides her, I don't know who else writes well."

Xu Mingyue said, "Then why not ask Liu Jiazhen and Mingyin? They are both famous writers and have their own writing circles; perhaps they know some people willing to write for this book."

Lu Yan He's eyes lit up, "That works. I will contact them immediately and ask for their help."

Xu Mingyue took a stack of manuscripts out of her bag and said, "I have reviewed these manuscripts and have some suggestions for revisions. Do you want to communicate with them yourselves, or should you give me the contact information for these authors, and I will communicate with them?"

Chen Siqi thought for a moment and said, "You are the only professional among us; wouldn't it be smoother if you communicated with them directly?"

Lu Yan He said, "I'll handle the communication for the artists' manuscripts. Give the manuscripts to me."

Xu Mingyue nodded: "I have marked some basic text issues directly on them. If they don't mind, I can correct them directly, but for some parts where I think content modifications and adjustments are needed, I have written my opinions in the margins. You can take a look first; if it's not appropriate, then forget it."

"Mm."

After the three of them finished discussing the matters regarding "Jump Up," Xu Mingyue still had to return to Jiang Yin Publishing House.

Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi stayed at the cafe together to look through the manuscripts.

After a while, Xin Zixing came over.

She also brought a very young girl with her.

Xin Zixing introduced that this was the art editor of the Ye Mai Network, whose work name was Yilong.

"The layout design for the electronic version of this book can be handed over to her."

Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi immediately stood up to greet Yilong.

Yilong looked like a very introverted and simple girl. She shyly greeted Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi. After getting to know each other, she took out several printouts of layouts she had designed and handed them to them.

"These are designs I've done before. Take a look and see what kind of style you want."

Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi received them in their hands.

Xin Zixing said, "I have another meeting later. You guys chat first; I'm leaving now. Good luck."

Xin Zixing came in a rush and left in a rush.

Yilong's design style made Chen Siqi's eyes light up.

Her works were basically based on simplicity, elegance, and a sense of lines, which happened to coincide with Chen Siqi's ideas.

In Chen Siqi's vision, "Jump Up" was exactly this kind of book.

It was not the kind that was complicated and gorgeous or overly plain, nor was it the kind of design seen in public accounts.

Chen Siqi asked Yilong, "Yilong, do you have a long-term cooperation with Ye Mai Network?"

Yilong smiled gently and said, "Yes, I have been responsible for the layout design of electronic reading before, and I will also be responsible for some other web art design."

Chen Siqi: "I really like your design style."

Yilong: "Thank you."

The design of the physical book was originally handed over to Jiang Yin Publishing House to be responsible for, but Chen Siqi was not particularly satisfied with the typesetter arranged by Jiang Yin.

By comparison, Chen Siqi fell in love with Yilong's design style at first sight.

Aesthetics is something that happens at first glance.

They sat together and chatted about what kind of book they wanted to make "Jump Up" into, and as they talked, they talked about the era when everyone used to read magazines and books.

In the evening, Lu Yan He's phone suddenly rang.

"Sister Ziyan?" Lu Yan He answered the phone.

"What are you doing?" Chen Ziyan asked.

Lu Yan He said, "I'm chatting with Siqi about 'Jump Up'. A designer was brought over by Sister Zixing today."

Chen Ziyan had originally called to tell Lu Yan He about Xu Bantian's situation, but hearing Lu Yan He's energetic voice, she decided not to say it for the time being.

She didn't want to use such things to affect Lu Yan He's mood—Xu Bantian's matter was arranged by her own hand. Chen Ziyan had originally wanted to tell Lu Yan He so that Lu Yan He could also vent his anger, as Xu Bantian had been too disgusting before. However, Chen Ziyan realized when she called Lu Yan He that Lu Yan He actually hadn't taken Xu Bantian's matter too much to heart.

He had his own things that he cared about and valued.

A person like Xu Bantian would only become a nuisance.

At night, someone called Chen Ziyan.

The person who called was a friend from the Beijing Station.

Chen Ziyan guessed the person's possible intention as soon as she saw the call.

Once spoken, it was indeed so; it was a middleman invited by Xu Bantian to ask her to meet.

Now he knows to be anxious.

Chen Ziyan listened expressionlessly and said, "I have something to do tonight; I don't have time."

"Oh, Ziyan, just do me a favor. Little Xu is as anxious as an ant on a hot pan now. He also knows he was wrong. Just be the bigger person and give him a chance."

"The chance was already given long ago, but he didn't cherish it himself," Chen Ziyan said. "When he came to apologize for the first time, I accepted it, but what did he do? He made trouble behind my back again. Don't be his lobbyist anymore."

Xu Bantian was not yet on the trending searches.

Xu Xiaowen was not particularly popular, and this matter had not attracted much attention.

But the level of attention right now was already enough to make Xu Bantian's head swell.

Xu Bantian's phone had been ringing constantly and had never stopped; they were all asking about this matter.

The most critical thing was that Xu Xiaowen also called.

Ever since they broke up, they had never been in contact, but now they were in contact again because of this matter.

Xu Xiaowen questioned Xu Bantian whether he had let the news slip.

Xu Bantian immediately denied it.

He also didn't know how Chen Ziyan had dug this up, but it definitely wasn't a problem on his end.

Xu Bantian said, "I haven't even asked you yet; did the news leak from your side?"

Xu Xiaowen said angrily, "I'm a female celebrity; would I leak the news to let others know I dated you?"

Xu Bantian was provoked by this sentence and said annoyedly, "Is it shameful for you to have dated me?"

"I didn't say that. Don't put labels on me blindly. You clearly know that if the fact that I dated someone is exposed, it will make me lose a lot of fans!" Xu Xiaowen said, "Xu Bantian, I asked someone to inquire about it. This matter is not aimed at me; it's aimed at you. You are the one who let this matter be exposed. Hurry up and find a way to solve it yourself! We've already broken up, so don't cause me any more trouble!"

Xu Bantian was so angry that his chest was heaving.

"Fine, don't worry, I will deny this matter immediately."

Xu Xiaowen: "If denying it were useful, I would have denied it long ago."

"It's just an exposé post; why is denying it useless?"

"Who knows if the person who broke the news has evidence?!" Xu Xiaowen said, "Rather than being slapped in the face after denying it, it's better to admit it directly now."

Xu Bantian: "Your fans are now scolding me on various platforms on the internet."

"The people scolding me are only more than those scolding you," Xu Xiaowen said coldly.

Xu Xiaowen was previously a female idol; for fans, an idol artist dating is like their own house collapsing.

Everyone knows that the loyal relationship between idols and fans is just an illusion, but from the fans' perspective, this is a promise given to them by their idol.

This matter brought a huge shock to Li Zhibai.

He dared not imagine what kind of storm he would have to face when Meng Ling really exposed the love letter on the internet.

Things having reached this point, Li Zhibai also realized that what he had done was indeed not decent.

He sent a message to Zhou Ping'an, asking: What did Meng Ling say? Brother Ping'an.

Zhou Ping'an: You still have the nerve to ask? You caused such a big trouble, and it's being solved now. Don't bother me.

Li Zhibai: Oh.

Zhou Ping'an: Meng Ling is just a crazy woman. Stay away from her in the future and don't have any intersection with her.

Li Zhibai: Then why did you still let me act in the drama "Accompany You to the End of the World"? Isn't that pushing me into a fire pit?

Zhou Ping'an: Because this role can become popular. Tell me, didn't this role become popular?

Li Zhibai hissed, damn, he let him show off.

Li Zhibai's role in "Accompany You to the End of the World" did indeed become popular.

The persona of a grumpy rich second generation had extra dramatic tension, coupled with Li Zhibai's own popularity, making many clips in the drama go viral and explode on the internet, especially on some short video platforms, where Li Zhibai's performance clips had tens of millions of views.

This kept Li Zhibai on the trending searches almost the entire month of August.

The business opportunities coming to Li Zhibai for cooperation increased significantly.

He was so busy now that he couldn't get away—of course, he was very happy to be busy now, so he didn't have to worry about being blocked at the door by Meng Ling.

He had been blocked to the point of having psychological trauma.

When Lu Yan He told him that he was prepared not to publish the article "You Can't Be a Coward When You Confess!", Li Zhibai had just finished recording a program and was on his way to the next announcement.

He thought it was because Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi didn't like the content of the article, and muttered: You guys are too boring, aren't you? Isn't it just using you guys as prototypes?

Lu Yan He: It has nothing to do with us; it's considering your situation with Meng Ling. We don't know what Meng Ling will do yet. If this article is published, the object of discussion will be you.

Li Zhibai suddenly realized that it was his situation that was being considered.

Li Zhibai: That's really a trouble. Then won't your book be missing the article I wrote?

Lu Yan He: Mm, that's all we can do.

Li Zhibai looked at Lu Yan He's message and fell into deep thought.

He was just lazy, but he wasn't stupid; he knew that his name had a very important meaning for Lu Yan He's book.

This was Lu Yan He's first book, and the performance of the first book determined whether the subsequent books could continue to be made.

Li Zhibai looked at the urban scenery flowing outside the car window and thought, why not write another one?

What should he write?

Li Zhibai was worried.

In his student days, what was there to write about?

"Li Zhibai's manuscript cannot be published; what should we do?" Lu Yan He asked Chen Siqi.

Chen Siqi said, "Then we have to find another person of equivalent level to write it. Now Jiang Yuqian's manuscript hasn't come over, and Li Zhibai's manuscript can't be published. We don't have the two most popular stars, and I feel like we are suspected of fraud."

Lu Yan He couldn't laugh or cry.

He thought for a moment and said, "How about I try to solicit one from Huang Kai?"

When filming "The Golden Age" with him, Lu Yan He felt that his relationship with Huang Kai was quite good.

Chen Siqi said, "If you can solicit Huang Kai to help you write this manuscript, of course that's good."

Previously, Lu Yan He didn't solicit a manuscript from Huang Kai because he felt they weren't very familiar yet.

Now he could only bite the bullet and solicit it.

What Lu Yan He didn't expect was that Huang Kai agreed immediately.

"Okay."

Lu Yan He was astonished.

Even Chen Siqi was shocked, not expecting Huang Kai to agree directly.

That night, after Huang Kai and Xin Zixing finished their sweaty session, Xin Zixing got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Huang Kai lay on the bed by himself, one hand pillowing his arm, and said, "Lu Yan He solicited me to write a manuscript today."

"Solicited you?" Xin Zixing's surprised voice came from the bathroom.

"Mm," Huang Kai said, "And I agreed immediately."

"Ah?"

"This is a book you are responsible for, so I agreed," Huang Kai said. "Tell me, what should I write about?"

Xin Zixing: "How would I know? Think about it yourself."

Huang Kai looked at the figure showing through the frosted glass; even if it was just a shadow, he could still see the graceful figure.

The things in his mind gradually blurred again, leaving only the person in front of him.

"Baby," Huang Kai called out.

Xin Zixing's movements paused, "What?"

Huang Kai said, "Why don't you wait a while before washing?"

Xin Zixing: "You have to get up at five tomorrow morning to catch a flight."

"It's fine, there's enough time," Huang Kai gently bit his lip, "Otherwise, we won't see each other for the next week."