Chapter 51: First Appearance on Satellite TV [Thanks to New Alliance NicholasZS]

When the same voice is spoken by many people together, it is no longer an ordinary sound, but the cry of the people.

They have no struggle methods or marketing tricks, but they have mouths and hearts, relatives and social circles.

Offline voices are actually hard to transmit upward, yet increasingly intense matters inevitably trigger attention from above; thus, even a TV station as aloof as the one from '99 could no longer ignore it.

Gradually, local stations began discussing reading topics in related programs.

The qualitative change occurred on the fourth day after "Added Value" was published.

The cause was BJ Station's urban news, which dedicated a street interview to the reading debate and "found the right" old man.

The old man, speaking with a mumbled Beijing accent, angrily scolded: "The media today is utterly outrageous! Nonsense, fabrication, blabbering nonsense... not even as good as a child!"

"Which child?" the reporter pressed.

"The one who wrote the essay, Fang, Fang Shuai?"

"Old man, is it Fang Xinghe?" the reporter helped clarify.

"No, no!" the old man waved his hand firmly, full of confidence. "My granddaughter calls him Great Shuai! Surname Fang, so isn't that Fang Shuai?"

The female reporter's eyes suddenly widened, her expression revealing a panicked uncertainty about whether she could laugh...

She forced herself to hold it back, sidestepped the name, and continued pushing forward.

"Then what do you think of his article? Is his view correct?"

"Correct!" the old man waved his hand vigorously, radiating killing intent. "Those experts and journalists who make things up should all be dragged out and shot!"

The female reporter, now on the execution list, found it even more laughable and bitter: "Old man, they never said they'd shoot anyone..."

"Impossible!" the old man declared with absolute, unshakeable certainty. "He wrote that he would crush all the bad elements hidden among the masses!"

"..."

With that impassioned tone and wide-eyed stare, didn't you used to perform model operas?

Right, right, right?

And perhaps precisely because of that absurd mismatch, this episode unexpectedly went viral.

The young people who watched the show almost died laughing, then chattered online: "Great Shuai Fang has ordered: drag all those professors out and execute them!"

A huge pot was firmly pinned squarely on Fang Xinghe.

Obedient Son Fang: I never said that!

Melon-eating crowd: But "crushing" is your style!

So did that old man actually read Fang Xinghe's article? It's very mysterious.

Anyway, the meme went viral—this era also had memes and annual buzzwords, like PLMM and Dinosaur, it's just that no one kept statistics.

But the vitality of hot memes is no worse than in later generations.

Thus, Fang Xinghe inexplicably gained a derogatory nickname and a friendly nickname.

The haters call him Great Shuai Fang, meaning he gives blind orders, nags on topics he shouldn't meddle in, and pretends to be the grand marshal, which is actually ridiculous.

The fans call him Shuai Fang, meaning Fang Xinghe is the most handsome, a direct and fierce compliment.

The two sides fought fiercely online.

Well, actually, they fight every day, so it's not surprising.

Anyway, the program's ratings were excellent, and the online discussion was very interesting, leading many satellite TV stations to see Fang Xinghe's popularity and social value, finally deciding to follow up vigorously.

Not focusing on education itself, but using the focus on Fang Xinghe and Han Han to unfold the topic of education.

The distinction here is very clear, but to the audience it all looks the same—who exactly is Fang Xinghe? Why is another station talking about him?

Those annoyed naturally stopped watching, but someone always kept watching.

From then on, television stations, newspapers, radio stations, and the nascent internet, as a four-in-one entity, began to fully enjoy Fang Xinghe's traffic while simultaneously creating new traffic.

Whether there was a coverage scale of 100 million before is hard to say, but now it definitely exists.

The accompanying downside is that Fang Xinghe's desire to calm things down, hide, and enter seclusion has almost completely shattered.

With the situation escalated to this point, it is truly not something he can quiet down just by wanting to; the whole world is urging him to move quickly, with various @mentions, various goading, and various visits.

From the budding Zhao Changtian to Li Qigang, from Aunt Chen to Sister Ya Li, from Yu Hua to Chen Sihe, all acquaintances with any connection were swept up by personal obligations and work pressure.

The most anxious was Editor-in-Chief Zhao; the May issue of "Sprout" finally sold 600,000 copies, but after June and July failed to ride on Fang Xinghe's coattails, it immediately plummeted back to the 50,000-copy level, causing the entire staff to break out in boils of worry.

Although it was much better than the near-death state before, who doesn't wish for continued brilliance?

Thus, naturally, they set their sights on Fang Xinghe, goading him every day to get the novel out, with "Sprout" willing to serialize it at the highest price.

Fang Xinghe didn't even think, and decisively refused.

If this novel truly followed the monthly serialization model, readers would definitely come to his door and kill him...

Then Editor-in-Chief Zhao and Editor Li switched to shameless mode, sending him N text messages a day, forcing two idle chatters even when they had nothing to say.

Besides that, the reporters became more and more crazy day by day.

He had only given his phone number to about ten people, yet the texts and calls he received increased daily, rising exponentially.

Director Fang, thoroughly annoyed, turned off his phone and let whoever come.

This broken phone was basically bought for nothing...

As the situation fermented until the end of July, the county propaganda department leaders were finally forced onto the Liangshan Mountain, personally leading a team to visit.

The result was that the accompanying Liu Dashan knocked and knocked for a long time, but couldn't even open the courtyard gate, instantly sweating profusely with anxiety.

Old man!

My appointment document hasn't been issued yet!

Head Teacher Big Huang looked left and right, then made a ruthless decision, gritted his teeth, and climbed over the courtyard wall with his big rear end.

Splash!

"Hiss... Hah... Ouch..."

Big Huang, enduring the pain, climbed up while making tiny hissing and huffing sounds, then limped to open the small courtyard door, only then shouting loudly: "Xiao Fang, are you home? The courtyard gate wasn't closed; we're coming in!"

The leaders one after another cast approving glances at him; this comrade dares to take on responsibility and knows how to get things done, truly excellent, truly excellent!

Big Huang, your life path has widened~~~

Fang Xinghe had no choice but to show himself, yet he didn't put on a friendly face, simply standing at the door of the bungalow to receive the visiting guests.

The county leaders' meaning was particularly simple.

Translated, it was roughly—

Ancestor, if you ignore others, surely you must give a little face to a People's Daily reporter?

They have come all the way to me!

Fang Xinghe lazily lifted his eyelids: "Then just accept the interview."

Good heavens, Liu Dashan's calves trembled from fear—Holy Father, please stop being so sarcastic!

Standing before you is our Minister, and waiting behind is the People's Daily!

If you really have a temper, can you just hit me?

Fang Xinghe refused; he just wanted to pick on the biggest one.

Of course, it wasn't to show off his authority, but to establish rules.

In a small county town, interpersonal relationships are complex; once an opening is made, causing them to think "a gentleman can be deceived by his principles," then the troubles that follow will be endless.

Fang Xinghe was extremely clear in his mind: he was a child without a solid background; if he acted overly harmonious and open to negotiation on everything, he feared that even the county leaders' sons getting married would dare to drag him over to drink.

And they would euphemistically call it: respecting you, giving you face.

Having fame and benefits, but no background and no temper, isn't that just asking to be picked clean by all kinds of ghosts and monsters until death?

The Chinese people value slickness and value connections; this is all correct, absolutely the right path for ordinary people to walk and act.

But Fang Xinghe would not indulge those.

I came to this world with this body, not to make friends with you in a harmonious way, to earn money and build reputation as a plasterer!

The face you want, I do not intend to give; what will you do about it?

Nothing.

The county leaders had excellent temper and were very smart; knowing this matter could not be forced, they negotiated with him in a particularly polite manner.

"Little Fang, the person they want to interview is you, so naturally you take the lead; if you have any concerns, then feel free to speak them out, let us pool our wisdom and see how to resolve it properly..."

People of high caliber are different; at the very least, they know what kind of attitude to adopt.

So Fang Xinghe became serious and spoke bluntly.

"If it is an interview regarding education, then I will not accept it; everything I wish to say has already been said, there is nothing more to express.

Furthermore, I am currently writing my first full-length novel; I have no time, nor do I wish to be distracted by outside interference.

My character is straightforward; I hope you understand."

Liu Dashan and Big Huang exchanged a quiet glance, shook their heads with a bitter smile.

Ancestor, who dares not understand you?

In this current situation, even criticizing you requires qualifications; anyway, we old brothers do not have them...

The propaganda leader could only nod, daring not to force the issue.

"Writing is a major matter; of course, we understand."

After a pause, he said tactfully: "Look, could it be like this? You busy yourself first; I, representing People's Daily and the provincial station, issue a reservation to you. Whenever you have time, we will complete this interview?"

"That works."

Having demonstrated enough attitude, Fang Xinghe casually gave a verbal promise, preserving the leaders' face.

But as for exactly when he would have time...

This matter is for me to decide, right? Then just wait.

Since the People's Daily reporter returned empty-handed, others would not come to invite humiliation upon themselves; thus, Fang Xinghe secured another two days of peace for himself.

Just two days, not a moment more.

Because two days later, yet again, another "problem" arose.

—The Jilin Provincial Satellite TV, which had just launched this May, halted all cumbersome approval processes, swiftly approved the use of Fang Xinghe's interview footage, and produced a sixty-minute special program titled "Information Express."

The program adopted a combination of studio host, interview video, and article commentary, compressed the duration of the previous "Life Information" program, and focused specifically on discussing the meaning of reading.

Or it could be described as... specifically praising Fang Xinghe.

Our own child not only ranked first in the high school entrance exam but is also a literary genius, and furthermore, holding high the banner of justice, he bravely charged against impetuous and extreme theories; if not praising him, then who?

Thus, Director Fang, who clearly wanted to be low-key and settle down, inevitably appeared on satellite TV, showing his complete dynamic image to the world for the first time.

From 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM, his face, from time to time, featured a frozen close-up, dominating the entire screen.

Jilin Provincial Satellite TV's ratings were originally unbearable, doing worse than a dog, but today... Mom, I am finally proud!

Teenagers across the country, whenever they "passed by" Jilin Provincial Satellite TV while changing channels, would basically be attracted by Fang Xinghe's close-up shots.

What if you happened not to see the close-up cut?

No problem; at the bottom of the screen, there is a fixed line of large characters—【Exclusive Interview with Fang Xinghe】

Simply five characters, with extremely prominent emphasis, hanging at the host's waist level, so huge, looking like a floating bullet comment, did you see it?

Still didn't notice?

Alright, when the host reads the script, they occupy only half the screen; the other half displays a hard photo of Fang Xinghe, the limited edition red hair and ear stud version; surely you see this now?

Jilin Provincial Satellite TV isn't great at content, but they really have a set of tricks for going off the beaten path.

Today's producer was likely a Errenzhuan actor earlier, so they particularly understood the audience, focusing on "just take a careful look, and no one can escape."

Countless viewers across the country were thus held captive, staring in stunned silence as they watched the entire program.

Why stunned?

Because of that moving face on the screen.

Previously, about six to eight photos of Fang Xinghe had been published in newspapers; the "Beauty King" title was already widely recognized, with many claiming they had never seen such a beautiful child.

He was particularly different from the handsome men of the previous generations.

Zhu's generation was handsome with righteousness; then came John Lone, handsome with nobility; Jin Chengwu was a super intense face, a handsome blend of East and West; the Four Heavenly Kings were dashing, Xie Tingfeng was untamed...

Yet Fang Xinghe's still photos were not really suited to being described as "handsome"; they were more like a mysterious, dreamlike beauty.

You couldn't categorize him into any existing type, nor describe who he resembled, because he formed his own school, a type that had never appeared before.

Those who disliked him cursed him for having a cream face, but they couldn't call him effeminate.

Those who liked him also found it hard to go against their conscience and praise him for having manly vigor; it truly didn't fit at all.

This face essentially possessed a divine quality that defied gender distinction; of course, Fang Xinghe knew that to have a masculine feel, the skin couldn't be too good, yet when he sculpted the face, he still maxed out the skin quality, playing purely on the unique, demonic vibe.

There were plenty of male stars with masculine vibes, rough and wild, bursting with hormones, marketed as "ugly-handsome"; who became a top streamer?

Mention Zhu Yawen, Sun Honglei, or Zhang Hanyu, and everyone praised them.

But when it came to spending money, they only spent it on the traffic stars.

Fang Xinghe's thought was extremely arrogant: "I want to open a separate Heaven-tier path and walk the flower road alone; I have no interest in squeezing onto your track to eat that pitiful share of the existing stock."

So he added a pair of heterochromia eyes to himself, ensuring there would never be a match again.

Thus, every one of his still photos looked like a blockbuster film, as if it were a concept image generated by future AI.

Unfortunately, the impact of still photos was ultimately a bit lacking; although there was no photo-editing technology at the time, retouching techniques had already existed since the 1980s.

Moreover, other stars inevitably wore makeup when taking photos, found the right angles, and created an atmosphere...

So Fang Xinghe's still photos couldn't create a huge gap compared to other top beauties; one could even say that still photos were an enhancement for others, but a weakening and restriction for him.

Now, in the video, he was moving, and Fang fans, Fang haters, and passersby were completely dumbfounded.

The TV resolution at this time wasn't high enough, and the filming equipment wasn't good enough, so the details on Fang Xinghe's face—texture, peach fuzz, scars, small moles—simply couldn't be seen; his face in the lens seemed like a single piece of flawless white jade, and it was glowing...

Really, Mao Xiaotong's deskmate DouDou swore she wasn't exaggerating at all; she was almost leaning onto the TV, yet still couldn't find a single flaw.

"Oh my god! How can there be a man like this?"

Her mother stopped beside her, equally stunned: "How can this child be so beautiful, like a fake doll?"

A fake doll... emmm, not quite fitting, but she really couldn't describe it anymore.

Her father kept coming and going to serve dishes; once the four dishes and one soup were all neatly arranged, the mother and daughter were still standing in front of the TV, fully focused.

It was just infuriating.

"Come eat quickly! What's so good to look at? Who knows how much powder is smeared on that face..."

The moment the words fell, the camera suddenly pulled back to a wide shot, and Zhao Chunhua appeared on screen.

This big sister was the one who had smeared powder, wearing a very dignified and formal makeup look, yet under the scorching sun in the courtyard, she appeared dull, cakey, oily, and wretched...

In the same frame, under the same texture, the left and right sides were completely different art styles, with a stark contrast.

DouDou's dad fell silent.

The mother and daughter turned their heads in unison, glanced at him, then quickly turned back to continue watching Fang Xinghe.

One look was enough; there was no extra time to waste on him.

Just then, as they shifted their gaze back, they immediately saw that brilliant smile which even the photographer had sighed was damn handsome—

A close-up focused on Fang Xinghe's face; a faint smile appeared and vanished, making the whole person suddenly extremely vivid; although it was just an instant, they still felt their eyes dazzled, their brains frantically secreting unknown hormones.

"Aaaaaah! Fang Xinghe is really handsome!"

DouDou jumped up and down, screaming loudly; DouDou's mom not only didn't scold her, but a motherly smile even appeared on her own lips.

"He is indeed good-looking; his name is Fang Xinghe? The name is quite beautiful too."

DouDou's dad blinked his eyes, and his mindset suddenly began to collapse.

"You two might as well nag me a few times; for the sake of a pretty boy, you don't want your dad and husband anymore?!"

Today, his complaint could represent the voice of a huge number of men.

Today, the deputy director of Jilin Provincial TV watched the ratings with a blooming smile, and slammed the table, rising up: "Tomorrow at the same time, replay it for me!"

Today, many little girls lost sleep, experiencing for the first time a kind of flutter unique to puberty.

Today, Fang Xinghe, in seclusion, looked at the panel where his fan count had naturally grown by a million, but his Star Value had inexplicably skyrocketed by over ten million, his forehead full of question marks.

What's going on?

Who did something behind my back again?

Also today, Fang's haters online wailed everywhere, not only having to endure the pain of being chased and cursed by hundreds of layers of hype fans, but also feeling from the bottom of their hearts that despairing gap.

RNM!

Good at studying, cool at writing, and so handsome; do they want to let anyone live?

What about me? Am I the reincarnation of a toad?!

An unexpected thing happened naturally—no one paid attention to the program content, completely forgetting that this was a discussion on whether reading books was useful, essentially a serious educational topic.

All Fang's haters only remembered that this jerk Fang Xinghe was damn more handsome in motion than in photos, skin like porcelain, face like jade, and at such a young age, radiating the top-tier potential of a soft-rice baby who could skip fifty years of detours...

And Fang's fans, beating gongs and drums, setting off firecrackers, full of enthusiasm, rushing to spread the news—

So "shining with handsomeness" is an adjective!

Our little brother Xinghe is that adjective!

Whether reading books matters or fate exists, get out of the way for me!

Today, no one can stop me from declaring that my heart belongs to him and I only love Xinghe for this life!

Of course, fanaticism will eventually fade, and reason will eventually return; by then, I suppose the battle between the two factions can finally determine the winner.

Uh, perhaps?

Anyway, no one knows right now, and no one cares.