[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-16":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hong Kong 1984",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2223679,4066,"Chapter 16: Public Opinion","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>Sun Li slammed a stack of newspapers onto the conference table, the sheets scattering with a rustle; the headline blared: \"Zhou Huimin Rises to Fame via Scandalous Boyfriend's Songwriting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whose idea was this?\" Her voice turned icy as her gaze swept over the executives present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhiming, the Public Relations Manager, adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly: \"Director Sun, this is the company's promotional strategy. The greater the controversy, the higher the attention, and naturally, the ratings will soar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absurd!\" Sun Li slammed the table fiercely. \"Do you realize these false reports could ruin these young people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhiming remained unmoved: \"This is how the entertainment circle works; black fame is still fame. Once they become stars, who will remember these little scandals?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, the entertainment sections of major newspapers competed to report:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ming Pao – \"Exclusive Scoop: All Original Songs by Contestant Zhou Huimin Ghostwritten by Scandalous Boyfriend!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sing Tao Daily – \"Insider Reveals: Wu Xiangqian Has No New Works; Finals Disaster Looms!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oriental Daily – \"Wang Jie Arrogant and Disdainful, Refuses Photos with Fans!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more egregious, a tabloid published blurry photos titled \"Chen Huixian's Late-Night Secret Meeting with Producer,\" accompanied by text implying she advanced through improper means.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the dressing room, Zhou Huimin stared at the newspaper in her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This... this is outrageous!\" Her voice choked with sobs. \"I practiced 'A Life of Love' for three months myself; on what grounds do they say this about me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian snatched the newspaper away, tore it into shreds in seconds, and said, \"Ignore this trash.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Jie pushed through the door with a gloomy expression, clutching another newspaper: \"You got hit too? 'Wang Jie Acts Like a Big Shot, Arrogant and Disdainful'... When the hell have I ever been arrogant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurled the newspaper to the floor, fury burning in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Chairman's office, Fang Yihua elegantly sipped a glass of red wine while listening to Li Zhiming's report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Public opinion has fermented; major media outlets are reprinting the stories. We project the finals' ratings will surge by over thirty percent,\" Li Zhiming said triumphantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Yihua smiled faintly: \"Very good. However, the heat is not yet sufficient.\" She set down her wine glass and stated coolly, \"Add more fuel to the fire before the finals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Late at night, inside the Shaw Studios recording booth, Xiang Qian wore headphones, recording \"Drifting Across the Ocean to See You\" over and over. His voice had grown somewhat hoarse, yet his eyes remained resolute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By dusk the next day, just as Zhou Huimin stepped out of her apartment, she was surrounded by a swarm of waiting reporters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Zhou, how do you respond to the claim that you 'rose to fame via a scandalous boyfriend'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rumors suggest you have an ambiguous relationship with the producer; is this true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Camera flashes popped continuously, the blinding light making her dizzy. Zhou Huimin's face turned deathly pale; suddenly, she squatted on the ground, covered her face, and burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A furious shout rang out; Xiang Qian rushed out from nowhere, shoved the reporters aside, and pulled Zhou Huimin tightly into his embrace. He scanned the crowd coldly: \"If you dare harass her again, don't blame me for being ruthless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing the news, Mei Yanfang drove directly to the Shaw Building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rarely addressing her by name, she said: \"Miss Fang, aren't these underhanded tactics going too far?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Yihua remained composed: \"Anita, you are a veteran of this industry; you should understand the necessity of promotion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Necessary?\" Mei Yanfang sneered. \"Back in my day, no one fabricated sexual rumors about me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before turning to leave, she threw out a warning: \"If these children's futures are ruined by your maneuvers, I will not stand idly by.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night before the competition, all six finalists suffered from insomnia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the corridor, Li Keqin encountered Xiang Qian and asked in a low voice: \"Hey, you don't really have no material left, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled mysteriously: \"Tomorrow will tell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Wang Jie stood alone on the balcony, took a deep drag of his cigarette, and a cold light flashed in his eyes: \"Damn it, I'm going to sing until they shut up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the day of the finals, the host solemnly announced:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This year's finals will be held over two days! The first day will determine the top three, and the second day will decide the final rankings!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience below murmured among themselves:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Zhou Huimin is withdrawing from the competition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems Wu Xiangqian has prepared a new song...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Backstage, Chen Huilin held Zhou Huimin's hand and comforted her softly: \"Don't take those reports to heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin forced a smile: \"Thank you, I'm fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she turned away, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>",807,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","738365d8661589ef5c4d9a622c17ef87b325fe74cf04464641a7a1b159129876","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-17","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-15",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]