Chapter 151: A Twist in the Tale: The Boomerang of Justice Strikes Back

This statement caught Jin Li by surprise.

She knew her own educational background was quite low, but she hadn't specifically looked into anyone else's, so she couldn't help but say, "Huh? Really?"

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang said with certainty, "There aren't many with high educational backgrounds. Just look at how old the stars who are popular right now are; many have only just reached adulthood.

There is a saying in the industry: fame should come early. Once they become famous early on, they are busy running around for appearances; who still has the heart to study?

Not to mention many who have been trainees since they were young, running off to train in middle school or high school, dancing every single day—do you think they can spend much effort on their studies?

Currently, the only actors revealed for Dream Builder are you and Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen. Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen's background is fine, as she finished university, but the other supporting actors might not be the same.

And there are some extras and passersby, whose educational backgrounds are even lower."

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang thought for a moment and added, "The ones in the industry with relatively high educational backgrounds are actually the behind-the-scenes workers—directors, producers, coordinators, and the like. They must have relevant knowledge to do their jobs well."

Jin Li pondered for a while, "So, using educational background as a reason to boycott is actually groundless?"

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang said, "It doesn't hold up. Among the actors in many hit xianxia dramas and youth dramas, there really aren't many with high educational backgrounds.

Many popular idol groups only have middle school or high school diplomas; whether it's a boy band or a girl band, they are all like this.

It's just that the movie you're filming is quite special, so netizens are particularly focused on this point. But if you really had to film according to the netizens' requirements, which actor would dare to take on the role of He Hui?

He Hui is an outstanding physicist; you only have a diploma from an ordinary university—are you worthy? At the very least, you'd need a 985 or 211 university degree, right?

But having said that, people with those qualifications rarely debut as artists. Even if they did debut as artists, why would they take this role?

If they act well, netizens think it's expected; if they don't act well, just like you today, they'll be told they aren't worthy!"

Jin Li now felt troubled for the production crew as well.

If they replaced her due to public pressure, she could understand.

Contracts should be terminated and compensation paid as necessary.

She didn't have to be in this drama; she had only wanted to try it out when she first accepted it.

But with the current public opinion, even if they replaced her, who would dare to take over?

The director is a good director, and the script is a good script, but actors have to consider many practical issues when choosing roles.

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang said, "I'll communicate with the director in a moment to see how to handle this situation. In my opinion, it's best to divert the trouble elsewhere."

·

Half an hour later.

The conference room door was opened, and Jin Li and Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen hurried inside.

Director Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Wentai said to them, "You two go back to sleep first. I will contact your managers and discuss a solution overnight."

After speaking, he looked specifically at Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen, his face stern and cold as he said:

"The reason I Match Match Match Match Match Made you sign a confidentiality agreement is that I was worried about this kind of trouble."

Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen couldn't help but say, "Uncle, with your fame, once your film starts shooting, it won't be able to be hidden anyway."

Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Wentai said helplessly, "You don't understand what I'm saying. If it's revealed when filming starts, we'd already be shooting, and it would be very difficult to replace someone.

But now that you've leaked the news in advance, the investors can replace people at any time to avoid risk!

Also, being exposed by paparazzi is different from being exposed by a star, you—"

He paused, waved his hand with a sense of listlessness, "Forget it, forget it, you two go back and rest first."

Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen hadn't expected this, and her face turned pale instantly.

Jin Li glanced at her, not knowing how to comfort her.

Back in her room, she wanted to study, but her mood was somewhat restless, and she couldn't focus.

She simply initiated a video call in the Pink Girls group chat.

·

"In this matter, you're just an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire!"

Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Qinglian rarely had scenes tonight and was staying in the hotel. She had originally just wanted to see what the recent hot topics were, not expecting to see Jin Li being searched.

Yu Guanmingzhu, Yu Yu Lina, and Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze also joined the call. Except for Gong Gong Zitong, who was busy with something, five of the six Pink Girls were gathered.

Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Qinglian analyzed, "If it weren't for that obviously pointed remark by Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen, you wouldn't have been given the chance to be smeared."

Jin Li thought for a moment and expressed her true thoughts: "Actually, she's innocent too. She just wanted to help build some hype, but it just happened to coincide with someone who doesn't like me."

Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Qinglian shook her head: "She's not innocent. She simply never thought that leaking it in advance would carry risks.

Director Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Wentai's reputation is too loud; she was paralyzed by that, thinking Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Wentai could avoid everything."

Yu Guanmingzhu frowned: "Now it's great—she's the one who actively leaked the news and is fine, while the netizens are fixated on scolding you!"

Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze listened to them chat while scrolling through the news.

Seeing something interesting, she raised an eyebrow and said, "The public opinion online is starting to change. Carp, did your company do PR for you?"

Jin Li shook her head: "No, Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Jie said she wanted to discuss how to handle PR with the production crew."

Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze smiled: "After you finish discussing it, you might not even need PR anymore."

"Huh?" Jin Li was stunned, "Why?"

Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze looked at the comments and clicked her tongue in wonder: "There are always people who think they can control public opinion through various marketing accounts, but they never expected that the public would find explosive topics on their own.

This matter of yours has already blown up; I'm afraid many idol artist teams now view you as a thorn in their side."

Upon hearing this, Jin Li picked up her tablet and scrolled through her blog.

She was somewhat surprised; the number one trending topic was no longer the tag about her not being worthy, but had changed to—

#Low educational background is not worthy of being a star! #

Oh, wow.

A flash of interest crossed Jin Li's eyes; this is actually quite interesting.

·

"Low educational background is not worthy of being a star?"

Chen Lin was the first to see this tag and was enjoying the drama quite happily.

"Jin Li-Fang Fang Fang Fang Fang Jie's team is amazing. This move of diverting the trouble elsewhere and sweeping the entire entertainment industry—is this 'if you're not crazy, you won't succeed'?"

March Sky had finished their appearances and returned to the villa.

They had other appearances to run tomorrow, so Guang-ge told them to rest early.

It was still early, and everyone was playing in the living room.

Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong was opening a manga app to read; he had learned his lesson and decided that any manga he sent to Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze in the future would have to be vetted by himself first.

Otherwise, he would be affected by those strange and bizarre contents, ruining his reputation.

Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong glanced at Chen Lin, "You're still in the mood to eat melons? You only have a high school diploma; this tag is clearly attacking you.

The rest of us have university degrees, and you're the only one with just high school."

Chen Lin was very carefree, "It's fine, Guang-ge will do PR for me."

Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong switched to the blog.

Of the top ten trending topics, seven were discussing issues related to educational background, and only one was about boycotting Jin Li from participating in Dream Builder.

If this was PR done by Chenxi Entertainment, it was quite impressive.

Other celebrity teams were afraid of being implicated and would instead do PR for her, trying their best to minimize the impact of "low educational background."

【What right do you have to criticize Jin Li? Was it that Jin Li didn't want to study? She didn't have the money to study. Do you think high school is also part of compulsory education?】

【Open your eyes and look, the various idols you usually fawn over—how much higher is their educational background than Jin Li's? A bunch of elementary school diplomas!】

【According to your logic, one must have a high educational background to play a scientist, so does that mean only people with low diplomas can play beggars?】

【Can acting really be linked to a diploma? To put it bluntly, it's whether ability can be linked to a diploma! And furthermore, whether character can be linked to a diploma!】

These comments were already considered mild.

The more serious ones were already starting to lash out.

Many people were venting their resentment toward the rich on this topic.

Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong felt the situation was a bit off, but he didn't want to message Jin Li at this time, so he called out to Gu Cheng.

"Chengzi, help me ask Jin Li if this is her company's doing?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Cheng sent a message to Jin Li: 【Is the public opinion online PR done by your company?】

After sending it, he put his phone aside to read a classic novel.

The Chinese language section of the domestic college entrance exam occasionally features questions related to classic literature.

He was tired of doing science subjects, and since he was idle anyway, he decided to change his palate and read some books.

Seeing him looking so calm, Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong couldn't help but sigh, "Once this trending topic is out, celebrities with high educational backgrounds like you don't need to worry; you might even become famous in one battle. It just depends on how Guang-ge handles the PR."

Gu Cheng looked at Chen Lin, who was sitting to the side, and pushed him unceremoniously with his elbow.

"Starting tomorrow, you'll read books with me."

Chen Lin: "Huh?"

Gu Cheng said calmly: "Your educational background is a fatal flaw. Study with me, and go get a university degree when the time comes."

Chen Lin shook his head quickly, "No way, it's not that I don't want to study, but I really can't focus on it."

Gu Cheng: "I'm not asking you to take the college entrance exam seriously. With your personality, taking an adult college entrance exam and attending an adult university is fine too; a self-study diploma is still a diploma."

Chen Lin's academic performance was poor, and he was scouted by Tianding Entertainment to debut before he even finished high school.

He had spent his high school years in a daze.

Chen Lin still shook his head: "Let's not, I can't study."

Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong thought for a moment, his expression somewhat serious: "No, you have to study. I have a premonition that the diploma issue won't just erupt once.

Even if you aren't discussed this time, you'll be dragged out next time, unless you don't want to be popular anymore."

Chen Lin: "No, I—"

Luo Yi suddenly popped up and said earnestly, "Little Lin, in order not to become the weak link in the team, you have to work hard!"

Chen Lin:...

He was just minding his own business eating melons, how did it end up on his head!

·

Meanwhile, Jin Li was on the phone with Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang.

As soon as she saw the trending search, she called Sister Fang.

The trending search entry had turned into this, expanding directly from a small-scale incident to a large-scale one.

If it went on like this, it wouldn't just be her being criticized alone; it would become all celebrities with low educational backgrounds being criticized.

If Jin Li remembered correctly, many popular celebrities really didn't have high educational backgrounds.

"It wasn't done by the company. I just discussed it with Director Zhong and decided to wait and see how it turns out tomorrow. At this stage, it's already hard to intervene."

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang said helplessly.

Public relations is a discipline; from the emergence of public opinion to the explanation, there is a saying about the "Golden 2 Hours."

If you don't explain within these two hours, it will spread, and explaining afterwards will be of no avail.

Moreover, explaining also requires a strategy.

If you respond poorly, netizens will think you are perfunctory and insincere.

But if you are too thorough, certain words will become handles for netizens to attack you.

Of course, those attacks aren't necessarily all from netizens' own thoughts; perhaps it's a rival specifically picking at words to mess with you.

But regardless, once you respond, the heat won't go down.

So many celebrity teams choose not to respond; silence is golden.

Don't look at this method as unreliable; compared to not knowing how to respond, it is actually the best solution.

Jin Li asked, "Then what should we do now? Pearl said that with public opinion turning like this, I will be hated by many celebrity teams."

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang pondered for a moment, sneered, and instead let it go.

"Let them hate. Debt doesn't weigh you down when you have too much of it. The company didn't push it; it's all netizens leading the topic themselves.

Besides, if you weren't intentionally targeted by someone buying black material to let the topic ferment so quickly, how could this matter have gotten so big?

Now it's those people who bought your black material who should be trembling with fear. We don't need to do anything; let them minimize the impact themselves. We're getting a free ride on their PR!

In the entire entertainment industry, you are the only one who livestreams studying every day. The whole internet can't find an artist as hardworking and diligent as you.

Although you only have a junior high diploma, you work hard. Why should those celebrities with similar diplomas just lie flat? Everyone, roll for me!"

Jin Li was torn between laughter and tears: "Sister Fang, if possible, I don't want to offend other artists."

Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Sui Lingfang scoffed, "Jin Li, as long as you are in the entertainment industry, you will never be able to avoid offending people.

Chenxi Entertainment will not intervene in this matter; let's see how those artist teams want to play. Want to mess with you? Let's see if they have the qualifications first!"

Since Sister Fang said so, Jin Li stopped repenting.

Isn't silence golden? Then she would be silent to the end and see what moves the other celebrities make next.

·

Chang Chang Donghao was a celebrity assistant, well, a former assistant.

He had been fired by that third-tier little celebrity for being lazy and not diligent enough.

And this third-tier little celebrity had only participated in a talent show, Match Match Match Match Match Made it into the top thirty, and didn't debut.

But under the company's operation, he participated in a few TV dramas as the fourth or fifth male lead, occasionally went to participate in commercial performances, and shouted on stage.

That awkward singing voice—Chang Chang Donghao felt he was even better than that!

Just last week, he heard this little celebrity complaining to his agent: "Can you get me more profitable announcements? Why bother running so far to earn only thirty or forty thousand!"

The agent said: "The price is a bit low, let's see if we can get another fourth male lead role later."

Little celebrity: "Sigh, every time I look at the two million balance in my bank card, I feel a headache and panic. When will I ever make it big!"

Agent: "Wait a little longer, we need an opportunity."

Chang Chang Donghao didn't want to eavesdrop; they didn't close the door when they were talking, and he just happened to hear it outside.

At that moment, he had only one thought in his mind: Why!

Why does this little celebrity earn so much money? He doesn't deserve it at all!

He only has a junior high education, and every time he works, he complains backstage, cursing and swearing over and over again.

Not only that, he also demanded that the organizers provide a five-star hotel, a meal allowance of five hundred per meal, plus various souvenirs.

Chang Chang Donghao was the one who ran to communicate these things with the organizers, and every time he saw others' eye-rolls, he felt uncomfortable.

He also felt it was outrageous!

Isn't he just a little celebrity? He, a student from a second-tier university, was his assistant, and yet he was still considered not diligent enough.

What counts as diligent? Feeding him the food into his mouth personally?!

After Chang Chang Donghao was fired, he was very unwilling.

Seeing the trending search on the blog, a flash of resentment crossed his eyes, and he decided to leak the news.

【Third-tier little celebrity, only has a junior high diploma, complains that the two million balance in his bank card isn't enough! What kind of world is this!】

Once this leak post came out, it was like pouring oil on the trending search fire.

Some nosy netizens specifically summarized a list of celebrity educational backgrounds.

They specifically picked out the 985 and 211 celebrities, followed by ordinary university students, junior college, high school, vocational school, elementary school...

Every celebrity on the list was conducting emergency public relations.

"Lower the heat, hurry up and lower the heat!"

"It won't work, it can't be lowered, so many people keep refreshing!"

"Throw out other leaks, or focus fire on a certain celebrity, hurry up and pull one out as a target!"

"Can we lead the heat to Jin Li?"

"No, netizens think Jin Li is very diligent, studying 'Five-Three' every day; they won't fall for it at all!"

"What about Chen Lin? Isn't he only in high school?"

"Damn, Chen Lin just posted a picture of himself reading, announcing that he wants to take the university entrance exam. Should we also let our artists stand up and say they want to take the university entrance exam?"

"Get lost, are our artists the type to study? If they post pictures now and fail to get in later, what if they get slapped in the face? They'll be mocked by the masses."

Other artist teams were also stunned, "Then what should we do?"

"Must lower the heat, don't let everyone discuss this topic anymore!"

·

Li Li Li Li Li Li Xunfang threw her phone aside in frustration.

Under the tacit understanding of many celebrity teams wanting to lower the heat, Jin Li's entry was also lowered.

She asked her agent: "Can't we focus fire on Jin Li?"

Zhao Rui said helplessly: "Li Li Li Li Li Xunfang, this isn't Jin Li's problem, but an industry-wide problem. Jin Li's entry was the initial fuse and must be lowered."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Xunfang frowned tightly: "Can we secretly buy trending searches for her?"

Zhao Rui said seriously: "No, Li Li Li Li Li Xunfang, we must stop. There were many people pushing it when we pushed the trending search before, so it didn't matter, but not this time.

Everyone is lowering the trending search; if only you buy it, you will be discovered immediately!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Xunfang gritted her teeth and said: "I don't believe all artists think it doesn't matter; surely many people want to step on Jin Li!"

Zhao Rui comforted her: "Since this matter with Jin Li has caused a bigger incident, everyone definitely doesn't like her, but it's absolutely not the time to act. We can't let this matter hang on the trending search endlessly."

That's what she said, but Zhao Rui felt something was wrong in her heart.

According to the news she gathered, Chenxi Entertainment didn't seem to have done any PR for Jin Li's matter.

If it weren't for this matter blowing up too big, just based on the diploma, Jin Li would definitely be unable to turn things around.

If she had known, she would have controlled the intensity and not let the trending search climb so fast.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Xunfang still felt very aggrieved and said: "Since we can't buy trending searches, then it's fine to let public accounts write articles, making Jin Li's public reputation suffer."

Zhao Rui was just about to say it was possible when her phone suddenly rang. After answering, her face changed drastically.

She hurriedly opened the blog, and the latest trending search that appeared was—

【Li Li Li Li Li Li Xunfang has never attended a single class in university; her diploma is fake and bought!】

As soon as this trending search appeared, it landed in first place.

Zhao Rui only felt everything go black before her eyes.

·

When the internet was in an uproar because of the celebrity education issue.

There were also some celebrities who benefited from it.

Those were the high-education celebrities!

Among them were Gu Cheng and Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze, who had obtained a doctoral degree.

Coincidentally, today also marked the premiere of the second season of "I Am a Singer."

"I Am a Singer" did not lose ground in the trending search battle for the premiere, because they had several high-education singers here.

This even triggered a discussion among netizens: Why is the educational background of singers generally higher than that of actors?

At this moment, as soon as it started broadcasting, netizens flocked in to watch.

Some celebrity teams wanting to lower the heat, seeing the heat of "I Am a Singer" soaring, simply bought more trending searches for this program to quickly lower the heat on the low-education ones.

Jin Li was watching the livestream.

She was on a video call in the Pink Girls group, and other teammates who were free were all watching.

Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze was sitting in the lounge doing prep work, and to everyone's surprise, she had even joined the group chat.

Jin Li stared at her, eyes wide, and was left speechless.

"Aren't you going to go prepare?"

Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze said with a grin, "I've rehearsed it several times, what could possibly go wrong? I just want to relax a bit before going on stage."

Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Qinglian saw right through her little scheme: "You just want to see how the netizens are praising you, don't you!"

Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze laughed even more happily: "Sister Fang gave me a heads-up at noon, saying that I might end up on many hot searches tonight, all thanks to the advantage of having a high level of education.

Chenxi Entertainment didn't buy them for me; it was the teams of other celebrities who bought them. I'm just sitting here obediently, waiting for a pie to fall from the sky!"

The others couldn't help but laugh.

Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze asked curiously, "Jin Li, how are things going for you on set?"

Jin Li nodded: "Mm, the environment in Physics Village is isolated. The reporters are all blocked outside and can't get in. The people here only discuss world problems; small hot searches don't count for anything, and nobody discusses them at all."

She said earnestly, "Sometimes I feel that the internet and reality are two different worlds. The internet is very noisy, but reality is very quiet."

Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Qinglian said, "It's already been two days, Director Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Zhong Wentai should have come up with a plan by now, right?"

Jin Li shook her head: "I don't know, the director hasn't talked to me about it."

She said hesitantly, "But I feel like Qiu Qiu Qiu Qiwen seems to have some problems; she has been absent-minded these past two days."

Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Ji Qinglian shook her head: "She deserves it! If it weren't for her big mouth, things wouldn't have become so difficult to handle. She's just been too well-protected!"

The door to the lounge was knocked on, and Xi Xi Sister Meng Ze immediately exited the video group chat.

Her assistant brought in the camera crew to conduct a pre-interview, talking about the song she was going to sing today and whether she had confidence in herself.

Jin Li observed Meng Meng's data and discovered that the popularity value of Meng Meng's live streaming room was the highest, even higher than several other singers who also had high levels of education.

As for the other singers with lower levels of education, even the kings and queens of the music industry didn't have much heat.

On the other side, here at March Sky.

Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong was also stealing a moment of leisure to watch the live stream; they had a stage performance in ten minutes.

Chen Lin suddenly popped up beside him, "What are you looking at!"

Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong immediately put his phone down.

Chen Lin tried to snatch his phone: "Hm? Your expression isn't right. You have secrets now? Have you turned into a second Gu Cheng?"

"Luo Yi! Hurry and grab him!" Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Yan Xingdong used his hand to push against Chen Lin's head and called for backup.

Luo Yi walked over and yawned; he had just finished getting his hair done and was sleepy as death.

He leaned against the side of the sofa and said slowly, "Little Lin, don't always peek at your brother's phone. Our captain brother might be chatting with some young lady!"

Chen Lin suddenly realized, and let out a meaningful "Oh."