Chapter 174: Public Opinion War and China Weibo

As the new album continued to gain momentum, Su Qingya brought good news as well.

Pepsi invited Cheng Chen to join the Pepsi Star Family to co-star in this year's China regional promotional advertisement.

This time, Cheng Chen's participation in the Pepsi ad includes one installment of the Nine Great Superstars Series: Arena Chapter.

Nine celebrities are participating in this advertisement, namely:

Cheng Chen, F4, Zhou Dong, Cai Yiling, Zheng Xiuwen, Guo Fucheng.

In addition to the Arena Chapter, Cheng Chen also shot an extra ad lasting about thirty seconds.

Rumors suggest Cheng Chen might co-star in an ad with one of the internationally renowned women: Britney, Beyonce, or Pink.

Because all three of them also shot an ad for Pepsi this year.

Their ad features them shouting "We Will Rock You" in the Colosseum Arena.

Let's be honest, Britney's figure is incredible—the exposure level just barely dodged the River Crab God.

It's precisely this that gets people's blood boiling…

The news of Cheng Chen being invited to join the Pepsi Star Family failed to stir much attention amid the flood of reports about his new album's massive sales.

"Cheng Chen endorsed Pepsi? Pepsi actually has good taste."

"Today I'm not drinking Coca-Cola—I'll buy a Pepsi as a reward!"

The contract Cheng Chen signed with Pepsi includes more than just these ads—it also requires him to participate in promotional events and commercials within the contract scope.

Get paid to do the job—that's normal.

However, both sides agreed on the number of promotional activities, the number of commercial shoots, and the duration of the endorsement.

Pepsi, as an international giant, has extremely strong promotional power.

Their ads don't just impact one country or one continent—they influence the entire world.

From this perspective, the benefits to Cheng Chen are considerable.

This collaboration maximized mutual gains for both parties, and the price negotiation took a long time.

Considering Cheng Chen's current influence across Asia, Pepsi offered 15 million to buy out his beverage endorsement rights for the next three years.

Cheng Chen was satisfied with the timeline, as he didn't want to be tied to a single brand for too long.

His personal career is in an upward phase; signing a long-term contract with a brand would mean prematurely over-consuming his personal value.

At the 2004 time point, 15 million was already a sky-high price.

But Su Qingya said this price still had room for negotiation, so Cheng Chen entrusted her fully to negotiate with Pepsi.

After all, with 15 million as the baseline, a lower price was impossible—only an increase was possible!

Eventually, both sides stalled at 17 million, and only then did Su Qingya agree.

This negotiation lasted a long time, involving as many as a hundred people front and back—it was impossible to keep secret.

Thus, through determined investigation by those with intent, the news broke that Cheng Chen joined the Pepsi Star Family with a 17-million-yuan endorsement fee.

Previously, when people learned of Cheng Chen's collaboration with Pepsi, they reacted with relative indifference.

But when the 17-million-yuan figure surfaced, finally someone couldn't sit still anymore.

So being a celebrity is this profitable!

Moreover, some tabloids, eager to seize trending news, began digging up Cheng Chen's past.

The results were shocking: Cheng Chen had only been in the industry for two years, yet his personal wealth was nearly approaching one small goal.

Among these, he had investments in internet companies, record labels, entertainment firms, and film and television projects.

Two upcoming films and series, "Crazy Stone" and "Chinese Paladin 1," were quietly building momentum for release.

Cheng Chen's meeting with Shang Jing was also filmed and leaked online; rumors claimed they were negotiating a new drama project.

With Cheng Chen's current net worth, he may not be the top richest entertainer on the Mainland, but he's certainly among the top tier.

Remember, Cheng Chen has only been in the industry for two years—averaging 50 million per year?

Most of his income comes from album sales royalties and copyrights.

Remember, he's not just Tianhai Records' top artist—he's also its largest shareholder.

His next largest income source is endorsements and commercial appearances, accumulated through his two years of frenzied endorsements and performances.

This portion of income ranks second only to earnings from album releases.

As for film and television acting fees? That portion is minimal—after all, how much can acting really earn…

Of course, this only counts how much Cheng Chen has earned since his debut; his expenditures are far greater.

But the outside world only cares how much he's made—this terrifying money-making ability left many speechless.

Some, envious and jealous, questioned: Is it a good thing or a bad thing that entertainment stars earn money so easily?

Thus, the public began debating online.

"Singing a few songs and acting in a few dramas earns more than an ordinary person makes in a lifetime—what's wrong with this world?"

"No one asks about heroes' graves, but everyone knows the gossip of actors—this is China's reality, truly tragic!"

"Some in physical industries work tirelessly and conscientiously, yet their profits can't match those of an actor? Sigh!"

Under this wave of public opinion, Cheng Chen's presence became extremely conspicuous.

Fortunately, this situation didn't last long—soon, someone spoke up for Cheng Chen!

"You people only get jealous when you see others making money, but that's all Cheng Chen earned through sheer effort."

"When did earning money through talent and ability become someone's sin?"

"Come on, reporters, can you be professional? Don't get jealous just because someone makes money."

"Cheng Chen earned all this money—do you even know how much charity he's done behind the scenes?"

"Do you know Cheng Chen built three public elementary schools in his hometown?"

"Do you know he funded road construction to connect his village to the outside world?"

You say Cheng Chen owns many companies, but do you know he also runs a foundation?

In just two years since his debut, through the foundation he built three public elementary schools in the mountainous regions of Sichuan.

How many problems of children in the mountains having difficulty attending school has this solved—do you all know that?

You envy how much money he makes, but do you know he's quietly doing charity?

And he has never publicly promoted any of these deeds—could you do the same?

This article "defending" Cheng Chen spread wildly across the internet.

Only then did people realize Cheng Chen had done so many good deeds behind the scenes.

As for the foundation's establishment, it had already been set in motion when Cheng Chen returned home for Spring Festival this year.

After all, when he donated elementary schools to his hometown of Nan County, Cheng Chen had already thought ahead.

He had the newly established foundation oversee the construction and subsequent management of the schools.

The donations to Sichuan were also operated through his foundation.

Cheng Chen's passion for charity stems from personal motives.

As his fame grows and his wealth increases, it is both a blessing and a chain for him.

"Why should a celebrity earn so much money while hardworking people struggle at society's margins?"

Many know this view is arbitrary and wrong, yet some still support it.

After all, resentment toward the rich exists in every Time.

Thus, establishing a foundation and engaging in charity became a "shield."

Of course, it's not so cynical to say—put more mystically—he does charity to accumulate virtue.

He himself is a clear example, so he believes in it.

And you earned so much money—whose market made that possible?

It was China's market. Taking a portion of that wealth to do charity and help the weak is emotionally acceptable.

In ancient times, doing such things would earn you a merit stele and be sung of by countless people—you'd be a good person.

So good people deserve to get rich; we don't envy them when they do—we bless them!

Cheng Chen never came forward to publicize these charitable acts because such deeds need only be done quietly.

Having done so much charity work, the reason Cheng Chen never stepped forward to publicize it was that this kind of thing only needed to be done quietly.

Publicizing them loudly draws suspicion and taints the very acts themselves.

Today's internet is so advanced that every action you take leaves a trace.

True goodwill is won when others expose your deeds as news.

The "Bai Shi" record-breaking endorsement fee was buried after the story of Cheng Chen's charity broke out.

Cheng Chen this time harvested goodwill—and also maximized his visibility.

After this incident, Cheng Chen posted a brief message on his personal blog:

"Do good deeds without asking about the future."

This blog post drew countless comments; fans flooded his comment section.

"This is the idol we should support—not only is he talented and capable, but his character is outstanding!"

"Cheng Chen is never just an idol—he's a role model, a goal to strive for!"

"I adore our boss so much—I never knew you did so much good behind our backs."

"Now I can proudly tell my parents exactly who I'm a fan of!"

"I can tell my parents with full conviction exactly what kind of person I've been chasing as a fan!"

The day after Cheng Chen posted this blog, official media quoted his line as a headline for an article.

The article highly praised Cheng Chen's charity work and encouraged him to continue on this path.

It also mentioned Cheng Chen's contributions to China's traditional culture, using music to carry it beyond national borders.

At the article's end, it subtly warned those petty individuals envious and deliberately inciting online turmoil.

After this incident, Cheng Chen resolved to take control of public opinion.

Of course, he would never cross the red line that existed.

With this mindset, Cheng Chen returned to Huaxia Blog to meet General Manager Li Zhenyu.

The first thing he said to him was:

"Zhenyu, remember the Huaxia Weibo project I mentioned last time? Let's launch it!"

Cheng Chen was deeply embroiled in this public opinion storm, and Li Zhenyu was involved throughout.

Although Huaxia Blog played a certain role, its involvement remained limited.

And it dared not openly assist Cheng Chen.

After all, it was Cheng Chen's own enterprise—too much interference would raise suspicions of favoritism.

Li Zhenyu sensed the gravity in Cheng Chen's tone and nodded, saying:

"I've already formed a dedicated project team to tackle this issue—we'll see results soon."

"I've already formed a dedicated project team to tackle this problem head-on, and we'll see results very soon."

"For the specific model, you can take Penguin Chat as a reference.

They're no longer just active on PCs—mobile phones now support their core chat functions!"

Yes, as early as last year, in 2003, the mobile version of Penguin Chat had already been launched.

At the time, most phones were still feature phones running Symbian System.

The software's interface was simple, but it largely met the demand for online chatting with friends.

The software's interface is quite simple, sufficient to meet the need for online chatting with friends.

Of course, this is also the most basic function of Penguin Chat as a communication tool.

At this time, the network environment and hardware products limited users from performing more diverse functions on mobile phones as they would in the future.

If Cheng Chen's Huaxia Blog were to launch a product allowing feature phones to browse blogs, post articles, and leave comments,

it would inevitably ignite the entire blog system.

Of course, what Cheng Chen wants to do is not to overthrow or ignite the blog system.

He aims to launch a new type of blog that is lighter and spreads faster.

That is, the Huaxia Weibo Cheng Chen has always mentioned.

"Model it after the mobile version of Penguin Chat and create a Huaxia Weibo app.

Just meet the three functions: browsing Weibo, posting Weibo, and commenting.

Later, in subsequent version updates, add the '@friend' feature to fulfill its social attributes.

Meanwhile, develop the web version of Huaxia Weibo simultaneously, ideally launching it alongside the mobile version.

I'll coordinate the promotional work with you—it's the top priority for Huaxia Blog's transformation.

I hope you give it your full effort and aim to launch as early as possible!"

Cheng Chen looked at Li Zhenyu and solemnly instructed.

"Alright, I understand, Boss Cheng."

…

After leaving Jingcheng, Cheng Chen headed for the Wenyang Film and Television Base.

The production of "The First Under Heaven" was progressing well, but had not yet fully wrapped.

Fortunately, Cheng Chen's scenes had already been shot, so Wang Sanri urgently summoned him to the set of "Xiao Yu Er and Flower."

Yes, the "Xiao Yu Er and Flower" production team had already been formed.

Today's summons was for Wang Sanri's "kick-off symposium."

This symposium was primarily to announce the cast, the shooting start date, and other related information.

Wang Sanri was undeniably a highly successful commercial director.

When he saw Cheng Chen's album go viral and noticed how Cheng Chen had become a focal point due to the "Pepsi record-breaking endorsement fee" and his "public-spirited charity," he immediately organized this symposium.

The so-called announcements of main cast members and shooting details were merely attempts to ride on Cheng Chen's popularity.

When journalists arrived on site and saw that the lead actor of this drama was the popular star Cheng Chen,

didn't they instantly have both a promotional hook and a sensational point? The production team could save a huge amount on press releases.

For films and TV dramas, promotion is the most important thing.

"Xiao Yu Er and Flower" became popular before airing—exactly what the producers and crew wanted.

When Cheng Chen arrived at the film base, the lobby was already packed.

The moment he appeared, he immediately drew the attention of all journalists, who swarmed around him with questions.

"Cheng Chen, how do you respond to claims about your record-breaking endorsement fee?"

"How much is your fee for this shoot? Would you mind disclosing it?"

"Some say your public-spirited charity is just a fabricated persona—what's your take on that?"

Although Cheng Chen had official media backing, entertainment reporters always loved digging up celebrity scandals.

To put it inappropriately, if a celebrity made a misstatement in an interview, they seemed happier than during the New Year.

Of course, they would never admit that the celebrity's misstatement was deliberately engineered by their own question traps.

"Alright, alright, everyone, please step back. Don't ask questions unrelated to today's symposium. Thank you for your cooperation."

Seeing Cheng Chen surrounded, Wang Sanri stepped forward to help, placing a hand on Cheng Chen's shoulder and smiling at the reporters around him.

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