Chapter 70: The Most Real Graduation Thesis of the Entertainment Circle at the Turn of the Millennium

"What you're saying is, you've been busy with your graduation thesis lately?"

"Yes, so don't ask me for my views on those rumors. Fellow reporters, I believe you've all been to university; you should know the importance of a graduation thesis."

Speaking to the end, Zhou Yi couldn't help but joke, "I suppose fellow reporters wouldn't want to see me fail to graduate, right? You wouldn't be that ruthless, would you?"

"..."

Although the news of Zhou Yi failing to graduate would obviously be more appetizing to gossip reporters, since he had stated it so plainly, the "uncrowned kings" wielding long guns and short cannons could only smile slightly awkwardly, then watched Zhou Yi and his agent leave.

Although they clearly knew Zhou Yi was playing with words and issuing a subtle warning, they had no way to react.

In this era, preventing a Peking University prospective graduate with such high fame from graduating smoothly would be huge news; no one wanted to be the scapegoat in the public's eyes.

"Regarding your rumor coverage over the next half-year, mainland newspapers might tone it down a bit. You really did it, A-Yi."

Inside the VIP lounge at the airport, agent Qian Jiang smiled broadly and gave a thumbs-up: "I was originally planning to throw money to shut up some of the louder big newspapers."

"No need to waste money on Southern-style newspapers; they're just a bunch of parasites."

Zhou Yi unscrewed the cap, took a sip of mineral water, and sneered dismissively: "Besides, you're overestimating the bottom line of Southern-style newspapers. Just wait; within a month, they'll forget I'm still busy with my graduation thesis.

"In fact, because of what I just said, within three months, having spotted this hot topic, they might specifically fabricate fake news to interfere with me and distract my energy.

"Because right now in the mainland, I'm the hottest; I am the biggest entertainment news hot topic."

"Then didn't what you just say amount to... walking straight into a trap?"

Qian Jiang frowned; the instinct of an agent made the first thought pop into his head: spend money to smooth things over.

If Zhou Yi really got distracted and ended up failing to graduate, the trouble would be enormous.

"Who said that? Isn't this exactly the material for my graduation thesis?"

"?"

Qian Jiang felt he couldn't quite keep up with Zhou Yi's train of thought and slowly typed out a question mark: "What are you planning, Zhou Yi? Don't do anything rash."

Zhou Yi turned his head to look at him and smiled slightly: "Uncle Qian, do you think, when my second album is released, how long of a promotional tour would I need to run to hype the heat to the maximum?"

"At least a month."

"Then if the Southern-style newspapers, lured out by this graduation heat I threw out, spontaneously fabricate fake news to help me without any bottom line before my album release?"

"...?"

Watching Qian Jiang stand there stunned, Zhou Yi smiled, crossed his legs, swirled the pear in his hand, and stated confidently: "Uncle Qian, you should know I study law.

"As a law student, my graduation thesis must be related to law."

Good heavens, Qian Jiang exclaimed, "Good heavens."

Having mixed in the entertainment circles of the two sides of the strait and Hong Kong for so many years, this was the first time he had seen someone dare to turn the act of hyping heat onto the mainland's major newspaper industry.

And yet, there was no flaw to pick.

Zhou Yi was from Peking University's Law School and was also mixing in the entertainment circle; if such an event actually happened, using himself as an example and writing it into his graduation thesis would be impossible for anyone to criticize.

In this way, as long as the album release time was anchored at the peak of the heat, Zhou Yi could indeed save a lot of time running promotional tours.

The only thing to worry about was that doing this would likely completely offend certain people within the Southern-style newspaper industry; after all, a graduation thesis, this thing, might really nail someone to the pillar of shame.

Not to mention being infamous for ten thousand years; at the very least, while Zhou Yi was still alive, this matter would be unavoidable.

Moreover, no one could dictate to him.

If you dare to spread rumors, Zhou Yi using that as a basis to resist has no flaw at all.

What's wrong with a young person being a bit fiery?

It's just that...

The more Qian Jiang pondered, the more something felt off.

Just moments ago, seeing his own rumors hyped to the point of selling out, instead of thinking about spending money to plug mouths, he was instead adapting to local conditions and thinking about how to exploit it?

Do law students these days all have so many tricks up their sleeves?

"The Southern-style group is also one of the top newspaper groups in the mainland; it should... not be the case, right? You are also from the mainland."

Although he thought Zhou Yi's idea was indeed very bold, Qian Jiang still remained skeptical about whether the Southern-style newspapers would take the bait.

"You're mistaken; precisely because of my mainland origin, the Southern-style newspapers will dislike me even more. They want hot topics, they want heat, they want sales.

"I am a mainland kid; my hometown is still Jiang Xi Province, a populous province that needs economy and has population, needs media and has population. As long as the infamy isn't so vicious as to touch the red line, they won't care.

"After all, at worst, they just suspend operations and rectify a few of their entertainment newspapers. As long as their main news publications don't smear or spread rumors about me, the basic foundation won't be shaken."

Regarding the Southern-style group's old bad habits, Zhou Yi knew them far better than Qian Jiang.

Originally, he was pondering what to write for his graduation thesis; the matter of Fan Bingbin and Qiong Yao going to court was actually his backup option from the start.

Anyway, Fan Bingbin and Qiong Yao's side had already completely torn up their relationship, and he had casually helped Fan Bingbin with such a big favor; borrowing this contract case to flesh out his graduation thesis, Fan Bingbin would not only have no objection but would likely clap and cheer.

As for Qiong Yao, her opinion had nothing to do with Zhou Yi; after all, he wasn't filming Qiong Yao dramas.

Moreover, once the restriction order came out after the New Year, all Taiwan dramas had nothing to do with him.

Besides, everyone is a double-standard dog; Qiong Yao's double standards were even above his; sacrificing this person to complete his graduation thesis, Zhou Yi felt absolutely no psychological pressure.

After all, he wasn't spreading rumors; he was just upholding the spirit of fairness and justice of a legal professional while writing his graduation thesis.

Unaware of Zhou Yi's inner plans, Qian Jiang thought for a moment and then spoke to advise: "This matter is feasible, but the uncertainty is too great; it relies too much on the cooperation of the Southern side.

"I think your graduation thesis still needs a backup topic.

"If you want to pursue authenticity and timeliness, I think the contract case between Fan Bingbin and Qiong Yao is good; it also fits your positioning in the entertainment circle. If you can't graduate with this, there's something wrong.

"Anyway, Qiong Yao's circle has already actively cut off all possibilities of cooperation after you helped Fan Bingbin; some newspapers close to her circle are still secretly splashing dirty water on you; just treat it as making use of waste."

Zhou Yi looked at him and immediately gave him a thumbs-up.

Putting aside the limitations of the era, Qian Jiang's brain really did turn fast.

"Later I'll help you contact Fan Bingbin's new agent, arrange a time for you and Fan Bingbin to chat about this, and see if it works." Seeing that Zhou Yi didn't speak out in opposition, Qian Jiang immediately finalized this backup plan.

However, this remark sparked Zhou Yi's interest: "Fan Bingbin's new agent? You know her? Who?"

"Chen Shufen, a famous agent in the Hong Kong circle, has represented many big shots, and in recent years has had very close ties with the mainland."

Arriving at his old stomping ground, Qian Jiang laid bare the full details of the famed agent known in the Hong Kong circle as "Madam Chen": "Chen Shufen had been chasing Zhou Jie, trying to sign Fu Erkang—who hadn't signed with Qiongyao Company—under her own management.

"Zhou Jie landed the role of Bao Zheng in 'Young Bao Qingtian' thanks in part to her behind-the-scenes efforts. As far as I know, the role was originally slated for Wu Qilong of Xiao Hu Dui, but after he refused, Chen Shufen pushed hard.

"After Qiongyao Company suddenly reached an out-of-court settlement with Fan Bingbin, Chen Shufen, who had already been negotiating with Zhou Jie, seized the opportunity and signed him outright as Jin Suo from 'My Fair Princess.'

"Huayi in the mainland also wanted to sign him, but Fan Bingbin rejected them extremely quickly—it seems certain people at Huayi had been blocking Fan Bingbin from taking on mainland film and TV roles…"

Zhou Yi, unfamiliar with the Hong Kong circle, had never heard the name Chen Shufen, but when Qian Jiang rattled off a long list of big names, Zhou Yi could only mentally exclaim: "Damn!"

Hong Kong and Taiwan had Jacky Cheung, Leon Lai, Zhang Guorong, Anita Mui, and others; the mainland had Mao Amin, Na Ying, Cai Guoqing, and more. Though she managed few artists, each one was a superstar.

She had even handled Teresa Teng's concerts and Michael Jackson's Hong Kong performances.

Her connections were truly impressive—no wonder Fan Bingbin had rejected Huayi so swiftly.

After all, the Hong Kong circle was still thriving; though friction with the mainland entertainment industry occurred frequently, Hong Kong still held the dominant position.

Hong Kong's decline wouldn't begin for several more years—if Zhou Yi remembered correctly, not until after 2006. When Guan Xing began fixing computers, the entire generation of young male and female artists cultivated by Hong Kong was wiped out in one sweep, and the Hong Kong circle suffered a complete generational collapse.

Precisely because of this, when Zhou Yi arrived in Xiangjiang, Fan Bingbin—elated and radiant—appeared at the airport, accompanied by agent Chen Shufen.

"Long time no see, Qian Jiang."

After the two seasoned Xiangjiang agents exchanged friendly hugs, the similarly plump Chen Shufen adjusted her glasses—whether they had prescription or not was unclear—and smiled as she extended her hand toward Zhou Yi, whose appearance and bearing were outstanding: "Welcome to Xiangjiang, Zhou Yi.

"Bingbin knew you were coming and specifically asked me to reserve a table at a restaurant to welcome you."

"Thank you, Madam Chen."

After the cordial greetings, Zhou Yi turned his gaze to Fan Bingbin and smiled: "Thanks."

Fan Bingbin smiled and shook her head: "I should be thanking you. During these days you're in Hong Kong to receive your award, if you want to go out and sightsee, feel free to call me anytime."

Without Zhou Yi's earlier help, she might still be tangled in disputes with Qiongyao Company, forced to sign with Huayi instead.

"To have a future queen of the silver screen accompany me shopping—I'd be dead if I asked; Madam Chen would strangle me." Zhou Yi's remark flattered both women at once, leaving Chen Shufen momentarily dazzled—but after glancing at Qian Jiang, she sighed inwardly.

Shit!

That bastard Qian Jiang had been resting for so long—how the hell did he pick up Zhou Yi the moment Zhou Jianhui dragged him out of his house?