Chapter 61: Because The World Believes In Me
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Ding Pei brought his phone in front of Xi Mo.
Xi Mo saw several leaked photos from the set on the phone. Inside, there were some usual interactions between Ding Pei and Ruan Yesheng on the set, such as them talking or discussing the script. Ding Pei had received help from Ruan Yesheng before, and they became acquainted. Occasionally, he would seek advice from her on acting. One photo even captured Ding Pei's manager coming to deliver food, probably taken by a hidden camera, as the costumes were from different scenes.
These photos were reposted thousands of times, and although not extremely popular, they still had an impact on Ding Pei, a small show star.
Opening the comments, many were sarcastic: "Hehe, a show star is a show star. If you're unpopular, you're unpopular. Can't lift you up. Instead of singing properly, you always focus on rubbing off on other's heat, isn't that right?" Ding Pei, a former talent show singer, was sometimes ridiculed as a "show star".
*秀星 (xiùxīng), usually refers to celebrities born from talent shows, it can be used sarcastically or ironically to suggest someone is showing off or trying too hard to stand out. 秀(xiù) = grain (of crop)/excellent/to grow/loan word for ‘show’ 星 (xīng) = star, comet/performer/small particle.
"I heard this show star struggled to join the prestigious Sui Ting production but still has no significant role. Always following behind Xi Mo, just trying to cling to her fame."
Some of Xi Mo's fans, manipulated by the rhythm, angrily retorted, "These shameless low-level stars all want to rub off my goddess' heat! Let me tell you, we don't welcome you! Go away!"
Naturally, at such times, there were also Xi Mo's black fans adding fuel to the fire: "Don't be so sure about your goddess. Maybe your goddess likes this type of pretty boy. Haha, perhaps it fits the taste of your so-called goddess?"
Xi Mo: "..."
Ding Pei may not be as popular as Yan Mu, but he still has quite a few fans. Seeing their idol being mocked like this, how could they tolerate it? They all stood up to speak for Ding Pei: "A’Pei is a singer, he must be inexperienced in many aspects of acting. What's wrong with him asking for advice and learning from senior actors in the cast? Is talking to seniors more and spending time together what you call rubbing off others heat? We know there are many fans of Senior Xi Mo here, and we also respect Senior Xi Mo. We just hope everyone won't misunderstand A’Pei."
Xi Mo has many fans, all kinds of fans. Fans who easily explode over things are of course everywhere, as are pseudo-fans who pretend to be loyal but actually switch sides. They're just waiting to pretend to be Xi Mo's fans and provoke conflict. But many rational fans quickly come out to help control the situation: "Don't let certain people manipulate the situation. What's the intention of deliberately posting these images? Isn't it obvious? First, tying the topic to Xi Mo, stirring up discussion, then throwing dirt on Ding Pei, mocking him for rubbing off heat. This triggers a fight between the two fan groups, and as soon as there's a fight, the heat naturally rises. And who benefits in the end? Those who secretly diss behind the scenes or the profiteering marketing accounts trying to make money."
"Comments have limited characters, and can't fit everything. Continuing from the previous message, if you're truly a fan of Xi Mo, please don't engage in unnecessary conflicts, stop inviting trouble for Xi Mo."
"Yeah, yeah, I hope A’Pei's fans can also see through all this, let's not bring trouble to A'Pei."
Seeing these rational responses, Xi Mo felt somewhat relieved. If everyone could be this smart and quick-witted, the likelihood of major stars having heart attacks from anger would also decrease significantly, living healthily until ninety-nine.
After passing the phone back, the situation became clearer.
Ruan Yesheng said to Ding Pei, "Many things online are just rumors, they can make something out of nothing. Either just venting emotions or seeking attention."
She knew anyone would feel uncomfortable in such a situation, even someone like Xi Mo who had experienced similar events many times and had already grown accustomed to it. Actually, it would still be unsettling for her to see, especially considering Ding Pei's relatively short experience and his cautiousness. The impact he received would inevitably be greater. It's impossible not to care. Who could truly not care? Even someone as smooth as Ruan Yesheng, watching someone with good mental resilience, would find it difficult to achieve. She could try to find ways to manage her emotions, to not get angry, but truly not caring was beyond her capability.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Ding Pei held the phone, looking somewhat anxious, continually explaining, "Sister Xi, I really didn't mean that, they're all... all talking nonsense."
Ruan Yesheng smiled, "I know. Don't worry, I understand you're not that kind of person."
Xi Mo said, "I know too."
It was useless to tell Ding Pei not to think about these things. What was needed now was to give Ding Pei complete trust. Through their usual interactions with Ding Pei, they also understood his character. He was obedient, humble, eager to learn, and didn't have the restless bad habits often found in the industry. They believed in him.
It's just a pity that people on the internet didn't understand, after all, they didn't know, so it was easy for them to be manipulated.
Why do people become so agitated or upset when they see slander and rumors being spread? Is it really because they're hurt by those malicious accusations and baseless rumors?
Actually, no. Rumors and slander themselves don't directly strike people. What truly scares them is when those vile rumors and slander are publicly thrown onto the internet, where anyone can add fuel to the fire, twist the truth, and paint any picture they like. Many people who are unaware of the truth can be blinded by these rumors and start to believe that the person in question truly is as described. The individual's character and reputation are recklessly tarnished, with rumors spreading like wildfire while clarifications struggle to keep up. Even some fans who initially liked those celebrities are misled and start believing these groundless rumors, crying out, "I can't believe XX is like that! I must have been blind to like someone like that before, I'm switching sides from being a fan to being against them!"
Onlookers also join in the drama: "I can't believe XX is like that! Luckily, I didn't have much of an opinion before, now I'm turning against them!"
Being misunderstood and lacking trust is the real heartache. It's so painful that one becomes even more fearful of being misunderstood, making it even harder to let go of the gossip and rumors.
If the world believes, even if I traverse through mud and mire, my clothes remain untouched, for the world believes in me.
If the world doesn't believe me, facing the onslaught of words, I can only be at the mercy of others, feeling anxious and unsettled, for the world doubts me.
Yet the internet is vast and fragile. Nowadays, everyone is online, and a few keystrokes can easily stir up a storm. That trust isn't easily obtained, and precisely because it's not easy, it's all the more precious.
Upon hearing Xi Mo and Ruan Yesheng express their trust in him, Ding Pei was deeply moved. The tension he felt earlier began to dissipate slightly. He rubbed the back of his head and said, "Thank you, Sister Xi, Sister Ruanruan."
Then he looked at Ruan Yesheng, his face turning red as he said, "Actually, Brother Yi instructed me to spend more time with you. He often brings food and drinks over, I understand his intentions. It's just that I'm not very capable, and I'm not very popular now. Brother Yi doesn't have many artists under his wing, and I... I might be one of the few he still has hopes for. He helped me rise to where I am now, hoping that I could become popular. I understand Brother Yi's intentions, but I don't think it's right to rely on him like this all the time. I swear, every time I come to see you, it's not because Brother Yi told me to, it's because I genuinely think you're great and I can learn from you. I hope to improve my acting skills and make a name for myself sooner, so Brother Yi won't have to worry about me so much. But today's incident made me realize that I need to be more careful in the future, to avoid being photographed and accused of riding on popularity."
Wei Yi is Ding Pei's manager. Ruan Yesheng said, "We're aware of these things, Mr. Wei is a good person, so don't burden yourself with unnecessary worries."
Xi Mo set down her drink and walked over to Ruan Yesheng's side, looking at Ding Pei. She felt the rumors earlier were really unsightly, and naturally unhappy about it. Her tone carried a hint of coldness as she said, "Let them take pictures if they want. Just let them have their fill. Simply talking, eating, and reading scripts together is considered riding on popularity? If popularity can be so easily gained, how unjust would that be?"
Her tone suddenly softened as she bent down, gently wrapping her arm around Ruan Yesheng's shoulder. "At the very least, we should do this, right? Let them know what it means to rub off on Sister Xi's popularity."
Ruan Yesheng, sitting on the folding chair, was caught off guard by her sudden embrace, her heart fluttering. "..."
Ding Pei was stunned. "..."
Xi Mo glanced at Ding Pei, then at Ruan Yesheng. "..."
What am I doing all of a sudden?
Am I sick?
Ruan Yesheng raised her eyes, her gaze falling on Xi Mo's hand on her shoulder, then slowly moving up to meet Xi Mo's eyes. Her gaze seemed as if it could melt. "It's quite warm, you can lean on me more."
Xi Mo: "..."
Xi Mo withdrew her hand, returning to her own folding chair, maintaining her usual charming smile, and said, "I just demonstrated how to rub off the heat."
Ding Pei nodded, "Thank you for the demonstration, Sister Ruanruan!"
Xi Mo looked coldly at him, "It's just a demonstration, but you absolutely cannot do that."
Ding Pei: "..."
Ruan Yesheng: "..."
Ding Pei quickly shook his head, "I won't! I won't! Sister Ruanruan, you can trust me!"
I dare not, it might be my imagination, but Sister Ruanruan's gaze just now seemed a bit scary.
Xi Mo seemed satisfied with his response and continued drinking her beverage.
With the trust of the two, Ding Pei now felt much more relaxed. After a bit of conversation, he heard there was a cup of drink for Yan Mu in the beverage bag and wanted to give it to him early. He asked, "Where's Brother Xiao Mu? He was just here, where did he go?"
Ruan Yesheng said, "He went out. He was surrounded by his fans who came to visit him outside. It'll probably be a while before he can come back."
Author's Note:
Thank you all for your trust in me. I really appreciate it. It is this trust that allows me to persist until now.
