ABOES 55: Production Statement

When Xie Yi called Chi Yunxing, he had just seen the trending topic.

This tag had suddenly jumped into the top 10 of the trending chart. Anyone with eyes could tell something shady was going on.

Clicking on the tag brought up a marketing account’s post, with only 368 likes, 25 comments, and 30 shares.

The caption was simple, just one line.

【Today during the Secret Crush costume shoot, Xiang Che as Xu Li and Chi Yunxing as Ning Chu looked way to perfect together!】

Clicking into the photo, it happened to be the one where Xiang Che had thrown an arm over Chi Yunxing’s shoulders.

Only Chi Yunxing’s profile was visible, his expression unclear, while Xiang Che’s face was fully on display, grinning as if saying something to Chi Yunxing.

Once the post was live, a number of other marketing accounts immediately started reposting, trying to amplify its reach.

Today’s netizens and fans weren’t idiots, and both fan bases instantly noticed something was off.

【???】

【You’re telling me one photo means they’re compatible?】

【GTFO! These marketing accounts are so annoying. Taking Xiang Che with me.】

【Chi Yunxing is not interested, thanks.】

【Seriously? First day on set and already trying to leech popularity?】

【Who even is Chi Yunxing? Stop clout-chasing our Che Ge.】

Chi Yunxing’s fans originally planned to quietly remove themselves, but after seeing those kinds of comments, they exploded and fired back.

【Who the hell is Xiang Che? Got any work to your name?】

【Never heard of you. Who even are you?】

【Is this necessary? Must we always pit one against the other?】

【Taking our Yunxing and going. Sick of these marketing nobodies.】

【Who are you calling a marketing nobody? Clarify.】

【Who else? You know damn well.】

【LMAO, your Che Ge has been in the industry 5 or 6 years and what has he accomplished?】

【As a bystander, at least I’ve seen Xiang Che’s stuff. But Chi Yunxing? No clue who he is.】

【Fake neutral alert.】

【His “debut work” was exposing a cheating scandal, wasn’t it?】

【Our Yunxing debuted just one month ago and already landed a male second lead in a web drama and is a regular guest on a variety show. And your Che Ge? Playing Xu Li? If I remember right, that’s the third male lead?】

【Book fan here, you’re right. Xu Li barely shows up in the novel. Mostly mentioned in passing.】

【LOL sorry, I couldn’t help myself.】

…

Both fandoms were enraged by each other’s sarcasm and sniping, leading to a full-on war under the marketing post.

At this point, Xiang Che had essentially achieved his goal.

He never intended to actually create a real CP with Chi Yunxing. Netizens weren’t that easy to manipulate these days. He just hadn’t trended in ages, so he had someone plant this post to boost his exposure.

As for fans fighting online?

Xiang Che didn’t even consider that.

He didn’t think his fans would lose, either.

He had nearly five million followers. Chi Yunxing? Barely two million. Not even worth worrying about.

And, just as Xiang Che expected, things were trending in his favor.

Which was exactly why Xie Yi was so furious.

“Damn it, I knew they’d pull something, I just didn’t think it’d be this fast…”

Chi Yunxing closed his tablet and quickly tried to comfort her, “Yi Jie, don’t be mad. This is partly my fault. I really didn’t expect him to lean over like that, which is why the picture got taken.”

“What’s this got to do with you?” Xie Yi took a deep breath. “It’s fine, don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. Since he wants to stir things up using you, don’t blame me for going all in.”

Chi Yunxing’s heart tightened. “Yi Jie, what are you planning to do?”

Xie Yi laughed coldly. “I didn’t want to go this far originally, but he asked for it. You remember I told you that after I found out he was meeting with Zhu Fang behind my back, I confronted him?”

Chi Yunxing’s chest tightened. “Don’t tell me you…”

“Yes, I recorded it.” Xie Yi cut him off, her eyes full of coldness. “I used to believe in leaving room for others, but it’s clear Xiang Che doesn’t think that way. Since he loves fake hype so much, I’ll help him out.”

Chi Yunxing didn’t want to interfere. “Is there anything I can do?”

Xie Yi smiled gently. “What can you do? Your job is to rest up. Don’t worry, I’ll handle this.”

Chi Yunxing nodded.

Xie Yi added, “Right, I may ask you to post later. If I message you and you don’t reply within thirty minutes, I’ll post from my own account.”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, he kept browsing Weibo.

The drama had escalated. Whether it was his super topic or Xiang Che’s, both fanbases were going at it full force.

The more he read, the deeper his frown.

Truthfully, watching his fans get insulted like that made him very upset.

He didn’t know exactly what Xie Yi had planned.

Even if she released the recording, the worst that would happen is that Xiang Che would get some moral backlash, lose a few endorsements and gigs, and after a while, people would forget. He’d act like nothing ever happened.

And the more important issue—he still had to work with Xiang Che.

What if Xiang Che pulled this again later?

Would his fans have to suffer through more of this?

Chi Yunxing frowned deeply.

No. Not acceptable.

He picked up his phone, just about to call Chi Xiwen, when Chi Xiwen called first.

Given the timing, he clearly already knew.

Chi Yunxing smiled and answered, “Hey, Ge? I was just about to call you.”

“So coincidental? Have you seen the trending topic?” Chi Xiwen sounded amused.

Chi Yunxing nodded, “Yeah, that’s why I wanted to talk to you.”

“You don’t need to worry. I’ve already figured out what’s going on. Someone’s on it.”

Chi Yunxing felt warmth bloom in his chest, touched. “Thanks, Ge.”

“We’re family. Why are you thanking me?” Chi Xiwen chuckled, then added, “But there’s something I need your opinion on.”

Chi Yunxing immediately understood, “I don’t want to work with him.”

Chi Xiwen burst out laughing. “That’s my brother! You didn’t even have to say it.”

Chi Yunxing also laughed, his ears flushing, “It’s just too much trouble working with people like him. I don’t want to ride fake hype. I just want to focus on acting.”

Chi Xiwen hummed in agreement, “Don’t worry. I’ll find you a less troublesome co-star.”

“President Chi,” A secretary’s voice came through.

“Yunxing, one sec,” Chi Xiwen said.

He spoke with the secretary briefly before returning, “All set. The production team has issued a statement. You just need to post a tweet.”

“That fast?” Chi Yunxing was surprised.

“Come on, do you know who your brother is?”

Chi Yunxing couldn’t help laughing. “Thanks, Ge.”

“Alright, go post and then get some rest.”

“Mm.” Chi Yunxing nodded.

He opened Weibo. As soon as he looked at the trending chart, he saw a new tag above #XiangCheChiYunxingAreSoCompatible, it was #SecretCrushProductionStatement.

@SecretCrushProductionTeam:

Statement:

Due to artist @XiangChe violating the production team’s confidentiality agreement, after emergency deliberation, we have decided to recast the role of Xu Li.

Additionally, after internal investigation, staff member XXX was found to have taken unauthorized photos during filming and uploaded them online. The individual has been terminated and legal action is being considered.

Since the role of Xu Li currently has no replacement, the production team will reopen casting. Interested artists may contact XXXX.

—

As soon as this statement dropped, netizens were stunned.

And before they could even react, they saw a familiar name repost it.

@DuanZhiyan: Can I audition?

Netizens: ???