Chapter 802: Yu Yao Regrets, Si Fuqing’s Magnificence (1)

As soon as the news broke, many celebrity teams were unable to stay calm.

The fact that the production team of “Solitary Journey” approached Si Fuqing had already been quite surprising for them.

What shocked them even more was that Si Fuqing actually declined!

Could it be that the overwhelming success of “Crossing the Demon Realm” made Si Fuqing so complacent that she no longer valued serious dramas?

Serious dramas are the only path to winning mainstream awards!

No drama with supernatural elements has ever won the Cloud Award, right?

[How should I put it, I’m a bit disappointed. I really liked ‘Crossing the Demon Realm,’ but I don’t want Si Fuqing to be stuck on just this one drama.]

[Many actors peak with their first drama, and every subsequent one goes downhill.]

[She must be getting arrogant. A 19-year-old girl, becoming a top star with just one drama, who wouldn’t get cocky?]

The discussions grew more intense.

Due to the high popularity, Si Fuqing’s studio had been very busy this month, dealing with various trolls and keyboard warriors.

Si Fuqing generously gave her employees a raise.

As soon as this topic trended, it was immediately detected.

“Sister Sang, it seems the ‘Solitary Journey’ team deliberately leaked the news to the entertainment reporters,” the assistant manager said, rushing over with a look of disdain. “Their timing is impeccable. With ‘The Birth of an Employee’ breaking variety show records and ‘Crossing the Demon Realm’ breaking viewership records, they chose this moment to ride the wave.”

Many production teams like to tease fans.

Every now and then, they release news that a top star is about to star in their drama, teasing all the top stars one by one. The drama gets hype before it airs, but in the end, they cast a minor actor.

This practice is nothing new in the entertainment industry.

“I knew it,” Sang Yanqing said with a cold laugh. “These people in the entertainment industry are all two-faced. Isn’t it a serious drama? Aren’t there many stars begging to be in it? Why are they so eager to ride on our Qingqing’s popularity?”

“Handle the PR immediately. Don’t give them a chance to steal our spotlight.”

The assistant to the agent nodded. She had just taken a few steps when she paused, “Sister Sang, no need, Qingqing has already posted on Weibo.”

“What did she post?” Sang Yanqing’s heart leapt to her throat. “Don’t tell me she became someone else’s father again?”

The assistant to the agent twitched her mouth, “No, this time it’s quite mild.”

Sang Yanqing, somewhat skeptical, took the tablet to check.

[@Si FuqingV: The next drama is a historical drama. Shh, I’ll announce it officially once I’m ready. Let’s keep it low-key and not scare anyone.]

Instantly, the hashtag #SiFuqingNewDrama overshadowed the hashtag #SiFuqing, SolitaryJouneyLead#

[?! A historical drama, so excited!]

[Since it’s trending, let’s promote our darling Qingqing’s new variety show ‘The Birth of an Employee.’ You all deserve a Dr. Si in your life!]

[No official announcement, no mention. Please don’t pull your Sister Si down while riding on her popularity.]

Even some gossip fans spoke up in defense.

[What’s wrong with her not taking ‘Solitary Journey’? Forcing her to accept it? Looks like the domestic entertainment industry really has no other capable actresses. If Si Fuqing doesn’t take the lead, the production team is in panic.]

[I’m curious who they will cast as the lead in ‘Solitary Journey’ now that Si Fuqing declined.]

Si Fuqing’s acting skills have been widely recognized. If ‘Solitary Journey’ casts a female lead whose acting is inferior to hers, comparisons will be inevitable.

“She’s learned well.” Sang Yanqing was very pleased. “Killing two birds with one stone, our Qingqing truly knows how to navigate the entertainment industry.”

Not only did she deal a blow to the ‘Solitary Journey’ production team, but she also heightened anticipation for her next drama.

Most importantly, she saved a considerable amount on PR expenses.

Sang Yanqing deeply suspected this was Si Fuqing’s true intention.

She thought for a moment, “Contact Director Lu later, we need to discuss ‘The Nation’s Heroine.’”

The assistant to the agent acknowledged and went off to make preparations.

**

Meanwhile, in Sijiu City.

Yu Yao had just left the Ji family.

Ji Qingwei had coughed up blood again, which left him very irritated, to the point where he didn’t even want to see Xie Che, who had come to visit.

“Yu Yao, it’s unbelievable! You weren’t just a little off the mark, you missed it entirely!” Xie Che was extremely excited. “Si Fuqing turned out to be a traditional Chinese medicine doctor!”

Yu Yao hadn’t intended to respond until he heard the familiar name and froze, “Who did you say?”

“Si Fuqing!” Xie Che exclaimed. “Didn’t she participate in a variety show? I heard that LI Yanchen’s stand-in girlfriend was also there. I never expected her to know medicine. Didn’t you realize when she was pursuing you?”

Yu Yao was speechless, not knowing what to say.

Si Fuqing was now so famous that he encountered her fans wherever he went.

Her advertisements were everywhere.

The largest advertisement screen in the city center mall had been completely taken over by RM for their new product commercial, which was playing daily.

Yu Yao could hardly believe that the Si Fuqing, who used to chase him abroad and whom he had dismissed, had undergone such a dramatic transformation in just a year.

To say he didn’t feel any regret would be a lie.

But he wouldn’t allow himself to show it.

Si Fuqing’s face was indeed flawless, her acting skills genuinely superb, but traditional Chinese medicine?

Yu Yao pressed his lips together, feeling as if ants were gnawing at his heart, making it hard to breathe.

“If it weren’t for her poor family background, I would definitely go after her,” Xie Che said regretfully. “But honestly, she’s better than those rich heiresses.”

But they had to marry someone of equal social standing.

Not everyone could be like Shen Xi, who could start a business and amass a billion-dollar fortune, thus deciding her own marriage.

Xie Che, being a playboy, could only be a pawn in business alliances.

Yu Yao took a deep breath, “Enough, stop talking about it. I’m in a bad mood today. Let’s go for a drive.”

“Bad mood?” Xie Che turned the steering wheel. “Is it because of the Second Miss Ji again?”

Yu Yao didn’t deny it.

“Yu Yao, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Your childhood sweetheart’s health is getting worse. She might not make it much longer,” Xie Che said. “Your family won’t allow you to marry her. Since you can’t marry her, don’t give her false hope.”

Yu Yao responded impatiently, “Just drive.”

Xie Che shrugged, “Alright.”

He turned on the car’s tablet computer and specifically pulled up the first episode of ‘The Birth of an Employee’ to show Yu Yao.

Yu Yao hadn’t intended to watch, but gradually he became absorbed.

When he finally realized it, he had already watched half of it.

Xie Che spoke again, “I told you she was amazing. You always say your childhood sweetheart can do anything, but I bet she can’t practice medicine.”

A nameless anger rose in Yu Yao’s heart. He reached out to turn off the computer and closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

In his mind, no one could compare to Ji Qingwei.

**

The following evening, “Crossing the Demon Realm” concluded perfectly, and the guest interview show on Starlight TV also kicked off right on time.

Si Fuqing and Mo Yishan both attended, along with the actress who played the Demon Realm Princess and several other key supporting actors.

Tang Haiqiu was also present.

This episode’s guest lineup was the most star-studded in months for this interview show.

At eight o’clock, when the show officially started, the live viewership reached twenty million, not to mention the countless viewers watching on television.

“As we all know, ‘Crossing the Demon Realm’ is a fantasy drama where fight scenes are crucial,” the female host said, glancing at her cue card with a smile. “But many keen viewers have noticed that there is no martial arts director listed in the end credits. We’re all curious, how were the fight scenes in ‘Crossing the Demon Realm’ choreographed? Director Tang, could you share a little?”

[The fight scenes in ‘Crossing the Demon Realm’ are incredible! Each move is sharp and impressive!]

[Which genius martial arts director designed this? Please, other dramas, take note.]

[This martial arts director deserves all the recognition!]

“Well, ‘Crossing the Demon Realm’ indeed has no martial arts director,” Tang Haiqiu said, taking the microphone. “Because Teacher Si thought the crew was too poor, she took on the role herself.”

“Some of the moves were ones I sketched out after filming ‘Sword Immortal,’ but most were guided by Teacher Si. The fight scenes you saw were performed by her personally, many of them improvised on the spot. I tried to get others to learn them, but they just couldn’t.”

The audience was stunned.

[??? No way!]

[Isn’t Tang Haiqiu exaggerating to promote Si Fuqing? How could all the credit go to her? The fight scenes in ‘Crossing the Demon Realm’ are clearly meticulously designed, not something that can be improvised.]

The female host was also taken aback.

Fortunately, the male host stepped in to save the situation, “Who would have thought Teacher Si knows martial arts? Could you show us a few moves here?”

He immediately regretted his words, wishing he could slap himself.

It was too late to take it back.

The live audience’s interest was piqued.

The number of online viewers continued to soar.

[Live action is different from filming. Without real skills, it’s impossible to perform.]

[We don’t expect you to move a move with a sword, just a few acrobatic flips will do.]

Listening to the cheers and jeers from the audience, the male host was already sweating.

This interview was indeed meant to promote Si Fuqing, focusing on her.

But none of them anticipated Tang Haiqiu’s response, which now put Si Fuqing in the spotlight.

If she couldn’t demonstrate the same skills as in the drama…

The male host silently laughed at his misfortune, already resigned to being fired by the network head of Starlight TV.

“Since everyone wants to see, I’ll demonstrate a combo.” Si Fuqing stepped forward, raising her hand. “May I borrow a sword?”