Shrine - Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Ruan Ruan sat at the unlit dining table, with only the faint fluorescent glow from the wine cabinet. She knew it was fake. Just two days ago, Xin Chen had sent her the address for pre-production training, saying she could come over after her premiere. And in Shi Ran's recent work meetings, there had been no mention of any arrangements for 【Shrine】.
This was a very common "teasing a project" process in the industry; she could even imagine what the comment section looked like.
Sure enough, Ruan Ruan clicked on the most popular comment, and it was filled with Shi Ran's fans.
"Not interested until it's officially announced."
"Don't know, haven't heard. Quick ad break: Shi Ran's new work, 【Mystery Guest】, just wrapped up filming. Please look forward to it."
"What? Are you talking about the Shi Ran who won three major awards right after her debut, the Golden Lion Best Actress, the dual-award TV Queen, who's had a grand slam of magazine covers, is a global ambassador for multiple luxury brands, and is top-tier in her works, popularity, commercial value, and star power?"
"Top-tier star Shi Ran's appearance fee is only this cheap on marketing accounts."
Dazzling infographics promoting her achievements were posted one after another, taking advantage of the chaos to launch a beauty bombardment.
There were also passersby interested in the trending topic. They first asked what 【Shrine】 was, then who Ruan Ruan was. After getting their answers, their attitude was almost universally—impossible.
Shi Ran was famous for being selective about her projects; whether it was the original work, the production team, or the cast, they were always top-tier. To put it plainly, her works had a high-class appeal. This kind of web drama was a huge departure from her previous career path. One blogger analyzed it from the perspective of her high-end luxury endorsements, concluding that diving into a web drama now was tantamount to lowering her status.
Another blogger held a dissenting opinion, saying that it's not like she subsists on dew alone; even the most aloof goddess can be moved by gold. Shi Ran was now in artist management and wanted to promote her own artist and make money. It wasn't impossible for her to personally boost a newcomer. If she also managed to create a hugely popular CP, not only could she break away from her previous pairing, but her commercial value would also rise to a new level.
A passerby chimed in: "Maybe she got a taste of the benefits from her previous GL CP."
"She's been seen at a play and a concert recently, so a collaboration is highly likely."
The trending topic was filled with photos of Shi Ran and Ruan Ruan at the concert. One was cool and proud, the other shy and gentle. Naturally, there was no shortage of shippers. Some people dug up old variety show clips and started feasting, smiling with the satisfaction of a full granary.
Meanwhile, in the super-topic, it was a mix of joy and sorrow.
Shi Ran's career-focused fans worriedly asked if it was true, still hoping she would join the cast of another movie, as it had been several years since she'd been to an international film festival. The official fan club was silent, while the anti-fan team went about their usual business of reporting links with personal attacks.
Ruan Ruan's station sisters, however, were excited again. Trending twice in such a short time was a sign she was about to blow up. They were also more experienced at promoting her with photos than the last time. When a passerby accused her of buying her way onto the trending list again, a station sister calmly sipped her tea and replied: "It's a blessing for the trending list that my sister's magnificent beauty is on it. If my sister spent her own money on this, all I can say is she's a philanthropist."
Ruan Ruan pursed her lips. Just like that, she had become someone else's "sister."
She suddenly understood a little of what Shi Ran had meant when she said "understanding" comes after "liking." They didn't know what kind of person she was, didn't know she'd feel awkward being called "sister," but they liked her and defended her.
Her ears still burning, she put down her phone. Shi Ran came out, her head wrapped in a hair-drying cap. It might have looked a bit comical on an ordinary person, but with her swan-like neck and shoulders, at a glance, it resembled a styled updo.
"Finished reading?" Shi Ran asked, sitting on the sofa and looking for nail clippers.
Ruan Ruan got up and went over; she had put the nail clippers away herself. She found them in a drawer and held out her hand, palm up. Shi Ran obligingly rested her fingers on it, and Ruan Ruan took her hand and lowered her head to help her trim them.
"Shi Ran."
"Hm?"
In the pause between Ruan Ruan's words, there was the crisp sound of a nail being clipped. "This kind of hype... won't people see through it?"
"Of course they will," Shi Ran said.
Ruan Ruan looked up at her. Shi Ran extended her index finger and gave Ruan Ruan's palm a little hook before saying, "The audience is very smart. Who wouldn't be able to see through it?"
"But they still click to see," she said, blinking with a distant look.
Ruan Ruan hadn't read many books, but in that instant, she understood the meaning of an "overt scheme." People knew it was hype, yet they couldn't help but pay attention. Shi Ran diving into a web drama, the intricate connection between Shi Ran and Ruan Ruan, and the vast difference in their respective statuses—all put together, it was a spectacle.
Ruan Ruan fell silent. She had never experienced this kind of promotional operation.
"What did they say?" Just when she thought Shi Ran wouldn't speak again, she asked.
"They said my team... is piggybacking, creating hype, buying trending topics." And other things, like "tacky methods." Ruan Ruan cleared her throat, her face still burning.
"They're telling the truth," Shi Ran nodded.
Ruan Ruan stopped what she was doing, holding Shi Ran's hand and gazing at her.
"This is what your team is doing," Shi Ran stated calmly.
She could see that Ruan Ruan was a little stunned, not like her usual vibrant Little Bread self. So, Shi Ran said bluntly, yet with a touch of gentleness, "If you can't even accept the truth, what about rumors? What about slander?"
Her heart was suddenly pierced. Through Shi Ran's eyes, Ruan Ruan saw many things.
It was as if she were saying, the storm isn't about to break; the storm is already here. What was on that high platform? Had Ruan Ruan ever truly thought about it?
Shi Ran gazed at the pale and timid face before her, which looked as hazy as an unpolished piece of jade in the dim light. She thought for a moment, then said in a rare, low whisper, "Many people say that artists are products. Have you ever thought about why?"
Ruan Ruan nodded, paused, then shook her head.
"It's not just because artists have strong commercial attributes. It's also because an artist's labels, like the functions of a product, are prominent and are also rapidly replaced."
"It's like going to the supermarket to buy a bag of potato chips. The moment we see the brand, we form a biased definition in our minds: it's tasty, it's not tasty, it's expensive, there's not much in the bag. That's how most people see artists: what she's acted in, what she's sung, she's pretty, she's a good actress, she's won an award, she's dating someone."
"I'm not afraid of people saying I'm creating hype, nor am I afraid of gossip and interpretations, because I have more prominent labels. They are the foundation of my career, enough to make people buy in."
"And you, the reason you feel so unsettled, is because you don't have any other labels yet. But you won't be without them forever," Shi Ran blinked calmly. "Everyone on your team is betting that you have other labels. If the report card you turn in later is impressive enough, all this so-called damage to your public image now will be nothing but smoke. But if you have no works to show for it, the 'hype' label will stick with you for life."
Shi Ran didn't say any more, but her gaze told Ruan Ruan: Don't be afraid. Make people remember you, and then, replace the labels they have for you in their minds.
Ruan Ruan's breathing hitched. She held Shi Ran's hand, facing her, and finally gave a tiny nod.
She offered a faint smile, murmured, "Mm," and went back to trimming the nails.
Shi Ran used her other hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She then stroked her face, silently comforting her.
After finishing the nails, Ruan Ruan met her gaze with small, bright eyes. "So, what's next? What do I do?"
The Little Bread had adapted extremely quickly and was ready for her next mission.
"Have dinner with the original author. Make the rumor a reality." Shi Ran tilted her head and took off the hair-drying cap.
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