Chapter 134 Scheming [VIP]

Chapter Summary: Shouldn't we also be wary of the male actors we work with?

The next morning, Mu Zhi checked the trending topics online before heading to the training venue.

The dinner party last night was photographed, and it still made it to the trending topics.

She thought that since she waved and greeted the paparazzi last night, and they saw that she had been spotted, and that she was acting so openly while being photographed, and that there were so many staff members with her, there wouldn't be any news about their meal.

It turned out she had underestimated the situation.

The paparazzi released a six-grid photo, mainly featuring Mu Zhi and Tai Feng together, cropping out the staff members around them. However, director Hong Yan was walking between Tai Feng and Mu Zhi and couldn't be cropped out.

The released text only mentioned Mu Zhi and Tai Feng's names, saying that the two had dinner together last night and became friends through working together on "Countdown". The movie did well at the box office after its release. Was this dinner to celebrate the box office success?

I mentioned that Tai Feng hasn't been photographed having dinner privately with any actresses he's worked with in recent years, and Mu Zhi is the first one. It seems that the two have a good relationship in private.

Mu Zhi: ? Last night I discovered paparazzi taking pictures of me. When I left, I noticed the cars parked on the side of the road. One of them looked familiar and seemed to be the car of the paparazzi who had been following me.

If the paparazzi had been following her throughout the filming of "The Most Beautiful Teacher," how could she not know the director, Hong Yan?

He's deliberately pretending not to recognize her.

The paparazzi's photos were quickly reposted by marketing accounts and then became a trending topic.

#Mu Zhitai Feng photographed eating# is the 2nd most searched topic.

When a male and female celebrity's names trend on social media together, most viewers will likely speculate about their relationship. Many netizens wonder if the two have feelings for each other and are dating.

The road trip romance film "Countdown" has only been out of theaters for a few days, and there was already a group of fans who shipped the real-life couple #TaifengxMuzhi# after watching the movie. They felt that the two, both being strong and single, were a perfect match.

So the CP fans were very happy to see it trending and started teasing each other in the comments section:

"It's such a pity that Youqu and Asang had a bad ending in the movie. The two actors are a perfect match in real life. They should get together!"

"Both Teacher Mu and Teacher Tai are very low-key acting teachers, so please don't put pressure on them and let them get along naturally (doge emoji)."

"I saw the six-grid photo posted by the paparazzi, and in one of the GIFs, Tai Feng turns his head to listen to the person next to him talking, but his eyes seem to be looking at Mu Zhi. I don't care, this is definitely sweet, I'm totally shipping this!"

......

Both fan groups expressed their displeasure at the rumored relationship.

They want to distance themselves from the situation.

Many of Tai Feng's fans believe that this trending topic, with Mu Zhi's name first and a movie starring Mu Zhi currently showing in theaters, must have been bought by Mu Zhi's team.

The fact that their idol has a higher status in the film industry than Mu Zhi, more representative works than Mu Zhi, and higher national popularity than Mu Zhi, and that they are both trending on social media, suggests that Mu Zhi is trying to exploit the relationship by associating with Tai Feng to gain personal advantage.

Mu Zhi has been rumored to be dating Xie Chaoyun and Yin Xiuran before; this isn't the first time.

Mu Zhi's fans expressed their anger after seeing some of the comments made by Tai Feng's fans:

"A publicity stunt? Didn't someone say last month that a magazine approached Mu Zhi and Tai Feng to shoot a joint cover, but Mu Zhi's team turned it down? That proves Mu Zhi doesn't care about being associated with your big-name actor; she just wants to shine alone (smile)."

"In the entertainment industry, any male or female celebrity with high popularity and high media attention who is seen within 3 meters of another person of the opposite sex is bound to be the subject of rumors. Paparazzi and platforms will also create hype for their KPIs... Don't pin all the blame on actresses. If you're so capable, tell your idol not to eat with female colleagues."

"Mu Zhi has only been in the industry for four years and hasn't filmed many works. Her national recognition is not as high as Tai Feng's yet, but her popularity can easily surpass that of ten Tai Fengs. She has never lacked popularity and buzz. She doesn't need to be associated with anyone; she is a self-sufficient person and doesn't need to leech off anyone else."

Some sensible fans also spoke out to try and reconcile the situation:

"In the photos released by the paparazzi, there was someone between Zhibao and Taifeng, and there was absolutely no physical contact between them. Isn't it normal for colleagues who have worked together to have a meal together in private? What does that have to do with a romantic relationship or any kind of exploitation or leeching?"

Shouldn't they have gone to Japan to stir up trouble with paparazzi? Instead, the two fan groups got provoked and started fighting amongst themselves. It's ridiculous.

......

Meanwhile, some of Mu Zhi's fans recognized the face of the man standing between Mu Zhi and Tai Feng in a certain GIF, which looked like director Hong Yan.

Holy crap! Mu Zhi, Tai Feng, and director Hong Yan had dinner together. Are they discussing a collaboration? Are the two going to work together again?

Fans quickly clarified the situation in the comments section of the relevant Weibo posts trending on the topic.

Mu Zhi Studio and Tai Feng Studio subsequently issued statements clarifying that it was a group of people having dinner together.

Mu Zhi's studio also specifically clarified: Mu Zhi is single.

After the dating rumors were debunked, netizens shifted their focus to whether Hong Yan, Tai Feng, and Mu Zhi would be collaborating on any project...

Lanxing Media, General Manager's Office.

He Zhiyue, who was talking about work with Ji Binghe, felt thirsty. When she reached for the coffee in front of her, her fingers touched the phone next to her.

An entertainment news item with Mu Zhi's name popped up at the top of the unlocked phone screen.

His hands moved faster than his brain; with a tap of his slender fingertips, he opened Weibo and saw the rumors of a romantic relationship between Mu Zhi and Tai Feng.

Ji Binghe, who was standing to the side, noticed that the boss had suddenly lost focus and stopped talking, and even frowned slightly.

Curious, she craned her neck to peek at what her boss was looking at, only to find that he had a privacy screen protector on.

Ji Binghe coughed lightly and continued, "President He, we were just discussing that after Xin Yan goes abroad to study at a music academy in January, she will only have activities scheduled during the summer and winter breaks..."

He Zhiyue snapped out of her daze and turned off her phone screen.

"Xia Xinyan signed a 10-year contract with the company. She had communicated with the company beforehand about going abroad to study at a music academy, and the company supports her. Director Ji, you can handle it as you see fit."

Ji Binghe nodded to indicate that she understood, and seeing that her boss seemed a little absent-minded, she guessed, "President He, did you just see the news about Zhizhi being photographed?"

Seeing that the boss remained silent, it was a tacit agreement.

He explained, "Recently, Zhizhi, along with Actor Tai and several other actors, have been training in martial arts for their new film. Yesterday, after training, Zhizhi, Director Hong, Tai Feng, and a dozen or so staff members had dinner together. They were photographed as they left the restaurant."

Ji Binghe looked at He Zhiyue and said meaningfully, "In the entertainment industry, male and female celebrities are easily rumored to be dating whenever someone of the opposite sex is around them. That's just how the environment is."

Therefore, people in the industry are more able to understand each other, and they are also too busy with work to have much opportunity to meet people outside the industry.

Generally speaking, the partner they choose is also someone in the industry.

She watched as He Zhiyue became completely infatuated with Mu Zhiting.

Although I think the boss is an excellent man in all aspects, unlike some rich second-generation/rich people who have many women around them and are not serious about relationships.

However, without the obsessive infatuation before winning her over, it's easy for possessiveness and a chauvinistic streak to take hold once she's won her over. But given Mu Zhi's passion for her career, it's impossible for her to be confined by anyone...

To be honest, Ji Binghe didn't think He Zhiyue and Mu Zhi could be together.

She said this in the hope that He Zhiyue would think things through before taking that step, so that her relationship with Mu Zhi wouldn't become complicated from boss and company artist, or even cause unpleasantness that would affect the contract renewal.

That would be a huge loss for the company.

He Zhiyue: "Director Ji, I have considered all your concerns. Don't forget, my maternal grandfather and my mother are both actresses, and their spouses are not in the entertainment industry."

As the owner of an entertainment agency, he has a good understanding of the artists' lives both on and off screen, including their work and personal lives.

He Zhiyue admires Mu Zhi's passion and dedication to acting, and naturally understands Mu Zhi's work.

Moreover, with He Hongshuo as a cautionary tale, he hated He Hongshuo for betraying his mother and would never repeat the same mistake.

So when he saw Mu Zhi and Tai Feng trending on social media, it wasn't out of jealousy.

With a wry smile, he said, "Director Ji, if you're going to be wary of me, shouldn't you also be wary of the male actors who work with Teacher Mu?"

Ji Binghe: "......"

The boss's reminder immediately set off alarm bells in my mind.

In the past two years, Ji Binghe has indeed spent very little time on set with Mu Zhi's dramas.

She never worried about that.

I've gone through all the male actors I've worked with in my mind, and only Tai Feng seems a bit dangerous. I've been having more contact with Mu Zhi lately.

Currently, Mu Zhi and Tai Feng are merely actors who have worked together, and their relationship can be described as not being very close.

Ji Binghe knew that Mu Zhi had a hard time establishing close relationships with someone.

As for Tai Feng, although he hasn't had any scandals with the actresses he's worked with in recent years, he's cold-hearted and aloof.

But who can guarantee he won't fall for Mu Zhi?

Looking back on the magazine's invitation to collaborate on a cover, it's highly likely that the brand contacted Mu Zhi's team first, and only after the team didn't directly refuse did they approach her.

Next, Mu Zhi and Tai Feng will be collaborating on a martial arts film, which includes a romantic subplot. Just as the boss said, they should be careful.

Ji Binghe rubbed her temples. It seemed that she had to be wary of any man who appeared around Mu Zhi.

Why does she have this feeling that she can't let the bok choy in her own vegetable garden be eaten by pigs?

With the National Day holiday over, filming for the new drama is about to begin.

Mu Zhi underwent a makeup test for the role.

The character she plays in this film has more than a dozen outfits, half of which are in men's clothing.

From their previous collaboration on "The Most Beautiful Teacher," Mu Zhi could tell that director Hong Yan placed great importance on the character's appearance.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have felt that the effect of wearing a wig wasn't good enough and suggested that she cut her hair short.

For this martial arts film, wigs were required. During the wig fitting, Mu Zhi, director Hong Yan, and the makeup and hair stylist discussed various things. To achieve the best look, and since Mu Zhi currently has short hair, hair extensions were arranged...

Just confirming the multiple hairstyles for the character kept me busy from morning till afternoon.

After getting her long, straight, black hair cut, Mu Zhi tied it into a high ponytail with only a hairpin, revealing her beautiful widow's peak.

I started changing my clothes.

Minmin accompanied Muzhi to change her clothes, and soon Muzhi came out after changing.

She wore black boots and a simple black outfit, which was the night clothes the character wore for missions.

In this film, Mu Zhi plays a member of a team of assassins secretly trained by the head of the Eastern Depot. This team of assassins consists entirely of women who wear men's clothing.

They dress as men year-round, but it's not that women want to pretend to be men and call themselves men.

Therefore, the common criticism in TV dramas—that the woman dressed as a man looks too fake and is obviously a woman—does not exist.

"Sister Zhizhi, you look so cool and stylish in that outfit."

It's a completely different feeling from Wu Xi.

With her hairstyle and clothing, Mu Zhi intentionally presented the character's state. Let's see how this look is.

His aura was chilling, he looked at people without a trace of emotion, his eyes revealed a numb and indifferent coldness, and he had a terrifying aura as if he had crawled out of a pile of corpses.

Ling Minmin was a little apprehensive, but also very excited, feeling that Mu Zhi's new role seemed to be very appealing.

After the makeup trial, it was already 10 p.m.

A busy day goes by quickly.

After the group got into the car, as soon as it started moving, Mu Zhi heard the team members yawn in unison, which was rather cute.

In the evening, we ordered takeout at the makeup test studio.

The staff must be a bit hungry by now.

Mu Zhi asked if they wanted to go get some late-night snacks.

Minmin and the others considered that it was quite late, and if they went out for a late-night snack, it would affect Muzhi's rest. They also had to continue martial arts training the next morning, so they asked Muzhi to owe them a meal and they could eat it next time.

"Okay, let me know when you want to eat it."

Seeing that everyone is a bit tired, let's do it next time.

After yawning, Minmin unlocked her phone and opened the calendar, intending to count how many days were left until the start of filming for the martial arts movie.

Note that the 22nd of this month is an important day.

She exclaimed excitedly, "Sister Zhizhi, the nomination list for the Golden Crane Awards, one of the three major film awards, will be released on October 22nd!"

[Author's Note]

Tai Feng hadn't even exchanged blows with Yue Ge before he got tricked, haha~

Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 00:05:59 and 23:52:58 on August 29, 2022!

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Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!