Chapter 30 Arguing
"don't want."
Hearing the unwavering voice from the other end, Ling Zhao paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes that he couldn't quite hide.
As if trying to erase the traces he had left behind, Mu Jiu simply raised her hand to wipe her forehead and said indifferently, "I said no, didn't you understand?"
She was thinking about something while eating.
The fact that the company's old-timers actually wanted to hype up her and Ling Zhao's "ex-couple" relationship shows that "Chao Mu's" influence has exceeded controllable limits.
The current buzz isn't just self-indulgence among CP fans; there may have already been an ambiguous atmosphere between her and Ling Zhao that's seriously interfering with the audience's judgment.
She tried stopping the goodnight texts, choosing to go on dates with other guests, and even saying a few bad things about Ling Zhao on camera.
Unfortunately, these deliberate attempts to distance themselves only fueled the CP (couple) fans' fanaticism.
So when she saw that only Ling Zhao was in the empty living room, aside from being still groggy from just waking up, she felt a bit resigned to her fate.
It wasn't until she heard Ling Zhao's unconscious words of concern that Mu Jiu suddenly had a better idea.
Since gentle methods are ineffective, perhaps we can try more drastic approaches.
quarrel.
Most dating reality shows deliberately avoid conflicts between guests, but breakup reality shows rely on this to attract attention.
In the public's perception, couples who are truly close will not publicly break up with each other.
While the argument itself may become a new hot topic, it can at least deter those fans who genuinely enjoy the sweet moments between the couple.
After all, she and Ling Zhao weren't really exes, and they had to successfully break up after the show ended.
The most effective method is to transform yourself into an unreasonable and aggressive persona.
But starting an argument is not like performing a test question where an emotion arises out of thin air; it requires a reason to trigger it.
After clearing his mind, Mu Jiu lowered his head slightly, allowing himself to enter into the right emotional state.
"Didn't you say when we broke up that we were strangers?"
The woman in the picture gives the impression of being aloof and distant. It seems that from the moment she opens her mouth, a crack appears in her perfect mask, as if her shoulders have been crushed by something heavy.
From the very first word she uttered, her voice gradually shifted from gloom to an almost calm hysteria: "What am I trying to do with this performance? To show in front of the camera that I'm very caring and that I'm the only one at fault?"
Sun Jianglin, watching from the screen, widened her eyes in surprise and unconsciously leaned forward slightly.
This was a suicidal self-destruction unlike anything she had ever seen in her career.
This couple is at the peak of their popularity, yet their team seems to have no plan whatsoever, allowing the artists to publicly feud in front of the camera? This completely defies all common sense about marketing.
These two people's company...
She recalled the management companies behind those two artists and suddenly understood why all of this had happened.
Having regained her composure from the initial rage upon learning that Fang Yucheng had been outmaneuvered, Sun Jianglin couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.
Both of them were lousy agencies that couldn't even get into third-rate agencies, so it's amazing that they managed to get these two super popular young artists. It's like their prayers for help came true.
However, their future has come to an end. Lacking planning and long-term vision, they have popularity but no brains. Being able to share the stage with her artists is the furthest they can go.
After a moment of thought, her tense shoulders finally relaxed, and she slowly leaned back in her chair, letting out a small sigh of relief.
Since they are not a professional opponent that requires careful handling, things are actually simpler.
His fingertips tapped lightly on the armrest unconsciously, a mocking smile curving his lips.
She thought she had encountered a tough opponent this time, but it turned out to be a tough one. While committing suicide, the opponent, bleeding profusely, asked her, "Are you scared?"
As she pondered, she glanced at the comments out of the corner of her eye.
Consuming too much industrial saccharin can indeed cause nausea.
Are people still eating this fake candy? The quality of what people are consuming is appalling!
[The person in question can't even use a microphone properly, yet they set up a stall, and you all fell for it?]
The execution felt too deliberate; the script was obvious.
[Hilarious! They can't even fake it properly. Does anyone really like this kind of artificially sweetened candy? It's so sickeningly sweet!]
Seeing the online trolls still spamming the "industrial saccharin" comments as planned, Sun Jianglin frowned, quickly dialed a number, and spoke with obvious displeasure:
"I told your people to be more alert, and they ended up using bots? Both of them changed their tactics and were still farming industrial candy? It would be strange if they didn't get caught!"
A hesitant male voice came from the other end of the phone: "Sister Sun, we'll make adjustments right away..."
"Candy, candy, candy, you're burning hot! If you don't do this right this time, I'll replace you next time!"
Before the other person could finish speaking, she slammed down the phone, her chest heaving. After closing her eyes and calming herself for a few seconds, she exited the live stream and quickly swiped her finger across her phone screen to find another number in her contacts.
Sun Jianglin's voice still carried lingering anger, her long fingernails tapping crisply on the table: "Tell me Fang Yucheng's schedule for the next few days."
"Sister Sun, now he..." The woman's voice on the other end of the phone sounded hesitant.
"Do you want to see how much his popularity has dropped in just a few days, and how many resources have been taken away from him?"
Sun Jianglin's voice suddenly turned cold: "I only had you hand over the reins to me because I saw that his business was developing steadily and I had a lot of things to do at the company. And now what?"
“I don’t want to see this happen again. When you get back, report to me on what you’ve been doing during this time.”
Just as Sun Jianglin hung up the phone, the discussion in the live stream changed from one-sided to a barrage of various comments.
I heard they came here because it's a breakup reality show, so at least I get to see some drama!
[Finally showing their true colors, huh? Even male and female celebrities' breakups are always a mess.]
The script is too obvious; the production team has run out of ideas.
[Has Jiu Jiu suffered some injustice? Her eyes look strange.]
[Oh, my beloved show "Morning and Evening" has suddenly become so heartbreaking! Give me back my silly duo! How are we going to repay the show for what we owe you? /crying/crying/crying]
[This actress is really dramatic.]
[Bystanders watching the drama unfold, this development is more exciting than a TV drama!]
...
But the cabin was not so lively.
At this moment, the air seemed to freeze, with only the faint sound of the camera turning silently remaining.
Ling Zhao silently watched Mu Jiu, who suddenly displayed superb acting skills, while trying to maintain a calm demeanor on the surface, but inwardly he gasped in shock.
If it weren't for the live broadcast camera overhead, his eyes would surely be filled with the words "help" at that moment.
Whether there is no reaction or an overreaction, it will drag down the other person's performance.
Even if you can see Mu Jiu's performance through online videos, it's still just a cold, impersonal screen.
This was the first time he had directly experienced the other person's acting skills.
Almost simultaneously, his mind raced, trying to figure out how to respond to the other party's sudden accusations and interrogations.
After spending so many days in the cabin, he had become familiar with this improvisational acting segment.
But no matter how many times you experience it, this feeling of tension and excitement can still send your adrenaline soaring and your heart racing. However, this emotion should be different from the butterflies in your stomach.
Just as Ling Zhao was trying to find a reasonable reason and organize his thoughts to reply, he heard a very soft, cold laugh from the other end of the line.
"It's always like this."
Her voice was filled with exhaustion and disappointment.
Ling Zhao's train of thought was interrupted instinctively upon hearing this voice.
He unconsciously raised his head and looked into those eyes.
The soft, cool light from the kitchen reflected in her eyes, casting his image in them.
The beautiful black crystal has developed cracks.
Her eyes looked like they were about to break.
"It was you who thought I would definitely choose Fang Yucheng, it was you who thought we had no future together, but you never asked for my opinion."
With each word spoken, a misty haze gradually rose in her eyes.
But after she stopped speaking, she blinked and regained her calm, self-deprecating expression.
His voice lowered, almost a murmur: "If... then what am I now...?"
Outside the window, thick clouds blocked out the sunlight.
The light inside the room suddenly dimmed, and even the scene seemed to grow cold.
After a brief pause, the screen full of comments resumed their rapid movement.
[Let's fight! Let's fight!]
[What is Mu Jiu pretending for? He's such a drama queen!]
To be honest, her acting is much better now than when she's filming.
[Waaaaah, please don't mess with my mind, my child is about to have a breakdown!]
[My sister's eyes are so broken, Ling Zhao, what did you do?!]
[They're still trying to ride on Fang Yucheng's popularity at this point, I can only say it's unbelievable, these two are really a perfect match]
...
After calming down and regaining her composure following the emotional outburst, Mu Jiu quickly organized her thoughts while maintaining her composure:
With a beginning, development, climax, and conclusion, this level of argument should be enough, right?
She didn't want the argument to escalate to personal attacks unless absolutely necessary, since she just wanted to dampen the audience's enthusiasm and didn't want to engage in a meaningless and impolite flame war.
That's it. All that's needed is to add that one sentence to give this "crazy woman" a perfect exit.
After that, whether Ling Zhao remained silent or made no move, spoke, or reacted, it brought this impromptu argument to a close.
Even later, the fans of the couple could gradually get used to the fact that their relationship has completely ended, and then slowly untie the ties...
"That's enough, I'm tired."
Mu Jiu lowered her eyes, turned and left, her brows furrowed with the weariness of her grief: "If there's no need, let's not meet again..."
Her hand was grabbed.
Mu Jiu almost lost her composure, but thankfully she reacted quickly enough, maintaining her indifferent expression as she turned her head back calmly.
This sudden argument happened without any prior preparation of what to say.
However, in the past, her co-stars never said anything too offensive and did their best to cooperate with her.
If she gives him even the slightest hint, he should know what to do, right?
Mu Jiu: "You..."
"You're a good actor, but I'm not."
Before Mu Jiu could reply, Ling Zhao unexpectedly spoke first.
His voice still lacked warmth, but his eyes, which always held a cold and sharp edge, looked at her earnestly and stubbornly: "So I can't hide my emotions well, and I'm not good at lying."
"That was true in the past, and it is true now."
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Author's note: I originally thought I wouldn't have to work overtime in October, but I was wrong. [crying emoji]
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