Unexpected focus in the promotional video
The filming crew arranged by the client arrived as scheduled. They looked quite professional, equipped with cameras and lighting equipment of all sizes. Project Manager Liu Chao and Chief Engineer Zhang Xiao personally accompanied them. Mo Zhichi, as the lead, coordinated the entire process, ensuring that the filming would not disrupt normal construction while capturing the best possible footage.
The filming naturally focused on the beam yard, a site characterized by its highest technical requirements and greatest visual impact. The massive steel skeleton, the precise installation of formwork, the roar of concrete pump trucks, and the focused vibrating work of workers... these scenes, captured through the lens, showcased the power and precision of modern engineering. The filming team's director lavishly praised the meticulous on-site management and the spectacular spectacle.
According to the script, we also need to interview several front-line builders to show the team's style. Lan Tongtong, as a representative of young technicians, and Liu Feng, as a representative of the supervision party, were both included in the interview list.
Lan Tongtong was initially nervous during the interview, but she remained composed in front of the camera. She briefly described her responsibilities, emphasized the importance of quality control, and expressed her pride in participating in such a major project. Her words were simple and free of clichés, yet they exuded sincerity and professionalism, which pleased the director.
When it was Liu Feng's turn, he was clearly well prepared. Donning brand new work clothes, his hair meticulously combed, he spoke eloquently to the camera, expounding on the importance of "strict control," "constant improvement," and "guaranteeing project quality" in supervision work. His words were imbued with a sense of responsibility and mission, and his performance was impeccable. He also specifically mentioned the recently implemented "evaluation system," calling it "a good initiative to promote communication among all parties and improve management standards," and he looked like an enthusiastic supporter.
The entire filming process went exceptionally smoothly, with both parties strictly adhering to the "script" and no discordant episodes. Liu Feng was exceptionally cooperative, even proactively helping the filming team find the best angles and maintaining a polite distance towards Lan Tongtong.
After the shoot, Liu Chao and Zhang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief, believing the image project had been successfully completed. Mo Zhichi, his expression calm and composed, remained unmoved as he discussed the subsequent editing plans with the filming team.
Lan Tongtong returned to her post, feeling a strange feeling. Liu Feng's performance on camera was too perfect, completely different from his private behavior. This stark contrast felt to her like the calm before the storm. She was confident that Brother Mo would never allow this promotional video to serve as a mere ploy to whitewash Liu Feng and his son. But what exactly would Brother Mo do? She couldn't predict.
The filming crew left, satisfied with their footage. The construction site returned to its usual rhythm, as if nothing had happened. But everyone knew that the footage, after editing and packaging, would be presented to the public, becoming the project's public face.
After intense post-production, the promotional video was quickly aired on the city's television stations, major online platforms, and the project team's social media accounts. As expected, the film was well-made and visually stunning, showcasing both grand construction scenes and touching details about the builders. It garnered widespread acclaim. The client's general manager, Tang Hao, personally called Liu Tianyuan to express his approval. Liu Tianyuan, elated, touted the video as a key achievement on various occasions. The entire project team breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that the project had been beautifully completed.
However, within a few days, the direction of public opinion began to change subtly and unexpectedly.
Initially, there were some positive comments praising the massive project and advanced technology. But gradually, the focus of the discussion on some short video platforms and social media topics began to shift.
What sparked heated discussion was not the magnificent bridge piers or advanced construction technology, but an interview clip of only a few dozen seconds in the film - a shot of Lan Tongtong.
Wearing a red hard hat and slightly oversized work clothes, she stood in front of a massive steel frame, her face a bit nervous but incredibly serious as she explained her work. Her delicate features and focused eyes formed a stark contrast to the rugged industrial surroundings.
Some netizens began to capture this picture, adding various labels and texts:
"#The most beautiful technician on the construction site# This young lady is so beautiful and cool! The way she works hard is so charming!"
"#WomenPower# Who says there are only men on construction sites? Look at this young lady, she's a true heroine!"
"I've noticed! I didn't expect there to be such a handsome technician on the construction site. They must be working really hard, right?"
"It's so hard for such a beautiful girl to work on a construction site, exposed to the wind and sun!"
The discussion quickly heated up, and Lan Tongtong, originally a supporting character in the promotional video, unexpectedly became the focus of public attention. Netizens began digging for information about her, and some even left messages on the project department's official account, asking for more information about "that beautiful female technician."
This kind of attention completely deviated from the original intention of the promotional video to showcase the engineering achievements, and turned into a gossip discussion about "women on the construction site" and "appearance and career".
Colleagues in the project department looked at Lan Tongtong with a strange look: curiosity, envy, and even a hint of teasing. Zhang Biao approached with his phone and said casually, "Lan, you're going to be famous! Everyone on the internet is talking about you!"
Lan Tongtong looked at the comments with mixed feelings. She didn't want to be noticed in this way; it made her feel awkward and even a little uneasy. She would rather everyone focus on the prestressed tensioning process she introduced, rather than her face.
What worried her even more was whether this unexpected popularity would bring unnecessary trouble, especially what Liu Feng would think of it.
As expected, Liu Feng soon noticed this trend. His reaction wasn't joy, but rather sour jealousy and dissatisfaction. At a regular supervisory meeting, he sarcastically remarked, "The internet is really messed up these days. No one's paying attention to the highlights of serious projects, only to the irrelevant stuff. I think we should just stop shooting promotional videos and just do beauty pageants. Why bother with projects?"
Although he didn't mention anyone by name, the criticism was directed at Lan Tongtong. He seemed to feel that Lan Tongtong had stolen the limelight that should have belonged to him (or his father).
Lan Tongtong felt helpless and pressured. She had done nothing but complete an ordinary interview, yet unexpectedly found herself at the center of public opinion. This attention was a double-edged sword: while it brought some recognition, it also evoked inexplicable jealousy and potential danger.
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