Shang Yechu's background is already fraught with scandals, and this incident, which occurred recently because of Li Yiming's good reputation, will only add another layer of negative publicity to her record.
"I know." Shang Yechu patted Ji Juntao's shoulder and gently squeezed it. "But isn't this my responsibility?"
Ji Juntao astutely captured two key words: "Responsibility?"
Shang Yechu smiled slightly: "Yes, responsibility."
"As an employee of Qingping Entertainment, I have a responsibility to create value for the company. Only in this way can I deserve the company's resource allocation and preferential treatment."
"As an artist, I have a responsibility to let investors see my value. Only then can I get more good roles and realize my dreams."
"As Ye Chu, I have a responsibility to restrain and protect my fans. I want to make sure they don't have to fight for meaningless things and empty their pockets. Only in this way can I repay their kindness to me."
"These are all my responsibilities."
Therefore, Shang Yechu will no longer accept magazine shoots, making Yeya fight for piles of waste paper; but she will not completely refuse endorsements either, making Qingping Entertainment suffer losses for her high-mindedness.
Everyone must bear their responsibilities. The criticism and accusations received in this process are simply the price to pay. To want to enjoy rights without wanting to bear the responsibility and the consequences—there's no such thing as a free lunch under the sun.
Ji Juntao was almost speechless: "You want to do all of these things?"
Who did Shang Yechu think she was?
Unlike Ji Juntao's shock, Shang Yechu's attitude was extremely serious: "I've thought about it a lot. In the past, I've actually been shirking my responsibilities."
They haven't completely stopped relying on online traffic, yet they're unwilling to cultivate fan circles or engage in fan-pleasing activities.
Despite not yet having the status or wealth of a superstar, they act aloof and refuse to socialize or accept endorsements.
Seeing Ye Ya controlling the comments, my first reaction was to feel ashamed, so I quickly switched accounts and went offline...
All the past events came flooding back. Shang Yechu suddenly realized the reason why she had failed miserably in all her interpersonal relationships—because she stood on the moral high ground but did nothing.
Clinging to their self-imposed standards, they revel in their supposed aloofness, dignity, and moral fastidiousness. They smugly believe they are different from other artists, but in reality, they are merely shirking their responsibilities.
The moment he found the reason, Shang Yechu felt a sense of relief.
“I will tell Ye Ya to stop wasting money on that lousy book. I will not let these things drain my fans, nor will I let my fans use this money to blackmail me.”
"I will continue to endorse products, but I will only endorse products that I have personally used and that are of high quality. At least I will not rip off consumers."
"besides……"
Shang Yechu smiled with relief.
"I will no longer take on any projects that require boosting sales figures, until I myself become 'face' itself."
"As for what others want to say, let them say it. I can't find a solution that meets everyone's requirements, so I'll just choose the one that I feel most at peace with."
Ji Juntao stared blankly at Shang Yechu.
To be honest, Shang Yechu often does surprising things. But today's incident is the most shocking one to Ji Juntao.
The Shang Yechu before her felt unfamiliar. Confident, composed, resolute, and with an undeniable, irresistible domineering air.
My heart is not a stone, it cannot be turned.
Ji Juntao had been trying to manipulate Shang Yechu. Because somewhere deep inside Shang Yechu, there was always an emptiness, a lack of strong support.
Ji Juntao, supported by his mother, knew how crucial that support was. Without it, no matter how strong a person appears on the outside, it's all just a bluff. Once their defenses are breached, they'll continuously cede territory!
But now, that void has been filled in.
By whom?
Are we going to be fooled by those idiots who are trying to boost sales on Weibo?
Ji Juntao felt a surge of amusement. Could that mob, whom she had manipulated and treated like dogs, really be Shang Yechu's source of confidence and support?
Beyond the absurdity, there is a profound understanding.
From that moment on, Ji Juntao knew she had no chance to control Shang Yechu anymore. She didn't even need to hold onto that hope. The only reason Shang Yechu hadn't lost her temper was because—
Shang Yechu put her arm around Ji Juntao's shoulder and gently pressed her back into her seat. As she did so, she said:
"I will take full responsibility. But it's difficult, and I need your help. Aji, I hope you can be my support, okay?"
Only after her body settled into the seat did Ji Juntao feel more grounded. She wiped the sweat that had somehow covered her forehead and tried to sound sarcastic: "Controlling fans, protecting fans? There are so many fans, how can you possibly manage them all?"
Shang Yechu pulled out a tissue to wipe her sweat: "I can't control what each person is like as an individual. But 'Yechu's fans' can't have a bad reputation, can't be bullied, and can't be exploited by others, you know that, right?"
"If our company is too small, we can't do this..."
Ji Juntao's face turned cold.
"I understand what you mean," Ji Juntao said coldly.
Shang Yechu smiled and said, "That's good."
After such a crushing defeat, Ji Juntao was still furious and retorted, "Why do you care about those people? Fans are just a mob. If you put your confidence in a bunch of loose sand, you'll suffer the consequences!"
“They love me, and I love them. So they have to listen to me, and I discipline and protect them in my own way,” Shang Yechu said matter-of-factly. “Is that wrong?”
Ji Juntao shivered.
“You’d better only treat your fans like this.” Ji Juntao shook his head. “If you do this again in the future… well, never mind. What will be, will be. Let it be.”
Ji Juntao thought back on the mediocre actors in the Chinese entertainment industry. The good actors were all old-timers, and Shang Yechu looked down on the bad ones. Shi Shan was already close to death, and the few male stars who barely met the criteria were either womanizers or ugly. In the short term, he probably didn't need to worry about Shang Yechu's love life.
At worst, we can find a mild-mannered, indecisive person to temporarily fill in for Shang Yechu. We'll replace her when a better one comes along.
---------
@叶初Leaves：
During this time, I received a lot of support from everyone because of the magazine cover shoot. Thank you all for your love and support. I know you've all done a lot for me, and I've seen all your kindness.
But when I saw some buds being criticized for not buying magazines, and even feeling "sorry to me," I began to suspect that I had become a source of some kind of pressure.
I don't want people to love me in a way that overdraws their resources. Because love and liking are inherently easy and bring joy. Love is not a task, nor is art.
I hope to make liking something a little easier and freer.
[Web link]
This is the refund link. Please click on it to get your refund. Please believe that the love I feel from you is not diminished in the slightest. On the contrary, I will feel even greater joy because of the possibility—the possibility that you will live better lives as a result.
I am deeply grateful to the brands and partners. Please believe me, I have no intention of blaming or criticizing the industry. I sincerely apologize for any losses caused to @Muse Magazine and will do my best to make amends.
As of the time of this post, I will personally cover the refund shortfall for all magazine orders placed online and subsequently refunded. I apologize again to the magazine publisher.
In the future, I will continue to participate in various promotional activities and brand building, but I will be more cautious about content that is prone to emotional manipulation. I hope to find a more balanced way of collaborating while respecting fans, the work, and partners.
Thank you to everyone who has taken me seriously. I will continue to work hard and repay your love with my work.
— Ye Chu
2018.09.05
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