"Absolutely, absolutely no hype. Think carefully, I don't want to die from it." Zi Wu spoke to the MCN manager.
Because she had hugged her idol so excitedly at the Douyin Gala, the MCN company she signed with wanted to stir up some publicity. After all, anything associated with Chu Zhi could instantly attract massive attention.
An MCN is a company that helps online influencers distribute content across all platforms and share revenue. It's similar to a talent agency.
But primarily, MCNs focus on managing content for commercial collaborations and ensuring online distribution.
"Even negative attention is still attention. Your current follower growth has reached saturation, and even after removing fake followers, some weeks still show a decline," Xiao, the MCN manager, said.
Xiao had sent not only a detailed promotional plan but also Zi Wu's account growth data across Douyin, Xigua Video, Bilibili, and other platforms.
Most MCNs have a bad reputation for interfering with creative content or even taking over accounts. But Zi Wu was already a major influencer, giving her equal footing. That was why today the manager Xiao himself came for the discussion.
Zi Wu glanced at the spreadsheets. The areas marked in red were all declines—things looked critical.
She remained unmoved. All this was just noise from competitors.
Moreover, she had just been named the Annual Chinese Style Anchor. Marketing this moment carefully could easily cement her as the top Chinese-style influencer. Why risk it?
"Has Xiao considered that Song Mingxi or Nakamura Yuriko, who have collaborated with brother Jiu, never thought of hyping themselves? Many MV actresses have no desire to hype themselves either," Zi Wu said.
Xiao froze, realizing that he had never noticed Chu Zhi had any scandals, passive or active.
"Extreme fans of brother Jiu exist in Japan and Korea—the kind that would take physical action. Hype could provoke attacks," Zi Wu said. "Even if domestic fans aren't organized like that, the sheer number is enormous.
Negative attention only works if one can gradually turn it into positive. But spreading rumors about Chu Zhi? No way to redeem it." Zi Wu was speaking from experience as Little Fruits.
If a female celebrity were rumored with Chu Zhi, it wouldn't be a 'Really? You deserve him?' kind of joke. It would be a real, shocked, 'You dare?'—no black-to-fan conversion possible.
In the end, after Zi Wu's strong objection, the MCN finally abandoned the unrealistic idea.
"Even a man who refused the Spring Festival Gala invitation, why would I bother?" Zi Wu muttered to herself.
The preliminary Spring Festival Gala list was usually set by July, about six months in advance. The chief director had issued a second invitation.
Normally, popular celebrities are rarely invited two years in a row. Chu Zhi was different. After thinking it over, Chu Zhi declined the invitation. Attending once was enough. Besides, he enjoyed watching the Gala more than performing on stage—though he didn't always pay full attention.
But he did agree to another matter: Chang Hui Jia Kan was freely licensed for use in the Gala. In the days before New Year's Eve, CCTV would occasionally play clips as a prelude.
Niu Jiangxue fully supported the free use. Even though the Gala's quality had declined over the years, it remained an essential part of many 1980s and 1990s childhood memories. Without that nostalgia, it wouldn't trend every year.
Having Chang Hui Jia Kan broadcast annually acted as a fixed promotional channel. Niu Jiangxue considered it excellent.
After filming the McDonald's advertisement today, Chu Zhi was exhausted. The ad followed a martial arts style with a short plot: "In the martial world, the supreme delicacy burger [McMack Crispy Chicken Leg Burger] is fought over, and heroes brawl in Longmen Inn for the prize."
The plot was ridiculous, but the client had full creative control. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., four hours of wire stunts left him drained.
The Emperor Beast had a personal rule: "In this life and the next, I will never do fight scenes again."
Action stars were almost godlike, he grumbled, sore back and legs cramping, grateful for Ma Weihao's massage help.
"One must treat oneself well. If hungry at midnight, order delivery. Don't starve," Chu Zhi said as he opened a delivery app.
His usual favorite shop was closed today, but he had over forty saved options.
Zi Jiang Meiwa and Bishan Rabbit—finding authentic Sichuan cuisine in Shanghai was tough. To Chu Zhi, true Sichuan flavor meant spicy, oily, and fiery.
After such hard work, he deserved a reward. Chu Zhi slouched on the sofa, waiting for his food.
About twenty minutes later, Chu Zhi retrieved the delivery boxes from the door. He always chose "eco-friendly, no utensils," though unsure if it made a difference.
He ate heartily, enjoying the taste, having previously eaten unpleasant foods to avoid worrying Little Fruits and restore his figure.
Thanks to Xiao Zhuzi and nutritionist Morton, even while taking Delicious but Not Fat Pills, Chu Zhi could recover quickly.
His concern was justified. Months earlier, many Little Fruits commented:
"Jiu-yé, go see a doctor. You're too thin; it makes me cry,"
"Xiao Jiu, are you severely depressed?"
"Losing weight for a role, but not eating would worsen your health."
Too much concern confused fans. Even repeated company explanations did little. Spoiling fans was fine, but making them worry constantly affected work and study. That's why Xiao Zhuzi cooked for him.
Five pounds of Meiwa and about two pounds of Bishan Rabbit were finished. His capacity could compete in a food challenge.
When very tired and full, a person often feels unmotivated.
"So stuffed and tired. Should I skip homework today?" Chu Zhi pondered when Niu Jiangxue called.
Long story short, Joseph, an international director, invited Chu Zhi to play the second male lead in Death in Venice.
Chu Zhi remembered Joseph from the Venice Film Festival, where he won Best Actor. Joseph personally spoke to him at the banquet, saying a film was perfect for him.
Months passed without a script. Chu Zhi didn't mind—shooting a film wasn't life-or-death.
Now, Niu Jiangxue sent him the official script.
"Joseph says the role of the mysterious Eastern youth is yours alone, no one else," Niu Jiangxue said.
"Let me see. Sleep early, Niu Jie, it's late," Chu Zhi said.
Opening the script, he found it adapted from the novella of the same name by Nobel laureate Thomas Mann.
Both novella and script explore: The absolute rational suppression (superego) of an artist versus the plunge into passionate desire (id), the conflict of reason and emotion.
"Alright, I don't even fully understand the theme. True to a great director," Chu Zhi murmured.
For instance, Earth's Zhang Yimou altered a script because the director wanted the double alive; strong personal expression defines great directors.
The script spanned over ten pages, a detailed synopsis. Joseph was known for powerful visual storytelling; the script followed the novella closely.
In the early 1990s, a German composer visiting Venice met a Greek-like handsome Eastern man. Even after contracting cholera, the composer thought of him until his final moments.
"Why does this story feel somewhat like a gay film?" Chu Zhi said, slightly uneasy.
The novella had a 14-year-old Polish boy, the film featured a mysterious Eastern youth. Different age and identity, same unreal beauty, transcending gender.
The original description: People seemed in a mythic realm; he appeared as a legendary figure of human origin or divine descent.
Chu Zhi nodded. The casting choice made sense—such beauty required someone with the original charm.
But… Chu Zhi didn't want to take the role. Shiyi Lang had similar homoerotic undertones, though more in artistic storytelling than sexuality.
Death in Venice followed this: the male composer never had perverse thoughts, seeing the youth as beauty incarnate, a symbol, a godlike figure.
Beauty so perfect it resembled the first smile seen after death in heaven.
Themes are themes. Audiences see what they see. Few watch art films fully; impressions come from social media or screenshots. Without the original, many assume it's a gay film.
Doing two such films consecutively wouldn't yield much gain, unnecessary.
Like refusing Bargoin's invitation, extreme expression and gender-swapped background could spark unnecessary debates.
Chu Zhi planned to tell Niu Jiangxue to decline but the system alerted:
[Thomas Mann exists on Earth as a great writer, and an adapted film exists.]
Chu Zhi realized: the same film exists on Earth with some success.
"One Personality Coin to check its performance on Earth," Chu Zhi said.
After spending a coin, five remained. He had enough reserves, didn't need to push the system too hard.
[Box office failed, but artistic achievement excelled: Cannes Best Director, Italian David Award Best Director. Exceptional cinematography and filming techniques.]
[The youth actor, Bjorn Anderson, became famous in Europe and America, called "Western First Beautiful Boy" by the media.]
"Wow, such pedigree," Chu Zhi mused.
The parallel world's film might differ in shots, but the story could indeed make him globally renowned.
Potential profit tempted Chu Zhi.
"Think more. Think more.
Let's finish homework first."
He got up. Leftover delivery would be cleared tomorrow. Emperor Beast laziness had limits; one just had to endure.
From December to New Year's Eve, no overseas trips, mostly minor domestic schedules.
By late December, five national stations offered high fees to invite Chu Zhi to New Year's Galas. Mango TV offered eight million for a half-hour appearance and countdown.
High price, but negotiations failed. Better to focus on English album; still a few songs left.
Themed Life That Shakes the Gods, song choices were limited. System helped.
After half a month, Chu Zhi selected: two Dream Theater songs Bones and ENEMY (宿敌), one Katy Perry Roar, and finally Counting.Stars by OneRepublic.
He had planned one more Coldplay song, but custom album coupons ran out.
"Should be fine: Zeppelin, Avicii, Katy Perry, Dream Theater, OneRepublic, Queen. Ten songs total."
Whether it shook gods or not, Chu Zhi aimed to impress the West.
He warned Lao Qian not to expect too much, but internally, he hoped high.
"After the New Year, continue recording. Must release in the West by March," Chu Zhi noted.
Progress moderate: one month, four songs, two MVs. Six planned MVs total.
"Americans value MVs. MTV Music Video Awards exist. The Sugar MV was so fun, it must win," Li Tedian said.
Director unchanged.
During New Year holiday, Chu Zhi, as usual, saw off Wang Yuan. Da Bai classmates were busy abroad; he spent the New Year alone.
"This year passed faster than usual," Chu Zhi murmured. Half the year was spent filming Shiyi Lang.
Even alone, he planned well. Many ready-to-heat dishes, including a full Abalone platter and other pre-made New Year's dishes. Technology was convenient.
On New Year's Eve, Chu Zhi had a full table while CCTV played the Gala in the background.
"Previously the Gala created viral memes. Now they copy old ones, losing creativity," Chu Zhi said, eating freely.
Being alone didn't mean being sad. He ate well, sent blessings to friends, received many blessings himself. Turning off the Gala in frustration, he opened his phone for other content, leaving the Gala as background noise.
Not to exaggerate, pre-made dishes weren't as good as Da Bai's cooking, but edible. Especially the platter, abalone juice poured over rice—he had three bowls.
"Ordered too much, can't finish."
He lounged, indulged in a couple drinks, unsure of exact quantity, activating the Wine Immortal effect.
He didn't play instruments tonight, stumbled to the balcony. Night wind was soothing.
His residential complex was sparsely built. At this hour, no residents around. Empty roads, empty sky, no stars or moon.
Emperor Beast brought a small stool, sat to enjoy the wind. Eyes fixed, he murmured softly, singing:
🎵 "So many people in this world, a door opens in the crowd. In my blurry eyes, forever remains, the first sight of your blue morning.
So many people in this world, how lucky I am to have us, this dawn and dusk in our long destiny…"🎵