Chapter 807: Ruined Reputation! (1)
Even internet celebrities dreamed of squeezing into the entertainment industry to make more money.
Si Fuqing had risen to top fame with just one drama. How could Huang Ninghui not know her name?
But why would Si Fuqing suddenly tag him?
Could it be that she saw the restaurant he recommended?
Huang Ninghui’s heart filled with joy, and he immediately read the Weibo post carefully.
[@SiFuqingV: There are more and more freeloaders these days. Paying for meals is only natural. Do you food bloggers think you’re above everyone else? If you were a Michelin three-star chef offering free meals, that might be different. But who do you think you are? A low-level internet celebrity full of lies, wanting a free meal—do you really think you’re something special?
Besides, my family’s restaurant doesn’t need your promotion. Five million followers make you arrogant? What did I say? Alright, you claimed there were poppy seeds in our food, and your Weibo reposts have surpassed five hundred, which is severe defamation. For my family’s reputation, I will sue you directly. Please prepare to receive a lawyer’s letter.]
There was also a surveillance video attached to the Weibo post.
It showed Huang Ninghui at Ting’an Restaurant the previous day, forcefully demanding a free meal from Ye Zhenmian, shamelessly claiming that a single Weibo advertisement from him was worth a hundred thousand, and that promoting Ting’an Restaurant was beneath him.
He declared that if Ye Zhenmian gave him a free meal, he would promote the restaurant.
He even boasted that many restaurants had paid him thousands, begging for his help to attract customers.
Si Fuqing’s influence was far beyond that of an internet celebrity like Huang Ninghui.
No current celebrity’s popularity could surpass hers. After all, “Crossing the Demon Realm” had just ended and was still very popular, while “The Birth of an Employee” was also in full swing.
Moreover, she rarely posted on Weibo.
Her last post was about the New Year’s Eve dinner.
If it weren’t for her studio posting daily updates, her fans would have been starved for content.
Si Fuqing’s rare Weibo post drove her fans into a frenzy of reposting before they even read it.
[Oh my gosh! My wife’s family actually owns a restaurant? She kept this a secret so well!]
[I’m crying. It’s right next to my school, and I’ve eaten there several times. I didn’t know it was my goddess’s restaurant. I’m guilty.]
[Who is this ‘HuangIsHungryAgain’? Never heard of him. How dare he be named by my wife personally?]
[I know this ‘HuangIsHungryAgain’. He’s an internet celebrity food blogger. He used to give honest reviews, but after gaining fame, he started to be cocky. He praises restaurants that pay him and criticizes those that don’t. I stopped watching his videos a long time ago. No idea where he got so many followers.]
[So he’s pulling the same old trick again? The guy in the video is disgusting. It’s hilarious how he bragged about having five million followers, not knowing the restaurant owner’s niece has sixty million.]
[Si Fuqing is so low-key. Other celebrities would flaunt their restaurant ownership, but she didn’t. And those restaurants usually aren’t very good and are overpriced. I’ve been to Ting’an, and it’s great value for money, especially the dishes cooked by the owner herself. Super delicious!]
Si Fuqing’s fans were battle-hardened from dealing with her haters.
Si Fuqing’s anti-fan base was the largest in the entertainment industry. Fans of other celebrities would have been overwhelmed, but her fans only grew stronger with each setback.
Fans who followed Huang Ninghui immediately unfollowed him.
Huang Ninghui’s remaining fans were no match for Si Fuqing’s fans and were quickly defeated.
Moreover, Si Fuqing had posted the surveillance footage.
This was solid evidence, far more powerful than Huang Ninghui’s defamatory Weibo post.
In just ten minutes, Huang Ninghui lost fifty thousand followers.
These were all active followers.
It was a testament to Si Fuqing’s immense influence.
Huang Ninghui was utterly panicked.
He never imagined that Ting’an Restaurant was owned by Si Fuqing’s family.
Many celebrities owned restaurants, but which celebrity didn’t promote their own restaurant?
Celebrity endorsements weren’t just for show.
A little promotion would bring countless fans to the restaurant, boosting its revenue effortlessly.
But Si Fuqing was so low-key?!
If he had known it was Si Fuqing’s family’s restaurant, he wouldn’t have dared to use those threats against Ye Zhenmian even if he had a hundred guts.
Sure, his five million followers were considerable, but in front of Si Fuqing, it was a joke.
What had he done?!
Watching the growing number of comments and reposts, Huang Ninghui broke into a cold sweat, his back chilling.
His trembling hands immediately deleted the Weibo post.
But it was too late; major marketing accounts had already taken screenshots and were criticizing his actions.
Huang Ninghui had used this tactic many times before, always successfully. Even when restaurant owners complained, they couldn’t do anything about it.
He never expected that this time, his old trick would backfire so spectacularly.
This was Si Fuqing!
Even the award-winning Tong Luoyun couldn’t gain any advantage against her. And he…
Cold sweat soaked through Huang Ninghui’s clothes. Before he could react, his phone started buzzing non-stop.
Several food brands ceased their collaborations with him.
Since it was his breach of contract, he had to compensate the brands for reputational damage.
Not only that, but his agency also chose to terminate his contract immediately.
After taking all the calls, Huang Ninghui’s nerves were shattered.
He was one of the top food bloggers, never imagining he would fall from grace overnight.
There was no chance for a comeback.
Huang Ninghui glanced at Weibo. His follower count had dropped to four million and was still falling.
Covering his face, a sense of regret overwhelmed him.
If he could have another chance, he would never have done what he did.
But he knew it was too late.
It was all over.
**
Meanwhile, at Si Fuqing’s studio.
For a whole hour, Si Fuqing was teaching Ji Qingyao various combat techniques.
Ji Qingyao was highly focused and serious in her learning.
“It’s time for a meal,” Si Fuqing said, stepping back and straightening up. “I’m going to check on my auntie. Do you want to come along?”
“That’s too much trouble,” Ji Qingyao hesitated, uncharacteristically shy. “Can I stay here and practice a bit more?”
She could feel that the moves Si Fuqing had taught her were more effective than all the training she had undergone at the Thousand Army Alliance.
“Of course,” Si Fuqing called Shang Lu over. “You two can spar a bit.”
Hearing there was a fight to be had, Shang Lu eagerly ran over.
Si Fuqing waved and left.
Shang Lu and Ji Qingyao had a match.
It ended with Shang Lu’s victory.
“Miss Ji, you’re impressive, progressing so fast,” Shang Lu marveled. “You might even reach Level Eight this year. Keep it up!”
Ji Qingyao rarely smiled, but she did this time. “Thank you for your kind words, Brother Shang.”
“Miss Si is indeed very good,” Shang Lu nodded. “You know her now. What do you think of her?”
Ji Qingyao thought for a moment and honestly said, “She spoils her fans.”
She spoils them a bit too much.
It made Ji Qingyao feel embarrassed, not knowing how to repay her kindness.
“Miss Si does spoil her fans,” Shang Lu chuckled. “How did she spoil you?”
Ji Qingyao didn’t hide it and recounted how Si Fuqing had taught her combat techniques.
Shang Lu: “…”
He was also a fan, an old one at that. Why didn’t he get such treatment?
This wasn’t fair!
Shang Lu gloomily sent Ji Qingyao to the hotel, then returned to the studio.
Si Fuqing had returned and was reading a script.
Shang Lu hesitated but couldn’t help asking, “Miss Si, why—”
Si Fuqing didn’t look up. “Are you as cute and pretty as she is?”
Shang Lu was stunned. “No.”
Ji Qingyao didn’t have a position at the Thousand Army Alliance yet, but due to the rarity of women there and her good looks, she had many admirers.
Si Fuqing nodded. “Are you as soft as she is?”
Shang Lu: “…No.”
How could he, a man, be soft?
Si Fuqing smiled. “Then why should I spoil you?”
Shang Lu: “…”
Heartbroken.
He could only make progress by being beaten.
This was sexism!
“By the way, I can teach you a few moves,” Si Fuqing said, resting her chin on her hand. “My gaming pod arrived. I need your help setting it up.”
Shang Lu perked up immediately. “No problem!”
**
Elsewhere, Sang Yanqing confirmed Si Fuqing’s role in “The Nation’s Heroine” with Director Lu.
They were just waiting for Si Fuqing to finish reading the script and start filming after the official audition.
This news wasn’t kept secret. Several big names in Si Fuqing’s super topic knew about it, and soon, the media in the circle caught wind of it.
Wherever Si Fuqing was, there was buzz, perfect for hitting KPIs.
[Today’sGossip]: “Gen Z actresses clash over new roles. Who will come out on top?” [Image]
The image listed five Gen Z actresses, including Si Fuqing, and their upcoming dramas.
Si Fuqing: “The Nation’s Heroine,” set to start filming in June.
Song Wenhua: “Solitary Journey,” set to start filming in May.
The other three paled in comparison to these two serious dramas.
[Ahhh! Female General! Dream come true, everyone!]
[Second drama and it’s already a serious one! Career fans are thrilled!]
[I laughed. Do Si Fuqing’s fans even know who the Nation’s Heroine is? Do you know JIANG Zhaoyue’s achievements?
“Si Fuqing thinks that just because she played a fictional goddess in the Three Realms, she can compare herself to a historical figure? Playing JIANG Zhaoyue? Does she deserve it?]