Chapter Seventy-Five: Manipulation Behind Closed Doors

After learning about the conflicts within the production team, Chu Xuan Yi rushed back to his agency—Lemon Entertainment.

Lemon Entertainment, a comprehensive cultural and entertainment company established less than seven years ago, engages in music and film production and distribution, artist management, and talent training. Its impressive strength within the industry has enabled it to create several influential celebrity brands. Among its roster are Han Yu, one of the Empire’s Seven Sons, and Zhou Ting Ting, the queen of talent shows.

Although Lemon Entertainment’s overall standing cannot rival that of seasoned giants, its meteoric rise has drawn considerable attention. Especially since its artists naturally attract massive traffic, other companies dare not underestimate it.

When the wildly popular girl group talent show “Produce 101” began airing, Lemon Entertainment seized the opportunity and sent eight trainees to participate. To date, two of its contestants have entered Class A, three remain in Class B, and one stays in Class D. For example, Xie Yu Xian, who currently ranks first, is a contracted artist under Lemon Entertainment. Formerly a member of Korea’s “Kiss-sister” group, she had made a name for herself in Korea before being summoned back by Lemon Entertainment to join “Produce 101.”

The other five trainees also possess outstanding skills and enjoy plenty of screen time in the program. It is precisely because Lemon Entertainment produces high-quality trainees that it has become a favorite among talent shows.

Today, upon receiving a report from Xie Yu Xian’s manager, Chu Xuan Yi, the general manager of Lemon Entertainment’s agent department, Mo Jing Ming, immediately convened a meeting.

When Chu Xuan Yi finished recounting the situation, the meeting room fell silent.

Finally, after everyone had digested the news, the renowned variety producer Shao Yong Ping broke the silence: “Regardless of who’s right or wrong, we must first seize the high ground in public opinion. We can’t let Fu Yun Tao strike first.”

“Yong Ping is right. ‘Produce 101’ has gained tremendous momentum, attracting immense attention both at home and abroad. Each episode surpasses a hundred million views. The production team’s actions are under the scrutiny of the entire Asian market. If Fu Yun Tao slanders Yu Xian indiscriminately, her career will be utterly ruined!”

A vice president said worriedly, “In that case, perhaps we should let the public see Fu Yun Tao’s true colors first. Isn’t he manipulating things behind the scenes? We should capitalize on this and pressure the three major streaming platforms to replace the show’s director!”

“I think it’s better to wait and see.”

The artistic director, Hu Min, frowned and said, “Yu Xian is currently ranked first, and she’s the most watched contestant. Her victory is almost assured. If Fu Yun Tao is sensible and wants the show to succeed, he won’t casually kick Xie Yu Xian off. Even if he wanted to, neither the audience nor the platform would allow it.”

“I’m aware of that, and I believe Yu Xian and Fu Yun Tao understand it, too. What worries me is Fu Yun Tao abusing his authority, cutting Yu Xian’s screen time. In this program, screen time is everything. The consequences of a contestant losing visibility are unimaginable.”

The vice president added, “We’ve cultivated Yu Xian for so long, halted all her activities in Korea, and brought her back specifically for ‘Produce 101’ to give her greater exposure. If the show doesn’t provide that, we might as well withdraw her early!”

“It’s not that serious,” Hu Min said slowly. “Fu Yun Tao is clever. His private coaching of contestants is already a fact, and on that point he’s at fault. As long as we instruct Yu Xian not to provoke him again, everything will remain peaceful.”

“Yu Xian really is something—arguing with the director at this critical moment. What good could possibly come of it? She was polite and adorable in Korea; I never saw such a temper from her!” Shao Yong Ping sighed. “All right, I have some rapport with Old Fu. This afternoon, I’ll go to the film city and handle this matter myself, Mo. Leave it to me.”

General Manager Mo Jing Ming nodded, “That settles it. Take a gift when you go, and submit the receipt to finance afterward. Honestly, we’re partly at fault here. Xiao Chu, from now until the show ends, you must not have any substantive contact with Miss Xie. Understood?”

Chu Xuan Yi quickly agreed, “Yes, Mr. Mo.”

That afternoon, Shao Yong Ping carried two bottles of Angostura rum and drove to Donghai Film City.

Following Liu Hai, the assistant director of “Produce 101,” he arrived at the director’s lounge. Upon seeing Fu Yun Tao, Shao Yong Ping raised the bottles and smiled, “Yun Tao, guess what I brought you?”

“Mr. Shao, please have a seat,” Fu Yun Tao closed his planning book and invited Shao Yong Ping to sit, smiling, “No need to bring gifts.”

“I know what you like, Yun Tao. I acquired this Angostura rum from America recently. Try it; if it’s not to your taste, I’ll bring something new next time,” Shao Yong Ping laughed.

Fu Yun Tao didn’t refuse. He recognized the value—each bottle was worth at least twenty or thirty thousand yuan. Such rum was unavailable on the domestic market.

He had always enjoyed rum’s flavor, and this temptation was irresistible.

In fact, there was no need for restraint. He knew exactly why Shao Yong Ping had come; both understood the situation. Fu Yun Tao didn’t want to entangle himself with a young girl any further; since the other side had offered a way out, he would take it.

Yet things rarely go as planned.

Just as Fu Yun Tao and Shao Yong Ping were engrossed in conversation, the assistant Liu Hai suddenly burst in, speaking rapidly, “Something’s wrong, Director Fu! Han Yu just posted on Weibo accusing you. He claimed our show is unfair, that you’re manipulating things behind the scenes and using shady rules with the contestants…”

Both Fu Yun Tao and Shao Yong Ping turned pale.

Han Yu was one of the Empire’s Seven Sons—a bona fide top idol. His personal Weibo account boasted nearly seventy million followers; every post garnered hundreds of thousands of shares and comments, wielding enormous influence.

Most importantly, Han Yu is an artist under Lemon Entertainment!

“This is impossible,” Shao Yong Ping stood up immediately, rebuking, “Are you sure the information is accurate?”

“Absolutely, sir. Check Weibo for yourself!” Liu Hai urged.

Fu Yun Tao and Shao Yong Ping came to their senses, each pulling out their phones and opening Han Yu’s Weibo page:

“‘Produce 101’ is the most unfair and shameless talent show I’ve ever seen. The director privately coached contestant Liao Mei Qi and played tricks with shady rules. My junior, Xie Yu Xian, merely raised a question and was publicly insulted by the director, who even threatened to have her quit! Director, who gave you such unchecked power? Can you explain how the copyright for ‘Ghost Blows Out the Light’ was obtained? Is this the so-called fairness of the production team? Since this is how things stand, I, Han Yu, hereby publicly campaign for my junior Xie Yu Xian, and urge everyone to log on to YouNet, BananaNet, and LeKanNet to support her!”