Chapter 75: Chapter 75: EmergencyChapter 75: Urgent

    This time, Huang Wankai’s fans totally lost it, flooding the director’s Weibo with insults, demanding an apology from the director. They wanted an apology from the "Dark War" production team for "baiting fans."

    But no matter how mad they got, acting like rabid dogs chasing anyone down on Weibo to lash out, it couldn’t change how Huang Wankai and his fanbase were ruthlessly humiliated by the "Dark War" team.

    You guys weren’t shouting about how Huang Wankai was supposed to be the lead in "Dark War"? You weren’t saying Lin Qin wasn’t even worthy to carry Huang Wankai’s shoes? Well, what now? The official announcement for "Dark War" is out, and guess what — your idol doesn’t even deserve a mention.

    This epic slap in the face was screenshot by amused spectators and shared across various forums, naturally triggering a wave of "hahaha’s."

    However, after laughing it up, more people started paying attention to the "Dark War" movie itself.

    The cast lineup was undeniably impressive: an internationally renowned director, two leads who’d been nominated for international Best Actor awards, a domestic Best Actress, a promising young rising star, and several veteran actors whose faces everyone recognized (even if their names didn’t immediately come to mind).

    With a lineup like this, even if the script were trash, the final product wouldn’t turn out too bad. Besides, the screenwriter was also a big name in the industry.

    Audiences were very excited about the movie, envisioning the acting clashes between award-winning stars and seasoned veterans—they knew it was bound to be a feast for the eyes.

    [Hahaha, am I the only one relieved Huang Wankai isn’t on this cast list? That guy’s lackluster acting would’ve dragged the entire film down.]

    [Same here, relieved as well. Facing off against a bunch of seasoned veterans? Huang Wankai doesn’t stand a chance. Honestly, his acting is something only delusional fans would praise as "out of this world." Watching him seriously makes my eyes burn.]

    ...

    A large number of these comments came from casual observers. Huang Wankai’s fans were helpless against them, resorting to spamming private messages full of curses and making a fuss everywhere.

    Their anger kept building, fueled by ringleaders within their fandom, until all that frustration was aimed straight at Lin Qin. Their insults toward Lin Qin became even more unrestrained—they started tagging Lin Qin and bombarding him with private messages.

    Yet this time, they couldn’t dominate the social media platform. Lin Qin’s fanbase, while initially caught off guard, quickly rallied and got organized.

    Lin Qin’s fans had just barely hit a million last month, which still looked pretty small compared to Huang Wankai’s millions-strong fandom.

    But Lin Qin’s fans were genuinely loyal; he hadn’t bought even a single follower. Except for some dormant accounts, every supporter was a real person.

    Moreover, Lin Qin’s fanbase had a good relationship with Meng Chao’s fanbase—uncommon in an environment where individual fan groups often opposed each other fiercely. Lin Qin and Meng Chao’s fans were genuinely as close as family. When their drama "We Are Together" aired, the two fandoms daily laughed together, enjoying the on-screen chemistry. And when both celebrities were off filming in secret, their fans would just focus on their own lives or help each other pester their respective idols to update their social media accounts.

    After Lin Qin’s fans stepped in to push back against Huang Wankai’s followers, Meng Chao’s fans followed suit.

    Huang Wankai’s fanbase hadn’t initially planned to clash with Meng Chao’s fandom—they knew Meng Chao’s fans had serious fighting prowess.

    But Meng Chao’s fans joined the fray!

    Huang Wankai’s fans were flabbergasted—What the hell? Weren’t we avoiding you guys already? Why are you coming for us?

    As soon as Meng Chao’s fans entered the scene, Huang Wankai’s fans immediately tucked tail and ran, utterly crushed and unable to resist, as if being repeatedly ground into the dirt.

    The matter temporarily came to an end. Huang Wankai’s team, aware they’d gained nothing and were stuck in a state of public ridicule, hurriedly pushed out tabloid rumors as a distraction, hoping to divert the public’s attention.

    And the rumors’ stars? None other than Huang Wankai and Meng Ke!

    As the scandal gained traction online, the director of "Dark War" was busy calling for a meeting.

    With an apologetic tone, the director explained, "I really have to ask for your help this time. I need both of you to stay here for an extra month."

    Since Huang Wankai had been replaced, all scenes with him now had to be reshot. As the second male lead, his scenes were significant, and he had sequences with both Lin Qin and Meng Chao. Naturally, Lin Qin and Meng Chao had to remain with the production longer to redo these scenes.

    For other celebrities with packed schedules, clearing an entire month would’ve been impossible. Their planned engagements were set far in advance. But Lin Qin and Meng Chao were different. Since they only took on one project a year, avoided endorsements, and didn’t care for public events, they had half the year open anyway.

    Initially, both had planned to tour the world after wrapping "Dark War." Now, their vacation plans were just pushed back slightly.

    By the time shooting ended, it would practically be Lunar New Year. Reflecting on this, Meng Chao started forming plans.

    While Meng Chao was musing, the director got up and left.

    As soon as the director left, Meng Chao’s phone buzzed—it was a call from Meng Ke.

    The moment Meng Chao hit "accept," Meng Ke’s dramatic wailing filled the line: "Meng Chao! You have to vouch for me! The photos circulating online were taken by paparazzi at the crew’s wrap party!"

    Meng Chao was slightly confused, "What photos?"

    Meng Ke: "You haven’t seen them? Go look right now—Han Zhi is upset with me because of this! It’s urgent!"

    Meng Chao teased, "Could it be you’re too annoying and Han Zhi’s using this as an excuse to take a break from you?"

    Meng Ke: "..." That did sound plausible. After all, Han Zhi wasn’t gullible enough to believe some made-up tabloid nonsense.

    Meng Ke: "I’m going to find Han Zhi." With these words, he hung up immediately.

    He was flustered and frantic—totally lacking the poised demeanor of a corporate mogul.

    Lin Qin vaguely caught some of the conversation and curiously asked, "What’s going on?"

    Meng Chao replied, "Not sure, seems to be about some scandal."

    As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and opened Weibo. Sure enough, the trending topics confirmed the chaos. Sёar?h the N??eFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But when he clicked in, the top post wasn’t focused on the scandal—it was a detailed breakdown of Huang Wankai’s team’s questionable tactics today, an explanation of the entire saga.

    Meng Chao clicked through, viewing the images one by one.

    The more he looked, the darker his expression became.

    Noticing Meng Chao’s shift in mood, Lin Qin leaned over, trying to see the post for himself. But Meng Chao was quick to stash his phone away, casually saying, "It’s nothing."

    Lin Qin was skeptical but refrained from pressing further.

    He had his own phone. He could check it privately later. Lin Qin secretly chuckled at this thought.

    Later that evening, just as Lin Qin was pulling out his phone to see what was happening on Weibo, Meng Chao published a new post.

    Meng Chao v: "A word of advice to certain people—learn to be human before trying to be clever. @Huang Wankai"