The Martial Artist Turned Movie Mogul

"Legendary Jiayue" finally reached its broadcast day after three months of editing and administrative procedures.

The news caused the entire internet to erupt in excitement.

"This marks Feng Yan's comeback! It's been years since we've seen her on the small screen!"

"Ahhh, goddess, goddess! She's back at last—I've been waiting for this day forever, wah~~"

Everyone knows that "Legendary Jiayue" is a big-budget fantasy drama produced under the oversight of Vast Entertainment. Spanning 75 episodes, it includes a roster of top stars. Just one look at the cast is enough to send waves through the entire entertainment industry.

Once the grand promotional campaign began, the director, Feng Yan, and others started making rounds on variety shows, commercial performances, and countless interviews.

"Are there any more questions, friends from the media?"

"Director Zhao, I noticed that Miss Tang Shu, last year's Best Actress awardee, isn't on the cast list, nor was she mentioned among the auditioning actors. Did Vast Entertainment not send a casting invitation to Starshine Media?"

This journalist clearly came with bad intentions… The drama's already in post-production and you're still digging up the casting process?

Everyone had the same thought, yet they all perked up their ears. Let's face it—Tang Shu is a walking headline. They had wanted to ask this question earlier but didn't have the guts!

Man, I gotta hand it to you. You've got guts, true guts!

Director Zhao paused briefly and smiled. "Good question. In fact, we did send Starshine Media a casting invitation, and a number of actors from their roster participated in auditions. However, it seemed Miss Tang had other commitments at the time."

The journalist nodded and swiftly turned their sights on Feng Yan.

"Miss Feng Yan, what is your take on Tang Shu not receiving the Best TV Actress award? It's rumored that Luo Lin, your former manager, is now managing Tang Shu. Any thoughts on this?"

Feng Yan's smile deepened. "There were many reasons why Sister Luo and I didn't continue working together back then. I'm very happy she's now doing something she enjoys. As for Tang Shu… I think we should trust the judgment of the judges and the audience, don't you agree?"

It was clear the journalist wasn't satisfied with this diplomatic response and pressed even harder.

"So are you saying that Tang Shu didn't deserve to win Best Actress? And what's your opinion on her being last year's Best Actress winner? As a senior in the industry, how do you view the online claims that Miss Tang relied on her family connections to win the award?"

Everyone: "..."

Now that's a bombshell.

They recalled this issue had long since passed, and the judges had provided detailed comments on all the nominees. Why bring it up again now—what's the endgame here?

While the production crew looked visibly concerned, the crowd's eyes brimmed with curiosity and anticipation, fixed on Feng Yan.

"As I said before, I trust the judgment of the judges," said Feng Yan. "As for Miss Tang's family background… I have great respect for General Tang. She is a role model for all women. Whether Miss Tang chooses to carry on the Tang family legacy or appears on the big screen, that is her choice. I believe she will excel in whichever career path she pursues and deliver an impressive performance for everyone."

The journalist paused, running Feng Yan's reply through their head several times.

Did she answer the question? Yes, she did—what the judges said goes, and Tang Shu won because of that.

So, did the Tang family play a role in this? That's inconsequential. Tang Shu isn't General Tang. She's also just another member of the entertainment circle now. If you think about it, Tang Shu's career choice has little to do with her family's military heritage anymore.

Why infer all this? Because Feng Yan could've stopped at "I trust the judges," but she deliberately added that bit about admiring the Tang family. She wouldn't have said it for no reason.

Anyone with half a brain would take a second to realize this layered meaning. Director Zhao glanced sideways without drawing attention to himself. Feng Yan remained the same poised and beautifully smiling woman as always, seemingly without any undertones.

Hopefully, he was just overthinking it.

***

Following the "Legendary Jiayue" press conference, the internet was flooded with news, with most of the push notifications hammering people's phones related to it.

Of course, some hidden "agendas" were packed into the coverage as well—like Feng Yan's solo interview.

An international star like her always stands at the center of entertainment buzz. Pair that with Tang Shu, a trending topic herself, and the two became darlings of the media. Adding the fact that both were once mentored by the same ace manager created an unspeakable connection.

[Feng Yan calls Tang Shu's Best Actress win well deserved!]

[Feng Yan reveals admiration for General Tang]

[Tang Shu reportedly declined "Legendary Jiayue" auditions for work reasons]

[Feng Yan expresses confidence in Tang Shu's future prospects]

Of course, alongside these barely acceptable headlines, there was an influx of less friendly content. Starting from the show's launch day, the internet saw a wave of discussions surrounding Tang Shu's career choices.

[Hailing from a prestigious family but rejecting the "family business" to take a completely different path—what's the real story behind Tang Shu's decision?]

Sharp-witted digital media pundits began speculating wildly, their theories growing increasingly far-fetched. For this new actress who gained 90 million fans through her skills and family background, envy from peers quickly followed.

Previously, they wouldn't dare speak out against her. But now, with Feng Yan, a towering figure in showbiz, involved, Tang Shu—despite her Best Actress win—seemed suddenly underwhelming in comparison.

Thus, everyone jumped at the chance to fan the flames. Today, there'd be an accidental like by a celebrity; tomorrow, someone would drop a hint to a journalist. In no time, claims like "Tang Shu's exploiting alternative ways to gain exposure" and "Tang Shu pursues wealth while the Tang family pursues glory" ran rampant.

So many rumors circulated that data analysts like Shen Yan and team found themselves exasperated beyond belief.

"Who are these people? What are they trying to do?!"

"She's been in the industry for three years and already won Best Actress—how is she still getting hate?!"

"Are these people insane? Having acting skills and a huge fanbase is a crime now? Some even say she's disgracing the Tang family—what kind of nonsense is this?"

"So what if her job's different? What, is there a rule saying a general's child has to be a war hero? Pure moral blackmail!"

"And this one is the craziest—claiming that because Tang Shu doesn't say anything when her grandmother burns incense, it must mean she despises soldiers… Ugh, I'm so mad, I'm at a loss for words!"

"Now they're saying the boss only cares about money? Brother Li, should we just stick Starshine Media's shareholder list online?"

"Our boss scored so highly on the college entrance exams, got into Imperial Medical College, and aces every year's tests—are these people blind?!"

The entire company was seething. But after venting their frustration, they realized one problem: they had no hard evidence to dispel these claims about Tang Shu. Frustrated, everyone felt as though the wind had been knocked out of them.

"So what do we do now? Does PR have any advice?"

"...Uh, how about we publicize the boss's scholarships and exam rankings?"