Chapter 82 - Strategy
Regardless of what grievances the older generation had, Song Xiao could verify from Mu Sha’s words that it had probably been a personal issue between his father and Xiao Zhengqing, and not a business-related dispute. This was difficult; if the two of them had severed ties over benefits, then as long as he offered good enough conditions, he could still bring back this gold medal entertainment company manager. However, this sort of unclear problem…
Song Xiao sighed and didn’t continue chatting with Mu Sha for much longer. After a few more sentences, he was prepared to leave, and ran into Mu Sha’s manager on the way out.
“My great aunt, the entire crew is looking for you.” The manager was panting heavily, his brow dotted with sweat. They basically weren’t getting any remuneration with this role. Coupled with all the money spent on room and board overseas, costumes, and contacts, they were basically paying for Mu Sha to act, and didn’t have any right to be wilful either.
“Why are you looking for me? I’ve already finished filming my scenes.” Mu Sha rolled her eyes.
“Even then, you can’t just turn your head and walk away without telling anyone. Those people are A-list Hollywood stars.” The manager wiped at his sweat. Just now, he had seen the male lead speaking with Mu Sha, and their team had hurriedly seized the moment to snap a few photos; who would have guessed that Mu Sha would turn around and walk away, leaving the male lead to endure the embarra.s.sment.
“What the h.e.l.l, he mocked and ridiculed me, and I have to take it?” Mu Sha snorted coldly. She had always been straightforward, and had never endured such a grievance before.
Song Xiao frowned slightly. “Did someone humiliate you?”
“It wasn’t humiliating per se, but he said, ‘Are all Chinese women like you, not paid but still willing…’” That person didn’t say the last part out loud, but from his tone, it obviously wasn’t a compliment. The fact that Mu Sha hadn’t slapped him was already extremely composed of her.
“Fortunately, I am also considered your boss. Take me to see him.” Song Xiao placed his hands behind his back and walked towards the filming location.
“Ah?” Mu Sha blinked and traded looks with the manager. This kid, what crazy thing was he saying?
Song Xiao looked like he was strolling idly, but his footsteps weren’t slow, and he soon reached where the crew was. The director was furious, and when he saw Mu Sha, who was following behind Song Xiao, he immediately raised his voice. “You finally know to come back, my G.o.d! I’ve never met a Chinese actress like you!”
“Director Sam, there are no more scenes for me today.” Seeing that the situation wasn’t right, Mu Sha hurried to explain.
“Who told you that?!” The director became even angrier. “Miss Mu, I don’t demand that you work as hard as the other Chinese actors, but at the very least, you should respect the schedule. You have three scenes today, and only filmed one. You made the entire crew wait here for you!” As he spoke, he shook the script.
Mu Sha’s eyes widened, and she turned her head to look for the staff member who had informed her of the schedule, but couldn’t find them. Lifting her eyes, she met the provocative gaze of one of the minor female characters. The girl mouthed curses at her, and smiled proudly.
Knowing that she had been set up, Mu Sha quickly calmed down. At the time, that person hadn’t given her a doc.u.ment of any sort, and it had only been by word of mouth; it was now very hard for her to explain herself. If she wanted to remain in the production, she could only acknowledge that she was wrong and apologize to everyone.
But how could she choke this down?
“Director Sam, I want to make something clear.” Song Xiao, who had been quietly watching for a while, suddenly spoke up. “Mu Sha didn’t read the schedule wrongly; she left on purpose.”
“En?” The entire crew, including the director, was dazed.
“Who are you?” The director touched his beard, and confirmed that this person wasn’t part of the production.
“I’m Mu Sha’s boss from China.” Song Xiao looked at the director with cold eyes. “On behalf of the company in China, I propose we terminate filming.”
“What?” Everyone was stupefied. Mu Sha’s mouth was also half-open, and her manager was frightened out of his mind. This great shaoye, what was he saying?!
“Are you kidding me?” Sam felt that it was too hilarious. Clearly, it was these Chinese who had shamelessly begged to be allowed to partic.i.p.ate, yet now they wanted to terminate the contract. It truly was the funniest joke he had heard this year.
“No, I’m serious.” Song Xiao raised his chin slightly, and looked at the male lead who was standing nearby. Even if the man was an A-list star, Song Xiao, who was still a little face blind when it came to unfamiliar faces, didn’t know his name. “This film’s lead actor – right, that one, what’s his name?”
The male lead was immediately so angry that his face turned white. This person actually didn’t recognise him. As a popular lady-killer who mesmerised everyone, how could this person not recognise him? He had to be pretending ba!
“Robert,” Mu Sha’s manager reminded him in a low voice.
“Mr Rob, right?” Song Xiao nodded slightly and pointed at the actor. “This Mr Rob verbally hara.s.sed my company’s actress, Miss Mu Sha. Furthermore, not only did the crew turn a blind eye to this, they even criticised Mu Sha. This is my first time in America, and I’m truly astonished by the quality of your distinguished country.”
Director Sam frowned. “What’s going on?” Hara.s.sment was something that occasionally happened in America, but now it involved a Chinese actress. Even though this actress wasn’t considered famous internationally, she was fairly popular in China. If such a scandal broke out, his ill.u.s.trious reputation would be ruined. Erring on the side of caution, Sam didn’t immediately refute Song Xiao’s accusation, and instead turned to ask Robert.
But asking the a.s.sailant about the matter right off the bat rather than the victim was already a clear bias.
“How ridiculous, did anyone see me hara.s.sing her?” Robert felt a little guilty, but thinking about how only Mu Sha herself had heard him back then, he became bold and self-righteous again. Even if he had confronted Mu Sha, he could also say it was because Mu Sha had misheard him due to her poor English.
“Mister, please understand that I’m not discussing this with you.” Song Xiao raised his chin and looked at Sam. “Mr Director, our company used the lowest price to consent to Mu Sha taking on this role because we admired your famous reputation. But today, it seems that our admiration will only turn into humiliation. There is no need for us to continue with this collaboration any longer; we will have our lawyers send you the termination letter.”
‘Click click click’. The sound of several camera shutters rang out. There was no hole that the American paparazzi couldn’t squeeze through. Seeing how lively it was here, they had also come along.
“No photos are allowed here!” The crew hurried over to chase them away, but the reporters had probably heard something that they shouldn’t have, and already had tomorrow’s hot news.
‘China’s Empress Hara.s.sed by Robert, Angered Into Quitting’ ‘The Chinese Finally Have a Backbone’.
Ignoring everyone’s reactions, Song Xiao indicated for Mu Sha and the manager to follow him, and directly left the production team.
“How will we explain this to the boss?” The manager clutched his hair in extreme despair.
“Well done, that was great. This old lady already couldn’t take it!” Sitting in the hotel room, Mu Sha cackled as she praised Song Xiao.
“I’ll inform dad, the two of you don’t have to worry.” Song Xiao lowered his eyes and looked at the news on his phone. Sure enough, a news media account had already exposed the matter on social media sites, but hadn’t revealed the details, probably to keep everyone in suspense as it waited to unleash its killer move tomorrow.
“It was so difficult to fight for this Hollywood role, and now it’s gone because of both of your willfulness!” The manager sighed incessantly. Mu Sha had already reached the top in China, and there was no better time to aim for a place on the international stage. If they missed it this time, who knew when the next opportunity would come along.
“If a precious item is sold at a low price, other people will a.s.sume it’s defective goods. h.o.a.rding it as a rare commodity is the way to go.” Song Xiao looked at the time and estimated that Yu Tang would be returning soon, and he left with this parting sentence.
The manager pondered this for a long time and vaguely understood Song Xiao’s meaning, but was this ploy feasible? Whether it was or not, however, things had already come to this point, and there would definitely be gossip if they returned to China now with their tails between their legs, so they might as well blow up the issue.
That night, Mu Sha posted on her Weibo: “Bought a wooden box and returned the pearls inside.”
It was a simple sentence which attracted the curiosity of numerous online users, who then commented below one after another.
“G.o.ddess, what happened? You sound very unhappy!”
“Did you buy a counterfeit?”
“Bullied overseas?”
Xinghai Entertainment wanted to hype up the news about Hollywood, and so had released all sorts of ‘leaks’ ever since Mu Sha went abroad to film. Everyone knew that she was filming overseas.
The next day, when the American news reported this incident, the news soon spread to China.
What? Our G.o.ddess was hara.s.sed? What? The crew even shielded that shameless person? What? Mu Sha wasn’t getting paid for this role?
News reporters had never cared about sentiment, and would report anything eye-catching. Some of the reporters were sympathetic toward Mu Sha, but even more ridiculed the Chinese actress who wanted to come even without being paid. After she ended up getting bullied, she cried and wanted to terminate the contract.
But there were also righteous people in America, and very quickly, some of them voiced their disagreement. There should be zero tolerance towards a.s.ses who hara.s.sed women; regardless of the woman’s purpose for being here, it wasn’t a reason to hara.s.s her.
The Chinese all expressed that they had originally planned to watch this film for their G.o.ddess, but now they refused to do so, and firmly rejected this film’s release in the Chinese market.
The film investors were dissatisfied. They had been willing to invite Mu Sha because they wanted that big piece of cake, China. Now that this was ruined, they immediately started to put pressure on Sam.
Yu Tang looked at the worsening situation online and in the papers, then looked at Song Xiao by his side, who was playing at stacking coins. This method of stirring up trouble in the dark, then aggravating the situation incessantly until the enemy finally had to kneel before them and admit their wrongs – why did it seem so familiar?
“Your Majesty regards this servant too highly. This servant isn’t skilled in strategy, and is merely good at talking big.” Song Xiao blinked at him.
His Majesty the emperor’s heart was tickled by those long eyelashes, and he couldn’t resist edging closer. “Then the year you became the top scholar, was that by talking big?”
“Of course.” Song Xiao tossed his head proudly. He did have genuine skill back then, but his results hadn’t been particularly great. The reason why the emperor had selected him as the top scholar was mostly due to his young age as well as his reputation.
“Then zhen falling for you back then – was that on purpose?” Yu Tang embraced him and kissed his beautiful eyes.
Song Xiao gave him a sidelong glance. How could that be on purpose? He hadn’t even known which one was the seventh prince at the Luming Banquet! Song Xiao said flippantly, “This servant has been wrongly accused.”
Little Theater
‘Money and Integrity Cannot Exist Together’
Fish Tang: If you feel you’ve been wrongly accused, then we must right it
Xiaoxiao: How do we right it?
Fish Tang: Naturally, with money; however, your body can also be used (?﹃?）
Xiaoxiao: …Then use the body ba