Chapter 454 - Little by Little (III)

Yesterday's occurrence became a huge sensation the next morning after fermenting for a whole night.

Because the film was from a famous international novel and was chosen to be adapted by a famed Hollywood film production studio, all domestic media companies had their eyes set on them.

Naturally, the announcement of the cast caught the interest of the netizens and fans who had been paying attention to their coffee actors, eagerly awaiting for the details to be shown to them.

However, the attention that the netizens had ended up paying to cast announcement, which should have originally been the focus, was not even as strong as a fraction of the attention they gave to the other news related to it.

What shocked and lit up the netizens to flames was about how the former rising Queen of Entertainment suddenly barged in to the event and demanded an explanation on why Song Xuantin, the National Goddess, got the role of the 'Lone Star' instead.

This ended up being aired out in the headlines of the media companies and penetrated Weibo everywhere instead of the cast of the movie.

Many pictures and clipped videos of how Xiong Wuyue ruined the event circulated in the internet.

Due to the previous scandals related to the Xiong family, specifically Xiong De's scandals, some of the most reputable media companies had sniffed out that Xiong Wuyue, the daughter of Xiong De, was not so favored any more.

They also had their own connections, and they caught on that the Xiong family did not seem to plan on stopping the speculation on this matter.

Of course, there were some of the less informed ones who were not scared off by the Xiong surname behind Xiong Wuyue and let out the whole video of the cast announcement, from the start when Xiong Wuyue first yelled until the end when she was escorted out.

However, the video appeared to be clipped in some intervals, especially on the part before she was escorted out.

Still, the video clearly included Xiong Wuyue's faux audition that was broadcasted on the big screen yesterday during the cast announcement.

If the previous unruly and unwholesome image of Xiong Wuyue while shouting drew the public's displeasure, the faux video was the catalyst for them to truly point their fingers at her in ire and start a one-sided bashing online.

After all, it was the current Film Queen Li Wei's first failure in getting a role. Li Wei was an undeniably award-winning actress whom everyone acknowledged as an actress with true acting ability, even her sunspots had to acknowledge this. Her incredibly huge domestic fan base naturally could not let go of this matter.

Their Film Queen actually lost to this kind of audition?!

And this trash even dared to accuse others of using underhanded methods!

How immoral!

They scolded Xiong Wuyue with fervor and passion that scared off the passers-by.

Many comments insulting Xiong Wuyue as a person who could only use her background and her father's influence to get roles filled the forums overnight until the next days.

The fans were very microscopic.

They scrutinized Xiong Wuyue's acting in various films to the smallest details and finally concluded that, hey, her acting was just so-so.

Not to mention catching up to Li Wei, Xiong Wuyue's acting was at par with only at level C actors at most, yet her treatment was diamond level.

Now that Xiong Wuyue's only support was gone, her slightly mediocre skills were revealed.

She became a fish lying on a chopping board, ready to be slaughtered. The faux edition was played over and over by the netizens.

This had become a laughing stock.

Xiong Wuyue's fame which was on the verge of falling suddenly erupted with a different reason.

She had become a subject of mockery and ridicule.

The red net person had turned into the most infamous red-black net fame.

Because the Xiong family kept quiet and Xiong Zhi secretly gave a subtle consent to some media companies, the media companies who were in the know were no longer polite in ruining Xiong Wuyue.

It became obvious that Xiong Wuyue was abandoned.

Now that this person's reputation was totally ruined after her father's fallout with the Xiong family and this event, the media no longer held any qualms.

With this kind of stain and without any backing, it was impossible for this person to climb back up anyway.

Thus, another wave came which totally shredded Xiong Wuyue.

The media who could not bring out her dirt in public before suddenly pulled out everything they had in their repertoire to spice things up regarding her, wanting to squeeze out the last of Xiong Wuyue's worth.

The secret materials that they supposedly 'deleted' under the order of Xiong De's people miraculously came back to life.

Videos of how Xiong Wuyue treated her assistants, staff of various films she worked with, and co-artists were leaked.

The whole country came to know that since she was a model, she was already very violent and abusive to her assistants and the staff members who offended her accidentally.

There were some clips where Xiong Wuyue fought with a reporter for calling her as someone with mediocre acting.

Weibo posts of the former artists who quitted acting because of Xiong Wuyue's influence came out one by one to tell their bad experiences.

Even the staff members she maltreated before added to the melting pot.

It turned out that there were a lot of people that Xiong Wuyue had offended, and all of them came out now to bite her flesh.

The whole country was in uproar. 

The actors of the cast of the film whose limelight was stolen took the chance to gather attention by telling the public how Xiong Wuyue offended the whole production team and the cast.

Su Lin made a post detailing how she was treated rudely by Xiong Wuyue. Wen Yin expressed her grievances as well. The producers of the film also announced that they and their studios would never cooperate with Xiong Wuyue in the future.

Song Xuantin's side also stated that she was slandered unjustly and that unless they receive an apology from Xiong Wuyue in one week, they would send her a letter from their lawyers.

Finally, the film production was able to get a lot of public attention when the eyes of the netizens rounded back to them after twists and turns.

The production team naturally took the chance to ride on the tails of Xiong Wuyue's demise for their publicity.

It could be said that they were unfortunate to be targeted by Xiong Wuyue in the first place, but lucky enough to get an even bigger attention afterwards.

The topic fermented for a long time.

However, there was no Xiong Zhi or Linfeng in the videos of the cast announcement circulated by the media.

All news was regarding Xiong Wuyue.

There was not a single news about Xiong Wuyue attacking the Xiong family's Young Miss nor was there any mention of her interaction with Linfeng.

Even the information about Xiong Zhi being the investor was kept sealed.

It was Linfeng who took care of this matter. He sent their professional PR team to deal with the media companies and journalists and guided the flow of the online discussion. A water army was even prepared in case anyone did not follow through their promise.

Xiong Zhi did not need to lift a finger to throttle Xiong Wuyue in aftermath.

Her reputation went downhill to hell due to Xiong Wuyue's own actions. She merely gave a silent nod and kept the Xiong family out of it.

*****

Three days after the cast announcement, the scandal reached the climax when the Xiong family suddenly moved.

They gave out a single statement to the public.

Due to Xiong Wuyue's misconduct which brought shame to the Xiong family's surname, the Xiong family decided to expel Xiong Wuyue from the family and strip her of the surname Xiong.

****

Additional Scene: 

Old Xiong was in ArtWorld and currently playing VRC. He inhaled deeply. He tightened his hold on his saber.

"One with saber, one with my soul. Let my saber send you to the afterlife." Old Xiong seriously chanted his greatest spell. His domineering aura was surging. 

He then flew high to give one final slash to the Boss of this floor.

[Critical Hit. You have slain the Boss. Congratulations on clearing this floor.] Goddess-sama's voice sounded in Old Xiong's ears. 

Then a notification rang loudly in the entire system.

[Congratulations! 'Doting Grandpa' and 'Poor Middleman' opened the 30th floor! The 30th-60th floor was now opened! You heroes are the great hope of this world!]

Old Xiong harrumphed at 'Poor Middleman' who was 'cleaning' up the mess he made. 

"Hmph! Why your name must be counted? I am the only one who whacked that monster to death."

Butler Zhou had finished cleaning up the loots from the Boss. 

After checking the harvest they made on this floor, he reported how great their discrepancy was.

"Master, you've gained 2000 exp points than this lowly me. You are still the number one player."

This made the old man happy. 

Butler Zhou did not participate in some killings so the old man would gain more points than him.

Butler Zhou transferred all the lootings to the old man. Butler Zhou could not help but questioned himself if this was really under his job description.

Then a message appeared on his communication board.

Doting Grandpa's servant1: Head Butler! Young Miss Zhi was harassed! Miss Xiong Wuyue went to the show that Young Miss Zhi was investing at-

Butler Zhou's empty eyes finally shed some light.

Poor Middleman: Send me the details.

When Butler Zhou received and read the details, his eyes were now sparkling.

Finally! A job!

Butler Zhou looked at his Master and said in a grave voice, "Master Xiong, Young Miss Zhi was attacked."

Old Xiong: !!!!!

"What are you waiting for?! Log me out!"

Butler Zhou: Master, you still don't know how to log out?