This celebrity became even more popular after being exposed of having multiple girlfriends
Chapter 128: Did I Offend Someone Again?

Chapter 128: Chapter 128: Did I Offend Someone Again?

Wu Mu had always considered it nothing more than a rumor.

But now, it seemed highly likely it was true.

Just from the way that person was addressing Xiao Yi and others as "Little Xiao, Little Wang," it was clear that the boss didn’t take the artists under his wing seriously.

In the industry, it is common for companies to exploit their artists, but in the face of those who can make big money for them, most bosses can still maintain a superficial benevolence.

But this person, with such a casual attitude, probably saw the artists as nothing more than slaves to his household.

Wu Mu could guess a bit of the reason.

He estimated that Geng Wei was probably a second-generation rich tycoon, and when his company was established, it rose to fame by spending crazily to poach a bunch of celebrity artists.

Such people often believe in the power they hold, so it’s not surprising at all that they think the stars under them are nothing more than acting troupes or house slaves.

If it were other stars, for the sake of company resources or similar reasons, they might hold their noses and endure it.

After all, making money means bowing your head wherever you go.

But how could Wu Mu agree to such a thing?

He shook his head without hesitation, "Sorry, I have no plans to sign with a company."

Geng Wei directly began his tried and true tactic; he extended a finger, "One hundred million. As long as Teacher Wu Mu signs with our company, I’ll give you a signing fee of one hundred million straight up, and I’ll handle those endorsement brands that demand compensation from you."

He thought his terms were very sincere.

But Wu Mu was amused—One hundred million?

Are you kidding me?

Wu Mu shook his head again, "Sorry, I won’t sign with a company."

Geng Wei frowned, thought for a moment, and then said earnestly, "Besides the signing bonus, we will also be very generous in our investments in Teacher Wu Mu."

He seemed very professional as he analyzed for Wu Mu, "Teacher Wu Mu, although your popularity has somewhat revived through variety shows and singing, after all, the audience for variety shows is not as widespread as that for dramas."

He pointed to Xiao Yi, "My company recently purchased a very popular danmei drama series, and when the time comes, Xiao Yi and you will play the lead roles. With Xiao helping to boost your popularity and relying on this drama, it’s certain that returning to the A-list won’t be a problem, not to mention regaining top-tier status."

He believed he had really made a considerable offer.

But Wu Mu looked at him as if he was speechless.

Hold on, you don’t actually think having him star in a danmei drama is a selling point, do you?

He couldn’t be bothered to say much more to the man, simply stood up, and walked towards the exit.

Rejecting a Geng Wei was truly trivial in Wu Mu’s mind; he hardly took the matter to heart.

But Geng Wei, it seemed, took it quite seriously.

The next day, while in his hotel playing games, Wu Mu received a call from Lin Qingyue.

Lin Qingyue asked him in confusion, "Who have you offended?"

Huh?

Why does that sound so familiar?

Wu Mu was slightly stunned, and with a hint of amusement, asked: "Director Lin, are you going to make me drop out and ban me too?"

"What are you talking about?" Lin Qingyue was even more baffled than he was.

Hmm, it seems not.

Wu Mu laughed, "The day Wu Feng asked me to drop out of the singer-songwriter competition, the first thing he said was what you just said."

Lin Qingyue laughed, "That would be extreme. Even if the president of our station said so, I’d make sure you could finish a season before leaving."

She explained to Wu Mu, "You’re trending on Weibo. Take a look for yourself."

Wu Mu opened Weibo and sure enough found that he was indeed trending.

And not just one trending topic but several.

The second spot from the top:

#Scandal-ridden artist Wu Mu, June Seventh Evening Gala#

The sixth spot:

#Does scandal-ridden idol Wu Mu deserve to be on the June Seventh Evening Gala?#

The eighth spot:

#Wu Mu get out of the June Seventh Evening Gala#

Apart from the three most conspicuous ones, there were several fragmented tags all involving his name and the June Seventh Evening Gala.

Wu Mu then understood why Lin Qingyue said he had offended someone.

This situation was all too familiar; anyone who had been in the circle long enough could instantly recognize the stench of a paid smear campaign.

Wu Mu clicked on the trending topic at the very top.

The most heated post inside was from a well-known industr insider on Weibo.

Entertainment journalist Xiao Hai: "Received fan reports of a disgusting event: at the June Seventh Evening Gala recording venue of the Beijing TV Station, scandal-ridden artist Wu Mu was photographed participating."

"I’ve been disgusted with Wu Mu for a long time. Clearly, he has been exposed for homewrecking and being kept as a sugar baby, deceiving fans and causing such a scene. Yet, he’s been unaffected, appearing on various shows. I could barely tolerate him on variety shows."

"But now, to let this kind of scandal-ridden artist on the June Seventh Evening Gala? Isn’t that an insult to our martyrs! Does he deserve it? I absolutely cannot agree to this!"

It started with a very inflammatory Weibo post, with pictures not only of him taken outside the June Seventh Evening Gala rehearsal scene but even including a bare-chested bed photo from his previous scandal.

This was clearly meant to stir up memories of his past controversy.

Then, looking at the comments section, it was evidently full of paid trolls.

"Disgusting, scandal-ridden artists out of the entertainment industry!"

"Scandal-ridden artists don’t deserve to be on the June Seventh Evening Gala!"

"An insult to our martyrs; I cannot agree to this!"

Wu Mu looked at these comments and sighed in resignation.

Why are there always such assholes in the world? Consensual agreements are one thing, but to resort to such tricks just because I refused to join his company?

Without thinking, it had to be Geng Wei behind this smear campaign.

He truly hadn’t expected Geng Wei to go this far over such a minor issue.

It could only mean that the Sky Dragon People were overly sensitive to any disobedience from their slaves.

Wu Mu wasn’t concerned about being smeared online; a few harsh words on the internet didn’t affect him at all since he didn’t rely on fans for his living.

However, if Beijing TV Station did decide to pull him from the show because of it, that would be a loss.

"It was He Jie and Xiao Yi’s company’s boss who did it, they invited me to sign with their company, and I didn’t agree."

He texted Lin Qingyue to explain, and then asked, "Director Lin, our station won’t pull me out because of this kind of thing, will they?"

After thinking it over, Lin Qingyue gave him a definitive reply: "No, since these are smear campaigns bought by someone, our station definitely won’t drop you."

This was common sense—if they let anyone control their broadcasts with paid attacks, where would they stand?

So not only had Geng Wei offended Wu Mu, but also Beijing TV Station.

"I’ll go talk to our president about this, see how they want to handle it."

"Okay."

Since the show wasn’t dropping him and there were points to be earned, what was there for Wu Mu to worry about?

Let them smear him online, it meant no loss to him.

Wu Mu then went back to his game.

Meanwhile, the smear campaign against Wu Mu on the internet undoubtedly stirred up quite the storm.

Wu Mu’s anti-fans quickly caught wind of the matter.