Chapter 26 Donation Book 

The entertainment industry is a place where vanity is maximized, and stars constantly compare themselves. The red carpet is a battleground, where whether the press release can be sent out depends on the beauty of the celebrity of the day. Additionally, the brand of the clothes will be used to compare, especially by malicious netizens.

Earlier, Lu Hui’s fans had been mocked on marketing accounts after “threatening” the team to get haute couture and out-of-season clothes. An hour before the live-streamed red carpet tonight, several female stars had wardrobe malfunctions—ordinary makeup, ordinary borrowed clothes.

“Damn, that’s just last month’s MK runway collection, Spring/Summer 2021, the first time it’s been loaned out.”

“Checked the brooch, it’s worth about the price of a house.”

“So far, this is the most expensive outfit tonight. It’s also pretty, at least it didn’t flop under the harsh lights—she’s a real beauty.”

“True, no flaws, no flaws. I’ll pick her first.”

After Lu Hui finished the red carpet, the pictures were freshly released. The brand immediately claimed her outfit on their official Weibo account.

Although Lu Hui had gained some fame through the show, the treatment she received on the red carpet that night made her colleagues, who had various ulterior motives, envious. It wasn’t hard to borrow clothes, but borrowing out-of-season haute couture and having it immediately recognized by the brand’s official account was rare.

After the red carpet, Lu Hui still had to accept an interview from the live supporters.

“Teacher Lu Hui, you’ve brought the audience many amazing performances these past two months. I’d like to ask, when did you learn these talents or skills?”

Official platitudes, just give the official answers.

Looking into the camera with confidence and beauty, Lu Hui said, “When I was a child, I learned them slowly, one by one.”

The host continued, “We all know tonight is the final, and the competition is fierce. Even guests who were eliminated earlier will be performing again. Do you have confidence in winning the championship?”

The host smiled, but the question was sharp, with a hint of targeting. Lu Hui responded, “I’ll do my best.”

The host quickly twisted her words with a smile, “It seems that Teacher Lu Hui is very confident about winning the championship, which is not surprising given how outstanding she has been in recent episodes.”

Lu Hui pretended not to hear the maliciousness, “You’re right.”

She really has been quite outstanding!

After the interview, Lu Hui followed the staff into her rest room.

The producer even brought milk tea and coffee to check on her, their attitude now a far cry from the first episode. They were polite and easy to talk to. The producer personally opened the straw for her, saying, “Teacher Lu, we are preparing for the second season of the show.”

Lu Hui took the coffee the producer handed her, “I heard from the staff.”

“I think your talents haven’t fully been displayed on stage yet. You should consider participating in the second season.”

“Okay, I will consider it.”

Her choice after consideration would be not to come back. Of course, she wouldn’t say that in front of the producer. She had to be one person in front and another behind their back.

The producer felt the deal was likely to go through. Others had failed to negotiate, perhaps due to lack of face. The producer knew the show had treated Lu Hui poorly at first, but that’s the way this industry worked—if you’re not famous, you’re trampled on.

“Alright, I won’t disturb you from preparing.”

“Okay, take care.”

Once the door closed, they could speak quietly.

Lin Tong lowered his voice and asked her, “Are you really considering coming back for this show? I’m not prying, but at the beginning, their attitude wasn’t like this.”

The various unfair treatments, and when things went wrong, they weren’t even willing to clear things up.

Lu Hui shook her head, “Of course not.”

Lin Tong crossed his legs and, hearing her words, finally relaxed. “This show’s hype relies on you. All the best moments are because of you. Now they want to get you on board? Where were they when they should have been respectful?”

If they had treated her slightly better back then, Lin Tong wouldn’t be so keen on rejecting the second season.

“That’s the power of being popular.”

“It’s not all that, it’s also money.”

The show’s sponsorship alone brought in billions, and the various ads during the live broadcast, plus gifts from fans in the stream, meant they were raking in profits.

Lin Tong had heard that the naming rights for the live broadcast’s finale cost 50 million. The total investment in the show might not even be 50 million, and the rest is all pure profit.

After hearing those astronomical numbers, Lu Hui seriously asked, “Do we get a share of the profits?”

“Your total pay for six episodes is 480,000. It’s split 50/50 with the company, so you get 240,000. After taxes, that’s all your earnings.”

Lu Hui stood still for a moment before saying, “Let’s not record anymore. Let’s just go home and sleep.”

“…”

Of course, the live broadcast had to continue. The final night’s broadcast was spectacular. The show allowed fans to bring light boards into the venue. As long as you had money and a ticket, you could display any banners you wanted.

The show was so terrible that, until the very last moment, they didn’t forget to squeeze Lu Hui dry. They specifically placed her in the same group as Zuo Anran, with whom she had new and old grudges, to stir up drama and create buzz.

However, when the two were waiting backstage, there was no conflict, and no eye contact was made.

Zuo Anran and her manager were very nervous, eager to turn things around tonight. Her manager was confident, her fans’ online performance was great, and the support at the venue was strong. They were certain that the light boards and fans’ cheers would be enough to show everyone who the real popular one was.

Lu Hui and Zuo Anran stood on the rising platform together. As they slowly ascended, the light in front of them became brighter.

The venue, which could hold 8,000 people, was packed. From Area A to Area D, the entire arena was filled with orange. Only a few scattered blue lights could be seen.

Lu Hui didn’t even spot the blue ocean. She already knew they were just bragging.

There were a lot of Lu Hui’s supporters at the scene, taking up six out of ten seats—a remarkable proportion.

Yan Zhao was still sitting in the front row in a prime position. Some of Lu Hui’s fans handed him their light boards, asking him to hold them up.

Yan Zhao didn’t move. That wasn’t something he could do.

The fans were disappointed, “You’re not really in love with Xiao Huixiang, are you? You won’t even hold up a light board for her. No wonder you can’t win her over.”

Yan Zhao’s expression turned cold, a clear sign of displeasure.

The fan arrogantly huffed, “There are tons of people in the entertainment industry who adore Xiao Huixiang. You’re not trying hard enough, that’s why you can’t get her.”

Yan Zhao caught the key words in her sentence, “A lot of people?”

The fan started counting on her fingers right in front of him, “There are only about seven or eight, but our Xiao Huixiang is loved by everyone.”

This wasn’t right.

Not at all.

He had never heard of anyone in the cultivation world who liked Lu Hui. Her appearance and talent were unremarkable. If it weren’t for their engagement, their marriage would never have happened.

“Who are they? What do they look like? How old are they? What’s their family background?”

“Are you doing a background check?”

The man looked up and stared coldly at her. The fan was scared, “I—I’m going to the bathroom.”

She made an excuse to run away and change seats.

Yan Zhao clenched his fist, piecing together information he had gathered recently. It seemed that in this strange world, Lu Hui was different from before. Not only had her personality changed, but many other things had too. She no longer cared about him, no longer loved him.

Would she fall in love with someone else? Perhaps with that man who was a little good-looking and a little wealthy.