Early screenings rely on the strength of the film and the reputation of the actors. Although the distributor had already invited some media outlets to attend the advance premiere, one of the main leads suddenly became the target of intense online hate, catching everyone off guard.
In the past three years, Yu Shiqing had been forced to accept a few bad roles, including some special-effects films. But unlike the truly big-budget production Doomsday Rescue, those films had extremely poor effects bad enough to give malicious editors plenty of material to twist. The most widely circulated video on trending searches was exactly such a product.
Entertainment Commentary Vlog:
#YuShiqingSoAwkwardItHurts
Yu Shiqing has been getting a lot of attention lately. People are surprised to learn he’s won multiple Best Actor awards, so I rushed to check out his past works and this is what I found? Forget the plot it feels like the audience’s brain is being trampled. Paired with these effects, I can only describe it as awkward. Awkward on an epic level. Not only did it hurt my eyes and intelligence, this was an attack on my soul. 😭😭
The video barely showed any real acting scenes of Yu Shiqing. Most clips featured him on screen without lines or expressions, highlighting just how bad those films were. It was a perfect example of what not to do in a film promo. But the blogger’s commentary pushed all the blame for the film’s flaws onto Yu Shiqing alone, stirring up backlash.
At this point, no one mentioned the award-winning Tomorrow Is Bright and Clear. Based on those edited clips, the movie looked completely worthless. The public quickly accepted the idea that Yu Shiqing only took on trash roles.
Clearly, someone was behind it all. The discussion around the video exploded.
Many people didn’t know much about Yu Shiqing. Their goodwill from the Qi Taihua incident was the only reason they mostly just joked about him, instead of joining the hate campaign. But as the topic trended higher, more marketing accounts joined the attack:
- “Climbing to the top through hype? With no solid work behind him, how did Yu Shiqing sign with New Era Films and get Shi Zhefing’s attention? Was the clash with Qi Taihua an act of justice or a calculated scheme?”
- “Yu Shiqing became famous overnight but starred in nothing but flops. Now his so-called blockbuster Doomsday Rescue is about to release can it avoid becoming yet another box office disaster?”
- “Disappeared for four years, why has Yu Shiqing suddenly been trending nonstop? Is this the start of a comeback or just a planned marketing blitz for Doomsday Rescue?”
These planned smear posts slowly chipped away at the public’s goodwill toward Yu Shiqing.
Marketing accounts are never held accountable. Even if everyone knows their baseless speculation is low and malicious, all anyone can do is criticize them, there’s no way to stop it.
As a public figure, an entertainer is destined to be judged. Speculation is just doubt. Edited clips are only fragments of the truth. As long as there are no outright lies, the audience is left to decide what’s real.
By noon, the hate had escalated to the point where unpleasant comments began to flood in:
- “I was thinking of going to the theater just to see a handsome guy, but maybe I’ll wait a bit.”
- “I always thought this movie looked sketchy. The main cast includes not only Yu Shiqing but also Jiang Yu and Yu Rong both outsiders. In any other film, even one of them would be a headache, but this one’s got all three like it’s collecting stamps.”
- “Another ‘big-budget’ local effects film… emmmmm.”
- “The reason there are so many bad movies is that there are always people who’ll pay no matter how bad they are. I’ll just say it: I hope Doomsday Rescue”
During this time, the promo team released trailers, and fans actively defended Yu Shiqing. But the trolls were more numerous.
Under every trailer, they left toxic comments.
Under Yu Shiqing’s trailer, they mocked that Jiang Yu and Yu Rong’s footage had been cut.
Under Jiang Yu’s trailer, they said the whole budget must have gone into just the trailer.
When fans tried to fight back, they were mocked as brainless stans.
No matter what, the trolls stood on an unshakable moral high ground.
Once Jiang Yu and Yu Rong were dragged into it, the trending topics turned into pure chaos.
Jiang Yu had been in the industry for four years and grew more popular each year. Calling him a “traffic king” wasn’t an exaggeration. Naturally, he attracted jealous haters.
Yu Rong had been discovered by Qingyuan Entertainment before Jiang Yu officially launched his studio. He was trained as Jiang Yu’s successor. Though Jiang Yu’s success couldn’t be duplicated, Yu Rong still became a popular idol singer, gaining tons of fans in a short time. He too became a target of envy.
Now that Doomsday Rescue was about to premiere, haters saw their chance to stir up trouble and stop it from succeeding. Soon, smear articles targeting Jiang Yu and Yu Rong spread across the entire internet.
One well-known influencer wrote:
“What I hate most is singers dipping into the film industry for cash. They can’t act but don’t know it, and their delusional fans support them at the box office, ruining the market, lowering audience standards, and taking space from real actors.”
That post got tons of likes, reposts, and comments most of which directly called out Jiang Yu and Yu Rong.
The top comment, “We should boycott Doomsday Rescue,” got tens of thousands of likes and was pinned at the top.
In the private room during dinner, halfway through the meal, Yan Hongyun got a call. His face didn’t look good after he hung up. He told everyone, “While the hate was blowing up, we were negotiating screening slots with the cinemas. But after the boycott gained traction, one of the theaters backed out of a verbal agreement, saying they needed more time to think.”
“More time to think” was just an excuse. Everyone knew they were going back on their word.
Everyone present was part of the Doomsday Rescue core team. Hearing this, some sighed helplessly. But there was nothing they could do. The actors being targeted wasn’t their fault.
Especially Jiang Yu. Not only was he the lead actor, but also the main investor. To ensure the best viewing experience, he even sold his house to increase the budget. Everyone in the group knew this.
Yan Hongyun felt even more nervous. Jiang Yu had already invested a huge amount, and the additional funds had been raised by his own effort. If this failed and they didn’t even recoup the cost, how could he ever face Jiang Yu again?
But when he looked toward Jiang Yu, he saw no trace of anger on his face. Jiang Yu was calmly chatting with Yu Shiqing, as if all the chaos online had nothing to do with them.
Yu Rong, sitting next to Yu Shiqing, wasn’t so calm. He kept looking at his phone, refreshing the trending topic, and saw wave after wave of criticism and mockery. His hands tightened around the fabric of his pants, knuckles turning white.
Suddenly, a hand reached out and took his phone.
Yu Rong froze and turned to see Yu Shiqing.
“Senior…”
Yu Shiqing calmly said, “No need to get upset over others’ comments.”
Yu Rong clenched his fists. “I’m just angry! They haven’t even seen the movie. What right do they have to say that?”
Yu Shiqing replied, “If you believe in yourself, once the premiere ends, people will speak up for you.”
“But—”
“No buts.” Yu Shiqing looked at him. “Emotions won’t solve anything. Only facts will.”
Yu Rong wanted to argue more, but when he met Yu Shiqing’s calm, dark eyes, his fists gradually relaxed, and a sense of peace returned to his heart.
Others in the room turned to look at them.
The room had been tensed since Yan Hongyun’s update, and no one had spoken. In the silence, Yu Shiqing’s voice stood out.
“He’s right,” Jiang Yu finally said. “There’s no need to care about others’ opinions. Or do you all think our film is a bad one?”
Yan Hongyun blurted out, “Of course not!”
After speaking, he realized from everyone’s expressions what Jiang Yu and Yu Shiqing were trying to say and that as the director, he couldn’t afford to waver now.
He took a deep breath. “That’s right. Our film is strong. We’re not afraid of public opinion. This kind of backlash is nothing. Once the premiere starts, audiences will speak up for us!”
Yu Shiqing listened to him encouraging the others and quietly placed Yu Rong’s phone back on the table.
Yu Rong silently picked it up and put it in his pocket, no longer checking it.
Yan Hongyun finally said, “The first screening is about to begin. We should get ready and head to the theater.”
Everyone agreed and stood to leave.
Yu Shiqing and Jiang Yu also got up. Yu Rong followed closely behind them.
Once outside, with more space around them, Yu Rong stepped up beside Yu Shiqing and whispered, “Senior, thank you for earlier.”
Yu Shiqing asked, “For what?”
“For comforting me!”
Before Yu Shiqing could reply, Jiang Yu gave Yu Rong a look his gaze deep and unreadable.
Oblivious, Yu Rong said, “Don’t worry. I won’t check the comments anymore. I believe in our movie, and I believe in myself.”
He then cleared his throat and glanced shyly at Yu Shiqing. “After all, I was personally trained by you.”
Yu Shiqing chuckled. “Glad you’ve figured things out.”
Yu Rong grinned foolishly.
Jiang Yu’s brow furrowed.
He looked over and saw Yu Shiqing leaning slightly toward Yu Rong, smiling gently while Yu Rong beamed like an idiot. It made Jiang Yu inexplicably annoyed.
“Senior,” Yu Rong said, “if there’s a chance, could you teach me more acting?”
Jiang Yu had had enough. He suddenly sped up, brushing roughly against Yu Shiqing’s right shoulder.
Yu Shiqing looked back in surprise, only to see Jiang Yu walking off without looking back.
Yu Rong noticed too. But he was so afraid of Jiang Yu that he just quietly asked, “Senior, what’s wrong with Jiang Yu?”
Yu Shiqing stared at Jiang Yu’s back, a bit confused. “Maybe he just remembered something important.”
Later in the car, Yu Shiqing saw Jiang Yu already sitting inside, staring out the window.
When Jiang Yu heard footsteps, he turned his head about to speak when his eyes drifted past Yu Shiqing to Yu Rong behind him.
Yu Rong immediately felt nervous and backed away. “Senior, Jiang Yu, you two talk. I’ll ride in the next car!”
Yu Shiqing had just taken his seat. He glanced at Yu Rong and then looked away, facing Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu turned back to the window.
Yu Shiqing asked, “What’s wrong?”
What’s wrong?
Jiang Yu stared at Yu Shiqing’s reflection in the window and muttered, “Didn’t I give you two a moment to chat privately? Wasn’t that good enough?”
Yu Shiqing chuckled. “You’re overthinking.”
Jiang Yu sneered. “Am I?”
He was about to say more when suddenly.
“Why do you care so much?”
Lin Anjin’s words echoed in his mind. His fingers clenched tightly.
Yu Shiqing couldn’t see his face or how his expression had changed. “Yu Rong just wants to learn acting.”
Jiang Yu’s thin lips pressed tight, and deep lines formed on his brow.
Why did he care?
Was it because of Yu Shiqing?
What exactly had Lin Anjin meant by that question?
Seeing him stay silent, Yu Shiqing called softly, “Jiang Yu?”
Jiang Yu snapped back to reality.
He looked up and saw Yu Shiqing’s face reflected clearly in the window.
Thump, thump his heart pounded loudly.
“Yu Shiqing…”
His voice was barely audible.
“Hm?”
Jiang Yu’s fist tightened again.
Why did he care about Yu Shiqing?
Why did it bother him to see him with an omega?
“What I mean is… I think… Teacher Jiang needs to figure that out for himself.”
Jiang Yu closed his eyes, then turned to face Yu Shiqing again.
Yu Shiqing still had a slight smile on his lips. But when he saw Jiang Yu’s expression and furrowed brows, the smile faded slightly.
“What’s really wrong?” he asked.
Jiang Yu looked at him, but inside, everything was chaos.
