Chapter 238: The Meaning of An Actor’s Image
After she was done with her attack on the jewelry company, Yun Xiangxiang turned around to attack the commenter. She tagged the guy who forced her to donate and made a post.
[I’m not your mom, so I’m not going to spoil you by entertaining your request. If I did that, what should I do when everyone else uses the same excuse you did to ask for donations from me? How should I live this down?]
[That’s right! How are we going to live this down? If Sister Xiang did whatever you said, does this mean she has to keep on donating if you complain that it’s not enough?]
[Don’t spoil him! He’s going to have his head further up in his arse!]
[Since you value charity so much, why don’t you list out your own contributions? Be a role model for us.]
[Who said that the rich must give away their money? I don’t see you asking those richer than our goddess for donations.]
[The donation event during the goddess’ birthday was done voluntarily. She limited it to one yuan per fan, and it was donated in their name. She wasn’t riding on anyone’s generosity. How can you spew such venom, accusing such a kind move as a ploy for fame? Go back and don’t ever come out of your snake nest.]
[…]
The villains would find it a tough endeavor to manipulate her fans.
Her kind fans would think that someone as nice as her wouldn’t care much about donating a little part of her newfound ‘wealth.’
They would think that she should post a list of her contributions to shut the haters up, instead of just arguing with them.
If Yun Xiangxiang refused to donate under these circumstances, the attackers could fan the flames and make her fans feel that she was faking her kindness.
If her fans were not united, she could say farewell to her peaceful days.
After having his meal, Song Mian saw Yun Xiangxiang’s new status.
He pondered for a moment before calling Song Yao. “Donate a hundred million to charity organizations that are helping patients of congenital heart disease in Yun Xiangxiang’s name.
“Do you want to announce it?” Song Yao asked.
Song Yao shook his head, “I’m doing this just in case something happens. You don’t have to announce it.”
Yun Xiangxiang’s counterattack was flawlessly sharp. She managed to calm down her fans. The attacker also had to retreat because of his pushy attitude.
But that wasn’t the end of her problems. Refusing to be coerced was one thing, whether she donated in private or not was another. To the public, she was now extraordinarily wealthy. The donation to charity on her birthday did garner attention too.
She wouldn’t have to worry if no disasters or anything that needed the public’s help were to happen. But if they did, a simple check would reveal that she didn’t donate anything even after raking in huge profits after the sale of the stone.
Her image would take a serious hit. It might not harm her that much, but Song Mian was unwilling to see that happen.
To him, problems that could be solved with money were no problems at all. As a public figure, only answering to their own conscience wasn’t enough.
They had to do something which the public could see. Only then could she use her image to spread her influence more.
Only then would more people place their trust in her and follow in her footsteps.
Song Mian wasn’t just trying to create a facade for Yun Xiangxiang. He wished that someone who could gather the hearts of everyone would really appear.
This someone would be eternally kind and just. That would be a blessing to society.
“Young master, could Miss Yun have donated some money herself?” Song Yao knew what kind of person Yun Xiangxiang was. She was never greedy for cash.
“She doesn’t have the money for that,” a smile appeared from the corner of Song Mian’s eyes. “She didn’t even sell the black jadeite.”
The show MonRoe put on for her was just something they had to do to get what Yun Xiangxiang was offering. Song Mian saw through it immediately.
“Miss Yun doesn’t seem like someone who likes jewelry,” Song Yao was puzzled. Yun Xiangxiang even refused “The Star of Peace.” Could she really want the black jadeite?
He was more willing to trust that Yun Xiangxiang had traded the stone for money and had donated it.
“I don’t know what she’s thinking either. Why did she keep the stone?” The idea that she did it for him didn’t strike his mind. “MonRoe won’t buy it either.”
Noticing the pensive Song Mian, Song Yao left him to his own devices. If Song Mian was sure she didn’t sell it, then that was it. He now thought that Yun Xiangxiang was a cunning lady. After going through all that, she was the one who won it all. On top of that, she brought fame and fortune to the company in which she was a shareholder.
“Aren’t you afraid that someone might find out about this?” Wei Shanshan was right beside Yun Xiangxiang. She naturally knew Yun Xiangxiang didn’t sell the stone.
But the public thought she did. She forced the pushy guy back because she wanted to stop anyone from imitating him. Naturally, her fans took her side and helped her come out on top.
She could weasel out of it if there wasn’t that birthday event before this. But it did happen, and the Chinese Television System specifically praised her.
That praise was earned by stepping on the actors whose fans threw extravagant birthday parties for them. She was hated by them, and now they knew she didn’t donate anything despite her wealth.
They would interpret the previous birthday donation as a ploy to gain fame.
Heavens knew how many of them would pitch in to destroy her image by then.
“I don’t really concern myself over something like maintaining my image,” Yun Xiangxiang was unfazed. “I owe no one, nor have I ever done anything that goes against what I stand for. If my fans really think I am fake, the door is right there. This is why I never ask for anything from my fans. I owe them nothing, so I will never compromise for them.”
Maintaining an image meant to be restricted by it. That was a tiring affair. Yun Xiangxiang only wanted to do things according to her principles.
Her heart was already as durable as steel. She could care less about the slander from those who didn’t truly love her.
She didn’t care as long as nobody tried to backstab her.
“The actor’s image is related to their endorsement opportunities,” most actors would do anything to keep up their image.
“The opportunities are related to the actor’s value,” Yun Xiangxiang corrected.
Many actors who were embroiled in various scandals still had numerous endorsements. The companies would still seek them out as long as they were not embroiled in criminal scandals.
If the actor still had their value and influence, they would still receive endorsement offers.
Countless endorsement contracts came her way, but most were blocked by He Wei. He would hand-pick her every endorsement.
“Shanshan, actors will eventually be misunderstood by some. We can’t please everyone. It’s not worth it to live your life for them.”
Yun Xiangxiang advised her sincerely, “As actors, controlling our temper and keeping our emotions in check isn’t being fake. We aren’t lying. It’s our job as public figures to not show any negative influence.”
She wasn’t referring to themselves when she mentioned “negative influence.” She was talking about those who followed them. They couldn’t let them think that taking someone else as their emotional trash can was acceptable. It wasn’t because they wanted to leave a good impression during their act.
As actors enjoyed the glory their fans gave, they should influence their fans positively.
Most people thought about it the other way around which was why they cared more about their image.
“Give me some space,” Wei Shanshan needed time to process what Yun Xiangxiang said.
What she said wasn’t what she had in mind about most actors.
Yun Xiangxiang left her to wander her own mind. She turned off the lights and slept.
The show’s recording started the next day. The program team launched a sudden checkup, and Wei Shanshan ended up being their target.