[What data?]
The livestream viewers were puzzled, but their instincts told them Ye Yizhou had definitely been duped. They even had the feeling he was joking.
"It was a highly upvoted post on Zhihu titled 'Let's discuss: what persona could make someone a legend in showbiz?'"
"The most upvoted reply was: Aaaaaah, I have to nominate a delicate, soft, adorable airheaded beauty here. Pretty but brainless and silly-just so cute!"
"I still remember it perfectly."
Ye Yizhou spoke with conviction, but his brows drew tighter and tighter. He truly hadn't expected everyone's tastes to change just like that.
Was he serious?
Whether it was the staff inside the cabin or the livestream viewers, that was everyone's first reaction to Ye Yizhou's words.
A second later, they pulled out their phones in unison, logged into Zhihu, and searched for the title Ye Yizhou had mentioned.
A highly upvoted featured post with tons of discussion immediately popped up. Its title matched what Ye Yizhou had said word for word.
The post dated back to May two years ago. Ye Yizhou had begun making a name for himself in showbiz that July.
Under the comment about the airheaded beauty, the original poster had replied: I don't understand, but I respect the data.
Most importantly, the original poster's username was One Leaf, One Boat!
Who else could that be but Ye Yizhou?
[I checked, and that post really exists. The poster's username might as well have been Ye Yizhou's ID number.]
[I'm dying. Seeing "I don't understand, but I respect the data," I can just imagine how confused Ye Yizhou was back then.]
[His brows must've been knotted so tight they nearly broke, just like right now. Hahaha.]
[No way. Does someone actually believe what people say on Zhihu?!]
[I mean, you're being way too naive.]
"You actually went on Zhihu to learn how to become a showbiz legend before you entered the industry?"
Director Ji saw the post and its contents on a staff member's phone, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "Were you serious?"
"What else was I supposed to do?"
Ye Yizhou sounded perfectly justified, his logic rock-solid:
"Who's born knowing how to become a showbiz legend? If I didn't learn from people's experience on forums, was I supposed to go straight to someone who'd already become a legend and ask? Would they tell me?"
Uh...
There really wasn't anything wrong with that argument.
Director Ji looked at Ye Yizhou and said, "But have you considered one question?"
Ye Yizhou turned toward him without speaking, signaling with his eyes for him to continue.
"If people really knew how to become showbiz legends, wouldn't legends be a dime a dozen by now?"
Director Ji's repeated references to legends almost sounded like a tongue twister. "But in reality, only a tiny handful of people become legends in showbiz."
"It usually happens unintentionally. As the saying goes, promotion brings modest fame, fate brings true stardom, and forcing it invites divine punishment. There's still a certain element of mysticism involved."
[I agree with Director Ji on this.]
[Some celebrities really do blow up overnight.]
[Forcing someone into stardom really does invite divine punishment. No matter how much marketing they get, they'll still fade into obscurity if that's where they're headed.]
[I think everyone on Zhihu was just talking big for fun. They'd never have imagined someone would actually adopt that persona.]
[I don't know whether to call Ye Yizhou too clever or too naive.]
Ye Yizhou could hear Director Ji's and the livestream viewers' doubts and their not-quite-malicious "mockery," but he didn't mind. Instead, he said earnestly, "Still, credit where it's due."
"I pulled off that persona, didn't I?"
"First, let me make this clear: neither my agency nor I have spent a single cent on marketing me or countering negative publicity. Over the past two years, I've practically had a year-round subscription to the trending topics. Whether I trended naturally or someone with an agenda paid for negative hashtags about me, there's no denying that my name recognition, buzz, and popularity now put me in first place by a massive margin."
"In a sense, I have become a showbiz legend."
"The facts prove that every project's success depends on preliminary research and extensive supporting data. The popularity I have today came from data-backed science, not mysticism."
Ye Yizhou solemnly corrected Director Ji's earlier statement. "It's 2024 already. Stop being so superstitious!"
Director Ji offered a timid reminder. "Is it possible that this is a kind of mysticism too?"
"Impossible," Ye Yizhou said firmly.
"All right, all right. You're right about everything." Director Ji conceded in a second.
After all, plenty of people in the industry envied Ye Yizhou's popularity.
There was no shortage of people who wanted to copy his persona and siphon off his traffic.
Unfortunately, there was only one Ye Yizhou.
So really, for this persona to reach such heights in showbiz was already a kind of mysticism.
[If that's the truth, then think back over what Ye Yizhou said in his interviews.]
[The Oscars really owe him an Oscar statuette.]
[He really sold that persona. His acting was great too. I'm stunned.]
[So is this a new persona now?]
[You used the airheaded beauty persona to make a successful debut and build your fame, and now you're clearing your name with a rebellious rich young heir persona to take another shot at the top?]
[Is this backed by data too?]
[The rich young heir boldly venturing into showbiz persona has been really popular these past two years.]
[Exactly. People love reading novels like that too. Are even persona changes keeping up with the times now?]
Ye Yizhou wagged his long index finger, a sweet smile tugging at his lips. "I've already achieved my goal in entering showbiz, so I'm done pretending."
[What goal?]
[You don't have any signature works yet, do you?!]
[You haven't won any major awards either. You have nothing, so how have you already achieved your goal?]
"I've already talked about why I entered showbiz, as well as certain people. If you're interested, I suggest you revisit what I said in the first episode of the dating show. I recommend memorizing the whole thing. There should be plenty of screen recordings online."
Ye Yizhou didn't repeat himself. Some things could only be understood, not put into words.
"This variety show does have its uses. It finally cleared up a question that's been bothering me for ages. Thank you, everyone."
Ye Yizhou gave a slight nod toward the livestream camera, sounding quite satisfied and sincere. "I can tell you're all cultured people!"
The livestream viewers ate that up and were quite pleased.
"To maintain good interpersonal relationships in human society, you can't do without social etiquette. It's all about returning the favor."
Ye Yizhou leaned back in his chair, a sly smile curling his lips. "Since you've answered my question, how about I give you some gossip in return?"
"I've picked up plenty of gossip during my two years in showbiz, and every bit of it is genuine! Interested?"
Ye Yizhou raised his brows, showing a mischievous taste for stirring up trouble.
Before you continue