After hanging up the phone, Jiang Nuo exchanged a puzzled look with Si Yan, "Who is Lin Youqi?"
Si Yan searched her memory for celebrities she knew, then shook her head, "Never heard of them."
"But judging from what Brother Cui said, this person probably wants to replicate your meteoric rise to fame and also package themselves as a metaphysical artist."
Jiang Nuo drawled out an "Oh," and said, "What does that have to do with me?"
Seeing that he had finished eating, Si Yan took off her gloves and carefully wiped her hands, explaining, "If we do it too obviously, and then use you as a stepping stone for marketing, your fans will definitely be unhappy."
Jiang Nuo checked Weibo and saw that Lin Youqi's name was prominently featured on the trending topics list, with two entries at that.
#Lin Youqi Lucky Profile Picture
#Lin Youqi, the number one idol with metaphysical knowledge
Below these two trending topics, there's another rather subtle term.
#MysticalIdol
Jiang Nuo's popularity remains consistently high. Anyone who pays even a little attention to the entertainment industry knows that the term "mystical idol" was originally created for Jiang Nuo.
However, Lin Youqi's marketing exploited a loophole. The main promotional tag for her fans was "the number one metaphysical idol," and the secondary tag also included "metaphysical idol." Promotional images flooded the social media feed.
If you click into the entry page, those who don't know the truth might think this is Lin Youqi's actual popularity achievement.
In fan circles, this is already considered a form of marketing that insults someone's reputation.
Beautiful Girl Hero: #Mystical Idol, I have a question... You Muxi Fans are really good at stealing information by using Jiang Nuo's name to market some newcomer...
Sleepy Suspect: #Who is this "metaphysical idol"? Where did he come from? Why is he marketing a metaphysical idol? Can he even exorcise ghosts?
I, Tiga, Am in the Northeast: I found it! An idol from a low-budget variety show, supposedly able to talk to ghosts and blessed with natural good luck. But that's not the point! The point is Lin Youqi's performance on that variety show was a complete imitation of God Nuo... I'm speechless.
Muxi Fans, hearing the news, immediately responded, and the square descended into chaos.
Unknown Amusing Netizen: "Hilarious! Talking to ghosts is imitating Jiang Nuo? Don't be so sensitive. Our idol Youqi, what's wrong with bringing up metaphysical topics..."
Lump of Wood: Is someone resorting to belittling newcomers to maintain their popularity?? And they call themselves a senior?! How afraid are they of being Youqi?
A true passerby: Hahahaha, I'm speechless. How can anyone doubt Jiang Nuo's popularity? Is this what you call overstepping one's bounds to cause trouble?
Even the Glutinous Rice Fans who were initially observing couldn't resist joining the fray, but this inadvertently boosted Lin Youqi's popularity, since being associated with Jiang Nuo would attract even casual viewers.
So when Jiang Nuo checked Weibo, this chaotic mess of posts was all she saw.
Having roughly figured out what had happened, Si Yan frowned with displeasure. "This person is clearly trying to step on you to get ahead."
Jiang Nuo smiled, put her arm around Si Yan's shoulder and kissed him, "Want to stand up for me, boyfriend?"
Si Yan lowered his eyes and hummed in agreement, his tone sullen, "I'll teach him a lesson for you."
"Then you might as well stay and rest with me, don't waste time."
Jiang Nuo leaned against him, seemingly unconcerned, and was only thinking about how to appease the angry fans.
"Oh right, we also need to give out fan perks, let me think..."
He sent the details of the perks he wanted to send to the studio, Cui Ming replied quickly.
A few minutes later, the Glutinous Rice Fans who were fiercely debating the relationship and the CP fans all received a notification sound indicating that they were being followed.
Jiang Nuo Studio: #MysticalIdol# The long-awaited giveaway is here! Brother Nuo has personally prepared a giveaway for Glutinous Rice! Come and get a lucky gift full of true mystical power!
Forward this Weibo for a chance to win Glutinous Rice of 100 Spiritual Power talismans or 10 Spiritual Power bracelets (no overlap). Also, 50 limited-edition items prepared by the studio will be randomly given away.
Glutinous Rice Cake Fish: Finally, you've been waiting for me!! Komuro, you've really come into your own! Just unleash your ultimate move, hahahahahaha
Amitabha Fortune! I bet there's still someone who doesn't know that God Nuo is the real jerk!
Happy Skewers: Spiritual Power Bracelet!! It brings back memories of where the live stream started! So is this the same one given to Si Jiaojiao?
When Jiang Nuo saw this comment, she recalled the Five Emperors Coins bracelet she had given to Si Yan before, and typed a reply while complaining.
"To be honest, I really thought you were frail back then." He poked Si Yan's cheek.
Si Yan coughed softly upon hearing this, leaned on Jiang Nuo's shoulder, and said with shimmering phoenix eyes, "I am too now."
"Alas."
Jiang Nuo frowned.
His frail appearance almost prevented him from getting out of bed.
Jiang Nuo: @Happy Skewers The effects are different. That one is already discontinued. The Spiritual Power bracelet nourishes the body and is more effective for you than killing ghosts.
The fans pondered this comment and then understood.
Happy Skewers: Decoding! Si Jiaojiao's bracelet is one of a kind, a unique gift for couples.
Seeing that her fans were happy, Jiang Nuo retweeted the Weibo and then ignored it, running off on a date with Si Yan.
What's even more unexpected is that after the giveaway was announced, another round of comparisons and mudslinging ensued.
The giveaway post got the Glutinous Rice Fans excited, and just as the trending topics were being overshadowed, Lin Youqi's fans, including her own fan club, also posted on Weibo.
It wouldn't be a problem if it were just a promotional post, but the implication of comparison and disparagement is really obvious.
Lin Youqi Fan Support Club: Share this Lin Youqi and may your life be full of good fortune~ Another wave of lucky wallpapers and avatars is here, with Youqi bringing you good luck!
No need for a lottery to bring endless good luck! We treat every fan of Youqi fairly~
Glutinous Rice Fans:???
Who is your dad subtly putting down?
The person in question was originally in a great mood for the giveaway today, but then they insisted on posting a picture of him in the face!
This move by Muxi Fans not only angered Glutinous Rice Fans, but also made bystanders who watched the live stream call it shameless, and Lin Youqi was completely blacklisted and became a trending topic.
Cui Ming and his marketing team kept a close eye on online public opinion and roughly figured out what Lin Youqi's team wanted to do.
"Using Brother Nuo's popularity to create hype, and then getting criticized and trending on social media without restraint... What are they trying to do? Are they taking a black-and-white approach to fame?"
The assistant was confused.
Cui Ming chuckled.
"If he plays the victim on the show, claiming it's all the fans' fault and has nothing to do with him, and that he admires his seniors, then it will be seen as Jiang Nuo bullying newcomers and not restraining his fans."
" Lin Youqi was able to pick it perfectly, and also generate a wave of popularity for this lucky idol."
The assistant, filled with righteous indignation upon hearing this, exclaimed, "How could he do such a thing!"
"There are many more cases like this. Jiang Nuo is becoming increasingly popular, and the number of people who see him as a thorn in their side is only increasing."
Cui Ming shook his head. He hadn't originally intended to take it to heart; it would be great if all kinds of flowers bloomed, but the other party had gone too far.
"Keep a close eye on public opinion. If things get out of hand, suppress the trending topics to prevent things from escalating."
"Okay, don't worry, Brother Cui."