Superstar Assistant [GL] - Chapter 33

Chapter 33

“I beg you, don’t talk about this here. The film set has too many ears,” Dong Minsi interrupted. Although she didn’t fully grasp the technical details of their conversation, she knew the topic was dangerous and shouldn’t be continued in public.

Li Ziyu and Zhou Tiantian fell silent and resumed eating. Neither of them brought it up again, knowing that continuing would lead to an argument. They consciously avoided the subject, and the high-intensity filming soon distracted Li Ziyu from the disagreement.

Soon, the show’s publicity team contacted the managers of both actresses to coordinate promotion. In a hotel meeting room, the head of promotion said, “I met with the director and screenwriter. Since Teacher Dong and Teacher Li have many scenes together that can be edited into an ‘ambiguous love-hate’ dynamic, we want to focus on the ‘Gl-themed’ (Girls’ Love) angle that’s popular online. What do you think?”

Although Dong Minsi was much more famous than Li Ziyu, their managers were equally powerful in the industry. Dong Minsi’s manager looked at Luo Na, who replied with a smile, “That’s fine. Ziyu’s own fans are already shipping her with Zhou Tiantian. Young netizens are much more open-minded than us.”

With the plan set, the execution was handed down to the assistants. Zhou Tiantian realized this was a double-edged sword: it could boost Li Ziyu’s popularity, but it might trigger a backlash from Dong Minsi’s massive fanbase, who were already questioning if Li Ziyu—mostly known for “low-effort” idol dramas—could actually keep up with an A-list actress.

Zhou Tiantian approached the promotion lead, Xiao Wu. “Can I post some behind-the-scenes videos that align with the campaign on my personal Weibo? Ziyu’s fans are used to seeing her content there.” Xiao Wu, who admired Tiantian’s social media skills, readily agreed.

Tiantian started by posting a “Nine-Grid” photo set titled Observed in Secret. It showed Li Ziyu’s character watching Dong Minsi’s character from the shadows. The photos were an instant hit with Li Ziyu’s fans:

“Haha, she looks like my cat watching me!”

“The Consort looks like a dark, wicked black cat. So devious!”

“I love her villainous vibe! She looks stunning in traditional dress.”

However, Dong Minsi’s fans soon arrived to tear her down. “Li Ziyu is so disgusting, an 18th-tier actress riding our Minsi’s coattails!” “She looks vacant in these photos. Can an idol actress even act? Doubtful.” With millions of followers compared to Tiantian’s one million, Minsi’s fans quickly dominated the comment section with vitriol.

In their hotel room, Li Ziyu was holding Tiantian’s hand, making her walk in circles. “You’ve been sitting all day. You need to walk for the baby’s sake.”

Tiantian, looking at her phone, worriedly said, “But Minsi’s fans are mocking your acting. Should we ask her to clarify?”

Li Ziyu laughed. “I am riding her coattails, so why clarify? My acting isn’t ‘bad’ just because they say so. Once the show airs, they’ll see.” She knelt before Tiantian, pressing her ear to the pregnant belly. “The moment I decided to be a star, I knew I’d face this. Don’t worry about me.”

Moved by her composure, Tiantian gripped Li Ziyu’s hand. “I’ll make a video to show them how good you really are.”

Li Ziyu squeezed her hand back, her tone teasing. “It feels good to be cared for like this. It’s like I’m always in your heart.” Tiantian’s face turned bright red, and she stammered about needing a shower. Li Ziyu teased her further, calling her “Big Baby,” until Tiantian escaped into the bathroom.

…

The next day, the online battle between the two fanbases intensified. At breakfast, Dong Minsi noted, “Your fans are fierce for such a small group.”

Li Ziyu replied, “Thanks for letting me ride the hype, Teacher Dong. Aren’t you going to calm them down?”

Dong Minsi huffed but then leaned in. “Why hasn’t Miss Zhao been here the last few days?”

Li Ziyu smirked and called Zhao Qing on speaker. “Why aren’t you at the set? Someone misses you terribly.” Dong Minsi blushed and hurried away.

Zhao Qing excitedly asked, “Who misses me? Is it my little cutie?”

Li Ziyu glanced at Zhou Tiantian and said, “Yeah, my cutie Zhou Tiantian misses you.” Zhao Qing immediately went cold—”We clearly have different standards for ‘cute'”—and hung up.

Zhou Tiantian watched Li Ziyu tease both of them and felt a pang of realization. She teases me just like she teases Zhao Qing and Dong Minsi. It’s just friendship. I can’t have other feelings for her.

Determined to help Li Ziyu, Tiantian worked with the company’s editors to create a fan-made trailer using behind-the-scenes footage. She released it the next day.

A fan named Sisi is my Wife clicked on the video, ready to bash it. The video started with high-quality (though mobile-shot) footage of the two women as young palace candidates. Minsi (Smiling): “We’ll be sisters forever, right?” Ziyu (Shyly): “Yes, the closest sisters in the palace.”

Cut to: Li Ziyu’s eyes turning terrifyingly cold. “You slept with the Emperor?” Cut to: Minsi as a high-ranking Consort, looking lonely as she learns Li Ziyu’s character seduced the Emperor away from her. Minsi (Tearfully): “Can we never go back?” Ziyu (Viciously): “We were naive. Women in this palace revolve around the Emperor, don’t they?”

The fan, Sisi is my Wife, accidentally typed: “AAAAHHH! Why is it a Bad Ending? Forget the Emperor, just be together!” She froze. Who am I? Where am I? Why did I just post that?

She checked the comments and saw thousands of other Minsi fans experiencing the same “True Fragrance” moment (admitting they like something they hated). Even Minsi’s official fan club started making secret alt-accounts to beg Tiantian for “Episode 2.”

…

The video went viral and hit the “Hot Search” list. To celebrate, Director Sun took the cast out for dinner. “Tiantian, no wonder Luo Na values you. Your promotional tactics are brilliant,” the director praised.

Li Ziyu served Tiantian some food. “Don’t be humble. Keep it up so our ratings crush everyone else.”

Xiao Wu, the promo lead, joked, “They say Tiantian is a bigger ‘big shot’ than Ziyu, and it’s true. I’ve never seen a star serve food to an assistant before.”

Another staff member laughed, “I even saw Ziyu touching her stomach. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the baby was hers!”

The table erupted in laughter. Li Ziyu laughed too, but Zhou Tiantian and Dong Minsi froze, their backs breaking into a cold sweat.

On the way back to the hotel, Dong Minsi whispered, “Can you please be more careful? I almost had a heart attack. If it weren’t for my acting skills, they would have seen the truth on my face!”

“The truth? That the baby is mine?” Li Ziyu said nonchalantly.

“Nonsense!” Minsi gasped. “Women can’t have babies together! What would we need men for?”

Suddenly, Zhao Qing stepped out from a corner, her face cold. “Not just men—women are useless too. The world only needs one Li Ziyu.” She glared at them, clearly jealous of the viral “shipping” video. She grabbed Tiantian’s hand. “Tiantian, from today on, I’ll be the baby’s father. I’ll give her all my restaurants. Let these two ‘Noble Consorts’ stay together and leave us alone.”

Li Ziyu immediately snatched Tiantian back. “You can have the ‘Noble Consort,’ but don’t touch my kid.” She pulled Tiantian away, leaving a pouting Zhao Qing and a blushing Dong Minsi behind.