Chapter 224: Guilt

Chapter 224: Guilt

Beauty appeals to both genders, for the love of aesthetics is universal. Hence, those with fewer admirers either lack genuine allure or possess an unconventional charm that doesn't resonate with the masses.

When beauty combines with exceptional talent, it becomes invincible. Tang Fei embodied this principle, exerting her utmost effort in everything she did. As a result, even her minimum output was above average, and often, she achieved top-notch results.

"Mercury City" ran for three months, grossing 4.9 billion yuan, narrowly missing the 5 billion milestone. It was regrettable; had it reached that benchmark, Chen Ye's career would have soared to new heights.

His films primarily targeted young audiences, making it challenging to boost box office earnings with the inclusion of middle-aged, elderly, or juvenile viewers.

4.9 billion likely represented the current ceiling for box office success in films catering to the youth demographic.

As "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" Season 2 premiered, Xiao Feng, initially a secondary character with limited screen time, shone brightly, evoking genuine emotions and admiration from the audience. Numerous essays and analyses emerged, and the second season surpassed the first in ratings, fueled by the accumulated popularity from the first season and the climaxing storylines.

The season concluded with the tragic death of A'Zhu at Juxian Manor, sacrificing herself to reconcile her father and lover. Xiao Feng's heart-wrenching howl while cradling her became his lasting image etched in the hearts of viewers.

Meanwhile, Mu Rongfu's transformation after being defeated by Duan Yu at Shaolin, losing his once-pristine face and arrogant demeanor, led to a distorted psyche. Xing Le skillfully portrayed these changes, earning widespread acclaim.

The drama "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" shattered numerous conventions.

Wuxia doesn't work? It's not that it can't work, it's just that you can't make it work; others can do it splendidly.

Ensemble scenes don't work? They don't, but that's because your portrayal lacks depth; at nine o'clock, every character captivates the audience's hearts and stirs their emotions. Fan votes place several roles in the top ten, each with over seventy or eighty thousand netizens casting ballots.

Tang Fei's design of martial arts movements opened new avenues for many action choreographers. Her style blended reality and illusion, combining power with grace, without being overly concerned with realistic combat nor relying on fantastical special effects like in xianxia dramas.

Tang Fei had become a brand name. In any TV series she starred in, other productions dared not air simultaneously, as her dramas typically dominated the ratings from the very beginning.

Even viewers of regional channels would switch to satellite TV to watch her shows.

A drama that could have potentially surpassed 2% ratings might only manage 1% if it aired against one featuring Tang Fei.

She had become a symbolic roadblock that others needed to avoid.

"Tang Fei is coming." It was tantamount to saying, "Detour ahead."

As for the dramas she produced, their ratings were astronomical, leaving those who hadn't read "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" book in disbelief. How could a wuxia drama be so captivating?!

Having missed the first season, one felt like they'd lost a fortune, as catching up on a show never quite matches the thrill of following it in real-time.

Nine O'Clock firmly occupied the top spot in the industry, while Time Culture's actors and artists were never short of projects and refrained from sensationalism. They focused solely on improving their craft, creating a virtuous cycle where both artists and the agency enjoyed a hassle-free experience.

Of course, this was predicated on having a powerhouse like Nine O'Clock. Many sought to emulate them, but reaching that level required more than just a few years of effort and accumulation.

With a decade's worth of nurturing, Nine O'Clock had a wealth of talented screenwriters, directors, and production staff, enabling Zhou Weichuan and Tang Fei to lead the way.

As Nine O'Clock's internal company awards gained mainstream recognition, the competition within the company for these accolades became fiercer than external events like the Changjiang Feiyun and Peony Awards, since most outstanding dramas originated from Nine O'Clock.

It seemed that winning outside was no big deal; Nine O'Clock had awards overflowing. The real challenge was to secure a company-internal award, didn't it?

A year after "Mercury City" was released, the Red Flower Award, the highest honor in domestic cinema, began its selection process. Modeled after the little red flower often given in kindergarten, the award didn't consist of a trophy but a small red crystal flower as a token.

Selected by both the public, whose votes were cast through movie tickets, and professional judges who assessed technical skills and thematic depth, the Red Flower Award aimed to recognize films with both popular appeal and artistic merit.

Tang Fei had two films in the running for the award: "Mercury City," which was released last year, and "Guilty Mind," which premiered in the first half of 2023. "Guilty Mind" was inspired by He Baoyi and others who faced similar circumstances but made different choices, leading to diverse outcomes, serving as the foundation for a crime analysis film.

In the role of He Baobao, Tang Fei portrayed her obsessive and stubborn nature with an eerie intensity, yet on the surface, she appeared as a wealthy and influential philanthropist often engaged in charitable activities.

Had she not been fixated on relentless retaliation and constant aggression, perhaps she could have maintained this facade of a benevolent figure indefinitely.

From a young age, He Baobao displayed her extremist tendencies.

She would observe others from the shadows, her face darkening when she saw her parents and elder sister enjoying themselves together.

She craved to be discovered from the shadows; she wouldn't initiate contact, but if you failed to find her, it would fuel her resentment.

She even kept a mental tally of how often her parents smiled at her compared to her sister. If she received more smiles, all was well; if not, she would vent her anger in her room.

During her teenage years, she would hide in corners, silently claiming any boy who caught her fancy as her own.

Should that person interact with another girl, she would hold it against them and make their lives difficult in secret.

In this lonely, vengeful, and dark existence, a ray of normal, bright light suddenly pierced through.

Enter Ye Xiaoqing, a transfer student who was seated beside her by their teacher, abruptly transforming He Baobao, the perpetual wallflower, into someone with a friend.

"Are you He Baobao? Such a lovely name. Your parents must love you dearly, wishing you to always be their little baby."

He Baobao's face flushed abruptly. Feeling utterly exposed, she resembled a cockroach lurking in the shadows, suddenly illuminated by a beam of light. The discomfort was overwhelming, urging her to flee.

If she didn't escape, she might wither away.

Yet, this radiant and kind person extended a warm gesture. The charming smile prompted He Baobao to timidly reach out, gently touching Ye Xiaoqing.

"You're Ye Xiaoqing. Can I call you Qingqing, to match with Baobao?"

"To go with my name?"

For the first time, He Baobao's thoughts were guessed directly. Ye Xiaoqing's attention made her both nervous and hopeful—could she have found a true friend in life?

He Baobao nodded, a first for her.

She moved aside, patting the seat beside her. "Sit down quickly. I'm familiar with the school, so I'll look out for you from now on."