Unable to be Arrogant [Entertainment Circle] | Chapter 46 | A Slight Misunderstanding | Novela.app

The sky at eight o’clock had already darkened, but the lights of various buildings remained ablaze. As Zhang Jin’an drove, he opened the sunroof, allowing the brilliant starlight scattered across the black fabric of the sky to become visible overhead while a cool breeze drifted in and out of the car. Jiu Chang recorded several videos, but after each one, he complained that they didn't capture even half of the actual beauty. Jiang Siyang also filmed a segment, though he didn't aim at the sky; he filmed the road ahead. To Jiang Siyang, the streetlights placed at perfectly even intervals along the straight highway, set against the distant night, looked like tools meant to lead everyone toward the universe. The atmosphere on the way to the beach was excellent, even more relaxed than it had been at the dinner table. They talked about many things. Jiu Chang was quite talkative, jumping from topic to topic—from whether the food they ate today was good to Zhang Jin’an’s film, *Equivalent Distinction*. Through his conversation with Jiu Chang, Zhang Jin’an also learned a bit about the world of self-media. When the topic turned to his own field, Jiu Chang’s attitude immediately shifted, becoming exceptionally serious and professional. “...Now that the internet is so developed, more and more people are doing self-media. It’s getting harder for educational creators. Netizens have ten-minute memories; they prefer ‘fast-food’ reading and silly, mindless content. No matter how brilliantly a creator designs their content, they can’t compete with the click-through rates of a few mindless videos. If you rely on marketing accounts, becoming famous in a single day isn't a problem,” Jiu Chang said. “But if you rely on hype, you’ll be exposed just as quickly as you rose. Oh, except for the ultra-famous ones. Even if there’s hard proof of their manipulation, there will still be fans who don’t believe it or just don’t care. The heat stays regardless.” “If people rely on marketing and hype, isn't that very unfair to everyone else?” Jiang Siyang asked. “Unfair is unfair. But there’s no way around it. Some people won’t stop being fans even if they know a creator has done something wrong, simply because they like the work.” Zhang Jin’an nodded. “True. The saying ‘love the work, not the person’ is very common now. But personally, I don’t think that concept actually exists. People who say that are just looking for an excuse that goes against their own principles.” Jiang Siyang looked thoughtful, and Jiu Chang strongly agreed with Zhang Jin’an. “But whether that mindset is right or wrong is up for debate. Take film and television works, for example—some are adapted from novels, some are original. Even if the author of a novel has a problematic past, if the TV drama is genuinely well-made, you’ll see the same people who usually curse the author binge-watching the videos. They do hate the author, but the character or the story is indeed good.” Jiang Siyang said, “I feel that if there’s a moral issue, no matter what the results are, giving support is akin to abetting an evildoer. You can feel sorry for their talent, but you shouldn't praise or support them. Otherwise, it’s far too unfair to others.” “You guys certainly have a clear outlook. Have you heard the phrase ‘blinded by love’?” Jiu Chang waved his hand. “Those words have no effect on people who are already blinded. When I go to the company lately, everyone is talking about those few creators. I’m helpless too; there’s nothing I can do.” Zhang Jin’an glanced at the sighing Jiu Chang in the rearview mirror and asked, “Hey, Jiu Chang, which section is the most popular right now?” Jiu Chang’s eyes darted as he thought. “The most popular section? It should be the Life section.” Jiang Siyang turned his head. “The Life section?” “Yeah, it’s for recording things from daily life.” Jiu Chang leaned forward, his energy returning. “Many websites have established Life sections now. Take Bilibili, for example—the number of submissions and viewers in the Life section is higher than any other. It’s all about who can make things more interesting and novel. After all, it’s not all about being silly; plenty of people get famous through dark satire, humor, or serious content. You should know about Bilibili, right, Big Brother?” Jiang Siyang looked at Zhang Jin’an blankly. Zhang Jin’an kept his eyes on the road ahead and gave a faint smile. “I know it. The largest same-sex social networking site.” Jiang Siyang jolted. “?” Jiu Chang laughed. “Hahaha, I can tell you’re an old-timer on the B-site.” Jiang Siyang looked at Jiu Chang. “?? You know about it too?” Jiu Chang nodded. “Yeah, that site is really popular.” Jiang Siyang: “?” *Really popular?* Jiang Siyang looked at Zhang Jin’an again. Zhang Jin’an’s expression was calm, and Jiu Chang was speaking as if it were the most normal thing in the world. It seemed it really was popular, and they likely visited it often. Jiang Siyang took a deep breath and asked cautiously, “Let me start by saying that everyone has different hobbies, and I won’t stop anyone from doing anything. I just want to take the liberty of asking...” Jiu Chang: “What’s wrong?” Just as Jiu Chang was wondering about Jiang Siyang’s reaction, he heard Zhang Jin’an chuckle. Jiang Siyang looked at Zhang Jin’an. Even with his hand over his mouth, Zhang Jin’an couldn't hide his smile. “Pfft... heh...” Jiu Chang was baffled by Zhang Jin’an’s reaction. “Big Brother, what are you laughing at?” “Nothing, I just...” Zhang Jin’an shook his head with a smile. After his eyes met Jiang Siyang’s, the curve of his lips widened even further. “I think I know what Siyang wants to ask.” Jiu Chang was still completely lost. “Huh? Siyang, what do you want to ask?” “I just wanted to ask you guys, lately...” Jiang Siyang hesitated. After all, asking this directly felt a bit impolite. After much consideration, he phrased the question more tactfully. “Are there really that many people on this website?” Jiu Chang nodded. “Yeah, I’m on it all the time. Jing Shangshu is on it too. I just recently recommended it to Pan Ming, and he’s already watched a few videos.” “Brother Pan Ming too...?” Jiang Siyang was even more shocked. “But isn't Brother Pan Ming married?” Zhang Jin’an took advantage of a red light to watch the show. Jiang Siyang assumed Zhang Jin’an was just watching the two of them talk, so he didn't wonder why Zhang Jin’an was looking at him. Zhang Jin’an finally understood what it meant for the players to be confused while the spectator sees clearly. *Good lord, this is too funny.* Zhang Jin’an was afraid he wouldn't be able to hold it in if he kept listening. He simply turned his head away and looked out the window, coughing a few times. “Ahem...” He silently counted the streetlights to steady his emotions. Jiu Chang found both Jiang Siyang and Zhang Jin’an’s behavior strange and continued explaining, “No, what does being married have to do with it? There are plenty of married people on that site. People of all ages are there—elementary, middle, and high schoolers. I’ve even seen a few old grandpas posting videos.” “Oh my god,” Zhang Jin’an muttered. For the first time, he found streetlights hilarious. “Age is fine; that’s not an issue. Every age should be respected. It’s just that being married is a bit... it feels deceptive,” Jiang Siyang’s voice was always like this—no matter what he said, his volume was never harsh, but his words carried weight. Zhang Jin’an slowly turned his head back and lowered his hand. He watched Jiang Siyang silently. A handsome guy was still a handsome guy, even when frowning. Zhang Jin’an arched an eyebrow. Although the conversation was hilarious given the context, he had to admit that this kid was even more principled and clear-headed than he had imagined. Jiu Chang was predictably confused. “How is that deceptive?” “Fine...” Jiang Siyang changed the question. “Then you... have you watched? How many videos have you watched?” “I watch every day. I can easily watch dozens in a single day,” Jiu Chang turned to ask Zhang Jin’an. “Big Brother, you’re probably about the same as me, right?” *Please, just shut up.* Zhang Jin’an rested his hands on the steering wheel and stared straight ahead. “Driving. Do not disturb.” Jiu Chang: “...Isn't this a red light?” Zhang Jin’an: “We must be prepared at all times.” Jiu Chang: “...” “Forget it,” Jiu Chang placed a hand on Jiang Siyang’s shoulder, looking at him sincerely. “Siyang, are you really not interested in the B-site? It’s really interesting. The netizens in there are all geniuses.” Zhang Jin’an was extremely curious about how Jiang Siyang would respond. Based on his understanding of Jiang Siyang, the boy would definitely phrase it very tactfully. Then, he heard Jiang Siyang shake his head with a smile. “I’ll pass...” *Here it comes.* Zhang Jin’an pricked up his ears. Jiang Siyang: “I don’t have those kinds of thoughts at the moment.” *Damn!* Fortunately, the light turned green at that moment. Zhang Jin’an focused his mind on driving; otherwise, his laughter would have been loud enough to trigger the sound-activated lights in an eighteen-story stairwell.