Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 35: Nobody Wants You to Be Happier

Night falls, but the world of the internet never sleeps.

Just after 8 p.m., a post with an abrupt title appeared on the Tianya Forum's entertainment section:

[Breaking News] Horrifying scene at Beijing Film Academy audition! A stunningly beautiful actress suddenly fell ill, and an ambulance had to be called!

The original poster, described as "an outsider in the industry," provided vague details but was full of them: "This afternoon at the Beijing Film Academy, I saw it with my own eyes. It wasn't filming! It was a real ambulance wailing as it drove in, and they carried it away on a stretcher! They were auditioning for 'The Witch' inside, and everyone who came out was terrified. I heard that she suddenly collapsed halfway through the audition; her neck seemed immobile, and she was in so much pain she couldn't even speak. I won't name the actress, but she recently finished filming a Sino-US kung fu blockbuster, and she's known for her ethereal beauty. You can guess for yourselves."

The post went viral instantly.

"Is the original poster talking about Liu Yifei? Really?!"

"An audition for 'The Witch'? Today? Oh my god!"

"No wonder a friend said this afternoon that they saw reporters staking out the entrance of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, but they didn't see anything!"

"What happened to Sisi? Is it serious? Please explain clearly, OP!"

"May your whole family die for spreading rumors! Sisi has always been in good health!"

"It's not a rumor. My cousin's classmate works at the Beijing Film Academy and has also heard that something went wrong during the audition, but she doesn't know the specifics."

Almost simultaneously, similar posts appeared on Baidu's Liu Yifei Tieba forum, spreading even faster.

Although Yang Siwei has already spoken with China Film Group and several major portal websites, the mainstream media and entertainment sections are temporarily calm.

On Baidu Tieba, Hupu, and the newly emerging microblogging platform Fanfou, various speculations, concerns, and even gloating comments have begun to emerge.

"If it's true, then 'The Witch' will have one less big competitor?"

"Serves her right. Let her steal resources. Whose fault is it if her health doesn't improve?"

"Have some decency, upstairs! You can criticize someone just because they're sick?"

"To be honest, her small frame was already a problem for action movies, and now her true size has been exposed."

"The other actresses who auditioned must be ecstatic; they've lost one of their biggest competitors."

In the intricate web of information in the entertainment industry, this news couldn't be kept secret from colleagues.

That night, many agents' phones rang non-stop.

"Is it really Liu Yifei? How serious is the situation?"

"I heard it was a chronic cervical spondylosis problem; he couldn't move on the spot, and the CEO of Light Chaser Pictures personally took him to Peking Union Medical College Hospital."

"Neck problems? That's no small matter... I can basically say goodbye to action scenes."

"The Witch movie has taken an unexpected turn. Our people have informed us to prepare to increase our stakes; the opportunity has arrived."

In a hotel suite, an actress who had been at an audition during the day was wearing a face mask and scrolling through her phone when she saw a post on Tianya (a Chinese online forum), and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curve into a smile.

She put down her phone and said to her agent, "It seems we don't need to bother finding out Liu Yifei's true situation anymore; even God has cleared the way for us."

The agent, however, was more cautious: "Don't be too happy yet. The attitude of Chasing Light Pictures is unclear. Jiang Yu personally took him to the hospital, so they might have special considerations. Besides, Shu Chang and Huang Shengyi are not to be trifled with either."

"At least, we've got one less troublesome one." The actress peeled off her mask, her eyes shrewd. "Double my English tutor's appointments. We have to make up for this weakness."

……

VIP ward area of ​​Peking Union Medical College Hospital, 9 PM.

The corridor was quiet, with only occasional faint sounds coming from the nurses' station.

Jiang Yu, Yang Siwei, and Lu Yang came out of the elevator carrying fruit baskets and flowers.

As I approached the ward door, before I even knocked, I heard soft voices and a girl's suppressed laughter coming from inside.

Jiang Yu knocked on the door.

Liu Xiaoli opened the door; her eyes were still a little red, but she looked much calmer.

"President Jiang, President Yang, Director Lu, what brings you here again? Please come in."

The ward was more lively than expected. Liu Yifei was leaning against the rocking hospital bed, wearing a neck brace. Her face was still a little pale, but her spirits had obviously improved a lot.

Besides Liu Xiaoli, there were three other people sitting in the room.

One was a middle-aged man who looked to be around fifty years old, wearing a well-tailored dark jacket.

Jiang Yu recognized a bright-eyed young girl as Shu Chang, who had also auditioned that day.

Another young woman with a slightly unique style is Jane Zhang, a singer who debuted through "Super Girl".

"President Chen, Changchang, Liangying, this is President Jiang and President Yang from Chasing Light Pictures, and Director Lu from 'The Witch'," Liu Xiaoli quickly introduced.

The middle-aged man stood up, extended his hand, and smiled warmly: "Mr. Jiang, it's an honor to meet you. I am Chen Jinfei, Yifei's godfather. Thanks to your proper handling of today's events and your timely medical attention."

"Mr. Chen, you're too kind. It's my pleasure." Jiang Yu shook hands with him and immediately recognized him.

This is the businessman godfather behind Liu Yifei, a person who, according to rumors, helped her career in her previous life, but was also highly controversial.

"Hello, Mr. Jiang, Mr. Yang, Director Lu." Shu Chang and Zhang Liangying also quickly stood up to greet them.

Shu Chang was a little reserved, while Zhang Liangying was more outgoing, curiously sizing up Jiang Yu.

"Did I disturb you?" Jiang Yu gestured to the fruit basket in his hand.

"No, no, please have a seat." Liu Xiaoli hurriedly invited them, "Changchang and Liangying are Qianqian's good friends. They heard she was hospitalized and insisted on coming to see her. Old Chen just got off the plane and rushed over."

Shu Chang added in a low voice, "Qianqian and I acted together before and are good friends. I was so scared today."

Jiang Yu put down the fruit basket and looked at Liu Yifei: "How are you feeling? Still in pain?"

"I feel much better. I felt much better after the traction this afternoon. It's just that wearing this is uncomfortable." Liu Yifei pointed to the neck brace, a little embarrassed. "Thank you for coming to see me again and bringing things."

"It's nothing," Lu Yang replied, handing the flowers to Liu Xiaoli. "Teacher Liu, this is just a small token of our appreciation."

"Thank you, Mr. Yang sent someone to deliver the gifts this afternoon," Liu Xiaoli said quickly.

Chen Jinfei then spoke up, his tone sincere: "President Jiang, President Yang, Director Lu, Yifei has always been a strong-willed child, never complaining about the hardships she endures while filming. This time, her health problems are due to our negligence as adults. Regardless of the outcome, we will remember this kindness."

"Mr. Chen, you flatter me. We've all seen Liu Yifei's professional attitude and qualifications; nobody wants unexpected situations." Jiang Yu's reply was also very official, showing no other emotional fluctuations. "The most important thing now is to cooperate with the treatment and recover well. Everything else can be discussed later."

Shu Chang listened from the side, blinked, and suddenly whispered to Liu Yifei, "Qianqian, President Jiang is actually a very nice person."

She was extremely nervous during her audition today and was deeply impressed by Jiang Yu's powerful presence sitting there; she was even a little afraid of him.

It's a bit surprising to see him speak so calmly in private now.

Liu Yifei gave a soft "hmm," her gaze met Jiang Yu's briefly, and then quickly looked away.

The arrival of these friends lifted much of the somber mood that had been weighing on the patient.

They chatted for a while, mainly Shu Chang and Zhang Liangying talking about interesting things in the entertainment industry to make Liu Yifei happy.

Jiang Yu listened most of the time, occasionally chatting with Chen Jinfei about trivial industry topics.

Around 9:30, Jiang Yu checked his watch, got up to say goodbye, and said, "It's getting late, let the patient rest. We'll come see you another day."

Liu Xiaoli and Chen Jinfei quickly saw them to the door.

"President Jiang," Chen Jinfei said in a low voice in the corridor, his tone even more sincere, "Yifei's mother and I are truly touched that you could come today. Yifei is such a sensible child sometimes, always shouldering everything herself. In the future, if you ever need any help in the industry, please don't hesitate to ask. I've been in Beijing for so many years, I still have some connections."

This was a very well-chosen remark; it expressed gratitude and closeness, rather than showing off or making a deal.

Jiang Yu nodded: "Definitely. Mr. Chen, please stay."

(Hoping those with monthly passes can give me some support!)