VHBF – Chapter 76 Movie King Daddy (Part 35)

Wei Ming had taken on a public welfare documentary—a project that the national TV station planned to heavily promote this year. Although the pay was low, not just anyone could participate in such filming, especially considering he was still a newcomer.

This opportunity came from the system after he stole Zhu Ji’s luck. As long as he filmed this documentary, it would be equivalent to receiving official recognition. From then on, his future in the entertainment industry—if nothing else—would be bright just from reputation alone, and the resources he’d receive in the future definitely wouldn’t be lacking.

This time, Wei Ming played a teacher who went to the mountains to provide volunteer education. The documentary, told from the perspective of the male lead teacher, revealed the impoverished lives of left-behind children and lonely elderly in remote mountainous areas. Its purpose was to encourage society to pay more attention to these groups and also to promote increased development and investment in the region. That’s how this public welfare documentary came to be.

After filming wrapped, Wei Ming was triumphant, as if he had already seen himself one day becoming just like that man who once occupied the highest throne in the entertainment world—glorious, admired by thousands. No… he would surpass Zhu Ji!

However, his good mood didn’t last long. He had just returned from that remote, off-the-grid place with no internet. The moment he powered on his phone, the entire internet was flooded with news about Zhu Ji and his daughter!

Wei Ming froze. His assistant beside him asked what was wrong, but he didn’t respond.

He stared blankly for half a minute before he suddenly snapped, frantically tapping his screen. He scrolled through Weibo and news the entire half-hour ride home. Once home, he said nothing and drove his assistant out. The assistant assumed he was tired and left without questioning it.

Once the assistant left, Wei Ming’s expression twisted. He swept everything off the table—vase, miscellaneous items—sending them crashing to the floor. Even the phone he’d been scrolling on wasn’t spared. The loud clattering only slightly relieved his rage.

Wei Ming called out to the system in his mind several times. Nothing. Like a stone sinking into the sea. His heart tightened.

Face dark, he opened his laptop and watched the variety show the internet was talking about—the one where Zhu Ji brought his daughter. The more he watched, the darker his expression became. When he finished the latest episode, his trembling fingers slammed the laptop shut.

Wei Ming disliked that man—envied his talent and fortune. But he at least had eyes…

In this parent–child show, Zhu Ji and his three-year-old daughter were overwhelmingly charming. Even someone harboring malice like him couldn’t bring himself to criticize them. He couldn’t even bring himself to resent that adorable child on the show.

He looked through online comments, even secretly opened Zhu Ji’s Weibo. He discovered that somehow—maybe while he was away filming—the public sentiment had already begun shifting.

In the past, netizens had been fooled by the “evidence” he released—photos, videos—plus malicious instigation from certain people. Marketing accounts fanned the flames, eager to drag the aloof, high-above Best Actor down from his pedestal. Zhu Ji’s old company of twelve years even came forward to hammer him down. Everything seemed set to nail him dead.

The most important part was the “suggestion” from the system, which made almost everyone believe all of Zhu Ji’s scandals.

When this man quietly paid all breach fees and withdrew from the industry, Wei Ming thought he had him. He loathed that indifferent attitude—acting as if having everything meant losing it didn’t matter. He suppressed him with all his might.

Even after the man admitted defeat, paid the compensation, and retired, Wei Ming didn’t plan to let him go. Before leaving, he spent another two million to have people keep stirring things online, not giving him a single chance to rise again.

Who knew the man… would show up on a variety show with his daughter? Wasn’t he retired? Why come back?!

Wei Ming’s teeth turned cold. If a ten-year Best Actor wanted to return, could he really stop him? Was the system’s so-called “suggestion”—the idea that the whole internet believed his scandals—actually… true?

Thinking about the current online shift, with many doubting the authenticity of the scandals; some saying Zhu Ji’s loving-dad image on the show didn’t match accusations like “casting couch, diva behavior, bullying newbies.” Watching him interact warmly with guests, occasionally childishly showing off his daughter…

This Best Actor was different from his previous Buddha-like, single-mindedly-acting self, and also different from the man shown in those scandal videos. He felt… real.

Wei Ming suddenly realized the system’s suggestion seemed useless now. Unable to reach the system, he picked up his cracked phone, inserted a new SIM card, and dialed a familiar number.

The call connected. He immediately exploded: “Are you all useless?! I give you hundreds of thousands, millions—this is what you deliver? You can’t even control the narrative?!”

The head of the hired water army responded bitterly, “Bro, how many people do you think my studio has? Even if I buy endless water armies, how can we fight against tens of millions of fans and hundreds of millions of viewers?”

Wei Ming froze. His tone involuntarily softened. “Tens of millions? Are you joking? Zhu Ji is already ruined—where would tens of millions of fans come from?”

The leader snorted mockingly. “He has a good daughter. Those tens of millions of fans are all hers. You’ve been gone these days and don’t know—last week, thanks to his daughter, the show got over a hundred million votes. You think a mere few dozen million fans is a lot? I’m actually understating it!”

Wei Ming was silent for a long time. He didn’t believe it.

The leader added, “Think whatever you want. I’m done with this job. If I keep taking your money, I’ll ruin my own reputation. Forget the final payment. We’re done.”

He hung up. Then added a disdainful, “What trash.”

Now, Wei Ming truly panicked. He sat from afternoon to night without turning on the lights. Then suddenly, the system’s glitchy voice rang out:

“Wei Ming.”

“I’m here! I’m here—where did you go?”

“Do you know? Zhu Ji is about to make a comeback. He—”

The system cut him off. “I know.” Its voice was mechanical, icy. “It’s because you’re useless. I gave you such good conditions, and you accomplished nothing.”

Wei Ming complained, “Then what about your so-called suggestion? It doesn’t seem to work! Now everyone’s starting to believe Zhu Ji again!”

The system fumed, wishing it could beat this fool. But after a moment, it restrained itself and said:

“It’s a suggestion, not one of your human curses. If Zhu Ji had remained suppressed his whole life, it would have worked. But once a major turning point appears, the suggestion only delays people’s reaction. They will eventually wake up.”

In short—when the situation appeared final, the suggestion strengthened that conclusion. But once an irreversible change occurred, its effect collapsed.

The system and Wei Ming had calculated everything—Zhu Ji’s personality, his habits—but they never expected that sudden daughter to derail everything. If not for this “turning point,” Zhu Ji might have stayed down forever.

Now, half the internet was discussing how strange his scandals were. How could someone who’d been clean and respected for twelve years suddenly become a villain?

Most importantly, the “Yin-Yin Mama Fans”—a huge group—firmly believed that a good father must be a good person. He couldn’t have done anything bad. Someone must have framed him.

Some mama fans were older and saw Zhu Ji like a grown child—his clear, upright eyes didn’t look like those of someone capable of misconduct.

Others believed simply because they adored his daughter—love me, love my dad. How could such a cute child have a bad father?

Wei Ming read these comments, chest tightening, gripping the mouse hard enough to throw it.

While Wei Ming fumed, Zhu Ji had been holed up in the research institute for days, busy beyond belief. His only free time was picking up his daughter from school. His phone lay forgotten and dusty, dozens of missed calls unanswered.

Director Zhao was nearly frantic. He’d finally gotten his number—and couldn’t get through.

Director Zhang Daxi was also dying of anxiety. The second season was about to enter planning, and the most important guests were unreachable. It was a nightmare.

He hadn’t only invited Zhu Ji and his daughter. The entire lineup of season one was invited. Actor Xie had schedule conflicts. Yang Li was training for the world championships. The remaining guests directly said: If Teacher Zhu is coming, we’re coming. If he’s not, forget it.

Zhang Daxi: “…”

Unable to reach Zhu Ji, he called Zhu Yinyin’s phone. It stayed busy. He suddenly realized—he’d probably been blocked.

“…”

He tried a new number—still rejected. Likely all unknown numbers were blocked for the child’s safety… which, knowing Zhu Ji, made sense. But understanding it didn’t make him less sad. Was Zhu Ji avoiding him?

Meanwhile, the little dumpling was thriving at her elite kindergarten, filled with officials’ and researchers’ children. Thanks to the variety show, her classmates admired her for being on TV and eagerly surrounded her with countless questions.

To gain favor? For well-mannered, well-off children, the simplest way was sharing snacks. She left with an empty backpack and returned with a full one every day.

Sometimes she also brought snacks she no longer liked to share with friends, calling it “saving money.” In her mind, before living in a big house, she and her dad were still poor and shouldn’t waste money.

Zhu Ji: “…”

When the second episode aired, Xiaobao Ya was discharged from the hospital. Her surgical wound was sutured, and the doctor told her to rest well. Next month, she could undergo her second surgery.

This time’s hospitalization and surgery cost 120,000 yuan—even after partial medical fee reductions. Two more surgeries were needed before she could be fully cured. But funds were tight. Director Zhang of the welfare home left the hospital, heavy-hearted, with the child in his arms.

Sunshine Welfare Home was the same as ever. Older children helped with chores and made handicrafts to sell. Younger children were sensible, keeping themselves neat and trying their best not to trouble the already overworked director and older kids.

The children were thrilled upon Xiaobao Ya’s return. That night, on the welfare home’s only donated television, Director Zhang gathered all the children to watch the episode.

“These are the uncles and brothers and sisters who visited us last time. They’re on TV now.”

The children lined up neatly, excitedly watching. Their little friends were on television! They puffed up their tiny chests with pride, sitting upright as they watched.