Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Chapter 24 Promotion

The atmosphere in the office area was oppressive.

Xiaolin was sweating profusely as she looked at the screen filled with condemnation and insults.

Da Peng has also put away his usual playful demeanor; he has been criticized on Weibo as a "criminal who corrupts social morals."

Bai Ke and Xiao Ai hid in a corner, not daring to breathe. They had just graduated from school and had never seen anything like this before.

"Ping Sheng," Sister Zhao finally couldn't sit still any longer, "shouldn't we quickly issue an apology statement, or take the video down to avoid the storm?"

"Take it off the shelves? Why take it off the shelves?" Ren Pingsheng asked calmly.

"But...look at how much they're cursing outside! What if the higher-ups really decide to investigate..."

"What's the panic? The sky isn't going to fall."

He picked up the teacup and blew on the steam rising from the rim.

Seeing everyone's grief-stricken expressions, Ren Pingsheng not only didn't panic, but actually found it a bit funny.

Having experienced the tightening of censorship standards in the Chinese entertainment industry, he knows all too well where the bottom line is now.

He clearly remembers that next year, Ma Nuo, who said the original BMW cried on "If You Are the One," along with the entire program, was criticized by the national media, and People's Daily even directly named and criticized her.

The results of it?

It was only because it was a documentary-style dating show that the State Administration of Radio and Television issued a notice requiring the regulation of issues such as fabrication and vulgarity.

The show was not suspended for rectification; in fact, its ratings soared due to the surge in popularity.

Mano herself was not only not banned, but also took the opportunity to sign with a management company, attempting to enter the entertainment industry.

If a variety show broadcast on a satellite TV channel is treated like this, why is a comedy web series that airs online and is labeled as "purely fictional" being banned?

No matter how fiercely those experts and media outlets criticize, they are merely engaging in moralistic rhetoric.

Just because he's not flustered doesn't mean others won't be!

The phone on the table vibrated; the caller ID showed Guo Weiwei.

Ren Pingsheng made a shushing gesture and answered the phone.

"President Ren! Something terrible has happened!"

On the other end of the phone, Guo Weiwei's voice betrayed her barely concealed panic, "Have you seen the news? They've already called me to inquire about it, the PR department is in complete chaos!"

Guo Weiwei was genuinely scared.

JX3 has just begun to show promise, and if it is labeled as a breeding ground for fraud at this critical juncture, it may have to be shut down for rectification at any time.

"Mr. Guo, calm down."

"Sigh... Mr. Ren! The forums are full of posts from victims, and those media outlets are using these as evidence of condoning fraud, publishing articles and commentaries everywhere!"

"Mr. Guo, I have a question for you," Ren Pingsheng leaned back in his chair, "Does JX3 have an official marriage system?"

There was a pause on the other end of the phone. "No, didn't you say before that you wanted to proceed gradually and absolutely refused to let me go online?"

"Yeah, since there's no official system, what does it matter to you whether they call each other 'husband' and 'wife' in the game or transfer money offline?"

Guo Weiwei's breath hitched.

"These are all spontaneous actions by the players. You, JX3, are just a game developer. They insist on falling in love in the game and get scammed. Why should you be the one to take the blame?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

Guo Weiwei then realized that Ren Pingsheng had this ulterior motive in trying so hard to stop him!

If the marriage system had been implemented back then, the blame would have been firmly placed on JX3.

But now? The authorities are completely innocent!

"Mr. Guo, don't panic, and don't try to explain to the media. The more you rush to explain, the more you'll fall into their trap."

Ren Pingsheng methodically devised a countermeasure.

"Just have the public relations department issue an official statement to convey our stance."

"How do I convey this message?" Guo Weiwei humbly asked for advice, now seeing Ren Pingsheng as his lifeline.

"The purpose of the real-name registration system for online games is to implement a system to prevent minors from becoming addicted and to ensure cybersecurity."

"Virtual characters are not the same as real-world identities. The gender of a character in an online game is player-defined content and is part of the virtual experience, not a reflection of one's real-world identity."

"Finally, we would like to remind all players to be careful and guard against scams."

After Ren Pingsheng finished speaking, he chuckled and said, "After you've posted it, there's no need to respond. If someone keeps pressing you, just play dead."

"But Mr. Ren," Guo Weiwei hesitated, "even if we clear our names, this whole thing has blown up so much, won't it lead to a massive loss of players?"

"Loss?"

Ren Pingsheng thought he had heard a joke. "President Guo, you don't understand young people these days at all. They don't care about those experts' paternalistic remarks. This wave of public opinion will not only not cause them to leave, but it will also give you a free GG."

"Now more people know that there are many female players in JX3, and you can find your soulmate there. Just watch, your registration volume will soon see a surge."

After hanging up the phone, Ren Pingsheng picked up his teacup and took a sip.

In the office area, Dapeng, Baike, Xiaolin and others stared at him with their mouths agape, as if they were looking at an alien.

Is this something a human brain could come up with?

Just then, the sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed down the corridor.

A smartly dressed woman in a business suit stood in the doorway.

She was Deng Ye's secretary.

"Team Leader Ren," the secretary said with a professional smile, "President Deng would like to invite you to her office."

The atmosphere in the office area, which had just eased, froze again.

Everyone knew that Deng Ye coming to their door at this time was definitely not a good thing.

"understood."

Ren Pingsheng stood up, straightened his clothes, and calmly walked out of the office area.

When I pushed the door open, Deng Ye was typing on the keyboard in front of the screen.

"sit."

Ren Pingsheng sat down and glanced around.

The strategic plan for the second half of the year was hanging on the wall, but the walls in Gong Yu's office were empty; he didn't like to put plans on the wall.

Deng Ye closed his notebook, took off his glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

At 35, she is the company's most senior and youngest female executive.

"You've worked hard these past few days," Deng Ye said gently. "The data for 'Men's Diary' is amazing. You were able to create such a terrifying number of views with such a low cost, which proves that President Gong was right about you. I'm very proud of you."

"President Deng, you flatter me. It's all thanks to the team," Ren Pingsheng said, deflecting the question.

"No need to be modest, your abilities are evident to everyone in the company."

Deng Ye smiled, then changed the subject, "But there are some things we still need to be mindful of."

She pointed to a briefing on the table, which was a summary of negative public opinion about "Diaosi Men".

"This commotion has caused too much damage and has severely harmed the group's image."

Ren Pingsheng picked up the briefing, turned a page, and didn't reply.

"A tall tree catches the wind, Pingsheng," Deng Ye's tone suddenly became serious. "You've been pushed into the eye of the storm. If you continue to run the innovation team, the risks are too uncontrollable."

Ren Pingsheng looked at her without saying anything, waiting for her to continue.

The map was finally revealed; the dagger was now exposed.

"So after discussions with senior management, in order to protect you and for the long-term development of this IP, the group has decided to integrate the content segments of Sohu Video."

"The innovation team will be merged into the entertainment division to create a new content center."

"You'll be the center's deputy manager then. You're only twenty-three years old and you've already reached this position. You have a bright future ahead of you."