Initially, Guan Han’s extensive fanbase actively interacted with the official Chatting About account, satisfied with the rainbow-flavored posts. Chatting About would post something, and they would share it.
It wasn’t until they looked at the flooded Weibo homepage that the fans realized, “Wait a minute, don’t grab onto us to harvest wool!”
Just as this surge in popularity started to fade, a discordant voice appeared in the rainbow-flavored posts about Guan Han.
【The Melon in My Hand Doesn’t Smell Good】A casual fan of Guan Han here. The official Chatting About account posted a short clip of her water dungeon fight scene. I wanted to cut some material, but upon closer inspection… ummmm, unless I’m mistaken, those frames don’t seem to be Guan Han’s face, right?
The blogger attached several screenshots cut from the video.
In the sunlight streaming through the window, the woman in the pictures appeared somewhat ethereal. Although her features were unclear, one could still discern her exquisite charm and graceful figure.
This blogger was a Bilibili content creator, with over seven hundred thousand followers, so no one doubted his ability to edit materials.
It started with the blogger’s own fans spreading the news.
「Doesn’t this look nothing like Guan Han?」
「Stand-in?? I’m speechless…」
Guan Han’s fans quickly arrived to defend the real star.
「What’s wrong with using a stand-in? It’s freezing cold, and it’s a fight scene. Which celebrity doesn’t use a stunt double?」
「To be honest, this stand-in girl looks quite attractive, objectively speaking, even more so than Guan Han.」
「This fight scene is really well-executed and visually pleasing. If it’s for the visual effect, using a stand-in is completely fine.」
「I think this stand-in looks a bit like Xu Qiao…」
Netizens were initially puzzled, thinking it was a joke. Upon closer inspection, they couldn’t help but notice the resemblance to Xu Qiao.
「Wow! Is it really Xu Qiao??」
「What’s going on? I’m shocked.」
Some of the dwindling attention surged back with a renewed intensity.
How could Xu Qiao be a stand-in for Guan Han? What on earth was happening?
The day finally came. Watching the escalating situation, Jiang Wen let out a cold laugh. After holding back his frustration for so long, there had to be an outlet for release. From now on, this vent would only grow wider.
Bringing Guan Han in for a cameo wasn’t a wasted investment. Now, with the rising attention, how much promotional funding was saved?
The Bilibili content creator was obviously not a genuine fan but rather someone Jiang Wen had brought in from outside the circle.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Soon, a member of the Chatting about the Passing of Time with a Zither production team, using alternate account, stealthily posted photos taken without Xu Qiao’s knowledge when he changed into the outfit belonging to Meng Xuan. Jiang Wen had tacitly approved these actions.
Ktf kbwjc lc atf qtbabr rffwfv ab yf atf fatfgfji ojlgs Zfcu Wejc rafqqlcu bea bo j ybbx.
Jijv lc j ktlaf vgfrr, atf ojyglm oibjafv ugjmfoeiis, ijsfg eqbc ijsfg. Ktf oluegf kjr rifcvfg jcv vfilmjaf, jcv sfa, atf ojmf kjr fnfc wbgf mjqalnjalcu. Ktf lcvloofgfca ujhf kjr mifjg jr jeaewc kjafg, mbiv jr wsrafglber lmf, rtbklcu cb glqqifr, ageis jc batfgkbgivis ojlgs lcvloofgfca ab kbgivis joojlgr.
Pure. Pure and untainted.
Chill. Chill, and ethereal.
Book fans couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is exactly Meng Xuan! Meng Xuan should be like this!”
「Damn, it’s so authentic. My heart can’t stop pounding. Too beautiful!」
「No high-resolution images? I really want to save them as wallpapers.」
「 Seeking high-res +1, I’m genuinely in love.」
The staff who posted the photos explained that the production team didn’t allow random photography. These were taken sneakily, just a few, and there were no clearer ones.
Netizens finally regained their senses, realizing that the person in the photos wasn’t a woman but Xu Qiao cross-dressing.
Why did Xu Qiao cross-dress? Was it to be a stand-in for Guan Han?
Netizens, now enlightened, compared the images from the Bilibili content creator’s video with the ones circulated by the Chatting about the Passing of Time with a Zither team. Indeed, it was the same person.
Sensing that something seemed off in the unfolding events, some netizens dug up Xu Qiao’s Weibo posts from the days when Guan Han made a cameo. There was only one post.
The caption was simple, just a cheering emoji, without saying anything else.
Beneath it was a picture of Xu Qiao with visible water marks on his temples and cheeks, a noticeably pale complexion, and lips frighteningly devoid of color, clearly showing signs of illness.
The magnifying glass girl scrutinized the image inside and out, finally discovering a piece of white fabric blending with the white towel.
【Whose titanium alloy dog eyes fell to the ground】In the photo Xu Qiao posted on the day of the water dungeon scene, when zoomed in and examined closely, I circled it in red— that piece of white fabric is from Meng Xuan’s skirt!
Xu Qiao’s Weibo exploded.
「Why would Xu Qiao act as a stand-in for Guan Han? Didn’t Guan Han say she hardly saw Xu Qiao on set?」
「What’s going on? Can the Chatting about the Passing of Time with a Zither team provide an explanation?」
「Damn, Xu Qiao looks so miserable in this picture. Did he catch a cold from soaking in cold water for too long?」
「Could it be that Xu Qiao stood in for the entire water dungeon scene?」
「Impossible. Guan Han also posted on Weibo that day about shooting the water dungeon scene. Xu Qiao might have stood in for just one or two shots.」
「Even though I’ve cursed Xu Qiao several times, he’s at least a male supporting role. Acting as a stand-in for someone else, especially a girl, seems really pitiful…」
「There must be some other reason. Waiting for the production team to provide an explanation.」
Thus, a former Chatting about the Passing of Time with a Zither crew member, claiming to have resigned, spilled the beans.
【Yellow Bear Spirit Requires Hug from Yu Sheng to Feel Better】Having already left the crew, here’s some inside information: on the day of Guan Han’s water dungeon scene, Xu Qiao stood in for her entirely. As for why Xu Qiao took on this role, it was because Guan Han initially requested Zhang Yinghui to stand in for her. However, as Zhang Yinghui was on her period and couldn’t be exposed to cold water, Xu Qiao stepped in. After finishing the scene, Xu Qiao fainted and was hospitalized. That’s why Guan Han didn’t see Xu Qiao around the set afterward~
Attached was a short video lasting less than ten seconds.
The video lacked focus and the camera was shaky, giving it an overall casual appearance.
In the video, Guan Han was surrounded by five or six assistants, leisurely lounging in a soft chair, with the busy crew members in the background.
On the other side, Si Cheng and Zhang Yinghui, along with several other lead actors, were huddled together, engrossed in reading the script, without a single assistant in sight.
Netizens were astonished by the elder stepsister and Cinderella’s true-to-life portrayal.
You criticized Xu Qiao for being unprofessional and arrogant, but it turns out you’re the one guilty of it.
Fans of Si Cheng and Zhang Yinghui were furious, and although they may not outnumber Guan Han’s fans, their outrage was tearing through like a fierce storm.
Indifferent onlookers, who couldn’t stand the implied disrespect towards Xu Qiao, were now turning against Guan Han.
「How can you mock others for being arrogant when you want the female lead to be your stand-in? Your audacity is unbelievable.」
「Appearing innocent and pure, like a delicate white lotus. Who would’ve thought she could be so disgusting?」
「Casual fans turned against her. I used to enjoy the dramas she acted in, thinking this girl is pure and kind. Now, I’ve seen her true colors. Appearances can indeed be deceiving.」
On Guan Han’s side, a swift PR campaign was launched. With her influential connections, trending hashtags and related entries flooded in quickly, accompanied by a wave of mocking from the capitalist crowd.
On the other hand, among female viewers, appreciation for Xu Qiao helping Zhang Yinghui poured in.
Regardless of Xu Qiao’s acting skills, at least he stood up to assist an unwell female actress, even ending up hospitalized, without playing the victim card at all. Looking at his frail appearance – my, what a pitiful soul.
As the buzz continued, “Chatting about the Passing of Time with a Zither” released its final promotional video.
Previous promotional videos mainly focused on the lead actors, outlining the main storyline of the drama.
However, this particular video was edited to highlight scenes featuring Xu Qiao as Jin’er.
In the previous videos, Xu Qiao’s iconic red attire only briefly flashed on screen. Acting skills aside, his face wasn’t even clearly visible.
It seemed intentionally tantalizing.
Consequently, this minute-and-a-half promotional video for Jin’er captured everyone’s attention.
“I was born to stay at this Drunken Joy Pavilion.” Xu Qiao’s voice echoed in the background, paired with scenes of him navigating through a crowd of men, laughter reverberating through the screen.
The scene shifted as Jin’er, dressed in black, leaped into the window in the night.
“—Who?”
Chunyu Yuan abruptly turned, his voice icy. The first encounter, weapons drawn.
“May I ask, young lady, did you see a person in black intruding?”
“So many wanted to undress me, but only you clothe me.”
Chunyu Yuan took off his outer garment and draped it over Jin’er.
Jin’er lifted his face, gazing upwards, his smile like distant mountains and endless waters.
The camera rapidly retreated.
Then, a sound – a wine cup fell to the ground. The camera turned to Xu Qiao’s face.
His eyes shifted towards the lens, petal-like lips still holding traces of wine, delivering a scripted line: “Life in this world is like a spring dream. Let’s open our hearts and have a few drinks.”
Heavy snow swept across the screen, leaving a few large characters: “Chatting about the Passing of Time with a Zither, Chronicle of the Years.” Tomorrow night at 8 p.m., don’t miss it on Penguin TV.
The brief minute-and-a-half video instantly sparked intense discussions.
Fragmented editing, swift transitions, and a BGM with subtle melancholy instantly captivated the viewers. The number of pre-orders for on-demand viewing rose significantly compared to before.
「Shook my whole family. I genuinely admire this looks.」
「Completely a different feeling from him wearing the white dress like Meng Xuan, but he is truly beautiful.」
「??? Isn’t this supposed to be a romantic drama? Why does it give off the vibes of a danmei adaptation?」
「To the one above, in the novel, Jin’er actually likes Chunyu Yuan.」
「But it’s not this tone either. In the novel, Chunyu Yuan’s attitude towards Jin’er is quite obvious. Annoying, official fujoshi baiting, don’t know what they’re thinking.」
「Feels like Xu Qiao’s acting isn’t as bad as people said?」
「After the whole fuss with Guan Han’s maneuvers, my curiosity has been piqued. Waiting for the show to air to check it out.」
「Didn’t Director Hu say Xu Qiao’s performance in Chatting about the Passing of Time with a Zither was good? Just have to see for ourselves.」
Those sympathizing with Xu Qiao, those questioning Xu Qiao’s acting, and those cursing Guan Han – all were glued to their computers at the first moment.
Thank you for sharing. I hope that life treats you well
Thanks for the chapter! That was fun! Can’t wait for the next part!
Thank you for the chapter.
Bch had it coming 😂😂
claps for the PR campaign
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING AWESOME!!!
Damn… In the best part before the release of the web drama, the controversy and the images in my head are amazing!”!!! I love it!!!!😍
Thank you for the update ☺️
Noise marketing done well
Thank you for the chapter 😍
Finally the snake was exposed, let’s see more of her suffering.
Thank you for the update!
Thank you for the chapter 💝