Chapter 6 — Returning the Spotlight

I recall, in the past, So Thanh once refused a director when he set the condition of "hidden rules", so right after that she was smeared that she climbed up thanks to "hidden rules." Men's tricks have always been the same - if they want to support women, they use sex; if they want to destroy them, they also use sex. So, with director Ly's invitation to meet privately, of course I had to go. Our meeting took place at a tea shop. Director Ly didn't beat around the bush and got straight to the point: "I know you once refused a director's hidden rules." I put down the tea cup, crossed my arms and leaned back against the back of the chair: "What? You men in the entertainment industry, from top to bottom, only know how to think with the lower half of your body? Do you think that if I once rejected someone, I wouldn't reject you?" My attitude clearly stunned director Ly. He forgot to even bring the tea cup to his mouth and looked at me blankly. "If I want to use a movie to buy my whole life, in your eyes, actresses who work hard for their dreams, is that cheap?" Waiting for me to finish speaking, director Ly smiled bitterly and gently put down the tea cup. "Sorry. For you, this is definitely a bad memory, I shouldn't have rudely mentioned this from the beginning." He clasped his hands together, placed them on his nose and lips, and his face became dark and unpredictable. “As you may have heard, I always tend to nurture the leading actresses who have worked with me.” “But… you may have also heard that there was a main actress who participated in my movie. After a drinking party, she became depressed and committed suicide.” If it weren't for me, I would have known that So Thanh was at home receiving treatment, if it weren't for me knowing that she had never acted in this director's film, I would have thought... he was talking about So Thanh. Seeing that I did not interrupt, director Ly continued: "Actually, that actress was forced to accept the hidden rule, and the one who forced her - was the director who once asked her to go on 'overnight service'." He finished speaking at once, then picked up the teacup and drank while observing my expression. I was silent for a long time, then finally slowly opened my mouth: "So... what do you want me to do?" “Make him withdraw from the entertainment industry.” “Okay. What should I do?” "In the future, I will have people release evidence that is enough to destroy him. At that time, you just need to come forward and testify at the right time. Of course, you are not the only one who will come forward." “So… the thing you let me participate in that reality show, was to prepare for today?” “That program is of course to promote my hometown, just… by the way, see if you are worthy of being a part of my plan.” I would very much like to agree to this proposal. But this is So Thanh's life, not mine. “I need to think more.” "Of course. This is my business card. Once you've made your decision, you can contact me directly at any time." After returning home, I took out director Ly's business card. So Thanh's eyes, which had not had light for a long time, suddenly lit up. Recently, her parents have completely limited her exposure to social networks. But when I told her the origin of that business card, So Thanh retreated and hid under the blanket. “I understand. Anyway, this is the origin of the pain in my heart. If you don't want to get involved, I'll tell Director Ly the whole truth and pretend you've never heard of this story." "I agree." From under the blanket, came So Thanh's choked voice. “I definitely have to do it. I'm lucky, I didn't walk the path of that actress. But if I don't do it, there will be many other actresses repeating that mistake." So Thanh lifted the blanket, revealing only her bright eyes. Her gaze was filled with determination. I sadly reached out and gently stroked the top of her head. What happened after that was like pushing the boat with the tide. A recently rising flower girl was the first person to come forward and expose a director's "hidden rules". Immediately, netizens exploded, a wave of intense public opinion spread everywhere. No one stood up to defend the director, including Pho Kieu Tieu - who was actually under his tacit rules. However, very quickly after that, a rumor spread that the young actress accused her of spreading rumors to demand a higher price because of a disagreement on the salary for a movie. Public opinion immediately reversed. Pho Kieu Tieu took the opportunity to post a long article supporting the director. Although her reputation has plummeted since the reality show, she still has a loyal fan base. Under her guidance, fans began to attack the young actress who spoke out. When everyone thought this was just a conflict of interest in the entertainment world, a photo was suddenly released, causing public opinion to explode again: Photo of Pho Kieu Tieu and the other director kissing passionately downstairs. There are even animated images (gifs). Fans started crying, some cursed. Pho Kieu Tieu didn't even have time to delete the last post, and has since disappeared from social networks. When one after another the actresses came forward to denounce the director's poor moral conduct, So Thanh also posted an article. She stood up herself and recounted what she had to go through when refusing the hidden rules: • Losing all resources • Being hired to spread malicious rumors The Internet exploded. What followed was a chain of events that everyone could predict: • The director apologized and announced his withdrawal from the entertainment industry • Pho Kieu Tieu was assassinated and completely disappeared • Giang Dien was also attacked for being sarcastic about So Thanh. He sincerely apologized. However, because she once "spread fake dating news" with Pho Kieu Tieu, it became a stain on her career. However, the male artist will not lose all his commercial resources because of this. On the contrary, the female artists who bravely came forward to denounce faced many difficulties: • Some almost had to withdraw from the entertainment industry • Some had their resources severely cut. Only director Ly did not disappoint their expectations: A movie entirely starring women will be released soon, and starring the former victims themselves. In it, So Thanh will play the role of an actress who committed suicide. Because the film has real-life material and is related to shocking scandals, it has made So Thanh and those actresses the focus of public opinion. As for me - I started the journey of developing the persimmon growing countryside in director Ly's hometown. After the reality show, I fell in love with that land and mountain. It reminds me of my time on border patrol. At that time it was to protect security, but now - helping villagers get rich - is also a form of protection. I always follow So Thanh's every step. She... is gradually getting closer to her dream of becoming a real actress.