Yuan Yan has a name that suggests ink, but in reality he's an absolute country bumpkin.
With only a middle school education, he tried hauling bricks at construction sites in the big city and making phone calls at a telemarketing office. He couldn't stick with either job for long. Just as he was wondering whether to give up and return to his village, a former coworker quietly pulled him into a corner and offered him some advice.
"You should do this. It pays fast, doesn't require an education, and you can earn money lying down. Look at your soft, delicate skin. How could you do physical labor long-term? Sure, it's a little embarrassing to tell people about, but if it puts food on the table, it's a good job!"
Perhaps it was the thick gold chain around his coworker's neck that made the pitch so convincing. Yuan Yan was thoroughly taken in. He slapped his thigh, grabbed the man's arm, and teared up.
"Thank you, Brother Jiang! If I strike it rich, I won't forget you!"
Yuan Yan quickly learned the ropes and started working. Before long, he received an anonymous commission.
Half a month later, the fan group of a top-tier idol exploded.
[What the hell? Who bought this smear campaign against my guy? May lightning strike you!]
[Is the person behind this marketing account illiterate?! My guy's name is Xu Taoqi, not Xu Taowei!!!]
[Xu Taoqi, you've really made it. You even have a hired professional hater now. Be careful what you say and do. Don't let people think you're such a terrible...]
Whatever the fans thought, the out-of-nowhere marketing account "Yuan○Yuan" spent a whole year attacking Xu Taoqi. Apart from getting his name wrong, everything it said was "the honest truth." People wanted to take it down, but had no grounds to do so. Gradually, it became notorious in the industry, a legend in the fandom world.
But at 16:16 on the day after its first anniversary,
"Yuan○Yuan" posted a Weibo that had nothing to do with Xu Taoqi.
Yes, that was right. A marketing account had actually jumped ship?!!!
Fans from every corner of the entertainment world were shaken. Each with their own motives, they flocked to the comments to see what was going on.
[Is this real? You're really done hating on him? Don't tell me this is some reverse psychology trick.]
[Little Yuan, you... Honestly, I'm kind of going to miss you.]
[Your taste has gotten worse. Li You doesn't measure up to Xu Taoqi.]
[? How does Li You fall short of Xu Taoqi? I'm dying. Xu's fans are trying to save face all over the internet again. His new song flopped, didn't it?]
[Wait, are you people serious? It's obvious the company stepped in to deal with this unscrupulous marketing account. He definitely got a lawyer's letter.]
[...]
17:00
[Comment from Xu Taowei V: I've already changed my name. Don't go.]
But Yuan Yan had long since turned off his private messages and stopped checking the comments.
With his bulging little cloth bag on his back, he headed home to the village!
Brother Jiang hadn't lied to him. There really were plenty of job opportunities in the big city.
P.S. The protagonist's work does not involve illegal activities such as spreading rumors.
Blurb: 2023.08.25. I might have to write this one ahead of schedule. Please add it to your favorites - .-
Theme: Keep your feet on the ground and work hard.
