Chapter 60

"Is Lee Hyori's participation in the student-funded and self-produced film 'Paradise of Green Apples' an impulse? Or a spasm?"

"Is Lee Hyori transitioning to become a director?"

"Exclusive report: Lee Hyori had to personally step in as the director for the film she was participating in, as no one else could take over."

"..."

Xia Hou Zhong Ying held a stack of newspapers, walking while reading, making clucking sounds. Ever since the "Paradise of Green Apples" production team held a press conference at the Westin Chosun Hotel yesterday, major online media outlets had been bombarded with news about Lee Hyori's free participation in the film. Then it was the turn of television media, which also reported on the press conference, followed by today's newspapers.

The content in the newspapers was almost entirely pessimistic about Lee Hyori's actions. Although she explained her reasons for her actions to the media during the press conference yesterday, how they wrote it was up to them. The media didn't care about Xia Hou Zhong Ying's feelings; they only cared about their newspaper sales. They wrote to create the biggest buzz and attract the most attention.

The internet also launched a large-scale discussion about the event. There were those who supported it, those who criticized it, those who were rational, and those who were brainwashed, leading to heated arguments. Last night, Xia Hou Zhong Ying even went to the forum to browse, and saw many people claiming to have some so-called inside information. When he clicked in, he found it was all nonsense, making him laugh and cry at the same time. What was this all about?

When his father, Xia Hou Shang, came home from work and saw his son, he marveled, not expecting the boy to have made such a name for himself. Regardless of how the film turned out, with Lee Hyori's participation and the help of DSP Company, it wouldn't become a trashy film. After this, his son would be a minor celebrity.

After leaving home in the morning, Xia Hou Zhong Ying, fully equipped, saw the large photos from yesterday's press conference on the front pages of all the newspapers at every newsstand he passed. After watching TV news and reading online reports, Xia Hou Zhong Ying realized that he was now a minor celebrity. Worried about being recognized by Lee Hyori's fans and being pelted with rotten eggs or tomatoes, he dressed up specially today. Blue school uniform, white running shoes, blue-gray backpack, black long coat, and black sunglasses—his outfit was a super mix-and-match style, looking quite bizarre. When his father saw him in the morning, he almost fell over.

There was no choice. Due to Lee Hyori's participation, the "Paradise of Green Apples" would have the highest exposure in the coming days. His information had already been published online, with no detail spared, even including a photo of him and Zheng Xiuyan standing on the playground with a small blackboard. The photo was not very clear, taken with a phone, and the forum article portrayed him as the top delinquent at Kent, which had greatly angered Lee Hyori's fans, who were calling for personal attacks on him.

This was a case of gain and loss. The "Paradise of Green Apples" was indeed popular, but his personal safety was at risk. Xia Hou Zhong Ying thought with a bitter smile.

Xia Hou Zhong Ying didn't really care about personal attacks. With his martial arts skills, few people could beat him. However, not fearing it didn't mean he could do it. If such an incident really happened, the media would report "Paradise of Green Apples" director getting into a street fight tomorrow.

For the time being, he would have to be careful about his appearance when going out. Xia Hou Zhong Ying felt quite helpless. This time, the effect of Lee Hyori's participation was truly powerful, almost comparable to a Category 12 hurricane, sweeping across the entire country.

At the newsstands outside, Xia Hou Zhong Ying wanted to see how the newspapers reported on them, so he bought almost all the newspapers, holding them in his hands while walking and making clucking sounds.

However, his outfit was so bizarre that the回头率 (turning heads) rate on the road exceeded 200%, and some people even crashed into cars or walls while looking at him. He was like a strong wind, leaving chaos wherever he went.

After entering the school, Xia Hou Zhong Ying walked towards the indoor basketball court that the school had arranged for the "Paradise of Green Apples" production team to use. This time, Kent was quite generous, offering an indoor basketball court and promising not to open it until the film was completed, allowing the production team full use.

This was because the press conference yesterday had brought a lot of glory to Kent. The principal personally attended with Vice Principal Li and other leaders. According to the media, after the conference, the principal had a friendly conversation with the production team members, and both sides were very pleased, with the school promising full support for the filming.

Before Xia Hou Zhong Ying even reached the basketball court, he saw a large group of students gathered at the entrance, which made him pause. Then, seeing the various signs with Lee Hyori's portrait, he realized they were all there for her.

"Move, move." Blocked by the students at the entrance, Xia Hou Zhong Ying had to call out for them to make a path, or he wouldn't be able to get in.

The students at the entrance turned around and saw a strangely dressed person, which made them pause. Then they turned back, ignoring Xia Hou Zhong Ying.

"Hey, can you guys move?" Xia Hou Zhong Ying said, feeling frustrated.

"Who are you?" A student at the back asked, dissatisfied.

"I'm Xia Hou Zhong Ying." Xia Hou Zhong Ying had no choice but to take off his sunglasses to reveal his identity, otherwise, he couldn't get in.

"Damn, it's our great director. We didn't recognize you in that outfit." The student who spoke was suddenly excited. This was the most famous person in the school, even more famous than the lead actress of "Paradise of Green Apples," Zheng Xiuyan. He then shouted to the other students, "Move, move. Our great director is here. Make a path for him to get in."

"Ah... Zhong Ying, Zhong Ying, I love you, Zhong Ying, Zhong Ying, I love you..." A group of girls who recognized Xia Hou Zhong Ying immediately screamed and declared their love, rushing towards him without hesitation.

Xia Hou Zhong Ying was so scared that his face turned white. He quickly put his sunglasses back on and ran into the basketball court, dodging the crowd of boys who made a path for him.

The four security guards stationed at the entrance of the basketball court found Xia Hou Zhong Ying's bizarre outfit and disheveled appearance quite amusing, quickly opening the door to let him in.

The screams and shouts of the girls outside the door echoed into the basketball court, making the crew members who had arrived earlier marvel.

"Xiuyan, the director is so popular in your school. From the shouting, it sounds like he has a whole battalion of female fans," Park Gwi-ri from DSP Company asked.

"Ha, what popularity? They're all brainwashed fans who are willing to be deceived by that playboy," Zheng Xiuyan said indignantly. "I'm telling you, stay away from him. He's a playboy, and you might get deceived."

"Really, Xiuyan? I heard the director doesn't have a girlfriend yet. How can he be a playboy? He doesn't look like one," Han Seung-yeon chimed in.

"Seung-yeon, don't be fooled by his appearance. I saw him flirting with two women right in front of me and even asked for their phone numbers," Zheng Xiuyan warned.

"Really? Xiuyan, why didn't you tell us about this?" Lim Yoona also joined in, curious.

You all don't know, that guy is like a fish in water in those clubs, having a great time," Zheng Xiuyan whispered, lowering her voice. "Think about it, if he weren't a playboy and didn't go to those places often, would he be so skilled?"

"Is that true, Xiuyan? How do you know?" Kwon Yu-ri asked.

"Um..." Suddenly remembering that she had also gone to the club, Zheng Xiuyan looked a bit awkward, laughed dryly, and lied, "Didn't my mom ask me to keep an eye on him to prevent him from doing bad things? So, I went with him that time."

"Huh, your mom?" Park Gwi-ri looked at Zheng Xiuyan in confusion.

"Yes, yes, he's my mom's adopted son, so he's my adopted brother," Zheng Xiuyan explained.

"Oh, I see." The people from DSP Company suddenly understood. No wonder Zheng Xiuyan became the lead actress in the film; she was the director's sister.

"Huh, what are you all talking about?" Xia Hou Zhong Ying, entering the basketball court, saw the girls gathered around Zheng Xiuyan, and vaguely heard words like "mom," "bad things," and "adopted son." Suspicion arose in his heart, and he thought Zheng Xiuyan must be spreading some bad rumors about him, so he asked.

Xia Hou Zhong Ying's outfit was quite convincing, and for a moment, no one recognized him. When he took off his sunglasses, everyone almost fell over, followed by a burst of laughter.

"Tsk, Brother Zhong Ying, what kind of style is this?" Lim Yoona circled Xia Hou Zhong Ying twice and asked.

"This is called a mix-and-match style. It's very popular now," Xia Hou Zhong Ying said shamelessly. "Isn't it unique?"

The people from DSP Company were at a loss, thinking the director seemed a bit unreliable.

"Ha, unique my foot. Aren't you embarrassed? You're a director, and you dress like this," Zheng Xiuyan said disdainfully.

"What do you know? This is called fashion. Do you understand? I got the idea from a magazine," Xia Hou Zhong Ying said, dissatisfied.

"What magazine? Playboy, right?" Zheng Xiuyan and Xia Hou Zhong Ying were used to bickering. During the fundraising, she had been reluctant to add to his troubles, but once things were settled, she reverted to her old self, feeling uncomfortable if they didn't argue for a day.

Everyone burst into laughter again.