Chapter 490: A Virtuous and Artistic Model

The sudden outburst disrupted the forum discussion that was about to begin. The Americans were bewildered, unable to understand what was happening, and they turned to their translators for answers. However, the term "戏子" (xizi), a pejorative term for actors in Chinese, was difficult to translate precisely due to its many connotations.

Being labeled as such made Fan Bingbing's face darken immediately. For an actor, especially a star, it was akin to being outright insulted.

But she couldn't retaliate. Cheng Baoguang might not be famous, but his status in the industry was high. His series of revolutionary works had earned praise from the highest echelons, giving him complex official ties.

Just the fact that he enjoyed state subsidies would make many actors back off.

Fan Bingbing had to endure it. After all, with her thick skin, such accusations were not unfamiliar.

However, this was just the beginning.

Cheng Baoguang, seemingly very dissatisfied, continued, "This well-planned academic discussion on film literature must have an identity threshold of 'scholarly discourse with no commoners.' Forcing an actor in here makes it chaotic, which is simply ridiculous."

His words seemed not only targeted at Fan Bingbing but also indirectly at others, like Feng Daya and Jiang Xiaojun. They too looked unhappy, as they had played multiple roles in various films, and could also be considered "actors."

But like Fan Bingbing, they seemed wary and stayed silent.

"Are they having an internal conflict?" Gal Gadot couldn't understand the language but could see the situation. "What's going on?"

Murphy could only judge from what he saw that Mr. Cheng Baoguang was clearly unhappy about Fan Bingbing stealing his limelight. His status seemed quite high, so Fan Bingbing and others didn't dare to retaliate.

Beyond that, Cheng Baoguang's words revealed a disdain for actors, treating them as inferior, with a retrograde attitude of "all professions are inferior, only study is superior," which seemed out of place in the 21st century.

Looking at the young translator behind Gal Gadot, Murphy noticed the translator's expression showed clear disapproval and even disdain for Cheng Baoguang. Murphy called him over.

"Who is Cheng Baoguang?" he asked in Chinese.

"He's a writer known for his revolutionary and red-themed works," the translator began, then quickly explained, "Red-themed works are…"

"I know what they are," Murphy interrupted. "Go on."

"He has written many classic revolutionary works, enjoys state subsidies, and has been praised by top leaders as a model of virtue and art."

Now Murphy understood. Cheng Baoguang likely had an official status and was recognized by high authorities, which explained why people like Fan Bingbing, Feng Daya, and Jiang Xiaojun didn't dare to retaliate.

Perhaps a younger Jiang Xiaojun would have exploded, but after going through many ups and downs, his sharp edges had been smoothed out.

As Murphy was speaking with the translator, the organizers went over to Fan Bingbing and said something. She stood up and left the stage.

Fan Bingbing's reluctance and displeasure were evident to everyone.

The organizers quickly found an excuse—the fans were too enthusiastic, and for safety reasons, Fan Bingbing had to leave.

This declaration from the host preserved Fan Bingbing's dignity.

To be fair, any place with celebrities might cause a potential minor chaos. The enthusiasm of gathered fans always poses a risk of losing control. If this was a preemptive measure based on security assessments, it was a necessary step.

Honestly, it wasn't polite, but safety is more important than politeness.

However, everyone could see that this wasn't about safety but about accommodating someone's seemingly strong yet fragile ego.

"I think that person is disgusting!" the translator finally relayed Cheng Baoguang's words to Gal Gadot. She was clearly upset, "He's insulting all actors!"

Murphy also heard the translated English. The young translator hadn't added any embellishments, just objectively repeated Cheng Baoguang's words.

Like Feng Daya and Jiang Xiaojun, such a label would upset any actor. Gal Gadot was no exception.

Murphy found Cheng Baoguang's attitude equally repugnant. Such a professor was…

At that moment, Cheng Baoguang's gaze swept over to Gal Gadot, settling on her with obvious disdain and contempt, which even the translator behind her could see.

Gal Gadot felt it too and turned to Murphy, "Can I say something?"

"Say whatever you want," Murphy certainly wouldn't stop his girlfriend. "I've got your back."

Even so, Gal Gadot waited for the host to finish his part and pause before she stood up.

"Sorry to interrupt," Gal Gadot raised her voice, lacking a microphone. "Someone just spoke freely, and I have a few words to say."

Murphy stood up beside her, volunteering to translate into Chinese. He looked at the host.

As one of the most significant guests, coming from across the Pacific, Murphy's presence carried certain unspoken privileges.

The host hesitated, but Jon Landau handed over two microphones from his side, one of which Murphy passed to Gal Gadot. She took it and looked at Cheng Baoguang.

"Sir, I strongly disagree with your earlier remarks."

Gal Gadot spoke first, and Murphy translated, his voice loud enough to carry through the hall. "In general terms, any designation can have different meanings. Just as you call an African American 'African American' and not 'nigger,' using the latter would have consequences. Similarly, you should refer to that lady as an 'actress' or 'artist,' not a '戏子' (xizi), which in today's context, is a pejorative term with connotations of disdain and belittlement, an industry-discriminatory term. In America, this would be grounds for a lawsuit and possible criminal charges!"

Cheng Baoguang's face darkened instantly. The pride he regained from Fan Bingbing's forced departure was almost shattered by Gal Gadot.

A Hollywood figure criticizing a local film industry person would usually draw collective outrage, but now everyone stared at Cheng Baoguang with schadenfreude.

"That woman is amazing," Jiang Xiaojun whispered to Feng Daya. "I want to applaud her."

"She deserves it!" Feng Daya replied quietly. "Someone needed to put him in his place. He always uses his official background to oppress us. Let's see what he can do against a top Hollywood figure!"

Cheng Baoguang seemed unsure how to respond. Using his status to suppress a Hollywood figure wouldn't work.

After holding his breath for a while, he blurted out, "You have no right to speak to me!"

"Do I have the right to speak to you?" Murphy's anger flared. Attacking Gal Gadot was worse than attacking him. "Mr. Cheng, don't I, as a film director, have the right to speak to a…"

He emphasized, "a model of virtue and art like you?"

The film professionals on stage held back their laughter out of respect for Cheng Baoguang, but the students in the audience burst into mocking laughter upon hearing "model of virtue and art."

This was a formal setting, and too much sarcasm wasn't appropriate. To make his point, Murphy needed to present facts and logic.

"I speak fluent Chinese and know a bit about this place," Murphy continued, not giving Cheng Baoguang a chance to speak. "As far as I know, the status of performing artists has been subtly shifting here. After 1949, artists and many other lower-class workers were reclassified as 'working people,' their lowly status given new noble significance."

Murphy indeed seemed knowledgeable. "Being fully integrated into the system, the individuality of artists disappeared, replaced by the 'performing artist' label, making them part of a large state machine. They were expected to be dignified, decent, and virtuous."

With apparent agreement, only Murphy's voice echoed in the hall. "In a context without real labor or market pricing, this created a serene, desire-free state, considered the proper demeanor for performers. But with rapid marketization, performers quickly reverted to their original work modes and social status, gaining substantial material rewards. This seemingly easy way to wealth and the adoration they received caused severe psychological imbalance, especially among those whose status plummeted during the marketization process…"

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