He Mengyao, once a well-known domestic supermodel, has been seen less by the public since marrying into a wealthy family. Recently, she returned to the public eye due to the marriage of He Chaolian and Dou Xiao. As rumors floated about a past romance between He Mengyao and Dou Xiao, she chose the couple’s wedding day to refute such talks, clearly stating that she and Dou Xiao had never been in a relationship and called on everyone not to spread rumors on such a day. This denial sparked heated online debate, with many netizens holding unfriendly views towards He Mengyao.
The stories of the gambling king’s family are always fascinating, as their lives seem to weave a long soap opera of wealth and influence. However, I’d like to talk specifically about He Mengyao. Her experience makes me wonder, why, among celebrities who marry into wealth, can Guo Biting maintain a good public image, while He Mengyao faces criticism and is labeled a “gold-digger”? After all, compared to He Mengyao’s accomplishments in her career, Guo Biting, despite years in the industry and works like “Tiny Times,” hasn’t had many notable performances. People are more focused on her personal life than her career.
Before becoming a wealthy bride, He Mengyao had already achieved considerable success as a model, especially during the peak of her career with high recognition from shows like the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Her image was youthful and vibrant, fully demonstrating professionalism. However, as she transitioned to the entertainment industry and participated in various reality shows, her public image began to change, leading to divided opinions among viewers.
This may be one of the reasons why she later faced frequent criticism. Society tends to be harsher on those it dislikes. I used to feel that the “filter” given by the outside world to a person was too false and believed in the supreme importance of personal authenticity. But over time, I’ve come to realize that the “filter” actually has a profound meaning: it is a capability, it shows whether a person cares about the opinion of others, and crucially, at key moments, it can serve as a shield to protect oneself. When a person can project a positive filter to others, it shows they possess a likable charm; when a person accepts or even likes their own filter, it indicates they value others’ opinions and consider being liked as a part of their life. In essence, the effort put into the filter eventually builds a barrier to protect one’s image.
So, when a person behaves in a way that damages their image in public, because of the earlier “filter,” people might think it is just human nature rather than deliberately contrived.
Many viewers hold an idealistic fantasy about Guo Biting, yet they don’t show the same bias towards He Mengyao. He Mengyao herself seems not to care about public opinion, focusing more on money and fame. This attitude surfaces unintentionally when I discuss the striking differences in their wealthy lifestyles with friends. A friend pointed out that Guo Biting seems more troubled by public opinion, whereas He Mengyao makes no secret of her desire for material wealth.
Guo Biting maintains an image that is beloved by the public, caring about conventional moral evaluations; whereas He Mengyao is more at ease, indifferent to things she deems unworthy. In reality, whether it’s He Youjun or Xiang Zuo, neither are particularly pivotal in the family hierarchy of their wealthy clans. The power structures in these family dynasties are determined by economic foundations, a theory that is equally applicable to their marriages and intergenerational relationships.
Personal experience has taught me deeply that, especially for the elderly, mastering the resources in one’s hands is crucial. These resources can be akin to a framework, protecting both the goodness in human nature and the individual themselves.
In the case of Xi Mengyao, the resources she desires are precisely in the hands of Fourth Tai. Four Tai’s disapproval directly affects her image of marrying into a wealthy family, leaving behind a negative impression. Whereas Guo Biting has received the approval of Towkay Tow, making her marriage into a wealthy family appear more natural and free from any hint of ingratiation. Often, people are interested in the wealthy families like that of the Casino King for their greater scale of wealth, focusing merely on the money involved, and they feel both envy and jealousy towards those who acquire such riches.
Many things in the world, in essence, boil down to the distribution and opposition of resources. All other appearances are just superficial phenomena.