Chapter 39 – Alert! An Entertainment Industry Nuclear Bomb Has Been Dropped!

Chapter 39 - Alert! An Entertainment Industry Nuclear Bomb Has Been Dropped!

Eyes widened among the students, and office workers perked up as if they had just downed a cup of espresso.

For an entire week, there was a daily dose of Tang Fei's drama. Every time weariness set in, new updates emerged!

Right on schedule, fresh gossip was served!

Even those who had their fill wished to hold up signs that read "No More Feeding"!

Nine o'clock and Tang Fei were grandmasters of feeding the masses!

They were reading a serialized gossip novel, each chapter thrilling, every day exhilarating!

Sleepless nights became the norm, eagerly awaiting dawn for the latest scoop. Even games lost their allure!

What would happen when this juicy tale came to an end? Would they be left with emptiness, loneliness, and coldness?

Upon finishing the news, colleagues entered the office, and classmates stepped into classrooms—perfect moments to share the latest gossip.

"Look! The Legal Affairs Department just opened a Weibo account at nine o'clock and released a list of seventy defendants!"

Someone exclaimed, and everyone started scrolling through their phones. "So many famous influencers! They're really going for it! Exciting!"

"Reporting! The Legal Affairs Department has announced court acceptance receipts!"

"Reporting! The Legal Affairs Department has posted thumbnail evidence screenshots! Filled up eight hard drives!"

"Reporting! The Legal Affairs Department has tagged all the defendants! NBBBBBBBB!"

At nine o'clock, they were essentially throwing fuel into the fire to make sure the situation was big enough!

The students were on the front lines of this drama, devouring the news. Even as teachers entered the classroom, they hastily hid their phones, so engrossed that their nostrils flared with excitement, their entire bodies trembling.

This resulted in several instances of confiscated phones.

The teachers were puzzled, wondering why watching entertainment news could elicit such reactions.

Then, the teachers checked the students' phones...

"Emma, this melon is incredibly fragrant!"

Office workers discreetly hid their phones in fire escapes, restrooms, and file folders to constantly refresh for updates.

Eager for drama, after the initial tagging at nine, the onlookers eagerly joined in, all eager to witness the defendant's response!

Absolutely couldn't miss it!

Managers scratched their heads, "Why are so many people going to the restroom today, and for so long? Is there an issue with the canteen?"

"And so many going to the smoking area too?"

"I need to see what they're up to!"

...

"You all get back to your seats!"

The boss slammed the office door shut, pulled out their phone, and refreshed the screen, "The defendant is taking way too long to respond. Why haven't they said anything yet?"

The Legal Department's actions at 9:00 AM sent shockwaves throughout the entertainment industry. Without divulging any information, they had suddenly dropped a massive atomic bomb.

There wasn't even a warning!

You could've at least said something like "don't say we didn't warn you," giving everyone time to prepare!

I'd have gladly apologized on my knees for 800 meters, why did you suddenly sue?

What happened to the lawyer's letter? Why straight to court documents?

No! I refuse to believe it! This can't be happening!

Suing over seventy people is a joke.

It's not April Fool's Day today!

Do they dare file a lawsuit against a group? Don't they know about the principle of collective immunity? They're insane!

9:00 AM will sooner or later be ruined by young upstarts like Zhou Weichuan.

Impetuous, who do you think you are? I don't believe it for a second!

Consequently, they mobilized and launched a counterattack on Weibo. The9's Legal Department was ridiculed and subtly mocked by numerous influential opinion leaders from the entertainment industry!

"Red Guard."

"Silencing voices? A regression of progress."

"If a fly doesn't bother a seamless egg, it's because there's no issue to exploit. When others criticize you, it's often because there's a problem on your end. Instead of reflecting on that, would you rather attack like a dog biting without provocation?"

"Defending Tang Fei, what deal did the 9:00 upper management strike with her?"

"Go ahead and sue if you dare. Would I believe your grandmother's tales? @Beijing North District Court, someone is waving a banner as a tiger's skin."

The 9:00 Legal Department responded promptly, "Screenshots and recordings have been taken as evidence, and we reserve the right to pursue legal action against you."

"Pursue it then! I have nothing to hide, so what are you afraid of?"

The influential online personalities couldn't help but grin widely. If they weren't maintaining the decorum expected of public figures, they would have directly insulted the 9:00 Legal Department as idiots.

"Report! The North District Court of the Capital City has verified that the reply from the Legal Affairs Department at nine o'clock is genuine! The trial is now scheduled and in preparation! Summonses are on their way, so get ready for the thrill of unwrapping your surprise notices!"

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This news fell upon the tranquil surface of a lake, sending ripples outward from its epicenter, akin to a domino effect of sequential collapses. Renowned opinion leaders in the entertainment circle frantically deleted their posts one after another, their fingers moving faster than the speed of their initial comments.

They even had the audacity to pin a clarification: "@9 o'clock Legal Department, we didn't read the content carefully just now and made inappropriate comments. The internet is not beyond the law. We support stars in exercising their rights and endorse the 9 o'clock Legal Department for eliminating evils for the people."

The seventy-odd defendants, now frantically on the defensive, started applying to delete their Weibo accounts and tried to pull strings to ask if a settlement outside the courtroom could be arranged before nine o'clock.

By nine o'clock, the Legal Department was inundated with calls from these verified super-influencers on Weibo, leaving no room for incoming calls. As a result, many of the department's staff were harassed by unwanted calls.

Frustrated, the Legal Department had no choice but to borrow personnel from the Customer Service Department to assist with answering and documenting the calls.

Accounts that had just moments ago been arrogant and indignant on Weibo now scrambled to apologize before anyone else, fearing that they might be included in the lawsuit by the nine o'clock team. They spared no effort in making their calls.

"Excuse me, our XX didn't mean it. We can publicly apologize, pin a statement, even publish it in newspapers. Oh, he's young and doesn't understand. Thirty years old? Yes, he's thirty physically, but mentally, he's not mature, you see..."

"Shall I bring some small gifts to your office another day? No need? Oh, but please, they're just trivial items. Let's say I'm accounting for three hundred people in your department, would three hundred gifts suffice?"

"Our family is honest, and we unintentionally forwarded someone else's words. It's true! We're innocent. Do you have any screenshots or recordings? Well, it was an accidental slip of the finger. He didn't really mean it that way. Look, how about this – I'll provide you with an expose, with evidence, yes, Yao Hui defaming Tang Fei, in a company context."

"He was misled by others, and his judgment was clouded by loyalty to a friend. He realizes his mistake and has personally written an apology letter. I'll bring it to your company tomorrow. Please, please, do accept it. He's very sincere."

The nine o'clock rights protection campaign also garnered support from many fans of entertainment stars: "Keep it up! Fans just want to peacefully enjoy our handsome and beautiful idols without getting exhausted from fighting against blackening campaigns, only to be attacked by trolls. We support your efforts for justice, hoping that all stars can have a peaceful world."

"Backing the rights protection. Admire nine o'clock; hope our brother gets to act in their productions, helping us put an end to malicious rumors."

"Pure stream, finally someone brave enough to sue a marketing account. Even if it's not my brother, I support this move."

"From @Brother Studio, learn from the pros, trash!"

"Hey @Celebrity Studio, it's time to copy the homework!"

"At 9 sharp, the nuclear strike hits. Will Yao Hui still dare to engage?"

"After being blasted into particles, there's nothing left to follow."

In the morning of the 36th day, San Liu Jiu joyfully retweeted the list of defendants: "These are the defendants, a Decupled Squad of Calabash Brothers. Among them, are there any who falsely accused me of plagiarism? Let's all hunt for the truth together!"

The star studios, which had always enjoyed a pleasant collaboration with Nine O'Clock, began forwarding their support. The scandal-ridden stars, who had suffered greatly, also seized the opportunity to gain sympathy and align themselves.

Surprisingly, the employees of New Cinema World didn't join in promptly this time. Zhou Weichuan was observing which side they would choose to support.

Inside New Cinema World, a heated argument was brewing.

"Right now, Spirit Ability is still in production. The promised movie roles and awards from Yao Hui, as well as the A-level investment for the leading drama, are all in the distant future! Look at what's in front of us. If we pull out of Spirit Ability, how much compensation will we have to pay?"

"Time Culture is our competitor. If we don't find a new partner soon, Nine O'Clock will eventually kick us out."

"I don't agree with falling out with Nine O'Clock right now." Guan Liu, the top star of New Cinema World, had his agent speak on his behalf. "We can look for new partners, but that doesn't mean we have to cut ties. There's no need for an either-or conflict. With Nine O'Clock firing on all cylinders, what guarantee does Yao Hui offer if we get caught in the crossfire? They're not trustworthy."

"Zhou Weichuan is too domineering and sharp-tongued. I don't have high hopes for a partnership with him."

...

On the other side, netizens who had been feasting on the drama assumed that the incident had reached its climax. Little did they know that someone was about to pour water into the boiling pot!

Boom! Boom! It exploded!

"Reporting! Renowned actor Civilization Hua issues a significant statement: A long time ago, I privately offered some advice to a junior in the entertainment industry, and that junior turns out to be Tang Fei. I had no idea that those private words would cause you distress. I apologize."

I've been honored with recognition, but I'm no life coach, and my opinions aren't verdicts on anyone's existence. I take comfort in the fact that my predictions often miss the mark.

Now, Tang Fei has attained a certain level of prowess. It is hoped that she will continue to strive, remaining unaffected by external opinions, and persist in being that resilient force against the current.

Yao Hui Media has resorted to secretly filming my conversations with trainees to undermine promising newcomers. I do not endorse such practices. I hope everyone can show tolerance towards an actor's temporary setbacks and grant them the time to hone their craft."

It's been over three years since the iconic actor Civilization Hua has graced the public eye. The reemergence of such a laid-back retired Best Actor, known for his Buddhist-like detachment, has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry – shaking it to its core, shattering expectations!

Civilization Hua's reputation in the industry was no joke. He had swept through two rounds of Europe's top three awards and Mandarin's major five awards during his two-decade career! A double grand slam!

Not just in China, but across the entire Asia, he was a figure whose mere move could shake the ground.

Given that Civilization Hua had always had a pleasant collaboration with Yao Hui, it was surprising that he would take a stance for Tang Fei?

It seemed that Mr. Wen was quite displeased about being used! Friends! Old friends! Junior friends! Classmates! Mentors! Colleagues! Adoring fans who had never met him! Let's all share this!

Prominent domestic directors' alliance, veteran artists, scriptwriters, actors' association, industry professionals' association, and renowned directors from Asia – all chimed in with their support!

The entire entertainment industry was set in motion.