Chapter 89: Turmoil 2

Chapter 89: Turmoil 2

Little did Yun He expect that the situation would undergo a dramatic turnaround overnight. Someone had uploaded a video of the previous day's events to the internet, and with the media sensationalizing it, it sparked a huge uproar in no time.

The titles online are all startling and eye-catching.

"Scandalous: Gay Male Teacher Accused of Molesting Student?!"

As an experienced translator of both Chinese and English novels, specializing in the realm of danmei fiction, I approach the task of translating such works with sensitivity and grace, preserving the essence of the genre while rendering it accessible to an English-speaking audience. However, since you haven't provided any specific text for me to translate, I'm unable to offer a direct translation. If you could provide the passage or chapter you'd like translated, I would be delighted to assist you in bringing its beauty across linguistic boundaries.

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An endless stream of such sensationalized headlines distorted the truth, and with the manipulation of skilled editors, the videos further swayed public opinion that was ignorant of the facts.

"Oh my God, this teacher is so handsome, but to think he's a scumbag! What a waste!"

"Being gay isn't shameful, but shouldn't gay individuals be cautious about being teachers? Don't they risk misleading the youth?"

"This kid is only fifteen or sixteen. It's one thing for the teacher to be gay, but to influence a minor down that path? Disgusting! Trash!"

"The child's mother is weeping so bitterly. How unfortunate to have such a teacher, truly pitiful."

"Exactly, what's the point of a man being handsome? He's either a scumbag or gay."

"Did you see that? He dared to touch the kid's head in an ambiguous manner right before the parent. Who knows where he'd touch in private?"

"I despise homosexuals the most in my life!! Neither masculine nor feminine, they're not even as decent as a ladyboy. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Damn, the more I talk about it, the more disgusted I get. I'll go vomit first."

"What kind of person can become a teacher? Is no one going to intervene?"

"What's this teacher's name? Hasn't anyone dug up his information yet? I want all his details within three minutes."

...

...

Yun He irritably switched off his phone and threw it onto the bed. He had been awakened by Wang Xiaomi's call this morning. Wang Xiaomi, always a gossip enthusiast, was always at the forefront of such news. By the time these links reached Yun He's phone, the online world was already in an uproar.

"Don't look anymore. Turn it off," Yun He said weakly, collapsing back onto the bed. Gu Jiabei was still engrossed in scrolling through his phone beside him.

Gu Jiabei's brows furrowed deeper than mountain ridges. "Why didn't you tell me about this yesterday? You even lied to me that the school gave you a break?"

"I wasn't lying. The school did give me a break..." Yun He defended himself. "Besides, this whole thing was baseless. I thought it would blow over once it was investigated. Who knew someone would record it and post it online, causing such a fuss..."

"You're incredibly careless!" Gu Jiabei glared at Yun He in frustration before getting out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Yun He asked.

"I'm calling a lawyer."

"No need, right? I have a clear conscience. Once the truth comes to light—"

"Yun He, cyberbullying is more vicious than you think. No one cares about the truth. They only believe what they want to believe. In other words, there are people who need an outlet for their frustrations in life, but they have to behave in reality. Online, they can find targets to vent on freely, and now, you've become someone they can both moralize about and unleash their anger on. The truth doesn't matter at all. So, what difference will it make even if the truth eventually comes out?"

"But the truth is still the truth..." Yun He knew Gu Jiabei was right, but he didn't want to worry him. He tried his best to appear unconcerned.

"At a time like this, don't rely on the belief that good always triumphs over evil. There are too many Zheng Hans and powerlessness in this world," Gu Jiabei said as he tousled Yun He's hair. "Isn't that so?"

The entire day, Gu Jiabei was on conference calls, with the company's legal team and operations department starting to counterattack the silent war of public opinion.

Yun He's phone was almost ringing off the hook with incessant calls, naturally from his parents. In this era of information flow, no secret could be kept hidden. Cai Mingzhi had been relatively calm, while Yun Qingtian had blown up.

"How can my son be gay? What utter bullshit! I know my son best, he's not bloody gay! These damn offspring spreading such vile rumors!" Yun Qingtian bellowed over the phone. "They even say your son kissed a man... in a car! Damn it! Let's see if they can produce this man! How will they find a man who doesn't exist at all!"

"…Dad, please don't get angry… Calm down…" Besides guilt towards his parents, Yun He felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.

"Alright, alright, leave your father alone," Cai Mingzhi took the phone. "I'll explain things to him slowly."

"Mom, don't provoke Dad too much…" Yun He instructed.

"Wait a moment." Gu Jiabei paused his call and approached Yun He. "Is it your uncle and aunt?"

Yun He nodded, whispering, "Dad still has no idea."

Gu Jiabei reached out. "Give me the phone. I'll talk to them."

"Oh." Uncertain about what Gu Jiabei would say, Yun He obediently handed over his phone.

"Aunt, it's me, Gu Jiabei."

"Please, you and Uncle should avoid the fruit store for a while. I'll send someone to pick you up soon. I'll arrange a room for you both in a hotel for the time being. I'm worried that some netizens might track you down and harass you."

"Relax, Auntie. I'll be with Yun He."

"Alright, don't worry too much. Take care of yourself and Uncle."

"Call me if you need anything. I'll assign some people to stay next door at the hotel for your safety, just in case."

Gu Jiabei returned the phone to Yun He and then picked up his own to resume their earlier conversation in the living room.

Yun He gazed at Gu Jiabei's dependable figure, suppressing the urge to rush over and embrace him.

As the day progressed, the scandal spread rapidly. Gu Jiabei's speculation proved correct – not only were Yun He and his parents' information exposed by netizens, but Gu Jiabei himself was also targeted.

"Holy moly, who's this handsome guy with the long legs? Could he be Scumbag Teacher's boyfriend? If so, why would he molest students with such a hot boyfriend? What a peculiar taste!"

"We can't conclude that he molested anyone yet. I doubt it's true..."

"Gu Jiabei, isn't he the founder of that national chain XXX sports brand? Damn, he's young and accomplished! Just not so great at judging character."

"I've got the gossip! Rumor has it that they were already entangled back in school, and they even used to be neighbors!"

"Hold on, an old classmate of mine mentioned that Yun He once had a gay desk mate who, if I recall correctly, ended up jumping off a building or something. It's surprising that Yun He still hasn't kept a low profile about his sexuality after all these years."

"A life has passed, yet you disturb their peace. You're all murderers."

"Who are you talking about? Who are the murderers? What have we said?"

"Exactly, that happened centuries ago, and it has nothing to do with us. Besides, we didn't push the one who jumped, did we? This is outright defamation!"

"What the hell, where did this crazy person come from, spouting nonsense? You're the murderer, you and your whole family! Idiot!"

...

...

The online discussion intensified, and the incident continued to escalate.

"I'm the one who dragged you into this," Yun He said, sitting beside Gu Jiabei, feeling regretful.

After a day of nonstop calls, Gu Jiabei's voice sounded slightly hoarse. "So, are we breaking up?"

Yun He was momentarily lost, and then his pupils trembled. "…Are we breaking up?…"

Gu Jiabei raised an eyebrow. "What do you think?"

Yun He firmly shook his head. "No!"

"What's the matter? Why aren't you afraid of gossip hurting me now? Weren't you terribly afraid before, crying and throwing tantrums to break up? You talked about invisible knives that kill without drawing blood, saying they would turn into blades that harm me. Weren't you full of grandiose reasons back then?"

Yun He finally realized the veiled mockery in Gu Jiabei's words, and, flushed with embarrassment, he covered Gu Jiabei's mouth. "Are you mocking me? You're mocking me at a time like this?! How petty can you be?"

Gu Jiabei pushed Yun He down onto the sofa, his expression earnest. With his arms propped on the couch, he looked down at Yun He. "This is it, Yun He. Are we breaking up?"

"No way, absolutely not. I'd rather die than break up," Yun He shook his head.

"This is your last chance. If you regret it later, I'll have no choice but to break your legs," Gu Jiabei glared fiercely at Yun He.

Yun He looped his arms around Gu Jiabei's neck, drawing him down for a kiss. "If I ever regret it, then break my legs and trap me in your bed for the rest of my life."

Yun He took the initiative to kiss Gu Jiabei, their lips and teeth entwined in a passionate embrace. Amidst the turmoil outside, with rumors and strife abounding, nothing could disrupt this moment of intoxicating intimacy and sweetness they shared.