Chapter 54: Public Outrage

Chapter 54: Public Outrage

Since Xiao Chun and Yu Wei reached a consensus, Xiao Chun had been scheming ways to dig up Jian Ye’s past scandals.

When everyone assumed Jian Ye was a pure and sunny male college student, seeing images of him partying hard in bars would create a stark contrast in their minds.

Such information online would only influence the easily swayed who believe everything they hear.

Jian Ye had just recently gone viral, and his fanbase wasn’t stable yet—many followers could easily drop him at any moment.

At this stage, even a minor scandal could mislead the fence-sitting spectators.

Yu Wei had sent him photos of Jian Ye with dyed hair—his vibe back then was completely incomparable to now, you’d think they were two different people.

The only similarity was: his figure was just as impeccable.

In one photo, Jian Ye was tilting his head back, chugging straight from a liquor bottle, his elegant swan neck on full display, the lines breathtakingly beautiful. In another, he was seductively licking a glass with a flash of red tongue, surrounded by a haze of smoke, looking like a bewitching demon.

These two photos had nothing to do with innocence—they were pure, raw sex appeal.

Yet Yu Wei claimed he had never touched Jian Ye. Yeah, right!

Having such a stunning person by your side and not making a move? Was his self-control that strong, or was he out of his mind?

But Xiao Chun believed Yu Wei’s words—knowing how sharp the guy is, he couldn’t possibly lie at this level.

Xiao Chun once again marveled at Jian Ye’s luck. Despite encountering a playboy scumbag, he had managed to preserve his chastity, escaped the toxic relationship in time, and blossomed, glowing even brighter—so dazzling it sparked envy.

He heard that *Farewell to Midsummer* was set to start filming tomorrow. Having not checked trending news today, he was unaware of Jian Ye’s situation. Using the money Yu Wei gave him, he hired a wave of trolls to spread Jian Ye’s old photos across forums, message boards, and Weibo, along with pre-written captions.

Before long, posts from clickbait accounts began surfacing online.

"Shocking! The Yun Chuan dance student who recently went viral was actually a bar-crawling party boy?"

"According to Jian Ye’s ex-boyfriend, the current ‘pure’ image is a far cry from his past. Rumor has it he was quite wild in private—not only playing the sycophant in rich second-gen circles but also pulling the victim card after a mutual breakup, tarnishing his ex’s reputation with fake tears?"

"Isn’t Jian Ye’s goody-two-shoes act a bit much? Can a player like him really do justice to Luo Ying’s role? Why did Director Wu pick a dance student like him over so many trained actors? Makes you think, huh?"

"Insiders claim Jian Ye’s ex came to Yun Chuan to beg for forgiveness and reconciliation, only to be coldly rejected and dragged in front of everyone by Jian Ye and his classmates. His harsh attitude is a far cry from the gentle ‘fairy boy’ image he projects online!"

"Were those viral clips just self-promotion for Jian Ye’s entertainment industry debut? Word is he’s Yun Chuan Dance’s ‘golden child,’ but it seems he’s not dedicated to dance—just chasing clout. Bet his teachers and fans are disappointed!"

"Can’t deny the bar for entering showbiz is low these days. Anyone with a pretty face and a bit of allure can snag opportunities. No wonder so many bend over backwards to get in."

"And let’s talk about Jian Ye’s face—is it even real? Comparing his old scene-kid pics to now, the difference is night and day! Bet he’ll never own up to it?"

The trolls were just doing their job. They didn’t care who they were smearing or how vile their words were—that wasn’t their concern.

Xiao Chun told them to release the dirt today, so they acted accordingly.

But no one expected this hit job to collide with the trending topic: #Jian Ye Missing After Heroic Rescue#.

The rescue news had broken first and had already circulated for a while before the smear campaign began.

By then, the social justice crowd had already rallied behind the brave young man, feeling nothing but sympathy and prayers for his safety.

Everyone hoped Jian Ye would return unharmed.

At a time like this, clickbait accounts and trolls spreading scandals about him were practically walking into a hornet’s nest of furious fans.

Not just Jian Ye’s fans, but countless netizens were fuming when they saw those hate accounts trashing him.

Without a doubt, everyone spontaneously banded together in righteous fury to tear into those despicable trolls.

“Who the f*** are you calling a party animal? You’re the damn playboy! Is going to a bar illegal? Is dyeing hair a crime?”

“Digging up someone’s past privacy—how vile can you get? How’d you like it if someone yanked off your underwear?”

“Saying he’s a wild partier—did you see it yourself? Or did you bug his house? Need me to dial 911 for you?”

“Questioning Director Wu’s casting? If you’re so salty, why don’t you audition? Let’s see if Director Wu would even glance at you! You clearly don’t get why he picked Jian Ye to play Luo Ying. Luo Ying’s dancing is next-level, OK? You haven’t even cracked open the book, yet here you are running your mouth!”

“Funny enough, I stumbled on this post and happen to know Jian Ye’s ex. That guy’s a serial cheater—Jian Ye was the one dumped! If that trash begged you back, would you say yes? Not knocking his teeth out proves Jian Ye’s a saint! What kinda lies are you spinning?”

“Link’s here—Jian Ye’s trash ex is infamous at their school. Clueless gossipers can check the guy’s school forum; it’s old news. And you claim Jian Ye ruined his rep? Did it even need ruining? Was he worth the effort?”

“So many jealous trolls online! A kid who risked his life to save someone’s still missing, and you’re still trashing him? No conscience at all?”

“Just ’cause Jian Ye dances well means he can’t act? Can’t multitask? His teachers aren’t complaining, but look at you, playing critic! Wow, so impressive!”

“He dyed his hair, and you’re questioning if his face is real? Jealous much? Sorry, but good genes aren’t something your jealousy can buy. You’re all just bitter trolls accusing pretty people of surgery. Jian Ye’s bare face could outshine your filters!”

“Seeing people still hating on Jian Ye now breaks my heart. He saved a child—would any of you internet trolls dare? I swear, if Jian Ye doesn’t make it back, every one of you haters is going to hell!”

“What’s wild is Jian Ye’s just a freshman—he hasn’t even said he’s joining the industry. Why the troll army? Did he threaten someone’s career? Scared he’ll blow up?”

“I’m livid. If doxxing weren’t illegal, I’d expose every last one of you! And that ‘insider’ leaking photos? Bet it was his scumbag ex. Birds of a feather, I guess.”

“Chill, sis. Slandering a hero? Cyber cops’ll handle it. Just wait—these cowards’ll be begging for forgiveness soon.”

...

Xiao Chun had only been offline half a day. When he reopened Weibo, the situation was blowing up.

The video of Jian Ye jumping off the bridge left no doubt—the guy had done something ballsily heroic.

Releasing those smears now was suicide.

He started sweating bullets, worried netizens might trace it back to him. At least he’d outsourced the dirty work.

Then the troll ringleader messaged him:

“Are you trying to get me killed? Of all people, you pick someone trending for heroics? Cops are at my door. Pay me 500k for my trouble, or I’m nuking the accounts and fleeing.”

Fuming, Xiao Chun shot back:

“Payment was settled upfront. You swore it was foolproof. Now you’re shaking me down for 500k? This is extortion.”

The reply came fast:

“Stop the BS. Pay up, or I’ll expose you as my sugar daddy. I’m doing you a favor by not naming you outright. Who’s scamming who here?”

Xiao Chun panicked. The guy might actually do it.

He checked Weibo—every smear account had posted identical groveling apologies.

Their excuse? Just “joking” and “clout-chasing,” no harm meant.

Netizens weren’t buying it. They’d already doxxed the accounts, and the trolls got ratioed into oblivion.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The online trolls swiftly deactivated their accounts and slinked off like cowards.

Xiao Chun finally let out a sigh of relief, replying reluctantly—

"Here’s 500K, but not a penny more."

He called Yu Wei, ordering him to transfer the money.

The moment the call connected, Yu Wei started screaming at him.

"You crazy bitch, have you lost it?! I said just release the photos—why the hell did you spread all that bullshit rumors?!"

"Didn’t I tell you not to actually hurt Jian Ye?! Setting a hate mob on him—are you insane?!"

Xiao Chun froze at the yelling. After a moment, rage surged through him.

"Cut the bullshit, Yu Wei. I have recordings of you giving the green light. That day, you personally agreed—you wanted Jian Ye’s role ruined. Photos alone wouldn’t do shit!"

"And you think just posting photos isn’t hurting him? You want results without getting your hands dirty? Rich boy, the world doesn’t revolve around you! If you want something, you pay the price! Idiot!"

"Now the troll farm’s ditching us, and they want 500K. You’re paying—you’re the one who wanted Jian Ye out. They’ll leak everything if we don’t pay."

"I only planned it, but you funded it. I’ve got all the receipts. Sleep on that."

Without waiting for Yu Wei’s next rant, Xiao Chun hung up.

He gasped for air, then slammed his fist against the door with a dull thud.

Jian Ye, Jian Ye… Why does everyone always protect you? Even your dumb ex couldn’t bear to hurt you…

No.

Xiao Chun’s gaze flicked to the latest video on his phone—Jian Ye being swept away by the current. His lips twisted into a victorious smirk.

This was Xiao Chun’s only good news all day. So there was another way to remove Jian Ye from a project…

Vanishing solves everything, right?

A vicious thought coiled in Xiao Chun’s mind. *Starting today, your luck runs out.*

May death smile on you.

Author’s Note:

Xiao Chun: *"Drop dead!"* (Manic laughter jpg.)

Jian Ye: *"Lady Luck’s on my side."* (Shy smile jpg.)

CEO Yi: *"Anyone who slanders my wife—DEAD!"* (Furious emoji)

————

Yu Wei: *"You crazy bitch!"*

Xiao Chun: *"You idiot!"* *Dog Eat Dog*