Chapter 53 – Pressing Forward Step by Step

Xiao Fang wasn’t in a hurry. Just one word was enough to recognize her voice. It seemed this was a well-thought-out plan.

He called several more times, but the other party kept rejecting the calls. Xiao Fang raised an eyebrow, not at all angry, and sent a text message.

Little one, if your parents knew you were cursing them like this online, do you think your legs would still be attached to your body?

He didn’t know about other parents, but if his own child cursed him online for some idol, he would definitely arrange for their legs to be broken.

On the next call, Xiao Fang successfully got through. A still-immature voice on the other end said with disgust, “You’re threatening me! I can sue you!”

“If you were going to sue me, you wouldn’t have answered my call. Do you know that suing someone costs money? And if it’s a false accusation, you have to pay compensation. Or do you think you’ve been right all along, including impersonating my girlfriend and threatening suicide to seek justice for your idol?” Xiao Fang found it almost laughable. How could some people be so bored?

“Brother Xiao Qi is not some idol, he’s an actor! You’re just a clout-chasing, role-buying piece of trash!” the girl said emotionally. When she was angry, she really dared to say anything. She didn’t think she was wrong. What was wrong with fabricating a rumor for her idol? As long as her idol was well, that’s all that mattered! “Do you know how hard he works? He’s been taking roles big and small since college. Why should you get to shine by stepping on him? You’re not worthy!”

Listening to this pig-headed rant, Xiao Fang was about to lose his mind. However, he wasn’t about to explain his family’s private matters to an irrelevant person. He wasn’t here to clear his name, but to solve the problem.

“So you’re saying there’s no reasoning with you? Fine, then I’ll just contact your parents. I believe they’ll understand what I’m saying better than you do.” Xiao Fang made a move as if to hang up.

“Don’t! Are you trying to ruin me? You… you’re so shameless!” The girl finally panicked, though she still hadn’t learned how to speak properly.

“You impersonated my ex-girlfriend, used tactics like pregnancy and suicide to slander my image online, and fabricated things out of thin air. I didn’t go to the trouble of finding you just to have you curse me a few more times. I hope you can understand the situation. Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you. You don’t want to be slandered, so am I supposed to just deserve it? Judging by your voice, you must be in high school. Hasn’t your teacher taught you that phrase yet?” Xiao Fang’s words left her no room for retreat. This was a classic case of someone who only responded to a firm hand.

“You… you…” The girl was furious but didn’t know what to say. Xiao Fang’s words had completely cornered her. In the end, she could only soften her tone and ask very unwillingly, “Then what do you want me to do?”

“One, clarify the rumors and delete the post. Get cursed at by netizens for a few days. Two, I call the police, and we let the adults and the law handle your slander and defamation.” The choice was obvious enough for a fool to make.

“I…” The girl still hesitated. As a professional who had cyberbullied others, she certainly knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end.

“If I get doxxed, will you help me? I don’t want to receive all that crazy stuff. My parents will kill me. I… I can help you clarify, but you have to help me solve this problem.” That way, she could just abandon this account, and Xiao Fang’s reputation would be restored. It was a win-win situation.

Xiao Fang toyed with the other end of his earphone cord, the tips of his fingers exuding a chill. He sneered, “Why should I help you with that? You should be clear about your position. I’m protecting my reputation, not engaging in a mutually beneficial exchange with you. People always have to take responsibility for their actions, don’t they?”

“You… you… I’m a die-hard fan of your brother! I spend money on all his events. Why are you targeting me!” The girl saw that the path of negotiation was blocked and resorted to mindlessly playing the victim. Xiao Fang was getting really impatient with this simpleton. Talking to her felt like talking to thin air; the other side was completely incapable of thinking rationally.

“I’m recording this.”

???

The girl’s brain completely shut down. It took her a long moment to react before she burst into tears. “You’re so despicable! I’ve doomed my idol! What will he think of me now? Aaaah!”

Shouldn’t she be thinking about what her parents would think of her? Xiao Fang couldn’t be bothered to say more and just rolled his eyes.

“Make your choice. You have ten seconds.”

The girl had never met such a straightforward guy. Shouldn’t he wait for her to calm down before asking for a decision? If it were Brother Xiao Qi…

“Ten, nine, eight, seven,” Xiao Fang counted down rhythmically.

“I… I, I, I, I agree! I’ll post it, I’ll post it,” the girl sobbed as she agreed.

The matter was finally resolved. Xiao Fang found it increasingly difficult to understand the thinking of some people these days, but he wasn’t about to try. It was best not to dwell on such trash. Thinking that she was still a high school girl, Xiao Fang decided to leave her a way out in the end.

“After this is over, if someone doxxes you, gather enough evidence and contact the cyber police. If the situation becomes serious, go to the police station and file a report. That’s free. But there won’t be many people who actually dox you. Most will just be caught up in the heat of the moment.”

“How do you kn—” The girl cut herself off mid-sentence. She hastily said thank you and hung up.

Xiao Fang looked at his phone. He hadn’t actually been recording. It was just a bluff. He hadn’t expected her to be so easily scared.

After the call, at four in the afternoon, the Weibo account that claimed to be Xiao Fang’s ex-girlfriend officially posted an apology.

[I deliberately fabricated rumors about Xiao Fang because I dislike his actions. The ex-girlfriend, pregnancy, and suicide were all fake, simply because I was unhappy with him. I didn’t expect the situation to escalate so seriously and for the topic to get so much attention. It has had a very severe impact on the artist Xiao Fang. I realize the huge mistake I’ve made. I have deleted the previous Weibo post. I am very sorry for the irreversible trouble I have caused everyone.]

The moment the apology was posted, it shot straight to the Hot Search, unstoppable. Fortunately, the girl was smart enough to use an alternate account for the rumors. Her main account had too much information about Xiao Qi; if it were exposed, Xiao Qi would be dragged down with her.

[Oh my god, Mom, the internet is too vicious. Is it too late for me to go back to my village?@]

[This is too disgusting. What kind of grudge would make someone fabricate such a rumor and even drag their parents into it? I’m speechless!]

[Parents-about-to-die series.]

[Seriously, girl, you can even make up this kind of rumor? What did your teachers and parents teach you? To take revenge on society? (-___-)]

[Is it just me, or does something seem fishy? Logically, she shouldn’t have admitted to something like this. I suspect Xiao Fang threatened her!]

[Person above, are you still trying to slander Xiao Fang? What kind of brainless water army hired you? By your logic, a murderer shouldn’t confess after killing someone? The victim forced the murderer to kill them? Fucking moron!]

[I’m gonna puke. The person above’s values are terrifying. What a demon. I now think Xiao Fang’s troubles are all part of a setup. He finally gets a bit famous, and all sorts of things start happening to him. Even his own agent is trying to harm him. I’m actually impressed he can still hold up.]

[Same as above. There are so many idiots these days. Here’s one, and his agent is another. Is Xiao Fang having a year of bad luck? Running into all these morons.]

… …

Seeing all these people online speaking up for Xiao Fang, Wu Quanwu was furious. He hadn’t gone to the company today, staying home to monitor the news. But the news was only getting worse. In less than a day, the tide had basically turned. How did he not know that this nouveau riche artist under his management was so brave and resourceful?

But no matter what, he couldn’t just admit defeat. This concerned his entire life. If this matter wasn’t resolved, his life of wealth and luxury would be completely over.

He opened the chat with his familiar water army and directly sent a red packet of nearly one hundred thousand yuan, enough to support his mistress for two months.

[Slander Xiao Fang to death. Don’t care if the dirt is real or fake, just throw it all out there.]

His phone immediately started buzzing. In a group of nearly ten thousand people, messages were constantly being received.

A vicious light gleamed in Wu Quanwu’s eyes.

At seven in the evening, Wu Quanwu, whose Weibo was already flooded with curses, posted again.

[Xiao Fang, I, Wu Quanwu, can say that I have never done anything to offend you. I always let you pick the resources first. How could you frame me like this? I was truly blind. Since you won’t leave me any face, our collaboration is officially over. The screenshots are proof!]

The screenshots he posted were of a chat history between Xiao Fang and Wu Quanwu, though Xiao Fang knew nothing about it.

The gist of it was that the role in Warmth was highly sought after, and Xiao Fang, feeling the momentum from Dynasty, wanted to strike while the iron was hot. Wu Quanwu, aware of the previous issues with Warmth, had repeatedly confirmed with him if he wanted to take the role. Xiao Fang had been insistent, even saying that if he succeeded, Wu Quanwu didn’t even need to ask and could just sign on his behalf. He said he would take responsibility for everything and that if he became rich and famous, he would never forget Wu Quanwu for helping him.

Xiao Fang could only say that when a person is shameless, they are invincible.

Now, the online sentiment began to shift again. With the help of a large water army, all sorts of dirt was thrown around, providing the onlookers with countless scandals to chew on. The day’s events could no longer be described as just volatile; they were a dazzling, chaotic mess!

The anti-fans blindly slandered him without any scruples or bottom line. But after the afternoon’s events, Xiao Fang had managed to win back his public image. It was like the story of the boy who cried wolf; people believed it the first and second time, but they’d be fools to believe it a third time. Thus, the two sides were evenly matched, engaging in a massive online battle that showed no signs of stopping even after three hundred rounds.

One side would dig up dirt, and the other would find evidence to refute it. One side would post ugly photos, and the other would photoshop them. Neither side showed any weakness, looking ready to fight for three days and three nights without rest.

Seeing that the opposing side was about to form a disciplined organization, the anti-fans shifted their focus to Dynasty.

#Exposing the story between Dynasty‘s female lead, Wen An’an, and Xiao Fang# [Pictures attached]

Wen An’an and Xiao Fang were initially at odds. Later, it was because Xiao Fang repeatedly harassed and threatened her that she was forced to compromise and be friendly with him. Has my goddess also become a victim of Xiao Fang’s financial power?

As soon as this was posted, it was immediately forwarded thousands of times. How Xiao Fang treated the non-celebrity female leads from his previous few dramas was a minor matter with little buzz. But Wen An’an was different. She was a childhood goddess for many. Thus, all sorts of onlookers gathered from everywhere, catching at straws and turning the story into an increasingly gossipy tale. However, this buzz didn’t last long before it was smashed by the person herself.

Wen An’an: This road is closed. Get lost! Forever supporting my master! @Xiao Fang.

Xiao Fang: Received. Thank you, good disciple. @Wen An’an.

The moment these two Weibo posts were out, before Xiao Fang’s side could even react, Wen An’an’s management team went into action. They started posting various pictures of Xiao Fang explaining scenes to Wen An’an. The makeup artist Wen An’an had mentioned before even came forward to speak, praising Wen An’an’s growth and noting that Xiao Fang’s guidance had been indispensable.

This move was a direct slap in the face to the anti-fans and the water army. Wu Quanwu was so angry he could barely breathe. He had never seen a third-tier actor so difficult to take down. He had turned the tables in a single day. Even a nouveau riche shouldn’t be this outrageously effective!

Regarding all this online drama, the company’s top executive, Director Wang, was the most furious. Xiao Fang was about to become their most important cash cow, but Wu Quanwu had stirred everything into a complete mess. The entire company was working overtime to clean up the disaster, and they still couldn’t get through to Wu Quanwu’s phone. Just when things had taken a turn for the better in the afternoon, and he thought he might be able to swallow his pride and persuade Xiao Fang to come back, Wu Quanwu’s Weibo post ruined everything.

“Fire… fire Wu Quanwu! And… the contract termination fee!!!” Director Wang slammed a file on his desk, almost fainting from a spike in his blood pressure. The secretary standing beside him was also miserable, silently cursing that greasy old man Wu Quanwu in his heart.

“So, Director Wang, what should we do now?” the secretary asked with a worried frown.

Director Wang clutched his heart and slowly sat down in his office chair, his face pale. “What other choice do we have? Call Xiao Fang. As long as he doesn’t terminate the contract, he can name any condition he wants!”