The Price of Slander

When people believed Jian Ye to be a pure, sunny university student, witnessing his dissolute behavior in a bar would undoubtedly create a profound sense of disillusionment. Such information circulating online would only sway those who were indecisive and easily influenced by rumors. As Jian Ye had only recently soared to popularity, his fanbase was still unstable, making him highly susceptible to losing followers at any moment. At such a critical juncture, even a minor smear could easily mislead wavering onlookers.

Yu Wei had once sent Xiao Chun photos of Jian Ye after he had dyed his hair; his demeanor in those pictures was utterly incomparable to his current one. It would not be an exaggeration to say they looked like two different people. Yet, the one undeniable commonality remained: both figures possessed an excellent physique.

One photograph depicted Jian Ye, bottle in hand, tilting his head back to drink directly, his beautiful, swan-like neck exposed in a line of exquisite grace. The other showed him provocatively extending his tongue to sensually lick a glass, an enchanting demon amidst the hazy, smoke-filled surroundings. These two images were utterly devoid of any pretense of purity, brimming instead with raw, sexual tension.

Yet, Yu Wei insisted that he had never once touched Jian Ye. To an outsider, who would believe such a claim? To have such an exquisite specimen by one’s side and not touch them? Was it an unparalleled strength of will, or simply a broken mind? Xiao Chun, however, believed Yu Wei’s words, convinced that with the man’s intelligence, he wouldn’t stoop to such a blatant lie.

Xiao Chun once again marveled at Jian Ye’s fortune. Despite encountering a philandering scoundrel, Jian Ye had preserved his innocence, escaping a bitter fate in time. He now shone brighter than ever, captivatingly beautiful in a way that stirred envy.

Rumor had it that Farewell to Summer was set to begin filming tomorrow. Having not checked the trending news today, Xiao Chun was unaware of Jian Ye’s current situation. He used the money Yu Wei had given him to hire a group of internet trolls, instructing them to disseminate Jian Ye’s old photos across forums, online communities, and Weibo. The accompanying captions had been meticulously prepared by him in advance.

Before long, a flurry of marketing accounts began circulating posts online.

[Shocking! The Yunjing Media University Dance Department’s handsome young man, who recently shot to fame, is actually a dissolute playboy who frequents bars?]

[According to Jian Ye’s ex-boyfriend, the old Jian Ye was far from pure, leading a rather wild private life. Not only was he a sycophant in rich second-generation circles, but after their breakup, he deliberately cried and feigned victimhood to tarnish his ex-boyfriend’s reputation?]

[Has Jian Ye overplayed his innocent persona? Can such a promiscuous playboy truly portray the character of Luo Ying well? Why did Director Wu choose Jian Ye, a dance student, out of so many professionally trained actors?]

[An insider claims that Jian Ye’s ex-boyfriend came to Yunjing Media University to beg for forgiveness, only to be coldly rejected. He was even ridiculed and mocked by Jian Ye’s classmates, leaving him no dignity whatsoever.]

[Could these viral videos all be Jian Ye’s self-marketing efforts to break into the entertainment industry? It’s said he’s the ‘Purple Star descending,’ but it seems he never intended to solely pursue dance artistry. He merely wants to make money in entertainment.]

The internet trolls were merely mercenaries, working for money. Xiao Chun had instructed them to release the scandalous material today, and so they commenced their operation without delay. However, no one could have anticipated that these damning revelations would collide with the trending topic of #JianYeGoesMissingAfterHeroicAct#.

The trending topic had surfaced earlier and had already been fermenting for some time when the negative rumors were finally released. Those netizens with a strong sense of justice had already empathized deeply, their hearts filled only with affection and well wishes for the courageous boy. At such a moment, for marketing accounts to release disparaging information about Jian Ye was undoubtedly akin to charging headfirst into the firing line of his fans.

Without hesitation, countless internet users spontaneously united, fiercely criticizing the trolls with righteous indignation.

“What ‘wild’ are you talking about? You’re the one who’s wild! Is going to a bar illegal?”
“Digging up someone’s past privacy, aren’t you disgusting?”
“You’re questioning Director Wu’s eye for talent? Luo Ying’s dancing is super amazing, okay? People who haven’t even read the original novel are here spouting nonsense?”
“Excuse me, but I also happen to know Jian Ye’s ex-boyfriend. His ex-boyfriend is a complete playboy, and Jian Ye was the one who got dumped!”
“There are really so many jealous people online! You’re slandering a child whose fate is unknown. If Jian Ye is truly gone, all of you trolls deserve to go to hell!”
“Seeing people still slandering Jian Ye at a time like this truly makes me heartbroken. Jian Ye saved a child. Do any of you hiding behind screens dare to save someone?”
“I find it odd, Jian Ye is only a freshman. Has Jian Ye stepped on someone’s toes? Why are they so wary of Jian Ye? Are they afraid he’ll become popular?”

****

Xiao Chun had only been offline for half a day. Upon reopening Weibo, he discovered that events were spiraling beyond his control. He watched the video of Jian Ye jumping into the river and realized there was no doubt that the young man had performed an act of immense righteousness and valor. Releasing those negative rumors now was simply digging his own grave.

As he was thinking this, the leader of the marketing accounts sent him a message.

[Are you trying to screw me over? Of all people to slander, you had to pick a celebrity who’s become a hot social topic? The police are already knocking on my door. I don’t care, you owe me compensation for emotional distress, and another 500,000. I’m deleting all my accounts and preparing to run.]

Xiao Chun, seething with anger, shot back a reply: “The money was paid in advance. Now you’re coming back asking for an additional 500,000? Isn’t that extortion?”

The other party immediately issued a harsh threat: [Stop dragging this out with me. Otherwise, I’ll directly expose online that you paid me to do this. Are you still trying to bargain?]

Xiao Chun’s heart pounded with panic. He opened Weibo and found that all the marketing accounts had bowed down in apology, uniformly and without exception. Their unified excuse was that they had merely been running their mouths and had harbored no ill intentions. Netizens, however, were relentless. Each person spat a torrent of criticism, utterly overwhelming the trolls.

Xiao Chun replied with a hint of reluctance: “Fine, I’ll give you 500,000, but this is the last payment.”

He called Yu Wei, asking him to transfer the money. As soon as the call connected, Yu Wei immediately began to verbally abuse Xiao Chun.

“You little b*tch, have you gone crazy! I told you to only post photos, why did you let them spread so many rotten rumors!”
“Didn’t I tell you not to genuinely harm Jian Ye? You’ve got a bunch of people chasing and insulting him, are you sick!”

Xiao Chun was stunned. After a moment, a sudden fury ignited within him.

“And do you think just posting photos isn’t harming him? You want the horse to run, but you don’t want the horse to eat grass. Young Master, where in the world are there so many good things as you imagine? To get something, you have to pay a price! Idiot!”

“Now the internet trolls have run off, and we need to pay 500,000. You are the real culprit who wanted Jian Ye to leave the film crew. I have message records and transfer records here. You’d better think carefully.”

Without waiting for Yu Wei to bark further, Xiao Chun hung up. He took a few ragged breaths, then slammed his fist against the door. ‘Ah Ye, oh Ah Ye, why is it that someone always protects you? Even your idiotic ex-boyfriend, who broke up with you, couldn’t bear to harm you…’

‘No.’

Xiao Chun suddenly looked at the latest video on his phone of Jian Ye being swept away by the current, a victorious curve forming on his lips. This was the only good news Xiao Chun had received today.

‘Wouldn’t it be better if he just disappeared?’
Xiao Chun thought maliciously, ‘Starting today, your good fortune ends here. Death will favor you.’