Amidst a cluster of villas on a hill, one villa was surrounded by people holding banners and sticks. Everyone had ferocious expressions on their faces, as if they were going to rush in at any moment and kill the people inside the villa. But they remained rational and just took turns to curse at the villa.
“Lin Zihan, you scumbag. How could you just quit the entertainment industry? It’s too easy for you. You should die and go to hell! Su Xue is such a beautiful and kind girl. How could you do such a thing and defile her? Are you even human?”
“That’s right, Lin Zihan. You’re a beast. How can you still live among us? Our wronged Su Xue actually accepted your apology. She’s too kind to be bullied by you just like that!”
“That’s right. How much is an apology from an animal worth? We should dig up all eighteen generations of his ancestors, grind their bones and scatter their ashes. Let them never be reincarnated and die horrible deaths. Such an animal doesn’t deserve to live!”
Lin Zihan hid in his room and looked at the crowd outside. He was very angry at the cursing and shouting. He clearly didn’t do anything, but he was vilified so badly. He was even forced to admit to the public that he had humiliated Su Xue. He had already apologized and even left the entertainment industry but these people still didn’t let him off. He threw his laptop to the ground and said angrily,
“These people don’t even know what’s going on. Yet they kept coming here to spout nonsense!”
When Lin Zihan’s assistant, Zhang Xia, saw Lin Zihan’s outburst, he quickly went over to pick up the laptop that as thrown to the ground. He also knew what was going on, but there was nothing he could do. Even if he told the truth now, it would be useless. No one would believe him. So, he told Lin Zihan,
“Zihan, have a good rest for the next few days. Don’t think too much. I have already informed the property management and they will chase these people away in a while. Don’t look at the nonsense that people are saying on the internet either.”
Lin Zihan felt bitter when he heard this. He was just being kind, but the outcome was so bad. He never thought that a person could be so vicious. Also, he would never do such a thing. He smiled bitterly and said,
“I know. It’s just that I didn’t expect that my life would be destroyed by a woman. That day, I shouldn’t have been so compassionate that I took her in. I should have just let her sleep on the streets.”
Zhang Xia could only sigh when he heard this. It was useless to say anything now. Everything had already happened. The only thing they could do now was to minimize the damage. When this matter eventually blew over, they would think of a way for Lin Zihan to return to the entertainment industry. He said to Lin Zihan calmly,
“Your manager called just now and informed me that two days from now, there will be a press conference at Ruifeng Hotel. The company has already prepared a speech. You just have to read it word for word.”
Lin Zihan did not say a word when he heard this. Obviously, the written speech had pushed all the blame to him. But the truth wasn’t like that. Since there was nothing he could do, he just stared blankly out the window.
Zhang Xia felt very sad when he saw Lin Zihan like this, but he had to face this matter. It was impossible for him to avoid it. Furthermore, this was a decision from the top guy in the company. Even if the truth was nothing like what was mentioned on the internet, it’s pointless. How could they defy the capitalists? He asked,
“Zihan, will you go to the press conference?”
Lin Zihan sneered. Why would he go? He had never done what they said at all. Why should he suffer for no reason? He really couldn’t understand why the company wanted him to apologize even when they knew what happened. Why didn’t they let the police investigate? He replied mockingly,
“Of course not. I’m not going to hold a press conference either. Even if I went, I wouldn’t apologize to Su Xue. I didn’t do anything.”
Zhang Xia sighed. He knew it would be like this. But if Lin Zihan didn’t turn up, the damage would be worse. It was better to persuade him. After all, Zihan’s life must go on after this. An apology, and then wait for the incident to blow over… Wouldn’t the outcome be the same? Hence, Zhang Xia persuaded,
“Zihan, if you apologize, you can still get some jobs in future. If you really don’t go, I’m afraid you would be crushed by public opinion. You might even be banned completely.”
Lin Zihan got even angrier when he heard this. He didn’t do anything wrong so why should he apologize?
