CHAPTER 199
After Qin Yinong returned to Beijing, with only a week left until their wedding, they needed to finalize the wedding details. So Qin Yinong and Tang Ruoyao discussed and decided that Qin Yinong would stay in the city, which meant they would be apart for a week.
On the day Qin Yinong was leaving, Tang Ruoyao woke up two hours earlier to provide a wake-up service. She checked Qin Yinong's luggage, prepared breakfast, and accompanied her to the black car parked in the courtyard.
Learning from past experiences, Tang Ruoyao spoke with a serious tone, "If you can't sleep, you must tell me, okay? Do you hear me?"
Qin Yinong obediently nodded.
Tang Ruoyao wasn't satisfied and said, "What if you keep it from me again?"
Qin Yinong replied, "Then you won't talk to me for an hour."
She was most afraid of Tang Ruoyao ignoring her. The fact that she proactively said this meant that she truly remembered.
Tang Ruoyao felt the weight lifted from her heart.
She reached out and tugged at the collar of Qin Yinong's coat, moving it up to her face, gently caressing her with the pad of her thumb. She said, "I'll be back soon. Wait for me."
Qin Yinong focused her eyes on her, never leaving since the beginning.
"Okay."
"I love you." Tang Ruoyao looked at her and embraced Qin Yinong, adding softly in her ear, "I will love you forever, in this life and the next, till death fo us part."
Qin Yinong's eyes trembled slightly, and she hugged her tightly.
After a long while, they finally let go of each other.
Tang Ruoyao opened the back door for her, her hand blocking the top, watching as Qin Yinong sat inside, her gaze gentle.
"See you in the capital."
Qin Yinong released her pale fingertips, her red lips moved, and she whispered, "See you in capital."
Tang Ruoyao stood in place until the black car's figure was no longer visible in her line of sight.
She stood there for a while, sighed softly, and went back into the house.
Parting was too difficult for Qin Yinong, just the mere thought of her leaving made Tang Ruoyao feel a heaviness in her chest.
During the time Qin Yinong moved to City W, Tang Ruoyao had regretted it more than once. She shouldn't have accepted the new movie so quickly, she should have thought more deeply and considered Qin Yinong's feelings before making such a decision.
Qin Yinong was a strong adult in front of the outside world, but here, she was just a little girl. Tang Ruoyao shouldn't have treated her as an invincible adult, or even projected her own thoughts onto her.
They were different—Tang Ruoyao was optimistic and confident, while Qin Yinong was fearful and insecure.
The dream that Qin Yinong had shared with her, even if she had embellished it, the core of the dream would not change—
She didn't want Tang Ruoyao to leave, and she was afraid of hurting her one day.
Lock her up? It does sound extreme, but just like how Qin Yinong jokingly mentioned to Tang Ruoyao on New Year's Eve that she might restrict her freedom in the future, Tang Ruoyao wanted to playfully ask her back, "Would you really do that?"
The answer, of course, was no.
Qin Yinong was trapped in her own nightmare, unable to break free. She always felt like she would do something bad, so she endured and concealed it. But Tang Ruoyao could see right through her. Qin Yinong would never harm her. If there really came a day when she did, she would only hurt herself. Isn't that what she was doing now?
The woman was best at locking herself up, suppressing herself for a one-in-a-million possibility. If Tang Ruoyao had more time to accompany her, maybe she could gradually improve. But the sudden separation exposed this problem prematurely, and her sense of security was far beyond Tang Ruoyao's imagination.
Fortunately, Tang Ruoyao discovered it.
She couldn't directly say, "I'm not afraid." Because it was Qin Yinong who was afraid.
So Tang Ruoyao told her, "It's not a big deal, I'm the same as you."
Behind this fear, buried deep inside, was Qin Yinong's deep, unspoken love. Tang Ruoyao understood because she understood, she felt even more heartache.
She often felt that she wasn't good enough, why did she always let Qin Yinong bear it alone?
......
Qin Yinong sat in the VIP waiting lounge and heard the boarding announcement. As she got up, she deliberately adjusted the hem of her coat.
The coat was bought for her by Tang Ruoyao. While Tang Ruoyao was filming, she had also prepared a lot of clothes for Qin Yinong, from outerwear like down jackets and coats to intimate underwear, and even the candies in her pocket that she could touch with her fingertips.
Qin Yinong didn't have a particular fondness for sweets, but she developed a sweet tooth growing up in her hometown. So if she had to choose a snack, she would go for candies. They were convenient to carry and wouldn't go bad in the short term.
Qin Yinong peeled a candy and put it in her mouth, then typed a message to Tang Ruoyao: [Boarding now.]
Tang Ruoyao had told her ten minutes ago that she was going to film, so after sending this message, Qin Yinong put her phone back in her pocket.
Unexpectedly, after she settled into her seat, she received another message from Tang Ruoyao: [Have a safe flight. Message me when you land. Muah, love you.]
Qin Yinong: [Okay.]
Qin Yinong: [Focus on filming. If you're on your phone all the time, you'll get scolded.]
Tang Ruoyao: [I'm going to film.] She added, [I won't get scolded, hahaha.]
Qin Yinong replied with another message and then turned off her phone.
Tang Ruoyao had done enough for her, so she needed to do her best as well.
The plane smoothly ascended to the stratosphere.
"Guan Han," Qin Yinong reached out, "the eye mask."
Guan Han took out a steam eye mask from her bag, and Qin Yinong opened it and put it on, lying flat in her seat, closing her eyes to rest.
A hint of surprise flashed in Guan Han's eyes.
When Qin Yinong was alone after Tang Ruoyao left, she would either be listless or absent-minded. But now, she had a feeling of undergoing a transformation.
After landing, Qin Yinong called Tang Ruoyao, who was taking a nap, and then returned to the Qin residence. Qin Jianing, the little girl, had almost become a pitiful little cabbage because Qin Yinong had been too busy to take care of her during this time. Fortunately, there were many people doting on her. Qin Yinong ate the hot meal prepared by Aunt Fang and asked Qin Jianing, "Do you want to go to the company with Mom?"
Qin Jianing immediately nodded.
In the afternoon, Qin Yinong spent time at the company. She still occasionally became absent-minded and unconsciously picked up her phone, opening Tang Ruoyao's chat box to see if there were any new messages.
Tang Ruoyao used to disappear for a whole morning or afternoon when filming, and if things didn't go smoothly, she would study the script during lunchtime, fully immersing herself and being unavailable for the entire day. But now she deliberately adjusted to Qin Yinong's rhythm and would send a message after finishing a scene.
[Done.]
[Took three takes. Did my skills deteriorate? Luckily, Director Fan said it was great.]
[Umm, suddenly I want you to teach me how to act again. Do you remember when we filmed "True Colors," the dream scene? You're so amazing.]
She sent a voice message, calling her "Sister" in a soft and tender voice.
What was even more outrageous was that she said some embarrassing things that should only be said in bed, distracting Qin Yinong from her work. She didn't know where she had learned it from.
On their first night apart, they almost engaged in phone intimacy.
Later, they switched to making phone calls, and Tang Ruoyao acted as if nothing had happened.
The advantage was that Qin Yinong miraculously fell asleep, sleeping with a smile on her face.
Tang Ruoyao listened to the even breathing on the other end of the phone and softly called out, "Baby?"
"..." No response
Tang Ruoyao connected her phone to the charger, maintaining the call, and turned off the lights.
......
Since the exposure of Qin Yinong's family background last month, she had been running around W City with her girlfriend, enjoying their time together, while the online world had never been quiet. There was too much information about Qin Yinong. After being in the industry for so many years, there were countless rumors and gossip, some of which many young people were unaware of. So, both the good and the bad were dug up and spread.
An Ling took the opportunity to clarify those rumors that had no evidence at all, keeping busy.
Qin Yinong herself hadn't publicly responded even once. She was besieged by the media several times, and her bodyguards hurriedly escorted her away.
But she couldn't remain silent forever unless she withdrew from the industry. Various media outlets had been eyeing her for a long time, and An Ling's phone was constantly bombarded with calls from editors and program directors. Finally, she chose a reputable and influential media outlet to give them the opportunity to interview Qin Yinong.
Not all media outlets lacked integrity, it was just that in this entertainment-centric era, many people were struggling to survive. Ultimately, it wasn't the fault of one person or a certain group of people. Going with the flow was the choice of the majority.
Opinions on the internet were diverse, and netizens endlessly discussed Qin Yinong's thirteen-year journey in the industry, analyzing it tirelessly.
At this moment, a well-known interview program released an interview video of Qin Yinong and wrote a lengthy interview article based on the content, titled "Flower on the Cliff: Behind the Misunderstandings."
After being at the center of public opinion for several months, Qin Yinong finally stepped forward to respond officially. The video immediately topped the hot search rankings. Whether with good intentions, ill intentions, or neutral curiosity, the crowds rushed to be the first to witness it.
After watching the entire interview, all the viewers fell silent.
But after the silence, an even more explosive public opinion emerged.
Because Qin Yinong's self-description in the interview and the public's perception of her could be described with one word: subversive.
Netizens: Do they think we're fools?!!
Even Weibo's comment section wasn't enough to vent their emotions. The interview was uploaded to a bullet screen website, and every word Qin Yinong said could be criticized a hundred times over by netizens.
In the video, Qin Yinong sat on a sofa, wearing a white suit with gold leaf-shaped earrings, her long straight hair falling on her shoulders. She had a simple and elegant style, with clear and upright features. There was a touch of gentleness and dignity, lacking the usual enchanting charm.
The light above her head slanted down, illuminating her shoulders, and the lustrous glow of her fair skin made her exceptionally delicate.
The host asked, "Qin Yinong, is Maple Red something you built from scratch?"
Qin Yinong nodded slightly, "Yes."
The host asked, "What was your original intention in establishing it?"
"Original intention..." The corner of the woman's lips always held a faint smile, exuding a serene gentleness from the depths of her being. "Probably not wanting more people to experience the same pain as me."
The host's expression froze slightly, "Are you saying... you also grew up in a violent family?"
"Why? Don't I look like it?" Qin Yinong smiled lightly, playfully responding.
Before the host could answer, the barrage exploded.
- What a load of crap! Are they taking us for fools!
- Can't even get through the beginning. This act of seeking sympathy no longer works, okay?
- Domestic violence is a brick. It can be moved wherever it's needed. I think there's still a missing piece here: depression. Can someone who watched further tell me if Qin Yinong mentioned her depression?
- She hasn't mentioned a word about domestic violence in thirteen years of her career, and now suddenly she brings it up??? Excuse me??? Do they think we have the IQ of a three-year-old?
- As an ordinary fan, I'm really confused. Qin Emperor, control the water in your brain, please. You're already so successful, why do you need to seek sympathy and ruin the goodwill people have for you?
In the video, the host looked Qin Yinong up and down, jokingly saying, "Indeed, you don't look like it, haha."
- The host's comeback was amazing!
- I'm a fan of the host now!
- Even the host doesn't give her face. It's evident how much of a failure Qin Yinong is as a person!
The video continued.
Qin Yinong blinked, "But I was."
The host smiled again, showing no expression on their face, but their thoughts were clearly in line with those of the audience watching in front of the screen.
Many people always imagine the image of a victim: they must be vulnerable, helpless, and even perfect. They must not be strong or have an attacking nature, otherwise it would provoke aversion. This way, they can evoke pity from others. The average person is expected to wash their face with tears, and entertainment industry artists should also remain silent. When mentioning their painful past, their eyes should shimmer with tears, and when speaking of sorrow, they should shed two lines of tears. The host should promptly offer a tissue for them to wipe their tears... and so on.
None of these images aligned with Qin Yinong's persona.
She was glamorous, as if she had effortlessly achieved success in the entertainment industry from the beginning. She was poised, exuding dominance, and always at ease in any situation. She could even bluntly shut down reporters who tried to corner her, telling them to get lost.
What does it mean to be a prodigy? It was someone like her.
Was she a victim of domestic violence? Did she grow up in a violent family? Don't be ridiculous.
In the video, indifferent to the host's reaction, Qin Yinong simply said, "Not every victim has to bear deep grudges for you to see the suffering they've endured."
The host's complexion instantly stiffened.
Qin Yinong paused for a few seconds, her expression calm, and she began to speak slowly and steadily, "When I was born, my father's business failed, his company went bankrupt, and he spiraled into despair. He would drink every day and frequently physically abuse my mother. I would hide in my room, wearing headphones with a Walkman, turning the volume up to the maximum, and trembling uncontrollably with both hands covering my ears."
"Sometimes that man would also hit me because I didn't hear what he said or didn't react in time. The most commonly used tool was the thick glass ashtray in our home. It hurt a lot when it hit, and it was not easy to break. I often had bruises all over my body from being hit with it. When I was seventeen, I was discovered by a talent scout and entered the entertainment industry to act. I had a big argument with my mom, and he raised his hand and threw the ashtray at me. If I hadn't dodged quickly, it would have hit my head."
The host's nerves unconsciously tensed up, and they asked, "What happened afterward?"
Qin Yinong shrugged, "After that, I left home in anger and didn't go back for a long time."
The barrage continued with mockery.
- Writer, keep going with the fiction.
- Where's the writer of this script? Come out and get beaten! The writing is so mediocre, it doesn't touch people's hearts. I didn't even cry.
- Honestly, the script is still decent, but Qin Yinong's acting skills are not up to par. How could she smile when saying these words? Show some respect to the audience by shedding a couple of tears, okay?
- I've always thought Qin Yinong's acting skills were subpar. I don't know why so many people worship her.
- Are the "Big Three" and the Oscars so great? They are all awards given by foreigners. Chinese people should focus on developing within the country. Who cares about foreign awards?
- Shocking! It's 2020, and there are still arguments like this about closed-door policies?!
.......
The host asked, "What is your relationship with your father like now?"
"It's been severed long ago," Qin Yinong said lightly. "A few years ago, I arranged for my mother to divorce him and took her away to live with me."
The host stood there dumbfounded, thinking they misheard, "Arranged... to divorce?"
Qin Yinong adjusted the microphone near her ear to make her voice clearer, "Yes."
Before coming here, she had discussed with An Ling that she would answer any question except those related to Tang Ruoyao's name and gender. There was nothing to hide. Whether others believed her or not was another matter, but she had spoken.
Qin Yinong explained how she engineered the divorce between Qin Hongjian and Ji Shulan, leaving the host wide-eyed and speechless.
Barrage comments:
- Oh my, this development is getting exciting. If this is true, I'm definitely a fan!
- The person above is being too wishy-washy. It's obviously not true. Just think about who her mother is, her mother's surname, Ji Zhang's aunt. Could someone like that be easily bullied?
- This writer's skills are really lacking. The story is inconsistent. Deduct one million from Alipay.
- Why do I find the domestic violence part quite believable? Regardless of her mother's relatives, whether she was abused or had money or a prestigious background, it's not related. In the news, there are women who have been abused but refuse to leave their husbands. Are they all poor? Nowadays, it's like this, let alone almost thirty years ago.
- Fans, stop whitewashing. It's clearly fake.
......
In the video, the host asked about her opinion on the rumors surrounding her. Qin Yinong naturally denied everything and revealed a fact that shocked the entire internet.
Qin Yinong's father, Qin Hongjian, whom she had never mentioned before, turned out to be a vain and greedy vampire. After Qin Yinong rose to fame, Qin Hongjian constantly asked her for money, wanting to buy mansions and luxury cars. Later, he even developed a gambling addiction, increasing his expenses. Qin Yinong ignored him and only sent money home regularly. Qin Hongjian complained that it wasn't enough, and conflicts arose between them.
At that time, Qin Yinong was extremely popular, and countless people wanted to bring her down. The media was also desperately searching for any scandal involving her, but they never found any evidence.
Qin Hongjian took the money and started spouting nonsense in front of the media. He claimed that Qin Yinong had always been popular with the opposite sex since childhood, with boys frequently accompanying her home, and every time it was a different person. He even said she had a boyfriend in the entertainment industry and planned to introduce him to the family.
At that time, the underage Qin Yinong couldn't defend herself, and her reputation plummeted.
Barrage comments:
- So, that's why she brought up her mother and her own experience of domestic violence. Turns out she was waiting for this opportunity. It's the first time I've seen someone shift blame onto their own father in order to whitewash themselves. Unbelievable!
- Qin Yinong, a moral degenerate! Qin Yinong, a scumbag! Let's all send her on her way to the underworld. Charge!
- Such beautiful Chinese words.
- The person above went too far. There's no need to be so vicious, but I hope she faces consequences soon.
The host also asked for her opinion on online violence. Qin Yinong thought for a moment and earnestly said, "Not everyone has a strong heart. Just because I can endure it doesn't mean others can too. There are many people who go unnoticed. Even I have experienced dark times until recently when I completely emerged from them. It's not just celebrities, but also ordinary people who suffer greatly. I hope everyone will think carefully and speak sensibly."
Barrage comments:
- Who do you think you are, talking about online violence? Even a tree knows to shed its bark, but you don't know to save face.
- When snowflakes are cheap, I want to turn into hail.
- Hail +1.
- Add your ID number.
.......
The response from netizens to Qin Yinong's interview was mixed, as she and An Ling had anticipated. The majority of it was mockery.
[I've finished reading it. It's complete nonsense. The part about making her parents divorce in the middle was quite satisfying. Who is the writer?]
[I should have it known. The biggest entertainment news of 2020 isn't Qin Yinong, it's the relatives of the Ji family. Every single thing about her is major news, and it's getting more and more bizarre. What does she really want to do? Why does she keep causing trouble?]
[It's just a whitewashing.]
[This isn't whitewashing; it's straight-up bleach.]
[A liar with a mouthful of lies! I'm turning from a fan to a hater!]
Even most people in the industry who were unaware of the truth felt that Qin Yinong's actions were self-destructive. The staff members who devised this whitewashing plan should be collectively dismissed, but Qin Yinong's studio didn't impose any punishment. They even distributed red envelopes to everyone.
Rumors ran rampant, and as the tide receded, the truth that shone in the sunlight was cast aside, and no one believed it—except for the fans.
The fans of Qin Yinong were in tears, flooding the comments section of her Weibo with declarations of support.
[I'm shedding tears like a fierce tiger.]
[I can't take it anymore. My girlfriend can't be a fan anymore. I'll transform into a mother fan. How could my baby endure so much suffering? *Sobbing*]
[I watched that video, and I cried from beginning to end.]
[I've soaked a whole pack of tissues with my tears.]
.......
Once Qin Yinong's groundbreaking interview was released, several active artists from her studio also received media attention. The first one to face the spotlight was the popular actress Yi Yi. She had always been displeased with the media's rumors about Qin Yinong, so when a reporter asked her, "Have you watched the online interview video of Qin, the lead actress?"
Yi Yi's expression turned cold as she replied, "I've watched it."
The reporter asked, "What are your thoughts on it?"
Yi Yi furrowed her brow and said, "I have no thoughts."
The reporter was delighted, thinking that Qin Yinong was about to be criticized. But Yi Yi continued, "Just stating the facts. You people have been defaming her for so many years, it's time to give her some justice." She sarcastically curled her lips and added, "However, no one will ever apologize to her."
She looked at the reporter before her, her gaze deep and piercing, sending a chill down the reporter's spine.
Suddenly, Yi Yi smiled and said, "I was narrow-minded. She doesn't need you to give her justice, nor does she need you to acknowledge her innocence." She stared directly into the camera, the curve of her lips forming a smile that didn't reach her eyes, and said each word deliberately, "You're not worthy."
The reporter's face turned alternating shades of red and white, frozen in place.
Yi Yi turned and left.
Her manager intercepted her halfway, ushering her into the rest area and closing the door behind them. The manager looked at her, took a deep breath, and hesitated.
Yi Yi stood tall, closed her eyes, and prepared herself for her manager's anger.
But the expected explosion didn't come. Yi Yi cautiously opened her eyes and found her manager looking at her, a faint smile in their eyes.
Huh?
Yi Yi blinked.
The manager raised their hand, gently patted her head, and said with a smile, "Let's forget about this incident. It won't happen again."
Qin Yinong had endured the injustice for so many years, and every employee in her studio was filled with pent-up anger. Yi Yi had relieved some of it for her, but now the aftermath...
The manager's headache began.
Yi Yi had become the target of public criticism for standing up for Qin Yinong.
If we talk about the type of female celebrity with the most haters, it would definitely be the popular young actresses who rely on their popularity, such as Wen Shuxian... and Yi Yi. When it comes to battling fans, it was pitch black, with no light from the sun or moon. The square became a battlefield, with true and false scandals flying everywhere.
While she was under attack, with Yi Yi leading the way, other artists from the studio no longer remained silent when asked about Qin Yinong. Their attitudes were unprecedentedly unanimous—protect our Qin Yinong.
When Qin Yinong heard the report from An Ling, she realized that all the artists from her studio had been dragged into the mess. None were spared.
Qin Yinong: "..."
She raised her hand and rubbed her temple, saying, "No, why did they have to get involved in this mess?"
An Ling sat in her office chair, one hand skillfully spinning a pen between her fingertips. Upon hearing Qin Yinong's words, she lifted her eyelids and glanced at her, saying calmly, "Even nestlings repay their parents, let alone humans? You've protected them for so many years, what's wrong with them speaking up for you?"
Qin Yinong coughed and said, "That's not what I meant."
An Ling mused, "Then what did you mean? Come on, I clearly saw you smiling just now. Look at how they've grown from knowing nothing when they graduated and were signed by you, now they can all stand on their own. You must be quite happy about it."
Qin Yinong indeed smiled and said, "What's wrong with being happy? But when their contracts expire, most of them will still leave." Just as An Ling was about to speak, Qin Yinong changed the subject and sighed, "But for now, I'm happy that they can speak up for me. It feels like all the effort I've put into these little brats hasn't been in vain."
An Ling fell silent for a moment, her expression peculiar.
Qin Yinong stood up from the chair, poured herself a glass of water, leaned against the desk, took a sip, and turned to face An Ling. She propped her hand on the desk and lightly asked, "What's wrong?"
An Ling said, "Don't you feel like we're two old mothers?"
Qin Yinong said, "No." She lightly bit the rim of the glass, pondered for a moment, and said, "At most, I would say aunt."
She couldn't let others be the mother, Tang Ruoyao would get jealous.
An Ling was puzzled. "Why aunt? Is it related to laughing?"
Qin Yinong vaguely dismissed it, "Hmm, maybe."
An Ling didn't dwell on the answer to that question and said, "Shall I proceed to the next step then?"
Qin Yinong nodded.
She took out her mobile phone and waved it, saying, "I'll call my girlfriend."
An Ling responded irritably, closed the pen cap, and threw it at Qin Yinong.
Qin Yinong caught it and put it back on the table, smiling as she said, "Thank you."
After Qin Yinong's interview caused a strong online reaction, the studio officially began damage control once the intense initial round of online arguments subsided. An Ling had been planning for this day for several years. In addition to sending people to guide public opinion, they also released an interview video with Qin Yinong's high school homeroom teacher from back then.
This video had been aired on television, with a station logo in the top right corner. When Qin Yinong had just become famous, there weren't as many relatives and media interviews, so the first-hand information provided by the media was authentic.
According to Qin Yinong's high school homeroom teacher, Qin Yinong was a diligent student who arrived at school the earliest every day and worked very hard. She entrusted Qin Yinong with the keys to open the school gate. However, regarding her character, she was somewhat introverted and didn't speak much with other classmates.
Just the "introverted" part contradicted what Qin Hongjian had said. He claimed that Qin Yinong had a good rapport with her classmates, especially boys, and often had classmates escorting her home.
There was also an interview with neighbors. According to all the neighbors, Qin Yinong was a diligent, responsible, and helpful child, well-liked by everyone. On the other hand, regarding her father Qin Hongjian, since he wasn't the focus, the interviews from back then only revealed fragments of information. However, from those fragments, one could piece together the image of Qin Hongjian being lazy and not focused on his work, which aligned with Qin Yinong's version of events.
An Ling contacted another media outlet and provided them with an address to interview Qin Hongjian's former neighbors. Over a decade had passed, but because a big star had emerged, many people still remembered the Qin family's affairs vividly.
An elderly woman with graying hair held her granddaughter, who had just learned to walk, and shyly faced the camera for the interview. "Qin Hongjian, I remember him." she said.
The reporter asked, "What kind of person was he?"
The elderly woman replied, "Ah, him." She frowned, pursed her lips, and showed a disgusted expression. "He used to drink a lot, and when he got drunk, he would beat his wife and children. He wasn't a good person."
Two other neighbors gave similar accounts.
One elderly man mentioned that Qin Hongjian even spat on the ground, showing no shame.
"He couldn't accomplish anything himself, yet he went around spreading baseless rumors. His youngest daughter, Qin Yinong, such a good girl, suffered because of him."
........
With the disclosure of these old stories, the netizens who had believed that Qin Yinong was slandering her own father received a resounding slap in the face.
[This gossip is making me feel choked up. #HowScaryItIsNotToHaveParentalExams#"]
[This scumbag father, I can't take it anymore. It's infuriating. I want to crowdfund to beat him up.]
[Crowdfund to beat him up +1]
[I used to think that Zhang Ge and Mei Tianhou's mothers were already outrageous enough, but there is always a higher peak. I declare that the scumbag father takes the center stage at the funeral.]
[With a vampire-like father, Qin Yinong's life is truly miserable.]
During the process of dealing with this matter, An Ling felt indignant more than once. Qin Yinong had been completely undermined by her own team.
If she had been Qin Yinong's manager thirteen years ago, how could she have let Qin Hongjian, that dirty scoundrel, easily ruin Qin Yinong's life with baseless accusations?
Just thinking about it made her teeth itch with anger, and she wished she could throw the executives of her former management company back into prison!
The online sentiment visibly shifted.
However, there was still a widespread belief—this was all a publicity stunt.
Just as people demanded a perfect victim, many also had a different set of standards for the strong:
You say you've already achieved fame and fortune, you've cut ties with your scumbag father, so why are you bringing up these things? Isn't it just for attention and publicity?
The trending topics had been hanging around from before the new year to after, and the battlefront was extending to nearly 25,000 li (over 12,000 km). Aren't you tired? We, the audience, are tired too, okay?
I was originally on your side. I didn't say doing charity was bad, I didn't say there was nothing remarkable about doing charity. I admire and appreciate you. But when you maliciously generate hype and engage in excessive marketing, don't blame me for turning against you. One thing at a time, what I dislike is your publicity stunt, and no one can take away my right to dislike something.
This group of people who dislike seeing Qin Yinong's name, calling themselves "justice warriors," flooded the comment sections of every article mentioning Qin Yinong, portraying themselves as noble bystanders and impartial observers:
[Let's be reasonable, enough is enough. Constantly spreading negativity really ruins the good impression [eating popcorn].]
[It seemed like everyone else was intoxicated while I remained sober.]
The interview with Qin Yinong continued to generate heat, and the official commendation from the "Hope Project" and relevant departments, verifying the specific details, finally arrived, accompanied by several major official media outlets, including Renri (People's Daily). They published articles praising Qin Yinong.
These media outlets had already come forward to support Qin Yinong shortly after the exposure of Maple Red (Feng Hong) and Jianing Hope Elementary Schools, silencing all the doubts about her fake charity work. With the official stamp of approval, the subsequent critics had to speak carefully and couldn't say anything negative about her charitable acts.
But this time it was for another significant event.
The government department, in order to recognize the advanced and encourage active participation in charity work throughout society, decided to hold a commendation ceremony for Qin Yinong, hoping that she could promote a positive atmosphere.
The official press release also revealed an unknown fact.
As early as thirteen years ago, when Qin Yinong had just debuted, she had been quietly donating and supporting impoverished students' education. It had never stopped until today, and the number of people she had helped was countless. Among those individuals, some were still young, studying in primary or middle school, while others had already graduated from university and entered the workforce, shining brightly.
The officials even interviewed a few students who knew that Qin Yinong was the one sponsoring their education.
At P University.
Beside the nameless lake, shimmering waves.
Fang Cheng said, "I've been a teacher for one year since graduating with a master's degree. Ten years ago, both our parents passed away unexpectedly, and I had planned to drop out and work to support my sister's education. It was Sister Qin who sponsored me from high school to university. She's like a real sister to me."
"Me too," said the petite girl beside Fang Cheng, holding books. "I'm currently in my third year of university, and Sister Qin is also sponsoring me."
The sister faced the camera and said, "We all love her very much. Without her, we wouldn't be where we are today. I'm also working part-time now to help those younger siblings who can't afford to go to school. I want to become a person like Sister Qin."
The sister looked at her brother.
Fang Cheng smiled gently, raised his hand, and ruffled his sister's hair.
The bespectacled young man looked into the camera, a faint smile on his lips warmer than sunshine, and softly said, "Me too."
.......
The whole internet was in an uproar.
Thirteen years ago, how old was she? Seventeen? Was she already an adult? Was she already helping those weaker than her?
And what were we, who heavily criticized her, doing? Every conscientious netizen asked themselves this question.
They were merely taking advantage of the anonymity provided by the internet, grasping at trivial matters, and indulging in a grand carnival, attacking someone who was nobler than all of them.
Looking in the mirror, it reveals one ugly face after another.
As a result, most people fell silent and reflected.
The situation was stronger than individuals. A small portion of people, hindered by the circumstances, had to pretend to be reflective.
No one would choose to confront the mainstream opinion at this time, like an insect challenging a speeding car, overestimating their own abilities. However, the memories of people on the internet were incredibly short-lived. Did it last a week? Maybe just two or three days. Once Qin Yinong's name appeared on the hot search rankings again, the malicious intent of those centipedes that never died out would flow once more.
The same old accusations: she isn't a "perfect" good person, she maliciously creates hype, she puts on a show, she uses charity for fame and reputation.The proportion of people who criticize her is actually very low among the general population, but as Qin Yinong once said:
"If one out of ten people says this, then there will be ten thousand out of a hundred thousand, and one million out of ten million. Do you know how it feels? It's overwhelming, with nowhere to escape."
"And those media outlets, they will dig up all my past experiences, squeeze out newsworthy points from between the lines, create attention-grabbing headlines, and write similar articles. If there's nothing, they will fabricate facts out of thin air. As long as my name is involved, it's about generating traffic, about generating heat. They will block me at any opportunity, attempting to extract something valuable from my mouth. It will happen over and over again in the future."
Even Tang Ruoyao, who was far away on the set of "Xiao Hong," was affected.
During an interview with the cast, after the normal question segment was over, the journalist, looking at Tang Ruoyao who was about to leave, suddenly blurted out, "Miss Tang, we have one last question."
Tang Ruoyao was the most likely candidate to succeed Qin Yinong and the two were known to have a strained relationship. Asking her a question about Qin Yinong would surely elicit an explosive response, potentially making headlines.
Tang Ruoyao sat back down and politely gestured with her eyes for the journalist to proceed.
Suppressing her excitement, the journalist said, "Miss Tang, may I ask what is your response to the online comments about Qin Yinong?"
"What do you think of the accusation of using charity for fame and reputation?"
The journalist thought to herself: They are from the same agency, Tang Ruoyao will definitely agree, or even subtly belittle Qin Yinong.
Tang Ruoyao simply looked at the journalist, her eyes filled with emotions that he couldn't decipher, like anger and sadness.
The journalist cautiously asked, "Miss Tang?"
Before Tang Ruoyao could speak again, her voice somehow became hoarse, and she said, "Is that what you think too? Is that what all of you think?"
The journalist was at a loss for words, "I..."
She had only wanted to get a piece of news, without considering these things. Who was she, after all?
Tang Ruoyao remained silent for a long time, then stood up and started to leave.
"Miss Tang!" the journalist called after her.
Tang Ruoyao stopped at the doorway, with her back turned, and said softly, "Do you know a certain saying?"
The journalist was perplexed.
Tang Ruoyao said, "Those who hold the firewood for the masses should not let themselves freeze to death in the wind and snow."
["Those who hold the firewood for the masses should not let themselves freeze to death in the wind and snow," is a proverbial expression in Chinese culture. It conveys the idea that those who take on the responsibility of helping others or serving the public should not neglect their own well-being in the process.
In this context, Tang Ruoyao's use of the saying implies a critique of the accusation that Qin Yinong is using charity as a means to gain fame and reputation. Tang Ruoyao seems to suggest that even if there were aspects of self-promotion involved in Qin Yinong's charitable endeavors, it does not negate the positive impact she has made or the individuals she has helped. The saying emphasizes the importance of considering the overall contribution and impact of someone's actions rather than focusing solely on potential flaws or ulterior motives.
By invoking this proverb, Tang Ruoyao challenges the journalist and others to reflect on their judgments and reminds them that even if there are criticisms to be made, they should not overlook the positive effects Qin Yinong's philanthropic work has had on others.]
wow ! this chapter is a whole roller-coaster ride .. I didn't expect to have a favorite chapter within this really good novel
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