One room, a microcosm of life!
No matter how Zhang Fu tried to explain, online public opinion was already completely under Fan Qing’s control. By now, Zhang Fu had become nothing more than a discarded pawn.
“! Wow, everyone! Did anyone check the official school Weibo? They posted an announcement!”
“??? What? Let me see!”
Indeed, Yao Ge’s alma mater had posted an official statement.
Though this wasn’t arranged by Fan Qing, he had anticipated it to some degree. Probably some influence from the old director was involved.
“Due to recent public interest in our alumni, we hereby disclose Yao Ge’s outstanding achievements and excellent conduct during his time at our institution. Additionally, some online rumors have deliberately defamed our exceptional alumni and faculty, attempting to distort facts. Our institution will hold those responsible accountable according to the law.”
The official post was brief, but packed with information.
Netizens who had been enjoying the gossip suddenly dropped their metaphorical melon seeds in shock.
“Whoa… this official statement is huge. So all those claims about cheating and incompetence were just nonsense?”
“Of course, it was nonsense. Any rational person could see that. If it were that easy to cheat, no one could survive in the design world.”
“Honestly, I can even suggest a name for the school to check—Zhang Fu. From start to finish, besides Yao Ge, it’s him. One is getting dirt thrown at him, the other getting excessive praise—but for character and skill, not just grades. People naturally chase what they don’t have, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Feels like this one is literally wearing a ‘suspect’ sign on his face.”
The playful comments also gave Fan Qing an idea. He quickly contacted the old director.
The old director immediately took action:
“Alright, I’ll call those elders now.”
This wasn’t favoritism—this situation had seriously harmed both his and the school’s reputation.
The old director moved fast. Within half an hour, the official Weibo tagged the netizen who had initially suggested investigating Zhang Fu.
Netizens were stunned:
“??? OMG, the official Weibo really did it? That was fast! Did they have dinner yet?”
“!!! That’s the one who got tagged. OMG, I literally jumped up screaming three times. My mom thought I was complimenting her cooking and secretly slipped me a red envelope. Haha, double joy!”
“? How did they even manage that?”
“You’re the weird one here!”
The school wasn’t joking. The issue was serious, having hit multiple trending topics. Without a clear resolution, their enrollment and reputation could be affected.
Even during the New Year, the school urgently convened an online meeting. Before they could process everything, the principal received a full set of documents via email.
Opening them, his previously calm expression immediately stiffened. He stared seriously into the camera at the others and said in a grave tone…
“I’ve already received the evidence—it’s confirmed that Zhang Fu hired online trolls and maliciously posted on our school forum. I’ve forwarded all the evidence in emails. Now let’s discuss how to handle this situation.”
The evidence had, of course, been collected by Fan Qing himself.
After sending it all out, he exhaled slowly. By now, the pieces on the board were mostly in place; it was time to reel in the final net.
The Spring Festival Gala had already begun, but netizens were still gleefully munching on their digital gossip.
What show? Who cares! The gossip is way more fun!
Meanwhile, the school posted a third official notice on Weibo. This time, Zhang Fu’s full name appeared prominently.
“We have received anonymous evidence provided by a vigilant netizen. After swift verification, it has been confirmed that Zhang Fu employed others to spread false information on the school forum. After deliberation, due to Zhang Fu’s numerous egregious actions—including but not limited to defaming outstanding alumni and faculty, spreading rumors, and damaging the school’s reputation—the school has decided to revoke Zhang Fu’s enrollment and reserves the right to pursue legal action for these severe offenses.”
Netizens were struggling to keep up.
“Wow, so fast? I barely got a bite of my New Year’s dinner! Didn’t even taste it yet!”
“Honestly, I…”
“But I’m really curious—who’s this vigilant netizen? Could it be Yao Ge himself?”
“Doesn’t seem like it. Judging by the photos, Yao Ge seems introverted, socially anxious, probably not that active online. Otherwise, he would have responded earlier when all those rumors were flying.”
“I instantly pictured a shy, academically focused little guy in my head.”
“Maybe it was a close friend of Yao Ge? Someone who’d been observing quietly, but lacked the means to speak out before.”
The discussion inevitably turned back to Zhang Fu.
“Honestly, it’s good the dust settled. Zhang Fu’s behavior was disgusting. Now looking back, it was probably all his scheme from the start—preparing photos and posts in advance.”
“? And people didn’t know? Zhang Fu’s wife apparently liked Yao Ge back in school, and he himself admitted it. I guess that fueled his jealousy, wanting to bring Yao Ge down.”
“? Seriously?”
“Not surprising. Yao Ge was a genius; many teachers liked him. Zhang Fu preached that character is more important than intelligence—but clearly, envy and jealousy crept in.”
“Emmm… disgusting, but understandable. People envy others, sure—but excellence comes from effort.”
“Exactly. Anyway, hats off to the school!”
“Haha, right!”
With the matter seemingly settled, attention naturally returned to Jian Feiyang’s outfit.
“Honestly, Yao Ge is ridiculously talented. This outfit… I swear I just want to rip it off my wife myself, huff huff huff.”
“? You’re… off.”
“? You have a problem?”
“? You’re right!”
“???”
“LOL. I’m different—I just want to know how to contact Yao Ge! I want to discuss red carpet outfit design with him for my idol. Hopefully, one day, I can get something that makes me want to… you know, huff huff huff.”
“? That gives me an idea…”
“Honestly, I have a bold idea too.”
“Me too.”
Soon, a number of well-known agents were receiving recommendation messages. Many shared one trait—they were dissatisfied with their artists’ red carpet outfits.
One agent, seeing the private message, felt intrigued.
Seizing the moment, Fan Qing finally stepped out from behind the scenes.
Fan Qing v: “Thank you all for supporting Yao Ge. He is truly an outstanding designer. Our collaboration under the brand QQZ will soon be launched… (advertising content omitted)…
Additionally, we have collected evidence confirming that Zhang Fu was responsible for hiring online trolls to maliciously defame Yao Ge. I have accepted Yao Ge’s commission and will pursue legal action. Mr. Zhang, please ‘await your notice’ at home.”
His announcement instantly caused a stir.
Netizens were simultaneously shocked and enlightened.
“Damn! I almost forgot what Jian Feiyang said—Yao Ge is collaborating with Fan Qing! No wonder the school acted so fast. I’m guessing that anonymous netizen was Fan Qing himself.”
“Same… wow, Fan Qing is impressive. Thinking back on everything he’s done, he’s ridiculously skilled.”
“Indeed. Jian Feiyang’s success owes much to Fan Qing. And this styling? Clearly orchestrated by him. Did he…?”
“Shh! The Buddha says: some things cannot be spoken!”
“…Tbh, I feel a mix of fear and excitement, is that normal?”
“Admiration for the powerful is normal. Nothing wrong with that.”
As they talked, Fan Qing quietly liked the comment from the anonymous netizen who had provided the evidence.
Instantly, netizens were blown away by his subtle yet commanding maneuver.
That mix of fear and excitement only deepened.
“Seriously, Manager Fan is yyds.”
“Wuwuwu… suddenly I’m kind of jealous of Jian Feiyang. My brother’s manager? Well… okay, not impossible, but in comparison, there’s still a lot of room for improvement!”
“Right?”
“By the way, is Manager Fan still signing people? My sister’s contract is almost up, and the company probably won’t offer better opportunities. I’m tempted to see if she could get under Fan Qing’s management…”
“I’m tempted too…”
Fan Qing watched the comment thread and slowly typed a question mark.
Really, netizens… no one’s keeping the focus? Shouldn’t the point be the new brand? How did it end up all about him?
He shrugged. Whatever—every step along this line is part of his career; none of it goes to waste.
Beside him, Jin Yi finally couldn’t hold back.
“By the way, what does this QQZ brand mean?”
No one answered. Jin Yi tried nudging Yao Ge, but Yao Ge waved him off with true ‘you don’t exist’ energy.
Jin Yi turned to his brother.
Wow. His brother was already… getting cozy with Sheng Ge.
Also… brother, could you maybe… move Ning Elder’s hand? Just now upstairs it was fine, but now downstairs?
Jin Yi could only stare in awe, marveling at how Sheng Ge has tolerated his brother’s… unique, eccentric personality all these years.
Turning away, burned a little by the scene, Jin Yi quietly glanced at Fan Qing.
Fan Qing was on the phone, smiling brightly, a hint of playfulness in his gaze.
“Brother, I’m done here. You?”
“Still busy? I’ll come see you.”
“It’s fine, I can wait in your car. But… is your car shockproof?”
Jin Yi: ???
Shockproof…?!
No way. Fan Qing, why are you having a perfectly normal phone conversation sound more thrilling than some rakish playboy scenario?
He gasped and silently lit a candle for Old Nie.
Yep, Fan Qing is definitely a life-sucking little demon.
“Second Young Master, anything?”
Hanging up, content, Fan Qing gave Jin Yi a mischievous glance.
“N-no, nothing.”
Jin Yi repeated his earlier question.
“That…”
Fan Qing stood up, paper bag in hand, stretched lazily, and walked out casually.
“Nothing special. Just the abbreviation for ‘playful attire.’”