The one who spoke up this time was Zhong Liangchen, who was more deeply entangled with Jing Li. He was also the scumbag phoenix man who had been verbally abused by netizens before.
In the video, Zhong Liangchen was likewise dressed in a suit, looking decent on the surface. However, his haggard face was exactly the same as Lin Xiao’s just now. At first glance, the two people’s down-and-out, disheveled appearance was quite well-matched.
The purpose of Zhong Liangchen releasing this video was obviously the same as Lin Xiao’s, both trying to whitewash themselves by stepping on Jing Li. But compared to Lin Xiao, Zhong Liangchen’s approach was much more vicious.
“I admit that I was completely wrong to cheat with my ex-boyfriend during my relationship with Jing Li, so I never defended myself. But after seeing Xiao Xiao…Lin Xiao actually said he wanted to end his life last night, I really can’t bear it anymore.”
Zhong Liangchen started off by lowering his stance greatly, and when he mentioned Lin Xiao wanting to commit suicide, his face also flashed through various complex emotions like panic, guilt, and heartache. He reached out and fiercely wiped his face, then after taking a deep breath, said in a hoarse voice, “To tell the truth, this is all my fault, my fault for being unable to forget Lin Xiao after getting together with Jing Li, so I kept subconsciously wanting to see how he was doing. It was also my fault for being soft-hearted and meddling in the beginning, saving Jing Li who was surrounded in an alley. This led to so many complications and even harmed Lin Xiao…”
In Zhong Liangchen’s confession, he also became a helpless little person forced by power. Because he saved Jing Li, who was trapped in an alley at the beginning, out of good intentions, he ended up being pestered by the other party. Even after finding out he already had a boyfriend, Jing Li forcibly demanded he break up immediately, otherwise he would take action to retaliate against Lin Xiao. So, he was forced to break up with Lin Xiao and agreed to Jing Li’s pursuit instead.
However, during his relationship with Jing Li, he was extremely oppressed. Jing Li had a bad temper and was very suspicious, often suspecting him of having an improper relationship with Lin Xiao. Anytime he said even a sentence to Lin Xiao, it would incur Jing Li’s jealousy and anger. Then, to compensate and please him, Jing Li would take the initiative to ask for help with resources and also give resources to Lin Xiao, but they were mostly insignificant small roles.
As for how he ended up with Lin Xiao again, he explained it as an accident. Because he finally couldn’t stand Jing Li’s fickle bad temper, he got drunk at a bar one time and happened to run into Lin Xiao. Under the influence of alcohol, the two made a mistake.
“I know no matter how many reasons, a mistake is still a mistake, so I don’t expect forgiveness. I’m willing to bear all the consequences.” Zhong Liangchen said wearily, “But I hope this matter will not continue to implicate Lin Xiao. Even if he was wrong, he has already been punished. I ask Jing Li to be magnanimous and let him off.”
After speaking, he stood up and deeply bowed to the camera.
The video ended here.
Seeing that until the end, Zhong Liangchen did not defend his own mistakes, but instead humbly begged the other party to let Lin Xiao off, it instantly made the netizens even more furious.
“Just how rotten does Jing Li have to be to force people to this extent?”
” No one in the world is born inferior to others. On what basis does Jing Li mistreat people so much?!”
“Is this the real-life version of the farmer and the snake? He saved the other out of kindness, but instead was made by him to end up disgraced and in pain beyond endurance?”
“Jing Li, you don’t deserve to live! Just die!!!”
…
After fermenting for a whole day, public opinion was completely pushed to its peak. Some outspoken celebrities even forwarded comments condemning Jing Li for his lack of morals, saying he was unfit to be a public idol.
With the support of these celebrities, the hype became even higher. Weibo’s servers nearly crashed several times.
Then someone claiming to be an insider from the crew cynically said this public opinion was nothing in Jing Li’s eyes. After all, he was a vicious character who didn’t even let the extras on set off easy. As soon as he joined the crew before even trying out, he had verbally abused them in the waiting room, bragging about relying on being a rich second generation to snatch roles, daring them to fight him for it.
Wave after wave of black materials finally completely nailed Jing Li to the pillar of shame. Jing Li had now become a public enemy, with voices all over the internet attacking and condemning him. Some even more radically went straight to his Weibo page, flooding it with rows and rows of knife emojis flickering to represent slaughter until the blood-red dots almost filled up the entire screen, looking simply horrifying.
Looking at this appalling scene, Lin Xiao instead raised his lips in satisfaction.
Although he had stayed up all night and his eyes were already bloodshot, he tirelessly and greedily enjoyed the fruits of his great work, not knowing fatigue.
Jing Li, you wanted to cut off my road to survival, didn’t you? Well, now, let’s see who who is denying whom a way to live!
Since you love using public opinion to oppress people the most, now that you yourself have become the target of online violence, how does it feel? Isn’t it especially delicious?
Seeing that Jing Li still didn’t dare make a sound, Lin Xiao imagined the other party had already been scared into cowering in a corner, trembling, maybe even crying his eyes out until his face was a mess of tears. Lin Xiao was excited, his blood boiling.
He couldn’t wait to see Jing Li’s miserable, fleeing appearance after being driven to desperation. Even more, the other party kneeling before him, begging for mercy with a humble face.
“Xiao Xiao, you’ve been sitting here all night. Go rest for a bit, okay?” Behind him, Zhong Liangchen reached out and embraced him, tenderly rubbing his cheek against Lin Xiao’s, his voice unbelievably gentle, “I’ll keep an eye out here. It’s not worth tiring yourself over trash like him. Be good.”
He looked full of vigor and vitality, nowhere resembling the fatigue in the video.
Lin Xiao naturally leaned back into the man’s embrace, but the words from his mouth were extremely cruel, “No, I want to watch him be destroyed bit by bit with my own eyes.”
But the man holding him was no better. Hearing his words, he let out an instant pleased chuckle. Then he tilted his head and lightly pecked Lin Xiao’s lips, his voice indulgent, “Alright, then I’ll accompany you to witness it together.”
Lin Xiao looked up into his eyes. Seeing the delight in the other’s eyes, he couldn’t help a knowing smile. Then they both turned their gazes to the screen.
However, soon they couldn’t smile anymore.
Just as they were speaking, someone online suddenly released a video. As if afraid it wouldn’t get noticed, the title was directly written as [Jing Li’s Complete Video of Verbally Abusing People on Set].
With such a sensational headline during this sensitive time, it instantly attracted countless netizens’ attention. But what was strange was this video becoming popular at an unbelievably fast speed, as if there were hands strongly promoting it. Within just a few minutes, it had climbed to the top of trending search, and its popularity was still rising.
But Lin Xiao didn’t remember making this kind of arrangement. Holding some suspicion, he quickly clicked into the video, and his face immediately showed some panic.
The video was indeed the previous clip of Jing Li arguing with people, and because of the shooting angle and distance, this time the footage was even clearer. Not only could every word from both sides be heard, but even the expressions on their faces were clearly shown.
“This acting is absolutely amazing!” The beginning of the video was the scene of Director Li patting Jing Li’s shoulder and praising him, his expression and demeanor clearly showing he was so satisfied with Jing Li’s performance that he was smiling from ear to ear.
Next was the famous Best Actor Fu Yan and veteran actor Wang Xi-laoshi1“老师” (lǎoshī), which directly translates to “teacher,” is also a respectful way to address professionals in various fields, including actors. It connotes respect for their mastery and expertise in their craft, acknowledging them as learned individuals and educators in the arts.‘s evaluation of Jing Li. Appreciation for Jing Li was also abundant in their eyes. Wang Xi-laoshi even openly told Director Li not to let go of such good new talent.
Jing Li’s behavior was likewise gentlemanly and courteous. The few obviously chatted very happily, to the point Director Li started eagerly asking him to sign a contract right away at the end.
This was when Lin Xiao appeared, which was also the beginning of the first publicized scene.
In the footage, he humbly asked to try out at first, but after being tactfully rejected by Director Li twice, his expression instantly changed. Through the video, one could even clearly see his face slightly bulge from gritting his teeth, appearing somewhat sinister.
After that, the sharpness in his tone as he accused Director Li of being unfair was apparent. Not only did he repeatedly imply shady dealings in the crew, but after thoroughly angering Director Li, he shifted his attacks to the innocent Jing Li nearby, provoking and trying to incite the other party to compete with him.
He maintained that previous lowered head and deferent posture throughout the video, but his facial expressions and words formed a strong contrast that left other netizens watching the video dumbfounded.
The outcome was the same as before. After infuriating Jing Li as well, the other party had him forcibly removed from the crew.
The entire video was only a few short minutes, but the impact it brought was incomparable.
And the first comment under it was from the blogger who released this video.
SmilingFaceV: Haha! This is the truth behind the one you all chased and slandered! Originally, the crew didn’t allow staff to secretly film videos, but seeing some people deliberately distorting the truth and recklessly throwing dirt on others, and some even coming to privately insult me, I really can’t stand it anymore! Oh, and some white lotuses are really disgusting hypocrites, shameless and unscrupulous, truly a perfect match for trashy scumbags!
This video’s reversal came too quickly to the point where, for a time, many people were unable to recover from the shock. But after the silence, when people belatedly realized they might have been tricked, the netizens were instantly outraged again.
“What right does Lin Xiao have to say he was bullied? I see the ridicule on his face was even more shameless than the lead!”
“Looking at it this way, Jing Li’s temper was already quite good! If someone dared talk to me like that, I would’ve torn their mouth apart long ago!”
“Director Li’s face was almost smiling off in the video. As far as I know, the last time he had this expression was at the start of the filming announcement for Immortal Road with Fu Yan there?”
“Mr.2Lao xiansheng (老先生) is a term of respect that can be used to address or refer to an elderly man, especially one who is knowledgeable or experienced in a certain field. I wanted to use the original Lao xiansheng but it’s too long imo, so just keeping this as Mr. Wang Xi is famously picky. Even he spoke in praise, at least Jing Li does have true skill.”
…
More and more people began shaking their beliefs, and some more extreme ones had already started turning to scold Lin Xiao, feeling it was he who had deliberately misled public opinion and wrongly caused them to scold the wrong person.
Online public opinion gradually began shifting in favor of Jing Li, but some still refused to admit their mistakes and persisted, even arguing that even if the video of Jing Li oppressing actors was false, it didn’t mean his character could be whitewashed. After all, there was still so much evidence before them, it couldn’t all be fake, right?
Moreover, no one had seen what his acting was like anyway.
Lin Xiao forcefully suppressed the panic and unease in his heart and nodded in pretended wisdom. He thought, that’s right, even if this one video proved he didn’t oppress anyone, the rest of the evidence was still damning. Jing Li couldn’t turn the tides.
Thinking this, Lin Xiao instantly breathed a sigh of relief again, straightening his chest confidently.
However, soon he and the people still supporting him were slapped in the face.
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