Chapter 23

Qin Siyan’s beautiful eyes were filled with anger. He dialed Qin Feng’s number.

Qin Feng had only just video-chatted with Xie Yu that afternoon, so he was in a pleasant mood when he received a call from his wife in the evening—he even looked at the Mediterranean-style manager in front of him with a hint of kindness.

"Darling!"

Qin Siyan: "I am not your wife."

Qin Feng: ...

Qin Feng gave a light cough, his voice losing its previous tenderness: "Xiao Yan? Do you miss Dad?"

"No," Qin Siyan continued. "Dad, have someone take down all the trending searches related to Lin Yi."

Qin Feng’s eyes revealed surprise. His son rarely took the initiative to ask him for anything, yet this time, he was making such a request on behalf of someone else. Although Qin Feng was busy with work, he had occasionally found time to watch the live stream because of his wife, so he was naturally aware of Lin Yi.

Unlike ordinary netizens who watched for the drama and entertainment, Qin Feng had a deeper impression of Lin Yi. This little kid was not simple, and his abilities were truly exceptional. However, he couldn't quite see through Lin Yi’s character. He didn't believe that Lin Yi was being "kind" just because he knocked the fish unconscious instead of killing it when he caught them.

Whether as a friend or an opponent, this child named Lin Yi was a dazzling presence. Judging by his son’s attitude, he seemed more inclined toward the former.

After hanging up, Qin Feng personally called the public relations manager and ordered: "Suppress all negative news about Lin Yi online. Do whatever it takes."

When the PR manager received the call from the big boss, he was trembling in fear, mentally reviewing all the recent news about the group, terrified that they had done something wrong. As it turned out, it was to handle PR for a little kid?!

*

Xi Lan had been in the industry for many years and had become famous at a young age; by now, she had won almost every prestigious award. Her PR team was undoubtedly mature. However, ever since the actress had reduced her screen appearances, the PR department had become somewhat slack, having nothing to do. Back in the day, they had fought their way through blood and storms, but now, they were all drinking goji berry tea from thermos mugs, and the entire department felt like it was radiating a holy, peaceful glow.

When the head of the PR department received Xi Lan’s call, his dull, stagnant eyes gradually brightened: "Don't worry, Boss. We will definitely get it done."

Thanks to "Yi-bao," Princess Mianmian hadn't been poisoned. Daring to target Yi-bao was the same as targeting the Xi Lan Studio!

*

He Tong had been the most severely poisoned. If not for Yi-bao’s emergency treatment, she and Nora might still be lying in the hospital. She had been wondering how to thank Yi-bao when someone handed the opportunity right to her doorstep. She did love to play, and after she stopped modeling, she hadn't managed her own studio well. While she couldn't handle it herself, she had a powerful father.

Seeing Qin Siyan call Qin Feng, He Tong grew anxious—how could she fall behind? She immediately called Chairman He. Hmph, daring to bully Yi-bao? Did they really think Yi-bao had no one backing him?

When Nora heard her mother calling her grandfather, she gave her a thumbs up. He Tong patted her daughter’s head and smiled.

Only Zhong Qi was feeling uneasy as he stared at a familiar number. He felt that Lin Yi being targeted by Jiang Xuan was all his own fault. Jiang Xuan hated him, and Lin Yi was being dragged into this because of him. Zhong Qi stared blankly at his phone. Lin Yi was truly a wonderful person; he couldn't let him bear the insults of netizens and paid trolls.

He pressed the call button. After a few beeps, a man’s low, magnetic voice came from the other end.

"What’s this? Has my treasure finally come to his senses?"

Zhong Qi’s hand, gripping the phone, turned white at the knuckles: "Feng Ye, I will accompany you once. In exchange, you do one thing for me."

*

In his massive office, Feng Ye looked out through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the city’s night view. He watched his own reflection in the glass—the joy he had felt upon receiving the call gradually stiffened into a cold mask.

Yet, his voice remained affectingly nonchalant: "Oh? Tell me about it?"

Feng Ye was angry. He had known Zhong Qi since university and understood his temper better than anyone. They had broken up and gotten back together countless times. At their worst, he had threatened Zhong Qi with his grandmother, and even then, Zhong Qi hadn't bowed to him. Feng Ye knew that Zhong Qi was being suppressed and pushed aside at that small company, yet he had never come to ask him for help.

Feng Ye seemed separated from Zhong Qi, but he was very well-informed about his situation. Zhong Qi’s grandmother’s health had been decent lately, and his company hadn't been causing any trouble. So, who could it be that made Zhong Qi come to beg him? He hoped it wasn't someone Zhong Qi liked, otherwise...

Zhong Qi: "Do you know Lin Yi?"

Of course Feng Ye knew. If he could secretly have people investigate Zhong Qi’s grandmother and plant spies in his company, how could he not know about the "cheap son" who was on a variety show with Zhong Qi?

Thinking Feng Ye didn't know, Zhong Qi began to explain: "Xiao Yi is a little kid who is on the variety show with me. He is a very good child. Jiang Xuan is targeting Xiao Yi because of me. Please help me deal with the negative news about Xiao Yi online."

Feng Ye: "...You’re doing this because of a little kid?"

If the ages didn't mismatch, he would have suspected that Lin Yi was a secret child of Zhong Qi’s. Feng Ye recalled seeing Lin Yi on the show—smart and cute. A thought suddenly popped into his head: what if he were the child of himself and Zhong Qi...

Zhong Qi interrupted his fantasy: "Within one hour, I don't want to see any of Jiang Xuan’s trolls left online."

*

At that moment, Jiang Xuan was on a video call with his agent.

Jiang Xuan: "Well done. Timing it right after the police statement made the effect extraordinary. Once it ferments, give it another push. Bring up those old stories of Lin Yi hitting his older brother as a child model and shoving his mother to solidify the memory for the netizens. This time, we must drive Lin Yi off the show. With him there, Ian has no popularity at all."

The agent was basking in his boss's praise, feeling smug, but upon hearing the word "variety show," he suddenly remembered Lin Yi’s performance on the program. He felt a sudden pang of panic.

Agent: "What if Lin Yi really knows Traditional Chinese Medicine? Aren't we just building hype for him?"

Jiang Xuan’s boisterous laughter erupted from the phone: "Hahahaha, you actually believe a kid’s words? Even if Lin Yi really knew, that old hag had a mental illness; is that something that can be cured in a day or two? Even if she were cured, who could prove it was Lin Yi who treated her? Are we going to broadcast the entire process of that madwoman’s treatment? It’s too funny. Even if it were broadcast, that madwoman would have to go to the bathroom eventually. Who can guarantee she’s really going to the bathroom and not having someone help Lin Yi? Don't worry, this is a dead end for Lin Yi. It’s unsolvable."

The agent was swayed; he felt Jiang Xuan made sense. After hanging up, his heart settled back into his chest.

What he didn't know was that the Qin family, the He family, the Xi Lan Studio, and the Feng Group were all taking action almost simultaneously.

It was the peak of the evening, and netizens were happily scrolling through the gossip. Just as they went to refresh the page, a 404 error appeared. Some netizens didn't believe it, thinking it was a Wi-Fi issue, so they switched to 5G, but it still wouldn't load. Was it a problem with the app? Searching for other terms worked just fine!

Searching for "Lin Yi" only brought up his highlight moments on the show and clips of him as a child model. Someone tried putting the words "Lin Yi" and "Hospital" together, but nothing came up.

[Is it just me, or is everyone having this problem?]

[Are you talking about LY? Then you're not the only one.]

[So what’s going on? Suddenly all those news stories are gone.]

[What kind of background does LY have? Could he be a hidden tycoon?]

[A tycoon? Think bigger, maybe he’s a third-generation red scion.]

[Huh? But he debuted as an internet celebrity child model. If he had those resources, wouldn't he just be in movies?]

[And he has an older brother. Didn't he hit his brother back then just because he touched his phone? If he were really that powerful, would Lin Yi need to hit his brother over a phone?]

[Who knows? Maybe he’s just bad to the bone.]

[Some people shouldn't be so typical. Just because their own lives are miserable, they spread rumors about others online.]

[The Qin Group actually posted an announcement!]

[We were just discussing LY, and suddenly the Qin Group pops up? What’s that about? Oh my—what is the relationship between the Qin Group and LY?]

[It’s not just the Qin Group! The He family, actress Xi Lan’s studio, and the Feng Group have all issued statements!]

The statements from these families were very clear: the news online regarding Lin Yi had caused him mental distress, and they would pursue legal responsibility—including but not limited to defamation and portrait rights—against anyone spreading rumors or slandering him. The statements specifically named the major influencer "Gossip Never Absent."

*

In the small fishing village, for the dinner prepared by the production team, no one had their mind on the food except Lin Yi and four-year-old Mianmian. Xie Yu, He Tong, Xi Lan, and Zhong Qi were all scrolling through their phones, and almost everyone saw those statements immediately.

Xie Yu: "My old Qin, little Tong’s father Chairman He, Xiao Lan’s studio... so what’s going on with Feng Ye?" Without Feng Ye’s permission, the Feng Group would never have used their official account to post such a notice.

He Tong laughed teasingly: "I didn't expect us to have a hidden player among us."

Zhong Qi curled up, feeling uncomfortable. He hadn't expected Sister Yu and the others to stand up for Xiao Yi. But even if he had known, he still would have made that call to Feng Ye. He wanted to protect Xiao Yi, too.

Lin Yi saw him looking like he was about to fall off his chair and looked at him in confusion: "Brother?"

Zhong Qi gave a light cough: "I'm fine."

Mianmian held up a small cake to Lin Yi’s mouth: "Brother Xiao Yi, this is delicious."

Lin Yi took a bite, his cheeks bulging. His mouth was filled with dense cream that melted instantly, a faint milky fragrance mixed with the sweetness of fruit. The cool sea breeze blew, and Lin Yi squinted his eyes contentedly, completely unaware of the commotion online.

*

Jiang Xuan had been keeping an eye on the online developments. He was driven mad, and he was also stunned. He wanted to tear the hospital down! At first, he had called his agent to question what was going on and why they couldn't even handle such a small matter.

It wasn't until he saw the Qin Group, Xi Lan Studio, the He family, the Feng Group, and several other famous enterprises issuing statements for Lin Yi that he felt it was absurd. He could understand the Qin Group and Xi Lan Studio because of Xie Yu and Xi Lan, but what about the Feng Group and the He family?

Before he could even figure out the connection, his agent called him, saying he had received calls from several lawyers, all related to the Lin Yi incident.