A few hours later, numerous bloggers began reposting the story. In less than twenty-four hours since the Weibo post went live, it had already garnered over 300,000 likes.
Lin Jiang scrolled through the comments one by one. The top remarks were mostly filled with encouragement and indignation, but by the time she reached the teens, voices of doubt began to emerge. Among the popular reposts, one even cautioned others to "remain neutral and wait for more facts."
When she showed her phone to Jiang Weifeng, he was busy packing his luggage.
Lately, he had been pulling strings and navigating connections for this case, turning down several filming assignments in the process. Gu Xiang had told her that Zhang Yijia had lost her temper several times because of this.
This upcoming trip was for a female celebrity’s commercial shoot. The director happened to be Sun Ping, whom Jiang Weifeng had worked with on a previous variety show, and Zhang Yijia refused to let him decline the job.
Jiang Weifeng glanced at the phone, his expression unreadable. "Doubt is normal. After all, Zhang Juntao hasn't spent all these years in the industry for nothing."
Lin Jiang’s brow was furrowed tight. "Some people are saying Zhang Juntao’s treatment of Cheng Yunchuan sounds like PUA—a mix of the slap and the carrot, threats and rewards. Controlling human nature to satisfy his own selfish desires."
Jiang Weifeng hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Don't overthink it. We’ll deal with whatever comes our way."
Lin Jiang took his hand. "Cheng Yunchuan called me just now. She said her mother saw the news."
Jiang Weifeng closed his eyes, looking as if he were about to fall asleep. "Mm?"
"After her mother found out, she gave her a slap," Lin Jiang said.
Jiang Weifeng opened his eyes and paused. "And then?"
"And then..." Lin Jiang’s voice choked up. "Her mother held her and cried, asking her, 'You suffered so much, why didn't you tell me?'"
Hearing this, Jiang Weifeng couldn't help but sigh.
"She was afraid her mother would blame her, but what mother would blame her child for being hurt? She’d be too busy feeling heartbroken." Lin Jiang swallowed hard, finding it difficult to continue. "I’m afraid that if my mom finds out about this, she’ll collapse."
"She won't." Jiang Weifeng held her tighter, saying four words with absolute certainty: "Mothers are made strong."
Lin Jiang’s nose felt stingy. She quickly tilted her head back to calm herself, then turned to meet his gaze. "When you get back, will you come home with me to see them? I’m afraid to do it alone..."
"Of course," Jiang Weifeng cut her off.
Lin Jiang let out a long breath. "Thank you."
Jiang Weifeng’s eyes darkened. He leaned down and nipped at her lip. Hearing her soft whimper, he couldn't help but smile. "You’re practically forcing me to bite you."
Lin Jiang hurriedly pushed him away. "I’ll help you finish packing. Let’s see what else you need to take."
Jiang Weifeng pinned her in place, refusing to let her move. "I want to take you with me."
Lin Jiang thought for a moment. "Keep me in your heart, and you can take me wherever you go."
For some reason, those words hit Jiang Weifeng hard. "Are you flirting with me?"
Lin Jiang immediately surrendered. "That’s a reach! I didn't mean it like that."
Seeing her blush, Jiang Weifeng stopped teasing her. "Fine. I’ll deal with you when I get back."
Before his "beastly nature" could take over, Lin Jiang hurried off to pack his clothes.
As soon as Jiang Weifeng left, she called Shen Yan.
Because of his relationship with Zhang Jiaojiao, Shen Yan had been the one suffering the most during this period. Lin Jiang knew this in her heart, and her gratitude toward him was boundless.
The abrupt ringtone pierced the silent air. After a few rings, Shen Yan pressed the decline button and switched his phone to airplane mode.
Zhang Jiaojiao was sitting right across from him. The massive office featured a wide floor-to-ceiling window, and as the sunlight poured in, every subtle expression on her face was visible to him.
"Shen Yan, are you done playing around?" Zhang Jiaojiao asked, her tone brittle.
Shen Yan’s voice was even colder than hers. "I’ve already said I’m sorry. You should leave."
"It’s not like you don't know—my mother passed away when I was in middle school. My father raised me all by himself. I’ve known him for over twenty years; is there anyone who knows him better than I do? He is a man of integrity, a gentleman. He would never do those things, Shen Yan." Zhang Jiaojiao’s lips trembled, and her eyes were a dull grey, as if something inside her were dying.
Only then did Shen Yan frown. Looking at her tense face, he sighed. "You saw Cheng Yunchuan’s Weibo. You saw the lawyer’s letter. Why won't you believe it?"
"So, you got close to me just to destroy my father?" By the last few words, Zhang Jiaojiao was biting her lip.
Shen Yan denied it instantly. "No." He paused. "Have you ever heard the saying? Justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied. Whether I am harming him or he harmed others, the law will prove everything."
Hearing this, Zhang Jiaojiao laughed mockingly. "I kept this from my father and came here so desperately to see you, but it wasn't to listen to you coldly lecture me on the law."
Shen Yan’s lips thinned into a straight line. He didn't look at her; his hands were shaking, so he clenched them into fists.
Zhang Jiaojiao’s smile was sharp, like a tragic, obsessive villainess from a manga. "What about the debt you owe me? Does the law say anything about how you’re going to pay that back?"
Shen Yan opened his mouth to speak, but his throat felt as if it were filled with dust; he couldn't make a sound.
In the midst of his silence, Zhang Jiaojiao stood up and turned to leave.
Perhaps she knew she wouldn't get an answer, or perhaps she was afraid of an answer even more terrifying than she expected. She walked quickly, eventually breaking into a run as she reached the door.
After she left, Shen Yan slumped into his chair.
In the vast sea of life, one always encounters all sorts of people. Some are one's weakness, others are the exception. Thus, as human beings, there are always things we are forced to do against our will.
In the end, he had failed her.
***
On the rooftop of Green Island Bar, Lin Jiang let out a sigh.
"In the end, he failed her."
Her voice was extremely low, like a light breeze. Wang Jiaqian didn't catch it and asked, "What did you say?"
Lin Jiang shook her head. "I was talking about Shen Yan. He’s having a hard time."
Wang Jiaqian patted Lin Jiang’s shoulder. "What if Shen Yan didn't actually have real feelings for Zhang Jiaojiao?"
"You don't understand." Lin Jiang sighed. "When has a person like Shen Yan ever owed anyone anything?"
Wang Jiaqian fell silent, her mood also dipping. "True. Class Monitor Shen never seems to make mistakes, but..." She paused, trying to give Lin Jiang some confidence. "At the end of the day, this is all because Zhang Juntao is a scumbag! Shen Yan just chose the justice in his heart."
Lin Jiang took a sip of her drink, the liquid feeling icy in her stomach. "It’s all because of me... Emotional debts are the hardest to repay."
Hearing Lin Jiang say this, Wang Jiaqian hurried to hug her. "I won't let you blame yourself!" As she said this, Lin Jiang felt her back getting wet. Wang Jiaqian’s voice came in broken sobs. "When something like this happens to you, what kind of friend could stay calm? Who could just stand by and watch you get hurt?"
Lin Jiang’s heart softened completely. She gently patted Wang Jiaqian’s trembling back.
After crying for a while, Wang Jiaqian pushed her away and wiped her own tears. "I don't want you comforting me! This is your business; what does it look like for you to be the one comforting me? And another thing—you carried this by yourself for over three years without saying a word? Do you even consider me a friend? Do you know how I felt the day you told me? I felt so useless! If I could have helped you, maybe you would have told me... But more than being mad at myself, I’m mad at you. Zhou Wan is mad at you too. Hugging me won't help!"
Lin Jiang remembered the scene when she told the two girls. Wang Jiaqian had burst into tears instantly, and Zhou Wan had been stunned, unable to believe it, pacing back and forth in distress.
After listening to Wang Jiaqian’s scolding, Lin Jiang hugged her anyway. "Who says you’re useless? It’s because of all of you that I decided to face this."
Going through the ordeal with Qin Zhao was like falling into a dry well. She had sat helplessly at the pitch-black bottom, only to look up and see everyone reaching out their hands, trying to pull her out together.
How could she not try her best to climb up?
She had never been more courageous than she was at this moment.
***
Two days after Cheng Yunchuan’s Weibo post, Zhang Juntao finally spoke out.
He wrote on Weibo:
*Hello everyone, I am Zhang Juntao.*
*I apologize for occupying public resources with my personal affairs. Regarding the recent controversies and rumors surrounding me, I hereby solemnly state: Ms. Cheng and I were in a romantic relationship, and there were indeed emotional disputes in the past, but that is all. All other content is fabricated and has been handed over to my lawyers.*
*I firmly believe in justice and the law. Until the truth comes to light, I hope everyone will not believe or spread rumors.*
As soon as this statement was released, the matter immediately shot to the top of the trending searches.
Lin Jiang’s whole body trembled as she read it five or six times before regaining enough composure to call Jiang Weifeng.
As if they were telepathic, Jiang Weifeng called her first. "Did you see it?"
Lin Jiang’s voice was shaking. "I saw it. It’s trending. Cheng Yunchuan’s post had 200,000 reposts and couldn't break into the top trends, but his statement got there so easily. I see... the tide is starting to turn."
Jiang Weifeng comforted her. "Don't worry. I’m here."
Lin Jiang gave a weary "okay." "I’ll hang up now; I need to call Cheng Yunchuan."
After hanging up, Jiang Weifeng called Lillian, giving her brief and precise instructions regarding the Weibo situation.
"Do you think the phrase 'a beast in human clothing' was invented specifically for him?" Gu Xiang was scrolling through Weibo nearby, his teeth gritted in anger.
Jiang Weifeng’s voice was cold as ice. "I won't let him get away with it."
Gu Xiang had faith in him. "I know. Like you said—social death." He paused. "But I’m just afraid that in this fight, we’ll lose as much as we gain. After all, when it comes to 'sexual assault,' women are always at a disadvantage. Besides, Zhang Juntao isn't like Qin Zhao."
Jiang Weifeng’s eyes were dark. He paused, then let out a cold, faint smile. "Is that so?"
*Then let’s see.*
"Back then with Qin Zhao, you were certain Wang Jiaqian would speak up because you counted on her guilt toward Lin Jiang. Plus, the evidence was ironclad, our chances were high, and Qin Zhao was at the end of his rope..." The afternoon shadows covered half of Gu Xiang’s face. He looked at the impassive Jiang Weifeng and asked, "But what about Zhang Juntao? He has fame, fortune, and status right in front of him. Why would he lose?"
This question left Jiang Weifeng silent for a long time.
It was noon, and everyone had gone to rest. Outside the studio, only the two of them stood in a corner, bathed in sunlight yet shielded by the shade of the trees.
Gu Xiang suddenly felt that Jiang Weifeng was like a riddle.
Or more accurately, the answer to a riddle.
The kind of familiar riddle where you know the correct answer is right on the tip of your tongue, yet you can't quite recall the phrasing.
He was the answer to that riddle.
Then, Gu Xiang heard Jiang Weifeng call his name. He said, "Xiang-zi, I have failed Lin Jiang."
***
**Glossary**
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 张益嘉 | Zhang Yijia | Jiang Weifeng's manager/agent. |
| 孙平 | Sun Ping | A director Jiang Weifeng worked with previously. |
| 为母则刚 | Mothers are made strong | A common Chinese idiom (Wéi mǔ zé gāng) meaning a woman becomes strong and courageous for the sake of her children. |
| 莉莉安 | Lillian | Likely a member of Jiang Weifeng's PR or management team. |
| 衣冠禽兽 | A beast in human clothing | An idiom (Yī guān qín shòu) describing someone who looks refined but acts immorally. |
| 翔子 | Xiang-zi | A familiar nickname for Gu Xiang. |
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