Chapter 132: The Paparazzi

Liu Yunfei finally grasped the true power of public opinion. He lost count of how many calls he received throughout the night—classmates, friends, and relatives all ringing in under the guise of concern, though clearly driven by morbid curiosity. In the end, he had no choice but to unplug the home phone. Just as he was about to sleep, a knock sounded at the door. He opened it to find his parents. "Don't you two have keys?" he asked, feeling perplexed.

"We were just afraid that you and..." Hu Li gestured with her eyes toward Zhang Xiaoli's room.

"Oh, stop it. That's not what's happening at all," Liu Yunfei retorted, annoyed. With everything going on, the last thing on his mind was that.

Liu Hongbing, still clearly fuming, walked in grumbling, "Why aren't you answering the phone? And why is your cell phone off? How are people supposed to reach you?"

"Dad, the home phone was ringing like an emergency dispatch center! How was I supposed to answer it?"

Zhang Xiaoli, hearing the commotion, stepped out in her pajamas, her face full of apology. "I'm so sorry, Uncle and Auntie. It's all my parents' fault for causing you so much trouble. If there’s no other way, I should just go home."

Seeing such a sensible girl, Hu Li felt her son had good taste. She set down her bag and hugged Zhang Xiaoli. "Don't worry, child. We’ll find a way to handle this. The more you hide, the more arrogant they become."

"I just told your mother: tomorrow, we’re going to the newspaper office to confront that reporter. How can they report such nonsense, listening to rumors and spreading them as truth? We will demand a formal apology to rectify the damage caused to our reputation," Liu Hongbing added, his expression softening as he saw how distressed the girl was.

"That works," Liu Yunfei agreed. "But don't make too much of a scene. If it doesn't work, we'll go through legal channels. The Zhou family is already planning to sue me, so I’ll need a lawyer sooner or later. Let’s get the best one; money is no object." He had already decided to sue the irresponsible newspaper.

The next day, the plan was set in motion: Liu Hongbing would confront the newspaper, Hu Li would scout for lawyers, and Liu Yunfei would head to school.

When he arrived, he realized that attending school would be no easy feat. A massive crowd had gathered at the gates of Huangjiang Experimental High School. Even the school's main sign had been vandalized with spray-painted slogans: "Shameless," "Scum," "Kill, kill, kill..."

As soon as his A6688 pulled up, the mob—who had clearly figured out it was his car—swarmed the vehicle. The paparazzi led the charge.

"Could you comment on yesterday's report?"

"When do you plan to reopen your restaurant?"

"Do you feel any remorse for your actions?"

Liu Yunfei had never expected to find himself in the kind of scenes he usually saw on television. He used to envy celebrities surrounded by reporters, but now he understood why people cursed or kicked them.

Still, Liu Yunfei felt he had to defend himself. He recited the official statement he had prepared: "The Huangjiang Evening News failed to verify the facts. Their reporting is a complete inversion of reality—calling a deer a horse. I question the reporter's professional ethics and sense of responsibility. This is pure slander. I reserve the right to pursue legal action against them."

But none of the reporters were interested in his defense; they were there to stir up trouble and manufacture sensationalism, cherry-picking his words to suit their narrative. "Liu Yunfei, are you implying that Yang Huiru is slandering you? Do you have any evidence?"

"Mr. Liu, is it true that you intend to hire gangsters to deal with Yang Huiru?"

"Liu Yunfei, which hospital did your girlfriend have her abortion at? Can you disclose that? Our newspaper is currently investigating this matter."

Liu Yunfei’s temper flared. "That is all nonsense! What abortion? Which newspaper are you from?"

"Oh, I'm from the Sunshine Gynecology Hospital's newsletter. Isn't it great to have an abortion with us? Are you satisfied with our service? I saw you when you visited last time."

Liu Yunfei wanted to slap him. The man only cared about advertising his business, completely indifferent to the destruction he was causing. Hearing the hospital representative speak, the reporters launched an even more aggressive barrage of invasive questions, as if they wouldn't be satisfied until they knew exactly how many times a night he performed and for how long. Behind them, the crowd of students and parents joined in the jeering: "So young, and instead of learning anything good, he’s already mastered abortion and lying."

Liu Yunfei finally understood what it meant to be unable to defend oneself. It wasn't that he couldn't explain; it was that no one was listening. The more he argued, the worse he looked. "Stop talking to them. It's useless." Before he knew who had spoken, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the crowd.

It was the principal. He ushered Liu Yunfei and Zhang Xiaoli toward the teaching building as if they were refugees. Behind them, the security guards, who finally found their backbone, held back the reporters and parents.

"You, oh, what am I going to do with you?" The usually pretentious principal was a mess, wiping sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

"I’m truly innocent. I’m already preparing to sue."

"Sue? They’re suing you! Look at this." The principal threw a document at him.

It was a court summons. The Zhou family was suing Liu Yunfei for malicious assault causing grievous bodily harm to Zhou Jinbao. The district court had accepted the case and ordered Liu Yunfei to appear in person to handle the procedures.

Liu Yunfei realized then that the Zhou family must have colluded with Zhang Xiaoli’s parents to catch him off guard. One move was merely a setup for the next; the newspaper scandal was designed to build momentum for the upcoming assault trial.

"For the next few days, don't come to school. Being a principal is exhausting; I’ve had a line of parents waiting to transfer their children out since I arrived. I’ve never seen a student like you. If everyone were like you, I'd lose all my hair from the stress," the principal said, though he didn't dare offend Liu Yunfei.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, Principal. This will be resolved soon. I’ll keep your kindness in mind—we’ll have plenty of time later," Liu Yunfei said, patting the man on the shoulder.

"Haha, well, you should leave through the back gate. Don't worry about the car; I'll have someone watch it." The principal’s face brightened instantly. This was a society of economics, after all; he didn't mind the trouble if there was a favor to be returned later. If those students wanted to transfer, let them. As long as he hitched his wagon to Liu Yunfei’s star, he wouldn't have to worry about his future.

Liu Yunfei was too preoccupied to notice that the traffic was being managed by two new faces. Two young policewomen were also feeling frustrated. When they had reported for duty that day, they were called in by the captain, fearing they were in trouble for the condom incident. Instead, the captain smiled and gave them good news: they were being transferred to the Gourmet Street police station for training.

This was wonderful news. Standing on the road in the height of summer was grueling work. The two policewomen had spent the last few days enduring temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius; a normal person couldn't last a minute. They had to stand straight in full uniform, directing traffic and maintaining order. They felt as though they had shed a lifetime’s worth of sweat and were being roasted like sausages.

As young women, they cared about their appearance. In just a few days, their skin had turned a dark, sun-scorched red. No amount of sunscreen helped, and they worried that if this continued, they’d never find boyfriends.

Yet, as they walked out of the captain’s office, neither looked particularly happy.

"At least we don't have to stand in the sun anymore," the younger policewoman said, though her face remained twisted in a pout.

"Yeah, I suppose," the plumper policewoman sighed. "It's a pity for you, though..."

"What do you mean?"

"You won't be able to see that A6688 anymore."

The younger policewoman was usually quiet and reserved. The other assumed she would be too embarrassed to respond, but she simply pouted. "It's true. I never even told him my name."

"You silly girl, you've really fallen for him. If you know his name, just take out a 'husband-seeking' ad."

"Liu Yunfei... Liu Yunfei. I will find you. Even if you aren't famous, I’ll find you in this sea of people."