Peninsula: My cheat code is unscientific

Chapter 125 Reactions from All Sides (Part 2, 3k)

What about him and Li Shengji? What true love? And threatening to break up with him to force him to serve in the military? Has the person who made up this story had their brain slammed in a door?
"Brother! What happened?!" Byun Baekhyun suddenly looked up, his eyes red, and asked urgently:
"What about the company? Didn't the company handle it immediately? How could such an absurd thing be trending on social media?!"

The agent sighed, his expression indescribable:

"Baekhyun, calm down. This trending topic... in a way, was pushed up by the company."

"What?! Has the company gone mad?! Why would they do this?!"

"I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush, let me explain," the agent said in a low voice.

"Here's what happened: Lee Seung-gi suddenly and unilaterally released a statement announcing his breakup with Yoona, subtly manipulating public opinion to smear Yoona. We were caught completely off guard."

We were in an emergency meeting and communicating with the other company, but they completely ignored us.

He took a breath and continued:

"And then, right at this critical juncture, this... um... dirt on you suddenly surfaced online. Although the content was extremely outrageous, its angle was cunning, and it spread incredibly fast. After assessment, the public relations department concluded that since they couldn't stop it..."
Why not take advantage of the situation and use this even more sensational topic to completely divert public attention away from Yoona? As long as we can extricate her from the situation, it's the least damaging solution for the company.

Byun Baekhyun was dumbfounded—so he had become a shield for Im Yoona? In such a bizarre way that he never dreamed of!

"So...so I'm the one who got sacrificed? I deserve to be labeled with this ridiculous label? Bro, what am I supposed to do? What about my image?!"

Seeing that he was emotional, his agent quickly tried to calm him down:
"Baekhyun, calm down. The company isn't trying to sacrifice you; this is a crisis management strategy. The best thing for you right now is to wait and not respond to anything."

"Not responding at all?" Byun Baekhyun was almost laughing in exasperation.
"Isn't that tacitly agreeing? No way! I'll issue a statement right now saying that this is a baseless rumor, and that my relationship with Senior Li Shengji is just that of a senior and junior colleague, nothing more!" He said, reaching for his phone.

The agent quickly stopped him, his expression a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"I advise you not to do something so stupid. By issuing a statement now, you're just walking right into the line of fire! Do you know what's going on in the comments section of that post?"

"A 'prophet' has already predicted this, so whoever jumps out to deny it first will be ridiculed even more harshly."

Byun Baekhyun was stunned for a moment, then quickly looked at the comments below the post. Sure enough, just as his manager had said, the comments section was full of all sorts of "prophetic predictions" and "strategic analyses." He suddenly felt powerless and his chest tightened.

The agent patted him on the shoulder sympathetically:

"See? In this situation, whoever makes the first move between you and Li Shengji will become the target of public criticism. So, you have to wait until he issues a statement first before you can respond. Now is the time to test your patience. Don't worry, he's definitely more anxious than you are."

"So... we're just going to leave it at that?" Byun Baekhyun's voice was filled with resentment and despair.
"Where is the person who posted this? Can you find them? I'm going to sue them for defamation!"

"It's difficult. The peninsula has gradually abolished the real-name system. That hater website doesn't even require real-name registration... You only know that the other party is your hater, but you don't know who exactly they are."

Byun Baekhyun felt utterly hopeless, a profound sense of powerlessness gripping him. This was a completely undeserved disaster! What had he done to deserve this? Why should he have to endure this mental anguish?

In desperation, he desperately thought of one person:

"Then... what about my biggest fan? You know, the one who's 'Protecting Xian's Light'! Bro, didn't you say he's really strong? Has he organized his fans to control the comments? Can he help out?"

"He is indeed at the forefront, and is currently leading your fans in various comments under Li Shengji's Twitter account, demanding that he come out and explain and clarify."

Hearing this, Byun Baekhyun felt a little comforted—at least, there were still fans who firmly supported him.

Seeing that his emotions seemed to have calmed down a bit, the agent quickly added:

"By the way, remember to turn off the comment function on Twitter later. Your comment section has been flooded with all sorts of weird and wonderful things, and it's affecting my mood."

Before Byun Baekhyun could respond, he started making empty promises again:
"Alright, alright, don't despair too much. The company said they won't let you suffer in vain. Once this storm passes, the company will give you priority consideration and support in terms of your personal resources, as compensation."

After saying those almost "scumbag" words, the manager turned and left, leaving Byun Baekhyun standing alone in the corridor, feeling as if he had just had a bizarre and absurd nightmare.

How did he, a member of a top-tier boy band, suddenly become "a man who forced his boyfriend to serve in the military for love"? Could this world get any more outrageous?

Meanwhile, the break room at Li Shengji's company was in complete disarray. Cups, decorations, magazines... almost everything that could be smashed had been swept to the floor, as if a mini typhoon had just passed through.

He slumped onto the only intact sofa, staring intently at the few glaring trending topics on his phone. He felt a surge of anger rising to his head, wishing he could gouge his own eyes out. He desperately wanted to close his eyes and open them again to find that it was all just an illusion, but those glaring topics and that damned post on the screen remained stubbornly there.

His scheme was flawless—he preemptively released a breakup statement, used ambiguous language to guide public opinion, and shifted all the blame onto Yoona.
This is a brilliant plan that kills three birds with one stone! It allows you to establish yourself as a suspected victim, smear the other party, and gain sympathy and attention for your upcoming military service.

But no matter how much they planned, they never expected such an unpredictable and reckless fool to appear out of nowhere! He concocted such an absurd and nonsensical plot! Even more outrageous is that…

How can so many people believe something so obviously fake?! And it even trended at number one on the hot search list?! Are netizens these days brainless?! This is unbelievable!

Before he could even establish himself as a victim, he was dragged into this disgusting rumor with another male idol who had absolutely no connection to him!

"Damn it!" Li Shengji couldn't help but curse, slamming his fist hard on the sofa armrest.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the lounge.

"Go in!" Li Shengji roared impatiently.

The agent pushed open the door and saw the mess on the floor. His eyelids twitched, but his face remained professionally calm.

"Victory Chicken."

"How is it? Have you contacted SM Entertainment? What did they say? When will they issue a statement denying it?" Lee Seung-gee asked anxiously.

The agent gave a wry smile and shook his head:
"We did manage to get in touch, but... their attitude was ambiguous. They said they needed to discuss it internally and it wasn't convenient for them to respond at the moment."

Li Shengji's face instantly twisted:

"Are they completely indifferent to Byun Baekhyun's life or death?"

The agent sighed and reminded him:
"Have you forgotten that Yoona is also from their company? They're clearly sacrificing a pawn to save the king, using Byun Baekhyun as the pawn to protect Yoona as the king. As long as we don't make the first move..."
They're happy to watch the show, focusing all their firepower on you and Byun Baekhyun, which is why I told you before that your plan wasn't quite right, but you insisted on…”

“What’s the point of saying all this now? If that bastard hadn’t suddenly jumped out, things wouldn’t have turned out this way!” Li Shengji interrupted him almost through gritted teeth:

"Have you been able to contact him? Didn't he say in his post that he's a hater of Byun Baekhyun? If he hates Byun Baekhyun, fine, but why drag me into this? Is he seriously ill?!"
Give him money to delete the post and issue a statement saying it's nonsense; we'll agree to any amount of money!

The agent shook his head:
"I tried sending several private messages, but they read them but didn't reply. It seems like it's not about the money, it's purely... trying to cause trouble."

"Then find out who he is! I'll make him pay for spreading rumors!"

"Can't find it." The agent shrugged helplessly.
"The Korean Peninsula is gradually abolishing the real-name registration system for the internet, so black hat websites can be registered without real names..."

"Do you think this might be SM Entertainment's doing?" Lee Seung-gee suddenly asked.

"It doesn't seem like it. They even contacted us to coordinate before. Besides, if it really was SM's doing, there was no need to involve Byun Baekhyun. Maybe it would have been more effective to use someone else."

Lee Seung-gi was speechless. A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart. The room fell silent, with only his heavy breathing remaining.

After a long pause, the agent finally spoke cautiously:
"Shengji, now... there may only be one way."

Li Shengji suddenly looked up.

The agent took a deep breath and said:
"You issue a denial statement, emphasizing that you have no personal relationship with Byun Baekhyun and that all rumors are fabricated, and then... immediately apply for enlistment, go to the toughest unit, and we'll use this opportunity to promote ourselves."
Let the public see your sense of responsibility and commitment. Once you join the military, away from the center of public attention, and after your service ends, this matter will basically be forgotten. Netizens are forgetful.

Upon hearing this, Li Shengji's eyes turned red:
"If I go to serve in the military now, wouldn't that just confirm what that bullshit article said? That I was forced to go by Byun Baekhyun?"

The agent looked utterly helpless:
"Do you have a better way? Unless you can not go, or delay for a few more years... But, Shengji, you know yourself, can you delay for a few more years?"

"A short, sharp pain is worse than a long, drawn-out one. Going now voluntarily will at least earn you a clean and respectable reputation. Being forced to go by public opinion, or being summoned by the conscription office, would truly be a disgrace."

Li Shengji opened his mouth, but found himself speechless.

(End of this chapter)