Chinese entertainment industry has been booming since 2008.

The news of Zhang Yang's late-night rendezvous with a young model spread like wildfire online. Zhang Yang's fans, unable to bear the relentless mockery from his haters, began to directly confront him online.

Fans: "Do you guys have any heart?! Zhang Yang films until the early hours every day, covered in injuries but never complains, yet you use the most vicious words to hurt him!"

Xiao Heizi: "This is hilarious! The fans are still wallowing in self-pity? Your Zhang Yang is probably having a good time somewhere right now!"

A fan commented: "I couldn't stop crying... Seeing those vile words, my heart ached so much I could hardly breathe. Zhang Yang was such a good person, why did they have to treat him like this?"

Xiao Heizi: "What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for? Is there anyone clean in the entertainment industry? You're just fooling your brainless fans!"

Fan: "I can tolerate your insults, but I absolutely cannot tolerate your slander of Zhang Yang. He is my light, and I will fight anyone who tries to extinguish that light!"

Little Hater: "You bunch of brainless fans are getting more and more disgusting the more you try to defend yourselves! The evidence is undeniable, yet you're still blatantly lying. Like idols, you're shameless!"

Fans: "You haters deserve to die a horrible death! Why are you slandering Zhang Yang? He works so hard, what more do you want from him?!"

Xiao Heizi, posing as a passerby: "Just a casual observer, I was indifferent at first, but the way the fans are controlling the comments everywhere is really annoying! Can't we just let people speak the truth?"

Fan: "I will always believe in Zhang Yang. Even if it means going against the whole world, I will stand by his side!"

A bystander commented: "The photos are solid proof! Fans, don't come to my comments section and go crazy. It's pointless to be so stubborn!"

Fans: "Protect the best Zhang Yang! The stars will always be behind you!"

A bystander commented: "This is really enough! This actor's scandal is all over the news every day, isn't it annoying? Can't both sides just shut up for a bit?"

Xiao Heizi: "Zhang Yang, get out of the entertainment industry!"

Xiao Heizi: "I'm unfollowing you! You're a complete jerk! Zhang Yang, you don't deserve anyone's affection!"

Just as Zhang Yang's fans and haters were arguing fiercely, the official Weibo account of "The Thieves" updated with a post that offered no explanation or defense, only nine carefully selected photos.

First picture: Zhang Yang trains alone in the gym late at night, his vest soaked with sweat;

Second picture: He is asking Zhao Wenzhuo for instructions on the movements, looking very focused;

Third photo: Helping staff move equipment, showing no airs whatsoever;

...

Ninth picture: In a corner of the film set, Chen Daoming is instructing his acting skills.

The caption was simple and powerful: "The Zhang Yang we know is a serious actor and a sincere person," and at the end, Zhang Yang was tagged.

Zhang Yang replied, "The innocent will remain innocent."

The official Weibo post of "Thieves' Alliance" and Zhang Yang's response were forwarded over 10,000 times within ten minutes, and different opinions began to appear in the comment section.

"I told you Zhang Yang wasn't that kind of person!"

"This attitude, this dedication—haters, open your eyes and take a look!"

Five minutes later, Zhang Yang updated his Weibo account with another post, a video. In the video, Boss Xiang was being interviewed, looking rather grim: "These paparazzi these days are truly lawless. That night, I organized the meeting to discuss the investment share issue for 'The Thieves.' Zhang Yang is a really hardworking young man. Some people will stop at nothing for profit; this is smearing our entire Hong Kong entertainment industry. I advise those people to stop!"

Just then, another video suddenly appeared online. In the video, Zhang Yang and Xu Qing were seen entering and leaving a hotel together, chatting and laughing. With suggestive subtitles, it was very misleading.

The haters immediately started yelling wildly: "See! It's solid evidence, still denying it?!"

Zhang Yang looked at the sudden blurry video, but instead of being angry, he laughed. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

"Sun Yu, post the second Weibo post."

"yes!"

One minute later, the official Weibo account of "Thieves' Alliance" posted a video.

The footage shows the same clip that was previously released online, but this is the full version of the video, showing Zhang Yang and Xu Qing going from entering the hotel together to returning to their respective rooms.

"This is our daily routine on set: serious, polite, serious about acting, and sincere to others."

With the truth revealed, Zhang Yang's fans began their attack.

"These black-clad trolls are disgusting! They're taking things out of context!"

"Zhang Yang is really being wronged."

"The atmosphere on this film set is really great!"

"..."

Watching his fans attack Xiao Heizi online, a genuine smile finally appeared on Zhang Yang's face. However, this was not enough, far from enough. He picked up his phone and dialed one last number: "We can begin."

Three minutes later, a well-known entertainment gossip account suddenly dropped a bombshell: "Solid evidence: Rotten Apple's paparazzi accepted bribes!"

The video was recorded by "Dog Head Liu," in which he admitted to receiving bribes to smear Zhang Yang, fabricating the fake photos, and splicing together the video. He acknowledged his mistakes, etc.

Okay, this isn't because Doghead Liu had a change of heart, but rather because Boss Xiang put in some effort. After all, Zhang Yang gave Boss Xiang a 15% investment share in "Thieves' Alliance" for 500 million, which is a very low price. Boss Xiang is also good at interpersonal relationships and helped Zhang Yang solve some minor problems.

...

Hua Yi and Wang Xiaoer were furious as they watched the online discussions praising Zhang Yang. They had thought Zhang Yang would finally suffer a setback, but Zhang Yang had managed to defuse the situation and even managed to get involved with Boss Xiang from Hong Kong.

During this period, Huayi was working on its IPO, which is why Wang Xiaoer didn't push things along. In the past, he would have already arranged for online trolls to smear Zhang Yang.

"Zhang Yang, you're lucky. I don't believe you'll always be this lucky."

.....

A hotel in Hong Kong.

Zhang Yang was comfortably lying on the sofa when his phone rang. It was a message from Yang Mi.

"Zhang Yang, you're amazing! That was a series of attacks."

"What are you saying? Don't you know how skilled I am?"

"Ugh, Zhang Yang, do you need someone to go to Hong Kong to bring you some warmth?"

Upon seeing this message, Zhang Yang couldn't help but smile. It seemed that Yang Mi was also feeling threatened.

"Alright, you just focus on preparing for 'Swords of Legends.' I'm going to Las Vegas to film in a few days. After that, I'll join the main production team. Don't mess things up."

"Hmph, I, Yang Mi, aspire to be an artist, and my acting skills are top-notch."

artist?

Okay, Yang Mi really has no self-awareness. Throughout history, the vast majority of artists have been penniless. With her overflowing coffers, does she deserve it?

After chatting with Yang Mi for a few minutes, Zhang Yang made an excuse to end the conversation.

This time, Zhang Yang was caught off guard, but the entertainment industry is full of open and covert attacks. He has already thought of a way to deal with it, which is to learn from Huang Zongze. It's already in ruins, how can it collapse again?

Afterwards, Zhang Yang called Wen Yongzha. He was very angry and couldn't let himself be wronged.