Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

As Yang Che had said, there were reporters like flies, especially those from Longcheng, who were frantically trying to find Yang Che's parents and ask them how they felt about their son violating someone else.

Of course, it cannot be found.

So they could only look for Yang Che's neighbors. All the neighbors' first reaction was disbelief, but the reporter insisted that it had been published in the newspaper.

Then some neighbors began to have doubts and started whispering among themselves, while others began to believe it without a doubt.

There were three people who believed it without a doubt: Liu Xiaoli, who was preparing to fly to New York at the Shanghai airport; Zhang Qin, who was eating at a small restaurant in Hengdian; and Jin Qiaoqiao, who was in Shenzhen (1).

The three of them knew about it because of the internet; the news quickly spread throughout the country, and many TV stations reported on it during their midday news.

They are all quite complex, with moments of joy and sorrow.

It was 3 p.m., and the multi-functional hall on the third floor of the Shangri-La Hotel in Beijing was bustling with activity.

At this moment, Liu Chang took the microphone and went on stage.

"Good afternoon, fellow journalists. Welcome to Mr. Yang Che's personal press conference."

This press conference was notarized by the Xicheng District XX Notary Public Office. Two notaries recorded, photographed, and documented the entire event, and supervised all documents that Mr. Yang Che would later present.

At this point, the more than eighty reporters in the audience stirred. They had never heard of such a confident statement before.

They couldn't help but look at Yang Binbin from the Beijing News, who had become quite famous today and was certainly bold enough to come.

After the audience's voices subsided slightly, Liu Chang continued, "This press conference is divided into two parts. The first part is Mr. Yang Che's explanation; the second part is a Q&A session. To ensure everyone's work efficiency and the effectiveness of the information, the following specific rules apply:"

Please keep quiet while Mr. Yang Che is speaking.

During the Q&A session, given the large number of journalists, we will be calling on reporters by name. We appreciate your understanding.

At that moment, a voice rang out from the crowd: "What if you only choose your own patrons?"

The audience immediately erupted in noise.

Liu Chang said calmly, "This press conference is notarized by the Xicheng District XX Notary Office. It is a serious occasion to protect Mr. Yang Che's personal reputation, not entertainment gossip. If you do not accept the rules, please leave now."

It was quiet; no one was nitpicking anymore, since that question was rather idiotic.

Then Yang Che went on stage, and the reporters below immediately perked up.

The guy had medium-length hair combed back and was wearing a gray May Fourth Movement youth suit. He looked very upright.

This was borrowed by Wang Fei... but she also had a tailor make one for her boyfriend, so she can't keep borrowing it.

Yang Che didn't greet anyone, but simply pointed calmly to the large screen behind him.

"Please take a look, this is a receipt for the lawsuit. I have filed a lawsuit against Liu Xinmo for malicious false accusation, and against the Beijing News and Tianya Forum for deliberately spreading false information."

"Whoosh."

The reporters all turned to look at Yang Binbin, but this guy was really calm. Although his face was ugly, he didn't say a word.

Yang Che ignored the commotion below the stage and pointed to the two notaries.

The notary stood up: "This receipt for the complaint is a formal receipt from the court, indicating that the case has entered the filing process..."

In reality, most journalists knew it was a false accusation when they learned a press conference was going to be held. After all, rape is a public prosecution offense, and it's not something that can be ignored simply because the victim doesn't pursue it.

If Yang Che had really committed a crime, he would have been detained and awaiting trial long ago.

They came because of the media attention; the vast majority of the public believed Yang Che had committed rape, after all, it had been reported in such a large newspaper...

Yang Che pointed to the big screen again: "This is the case acceptance receipt issued by XX Police Station yesterday, my certificate of innocence, Liu Xinmo's false accusation record, and my letter of understanding."

Each time a document was presented, the audience fell a little quieter.

Yang Binbin's face turned even uglier. This time, the editor-in-chief definitely wouldn't protect him, but of course, he still wouldn't have to bear any legal responsibility.

The newspaper is naturally not responsible; it's not a big deal like misspelling a leader's name, just spreading a rumor.

Even if they lose the case, the worst outcome will be a verbal reprimand from their superiors.

Definitely. Since its inception, the Beijing News has spread rumors every year, driving countless people to their deaths.

But not being able to profit is one of the biggest sins. The longer the dragging on and the more unresolved the matter, the more the newspaper can benefit. If the matter is settled too early, he will be in trouble.

He never expected that the bespectacled man and his gang were so stupid that they didn't even know how to pull each other apart.

Women, who are naturally at a disadvantage, don't know how to take advantage of it, pshaw!

After the notary confirmed the authenticity of all documents, Yang Che said expressionlessly, "You can download the above images from 360 Navigation website..."

The reporters were completely baffled.

Yang Che also felt a little embarrassed; this guy was a bit too hard. So he coughed lightly and said, "Now let me recount what happened..."

Yang Che started his story from the parking lot of the Xinqiao Hotel until the signing of the letter of understanding last night, without mentioning the 300 million phone calls before the Lunar New Year or the Olympic Bid Committee. It was just a simple case of extortion and false accusation.

At this point, a reporter couldn't hold back any longer: "What is Liu Xinmo after? Didn't she state her demands?"

Yang Che paused for a moment: "This is a matter for the court and the police, and I don't care. Please be quiet. I will not answer any more questions before we move on to the second part of the press conference. Thank you for your cooperation."

"I am innocent, please remember that."

I, who was innocent, forgave Liu Xinmo, who was guilty, and then I was bitten back.

When I first heard the news, I thought it was a joke from a friend. When I found out it was true, I just smiled bitterly and decided to ignore it. After all, a promise is a promise, and I can forgive if I say I will. Besides, I believe in the fairness of the law.

I'm not bragging. My friends who called to check on me at the beginning know that I said: I have a lot of things to do, and I really don't have the time or energy to deal with these things.

I also know that for market-oriented media like the Beijing News, the foundation is no longer the truth of news, but the truth of agenda. In other words, they can't survive without spreading rumors. No, it can't be called spreading rumors. It should be called intentionally and selectively grabbing public attention and guiding public sentiment. You could call it setting the pace.

So even if you spread rumors and stir up trouble, I don't really care. After all, I'm a semi-public figure, and I make a living off the public.

Until I received a call from my father, who choked up and asked me what happened! He asked me: How did his proud son become a rapist?

I apologize that my father doesn't understand the law or think independently, but he is very simple and honest, because he trusts official media reports more than his son.

However, he probably won't trust official media anymore, because they harmed his son. That's just the simple thought of a simple person.

Note 1: For information about Jin Qiaoqiao, please reread chapters 47-53.