The news about Lin Shuheng reached the livestream just before Wen Jiu was about to end it.
Wen Jiu watched the flood of sobbing comments scroll past, utterly baffled.
[My poor wifey. The clouds have finally parted, and the moon is out. Things are finally better this time...]
Wen Jiu barely managed to make out one comment. After reading it aloud, he couldn't help asking, "What's better?"
The comments were all telling him to check Weibo.
Wen Jiu exchanged a glance with Feng Chi and said, "Bye-bye," about to end the stream, only for the man to take his hand-
And open Lin Shuheng's livestream directly.
The first thing he saw was Lin Shuheng, his eyes red from crying, apologizing repeatedly to the camera.
Wen Jiu: ?
Lin Shuheng said, "I'm sorry. Today, I formally apologize to my former group member, Wen Jiu."
"Before our debut, I sabotaged several of his performances;
during the live performance on the night our group was formed, I was also the one who had someone spill water before he went onstage;
after our debut, I was jealous that he was more talented and had more fans than I did, so I played the victim and framed him. The way public opinion turned against him online was also... I asked my manager to help steer it."
"I'm sorry. This was all my fault..."
Wen Jiu turned, completely bewildered, and instinctively looked at the man beside him.
This time, Feng Chi didn't lean into him. Instead, he connected directly to the other livestream and stared at Lin Shuheng with icy eyes.
"Keep going."
President Feng's domineering move practically sent the viewers into ecstasy!
"Don't you like crying?" The man's voice was cool and casual, as though he were discussing the weather. "Then cry your fill."
[Holy shit! President Feng is fucking awesome!!!]
[I have good reason to suspect President Feng is doing this on purpose! Lin Shuheng tried to end his stream several times, but the backend forcibly rejected it! Now the entire internet is cursing him out, hahaha! This feels so fucking good!!!]
[When Lin Shuheng started streaming, he was still making snide remarks about Wen Jiu pulling stunts for attention. Well, look at him now. Starting a stream is easy, but getting out isn't.]
[Fuck, I knew it was this asshole!
When wifey twisted his ankle on the group formation night, a huge lump swelled up on the spot, and he still gritted his teeth and finished the dance.
Wifey focused on the competition without defending himself, and he didn't even let his expression slip.
But even then, a bunch of fucking idiots online still said he was deliberately playing the victim!
He was in so much fucking pain he broke out in a cold sweat. Finishing the dance was impressive enough, okay? Who doesn't sweat when they're in pain?]
[Holy shit! My heart is breaking!!!]
[Anyway, I support President Feng with both hands and feet. There were even people online saying he'd gone too far at first. Seriously, give me a fucking break. Wifey had it so much worse back then! Did anyone speak up for him then?!]
[A taste of his own medicine! Lin Shuheng brought all of this on himself!]
[This is so satisfying my skull's about to fly off! I'm crying. President Feng's boyfriend power is absolutely unmatched!]
[It's time to repay the debt he's owed wifey for seven years!]
[Keep talking! Keep crying!!!]
Lin Shuheng had nearly cried himself dry, but since the man told him to cry, he didn't dare shed a single tear less.
"And at the wrap party for the Heartless production team, I had someone blur that photo. I deliberately framed him, causing fans to hound Wen Jiu with abuse for months. I'm sorry..."
"During the live New Year's Eve performance, I also had someone tamper with Wen Jiu's headset microphone. He wasn't lip-syncing or singing off-key. The audio track was wrong. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
Wen Jiu's expression shifted slightly.
During that live broadcast years ago, only his part had gone wrong. The entire internet had torn him to shreds and mocked him for months, to the point that hardly any satellite TV stations were willing to invite him to perform the following year.
He remembered finally getting two invitations. Qu Feng took him to sign the contracts, only to be told that he needed to deliberately cause an onstage mishap to generate buzz.
Wen Jiu was so furious that he snapped back on the spot, berating the person in charge until they couldn't get a word in. In the end, security escorted him out.
They had arrived full of excitement, only to leave disappointed. Qu Feng was so angry that he couldn't sleep properly for days.
Lin Shuheng was still saying something, nothing more than more disgusting deeds. Wen Jiu barely listened. He simply lowered his head and gave a soft laugh.
If it hadn't been mentioned, he would have forgotten.
So there were still so many truths that hadn't come to light.
Feng Chi watched Wen Jiu's expression the entire time. The moment his brows creased slightly, Feng Chi cut the other man off. "Shut up."
Lin Shuheng bit his lip, not daring to speak.
Lin Shuheng still looked like the same pitiful little white flower, but this time, not a single person online sympathized with him.
Everyone knew that, having crossed Feng Chi, Lin Shuheng had reached the end of his road in the entertainment industry.
Feng Chi said, "Once you're out, you know what to do."
The big shot had finally relented. Tears flowed from Lin Shuheng's dried-out eyes again. Crying, he nodded hastily and immediately went offline.
Wen Jiu ended his livestream too.
"It was my fault for not telling you beforehand."
The man sat obediently on the bed, cautiously studying his expression. "But I couldn't help it. The pain and injustice you suffered can't just be left at that."
When Wen Jiu said nothing, this man who never showed the slightest panic no matter how important the occasion suddenly became lost. Such a big man, sitting there looking so pitiful.
Like a wronged big dog that had done something bad while protecting its owner and was afraid of being abandoned.
The big dog only looked fierce, but he had a soft heart. How could his owner bear to blame him?
"You did very well." Wen Jiu reached up to stroke the man's head and gave him a warm hug. "I'm the one who should thank you for protecting me like this."
You let me know that someone still remembers the pain I once suffered, that someone still cares, that someone's heart still aches for me.
"I told you I'd clear away the filth that doesn't know its place. You don't need to thank me."
Feng Chi's heart ached. Since he had doubts, he asked outright, "Just now... that wasn't why you were upset?"
"I was just thinking about how many disgusting things that idiot Lin Shuheng had done, only to realize there were too many to count."
Wen Jiu hadn't expected the man to be so sensitive. "You thought I was unhappy?"
Feng Chi nodded.
See! He'd said so. The big shot was such a delicate thing!
"Think about yourself more from now on. Don't spend all day watching my reactions like some little wife. If, if word gets out..."
Wen Jiu patted his shoulder. "It'd be so bad for your image."
You're a big shot. Other people should be watching your reactions, Wen Jiu silently added. With such a soft disposition, you'll get bullied!
Feng Chi nodded. "Understood."
Only after reading the news online did Wen Jiu learn that it wasn't just what Lin Shuheng had done to him that had been exposed. More seriously, there were Lin Shuheng's affairs with multiple financial backers.
Even Minghua Entertainment was implicated.
The stars under Minghua Entertainment were left somewhat unable to hold their heads high as well. Fans flooded Minghua Entertainment's official website demanding answers, causing quite an uproar.
Unable to bear the harassment, stars posted statements on Weibo declaring that they had not been subjected to casting-couch arrangements, to prove their innocence.
It was worth mentioning that the variety show Brothers and Sisters, Let's Debut was also killed before it could get off the ground, its approval rejected by the authorities overnight.
Of course, all of that came later.
While Feng Chi showered inside, Wen Jiu got bored and wanted to go out and laugh at Lin Shuheng, only to be told that he had already left that very night.
Wen Jiu pursed his lips. Fine, then.
"Xiaojiu." Just as he was about to return to his room, he heard Yu Qing calling him. Wen Jiu poked his head out and saw Yu Qing standing at the turn of the stairs, smiling and beckoning him over. "Come down. I've got something good to show you."
Wen Jiu's eyes lit up, and he bounded down the stairs.
"What is it?"
With an air of mystery, Yu Qing brought out what he'd hidden behind his back. Wen Jiu leaned closer to look. It was actually the two boxes of peach blossom pastries the production team had given as a reward.
"No, these are yours. I can't take them."
Wen Jiu hurriedly refused. The Double Jade Husbands had already looked after him so much on this show. How could he have the nerve to take something so delicious from them?
"They're for you. A-Yu and I don't like sweets. They're too cloying." Yu Qing took his hand and insisted on pressing them into it. "Besides, if we want some, we can always ask the directors for more."
For a moment, Wen Jiu couldn't find the words to refuse. He thought it over. That did seem right.
"Then, then I'll..."
Yu Qing looked at him with a smile and whispered, "There were too many people earlier, so it wasn't convenient to share them out. I secretly saved these for you."
"Go on, take them."
Wen Jiu's eyes stung.
When the injustices he'd suffered over the years were exposed, he hadn't actually felt much. So much of it was already in the past. Wasn't it better to look ahead?
Besides, with Feng Chi targeting them, neither Lin Shuheng nor his former agency would probably end up well.
Thinking about it actually felt satisfying.
But when Yu Qing said that, he suddenly grew sentimental.
Wen Jiu nodded, smiling brightly. "Thank you both. I'll definitely eat every last one!"
"Good. Let me know what you think after you finish them. If they're good, I'll send you some more later."
As Yu Qing spoke, he glanced upstairs. Not seeing Feng Chi, he took Wen Jiu's hand and led him toward his own room.
"Actually, the main reason I called you down was to talk about President Feng."
Wen Jiu looked puzzled. "Feng Chi?"