Chapter 12 Who Was It, Really?

The staff member who had just muttered, “Xia Xiangyang really didn’t get taken away, did he?” was suddenly smacked with a loud smack! He turned around angrily, only to come face to face with Wang Youde’s scowling face—and instantly fell silent.

Wang Youde barked, “What, if Xia Xiangyang was taken away, then I, his accomplice, would’ve been taken too?! Since you’re so well-informed, why don’t you tell everyone how many years I’ll be sentenced to?!”

The staff member stammered, “…Director Wang, please calm down, it’s just gossip online. I was only asking everyone—I’m concerned about you guys, that’s all, really! I didn’t mean anything else!”

Wang Youde shot him a glare, looked around at the others, and said, “Stop listening to that bullshit spewed by online marketing accounts. Xia Xiangyang and I just happened to go out for a meal. We cooperated by giving statements, and then came right back. Xia Xiangyang is in the dressing room getting his makeup done right now. And the police issued an official statement ten minutes ago. You people should at least check proper news sources and stop letting gossip accounts lead you by the nose.”

It was already frustrating enough just to be dragged to the police station over dinner.

Who could’ve expected it would blow up into a trending topic?

Ever since the photos of him and Xia Xiangyang got leaked last night, Wang Youde had been bombarded with calls—friends, relatives, all asking whether he’d gotten himself into trouble. His hot-tempered wife even called and cursed him out like a storm, threatening divorce if there was any truth to the rumors.

He was completely overwhelmed.

Fortunately, the police had now stepped in and cleared his name.

Wang Youde declared, “Go check for yourselves. I’m innocent!”

Not that he needed to say it—everyone had already pulled out their phones.

Can’t really blame them for not knowing sooner; they had been filming, and everyone’s phones were on silent.

Jiang Shuwan also took out her phone and quickly navigated to Big Eye, scanning past trending hashtags like #Ji Hanzhang Studio Lawyer’s Statement#, #Prince Regent Crew Lawyer’s Statement#, and #Best Actor Ji—Ridiculous#, before spotting a newly tagged one marked with a “new” label:

#Xicheng District Police Department of S City Issues Clarification Again#

The post, true to the Xicheng Police Department’s usual style, was extremely concise and straightforward.

To summarize: after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen, the local police station under the Xicheng District Police Department had uncovered a failed attempt to falsely accuse and frame others. Suspects Gao XX and Cao XX had plotted to fabricate a story accusing Xia XX and Wang XX of solicitation and illegal drug use, intending to exact revenge. After investigation and interrogation, the suspects had confessed to their crimes. The case was now under further investigation.

The police further clarified that all online rumors regarding Xia XX, Wang XX, and Ji XX being “taken away on suspicion of solicitation” or “caught buying sex” were false.

They once again reminded the public: the internet is not a lawless place. Fabricating and spreading rumors may result in criminal liability.

This time, the warning about criminal liability wasn’t just lip service.

Because immediately afterward, the police issued a second statement.

It stated that a person surnamed Lin, having been bribed by others, used a marketing account to deliberately fabricate and disseminate false rumors accusing Xia XX, Wang XX, and Ji XX of involvement in sex-related crimes, thereby defaming their reputations. The police had already placed Lin under administrative detention.

Though posted only ten minutes prior, both announcements had already been shared over 100,000 times and were gaining traction by the second.

At the top of the comments section were Ji Hanzhang’s fans:

“Thank you to the police for clearing Old Ji’s name!”
“Thanks to the police. That’s the most ridiculous rumor of the year, no contest. Not to be rude, but with Ji’s looks, who’s buying who here? 😂”
“Thanks to the police. When the trending topic hit yesterday, I didn’t even bother arguing with the haters. That Lin guy should’ve at least made his lies somewhat believable. Our Old Ji is known for being a workaholic and uninterested in women.”

Then came the comments from Xia Xiangyang’s fans:

“Respect to the Xicheng police! Thank you for clearing Xia Xiangyang and Director Wang’s names!”
“Justice will never be absent. Thank you, officers, for punishing the evildoers!”
“Poor Xia Xiangyang. I’m literally crying. What kind of tragic ‘strong-but-suffering’ character arc is this, getting stabbed in the back by someone close to him?”

Clearly, even though the police had anonymized the names, fans familiar with Xia Xiangyang had already guessed who “Gao XX” was.

Jiang Shuwan read quickly—while others were still on the first statement, she had already finished both and even skimmed through the comments.

Out of curiosity, she tapped into the hashtag #Best Actor Ji—Ridiculous#, and saw that last night, Ji Hanzhang’s studio had released a lawyer’s statement, accompanied by just one comment addressing the rumors online:

“Ridiculous.”

By the time she finished reading everything, only two or three minutes had passed.

Jiang Shuwan put her phone away and walked out.

She was heading off to check how Xia Xiangyang was doing.

As Jiang Shuwan approached the area near the lead actors’ dressing rooms, she saw several crew members blocking a well-dressed, pot-bellied man in a suit. They were trying to persuade him with utmost patience:

“Director Gao, Mr. Xia is changing clothes right now, and he’s up for the next scene. If you have anything to discuss, could you please wait until after the shoot? It’s all for the sake of work, we hope you can understand.”

The suited man was likely Gao Xiaoming’s so-called “uncle” but actual biological father—Gao Zhiyong. His expression was dark with anger as he snapped:

“What’s wrong with changing clothes? We’re all men here, what’s there to hide? Besides, I’m just here to get a signature—it won’t take more than a few minutes. If you hadn’t stopped me, I’d be done and gone by now!”

The crew members were speechless.

If Xia Xiangyang had actually been willing to sign, they wouldn’t have been told to block him in the first place.

They were already regretting not refusing Gao Zhiyong entry in the first place, instead of listening to his excuse about “just dropping by the set.”

One staff member said, “Since it involves a legal matter, it’s not something that can be cleared up in just a few words. Please, don’t be in such a rush. Just wait until the morning shoot wraps—”

Gao Zhiyong interrupted angrily, “Easy for you to say—it’s not your kid locked up in the police station! How is this not urgent?!”

The staff fell silent.

Neither side was willing to budge. Jiang Shuwan figured the crew wouldn’t be able to hold him off for much longer. It seemed she wouldn’t get a chance to speak with Xia Xiangyang alone.

She had originally wanted to find an opportunity to subtly hint to Xia Xiangyang not to rush into signing the letter of leniency. After all, this so-called “Director Gao’s” wife was about to arrive and put a stop to it. The “good nephew” was suddenly turning into the “good son.” Madam Gao would certainly be eager to see Gao Xiaoming sewing shoes in prison for a few extra years.

Jiang Shuwan didn’t notice that directly behind her was a clearly marked, standalone dressing room. On the door was a large capital letter J.

Inside, Ji Hanzhang, dressed in his full Prince Regent costume after finishing hair and makeup, was sitting in a chair reading the script.

Deng Youhui had already uncovered the full story from yesterday.

Xia Xiangyang’s assistant, Gao Xiaoming, was the nephew of a company board director. Young but arrogant, he had a poor reputation in the company. It was apparently an open secret in the industry that Xia Xiangyang had a “royal” assistant.

After Xia Xiangyang filed a request to replace his assistant, the kid had likely taken it personally—and was bold enough to pull such a stunt.

And now, the person outside must be Gao Xiaoming’s uncle here to get Xia Xiangyang to sign a letter of leniency.

No wonder that brat turned out the way he did, with an uncle this indulgent.

Ji Hanzhang was thinking this indifferently when suddenly, a familiar voice rang out in his ears:

[That Madam Gao is going to show up soon to stop him. The “good nephew” is about to become the “good son.” Madam Gao’s probably dying to see Gao Xiaoming spend a few more years on a sewing machine.]
[As expected, the staff can’t stop Gao Zhiyong. Madam Gao still has ten minutes before she arrives?]
[Forget it. I’ll just sneak in while it’s chaotic.]

Ji Hanzhang: “…”

What do you mean, the “good nephew” has suddenly become the “good son”?
Had Deng Youhui missed something major?

He set down the script and got up to open the dressing room door.

---

Meanwhile, over at Xia Xiangyang’s room, he finally gave in and opened the door.

Gao Zhiyong stormed in with a cold expression. But just before him, a slender figure darted inside nimbly, slipping past the others.

The rest of the people, confused but unwilling to fall behind, all rushed in after them.

Ji Hanzhang stood at his doorway, one hand resting on the doorframe, frowning slightly as he looked at the packed crowd.

That voice—who does it belong to?

It had to be someone among those people in the room.

But which one?

---