AMMSCF Chapter 28

Spring had just begun to warm up, and news about Freedom Island was being reported by every major media outlet.

It was now known that over a hundred people had been involved. Most of them were powerful and influential figures, primarily from the business and political worlds. Even the entertainment industry experienced a massive shock. More than a dozen well-known actors had visited the island, and among the confirmed names was Rong Jin.

Combining this with the foolish things he had done to Ju Xiao before, Rong Jin’s reputation had now plummeted completely. The fans who had once cheered loudly for him were now falling silent one by one, quietly deleting all their Weibo posts about him. It was as if having ever been a fan of his was now something shameful.

Originally released on bail pending trial, Rong Jin was once again taken away to cooperate with the investigation. The matter shot to the top of the trending topics in no time. Rong Jin’s popularity was so immense that even the slightest movement stirred up intense discussion. It was almost impossible not to pay attention.

Just a few days after Rong Jin was taken away, several marketing accounts started leaking that it was Duan Baisui who had taken him to Freedom Island. They were both members.

As soon as this news broke, Xing Entertainment rushed to launch a PR campaign, trying to minimize the damage.

But it was no use. The very next day, as the news continued to ferment, Duan Baisui was photographed being taken away for questioning.

Now, it wasn’t just Duan Baisui under fire; even Xing was pushed into the eye of the storm.

Duan Yan knew very well that his son could never have done such a thing. He asked around and found out that Rong Jin—that lunatic—had locked onto Duan Baisui and bitten down hard, fabricating a convincing and detailed story.

Duan Baisui was taken away for investigation as part of standard procedure. As of now, there was no concrete evidence against him, and the police advised Duan Yan not to worry for the time being.

But public opinion was spreading fast, especially Duan Baisui’s rivals, who leapt at the opportunity and couldn’t wait to nail him to the pillar of shame.

Internet trolls and hired posters began frantically stirring the pot. Blurry photos even began to circulate—one showed a young man holding two little girls in his arms. His face was clearly unidentifiable, but people were already saying it was Duan Baisui.

Spreading rumors takes just one mouth; clearing them up takes running your legs off.

The once “abstinent-type” young CEO now had a ruined reputation and was being called a pedophile by everyone.

【@OneBird: Abstinent-type? Alpha and abstinent? It’s all just a persona.】

【@GimmeIceCream: That Rong guy and the crown prince—two playboys crashing and burning. A dogfight. What a show.】

【@Endlessly: No way, no way. Didn’t they say the crown prince was already married? And to his childhood sweetheart, no less?】

【@SearchingTheHorizon: Trash is trash. Having a wife doesn’t stop him from fooling around.】

【@CrispyBrownRice: What’s at home can’t compare to what’s outside. Isn’t he into underage girls? His wife isn’t underage, how can that be any fun?】

“Boss, boss?” A girl’s voice rang out.

Zuo Nian put down his phone. His hands were still trembling, and his face was flushed with anger. He took a deep breath to calm himself and said, “Sorry, I didn’t hear you just now. What is it?”

“How much is this?” The girl shook the keychain in her hand.

“Eighteen yuan,” Zuo Nian replied.

He had made it himself. The materials alone cost ten yuan. He hadn’t even factored in the labor. He figured making a few yuan was enough. With so much competition in e-commerce these days, running a physical store was already tough.

“Can it be any cheaper?”

“Nope~ That’s the lowest price,” Zuo Nian said, lowering his head to check his phone again.

He had just learned the news about Duan Baisui’s incident. The overwhelming flood of malicious comments on the internet tore at his heart.

His older brother, the one who had always been proud, always flawless since they were young, was being trampled into the mud by people online, even after being falsely accused.

The police hadn’t even released any official information about Duan Baisui yet, but so many people had already jumped to conclusions and pinned a label on him. Zuo Nian couldn’t stand seeing the person he loved most being insulted like this.

He wasn’t good with words, yet he still fought back online comment by comment. But his voice was too small. The words he wrote to clear Duan Baisui’s name were quickly drowned out by the wave of slander. He felt so useless, like he could never do anything to help him.

“Alright, then I’ll take this one. I’ll see if there’s anything else, too,” the girl said.

“Mhm, take your time,” Zuo Nian replied absentmindedly.

Right now, he wished he could grow a pair of wings and fly straight to Duan Baisui’s side, kiss his face, and tell him not to be afraid, that he would always believe in him.

“Hey, did you see the news today?” Someone else pushed the door open, deliberately raising their voice in an exaggerated tone.

“That crown prince guy, right?” another chimed in, playing along.

“Exactly! These rich people, I swear, they’ve got no limits. The men and women in the entertainment industry aren’t enough for them; they even have to go to some ‘Freedom Island’? Seriously, how shameless can you be.” One of the men casually flipped through the display shelf while glancing toward the person behind the counter.

“How many of those rich young masters are actually decent people?” the man in the pink coat sneered. “I’ve got a friend who once joined a talent show. He said he saw Director Duan back then. That Duan even had his assistant ask for his WeChat. Looked like he was trying to ‘make a deal’, if you know what I mean. But my friend didn’t give it to him…”

The shop wasn’t big, and the conversation between the two men was clearly audible to everyone inside.

Zuo Nian looked up, furious. Only then did he see that the two people talking were none other than his high school classmates, Liu Gong and Peng Chang.

“You—You’re spouting nonsense!” Zuo Nian slammed the counter hard.

He rarely got angry, but hearing these people kick Duan Baisui while he was down, he just couldn’t take it.

“Which friend of yours? Let him come out and confront me face to face! When did my husband ever try to exploit any artists? You’re just talking crap, aren’t you? You’re all awful people! No sense of decency at all!” Even though Zuo Nian was angry, his voice didn’t carry much force. He even stuttered a bit. Instead of intimidating anyone, he ended up feeling wronged on Duan Baisui’s behalf. His nose tingled with a sour ache, and he felt an urge to cry.

But right now, he absolutely couldn’t cry. He lifted his chin, pressed his lips together, and braced himself for a counterattack. This battle, he could not lose. He had to fire the first shot in clearing his brother’s name!

“Oh, right, I almost forgot, aren’t you the rich family’s lady now? My bad,” Liu Gong sneered mockingly. “But really, if he could even marry a fool, it’s not surprising he’s got some weird fetishes, right?”

Zuo Nian had never imagined that one day, he would become someone else’s reason to attack Duan Baisui. Just because he was a fool, Duan Baisui marrying him meant they deserved to be mocked?

His whole body went cold. The two people in front of him were still laughing wantonly. Zuo Nian tried to look fiercer and said, “You’re the fool! A fool who only scored fifteen points in math and is almost thirty with no job! And my husband is nothing like what you say! The police haven’t released any official report, and you’re already rushing to condemn him. You two, two disgusting pests, are in no position to judge him!”

“Hilarious. There are pictures online. You didn’t see them? Want us to shove the photos down your throat?” Peng Chang chimed in. “Instead of arguing with us here, maybe worry more about how many years your dear hubby’s gonna be sentenced to?”

“I’m telling you, I’ve got surveillance cameras here! Everything you said is recorded! I will sue you for slander!” Zuo Nian shouted. “You two can go rot in jail!”

“Whoa, look at you! Being a rich wife really changed you, huh? You even dare to raise your voice now,” Liu Gong laughed. “Be honest. Has your husband ever taken you there? Did you ever get sent out for some fun?”

Zuo Nian grabbed the feather duster beside him and said, “I told you last time, if you come again, I’ll beat you. Did you think I was joking?”

With a whoosh, he charged out and swung the feather duster wildly at the two men. But he was no match for either of them on his own. Liu Gong quickly snatched the duster from him, then struck back hard with the solid wooden handle. Zuo Nian instinctively raised his arm to block. His wrist took the full blow, and the sharp pain made him grunt. Still, he forced out tough-sounding words through clenched teeth: “Get out. Filthy pests, get out.”

“Hey, have you no shame? Two Alphas ganging up on an Omega?” the girl who had just bought the keychain spoke up, trying to stop them. “If you don’t leave right now, I’m calling the police.”

“He hit first, didn’t you see that?” Peng Chang protested.

The girl replied blankly, “Didn’t see it. All I saw was you two picking a fight. Why don’t you explain it to the AO Management Bureau?” As she spoke, she made a show of pulling out her phone.

The AO Management Bureau usually treated Omegas as the vulnerable party in conflicts with Alphas and was inclined to side with the Omegas. Besides, Zuo Nian hadn’t even touched them just now, but they had hit him. If this escalated, the two of them might end up spending a few days behind bars.

Peng Chang tugged on Liu Gong’s sleeve, signaling him to drop it. Liu Gong flung the feather duster away and spat, “Tch! Serves your husband right for going out and fooling around!”

“Serves you right for being unemployed! Serves you right for being a broke loser! Serves you right for never being good enough to match my husband!” Zuo Nian shot back without hesitation.

Dragged by Peng Chang, Liu Gong finally stormed out of the store. The shop fell silent once more.

Zuo Nian rubbed his aching wrist. That guy had used full force. The spot where he was hit was visibly swelling, with a bruise already beginning to form beneath the skin.

He turned to the girl and said, “Thanks just now. I’m really sorry. It must’ve ruined your shopping experience.”

The girl shook her head. “It’s fine. I don’t know the full truth yet, but I have met Director Duan once. And I don’t think he’s that kind of person.”

“Eh?” Zuo Nian let out a questioning sound. “You two know each other?”

The girl smiled. “The underprivileged students at our school are sponsored by Xing Entertainment. He came once and even gave a speech on stage. He struck me as someone with very upright values and extremely polite. So as far as I’m concerned, I still don’t believe those rumors.”

Zuo Nian hadn’t cried even when he was hit earlier, but now, hearing someone speak up for Duan Baisui, his eyes immediately turned red. He said, “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Let’s check out now.” The girl placed her items on the counter.

Zuo Nian quickly said, “No need, it’s on the house. I made it myself anyway.”

“I can’t. Running a business isn’t easy for you either. It’s eighteen yuan, right?” The girl scanned the code without waiting for his response, then said, “Next time those two come around, just call the police. Don’t confront them directly. You’ll only get the worse end of it…”

Moved by this stranger’s kindness, Zuo Nian felt a rush of emotion. He took a hair clip from the display rack and said, “This one has to be a gift. Thank you for helping me just now. If you hadn’t stepped in, I would’ve been in real trouble.”

The girl couldn’t refuse him any longer, so she accepted it and said, “I’ll come again next time to support your shop.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

After the customer left, Zuo Nian no longer felt like staying open for the day. He closed up early and went to the supermarket to buy groceries, planning to cook a meal himself.

Duan Baisui didn’t get home until a little after 8 p.m. By then, Zuo Nian had reheated the food again.

Spring rain drizzled gently outside. Duan Baisui came through the door with a damp chill clinging to him. Zuo Nian rushed over, flustered and worried. “Gege, have you eaten? What did they say over there? Did they hit you?”

Duan Baisui loosened his tie and bent down to hug him. “I haven’t eaten yet. I was just cooperating with their investigation. Why would they hit me? And no, I’ve never been to that place.”

“I know you didn’t go. I believe you. You’re not that kind of person,” Zuo Nian said seriously.

Duan Baisui kissed his forehead. “As long as you believe me. I was really afraid you might have doubts.”

“Nian Nian’s not a fool. How could I ever doubt you about something like this?” Zuo Nian cupped his face. “You’re the very, very, very best Alpha in the world. You helped Director Mom rebuild the orphanage, and you’ve sponsored so many underprivileged students. You’re someone with a kind heart. Kind people would never do something like hurt children.”

“Mhm,” Duan Baisui turned his head and kissed the center of his palm. “In this lifetime, just bullying you is enough for me.”

Zuo Nian giggled, “Nian Nian is happy to be bullied by gege.”

“Fool.” Duan Baisui let out a soft sigh.

“You promised not to call Nian Nian a fool~” Zuo Nian pouted in protest.

“I’m the fool,” Duan Baisui corrected himself.

Zuo Nian kissed him and said, “Gege isn’t a fool either. The ones who falsely accused you are.”

Duan Baisui smiled in relief.

“Come on, let’s eat,” Zuo Nian said. “Nian Nian cooked personally today. Auntie Liu helped me out in the kitchen. We made lots and lots of dishes, all of Gege’s favorites～”

“Mhm.”

Before coming home today, his assistant had told him not to check the internet. But in truth, he had already seen everything.

He had always been a favored child of the heavens, raised amid praise and admiration, living a smooth life with hardly any setbacks. But this time, just a few casual words from Rong Jin had dragged him straight into the mud.

He had been in the entertainment industry for long enough to understand that many people didn’t need evidence. Sometimes, they didn’t even bother to figure out what had actually happened. They’d just go with the flow and throw out the filthiest words they could.

Duan Baisui wasn’t someone with a fragile mindset, but this time, reading all that verbal abuse left him feeling unsettled.

Duan Yan and Xu Yi both called to comfort him, as did Ason and Zuo Jun. Even Zhou Xu chose this crucial moment to post on Weibo in support of him. In truth, he still had so many people around him who loved him deeply.

Before coming home, what worried him the most was that Zuo Nian might be affected by the news. After all, someone online had posted a blurry photo and made up a detailed story full of lies. But thankfully, his little fool would always trust him unconditionally. That alone was enough.

Life was never going to be smooth sailing all the way.

After dinner, Duan Baisui carried Zuo Nian off to shower together.

They were already used to being completely open with each other, so Zuo Nian didn’t feel shy. He quickly stripped himself bare, and as he bent down to test the water temperature, his butt was smacked smack-smack twice. He turned around and whined, “Gege! Nian Nian’s angry now!”

Duan Baisui scooped him up in one move, stepped into the bathtub, kissed his ear, and said, “I was so scared.”

Hmph. He didn’t look scared at all.

Zuo Nian reached up to pinch Duan Baisui’s cheek, but as usual, Duan Baisui instinctively tilted his head to kiss Zuo Nian’s wrist. Just then, he froze mid-motion and asked, “What happened to your hand?”

Zuo Nian’s skin was pale, and the dark bruise had spread across it. It looked absolutely alarming.

“Ah, this, this… I just accidentally fell.” Zuo Nian quickly covered his hand, not daring to meet Duan Baisui’s gaze.

“Baby, you’re no good at lying. Better to just tell the truth,” Duan Baisui said, tilting up his chin and forcing him to look him in the eyes. “Otherwise, I’ll go get your phone and check the surveillance footage myself.”

Zuo Nian bit his lower lip. After a long pause, he said in a low voice, “I just didn’t want to hear people talking nonsense about you…”

He briefly recounted what had happened that afternoon, then added, “That girl was really nice. She said she’ll come back next time to support my business…”

Duan Baisui stared at him silently, saying nothing, his expression icy cold. Zuo Nian began to feel uneasy. He tried to play it off, rubbing Duan Baisui’s cheeks and drawing out his words in a coy voice: “Aiya~ I was the one who started it, okay? I’m super amazing! I made them eat a mouthful of dust! They saw how fierce I am. No way they’ll dare come back next time.”

“They were both Alphas…” Duan Baisui’s voice was calm and flat, but it was clear he was extremely angry. “If that girl hadn’t been there today, what would you have done? You could’ve been seriously hurt. Do you understand that?”

“I’m not afraid of them,” Zuo Nian said stubbornly. “I fought with them in high school, too. Hmph, I won that time too.”

Duan Baisui frowned. “They fought you back in high school?”

“It was mutual! Just a fight, that’s all. I’m fine. I can take care of myself. Gege, don’t worry about me.” Zuo Nian pecked his eyes and lips over and over, trying to distract him.

“What’s his name?” Duan Baisui asked.

“I told you last time. His name is Liu Gong. You don’t need to bother with him. He’s been annoying since high school…”

After their bath, they got into bed. Having been exhausted by several sleepless nights, Zuo Nian fell asleep early that evening. Duan Baisui picked up his phone and stepped out onto the balcony. He lit a cigarette, something he only did when he was truly troubled.

In the thin, curling smoke, he scrubbed through the surveillance footage timeline until he finally found the clip showing the two men entering the shop that afternoon.

The footage captured both men’s faces. Duan Baisui took a screenshot.

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