Those shocking comments made Fang Yinnian’s heart tremble. The maliciousness flooding through the internet was like a landslide and tsunami, threatening to swallow all five of them.
He didn’t know what expression those posting these comments had on their faces—pride at finally catching their flaws? Or the ferocity and cruelty of wanting to crush them?
These words were like sharp knives, stabbing their hearts.
This was cyberbullying.
Before the truth was clarified, so many people swarmed in, furiously insulting and attacking them.
As if they were heinous criminals.
As if everyone should shout at them and make them kneel and apologize.
Usually carefree Xiao Fei cried while browsing posts.
His middle school essay was dug up and judged. He felt very ashamed. His academic performance was poor, so did poor students not deserve to breathe in this world?
He worked hard as a trainee, always ranking first in assessments. Why did no one say anything about that?
Tang Che remained silent, his whole body seeming to be covered in thick ice, making people afraid to approach.
Tan Junwen’s hair was already a mess.
Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian silently browsed their phones.
Xu Baichuan took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth: “This was a premeditated, targeted black marketing attack against FTM, with multiple capital forces stoking the fire behind the scenes.”
He had long been worried that FTM’s high hatred value might attract the attention of other companies.
He didn’t expect the opponent’s speed to be so fast. This was clearly well prepared. A series of black materials exploded today, trying to drive away all the fans they just gained yesterday, causing their reputation to plummet instantly.
No matter who started exposing Mo Xun, the subsequent exposures were definitely added fuel by other companies, trying to trample FTM down and prevent their comeback.
Xu Baichuan had been in the entertainment industry for many years and had seen a lot. He quickly calmed down and said, “The studio’s lawyer’s letter has been sent. Don’t worry, we’ll handle everything one by one.”
Tang Che, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: “What’s the use of sending a lawyer’s letter? It’s just to comfort the fans.”
He raised his head and smiled coldly: “I don’t care how you handle things, but if you slander my mother…”
“I will sue directly.” Tang Che got up and went into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He seemed very angry.
Fang Yinnian could understand Tang Che’s anger.
Harming family is truly without bottom line!
Xu Baichuan frowned and carefully sorted out the situation: “Tan Junwen’s plagiarism is easy to handle. Once we find the original painting, we can explain it clearly.”
“I don’t know the situation with Tang Che’s family. If he wants to sue, I will fully support him.”
“Xiao Fei’s problem isn’t serious. Being mocked for a poorly written middle school essay isn’t a big black mark. Our country’s high school enrollment rate is only 50%. At least he got into university on his own, no need to feel inferior.”
Fu Fei finally relaxed upon hearing this.
He himself didn’t mind being mocked. He was more worried about his brothers, especially Mo Ge. The negative impact of the video was too great.
And the comments cursing FTM to fail soon or even die made him very sad. What terrible crime had they committed to be insulted like this?
Xu Baichuan looked at Fang Yinnian: “Yinnian, don’t respond to anything. The studio will send lawyer’s letters to warn against false rumors. The paparazzi’s exposure didn’t directly name you. Responding would only bring more trouble.”
Fang Yinnian nodded: “I understand.”
He didn’t feel much about the rumors about him. Being an air-dropped insider, the heir of Shengyao, backed by a sponsor…
Was that about him? Did it concern him?
He just found it laughable!
He joined this group because he had the highest vocal rating. Xu Baichuan pulled him in as the lead singer. At first, he just wanted to be a solo singer.
His parents were ordinary workers. He was just a nobody relying on himself.
He had a clear conscience.
Those rumors about him only showed him the diversity of human nature—as Tang Che said, some people’s brains are full of nonsense.
Fang Yinnian looked at Mo Xun worriedly.
The most serious exposure was about Mo Xun, with video evidence and losing fans trending.
The boy he “bullied” was none other than Che Changxu, the youngest member of the BNC boy band who was popular across Asia.
Fang Yinnian had learned about BNC from Mo Xun’s introduction and had watched many of their stages.
Che Changxu, a cute baby-faced boy and the group’s pet, also had many fans in China.
Mo Xun had really angered a large number of K-pop fans.
Seeing Mo Xun sitting there silently, Fang Yinnian took the initiative to walk over and gently held the back of his hand: “Are you okay?”
Mo Xun looked up, his eyes red.
Fang Yinnian was startled by his gaze.
That look of anger and sadness struck Fang Yinnian’s heart like a hammer.
It was the first time he saw Mo Xun so sad and helpless.
Fang Yinnian was deeply distressed and held Mo Xun’s hand tightly: “I believe you are not that kind of person. Is this video AI synthesized? Or are you acting and being taken out of context?”
Mo Xun was stunned and looked at Fang Yinnian unexpectedly, his voice hoarse: “You believe me so much? This video…”
Fang Yinnian said: “The video is just the part the other side cut out to show everyone. I don’t believe the video, I trust my own judgment more.”
He paused and said firmly: “The Mo Xun I know would never be that kind of person.”
Mo Xun: “……..”
At that moment, it was as if a pair of gentle hands pulled him up from his dizzy, falling state.
—Yinnian, thank you for your unconditional trust.
Mo Xun gently held his hand back, his mind suddenly calmed down. He looked at Fang Yinnian and said softly: “The video is real.”
Fang Yinnian was stunned: “What do you mean?”
Mo Xun said: “But the full version is not like this. What is being released now is a clipped, out-of-context part.”
Xu Baichuan breathed a long sigh of relief.
He was almost scared to death!
He also believed Mo Xun was not that kind of person.
But the footage in the video was very clear. Mo Xun’s cold and arrogant look when holding a cigarette, and the shameless hooliganism when slapping the other person’s cheek, all looked like a bullying trash punk.
Xu Baichuan asked: “Where is the full video?”
Mo Xun said: “Not in my hands.”
He gently rubbed his temples and said: “Changxu was a good friend of mine when I was a trainee in Korea. Brother Xu, you should know I was originally a member of BNC and was supposed to debut with them.”
Fang Yinnian was surprised and looked up at Mo Xun.
BNC, currently the hottest K-POP boy band in Asia, and Mo Xun was actually a candidate for this group?
Then why didn’t he debut?
Meeting Fang Yinnian’s puzzled gaze, Mo Xun explained: “BNC was originally a seven-member group, but before debut, an accident happened. Do you remember the person I told you about who had a ruptured Achilles tendon while dancing? His name is Park Jung-hwan.”
Fang Yinnian nodded: “Was he also a candidate?”
Mo Xun said: “Yes. The company originally wanted all seven of us to debut together and trained us in a closed environment for a while. Later, Park Jung-hwan was injured, rupturing his Achilles tendon, and couldn’t perform for a year. The debut time was already scheduled, so the company simply changed the seven-member group to a five-member group for debut.”
Xu Baichuan said: “From the company’s perspective, this was indeed the fastest way. A six-member group would have two centers, making choreography difficult. Changing to a five-member group was more stable.”
Fang Yinnian clenched his fingers: “So one more person had to be cut?”
Mo Xun said: “Yes, so I voluntarily withdrew.”
Xu Baichuan suddenly understood: “No wonder when Shengyao went to Korea to sign you, you agreed so decisively. You had already decided to return to China to develop, right?”
Mo Xun smiled: “Yes. If I returned to China, I would still have a chance… but once they were eliminated, they had no chance.”
He paused and lowered his head somewhat sadly: “I practiced with them for years, ate and lived together, and we were very close. This video was a small skit filmed during Changxu’s birthday party, where everyone played different roles for fun… I don’t know who leaked it.”
Fang Yinnian asked: “Is it not on your phone?”
Mo Xun sighed helplessly: “I wasn’t the one filming. I was just acting.”
Fang Yinnian: “…”
Xu Baichuan frowned: “You’re really careless. Can you just act out such scenes casually?”
Mo Xun explained: “Che Changxu looks obedient on the surface but is actually a drama queen who loves playing cosplay skits. On his birthday, he wanted to experience different lives, so we fulfilled his wish. Everyone acted out bullying scenes, and he even praised my acting the best.”
Xu Baichuan rubbed his forehead in frustration: “You guys play so big in private?”
Mo Xun was also very annoyed, scratching his head and saying softly: “I was careless, thinking it was okay to film some stuff at private gatherings… I’ll contact them immediately and ask them to send me the original video.”
Xu Baichuan stood up and said: “Good, hurry up and get the original video. Junwen too, go home and find the original painting. The studio’s lawyer’s letter has temporarily made the rumor-mongers restrain themselves, but to truly clarify, we need stronger evidence.”
Xu Baichuan looked at them: “The sooner the better.”
They all nodded.
Xu Baichuan left the dorm while making a phone call.
The FTM studio quickly issued a serious statement stamped with the law firm’s red seal, stating that for the recent false rumors about FTM members, the studio has recorded evidence and reserves the right to pursue legal responsibility.
But many in the entertainment industry send lawyer’s letters and warnings, and this letter’s effect was not good.
Negative public opinion about FTM continues, with many long threads discussing it on major forums.
At 11 PM, Tang Che suddenly posted a Weibo.
“My mother passed away when I was 13. She was a very kind and great mother. The rumors about her online, I have entrusted lawyers to record and collect evidence. I will file a case on Monday. See you in court.”
Fans: “……..”
Tang Che is so tough, going straight to court!
Wait, his mother has passed away? Why would someone make such rumors? It’s utterly despicable!
If everything about Tang Che is a rumor, what about the others?
Fans who still believe in FTM cling to them like a lifeline, eagerly awaiting clarifications from other members.
Those on the verge of unfollowing have also pressed pause.
“I think this wave of black water is a bit exaggerated. All members are being exposed with black materials, all neatly on the trending list. Someone must be targeting FTM.”
“Entertainment news always has reversals within three days. Don’t worry, let the bullets fly a bit~”
“This is suspicious. How did they dig up Tan Junwen’s 10-year-old painting and Mo Xun’s trainee videos in Korea?”
“I smell multiple capital forces joining to kill FTM. They’re desperately digging up FTM’s black history.”
“Stars always face full-scale online attacks before they become big. FTM, hold on! Music Notes, support them!”
“Unfollowers, don’t come back. No one recognizes you as part of the group. At the slightest disturbance, you run away like fair-weather fans with no own judgment.”
“Unfollowers, stop acting with your little essays. Go away!”
“@FTM Mo Xun, the captain’s problem is the most serious. What’s going on with that video?”
…
After returning to his room, Mo Xun immediately contacted several friends in Korea but couldn’t reach them.
It’s January 1st, New Year’s Day, and BNC is probably very busy recently.
Fang Yinnian saw his frown and knew things weren’t going well. He walked over and said: “Can’t reach them? Want to ask Brother Xu what to do?”
Mo Xun just picked up his phone when he suddenly received a call from Xu Baichuan.
Xu Baichuan said: “I just contacted the PR manager in Korea. BNC is on a plane now. They will participate in the Asian Music Festival in Thailand on January 3rd. I’ll send you the hotel address. You should fly to Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow and talk to them face to face.”
“After arriving in Thailand, have their manager call me. I’ve already informed PR. There are still many things to handle here, so I can’t leave for now. Are you okay going alone?”
Mo Xun sighed with relief: “No problem, thank you Brother Xu.”
The manager had to handle emergency PR with Korea late at night. Fortunately, Shengyao had contacted Mo Xun in Korea before, establishing a connection between the two companies.
After hanging up, Mo Xun leaned back in his chair, pinched his forehead hard, and felt extremely frustrated.
Why did the videos from private birthday gatherings with friends get leaked? He had some suspicions but didn’t dare to investigate deeply.
After all, those were his most trusted brothers.
Fang Yinnian suddenly said: “Tomorrow I’ll go with you.”
Mo Xun was stunned: “What are you going for?”
Fang Yinnian said seriously: “I want the BNC boy band members to know that although you didn’t debut with them, you now have teammates who trust you completely and are willing to stand with you.”
He looked at Mo Xun and said softly: “BNC is extremely popular now. I don’t want you to appear isolated and helpless in front of them.”
Mo Xun: “…”
His heart felt like it was gently struck by something.
In an instant, warmth, gratitude, surprise… many positive emotions surged up from deep in his blood, filling his entire heart.
Going to Thailand alone to meet former teammates, with such a huge gap in popularity, would indeed make him look lonely and pitiful.
Having someone accompany him would give him more confidence.
Mo Xun stood up, stretched out his arms and pulled Fang Yinnian into a tight embrace. He rested his chin on Fang Yinnian’s shoulder, his voice low and hoarse: “Yinnian, thank you, you’re so good to me…”
Fang Yinnian patted his shoulder and smiled: “When I was injured, didn’t you carry me around every day? Don’t be so polite.”
Mo Xun’s gloomy and irritated mood from the negative trending topics instantly cleared away, and his face finally showed a smile.
Actually, when he didn’t debut with BNC and gave up his spot to return to China, Mo Xun had some regrets.
Especially seeing BNC develop better and better, becoming Asia’s top boy band, he occasionally felt down.
But now, he sud
denly felt no regret at all.
Because he met Fang Yinnian.
The best Yinnian in the world.
##
