Chapter 21 Not Alone

Li Ziyue wasn't a big star. Originally, a debate variety show like this wasn't something someone of his stature could participate in.

But it just so happened that his story was making a lot of noise on the Internet. It was quite popular.

So the program team directly invited him to join.

Li Ziyue knew that she had never been to school and couldn't say anything that made sense.

While everyone was arguing, he just sat quietly as a background board.

Until the host asked him: "What do you think about bullying?"

There was a burst of booing from the audience. It was obvious that everyone in the audience was just spectating.

Li Ziyue said: "I think bullies should be punished. They shouldn't be in the public eye and enjoy flowers and applause."

The host was a famous talk show host, and he immediately asked, "Are you talking about that thing on the Internet?"

Li Ziyue played dumb: "Ah? I..." He was even a little flustered: "I'm talking about this debate topic!"

The host said "oh" and then asked everyone about their opinions on bullies. Then he asked Li Ziyue again: "If it were you, what would you say to the victims?"

Li Ziyue said: "Be brave! Bullies are just paper tigers. You must resist. Don't let these bullies get away with it."

Applause immediately broke out at the scene.

This episode, because it closely follows current hot topics, was edited almost at an accelerated pace after filming, skipping the normal broadcast order and directly appearing in front of the public as an extended version.

Once it was broadcast, the online outcry became even louder.

Orange Media has remained silent, and many of Gu Yanqiu's fans have left private messages, hoping that the company can investigate the matter thoroughly and not let Gu Yanqiu suffer such an unprovoked disaster.

Gu Yanqiu's male agent found out after asking around. One of Li Ziyue's wealthy fans was a friend of the boss of Orange Media.

The company had to choose between the two and chose Li Ziyue.

What is even more despairing is that Gu Yanqiu had just signed a ten-year contract.

Sometimes rumors spread faster than the truth. After this storm is over, the company will put Gu Yanqiu on ice.

From now on, this person will no longer be found in the entertainment industry.

Gu Yanqiu's statement had been forwarded an astonishing 100,000 times, with over 300,000 comments. Aside from the first one, which was a fan-favorite supporter of him, the rest were full of insults directed at him.

This time, the scolding was even louder than the last time when he was asked to get out of the entertainment industry.

After a large number of passers-by joined in, his fans could no longer hold on.

He was even ridiculed for his leg hair and was subjected to many other insulting remarks.

Gu Yanqiu knew that many of his fans were students and had never seen such a scene.

His agent advised him not to speak out and minimize the impact of the incident. He had already posted a clarification post.

Sometimes people get hung up on words, and at such moments it's wise to say less.

But he can't hide behind the Internet like a turtle and let his fans bear the storms outside.

At worst, I can just quit the entertainment industry.

This time, Gu Yanqiu decided to record a video: "Hello, everyone on the Internet. I have never bullied Li Ziyue, and I welcome supervision from the entire network." His eyes were firm, and he did not dodge at all when facing the camera.

"If you have any, feel free to criticize me. The internet is not a lawless place, and I reserve the right to pursue legal action. Furthermore, the company's complete inaction in addressing this matter is a serious dereliction of duty. I unilaterally announce the termination of my contract with the company. The progress of the upcoming legal proceedings will be announced online."

"I'm really sorry for occupying public resources. I'm sorry." He bowed deeply to the camera.

Then he said: "If I didn't do it, I didn't do it. I believe that the truth will come out one day."

"Finally, I want to say something to my fans. Thank you for always believing in me and running around for me. I don't want you to get hurt. Please don't pay attention to the insults and don't cyberbully others. Things will eventually clear up and the moon will appear. See you then." After he said that, he bowed deeply again.

A video is only a little over thirty seconds long.

But one cannot help but admire the courage to face it.

There are all sorts of comments online: "Another lawyer's letter. Do you know where the person who sent the last lawyer's letter is now?"

"You speak with such righteousness, but if you ask for a hammer and get it later, I'll see if you can still be so arrogant."

"No. Everyone, calm down for a moment. Don't you think this is a bit strange? I saw a post on a certain book before. Gu Yanqiu has been a bit of a nobody these past few years, while Li Ziyue has movies to film and endorsements. If Gu Yanqiu is really that capable, how could he not have any schedule at all?"

"Damn, I fell into a blind spot. Now that I've come to this, I think there's something fishy going on."

"Last time, he was inexplicably told to get out of the entertainment industry. This time, he was cyberbullied again. If he was really wronged, then this kid's star journey is going to be quite bumpy."

"Where there is smoke, there is fire. I just don't believe he can be completely blameless."

…

Everyone said all sorts of things, but compared to the one-sided criticism before, Master Gu Yanqiu's stepping forward had a very good effect.

Now Gu Yanqiu is suing the company for contract termination. The embarrassing thing is that he barely makes any money in the entertainment industry.

In a case involving a million-dollar penalty, the attorney fees alone would be over 300,000.

Not to mention that he is still in the whirlpool of public opinion.

Even the male agent who had been with him was called away by the company.

After all, he openly challenged the company, and the company could not give him any resources.

After the male agent left, he was left alone in the room, like a young animal abandoned in the primeval forest. Darkness was like a wave that was about to swallow him up from all directions.

Just at this moment, a phone rang. He was lost in thought for a while before he picked up the phone.

The person who called was Chen Duo.

Chen Duo also saw Gu Yanqiu’s statement. He broke up with the company. It was obvious that his current situation was not good.

At this moment, Chen Duo said, "Where are you? Let's go find you."

Gu Yanqiu wanted to be alone for a while, but still said to Chen Duo, "I'm at..." He told her the address.

In less than half an hour, Chen Duo arrived by car.

She came up in the elevator with Xu Kaiming, and brought a young man in a suit and tie with her.

Gu Yanqiu didn't expect them to bring someone else in: "Who is this?"

Chen Duo said, "My family's lawyer. It just so happens that you want to terminate your contract with the company."

"Hello, Mr. Gu. I'm Zhou Shaocheng, the lawyer sent by Ms. Chen. I've done some research before coming here, and your chances of winning this case are very high."

"But Orange Media also has a legal department," said Gu Yanqiu.

Zhou Shaocheng then handed over a business card: Changshun Law Firm, one of the most famous local law firms.

Gu Yanqiu then discussed the signed contract with Zhou Shaocheng, and then said, "I'll just go talk to Orange Media."

Chen Duo said: "It's best to terminate the contract quickly."

Gu Yanqiu wants to become a top idol, so he must not waste time on such things, which will affect his future development.

"I understand." Lawyer Zhou Shaocheng said.

The lawyer made him sign an agency agreement and then left soon after.

Xu Kaiming looked around the living room. It was clean and tidy, with almost no signs of life. It was nothing like the dirty and messy boys' dorm he'd imagined. It was a little too small, though. After all, he was a debut star.

Live in a place like this?

At this moment, Chen Duo said to Gu Yanqiu, "We have found a hotel for you. Do you want to move out of here temporarily?" Her words were very tactful.

After all, this is company-provided housing. Since I'm going to sue the company to terminate my contract, it's not appropriate to continue living here.

It’s not worth it if you get scolded by people in the company.

Gu Yanqiu had previously been determined to terminate the contract, but hadn't thought through the consequences. Now, she saw Chen Duo handling everything in an orderly manner.

He was speechless and just followed her instructions. He packed a suitcase and got on the car with them. Although they had not been together for a long time, they felt like friends who had known each other for many years.

Xu Kaiming drove the car, and Chen Duo sat in the passenger seat. He sat in the spacious back seat.

Chen Duo said, "This company is bad for you. Look, you're not popular here at all. If you were to work in another company, you might become a big star."

"That's right." Xu Kaiming said.

Chen Duo remembered that in another world, the company Gu Yanqiu signed with was not called Orange Media.

Gu Yanqiu hummed: "You have helped me so much today. I really don't know how to repay you."

Chen Duo's heart moved: "If you really want to repay me, why not sing a song for me."

Gu Yanqiu didn't expect it to be such a simple wish: "Okay."

Chen Duo was so excited. This was a future superstar, and she had just agreed to sing for her, just for her?

Xu Kaiming listened and said seriously: "I can sing for you too."

Chen Duo said bluntly: "Drive your car."

Xu Kaiming continued driving, feeling aggrieved. Gu Yanqiu overheard their bickering and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing. It was the first smile she'd ever had today under such heavy pressure.