Chapter 35
The storm came without warning.
An influential entertainment weekly published a 10,000-word in-depth investigative report during peak traffic hours on Friday evening, directly targeting Ankhsu. The report, written as an insider, included illustrations and text, alleging two major scandals against him: first, that in the early days of the BOW group, he had persistently ostracized and verbally bullied an introverted member, causing psychological trauma and nearly leading to her withdrawal; and second, that the melody of the title track of his upcoming album bore a "high resemblance" to an older underground band work, suggesting plagiarism.
The report, with its provocative style and detailed (though often fabricated and taken out of context), instantly ignited a volcano of public opinion. Terms like "Ankhsu bullying" and "Ankhsu plagiarism" shot to the top of the trending search list with explosive speed, followed by the glaring "explosion." The comment section was quickly flooded with angry netizens, fans who had unfollowed and turned against him, and rival trolls. Like a flood, the vile language instantly flooded his social media accounts.
[You can only know a person's face but not his heart! I didn't expect him to be this kind of person! ]
[I'm no longer a fan! I feel bad for the little brother who got bullied!]
【Plagiarists, get out of the entertainment industry! 】
[I thought he was pretending before, but his character has really collapsed! ]
The studio's phone was bombarded with calls, with partnering brands anxiously inquiring about the situation. Even some previously scheduled promotional schedules were being adjusted. The atmosphere within the team was so tense it felt like water could be squeezed out of it, as if everyone was being strangled by an invisible hand.
However, amidst the chaos, Feng Ling noticed that the core members, led by Sister Liangliang, though stern-faced, didn't have the stern, shaky eyes of the ordinary employees. It seemed more like they were...waiting for an order. It seemed as if, no matter how violent the storm outside, as long as the helmsman in the cabin didn't give a word, they could stabilize the ship.
Ankhsu locked himself in a rehearsal room, the music blasting, but he just sat against the wall, his head buried in his knees, his fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. This was no ordinary scandal or controversy; it was the most vicious attack on his character and professional integrity, a devastating contrast to the clean, hardworking image he had always worked so hard to create.
"Su," Feng Ling pushed open the door, and the sound of music rushed in. She didn't act as cautiously as the others, but walked straight over and turned off the speakers.
In the sudden silence, Ankhsu raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, filled with anger for having suffered an unprovoked disaster, and an almost imperceptible trace of vulnerability of betrayal.
"Look at me," Feng Ling's voice was unusually calm, without a trace of panic, "This can't be true, right?"
"Of course not!" Ankhsu growled, his voice hoarse. "We did compete with that member back then, but there was absolutely no bullying! He ended up doing it due to family reasons and personal choices... As for plagiarism, I wrote the demo for that song three years ago, with complete engineering files and timestamps!"
"Okay." Feng Ling nodded, his eyes sharp as a knife, "Then stand up and win this battle. Frustration and anger won't solve any problems."
She turned and walked out of the rehearsal room, giving clear instructions to the core team members waiting outside:
"1. Legal team, immediately prepare a lawyer's letter and file a lawsuit against the media outlets and major disseminators of false information. Take a firm stance and simultaneously notarize all evidence.
2. Operations Team, temporarily close the Weibo comment section to prevent unnecessary arguments and emotional ferment. Collect all rational fan and media voices supporting Ankhsu and compile them into a collection.
3. Contact the former member. We need a clarification statement from him. The attitude should be sincere and the recollections should be detailed. I will personally communicate with him on the wording.
4. The technical team immediately retrieved all the original data, cloud disk records, and chat records of Ankhsu’s communication with the producer three years ago when he created the demo, and created a clear timeline comparison chart.
5. Contact several authoritative music critics and legal bloggers with whom we have strong relationships, prepare our chain of evidence, and provide professional interpretations at the appropriate time.
Her rapid yet steady speech, her coherent and clear logic instantly gave the flustered team a sense of purpose. No one considered her simply "Ankhsu's girlfriend" anymore; now she was the commander, orchestrating the entire operation.
For the next forty-eight hours, Feng Ling worked almost non-stop. She personally spoke with the former member, who was overseas, over an hour-long phone call. Instead of pleading, she engaged in a conversation based on facts and reason, ultimately convincing him to record a candid clarification video. She meticulously scrutinized the legal letter and official statement, ensuring every word was precise and powerful, clearly stating the group's position without falling prey to the other party's incitement. She coordinated with the technical team to transform the complex timeline and professional evidence into a visual comparison chart that even the average internet user could understand.
On the morning of the third day, when public opinion reached its peak and various speculations were rampant, the official Weibo account of Ankhsu Studio, together with the cooperating law firm, simultaneously released a stern statement and a lawyer's letter.
Immediately afterwards, the former member released a clarification video. In a calm tone, he recalled the situation of that year in detail, and made it clear that there was healthy competition between him and Ankhsu, and there was no bullying. He also explained the reasons for his departure that year, and finally sincerely wished Ankhsu well on her new album.
Almost at the same time, several credible music bloggers and legal bloggers began to publish in-depth analysis articles based on the evidence provided by Ankhsu's team, completely shattering the accusation of "plagiarism" with irrefutable data and timelines.
The counterattack planned by Feng Ling was swift, accurate, and ruthless. There was no whining or emotional abuse, only facts, reasoning, and the use of law and evidence.
The direction of public opinion reversed almost instantly.
[I knew it was fake! Support Hesu's rights protection!]
This counterattack was brilliant! So clean and efficient! The team behind it is incredible!
【Those who cursed before, please come out and apologize! 】
[This is the correct way to deal with rumors! I'm a fan now!]
The crisis was quickly resolved under Feng Ling's calm and powerful control.
***
A week later, at a major music awards ceremony, Ankhsu won the "Most Anticipated Album of the Year" award for his new album's lead single. This was his first public appearance since the controversy.
He walked onto the brightly lit stage in a well-tailored black suit. He was met with countless gazes and flashing cameras. He accepted the trophy and calmly delivered a speech, thanking his company, team, and fans.
Then, he paused, his gaze casting towards a certain direction below the stage. The camera keenly followed, capturing Feng Ling sitting in the staff seat. She was wearing a simple white suit, her lips slightly pursed, her expression calm.
Ankhsu's eyes became extremely deep and gentle. He spoke into the microphone, his voice clearly carried throughout the audience:
"Finally, I would like to thank one person in particular, my partner, Feng Ling." The whole audience fell silent in an instant.
"In my darkest moments, it was she who, with her wisdom and tenacity, kept our light." His voice was filled with unmistakable solemnity and emotion. "She is not only my most reliable partner in my career, but has also long been an indispensable part of my life."
It wasn't stated explicitly, but every word declared their relationship to be extraordinary. After a moment's silence, the audience erupted in exclamations and enthusiastic applause. The camera remained fixed on Feng Ling. She froze for a moment, then lowered her eyes. The corners of her mouth managed a graceful curve, but a discerning eye could see that the smile didn't reach her eyes.
That night, An Hesu's personal Weibo was updated with a photo of a handwritten letter.
"To everyone who cares about me:
First of all, I want to say sorry to all the fans who support me. I made you worry. Thank you for your trust and perseverance in the face of all the difficulties.
A lot of things have happened recently, allowing me to examine myself and my surroundings more clearly. Today, I want to honestly tell everyone that Feng Ling and I are indeed in love.
Our story is not about love at first sight. She is my dream from a long time ago and the driving force behind my growth. She is an independent, outstanding and shining individual, the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.
Publicizing our relationship might bring her a lot of unnecessary attention and trouble, which makes me feel distressed and guilty. But I promise to use all my strength to protect her, respect her, and let her continue to shine in the field she loves.
In the future, I will carry this responsibility and love and strive to create more and better works, live up to your expectations, and live up to our sincerity towards each other.
Thank you everyone. - Ankhsu
This candid, restrained, and deeply affectionate open letter served as the final catalyst, completely catalyzing public opinion into a wave of support and blessings. The entry for "Ankhsu Fengling" was flooded with messages like "Blessings," "So it's Bai Yueguang, so long-lasting love," and "May you be happy." A crisis, in such an unexpected way, facilitated the "openness" of their relationship.
Yet, on the other side of the city, Feng Ling sat alone on the sofa in her apartment, scrolling through the flood of well wishes and discussions on her phone, but her face showed no joy at all. She felt a deep sense of exhaustion, like after a tough battle, only to find that the battlefield had not been cleared, but had instead become a larger, transparent stage.
Her phone was flooded with messages, from relatives, friends, even classmates she hadn't spoken to in years. People started pointing and secretly photographing her as she walked down the street. Her Weibo account was dug up, and the private messages were filled with curiosity, scrutiny, and even malicious speculation.
Ankhsu fulfilled his promise, pushing her to the forefront and allowing her to be seen for her impeccable value. She won career acclaim and a beautiful crisis public relations victory, and also received countless blessings.
But why did she feel, not a sense of relief, but instead a heavier, inescapable bondage? Was this her future, to be forever under the watchful eyes of millions, carefully managing every expression and every word, fulfilling her new role as "Ankhsu's perfect partner"?
Feng Ling, who longed for pure freedom and sweated profusely to the music in Xihe Dance Club, seemed to be left in that afternoon full of sunshine and wood fragrance, getting farther and farther away from her.
She turned off her phone and buried her face in the soft pillow. For the first time, she felt a little confused and...fearful about this love that had just been witnessed by the whole world.
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