Chapter 199
Inside the black sedan, Zhou Xiao was busy editing a video. Next to her was Cheese, sitting in the driver's seat, and behind her was Qi Sisi, leaning back in the chair, watching her edit.
The three of them met on the street. It all started after the party. Zhou Xiao, emerging from the studio, saw the online trending topic of "blackmail" and immediately thought of the video he had filmed before entering the venue.
Just as they were thinking about finding a coffee shop to edit the video, they forgot that there were no shops open on the roadside at this time. Just as they were planning to find a warm place to edit the video, they heard Cheese lowering the window and honking at them.
"It's New Year's Day, and they're really keeping us from getting any peace!" Cheese, who was in the car, had obviously just learned about the smear campaign and was furious. She hadn't expected the mastermind behind the attack on Ji Shao to strike now; they were truly skilled at finding the right moment.
Although some online pointed out that Ji Shao wasn't pushing the photographer, but rather the camera that was pointed at his face, this claim was immediately misinterpreted, tying the camera to the reporter's dignity. This incomprehensible statement was immediately seized upon by a large number of trolls as a fresh justification for online violence, as if they were the most righteous, seeking justice for the photographer whose face couldn't be seen.
Zhou Xiao, who was sitting in the passenger seat, did not participate in the discussion between the two. After receiving the video sent by Huayao from Cheese, Zhou Xiao was editing the two videos together.
But as she was editing, she noticed something was amiss. The unnamed reporter who slipped seemed to have tripped over something, and the weight of the camera had caused him to fall uncontrollably. However, identifying the culprit among the reporters crowding around the car door proved quite challenging.
Zhou Xiao's finger paused on the screen. She edited the video and sent it to Chen Shenju, Huayao's assistant in charge of Ji Shao. This was the most she could see from her perspective, and she hoped the agency would use it.
…
In the lounge at Shanghai TV station NINE STAR, only Chen Shenju and his assistant were present. He had rushed over the moment he saw the trending search, bringing along a video he had on hand to review with his assistant, who was present at the time, to help them recall what had happened.
However, the scene was overcrowded, and the assistant only joined the crowd after the incident, leaving him with no recollection of the video. Ji Shao, the person involved, was currently being escorted by the other members to pay New Year's greetings to their seniors, and Chen Shenju didn't dare disturb them at this moment.
Although he had considered accessing the surveillance footage, what about accessing the Shanghai TV station's footage? It would be better to wait for Ji Shao to arrive. Just as he was trying to figure out where to start, Chen Shen's phone on the table lit up.
The message notification chime was especially noticeable in the quiet dressing room. He walked over, picked up the phone, and took a closer look. He was stunned. On the screen, a new perspective, a video that could reverse public opinion.
Just as Chen Shenju was watching the video repeatedly with the progress bar, a new message came from the "Buzz Buzz" communication software:
Zhou Xiao (Photography—Zhou Xiao): Please send me the network disk account and I will share the original video with you. Please process it as soon as possible.
Chen Shenju was practically on his knees watching this. No, perhaps he had already been on his knees in his heart. His assistant, noticing the drastic change in his expression, immediately approached him, wanting to ask what had happened. Unexpectedly, Chen Shenju was no longer able to pay attention to him. He quickly sent the network disk account to Zhou Xiao and immediately sent the video to the agent group.
Zhou Xiao sent Chen Shenju not only the original video she had exported, but also the video she had edited. Seeing the two people watching her with nervous anticipation, Zhou Xiao smiled and sent it over.
——[Entertainment Forum]——[Early Morning of February 11th]
[Topic] Vocal! Big twist in the Ji Shao incident!!!
[Main Post] After watching Hua Yaofang's video carefully, I'm truly moved. The online rumor that Ji Shao pushed the photographer is false; in reality, he was nearly disfigured by the camera. If his agility wasn't perfect, I might as well assume Ji Shao wouldn't even be able to see him at tonight's Shanghai Spring Festival Gala!
Click here for a link to Huayao's statement: [@HuayaoXingyu+V: Solemn Statement! Regarding our artist Ji Shao...]
1L
Let's wait and see. This spectator has learned his lesson and never takes sides easily. Although this is a bit of hindsight, I felt from the beginning that a popular idol artist like Ji Shao would not destroy his image in public.
66L
Huayao's response is commendable, and they even released an unedited video of the entire incident, leaving no room for anyone looking for faults. Did anyone figure out who spread the rumors? This level of black trending search linkage is incredible!
153L
Is everyone staying up all night tonight? Hundreds of buildings have already been built in just a few minutes. So much activity! [Shocked.jpg]
234L
Ji Shao was incredibly calm. I'd probably have been tempted to curse even if I'd dodged him. But he simply pushed the camera back. Such a generous gesture was taken out of context and used to vilify him during Chinese New Year. He should really practice some virtue!
361L
The photographer collapsed, unable to believe what would happen if the weight of a normal man and the hardness of the camera hit his face! Has anyone found the photographer? He was truly despicable. It was clearly his own fault, yet he watched Ji Shao being abused by the haters. Could he have done it on purpose?
…
After the video was released, public opinion on the internet was rapidly swirling. Many of those who took advantage of the situation were also named in Huayao's legal letter. Looking at the densely packed account IDs, netizens knew this was serious.
The accounts mentioned in the lawyer's letter were essentially blatant troll accounts that exploited the artists to attract attention, leading many of their victims to gloat over their misfortune. Initially, suing so many people at once seemed a bit exaggerated, but after fans of the various companies explained the misdeeds of these trolls, everyone couldn't help but feel that Huayao was "eliminating harm for the people."
Inside the car, Cheese breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the lawyer's letter from his agency. The Shanghai Spring Festival Gala ended at 12:30 AM, and the three of them waited in the car until 2:40 AM for the statement.
"Ha~" Qi Sisi in the back seat couldn't help but yawn at this time. She leaned forward and saw Zhou Xiao in front of her still editing pictures, and she immediately woke up.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Qi Sisi was a little angry. "Xiaoxiao, it won't kill you to edit the pictures later! Besides, you are the number one contributor to solving the black trending search! Don't let the emotions of other fans hold you hostage!"
Qi Sisi's emotional kidnapping refers to the many people in the square urging the fans to produce images. Aside from a few who were eager to meet deadlines and posted previews, many fans remained silent, with Ji Shaojia being the worst offender.
Zhou Xiao tidied up the photos and sent them out. Then he turned to look at Qi Sisi and said happily, "It's okay. I'm in high spirits now. If I don't want to edit the photos, no one can force me!"
She glanced at the street lights outside. It had been a while since the Spring Festival Gala ended, and the sky was bleak. All she could see were snowflakes floating slowly in the sky.
"Cheese, please drive carefully when you go back." Zhou Xiao turned around. There was a thick layer of snow on the road. In addition, driving at night meant that one had to be extra careful and pay attention to safety.
"Hey, no, I'll take you home." Cheese was unhappy when she heard Zhou Xiao's words. The two of them were already in her car, so there was no point in letting them take a taxi by themselves.
But Zhou Xiaoyou had seen the other person's residence on his WeChat Moments, and it was located directly opposite the Huashang District. Just as the three people in the car were discussing this like elementary school students, two figures passed by the black car.
The atmosphere in the car suddenly quieted down, and the situation that had escalated into a "fight" was now restrained. "Ji, Shao?" Qi Sisi silently described in the car, completely forgetting that she was inside the car and that no one outside could hear.
Cheese, on the other hand, looked doubtful, then turned his gaze towards Zhou Xiao. With Qi Sisi seeking resonance and Cheese seeking confirmation, Zhou Xiao, relying on his familiarity with Ji Shao (actually, the black down jacket), nodded decisively.
The two people ahead had stopped at some point, chatting under the warm yellow streetlights. Snowflakes drifted, and Ji Shao's breath met them, forcing them to drift further. And then, seemingly in an instant, the snow outside suddenly fell faster and in larger flakes.
Then came a fierce wind, so strong that it bent the pine trees nearby. Under the streetlight, Ji Shao finally pulled his hand out of his pocket to hold the hood of his down jacket steady, which was about to be blown off.
With a "click", Cheese couldn't help herself and turned her gaze to Zhou Xiao. Looking at his skilled appearance, she couldn't help but admire him. This station sister can really catch new scenes anytime and anywhere!
Zhou Xiao raised his camera and looked at the two people walking back. Under the light from the backlight, Zhou Xiao could clearly see who the other one of them was.
Chen Shenju looked at the black car parked on the side of the road, and in a trance, he seemed to see the people in the car. When he and Ji Shao returned to the car and inadvertently asked this question, he only heard Ji Shao chuckle from behind.
…
There were plenty of night owls still staying up late, and since it was a day like today, the usually strict parents didn't force them to come in time. Many people were refreshing the page when the "Pianranxindong" that they had set as a special attention had already posted a blog post.
Ji Shao on the stage is as gentle as jade, and the perspective of the straight shot is clear and stable. Even the straight shots from the official Weibo of Shanghai TV Station and NINE STAR’s own official Weibo are far inferior to this video.
This came at the perfect time for the fans who were already enjoying themselves! The clarification video was released, and the fan club also released pictures. In the new year, everything is going in a good direction.
Then, someone discovered something.
The number of followers on Huayao's official Weibo account is quietly increasing. Fans, who had been frantically refreshing their screens from last night until the announcement, have already subconsciously recorded the number of followers.
And that new follower was the familiar "Pan Ran Xin Dong"—another account @周笑V!
Soon, some people had already linked Hua Yaofa's clarification video to the work of Pianran Xindong! But could it really be such a coincidence? The question swirled in my heart. But when I looked back at it, I felt a change in my mindset. Who else could have shot this video if not Pianran Xindong?
Zhou Xiao, who had already returned home and fallen asleep, had no idea. In the system background, the recognition value was constantly rising!
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