Chapter 43 Humiliation vs. Going to War for the Country "Let him see what a man I am..."
The viewers were stunned into silence by this sudden turn of events, then erupted in a barrage of comments the next second:
[Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! Holy crap! The actor is so incredibly handsome!!! Well done! The actor is my hand double! Who understands the power of the words "at this moment"?! He's seriously awesome!!!]
[Did anyone notice that the Best Actor said "we"?! He wasn't apologizing to "me"! He was apologizing to "all" Chinese people! I'm so moved I could cry!!!]
[This guy even deliberately spoke in his local language, just because he thinks we can't understand him! He should try speaking in English! Let's see if the production crew beats him up! What a cowardly coward!!!]
He must apologize to us!!!
【Apologize! 】
【Apologize! 】
【Apologize! 】
The subsequent barrage of comments was filled with uniform "apologies," creating a truly spectacular scene.
Even viewers from other countries felt this was blatant racism and went too far.
The crowd at the scene gradually learned what had happened and began pointing and whispering about the young man.
"Zack! Even if you're resentful for not being selected as a 'Hero,' you shouldn't take it out on others, especially since you insulted their country!"
"These two gentlemen have come from afar and are our guests. It's a disgrace to us to treat our guests like this! People will think that everyone in our country is as racist as you!"
"Zack, you really made a mistake this time, just apologize!"
Sweat trickled down Zack's neck and down his spine into his collar. His jaw was clenched, and his youthful, hot-blooded eyes burned with humiliation and anger. He was deeply resentful.
But being criticized by so many acquaintances around him felt like needles were pricking his tense back; he was extremely embarrassed. After a long while, he finally forced out a sentence in English through his clenched teeth, his face full of reluctance:
"Sorry..."
"Speak louder, speak over there!" Wen Yinhe forcefully lifted Zack by the collar, raising his head towards the drone above him, and spoke in a low voice, word by word, facing the camera and the entire nation's audience.
Zack's neck veins throbbed slightly, as if in a futile struggle. His Adam's apple bobbed heavily, but he finally swallowed the burning sensation in his throat, gritting his teeth and whispering:
"I'm sorry..."
Wen Yinhe stared at him silently for a few seconds, then coldly released his hand.
Lu Huaijin quickly stepped forward and grasped Wen Yinhe's hand, interlocking their fingers to give him silent strength and support.
Zack staggered and fell to the ground, forcefully shaking off his companion's arm as he tried to help him up. The skin on the back of his neck, where his head hung limply, was bright red.
[Hahaha, that was so satisfying! It's just a shame there were cameras watching so we couldn't give him a good beating, damn it! I think the actor's fists were practically clenched to pieces; he was probably holding back just as much as we were!]
[Honestly, this is the first time I've ever seen the actor's smile completely vanish! Even when he was catching a thief, he never had such a cold expression. This is... so cool!!! The difference from his usual self is too great! I'm even a little scared!]
On another note, how did the Best Actor even understand that he was swearing? He didn't seem like he spoke the local dialect before.
[Holy crap... As a long-time fan, I suddenly remembered something from a long time ago, and I think I know why...]
A long-time fan quickly posted a keyword in the comments, and everyone immediately went to the website to search for it.
That was when Wen Yinhe was 16 years old and won his first Best Actor award. He was invited to attend the award ceremony abroad.
Although he was already very famous in China, he was virtually unknown abroad.
So when a foreign man who looked like a movie fan held up a still from his film and gestured that he wanted to take a photo with him, he was overjoyed beyond words.
The 16-year-old young actor never dreamed that he could win the hearts of foreign friends.
Before going abroad, Wen Yinhe made a special effort to improve his English. He delivered his thank-you speech on stage in both Chinese and English, demonstrating that he had no problem with basic English communication.
However, the foreign man didn't seem to speak English and kept speaking his native language. He was so excited in front of Wen Yinhe that his face turned red. He spoke rapidly while gesturing wildly with the photo in his hand, and his face was beaming with a huge and bright smile.
Touched by his enthusiasm, Wen Yinhe's face flushed with shyness, his smile pure and bashful, revealing his heartfelt gratitude and emotion towards the man.
He thought the foreign man was praising him wildly in a language he couldn't understand, and his cheeks grew redder and redder with embarrassment.
He didn't notice that the man's companion, who was helping to take the group photo, hadn't put away his phone.
The camera was in video mode the entire time and didn't take a single photo.
So when Wen Yinhe returned to China with great acclaim, he was met not with flowers and applause, but with a barrage of insults and doubts.
[Shocking! China's youngest Best Actor smiled while foreigners insulted his motherland, suspected of being a Western worshipper!]
Below is a video taken by a foreign man at the time.
The man took the video home that day and posted it online himself. The marketing account downloaded the video directly from the foreign website and even thoughtfully added a Chinese translation.
Wen Yinhe then realized that this man was not his fan at all, but an entertainment blogger.
The enthusiastic words the man spoke were not praise at all.
Instead, it was a barrage of insults and abuse directed at him personally, his race, and his homeland.
The man, dissatisfied that his country's award had been taken by a Chinese person, deliberately pretended to be a fan of Wen Yinhe and, under the guise of taking a photo, filmed this video in which he publicly and furiously insulted Wen Yinhe.
The marketing account also posted the comments section below, which was full of insults and ridicule directed at the young actor by netizens from overseas.
[Hahaha, his expression is so funny! Does he think he's being praised? He's even blushing!]
Everyone come and see! China's youngest Best Actor award winner is still smiling no matter how much we humiliate him after receiving the award!
[Little friend, this is not a place for you. Go home and cry to your mom, hahaha!]
These comments were specially selected by marketing accounts; they are among the most offensive ones.
The comments section wasn't all insults; many felt the blogger's behavior was excessive, and the video itself was quickly reported and taken down the following day.
However, as soon as something is even remotely related to foreign countries, public opinion will amplify it infinitely.
Wen Yinhe graduated from junior high school last year, and at that time, netizens had a discussion about which high school he would attend.
However, his uncle and aunt soon appeared and said that he would only focus on acting from now on.
It sparked numerous controversies.
It wasn't until he won the Best Actor award this time, bringing glory to the country, that the controversy surrounding his academic background subsided somewhat.
However, this unexpected incident has brought this sensitive topic back to the forefront.
[At such a young age, instead of focusing on school, all they do is show up on TV all day, seeking fame and fortune! No wonder they can't even understand when foreigners point their fingers at them and criticize them!]
Even worse, during one of Wen Yinhe's offline promotions, a passerby suddenly stood up from the audience, pointed at Wen Yinhe's nose, and cursed him. His bloodshot eyes were filled with hatred and resentment, as if he wanted to rush up and devour Wen Yinhe. His crazed appearance made it seem as if Wen Yinhe was his father's killer.
"Traitor! Spy! You don't deserve to be born in China! Get out of China!!!"
Wen Yinhe's ears suddenly rang, and the world before his eyes blurred. He could not see anything clearly, only the lips opposite him moving rapidly, uttering words he had never imagined before, like blades slicing through the air, piercing his young body again and again.
A crimson glow gradually welled up in the boy's eyes, bubbling with hot tears, filled with astonishment, pain, and disbelief.
The world spun beneath his feet; he could barely stand, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
“You…you can criticize me because you don’t like my acting, personality, appearance, or anything about me, that’s fine. I’m willing to face and accept my shortcomings. But you absolutely cannot say I’m unpatriotic! You can’t call me a traitor!”
This was the first time Wen Yinhe had lost control in front of a camera in public.
Tears burst forth without warning, scalding hot as they slid down the boy's tender cheeks. He futilely raised the back of his hand to wipe his face, but he couldn't dry the torrent of tears.
His vision was completely blurred by tears, the boy's voice was hoarse, trembling almost like a sob, as he stammered his explanation:
"I am not a traitor! I am not a spy! I have not betrayed my country! I have not! I have not!"
He stood there alone, repeating those three pale and powerless words over and over again, his bloodshot eyes filled with an almost obsessive stubbornness.
The bodyguards kicked the man out of the venue, while the staff took Wen Yinhe off the stage.
The staff member paused involuntarily the moment they touched the boy's arm.
He felt the boy trembling violently at an extremely abnormal frequency, making him worry that he might fall apart at any moment.
The moment he was completely out of the spotlight, 16-year-old Wen Yinhe collapsed behind the curtain, crying pitifully and helplessly.
The promotional event ended hastily in such a chaotic scene.
According to fans who attended the event, they could still faintly hear the boy's lonely and suppressed sobs coming from backstage as they left. It sounded so self-reproachful, guilty, and painful, as if he was almost crushed by this irreparable mistake.
He didn't know what he could do to make amends, or how to gain the forgiveness of his country and its people.
He could not forgive himself.
This was the first time Wen Yinhe had faced such immense and blatant malice since becoming famous.
This was also the first time I truly experienced the terror of public opinion.
People don't care whether he understands the profanities spoken in foreign languages or whether his smile is intentional; they only poke at his shy, bashful smile and question him:
"How dare you laugh?! How can you still laugh?!"
During that period, Wen Yinhe almost forgot how to laugh.
But he is a public figure and needs to maintain a good image.
If he refused to smile, his uncle and aunt would break chopsticks and stick them into his mouth, forcing him to smile until his mouth was full of blood and he finally managed to put on a perfect smile again.
This chaotic incident was eventually forgotten as time went by, just like the ever-changing trending topics online—it was all just a source of amusement to pass the time.
Wen Yinhe smiled again.
He still looked the same as before, gentle and shy, but there were subtle changes in his smile.
The adults who met him all praised him with mixed feelings: "You've grown up..."
Is this really a compliment?
Wen Yinhe agreed.
He has to grow up to stand out in the entertainment industry.
This incident taught him a real lesson.
From then on, Wen Yinhe would always do his homework before going abroad.
He may not understand the local language, but he must be able to understand how to pronounce the words "Huaguo" and "Huaguoren" in the local language.
He learned to recognize people's micro-expressions and to accurately discern the slightest changes in people's tone and attitude.
He swore that he would never allow such an insult to his country to happen to him again.
[I'm so sob sob sob, I'm going to cry! I thought I was finally loved, and I was filled with gratitude and joy, but it turned out to be a complete scam! They even used the actor's most beloved country to deceive and insult him! How could there be such a vicious person in the world! Is this something a human being could do?! That person deserves to die!!!]
[Even as an adult, I can't bear to hear this. How could such a young actor have endured it?! How much self-blame and pain must he have felt at that moment when the truth was revealed! My heart aches so much! I wish I could travel back in time and hug him, sob sob sob!]
【Ughhhhh, I'm so angry! Send me back! I'm going to fight those brainless trolls for three hundred rounds! Where were you all when the movie star was doing disaster relief? You're all just empty-mouthed rubbish! You'd better still be alive, hehehehe】
[Enough! Why does God have to torment such a kind and gentle child like this?! This actor's journey has been so difficult, sob sob sob...]
After releasing the young man, Wen Yinhe bent down to pick up the flower wreath that had fallen to the ground as he jumped down, and looked apologetically at the man who had come down from the flower cart with him: "I'm sorry, I've soiled the gift you gave me."
The man quickly patted his shoulder reassuringly and said, "It's alright. What's given to you is yours. Even if the wreath is covered in dust, it can't hide the fact that you are a hero in our hearts."
However, the man's last words provoked the young man named Zack.
Zack shoved away the people pulling him away, his gaze fixed on Wen Yinhe's back. His clenched fists cracked, and every muscle in his body screamed in defiance: "So what if I apologized? I just can't stand how a foreigner like you deserves our country's honor!"
The man in ceremonial attire who presented the wreath to Wen Yinhe seemed to have some influence in the area. He immediately stepped forward with a livid face, slapped Wen Yinhe across the face in public, and berated him: "Zack! Do you have to embarrass our country like this? Can't you have a little manners?"
Zack covered his swollen face, then suddenly looked up. He was now blinded by jealousy, veins throbbing beneath his skin, and he was like a tamed wild beast, completely out of control: "I'm ashamed? I think it's more shameful for you to give our country's honor to a foreigner!"
The man in the ceremonial attire was furious with him. He apologized to Wen Yinhe while waving his hand, trying to get someone to drag this shameful brat away.
However, Wen Yinhe raised his hand to stop him, and then, in front of everyone, slowly walked up to Zack, stopping a step away. His dark eyes, typical of Chinese people, calmly and steadily gazed at the young man who kept shouting in front of him, as if he had the power to see through everything.
"What do I need to do for you to approve of us?"
Here, Wen Yinhe still used "we".
He knew perfectly well that at this moment, he represented the entire nation of China and the dignity of all Chinese people.
He will absolutely not let this go.
An apology alone is not enough; he wants this person to fear him from the bottom of his heart and to revere his country and people.
Zack was surprised that the man would come to him so willingly, so he naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity to teach him a lesson.
"Since we are vying for the honor of being a hero in our country, we should naturally compete in our own way!"
Zack arrogantly raised his chin, a disdainful smirk playing on his lips, and looked at him with narrowed eyes: "Riding a horse, can you?"
Wen Yinhe's eyes flickered slightly, and he couldn't help but exchange a glance with Lu Huaijin, who had already raised his eyebrows. Then he slowly turned his head and calmly nodded to Zack: "I've learned a little bit."
At this time, Zack was unaware that there was a very distinctive word in China called "self-deprecation".
The people around Zack were unhappy with his arrogance and rudeness, and while they were cursing him, they were also urging the man in the tuxedo to quickly persuade them.
The locals are born knowing how to ride horses, and using their strength to bully outsiders is truly an unfair victory.
Even if Zack wins, they won't feel honored.
The man in the formal attire, who was also the local chieftain, couldn't help but kindly advise Wen Yinhe: "Although Zack speaks harshly, he is a famous horse racer in our area. He has won our country's horse racing championship for three consecutive years. Moreover, this is not an ordinary race; it also includes obstacle courses and stunt performances. You will not have a chance of winning against him."
Wen Yinhe, however, held Lu Huaijin's fingers, narrowed his beautiful eyes slightly, and chuckled, "It's alright, there's no harm in trying."
Both of them were determined and could not be persuaded, so the clan chief had no choice but to lead everyone to the racetrack.
Almost everyone at the ceremony site moved over.
The production team never expected that filming a lost phone incident would lead to them first catching a thief, then becoming local heroes, and now inexplicably starting a horse race.
The director was almost going crazy with excitement, wishing he could catch the overflowing wealth. After obtaining the clan chief's consent, he immediately activated all the drones in the production team, determined to perfectly record this grand contest.
[Waaaaah! Although I really wanted the Best Actor to win, he's a professional! Oh no, I can't bear to watch the rest!]
[Sigh, while I'm glad the Best Actor got his revenge, if the outcome was destined to be a crushing defeat, it would have been better not to agree out of spite in the first place, lest we end up embarrassing ourselves...]
【What a disgrace! If you can't speak properly, shut up! The Best Actor may have lost, but he's still glorious! Even if defeat is inevitable, we must give it our all! This is the spirit of the Chinese people! The Best Actor was clearly fighting for his country! He's a real man! Well done!!!】
The clan chief had already taken off his ceremonial robes. He looked at Wen Yinhe with a deep gaze filled with admiration and a hint of pity, patted his shoulder, shook his head and sighed, "You have great courage. Even if you don't win in the end, you are still a hero of your country."
Wen Yinhe, who was putting on his safety gear, gave him a meaningful look and thanked him with a smile.
After encouraging Wen Yinhe, the clan leader turned to look at the motionless Zack and asked worriedly, "Zack, aren't you wearing protective gear?"
Zack scoffed dismissively and, looking in Wen Yinhe's direction, said loudly in English, "Only babies wear protective gear."
However, no one at the scene paid any attention to him.
The locals' faces were filled with embarrassment, and they even blushed when Zack mocked Wen Yinhe, feeling ashamed to lift their heads.
Seeing that no one responded to him, Zack gritted his teeth in resentment and anger, vowing to teach this man a lesson later.
This seems like a contest whose outcome was already predetermined before it even began.
Everyone was encouraging Wen Yinhe, but no one had any faith in him.
Except for Lu Huaijin.
Before Wen Yinhe mounted his horse, Lu Huaijin wrapped his arm around Wen Yinhe's neck and gave him a heavy and profound kiss.
The man's long, strong fingers gripped the back of Wen Yinhe's head tightly. The crushing sensation on his lips was hot and domineering, instantly swallowing all of Wen Yinhe's breath, as if he wanted to transfer all his power to him.
In just a few seconds, he decisively let go.
"Baby, go for it, kill him for me," Lu Huaijin vigorously ruffled Wen Yinhe's hair, his wet lips kissing Wen Yinhe's forehead heavily again. He gritted his teeth, his tone fierce yet filled with pride and trust, "Let him see how powerful my man is."
"Wait for my triumphant return." Wen Yinhe returned the kiss, then strode gracefully and lightly onto his horse.
The viewers in the live chat had already closed their eyes, unable to bear it any longer.
Wen Yinhe and Zack rode a white horse and a black horse respectively, and walked steadily to the starting line.
preparation--
A gunshot rang out.
The two horses shot out at the same time like arrows.
The expected scenario of Wen Yinhe immediately falling off his horse did not occur.
After a second of silence, deafening screams erupted.
Wait a minute... something seems off!
[Holy crap?! Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!!! Is that guy who flew off like that an Oscar-winning actor?! Aa ...
The white horse's mane fluttered wildly in the wind, like a blizzard sweeping across the blazing sun, its powerful hooves pounding the ground.
Wen Yinhe lay sprawled on the horse's back, his tall and agile figure almost forming two straight parallel lines with the snow-white steed.
Under the blazing sun, the man's strong and upright back rose and fell with the rhythm of the horse's back, his neck muscles were taut, and his thick and powerful arms firmly locked the reins in his palms, taming the wild horse beneath him.
The sweat beads were blown away by the strong wind and glistened in the sunlight.
His head was slightly raised, his gaze piercing through the yellow sand, straight up to the sky and the earth. There was no hesitation or confusion in his eyes, only a sharp, calm, and determined gaze that penetrated everything.
Like a swift bolt of lightning, it struck straight ahead.
"drive--!"
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