Chapter 427

Lin Yongkun said calmly, “It’s worth it. Chenyang saved my life. Personally, I must repay this kindness. Even if I have to stake my entire career on it, it wouldn’t be enough. As a public servant and the chief official of Yang City, I’m certain Chenyang is innocent. It is my responsibility and my duty to clear the name of an innocent man who has been slandered!”

“But…”

“Don’t say another word. I’ve made up my mind!”

Lin Yongkun cut Lin Xiaoyue off. He handed the microphone back to Chenyang and said, “Go on. Say and do everything you need to. Until this is all over, even if the sky itself comes crashing down, I’ll be here to hold it up for you!”

“Thank you!”

This “thank you” came from the bottom of Chenyang’s heart. Growing up, very few people had ever been so kind to him.

Of course, he didn’t dwell on the moment. Taking the microphone, he changed the subject and announced, “Everyone, this whole affair was sensationalized online. So, I will continue my defense online as well. I won’t say anything more. Now, take out your phones and see for yourselves.”

Hearing this, the crowd was a bit confused, but one by one, they took out their phones.

Lin Jiji and Lin Xiaoyue were no exception.

But after several seconds, then a minute or two, they still saw nothing.

Lin Jiji couldn’t help but sneer, “What are you trying to show us? Thin air?”

Chenyang’s lips curved into a smile. “Patience. A bullet has to travel a bit before it hits you between the eyes, doesn’t it?”

“Stop with the theatrics. I see you’re out of tricks and just trying to stall for time.”

Originally, Lin Jiji had been a little worried. He was afraid Chenyang might actually have some leverage on him, and he was also afraid Lin Yongkun was determined to use his authority to shield Chenyang.

But now it seemed Lin Yongkun just wanted to give Chenyang a chance to state his case.

And while Chenyang looked confident, he had yet to produce any real leverage.

So Lin Jiji figured Chenyang had no tricks left up his sleeve and was just planning to make a scene by acting mysterious.

As he thought this, the worry in his heart vanished completely, replaced by a mocking smile.

However, before that smile could fully form, gasps of shock suddenly erupted from the crowd.

“Holy shit! Is this for real?”

“This fucking guy is an animal! He wouldn’t even spare a girl that young?”

“Hey, isn’t this the scene of the car crash? Didn’t he claim he was the one who saved Lin Xiaoyue? Then how come it’s Chenyang carrying her out on his back?”

“Hey, hey, look at this picture, and then look at the one on the big screen! It’s the same scene, same people, but their expressions and what they’re doing with their hands are completely different.”

Just then, a flood of news stories began to appear on local video apps and social media platforms.

Most of these stories revolved around the car crash and Lin Jiji.

For instance, “Blockbuster Exposé! Famous Star Lin Jiji Drugged and Raped a Minor!”

And, “Lin Jiji’s Messy Private Life: Forced a Mother and Daughter to Get Abortions!”

“Famous Star, a Certain L., Filmed Using Illegal Substances in Apartment!”

“The Things He’ll Do for a Lead Role! Famous Star Caught Servicing His Patron!”

Sensational headlines like these began appearing across all sorts of media platforms, shooting to the top of the trending lists at incredible speed.

In just two or three minutes, a storm of topics—Lin Jiji accepting roles via the “casting couch,” defrauding and abusing fans, secretly hiring people to slander Chenyang—completely eclipsed the buzz that Chenyang had generated the day before.

And the buzz was still growing, spreading to even larger platforms and media outlets.

After reading the news, the members of the crowd became avid spectators of the drama, watching with relish while cursing in outrage.

Meanwhile, his fans were sent into a frenzy. Some began arguing on the spot to defend their idol, while others took to the internet to post all sorts of comments in support of Lin Jiji.

As for Lin Jiji himself, he stood frozen on the spot as if struck by lightning, completely stupefied.

Outsiders didn’t know the truth, so some people were still defending him and arguing on his behalf.

But he knew perfectly well that everything being said online was true. He had done it all.

He just didn’t understand. He had been so careful, so secretive about all of it.

How could it all be exposed so suddenly?

Who did it?

In his panic, Lin Jiji’s gaze inadvertently fell upon Chenyang.

When he saw the knowing smile on Chenyang’s face, his heart sank.

‘Holy shit, don’t tell me this kid isn’t as simple as he looks?’

‘If that’s the case, then I’ve really messed with the wrong person this time!’