Chapter 13

There’s a saying in the entertainment industry about a “three-day golden redemption period”: no matter how long you drag out publicity or hype, it can’t exceed three days. After that, people move on, and who cares about the so-called truth?

What netizens didn’t expect was that while the scandal was still hot, a reversal happened!

Originally, with ironclad evidence of Mu He abusing a cat, she was condemned and boycotted by the entire internet overnight, and her career was basically ruined.

Even the wealthy and influential Xingyu Entertainment couldn’t protect her, no matter how much money they spent deleting posts, suppressing trends, or removing comments. Yet, just when everyone thought her career was completely over, she directly posted a video on the Weibo full of insults, a courage so bold it shocked people.

After watching the video, they finally understood where her courage came from.

The protagonist of the video was Mu He and a little white cat. The cat lazily lay by her hand, eyes closed, enjoying her gentle stroking. Its tail twitched occasionally. She softly called out, “Wanwan,” and the cat opened its eyes, its pupils beautiful like deep green gemstones. It licked its lips, lazily glancing at the camera as if batting her eyes across the distance…

“Oh my god, I’m being seduced by a cat!”

“Isn’t the point that this cat looks exactly like the one from the abuse video?”

“I just want to know, is it really the cat that was abused so badly back then?”

…

At this moment, a perceptive truth-seeker commented: “Is it possible that in that conclusive Mu He cat abuse video, she wasn’t actually trying to abandon it, but was saving the cat, whose life was hanging by a thread, from the trash can? The so-called panic was just a normal reaction to encountering this for the first time… Of course, if someone still has the video of her actually abusing the cat, you can consider me talking nonsense [smile].”

This comment immediately sparked heated discussion among netizens.

The paid trolls were caught completely off guard. They had been working day and night on the front lines of hating Mu He, and suddenly… a major reversal?

What now… still insult her?

Well, insult anyway, they were paid for it.

“Hehe, everyone, don’t be fooled! They must have staged this with another cat. This kind of redemption tactic is old news!”

“Poor thing, another cat is going to become Mu He’s subordinate spirit.”

“Mu He abused a cat, must die badly!”

“Mu He, get out of the entertainment industry!”

Led by the black fans, some still-angry netizens began doubting the identity of the cat. Just as a new wave of criticism was about to erupt, Xingyu Entertainment’s official Weibo posted an electronic medical record from a pet hospital, documenting every treatment of the little white cat Wanwan, dating back to the day before the original cat abuse video appeared.

Now, with evidence, the public opinion completely reversed. The entire internet was stunned.

The trolls still resisted: “Don’t be fooled, the medical records must be fake!”

But the reversal was too solid; they had no stance left. Even internal disagreements arose: “Even if it’s true, it’s possible Mu He felt guilty after being discovered abusing the cat and took it home to raise it!”

In short, they just wanted to pin her to the cat abuse story.

“Fake my ass. If she really abused the cat, I’d twist the tumor on your neck into a ball and kick it.”

“Animals are more sensitive than humans. If Mu He had really been cruel, the cat would never be so close to her.”

“Agree. As a cat owner, if I upset my master, it can ignore me for a week [shrug].”

“She must have rescued the cat from abuse and the trash, and kept it by her side ever since.”

“Wuwuwu I’m crying, look at how well she raised it.”

“I really don’t understand this world. She was clearly the rescuer, but people misinterpreted her as the abuser, and she suffered so much unfair criticism and malicious insults.”

“If it weren’t for this clarifying video, how much more grievance and harm would she have endured? I can’t imagine [crying hard].”

“She was insulted so badly, her career nearly ruined, yet still believes ‘meeting you is one of the most beautiful things in life.’ How can someone be this gentle? My heart aches!”

“Only those who never hated Mu He can like me!”

[Likes] 11,152

“Beautiful, kind, and so gentle. What kind of rare treasure am I actually a fan of?”

Some doubted: “Hehe, if she saved the cat, why didn’t she explain last time when she was being hated?”

“I remember she clarified, but she wasn’t famous yet, got hated badly, and no one listened.”

“Damn, my tears are worthless!”

“I used to hate cyberbullying most, but now I became an abuser… I sincerely want to say sorry to Mu He.”

“I feel deeply ashamed, even mortified. I thought I was standing for justice, yet I hurt a truly kind and righteous person.”

Previously, besides the paid trolls, the harshest critics were animal protection advocates and cat owners. After learning the truth, they deleted their comments under Mu He’s Weibo and sincerely apologized.

The comment section was filled with “I’m sorry.”

Public opinion on the internet made a shocking reversal. Former critics of Mu He turned against the black fans, and trending topics appeared: #OweMuHeAnApology, #MuHeDidNotAbuseCat, #HeartHurtsForMuHe. The cat abuse tag was removed, and her act of rescuing the cat gained her huge goodwill from the public. Her fanbase exploded.

Qian Zhizhe (Thousand Paper Cranes) regained confidence, walking proudly, radiant, on the frontline of promoting the goddess’s righteous deeds.

This incident also prompted netizens to reflect on online bullying, sparking discussions about whether a proper system should be established to restrain low-cost cyber violence.

At the Xingyu Media PR office, staff were stunned at the complete reversal of public opinion. Not only did the insults vanish, but apologies and praise flowed, even keeping her trending steadily.

So… was she redeemed?

Should they still release the press release they wrote overnight?

Better release it, as a finishing touch.

The emotional press release was sent out, touching netizens’ hearts, eliciting tears, while major platforms that were notified also began deleting negative posts about Mu He. The remaining negative comments on Weibo quietly disappeared.

Next, Xingyu Media’s legal department would file a lawsuit against the blogger @EntertainmentIndustryStories for infringing Mu He’s right to reputation…

At this point, Mu He had not only completely cleared herself from the cat abuse scandal but also rebuilt her positive image. Her fans surpassed five million.

Tan Mian, who had stayed up all night, laughed until hiccuping, black circles under her eyes, leaning on the desk. Ye Xi was equally relieved, her face beaming. She had indeed judged Mu He correctly and also had a premonition that Mu He’s path would be long, her stardom even brighter than imagined.

Perhaps… she could become the most dazzling star.

While breathing a sigh of relief, Mu He felt a bit puzzled. Logically, the person she offended shouldn’t let it go so easily. Could there be another move waiting?

Because of this wave of hate, even the Xingyu PR department had worked overtime, and Ye Xi and Tan Mian had also worked hard. She felt sorry and didn’t continue to hide anything.

Unexpectedly, after hearing her, Ye Xi and Tan Mian exchanged glances: “Zheng, CEO of Dongxing Enterprises?!”

“Yes.”

Mu He nodded, a little embarrassed, but she still revealed that he had tried to exploit her in the past and, failing, retaliated by suppressing her.

Two voices intertwined decisively: “Impossible, it’s not him!”

Seeing Mu He’s confused expression, Tan Mian explained: “Mu, you probably didn’t follow this, so you don’t know. The Zheng CEO of Dongxing went bankrupt three days ago and has been hospitalized!”

Ah?

Such a thing?

Ye Xi nodded, confirming it.

Tan Mian always had the juiciest gossip: “I heard he offended someone, that’s why he got screwed over so badly.”

Thinking of his past misdeeds toward Mu He, she clenched her fist: “Karma’s a bitch.”

Knowing Zheng Shengli would never recover in his lifetime, Mu He’s last small knot in her heart instantly disappeared. Even though she didn’t know who did it, she was quite grateful he indirectly helped her vent some anger.

Since it wasn’t Zheng Shengli behind it, Mu He could only think of another person—

Zhao Yike.

Without evidence, she could only temporarily keep this suspicion to herself.

Later, the exalted CEO Huo from Xingyu personally deigned to visit Mu He, offering condolences. His tone was earnest and polite. Mu He felt his attitude toward her was strange, though she couldn’t quite articulate why.

On the other side, Huo Siheng was also monitoring the online public opinion. The storm had already passed. He put away his phone, took a long stride, stepping over the threshold, his tall figure bathed in abundant sunlight.

This was the Huo family’s main estate in Fuchun City, located in the very center of the city, nestled against mountains and water, enjoying a uniquely advantageous position. Covering nearly ten thousand square meters, the classical garden-style architecture featured pavilions and towers, artificial hills and flowing water. Within the garden, there were more gardens; within the scenery, there were more scenes, changing with every step.

The internal security was strict, the appearance low-key yet prestigious.

Huo Siheng passed through a half-moon-shaped stone arch engraved with Chang’e worshipping the moon. Everyone he met along the way greeted him with deep respect. His posture was relaxed, as if taking a casual walk in the courtyard. After passing several corridors, he stopped in front of a wooden door and pushed it open.

The old master Huo sat upright in the main seat, holding a cup of freshly brewed Maojian tea. He looked toward the sound of footsteps, and through the rising steam, his aged eyes still shone with sharpness: “Finally decided to come back?”

Huo Siheng found a wooden chair and sat down, legs stretching, arms crossed, expression slightly lax: “What’s the matter?”

Neither of their temperaments suited small talk. The old master went straight to the point: “What’s your opinion on the arranged marriage with the Ding family?”

The old master referred to the Ding family, the wealthiest in the southern city. The current head was Ding Wu, still unmarried, with no children. The marriage arrangement concerned his niece, Ding Yimo.

A Huo-Ding marriage, a union of powerhouses, held significant practical meaning for both families.

Huo Siheng chuckled lightly, unconcerned: “Glad to see it happen.”

“Oh?”

The old master did not expect such an attitude from him, which was unusual. To avoid deceit, he proceeded cautiously: “How so?”

Huo Siheng shifted his sitting position, tugged at the corner of his lips, revealing a meaningful smile: “You are still vigorous in your old age. For the Huo family, you are willing to use your old bones for this marriage. Why wouldn’t one be glad to see it succeed?”

The old master was infuriated, pounding the table so hard that the cup lid flew off, shattering into two pieces on the floor: “Nonsense!”

If it weren’t for the fact that the eldest branch’s grandson, Huo Siyuan, had no intention of inheriting, and no one among the grandchildren besides Huo Siheng could shoulder the responsibility of the entire Huo family, he wouldn’t have been so restricted.

However, this grandson, returning from Moscow at seventeen, despite having kept a low profile all these years and appearing to have no traces of aggression, inherited the Huo family’s innate ruthlessness.

Hard to control, the arranged marriage was the old master’s only way to bind him.

Huo Siheng stood: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

The old master had to pull out his final card: “If you don’t go through with the marriage, I won’t hand the Huo family over to you.”

Huo Siheng didn’t even look back. Outside, the sunlight reflected in his eyes, the deep brown pupils calm and unreadable. He smirked indifferently, his voice cold to the point of almost no warmth: “Whatever.”

“Whenever you decide, come back then!”

He ignored the words and continued walking forward.

“Huo Siheng, I warn you!”

The old master gritted his teeth: “Some people’s blood is not for you to touch…”

“Is that so?”

Huo Siheng paused at the door, recalling what Huo Er had said at Banruo Temple before. Expressionless, he said lightly: “Back then, they showed no mercy to my mother.”

The old master was speechless. He grabbed the tea cup beside him and threw it to the ground. The shattering sound was crisp. By the door, Huo Siheng’s figure had already vanished.

After exiting the main hall, Huo Siheng heard Zhang Chang and Zhang Gong talking by the wall.

Zhang Chang sighed: “Sigh, Young Master Heng hasn’t slept for two days straight again.”

“He’s developed resistance. The previous sleeping pills no longer work. The lab is developing new ones, but the doctor says his insomnia is psychological. Medication only plays a supporting role.”

“Wasn’t the situation a little better at Golden Moon Bay a few days ago? Though we don’t know the connection between Young Master Heng and Miss Mu, it feels like she can help him…”

Zhang Gong, highly alert, sensed something and nodded: “Young Master Heng.”

Zhang Chang immediately fell silent.

Huo Siheng appeared thoughtful, but did not pursue it. He merely glanced at them lightly: “Prepare to return to A City.”

Mu He returned to Golden Moon Bay. Night had fully fallen. As the car passed the entrance of the community, she casually glimpsed through the window and saw a tall figure standing under the French banyan tree on the left. The weather had turned cold, yet he wore the same thin black shirt and pants, almost blending with the darkness.

One hand in his pocket, standing against the wind, his short black hair gently blown by the breeze, a cigarette pinched between his fingers, a faint crimson glow flickering, giving him a strangely lonely aura.

Since when had he learned to smoke?

And why was he here? Could it be that he came looking for her?

Mu He had the driver stop the car. She ran over: “Xi Heng?”

Huo Siheng turned his head. His handsome face half-hidden in white smoke, his gaze deep and intense. He never considered himself a gentleman. Only she could make him fully lower his guard and trust unconditionally.

The fleeting thought on the plane earlier solidified when he saw her.

The girl’s eyes were as clear as stars, revealing unabashed concern: “Did you come looking for me?”

Huo Siheng casually stubbed out the cigarette, tossing it accurately into the trash bin. Low and quiet, he said: “Got into a little trouble.”

Mu He nervously looked around, grabbed his shirt sleeve, and pulled him behind the tree. In a voice only they could hear, she asked: “Still those people?”

Her warm breath brushed against his neck, still carrying residual warmth. Huo Siheng looked at her fair, delicate profile, his gaze deepening: “No.”

He briefly explained the trouble he had encountered.

Mu He couldn’t help but exclaim: “Your elders are forcing you into an arranged marriage?!”

And threatening to kick you out if you refuse?

So, he had escaped the wedding?

Mu He had known his family background was complicated, but never imagined that in an era of free love, he couldn’t even choose his own marriage. That was excessive!

Even without Xi Heng explaining, she could guess the usual coercive methods: cutting off financial resources until one has no choice but to comply.

The wind was a bit cold. Mu He stood beside him, shielding him with her body. She softly asked: “In A City, do you have nowhere else to go?”

Huo Siheng remained silent.

There were many places he could go in A City, but only one place where she was.

Mu He felt her question unnecessary. Since his family forced the marriage, his friends and relatives had certainly been dealt with to prevent help. That was why he came to her.

She was the only person he could trust in this city.

Mu He understood his silence and knew the loneliness of being alone in a strange city. Her heart suddenly softened completely.

Her thoughts were tangled, but one thought was clear: he couldn’t be found by them, couldn’t return, or the rest of his life would be ruined.

“Then, do you want to stay at my place for now, and plan from there?”