Chapter Forty-Two: Lin Ze, Have You Realized Your Mistake?

"Remember, you’re eighteen now—a legal adult. Everyone must take responsibility for their actions," Wang Xue said sternly. "You’re not a spoiled child anymore, not at the age where you can throw tantrums for things you like. If your brother hasn’t taught you this, I will." After leaving these words, she nodded to the two police officers and departed.

Once their phone conversations were checked, a fifteen-day detention was inevitable. The news of their arrest spread rapidly throughout the school. Even many people in other fan groups soon learned that these two girls had been caught for injuring Lin Ze with a slingshot. The harsh words one of them had shouted in the hallway were also recorded and circulated online.

There were no competitions tonight at the Creation Workshop, so Zhang Yang, one of the mentors, found himself with nothing to do. He left all teaching duties to the dance instructor and lounged on his bed, scrolling through Weibo. The news was forwarded to him by his top fan.

Seeing the news, Zhang Yang couldn’t help but laugh. "My fans are truly impressive! It’s a pity they only hit Lin Ze’s back. If only it had been his face—ruin his looks a little, that would’ve been perfect."

When Zhang Huai saw the news, he calmly picked up his phone. "Use Zhang Yang’s account to post a statement. Say this was the action of a few overzealous fans. Have Zhang Yang record a video apologizing to Lin Ze and the whole internet, and call on our fans to chase stars rationally." Then he called his secretary. "Buy some internet trolls for this incident. Push the narrative that those two girls have only just turned eighteen and don’t know any better, while Lin Ze went straight to the police and had them arrested—criticize Lin Ze for being petty."

"Understood!" the secretary replied.

After hanging up, Zhang Huai called his son and warned him not to say anything reckless. Everything was going smoothly—almost too smoothly. Just two more mistakes from Lin Ze, and he’d be finished in the entertainment industry.

The trolls moved fast. Within hours, by nine in the evening, the accusation that Lin Ze was too petty had spread everywhere online. Coupled with Zhang Huai’s phony, heartfelt apology on behalf of the fans, the public opinion turned swiftly. It seemed as if, unless Lin Ze immediately signed a letter of forgiveness, he was the villain.

Even though Lin Ze was the one injured by the slingshot, in just four or five hours, the narrative had shifted. Now, Lin Ze was being branded as a petty celebrity.

With the trolls leading the charge, the fans from the Creation Workshop, Zhang Yang’s supporters, and those who simply enjoyed the drama all piled on with sarcastic comments. Lin Ze’s fanbase was still too small. Against the rising tide, they were overwhelmed. The streaming chat was nearly flooded out.

"Lin Ze, little baby, running to the teacher because of a fight—how shameful!"
"Isn’t this Lin the Parasite? Relying on a rich woman, and now even going after eighteen-year-olds?"
"Are you even a man? It was just a slap, can’t you forgive them? Why send them to jail?"
"Let’s forget the facts for a moment—haven’t you done anything wrong, Lin Ze? Have you reflected on your own mistakes?"
"I’m just a bystander, but honestly, Lin Ze is in the wrong here. The girls are young and don’t know any better. No need to take it so seriously."

As the Q&A session concluded, several seniors looked at Lin Ze with concern. If the director could see such harsh comments on their filtered screens, who knew what was being said elsewhere.

"They're here!" Suddenly, there was the sound of a car outside the villa. A staff member rushed in. "Director Zhang, it’s a police car!" Though the words were quiet, the camera picked them up.

[The police are here? Haha, are they taking Lin Ze away?]
[What does this mean, so late at night?]
[Something big must have happened with this scandalous celebrity!]

"What’s going on, Lin?" Chen Weiguo quickly stood up. None of them believed Lin Ze could have committed a crime.

Two officers appeared at the door with an older woman. "Excuse me, is Lin Ze here?" one of the officers asked after knocking three times.

"We’re live streaming right now..." Director Zhang gestured toward the cameras.

"Is this a good time? It’s about an incident from yesterday," the policeman explained, tidying his uniform awkwardly.

"Of course! Lin, is it alright?" Director Zhang beamed.

"It’s fine." Lin Ze glanced behind the officers and, spotting Aunt Zhu, waved with a smile. "Aunt Zhu!"

Recognizing Lin Ze, Aunt Zhu’s face lit up, even if his face had changed, his build was familiar. She hurried over, carrying a basket of fruit in one hand and a basket of eggs in the other.

"Lin! Thank you, thank you so much!" She pressed the baskets into Lin Ze’s hands and, to everyone’s shock, knelt before him.

Startled, Lin Ze quickly handed the baskets to a staff member and knelt in return. "Please, get up!"

[What’s happening?]
[No idea. Yesterday? Is this about what happened after the stream cut out?]
[Isn’t this the aunt who was in the band for just a day? Wait, I remember—Old Wang said his child was missing. Did Lin find the child?]

People quickly helped Aunt Zhu up, and Lin Ze stood and brushed off his knees.

"Lin, thank you! If not for you, my grandson would have been lost!"

"It was nothing, I just happened to be there."

Everyone else was still confused when the officer, now smiling, looked at the camera. "I’m a fan of your music, Mr. Lin. The investigation has concluded, and the traffickers in Taixian have been apprehended. On behalf of the police, I want to thank you. We’ve come to present you with a reward, and the family has made a banner for you."

Seeing the banner, Lin Ze’s eyes lit up. "Thank you, thank you so much!"

"It’s our pleasure," the officer replied, addressing the audience as well. "Let me explain: Aunt Zhu’s daughter-in-law was addicted to gambling and, after losing everything, fell under the influence of the criminals Wang and Zhang. She gave them the key to Aunt Zhu’s house. After scoping out the place, Wang and Zhang took the opportunity to break in and abduct Aunt Zhu’s three-month-old grandson."