Chapter 17: Going on a Killing Spree? Taking the Entire Platform Down with It (Please Keep Reading)
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The conference room was filled with uproar.
The reporters were collectively stunned.
Everyone knew how chaotic the entertainment industry was, and they had a clear sense of the tax evasion and fraud that ran rampant. But they never expected Xu Qingfeng to have such audacity.
Throughout history, those who dared to lift the veil rarely met a good end.
Reporters might be the ones who understood this the most.
From the moment they entered the profession, they were told to uphold the truth and remain loyal to the facts.
Strong, brave, and just—that was the ideal everyone wanted them to embody.
Yet they were just ordinary people. The dry words printed in newspapers were perhaps the product of sweat and blood blended together.
Exposing the truth sounded noble and impressive, but the price one had to pay was often beyond imagination.
Speaking out often meant paying a steep price.
Sometimes, the cost was one’s life.
“No way…”
“Can this really be said?”
“Holy hell!”
Zhang Peng was shocked too. Bro, I told you to speak freely, not to kill yourself.
The reporters looked at Xu Qingfeng with a mixture of admiration and sympathy. “Do you realize what consequences your words might bring?”
Xu Qingfeng touched the trophy in his hand. “Of course. You know as well. So, do you dare to report it?”
The reporters were speechless.
Don’t come any closer!
“Uh, I want to know, how do you dare to expose something like this?”
Xu Qingfeng held out his left hand. “This is my confidence.”
Zhang Peng: “...Damn impressive!”
Seriously, that’s your confidence? The “Model Taxpayer” trophy is just a trophy! Thanks a lot.
The reporters immediately understood. “So you mean you’re not afraid of being investigated?”
Xu Qingfeng wore a look of a well-behaved scholar. “Of course not. I’m sure the tax bureau of Modu City has thoroughly audited my taxes.”
Zhang Peng nodded. The Model Taxpayer award wasn’t given out lightly; only those with spotless tax records qualified.
Because many had falsely accused others out of jealousy, he had to be cautious.
Most importantly, Zhang Hongbo and Miao Qing both had tax issues. As artists from the same company, Xu Qingfeng was very likely to be guilty by association.
But after a detailed investigation, Xu Qingfeng’s tax records were unexpectedly clean—a true example of purity emerging from filth.
At the same time, Zhang Hongbo’s excuse of negligence was thoroughly debunked. If Xu Qingfeng could keep his taxes in order, why couldn’t you? Who are you trying to fool?
The reporter opened his mouth but hesitated.
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Xu Qingfeng was understanding. “Say what you want to say.”
Reporter: “...I advise you to carry several bodyguards when you go out.”
Xu Qingfeng’s lips curled. “Don’t worry. I’ve hired a whole team of bodyguards. Even if a dump truck comes at me, they can hold it off for two seconds.”
Reporter: “You’re quite fond of your life.”
“Last question: I heard you reported both Li Deshou and Chen He earlier, but the tax bureau hasn’t announced anything about them. Does that mean they have no tax issues?”
Xu Qingfeng shook his head. “The situation is complicated, but I think everyone will soon understand the reasons. I can only say I’m not spreading rumors.”
...
After the interview ended, before the news release, the internet was still in a frenzy. The biggest “villain” was banned from speaking, and many stars jumped out.
They had long wanted to ride Xu Qingfeng’s wave but feared his retribution. Now that he was silenced, they could freely latch on.
They latched on hard.
Top trending young idol Han Siyuan even started a live broadcast, soaking up the heat.
“Used to be blind to think he was a friend. Just thinking about it feels unlucky.”
While everyone was feverishly riding the wave, Weibo exploded.
The Modu Tax Bureau interview hit the trending lists, Xu Qingfeng was banned, but his legend lived on online.
#Xu Qingfeng: Tax Evasion in the Entertainment Industry is Common Knowledge!#
#Model Taxpayer Xu Qingfeng?#
Xu Qingfeng topped the trending charts again with his self-destructive exposé.
Under the topic were detailed reports from major official media.
Xu Qingfeng’s remark, “Tax evasion is widespread,” sparked public outrage.
“Damn, making tens of millions in just a few days of filming and still stealing taxes?”
“A bunch of worthless trash.”
“Ban them all!”
At the same time, the Modu Tax Bureau issued a statement: “Regarding Model Taxpayer Xu Qingfeng’s report, our bureau attaches great importance and will conduct a comprehensive inspection of all entertainment agencies and artists in Modu City.”
Zhang Hongbo: “???”
“Model Taxpayer? Screw you!”
Miao Qing: “Wasn’t he supposed to be banned?”
Jiang Wei quietly deleted his Weibo post.
Wang Yao followed suit, deleting her Weibo immediately and pretending to be dead.
They couldn’t afford to offend the living Xu Qingfeng.
The official statement sent the Modu entertainment circle into wails of despair.
Yet the matter was far from over. The Capital Tax Bureau also declared it would thoroughly investigate tax issues in the entertainment industry.
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“Holy crap, the living king of hell in the entertainment circle!”
“Is he trying to single-handedly take down the entire industry?”
“Self-exploding truck Xu Qingfeng.”
“King of hell calling roll!”
“Everyone, just die!”
The onlookers gleefully watched as the entertainment industry stars were dumbfounded.
Watching others’ houses collapse, only to have their own fall apart.
“Is Xinghui Entertainment crazy? Why provoke Xu Qingfeng for no reason?”
“I’m really pissed. Just chilling at home, yet somehow I’m caught in the crossfire.”
“Idiot, why the hell provoke Xu Qingfeng?”
“No, seriously, is Xu Qingfeng not afraid to die?”
But it was too late. With the official decree, no one could escape.
Those who needed to raise money did so, those who needed connections sought them, begging and pleading for a safe landing.
Many pointed fingers at Xinghui Entertainment. Under pressure, Xinghui Entertainment issued a solemn statement:
“Our company has terminated its contract with Xu Qingfeng. All his actions have no relation to our company.”
Guangzheng Entertainment, rumored to want to sign Xu Qingfeng, declared: “Our company has never contacted Xu Qingfeng and has no plans to cooperate.”
A stern statement: “Youth Story has never invited Xu Qingfeng to participate.”
Netizens gorged on the drama. Xu Qingfeng’s popularity surged while the entertainment industry desperately distanced itself.
If they didn’t cut ties, they would surely be splattered with blood.
Then, someone noticed Xu Qingfeng’s Weibo account was quietly unbanned.
After the Tax Bureau’s announcement, Weibo faced a flood of protests from onlookers—not out of love for Xu Qingfeng, but simply to watch the drama unfold.
Once the ban was lifted, Xu Qingfeng struck again.
[Weibo, banning accounts? Muting? Why stop now?]
[Is Zhang Hongbo Chen He’s daddy? They got nailed for tax evasion but weren’t muted? Instead, you mute your daddy? Talk about double standards. How you handle this is just based on your mood, huh?]
[Are you guys involved too?]
[And you claim to maintain a clean online environment? You don’t control comments, you start fights, you pit people against each other, you play favorites. You do nothing but animalistic things.]
[Not even pretending anymore, trending topics every day are about celebrities eating, farting, dung beetles rolling balls. That’s more valuable than your trending topics. The comment section is full of idiots chanting “Ah, brother is so handsome,” like a séance. All the dingbats gather here, right? Bots just copy-pasting fan praise. You treat this crap like treasures, but normal users get banned for speaking the truth. Your so-called clean-up campaign? What a joke.]
[This garbage platform should’ve been tossed into the trash a long time ago. Screw you!]