Chapter 6: Searching the Entire Internet for the Bus Passenger

[Entertainment Industry Rectification Mission: Book of Life and Death]
[Successfully exposed 3 people; Physical Fitness +3, Lucky Draws +3.]

Xu Qingfeng rolled up his sleeves, clearly seeing his arm muscles slightly bulging and the outline of a six-pack beginning to emerge on his stomach. After working out in the living room, he discovered improvements in his strength, speed, and agility. At this rate, beating a Tyson or wrestling a tiger would soon be well within his capabilities. After testing his strength, Xu Qingfeng felt confident he could take on two people at once; he would at least have a fighting chance if someone tried to settle things with him in real life. After posting on Weibo, he collapsed into bed and slept until nine in the morning.

Weibo had completely exploded. When Xu Qingfeng first made his revelations, most people assumed he was just a desperate dog biting anyone in sight, and everyone was simply watching for the spectacle. But the second round of revelations was an earthquake. Dozens of photos and screenshots had ripped the pants off Zhang Hongbo’s tax evasion scheme.

"Holy crap, making hundreds of millions a year and you still commit tax fraud?"
"Some people might not realize what 160 million looks like; put it this way, you'd have to win the lottery of five million 32 times, and that’s before taxes."
"I work myself to the bone for a few thousand a month and still pay my taxes on time."
"And he had the nerve to preach about being a good person? Just thinking about it makes me sick."

Zhang Hongbo finally experienced the same treatment Xu Qingfeng had once endured. However, what excited the public most was the dirt Xu Qingfeng had leaked on Miao Qing. Tax evasion didn't affect them much, but the idea of a celebrity "public bus" (promiscuous star) triggered intense curiosity. Xu Qingfeng had released non-explicit but intimate photos of Miao Qing, along with various suggestive chat logs. The more vague and mysterious the posts were, the more interested the netizens became. Miao Qing had always cultivated a pure, maiden-like image, so the revelation that she was "easy" only made the public more intrigued.

"An entertainment industry public bus? Damn, count me in!"
"Wait, I haven't boarded the bus yet!"
"Get in line behind me!"
"It was all just the master's mission."
"Tell us more about the 'mission'!"
"I’ll pay good money for the resources."
"I want to ride the bus too!"
"This bus is full, catch the next one."

Starshine Entertainment. Li Deshou was being cursed at mercilessly. "Didn't you say Xu Qingfeng didn't have any evidence?" Li Deshou’s mouth twitched as he looked at Zhou Zhengyi’s icy expression, but he dared not make a sound. "Speak!" Li Deshou lowered his head until his chin touched his chest. "I’m sorry, Mr. Zhou..." "I don't want to hear your excuses. Xu Qingfeng is ruined, but now Zhang Hongbo is going down with him, and you’ve dragged Miao Qing into it too. Do you have any idea how much money the company has lost?"

Zhou Zhengyi glared at him with cold, murderous intent. A mere puppet of the industry had nearly exposed the company's financial records; he felt like tearing Xu Qingfeng apart. "Three days. If you can't resolve this, you know the consequences," Zhou said coldly. Li Deshou walked out of the office drenched in sweat, feeling as if he were on the verge of collapse. He had gambled on the idea that Xu Qingfeng lacked hard evidence. Tax evasion was a standard practice for the company, handled so seamlessly that it should have been impossible to prove. And Xu Qingfeng was such an idiot—his professional competence was as pathetic as his IQ. Despite being burned twice, Li Deshou had stubbornly insisted that Xu was just having a breakdown. Blinded by anger, he had made the wrong call.

Normally, the best response to such leaks is not to clarify immediately but to muddy the waters so no one knows if the evidence is real. After discussing it with his agent, Li Deshou had convinced himself that Xu had nothing. Thus, the PR department’s strategy was to smear Xu while having Zhang and Miao issue denials. Who would have thought that Xu Qingfeng’s smoking gun would arrive so soon? The evidence he held exceeded everyone's imagination, and the detailed proof on Weibo was enough to bury Zhang Hongbo for good. Not only that, it took down Miao Qing and pointed fingers at Starshine Entertainment’s financial irregularities. Li Deshou had underestimated the public’s obsession with gossip; even if Xu hadn't provided proof, the netizens would have conjured up a dramatic soap opera on their own.

The resourceful netizens began digging through the archives based on Xu’s clues. They could find everything except a significant other. Soon, a professional confirmed that Zhang Hongbo’s "Yin-Yang" contracts (dual contracts for tax evasion) were authentic, and many "helpful individuals" explained the tricks used to shift funds and dodge taxes.

"This is the 'Yang' contract for tax audits, and these others are the 'Yin' contracts, using fake background actors to move money and avoid taxes."

The influencers who thrived on celebrity scandals were having a field day. These people cared only about traffic, not the truth—wherever the traffic was, they followed. It wasn't just the tax evasion; netizens also found clues regarding the "hookups" Xu had mentioned. A selfie of Zhang Hongbo and a "socialite" in the same setting was unearthed, fueling the fire on Xu’s Weibo even further.

The most miserable one was Miao Qing. The clues about her "carpooling" with multiple passengers were dug up by the brilliant netizens.

"This bracelet looks familiar, isn't it the same one from that photo with Li Bing?"
"The bag in Miao Qing’s selfie looks like the one Director Chen carries; it’s appeared in so many photos."
"Holy crap, Miao Qing actually went for him? Chen He is over sixty!"
"Talk about a man whose spirit never ages—he’s playing with someone in her twenties who’s young enough to be his granddaughter. How does he even manage that?"
"Do you know what 'reputation' means? Chen He definitely did it."
"Wait, guys, why is Duan Zhe involved too? Wasn't he supposed to be the most devoted man in the industry?"
"Damn, the 'entertainment industry public bus' reputation is well-earned!"
"I knew the industry was messy, but I didn't think it was this chaotic."

By noon, netizens had identified seven or eight "passengers," including famous directors and male stars known for their "good guy" personas. From directors to singers, actors, variety show regulars, and young idols, the people linked to Miao Qing covered nearly the entire entertainment circle. The situation was spiraling out of control. The water in the industry had become incredibly murky.

The great director Chen He finally spoke up: "I have indeed worked with Miao Qing, but we were merely discussing the script. I’ve had contact with Xu Qingfeng as well; I can only say the man is difficult to describe. Regarding his baseless rumors, I reserve the right to pursue legal action."

Once Chen He spoke, it was like a horn blast for a counter-attack. Zhang Hongbo, Miao Qing, Duan Zhe, and others all began firing back at Xu Qingfeng. Everyone knew clearly that only by crushing Xu completely could they escape this storm unscathed. As long as Xu’s reputation was destroyed, no one would believe a word he said. Public opinion shifted once again, and netizens waited for Xu Qingfeng to come out and confront them.

However, all they got was a new Weibo post from Xu: "Hiring bodyguards. Must possess extraordinary skills, able to catch slippers thrown by 'haters' with bare hands. Large build, able to push away 300-pound extremists with one hand. Must work well in a team and provide 360-degree protection for the employer. Interested parties, please send your resume to xuqingfeng@..."