Chapter 508: Fish Dead, Net Broken

Negative news about that person suddenly flooded the internet, multiplying without warning.

Many netizens who were previously unaware were shocked upon seeing it—turns out the celebrity they idolized and adored had done so many bad things in the past.

Even her political leanings were problematic.

For some patriotic netizens, this was unacceptable and intolerable; they immediately voiced condemnation.

Although the internet has memory, many people are naturally forgetful.

As long as their memories were stirred, some netizens who had witnessed her past actions would naturally share them with others who didn't know.

Many netizens already had a strong urge to vent.

Industry insiders were equally astonished—Principal was clearly trying to destroy this person completely; those issues weren't just about ideology, but also national sentiment and rule violations.

For an ordinary person, doing anything like this would mean being forced out of the industry, but the person Principal targeted was still fine.

The struggle between both sides had grown increasingly fierce.

Liu Tianxian was also deeply worried—she feared Fang Hong might go too far, so she kept tense watch over him.

It's just that his network of connections was too vast.

Just as the controversy erupted nationwide and negative news about that person kept flooding the internet.

Platforms like Weibo, forums, Tieba, major media outlets, and self-media accounts all deleted posts or restricted traffic; public opinion was quickly suppressed, as if wiped clean.

Even trending topics were removed, as if nothing had ever happened—unless you deliberately searched for it, you'd hardly see anything.

Netizens seemed to have suddenly stopped talking about it, as if the whole thing had vanished into thin air.

It wasn't that netizens stopped talking—it was that they had nowhere left to speak; Weibo and forums banned posts, deleting them or making them invisible.

Major media outlets published no information at all—where could netizens comment? At most, they whispered in QQ groups, where influence was far weaker.

This wave had effectively silenced everyone.

Industry insiders were stunned—they could only say, "Incredible," as even the Principal's voice couldn't get through.

It was a full demonstration of the power of capital.

But the Principal had his own channels—when other platforms blocked him, Toutiao, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu remained open as platforms for expression.

They had substantial user bases and remained unaffected, still distributing information: if you wanted to see it, you'd be recommended it—anything not harmful to the state was visible.

Users could still share content freely, untouched by capital.

Those people could only control their own little domains—they couldn't touch Chang'e Technology's platforms.

So the negative information about that person didn't stop; netizens still found places to speak and share.

Some netizens even complained on Toutiao, accusing her of manipulating public opinion.

"See? This is exactly why I had to take on Chang'e Technology—if not for Chang'e Technology, I'd be mute right now, unable to speak, forced to take blows passively," Fang Hong said to Liu Tianxian.

The two were now in the office; during this period, Liu Tianxian had come nearly every day, watching her man closely, terrified something might happen to him.

She couldn't afford not to be afraid—after so long in this circle, she knew exactly what Yan Zi was like and what kind of network she had.

"Just don't go too far—keep a sense of proportion. After all, you're not alone anymore; you have this whole family now," Liu Tianxian warned, her expression serious.

"I know," Fang Hong nodded.

In the past, when he was alone, he could act recklessly, without regard for consequences—but now he was someone with ties.

This family was something he could never abandon.

He waved to Liu Tianxian and said, "Xixi, come here."

"What is it?" Liu Tianxian rose from the sofa and sat beside him at his desk.

Fang Hong opened his laptop, logged into an overseas bank account, and said, "Count how many digits are on the screen."

Liu Tianxian saw the screen displayed entirely in English—an European bank, which she could read. Since the number was too long, she swiped her finger across the screen to count.

After counting, her pupils instantly widened: "Two hundred million U. S. dollars!"

"This is meant for Chang'e Technology, but hasn't been transferred yet," Fang Hong smiled, logged out, then logged into another bank account: "Count again."

This time, she didn't need to count—she stared at him in shock: "Three hundred million? Where did you get so much money?"

If converted, that was 3.5 billion yuan!

She had never earned this much in her life—and this was cash.

She knew exactly how much this man owned, how much money he had—he'd even claimed he was broke when buying diamonds.

In less than two months, this much money suddenly appeared.

"Tesla stocks—I sold them. Didn't I tell you several times already?" Fang Hong said.

"Oh!" Liu Tianxian remembered—he'd mentioned it often.

"There's more," Fang Hong logged into another bank account and showed her.

Liu Tianxian saw at a glance—over a hundred million U. S. dollars, totaling over six hundred million U. S. dollars in cash!

These funds amounted to at least four to five billion yuan—almost enough to repay the original 6.3 billion yuan loan.

No wonder this man had been so calm, so unflustered back then—he truly had a backup plan.

"So you don't need to worry—it's just a war of attrition. I'm not afraid at all," Fang Hong patted his chest.

"It's not about whether you're afraid or not—it's about them using underhanded tactics. You understand, right?" Liu Tianxian said.

"I understand. If it comes to that, I'll step in myself—let's go fish dead, net broken."

Fang Hong looked at her; they locked eyes.

Liu Tianxian wrapped her arms around his neck, gently stroking his head, her heart filled with complex emotions.

If Fang Hong stepped in personally, it would mean tearing off the mask—he was a person of status and position.

Those people couldn't control public opinion anymore!

And if he went fish dead, net broken, not only Yan Zi couldn't withstand it—neither could her entire network. In the end, only the top could intervene, and those people's dirty secrets couldn't bear scrutiny.

What she didn't know was that if Fang Hong stepped in personally, it wouldn't just be a war of words—it would be overturning the table.

It's simple—he's a reincarnator, and with the perspective of the next decade-plus, he clearly knows exactly what Yan Zi and those others did. This is his advantage, and ultimately his trump card!

Just as the two were leaning on each other, Chen Zhixi knocked and walked in: "General Manager Fang, here's the data I've compiled on the national cinema chains, including all potential buyers marked."

"Leave it here. I'll look at it when I have time." Fang Hong pulled away from Liu Tianxian and gestured toward the desk.

Yutu must accelerate its development—cinema chains are an indispensable part.

Liu Tianxian felt no embarrassment; she gave Chen Zhixi a mischievous little expression.

Chen Zhixi smiled slightly, seeing Fang Hong's serious expression, and couldn't help asking: "About Zhang Songwen?"

"You don't need to worry about this. I'll handle it," Fang Hong said.

"Alright." Chen Zhixi nodded.

She knew General Manager Fang wouldn't tell her about something like this—he'd tell Liu Tianxian instead.

Before Liu Tianxian came along, Fang Hong used to confide in her a little and consult her. Now, the two of them were discussing secrets together.

Please... collect Book 6191!

After all, this isn't anything good—it's full of secrets no outsider should know about. He'd naturally confide in the person he trusted most. She was, after all, an outsider.

That night at home, Liu Xiaoli asked her daughter about the recent uproar.

"Xixi, is this recent mess connected to Xiao Fang?" Liu Xiaoli sensed something unusual—it had escalated to capital and public opinion manipulation.

"It's his feud with someone," Liu Tianxian didn't hide it, sinking into the sofa.

Liu Xiaoli sat beside her, serious: "You've got to watch him closely—he's no ordinary man. If Xiao Fang intends to destroy someone, it won't end peacefully."

"I know. He understands boundaries—he just stirred up some old, well-known issues. Those things are within the other side's tolerance range," Liu Tianxian reassured her mother.

What Fang Hong exposed could be fatal to other actors and entertainers, but Yan Zi could still withstand it.

Still, she silently prayed it wouldn't come to the final step—she feared a mutual destruction.

It probably wouldn't go that far—if it did, Yan Zi and Alibaba would both lose a tooth, and there's Tencent watching from the sidelines.

Alibaba likely still has reason.

Others didn't know, but she knew her husband had real power—he'd just received hundreds of millions in USD, and another hundred million was being liquidated.

Of course, some of that cash had been transferred to her overseas account—no other reason than convenience of identity.

"Good then." Liu Xiaoli, seeing they were discussing it, stopped pressing.

Let them handle it themselves—nothing serious would happen. Their personalities naturally complemented each other.

Xiao Fang was impulsive, but her daughter, though flighty, remained rational when matters arose.

Here, Fang Hong wouldn't compromise—he kept spreading Yan Zi's negative rumors. Even deleting posts and throttling traffic couldn't touch Chang'e Technology.

Self-media and Up Masters were all reporting it, so Wangyi kept having fresh gossip to chew on, nonstop.

"Thank you, Fan Zong," Yan Zi thanked Fan Luyuan.

This time, Alibaba stepped in just in time—without Alibaba, her negative rumors would've flooded the entire internet.

By her own strength, she couldn't match the Principal.

"No problem. This is all we should do. But as for Chang'e Technology's subsidiaries, we're powerless," Fan Luyuan said.

Yan Zi nodded, sighing: "I never expected the Principal to be this ruthless—he's clinging on, spreading my rumors everywhere."

She no longer had her former confidence.

The negative rumors affected her—her reputation, value, and public perception all suffered.

Not to mention, some brands, fearing her downfall, canceled their collaborations with her. A variety show that had her lined up as a judge replaced her, fearing her downfall.

A TV drama that was supposed to cast her replaced her, fearing her downfall.

This was terrifying—who'd dare hire her? But Zhang Songwen was in roughly the same situation.

But the Principal could bury Zhang Songwen without much loss—he's expendable. She, however, suffered real damage.

"I already told you—he's powerful. Don't underestimate him. He'll keep pursuing this to the end."

"Look at what he did to Ceng Aizi, Fa Ge, Xiao Wang, and Yu Fat—he ever let any of them go? Fa Ge was hounded for years before it ended. Xiao Wang, Yu Fat—they're still fighting after five years. Those guys lost all their temper, but Yutu is still vigorous," Fan Luyuan said.

This left Yan Zi silent. It was frustrating—this relentless smear campaign was making it impossible for her to work.

Reporters chased her everywhere, wanting interviews. She could only hide, afraid to show her face—any appearance risked more mud being thrown at her.

"What do you think we should do?" Yan Zi asked for advice.

"Either fight him to the end, pouring endless money and time into this war—or show weakness. No other options. He's actually afraid of us," Fan Luyuan analyzed well.

"What about outside tactics?" Yan Zi snapped.

"He's in Beijing. His company is officially registered. If you use outside tactics, do you think the local authorities will allow it?" Fan Luyuan pointed upward.

If he were in the south, it'd be different!

He added again: "Look at what happened between Tencent and 360—who wiped out whom?"

Outside tactics depend on region—you can't just use them at will. And Chang'e and Yutu are massive entities. If you use outside tactics, do you think the authorities will sit idle?

"Then can't you use your own power to crush him decisively?" Yan Zi hoped.

"You'd have to ask Ma Zong. I doubt he'd agree—we don't even know how powerful the Principal is or what his trump cards are. If things escalate, we'd suffer heavy losses ourselves."

"You need to know—we're facing challenges in other areas too. Entertainment is just one front," Fan Luyuan said.

Meaning: in culture and entertainment, Yutu wasn't the only challenger—life services, payments, ride-hailing, tourism, e-commerce—all faced pressure from Tencent, JD. com, Meituan, Tongcheng, and others.

The Principal doesn't just have Yutu—he also has Chang'e and Zhong Family. The situation could easily expand.

(End of Chapter)