Chapter Sixty-Seven: Don’t Leave After School

Wang Huansheng casually displayed a thick stack of documents.

“These include screenshots from certain local stations in Shaanxi Province that exposed this incident through hearsay, as well as verbatim accounts of what was said. In other words, if we look only at how this was first brought to light—news commentary based entirely on rumor, and not from the perspective of the parties involved, Du Feiwen and Yuan Sihuo—what does that suggest?”

“Couldn’t this just be the result of an unintentional leak? That’s not impossible, is it?”

It was that same reporter who raised the question.

“There were only three people present: my client Liu Qingshan, along with Du Feiwen and Yuan Sihuo. And please take note of the headline for that article: ‘A minor actor, relying on their credentials with a Hong Kong-Taiwan film crew, acts out and refuses an interview with the provincial station for no reason—such an artist’s qualities are questionable!’ What does this tell you?”

“What does it tell us?”

“It tells us that someone is deliberately steering public opinion! Pay attention to the word ‘interview.’ My client attests that there was no interview at all, as there was no cameraman present; the verbal altercation occurred right before the interview could even start. I also have another document—please focus on one particular passage.”

There was a projector on the table. The lawyer, Mr. Wang, selected another document and placed it in front of the camera. On the wall screen, a passage was clearly displayed:

During the interview, the interviewee Liu Qingshan maintained an extremely cold attitude, spoke stiffly, and seemed very reluctant.

“Cold, stiff, reluctant—three negative adjectives that open the door to endless speculation, but all based on an interview that never actually happened. So who, exactly, is lying?”

He then pointed at that same reporter. “Let me address your concern—there were only three people present, with no other recordings. Where exactly do you think this leak came from? And with the glaring contradictions in these false reports, and the so-called leak coming from the mouths of the other two besides my client, can we really call that a leak?”

“So this is the whole truth behind the so-called walkout?” another reporter asked.

“That’s correct. Therefore, Mr. Liu Qingshan has already commissioned me to file a lawsuit with the local court, formally requesting a review of Du Feiwen and Yuan Sihuo on charges of malicious defamation and insult!”

On the screen, the contents of a legal letter appeared, with several signatures, red seals, and fingerprints clearly visible.

In fact, the press conference could have concluded at this point, as the issue itself was not particularly complex.

The legal letter merely served as a statement of Liu Qingshan’s personal stance.

Whether a formal court filing would proceed naturally depended on the attitudes of Du Feiwen and Yuan Sihuo.

Next, as was standard practice in such matters, Lawyer Wang made the formal demand for both individuals to submit written apologies to be published in relevant newspapers and broadcast on television.

At that moment, some people had already stood up and hurried toward the computer in the corner, because Liu Qingshan had previously promised to provide the reporters with a copy of the video.

But just as the conference should have ended, Liu Qingshan spoke again, fundamentally altering the entire course of events.

He said, “In principle, I reserve the right to pursue legal responsibility, because if certain people continue to indulge their private desires behind the mask of fame, the inevitable result is self-destruction. As an artist, I have always believed: the greater your fame, the more you must reflect on whether your character matches it; the more fans you have, the more you must set an example. Give the world uprightness and integrity; provide true role models for young people. The entertainment industry must root out corruption and champion what is just and pure!”

His words rang out powerfully, stirring the emotions of some reporters who had been eager to rush back and file their stories.

“Root out corruption and champion what is just and pure? Well said! Mr. Liu Qingshan, are you speaking from the perspective of the entire entertainment industry?”

A reporter raised his voice again. Those in the entertainment industry were well-acquainted with its murky underbelly; almost everyone present grasped the weight of Liu Qingshan’s words.

“I’m just a minor actor, hardly from a prestigious background—I wouldn’t presume to speak for the whole industry. But my own experiences have taught me this: no one is above the law, and no circle exists outside the law. Obeying the law is the absolute minimum required of anyone. Before you become a star, you must first be a decent human being. We must have moral boundaries—and never test the law’s limits. Celebrities, as public figures, must set a positive example for society.”

“Do you hope the entertainment industry will become more regulated and wholesome under the rule of law?”

“That is simply my personal code of conduct. I also hope everyone here will keep an eye on my future actions. I will focus even more on my craft and my private conduct.”

“Still sounds like you’re on quite a moral high horse,” someone remarked.

Another female reporter laughed as she spoke. Clearly, she had a good impression of Liu Qingshan, and her tone carried a faint trace of teasing.

“All right, if you don’t want lofty rhetoric, then I’ll be blunt! Honestly, I just want to say one thing to Du Feiwen and Yuan Sihuo: how utterly incompetent and insecure must you be to act so petty? Petty, self-important, arrogant, always looking down on others, quick with mockery and provocation—your lack of character is frankly revolting!”

A commotion broke out among the reporters. They had seen many celebrities, but never one who dared to so openly and directly criticize others by name.

Although Liu Qingshan’s sudden outburst left everyone briefly stunned, excitement quickly spread through the room.

“We understand your anger,” the female reporter pressed on. “But to confront the industry’s darkness so publicly, exposing its wounds without hesitation—don’t you fear your own future might be suppressed as a result?”

She was relentless—after all, what a sensational topic it was; she was in no hurry to let it go.

“Shameless, immoral hosts; producers who wear tinted glasses—just look at their relentless faces after the so-called walkout! Maybe they should take some time to learn kindness, respect, understanding, and tolerance. I think every field would agree with that. I’m willing to be the sharp blade that cuts through what’s rotten. I believe justice resides in people’s hearts!”

“What gives you such passionate courage? Is it superhuman strength? People say this industry is a vanity fair, one that demands a price—how do you view that?”

“How does the saying go? People’s hearts are unpredictable, and desire makes them hard to fathom. Honestly, I think you’re the unpredictable one here, trying to lead me into a trap with your questions! Don’t run off after class—give me your number and we’ll discuss this in private!”

His words sparked another round of laughter. The key was that the female reporter was quite attractive, and Liu Qingshan’s flirtatious tone left no doubt of his admiration.

Especially when he said “Don’t run off after class”—his delivery was just like a schoolkid challenging someone to a fight after school, making it the perfect punchline to send the room into fits of laughter.