Chapter Twenty-One: A Quiet Opening, a Grand Commencement

Chapter Twenty-One: A Low-Key Opening, a High-Profile Start

There is never a lasting topic in the entertainment industry. Li Ming was hospitalized after being attacked, and Zhang Le became a prime suspect. The internet was abuzz with debate, but as time passed, the public lost interest and the heat faded away. As for the truth, it seemed unimportant—gossip is all about the spectacle.

Just as the discussion surrounding Zhang Le and Li Ming was dying down, a piece of news broke out that stunned the entire entertainment circle. It left countless people gaping in disbelief and sent gossip enthusiasts into a frenzy. The incident between Zhang Le and Li Ming shot straight to the front page headlines.

Whether it was due to public pressure or official intervention, the police moved with remarkable efficiency, managing to apprehend the culprit who had sent Li Ming to the hospital in a matter of days. Upon interrogation, it was revealed that the truth was exactly as Zhang Le had suspected: the whole incident was a farce orchestrated by Li Ming himself.

This amounted to a scandal in the entertainment world. Given the media’s nature, they would certainly have made a big deal of it. However, before they could report on it, another bombshell dropped: upon learning the truth, Zhang Le directly took Li Ming to court.

False accusation! Zhang Le sued Li Ming for making a false accusation.

The matter between Li Ming and Zhang Le was already widely known. Whether Li Ming’s actions constituted the crime of framing someone was up to the judge to decide; public opinion and online discussions were divided. Regardless of the final verdict, the very fact that Zhang Le had sued Li Ming made for explosive news.

“To commit the crime of framing, one must fabricate facts and make false accusations with the intent to harm another, resulting in criminal prosecution. Many conditions must be met for this offense. If the fabricated facts are not intended to subject someone to criminal prosecution, then the crime does not apply. Li Ming deliberately led the police to believe the assailant was acting on your instigation, but if he insists his intent was not to see you prosecuted, then the chances of his conviction are slim,” the lawyer explained to Zhang Le.

“Suing him isn’t about ensuring his conviction. Of course, if he is found guilty, all the better. We just want to blow this up,” Yang Xiner said, “It doesn’t matter whether we win; the moment we sue him, we’ve already won.”

With the truth revealed, Li Ming’s image suffered greatly, and his fans felt a sense of outrage and betrayal. Zhang Le’s lawsuit made it impossible for Li Ming’s management company to cover up or downplay the scandal.

Suing him was also a way to show the world who Li Ming really was.

Even if they couldn’t win the case or send Li Ming to prison, after such a public spectacle, Li Ming’s career in the entertainment industry would be as good as over.

For public figures, image is everything. After such a scandal, what was left of Li Ming’s reputation? Previously, he was extremely popular, but after Zhang Le’s public criticism, his exposure increased, his fame rose, but his popularity plummeted. His insults were disgraceful; compared to Zhang Le, he seemed more like a shrew cursing in the street.

Li Ming was nothing more than an idol star—aside from his striking looks, he had nothing to offer. He had no vocal skill, no acting talent, nothing at all. In the entertainment industry, people like him could only shine for a fleeting moment.

“Deliberately fabricating and spreading false information sufficient to damage another’s reputation and dignity, with serious consequences, constitutes the crime of defamation,” Zhang Le said calmly. “We’ll sue him for false accusation first. If that doesn’t work, we’ll sue him for defamation. His actions are already enough for that charge, and the circumstances are quite severe.”

“I didn’t expect you to be so knowledgeable about the law, Mr. Zhang,” the lawyer smiled. “Honestly, I don’t have much confidence in the false accusation charge. But with defamation, I’m far more optimistic.”

“Heh, I only dabble a little—nothing compared to a professional like you. I’ll leave this matter in your hands,” Zhang Le replied with a smile.

“It’s my duty,” the lawyer said with a grin.

“Did you never intend to sue him for false accusation?” After the lawyer left, Yang Xiner asked curiously. “You seem quite adept at legal matters.”

“Adept?” Zhang Le chuckled, not bothering to be modest. “You wouldn’t understand the world of geniuses.”

He wasn’t truly skilled in law, but he had read some legal books before. Thanks to his photographic memory, he simply remembered the statutes.

“If Li Ming proposes a settlement, what will you do?” Yang Xiner asked.

“If we sue him for defamation directly, she might try to settle. But with the false accusation suit, I doubt he will,” Zhang Le replied.

By now, everyone knew Li Ming’s real purpose in getting himself hospitalized was not to incriminate Zhang Le or have him face criminal charges. Without that intent, the crime of framing simply didn’t apply.

“I feel like you’re setting a trap for Li Ming,” Yang Xiner laughed.

While the uproar over Zhang Le suing Li Ming raged on, Yang Xiner and Zhang Le quietly opened their Xinle Film Studio. They invited neither celebrities nor media, keeping things so low-key that it was almost baffling.

Most companies open with fanfare, especially those in film and entertainment, where visibility is vital. No one knew why Zhang Le and Yang Xiner chose such a subdued approach. According to Feng Lei, it wasn’t that they didn’t want to be high-profile—they simply couldn’t. The studio was in its infancy and far from complete, with barely any staff. Going public would only expose their shortcomings.

Though the studio still needed work, Zhang Le’s film crew was already assembled. The day after the studio’s opening, he led the team straight to Shancheng, the film’s location.

Unlike the understated opening of the studio, the film’s production launch was high-profile. They held a grand ceremony and invited a multitude of media outlets.

Recently, Yang Xiner had left Bo Yi, one of the top domestic film companies, to found her own studio and invest in Zhang Le’s film. The incident had already caused a stir, with Zhang Le enduring no shortage of criticism as a result.

Interest in Zhang Le’s film remained high. Whatever their motives, people paid attention, and the media followed. Zhang Le and Yang Xiner had become regulars in the headlines, especially Zhang Le, whose online presence had never waned. On top of it all, the news of his lawsuit against Li Ming had the media watching his every move. Yet, perhaps because he came from a directing background, Zhang Le disliked being in the media spotlight. It seemed he had no intention of becoming a star.

Many media outlets tried to interview him, but he was always elusive. Now, with the film’s launch and a press conference, the event drew countless journalists.

The press conference was held at the Arhat Temple in Shancheng. By the time the media arrived, a large banner hung at the temple gates reading: “Crazy Stone” Film Launch Press Conference!

“Crazy Stone”? Was that the name of Zhang Le’s film?