Huayu: Reborn in 97, transferring to the Central Academy of Drama's star-studded class

The storm came quickly and went even faster.

The first place to change the winds was the internet. While the individuals and media outlets that post articles online may be untraceable, the portal websites are ultimately the ones that carry those articles.

Thanks to Jiang Lai, Jiang's father happened to be a major shareholder in these portals.

While netizens were still waiting to see what would happen, in the blink of an eye, all the negative news about Jiang Lai was blocked and deleted, and instantly replaced with positive or objective news.

Immediately afterwards, a special department in Hong Kong, which was supposed to be established in 2020, was urgently established 20 years ahead of schedule. The first thing it did after its establishment was to rush to the office of Next Magazine and arrest the newspaper's owner, Jimmy Lai.

Dozens of police officers escorted a fat man into a police car. The Hong Kong people had never seen this department before, but they could see the words "National Security" on the uniforms of these officers.

On the same day, the head of the department announced the case to the media, stating that Jimmy Lai was found guilty of "conspiracy to collude with foreign forces" and "conspiracy to publish seditious publications," and was arrested in accordance with the law. The specific sentencing will be announced later, and relevant evidence was presented.

Evidence suggests that Jimmy Lai has been continuously channeling funds and intelligence to extremist groups in Taiwan and abroad, as well as overseas intelligence agencies. The sources and destinations of these funds include, but are not limited to, Taiwan, mainland China, North America, and Southeast Asia.

While announcing the details of the case, the department was not idle. Based on the list that was uncovered, they quickly arrested a large number of bribed accomplices, whose identities spanned all walks of life.

Before many people could even react when the news reached the mainland, the mainland police launched a crackdown, arresting a large number of people on charges of espionage, stealing secrets, and aiding the enemy.

As the saying goes, pulling out a radish brings out mud, and a group of people fighting like dogs only revealed more people.

The country must be laughing all the way to the bank. A little tabloid news story has actually uncovered so many corrupt officials. It's much better than having to rely on every little clue to investigate.

Such actions naturally could not be kept secret from the media and entertainment circles.

Some who were simply following the trend quietly removed their own reports, while those eager to distance themselves from Jiang were even more frantic.

Just a few days ago, Next Magazine was being criticized by the entire nation, but today, the magazine that started the controversy announced an indefinite suspension of publication, and many other media outlets involved have also suspended operations for rectification.

The official statement is that it was illegal, but who would believe it if you, Jiang Lai, said it had nothing to do with you?

Then on June 2nd, the "Focus Interview" program.

"Let the facts speak for themselves, Focus Interview!"

With familiar words spoken, the program began to play.

"Recently, certain foreign forces have maliciously fabricated rumors to smear Jiang Lai, a young Chinese actor and entrepreneur."

The truth is, Jiang Lai not only focuses on artistic creation, winning numerous international awards and actively promoting the dissemination of cultural industries, but also cares deeply about people's livelihoods. He has invested in building farms and factories in impoverished areas to help people escape poverty and has donated to build several primary schools.

He is not only a highly respected artist with both moral integrity and artistic talent, but also a people's entrepreneur.

The host's impeccable broadcasting voice delivered the message so eloquently that it effectively ended the competition.

With official endorsement, everyone in the industry understood one thing.

Jiang Lai is not to be trifled with.

......

At home, No. 6 Gongyuan.

Zhang Ziyi squatted on the chair in front of the computer, awkwardly typing on the keyboard.

The screen displayed a post from Tianya Forum titled "[Read Before It Gets Deleted] Let's Expose the True Face of the Water Emperor!"

The "Water Emperor" is Jiang Lai. Titles containing the name "Jiang Lai" will be deleted immediately. Moreover, netizens believe that his Best Actor award is a fraud, hence the derogatory nickname.

The comments section already had more than a dozen pages of content. Zhang Ziyi scrolled down one by one, getting angrier and angrier as he read.

"Someone from the Central Academy of Drama revealed that he was a bully at school and the teachers didn't dare to discipline him."

"The movies they make are all made with money; they could win awards just as easily if they replaced the actors."

"You're being too mild. If this guy didn't have that stinking money, he wouldn't even get a bit part! There are plenty of actors out there, why is he the only one who gets to act in Zhang Yimou's films? Think about it, really think about it."

"Where are the schools you donated? Where are the factories you built? Show them to us!"

Zhang Ziyi bit her lip, typing out each letter carefully, "Do you even know Jiang Lai before you criticize him? He's a very dedicated actor! And all the good deeds he's done are real!"

Within seconds of posting, someone replied.

"Oh? These are fans? So you've gone this far with your whitewashing?"

"How much money did you get? Can you help me out?"

"Damn, are you an idiot?! Trying to whitewash him?"

Zhang Ziyi's face turned pale with anger. "You have no manners!"

She regretted it as soon as she sent it; her words were too soft and had no impact whatsoever.

She was just about to say something more when the post was deleted, but many similar posts keep popping up.

That's just how the world is; there are always people who take what they think is the truth and spread it around, always thinking they have a lot of knowledge.

But what is the reality? If most people praise it, you praise it too; if most people turn around and criticize it, you criticize it too. This is called following the crowd, not having a clear understanding.

Zhang Ziyi shut down the forum to avoid seeing it and getting annoyed. She had been arguing with people online for the past few days. The reports outside were gone, but the people in the forum were still there, and their words were even more offensive.

She stood up and went to the living room, walked around twice, picked up the magazine on the coffee table. The edges were already curled from being turned so many times, but she couldn't help but flip through it.

In fact, she had already come to believe Jiang Lai.

But those photos were too jarring, like a thorn stuck in my heart.

"Knock knock knock".

There was a knock on the door. Zhang Ziyi looked up, but didn't move.

"Knock, knock, knock." The knocking continued.

"Who is it?" she called out.

"It's me! Your sister Lu!" Qin Hailu's voice came through the door.

Zhang Ziyi hesitated for a moment, stuffed the magazine under the sofa, went over and opened the door. Outside was the group of best friends from Class 96, even the usually quiet and reserved Yuan Quan had come over.

The group was carrying fruit and snacks, as well as a dozen beers and duck necks.

Qin Hailu strode in, looked him up and down, and said, "What's wrong? You've been cooped up at home lately, hiding a man?"

Zhang Ziyi lowered his head. "No."

"What's the point of staying at home without you?" Qin Hailu put his things on the coffee table, plopped down on the sofa, and crossed his legs.

Zeng Lai walked up and took Zhang Ziyi's hand. "Ziyi, are you alright?"

Zhang Ziyi shook his head. "It's nothing."

Zeng Lai pursed her lips and didn't ask any more questions.

The group sat down around the sofa, and Yuan Quan said softly, "Don't keep anything to yourself, tell us what's on your mind."

Zhang Ziyi shook his head again.

Seeing this, Qin Hailu waved his hand dismissively, "Let's not talk about this now, come on, let's drink!"

They opened their beers and the group of girlfriends chatted about the latest funny things that happened at school, with Zhang Ziyi reluctantly joining in.

After two bottles of beer, when everyone's faces were flushed, Qin Hailu spoke up at the right moment: "Ziyi, we all know Jiang Lai isn't the kind of person who messes around. You should know him better than we do."

Zhang Ziyi put down the wine bottle and said in a low voice, "I know he didn't do those things, but I just... I just feel so choked up."

Hu Jing blinked. "What do you mean?"

Zhang Ziyi bit her lip. "I was just wondering, am I really not good enough for him?"

Qin Hailu frowned. "The way you're saying that, we can't think like that."

Zhang Ziyi remained silent.

Hu Jing interjected, "You're a Berlin Film Festival Best Actress winner too, what's wrong with that you're not good enough for her?"

"That's right." Zeng Lai followed up, "and there's no such thing as unworthy love."

Zhang Ziyi forced a smile. Qin Hailu glanced at her and asked, "Are you still thinking about Zhou Xun?"

Zhang Ziyi raised his head. "No."

"Is that Maggie Cheung?"

"No, not exactly."

"So what exactly are you thinking?"

Zhang Ziyi was silent for a while, then said softly, "I feel like there's always someone else around him. Today it's Zhou Xun, tomorrow it's Zhang Manyu, and there will be others in the future."

"Then you shouldn't be avoiding him at all; you should stay by his side and keep an eye on him," Yuan Quan, who had been listening, said.

Zhang Ziyi fell silent again. She didn't know why, but she just didn't want to see Jiang Lai right now.

Qin Hailu stared at her, then suddenly asked, "Do you believe him or not?"

Zhang Ziyi said firmly: "Believe it!"

"So, do you love him?"

"like!"

"So, do you think he loves you?"

Zhang Ziyi hesitated, memories of their past interactions flashing through her mind, but she couldn't give a definite answer.

"I guess... I love him."

Qin Hailu raised an eyebrow helplessly. "Alright, let's stop asking. If you ask me, we shouldn't keep thinking about it. If we keep thinking about it, we'll just end up making trouble out of nothing."

Yuan Quan suddenly spoke up, "You and Jiang Lai have been together for three years now, haven't you?"

Zhang Ziyi paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes."

"Three years is not easy." Yuan Quan's tone was calm. "If there's anything, talk it out. Don't hold it in, but don't drag it out either."

Zhang Ziyi looked at her, her eyes a little red.

The women suddenly became sentimental.

After a long while, Qin Hailu stood up, clapped his hands, and said, "Alright, stop thinking about it. Ziyi, you'd better get back to school tomorrow."

"What's wrong?" Zhang Ziyi asked.

"The graduation exam!" Qin Hailu's eyes widened. "You haven't forgotten, have you? It's already June. If you don't go back soon, you won't even get your diploma."

Zhang Ziyi was stunned; she had really forgotten.

At the same time, a nearly identical scene was unfolding at Jiang Lai's home.

The boys from Class 96 sat around on the floor of Jiang Lai's room without any regard for their image. Liu Ye peeled a peanut and popped it into his mouth. "Jiang'er, when are you going back to school? The girls at school miss you so much."

Jiang Lai was amused and gave Liu Ye a push.

"Just smile, why keep looking so long?" Liu Ye shifted his position.

"You bet," Dang Hao chimed in. "It's nothing! So what if we were featured in the national media for several days? So what if we were criticized by netizens all over the country?"

His voice trailed off, "This seems to be a serious matter."

Jiang Lai smiled and waved his hand, "I didn't take it to heart."

"If it's not that, then it must be a woman, right?" Qin Hao said.

"That woman is no big deal!" Liu Ye said excitedly, "Just buy her a bouquet of flowers, some gifts, say a few sweet words, and everything will be fine."

Dang Hao chuckled and nudged him with his elbow, "Have you ever been in a relationship?"

"Hey! Who do you think you are?"

Liu Ye stared wide-eyed, then glanced around, cleared his throat, and said, "For Jiang'er's sake, I'll tell you a secret today. Back in my junior year, there was this guy from outside the school who was really into me and pursued me relentlessly!"

Dang Hao recalled for a moment, "Was it the one who always came to the playground to watch you play basketball back then? Did you two talk?"

"Yes! We talked about it." Liu Ye nodded.

"Well done, Liu Ye! You talked to us without even telling the brothers." Dang Hao laughed and leaned in to grab his neck.

Liu Ye waved his hand, "Hey! We broke up after a short time, let's not dwell on the past."

Seeing his friends laughing and joking around, Jiang Lai felt much better.

"Alright, I know why you're here. I'm going back to school tomorrow."

"Then it's a deal!" Liu Ye quickly said.

Jiang Lai nodded.

"It's a deal."