Hong Kong Film: Starting Undercover from the Five Tigers!

Faced with these questions, Liu Wenhao could only politely say, "I'm sorry, I have to go to school now."

After finally squeezing out of the crowd, Liu Wenhao felt more tired than if he had played a game.

When he arrived at the school, the situation wasn't much better. Even more people had gathered at the school gate, and some parents had even come specifically to see him.

"Wenhao!" the class monitor ran over. "You're finally here! The principal has been looking for you several times."

Chapter 1271 News!

The principal's office was packed with people. Besides the principal, there were leaders from the city's education department, officials from the sports department, and even the mayor was there.

"Wenhao, you've brought honor to our entire city!" The mayor shook his hand. "We're discussing how to better support your development."

"What kind of support?" Liu Wenhao asked.

“First, there’s the issue of your studies,” the education minister began. “We can arrange a special study plan for you, giving you more time to train.”

"Then there's the training facilities," the sports department head continued. "The city is planning to invest in building a world-class combat training center specifically for your use."

"And there's business development," a middle-aged man I didn't recognize said. "Our company is willing to tailor a business promotion plan for you, guaranteeing your income will increase tenfold."

Hearing this "support," Liu Wenhao felt unprecedented pressure. These people were ostensibly helping him, but in reality, they all had their own agendas.

"Thank you all for your kind offer." Liu Wenhao stood up. "But right now, all I want to do is focus on my studies and training. We can talk about other things later."

This answer clearly surprised the leaders present. Logically, an eighteen-year-old should have been very excited about these opportunities.

"Wenhao, you need to think this through carefully," the mayor said earnestly. "Opportunities don't wait for anyone; once missed, they're gone forever."

“I understand,” Liu Wenhao nodded, “but I don’t think it’s the right time yet.”

After leaving the principal's office, Liu Wenhao went directly to the Zhengwu Hall. He needed a quiet place to think.

But the situation at the martial arts school wasn't much better. Even more people had gathered at the entrance—some wanting to learn martial arts, some wanting to collaborate, and various media outlets.

"Is Master here?" Liu Wenhao asked Li Qiang.

“In the backyard,” Li Qiang said in a low voice. “These people have been making a fuss since this morning, and Master is fed up with them.”

Liu Wenhao entered the martial arts school through the back door and went to the backyard. Old Mr. Ma was watering a pot of orchids, his expression very calm.

"Master, outside..."

“I know.” Mr. Ma did not turn around. “Reputation is sometimes a blessing and sometimes a curse.”

"Then what should I do?"

"What do you think?" Mr. Ma put down the kettle. "These people all say they're doing this for your own good, but have you felt any kindness from them?"

Liu Wenhao thought for a moment and shook his head. Although those people outside spoke nicely, their eyes were full of calculation.

“That means your intuition was right.” Mr. Ma sat down. “Xiao Hao, what’s being tested now is not your martial arts, but your state of mind.”

As they were talking, Master Chen walked in from outside, looking rather grim.

"Brother, something's happened," Master Chen said. "Someone posted a message online saying that Xiao Hao has agreed to participate in some kind of fighting reality show."

"What?" Liu Wenhao exclaimed in surprise. "When did I agree to that?"

Mr. Chen took out his phone: "See for yourself."

The screen displayed an entertainment news article with the headline: "Exclusive: Liu Wenhao Confirmed to Participate in 'King of Fighters' Reality Show."

The article claims that Liu Wenhao has signed with an entertainment company and will participate in a fighting reality show. The production team also released so-called "signing photos".

The photo is indeed Liu Wenhao's, but it's clearly spliced ​​together from other places.

"These people have gone too far!" Liu Wenhao said angrily. "It's completely fake news!"

Chapter 1272: The Reporter!

"What do we do now?" Master Chen asked worriedly. "The rumors online are so convincing, and many people have believed them."

Mr. Ma frowned. This malicious dissemination of false information has gone beyond the scope of normal business competition.

“This must be clarified,” Liu Wenhao said. “We can’t let them act recklessly like this.”

Just then, Manager Wang rushed in, panting.

"Mr. Liu, something terrible has happened!" Manager Wang exclaimed anxiously. "People from that entertainment company are here, saying the contract has already taken effect and they want you to go record the show immediately!"

"What contract? I've never signed any contract!" Liu Wenhao retorted angrily.

"They say they have your signature and video evidence," Manager Wang said, wiping his sweat. "They're talking to reporters outside right now."

The three exchanged glances, all sensing that this matter was not simple.

“Let’s go take a look.” Liu Wenhao stood up.

Upon arriving at the front gate of the martial arts school, I indeed saw several people in suits being interviewed.

"Liu Wenhao has officially signed with our company," a middle-aged man wearing glasses said to the camera. "The 'King of Fighters' program will start filming next month, and he is our ace fighter."

"What evidence do you have?" the reporter asked.

“Of course.” The middle-aged man took out a document. “This is a contract, and it has Liu Wenhao’s signature on it.”

Liu Wenhao squeezed to the front and saw that there was indeed a signature on the contract, but he was certain that it wasn't his own signature.

"This signature is fake!" Liu Wenhao shouted. "I've never signed a contract like this!"

The middle-aged man's face showed a hint of panic when he saw him appear, but he quickly returned to normal.

“Mr. Liu, it’s all written in black and white in the contract.” The middle-aged man held up the document. “And we also have video evidence.”

As he spoke, he took out a tablet computer and played a video.

The video does show Liu Wenhao signing his name, but Liu Wenhao immediately recognized that it was a composite.

"This video is fake!" Liu Wenhao pointed at the screen. "It's obviously been edited in post-production!"

“Mr. Liu, you could face legal consequences for saying that,” the middle-aged man threatened. “Our company’s legal team is not to be trifled with.”

The reporters watching exchanged bewildered glances. They couldn't tell the truth either, and could only report both sides' accounts as they were.

"If the contract is genuine, why are you afraid to have a professional agency verify the handwriting?" Mr. Ma stepped forward.

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man's expression clearly changed.

“This… verification takes time, but the program recording can’t wait,” the middle-aged man said, forcing a smile. “Mr. Liu must abide by the contract.”

"I'll say it again, I haven't signed any contract!" Liu Wenhao raised his voice. "This is fraud!"

The atmosphere at the scene became tense. The reporters keenly sensed that there was news value in this.

"So, how did you get this signature?" a reporter pressed.

The middle-aged man stammered and couldn't speak.

Just then, Li Qiang suddenly shouted, "I remember now!"

Everyone looked at him.

“A few days ago, someone came to the martial arts school and asked for Senior Brother Liu’s autograph as a souvenir.” Li Qiang pointed to the middle-aged man. “That’s him! He brought a blank piece of paper and asked Senior Brother Liu to sign it!”

These words caused an uproar in the audience.

It turns out these people had planned this all along. They first tricked Liu Wenhao into signing his name, and then tampered with it.

Let's talk about Chapter 1273!

"You...you're talking nonsense!" The middle-aged man's face turned pale. "I don't know this child at all!"

"I have evidence!" Li Qiang pulled out his phone. "I felt something was off at the time, so I secretly took a picture!"

The phone screen displayed the scene from just a few days ago. The image of the middle-aged man holding a piece of white paper, with Liu Wenhao signing it, was clearly visible.

Angry shouts immediately erupted from the scene.

"These people are shameless!"

"They actually used this method to get autographs!"

"They should be called to the police and arrested!"

When the middle-aged man realized his scheme had been exposed, he tried to slip away, but was surrounded by an angry mob.

"Call the police!" someone shouted. "This is a scam!"

Soon, the police arrived at the scene and took the middle-aged man and others away for investigation.

"Mr. Liu, how do you plan to handle this matter?" a reporter asked.

"We will resolve this through legal channels," Liu Wenhao said calmly. "No one should use such despicable means to infringe upon the rights of others."

Watching the police car drive away, Liu Wenhao felt a wave of fear. If it weren't for Li Qiang's quick thinking, he might have really been tricked by these people.

"Xiao Hao, it seems the troubles after becoming famous have only just begun," said Mr. Ma. "You need to be even more careful in the future."

Liu Wenhao nodded. He began to understand that fame can sometimes be a double-edged sword.

When Liu Wenhao returned home that evening, he found his mother talking to a strange woman.

"Son, you're back." The mother stood up and introduced, "This is Attorney Zhang, who specializes in handling entertainment legal disputes."

Attorney Zhang looked to be in his thirties, dressed in a business suit, giving off a very professional vibe.

“Liu, I saw today’s news report,” Attorney Zhang said bluntly. “What you’ve encountered is very common in the entertainment industry.”

"What do you mean?" Liu Wenhao sat down.

“Some unscrupulous companies specifically target newcomers, using various means to force them into signing contracts and then extracting their economic value,” Attorney Zhang explained. “You’re lucky you were able to discover this in time today.”

"What do we do now?" Mom asked worriedly.

"From a legal perspective, the other party is suspected of contract fraud and should bear legal responsibility," said Attorney Zhang. "But the key is to prevent similar incidents from happening again."

How to prevent it?

"The best approach is to set up a personal studio to handle all kinds of business collaborations," Attorney Zhang suggested. "This way, you can avoid direct contact with people who have ulterior motives."

Liu Wenhao considered it for a moment. Setting up a studio sounded good, but he was still in school; how could he have time to manage all that?

"Is there any other way?"

“You can hire a professional brokerage firm to handle things,” said Attorney Zhang. “However, you should choose a reputable firm and carefully review the contract terms.”

As we were talking, the doorbell rang.

Mom went to open the door, and when she came back, her expression was a little strange.

"Son, there's a foreigner outside looking for you."

"A foreigner?" Liu Wenhao frowned. "Could it be Johnson again?"

Upon reaching the door, he saw that it was indeed a foreigner, but not Johnson. The man looked to be in his forties, with gray hair, and was dressed in simple sportswear.

"Hello, I am Peter Anderson." The foreigner introduced himself in fluent Chinese, "Tom Anderson is my son."

Liu Wenhao was taken aback. Tom Anderson was the world champion he had defeated before.

"Mr. Anderson, what can I do for you?"

“I want to talk to you,” Peter said earnestly, “about my son.”

Chapter 1274: Perfunctory!

Liu Wenhao hesitated for a moment, but still invited him inside to sit down.

“First of all, I want to apologize for my son’s previous rudeness,” Peter said as soon as he sat down. “He was too proud and thought he was invincible.”

"You don't need to apologize," Liu Wenhao said. "On the field, everyone relies on their own abilities; winning and losing are normal."

“But my son was completely convinced of his defeat,” Peter smiled. “He said you were the most special opponent he had ever encountered.”

"special?"

“Yes. He said your skills are very comprehensive, but more importantly, your mindset,” Peter explained. “Being able to stay calm in crucial moments is something many professional players can’t do.”

Hearing this praise, Liu Wenhao felt a surge of pride. To receive recognition from a world champion meant his abilities were indeed acknowledged.