They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"And how did my granddaughter react?"

"Based on other people's reactions, it should be..."

After hanging up the phone, Jin Shuheng rubbed his temples.

"I wish that little bastard was just a player who could be easily manipulated or a proper referee."

He gave a bitter smile in the darkness.

"He's neither a referee nor a player—that guy's a fucking lunatic who's strapped bombs to the stands and's ready to blow the whole stadium to smithereens at the drop of a hat!"

There may be geniuses of 14 everywhere, but those who inadvertently reveal a terrifying madness in their words and deeds, yet pretend to be as lively and energetic as ordinary people, are extremely rare.

Jin Shuheng thought for a moment, then picked up his phone and sent that guy a message.

I will continue to carry out the tasks you asked me and my team to do—I hope this won't affect our personal relationship. After all, you see, I'm the one who found your part-time jobs, right?

After a long while, he finally received a reply from the other party.

Indeed, I forgot to mention it in my rush to leave – remember to transfer the final payment for the part-time job.

[Next chapter preview: "The signs of incitement are too obvious. However, there are also doubts. As far as incitement is concerned, the viewpoints presented seem too restrained."]

I wonder if they'll get paid more than me.

It really is something you learn from journalism.

"It's quite rare for you and the class monitor to disagree."

Chapter 79: The Sacrifice

"The Qiu Luxi incident is escalating," "Actress or delinquent?" "31-year-old extra reveals details," "Accusations from students of Linwai!"

Wow, that's amazing! Out of ten trending topics, four are about Qiu Luxi.

I pressed the lock screen button on my phone, placed it on the table, and stretched.

The first headline seems somewhat rushed, the second is very provocative, and the third and fourth—they really do look like they've learned journalism, even including numbers and a populist perspective.

I see that the grey market is quite well-equipped with talent; there's no problem with the quality of the workforce that Uncle Gold Tooth mentioned. Oh, but this could also be outsourced to professional online troll teams.

"Did you see those headlines?"

Sitting down in front of me, Chen Di said with a slight frown.

"The incitement is too obvious. However, there are also doubts. As far as incitement is concerned, the viewpoints expressed seem too restrained."

"Based on your guess, how long will it take before they start displaying signs saying 'Qiu Luxi, get out of the entertainment industry'?"

I shook my head.

"Let's put aside that doubt for now. As onlookers, we can't see the actual data behind these trending topics. Even if they do make it to the top of the trending list, only those people know how much of it is fabricated data and how much is genuine. But even with the most optimistic estimate, it'll probably only last a day or two."

"After all, the base number of clicks is there, right?"

"Well, even if 99 out of 100 people are paid trolls, when the number of views reaches a million, the message will spread exponentially."

Chen Di gave me a subtle look.

"...What? Just because you're bad at math doesn't mean you can't use exponents?" I said irritably.

"No, it's just that even so, you don't seem to be in a particularly hurry."

"Would you believe me if I said it was because I didn't care?"

Chen Di laughed.

"But I will still deal with the trouble I caused myself."

"Wow, which handsome guy said that? He was so righteous and spirited!" I exclaimed.

“Yes, yes. Although I don’t know exactly what you did, you probably feel guilty about Qiu Luxi’s current situation, right?” Chen Di gestured to my phone on the table with his eyes.

"If you really didn't care, you wouldn't even look at the trending topics, right?"

"Oh, don't let my appearance fool you, I actually quite enjoy watching gossip."

I rejected this guy's moral blackmail and shrugged.

"But being used as a pawn really annoys me. Why are you so concerned? Were you also...?"

Who would have thought, Chen Di, that you with your thick eyebrows and big eyes were actually an undercover agent!

I wonder if they'll get paid more than me.

"Although I don't know what you're thinking, I'll deny it first."

Chen Di sighed.

"Seeing how Ms. Lai Ruhui acted yesterday made me somewhat unhappy. Moreover, as a senior in the same club, seeing my junior being treated maliciously made me feel a bit aggrieved."

Good heavens, isn't this guy a little too righteous and upright?

"Oh, but most importantly, the alliance between me and junior Qiu Luxi to trick you hasn't been abolished yet, so as an ally, I naturally need to help her."

Chen Di changed the subject and looked at me.

"I want this alliance dissolved as soon as possible!!!"

I rolled my eyes hard.

"Haha. I feel like my slightly agitated mood has improved a lot since seeing the trending topic—so, I only have a vague outline of what to do next. What about you, do you have any specific plans?"

……

"How about it?"

After I told Chen Di my thoughts, he remained silent.

"Do you want me to tell the truth?"

"of course."

"I think it's better to choose mine."

Wait, really?

"While your outline is an overly modest statement, the details and follow-up progress are still not perfect, right? As for execution, I'm very confident in my plan."

"This isn't a question of execution..."

"Um, are you two arguing?"

A sudden female voice interrupted my discussion with Chen Di.

"No, it was just a rare discussion with some disagreements."

I shrugged.

"It's really rare for you and the class monitor to disagree."

An Yu nodded and glanced at our lit-up phone screens.

"You guys are also discussing Qiu Luxi's situation... and people online are starting to believe it more and more."

As she spoke, she secretly glanced at me.

"This is where we just disagreed."

Seeing that I didn't seem to intend to explain to An Yu, Chen Di spoke up first.

"So you guys really are thinking about how to help junior Qiu Luxi, right? And you already have a plan?"

“Yes, mine was rejected by Chen Di.”

I glanced at Chen Di, who was frowning.

"Eh?"

An Yu looked at Chen Di.

"Squad leader, just trust Ning Ruoyu. If it's his idea and he's willing to discuss it with you, then it will definitely solve the problem!"

"Ah, I have no doubt that his method can solve the problem."

Chen Di smiled wryly.

"Then why object?"

"Because this guy wants to set up a target."

Chen Di said helplessly.

I remained silent.

It's actually very simple.

It's already the second day, and the underlying logic of the negative public opinion trending on social media is that Qiu Luxi, as an idol, used her high status to bully people of lower status. This is a very sensitive point for the public because most people are ordinary people in life and have a natural dissatisfaction and resistance to oppression from those in positions of power.

Students may feel the pressure from upperclassmen, working professionals may feel the pressure from seniority and authority, and even housewives may struggle with mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships. Most people sympathize with the weak because they represent the majority of society, and people are more likely to empathize with them.

Instead of shouting "Qiu Luxi is innocent!" "She did not oppress anyone!" "Qiu Luxi was slandered!" in the online frenzy, and then being overwhelmed by online trolls and angry onlookers, it would be better to directly regain the attention of the already agitated masses and let a more shocking fact wash away their heated thoughts.

For example—"Actually, Qiu Luxi herself is the victim of being relentlessly pursued."

Although logically, arguing that a = c does not mean a ≠ b, people in reality just buy into it.

This kind of exposure, which is completely different from the original understanding, will turn the one-sided condemnation into two voices, and fans who dare not speak up for their idols because of the frequent negative revelations will also have the confidence to stand up and share the fire.

When two opposing attitudes arise online regarding this matter, the only way to resolve the issue is to provide concrete evidence from each side.

In this respect, the truth clearly has a greater chance of winning. Fabricated evidence will always run out of power eventually.

"I'm just creating an environment where everyone can express their views fairly; don't simplistically describe it as setting up a target."

I shrugged. Then we can play the card that was sealed away by the opponent first, Wu Yuehua, making it much easier to change the course of public opinion.

"In the current environment, considering that even platforms can be bought off, my method, which can strike once and for all and change the public opinion situation, has the highest success rate."

Even if a video of Qiu Luxi as a victim is posted online, it will still cause a backlash in public opinion, even if the video is quickly taken down.

"Yes, it's such a useful method. Guess why public relations companies rarely use it."

Chen Di's tone was filled with displeasure and disapproval.

...I dislike smart people.

"Why?" An Yu seemed not to have reacted yet.

"Because offerings are needed."

Chen Di looked at me and said, word by word.

"We need a sacrifice that will be nailed to public hatred regardless of who wins or loses in public opinion."

"Even public relations firms would find it hard to find a scapegoat that is trustworthy and willing to sacrifice themselves."

[Next chapter preview: "The simplest and most effective method is still this, isn't it?"]

As long as we win, we can wash our hands of everything.

"I don't care whether I win or lose. But I don't want you to lose."

Out of respect for the gray market in this world, I'd conservatively estimate my chances of winning to be around 90%.

Chapter 80: I'll be your lead singer!

“Absolutely not!!!”

The last chat during break ended with An Yu shouting anxiously at me.

Although I attracted a lot of strange looks from the class as before, their attention was now focused on the trending topics, and I didn't have time to pay attention to these issues.

Chen Di was absolutely right. Regardless of who wins or loses in the end, the unlucky guy who was responsible for harassing Qiu Luxi is beyond saving.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not that much of a saint. Although it's hard to say, I'm definitely not going to just sit here and wait to be killed. In this regard, whoever leaks this video online is a huge area where they can manipulate things.

However, in the short term, it is indeed as Chen Di said. Someone has to act as a sacrifice to create a counterbalancing wave of public opinion.

"The simplest and most effective way is still this."

On the rooftop, I spoke to Qiu Luxi, whom I had called out.

Due to the trending topic, most of her activities have been suspended. These activities include not only idol activities but also the entire arts club's activities, which have been forced to "suspend" by the school. With teachers supervising in the club room, the only way for the two of them to have a proper private chat is to activate this "secret base."