16: Chapter 16 Cyberbullying? Come on, let's hurt each other!

He opened it, and the replies, rife with anatomical insults, almost made Lin Ning explode with rage.

Initially, Lin Ning didn't plan to pay attention to those who were just purely insulting him without any substance; he only replied to those who accused him or raised doubts.

Later, he thought, to hell with it—are they all freaking idiots?

You argue that the blogger didn't show the so-called attacker because the story wouldn't hold water if they did; after all, what kind of bully is a delivery man?

The other party replies: 'The third-generation elite has come out to whitewash.'

Lin Ning: '???'

You argue that a clip with the beginning and end cut off, paired with a story of unknown veracity, makes you think the country is doomed?

The other party replies: 'The third-generation elite has come out to whitewash.'

You argue that this is Capital, not some small town, and the police wouldn't risk their futures to act as someone's enforcer just because of a favor.

The other party replies: 'The third-generation elite has come out to whitewash.'

To hell with your 'third-generation elite coming out to whitewash'!

And then there were those who continued to greet him with 'grass' and various animals.

We're all modern netizens; you want to see who's filthier? He had fought his way from Hupu to Tianya and even raided Tieba along the way; who was afraid of whom?

He grabbed his phone and went to battle!

By the time he received the call from Officer Li Feng, Lin Ning had been cursing for nearly three hours.

"Hello!" Lin Ning's tone still carried a hint of anger.

Officer Li Feng: "...What's wrong with you?"

Only then did Lin Ning realize it was Officer Li Feng calling.

Calming his emotions, he said, "It's nothing, just having a spat with someone online."

Officer Li Feng: "Huh?"

Lin Ning: "It's about what happened yesterday. Someone probably recorded it, edited a clip, and posted it online, distorting the truth. Can you believe state media even reposted it? I tried to explain it to them, but this bunch of idi—... this bunch of people still insulted me!"

Lin Ning gave Officer Li Feng a detailed account of what had happened.

Officer Li Feng: "...Send me the link in a bit so I can take a look."

Officer Li Feng was used to such things. After thinking for a moment, he said to Lin Ning, "We will definitely issue a police report. We can also release the surveillance footage from that time with you blurred out to prove your words."

Lin Ning's head instantly cooled down. "No! No need!"

As Lin Ning's rising anger subsided, he had his own considerations. He said carefully, "I just got worked up by those netizens for a moment. It's fine; it doesn't matter whether people believe it or not. Even with a blur, I don't want to show my face."

Lin Ning was clearly trying his best to avoid becoming famous or showing his face.

He was in the business of reporting people. What if someone he followed later paid special attention to him because his face looked familiar?

Or what if a report failed and they retaliated against him?

Nowadays, there are far too many software programs that can remove mosaics; he currently lacked the confidence and strength to take such risks.

Officer Li Feng was surprised by his attitude and persistence, but he respected it.

Switching to the main reason for the call, he said, "Do you have time to come to the station tomorrow morning? There's some information to fill out for your Courageous Act application."

Lin Ning hesitated slightly. "Maybe don't apply for it on my behalf."

Inwardly, Lin Ning still wanted the honor, but he had the same concerns as before—would he have to take photos or be interviewed?

Officer Li Feng was a bit confused. "Do you have some concerns?"

Lin Ning: "I don't want to be interviewed, and I don't want photos or anything reported. You guys probably have publicity tasks, right?"

Officer Li Feng found it even stranger. If it weren't for the fact that they could look up all of Lin Ning's information, he would have thought he was a wanted criminal or something, being so afraid of showing his face.

Officer Li Feng advised, "Besides the honor, there's also prize money for a Courageous Act. Our Chief said that in addition to what the city gives, our station will add a portion of prize money as well."

Hearing about the prize money, Lin Ning hesitated. Even a mosquito's leg is meat, and there was also the certificate.

Lin Ning: "Then can we skip the photos for publicity?"

Officer Li Feng was speechless, but then he had a sudden flash of inspiration. "Are you afraid that Li Zhijun will retaliate once he's out of prison?"

Officer Li Feng felt a bit guilty thinking about this. Being attacked at the Police Station and having a citizen step in to help—if he really was targeted by a madman, it would indeed be quite dangerous.

Lin Ning actually hadn't thought about Li Zhijun; in his mind, spies were more dangerous. "...Ah, right! That guy is pretty vicious."

Li Zhijun did have a history of retaliation, so it was indeed quite dangerous.

Officer Li Feng said, "Alright, I'll report this to the Chief. Don't worry, we'll do our best to ensure your safety."

Lin Ning smiled sheepishly. "I believe in you guys." It seemed like he was being very cowardly, but before he had absolute confidence, Lin Ning prioritized caution. This was about his 'money-making' future and his life!

He hung up the phone.

Lin Ning tossed his phone aside; he had wasted an entire evening.

Better to read! The books Lawyer Zhang recommended were quite numerous and a bit difficult.

Before going to sleep, Lin Ning received another call from Officer Li Feng, telling him there was a solution and asking him to come over tomorrow morning to discuss it.

Lin Ning readily agreed.

When he arrived at the Police Station the next day, Officer Li Feng greeted him and took him directly to an inner office.

Chief Zhang was standing by a desk, watching a refined young police officer operate a computer.

Lin Ning greeted him politely, "Hello, Director Zhang!"

Chief Zhang smiled upon seeing Lin Ning, took him by the arm, and patted his shoulder affectionately. "Good! You're doing good!"

They had later discovered that the 'iron lump' from that day was actually chambered. Furthermore, questioning Li Zhijun revealed that he had come specifically to retaliate against Qiu Liang and intended to take several others with him.

In essence, Lin Ning had directly saved Qiu Liang and his other colleagues, resolving the crisis.

If that gun had actually gone off that day, it would have been a massive blow to the prestige of the public security. Such a blow would have many negative repercussions, such as reducing the deterrence against criminals and a broken windows effect of criminals retaliating against police officers.

So, how could Director Zhang not treasure Lin Ning?

Director Zhang said, "Come and see the solution we came up with yesterday."

He pulled Lin Ning to the desk.

"The surveillance from that day has been exported. If we need to release a video for clarification, we'll use AI face-swapping on you and then apply a mosaic. I've also heard that many software programs can unblur mosaics now? That's not a good thing; the state should introduce laws to regulate this."

Director Zhang sighed; technology was developing so fast that laws and regulations couldn't keep up.

Director Zhang continued, "I've also told the publicity department that if cooperation is needed for publicity, no photos will be published."

Could it really be done that way? Face-swapping under a mosaic?

Lin Ning felt a bit embarrassed. "I was being a bit cowardly."

Chief Zhang, however, disagreed and even showed some appreciation. "That's not being cowardly; that's being cautious! Caution is good. If everyone had a corresponding awareness of prevention, criminals wouldn't have an opportunity to strike. Prevention is much more effective than making amends after the fact!"

How many cases and tragedies would this prevent!

Chief Zhang said, "Don't worry about so-called 'face,' and don't go vying for the kind of courage defined by others! You need to be responsible for yourself! Besides, if you were really cowardly, how would you have dared to charge in at the critical moment?"