114: Successive exposures

"Are film sets this violent, just beating people up directly?"

"What do you mean true or false? Have you forgotten what Hong Kong used to be like?"

Countless people commented, sharing their own perspectives.

Such news instantly drowned out the discussions about Li Xiuwu.

The public began to condemn the inhumane behavior of Hong Kong entertainment companies.

The Hong Kong Circle was shocked, and some Hong Kong Artists expressed their views when interviewed.

Huang Gou: "Although everyone had it rough back then, everyone was free."

Many people contacted internet companies directly, asking them to ban these reports.

"Our company's forum is an open and free forum. As long as no rumors are posted or illegal activities are conducted, we maintain an open and tolerant attitude," replied Tianya customer service.

"Baidu is a public search website. The news involved this time is not a rumor; there are pictures and the truth. The public has the right to know the truth of the news."

"Who the hell are you? Why should I listen to you?" a department head at NetEase cursed directly.

Most internet companies were just perfunctory.

This shouldn't be happening!

Someone felt something was wrong. When the rumors about Li Xiuwu broke out, these internet companies didn't handle them like this.

Those rumors were deleted before they even fermented. Why, when it comes to news about the Hong Kong Circle, are they suddenly uncooperative and unwilling to agree?

Hong Kong actresses, the truth about adult films.

From breaking at noon, spreading in the afternoon, and fermenting by evening, with physical media joining in, the news could no longer be covered up, and the public opinion regarding Li Xiuwu was completely buried.

The Hong Kong Circle in the past was indeed chaotic; let alone actresses, many male artists were also victims of it.

Some people instead seized the opportunity to speak out publicly and distance themselves from the past.

"We were also forced to shoot films. We had no say back then." Dwarf Zeng took the initiative to accept an interview, discussing how he was forced to shoot works back then, as well as the oppression that society placed on all artists.

Many Hong Kong Artists were there, condemning that era together and revealing that they were also victims of that time.

Such statements immediately aroused public sympathy, with people feeling that this was not the fault of the Hong Kong Circle, but the fault of that era and the crimes committed by those gangs; it shouldn't implicate the current Hong Kong Circle and Hong Kong Artists.

"You really are lucky," Liu Xiaoli sighed in the Courtyard House.

For such news to break out in the Hong Kong Circle at this time completely covered up the public opinion about Li Xiuwu.

"Yeah, lucky," Li Xiuwu nodded. That's right, he was just that lucky.

One move affects the whole situation. Releasing a hungry tiger—who it eats is anyone's guess.

After three days, just as public opinion was developing for the better, another bombshell was released.

An audio recording of a conversation between Dwarf Zeng and Wong Kar-wai was released.

Dwarf Zeng detailed how he drugged and raped several actresses, commented on them, discussed his feelings during the process, and chatted happily about the threats and suppression of the victims afterwards.

Wong Kar-wai also talked about his casting, mentioning people coming to his room, and commented on the actresses who had visited.

The appearance of this news spread even more rapidly. Just when the media was regretting that public opinion was about to settle down, it was like a bucket of hot oil being poured on it.

In a room, Dwarf Zeng was happily drinking and chatting with a few friends.

"Haha, I don't know who leaked the news, but it actually gained me more support."

Dwarf Zeng, with his duck-like voice, laughed loudly. At first, he was indeed a bit anxious, but after being reminded and changing his mindset, the results were indeed quite good.

"Those mainlanders are all willing to believe it, hahaha, it kills me, come on, let's have another drink."

"A bunch of rabble, what do they know? It's whatever we say it is," an artist flattered him.

Everyone was chatting and laughing.

"It's just that the Li Xiuwu matter was suppressed, and the goal of having the relevant departments in Beijing step in wasn't achieved," someone said.

"That's Albert Yeung's business. Whether his godson lives or dies has nothing to do with us. It would be best if he rots in prison," Dwarf Zeng snorted coldly.

Dwarf Zeng and Emperor Entertainment Group were not on good terms. In 2001, he was attacked by people arranged by Emperor Entertainment Group and had 29 stitches in his head.

"Mr. Zeng." Just then, someone burst in.

"So reckless, don't you know how to do things?" his duck-like voice scolded, a look of gloom on his face.

"Mr. Zeng, it's bad. Some dirt on you has appeared on the internet, and it's already spreading."

"What dirt?" Dwarf Zeng didn't care at all. He was a big shot to begin with, and there had never been a shortage of dirt on him.

"Your private conversation with Wong Kar-wai has been exposed." The person couldn't explain it clearly, so he immediately took out a laptop and placed it on the table.

As soon as the audio started, Dwarf Zeng's face changed. It was his voice. After a few segments of dialogue, he seemed to recall when it was said.

"Take the news down immediately!" Before the audio had finished playing, he roared in his duck-like voice.

"Mr. Zeng, it's too late. The internet has already spread it everywhere, and physical media has already started reporting it. This was spread back from the mainland, and the media here in Hong Kong has also followed up."

He clenched his fists, trying hard to calm himself down.

"Arrange for people immediately. Say it's synthetic, that someone used technology to synthesize it. Contact Wong Kar-wai and unify our story."

Dwarf Zeng was truly someone who had risen from Stunt Performers to become a big shot in the film and television industry. He quickly calmed down, analyzed the situation, and made a judgment.

"Spend money, get the media to clarify, and spread other rumors." He issued the order decisively.

As long as he could confuse the public, the impact of the incident on him wouldn't be too great.

He had long had countless pieces of dirt on him; as long as there was no hard evidence, nothing mattered.

Dwarf Zeng and Wong Kar-wai clarified quickly.

They announced to the outside world that this was synthesized audio and that they had already called the police.

"We hope to severely crack down on this kind of criminal behavior," Dwarf Zeng said.

This time, the news spread just as widely. Dwarf Zeng had always faced accusations in this regard, but lacked legal support.

However, this kind of self-exposure, having a private conversation recorded, could not be used as evidence.

During the spread of this news, Joey Yung posted four "Hahahaha"s, which attracted the attention of many people.

The media had gone crazy. Someone had the audio verified, proving it was real.

"Damn, two days ago, he was still saying he was a victim of the old society. Good grief, in a turn of events, he's become the perpetrator."

"This animal, after raping them, he still suppressed them. He's lower than a pig or dog."

"In the Hong Kong Circle, he really covers the sky with one hand. Is there no way to convict him?"

"It seems there really isn't. Too much time has passed, there's no other evidence, and this kind of recording cannot be used as evidence."

Everyone believed that he had really done those things, but without evidence, there was nothing they could do.

This was not an era where you could be convicted just based on a woman's testimony.

Wong Kar-wai, who was exposed at the same time for having slept with many women, also suffered the impact, was reported by the media, and was attacked by the public.

However, he didn't use force after all; it was all those actresses who took the initiative to enter his room.

Compared with Dwarf Zeng, he still seemed like a human being.