71: Chapter 71 Reactions from All Parties

At this time, the Online Public Opinion Monitoring Center of the Jingnan Municipal Bureau also noticed this newly uploaded video on the Moyin Platform.

“Director Fu, I have a situation to report. Our online public opinion monitoring platform just detected a video of a fight. The source of the video is Qinjiawan Village, Lanhong Town, in our Jingnan City. Currently, the video is very popular, and many people have tagged our Municipal Bureau's official account. Do you think we should send someone to look into it?” the head of the Online Public Opinion Center called the Deputy Director in charge, Fu Changlin, to ask for instructions.

Fu Changlin, the Deputy Director of the Jingnan Municipal Bureau of Public Security, had just arrived at work. Before he even had time to brew his tea, he received this call for instructions from the Online Public Opinion Center.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Ever since the bureau implemented this online public opinion monitoring platform, his job as the Deputy Director in charge had become increasingly difficult.

It was often a small task every two days and a major one every three. Yet, the higher-ups didn't value these matters at all. No one cared if things were done well, but if they were handled poorly, countless eyes would be watching.

He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles in this Deputy Director position. Of course, this wasn't the first time Fu Changlin had faced such a situation, so he naturally had experience in handling it.

He gently rubbed his temples and gave instructions over the phone without any sign of panic: “What’s the rush? Go verify it first. See if this video is synthesized or staged. People these days are so desperate to become influencers that they'll use any trick!”

“Yes, Director Fu, you're right. I'll have the Technical Department identify it immediately!” the person in charge replied quickly.

Fu Changlin tapped the desk lightly with his finger, and after a moment of reflection, he continued: “Don't be in such a hurry. Let me finish.”

“Yes, Director Fu, please give your instructions!”

“Also, contact the 110 Command Center to see if they've received any related reports!”

“Yes!”

“Furthermore, we can't just ignore those netizens who tagged us. Have the Publicity Department post a message through the official account, stating that we have noticed the video and will send someone to follow up on the investigation. Any subsequent developments will be released through the official account as soon as possible. Tell the netizens to follow the news rationally and not to believe or spread rumors!”

“Yes, yes, yes, Director Fu, it really has to be you. With your instructions, we have a clear direction for our work!”

“Alright, stop the flattery. Send me the video in a moment; I want to see what's going on myself!”

The head of the Online Public Opinion Center repeatedly agreed and, after hanging up the phone, immediately shared the link to the short video with Fu Changlin.

Fu Changlin clicked on it, and the images in the video made his heart skip a beat. He worried that this was another troublesome case, and his brow gradually furrowed.

He leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms over his chest, and kept his eyes fixed on the screen, thinking to himself: “I’m about to retire; I don't want any unexpected trouble at this time. However, if this video is real, the impact will be significant.”

...

After a long while, Fu Changlin slammed his phone onto the desk and shouted angrily, “This is simply lawless!”

With his years of experience in handling cases, he could tell at a glance that this short video was definitely not staged. The thugs were holding real weapons, and the injuries of the man whose arm was broken were not faked.

If it hadn't been for the impressive skills of the kid being surrounded, he probably would have lost his life by now.

He stood up and paced back and forth in his office, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He knew very well that if this short video were allowed to continue spreading online, it would have a huge negative impact on Jingnan's public security. He only had two years left until retirement, and so many eyes were on him right now. If this wasn't handled properly, who knows what the consequences would be!

Thinking of this, Fu Changlin immediately called back the head of the Online Public Opinion Center. The call was answered quickly, and Fu Changlin skipped the pleasantries, asking directly about the situation: “How is it going?”

The person in charge hurriedly reported: “Director Fu, it's like this: we've just checked with the 110 Command Center, and they haven't received any related reports. Also, the technicians in the video identification department have confirmed that the short video is neither synthesized nor staged; it should be a real occurrence.”

“Additionally, our technical team performed facial recognition on the people in the video. The man whose arm was broken is named Chen Hu, an ex-convict who served several years for operating an Underground Bank, gambling, and organizing gang-related activities. We have a file on him in our System. He currently runs several pool halls, bars, and other entertainment venues on Jingnan Bar Street. Director Fu, do you think we should send someone to look into the situation?”

Fu Changlin pondered for a moment and then said firmly, “Nonsense! Of course we have to send someone to investigate! Furthermore, I suspect this isn't just a simple brawl, but a gang-related criminal activity! Notify the Lanhong Town police and have them respond immediately; they must investigate the matter thoroughly. At the same time, notify the Moyin Platform to immediately limit the traffic to that short video and blur the relevant people and images!”

“Yes!”

Shortly after hanging up the phone, two police cars with sirens wailing and lights flashing drove out of the Lanhong Town Police Station in two different directions.

Even though the Jingnan Municipal Bureau had contacted the Moyin Platform in time, the speed of online transmission was truly terrifying. In just over ten minutes, this short video had already reached the top ten of the trending list, with the number of views reaching nearly two million, and countless likes, bookmarks, and shares.

...

At this time, in an apartment in the suburbs of Modu, Qin Yi's dorm brother, Wang Tengfei, was shirtless and pumping iron in his room.

Unexpectedly, with a sudden 'bang', Xin Mingyuan pushed open the door to Wang Tengfei's bedroom. Holding his phone, he said with a face full of excitement, “Big Brother, look quickly! It's Fourth Brother! Something happened to Fourth Brother...”

Wang Tengfei held his breath, laboriously lowering the 50kg barbell. He then glared at Xin Mingyuan and said, drenched in sweat, “I say, Yuan'er, can you knock next time you come in! Don't startle me like that. If I hadn't held this thing steady and it fell, my foot would be ruined...”

“Hey, Big Brother, isn't 50kg a piece of cake for you? Don't be so dramatic!” Xin Mingyuan said as he held his phone in front of Wang Tengfei, continuing, “Look quickly, it's Fourth Brother. Something happened at Fourth Brother's home...”

“What is it... Didn't Fourth Brother go back to his hometown in Jingnan? What could happen...” Wang Tengfei said, his gaze shifting to Xin Mingyuan's phone.

After a long while, Wang Tengfei's gaze switched back and forth between the phone and Xin Mingyuan's face. Pointing at the frozen image on the phone, he said with a shocked expression, “This... is this really Fourth Brother? Since when did Fourth Brother become so powerful?”

“Haha, I don't know either... Oh, wait, what time is it? I just called Fourth Brother and he didn't answer, and I sent a WeChat message but he didn't reply. I don't know if anything happened to him,” Xin Mingyuan said anxiously.

Wang Tengfei's eyes rolled as he thought it over. “He should be fine. Looking at Fourth Brother's skills, even with so many people fighting him, he's okay. Ordinary people can't hurt him. But when did Fourth Brother learn martial arts? I've never heard him mention it before... No, I have to call him and ask too.”

...

Coincidentally, at the door of a girls' dormitory at Modu University, a girl with her hair in a bun carrying a basket of soup dumplings and two cups of millet porridge pushed the door open and entered.

That girl was none other than Zhao Ying, who had kept Qin Yi's graduation gown for him at the school gate that day.

It was already summer break, and out of the original four-person dorm, only she and another girl hadn't gone home.

Zhao Ying put the breakfast on the desk below the bed, reached out to tap the metal bed frame, and urged, “Yoyo, wake up! It's almost nine o'clock. Why aren't you up yet? I bought you soup dumplings and porridge. Get up and eat!”

“Wow... Thanks, Ying'er, you're the best!” The girl called Yoyo immediately pulled back the bed curtain. Wearing only her underwear, she poked her head out to look down. When she saw the breakfast on the desk, she hurriedly thanked her, “So generous! Here, a sweet kiss for you...” As she spoke, the girl blew a kiss to Zhao Ying.

“Tch...” Zhao Ying gave a knowing smile and walked straight to the balcony, saying as she went, “Get up already! Honestly, you don't even go home for the holidays and just spend all day cooped up in bed!”

At this time, on the drying rack on the dormitory balcony, Qin Yi's academic gown swayed gently in the wind.

Yoyo pulled back the bed curtain as if no one were there, threw on a nightgown, and climbed down the ladder. Then, while tying her hair, she looked at Zhao Ying standing on the balcony and said, “What? Don't tell me you're still thinking about that Qin Yi?”

Hearing this, Zhao Ying's face turned slightly red, and she said awkwardly without looking back, “No way, I just came over to see if the clothes were dry.”

“Tch, still saying no... Don't worry, they've been hanging for a day and a night; they're definitely dry!” The girl said as she rummaged through the breakfast bag, took a bite of a dumpling, and took a few sips of millet porridge. With a satisfied look, she said, “Ah, dumplings and porridge—this life is just too blissful.”

Zhao Ying took down the dry academic gown and changed the subject, asking, “What did you do last night? Why did you come back so late?”

“What else could I do? I was working. Let me tell you, I got a gig as an extra yesterday, the kind with lines... Hehe...” Yoyo said excitedly.

When Zhao Ying heard this, she also became interested. Although she was a music major, she was also quite interested in acting, so she curiously followed up, “Really? What kind of play was it? Who were you acting with? Were there any stars?”

Yoyo smiled mysteriously, “Of course there were stars. But I wasn't exactly acting with them... just one line...”

“What line?” Zhao Ying asked as she folded Qin Yi's academic gown, placed it in a plastic shopping bag, and put it in the wardrobe.

“Ah...” Yoyo didn't say anything more after saying that word.

“Huh?” Zhao Ying turned her head to look at Yoyo and continued curiously, “What did you say?”

“Ah...” Yoyo repeated it again.

“I really don't get you. What on earth are you saying...” Zhao Ying walked behind Yoyo, placed her hand on her shoulder, and threatened, “If you don't speak properly, don't blame me for being rude...”

“It's just 'Ah'... 'Ah', just one word!” Yoyo didn't want to be tickled by Zhao Ying, so she immediately explained decisively.

“Just the word 'Ah'?” Zhao Ying immediately lost interest. Thinking about it, she continued to tease, “So, were you playing a corpse again?”

“Hehe, everything is hard at the beginning... Even if I'm playing a corpse, it's a corpse with a line...” Yoyo puffed out her chest proudly and continued, “Also, the executive director of that play yesterday told me he thinks highly of me and said if there's a chance, he could recommend me for a small supporting role...”

Zhao Ying was noncommittal and reminded her, “Yoyo, there are many bad people in the film and television industry. I'm mainly worried that you'll be swindled. Doesn't the news always say that people pretend to be directors or talent scouts specifically to target young girls like you who haven't seen much of the world?”

“Tch, the person who can swindle me, Yoyo, hasn't been born yet! Don't worry, I, Yoyo, have seen all kinds of people. Besides, that executive director was just saying it; nothing is set in stone yet...” Yoyo said nonchalantly, continuing to take bites of the soup dumplings as if she hadn't taken Zhao Ying's warning to heart at all.

Suddenly, Yoyo said again, “Oh, by the way, I just scrolled to a video, it's so intense! One person fighting a whole group! Holy crap, that guy is way too handsome!!!”

Then, Yoyo stuffed the remaining half of the soup dumpling into her mouth and climbed the bed ladder to get her phone from the bed.

“Look quickly, see if that handsome guy is hot or not?” Yoyo said as she shared the short video with Zhao Ying, continuing, “I shared the video with you, check it out!”

Zhao Ying took her phone out of her bag, opened Douyin, and received a private message from Yoyo. Clicking on the message, several unread historical messages appeared.

Clicking into the latest message, the Douyin App automatically jumped to the trending channel.

Looking at the man in the video, Zhao Ying's brow gradually furrowed. She pressed the pause button to freeze the image and then enlarged the man's face in the video.

Immediately after, Zhao Ying's mouth dropped open in shock, “This... isn't this Senior Qin Yi?”

Yoyo leaned over with the half-finished cup of porridge and asked curiously, “Who? Which one is your Senior Qin Yi?”

Zhao Ying pointed to the man in the frozen frame and continued, “It's him! He is Senior Qin Yi!”

Yoyo looked at Zhao Ying and then at Qin Yi in the video with a shocked expression, asking in disbelief, “Ying'er, are you sure he's the Senior Qin Yi you mentioned? Your Senior Qin Yi is this powerful? Fighting a whole group alone without getting hurt...”

“This... I, I don't know either... I never heard that he knew martial arts...” Zhao Ying shook her head in confusion.

“Then why don't you give him a call and ask! Don't you have a crush on him? This is perfect. Call him to show your concern. Maybe this handsome senior will be moved and fall for you?” Yoyo urged from the side.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ying then said, “But, but I don't have his phone number...”

“Oh, Ying'er, don't tell me you only agreed to help him keep his clothes and didn't even ask for a phone number?” Yoyo facepalmed, looking at Zhao Ying with a hint of exasperation in her eyes.

Zhao Ying nodded with some regret and then said, “It happened so suddenly at the time, I just forgot about asking for his number...”