Chapter 84: Zhang Yang and Lin Xiaohe Caught in the Turmoil

“The Voice” became a sensation, turning into a phenomenon among variety shows. Its popularity, however, brought Jiang Yun into the eye of a public storm. In Jiang Yun’s team, two contestants had gotten into trouble.

With the show’s explosive rise, netizens began probing the inspirational stories of its contestants, and the immense power of the internet soon led to the exposure of Lin Xiaohé’s past as a pickpocket.

“Sigh, who would have thought? Such a gentle, sweet girl, and she’s actually a thief!”

“Tell me about it!”

The internet was awash with rumors and condemnation, all labeling Lin Xiaohé as a thief. The other contestant, Zhang Yang, was not spared either; he’d been accused of plagiarism by a friend.

Both incidents shot them straight to the top of trending searches.

Shocking! A contestant from Jiang Yun’s team on “The Voice” is a thief!

Shocking! A contestant from Jiang Yun’s team plagiarized!

Zhang Yang and Lin Xiaohé were both thrust onto the headlines, and netizens relentlessly attacked the pair, dragging Jiang Yun into the fray.

“What on earth? Plagiarism and theft—what kind of team is this?”

“Jiang Yun’s team is really something else. You get all sorts in there!”

“Jiang Yun, if you don’t swap out Zhang Yang and Lin Xiaohé, I won’t watch this show anymore!”

“+1”

“+10086”

The organizers responded swiftly, immediately revoking both contestants’ qualifications.

Lin Xiaohé sat in her rented apartment, arms wrapped around her knees on the bed. Though she was no stranger to the ways of the world, the blow was still unbearable. One moment she was everyone’s beloved honey girl, the next she was a rat scorned by all. Heaven and hell in an instant, like riding a rollercoaster.

Her past as a pickpocket had been exposed. Netizens’ affection turned to loathing.

The stage of “The Voice” was intoxicating; Lin Xiaohé truly didn’t want to leave so abruptly. Yet, overwhelmed by the barrage of attacks online, she was consumed by pain.

She picked up her phone and made a decision.

“Ring ring!”

Jiang Yun answered.

“Mr. Jiang Yun.”

“What is it?” Jiang Yun asked.

“I want to withdraw from ‘The Voice’.”

“Sigh…” Jiang Yun sighed. Withdrawal seemed like the right choice given the circumstances; he himself was at a loss. He didn’t tell Lin Xiaohé that she’d already been disqualified, worried it would hit her too hard.

He comforted her, “Xiaohé, you made mistakes in the past, but you’ve changed. Whether you compete or not doesn’t matter; you still have to live your life. I think everyone deserves another chance.”

“Thank you, Mr. Jiang Yun. You don’t have to advise me. I’ve made up my mind. I suppose my qualification has already been revoked?”

Jiang Yun was silent for a long time. “Alright then, Xiaohé. I hope this won’t weigh on you for too long.”

“Okay.”

“Beep… beep…”

Lin Xiaohé hung up.

Jiang Yun fell silent, sitting in his office and staring at the clock.

Misfortune never comes alone—Zhang Yang, too, was in distress.

Accused of plagiarism, his qualification had been revoked. Zhang Yang sat in his rented apartment and dialed a number.

“Hán Hán, why did you do this?”

A voice came over the line, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Hán Hán, why did you jump out and accuse me of plagiarism? Why did you take my song and register the copyright?”

“Sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Beep… beep…”

Listening to the busy tone, Zhang Yang was at a loss, nearly in tears. He didn’t want to leave the stage of “The Voice,” especially now that Jiang Yun had recognized his talent. He truly didn’t want to quit.

A sense of despair enveloped him.

“Mr. Jiang Yun, Mr. Jiang Yun!” Zhang Yang repeated Jiang Yun’s name in anguish.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up, “That’s right, I still have Mr. Jiang Yun—he must be able to help me!”

He dialed Jiang Yun’s number.

“Beep… beep… The number you dialed is currently busy. Please try again later!”

“No answer?!”

“Forget it, I can’t explain this over the phone. It’s better to speak face-to-face.”

Zhang Yang went to Jiang Yun’s company building, took the elevator to the thirteenth floor.

Arriving at Canghai Manor Entertainment Company, Zhang Yang walked straight in without greeting anyone.

“Hello, what are you here for?”

“I need to see Mr. Jiang Yun!”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No!”

“Sorry, without an appointment you can’t go in.”

Zhang Yang frowned, thought for a moment, and decided to wait for Jiang Yun to finish work.

He stood silently at the door.

Two staff members noticed him waiting and frowned.

“Hello, if you don’t have business here, you should leave.”

“Can’t I just stand here?”

“Well…”

The other staff member tugged her colleague’s sleeve, “Isn’t he one of the contestants from the boss’s show?”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I think he was accused of plagiarism and got disqualified.”

They whispered to each other.

“So he’s a plagiarist, huh!”

“Bang!”

That remark reached Zhang Yang’s ears, and he flared up instantly, “Listen up, I am NOT a plagiarist!”

The two pretended to be bewildered, “We didn’t say anything.”

“You were gossiping just now, calling me a plagiarist!”

“You must have misheard.”

“Hmph!” Zhang Yang couldn’t be bothered to argue, turning to walk further inside.

The staff moved to block him, “What are you doing?”

“Move aside, I need to see Mr. Jiang Yun!”

“No appointment, no entry!”

“That’s right, you can’t go in without an appointment!” They blocked his way.

“Move!” Zhang Yang pushed one of them.

“You dare push me?” The staff immediately shoved back.

“Will you move or not?”

“No!”

The two began grappling with Zhang Yang, accidentally tearing his shirt.

Zhang Yang grew furious, “So, you dare hit me now!”

“You brought this on yourself.”

They grabbed at his arms.

Zhang Yang resisted, and the three were soon entangled in a scuffle.

Outnumbered, Zhang Yang was pinned to the ground.

“I want to see Mr. Jiang Yun! I want to see Mr. Jiang Yun!” Zhang Yang shouted, hoping Jiang Yun would hear.

The staff pressed him down, “Little Green, call building security!”

In the office, Jiang Yun heard the commotion outside. Frowning, he checked the surveillance feed and saw Zhang Yang pinned to the floor.

He picked up the phone and called reception.

“Ring ring!”

Receptionist Little Green was about to call security when the phone rang.

“Let Zhang Yang in,” Jiang Yun said.

The receptionist nodded, “Yes, boss!”

“Anyone who fought loses half a day’s pay!”

“This…” Little Green hesitated.

“What, is that a problem?”

“No, not at all!” She quickly shook her head.

She hung up, “Boss says let him in.”

The staff released Zhang Yang.

“You two, half a day’s pay docked!”

They instantly looked glum.

“Hmph!”

Zhang Yang snorted angrily and followed the receptionist to the office.

“Knock knock knock!”

Little Green tapped on the door.

“Come in!”

Little Green opened the door, signaling Zhang Yang to enter.

“Mr. Jiang Yun!”

“Sigh, Zhang Yang. The show has already revoked your qualification—I can’t help you.”

“Coach Jiang Yun, I really didn’t plagiarize. This song is truly my own creation!”

“But your friend registered ‘Glory’ half a year before you.”

“Coach Jiang Yun, he plagiarized me! He stole my song—that’s theft! He even wants to take it and sign a deal with a phone company for their promo!”

“Zhang Yang!”

Zhang Yang paused, “What is it, Mr. Jiang Yun?”

“I believe it’s your original work.”

PS: Thanks to “H·Rogue” for two monthly votes! Thanks to “Always Love You” for one monthly vote!