Chapter Sixty-Nine: Human Emotions

“Have you heard? A foundation from the Beautiful Country is funding internet celebrities from various nations.”
“Bro, did your village just get internet access? Everyone’s focus now is on the Suletians Plan behind that foundation.”
“What’s the Suletians Plan?”
“No way, are you still surfing the web on 3G? The Suletians control ten percent of the world’s wealth. They established a foundation to promote their peaceful and benevolent image in different countries, but behind the scenes, they’re steadily expanding their territory.”
“We must stay vigilant against the Suletians. Many of our media platforms are influenced by them.”
“Let’s all report her—traitors like this must not be allowed to slip through the cracks.”
“And that Xue Qing, she’s smearing us abroad, bowing to foreigners, tarnishing the reputation of our people.”
“The Yeliu Group was absolutely right to fire these individuals. Thumbs up for Yeliu Group.”
“Everyone should buy Yeliu Group’s stocks to show support.”
“You must be joking, brother. Yeliu Group’s stocks are still locked at the daily limit—seven consecutive days now. You can’t buy them even if you wanted to.”
“President Liu truly foresaw this. Firing those scoundrels—everyone misjudged him before. You all owe him an apology.”
“The Zhang Group has been doing a lot of business overseas these years, moving assets abroad. Maybe they’re connected to this foundation as well.”
“I’ve heard there are others involved.”
More and more information began to surface online. The situation spiraled out of control, even touching on political matters.
“Everyone should go to the government website to voice their demands. We can’t let these traitors get away with it.”
More and more people joined the discussion. What began as the domain of fan circles and short video users now included experts, retirees, and professionals from every field. The matter had completely broken out of its original sphere.

“Are you stupid? Who told you to make such a mess out of this?”
Jiaqi stormed into her agent’s office, swept everything off the table in a fit of rage, and, still unsatisfied, slapped her agent across the face.
“Do you realize people are already digging into who leaked all this?”
“Jiaqi, I have no idea how this happened. It’s got nothing to do with me.”
Her agent, clutching her face, sounded aggrieved.
Having survived in this industry for years, she knew exactly what could and couldn’t be done. Those PR companies weren’t charitable organizations—they charged for extra services.

The agent had questioned several PR companies she’d worked with, and they were just as baffled—no one understood how things had gotten so out of hand.
After a moment’s thought, the agent said, “Maybe one of these influencers offended some big shot, and now they’re being targeted.”
Jiaqi gradually calmed down, considering that her agent’s words might hold some truth.
“Do you think Yeliu Group is behind this?”
The agent nodded, “It’s possible. Yeliu Group is now a star enterprise, receiving strong local support. I heard even the authorities have praised them by name. Xue Qing and the others jumped ship and smeared them—of course they’d want payback.”
Liu Yiyan, perhaps?
Recalling the formidable lineup she’d seen at the plastic surgery clinic, Jiaqi realized Liu Yiyan certainly had the capability.
“Things are in turmoil now. Those backing Xue Qing and En Hui, and the Zhang Group, won’t let whoever exposed this off the hook.”
Jiaqi’s expression hardened. “Find someone trustworthy, quietly exaggerate the feud between Xue Qing and Yeliu Group, and leak it to the media. Make everyone believe Liu Yiyan is retaliating.”
The agent nodded, but then looked at Jiaqi suspiciously, “George seems to listen to Ye Qiu a lot. If Ye Qiu says anything bad about us to George, we’ll lose that role.”
Jiaqi snapped, “Who cares about the role now? If people find out we leaked the story, we’ll be blacklisted at best—at worst, we might have an ‘accident’ someday. Stop dawdling, go.”
“Alright.”
Her agent hurried to contact friends in the media circle.

While she did so, another revelation appeared online: the role originally meant for Jiaqi in Ring King 4 was snatched away by someone backing En Hui.
The news set off shockwaves, and soon after, a PR company posted chat logs between themselves and Jiaqi’s agent online.

This directly confirmed that Jiaqi had hired people to dig up dirt on En Hui and Xue Qing.
Soon, Zhang Jun learned of the situation and called everyone in his office together.
“Spread the word—I want her completely blacklisted. Start by investigating her for tax evasion.”
As Zhang Jun began his crackdown, Jiaqi received a call from an unknown number.
“My people will come to see you personally.”
The caller hung up after saying that one sentence.

The cold, chilling voice on the phone only heightened Jiaqi’s anxiety, especially since her agent’s media contact had also been exposed.

The netizens supported Jiaqi, yet the support only made her more fearful.
She knew she’d stirred up a hornet’s nest, and her adversaries could arrange her accidental death at any moment.
Jiaqi’s suspicions were correct. When her agent tried to malign Yeliu Group and divert attention, that media friend was exposed for taking money to smear celebrities, with evidence posted online.

The agent contacted several others, but every time a partnership was agreed upon, the new contact was quickly hit with a barrage of scandals. Within days, Jiaqi and her agent were so reviled that no one wanted anything to do with them.

At that moment, Ye Qiu received a call from the priestess: a Suletian Foundation armed group had quietly entered Sawadika, attempting to cross the border into the country.

Ye Qiu was finally alerted to the gravity of the situation.
“Yunyan, I need an explanation from you.”
“Ah, Master, explain what?”
Yunyan’s voice came through, without projecting her virtual image.
“Don’t play dumb. Was the Jiaqi affair your doing?”
“Master, you’re wronging me. Without your order, I have no authority.”
“Is that so?” Ye Qiu’s expression darkened. “This started with the casting of Ring King 4, and George was definitely involved. Do you want me to call George here now?”
“Master, it’s my fault.”
Yunyan projected her virtual image—a little girl, head bowed, lips pursed, sneaking glances at Ye Qiu, just like a child who knows she’s done wrong.
“Do you realize what consequences your actions could bring?”
“I’m truly sorry, Master. I understand now, and I’ll never do it again.”
Ye Qiu had never lost his temper at her before. Yunyan sensed she had truly upset him this time.
For reasons she couldn’t explain, she felt something akin to human fear.