Chapter 23.2
Editor: Jodi
It wasn’t until he clicked on the widely shared exposé article that he realized this was a premeditated and organized attack. The so-called “mysterious backer” was none other than Bai Wenyan.
The article’s timeline even traced back to his high school days, saying that he had maintained a close relationship with Bai Wenyan since then. It painted a picture of Bai Wenyan returning from abroad, after he had transformed himself into a successful figure, and then him using his connections and resources to boost Mu Nan’s career.
The mix of truths, half-truths, and outright fabrications, stitched together in a jumbled narrative, was enough to convince casual readers who wouldn’t bother digging deeper.
The most damning, however, was the so-called “smoking g**n” evidence—a candid photo that had been taken during a set visit. In the image, he and Bai Wenyan were standing in front of a car, with Bai Wenyan leaning in to speak to him. And this, captured through a paparazzi lens and accompanied by suggestive captions, became the centerpiece of the exposé.
Unlike Shi Tao’s earlier attempt to gain clout by subtly tearing him down, this attack was direct, brutal, and overwhelming. The goal was obvious—to destroy him completely.
“Who’s behind this?” Mu Nan asked, however he already had a hunch. And sure enough, his suspicion was quickly confirmed.
“Do you remember someone named Xi Qing?” Wilder asked.
Mu Nan wasn’t surprised at all. “Of course it’s him. I knew it. With a team like his, causing trouble was inevitable.”
Xi Qing’s team had clearly been preparing for this for a long time, because they’d dug up details about his high school years and had even managed to capture videos of he and Bai Wenyan together, making the exposé even more convincing.
[Isn’t his whole image about being cute and innocent? Surprising, right?! I wonder how your precious little sweetheart acts in someone else’s bed.]
[Never judge a book by its cover. They all look polished on the outside, but behind the scenes, they’re all dirtier than you’d think.]
[I really didn’t expect this….. Mu Nan….. I used to think so highly of him.]
However Mu Nan’s fans refused to believe he would do such a thing:
[Nan Nan isn’t like that! This is all malicious editing!]
[He’s worked hard every step of the way since his debut. How dare you smear him like this?]
[Anyone who believes this is either evil or stupid. You’re erasing all the effort he’s ever put in.]
But the internet worked how it always did— people only saw what they wanted to see.
The rumors spread online wildly. Some malicious individuals even swapped Mu Nan’s face onto obscene videos and started promoting them at high prices to draw attention.
Although Mu Nan had weathered plenty of storms before, he was furious at this disgusting turn of events.
His phone rang— it was a call from an unknown number. On the other end was Bai Wenyan.
“Xiao Nan….. it really wasn’t me this time. I’ll handle it for you. I won’t let these rumors drag you down.”
“Get lost.” Mu Nan replied curtly. “And stop flattering yourself. The best way you can help me is by staying as far away from me as possible with your so-called influence.”
After hanging up, Mu Nan sneered. “Do they think I’m some pushover? That I’ll just take it because there are too many of them for me to go after one by one?”
“Are you planning to sue them?” Wilder asked.
“Until they drop!” Mu Nan slammed the table. “If I don’t vent this out, then I’m not human.”
As the scandal spiraled further and further out of control, with many assuming Mu Nan’s silence meant guilt, he finally responded.
His studio posted two Weibo updates in quick succession.
The first was an image of a civil lawsuit, suing several individuals who had profited from selling videos doctored with his face.
His fans were overjoyed when they saw him taking action, however some haters remained relentless:
[He only sued the ones selling videos, but not the ones accusing him of having a sugar daddy. Is that his way of admitting it’s true?]
[Haha, doesn’t this just confirm it?]
However less than two minutes later, a second lawsuit was posted. The studio added a sharp caption:
[Don’t worry. The rest will come in due time.]
This time, the lawsuit targeted several marketing accounts that had initially spread the false accusations. What’s more this wasn’t just a generic lawyer’s letter but a formal legal document, complete with their names and details.
Mu Nan retweeted both posts. Gone was his usual playful tone—his response was direct and biting:
[To those who close their eyes and block their ears, I hope you read this. Intelligence and reason may not be universal, but kindness is the most basic moral standard.]
[Think with your brain, not your feet. Speak with your mouth, not your backside.]