In the video, Yu Min took a little over a minute to recount the entire process of fabricating rumors about Gao Fei's alleged involvement with organized crime.
After her explanation, Tang Xue continued to question her about the fabricated accusations: "You hired people to spread public opinion online, was your sole intention to spread rumors that Gao Fei was involved with the underworld?"
"No."
Yu Min shook her head under the camera and simply explained, "Because the police's crackdown on organized crime had already begun, I spread rumors about Gao Fei being involved with the underworld to try and leverage public opinion against him.
I wanted him to lend me a hand while the police were dealing with me. As long as I could get through this difficult period, I would definitely clear his name."
Tang Xue nodded calmly and appropriately interjected, "But you didn't expect that the fabricated public opinion wouldn't pose much of a threat to Gao Fei."
"I truly didn't expect the rumor-mongering news to have no effect on Gao Fei. He not only didn't help me but also never contacted me from beginning to end.
Before I was arrested, I harbored resentment towards him. But looking back now, Gao Fei making the correct choice not to intervene when threatened by me was the right decision.
Anyone who gets involved with people like us will have their future stardom completely ruined."
After Yu Min admitted to spreading the fabricated news and clearing Gao Fei's name, the interview video concluded.
The subsequent videos showed Yu Min, Xiang Nan, and their group appearing in court, awaiting sentencing.
In the comment section:
[I knew it, Comrade Xiao Gao wouldn't do anything illegal or against regulations. All you anti-fans, let's see what you have to say after watching this video.]
[Now that Yu Min has admitted to hiring people to spread rumors about Comrade Xiao Gao, all you anti-fans, what else can you say?]
[I believed Gao Fei was innocent from the very beginning, that he would never be involved with organized crime. Now that the truth is out, I'm happy for him.]
[Gao Fei didn't break the law even when threatened by a crime boss. I fully support Comrade Xiao Gao, he truly is my idol.]
[Tonight, we're going to the beach to set off fireworks and sweep away the bad luck for Comrade Xiao Gao!]
Gao Fei's fans were flooding the comment section with messages. They had always firmly believed that Gao Fei was not involved in organized crime, and Yu Min's confession served as vindication.
As for the anti-fans who had been fighting amongst themselves, seeing the statements from Gao Fei's fans, they immediately turned their attention to attack the opposing side.
[Yu Min claims she spread rumors about Gao Fei being involved with organized crime, but I still have my doubts. I don't believe it.]
[My friend upstairs, wake up quickly. Even if you're an anti-fan, you need some intelligence. This is news released by Channel One. Do you think they would release it if the authorities hadn't investigated thoroughly?]
[Some of our anti-fans need to use their brains. Daring to question the authenticity of Channel One's news, do you want to end up in jail too?]
[We anti-fans need to be rational. We can continue to diss Gao Fei, but don't question Channel One's news.]
[I agree! Let's unite and go to war with Gao Fei's fans!]
[Oh, now that Channel One has cleared Gao Fei's name from the rumors, you loyal fans are starting to stir things up!]
The anti-fans first educated their less intelligent teammates, then continued their skirmishes with Gao Fei's fans.
Besides fans and anti-fans, there were also a significant number of neutral netizens in the comments. These netizens, who didn't explicitly support Gao Fei, also offered their opinions after watching the video.
[Yu Min's method of using rumors and public opinion to coerce Gao Fei is truly disgusting. However, the fact that Gao Fei wasn't threatened makes him a good comrade.]
[I must say, during the time Gao Fei was being slandered, I almost believed he was actually involved with organized crime. Now that the official video has cleared him, his innocence is completely restored.]
[Now that the truth is out, I hope Gao Fei continues to make good movies and write more great songs. I'm really looking forward to his new works.]
The general public maintained a neutral stance, unlike the fervent fans and anti-fans.
After Channel One's official account released the anti-crime special column video, various other official accounts also began to repost it. The news headlines were largely consistent, mentioning the crackdown on organized crime and, more importantly, the online bullying Gao Fei had endured due to the fabricated rumors.
As major official accounts reposted Channel One's anti-crime documentary, all online rumors about Gao Fei's involvement with organized crime were subsequently deleted. The three major social media platforms imposed a one-month ban on numerous accounts with millions of followers that had been actively spreading misinformation. Several gossip media social media accounts also received a one-week penalty. Over a thousand anti-fan accounts that had been excessively and irresponsibly spreading rumors received platform violation notices, with some being permanently banned.
The official anti-crime video and Yu Min's interview finally cleared Gao Fei of the organized crime rumors that had plagued him for over a month.
Feiteng Investment Company.
In the office.
"Old Gao, I never expected Yu Min to be the one spreading rumors behind your back. Now, with his interview video, it should clear your name." Zhang Cheng commented after watching the video. He was unaware of the elaborate trap Gao Fei had set for Yu Min, and thus didn't understand the underlying power struggle between them.
"The pure will remain pure. Even if Yu Min hadn't helped clarify, I wouldn't have suppressed the online discourse."
"Why?"
"Being infamous is also a form of fame! Their spreading rumors about me kept me on the trending list for the top ten, which only brought me popularity and traffic. Moreover, the fact that news about me consistently hits the trending list shows my fame is enduring, unlike other actors and stars who are only briefly popular before fading into obscurity."
Seeing Gao Fei's nonchalant attitude, Zhang Cheng nodded in admiration. Even the seasoned agent Jin Qiqi gave a thumbs-up to his novel way of thinking. Although Gao Fei had been subjected to public scrutiny online, as he said, Yu Min's fabricated rumors, despite earning him widespread condemnation, had indirectly brought him a surge of traffic.
After Zhang Cheng left, Jin Qiqi, standing beside him, asked curiously, "Boss, is this interview, and Yu Min's involvement in clearing your name, related to the project you're participating in?"
Gao Fei didn't hide anything and nodded in agreement. Jin Qiqi's eyes widened in surprise. "To be able to mobilize the resources of Channel One, and have Xiao Xue conduct the interview. Boss, it seems the secret project you're involved in is quite significant. Spill the beans, what kind of project is it? I can't help but be curious!"
"Hang in there a little longer. Tomorrow morning at nine, we'll have a live press conference for this project on all official platforms, and then you'll know." Gao Fei maintained a high level of secrecy. However, even without him revealing it, Jin Qiqi's intuition told her that this secret project would undoubtedly shock the nation or even the world. Otherwise, even with Gao Fei's connections in high places, he wouldn't be able to directly involve Channel One to help him clear his name, nor could he directly make Yu Min confess to the fabrication in an interview.
Just as Jin Qiqi was persistently trying to probe about the project, Wang He suddenly pushed the door open and entered the office.
"Holy cow, Fei Ge, you're amazing! You actually managed to get Channel One involved, and even got Yu Min to clear your name in an interview. What kind of a connection did you make? Introduce me, I want to latch onto it too."
"Just latch onto Fei Ge's leg. I'll lead you to glory and success from now on."
"Damn!"
After exchanging playful insults, Wang He greeted Jin Qiqi and then took out several contract documents from his bag to discuss cooperation matters with Gao Fei. An hour later, Wang He looked at the signed contract and winced at the terms. The conditions they had discussed over the phone were that the shop rent would be one-third, and 40% of the profits would be shared with Wang He. However, after sitting down for negotiations, and with Gao Fei's extensive "pie-in-the-sky" promises and smooth talk, the rent was waived entirely, and the promised 40% profit was reduced to 20%.
"Old Wang, don't be so upset. I've been cleared by the authorities now, and I'll be endorsing your mall using my name. You know, Fei Ge's endorsement fees are in the hundreds of millions now." Now that the cooperation was finalized, Gao Fei no longer called him Brother Wang but Old Wang. Jin Qiqi glanced at the "sucker" Wang He and then at her cunning boss, giving him an admiring thumbs-up. In the outside world, Wang He was usually the one who took advantage of others, but with Gao Fei, not only did Wang He fail to gain any advantage, but he was also taken advantage of, with the 20% profit being a meager handout.
"Damn, your mouth is truly something." Wang He rolled his eyes and added, "If my Old Wang hadn't agreed to let me cooperate with you, do you think we would have actually signed a contract?"
"When you go back, thank Brother Wang on my behalf. I'll visit him when I have the time."
"Get lost, you're trying to take advantage of me again!" Wang He cursed, then curiously asked, "Tell me honestly, why did the higher-ups help you? My dad asked me to ask you this before I came." Hearing this, Jin Qiqi immediately perked up her ears. Gao Fei chuckled mysteriously and leaned closer to the two of them, saying, "If I told you I'm the illegitimate son of some big shot, would you believe me?" Instantly, Jin Qiqi and Wang He's foreheads developed lines of sweat; he was clearly treating them like fools.
The higher-ups' help in clearing his name was actually orchestrated by Gao Fei himself. Since joining the research team, his seemingly lazy and idle demeanor was all an act. His intention was to leverage the leaders of the research team to help him clear the online rumors and public opinion. During that period, his reputation was poor, and the online discourse intensified. Coupled with his usual behavior, the senior students in the research team became extremely dissatisfied with him. Finally, the conflict erupted, and a group of senior students conspired to force him out, which perfectly aligned with his pre-arranged plan.
When Gao Fei asked Liao Chang to hand over the password-protected USB drive to the dean, and the message Liao Chang was to deliver, it was an implicit message to Li Chenghao: "You can have me back, but you must help me resolve the online slander and public opinion." When Dean Li understood, he first made a military pledge to his superiors, and then devised a small scheme to lure Gao Fei back with sweet promises. The civilian navigation system was, after all, a project that benefited the entire nation. As the chief engineer of the system, Gao Fei was indispensable to the higher-ups at such a crucial stage. Therefore, after discussion from above, they agreed to promise him the benefit of having his name cleared. Otherwise, with Gao Fei's current status, it wouldn't be enough to get the higher-ups to agree to help.