From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Xu Chunliang was also a bit puzzled. There were a total of fifteen people involved in this fight on both sides. Why was he the only one being filmed? It seemed like they were really targeting him.

Xu Chunliang admired his 120fps slow-motion footage. It would be a shame not to use such skills in romantic action movies.

Su Qing had a feeling from the beginning that something was off about this situation, as if someone was deliberately fueling the fire to hype up the issue. It was likely aimed at Xu Chunliang. Public opinion is a double-edged sword, and often people won’t care about the truth; they only believe what they see.

Xu Chunliang nodded. Su Qing had undoubtedly identified the crux of the matter: a man fears fame like a pig fears fattening. This time, he was sure to make a name for himself.

Su Qing parked the car in front of Huichun Hall and said softly, "Don’t think too much about it. Online trends come and go quickly; this issue might die down by tomorrow."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Thanks for your hard work tonight. Go home and rest. Be careful driving alone."

Su Qing laughed, "Don’t think of me as delicate. Go home quickly and don’t let Grandpa Xu wait for you."

Xu Chunliang let her leave first and only went inside after watching the Beetle disappear into the night.

Xu Changshan had spent the day playing chess with his old friend Gao Hong Hall and had a few drinks in the evening. So, he was already asleep. It seemed tonight’s incident hadn’t reached him yet.

Xu Chunliang didn’t disturb him, tiptoed to his room, took a shower, and saw two missed calls on his phone, both from Hua Zhuyue. Glancing at WeChat, he saw that Hua Zhuyue had also come across the video of him fighting and called out of concern.

Xu Chunliang called Hua Zhuyue back.

Hua Zhuyue teased him, "Why did it take so long to return my call? I thought you were detained. If you didn’t call back, I would have found out where to bail you out."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Can’t you wish me well? I just took a shower. I can’t answer your call naked; it wouldn’t be proper."

Hua Zhuyue giggled, "That’s what I call being upfront. I wouldn’t mind anyway. Seriously, your situation might be troublesome. It hasn’t been long, but news of you hitting people is everywhere. I feel something’s off; maybe someone bought you a trending spot."

Xu Chunliang said, "Why would anyone do that for fun? Buying this trending spot for me must have a purpose." In his heart, he understood that the person behind this wasn’t doing it for amusement. They spent money to hype this up to amplify the impact of him fighting.

Initially, Xu Chunliang didn’t see it as a big issue. After the brawl, both sides had already agreed to settle it privately on the spot. Sheng Chaohui had already been subdued and was unlikely to buy trending spots to harm him.

Logically, those who would do such a thing are usually enemies.

Though Xu Chunliang had offended many, few had the resources to buy him a trending spot.

Hua Zhuyue said, "I’ll help you investigate who’s behind this mischief."

She sensed something unusual and suspected it was retaliation from He Dong Group. Linking it to recent events, her first thought was Pan Weidong. This was a common tactic of He Dong Group. After Yang Mufeng was poisoned at SEVEN STAR, they fueled the fire from behind the scenes, making the incident widely known and causing significant negative impact on the entire Blue Star Group.

Xu Chunliang fought poison with poison, forcing OMMIA to suspend operations. Although it seemed Huang Daxian caused trouble at the bar on the surface, He Dong Group was full of hidden talents and might have suspected them.

Xu Chunliang said, "Thanks, but don’t worry. We’ve already signed a reconciliation agreement at the police station, so there shouldn’t be any more issues."

"But rumors are flying everywhere now, and if the public opinion isn’t controlled, it could cause you trouble."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself that public opinion is indeed hard to control. On the TV side, Su Qing had already done her best to help suppress the news, and Lu Ming was also assisting in controlling the online influence. But the speed at which this news was spreading had exceeded their ability to manage it.

Xu Chunliang didn’t care much about his reputation. Worst case, he could be known for his notoriety. He figured he’d just eat and sleep as usual, as long as he got through the new year.

In Dongzhou, the Binhu West Street brawl’s popularity skyrocketed at unprecedented speed, reaching the top ten on the trending list by the next morning. This list was usually dominated by entertainment stars, whose handlers spend heavily to keep them there long-term.

Xu Chunliang didn’t buy a trending spot or make any rankings, yet fighting his way to the top ten on the trending list was notable. The last time someone got on the list for fighting, it was the ex-husband of a famous diva.

Early in the morning, Mei Ru Xue called to ask what was going on.

Xu Chunliang found it a bit amusing and told Mei Ru Xue that someone had maliciously edited and posted the video online. This was an organized and targeted cyberbullying event against him personally.

Mei Ru Xue said, "You’re still feeling wronged, huh? Don’t act so innocent. Wasn’t it you who threw the punches?"

"Yes, but it was self-defense," he replied.

Mei Ru Xue laughed in exasperation, "So it’s always self-defense with you, right? I know you can fight, but do you have to resort to it for every problem?"

Xu Chunliang said, "This wasn’t my fault." He then briefly recounted the events.

After listening, Mei Ru Xue was a bit upset, "You sure have been busy. Not even a month in, and you’ve helped Gao Xiaobai in two fights already."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "It just happened. I can’t let Secretary Gao do the fighting. Don’t worry; next time, I’ll fight for you."

Mei Ru Xue said, "I don’t oppose a hero saving a beauty, but can you really save all the beauties in the world?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "Of the vast sea of people, I only choose you, and even this one sip I’m just looking at, without even getting a chance to drink."

"Alright, don’t try to fool me. Do you know the current situation in Dongzhou? Secretary Zhou held a meeting personally, demanding that nine major departments conduct joint law enforcement, with the focus being on rectifying public order. Your actions yesterday were going against the wind."

"Don’t put such a big label on me. We’ve both already signed a reconciliation agreement."

"Xu Chunliang, wake up. It’s not about the two of you anymore; it’s about the public attention this has caused. Your fight has become a top ten trending topic. Although the nature of the fight isn’t serious, once it catches public attention, it becomes troublesome, and you’re not far from getting into trouble."

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "I really didn’t expect it! These media folks are quite good with words: contemporary Yip Man, taking on ten people."

Mei Ru Xue said, "Did you not click to see? They mostly say it was a group brawl by drunk idle people on Binhu West Street in Dongzhou last night!"

...

"Get down here, you rascal!"

Elder Xu’s angry shout scared Xu Chunliang into a shudder. He quickly said goodbye to Mei Ru Xue and went downstairs.

Xu Changshan was watching the news, and the morning news feature was showing last night’s scene of Xu Chunliang fighting with people — to be precise, his scene of hitting people.

The TV news was really something, not even knowing to blur anything out.

Xu Chunliang saw his face on the TV screen, stubble and all, and played dumb: "Hey, who is that? Looks a bit like me?"

Xu Changshan reached out and twisted his ear, "You little rascal, do you still dare to fool me? Can’t I recognize my own grandson?"

"Ouch, let go, let go."

Xu Changshan said, "You fought, and it went on TV. You’ve really brought honor to the Old Xu Family."

Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa, if TV news is to be believed, then pigs can climb trees... my ear’s about to fall off, be gentle."

Xu Changshan said, "Why shouldn’t TV news be believed? If they broadcast it, it’s real. Can’t you just be peaceful during the New Year?"

Xu Changshan let go, staring at the news showing Xu Chunliang’s impressive scene of taking on a dozen people alone. The old man was concerned about whether his grandson was at a disadvantage.

After the on-site footage ended, the news anchor provided a summary: in the current efforts to comprehensively reorganize public order in Dongzhou City, such a vicious event still occurred. This blatant disregard for law and morality, disrupting public order, is an extremely vile criminal act and a challenge to all residents of Dongzhou City.

Xu Changshan’s face turned stern, angrily saying, "What nonsense! These news people just know how to exaggerate and sow chaos. It’s extremely irresponsible."

Xu Chunliang said, "See, I said..." But before he could finish, he was silenced by his grandfather’s furious expression.

Xu Changshan, although stern, revealed his concern for his grandson with his words, "Did you get hurt?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head.

Xu Changshan breathed a sigh of relief and gave him a slap on the butt, "You rascal, don’t mess around again." In his view, as long as his grandson wasn’t at a disadvantage, it wasn’t a big problem.

Su Qing came to see Xu Chunliang at ten o’clock, her eyes red.

Seeing her unusual expression, Xu Chunliang connected it to the morning news airing last night’s news and guessed she was aggrieved at the station because of him.

He invited Su Qing inside to sit, but she shook her head to decline, so they talked outside.

Su Qing said, "I’m sorry, I spoke with Director Yang, but they still aired the news."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I thought it was something big, but it’s just a trivial news piece. Now there are videos of me all over the internet; more lice don’t itch, more debt doesn’t worry, it’s fine."

Su Qing exclaimed angrily, "I’m quitting!" She felt guilty and indignant about not being able to squash the negative news for Xu Chunliang, with tears brimming in her eyes.

Xu Chunliang pulled out a crumpled tissue from his pocket, "Don’t cry!"

"I’m not crying!" Su Qing was holding back tears, but when he said this, they fell pattering down. She turned away, "I... I just don’t want you to be wronged..."

Xu Chunliang felt touched inside. Even when her own father went missing, she hadn’t seemed this sad, yet his situation had upset her. This clearly showed how important he was in her heart.

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