Chapter 23

Night fell.
Dijing University forum still hot. Reposts of Song Zhiqing’s long accusation—near seven hundred comments. One-sided trash talk.
“Getting Master Song this mad—in a way Bai Xu’s kinda legendary.”
“I know him—quiet loner in school. Didn’t know he was this rotten inside!”
“Heard Bai Xu’s a repeat offender. Song cleaned up after him.”
“Group project once—pushed back on everything. Antisocial.”
“Copying under mentor and boss’s nose—industry trash.”
“Bai Xu’s background’s mid right? I heard he ‘sold’ himself for a while?”
“Whoa—real upstairs?”
“……”
Comments like that piled up. No evidence—spit enough nails him to the shame pole.
Yanxiao frowned reading. Shut the tablet.
“Third Young Master—I noticed missing comment floors.”
Xie Qi’s detail. “OP deleted neutral or positive posts. Steering opinion. Already spreading on industry forums.”
No guess—Song Zhiqing behind it.
Yanxiao looked up. Order. “Watch live—forum and social. Anything over the line or slander—screenshot. Lawyer team backup.”
Xie Qi nod. “Mm. Lawyer Zhang’s team already on it.”
Yanxiao slight nod.
Xie Qi pocketed tablet. Subtle probe. “Third Young Master—you never cared about this stuff. This time you seem more invested than Mr. Bai.”
Yanxiao used to live in deals—maximize margin—crush rivals. No bandwidth for outsiders and noise. Let alone lawyers on gossip.
“……”
Yanxiao silent. Eyes sharp when they lifted. “Do I?”
What?
Too “into” Bai Xu’s situation?
Xie Qi’s heart tight at the look. Quick fix. “Oh—I mean Mr. Bai looked totally unbothered. Confident at dinner. Probably has a plan.”
“Plan’s best.”
Yanxiao brow flick. Added without thinking. “So gossip doesn’t blow up—bored people doxx him—and drag Third House.”
“……”
Hard to drag Third House that way?
Xie Qi thought quietly. Professional out loud. “Understood.”
Pushed glasses. “Third Young Master—that background file on Song Zhiqing and Fang Xu—you still want it? Or skip? Let Mr. Bai handle solo?”
“……”
Yanxiao met his assistant’s eyes again. “You dare joke with me now?”
“No.”
Xie Qi hid smile. Offered the tablet again. “Third Young Master—maybe look? Afraid Mr. Bai alone isn’t enough—Third House gets hit.”
Yanxiao sipped warm water blank. Like talking about Bai Xu. Like covering himself. “Trouble.”
Bai Xu knew nothing of master bedroom drama—busy with Qiu Yi and crew. Not one online insult on his mind.
---
Another night passed.
Gossip fermented harder—school forums, industry boards—repost accounts pushed Weibo entertainment trending—
#Dijing Professor Accuses Student of Plagiarism#
No name in the tag—but “helpful” decoders mapped the whole story. Black pot on Bai Xu again.
Dijing U official response:
“Contacting parties. Founded on virtue and truth—we won’t tolerate academic fraud or judge without facts. Please wait calmly.”
Hot-take netizen: “What’s left to learn? You think Master Song’s lying?”
Calmer melon-eater: “Where’s proof he copied? I clicked ten times—zero evidence.”
“Bai Xu bought bots? Master Song’s character—we all see it! Why smear a nobody student?”
“Exactly! @Pot Mirror Studio posted similar drafts—solid proof!”
“Worst part—personal entry with team work! Disgusting!”
“[URL] International Natural Ceramic Show site—petition to cancel Bai Xu’s solo entry!”
“……”
Song Zhiqing—famous gentle master decades. Storm-center Bai Xu—no works, no fame, silent since outbreak.
Who’s wrong—looked obvious.
Agitators stirred. Melon crowd drifted. Wave after wave—everyone thought it was settled—
Then a new Dijing U forum post. Not anonymous.
Fresh ID straight up: Bai Xu BX.
“I accuse by real name: Dijing U ceramic design professor Song Zhiqing—long-term theft of student originals via threats, intimidation, PUA! School and public—see clearly!”
Saturday. Bold title pulled students. One told ten. Melon netizens flooded in.
Afraid they’d doubt the ID—Bai Xu pinned a self-ID video on the main post.
Preconception from Song’s narrative—selfish ugly poor guy. Click video—
Clean white tee. Fair refined features. Natural soft obedient face.
“Hi—I’m Bai Xu, Dijing U ceramic design. Graduated last year.”
Soft tone—hint of nerves. Zero attack energy. Many flipped on the spot.
“Whoa—why didn’t anyone say Bai Xu looks like THIS!”
“No principles no morals—I switch sides instantly.”
“Teachers classmates—you sure? That face does crimes?”
“Face deceives. PR stunt?”
Live danmaku flew. After intro—clarification open.
“I report today by real name: Professor Song Zhiqing stole credit on seven of my originals in four years—claimed them as his!”
Tablet ready. Each piece—design date clear. Draft to revision to mold to form—timestamp every step.
Industry melon watchers whisper—
My god.
How much must you love your work to log this complete?
Bai Xu closer to camera. “When I finished my second original Color Splendor—Song praised me. Said he’d fight for competition slots.”
“I trusted my mentor. Two months later—national award. Credit—his name.”
Color Splendor series—Song’s famous “creation” three years. Represented Huaguo Ceramic Association overseas.
Now Bai Xu says—it’s his?
Insiders shocked or skeptical. Bai Xu showed chat screenshots. Timestamps attached.
“I asked Song once. He used mentor title—scolded me for caring about awards. Said without his name it wouldn’t win.”
“Plus long-term coercion and PUA—made me doubt myself. Thought I needed his guidance to succeed.”
“Internship—his recommended studio. Actually he funded it secretly with boss Fang Xu!”
“They squeezed my value, stole work, owed commission for no reason!”
Logic and speech clean. Slow telling—occasional tear catch. Red-rim sincere eyes—lethal.
“About ‘stealing team work’ for competition—pure slander! I filed copyright docs, sketches, concept art with the international show. Officials will judge right!”
---
“All evidence bundled and posted. Lawsuits—all with lawyer team now.”
“Last—I want to say—”
Bai Xu straight to lens. Soft turning firm.
“I’m a nobody in this trade. Maybe my voice won’t shake this ‘mountain.’ But someone has to start!”
“Now I speak for past me—for any other me who might exist—justice, answers, truth!”
“Fake stone mountains crumble. Real climbers will stand on top!”
Video ended—hearts lifted.
Key files and chats below the video—more convincing than Song’s text-only rant.
Plus several named alumni reports in comments—
@Zheng Hua: Class of ’21. Song stole my original Spring Shadow. Used mentor title and “delay graduation” to pressure me! [evidence long image]
@Bai Yueqi: Class of ’22. Song used judge identity to fake competition scores for profit!
@Dong Jiangshan: Class of ’22. Same report—Song stole my thesis work, smeared me private—industry blacklist. I tried exposure—he paid to bury it. Unfit to teach!
Bai Xu opened the door—six graduates followed by name.
Shocker—new anon account: Song harassed female students—picked quiet loners—same suppression playbook. Habitual. Girls on campus—watch out!
Evidence and voices piled on Song. Decades of mask—shredded.
All planned ahead by Bai Xu!
He bet Song didn’t only prey on the original. Asked warm Qiu Yi to dig quiet.
Zheng Hua and others suffered in school—too small to be heard. When Bai Xu volunteered first—they followed.
One voice small. Many voices—loud.
Reverse accusations landed like stored-up slaps on Song’s face.
High integrity? Fake.
Model teacher? Fake.
Above fame? All fake.
“Wanted to say yesterday—Song posted then reposted to forum then locked Moments. Deleted source on purpose right?”
“I commented pro-Bai Xu—deleted in one minute. Still say no manipulation?”
“Am I alone thinking Song smiles but deep and scary? Always avoided him on campus. Karma.”
Hidden alumni spoke true. Netizens angry too:
“Spit! What filth! Teacher material?”
“Seen academic fraud profs—art dept too? Wow!”
“@Dijing U—President watching? Board watching? Investigate hard!”
“……”
One day—opinion flipped. Bai Xu on the high ground now.
Queyan watched the full video. Looked at the man across—
Bai Xu slow-cutting foie gras. Elegant noble. Zero “desperate whistleblower” from the video.
Knew Bai Xu’s face-switch skill—but still a small shock. “That acting—wasted not in entertainment.”
Video out—red-eyed plea earned pity.
Netizens: that face can’t be evil—soft cotton—must’ve taken courage to stand up to Song!
Tsk.
No evil? Cotton? Sheep-skin beast—plays weak—kills at key moment!
Honestly Queyan felt something like worship—
Some traits weirdly like his brother. Grudges paid. Blade fast. One strike—Song done.
Bai Xu met his eyes. “Your brother’s face is the one wasted outside showbiz.”
“……”
Queyan huffed. “My brother excels anywhere.”
Bai Xu saw brother-con overflowing. Remembered book growth arc. “You too—global championship young.”
Uncle Lin and Xie Qi both changed color—feared touching Queyan’s taboo.
---
Bai Xu didn’t stop. “If you can eat training pain—you can take rehab pain. If you’d enter the group for Third House—future might match your brother.”
No flattery—warm injected straight.
Queyan blank seconds. Eyes rippled. “……You really think that?”
Bai Xu praised both. “Mm. Yanxiao that good—his little brother how bad could you be?”
Queyan chin up. Long-missing swagger peeked. “Naturally.”
Uncle Lin and Xie Qi traded relieved smiles.
Before the accident—Fourth Young Master was like this with parents and brother. Seems healing—mind getting better.
Bai Xu mostly done. Warm water. “Xie Qi—Song’s hammered enough. Line up social reposts his way—guide opinion back at him.”
Eye for eye.
Blade only cuts who deserves it—max sharp, max pain.
Xie Qi saw this playbook from Yanxiao daily. Glasses push. “Rest easy Mr. Bai—I’ll execute.”
Someone schemed at home—someone panicked like ants on a skillet—
Luxury suite. Song Zhiqing—zero old calm.
When walls fall—everyone pushes!
Since Bai Xu spoke—two days—more accusers. Even overseas wife and kids called him immoral—two phone fights!
Net riffraff spun tales. Real hammers dropped. Glory from decades ago—excavated clean!
Song underestimated the internet. Never thought his opening salvo would eat him.
Phone—assistant.
Guilty—Song dodged a dozen peer “concern” calls. This one he grabbed fast. “Hello—lawyers say what?”
Assistant weak. “Master Song—I asked. They say collect evidence—cease-and-desist on reputation. Ask netizens stop false slander.”
These days—reputation suit not defamation—says a lot.
Assistant knew Song’s rot. Wage slave—obey only.
“I asked forum admin delete posts last night. Reply—school took over. No delete rights.”
Too public now.
Delete now—proves Bai Xu’s reports true?
“……”
Song grit teeth. “PR team! Found yet! Any price—bury this!”
Scream through phone—zero “gentle scholar.”
Assistant ears hurt. Worker rage bottled. “Master Song—evidence chain too tight. You can’t refute all. Hard.”
“PR says—apology first. Admit two tiny ‘mistakes.’ Say misunderstanding—private talks—then—”
“Apologize? Never!”
Song hard no. Pivoted to cursing. “What are you and PR for? Can’t handle this?”
Glorious decades—bow to a kid?
Assistant speechless. Silence broke. “Master Song—you’re so great—you do it! Think I care about this salary? I quit!”
Song mouth twitch. “What?”
Assistant freedom unlocked. “You stank your own name—still blame others? Spit!”
Song frozen at the dial tone. Blood rushed head.
No!
Can’t fall like this!
Shame burning—Song tried old board friend contacts. School deletes posts—stands with him—easy fix.
Before he found the number—WeChat link from assistant:
“Master Song—see yourself. Bye-bye.”
Last four words—mockery max.
Chest blocked. Trembling tap—
Jumped to Dijing U official—latest bulletin—
“Recently graduates (Bai, Zheng, etc.) reported Professor (Song) by real name. School took immediate contact for review.
Verified: Professor Song failed mentor duty. Used title to bully and infringe multiple students’ original rights. Violations confirmed!
Board and education dept joint decision—effective immediately revoke Song’s professorship. Suspend teaching!”
Song read one line—couldn’t continue. Deep breaths—chest still tight—
---
Development hit fast-forward. No time to spin!
Official bulletin—title gone—job stopped—slap in front of whole school!
Not the end. Huaguo Ceramic Association group ping—@ his full name.
Group message linked Weibo—major notice vibe.
Song clenched jaw. Clicked.
Loading seconds—heart squeezed by invisible hand. Waiting execution.
Feared most—came most.
Association Weibo statement:
“Per existing reports—Association revokes Song Zhiqing vice-chair title. No future official promotion of Song-related works.
After full verification—Association will help restore victims’ original credit and deserved awards!
Artists shouldn’t be roadblock mountains. Creators—hold heart, respect originals! Climb peaks together!”
Usually empty comments—melon crowd flooded.
“Yes! Fast! Strong!”
“Wow—they’ll restore stolen awards—so good!”
“Soft industry ban on Song right?”
“Ban good! Fame-thief Song out! Tumor out of ceramics!”
“……”
Song read the sharp curses—blocked breath never returned. Legs soft—knelt floor.
Knee pain unfelt. Face green white green. Regret or hate—unclear.
Done! All done!
Soft ban—image and rank decades built—ashes. Lawsuits still coming!
…
Same time—Pot Mirror Studio.
Online shop staff to Fang Xu—urgent. “Boss—weibo’s wrecked. Three stores raided!”
Since Pot Mirror + Song oppressed Bai Xu—net rage at doors. Bad reviews. Order-cancel spam. Official complaints—
One store forced shutdown already!
Fang Xu knew the crunch. Phone ringing unanswered—slammed desk.
“Song Zhiqing useless! Acted human—swore he’d fix? Now vanished!”
Crash—mess left—studio drowning—ghosted? Classic!
Staff didn’t dare speak while Fang fumed.
Office door pushed open.
Qiu Yi polite surface. “Boss.”
Fang Xu frown stare. “What?”
Qiu Yi handed prepared resignation. “Resignation. Please approve.”
“……”
Fang Xu blank—then got it. “Qiu Yi—you and Bai Xu same school senior-junior? You in on this?”
“So we’re senior-junior—so what?”
Qiu Yi no deny no full blame. “Boss—studio today isn’t my fault. Look at yourself.”
Fang Xu slammed table. Rage out. “You!”
Staff panicked. “Sister Qiu.”
Qiu Yi faced fire—unafraid. “Hit me—I sue. Want more lawsuits?”
“……”
Fang Xu choked.
Before words—unannounced group entered.
Assistant couldn’t block—stammered to Fang. “Boss—t-tax bureau people—I couldn’t—”
Lead found Fang Xu. Badge out. “Fang Xu? Report—financial fraud, tax evasion. Cooperate with investigation.”
Fang Xu rage froze. Panic flicker. Looked at Qiu Yi. “You reported?”
Qiu Yi no bag. “Not me. Guilty conscience?”
“……”
Fang Xu brain mush. No retort.
Officials gave no secret-handle time. “Cooperate. Three years books and—”
Voices faded with distance.
Qiu Yi deep breath outside. Packed bags—gone without look back. Outside studio—dialed Bai Xu.
—Buzz.
Phone on desk. Bai Xu looked up from forum. Answered. “Hello Sister Qiu—resignation done? Fang give trouble?”
Qiu Yi laughed. “No time—tax people came. Evading taxes. Bai Xu—honestly—you report?”
---
“Investigators looked like they already had hard evidence.”
Bai Xu brow pinch. “Not me. Didn’t move yet.”
Fang Xu chased profit—sleazy often—but mostly edge of legal.
Bai Xu planned lawsuit first—then dig books—report later.
Someone beat him?
Qiu Yi odd. “Someone same idea as you? Maybe Fang’s enemies opportunistic?”
“……”
Bai Xu silent. Impossible guess flickered.
Qiu Yi felt hesitation. “Bai Xu—what?”
Bai Xu back. “Nothing. Sister Qiu—thanks for everything lately.”
“Dinner later. Rest these days. Studio plan up—I’ll call.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Click clean.
Bai Xu thumb on phone edge. New intel thinking:
Net rage at Fang—complaints without evidence—tax bureau wouldn’t mobilize this fast.
If “rival” had proof—why wait till today?
Strong intuition—someone behind helping? Anti-Song/Fang—few knew—
Qiu Yi and seniors busy evidence—no bandwidth;
Queyan would help openly not hide;
Xie Qi only followed Bai Xu’s orders…
Bai Xu low. “Wrong.”
Who Xie Qi really obeyed—not him. Someone else.
Guess swelled. No drag—door open—master bedroom.
Chen Yufei outside. “Mr. Bai.”
Bai Xu lash lift. “Third Young Master—still comatose?”
Chen Yufei nod as always. Flat face.
“……”
Really?
Today he’d get truth from the source!
No squeezing Chen Yufei. Normal act. “I’ll look in. You guard outside.”
Chen Yufei no doubt. “Okay.”
Inside. No lock. Yanxiao on bed. “Dream” blur turning real.
Truth pushing out.
Lamp black—he knew now!
Bai Xu micro laugh. Long stride to bed. Eyes on god-tier face. Direct brutal method—lean down close.
Breath inches apart. Hidden flutter.
Corner smile. Test plus mischief. “Yanxiao? Keep faking—I’m kissing next.”