Chapter 13: I Don’t Believe Those Outside Rumors…

Lu Cheng’s sudden display of emotion caused Qiao Yitong to look up.

She didn’t understand why this man would suddenly say such a thing.

Lu Cheng, however, felt that at this moment, he had completely opened his heart to Qiao Yitong.

Sensing the confusion in her gaze, he let a soft smile curve his lips, his voice turning gentle. “Sister Tong, didn’t you ask me before why I followed you out here?”

“Mm?” Qiao Yitong let out a questioning hum.

“Actually, it’s a bit embarrassing to say, but I wanted to see for myself what kind of person you really are,” Lu Cheng said, his lips curling upward.

Qiao Yitong arched an eyebrow.

What kind of person was she?

She had assumed that no one in this world would have any doubts about that.

Selfish, a drama queen, cold-blooded.

Every negative label had been pinned on her, and she was universally accepted as the person everyone loved to hate.

“Sister Tong, I don’t believe those outside rumors,” Lu Cheng said.

He spoke slowly, “I work in the internet industry too, so I know exactly how much filth goes on online.”

“What people see is always only what those with an agenda want them to see. People like us, with no power or backing, don’t even know how we died if we accidentally offend someone we can’t afford to cross.”

“I was targeted online once because I offended someone, so I know exactly how it feels to be unable to defend yourself once someone sets their sights on you. Actually, to tell you the truth, I’ve always been a fan of yours.”

At this point, a faint blush crept onto Lu Cheng’s face, and he looked a bit sheepish.

There was a time when he had been crazy about Qiao Yitong, cheering for her with total devotion.

Then, somehow, he felt as if the world’s winds had shifted overnight.

Not only was Qiao Yitong being attacked for various “scandals,” but even liking her seemed to have become a heinous crime. Because he liked her, he had been hounded and besieged by netizens.

That lasted until he joined this variety show.

When he learned that Qiao Yitong was among the cast, a wild idea took root in his mind.

He wanted to use the show to find out what kind of person she really was.

He didn’t believe that the star he had once admired so much could truly be as wretched and deserving of scorn as the world claimed.

Now, he had reached a definitive conclusion.

Qiao Yitong was absolutely nothing like the person described online!

Only…

Beyond his expectations, he seemed to like her even more than before. It was the kind of liking that made his heart race uncontrollably whenever he saw her.

Realizing the nature of these feelings, a sudden wave of panic hit Lu Cheng.

He didn’t dare meet Qiao Yitong’s eyes anymore. Instead, he spoke quickly, “Anyway, through spending time together, I know for sure you aren’t the person they say you are. I might not have much influence, but if you ever need my help with anything in the future, just say the word. I won’t hesitate.”

He felt that even if his social media accounts were banned for speaking up for her, it wouldn’t matter.

A person like Sister Tong deserved someone to stand up for her.

Qiao Yitong hadn’t been in this world for long and hadn’t interacted with many people. She didn’t yet understand how interpersonal relationships and emotional ties functioned here.

However, at this moment, she could clearly sense Lu Cheng’s sincerity.

If the original Qiao Yitong had heard these words, she would have felt comforted too.

She wasn’t despised by everyone in this world.

In places she couldn’t see, there were still people who believed in her.

“Thank you,” Qiao Yitong said.

She was thanking Lu Cheng on behalf of the past Qiao Yitong.

Lu Cheng’s nose felt inexplicably stingy.

In that moment, a surge of heartache for Qiao Yitong rose in his chest.

Since she didn’t deny it, it meant she really might have offended some powerful people in the past to end up in this situation.

If that were true, how much damage must the years of online abuse and malice have caused her?

It was a kind of loneliness and helplessness – being rejected by the whole world with no way to explain herself.

Thinking this, Lu Cheng hurriedly turned his head away. He was afraid of losing face by crying like a baby in front of her.

In that moment, he had forgotten something.

He was in a place with 360-degree live streaming. The scene of him turning his head with reddened eyes was captured clearly by the viewers in the Live Stream Room.

This brief conversation sent another shockwave through Qiao Yitong’s stream.

• I’m losing it. Kid, there are some people you shouldn’t get too close to. Saying that basically ties you to Qiao Yitong forever! Your life is going to be miserable if you’re associated with her. –

• I’m not surprised at all that Lu Cheng said that. He’s always been the type to speak his mind. He even has this almost ridiculous sense of justice. He got targeted for a while before because he was too blunt and offended a big streamer. –

• Exactly. I think it’s because Lu Cheng has been through it himself that he can’t stay silent when it comes to Qiao Yitong. –

• Does that mean Qiao Yitong really was framed? –

• I’ve always felt the hate for her was weirdly intense. No matter what she does, even the tiniest thing is dragged out for judgment. Looking at it now, it’s highly likely she offended someone. –

• I’m dazed. I just started watching the show today. What’s going on? Are people actually trying to whitewash someone like Qiao Yitong these days? Tell us, how much did the paid shills get? –

• …To the person above, I suggest you go back and watch the last two days of the stream before you talk, otherwise you just look like an idiot. –

…

The internet had always been this way.

The silent majority was the largest group.

Those who had already felt uncomfortable with the mindless attacks on Qiao Yitong only dared to come out and express their views once they saw someone take the lead in defending her.

However, these voices were still in the minority.

With the mainstream opinion being to bash Qiao Yitong, these comments immediately triggered a massive backlash.

This was especially true for those who had made a hobby of hating and insulting her. When they saw these words, they were incensed.

Hearing that Lu Cheng actually dared to support Qiao Yitong, the mob felt as if they had been personally provoked. Someone organized a movement, and they swarmed Lu Cheng’s account in a frenzied rush.

They reported his account.

They reported his videos.

The comment section was flooded with all sorts of curses and insults.

Lu Cheng’s fans had always been a laid-back bunch, mostly technical fans interested in his video content. They stood no chance against this “organized” and “disciplined” wave of verbal abuse.

In an instant, his account was turned into a toxic mess.

But regardless of the chaos in the outside world, Lu Cheng, currently on the island, was living a life of extreme leisure and ease.

After that conversation with Qiao Yitong, he could feel that the cold distance she maintained seemed to have lessened just a tiny bit. Although the change was slight, it was enough to fill him with joy.

As the sky gradually darkened, the sight of the sunset over the ocean once again filled his vision.

Roasting food by the bonfire, watching the sunset, feeling the sea breeze, and eating fruit and coconuts.

It was a rare kind of relaxation and freedom that one could never find in city life.

This sense of ease made him sprawl out on the beach. He took a deep breath, tucked his hands behind his head, and asked, “Sister Tong, what do you think the organizers of this show were actually thinking?”

“Before we got on the island, they built it up so much, talking about how dangerous this place was. They even said they’d give out ten million to anyone who survives thirty days. I thought it was going to be incredibly difficult, but looking at it now, isn’t this just getting paid to go on vacation?”

“I think filming this variety show is totally worth it!”

Lu Cheng concluded, and Qiao Yitong nodded in agreement.

She also felt that those people had exaggerated the danger level of the program a bit too much.

Their conversation caused the previously bickering bullet comments to suddenly clear up.

[?????]

[No, I mean, you two are certainly relaxed and comfortable, but could you maybe take a look at the half-dead state of the people in the other live stream rooms?]

Meanwhile, in the neighboring Live Stream Room…