Li Chao was a gossip journalist who ran his own social media channel. In the industry, he was somewhat famous. However, his fame was built entirely on unverified gossip about various celebrities, which he would embellish with his own flair before publishing. It had to be said, he had a knack for storytelling; each of his articles garnered over one hundred thousand views, and that was how he had built his reputation.

Naturally, he had also received numerous warnings from celebrities. But instead of reining him in, these threats became a point of pride for him to brag about in his circle. It was precisely for this reason that Zou Wendong had chosen him to publish the article that was now going viral across every major media platform.

The five-million-yuan payment had him grinning for half an hour, unable to close his mouth. His renown in the industry soared to unprecedented heights. In fact, he had just finished an interview with Media Direct Access when someone else came knocking, commissioning an article with an opening offer of eight million yuan. It was only for the sake of that eight million that he was willing to wait here for so long.

Watching Chen Yang approach, he smiled inwardly. This guy doesn't look like anything special, but he sure is generous.

Thinking this, he eagerly stepped forward, rubbing his hands together. "Boss, what kind of article can I write for you?" he said fawningly. "I'm not just boasting, but in this line of work, if I claim to be second best, no one would dare claim to be first!"

Li Chao puffed out his chest, a look of pride on his face. Despite his bravado, for some reason, he felt a strange sense of inadequacy in front of this seemingly ordinary young man.

"So, Zou Wendong was the one who found you?" Chen Yang glanced at him and asked calmly.

"Huh?" Li Chao frowned. What is this guy talking about? Is he here to cause trouble?

"Sir, I don't know what you're talking about, nor do I know any Zou Wendong," Li Chao said, his tone turning unhappy and sharp.

Chen Yang nodded. "Then let me ask you a different question. You said Li Si has been in a secret relationship with a tycoon for three years. Where is your evidence?" His voice was as placid as a deep well, utterly devoid of emotion.

Only Yang Hu knew that Chen Yang was truly enraged. And who could blame him? For someone to slander Li Si with such despicable means... it would be a miracle if he *wasn't* angry.

"Who are you to question me? Since I dared to publish it, of course I have evidence!" Li Chao could see now that this wasn't a business meeting. He straightened his back and shouted, "Li Si is my friend. I know her very well, and she is not that kind of person."

Chen Yang stared at him. "Show me your evidence. The eight million is still yours if you do."

Li Chao was speechless.

What a rich and arrogant fool!

But what evidence did he have? The article had been written entirely based on the materials Zou Wendong had provided.

"Hmph!" Li Chao snorted in displeasure. "I said I have it, and I do! I'd stake my life on it! You think you can just throw money at me? Sorry, but I'm not playing along."

With that, he turned to leave. However, Yang Hu took a single step and blocked his path.

"What's the meaning of this?" Li Chao's expression changed. "We have nothing more to talk about. What, are you going to get violent?"

The words had barely left his mouth.

A silver handgun was pressed against his forehead, its barrel cold and unforgiving.

Li Chao was frozen. Who… who are these people?!

HISS.

He sucked in a sharp breath and instinctively took several steps back. But no matter how he retreated, the muzzle of the gun remained firmly pressed against his forehead.

"Get in the car." Chen Yang turned and got into Yang Hu's Hummer.

Yang Hu shoved Li Chao into the vehicle's cabin. He then got in and sat beside Li Chao. After closing the door, he stared at the man with a sinister grin.

"You just said you'd stake your life on having evidence?" Chen Yang turned to stare at him, his voice still calm. "Show it to me. Otherwise, I'll have to take that life you wagered."

Li Chao was speechless.

His words, so calmly spoken, chilled Li Chao to the bone, making his hair stand on end. His limbs trembled and his teeth chattered. He tried to speak but couldn't form a complete sentence. He was utterly terrified. Moreover, this seemingly harmless young man possessed an aura so powerful it was suffocating.

What… what is happening?!

"You don't have it?" Chen Yang asked.

CLICK.

Yang Hu racked the slide with perfect timing, his grin widening to reveal a set of white teeth.

Li Chao's limbs shook with terror. "This… this…"

"So you don't have it."

"Don't, don't kill me!" Seeing Chen Yang raise his hand as if to give an order, Li Chao screamed with all his might, "I—I just wrote it for someone else! This has nothing to do with me!"

Li Chao was on the verge of a breakdown. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he would encounter something so terrifying.

Chen Yang lowered his hand. "Who?"

"It was Zou Wendong! He gave me five million! He told me what to write! It really has nothing to do with me! Every grievance has its source, so go find him!" At this point, how could Li Chao dare to hide anything?

Chen Yang wasn't surprised. "Where is he?"

"He… he should be at a press conference right now. It probably already started."

Yang Hu immediately pulled out his phone, found the live feed, and handed it to Chen Yang. On the screen, a stone-faced Zou Wendong, dressed in a white suit, sat at the main table.

"Young Master Zou, is the online article about Li Si true?" a reporter asked.

"I just found out about it myself."

Though not a direct confirmation, the statement was a clear admission. Before the reporters could ask anything else, Zou Wendong continued, "No matter what Li Si was like in the past, she is and always will be the woman I love most! That was true then, it's true now, and it will be true in the future!

"On her behalf, I wish to express our sincerest apologies to the public. I also hope that everyone can show some mercy. Please stop the insults and let this matter pass."

Zou Wendong looked utterly dejected, his attitude one of extreme sincerity. A wave of sympathy washed over the crowd. People felt for him, an indescribable sadness filling their hearts. Such a devoted man was truly admirable.

Watching this, Chen Yang suddenly laughed. His eyes turned ice-cold, a sharp glint flickering within them. Even Li Chao had to admire Zou Wendong's acting skills.

"Call him," Chen Yang ordered.

Li Chao didn't dare delay, quickly dialing Zou Wendong's number. On the screen, Zou Wendong, who had just stood up as if to say something more, frowned and pulled out his phone.

"Who is this?"

Chen Yang spoke. "My name is Chen. I've traveled far and wide and seen my fair share of the world, but I've never met a scoundrel as despicable and shameless as you. I should have sent you on your way back at the hotel!"

On the screen, Zou Wendong's face was clearly visible as it drained of all color.

"You… you're still alive?"

How could Zou Wendong not recognize that voice? It was one he would never forget for the rest of his life. He was panic-stricken and at a complete loss, overwhelmed with anxiety.

If he's still alive, then Tao Jinshui… This…!

"Want to say hello?" Chen Yang passed the phone to Li Chao.

Li Chao cried desperately into the phone, "Young Master Zou, you've set me up! Help me!"

Zou Wendong was speechless.

"Finish him," Chen Yang said to Yang Hu as he took the phone back.

BANG.

The abrupt gunshot made Zou Wendong nearly drop his phone. In an instant, he began to tremble, drenched in a cold sweat.

"What… what do you want?" Zou Wendong growled, clutching the phone tightly.

He was completely terrified. This man, Chen Yang, was terrifyingly ruthless.

"Get down on your knees," Chen Yang said, his eyes fixed on the phone's screen. "Kneel before all these reporters and tell them, in detail, exactly how you framed Li Si."

Zou Wendong was speechless.

This… This is worse than death.

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