With these tasks finished, Shen Weilan finally had time to check the videos online.
Just as she had predicted, Lin Huichu had used high-tech editing to splice together the previous night’s footage, inserting clips of herself purportedly abusing Gu Haoran—slapping his face, pinching his thighs, and the like.
Even Shen Weilan, the person involved, had to admit that seeing this video made her furious; it was no wonder that mothers across the internet were outraged. Their maternal instincts had been completely triggered by the footage.
The entire internet was now united in attacking her, with only a small number of people keeping their wits about them, sensing that things were not as simple as they appeared.
Shen Weilan pondered for a moment before registering a new account under the name "WifeStrikerThree." She deliberately commented on the video with the highest number of likes and shares.
WifeStrikerThree: "First, as Gu Haoran’s biological mother, when her son’s life was in danger, the first thing Lin Huichu did was not to save him, but to pick up her phone and record a video. This point is worth noting. Second, the video is clearly spliced using high-tech editing; it is obvious someone is deliberately framing the legitimate wife. Third, if this video were real, why wouldn't Lin Huichu go to the police instead of posting it online to stir up public opinion? Finally, I believe netizens are all detectives like Conan—we would never wrong an innocent person, but we would never let a low-life off the hook."
Her ID name was already eye-catching enough; combined with her comment, it was instantly pushed to the top, drawing everyone’s attention.
Many people are foolish without realizing it, and what’s most fatal is their obsession with saving face. Shen Weilan’s final point was masterfully manipulative: if they disagreed with her, they were idiots; if they agreed, they were detectives like Conan.
In one brief comment, she successfully shifted the tide of public opinion onto Lin Huichu.
Netizen 1: "Finally, a smart person has weighed in. I ask you, what mother could stand by indifferently while her child is being beaten? And still have the presence of mind to record a video? If it were me, I’d kill whoever was hurting my child."
Netizen 2: "I completely agree with 'WifeStrikerThree.' The moment the video came out, I felt something was off. I posted my thoughts, but some idiots actually sent me private messages to curse at me and threaten me."
Netizen JY Phoenix Reborn: "I heard from a friend of a friend that this Lin Huichu was a mistress who climbed her way up. In college, she hooked up with Gu Yunze, who already had a fiancée, and only managed to marry into the Gu Family because of the child. But she is a jinx to her husband; not long after, the Gu Corporation was on the verge of bankruptcy. During the Gu Family’s hardest times, she chose to divorce Gu Yunze. If Gu Yunze hadn't married the daughter of the Shen Family, the Gu Corporation would have gone bankrupt long ago. Would he be living such a comfortable life now?"
The entanglements between Shen Weilan, Gu Yunze, and Lin Huichu were known only to those within their social circles; outsiders had no idea. They simply assumed Lin Huichu was a Cinderella who had married into wealth.
Netizen JY Phoenix Reborn’s comment instantly shattered Lin Huichu’s "Cinderella" persona. Now, some bored netizens were even busy "doxxing" Lin Huichu’s information.
Shen Weilan frowned as she read the comment from JY Phoenix Reborn. The username was quite distinct, reminding her of the JY Research Team. She casually "liked" the comment.
Soon after, the user followed her and sent a private message.
JY Phoenix Reborn: "Hello! You, who hates the ex-wife."
Ugh!
Shen Weilan’s lips twitched as she stared at the "greeting." She replied politely: "Hello, is there something you need?"
JY Phoenix Reborn: "Nothing much, just felt like I’d found someone I could resonate with."
Resonate?
Shen Weilan arched an eyebrow. She wasn't one for gossip, and she never commented on news. It was only because Lin Huichu’s video had severely damaged her personal reputation that she had stepped in to tear her down.
She gave a flat, "Oh."
But JY Phoenix Reborn continued: "How do you think the Shen daughter will retaliate?"
Shen Weilan: "I don't know."
JY Phoenix Reborn: "You do."
Shen Weilan was puzzled: "Why would you think I know?"
JY Phoenix Reborn: "Just by your ID name."
Seeing this, Shen Weilan grew suspicious. Why did this person seem to be fishing for information?
JY Phoenix Reborn sent another message: "Don't worry, I’m not a bad guy. I’m on your side."
Shen Weilan felt this user was getting weirder and definitely suspicious: "Oh, well, how about this? Let’s swap V-chat IDs? Easier to keep in touch?"
JY Phoenix Reborn agreed readily and sent his ID.
Shen Weilan certainly wasn't going to use her main account to add a stranger, so she used a burner account. Little did she know, the other party was doing the same—it was a battle of wits.
Immediately after adding him, she checked his "Moments" to see what she could find. Ugh! Just like most people, it was set to only show the last three days; his feed was impeccably clean.
Shen Weilan took the initiative: "Are you free? Maybe we can grab afternoon tea." She wanted to see if this person was someone she actually knew.
JY Phoenix Reborn: "Very busy today. Too many projects to review, and not a single person around who can help."
Reading this, Shen Weilan scoffed. Why did this guy sound like a pretentious loser? Was he bragging while praising himself? Was he the only one who could do any work?
Shen Weilan followed up: "Oh? By the sound of it, you must be a big businessman. Which company do you work for?"
JY Phoenix Reborn: "The best group in City A."
Shen Weilan chuckled. The best group in City A? That was either Junyue Group or the Shen Group. Could this loser actually be an employee of the Shen Group?
"Is it Junyue or the Shen Group? Must be a lot of pressure working at such a big company. Send me your address, I’ll have a coffee delivered to you to help you relax."
JY Phoenix Reborn: "Thanks for the coffee, but I can’t drink it lately; it’s not good for my health. There’s definitely pressure; as the director and president, not a single one of my subordinates is worth their salt."
To Shen Weilan, this was clearly a bluff. She looked down on him even more—he was trying way too hard.
"Heh! So, should I call you President Huo or President Shen?"
This loser had definitely hit a wall by trying to bluff her; anyone else might have believed him.
After she sent the message, JY Phoenix Reborn stopped replying. Shen Weilan didn't care; it was clear he was just bragging.
She got up and went to her study to work; she still hadn't finished the project Xi Heng had dumped on her two days ago.
As soon as she opened her laptop and logged into her work account, a message from Xi Heng popped up.
"Weilan, my flight is this afternoon. I’m coming to City A to see you. But seeing you isn't the main point—the point is to find Jingfeng. He’s in City A, in the same district as you."