On Weibo, not only had the post attacking Chu Yang surged into the top three of the trending topics, but some people had also leaked some of Chu Yang's personal information online:
【Name: Chu Yang】
【Age: 18】
【Education: Freshman, Department of Economics and Management, Beijing University】
【Home Address: Unknown】
【Contact Number: Unknown】
【Personal History: Attended primary school at...】
...
Although most of the critical information was protected by SSS-level encryption—making it virtually impossible for anyone without extremely high clearance to access—Chu Yang’s photo had still been exposed. In particular, the "Personal History" section noted that there was no record of his whereabouts for a three-year period in the middle.
Once this was exposed, countless fanatic female fans of "Hanhan" swarmed online, fingers flying over their keyboards.
"Is it that easy to get into Beijing University these days? Can just anyone study there? Is he trying to piggyback on Hanhan’s popularity because he knows how famous he is?"
"There’s absolutely no record of this person in the college entrance exam results, nor any record of him participating in top-tier international competitions. How did someone like this get into Beijing University? I demand that the relevant authorities investigate this thoroughly! @Huaxia Ministry of Education"
"What is wrong with Beijing University? Don't they look at a student's moral character when recruiting? They admit someone like this? I bet his credentials were bought with money! And as far as I know, the freshmen are preparing for military training now; why is he out and about? Does he think he can skip military training just because he has connections at home?"
Of course, there were some rational fans who, after seeing the video, commented:
"Holy crap, the person who posted this is so sleazy. From a professional standpoint, this video has definitely been edited. Is it really okay to smear someone like this?"
"Why does anyone need to apologize to this 'Hanhan'? That guy was right—do they own the elevator? Kicking people out without a word just because they’re a celebrity—do they think they’re superior to everyone else?"
"Just here to watch the drama. No further comments!"
However, such comments were in the minority. With the fanatic fans of "Hanhan" controlling the narrative, public opinion on the internet skewed against Chu Yang from the start, turning him into a target for everyone.
...
In the Beijing University dormitory, Li Qian was scrolling through Weibo, enjoying the drama, when she saw the rapidly climbing search topic. She immediately called her roommate, Lin Qingxue, to lean over. "Qingxue, look, isn't this your little junior? So many people online are scolding him right now!"
"What 'my little junior'?" Lin Qingxue paused, then quickly took Li Qian’s phone. After skimming through the video and the comments, she remarked, speechless, "Are those fans idiots?"
A celebrity expects people to give up their elevator? And if they don't, these fans start spewing nonsense online? What kind of twisted logic is that?
She then pulled out her own phone, opened Weibo, and dove straight into the trending topic to start firing back: "Do celebrities think they’re superior? It’s just an elevator—if they didn't give it up, is it because they're in such a rush to be reincarnated or rush to their deaths? A big star can't wait for an elevator?"
She might be angry at Chu Yang—he owed her, after all—but others weren't allowed to bully him!
Seeing Lin Qingxue’s indignant expression, Li Qian burst into laughter. "Qingxue, who was it that said when we got back to the dorm earlier that they were starting over and would have nothing to do with Chu Yang anymore? Looking at you now, I’m afraid you’re not over him yet!"
"I am not." Lin Qingxue’s cheeks flushed slightly. She shot Li Qian a glare and said righteously, "I’m sticking up for what's right, not the person. If anyone else were treated like this, I’d do the same."
"Keep telling yourself that." Li Qian laughed, her fingers flying across her screen. "Watch and learn from your big sister!"
As she spoke, she posted several comments defending Chu Yang. But the internet tide was one-sided. There were simply too many people insulting him. Both Lin Qingxue’s and Li Qian’s comments were quickly drowned out by the wave of malicious replies.
Li Qian started to get worried. "Qingxue, this is bad. Those fanatic fans of Wu Han clearly don't intend to let your little junior go. He’s really gotten himself into big trouble this time."
"I told you, I have nothing to do with him anymore," Lin Qingxue said, immediately trying to clarify. But a moment later, a flash of worry appeared in her eyes. Her finger slid across her screen, eventually resting on Chu Yang’s WeChat profile picture, and she fell into deep thought.
Three years ago, she had sent him countless messages without a single response. At the time, she had even wanted to delete his contact information in a fit of rage, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do it, letting him sit quietly in her friends list.
But now... should she send him a message?
...
At the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wang Weimin stared at the abusive messages on his screen, his anger boiling over. He slammed his hand onto his desk. "Preposterous! This is absolutely preposterous!"
He was already well-informed about the situation online. He had even received a report from the research base regarding Chu Yang leaving Beijing University to participate as a design advisor for the aerospace combat engine.
As the designer and creator of the 1nm photolithography machine, Chu Yang was, without question, a pillar of the nation! Huaxia’s success today was entirely due to talents like Chu Yang, who contributed their efforts in obscurity.
It had been nearly a month since the success of the photolithography machine. Although there would be a celebration banquet later, the names of people like Chu Yang would never be made public. Their contributions to this project would be sealed in top-secret national files forever.
Yet, a young man who sought neither fame nor fortune, dedicated solely to the country, was now being berated online by a celebrity’s fans simply for not giving up an elevator. If this matter wasn't handled properly, it would chill the hearts of countless researchers who silently devoted themselves to the nation.
He would not let this slide.
He immediately dialed Chu Yang’s number. Resting in the departure lounge, Chu Yang answered, "President Wang, is something the matter?"
Wang Weimin asked, "Little Chu, you’ve seen what’s going on online, haven't you?"
"So that’s why you’re calling," Chu Yang said with a bitter laugh. He wasn't a Luddite; he knew about Weibo. He had seen the information the "Hanhan" fans were using to smear him, but he hadn't expected it to reach President Wang so quickly. This was the President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Now that he knew, things wouldn't end quietly.
Someone was about to be in deep trouble!
Wang Weimin asked for the sequence of events, and Chu Yang told him exactly what had happened. Once he understood the situation, Wang Weimin roared into the phone: "Scoundrels! The internet is not a place beyond the law! Do these people think they can distort the truth and run wild online? This is simply too much!"
After venting, Wang Weimin instructed Chu Yang, "Little Chu, don't worry about this. Leave it to me. You just wait for your flight in peace. Don't let these outside matters disturb your focus. Within one day, I will give you a satisfactory resolution!"