Chapter 349: Chu Xinran’s Clarification Announcement

That evening, utterly exhausted, Fang Zhou returned home. After a quick shower, he turned on his computer and found multiple messages from Li Siming.

“Dude!! Your reputation has changed! Today’s commentary received so much praise; people’s impression of you has totally flipped!”

“There are way fewer trolls entering fans’ livestreams now!”

“Today’s commentary was worth it! Someone even made a comparison video between you and Wang Fei, and it makes you look even better!”

Every sentence from Li Siming was filled with exclamation marks, making Fang Zhou’s head spin as he read.

He carefully went through each message and then checked his social media account. To his surprise, he discovered that the negative comments had significantly reduced.

Many fans had even switched from haters to supporters, all because of today’s commentary.

This outcome was unexpected for Fang Zhou, but in hindsight, it made sense. People often feel guilty and seek to compensate someone they’ve wronged once they see the truth for themselves.

So, as Li Siming said, the commentary gig came at the perfect time.

Fortunately, thanks to Wang Fei’s blunders, Fang Zhou appeared even more competent by comparison.

Fang Zhou smiled slightly and replied to Li Siming: “Everything is clear without saying a word.”

Li Siming sent back an emoji: “Stop showing off.”

Fang Zhou laughed aloud and was about to put away his phone to sleep when another message from Li Siming popped up with astonishment.

Li Siming: Holy crap!! Look at this!! Chu Xinran posted an announcement clarifying everything for you!!

Fang Zhou paused, feeling a hint of confusion.

Fang Zhou: What announcement?

Li Siming: Just go check it out!

Fang Zhou tapped on the link Li Siming forwarded and found a post by an ID named ‘Xinran123’.

The opening line of the post read: “Hello everyone, I’m Chu Xinran, one of Fang Zhou’s ex-girlfriends. The rumors about Fang Zhou, myself, and several other girls have been troubling us, so I feel it’s necessary to clarify things for Fang Zhou.”

As Fang Zhou continued reading, Chu Xinran recounted their past relationship.

“Our relationship wasn’t like the rumors suggest. Fang Zhou didn’t wrong me. We broke up amicably and had a pleasant time together. His kindness made me feel like I’d never meet such a wonderful person again.”

“So when we met again on a dating show, I saw it as fate bringing us back together. If possible, I’d like to have a never-ending love.”

“Finally, I want to clarify that I haven’t been brainwashed, nor did Fang Zhou pay me (I’m well known for not needing money). I genuinely like him and can’t bear to see him suffer such injustice.”

“I hope the internet users show some kindness and stop judging such a good person with malicious intentions. Fang Zhou truly deserves to be loved. Not being able to stay with him forever is my greatest regret.”

Every sentence of Chu Xinran’s announcement defended Fang Zhou. It wasn’t a complaint letter nor was there any discontent or blame towards Fang Zhou—it read more like a heartfelt confession.

This announcement was clearly well thought out and carefully revised to sound formal.

Fang Zhou’s eyes widened with surprise. He couldn’t believe that the always timid Chu Xinran was the first to stand up for him.

His hand trembled slightly as he remembered Chu Xinran’s innocent face with big doe eyes always filled with mist, like black pearls shrouded in mystery.

She was usually so timid, afraid to even argue loudly with anyone. Even small conflicts would make her cry first.

He recalled when they were in college, she once brought back a bag of pomelos to share. After discovering they were dry and unappetizing, she mustered the courage to confront the seller. She could barely utter, “These pomelos aren’t good,” before being glared at by the seller.

The seller told her to peel another one, and she awkwardly stood there before insisting tearfully for a refund, which scared the seller into agreeing.

She later recounted this story proudly to Fang Zhou, saying she had scared the seller into giving her money back.

Fang Zhou found her adorably silly—timid but occasionally brave in inexplicable ways.

He struggled to imagine how much courage it took for her to post this announcement publicly. Didn’t she know how terrifying online rumors and cyberbullying could be?

Even though Chu Xinran had been revered as a goddess among many otakus due to her pure appearance, online affection was fleeting. Netizens could easily turn on someone in an instant.

Furthermore, defending someone viewed by the public as a heartbreaker was tantamount to opposing perceived justice.

Fang Zhou continued scrolling through the post’s comments. Aside from supportive fans, there were plenty of insults.

“Girl, having brains is good, but being blinded by love isn’t.”

“Saying Fang Zhou hasn’t fooled you—he’s played with so many girls’ feelings and you still stand up for him? You have guts!”

“Chu Xinran might be easy to deceive; her words don’t count. I don’t believe Fang Zhou is that good!”

The critical ones were bad enough; some comments were downright nasty, involving vulgar language and explicit slander targeted at Chu Xinran.

These familiar IDs frequently appeared under Fang Zhou’s posts too—users capable of unspeakable malice.

Regardless of whether they were instigated by someone else, Fang Zhou couldn’t tolerate people directing such poison towards Chu Xinran.

Who do you think you are, daring to insult someone I care about?

Fang Zhou’s eyes darkened as he captured screenshots of the offending IDs and sent them to Li Siming.

“Get our company’s lawyer to send legal notices for ‘defamation’ to these guys. Let’s see them squirm.”