Chapter 32: Playing the Victim? You Think You Can Outdo Me?

At 1:10 PM, the entrance to the courthouse was already packed. There were internet influencers looking to capitalize on the traffic, various reporters, and die-hard supporters of Zhang Jiao. Her fans had even unfurled banners in her support, acting as if they would cause an uproar if the court failed to deliver justice for her.

Just then, a black car pushed into view. The crowd began to stir.

"That's Cheng Cheng's car!"
"It's him!"
"Cheng Cheng is here!"

Before the vehicle had even come to a complete stop, influencers and reporters swarmed it.

"Cheng Cheng, look over here!"
"Cheng Cheng, are you confident about winning the lawsuit?"
"Cheng Yi, are you currently filming? What is your take on the netizens who are predicting your downfall?"
"If you lose, will you still have the courage to appear in public?"
"How is your movie coming along?"

At this moment, all eyes were fixed on the vehicle.

On the other side of the crowd, Zhang Jiao also looked over. She was indeed good-looking—otherwise, Cheng Cheng, a former top-tier celebrity, would never have taken a liking to her—but compared to the stunning, glamorous actresses of the entertainment industry, she paled in comparison. Today, she had intentionally skipped makeup to present a haggard appearance, all to harvest a wave of sympathy. Clearly, her goal had been achieved; even the reporters and influencers didn't have the heart to ask her overly harsh questions.

Beside her, aside from a few female friends, there was also a foreign-looking man who was feigning concern as he held her arm, acting as if he were afraid she might collapse at any moment. The pretense was absolute.

Under the gaze of the multitude, Cheng Cheng stepped out of the car, flanked by his legal team. A collective gasp could be heard from the crowd.

The soft yet dazzling afternoon sun shone upon his profile. He wore an elegant, crisp suit, extending his long legs as he stepped onto the pavement. His dark hair fell naturally across his forehead, messy yet aesthetically pleasing. His flawless skin was so clear that not a single pore could be seen, and under the sunlight, it took on a translucent, jade-like quality.

With a high-bridged nose, refined brows, and perfect lips, his facial contours looked as if they had been carved by a master sculptor. He possessed both a masculine aura and a soft grace. Combined with his tall, slender frame and distinguished presence, he truly appeared like a god who had descended from the heavens into the mortal world.

For a moment, no one made a sound. Everyone was immersed in the dream-like vision created by his beauty. People stood dumbfounded, disbelieving, their minds wandering in a daze.

*Ah, his beauty! Can such a thing truly exist in the real world?*

When he walks through the mortal world,
His countenance is like poetry, his demeanor light.
When he walks through the mortal world,
He is a radiant flower, captivating all living beings.
When he walks through the mortal world,
He etches himself into the firmament, making the stars dim in comparison.

But what caused the heart to ache was that his eyes, which should have been as bright as starlight, now revealed a morbid, terminal-patient-like quality. His slender fingers, which should have been like works of art, were pale and tinged with a faint, ghostly blue. His frame, which should have been upright, exuded a weariness and fragility, as if he could be swallowed by the shadows at any moment. Even the wind blowing through his black hair brought with it a hint of intangible sorrow.

*That’s it!*

The entire crowd began to fill in the blanks themselves. *He was framed! He was hurt so deeply by the one he once loved most. He must be heartbroken, desperate, in such agony. He must have gone through a harrowing process of self-reconstruction, right? Not to mention, he now has to personally drag his former love into court...*

At that moment, men watching Cheng Cheng felt a sense of empathy, while women felt a surge of protective instinct, wishing they could pull him into their arms, comfort him, and soothe his wounded soul with their maternal warmth. Even Zhang Jiao felt a twinge of guilt, hating herself: *What have I done? I am truly despicable! If I hadn't been so fickle and had just stayed with him, I would still be his most beloved treasure, wouldn't I?*

But immediately after, vigilance flared in her heart. She snapped out of it: *Wait, why am I having these thoughts? I swore I would destroy him!*

The crowd parted naturally. Cheng Cheng moved forward, shielded by his lawyers, without any obstruction. Even the influencers and reporters couldn't bear to question him; the furrow in Cheng Cheng's brow seemed to be etched into their own hearts, leaving them heartbroken. His downcast gaze, like the reflection of the moon in a well, felt fragile and dream-like. How could they bear to twist the knife in his chest? How could they bear to hurt him further?

On the scene, only cell phones, cameras, and recording equipment operated silently, documenting his beauty.

Cheng Cheng reached the spot closest to the courthouse entrance. Looking at the stunned Zhang Jiao, a trace of imperceptible mockery flashed in the depths of his eyes.

*Heh. Playing the victim? Can you out-perform me?*

For today’s appearance, Cheng Cheng had spent all his accumulated points on the lottery. His current charm rating had reached 94, infinitely close to perfection—a level of attractiveness that was not only unique in the domestic entertainment industry but rare on a global scale. Furthermore, he had used three one-time items: "Instant Charm Lipstick," "Terminal Patient Simulation Patch," and "Magical Eye Drops."

The lipstick boosted his charisma, the patch made him appear deathly ill to elicit public sympathy, and the eye drops—specifically chosen for a "victim" effect—made him appear even more like a tragic figure.

Although the effects were temporary, Cheng Cheng only needed one look to make the crowd change their attitude toward him. And he didn't stop there. For safety's sake, he had also used the "Good Luck Potion." As the name suggested, it ensured things would move in his favor. He wanted to win the public's sympathy while doing everything in his power to guarantee that he would win the case today.

***

On the highway, a black car sped along. In the back seat of the luxury vehicle, a high-ranking official from the Beijing municipal government was working.

Just then, a news notification popped up: "Cheng Cheng’s cheating case goes to trial today; lawyers analyze that Cheng Cheng may lose..."

The official, with his square jaw, was interrupted and frowned slightly. Under normal circumstances, he would have ignored it, but for some reason, he felt compelled to take a look and tapped on it. After a while, he finished reading. He pulled his gaze from the laptop and asked, "Xiao Liu, there was quite a stir about that celebrity Cheng Cheng a while back. I heard the trial is today—are you aware of it?"

The secretary, who was driving, didn't know why his superior was asking about this. He replied cautiously, "Sir, you're following this?"

The official nodded. "People below mentioned it to me a while ago, suggesting he be blacklisted."

"You didn't agree?" the secretary asked.

"I looked into the situation and thought it was absolute nonsense!" the official said. "If the law is not transparent, its authority cannot be measured. Unless the facts are concrete, how can one simply blacklist someone?"

Having gauged the official's attitude, the secretary felt at ease. "Sir, I've actually looked into this too. This young star, Cheng Cheng, is actually quite disciplined in the circle. Aside from his professional ability being average, he doesn't have any issues with his personal conduct. And this matter can't really be blamed on him. Who considers it a breakup after being blocked and deleted for two months? Isn't that ridiculous? It’s just because he has no background or power that no one is protecting him. Sigh, he's actually quite pitiful."

"Oh?" the official asked, surprised. "How so?"

The secretary replied, "His father was a doctor and his mother was a medical worker. In 2003, they volunteered to provide medical aid in another province and unfortunately died from infection. Cheng Cheng was only three at the time. He lost his parents, was sent to an orphanage, and after growing up, joined an entertainment company. Now, he's been abandoned by everyone..."

The official was suddenly choked up. After a long silence, he sighed deeply. "Sigh, it is the country that owes his family. He is the descendant of heroes!"

The secretary asked, "Sir, do you want me to call the court handling the case?"

The official replied, "Do you think the court won't judge fairly without that call?"

The secretary teased, "If we don't call, it might really be uncertain."

Hearing this, the official felt a spark of anger but suppressed it. He waved his hand and said, "Then make the call. See that this is handled properly."