Chapter 14: Stealing 160 Million—And You Tell Me It Was Mere Negligence?
A brief announcement from the tax bureau sparked a frenzy among mainstream media outlets. Many reports explicitly named Zhang Hongbo and others, delivering sharp, cutting criticism that struck deeply.
Onlookers eagerly shared the news, initially just for entertainment, but after reading the media’s pointed commentary, they snapped to attention.
“Damn it, making tens of millions, even hundreds of millions a year, causing roadblocks everywhere he goes, cutting in line while others wait patiently, and in the end, he won’t even pay his damn taxes!”
“No wonder my money’s always tight—turns out it’s because some bastard’s stealing it!”
People had largely ignored the issue until the media exposed it; then, they suddenly realized the gravity. Most harbored resentment toward the wealthy, and upon learning these figures were evading taxes, public outrage surged uncontrollably.
“Wow, what Xu Qingfeng said was actually true. I thought it was just malicious revenge.”
“Are you stupid? Would malicious revenge involve a real-name report? You think he’d risk a secure job?”
“I didn’t believe it before, but it’s worse than I imagined.”
“Xu Qingfeng’s right. The entertainment industry’s rot really needs cleaning up.”
After shock turned to anger, the public called for a total ban on Zhang Hongbo and his associates.
“Ban Zhang Hongbo!”
“Ban the bus!”
“Wait, guys, you can’t ban that—I haven’t even ridden it yet!”
“Chen Chu needs banning too.”
“Good luck with that. That old guy’s got massive influence, and he’s a director. How do you ban a director?”
“Damn!”
Netizens slammed the table in frustration. Their ire toward Chen He surpassed even that for Zhang Hongbo. While Zhang was guilty of tax evasion, Chen He was notorious for rigging auditions. The thought of Chen He, with his wrinkled, sagging, old-man face, toiling over the goddesses in their hearts made them furious beyond measure.
Xu Qingfeng logged onto Weibo and struck again.
“A little poem for everyone:
Kneeling on both knees isn’t always begging for mercy;
Carrying burdens on your shoulders isn’t always responsibility;
A stab in the back isn’t always a dagger;
Heart-wrenching pain isn’t always suffering;
Tears falling aren’t always tears;
What’s swallowed isn’t always grievance;
What enters the body isn’t always blood;
What seeps out isn’t always sweat.
If you want to get by in life, wear a hint of cyber-green on your head.”
Miao Qing’s loyal fans immediately faltered.
“Please, just stop.”
“So wet, so wet.”
“After watching so many scenes, I already have the image in my head.”
“I want to stab Chen Dog!”
With Xu Qingfeng’s prodding, Chen He finally ignited public fury. Netizens didn’t care much about the industry’s unspoken rules—they were used to that—but they hated that it wasn’t them benefiting from such favors. Chen He’s age and his arrogant attitude toward the fans’ beloved idols was the real trigger.
For a time, the hashtag “Ban Chen He” trended on Weibo, gaining traction far beyond the tax bureau’s announcement. Countless netizens demanded Chen He be ousted from the entertainment industry, even threatening to ruin his entire family.
But an hour later, the hashtag “Ban Chen He” plummeted in popularity, dropping from third place to below the top fifty in mere ten minutes, vanishing without a trace. The H&T Corporation intervened, deploying an army of fake accounts to suppress the topic repeatedly.
The next morning, the tax bureau of Magic City revealed the details.
“Upon investigation, Xinghui Entertainment’s artist Zhang Hongbo was found to have evaded 130 million yuan in taxes by concealing personal income, fabricating business transactions to alter income nature, falsely reporting, and splitting contracts to avoid taxes. An additional 30 million yuan was underpaid. According to relevant laws, the Magic City tax inspection bureau has reclaimed the taxes, imposed late fees and fines totaling 380 million yuan... Miao Qing owes a total of 95 million yuan...”
Following the official statement, Zhang Hongbo promptly issued an apology.
“I have never been good with finances, so I always believed my income was legally declared and taxed. It wasn’t until this tax audit that I realized my many mistakes. Regardless of the reasons, this tax issue was due to my own negligence. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I hope everyone will give me a chance to make amends.”
Upon release, his loyal fans expressed sympathy.
“Poor brother, ignorance is no crime.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“It’s okay, just be more careful next time.”
“Brother is so sincere, it’s fine, we forgive you.”
“Sending hugs.”
“Fuck you, 160 million yuan all due to negligence? Are you kidding me?”
“Trust you? I’d sooner believe I’m your father.”
“No sincerity at all.”
“You must be an Xu dog fan. Hating on brother because Xu paid you?”
“May all haters rot!”
With the combined efforts of paid commenters and die-hard fans, Zhang Hongbo was almost being whitewashed into a saint.
Just as things seemed to be calming down, Xu Qingfeng smiled.
A half-hearted apology letter and you think you can whitewash this? Dream on!
Here comes the key!
“You don’t know you made a mistake; you only know you got caught.”
Many misled netizens immediately sobered up.
“Damn, classic!”
“That’s why something felt off—clearly, it’s a cover-up.”
“I’ve seen this excuse before... where was it? Oh right, ‘Legal Online’! After those parasites were caught, they all put on the same act.”
“No remorse in the confession—only resigned acceptance of fate.”
Not only that, Xu Qingfeng replied under the top comment: “So heartbroken? How about you help him pay his taxes?”
Suddenly, the comment section’s tone flipped. Zhang Hongbo was mercilessly roasted.
Bewildered, Zhang Hongbo saw Xu Qingfeng’s comment.
“Fuck you!” Zhang’s eyes reddened with rage.
“Fuck you, do you really want to finish me off?”
“I swear I’ll kill you!”
“Newborn, you damn newborn!”
Furious, Zhang Hongbo raged while his PR team intensified damage control.
Miao Qing, preparing to issue her own apology letter, froze at Zhang’s disastrous state.
“Sister Li, should I still send it?”
Her agent’s expression flickered uncertainly before biting the bullet: “Send it!”
“Still the same approach?”
Slight hesitation from Miao Qing.
Li shook her head. “Change the beginning, play the victim, and end with an apology.”
Soon, Miao Qing’s apology letter was ready.
“Think Xu Qingfeng will comment?”
Li looked doubtful. “Probably not. Your apology sounds sincere.”
“Okay.” Miao Qing quietly refreshed Weibo repeatedly.
“Xu Qingfeng commented!” Panic gripped Miao Qing’s heart; her fingers whitened from the grip.
“Let me see!”
“This doesn’t feel right. Your emotion’s off. Suggest you find the feeling of crying in bed.”
Within two minutes, the comment garnered over ten thousand likes.
“Crying in bed? Is that what I think it means?”
“Is your crying even serious?”
“Goddamn crying in bed!”
Miao Qing’s face drained of color as her phone slipped from her hand.