NMBJ2 - 34

Three days later, Xitang, accompanied by her agent and assistant, flew to Beijing. 

Ni Kailun had her assistant notify the Shanghai media in advance. On the day of departure, reporters swarmed the airport, blocking the departure hall completely. Xitang didn’t use the VIP channel but disembarked directly in the passenger lane. Surrounded by journalists, media crews, and onlookers, she was like a small white dot adrift in a vast ocean. Fortunately, they had prepared thoroughly. What should have been a ten-minute walk took half an hour due to the heavy security and assistants surrounding Xitang. At the same moment she appeared at the airport, photos of her wearing a long white shirt, looking slightly haggard but beautiful, with a mask covering her face and her head bowed in silence, quickly dominated the headlines of every entertainment outlet. 

Her father and Li Shu’an were there to meet her. 

The next day, accompanied by her lawyer, Huang Xitang appeared at the Chaoyang District Public Security Bureau. 

The uproar over Huang Xitang’s stabbing incident had spread far beyond the entertainment industry after days of online speculation. It gradually evolved into a societal hot topic, sparking heated discussions among thousands of people. Since registering her social media account, Xitang had never experienced such overwhelming attention—not even when she won Best Actress for Spring Delay, which marked her first major career peak. Even though the party involved hadn’t logged onto social media or issued any statements since the incident, her follower count surged by 200,000 in a single day. Netizens flooded in waves to observe and participate, and all media outlets were closely following the story. On the day she appeared, the road in front of Daoyuan No. 1 was packed with reporters. Several media outlets even live-streamed the event online. 

This was Huang Xitang’s first appearance in front of the cameras since arriving in Beijing. She remained silent, but this time, her lawyer spoke one sentence: “The law will prove my client’s innocence.”

After that day, Huang Xitang disappeared from the public eye. Her lawyer continued to cooperate with the police investigation, but the media could not extract more information through official channels. 

Online rumors ran rampant. A new “revelation” emerged every day. Some claimed that Huang Xitang was innocent and that the person in the video wasn’t her at all. Others countered, saying that fingerprint analysis had already confirmed her identity, so there was no point in claiming innocence. Some speculated that she had stabbed someone due to a romantic dispute, with the victim being her ex-boyfriend. Still others suggested that the man’s face was hidden because he must have been attempting rape. Various factions debated fiercely, but none could provide concrete evidence. After several days of this chaos, someone claimed that a friend in the police department had told them Huang Xitang had already been detained. 

On April 9th, eleven days after the incident, Starlight Entertainment held a press conference at the Kerry Center Hotel in Beijing’s China World Trade Center regarding the matter involving their artist, Huang Xitang. 

The hotel arranged a banquet hall for the event. By the afternoon, the number of journalists who arrived far exceeded expectations. The lobby on the first floor descended into chaos, forcing the hotel to hire additional security personnel and meticulously register and verify each attending member of the media. Originally scheduled for 3 p.m., the press conference was delayed by a full hour and finally began at 4:10 p.m. Huang Xitang, wearing a white shirt, appeared accompanied by her agent and senior executives from the company’s Beijing branch. She faced the media publicly for the first time. The sound of camera shutters filled the room as flashes lit up continuously. Xitang’s face was bare, pale, and calm. 

The press conference lasted about half an hour. 

Huang Xitang’s appointed lawyer, Mr. Xiu, addressed the media regarding the case. In his mid-forties, Mr. Xiu spoke standard Mandarin, maintaining a serious demeanor without a trace of levity. He appeared composed and professional. He explained that Huang Xitang was involved in a case of self-defense resulting in bodily harm. The incident occurred when she was sexually assaulted and violently resisted to protect herself. However, she subsequently faced severe retaliation from the victim. The approved evidence was presented at the end of the conference. When two unredacted photos of Huang Xitang’s face and abdominal wounds were projected onto the screen, several male cameramen turned their heads away from their viewfinders, unable to bear the sight. Several female reporters burst into tears on the spot. 

The agency arranged for Huang Xitang to deliver a brief statement. 

At 5 p.m., Xitang exited the hotel via the garage elevator. Li Shu’an was waiting in the car and gently patted her head. 

Xitang was still trembling slightly. 

Li Shu’an’s steady and firm voice reassured her: “It’s over now. Go back and rest well. Leave the rest to the lawyers.” 

The journalists’ cars remained parked outside the hotel entrance for a long time, refusing to disperse. Xitang waited in the garage for nearly an hour before finally leaving the hotel. 

Following Ni Kailun’s advice, Huang Xitang had engaged Su Yan’s PR team at an exorbitant fee starting from the day she departed for Beijing. Over this period, Su Yan’s team had been actively guiding public opinion and laying groundwork. Several groups stirred up discussions on various entertainment gossip websites, creating waves of controversy. On the night of the press conference, the best PR teams and invited independent writers collaborated to publish analyses from multiple angles and perspectives. Dozens of articles were gradually pushed to the front pages of the most popular entertainment media outlets nationwide over several days. These pieces traced Huang Xitang’s life from her days as a student at the Film Academy to her current status as a leading actress. They pieced together a narrative—some parts true, some fabricated—portraying Xitang as a girl who refused to yield to violence and oppression, exposed darkness, remained chaste, and persevered despite suffering trauma. 

At the press conference, Huang Xitang’s tearful, pale, and moving appearance, coupled with her slightly trembling voice, left a deep impression. The video of her speech quickly gained traction online, amassing tens of thousands of views daily. She said: 

“For many years since the incident, both my body and mind have been battling this trauma. I protected myself in an extreme way, which is not a correct example to follow. I will continue to fully cooperate with the police investigation, hoping to uncover the truth for all those concerned. I thank my family and friends who have supported me, and everyone who has shown concern. For more than seven years, I have kept telling myself this: Now, I also want to say to women who have suffered similar harm— we are not weak. We can be strong. We can overcome the past and live better lives.” 

Xitang returned to Shanghai and stayed indoors. Xiaodi Zhu’s family often visited her, and sometimes Xie Zhenbang came over for meals. With friends and loved ones around, her loneliness was alleviated. Paparazzi were stationed outside the garage exit of her residential complex 24/7. 

Li Shu’an entered with his daughter. 

At some point, Xitang began inviting Li Shu’an to have tea at her home. This likely started when he began shuttling between Beijing and Shanghai repeatedly with Lawyer Xiu Lianzhang to handle her case. Initially, their conversations revolved solely around the case, with assistants, agents, and law firm secretaries present. As the details of the case gradually became clearer, the others dispersed, but Li Shu’an would stay longer, chatting with her. During this time, Li Shu’an had been tirelessly working on her behalf. If Xitang felt no gratitude toward him, it would have been impossible. 

After returning to Shanghai, Li Shu’an flew to the city almost every weekend, sometimes bringing his daughter. His little girl had become good friends with Xiaodi Zhu’s son. Every weekend, they played house, taking turns playing “mommy” and “daddy,” with Jaden, Ni Kailun’s baby, as their “child.” Li Shu’an frequently encountered Xiaodi Zhu during these visits, and the two got along well. Li Shu’an’s late wife had been an expert in special education and one of the founders of a private school for disabled children in Beijing, as well as a philanthropist. When Xiaodi Zhu spoke passionately about these topics, outsiders found it hard to follow. Even Ni Kailun, who had met him many times, still couldn’t quite understand. Yet Li Shu’an grasped it after just one or two meetings. 

In this regard, Xitang secretly admired him. 

Xitang once said to Ni Kailun: “Thankfully, my mom passed away. If she were still alive, this incident would have broken her heart again.” 

Ni Kailun playfully swatted her head. “What nonsense are you talking?” 

Ni Kailun knew Xitang missed her mother. 

When people are vulnerable, they think of their mothers. 

In April, Beijing experienced a rare rainfall. 

By noon, the rain intensified in the suburbs. Spring rain is precious, drenching the muddy paths of the industrial park. Nearby, the tender green shoots of saplings planted last year sprouted. 

Under the gray eaves of the old factory building, Zhao Pingjin lowered his head to light a cigarette. His hands trembled slightly, and the lighter slipped, failing to ignite. 

Gong Qi noticed and immediately stepped forward, shielding Zhao Pingjin from the raindrops falling from the tin roof. He cupped his hands around Zhao Pingjin’s lighter, and a small blue flame flickered to life. Leaning close, Gong Qi whispered into his ear: “The latest update confirms the matter has been handled.” 

Zhao Pingjin removed the cigarette and nodded calmly. 

Gong Qi inquired: “Xiaomin is returning from Hebei this afternoon. Should I ask him to—” 

“Have him report to me in person.” 

“Got it.”