Wang Kui knew that the person who had posted the video must have watched his livestream.
They had put on an interesting title so that they could secure popularity. However, the video clip had been taken out of context, and so, the audience could only see the scene where he had fought the wolfdog.
Moreover, the bloody scars on the wolfdog's body would cause further misunderstanding.
However, why had the owner not come out to explain things with the comments assuming such a trend?
***
Shenyang.
Dressed in a white coat with her hair tied into a ponytail, Zhang Yuning was having a break in her office.
She was as disappointed as she was angry inside when she had sent Wang Kui her message.
With his good looks and fine personality, she had come to like him during their university days. They had been quite close, but the kid had gone off to join the military just as they were about to get together.
Two years had passed in the blink of an eye, and they had drifted apart.
If not for the video she had spotted during lunch, they might not have had any more interaction for the rest of their lives.
At first, she had doubted it.
However, after getting confirmation from Wang Kui himself, she had to fault herself for being too naïve and believing that he was a good person.
[I'll advise you as a friend. Don't do this ever again.]
When Wang Kui did not reply, however, she believed that he was feeling guilty and did not reply.
Either way, she truly did not want to see him end up like that since she had liked him before.
***
Afternoon, Lü Liang Airport.
Wang Kui's WeChat was blowing up all through his journey—it appeared that TikTok was a huge influence.
However, because he still had to deal with Big Butt's transit, he could not afford to be distracted, and therefore, he only replied to several important ones.
As a matter of fact, Yang Ce and the other admins were left fuming in their WeChat group after reading the comments beneath the TikTok video.
[CE: Which stupid TikToker would do this to Old Kui after watching his stream?!]
[Zaun Gotta Run: There's no helping it with how things are looking now. Let's head to Fish-Bar, gather everyone, and make a stand to clear Old Kui's name!]
[Prodigious Pallbearer: Old Kui, you should make a TikTok account as well and upload a video for clarification!]
***
Arriving at the airport checkpoint, Wang Kui was between laughter and tears when he saw the attention everyone was giving him.
To think that the first occasion where he hit trending would be this outrageous!
That was when his phone rang.
"Hello? Greetings?"
"What do you mean 'greetings'?! I'm your father!"
Wang Kui was wondering why he was being scolded, but he soon came to a realization at the other person's voice that it was definitely his father.
"Ah… Dad, I am queuing at the checkpoint so I didn't notice."
"Where the hell have you been?! Did you see the video your cousin linked in our family's WeChat group? Why are you out in the wild tormenting dogs?" His father's tone was serious.
"Oh, Dad, it's just a misunderstanding. I'll explain it all when I get back. You won't get it if I tell you right here!"
Wang Kui appeared to be speechless—he had not expected the video to reach his own family too.
"I'm telling you right now, don't get up to no good, or I'll break your legs!" His father's tone was still serious, but it was obvious that he trusted his son.
"Don't worry, Dad! You've raised me all along, and didn't you always say that I would never embarrass you even if I never made you proud? Alright, I'm hanging up, I've reached the checkpoint…'
With that, Wang Kui hung up and cleared the checkpoint.
As the situation had escalated to this state, he needed to stand up and clear his own name.
Finding himself a bench to sit at the lounge, he logged in to his own TikTok account and made a clarification video.
Since he had kept the bounty notice posted by the local police station, he had the best evidence he could get.
When everything had been done, he turned on his flight mode since he wanted a break and he was about to board his flight.
Anyone who had been working hard for two days and then got bombarded by a ton of messages would naturally be weary mentally.
At the same time, Yang Ce, Zaun Gotta Run, and the others were busy gathering their fellow fans. Despite getting over two thousand subscribers, Old Kui's livestream channel was not really trending at the moment since he had mentioned over an hour ago that he would not be streaming today.
Moreover, there were too many comments on that TikTok video, so, they were quickly drowned out even if they gathered their comments.
***
Meanwhile, back at Fang Shan County.
Officer Zhao was poring over his desk, compiling and arranging Wang Kui's statements and records.
That was when a colleague from the media came to him, holding up a phone. "Old Zhao, wasn't this the guy who came in this morning?"
"Let me see…"
Taking the phone and then reading the comments, Officer Zhao promptly slapped his thigh. "What… What is this slander?!"
"Such situations happen easily on the internet these days. Netizens tend to take words out of context without understanding the entire matter, and they would be led by the nose by comments!"
The colleague sighed. "I'll use our local county's official account to comment and help clarify!"
"It wouldn't be that effective. Help me record a video instead. I'll personally clear Wang Kui's name. He put his life on the line to help us capture the wolfdog, only to be denounced for the good deed! If it were anyone else, who could bear with that?!"
"Sigh… I even told him that I would treat him if he returns to our county next time… would he have a good impression of us after this has happened?!"
Officer Zhao was certainly reluctant for a good kid with such a fine head on his shoulders to be left dejected and disillusioned by some online comments.
"Since you've spoken, I'll get some more official verified accounts. They won't have many fans, but it would more or less help!"
"Good!"
Officer Zhao picked up his police cap, ready to record the video.
***
Over three hours had passed, and the sun was setting.
Finishing her shift, Zhang Yuning had left the hospital, but Wang Kui had still not replied.
Whatever. He could do as he liked.
On the way home, she skimmed through TikTok videos out of boredom when she suddenly stumbled upon a video:
[Greetings, I'm Zhao Ze, an officer from Fangshan County. In regards to the trending TikTok video of 'Man Torments Dog', many netizens are denouncing the person in said video. However, I hope to clarify the matter in his stead, as it concerns a bounty notice which our county had issued…]
The video that was posted in an official verified account lasted around a minute, and Officer Zhao basically explained what had happened.
Huh…
Zhang Yuning promptly returned to the comments on the trending leaderboards.
The previous top comments were now replaced by many new comments which were defending Wang Kui.
There were many verified accounts too, including Fangshan Province Police, Northern Wudang County, Yukou Town Police, Lü Liang local police, and the like…
Moreover, there were comments by fellow netizens:
[That's a clip of Old Kui when he hunted a wolfdog, which had a bounty by the local county on its head!]
[The circumstances were unique, and Old Kui did not torment the dog!]
[The man is a Samaritan! Let's make this clear, brothers!]
***
Samaritan, hero, hunting dog, donated his bounty, aiding the victims…
Such keywords flashed through Zhang Yuning's gaze, and even the owner of the video posted a new image to clarify: he rarely used TikTok, but he had made his own edited clip because he had found the stream yesterday interesting. He never expected things to be blown out of proportion and apologized to Old Kui on his account, even indicating that he was Old Kui's fan.
While comments from normal accounts could have been planted by media companies, the numerous official accounts and police personnel personally standing up for him and posting up videos meant that it was true!
In just half a day, Wang Kui, who had been cursed by everyone, was suddenly a heroic Samaritan!
"Wang Kui…"
Standing in the underground rail, Zhang Yuning felt as if all her strength was drained as her cheeks turned red-hot!