Part 3
Bai Sinian smiled warmly, like a proud father. He handed the glass of water to Bian Rui, saying, “Have some water.”
“Mm.”
Without looking up, Bian Rui accepted the water, his gaze still fixed on the comment section on his phone.
“I think we’ve got enough. Shall we head to the police station?”
“Let’s go.”
Bai Sinian grabbed his ID and left the house with Bian Rui. The police station was just a two-minute walk from his house.
After Bai Sinian explained the situation, the officers at the station were very understanding and supportive of their decision to use legal means to protect themselves. They quickly helped print out the case documentation.
Bai Sinian blurred out any personal details and then took photos of the remaining content, posting them online.
In the new video, Bai Sinian specifically tagged the users behind the most liked offensive comments, sternly warning them that they would be held legally accountable.
As soon as the video was posted, the wealthy Cui Yeyi threw in another 10,000 yuan to boost the video, pushing it onto the trending page.
**[Tears Cut Through My Artery]:** *I’ve spent nearly 20,000 yuan today! Arguing so much my fingers are shaking.*
**[I Only Reply Randomly]:** *I didn’t spend any money, but I opened two alt accounts to argue.*
**[I Only Reply Randomly]:** *@ModelCryingForMe, do you have a mastermind advising you?*
**[I Only Reply Randomly]:** *How did you even think to go to the police? 66666.*
**[Tears Cut Through My Artery]:** *Check the comment section, haha! Some people have already deactivated their accounts and fled.*
Bian Rui and Bai Sinian went back to Bai Sinian’s house. Bai Sinian took some fruit from the fridge, planning to serve it to Bian Rui.
While in the kitchen chopping the fruit, he heard Bian Rui say, “Someone’s already apologized in the comments, kneeling and begging for forgiveness. Where’s your phone? Pin their comment.”
“So quickly? See, that’s the thing about these people. They can’t stand the light. If they knew the police would get involved, they wouldn’t have been so vicious online in the first place.”
Bai Sinian wiped his hands and brought the plate of freshly cut fruit to the coffee table.
He picked up his phone, scrolled through the comments, and pinned the apology.
Bian Rui, sitting on the sofa, casually speared a piece of apple with a toothpick and remarked, “We’re not in the wrong for opposing animal cruelty. It’s those with twisted values who band together to hurl insults. If we had animal protection laws in place, such distorted remarks wouldn’t be tolerated.”
“Exactly. Hopefully, through our voices, society will change for the better.”
Bai Sinian silently studied Bian Rui’s face. How could the creator of the universe be so unfair? Not only did Bian Rui have such a handsome face, but he also had such righteous values.
His admiration for Bian Rui grew. For life, he would be Bian Rui’s most loyal fan!
After staying for a while, Bian Rui left. Bai Sinian wanted him to stay for dinner, but Bian Rui had guests coming over, so he promised to visit again another time.
Bai Sinian felt much lighter. Humming a little tune, he went out to buy groceries, planning to cook a simple dinner for when his parents got home from work.
He knew that once he went to university, it would be time to fully leave home.
Visits home would become fewer and fewer, and the chances to cook for his parents would be almost nonexistent. With only a little over a year left, he wanted to do more for his parents and show his filial piety.
In just two days, it would be New Year’s Eve. Bai Sinian’s parents began their holiday, and the three of them went out to buy New Year’s goods, decorating the house in festive red.
As the Spring Festival approached, the trending topics were flooded with nationwide celebrations, and the “Dazzling Star” account was quickly overshadowed.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
On New Year’s Eve, Bai Sinian had a reunion dinner with his family. After watching the Spring Festival Gala, he sent 88 yuan red envelopes to each of the four members of “Dazzling Star” at midnight.
For an ordinary high school student, that 88×4 was a hefty sum.
But thinking about how he had to spoil his idols, it didn’t seem like much.
Unexpectedly, Cui Yeyi responded by sending 888 yuan red envelopes to everyone. Fan Hongyi sent a lucky-draw red envelope, and Shen Bei also sent 888 yuan red envelopes.
Only Bian Rui neither accepted nor sent red envelopes.
But everyone was used to his silence. The four of them chatted away in the group until the early hours of the morning before going to sleep.
Right after the seventh day of the new year, they had to prepare for school to start again. Meanwhile, the voices against cat abuse online had not diminished and were starting to resurface.
Bai Sinian arranged to go back to school with Bian Rui. His injury had healed by now, but Bian Rui didn’t bother changing dorms and stayed where he was.
On the night of the ninth, Bai Sinian’s father drove him and Bian Rui back to their dormitory.
His parents brought two large bags of snacks, which they left in the dorm before saying goodbye. Bian Rui, who didn’t care much for snacks, only had a small suitcase, as his mother had left for a film shoot on the fourth day of the new year.
As Bai Sinian was unpacking, he grumbled, “My parents still treat me like a kid. I don’t even eat snacks that much anymore. They still think of me the way I was in elementary school.”
Bian Rui, organizing his own things, replied, “I’ve heard that kids who eat too many snacks get cavities.”
“Ah… look, I don’t have any.” Bai Sinian opened his mouth wide, showing his teeth to Bian Rui.
“Whoa, are you trying to eat me?” A sudden voice from the door interrupted them. It was Cui Yeyi.
Bai Sinian closed his mouth and looked at Cui Yeyi. “No.”
Bian Rui’s gaze quickly shifted from Bai Sinian to Cui Yeyi, then back to Bai Sinian. The look made Bai Sinian feel a bit embarrassed.
He knew what Bian Rui was thinking—he wanted to see how Bai Sinian would react in front of Cui Yeyi.
What reaction would I have? I’m perfectly upright and just!
Bai Sinian responded calmly, “I was just showing him I didn’t have any cavities.”
“I want to see too!” Cui Yeyi tossed aside the gift bag in his hand and walked over.
With every step, Bai Sinian felt the pressure mounting. Oh no, if he gets any closer, Bian Rui is definitely going to enjoy the show!
Bai Sinian backed away. “No, uh, I need to make a call.”
With that, he grabbed his phone and escaped to the balcony, while Bian Rui seemed to detect the pain of unrequited love on his face.
Unfazed, Cui Yeyi tried to follow him to the balcony, determined to see his teeth. Why could Bian Rui see them but not him?
Bian Rui stopped him. “He’s making a call.”
Cui Yeyi looked at him, clearly displeased. What was going on with these two? Bian Rui had voluntarily moved in as his roommate, and now even teeth were only for Bian Rui to see.
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became. Straight guy, my foot. The likeliest scenario was that Bai Sinian had liked him at first, but after Bian Rui took over, he had shifted his feelings, which was why he had told him he was straight!
Cui Yeyi’s eyes were filled with the hatred of a romantic rival, until Bian Rui pulled a red envelope from his pocket and tossed it at him.
“Belated Happy New Year,” Bian Rui said coldly.
Cui Yeyi’s hostile gaze instantly melted, replaced by surprise, followed by suspicion.
“Everyone’s sending New Year’s money via WeChat these days. Why are you giving cash?” Cui Yeyi squinted. “It’s not counterfeit, is it?”
Bian Rui, who had started walking away, turned back, snatched the red envelope from his hands, and said, “If you don’t want it, forget it.”
“No, no, I want it!”
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