What does becoming famous overnight feel like?
Du Heng didn’t know.
Even when he saw his ins account from his university days, where the number of followers suddenly jumped from single digits to five digits, he felt nothing. This was because he hadn’t used it since graduating from university. The increase in followers was just a change in numbers, creating no ripples in his heart.
However, looking at the countless comnts that suddenly appeared below, Du Heng felt his composure was about to snap.
There were people asking for dical advice and seeking recomndations for renowned specialists. But much more of it was doubt, vitriol, and slander.
Du Heng experienced for the first ti what online harassnt felt like, and he gained a clear understanding of the situation Sister Li had described. This was fa achieved without stepping on anyone’s toes. If he had infringed upon so powerful interests, this storm might have assailed him ten or even a hundred tis more fiercely. No wonder so very famous people suddenly withdrew from the internet. No wonder so people were still joking around online one day, and the next, they said goodbye to the world. No wonder people say that words are like knives, each one drawing blood. A seemingly simple stroke of a character could cut like an ax; not everyone could bear it, especially an intellectual like himself, who valued his dignity and had a sense of sha. It felt like each word was being carved into his very heart.
Out of sight, out of mind. Du Heng took a deep breath and closed the webpage.
But his bloodshot eyes, heavy breathing, and heaving chest made it clear that closing the webpage hadn’t cald him down.
Qiu Pingzhen stood quietly before Du Heng’s desk, not daring to speak as he observed Du Heng’s current state.
The currents online were indeed a fickle beast.
Yesterday, netizens were still buzzing about Feng Su’s cancer. But over lunch, the tide suddenly turned, and public attention shifted from the celebrity to traditional Chinese dicine. Then, it shifted to Du Heng, sparking intense online debates, especially about whether he could truly treat cancer.
These discussions didn’t last long before they morphed into denunciations of Du Heng for alleged deception and skepticism about the efficacy of traditional Chinese dicine in treating illnesses. By the ti Du Heng was about to head to work, Feng Su’s situation was no longer a hot topic.
Even under Feng Su’s own posts, people weren’t concerned about whether she was filming with Li Qin or if she genuinely had cancer. They cared about only one thing: had Du Heng truly cured her with just Decoction dicine?
They hoped she, as the person directly involved, would step forward and clarify.
Qiu Pingzhen had been Du Heng’s makeshift advisor these past couple of days and had a firm grasp of the online dynamics. Seeing Du Heng’s state, he knew the online comnts had affected his mood.
Fortunately, Du Heng had good self-regulation. After a few deep breaths, he had already composed himself. "Director Qiu, what is it?"
Qiu Pingzhen looked at Du Heng. Seeing he had regained his composure, he said, "Jin Juan is here. Dean, do you want to see her?"
Du Heng let out a heavy sigh. "What did she say? Is she willing to cooperate with us?"
"She refused at first. It was only after I contacted Director Li from the Health Commission that she rushed back and agreed to cooperate."
Du Heng’s tone was sowhat cold. "I won’t see her. Just explain things clearly to her. Tell her to choose her words carefully when the reporters arrive later."
Qiu Pingzhen hesitated. Du Heng frowned slightly. "What’s wrong?" he asked.
"Jin Juan wants to see you, to talk to you."
Du Heng chuckled. "Given the online situation today, does it even matter if she’s willing to cooperate or not?"
His expression then turned icy. "If she cooperates, it saves us so trouble and fewer explanations. If she doesn’t, we’ll just have to put in more effort to explain things ourselves."
The unexpected turn of events had indeed caused a significant shift in Du Heng’s ntality, a change Qiu Pingzhen keenly felt as well.
Initially, Jin Juan’s public admission could have absorbed much of the pressure for Du Heng, the hospital, and Feng Su. But who would have thought Feng Su’s buzz would be so much less than anticipated? It wasn’t the kind of sensational celebrity scandal often seen online. The influence her celebrity status commanded, it turned out, had less impact than a fart from a major internet celebrity’s dog. This was sothing no one had foreseen.
Moreover, the constantly shifting online hot topics clearly showed that public curiosity about traditional Chinese dicine and whether Du Heng could treat cancer far outweighed interest in celebrity gossip.
If it weren’t for Feng Su’s modicum of fa and the hospital’s actual leak of patient privacy—making them wary of a lawsuit or compensation claim from her—Du Heng might not even want to bother with Jin Juan right now.
Qiu Pingzhen understood Du Heng’s thoughts, so he didn’t press further for Jin Juan to et him. He simply agreed and turned to go and speak with her.
At 10:20 in the morning, reporters from the Municipal TV Station and Provincial TV Station had set up their caras in Du Heng’s office. They were directing Hospital Office staff to adjust the office layout.
Du Heng wasn’t idle either. He sat on the sofa while a makeup artist, brought by the reporters, dabbed makeup on his face.
"Everyone, I’m just answering a few questions. Is all this makeup really necessary?" Du Heng shifted uncomfortably. It was the first ti in his life he’d had such a fuss made over his face. Usually, just applying so Dabao was enough.
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