Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 495 - 491: Zhang Wei’s Face? Get it off the trending searches!

Chapter 495: Chapter 491: Zhang Wei’s Face? Get it off the trending searches!

Saturday, a day off.

Zhang Wei should have been resting, but he was woken up early in the morning by a series of knocks on the door.

When he opened the door, he saw Luo Xiaobu with an unnerving look on his face.

"Zhang Wei, something terrible has happened!"

Before Zhang Wei could even speak, Luo Xiaobu had started to shout in panic.

"What’s wrong, what’s wrong?"

"Zhang Wei, look at the top trend on V-blog!"

"The trending section is working again?"

Zhang Wei was a bit surprised, but upon remembering that Zhang Dihu and Qian Moli’s case had ended, V-blog company no longer needed to pretend ignorance, and the trending section would certainly be restored.

After all, that’s how they make their money, right? How much money do they lose with the trending section down even for a day?

"Let me check..."

He said, pulling out his phone and opening the trending page.

"Shock: Tiger Fish’s famous internet celebrity acts out, suspected of having an affair with top-ranking brother!"

Zhang Wei remained unfazed upon seeing this message.

Isn’t this a usual tactic for female streamers?

Why set up ranking lists, if not to flaunt the status of being with a top-ranking brother?

With a top-ranking brother, they naturally get more support on the boards.

And why would these top-ranking brothers spend so much money? Just for a, "Thank you for the big rocket, brother 666"?

Why else would top-ranking brothers give you so much reward, if not because they are enticed by your body?

So to Zhang Wei, it wasn’t uncommon for internet celebrities to meet their patrons offline—it was an everyday occurrence.

"Zhang Wei, Bobo would never do something like this!"

Luo Xiaobu couldn’t accept it and shook his head, full of disbelief.

"Radish, you have to understand, they meet with the top-ranking brothers as part of the job!"

Zhang Wei patted his shoulder, offering calm consolation.

He clicked to read the trending topic.

He had to admit, the smear prepared by the other party this time was quite substantial.

The content contained many specifics regarding times and places.

For example, there were mentions of Bobo and a man suspected of being the top-ranking brother shopping together, having coffee, and watching movies.

Eating together, playing on entertainment facilities together, and more...

There were many photos, even some "street snaps" by passersby.

But this top-ranking brother...

"Bobo isn’t that kind of person, how could she like someone like that!"

Luo Xiaobu still couldn’t accept it, especially when he saw those photos on the post, where a man who was even "sturdier" than he is could be seen holding Bobo’s hand, chatting and laughing with her, while Bobo appeared to be on friendly terms with the man.

"Well, let’s go next door and ask then~"

Zhang Wei didn’t seem to care much; after all, he wasn’t the one hurt by this.

"By the way, do you know this top-ranking brother?"

"He’s not in the fan group, how could I possibly know him? But I’ve heard this guy is a boss in construction, he’s donated millions to Bobo. Every time she needs to climb the rankings or compete in leaderboard PKs, he’s her main supporter!"

"Oh, in the end, it’s still because you haven’t spent enough money, huh!"

Zhang Wei chuckled and led Luo Xiaobu into Zhang’s Martial Arts School.

Today, the only one training in the morning was Zhang Xinwu, with Bobo clearly the type to work sporadically—here for three days, gone for two. She was not out today.

"Where’s Miss Lin?"

"She’s resting in the room!"

Zhang Xinwu pointed at an empty room in the martial arts school.

Zhang Wei walked over to the dormitory door with composure and knocked.

"Miss Lin, are you up yet?"

"Lawyer Zhang, I..."

"I understand, come out and talk about what’s troubling you, but don’t let this weigh on your mind—it’s no big deal!"

With Zhang Wei’s reassuring words, the door opened and Bobo came out with red eyes.

It was unclear whether she hadn’t slept all night or if it was because of the trending topic that morning that she had cried.

Seeing her reddened eyes, Luo Xiaobu, who had a belly full of words to say, was now at a loss for words.

The group gathered again in the main hall.

Zhang Wei turned on his phone and continued to view the top trending topic.

"Zhang Wei, it’s terrible, the fan group is blowing up, and a bunch of people are saying they’re gonna unfollow!"

"Some people are even calling Bobo shameless and vile, how could they just..."

Luo Xiaobu wanted to say something, but after thinking about it, he didn’t know what to say.

Because he was one of those who were hurt.

"Stay calm, it’s basic operations," Zhang Wei waved his hand, indicating the latter should take it easy.

A female broadcaster, accompanying the top ranker is just the basic operations.

Speaking of which, as the second top ranker, you kind of fall short of your name, don’t you?

Others can flirt and tease, but you’re so honest as the second top ranker?

"So what do we do?"

Luo Xiaobu looked to Zhang Wei for help.

At this moment, he also had no idea what to do.

Bobo, who was beside him, kept her head down the whole time, as if she had let everyone down.

But within the martial arts school now, the only one probably hurt was Luo Xiaobu.

Zhang Xinyan might have had a good impression of Bobo at first, but he was only interested in her body.

Maybe, that’s just a common interest among men.

"How about letting Bobo go into the streaming room and explain?"

"There’s no other way," Luo Xiaobu nodded.

Instantly Bobo took out her phone and opened up her streaming room.

"Lawyer Zhang, the streaming room is gone!"

But soon, Bobo noticed a problem.

"The streaming room is gone?"

Zhang Wei quickly opened the Tiger Fish app and searched for Bobo’s streaming room.

[The broadcaster is suspected of violating the live streaming platform covenant, and the streaming room is undergoing rectification...]

"Wow, Tiger Fish banned your streaming room?"

This time, Zhang Wei was also surprised.

Bobo’s stream from yesterday was explosive, and since he had helped write the script, there was absolutely no edge content, let alone legal violations. How could it have been banned?

"Should we contact customer service?"

Luo Xiaobu quickly suggested.

"Yeah!"

Bobo started to operate, trying to contact customer service at Tiger Fish.

But she sent a message and waited five minutes with no reply.

"Customer service is ignoring me..."

"Typical!"

Zhang Wei chuckled; customer service at such large companies, you might not find anyone to report your complaints for half a day.

It’s funny, similar big companies all advocate putting the user at the center, yet user complaints and reports are never taken seriously.

The customer service handling these complaints and reports often use perfunctory responses like, "Okay, I got it, I’ll report back," or "Your complaint has been processed, and the platform will be improved in the future," and so on.

It’s as good as saying nothing, not telling you how to modify, and then the message goes unresponded to.

The key is not just one internet business; this has already become the ethos of internet enterprises.

The entire industry does it, claiming to value users, but they are the ones who care least about the users.

They’re always busy developing new products, to make money from users’ pockets, yet they almost ignore complaints, reports, and even suggestions from users.

Because dealing with these post-issue matters is hard work with little gratitude, far less profitable than developing new products.

"I’ll give it a try!"

Zhang Wei said, and directly dialed Tiger Fish Company’s switchboard number.

"Hello, this is Tiger Fish Networks, who are you looking for?"

"This is Zhang Wei from Jincheng Law Firm, I need to speak to the person responsible for your live streaming content!"

"Jincheng Law Firm, Lawyer Zhang, may I know what business you have with our Vice President?"

"Litigation!"

Zhang Wei just spat out these two words coldly, and the receptionist on the other end of the line immediately felt the pressure.

"Alright, Lawyer Zhang, I’ll convey the message!"

The receptionist did not dare to delay, well aware of the clout behind the name Jincheng Law Firm.

She hurriedly transferred the call to the Vice President’s office, and when the secretary heard that someone from Jincheng Law Firm was looking for the Vice President, she promptly reported it.

Vice President Wang’s morning coffee was still warm in his office. As the secretary approached him in a fluster, explaining that Zhang Wei from Jincheng Law Firm was on the line, his brows furrowed tightly.

He couldn’t recall being involved in any litigation at the moment, could he?

The only lawsuit that might be relevant is my brother-in-law’s case, which seems to involve a dispute over a female anchor’s breach of contract.

But I always thought that had nothing to do with me.

So why did someone from Jincheng come looking for me, and this Zhang Wei, I seem to have heard the name before.

"Please transfer the call."

After much deliberation, Vice President Wang decided to hear what the other party had to say.

The call connected.

"Is this Vice President Wang?"

"Yes, it’s me. Lawyer Zhang from Jincheng, what are you looking for me for..."

"Oh, Vice President Wang, I’m here today because a female anchor’s live stream was banned. Her name is Bobo, she..."

Zhang Wei spoke tersely, stating the situation clearly.

And upon hearing for whom Zhang Wei had come, Vice President Wang’s expression changed slightly.

It turns out he was looking for me because of my brother-in-law’s case.

"Lawyer Zhang, that female anchor’s live content was suspected of violating regulations. Our actions were to maintain the health of the platform’s content. Please understand!"

"Vice President Wang, then tell me, what was the violation in yesterday’s live stream? Was it something she said, or was the anchor’s behavior indecent, involving a certain extent that you can clearly explain?"

Vice President Wang frowned upon hearing Zhang Wei digging deep for answers.

"Ahem, these matters are for the review department to handle, I’m not clear on the specifics!"

"Director Wang, could you then tell me who reviewed Miss Lin’s live stream yesterday so I can contact them?"

"That, the review department is very busy, and I am too, Lawyer Zhang, if there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up now, goodbye!"

Vice President Wang didn’t give Zhang Wei a chance and hung up the phone directly.

After that, he summoned his secretary and instructed, "From now on, don’t accept calls from this number, nor those claiming to be Zhang Wei from Jincheng Law Firm, don’t transfer them to me again!"

"Understood, Director Wang!"

The secretary took the order and promptly went to block the number.

...

Zhang’s Martial Arts School.

"We are sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable; please try again later..."

This time, Zhang Wei dialed the switchboard of Tiger Fish Company several times in a row, and the response was always the same.

The number had been blacklisted.

"Does Tiger Fish Company have anything to do with Zhu Pitte?"

Zhang Wei made a sarcastic comment but then, as if he thought of something, he muttered, "Could they really be related?"

He quickly opened WeChat and sent a message to Zhao Xiaoxiao, asking her to dig up some information on Tiger Fish Company.

A few minutes later, his second daughter saw the message and replied with an "OK" emoji.

"Zhang Wei, what do we do now? I see that we’re still trending, and many fans are leaving the group!"

Insults were flying around in Luo Xiaobu’s fan group.

They were tagging Bobo, demanding she come forward to explain.

The managers who originally supported Bobo now all pretended to be offline, with none stepping forward to control the situation.

Luo Xiaobu, although he posted in the group, was lone against a crowd and couldn’t possibly stand up to them.

"Let them leave if they want. The more aggressive they are online, the more unsatisfactory their real lives are. People with stable jobs and lives wouldn’t spend all their energy on the internet."

Zhang Wei waved it off, insisting that one must remain calm when dealing with online disputes.

The anonymity of the internet particularly gives many people dissatisfied with their lives an outlet to vent. Many manifest their real-life grievances through their online interactions.

In real life, I’m timid; online, I throw strong punches, becoming a keyboard warrior, critiquing and commanding.

"So, should I just ignore it?"

"Of course!"

Zhang Wei tapped the board; this was the real issue they needed to address.

Arguing with idle netizens was not only a waste of time but completely meaningless.

"For the trending issue, I’ll take care of it!"

Zhang Wei pondered that the trending topic needed his direct involvement.

He dialed another number, but this time it wasn’t Tiger Fish Company; it was the headquarters of Weibo.

The head of Weibo was also a Mr. Wang, and this time, he was truly Director Wang, not a mere vice.

When Director Wang heard that Lawyer Zhang from Jincheng Law Firm was calling, he didn’t even start his morning meeting and answered the phone with utmost seriousness.

"Lawyer Zhang, hello. What can I do for you?"

Director Wang’s polite, even respectful, tone took Zhang Wei aback for a moment.

This unexpected politeness made me quite surprised.

However, since the other party was so cordial, Zhang Wei spared the pleasantries and got straight to the point.

"Director Wang, I’m currently working on a case involving the Tiger Fish platform, and the top trending post on Weibo pertains to my client. I’d like to request that during the course of this case, you don’t allow Weibo to be used as a battleground by either party in court, nor guide public opinion. It could stir up the jury and potentially affect a fair verdict..."

Zhang Wei said a lot, but in the end, it could all be summed up in one sentence: Take down the trending topic!

"Lawyer Zhang, it’s not that we don’t want to take it down, it’s just that the trending list is based on user discussions and big data integration. It has a unique but transparent calculation method. We can’t just take it down because you said so!"

On the other end of the phone, Zhang Wei rolled his eyes.

Trending list transparent?

What a colossal joke.

"Director Wang, isn’t it true that your company’s trending spots can be bought with money?"

"This..."

Director Wang suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

Although this was a fact, he couldn’t just admit it, and certainly, they wouldn’t acknowledge such a thing publicly.

"Well then, Director Wang, I’m not the kind of person who enjoys forcing others, so how about this—today, you either take down the trending topic, or we settle some scores?"

Director Wang felt the pressure, sensing a threat from Zhang Wei.

However, he still managed a forced smile and politely asked, "Lawyer Zhang, we haven’t met each other. What scores do you want to settle with me?"

"Nothing much, just that your company previously promoted posts that were slandering and defaming me. I’m considering suing you guys."

Hearing Zhang Wei’s words, Director Wang’s heart skipped a beat.

Zhang Wei was planning to sue Vibo!

It was like the King of Hell knocking at the door, death looming!

"Oh, and by the way, I heard you are Vibo’s executive director. If I add your name to the lawsuit, you’ll be the representative defendant in the defamation case!"

Having his name added to the lawsuit alone!

Wasn’t that like the King of Hell practicing calligraphy with one’s name in the Book of Life and Death, condemning one to certain death?

"Lawyer Zhang, you can’t do that, what about those trending topics?"

"Director Wang, the trending topics are outright slandering me, claiming I’m a murderer, saying I’ve breached criminal law. I have screenshots of the trending topics and the comments from the netizens are all preserved as well!"

"But the posts weren’t issued by our Vibo..."

"But you played a role in fueling the fire, and who said that your company doesn’t post anything? I’m very clear about how many paid posters you have, and once we’re in court, I wonder what the users will think when they discover all the little schemes your company has been up to?"

Gurgle...

Director Wang swallowed nervously.

He started to panic.

The thought of a lawsuit from Zhang Wei was already terrifying enough.

If during the trial Zhang Wei revealed Vibo’s secrets and even exposed the fact that trending topics could be bought, wouldn’t the company face a major crisis?

Not to mention a stock price plummet, his position as the director would probably come to an end too.

If this mishap occurred, the board of directors would definitely look for a scapegoat to stabilize the stock price.

As the executive director and the overall person in charge, wouldn’t he become the sacrificial offering?

"Lawyer Zhang, I understand now. There is indeed a problem with the content at the top of the trending list. I’ll have the project team adjust the weightings right away!"

Director Wang’s attitude did a 180° turn, immediately assuring Zhang Wei.

"Thank you, Director Wang, for your trouble."

"It’s no trouble at all. Although we at Vibo are a social platform, we must be responsible to our users. Any unverified reports or those that could lead to misinformation, we will certainly expedite the review and take them down!"

Hearing Director Wang’s assurance, Zhang Wei chuckled inwardly.

Not caring about the authenticity, only concerned about traffic—isn’t that the trend you at Vibo have started?

"Well then, thank you, Director Wang."

Zhang Wei soon hung up the phone and watched the trending list.

Within two minutes, the top trending topic had vanished without a trace from the list.

So much for being open and transparent.

A single phone call, and after a couple of threats, that top trending post was gone.

How is this transparency?

"I’ve taken care of it on my end."

Seeing the trending topic disappear, Zhang Wei tapped on the blackboard again.

The matter of the trending topic now settled, his main focus shifted back to Zhu Pitte.

Ding!

Just then, his phone rang—it was a message from his daughter on Vchat.

"Huh, there’s so much dirt on Tiger Fish?"

"Wait, this Vice President Wang has a wife, and she has that kind of relationship with Zhu Pitte? My word!"

"No wonder, I was wondering who in Dongfang Capital dared to disrespect me, Zhang Someone. So this is why!"

Zhang Wei touched his face, thinking his reputation in Dongfang Capital should be quite good too.

But actually, he was mistaken. Vice President Wang from Tiger Fish Company was from the live-streaming circle, not the judicial sector. It was normal that he didn’t recognize him.