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“Han Fei, I understand that there is an ongoing misunderstanding between you and the company. But no worries because we have decided to pay you compensation for giving you the sudden leave notice. Do you mind if we meet up to discuss this further in person? From what I know, you have not joined a new agency, right?”

Hearing the voice, Han Fei frowned. Then he checked the caller Id, it was the manager from his previous agency. ‘I thought I had already blocked his number…’

“Han Fei, this is a rare chance. You should definitely not let it slip. Do you know how much I have to fight for this second chance on your behalf? If not for our close bond…” Han Fei hung up immediately. He deleted the number and blocked it. Social decency was no longer as important to Han Fei as before. After starting Perfect Life, he had learned not to spend any more time on these unnecessary people and events.

‘But why would my former agency suddenly reach out to me? Has something happened recently?’ Han Fei logged into the browser on his phone and out came his name on the front page.

“The hero in the human jigsaw case will be starring in a movie inspired by the real-life tragedy!”

“The most authentic main character in history! I have killed myself, I have captured myself and now I will play myself!”

“Everything will be reconstructed down to the smallest detail! The movie promises to bring you into the deepest abyss, to admire the flower of sin that can only bloom on human hearts.”

Han Fei had no idea what happened. He went to sleep and woke up to find many articles on him peppering the internet. The news was still spreading. He was the hot topic of the day. His follower numbers on his social media account broke through the 30000 gap. However, the comment section was more like a law-education forum, where many official law enforcement online representations were busy fielding the citizens’ questions. It was not that unusual for celebrities to have some strange fans but it appeared like every single one of Han Fei’s fans was a crime buff. Along with the law enforcement, they were discussing what kind of case would make a good detective movie for Han Fei to star in next.

‘What in the world is happening?’ Han Fei immediately gave Director Jiang a call. It rang only once before it was picked up.

“Han Fei? What’s wrong?”

“I saw so many articles about me on the internet, are those paid promotions done by the crew?”

“You gave me such a fright there, I thought you’re going to tell me you won’t be attending the shoot today because you have something else to do.” Director Jiang sighed in relief. “The online reporting has nothing to do with us. What you did was simply too eye-grabbing. The news outlets picked up on it and you know the rest. Your popularity has reached a new height but as time passes, it’ll slowly fade away so we need to push out the movie before that happens!”

“Understood, I’ll head to the set immediately.” After hanging up, Han Fei rubbed his temples. “After I earn enough money, I really need to get a gaming hub. The helmet is quite uncomfortable especially when you need to wear it through the night.” After a simple morning routine, Han Fei left his home. When he crossed the front door, Han Fei tossed a casual look at a corner and then left in a hurry.

About 10 seconds later, a bespectacled middle-aged man exited from the back of a van. He had a very professional set of camera equipment with him. “The man saw me? That’s impossible. I’ve been in this business for more than a decade already and I have never missed out on a scoop…” The middle-aged man huffed and carefully followed after Han Fei. But after he turned a corner, he was shocked to realize that Han Fei had disappeared. “Huh? Where did he go?”

“Looking for me?” Han Fei’s voice rang beside the man’s ear. Before the latter turned around, Han Fei gripped his wrists and pressed him against the wall. “Why are you following me?” The professional dressing-down confused the middle-aged man. His brain shut down for a moment before he came up with an excuse. But when he met Han Fei’s gaze, he found the lie stuck in his throat. “Please don’t hurt me! I’m just a reporter from Xin Lu Starlight News. My name is Jin Jun. I feel like there’s a big scoop on you so I’ve been following you.”

“So you’re a paparazzi?”

“No, as I’ve told you, I’m a professional reporter.”

After releasing the hold on the middle-aged man, Han Fei said sternly, “I’d advise you to schedule an official interview with me at an appropriate venue. You have to realize that there are murderers still out there trying to take revenge on me. If you keep on tailing me, I’m afraid you’ll accidentally run into them.” With the warning given, Han Fei ignored the man, and continued his way to the set.

When he arrived, he noticed the place was even more crowded than usual. Other than reporters, there were also people from the new media. In this age where everyone could become an internet sensation, the truth was often sidelined for clicks and money. Some of these new media ‘journalists’ fed into and propagated this phenomenon. They often exaggerated a small issue, and employed clickbait titles. One should not even put it past them to come up with fake news. The possible effects their ‘news’ could have on the subject? They couldn’t care less as long as they got the clicks and views.

To catch up with the shooting progress, Han Fei did not stay to interact with the reporters. Unable to get anything from Han Fei, those with journalism ethics chose to wait for Han Fei to take breaks, they’d ask him for a few statements then. The others however started to come up with stories in their mind already.

A few scenes were done that morning. Han Fei did not get a break until noon. But before he could get a bite in him, Zhan Yueyue ran over. “Brother, have you seen the latest news? You’re the one who helped the police solve the frozen body and toy plushie cases as well?”

Zhan Yueyue was technically not wrong but that fact should not be known to the public. With a frown, Han Fei took out his phone and went online. Turns out some of the ‘news’ sites had decided to credit Han Fei with all the recently solved cases. The articles were badly researched but who really cared about truth these days?

They had no proof, they merely wrote these articles because they knew it would be sensational. But the problem was, Han Fei would have to face the dangerous consequences of their actions!

“Teacher Han, they’re not real, right?” Zhan Yueyue’s jaw dropped to the ground. “You’ve been shooting the movie with us every day, where did you find the time to help the police solve 2 more cases? Are you real life Conan?!”

“Shush, let me think about this.”

“Teacher Han, this is a good thing. They’re helping you garner popularity!”

“Yes, but they’re doing that by painting a big red target on my back. The murderers of these cases are still out there, and now they might come after me, thinking I’m the one who reported them.”

Hearing that, Zhan Yueyue’s face paled with concern. “The fuck! Doesn’t that mean we’re in deep danger?!”

“Don’t panic. I say, let them come. There’s no telling which party will end up as the victim in the end.” Han Fei chuckled to himself. For some reason, Zhan Yueyue felt a chill run down his spine.

It’s now the start of a new month, the perfect time to get the most benefit from Patreon. Here are my current patron benefits:

Lingering Spirits (5 USD per month): 13 Advanced ChaptersPure Hatreds (10 USD per month): 33 Advanced Chapters 

Unmentionables (20 USD per month): 74 Advanced Chapters 

The Revolutionaries (40 USD per month): All the stockpile. 2 Chapters Release daily instead of one. 

Patreon Link: /lonelyman