Chapter 132 - 130: Cyberbullying
Without exception, the comment section below the video was filled with abusive remarks. A pinned comment even featured a photo of Ji Qinghe and her place of work.
This is senior year, a critical time. Missing even one day of class can put a student way behind. What on earth are these police officers thinking?
Exactly. If this kid fails her college entrance exams because of this, can the police take responsibility for that?
This officer looks so young. She probably doesn’t have kids, so she can’t understand where we parents are coming from.
Ji Qinghe glanced at the comments, then called her colleague at the hospital. "No matter what happens, you must ensure Du Xueqing’s personal safety."
"Captain Ji, a crowd has gathered downstairs at the hospital. We’re requesting backup."
"Alright, I’ll send..."
"I’ll go." Huo Qing walked in from outside. "When it comes to handling a crowd like this, you guys won’t be intimidating enough."
’People have been telling me I look fierce my whole life. I guess it’s finally coming in handy.’
"Officer Huo?" Jiang Li said, looking surprised to see Huo Qing.
"Alright. Keep me updated."
Huo Qing gave Jiang Li a nod, then quickly led a team to the hospital.
Ji Qinghe watched the viral video, then looked up at Liang Huka and the others in front of her.
’It went viral so fast. They must have paid for the traffic. But spreading rumors and slandering the police... there are consequences for that.’
Ji Qinghe let out a soft laugh and looked back at Jiang Li. "Jiang Li, I have to get back to work. You all just sit and rest for a bit."
"Alright." Jiang Li noted that Ji Qinghe’s expression was as calm as ever, completely unaffected.
She took out her phone, intending to watch the Du family’s video.
Liang Huka couldn’t believe the woman across from him wasn’t paying him any mind. He was only seventeen, but he was already a tall 1.8 meters and strikingly handsome. Aside from Du Xueqing, this was the second woman to ever treat him as if he were invisible.
Yu Huannian caught Liang Huka’s malicious stare, and his fists at his sides clenched hard as rock.
When Liang Huka noticed Yu Huannian’s murderous glare, he flinched. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but the man’s aura was terrifying.
’He’s like a terrorist.’
Liang Huka’s interest instantly vanished. He slumped back in his seat, wondering how much longer it would take for his dad and the others to get here.
When Jiang Shuran saw Liang Huka staring at Jiang Li, a sudden rage flared within her.
Jiang Li sensed their stares. She lifted her eyes and met Jiang Shuran’s with a cold look.
At just a glance, a wave of fear washed over Jiang Shuran. Her body began to tremble as a bizarre scene from the previous night flashed through her mind.
A faint smile touched the corners of Jiang Li’s lips as she looked away.
Jiang Li watched the situation unfold online. The Du Family likely hadn’t expected the video to go so viral. Seeing its popularity, they grew even more brazen, even starting a live stream.
Jiang Li clicked on the stream. Du Yonghua and Liu Liping were at the hospital entrance, crying their hearts out. The scrolling comments were filled with sympathy and outrage.
Jiang Li wasn’t worried. The police department would have been monitoring the situation from the moment the public outcry began. By now, they were probably under full surveillance.
The Du Family insisted on digging their own grave; they had no one to blame but themselves.
A few moments later in the live stream, Huo Qing arrived with his team and warned the Du Family in front of the entire crowd.
"Du Yonghua. Liu Liping. Your daughter, Du Xueqing, was bullied at school. Because of you, she has also developed a severe psychological illness. It’s one thing that you don’t care about her.
But by spreading false information online and inciting netizens, you are suspected of instigating online harassment and disrupting public order. You are hereby ordered to immediately delete all related content, cease all illegal activities, and take the initiative to undo the damage you’ve caused.
Otherwise, we will hold you legally accountable in accordance with the law."
Huo Qing exuded a grim, intimidating aura. The moment he took his position, those standing nearby were frightened and instinctively backed away.
The live stream was quickly shut down and the video was taken down. However, others who were unaware of the truth had already started reposting it.
Seeing the group of police officers, Liu Liping’s heart began to pound. She feigned confusion and stepped forward.
"Officer, have you finished your investigation? Was my daughter just faking it?"
"Faking what? Why don’t you try faking it for me to see? You should be ashamed. You’re her parents, yet you don’t even believe your own daughter."
Huo Qing took out his phone and pulled up a video of Du Xueqing being bullied. "Ms. Liu, why don’t you take a good look for yourself."
"If you still think Du Xueqing is faking it after this, then I have nothing more to say."
Liu Liping took Huo Qing’s phone. When she saw the footage of Du Xueqing being humiliated and beaten, she was stunned speechless for a long moment.
"This..."
"What’s wrong? Surely you don’t think the police department fabricated this?"
Liu Liping trembled and shook her head frantically. "H-How could this be?"
"You believe a few words from a stranger, but you won’t believe a hospital report when it’s right in front of your face. You two are really something else as parents."
Huo Qing took his phone back and headed upstairs into the hospital. ’If these students come from powerful families, we’ll need to keep a constant watch on Du Xueqing to prevent any retaliation... or murder.’
Huo Qing’s exchange with the Du Family at the hospital entrance was recorded by an onlooker and posted online.
This is so ironic. How can someone not believe their own daughter and even claim she’s faking it...
And to think we were just sympathizing with her, helping her demand justice...
The netizens, realizing they’d been used, were instantly enraged and began doxxing the couple across the entire web.
Liu Liping was still reeling from the truth when Du Wenhua, who was beside her, saw the tide of public opinion online turning against them and was horrified.
"Let’s go, quick! Those netizens are coming this way."
Du Wenhua pulled Liu Liping into the car and they sped off.
Liu Liping saw the countless abusive comments online and began to tremble with rage.
Then, her phone started ringing with one unfamiliar number after another.
Liu Liping answered one call, only to be met with a barrage of curses. Terrified, she had no choice but to turn off her phone.
The image of Du Xueqing being beaten and bullied filled her mind. ’Was I really wrong?’
’But it’s still her daughter’s fault, isn’t it? When we didn’t take it seriously, why couldn’t she have just told us a few more times?’
’And now look what’s happened. We’re being yelled at by the police and vilified by the entire internet because of her.’
Liu Liping’s mind was a complete mess. She couldn’t think straight.
’What was she supposed to do now?’
Just as Du Wenhua reached his house, he suddenly noticed several men in black standing by the entrance.
Du Wenhua gripped the steering wheel, about to speed away, when a black car pulled up from behind, blocking their escape.
"Wenhua, what on earth is going on?"
Liu Liping looked at Du Wenhua, terrified.
Du Wenhua gritted his teeth. "How should I know what’s going on?"
"Get out of the car!"
One of the men outside knocked on the window, leaving Du Wenhua no choice but to get out.
"Do you... is there... is there something you want?"
The window of the black car in front rolled down. Du Wenhua looked at the person inside and recognized him immediately. ’Isn’t that Liang Chengdong, the principal of No. 1 High School?’
"You must be Du Xueqing’s parents. I have a proposal for you."
Liang Chengdong glanced at the couple outside. Jiang Sheng, who was beside him, gave a meaningful look to the bodyguards.
Du Wenhua and Liu Liping were then forced into the black car.
The undercover officers tailing them saw what happened and immediately reported the situation to headquarters.