Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Three Parties’ Forces
"Delete it immediately!" Gu Shiting ordered Song Chen, "Trace the ID source, find out who it is."
Song Chen pondered for a moment, "Young Master, deleting it won’t work. When faced with a flood, blocking it blindly will only make the water accumulate deeper and eventually form a disaster."
"Then let’s see how disastrous the flood can be!" Gu Shiting’s face turned frosty in an instant.
His usually aloof and indifferent eyes were now filled with anger, like a burning fire, ready to scorch those who spoke ill of Sheng Tang.
Despite his usual disinterest in worldly affairs, Gu Shiting had a violent streak. When faced with something that displeased him, his first instinct was to act.
In the past, when girls threw themselves at him, he would push them away forcefully and feel the urge to kick them.
He refrained eventually, with his remaining rationality stopping him just in time. But if that girl hurt Sheng Tang, he would definitely act, just like the last incident with Yang Mingming.
"School and the entertainment industry are two different ecosystems." Song Chen explained patiently to Gu Shiting, "In the case of the young lady, when something happens, posts can indeed be deleted and public opinion controlled because she doesn’t need to study and live every day with the people talking about her.
Tangtang’s situation is different. Deleting online posts won’t stop the rumors in real life; it will only make Tangtang more isolated. Young Master, deleting the posts would be akin to admitting defeat. Are you willing to do that?"
Song Chen understood him well, always offering effective solutions.
Sure enough, after a few words, Gu Shiting’s expression softened.
"I still want to find out who’s behind this," Gu Shiting said, "Promptly arrange for the public opinion to be turned around!"
Song Chen acknowledged.
This little storm didn’t bother Sheng Tang at all; she continued studying as usual.
During the morning classes, she listened attentively, while classmates occasionally came up to comfort her.
"We know they are deliberately slandering you, we support you!"
"Yeah, they said your poetry isn’t good, let them try writing themselves."
Sheng Tang was amused, not knowing how to respond.
She took the opportunity to browse the forum.
The posts attacking her had been pushed to the top, with replies exceeding ten thousand, much more popular than the praise posts.
Sheng Tang briefly skimmed through.
Seventy percent of the people followed the trend, mindlessly attacking Sheng Tang.
"’Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again’ is really not good? I used to find it odd too, turns out it borrowed the melody of a song."
"In the poetry world, this is completely unconventional," said a professional detractor.
"No wonder, the teachers were fooled too and gave her first place!"
"First place comes with a prize; she should return the money."
They also criticized her songs.
"The melody is totally wrong; it only sounds interesting due to a unique angle."
"Yeah, it’s not pleasant at all."
Sheng Tang looked at them, thinking most people indeed follow the crowd, without individual thought, just believing whatever others say.
She shrugged indifferently.
She felt relaxed, knowing these things were insignificant and could actually increase her popularity.
Of course, thirty percent of the posters were loyal fans of Sheng Tang.
They defended Sheng Tang fiercely, arguing with the detractors and spectators.
Sheng Tang felt touched.
She still didn’t say anything, not wanting to escalate the situation, especially not personally.
However, by noon, a shift occurred in the forum.
Two long posts appeared, speaking in support of Sheng Tang.
No matter how people defamed Sheng Tang, those posts countered with defenses.
Criticizing Sheng Tang’s poetry? The new posts provided experts’ evaluations, praising her poetry highly. Saying her songs are unpleasant? New posts promptly quoted professional music critics appreciating the melody.
The situation quickly turned around.
"I know Mr. Cheng, he’s the most sharp-tongued music critic, even scolding top stars. If he says ’The First Dream’ is good, then it must be very good."
"Gu Xiang is the best-selling modern poet; if he says Sheng Tang’s ’Saying Goodbye to Cambridge Again’ is a unique, great poem, it must be very good."
Suddenly, the winds turned in favor of Sheng Tang.
The attackers, reduced from seventy percent to thirty percent, were losing, but fought even more fiercely, unwilling to give up.
Sheng Tang found it laughable.
What’s going on?
There are no benefits involved, why are three groups of people fighting so passionately?
Is everyone so idle?
Sheng Tang thought about writing another poem to end this farce.