Chapter 232: Feel Guilty or Not

Chapter 232: Have You No Conscience?

The scheduled shoot was at a studio near the Songjiang Film and Television City. Relying on the proximity to the studio, it was fully equipped, making it highly convenient for everything from filming music videos to recording and post-production.

When Meng Fan and Sister Sun arrived, a large crowd had gathered outside the studio, mostly young women holding various exaggerated fan paraphernalia.

"This doesn't seem to be for Brother Shan Jin, does it?"

"That, I think it's a Korean star."

"Aren't they restricted? Was it lifted?"

"Actually, the authorities never officially declared a ban; it was more of a top-down unspoken consensus. However, things have loosened up recently. More Korean stars are coming to China, though the events they attend aren't very public, and the number of performers is strictly limited. Even if the ban were lifted, times have changed. In the last two years, the domestic idol-training and elimination mechanism has developed rapidly, producing several groups. Combined with existing high-quality idols, the Hallyu wave is no longer the dominant force in China."

"I see. Still, this one seems quite popular."

"That brings us back to the point. Domestic idol groups haven't been around long; their performance levels and staying power remain to be tested, and management agencies still lack experience. Because of this, the fan base for Korean stars remains massive. Habitual comparisons mean the conversion rate to domestic idols is low, save for a few who returned from abroad. So, if the ban were fully lifted, it would be a real unknown—at the very least, a test for domestic management companies. The agency Su Qingcen is with has one such team..."

As they chatted, the two skirted around the crowd of fans toward the main entrance.

Suddenly, Sister Sun noticed Meng Fan’s brow furrow. She looked over curiously, but she wasn't as tall as him, and with so many people in the way, she couldn't see a thing.

Immediately after, a great commotion broke out among the fans. The group blocking her view retreated like a receding tide, clearing her line of sight. She saw a girl sitting on the ground, head in her hands, while two bodyguard-like men were kicking and punching her with predatory ferocity.

A Korean star's bodyguards were beating someone!

Sister Sun’s expression shifted. It had been ages since such news had surfaced, and yet it was happening right before her eyes.

Once the view cleared, the two bodyguards stopped. They spat a few unintelligible curses at the girl on the ground, shot a vicious glare at the onlookers, and turned to walk toward the Korean star.

The surrounding fans wore expressions of terror, seemingly unable to fathom that such a scene had just unfolded.

"Why are they hitting her!"

"Exactly, what right do they have to hit her!"

"Didn't you see that idiot try to grab Park Jae-hae just now?"

"Which fan club is she from? They were told to maintain order!"

"Great, now Park Jae-hae is angry!"

"Exactly, it’s hard enough for Park Jae-hae to visit; that bitch deserved it!"

"She must be a black fan!"

"Pass the word: all fans present are strictly forbidden from posting videos or photos. Everything must be vetted first. We cannot let a single negative comment reach Park Jae-hae!"

Various voices rose from the crowd. Although some were dissatisfied with the violence, the fans had arrived in organized groups, and these dissenting voices were quickly drowned out.

Just then, the fans saw a figure rush out from the side. With arms spread wide, he charged toward the two bodyguards, sprinting between them with lightning speed.

Thud. Thud.

The man was tall, and his outstretched arms hit the bodyguards right at the base of their necks. His limbs acted like the iron bars of a heavy tank; the impact sent the two bodyguards crashing face-first into the ground with a sickening thud.

If there had been ring ropes nearby, it would have looked exactly like professional wrestling.

This scene was even more sudden and shocking than the bodyguards’ assault on the fan.

Sister Sun was stunned: "Meng Fan?!"

Before anyone could react, Meng Fan, having knocked the two bodyguards to the ground, didn't stop for a second; he marched straight toward the Korean star.

"?"

The manager beside the star turned pale. Putting on a brave front, she stepped in front of the star and shrieked at Meng Fan.

A furious Meng Fan didn't care if the manager was male or female; he swept her aside with one hand, reached out, grabbed the star by the collar, and delivered a slap to his face!

Smack!

The sound was so loud that everyone heard it, and the entire area fell into an instant, deathly silence.

"You hit me! Why did you hit me!"

Park Jae-hae was stunned, then began to wail—first in Korean, then in broken, heavily accented Mandarin. He clawed frantically at Meng Fan’s hand, looking as if he might resort to biting.

"When you were beating her, why didn't you think about why!"

Meng Fan spun around and threw the star toward the two bodyguards with such immense force that the star couldn't keep his footing, landing squarely on one of the bodyguards' heads.

The bodyguard, who had just been trying to lift his head, suffered a second brutal blow.

"I didn't hit anyone!"

Park Jae-hae scrambled his backside off the bodyguard. He only had two bodyguards with him today, plus a female assistant and a female manager. Seeing his two muscle-men flattened on the ground, he suddenly lost his nerve.

In the past, he’d had dozens of security guards!

Damn it!

He signaled frantically to his manager and assistant to do something; this giant was a complete lunatic!

"Didn't hit anyone?" Meng Fan stepped forward, pointing at the female fan who was still huddled on the ground, peeking out in terror. "I saw you slap her and push her to the ground with my own eyes, and then you ordered your bodyguards to keep hitting her! She only reached out to touch you!" He gestured to the crowd. "So many people saw it, and you still won't admit it!"

Park Jae-hae’s eyes lit up. Suddenly emboldened, he stood up, looked at the fans, and stammered, "You all tell him—did I hit anyone?"

The crowd fell silent.

But the silence was soon broken by a girl in a puffy skirt with pigtails: "Park Jae-hae didn't hit anyone! That bitch didn't follow the rules and tried to grab him; she deserved to be beaten by the bodyguards!" She began to lead the others: "Tell him, didn't you? Park Jae-hae didn't hit anyone!"

"That's right, Park Jae-hae didn't hit anyone!"

"Exactly, how could Park Jae-hae hit anyone?"

"That woman deserved it!"

"Who are you to hit Park Jae-hae!"

"We must protect Park Jae-hae!"

"Fight him!"

"..."

Meng Fan’s face turned ice-cold. He looked at the girl with the pigtails: "Have you no conscience?" He scanned the others who were joining in. "Are you all blind? Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

The dozens of fans shouted, but for all their madness, not one dared to step forward. Meng Fan’s display of brutality had been too much; his glare alone kept them rooted in fear.

"I don't care what country you're from, and I don't care if you're a star or a fan—you are all, every one of you, disgusting! I can't fathom how grown men could team up to beat a woman, and I can't fathom how people can watch it happen and pretend they didn't, or even protect the perpetrator! Stanning an idol is supposed to be a beautiful thing, but look at you—you’re filthy!"

Meng Fan was truly incensed. With one kick, he sent Park Jae-hae, who had just managed to stand up, sprawling back onto the ground.