Chapter 155: Fifty-Cent Online Trolls

Tang Chen curled his lips and said, “System, what kind of person do you take Young Master for? Do you think Young Master is the type who only uses violence? You’re really underestimating me.”

The System in his mind disagreed strongly. Clearly, this Host only knew how to use violence, so why did he have to act so pretentious?

Tang Chen had no idea that the System was badmouthing him internally. He rubbed his chin and looked at the comments on Weibo. Suddenly, he noticed something and said to the System, “System, can you investigate this user’s ID for me? This guy is always the first to comment and the first to reply, and every reply says ‘We support you, Director Zhang.’ It’s so strange—it feels like a paid troll.”

Nowadays, there are many people online who specialize in liking posts and reposting things. These people are called the ‘fifty-cent post army,’ also known as online trolls. In fact, it’s a well-known fact that many celebrities hire such trolls to boost their comments and maintain their fame.

The System was silent for a moment, then said, “Respected Host, you really are quite clever. This System just hacked into this user’s ID and found that this account was indeed newly registered. Not only that, this System also thoughtfully checked other IDs for you. Guess what? Forty percent of the comments are all from newly registered accounts—what you humans call paid trolls.”

Tang Chen was also shocked by this news. He narrowed his eyes and sneered coldly, “Forty percent of the IDs are paid trolls? So out of a hundred people, forty were hired by Zhang Sanmou’s fifty-cent trolls? That guy is really willing to spend money. He went to such lengths just to deal with me? What good does it even do him? Is he trying to hype himself up through this or something?”

The System said, “Respected Host, this System doesn’t know about that. But if we let these trolls continue to stir things up in the comments, one thing is certain—your reputation will definitely be ruined.”

Tang Chen gently slapped the table and said coldly, “That won’t do. If Zhang Sanmou wants to play games with Young Master, fine. Young Master will play along. System, can you find out where the main output fiber for these trolls is located?”

The System said very easily, “Respected Host, that’s too simple. Please wait a moment.” Less than ten seconds after it spoke, a map appeared before Tang Chen’s eyes, with a small green dot marking a location that was glowing.

“Respected Host, do you see this green dot? This is the main output location for these fifty-cent troll IDs.” The System said this proudly, as such tasks were truly effortless for it.

Tang Chen examined it carefully, then said in surprise, “Isn’t this the Shunfeng Hotel not far from our Junyue? These bastards are right here?” As he spoke, he gave a cold laugh and said, “Good. Since Young Master has found you, Young Master will make sure you learn your lesson. I’ll show you that even on the internet, there are some things you shouldn’t say!”

With that in mind, Tang Chen took out his mobile phone and called Third Master Chen. The call was quickly answered, and Third Master Chen said respectfully, “Young Master Tang, is there something you need so early in the morning?”

Tang Chen said directly, “Chen Laosan, you’re already up, right? Gather the men and wait for Young Master at the entrance of Shunfeng Hotel. Young Master needs your help with something.”

Actually, Third Master Chen was in the middle of enjoying a “big wellness treatment” from a girl at that moment, but upon hearing Tang Chen’s words, he immediately pushed the girl aside and said loudly, “Yes, Young Master Tang, you can count on me.”

After hanging up, Yang Mi, wearing an apron, came over and said to Tang Chen, “Tang Chen, who were you talking to? I heard you saying something about gathering people.”

Tang Chen waved his hand, walked over, and rubbed her chest, changing the subject: “It’s nothing, just some small matters. You don’t need to worry about Zhang Sanmou’s seventeen years. Is the food ready? I’m so hungry.”

Yang Mi hummed in agreement, swatted Tang Chen’s hand away, and followed him to the dining table to eat.

At that moment, in front of the Shunfeng Hotel, two vans stopped at the entrance. Then the doors opened, and a group of men in black got out. Some had bulging waists, while others directly carried steel pipes. The leader was naturally Third Master Chen. Chen Bolin, standing beside him, asked, “Third Master, what do you think Young Master Tang wants us for?”

Third Master Chen glared at him and said, “How would I know? Young Master Tang’s ways are always mysterious. How would I dare to guess Young Master Tang’s thoughts? Don’t overthink it. Just follow me—no, follow Young Master Tang and do your job well. Isn’t Haiyue pregnant? After we finish this task, find some time to settle things with Haiyue.”

Chen Bolin gratefully clasped his hands and said, “Thank you, Third Master, for your approval.”

Third Master Chen smiled and said, “It’s nothing. We can’t let Haiyue’s belly get so big that even a wedding dress can’t cover it.”

Screech!

A braking sound was heard as Tang Chen’s Extravagant Battle Car stopped in front of them. Tang Chen, wearing casual clothes, stepped out.

Third Master Chen gave a signal, and about twenty brothers bowed in unison and shouted, “Young Master Tang!”

Passersby and those about to enter the Shunfeng Hotel were startled. What was this? The mafia?

Tang Chen was quite satisfied with this kind of display. After all, with his status, it wouldn’t be fitting if there wasn’t some grand show.

“Young Master Tang, you’re here,” Third Master Chen said as he approached. In front of his subordinates, he was imposing, but before Tang Chen, he was only fit to be a dog.

Tang Chen hummed in acknowledgment and said apologetically, “Sorry to keep you waiting. Tell the brothers to come in with me. Remember, today’s task is simple. Once we see the target, when Young Master says hit, you hit.”

Third Master Chen laughed heartily and said, “Ah, I thought it was something big. Young Master Tang, don’t worry. Fighting is what we brothers are best at. We’ll do a good job.”

Tang Chen hummed again and walked in first, followed by Third Master Chen and the others.

In a Private Room on the second floor of the Shunfeng Hotel, the sound of rapid keyboard clicking could be heard from afar. Inside, ten desktop computers were set up, with ten people sitting in front of them, constantly switching accounts to post comments. These were the legendary fifty-cent party, the online trolls.

The Boss was around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, of medium height, with delicate features. This guy was the head of the trolls, Liao Zhiyu.

Liao Zhiyu was a college graduate who hadn’t found a good job after graduation. By chance, he came across the troll industry and realized that sitting in front of a computer, cursing people and such, could actually earn money. He saw the business opportunity and, together with nine friends who often hung out, set up this troll base here.

Beep! Beep!

A phone rang. Liao Zhiyu glanced at the number on the screen and smiled. He answered the call and said, “Director Zhang, what can I do for you?”

The person on the other end was indeed Zhang Sanmou. It could be said that Zhang Sanmou was quite clever—unlike that idiot Huang Tao, who tried to use his fans’ power, Zhang Sanmou turned to another online force: the trolls!

He had reached an agreement with the troll leader, Liao Zhiyu. The task was simple: continuously reply under his Weibo posts with comments like “We support you, Director Zhang,” mainly to stir up his fans’ emotions and gain sympathy.

Zhang Sanmou said on the other end, “Nothing major. Just wanted to remind you not to post too frequently, or it might look suspicious.”

Liao Zhiyu sneered inwardly but flattered him outwardly, saying, “Don’t worry, Director Zhang. We’re professionals. You can rest assured leaving this task to us.”

Zhang Sanmou hummed arrogantly and said, “That’s best. I hope our cooperation goes smoothly till the end.” After saying that, he hung up on his own.

“What a piece of work. And he calls himself a celebrity? Wants to gain popularity but is afraid of being exposed. It’s like selling yourself but not letting others blow the whistle. Damn pretentious idiot.” Liao Zhiyu threw his mobile phone on the table and was about to get back to work when the door was kicked open violently. Tang Chen appeared.

“Who are you? Why are you breaking in?” Liao Zhiyu and the others were startled and stared at Tang Chen and his aggressive group.