Chapter 156: An Eye for an Eye

“Who’s the boss here!” Tang Chen shouted angrily, his eyes as cold as blades.

“I’m the boss here. Who are you? Can you be reasonable? Why did you kick our door open without saying a word?” Although Liao Zhiyu was startled by the imposing presence of Third Master Chen and others behind Tang Chen, all his fifty-cent comrades were watching him. He couldn’t show weakness.

Tang Chen sneered coldly. He said, “You want to reason, do you? Fine, this Young Master will reason with you. I’m asking you: did Zhang Sanmou pay you to comment and reply under his Weibo posts?”

Liao Zhiyu was stunned. He didn’t dare to speak carelessly about such matters. He found it very strange; normally, Zhang Sanmou wouldn’t reveal something like this. How did this guy know?

“Who exactly are you, and why are you asking this?” Liao Zhiyu became wary, even considering grabbing his mobile phone to call the police.

Tang Chen grinned, his voice icy as he said, “I am that Young Master Tang whom Zhang Sanmou trash-talked on Weibo.” As he spoke, Tang Chen slapped Liao Zhiyu across the face, then ordered Third Master Chen and the others behind him, “Beat them up. Don’t let a single one get away, but don’t break the computers.”

“Yes, Young Master Tang. Bailin, let’s go!” Third Master Chen roared. He had been ready to receive Tang Chen’s command at any moment. Hearing Tang Chen order them to attack, he immediately charged forward at the head of the group.

Third Master Chen was practically a disabled person now. In such situations, he usually didn’t need to act himself, but to impress Tang Chen, he went all out.

It was a one-sided beating. On one side were thugs who often fought in the streets, experienced and ruthless. On the other were a bunch of nerds who only knew how to trash-talk behind their computers. The outcome was obvious.

Tang Chen closed the room door directly. After a series of cries and groans of pain, the room was in complete disarray. All ten guys, including Liao Zhiyu, were lying on the floor, each moaning incessantly.

“That’s enough.” Tang Chen called out, then ordered Chen Bolin, “Big Brother Chen, bring that online troll boss over to me.”

“Yes! Young Master Tang!” Being personally named by Young Master Tang, Chen Bolin was also thrilled. He exerted strength and lifted Liao Zhiyu, placing him on the computer desk in front of Tang Chen, making his face have intimate contact with the desk.

“Chen Laosan, have the other brothers guard outside. If anyone tries to ruin my good time, drag them out and beat them to death.” Tang Chen said coldly. Actually, this was more of a threat; after all, he couldn’t really have Third Master Chen and the others kill someone in broad daylight.

“Okay, Young Master Tang.” Third Master Chen didn’t dare say more. Young Master Tang could do as he pleased. Even if Young Master Tang wanted to burn this inn down, they could only stand by and fan the flames.

About twenty brothers were all driven out by Third Master Chen. Only then did Tang Chen look at Liao Zhiyu, whose face was bruised and swollen, and speak: “That guy Zhang Sanmou paid you to lead your men in commenting under his Weibo posts, right? This Young Master will now give you a chance. I’ll pay you one yuan—no, ten yuan per comment. Take your men and go to Zhang Sanmou’s Weibo to say things like ‘Director Zhang is shameless, get out of the entertainment industry.’ How about it? Simple, right?”

Tang Chen was planning an eye for an eye. You want to use the fifty-cent army to hype yourself? Fine, this Young Master will make you succeed and fail by the fifty-cent army!

Liao Zhiyu felt he was truly about to break down. In his heart, he cursed Zhang Sanmou’s ancestors eighteen generations. This damn director was really despicable. Why didn’t you tell us our opponent was so tough before hiring us? If you had said so, who would dare provoke such a person?

Liao Zhiyu was scared from the beating. With a pained expression, he said, “Big brothers, we did take Zhang Sanmou’s money, but we were only responsible for replying and praising him. We didn’t oppose you.”

Smack!

Tang Chen slapped Liao Zhiyu again, making the left side of his face swell. He said coldly, “What the hell do you know? That bastard Zhang Sanmou not only twisted the truth but also tried to use my situation to hype himself. How could I just stand by and let him use me? I’m giving you a heads-up: either do exactly as I say, or I’ll finish you.”

Liao Zhiyu was crying and sniveling. Just whom had he offended to end up provoking such an awesome person? At this point, he didn’t dare act tough anymore. Instead, he quickly nodded repeatedly, saying, “I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Big brother—no, my lord—as long as you spare me, I’ll do anything.”

Only then did Tang Chen nod satisfactorily, signaling Chen Bolin to release the guy. Then he kicked Liao Zhiyu in the stomach again and said coldly, “It’s best if you’re sensible. I’m not an unreasonable person. The price is ten yuan per comment, as I said. Just go to Zhang Sanmou’s Weibo and comment as I told you. Remember, keep spamming.” He paused, looked at Third Master Chen and the other, and said, “Chen Laosan, you two listen carefully. If these bastards rest for even one second, you can expect me to slap your faces.”

Third Master Chen and Chen Bolin both nodded and grunted in agreement. Liao Zhiyu didn’t dare delay either. He quickly sat in front of his computer, logged into his account, and said to his trembling subordinates, “Everyone, perk up. If you don’t want to be beaten, get to work quickly.”

The other fifty-cent army members didn’t need Liao Zhiyu’s orders; they all hurriedly sat at their computers, skillfully logged into their accounts, and went to comment under Zhang Sanmou’s Weibo posts.

Tang Chen watched Liao Zhiyu and his fifty-cent army working enthusiastically and smiled with satisfaction. Zhang Sanmou, you want to fight me? You’re still too green.

At that moment, in a hospital in Jingdu, Zhang Sanmou was lying in a hospital bed watching TV. A pleased smile hung on his face. Although that bastard Tang Chen had beaten him up this time, at least he made it to the headlines. The benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

He wanted to check the current trending comments on Weibo, so he opened Weibo and refreshed, ready to see if the fifty-cent army’s comments were continuing. But with just one glance, his face twisted into a vicious snarl.

Where there had been comments praising Director Zhang as a good person from the troll accounts, now it was as if they were copying—chain-spamming phrases like “Zhang Sanmou is a turtle’s egg, get out of the entertainment industry,” and it was continuous, with a new comment appearing every second. Other netizens instantly erupted, flocking to Zhang Sanmou’s Weibo to watch the spectacle.

“These bastards, what are they doing? Taking money and then backing out?” Zhang Sanmou clenched his fists in anger, quickly exited Weibo, and dialed Liao Zhiyu’s number.

The phone rang. Liao Zhiyu, busy working, had no time to answer. But Tang Chen smiled, then picked up Liao Zhiyu’s mobile phone and answered the call.

“Hey, you bastard, what are you doing? You took the money, so do the job properly! This isn’t what we agreed on at the start. Are you messing with me? Don’t expect a single cent!” Zhang Sanmou shouted furiously. He was almost mad with rage. So many insulting comments under his Weibo—a celebrity’s Weibo—where could he put his face?

“Director Zhang, you seem quite agitated. What’s wrong, did your mother die?” Tang Chen gave a sinister chuckle, starting with a snide remark.

Zhang Sanmou on the hospital bed was already furious. Hearing this mocking voice, he instantly remembered that the voice belonged to Tang Chen. Gnashing his teeth, he cursed, “Why is it you, you bastard? Why do you have Liao Zhiyu’s mobile phone?”

Tang Chen sneered, “Director Zhang, I really think you’re an idiot. The reason I have his mobile phone is that I’m right beside him, watching him post. Oh, right, I forgot to tell you: to greet you, you old turtle’s grandson, I specifically had these lovely fifty-cent army friends comment under your Weibo. Enjoying the show?”

“It was you! You bastard, I’ll sue you! I’ll use the law to punish you!” Zhang Sanmou understood now. It seemed Tang Chen had bribed the fifty-cent army to turn around and insult him.

“Tsk tsk, what an idiot.” Tang Chen wasn’t bothered by this threat at all. He said angrily, “You trash, listen carefully. A fool like you isn’t enough to oppose me. This time, I’m not just insulting you—I’m going to make you leave the directing circle. Just you wait!” With that, Tang Chen heavily threw the mobile phone to the ground and stomped it into pieces.

Liao Zhiyu, catching this out of the corner of his eye, felt heartache. My lord, it’s easy for you not to care since it’s not your mobile phone.