For Qiao Ze, everything that happened on the internet had not affected him in the slightest.
So when he arrived at the studio, he began to carry out the planned work just as usual, step by step.
The complexity of the human brain is such that even many proven truths can't be accepted by everyone.
Just like today, when countless satellites surround the Earth, there are still tens of millions of people around the globe who staunchly believe in flat-earth theories, convinced that the Earth being a sphere is nothing but a lie concocted by the powers-that-be to fool the masses.
That's why Qiao Ze never expected everyone to understand him, and probably subconsciously didn't care to be understood by everyone.
It's like how a mathematician cannot describe the beauty of mathematical language to someone who can't even solve a quadratic equation with two variables.
Qiao Ze didn't feel the need to prove his competence to those who could take sides just from watching a senseless video.
Even sparing those comments one more second of his time was, to Qiao Ze, a disrespect to himself.
Yes, the thoughts of these unrelated individuals couldn't affect Qiao Ze's mentality at all.
Even if the whole world thought he was a fraud or a fool, Qiao Ze would likely not have a single emotional ripple, let alone argue.
He wouldn't even bother responding with a "You're right".
This is Qiao Ze, this is how he made it through the past.
Now, naturally, things are the same, the only difference being that he's learned to understand some more complex emotions, at least willing to say a few extra words for the sake of those around him feeling better.
This is probably what growing up is.
But obviously not everyone has such a good mindset.
Indeed, the mixed opinions online had affected the efficiency of the other people in the studio.
Even the usually composed Tan Jingrong would glance at his phone from time to time.
Several times he seemed to want to say something, but seeing Qiao Ze completely unemotional, he held back.
Such a thing was unimaginable in the past.
Not to mention Su Mucheng.
The girl, who had been gradually calming down, couldn't sit still for two minutes before she couldn't resist checking her phone again.
Then her expression turned gloomy.
This was the first time she experienced what it's like to feel even more aggrieved by enduring, and to feel like breaking down when stepping back.
So what if she's just a young girl, why should she have to bear with it?
Half an hour later, she couldn't hold back any longer.
Su Mucheng grabbed her phone and stood up, "Qiao Ze, I feel like having some milk tea, do you want some? I'll bring one back for you."
"No need," Qiao Ze responded.
"Oh, well, I'm going then!"
"Um, Su Mucheng, I'd like a lemon coconut tea from Sweet Curtain," Chen Yiwen said.
"Pfft, if you want it, buy it yourself!"
After retorting to Chen Yiwen, Su Mucheng walked out of the studio with her head held high.
Then once she stepped out, she picked up her phone and dialed Su Lixing's number.
The call connected almost instantly, and before the person on the other end could speak, Su Mucheng's voice came through, sounding infinitely wronged and even on the verge of tears, "Dad, did you see what's posted online? We're being bullied!"
"Hold on... oh, Mr. Yu, excuse me, I need to take this call..."
After five seconds, Su Lixing's relaxed voice came again, "I know, I even discussed it with Mr. Yu yesterday. The original video was posted by the school's official account, there's not a big problem, and the officials should explain it soon. Mr. Yu also said he'd cooperate with the officials to clear Qiao Ze's name.
And you should have confidence in Qiao Ze; the paper was indeed written by him, the current uproar online won't have any real impact."
Upon hearing this, Su Mucheng stopped in her tracks, her eyebrows furrowed tightly, and she lost the urge to cry, indignantly saying, "Who said that? Dad, you don't understand the internet at all! Have you seen how many comments there are on those slanderous videos and articles? And how many comments are there on the videos that explain and clarify after the fact?
Those people online don't care about the truth at all! Believe it or not, just like you said, even if things get straightened out, whenever people mention Qiao Ze or Li, there will still be those saying they are academic despots, that they are bad people!"
"Ah?" The person on the other side was obviously at a loss for words.
"Lu Xun said, 'You can't wake up a person who is pretending to be asleep!'" Su Mucheng continued emphatically.
"Sigh... Okay, alright, so what do you want to do? Things have come to this. Should I spend some money to lower the heat for you guys?" The tone from the other side clearly showed some exasperation.
"I don't want it! Why should money be spent like that? I don't care, anyone who dares to slander Qiao Ze, I want them to pay a price! I have already thought it over, you help me hire the best lawyer, let them help us collect evidence online, and we'll find those who slander Qiao Ze and put them away. If we can successfully put one away, I'll give a million, two for two million, and so on!"
"This... isn't it, Chengzi... are you out of your mind? Is this what Qiao Ze wants?"
"No, Qiao Ze couldn't care less about those people, this is my idea. Qiao Ze is my boyfriend, I don't even want to say a harsh word to him, why should he be insulted online?" Su Mucheng declared confidently.
"Cheng, you can't be so fantasy-prone, okay? This isn't how you handle things! Isn't this just fueling the fire? Besides, many people are just unaware of the truth right now. Trust your dad, the best way to deal with this kind of thing is to let it cool down."