Chapter 99

（Yesterday, after drinking at a wedding, I passed out...）

What can be given as a gift? Giving money is too risky; it’s vulgar and can easily cause problems. Of course, it’s better to give non-monetary gifts, just like in the past.

However, given the current situation, even if Li Xiaopeng goes to deliver the gift, Ma Mingyu might not accept it.

He also said that making a phone call is not as effective as visiting in person, so he still needs to make a special trip to the capital. Of course, the most important thing before that is to hold a press conference to clarify what exactly happened.

Clarifying the facts is also an art, and the wording needs to be skillfully crafted.

Liu Hao and Mao Jianqing cannot say whatever they want at the press conference. The club’s spokesperson specially fabricated a version of the facts for them. Yes, after reading it, they both felt that this ‘fact’ was too disgusting.

In a twist, they became brave young men who acted righteously at a KTV.

Liu Hao, being more composed, represented them and recited the statement to the media.

“The actual sequence of events is that we were singing at a KTV that night. A young man who had drunk too much came to our private room and caused trouble. We persuaded him to leave. Later, when we left the KTV, we were stopped at the entrance, and then Mao Jianqing ended up with a swollen face.” Liu Hao narrated the entire incident and then pointed to Mao Jianqing, whose face was still swollen, and made a joke.

The reporters laughed, and then one asked, “Why didn’t you report it to the police and have them investigate?”

“Because the young man was probably under eighteen. If we had really reported it, we would have feared for his future. Everyone makes mistakes when they are young. We are all experienced, and he was indeed very drunk at the time.” Liu Hao smiled naturally, as if he were very magnanimous, following Li Xiaopeng’s instructions.

“Why did the national team sideline you? What do you think about it?”

“We didn’t make any mistakes. As long as we explain clearly to the leaders of the national team, I believe we can return. Of course, if our competitive state is poor, that’s a different story...” This was said by Mao Jianqing, though it was against his will. “But my handsome face is injured, so even if I return to the national team, I can’t play!”

Mao Jianqing touched his face, which was still bruised, but it couldn’t hide his charm. Even with the injuries, the bruises on a man’s face made him look more masculine.

Finally, Li Xiaopeng stepped forward to summarize.

“The club has thoroughly investigated the entire incident and has learned the truth. Liu Hao and Mao Jianqing were injured while acting righteously. Although they were injured, the club is proud of them...”

Proud... Liu Hao and Mao Jianqing, both middle-aged, didn’t feel ashamed when they heard this. Instead, they lifted their chests, as if it were only natural. Since the act was already this far, they might as well be more generous...

The club had turned black into white, and everything was wiped clean. No one knew what really happened inside, and what was seen outside, did it matter?

The police hadn’t even figured it out yet. Was the club more capable than the police? The reporters, of course, didn’t believe Li Xiaopeng’s lies, but since he had said it, it was clear he wanted to protect Liu Hao and Mao Jianqing.

But not every reporter could accept such a routine statement. A fat, pig-eared reporter took the lead, “According to my information, you seemed to have a conflict with Zhang Mingfeng that night? And it was you who started the trouble, how did it become an act of righteousness?”

Oh no... How did this guy know? Someone must have tipped him off! Liu Hao was secretly alarmed, thinking that although the KTV wasn’t a mixed crowd, there were players from both clubs present, and someone might have been unhappy. Or perhaps Zhang Mingfeng deliberately leaked the information, but what benefit would Zhang Mingfeng get from doing so?

If it was a player, it must be... Xiao Shen Si Song Bo?! Liu Hao’s first thought was of him. Who else could it be besides Song Bo!

Of course, it was just a suspicion. He couldn’t be sure, so it remained a suspicion, not a conclusion. Song Bo was also present that night, but he seemed to be drinking with his teammates and didn’t know what happened.

“Is that called a conflict? You reporters are really shameless. If you don’t believe it, go ask Young Master Zhang. If he knows you are defaming him, you will be in trouble! Your words clearly imply that we were beaten because of Young Master Zhang. Don’t wrong Young Master Zhang!” Mao Jianqing raised his eyebrows, clearly disapproving of the fat, pig-eared reporter. He had seen this reporter before and found him both memorable and detestable. Now, he put on a righteous face and defended Zhang Mingfeng.

No way he would admit it! He couldn’t let the other side’s words stand. “In fact, we were protecting Young Master Zhang from that young man’s provocation. You should really interview him; he will speak up for us.”

Well, when did this guy become so smart... Liu Hao secretly chuckled, not expecting Mao Jianqing to shift the blame so smoothly onto Zhang Mingfeng.

Mao Jianqing’s response was so evasive that the reporter couldn’t follow up. He had intended to corner them, but he couldn’t reveal the source of his exclusive information, so he had to swallow it for now.

However, if he thought the reporter would give up, he was wrong. The paparazzi’s sense of smell was always sharp. Even if he was at a disadvantage for the moment, he would find a way to get back. Otherwise, he wouldn’t call himself a reporter...

So, even though he didn’t gain an advantage at the press conference, the reporter still posted an article online called “The Truth,” revealing what really happened that night.

However, after his description, the tone changed, and the truth was no longer the truth.

Originally, it was Ling Zhenbang who provoked Zhang Mingfeng, but it became a joint provocation by him, Liu Hao, and Mao Jianqing... The reporter’s intention was clear: to tarnish all three of them.

“Damn! Who the hell said that!” Zhang Mingfeng slammed the table, extremely angry. That wasn’t his intention. Who had the nerve to play such a trick?

Originally, everyone only knew that Liu Hao and the others were beaten, but not by whom. The reporter’s naming of Zhang Mingfeng in the KTV conflict made the situation clear. Although the reporter didn’t intend to implicate Zhang Mingfeng, who wouldn’t think he was the one who did it?

Zhang Mingfeng immediately called a group of reporters.

“I will sue that reporter for defamation and slander! Liu Hao and Mao Jianqing are good friends of mine! The reporter fabricated facts with ulterior motives, damaging my reputation, and I and my friends are very angry...”

The commotion caused by the reporter and Zhang Mingfeng actually gave the ‘Three Jerks’ a chance to return to the national team. At least Li Xiaopeng had something to say to Ma Mingyu.

Although Ma Mingyu didn’t immediately agree, his tone had softened.