The crusade against Cao Zhong in the chat group never stopped.
After all, Jean, as the Acting Grand Master and the Dandelion Knight, had a very high reputation among Mondstadt's citizens.
As for the other "female lead," Barbara—she was even more influential.
As Mondstadt's top idol and superstar, countless citizens adored her and saw her as their dream girl.
And now, their dream girl had been taken by a scumbag.
Not only that—
both sisters were taken.
Unacceptable.
Absolutely unacceptable.
Curse him!
[Knight of Favonius A]: Cao Zhong! Knight A challenges you—let's bet on the honor of a knight!
…
[Mondstadt Resident X]: Cao Zhong really deserves to die! Taking someone's wife is an unforgivable grudge—you're finished!
…
[Kaeya]: I've noticed only half the group is insulting Cao Zhong. I'm disappointed. What are the other half doing? Don't you have hands?
Jean: @Cao Zhong, you dare to do it but not come out and face it?!
[Kaeya]: Exactly, you dare to do it but not admit it? Not a real man.
[Venti]: Exactly, targeting sisters too? Not leaving anyone else a chance?
Barbara: Careful—spreading rumors like that might get you punished by the Anemo Archon.
[Eula]: I'll remember this grudge!
Jean: @Venti, do you want to die?
[Venti]: Sorry sorry, I'm going to work off my debt now!
Cao Zhong looked at the endless insults in the chat and nearly cried.
Heavens above, what did I even do? Why am I bearing pressure I shouldn't at this age?!
I'm more wronged than Dou E!
He had to explain.
He must explain!
Otherwise, his reputation would be completely ruined!
Cao Zhong: Everyone, you have to believe me! Am I that kind of person? I'm Teyvat's most devoted man! Forget girls—I haven't even eaten a hen!
Cao Zhong: Everyone, you have to believe me! You can't label me a scumbag just because of an unclear video! Mondstadt citizens value freedom and independent thinking—please don't be misled!
Jean: @Cao Zhong, why aren't you dead yet? I thought you were already dead!
[Kaeya]: Moral kidnapping—are you trying to guilt-trip us?
Barbara: Mr. Cao Zhong, it's not too late to repent to the Anemo Archon. The Archon may forgive your sins.
[Venti]: Uh… isn't that a bit too much to ask of the Anemo Archon?
Liyue – Wangsheng Funeral Parlor
Hu Tao watched the boiling public opinion in the chat, her smile never fading.
She patted Zhongli beside her.
"Old Zhong, see? Was I right? Doesn't Cao Zhong look like someone about to die? You still have a lot to learn!"
Zhongli: …
Hu Tao didn't elaborate further and excitedly sent a message in the chat.
[Hu Tao]: @Cao Zhong, come check out Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's services! Affordable prices, excellent service—ensuring a peaceful departure and a proper burial. Given your current situation, you probably don't have many days left. Why not sign up for our VIP package? After all, a person only dies once in their life—you should treat yourself better. But since you're a top-tier scumbag, we'll charge you 100 times the normal price. Handling a scumbag's corpse is very difficult!
Cao Zhong stared at the chat with a dark expression.
Not a single person spoke up for him.
Everyone was insulting him, smearing him.
Is there no justice? No law?!
Cao Zhong: Enough! That's enough!
Cao Zhong: This is defamation! This is trampling on my character! If this continues, I will send you legal notices! The law will protect me!
[Yanfei]: @Cao Zhong, sorry—the law does not protect scumbags.
[Kaeya]: Stop insulting him, everyone. Let's be rational.
Cao Zhong's eyes filled with tears.
He thought no one would stand up for him anymore—but at the last moment, Kaeya did.
True friendship shows in adversity!
Thinking back, Cao Zhong had done quite a few questionable things to Kaeya—like putting his bar tabs under Kaeya's name, or leaving Kaeya's contact info after flirting with girls…
I really am terrible…
Cao Zhong: @Kaeya, my brother! I'll remember this forever!
[Kaeya]: @Cao Zhong, yes, you should remember this forever. Everyone, stop insulting him—it won't kill him. I suggest we attack him directly so he learns that being a scumbag has consequences!
[Barbara Fan Alt]: Mr. Kaeya is right—let's attack him directly.
Damn…
After deceiving others for so long, today he was the one deceived.
Kaeya—you're unbelievable!
[Venti]: @Cao Zhong, it hurts… it really hurts. We drank together, wrote poetry together—I thought you were a good person. But you turned out to be a scumbag. You betrayed me, you betrayed our friendship. Today—
[Cao Zhong sent Venti an exclusive red packet!]
[Venti received Cao Zhong's red packet!]
[Venti]: If I don't speak for Cao Zhong today, who will speak for me tomorrow? I stand with Cao Zhong—he's not at fault. Putting aside the facts, don't you girls have any responsibility? Today you call Cao Zhong a scumbag, tomorrow you'll call me one. It's chilling! When will men finally stand up?!
Cao Zhong: Well said! As expected of Mondstadt's greatest bard!
[Eula]: I'll remember this grudge!
[Kaeya]: @Venti, what are you even saying? How did you get bribed by just one red packet? I'm ashamed to associate with you!
[Venti]: I can't help it—he offered too much! 😄