I’m No Longer Human After Being Blacklisted – CH73

Chapter 73: Revealing the Truth & The Si Family Wants You

Due to what happened yesterday at noon, both Lin Jiu and Si Xu were at the peak of public attention.

It was during this time that the scandal from ten years ago, where Si Xu was framed and extorted, resurfaced. The extorting party turned out to be none other than Lin Jiu, who was also at the center of attention.

Once the incident was exposed, the internet was in an uproar!

Si Xu’s fanbase, undoubtedly one of the top three in the entertainment industry, exploded with outrage. Many long-time fans were aware of the extortion incident from ten years ago, and now, discovering that the culprit was Lin Jiu, the owner of the popular Demon Fish Shop, was like stirring a hornet’s nest.

Si Xu’s long-time fans were enraged, tagging Lin Jiu and demanding an apology.

Harsh and cruel words flooded in!

Although Si Xu had a massive fanbase, Lin Jiu’s following wasn’t small either.

Si Xu’s fans demanded that Lin Jiu apologize, while Lin Jiu’s fans retaliated in defense.

Back then, Lin Jiu was only ten years old. What could a ten-year-old know about framing or extorting someone? This was clearly a scheme orchestrated by someone with malicious intent, aiming to drive a wedge between Lin Jiu and Si Xu!

However, Si Xu’s fans refused to listen. They argued, “Don’t assume a ten-year-old is that innocent! He was present at the scene. If he didn’t want to extort money, why didn’t he speak up to clear Si Xu’s name when he was being wronged?!”

Even if Lin Jiu wasn’t the mastermind, he was still an accomplice in the extortion!

At that moment, Si Xu was at the hospital handling his mother’s discharge when he received a call from Wen Qin.

Si Xu immediately set everything aside, personally logged into his social media, and posted a long-overdue update.

Si Xu: “Don’t believe rumors or spread them. Don’t let yourself be manipulated by those with malicious intent.

Young Lin Jiu wasn’t swayed by malicious media back then. Despite threats and intimidation from the Lin family, he secretly told the truth to the police, clearing my name.

Lin Jiu is someone very important to me. If you are truly my fan, do not attack him.

Those who have insulted him, please apologize.

He has nothing to apologize to me for; in fact, I owe him thanks.

Thanks for everything he did for me…

Right now, he’s working tirelessly to prepare seafood for the coastal regions of S City.

Today alone, he’s trying to send out 10,000 portions of seafood, working from morning till now.

He’s doing his best to help the patients suffering from severe radiation exposure. If we can’t help him, at least don’t hinder him.

He deserves respect from all of us!

Apologies for taking up public attention, and thank you to those standing up for Lin Jiu!”

Both Si Xu’s and Lin Jiu’s fans, who had been hurling insults at each other’s families, suddenly went silent.

Then, someone left a comment on Lin Jiu’s social media.

“Sorry, Boss. I wrongly accused you of being lazy today when it turns out I misunderstood you. I bow and apologize! Thank you for your hard work!”

“I’m a fan of Si Xu. I apologize for the hurtful things I said about you!”

“Sorry…”

“Sorry…”

Under Lin Jiu’s posts, the tone quickly shifted from hostility to harmony, all thanks to Si Xu’s one post.

Whether they were Si Xu’s fans or not, everyone who saw Si Xu’s post flooded Lin Jiu’s account to apologize.

Many were casual followers who, after seeing those false reports, had developed a negative impression of Lin Jiu. Since Lin Jiu hadn’t spoken up to clear things, they assumed the rumors were true, believing Lin Jiu was guilty with no defense. Little did they know, Lin Jiu was too busy to go online to clarify.

Shortly after, Lin Jiu also updated his social media.

He posted three consecutive updates!

Those who were still lining up to apologize quickly clicked in to see what Lin Jiu had shared.

As soon as they saw the first post, everyone was shocked!

This time, the shock wasn’t from Lin Jiu being “two-faced,” but from the injustice he had endured!

Through his system, Lin Jiu posted a long article clarifying his relationship with the Liao family from B City.

The article revealed that Lin Jiu’s biological mother—renowned singer Vera—had fallen in love with and married Liao Tingwang, the third son of the Liao family in B City. However, the Liao patriarch never approved of their marriage, looking down on Vera’s humble background. They secretly arranged for a woman, Zhou Chanying, from the Zhou family in B City, to sleep with Liao Tingwang while he was drunk.

After that night, Zhou Chanying became pregnant, and the Liao patriarch forced Liao Tingwang to divorce Vera and marry Zhou Chanying. Upon learning that Zhou was pregnant, Vera voluntarily filed for divorce.

After the divorce, Vera discovered she was pregnant, too. Struggling with her health, she gave birth to the child and raised him for three months before reluctantly sending him to the Liao family, hoping they would raise him.

However, just one month after the child arrived at the Liao family, the Zhou family bribed a nanny to kidnap the child and have him secretly dealt with. The nanny, unwilling to commit murder, arranged for a trafficker to take the child.

The operation went smoothly. At just four months old, the child was abducted during a routine vaccination visit and handed over to human traffickers, who later abandoned him in a river in D City.

Both the nanny and the trafficker were caught and confessed to everything. The Zhou and Liao families, however, escaped punishment.

The Zhou family had promised the nanny that if she succeeded in the kidnapping, they would arrange a kidney transplant for her son, who was suffering from kidney failure. They also promised to cover all surgery costs. The nanny believed them.

Years later, after being released from prison, the nanny returned home only to find that her son had died shortly after she was imprisoned.

There had been no kidney transplant, no surgery, and none of the promised money had been given. When the nanny confronted the Zhou family, they told her that her son had died while waiting for a kidney donor, and the situation had nothing to do with them. They claimed it was her son’s fate that he didn’t survive. 

The nanny didn’t believe them and threatened to expose the truth, but the Zhou family, confident in their power, dared her to do so. They knew no one would believe the word of a convicted criminal, and even if they did, it wouldn’t matter—the statute of limitations on the case had expired. They had nothing to fear.

The nanny had always harbored resentment and survived until now, willing to reveal the entire truth of that year.

The Zhou family orchestrated the incident, with the Liao family providing assistance, and Zhou Chanying was responsible for distracting the other nanny. Everything proceeded smoothly, except for one thing: after learning that the child had been kidnapped, Liao Tingwang rushed out in his car and had an accident, leaving him in a vegetative state from which he has yet to wake.

Under the first Weibo post, there was an attached video.

In the video, an elderly woman with graying hair and a face etched with lines tearfully denounced the crimes of the Zhou and Liao families! They had promised that as long as she completed the task, they would save her son, but in the end, they gave her nothing. She spent years in prison and didn’t even get to see her son one last time.

She accused the Zhou and Liao families of conspiring to hire someone to kill!

Along with the video, there was a wealth of additional evidence, including phone recordings from that time between the Zhou family and the nanny.

Twenty years later, no one knew how Lin Jiu obtained this evidence.

The second Weibo post followed closely behind the first.

That child had a great fate. He wasn’t drowned but was rescued by a passing elderly chef, Lin Changde.

Lin Changde, who was already old, wanted to hand the child over to his son or daughter to raise, but both refused. Lin Changde decided to adopt the child himself, despite opposition from his biological children, who declared that if he dared to adopt the child, they would sever their relationship with him.

Lin Changde insisted on raising the child and named him Lin Jiu, hoping that he would live a long life.

Lin Changde’s daughter, Lin Mei, and son, Lin Hai, truly severed ties with him and never checked in on him. Lin Changde raised Lin Jiu alone, earning a living by working as a kitchen helper.

When Lin Jiu was ten, Lin Changde, while riding a bike with him, fell in front of Si Xu’s car, and Lin Changde broke his leg. Si Xu drove them to the hospital.

When Lin Mei and Lin Hai learned of the accident, they initially had no intention of going to the hospital, but after hearing from locals that the person who hit them was a wealthy celebrity, they rushed to the hospital, demanding to see the driver and demanding compensation, refusing to allow Lin Changde to have surgery without it.

Lin Changde had to endure the pain of his broken leg, as his children refused to sign the papers or pay for the surgery.

A video was shown here, featuring a nurse who had worked at the hospital back then. She recalled how heartless that family was, refusing to let the old man have surgery despite his pain, and even hitting the medical staff who tried to intervene.

A little grandson of the old man, this tall (the nurse gestured), very pretty, cried the whole time.

At first, he tried to explain to the family that the car didn’t hit them, but they threatened him, warning the child not to speak out. They said that if they didn’t get compensation, they wouldn’t spend a penny on the old man, wouldn’t let him have surgery, and would let him die. They also told the child he could end up in jail for extortion. Eventually, the child stopped speaking up.

In the end, the family still didn’t pay for the old man’s surgery. It was an anonymous kind-hearted person who paid, allowing the surgery to go forward.

Later, when the old house was demolished, Lin Changde’s children repeatedly came to cause trouble, and after successfully securing the demolition compensation, they never visited again.

Before passing away from cancer, Lin Changde wished to see his son, daughter, and grandchildren one last time. Lin Jiu called them, but they didn’t answer. He went to their home to beg them to visit, but they wouldn’t open the door.

Even after the old man passed away, and throughout the funeral, Lin Mei and Lin Hai’s families never showed up.

After the funeral was over, Lin Hai appeared and claimed ownership of Lin Changde’s small house, kicking Lin Jiu out and forbidding him to return.

To survive, Lin Jiu had no choice but to sign a 15-year long contract with Star Creation, moving to City A to build his career.

Now, Lin Hai’s family has come looking for Lin Jiu again, hoping he will help them open a seafood restaurant like his Demon Fish Shop. Lin Jiu refused, which led to their slander and false accusations.

The third Weibo post shared footage of the entertainment reporters causing trouble at Demon Fish Shop.

In the video, Lin Jiu, along with a few others, was seen wearing dustproof suits and gloves while packing seafood. The reporters barged in and, despite being blocked, kept pushing forward. Demon Fish Shop employees repeatedly tried to make them leave, but they refused, seriously hindering their work progress.

Even when Lin Jiu explained that the seafood they were packing was life-saving, and every second of delay was costing lives, the reporters still didn’t care.

It was exactly as the saying goes: since it wasn’t their lives on the line, they weren’t in a hurry at all!

Lin Jiu’s three Weibo posts instantly blew up the entire internet.

There were so many explosive revelations that people focused on different aspects of the story.

But without exception, everyone was discussing Lin Jiu’s background and the despicable actions of the Lin, Liao, and Zhou families!

In comparison to these major events, Vera’s hidden marriage and childbirth seemed far less important.

Countless people felt sorry for Vera, for encountering a scumbag, for struggling through illness to give birth, only for her child to be so cruelly mistreated by the Liao and Zhou families, and for Lin Jiu, who had to endure such horrors as a baby that most people wouldn’t face in their entire lives.

The nature of this incident was so egregious and its impact so severe that there was a nationwide call for the perpetrators to be severely punished!

Lin Jiu released such comprehensive evidence that, had it not been for the expiration of the statute of limitations, the Zhou and Liao families would surely have been brought down!

But even so, does it matter? Should evil people be forgiven just because the statute of limitations has passed?

Absolutely not!

Besides the Liao, Zhou, and Lin families being bombarded with criticism, the media outlets suspected of taking bribes to report falsely were also added to the list of those being condemned.

They ignored the lives at stake! They hindered rescue efforts! They maliciously smeared someone contributing to the cause!

They, too, must not be forgiven!

*

Lin Jiu had no idea what was happening online. He focused intently on his work, trying to ensure that all the seafood was packaged within the allotted time.

He didn’t dare think about what Si Xu was feeling now.

After all, he shared the surname Lin, was a part of the Lin family, and was once involved in extorting Si Xu.

Putting oneself in another’s shoes, if he were Si Xu, even if there was no hatred or dislike, there would still be a lingering thorn in the heart. It would be impossible to remain completely free of resentment.

By the time all 10,000 portions of seafood were packed, Lin Jiu was nearly exhausted, his hands stiff and sluggish. The task of boxing everything up had to be handed over to others, while Lin Jiu went off to the side to rest.

Although there were people helping, they were all unfamiliar with the work, carefully packing each box, afraid the portions wouldn’t be accurate. Out of so many portions, most of them were packed by Lin Jiu himself, and everyone could see how hard he had worked. 

In addition to physical fatigue, there was mental exhaustion. 

Once all the seafood was hauled away, they finally had a late lunch. Lin Jiu was so tired that he didn’t have the energy to prepare anything else, so he just steamed some jade essence rice, reheated the fish soup, and served it with the remaining fish slices. That was their meal.

There was still quite a bit of soup and fish slices left, more than they could finish. What was a simple meal to Lin Jiu was, however, a supreme delicacy for the people from the “Special Security Division.”

It was almost dinnertime, yet they were having lunch. The fish soup and slices had been sitting out all day, so they couldn’t be kept any longer. What remained was packed up for the team to take back to the Special Security Division to share.

Everyone had worked hard that day, so they were let off early.

Lin Jiu asked Sister Wen to head home and rest while he cleaned up and prepared to leave as well.

After everyone had left, Lin Jiu went upstairs, opened the fish tank, scooped out the four living ‘demon shrimps’ he had brought back, and placed them in a bucket, taking it downstairs.

Lin Jiu sat alone in the empty hall, staring blankly at the bucket of demon shrimps. These four were originally intended as gifts for Si Xu’s grandparents, parents, and father. But now, given the circumstances, Lin Jiu didn’t know if he should still give them. Would they even accept? What would the Si family think of him now?

They probably thought that a child who grew up in such a terrible environment couldn’t possibly have good character.

He didn’t know how long he sat there, lost in thought, until the sound of his phone ringing jolted him awake.

Seeing the caller, Lin Jiu hesitated for a moment before answering.

Neither side spoke, both waiting for the other to break the silence.

Finally, Si Xu spoke first, “Where are you?”

Lin Jiu forced a calm tone, “At the store.”

Si Xu: “Wait for me, I’ll be right there.”

The call ended.

Lin Jiu took a deep breath. No matter what, he had to face this bravely. When he decided to reveal the truth, he had already prepared himself to accept any outcome.

Soon, a familiar figure appeared at the door of the store.

Si Xu must have run over, as he was slightly out of breath. He quickly approached, slowing down his steps as he got closer, eventually stopping in front of Lin Jiu.

Lin Jiu didn’t look at him, afraid to see the expression on Si Xu’s face. He just wanted to avoid it for a little longer. Just a little while before he mustered up the courage to face it. He could handle any outcome.

Si Xu walked around the bucket of demon shrimp, crouched down in front of Lin Jiu, and wrapped his arms around Lin Jiu’s waist, burying his face into his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of Lin Jiu.

The gesture was filled with the yearning of someone about to part ways.

Lin Jiu, sensing something unusual in Si Xu’s embrace, felt his nose tingle. He already knew what was coming.

Sure enough, Si Xu spoke softly, “Thank you. You’ve always done so much for me. Thank you for everything.”

Lin Jiu mumbled, “No need…”

Si Xu noticed something off in Lin Jiu’s tone and looked up to see his reddened eyes. He paused, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Jiu shook his head, “Nothing, I already anticipated this outcome, I can handle it.”

Si Xu: “…”

Curious, Si Xu asked, “What outcome did you expect?”

Lin Jiu instinctively wanted to avoid answering but quickly forced himself to face it. “You’re going to break up with me, right?… It’s fine, I can accept it.”

Si Xu: “…”

Si Xu couldn’t help but laugh. He lightly tapped Lin Jiu on the forehead, “What nonsense are you thinking? Don’t even hope for me to break up with you. Not in this lifetime.”

Lin Jiu was stunned, “You… if you find it hard to say, I can say it for you. We can break up…”

Si Xu suddenly grabbed the back of Lin Jiu’s neck, pulled him down, and pressed his lips to Lin Jiu’s through the mask, biting down lightly in frustration.

“Don’t ever say those words again, got it?”

Lin Jiu stared at him in disbelief, unsure of what was happening. Didn’t Si Xu’s words mean they were breaking up?

Seeing Lin Jiu’s dazed expression, Si Xu helplessly pinched his nose, “You really thought I’d go through all the trouble to win you over just to break up with you? Not a chance.”

Lin Jiu sniffled, “Aren’t you mad? We did such awful things…”

“That wasn’t you. That was the Lin family. None of it has anything to do with you. Without you, I wouldn’t even be able to explain myself. You helped me clear my name, so how could I be mad at you?”

Lin Jiu’s eyes widened, “You… you knew?”

Si Xu nodded, “I’ve known all along.”

Lin Jiu: “…”

All this time, Lin Jiu had been anxious and guilty, only to realize that Si Xu had known everything.

Si Xu: “Haven’t you been online?”

If Lin Jiu had been online, he would have seen Si Xu’s posts and wouldn’t have been so worried.

Lin Jiu shook his head, “I’m too scared to look. There are probably a lot of people cursing me…”

Si Xu opened his phone, logged into Weibo, and pulled up Lin Jiu’s comment section for him to see.

“No one’s cursing you. They’re all encouraging you to stay strong. Lots of people are on your side, condemning their evil deeds together with you.”

Lin Jiu, gathering his courage, glanced at the comments, and sure enough, they were filled with words of support and advice on how to make sure the wrongdoers were punished.

Si Xu said, “This matter is being taken very seriously. An order has been given to thoroughly investigate both the Liao and Zhou families. It won’t be ignored just because the statute of limitations has passed. Their businesses have also been heavily impacted. All their ongoing deals have fallen through, and former business partners are ending their collaborations. The stocks of both companies hit the limit down today, and it’s expected to be worse tomorrow.”

Lin Jiu let out a long breath and began to settle accounts, “If you don’t want to break up with me, then why did you suddenly thank me?”

Si Xu: “…”

Si Xu laughed and hugged Lin Jiu tightly, planting a kiss on his face, “I’m just so happy. I truly wanted to thank you!”

Lin Jiu: “…”

It was the first time Lin Jiu had seen Si Xu so unreserved.

Si Xu excitedly continued, “Your medicine, it worked!”

That afternoon, when Si Xu and Si Qinian picked up Song Mozhi to bring her home, Si Qinian had to carry her into the car. But when they arrived home and were unfolding the wheelchair, Song Mozhi opened the car door by herself and moved her legs to get out. 

She was standing on her own legs!

Si Xu and Si Qinian were both stunned, thinking they were seeing things.

Song Mozhi stood by the car, smiling at them just like she did after every performance in the past.

Seeing the father and son frozen in shock, Song Mozhi extended her hand, “Help me, I’m a little out of practice with walking.”

They both immediately threw the wheelchair aside, each supporting her on one side. Song Mozhi could stand but had trouble controlling her legs, taking a long time to make her way to the living room.

Even this much was enough to nearly drive the father and son to tears of joy.

Compared to her previous state of being completely immobile, this was already a miracle!

Si Xu said, “After an afternoon of practice, she’s already able to walk slowly with a cane.”

Lin Jiu was just as happy for Si Xu. He hadn’t expected the treatment to work so well on Si Xu’s mother.

Si Xu held Lin Jiu’s hand, “Now my grandparents and parents are all at home, and they asked me to bring you over. They want to meet you.”

Lin Jiu immediately panicked, “Wh-why do they want to meet me?”

Si Xu sighed, “My mom was resting earlier and playing on her phone. She saw your Weibo and was heartbroken for you. She cried while calling my dad, asking if there was any way to reopen a case after the statute of limitations had passed.

“I don’t know what my dad said, but after the call, my mom phoned my grandpa and told him all about you. My grandpa was furious and said he’d personally contact the authorities about your situation.

“Then my mom called my grandpa on her other side to share the joy that she could stand again. My grandpa must have mentioned how amazing your ingredients are, so my mom told him your whole story too. In the end, they all gathered at home. I went out for a bit, and when I came back, my mom told me she wanted to take you in as her godson. She said, ‘If no one else cares about you, the Si family will.’

“When I heard that, I thought, ‘This can’t happen!’ My proper wife was about to become my godbrother in the blink of an eye—no way! My grandpa was ready to hit me then and there, saying that you saved my life and that I’m healthy today because of everything you’ve done for me. He said, ‘What’s wrong with accepting you as his godbrother?’

“I had no choice, so I told them about us.”

Lin Jiu: “…”

Lin Jiu: “…”

Lin Jiu: “…”

Lin Jiu felt his heart stop. “W-what was their reaction?”

Ordinary people would have a hard time accepting their child being in a same-sex relationship, let alone a family like the Si’s.

“They were shocked at first, then silent. After a long pause, my grandpa asked me, ‘Who made the first move?’ I told the truth, that it was me. I was the one who pursued you. Then my grandpa hit me with his cane, saying I had ruined a good kid. If it weren’t for my grandma and my mom stopping him, he would’ve broken my legs.”

Si Xu touched his shoulder, “Check if it’s bruised. Grandpa may be old, but he still swings that cane with the same power as before.”

Such a serious matter was being told by Si Xu in the most casual way.

Lin Jiu massaged Si Xu’s shoulder but didn’t bother checking under his clothes.

Si Xu looked disappointed and said pitifully, “They want me to bring you back so they can ask you personally if you’re with me willingly. If not, they’d rather break my legs and lock me up than let me harass you.”

Lin Jiu: “…”

What a… fierce family.

Lin Jiu was trembling, “Do we really have to go?”

Si Xu: “If you don’t go, you might see me without legs tomorrow.”

Lin Jiu: “…”

Panicking, Lin Jiu stood up. “Wait, let me… let me get ready.”

He turned to leave but tripped over the leg of a chair and nearly fell into the shrimp bucket. Fortunately, Si Xu caught him in time.

“Right, we already have four shrimps. I’ll bring over four more fish, and the Little Blue Demon too…”

Muttering to himself, Lin Jiu ran to the stairs, but his first step slipped, and he failed to climb smoothly. He awkwardly smiled back at Si Xu, “I’m not nervous, not at all…”

Si Xu: “…”

Si Xu was trying hard not to laugh.

Lin Jiu hurried up to the second floor, opened the fish tank, and grabbed two silver carps and two invisible fish. Then he opened the smart kitchen and carried out half of the Little Blue Demon’s tentacle.

Holding a fish bucket in each hand and wearing the tentacle around his neck, Lin Jiu came back downstairs.

Si Xu: “…”

Lin Jiu didn’t think anything was odd. He set the two fish buckets next to the shrimp bucket and went to the kitchen to fetch the biggest storage box, placing the tentacle inside.

Everything was ready to go.

Si Xu: “Are you bringing all this to propose or something?”

Lin Jiu rolled his eyes at him, “It’s my first time going to your house, can I go empty-handed?”

Si Xu: “…You can.”

Lin Jiu didn’t argue with him and directed him to carry things.

After loading everything into Si Xu’s car, Lin Jiu suddenly realized he reeked of fish.

“Take me home first, I need to shower and change.”

Si Xu: “No need, you smell great like this.”

Lin Jiu insisted, “If you don’t, you better be ready to have your legs broken.”

Si Xu surrendered and took Lin Jiu home to freshen up.

—