Chapter Eighteen: Let Me Teach You What It Means to Be a Man!

Liu Xin's Weibo account became a hive of activity after he released his statement video. Scandals in the entertainment industry are common—cheating, public spats, and foul-mouthed rants happen every year. But incidents like the “End of the Forbidden City” set controversy, touching on celebrities’ moral conduct, are far rarer.

In the comment section of the video, netizens were frantically posting.

“I support Liu Xin! You’re handsome, so everything you say must be true! I’ll only believe you in this lifetime!”

“Is this real? At first they said he was acting arrogant, now it’s some malicious frame-up? The old man is over sixty, why would he go to such lengths just to get famous?”

“Hah, this scandal is truly mysterious now. From the video released yesterday, it wasn’t captured on film—just the old man being thrown. But was it really a frame-up, or did Liu Xin maliciously hurt him... Guess we’ll have to wait for more videos or photos to clarify.”

“Hey, you upstairs, you’re idiots! Liu Xin is a popular idol, even if he’s young and ignorant, why would he do something as disgraceful as pushing an old man? Did you even think before you spoke?”

“Damn! Who are you calling names? With fans like this, the idol can’t be much better! I’d rather believe Starwind’s exposé is the truth!”

“Neutral for now, no comment, waiting for more revelations to judge the truth. Pass.”

...

Some believed Liu Xin, others didn’t, but most of the onlookers remained cautious—after all, the entertainment industry and media are full of tricks these days.

For example, last year, a “philanthropist” posted on their Weibo; they claimed a three-year-old girl with cancer had parents who, after receiving 150,000 yuan in online donations, refused to treat her and spent the money on themselves and their son, leading to the girl’s death without treatment.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage. Countless netizens, led by a few public figures, vented their fury at the girl’s mother and family with insults, doxing, and harassment.

But after twists and turns, the truth finally emerged: the so-called philanthropist had fabricated the story for attention. Not only was the claim about the family refusing treatment false, but the actual donations amounted to just over 30,000 yuan, not hundreds of thousands.

The matter was eventually resolved, but the mother, who had lost her child, endured the most vicious slander and pain she could never forget.

Since then, netizens on Weibo have become noticeably more restrained when dealing with hot topics.

Yet, just as everyone was debating, a Weibo post drew everyone’s attention.

Beneath Liu Xin’s video, a reply appeared, tagged with the user “Rongdian Actor Li Shixin—I really didn’t frame anyone!” and included a video link.

This immediately attracted a large crowd of onlookers.

Since the “End of the Forbidden City” set incident, apart from the initial whistleblower Starwind and Liu Xin himself, no other significant figure had spoken out publicly—not even the crew or the other party involved.

“Hey? This ‘Rongdian Actor Li Shixin—I really didn’t frame anyone!’ Could that be the old man from the video?”

“It’s a newly registered account today, is it real? Or just someone riding the wave to make a marketing account?”

“There’s a video link! Let’s go watch!”

After a brief discussion, many clicked into Li Shixin’s Weibo.

Naturally, they saw the only post there: “My name is Li Shixin, sixty-five this year, just an old extra who wants to act.”

“My name is Li Shixin, sixty-five years old, a crowd actor who just arrived in Rongdian for one day.”

Many people perked up immediately upon seeing the video’s opening! They’d watched the set incident videos several times already—even though it was filmed at night, the person used a VIVO phone, with soft light and dual cameras to illuminate the scene. Even when zoomed in, you could make out the faces involved.

Without a doubt, aside from the bruises and blood on the old man's face in the video, his features matched the current image almost perfectly.

Comparing the two, it was almost certain they were the same person!

“Everyone! The main figure in the Liu Xin set incident has appeared! Tag ‘Rongdian Actor Li Shixin—I really didn’t frame anyone!’ Hurry and watch!”

Within just two or three minutes, Li Shixin’s newly registered Weibo shot past a thousand views.

And so, the next scene unfolded before countless viewers:

The five-minute video began with an elderly man.

His hair was sparse, his wrinkled face gaunt, looking as if he’d just recovered from a serious illness. The only thing remarkable was his pair of deep, tranquil eyes.

Eyes that seemed tired of worldly affairs, yet held a unique openness and calm.

“...The reason I came to Rongdian at this age wasn’t for fame, nor for money. For someone nearing the end of his days, fame and fortune mean nothing.

I came here simply because I have a severe cerebral venous thrombosis and don’t have much time left, and my son and daughter-in-law are unwilling to spend money for my treatment. So, I just wanted to fulfill the dream I failed to achieve in my youth—to act, in these last, precious days.

But I never expected that on my first day pursuing this dream, such a mess would occur. Causing trouble for so many, I want to apologize to everyone here.”

The old man in the video bowed to the camera.

“At the same time, I want to tell the truth. Much of what’s been spread online about that night is inaccurate, and it’s unfair to Mr. Liu Xin.”

Whoa!

At this point, netizens erupted.

“So he apologized! It was a frame-up!”

“Damn! The plot is deep—framing, and it’s a celebrity this time, impressive!”

“I thought he was here to gain sympathy, but he admitted it! Old man, your methods are truly unique!”

As many rushed to flood the comment section, the video continued.

“Many online claim I was pushed out of the car by Mr. Liu Xin that night, leaving my face battered.

I need to clarify: the injuries on my face in the video were not caused by Mr. Liu Xin pushing me out of the car, but were part of my makeup for the role.

Also, many rumors say I was hospitalized after the incident, but that’s not true.

When I was pushed out of the car, it was painful for a while, but since it was very cold and I was wearing a thick coat, I was unharmed. After a simple check at the Third Hospital with the assistant director, I went home.”

At this point in the video, the lively comment section suddenly stilled!

Yet the video played on.

“...As for the conflict between Mr. Liu Xin and me on set, that part is true. The cause was, as everyone said, because Mr. Liu Xin hadn’t memorized his lines in advance, and I had some opinions, which led to our dispute.

But after a day, I regretted my attitude. As the saying goes, ‘If you don’t think thrice before acting, you’ll regret; if you can endure a hundred times, you’ll have no worries.’ I acted impulsively in a moment of anger, forgetting I was the elder and that, regardless, Liu Xin is a senior in this profession.

As for Mr. Liu Xin’s actions, I wasn’t angry and have no intention of pursuing it, nor do I need an apology from him.

But.

I understand you’re busy, with many activities.

But since you chose to be an actor, to stand before the camera, please respect your work, maintain basic integrity, and put in the effort that’s expected!

See, when you’re old, you just want to say a few words, but end up rambling endlessly.

No more, no more...

I posted this video simply hoping that the media and friends involved won’t pay further attention to this matter, and that no one will disrupt my life and work because of it.

My time is truly limited, and I have no energy to waste here.

At the end of the video, as an old man, I want to give Mr. Liu one sentence.

‘Peony blossoms are beautiful but fleeting, while the small jujube flower bears solid fruit.’

Finally, I sincerely wish Mr. Liu Xin success in his career, and hope everyone watching this video enjoys a happy life. Goodbye.”

With Li Shixin’s calm, measured tone, the five-minute video finally ended.

The comment section was now silent.

No one knows how long it took before someone broke the quiet.

“Old man, you don’t need to apologize. I won’t allow you to apologize!”

“I cried! I really cried! What kind of character is this? What kind of integrity?”

“@Liu Xin, get out here and take your punishment! Two statement videos—one who was clearly at fault but defended himself at every turn; one who suffered enormous injustice, nearly lost his life, yet says ‘sorry’ with every sentence! I don’t even care who’s telling the truth or lying anymore!”

“Why does Li Shixin need to apologize? Is it because of fame? No! It’s because people are different! The tragedy is, a person who doesn’t even memorize lines is famous everywhere, while someone who truly loves acting is stuck as an extra, and even has to face violence from so-called stars. What has the world come to?!”

“He’s clearly the one wronged, yet keeps saying ‘sorry.’ He went to apologize and was shoved out of the car by that brute, but still reflects on himself. He’s gravely ill, with little time left, just wanting to act in his final days... and yet, bothered by someone like Liu Xin who won’t even memorize his lines!”

“Old man, you don’t need to apologize! You’ve never done anything wrong!”

“I’m a fan now! I admit I was a Liu Xin anti-fan, just here for the drama. But for the old man’s attitude, his openness and tolerance—even if he’s an extra I’ve never heard of—he’s my idol now! Li Shixin, right? From now on, you’re my idol!”

“The old man’s remarkable! That saying was so apt! @Liu Xin, do you even know what ‘Peony blossoms are beautiful but fleeting, while the small jujube flower bears solid fruit’ means? I bet you’ve never heard of it! It’s from ‘Wise Words.’ The old man was gently reminding you: speak honestly, do real work, don’t just focus on appearances! Otherwise, your fame and status will be nothing but castles in the air. You should learn from him!”

As the comment section exploded, Li Shixin’s Weibo followers soared.

But at that moment, another significant development related to the set scandal appeared.

Less than fifteen minutes after Li Shixin’s video was released, the official promotional Weibo for “End of the Forbidden City” updated.

The very first promotional video, a plot montage for “End of the Forbidden City” since filming began... was released!