After experiencing an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm, the perfunctory rituals still had to be observed.
Full and satisfied, the police officers looked at Meng Hao with apologetic expressions.
"We're sorry, Brother Hao."
"It looks like we still have to trouble you with a trip to the detention room for formalities."
"The leaders come to inspect every afternoon. If they see you're not in the detention room, we'll get disciplined."
"But don't worry, after work hours, you can come out and stay in our duty room. We won't let you be uncomfortable."
Meng Hao nodded with a smile.
Being detained in a police station for the first time, receiving such treatment was already beyond his expectations.
For reasons of sentiment, principle, public interest, and personal feelings, he could not make things difficult for these die-hard fans of his.
Detention room.
This is a measure similar to a holding cell.
It was dark, damp, and devoid of sunlight.
Inside, there were many individual cells.
The police officers chose the only one with a skylight and sent Meng Hao in.
Of course, before Meng Hao entered the cell, the room was cleaned spotless, and they even specifically laid out bedding they brought themselves.
"Brother Hao."
"Electronic devices are not allowed in the cell, so we'll keep your phone, smartwatch, and such for safekeeping."
"However, we have snacks, drinks, a desk lamp with charging, hot water, and books here. You can treat it like a personal vacation."
The police officers rubbed their hands, trying to comfort Meng Hao.
"Mm."
"Alright."
"The conditions are acceptable."
Seeing that Meng Hao did not blame them, the police officers breathed a sigh of relief.
The officer in charge of guarding the detention center personally poured Meng Hao a cup of tea water. The tea was Jin Jun Mei, which he had cherished for many years.
He then cheerfully turned on all the lights in the cell, told Meng Hao to feel free to ask if he needed anything, such as using the restroom or getting water, and then walked over to a nearby table and chairs to sit down.
He intended to stay with Meng Hao.
It had to be said, the words "just treat it as a period of rest and recuperation" spoken by the police officers earlier when comforting Meng Hao were quite fitting.
In the spacious detention room, it was so quiet that even the faint current sound of a broken light bulb could be heard.
Yes.
It was indeed quiet.
So quiet that Meng Hao suddenly realized it was almost four o'clock, and his live broadcast would likely be officially canceled!
The person in charge of this police station branch, Zhao Chen.
After escorting Meng Hao back and taking his statement, he handed him over to his colleagues and subordinates to attend to.
As for himself, he rushed to report to the police chief with the statement documents.
As a loyal fan of Meng Hao, he naturally did not want his idol to be held in the detention room. He had to quickly get his superior to handle the matter and then release Meng Hao.
The chief of the police station, Li Kan, was a stern-looking middle-aged man in his forties.
After hearing Zhao Chen's report, the wrinkles on his forehead deepened.
"You're saying that this Meng Hao's company live stream has millions of viewers? And most importantly, you actually called him the 'Pride of Domestic Goods' and the 'Future of Great Xia's Technology'?"
"We will naturally handle such a talent with leniency and speed... However, wasn't that fellow called Kun Kun also an internet celebrity?"
"This matter is difficult to handle... involving issues that could cause public opinion shifts, we must proceed with extreme caution. Even the slightest procedural flaw or loophole will be magnified a thousandfold and questioned by the public!"
On one hand, there was a god-like tech figure, referred to by his subordinates as the future of Great Xia's technology, said to be working on a lithography machine.
On the other hand, there was a young idol with tens of millions of fans and a large number of online trolls.
This matter was indeed tricky.
"How about this, I'll report it further up the chain!"
"Later, we'll go to the hospital. As long as we can secure that artist's forgiveness, this matter will be considered a misunderstanding."
Li Kan sighed.
This matter could only be handled by himself.
Hospital.
Kun Kun, who was almost wrapped from head to toe in white gauze, like a mummy, was furious.
The doctor had already examined him.
The superficial wound on his finger, caused by Meng Hao shoving him to the ground, had almost healed.
The main injuries were concentrated on his head.
Previously, when Kun Kun, terrified of Meng Hao, was banging his head everywhere, not only did his scalp get scraped and a large piece of skin torn off, but he also suffered a mild concussion from the forceful head-banging.
His agent, who had feigned death out of fear of Meng Hao, sat by Kun Kun's side, constantly instigating him.
"This damned scoundrel, we must find a lawyer and sue him..."
"He harmed our Kun Kun to this extent, he must go to jail..."
"Not only jail, but he must also apologize to the entire internet. This is simply bullying!"
"The negative online impact of today's scene on our Kun Kun is simply too great..."
An agent is an employee of a management company.
Except for those who hold the reins of the company, ordinary agents are essentially glorified nannies and lackeys to celebrities.
Take Kun Kun's agent, for example.
To put it bluntly, he was just a skilled flatterer, a smooth-talking lapdog.
He was incompetent in other areas.
But he was exceptionally good at fawning, fanning the flames, stirring up trouble, and distorting the truth.
Furthermore, when he accompanied Kun Kun to the hospital, he received a call from the head of the troll army, He Yutang.
On the phone, He Yutang had said that if they could get Meng Hao jailed or completely ruin his reputation, the reward would be five hundred thousand US dollars.
The legal fees to ruin Meng Hao would be borne by Kun Kun and his management company.
But if he could get Meng Hao sent to jail, he would personally gain fifty thousand US dollars.
This was an incredibly profitable deal.
All he had to do was use his tongue a bit more.
Moreover, that young man named Meng Hao was too much; he had even scared him into pretending to be dead on the ground.
Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked and entered.
It was Li Kan and Zhao Chen, both in police uniforms.
For Meng Hao's sake, they even paid out of their own pockets to buy fruits, nutritional supplements, and other items.
"You must be Kun Kun!"
"I am the person in charge of the local police station, and this is my subordinate, Zhao Chen."
"We express our regret and apologies for what happened between you two earlier!"
Kun Kun and his agent glanced coldly at Li Kan and Zhao Chen.
"How can such a violent incident occur under your jurisdiction? It's simply outrageous!"
"Look at how badly they beat our Kun Kun, he's all wrapped in bandages!"
"Let me tell you, that guy named Meng Hao must be punished severely and strictly!"
Li Kan looked at Kun Kun, who was covered in bandages, with some confusion.
When Zhao Chen reported to him earlier, he said that this Kun Kun was not injured at all.
Meng Hao had only pushed him, causing a minor skin abrasion on his finger.
How could he look like he had been thrown into an incinerator, swallowed by flames, and then hastily rescued?
Despite Kun Kun and his agent's cold remarks, Li Kan managed to maintain a smile.
"Actually, we came here today to seek your forgiveness..."
"Meng Hao is extremely important to our country's scientific and technological community..."
"He has just returned from Hawaii City and needs to resume work on the research and manufacturing of the lithography machine as soon as possible. Therefore, it's best not to detain him for too long..."