In no time, more and more authoritative media outlets reported on this matter. The truth was that two thieves had broken into steal stuff and had been stung and sent to the hospital by Fang Zhao's sea slug.
Authoritative media outlets didn't have that much click-bait and had a tendency to state the truth, so they were also more trusted by people.
As these authoritative outlets released their say, netizens also no longer suspected that Fang Zhao was involved in any shady incident. Slowly, more and more people placed their attention on Fang Zhao's sea slug.
"I want the detailed information and purchase info of the same type of sea slug that Fang Zhao has! Price negotiable!" A certain Fang Zhao fan posted this excitedly on social media platforms.
"Don't bother. In the whole world, there is only one like that which carries extraterrestrial genes. The sort that has half extraterrestrial genes isn't that easy to rear."
"I found the old issue of "PET" magazine where there was an introduction to that sea slug of Fang Zhao's. Its estimated value was 80 million!"
"I remember this. Fang Zhao's one can also emit light and made sea slug lamps a fad. Those two thieves are idiots. It would probably fetch many millions on the black market. To think that professional thieves would only concern themselves with eating!"
"That's not entirely accurate. I have asked many people. There are many people willing to rear that kind of sea slug. However, I have never seen anyone willing to secretly purchase one on the black market and rear it. Not many would dare rear that sea slug in secret. Its diet, needs, and other information are completely unknown because it is a hybrid variety. People would be worried about killing it by accident if they aren't careful. Who would dare ignore this risk after spending 80 million on it?"
"Makes sense. It seems that those two thieves weren't willing to take such a risk and felt that they might as well consume a sea slug worth 80 million. That is great value too."
"Hahahaha, didn't they end up in hospital after being stung?! Idiots!"
"Speaking of things, this incident reminds me of that film that was released sometime back which was about a sea slug."
"Yes, yes, yes, same here!"
As the subject and topic changed over and over, the film about the sea slug was mentioned. The plot was about a highly intelligent sea slug. Everyone had just treated it as a science fiction story just for entertainment, but the incident in Fang Zhao's home led to more discussion about it.
In no time, the online discussions went from the two wanted fugitives to Fang Zhao's extremely valuable sea slug to whether there was any possibility of hybrid sea slugs ever entering the mass consumer market. Finally, the topic shifted to whether that sort of "demonic" sea slug portrayed in the film existed.
Thus, the sea slug film that had already seen a sharp decline in the box office started to rise again.
Fang Zhao received a call from Tan Min when he got home.
Fang Zhao had run into Tan Min, the diver who had switched careers to become a director, back while sourcing sea slug feed when he had been invited to the Corale Archipelago to attend the Corale Film Festival. At that time, Fang Zhao had been won over by his movie's purpose of advocating the conservation of the ocean so he had invested in Tan Min's film that revolved around a sea slug.
The film had been released not too long ago and did decently. It couldn't be considered a box office hit, but at least it had made a profit. After all, it was a small scale production, not a mega blockbuster.
But after this happened, Fang Zhao brought about a new wave of interest in sea slugs. Tan Min also didn't let this opportunity for publicity slip by. Seeing the box office sales rising again, he excitedly gave a call to Fang Zhao.
"A friend of mine says to make the most of this opportunity. We can surely turn our minor profits into major profits! I was just talking to two video streaming platforms regarding the copyrights. Fang Zhao, perhaps you will even get a three hundred percent return on your principal!! This is only a conservative estimate. If we're lucky, this film might even join the tenfold profit club. How awesome would that be?!" Tan Min said this confidently. His voice was bright and crisp, and his eyes glowed with ambition when he mentioned the tenfold profit club.
Only Tan Min himself knew the hardships of becoming a director with just the background of a diver. The success this time around was only a fluke, but it gave him confidence and faith. Tan Min felt that his director prospects were still rather bright. Thus, he wasn't stingy with his benefactor, Fang Zhao. After using Fang Zhao's popularity to do another round of marketing that made the box office numbers soar, he wanted to quickly let Fang Zhao know that he wasn't someone who became ungrateful after earning lots of money.
Fang Zhao chuckled after listening to what Tan Min had said. "You don't have to return it. Donate my entire share of profit from this film to the Ocean Environment and Ecology Conservation Fund. You are more familiar with the organization, so do as you see fit."
On the other end of the call, Tan Min paused and asked, "Don-Donate all of it? This isn't a small sum."
"All of it," Fang Zhao said firmly.
Upon confirming that Fang Zhao's intentions were to really donate the money and weren't an act for money laundering, Tan Min was suddenly moved. He started to reflect and wonder whether the benefits that lay before his eyes had clouded his mind. In the beginning, he had changed careers from a diver to a director because he wanted to show people the charm of the ocean as well as increase awareness in the importance of protecting the oceans. He had nearly forgotten his own initial aspirations.
"I… I will also donate!" Tan Min choked up.
"You don't need to. You still need to leave enough capital to make a living. This is only the beginning. You still have to prepare more future works," Fang Zhao said gently.
Tan Min, who hadn't been thinking clearly, felt as though a basin of cold water had been poured over his head and cooled him down. He had to face reality.
Yes, he couldn't compare with Fang Zhao. Fang Zhao was someone who could just donate his reward of many billions like it was nothing!
When he ended the call with Tan Min, Fang Zhao went online to check the situation of the film and help publicize it a little. After that, he once again pondered his home break-in.
The focus of the police was on the two wanted criminals. As for other questions such as the hybrid's sea slug's method of stinging and other details, the police only asked for a rough outline. They were somewhat surprised upon finding out that this sea slug could open its own aquarium.
This new variety of sea slug had extra-terrestrial genes and was worth 80 million… Strictly speaking, it could probably be considered a new species. With that in mind, this peculiarity could still be considered acceptable.
Even so, Fang Zhao stayed in Yanzhou for two more days to cooperate with investigation. The police suspected that somebody was targeting Fang Zhao and those two wanted criminals hadn't selected their target at random.
The police in charge of the investigation had asked Fang Zhao for any leads. Had he offended anyone? Did he suspect anyone? Currently, they couldn't get much information out of the mouths of those two criminals.
Fang Zhao really couldn't think of any right away. There were too many people who had been offended by him. He had obstructed the paths of quite a number of people and had probably incurred the fury of many.
"Whatever it is, you still have to take note of your own safety!" Nanfeng said nervously. "Also, it's best if you move houses, boss. You can no longer stay here. Many Yanzhou entertainment reporters have their attention on this place and have found a variety of reasons to visit some households below. Since this place has already been exposed, you should move to a safer and more private place. I have already contacted a few friends to ask about some suitable districts in Yanzhou. Luckily, you still haven't graduated from your advanced studies yet, so you basically don't live here."
Nanfeng suggested that the best option would be the one of those detached villas so that at least Fang Zhao wouldn't be subjected to sneak photography from the floors above and below. Ever since people living below in this building had learned that Fang Zhao stayed here, camera drones around the size of houseflies were seen flying around trying to take sneak shots. And, they even had the cheek to say that they were photographing the city's skyscape. What b*llshit!
"There's no rush. You just continue finding out more first," Fang Zhao said.
Currently, this place really wasn't suitable for living anymore. However, finding another place wasn't too urgent. In two days, Fang Zhao still needed to return to Huangzhou to continue his studies, so there was still time to find a place.
As they were talking, Nanfeng received a new message. Since Fang Zhao didn't have a manager, his assistant Nanfeng was acting concurrently as his liaison and could basically be somewhat considered to be a semi-manager. People would seek out Nanfeng when they couldn't contact Fang Zhao.
Zuo Yu was seated at the side and noticed Nanfeng's strange expression. He asked, "What is it now?"
Nanfeng glanced at Fang Zhao and said, "They're seeking an endorsement from boss."
"What sort of endorsement?" Zuo Yu was curious.
"Black Pot."
"???"
Nanfeng showed an image to Fang Zhao and Zuo Yu while explaining, "This is the photograph of Boss' kitchen that was leaked earlier, the one showing the pot and condiments the two criminals had taken out to cook the 80 million… cough, our sea slug. The brand of the pot has already been determined by netizens. Now, the manufacturer wishes to ask boss to endorse their cookware."
"Will you endorse it?" Nanfeng looked to Fang Zhao.
"… No," Fang Zhao replied.
While saying that, Fang Zhao received a call on his end and smiled when he saw the name of the caller.
"Nazi? Long time no see."
The caller was Natiwuzi, the boss of "Space", which was a music night club in Qi'an City. He was also one of the top three speed-strumming maestros in the entire world. "Nazi" was a name that his close friends and families used.
"I heard that you encountered some troubles over at your end. How about coming here and having some fun? You wouldn't have to worry about harassment from entertainment reporters," Natiwuzi spoke slowly. "I remember you mentioned some interest towards antiques. I have just received some small objects from the Old Era. Come over and have a look!"
Despite saying this much, Natiwuzi's hands were itching. He wanted to find a guitar strumming partner.
It just so happened that Fang Zhao was trying to avoid reporters at this time. Also, he was indeed interested in those Old Era objects that Natiwuzi was talking about.
"Zuo Yu, you and I will go over. Yan Biao and Nanfeng stay home," Fang Zhao said. Yan Biao had been the driver the previous time they went out, so it was Zuo Yu's turn now.
"Boss, I will go too!"
"Zuo Yu alone isn't enough."
Nanfeng and Yan Biao exclaimed at the same time.
"No need, you two keep an eye on them." Fang Zhao pointed at the sea slug that was locked back in its aquarium once again and then at Curly Hair, who was still standing guard over the display cabinet.
Nanfeng and Yan Biao still wished to persuade Fang Zhao more, but they ultimately shut up. It was just too bad that they had a boss who could fight and run better than themselves. They felt that they would be nothing more than ornaments if they went, so they couldn't find it in them to change Fang Zhao's mind.
After Fang Zhao and Zuo Yu left, Yan Biao sat on the sofa in silence. After a while, he looked at the time and kicked Nanfeng, who was sending messages. He used his chin to gesture Nanfeng to look at Curly Hair.
"This dog Curly Hair has been crouched there ever since coming back. That display cabinet and him have been staring lovingly at each other for an entire day. Err, more accurately, it should be considered a one-sided love from the dog."
Nanfeng raised an eyebrow and said without much thought, "He is helping boss guard his belongings. Besides the 80 million sea slug in the apartment, the other items in the display cabinet are the most valuable. Good dogs are like this. They are silent and faithful guards that won't let outsiders steal a single brick or tile from this house."
"Oh, really?" Yan Biao didn't believe that. He kept feeling that Curly Hair's gaze on that display cabinet was filled with a fiery passion.
Yet another hour passed.
Curly Hair was still crouched before the display cabinet in his original position. Even the dog food placed by his side was untouched.
Yan Biao looked at the display cabinet and thought about what Nanfeng had said. He then glanced at Curly Hair and laughed silently.
This little thing was rather interesting. The way he stared at those belongings seemed genuine. It was as though he would chase anyone who stole any of these items to the ends of the earth!