I’m Really a Superstar

In a group chat.

Many of the deadbeats in here knew each other personally.

“Old Hu, did something happen to your cell phone’s incoming ringtone?”

“It got changed by the Supreme Court!”

“Old Qi, how about you?”

“Mine too!”

“Will it stop if we turn off our phones?”

“It doesn’t work that way; I’ve already tried it. Even after turning the phone off, people can still hear the Supreme Court’s message when they call in. Only after that will it say that the phone has been turned off!”

“Can we cancel the number then?”

“That doesn’t work either. Moreover, all the cell phone numbers, including our home landlines, have had their incoming ringtone changed by the Supreme Court via the telecommunications companies!”

“How fucking devious!”

“Aren’t they being too shameless by doing this!”

“Who the hell came up with such a rotten idea!”

“The business deal that I successfully negotiated has fallen through because of it! It’s worth over tens of millions of yuan!”

“What’s the big deal about that! I lost my fiancée because of it!”

“They’re totally out to get us this time!”

“When did the Supreme Court start behaving in such troublemaking ways!”

“W-What times do we live in! Even a government organization has started behaving like the mob!”

There was a wave of scolding in the group chat. Many of the deadbeats were driven crazy!

A lot of these people were not afraid of being called out in the public notices since not many people would look at them anyway. Who had the time to check the list of criminals on the television and newspapers every day? But it was different this time. It wasn’t a public notice, but something that was a million times harsher. These people also had relatives, friends, and colleagues. Some even had business partners too. But with this, the people around them were now aware of their situation. This sort of pressure was simply too overwhelming.

…

This also made the news in China.

“The Supreme Court clamps down hard on deadbeats!”

“The Supreme Court makes its move!”

“The ‘Deadbeat Incoming Ringtone’ is born!”

“Shock! The Supreme Court resorts to unorthodox measures!”

The news also did a detailed writeup on the “Deadbeat Incoming Ringtone.”

…

On Weibo.

The netizens were gobsmacked when they saw the news!

“Holy shit!”

“This—”

“The Supreme Court is so smart!”

“Hahahaha!”

“Aiyo, I’m dying of laughter! This is hilarious!”

“They can even fucking do this?”

“Whoever came up with such an idea?!”

“This move is the best! It’s so devious!”

“I’m laughing like crazy! Here’s a Like for the Supreme Court!”

“The Supreme Court is amazing today! Beautifully executed!”

“Pfft, hahahahaha! Is this still the Supreme Court that I thought I knew? A wicked move like that couldn’t have been thought up by just anyone!”

“What a bright move by the Supreme Court!”

“All hail our country’s governmental organization!”

“When faced with such scum, there’s a need to use similarly scummy tactics to deal with them!”

“Well done! This should have happened a long time ago!”

“Those deadbeats have always thought that they were unscrupulous, but who could’ve guessed our governmental organization can be even more unscrupulous when they want to! The Supreme Court has played it really well. I just want to know now whose great idea this was! What a genius! They had better get a promotion and a raise!”

…

At night.

Zhang Ye’s parents’ house.

As he was too lazy to cook, Zhang Ye brought his wife and child over to his parents’ place for dinner.

As soon as Zhang Ye entered the house, he called out, “Dad, Mom, I’m hungry.”

His mother stared at him. “All you know is to eat!”

Sisi said listlessly, “Nana, I’m hungry too.”

His mother dotingly said, “Aiyo, eat some grapes to tide you over, my dear. I’ll get Pops to quickly heat up dinner!” Turning around, she said, “Go on now. Didn’t you hear our granddaughter say that she’s hungry?”

Wu Zeqing immediately said, “Mom, I’ll go heat it up.”

His father said, “You don’t have to. You’ve been working all day.”

It was time to eat.

His mother, who happened to have just watched the news, said to her daughter-in-law with a laugh, “Oh yes, there was news that really tickled your Dad and me. That incoming ringtone for those deadbeats stunt by the Supreme Court is so satisfying to hear about!”

His father also laughed. “That was a good idea! It was such a good idea!”

Wu Zeqing smiled and said, “The idea was suggested by Little Ye.”

His mother was stunned. “What?”

His father exclaimed, “Little Ye suggested it?”

Wu Zeqing said, “The Supreme Court’s people came by to the Central Publicity Department today when Little Ye brought me lunch, so he floated the idea to them.”

“Son.” His mother looked at him. “Why are you so wicked?”

Zhang Ye said in a speechless manner, “I’m just doing a service to the people.”

His mother said in amusement, “Those deadbeats have probably been done in by you!”

At this moment, a cell phone rang.

It was Wu Zeqing’s phone.

She picked up a napkin and wiped her mouth before walking off to take the call. “Hello?”

On the other end, it was Old Qian from the Supreme Court. His tone sounded different from the afternoon as he spoke very excitedly, “Minister Wu, it’s me!”

“It’s Old Qian?”

“Let me give you a piece of good news. You absolutely can’t imagine it, hahahaha. Of the 175 names on the latest batch of major debtors list, 103 of them have already repaid their debts. Furthermore, this number is still increasing as we—” Another person could be heard talking to Old Qian. Then he said excitedly to Wu Zeqing: “Latest update, there are 108 people who paid up!”

Old Wu laughed. “That’s good.”

“Thank your husband for me. Thank Teacher Zhang. He has really helped out the courts this time. Let me find a day and I’ll treat Teacher Zhang to a meal in my personal capacity! You must convince him to accept my gratitude!” He then repeated: “You must thank your husband for me!”

Old Wu smiled. “Alright, I’ll let him know.”

The call ended.

Old Wu came back to the dining table and said calmly, “That was from the Supreme Court. 108 debtors have already paid up, so Old Qian wanted to give you his thanks. He mentioned that he would like to buy you a meal someday.”

His father was stunned. “It was that effective?”

Zhang Ye smiled and said, “I knew it would be.”

…

Meanwhile.

The various courts around the country received many calls.

The deadbeats they had been chasing for repayment were now all actively looking for the courts.

…

Beijing Municipal High People’s Court.

“Judge Liu!”

“Yes?”

“I’m willing to pay up! Right now!”

“Ah? Sure.”

“I give up, I really give up this time!”

…

Shanghai Municipal High People’s Court.

“Judge Zhou!”

“Oh, it’s Boss Li. How’s the money coming?”

“I’ve already paid up. Can you all quickly retract the incoming ringtone!”

“Oh, I have to verify it first. There’s no rush.”

“You might not be urgent, but I am!”

…

Shenzhen Municipal High People’s Court.

“Judge Wu, you people are too extreme!”

“Hur hur, when it comes to dealing with you all, there’s a need to do so.”

“Alright, I give up, I admit defeat.”

“Can you pay up within this week?”

“—Yes! I can!”

“You should have done so earlier!”

…

On TV.

Central TV News Channel.

The host said, “Today, the Supreme Court, together with the Central Publicity Department and various telecommunications companies, launched a special crackdown against deadbeat behavior. The effect is very clear, and as of now, 111 people have paid their arrears to the government. About 10 people have promised the local courts that they will make up for their arrears within the week. According to our reporter’s understanding, the person who recommended this severe action that was undertaken by the Supreme Court was actually the Nobel Prize laureate, Teacher Zhang Ye. During the course of our interview with the Supreme Court, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude to Teacher Zhang Ye.”

When this news was broadcast.

The Chinese society blew up!

…

In the deadbeats’ chat group.

“Holy fuck!”

“It’s Zhang Ye?”

“That rotten idea was suggested by him?”

“Fuck! He’s too ruthless!”

“That hooligan! That fucking hooligan!”

…

Online.

The netizens were laughing like crazy!

“What?”

“Face-smacking Zhang?”

“Damn! So he was the one behind it!”

“I knew it! I was wondering who could have come up with such a despicable strategy!”

“Hahahahaha!”

“So it was the rotten idea of our spiritual strategist! No wonder it felt so familiar! Your sister! Zhang Ye’s spiritual tactics have finally found a practical usage! And it even succeeded!”

“So our spiritual strategist isn’t just talk!”

“It really succeeded!”

“Amazing job, Face-smacking Zhang!”

“This is the first time a spiritual tactic has been put into practice!”

“Would that meteorites that destroy carriers theory work then?”

“It just might!”

On this day.

The reputation of Zhang Ye as a spiritual strategist became even more brilliant than before!