"Shocking! A Booming Food Processing Plant Suffers a Sudden Explosion."
"Circuit Malfunction? Machine Failure?"
"What Hidden, Unspeakable Secrets Lie Behind the Tightly Shut Gates?"
Song Qiao stared at the sensational headlines in the newspaper before him, finding it hard to suppress a wry smile. He hadn't expected that even in this era, there would be reporters so eager to sensationalize and exaggerate the truth.
"Who wrote this? They seem to relish in misfortune," Song Qiao asked Li Lili, his gaze shifting to the byline of the report.
"Lin Sheng."
He had no idea where this "talent" had come from.
Li Lili frowned, pondering for a moment before a sudden realization struck her. She smacked her forehead. "I remember yesterday afternoon, some people followed an electrician and snuck into the factory, taking pictures of the machinery."
"Ah Wei initially thought they were from the machinery factory, but when he realized they weren't, he kicked them out. I didn't expect them to be newspaper reporters."
Song Qiao grew more perplexed. He had no past grievances or recent conflicts with this reporter named Lin. Their paths had never crossed. Why would he deliberately write such a smear piece to provoke him?
Could it be a competitor? But how did they get the news so quickly?
Song Qiao rubbed his forehead, his mind a jumbled mess, unable to find any clues.
Just as everyone was at a loss, Pan Bei suddenly called.
"What's going on, Boss Song? How could such a big incident happen at your factory?" Pan Bei's angry voice boomed through the phone as soon as it connected.
He had vouched for Song Qiao to open this processing plant, and the workers involved in the accident were all from the poverty alleviation program he had recommended. If superiors started questioning him about such a major accident, his position as director of the poverty alleviation office would be in jeopardy.
Song Qiao frowned, somewhat displeased with Pan Bei's attitude. He replied indifferently, "Director Pan, while I don't wish for accidents to occur at the factory, they are sometimes unavoidable."
"In this world, where can one find high returns without any risk?"
"Besides, this accident isn't that serious."
Pan Bei was rendered speechless by Song Qiao's nonchalant tone. After a moment of stunned silence, he roared, "There were two fatalities, Boss Song, and you still think it's not a big deal?"
"What?"
Song Qiao gasped, stunned by Pan Bei's words.
"How is that possible? My factory only had two employees sustain minor injuries. One didn't even need surgery. How could there be two fatalities?" Song Qiao asked Director Pan, utterly bewildered.
"The newspaper states it clearly. Boss Song, why don't you take a look?" Pan Bei now seemed to sense something was amiss.
Song Qiao finally remembered the newspaper. He had been so focused on discussing who this Lin Sheng was with Li Lili that he hadn't truly read the report. Upon closer inspection, he discovered the newspaper claimed two lives were lost at his factory, and that the boss had used a large sum of money to silence the matter.
"Director Pan, this is preposterous. I will go to the newspaper office immediately to investigate and provide you with an explanation tonight."
Song Qiao was furious. He hung up the phone after making the statement.
"Ah Wei, go find Mayor Liu and ask him to accompany me to the newspaper office." Song Qiao instructed and prepared to leave.
"Boss, do you need me to bring some of the guys?" Ah Wei asked, his expression grim, itching to give the reporter who had twisted the facts a piece of his mind.
"No, we will rely on evidence." Song Qiao certainly wouldn't allow Ah Wei to cause trouble. He said this and walked out of the office.
...
"Honey, your report is brilliant! I don't think that wicked Xia Yuqing will dare to be so arrogant with me anymore." Lin Sheng couldn't help but smile as he listened to Sun Ying's cutesy voice on the phone.
"Of course. In this era, the pen in a journalist's hand is mightier than a gun," he boasted. "With this article published, your colleague's husband is likely in for a world of trouble." His words dripped with arrogance, as if he found his profession incredibly significant.
"Honey, you're amazing. I'll have to reward you properly tonight," Sun Ying praised him.
"Oh? How do you plan to reward me?" Lin Sheng asked with a lecherous grin.
"You! We'll see if you can beg for mercy later," Sun Ying playfully retorted, teasing Lin Sheng a bit more before hanging up.
"Brother Lin, your sources are incredibly swift. You knew so many inside details as soon as the factory incident happened. The front-page headline today has garnered the attention and discussion of the entire city." A colleague, unaware of the truth, praised Lin Sheng while holding the newspaper.
"You're too kind. I was just lucky to have stumbled upon this information," Lin Sheng replied humbly, though his eyes betrayed his smugness.
"Don't be so modest."
"If you continue to follow up on this story, you'll not only receive praise from the editor-in-chief but likely be hailed as a paragon of upright reporting by the entire city." The colleague, oblivious to Lin Sheng's embellishments, continued to flatter him.
"I will definitely follow up. As journalists, we must fight against these unscrupulous factories until the end." Hearing this, the other people in the office gave him thumbs up. They hadn't realized that while Lin Sheng was sometimes opportunistic, he was resolute in the face of injustice and unafraid of retaliation from the factory.
"Reporter Lin, someone is looking for you outside." Lin Sheng, basking in the praise of his colleagues, was interrupted by a security guard rushing in.
"Who is it? If it's about a commission, I'm too busy lately. The processing plant incident alone will keep me occupied for a while," Lin Sheng waved his hand dismissively, intending to refuse.
"They… they claim to be from the Xiang Piaopiao Processing Plant and specifically asked to see you."
"What?" Lin Sheng was startled, nearly falling from his seat. His heart leaped into his throat. He knew the truth; he had published false reports and deliberately slandered the factory. Now, they had come looking for him for revenge.
"What? In broad daylight, are they planning to retaliate against me? Is there no law in this land?" In front of so many people, he dared not show his cowardice. He stiffened his resolve and said to the security guard.
"Tell those people to leave immediately, or I'll have to call the police." As he spoke, he subtly glanced towards the back door, looking for an opportunity to slip away.