“What’s going on? Why suddenly refuse the interview?!” Father Tang who normally never showed his emotions, became anxious.
Jiang Fuyue explained Jiang Chenxing’s situation along with the current state of online public opinion: “…I don’t believe that pretending to be deaf and mute is anything good. Different paths cannot be planned together. The interview is unnecessary.”
Tang Youtian’s first reaction was confusion. Logically, with such a major public opinion incident, the lower levels should have reported it upward.
Yet he knew nothing.
His second reaction was panic. All the early preparation work for the interview had already been completed, but the interview subject suddenly refused, how could that work?
Not to mention the huge manpower and resources already invested; the news had already been released, and all major media outlets knew they would conduct a one-on-one in-depth interview with Jiang Fuyue. If it fell through, their reputation would be ruined!
“Don’t, let’s talk this out. Everything can be negotiated. There’s nothing that can’t be resolved!”
Jiang Fuyue remained silent.
Tang Youtian’s tone turned pleading: “Little ancestor, I’m begging you, please don’t say you won’t accept the interview, alright? My old heart can’t take it.”
“You can rest assured, I’ll immediately investigate what’s happening online. If it’s true, we’ll definitely give you a satisfactory explanation!”
Jiang Fuyue: “Within twelve hours, I want to see the results.”
Tang Youtian gritted his teeth: “Deal!”
Five minutes later, just as everyone was happily preparing to get off work, they suddenly received a message: Gather in the conference room, important announcement.
Immediately, wails erupted.
“What’s going on? Didn’t the meeting already adjourn?”
“Strange… going back on his word and delaying everyone from getting off work, that’s not his style. Something must have happened!”
“…”
“Director Zhang? Director Zhang, ”
“Huh?”
“I called you several times. Why are you so distracted?”
“Ah, was I? Maybe I didn’t rest well last night. Nothing serious. By the way, what did you need?”
“Oh, higher-ups notified us, conference room gathering. Hurry, it’s probably something tricky.”
“At this hour?” Zhang Huai’s eyelids twitched sharply, unease rising in his chest.
“Yes, you’re in charge of online public opinion. You must attend.”
Zhang Huai’s heart sank slightly, though his tone remained relaxed: “Sounds serious. Did something happen?”
“I’m not sure. You’ll know when you get there. Alright, I still have to notify the next office.”
…
Fifteen minutes later, the heads of all departments gathered in the conference room.
Tang Youtian sat at the head with arms crossed, face dark as water. His sharp gaze swept across the room.
Everyone exchanged quick looks,
[Looks serious.]
[Smells like a purge.]
[Who’s going to be unlucky this time?]
Just as everyone felt uneasy, Tang Youtian spoke.
“Who can tell me about the recent incident on Weibo involving Blueberry TV and the idol training camp?”
Zhang Huai’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest; he almost slid off his chair.
Tang Youtian found out?
How did he find out?
The trending topics had already been removed, and the popularity reduced…
“I know about it, ate the gossip this morning. But by the afternoon the matter seemed to settle down, and discussion dropped sharply.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Tang Youtian sneered. “Zhang Huai, you explain. Is it really as calm as it appears?”
Zhang Huai’s heart thumped as he met the leader’s interrogating gaze.
He knew…
The matter could no longer be hidden!
…
Early the next morning, after Zheng Qiushi arrived at the office, he immediately called Zhang Huai.
“Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavailable…”
What’s going on?
His brows instantly knitted together.
Fortunately, after one night, everything had already been completely suppressed. Weibo was now harmonious; all those “Guardian Star,” “Yue Family Army,” and “Best Actor fans” were nothing special after all!
“Uncle, the trending topics are gone, and the accounts that scolded me were banned, ”
The door was pushed open from outside, and a hurried figure rushed in, unable to hide his excitement and smugness.
Zheng Qiushi frowned and scolded: “Why are you so rash?”
Xia Qingfan didn’t care. “Uncle, you’re amazing! How did you do it?!”
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t ask. Why are you here at the station so early instead of staying home?”
“I moved back to the training camp villa last night. Ahem… not free at home.”
“Mm, that’s fine,” Zheng Qiushi nodded. “The recording will continue anyway.”
Xia Qingfan’s eyes shifted slightly. “Uncle, Jiang Chenxing caused such a big problem this time and created extremely bad influence for Blueberry TV and the program. According to the rules, he shouldn’t be allowed to continue competing, right?”
Zheng Qiushi suddenly looked up.
Xia Qingfan swallowed and stepped back half a step. “U-Uncle… why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m looking at how ambitious you are, and how ruthless your methods are!”
Even after gaining the upper hand, he still wanted to completely eliminate Jiang Chenxing.
“Fanfan, I really underestimated you.”
“Hehe… cutting the grass to remove the roots, isn’t that what you taught me? Besides, since we’ve already offended him, we might as well go all the way.”
“There are quite a few powerful people backing Jiang Chenxing. If we don’t remove him now, he’ll become a serious threat later.”
Zheng Qiushi narrowed his eyes. Suddenly, he curled his lips into a smile. “Fanfan, the fact that you can think this far means you’ve truly grown up. Uncle is very pleased.”
Yet at the same time, he felt an inexplicable chill.
“Uncle, then my C position is secure, right?”
“Of cou…”
Before he could finish, three middle-aged men in suits pushed the door open.
Zheng Qiushi recognized the man in front.
“Secretary Tang? Why are you here? Please sit!”
The middle-aged man raised his hand, expressionless: “No need. We are here under orders from higher authorities to officially initiate an investigation into you. Come with us.”
Zheng Qiushi felt as if struck by lightning, frozen in place.
By the time he reacted, the other two had already grabbed his arms from both sides.
Ready to take compulsory measures at any moment.
“What are you doing? You can’t arrest me! I’m innocent!”
They ignored him.
“Secretary Tang,” Zheng Qiushi said, looking at him hopefully, “you know me, I’m simple-minded and dedicated to my work. Over the years at Blueberry TV, even if I don’t have great achievements, I’ve at least worked hard. You can’t just arrest me like this…”
“This is the investigation document, black and white. Take a good look!”
Zheng Qiushi glanced at the A4 paper held in front of him. His pupils suddenly tightened. “N-no… impossible…”
Secretary Tang didn’t waste another word. With a wave of his hand:
“Take him away!”
“I didn’t do anything, you can’t do this…”
It was working hours, and so many people were outside. If he were arrested publicly, how could he remain at the station in the future?
Heh. Whether he even had a future was uncertain, yet he still cared about face?
Secretary Tang only wanted to sneer.
Xia Qingfan, who had witnessed the entire process, stood dumbfounded. By the time he recovered, Zheng Qiushi had already been taken away.
He fled the office in panic, wandering like a headless fly.
Uncle was taken away?
He was going to be investigated?
Did that mean this big tree was about to fall?
What about him? Would his C position still be guaranteed?
…
At 10 a.m., an official announcement was released:
Regarding Weibo interfering with the order of online dissemination in the Blueberry TV idol training camp incident, violating principles of free dissemination, and forcibly manipulating public opinion, it is ordered to immediately rectify. The trending list will be suspended for one week, from x month x day 15:00 to x month x+7 day 15:00.
Relevant responsible personnel will be seriously handled, and the involved platforms will be fined according to law. Detailed notice to follow.
Half an hour later, Blueberry TV’s official account announced the latest personnel changes:
Station Director Zheng Qiushi is suspended, pending investigation; Deputy Director Zhou Jinkai will temporarily act as station director.
[Serves him right!]
[He got removed!]
[Anyone who tries to shut the public’s mouths ends badly. Those big capitals who dream of manipulating public opinion, see this? This is the outcome. Exciting?]
[Congratulations to Director Zhou on the promotion, please be a decent human from now on~]
Zhou Jinkai actually replied to that comment: [OK]
[Whoa! Is that the real account? Man, you’ve successfully piqued my interest~]
[The new station director seems approachable?]
[This is not only a victory for fans, but also a victory for justice and fairness!]
…
After announcing the personnel changes, Blueberry TV’s official account immediately posted an apology statement.
First, it deeply reflected on its inadequate supervision and failure to handle the issue in time; then it sincerely apologized to Jiang Chenxing, who had been harmed during the incident.
The wording was humble; the attitude sincere.
[Pretty sincere.]
[Justice may be late, but it arrives.]
[Our efforts weren’t in vain, and our grievances weren’t for nothing.]
[Thanks to all the united fan groups, Guardian Stars bow to everyone, thank you!]
[I declare, the Star Defense Battle is a success!]
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! :)
