The interview with the Red Cross had barely concluded when a reporter from a well-known local newspaper arrived.
"Boss Song, I'm Zhou Ning, the editor-in-chief of Hope Magazine. I'd like to do a feature interview regarding your donation today. Do you have some time?"
Song Qiao didn't harbor much suspicion. Reporters were always quick to follow leads, appearing wherever there was news. At this time, his donation of five million yuan worth of supplies was enough to draw the attention of the entire city. In fact, this kind of interview was something Song Qiao desperately needed. If no reporters had shown up, he would have even considered asking Qin Ya to invite some from the newspaper office.
"Certainly. We can discuss it in my office then."
After verifying their press credentials, Song Qiao warmly ushered them into his office. Secretary Qin Ya promptly prepared two cups of good tea and served them.
"Boss Song, what is the fundamental purpose behind your donation this time?" Zhou Ning's first question seemed to cut straight to the heart of the matter.
"Naturally, it is for the people in the disaster-stricken areas and to support our nation's post-disaster reconstruction," Song Qiao stated with a serious expression, speaking righteously.
"However, according to our understanding, after your company's donation, your brand has garnered substantial public support. Was this not a marketing strategy that your factory had already prepared?" Zhou Ning pressed further.
Song Qiao now realized that something was amiss. This Zhou Ning was clearly here to find fault. He frowned and replied with some displeasure, "Reporter, I don't understand why you, or those who hold such an opinion, have such dark thoughts. Regardless of my intentions, I have indeed provided supplies to help the nation. You cannot deny that, can you?"
Zhou Ning's colleague, sensing that Zhou Ning's questions were too aggressive, nudged his shin under the table, subtly signaling him to calm down. Zhou Ning, however, seemed unfazed by Song Qiao's displeasure. He simply offered a noncommittal smile to Song Qiao's explanation and continued, "I heard that the Red Cross has only received fifty thousand yuan worth of supplies so far, while you, Boss Song, advertised a donation of five million yuan. Do you have any explanation for this discrepancy?"
Song Qiao frowned again. This reporter, Zhou Ning, was not only sharp-tongued but also seemed to be interviewing without even clarifying the most basic facts. The interview had lost its purpose. He responded with a cool demeanor, "Our factory's production capacity certainly cannot produce five million yuan worth of supplies all at once. We can only donate fifty thousand yuan initially, and the remainder will be replenished within a month."
Zhou Ning nodded with a wry smile and asked a few more perfunctory questions before taking his leave.
"Boss, I have a feeling that Zhou Ning didn't come with good intentions," Qin Ya couldn't help but warn him after they had left.
Song Qiao nodded slightly. "I have that feeling too. But our answers and actions are all above board. I doubt they can stir up any trouble."
As soon as they stepped out of the factory premises, Zhou Ning's colleague voiced his dissatisfaction, "Old Zhou, what's gotten into you today? Why were your questions so aggressive? Didn't you see that Boss Song was clearly displeased?" Reporters in this profession needed to be mindful of their words when interviewing entrepreneurs. If they didn't offend anyone, the boss might even offer them a generous "transportation fee" at the end of the interview, in hopes of getting a favorable write-up. Song Qiao's initial warmth had turned into indifference after the interview, clearly indicating his dissatisfaction with Zhou Ning's line of questioning. The expected red envelope was naturally out of the question.
Zhou Ning shook his head slightly. "I don't believe his so-called noble words. I think he's just a hypocrite seeking fame, possibly involved in some shady dealings." Without waiting for his colleague's rebuttal, he made an excuse to go to the restroom and then called his childhood friend, Lin Sheng.
"Hello, Lin Sheng. I've handled this for you. The conditions you promised..."
"Haha, Brother Zhou, don't worry. As long as we can tarnish Song Qiao's reputation, that twenty thousand yuan will be all yours." Lin Sheng's smug voice came from the other end of the line. Ever since he was fired from the newspaper, he had harbored a deep hatred for Song Qiao, blaming him for him and his wife losing their jobs. Now, with an opportunity for revenge, he was so excited that he hadn't slept all night. He was even willing to part with his twenty thousand yuan savings to have Zhou Ning use the news to destroy Song Qiao.
After receiving Lin Sheng's firm assurance, Zhou Ning's face lit up with joy. "Brother Lin, rest assured. Tomorrow morning, I'll make sure this Song Qiao stinks worse than his stinky tofu throughout the city." He then gleefully hung up the phone, already fantasizing about how he would spend the twenty thousand yuan.
The next morning, Qin Ya specifically bought a copy of the Hope Newspaper from a newsstand. After a brief perusal, she froze in disbelief.
"Shocking! Xiangpiaopiao Boss Song Qiao Accused of Fraudulent Donation!"
"Attitude Cold Towards Reporter's Interview."
The headline was printed in a font size even larger than usual, dominating a full section of the paper, making it exceptionally eye-catching. The byline beneath the headline was none other than Zhou Ning, who had interviewed their boss at the factory yesterday. As for the detailed report that followed, Qin Ya could guess without reading that it would be filled with embellishments and deliberate distortions of the truth.
When she handed the newspaper to Song Qiao, he wasn't as angry as she expected. This was the second time he had encountered public opinion being manipulated. He had no personal conflict with these reporters, yet there were always people causing trouble for him. Lin Sheng had been a headache enough recently, and now this Zhou Ning had appeared out of nowhere. Fortunately, he had some experience dealing with such situations. He immediately asked Qin Ya to gather evidence of his factory's specific donation details. Then, he contacted the relevant personnel at the Red Cross. A group then made their way to the Hope Newspaper office.
It was only today that Song Qiao truly understood the profound meaning of the saying, "Rumors spread with ease, but refuting them is a painstaking effort." People who spoke nonsense without evidence were simply not worthy of being called journalists! After considerable effort, Song Qiao managed to obtain the contact information of the Hope Newspaper's publisher, Xu Qingshan, and successfully met with the person in charge.