140 Locking Up the Dogs for a Beating (1/2)

[Luo's Workshop]

”We did not threaten or blackmail anyone, nor did we fake any evidence. This is absolutely false. The court will be fair and just, and everyone here from Luo's Workshop is a good citizen that abide by the law. Nobody here was from that 'H society', so please remain calm and wait for the court's final verdict. I believe that the law will judge fairly in this case.”

Xu Guansong was fielding questions from a crowd of more than 50 reporters in front of the entrance of Luo's Workshop. He simply couldn't be heard over the deluge of questions thrown at him. He raised his voice over the din, to the point his face was turning red from exasperation.

”Vice-President Xu, your carefully worded response is noted, but you're not the owner of the Luo Workshop right now. Please let your President come out and give an explanation to us and the public.”

”That's right. We reporters work this city day and night around the clock, just to earn a living., We've only reported that someone had died eating your contaminated bread. And yet you have threatened and blackmailed us, even bringing us to court; don't you feel ashamed of your actions? You even lied to rebuild your reputation. How could you possibly expect us to believe you and trust your food quality?”

Angry questions flew from every direction. It was evident that the reporters were holding a grudge against Luo's Workshop. They were treating this more like an interrogation of a criminal than a piece of investigative reporting.

”I've said it before; we can continue to debate what's right or wrong in public. As for what actually happened, the court will give their verdict based on truth and evidence. Kindly disperse and do not gather around the entrance to our office, this is a hindering our company's daily operations.”

Xu Guansong's throat was getting dry from all the back-and-forth. He decided it was time to back away from the crowd and return to his office for a drink.

After regaining his composure with a quick drink of water, he headed straight to Xiao Luo's office. As he entered Xiao's office, he shook his head in resignation, and sighed, ”It looks like the reporters outside won't rest until they see you. All this is happening because I couldn't convince you to back down.”

Xiao Luo looked up at him and said: ”And why does Vice-President Xu need to pay any attention to them? Just pretend they're a bunch of flies.”

”But they've been gathering outside and blocking the entrance. The trucks carrying our supplies and stock can't get in and out. We can't let this continue, or else it will severely affect our company's operations.” Xu Guansong said.

”Do you have any good constructive advice on this?”

”I think you should go out and talk to the reporters, try to calm them down. Don't confront them with any verbal threats. I suspect these reporters all came here on Chen Jianbo's instruction to stir up trouble. Any kind of threats you make will only be manipulated and turned into slanderous reports. It will only serve to help them write something extremely negative article Luo's Workshop and hurt us even more.”

”I'll think about it. Let me be for a bit.”

”I hope you take my suggestion to heart this time. I've watched the Luo Workshop slowly grow into what it is today. I'll never do anything to harm the reputation of Luo's Workshop. We can put a stop to all of this…”

”Okay, I got it!” Xiao Luo waved a hand to cut him off.

Xu Guansong held back from finishing his sentence, nodded, and stepped out of the office.

As he left, Zhang Dashan once again rang in on video call.

”Old Xiao, these bastards are way too much, makes me want to whack someone from hearing all of this!” Zhang Dashan roared over the phone.

Xiao Luo could hear everything those reporters were yelling about through the video.

”Come out, manager of the Luo Workshop! Don't be a coward!”

”You dare to threaten and blackmail us reporters but yet won't come for an interview?”

”H society. Black company. The Luo Workshop is a black factory that won't even let us report on contaminated bread that killed someone. Do you think you can cover everything up?”