Dealing with the newspaper agencies was still a bit troublesome.
The car started, and Su Ning sank into the leather seat to relax, unable to help but start thinking. First of all, the reputation and status of journalists nowadays were not low; they controlled the channels of public opinion and had credibility.
Even the most top-tier bigwigs sometimes had to fear their pens and make slight concessions.
It was fine if she only dealt with one or two newspaper agencies.
No one would care.
But now she was going to teach a lesson to almost all the newspaper agencies in Beiping City. One could imagine how difficult that would be. So troublesome. I really don't understand why there are always so many people rushing forward one after another to provoke me.
Su Ning frowned:
Although slapping faces is very satisfying, doing it too much can be very tiring.
After saying that, she waited for a few seconds.
Oh, so are you going to give up?
Under the stalemate, the system still lost, unable to endure the awkward atmosphere, and appeared to reply in a monotonous, reading-off-a-script tone—damn it, the system rules didn't say it had to set the stage for a host who was addicted to acting!
It wanted to file a complaint to its superiors too.
Of course not.
She denied it in a cheerful tone: I've figured it out. Just now, playing the heartless rich person and not being able to squeeze out any NPC rewards was a rather bad signal, so I need to turn up the intensity—
Ta-da! I'll teach the newspaper industry a harsh lesson. They might submit on the surface, but they definitely won't be convinced in their hearts. Those journalists, scholars, and literary talents will definitely make sarcastic remarks about me.
Her voice paused slightly:
Maybe soon I'll be able to see all kinds of novels and plays using me as the prototype for the big villain. Without me even having to lift a finger, the image of being heartless and rich will spread across the country.
I might even leave a good name for a hundred generations, no, go down in history in infamy.
No way, has the host forgotten that there were quite a few people writing articles to scold you before?
This is different.
Su Ning kindly explained to the system that previously, she had a good relationship with the newspaper agencies. In fact, public opinion was somewhat controlled, and those truly influential literary giants didn't bother paying attention to her.
What comes next will be a violent storm.
Oh.
The system couldn't help but ask: Why do I feel like you're quite excited, host? Its database showed that when humans were subjected to concentrated verbal attacks by their peers, they would feel pessimistic, scared, or even world-weary and self-doubting.
Maybe it's a lingering effect from the past.
In modern times, when Su Ning was driven crazy at work by idiotic colleagues and idiotic bosses, she loved going online to post some outrageous, brainless comments.
She even summarized a set of theories.
Over time.
A casually typed sentence without any thought could be attacked by a swarm of netizens, and then... she wouldn't read the comments, only looking at the notification count steadily rising to 99+, perfectly venting her psychological pressure.
The netizens didn't lose anything either.
They also got a satisfying vent.
Su Ning called it a win-win stress-relief channel, considering herself a great person blessing the world!
However, just getting scolded won't sustain this trend for long. Back-and-forth interactions are needed to generate motivation and inspiration, Su Ning said, leisurely resting her chin on her hand:
Therefore, there must be newspaper agencies standing on my side to confront them.
Poor Editor-in-Chief Li.
The system shed data tears for him:
And here I thought the host was some great person. Who knew he would have to take the heat for her, charging into battle against his peers... Right, what if he takes the benefits but doesn't do the work?
That won't be up to him.
Su Ning smiled.
.........
A few days later.
Editor-in-Chief Li had a good sleep and woke up when the sun was already high in the sky. But being late was nothing—the newspaper's good performance was his confidence, and even the boss had to coax him!
He leisurely ate breakfast.
Entering the newspaper agency, Editor-in-Chief Li saw that the reporters, editors, and even the errand boys were all being noisy, with no one working or writing articles. He couldn't help but frown.
A bunch of brats.
They were so undisciplined when he wasn't at the agency keeping an eye on them. Didn't they know there was a war going on, the prices of daily necessities were soaring outside, and how hard it was to have a job that paid on time?
Ahem, ahem, ahem.
Coughing forcefully a few times to remind everyone he had arrived, Editor-in-Chief Li stood with his hands behind his back, looking sternly at his subordinates. What are you all standing around for? Have you gone to today's interviews? Has the newspaper sales volume been tallied? Are the drafts written?
You haven't done anything, how do you have the nerve to take your salaries!
He reprimanded in anguish.
However, he didn't notice his subordinates' hesitant expressions. After a full fifteen minutes, Editor-in-Chief Li said, still not having entirely vented his frustration: Get back to work, all of you. Right, report yesterday's newspaper sales to me.
It must have increased a lot again, right?
Although the day before yesterday was only the first day they reported the interview with Consort Shu... Editor-in-Chief Li thought of the explosive sales, unable to suppress the corners of his mouth from rising. But news always took time to ferment, and there were also orders from other places.
Based on his experience.
Yesterday's newspaper sales definitely reached a new height.
Hahahaha, thanks to Miss Su, thanks to the peers who offended Miss Su, thanks to the bold boss who dared to invest, and of course, thanks to himself.
Editor-in-Chief Li drank tea leisurely in his office.
The tea was a bit hot.
Before long, someone came in and handed him the analysis of yesterday's newspaper sales. Taking small sips of hot tea, he flipped through it. The final number even exceeded his expectations... The bonus definitely wouldn't be small.
Editor-in-Chief, do you know about that matter?
What are you stammering for, what matter? Editor-in-Chief Li restrained his smile, looking up seriously, wondering if the war was approaching Beiping?
Or had some family in the city been retaliated against by Miss Su again? Recently, people had been running into bad luck from time to time, with varying degrees of severity, the worst even leading to ruined families and lost lives.
Others might not understand why.
But he was clear.
Miss Su did it, of course; this was a reckoning... It was just that her methods were a bit ruthless, without any scruples. He felt that some smart people must have already guessed the truth.
You don't know, Editor-in-Chief?
The subordinate said in surprise. No wonder Editor-in-Chief Li was so calm and composed...
The higher-ups suddenly issued notices to many newspaper agencies, saying that during wartime, some factions are fishing in troubled waters, inciting the masses and creating anxiety. Therefore, they are temporarily suspended for investigation and can only resume business after it's proven they have no ties to this.
What did you say!
Editor-in-Chief Li stood up abruptly, not even caring about the pain when the scalding hot tea spilled on him.
His face sank like water.
Damn it, one piece of rat feces ruins a whole pot of soup. Their newspaper agency was innocent, yet they were implicated by these heartless peers just like that.
Don't worry, it doesn't include our newspaper agency.
Joy descended from the heavens.
I knew the municipal government wouldn't wrong good people, Editor-in-Chief Li slowly sat down, sighing with a smile, and casually asked: Who else in the city escaped this besides us?
It would be best if a few of his rivals couldn't escape.
Hahahaha.
Not many, only five. The subordinate lowered his head, his tone devoid of any joy, and added: Among them, our newspaper agency is the largest in scale.
Say it again, how many?
Editor-in-Chief Li swallowed hard.
Five.
Only five were not implicated. The subordinate raised his head, almost crying. What should we do, Editor-in-Chief? Just now, many peer newspaper agencies called to curse at us, saying we are Miss Su's lackeys...
What to do?
What else could they do? Editor-in-Chief Li collapsed into his chair, sighing heavily, and muttered in a low voice:
"I knew Miss Su's favors wouldn't be easy to take." He turned his head to his subordinate and said, "What are you crying for like a little girl? We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We can publish our papers, and they can't. That already gives us the upper hand, so what are you afraid of?"
"Do we really have to go up against so many newspapers?"
The subordinate couldn't help but ask, "Can't we... can't we just explain to them that we're not colluding with Miss Su? We just happened to be at the right place at the right time and weren't retaliated against."
"You're thinking too simply."
Editor-in-Chief Li shook his head, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "Miss Su is domineering. She only cares about giving the newspaper 'favors,' but she doesn't care what you think. Either way, it's best to do exactly as she wants, otherwise..."
The subordinate understood the unspoken implication perfectly.
He sighed as well.
He just hoped their peers wouldn't be so prideful and would beg Miss Su for mercy and admit their mistakes sooner. That way, their newspaper wouldn't have to bear such immense pressure.
...
Actually, a newspaper had already surrendered.
Looking at Ye Tang, who could hardly conceal her nervousness, Su Ning thought to herself, was the effect really this good? She had assumed it would take at least seven or eight days for the female lead to show up in front of her.
Not bad, it saved her some trouble.
Although she didn't make this whole batch of dumplings just for a dish of vinegar, the vinegar was still an important reason.
"Long time no see, Reporter Ye."
Ye Tang suddenly relaxed quite a bit.
