I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 235 Things Continue to Ferment

Interrogation Room No. 3:

"Zhang Wanqing, your family's bun shop underwent a large-scale renovation ten years ago. I heard that a body was dug out during the renovation process. Is this true?" asked the police.

"I don't know about that. I was very young ten years ago and I don't remember anything." Zhang Wanqing replied.

"Did you notice anything unusual at the time? For example, did your mother or your family members show any abnormal behavior?" the police continued to ask.

"No!" said Zhang Wanqing.

"Really? Think about it again!" said the police.

"You just heard it, but hearing it can't be used as evidence, right?" Zhang Wanqing asked.

"Well, so we are just investigating now, not interrogating!" the police replied.

"If the investigation is finished, can I leave?" Zhang Wanqing asked.

"It's okay, Zhang Wanqing." The police said helplessly.

Interrogation Room No. 4:

"Zhang Chen, your family's bun shop underwent a large-scale renovation ten years ago. I heard that a body was dug out during the renovation process. Is this true?" asked the police.

"Ten years ago... I was... about 12 years old. I can't remember it. I'm sorry, police officer!" Zhang Chen seemed a little nervous.

"Did you notice anything unusual at the time? Did your mother show any abnormal behavior?" asked the police.

"No, my mother goes out early and comes back late every day. When she gets home, she has to take care of my sister and me. It's very hard!" Zhang Chen told the truth.

"Okay, you go back first. If there is any new situation, we will call you for questioning at any time." said the police.

"Okay! I will definitely cooperate with you!" Zhang Chen was still a little nervous.

Meanwhile, Zhao Ming's report sparked an uproar online. Social media was flooded with condemnations and doubts, and many people became skeptical of Zhang Wanqing's bun shop.

"A body was dug up in Zhang Wanqing's bun shop. How horrible!" one netizen wrote on social media. "I'll never dare eat there again."

"Can a store like this continue to operate?" another commented. "It's so unsanitary."

"I think Zhao Ming's report is too exaggerated," one netizen retorted. "Maybe someone deliberately framed him."

"Oh my God, those buns are not made of human flesh. I'm so excited..." said a netizen.

After the interrogation, Zhang Wanqing and her family left the police station. Although they were filled with anxiety and uneasiness, Li Yuehan's composure made them feel a little more at ease.

"Mom, you really don't know about the body that was dug out during the renovation?" Zhang Wanqing sat in the car, a hint of worry in her eyes.

"Of course I don't know." Li Yuehan smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a firmness. "The renovation process of our house is normal. How could a body be dug up? This must be a rumor made up by Zhao Ming."

"Then what should we do?" Zhang Chen frowned, with a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

"Chenchen, don't worry. Our bun shop relies on real ingredients. Reputation cannot be built in a day or two." Li Yuehan comforted her son.

"Chenchen, why are you so nervous? Since it's completely false, it's a frame-up. We didn't do it, so why are we afraid? I'm afraid the one who's afraid is Zhao Ming, right? Although he didn't directly frame us, he was intentionally misleading readers, which is also illegal. So, Chenchen, you have to stand up straight, understand? We will definitely get through this storm!"

"Sister, I understand..." Zhang Chen said.

Back at the bun shop, Zhang Wanqing and her family discovered the situation was far worse than they had imagined. The shop was deserted, with not a single customer. Fu Siyuan, Li Wei, and Lin Yue were struggling to keep the shop afloat, but business was declining.

"Wanqing, you're back." Fu Siyuan saw Zhang Wanqing and her family coming back, with a hint of worry on his face. "The situation isn't good. No one dares to come here to eat buns now."

"How could this happen?" Zhang Wanqing was slightly stunned, then frowned. "Our bun shop has always been very popular, how could it suddenly become like this?"

"It's all because of Zhao Ming's report. His report has caused many people to doubt our bun shop, and now it's spreading online. Many netizens say they won't dare come to eat there anymore. Some even say the buns are made of human flesh. Public opinion is now almost one-sided, condemning us. If any individual netizens say something good about us, they will be attacked by others."

"Keyboard warriors are so fucking funny!" said Li Wei.

Online opinion grew increasingly complex, and Zhang Wanqing and her family felt unprecedented pressure. As Fu Siyuan had said, a single report wasn't enough. However, the internet, and its mindless "keyboard warriors," allowed the incident to continue to ferment, turning even falsehoods into truth. This incident was bound to have a significant negative impact on the bun shop.

"It's all over now! The bun shop might go bankrupt! It's closed!" Zhang Chen frowned, with a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

"I think we should first find witnesses of that transformation. See if they can testify for us and prove that the transformation was justified," said Fu Siyuan.

"Siyuan, your idea is good. Let's start with them and see if we can find any clues. It would be even better if we had photos from that time." Zhang Wanqing said.

"Chenchen, don't worry. Li Wei and I will find a way." Fu Siyuan turned to Zhang Chen and said.

"That's right, buddy, you are too anxious! Don't think about anything now, go home, take a hot bath, and then go to bed. Just take care of your parents now. Leave the rest to your brother Wei and brother Yuan!" Li Wei said to Zhang Chen.

"Brothers, thank you! I understand!" said Zhang Chen.

"Well, Siyuan, Li Wei, thank you!" Zhang Wanqing said.

"Why are you being so polite to me, Zhang Wanqing? We are not exaggerating as the iron triangle, okay? Our relationship is really strong, okay?" Li Wei said.

"Well, I know, but... thank you anyway! And Lin Yue... Li Wei, thank her for me too!" Zhang Wanqing said with tears in her eyes.

So, the three of them immediately took action. They searched various channels to find witnesses of the renovation. After some effort, they finally found the contractor at the time.

"Hello, I'm Zhang Wanqing." Zhang Wanqing dialed the contractor's number, her tone hinting at politeness. "I want to talk to you about the renovation that took place ten years ago."

"Oh, you're Zhang Wanqing." An old voice came from the other end of the line, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"I want to ask you, was that transformation justified?" Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. "Can you testify for us?"

"That renovation was justified." The contractor smiled slightly, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "At that time, your bun shop really needed to improve the environment and equipment. We simply renovated it according to your requirements."

"Then can you testify for us?" Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly, with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

"Sure." The contractor smiled slightly, his tone firm, "I can testify for you."

"Thank you." Zhang Wanqing said gratefully and hung up the phone.

"We found it," Zhang Wanqing said excitedly to Fu Siyuan and Li Wei. "The contractor is willing to testify for us."

"That's great." Fu Siyuan said.