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Chapter 1157: Chapter 1015: Pacifist? (Please subscribe!)
The company harbored a force he couldn’t control.
Gao Ming had known it for some time.
Like Tang Qing’s family bodyguards,
and some of the Zhongyu Special Guard’s overseas employees, including those in key positions; he had no way to command them, they were all managed by a deputy manager appointed by Tang Qing.
That deputy manager was low-profile.
But his ability to get things done was undeniable, keeping the overseas business stable and excelling in logistics and intelligence work, though he didn’t come to the manor today, citing overtime as the reason.
Showing no respect for Tang Qing.
Gao Ming was puzzled.
What was this person’s background?
But he couldn’t very well tattle to Tang Qing; he had to keep it to himself.
Even,
he vaguely felt,
this was a form of protection for himself.
Because in some of Zhongyu Special Guard’s tasks in Africa, there were occasional "insider transactions" that were illegal—if it was said to be for his protection, Gao Ming would believe it.
At this time,
"Little boss, the media in Hong Kong is too much, they keep slandering you time and again. Should we sue them?" Dou Jiao stormed down from upstairs, fuming.
She took a seat next to Tang Qing.
Yesterday morning,
Secret News Newspaper had maligned Tang Qing with a photo from God knows where, where the profile looked similar, suggesting the person might be Tang Qing. But Dou Jiao knew immediately it was a fake.
Today they went even further.
Two photos appeared.
Both depicting someone in bed, flanked and frolicking with partners.
The nerve to slander Tang Qing like this. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒
Dou Jiao wouldn’t stand for it. If it were in the mainland, she could shut down that newspaper with one phone call, but the Secret News was in Hong Kong, where media is less strictly controlled, so they must pursue legal action.
"Jiaojiao sis, what’s the matter? You’re so angry." Tang Qing sipped his tea and asked with a smile.
"You don’t know, a tabloid in Hong Kong was saying such things about you, calling your lifestyle debauched, saying you frequent entertainment venues, and even keep university students as mistresses. It’s utterly despicable."
Dou Jiao was truly enraged.
She knew very well what kind of person Tang Qing was.
He was definitely not like that, as Lin Jiaxue had said, Tang Qing had been with her every single day for a long time, to and from school, inseparable. Where would he find the time to keep a university student as a mistress?
As for frequenting that nightclub, it was sheer nonsense.
"So that’s what this is about! No need to get angry," Tang Qing said, nonchalant.
"But it’s bad for your reputation. You rarely appear in public, so whenever there’s news about you, it gets a lot of attention—even if it’s false, people love to watch the spectacle."
Dou Jiao was a bit anxious, hoping to make Tang Qing see the gravity of the situation.
This should not be allowed to go unchecked.
"Chairman, about Hong Kong, do we need to..." Gao Ming quickly interjected. He wasn’t one to follow the news, but if it were said that Tang Qing had a questionable lifestyle, he’d be the first to disbelieve.
He was suggesting using a bit of force.
"Tangtang, I also know a few friends over in Hong Kong. I’ll help you by making a few calls..." Tang Kai chimed in as well.
Tang Qing waved his hand.
"Thank you for your concern, but these people are only trying to attract attention. There’s no need to sue them, no need to send them a message, and definitely no need to resort to violence."
"Just let it go like this?" Dou Jiao was not content.
Tang Qing shook his head. "What goes around comes around. The more you engage with them, the happier they are."
"If we were to sue, they would probably just end up selling more copies. These kinds of tabloids are just meat on the chopping block and hard to win against because the papers say it is hearsay, it is suspected, it has nothing to do with them."
"But just letting them off like this feels too stifling," Qi Yan clenched her fists.
"Exactly, they’ve dared to pick on us. I’ll find someone to teach them a lesson," Liu Qian’s thuggish aura hadn’t dissipated, ready to spend money like it was nothing—who thought they could mess with mainland tycoons.
Others also spoke out, voicing their discontent.
Seeing the situation,
Tang Qing simply encouraged them to drink tea, relax, and not rush things, believing that the masses have clear eyesight. In short, Tang Qing expressed one idea: there’s no need to bother, let them say what they will, he who is clear is clear himself.
Tang Qing suddenly became a pacifist?
Of course not.
Those who dared to tease him were definitely not on that list; once or twice might be fine, as Tang was magnanimous, but to persistently play, and even play with fabricating photos, was simply courting death.
So-called fighting fire with fire.
You capture the shadows.
Fabricate photos.
I’ll give you a thrilling plaything.
...
Hong Kong.
Secret News Newspaper office.
Editor-in-Chief Fan Ming’s office.
Lu Feng was holding the third batch of ’Tang Qing’s exposed photos.’
Previously.
With the first batch, he had thought they were really Tang Qing, but when Fan Ming gave him the second batch of two photos, he had spotted the trickery; these were definitely not Tang Qing, and quite possibly ’actors’ hired by the editor-in-chief.
As for where they were hired from.
He didn’t know that.
"Editor-in-Chief, I’m going to write the article now," Lu Feng said, cheerfully storing the photos away.
"Go ahead. As for Tang Qing, I thought he would come out to clarify, but who would have thought he’d turn into a shrinking turtle. Humph, a child is still a child after all, afraid to stir up trouble, they shouldn’t blame us for continuing to play."
Fan Ming scoffed coldly.
In fact, he had contacted Tang Qing, intending to negotiate a ’damage control’ deal, which of course would incur a little expense, but Tang Qing stubbornly refused to answer his calls.
Fan Ming was displeased by this.
Their newspaper didn’t use definitive language, so they weren’t afraid of a lawsuit.
Even if it didn’t work out in the end.
They still boosted their sales.
They were sure to make a profit; after all, this was one of the newspaper’s ’sources of income.’ It wasn’t just him, but a collective initiative of the newspaper owners, hoping to earn a little ’side money.’
After work.
Fan Ming went to Lu Feng’s office.
"Come on, the boss is treating us to dinner at his place tonight."
"Alright."
Lu Feng packed his things and got into Fan Ming’s car, heading to the home of the newspaper owner, Du Qi, for dinner. The invitation, of course, was not just about food, but also about discussing business matters.
Du Qi was nearing fifty and had spent his youth on the streets. Later, he took over his father’s business, running a dance hall, and even tried his hand at making movies, investing in ’action films.’
He made some money.
Five years earlier, a friend borrowed money and used the newspaper as collateral, and Du Qi was surprised to find that tabloid news could be very exciting, and he could also use it to connect with many people and make some ’hush money.’
Used to making a quick buck.
Du Qi didn’t consider it shameful.
Besides Du Qi.
Other shareholders of the company were also present.
"Has Tang Qing still not taken the call?" Du Qi asked.
"That’s right," Fan Ming nodded promptly.
"Then let’s take it slow, he’ll answer eventually," Du Qi said leisurely. He was very aware of the psyche of those mainland tycoons, concerned about their reputation and also timid; as long as he grasped their weakness, he could achieve his goal.
Tang Qing.
Mainland’s richest.
What a wealth that was—why wasn’t it his? He was even somewhat tempted to emulate Zhang Shihao and rob the guy, but since Tang Qing was in the mainland, no matter how powerful they were, they couldn’t extend their reach there.
Soon.
After three rounds of drinks.
"Boss Du, today’s wine is a bit strong," Fan Ming commented, feeling slightly tipsy.
"That’s nothing; if you get drunk, I’ll arrange for someone to take you back," Du Qi noticed the potency of the wine as well, but it wasn’t surprising once he remembered he had added vodka to it, and found himself unable to stop drinking the more he drank.
