Chapter 672: If Words Don

Man Man Hongshan looked down at the reporters, his expression suddenly brightening, then turning helpless—these people truly thrived on chaos.

"Rising Sun Company has accepted the entrustment of these victimized villagers and their families, providing free legal aid, organizing a team of lawyers, and filing suit against the paper mill to seek justice for them."

A roar erupted below, the room exploding in noise.

They weren't interested in the paper mill polluting the river. Honestly, such incidents were everywhere across the country—they knew that well.

It wasn't as if no one had reported on it before; apart from the affected citizens, no one cared about pollution, so even reporting it achieved nothing.

But for Rising Sun Company to organize a legal team to help the victimized villagers sue the paper mill? That was major news.

Especially when "cancer village" came out of Man Man Hongshan's mouth—it sent chills down spines.

If true, it would be explosive, sure to force the public to take pollution seriously.

"Mr. Man!" One reporter raised his hand.

Man Man Hongshan nodded: "Go ahead."

The reporter asked: "Because the pollution has caused Rising Sun Company massive negative impact and losses, do you plan to seek compensation from the paper mill?"

Others realized—right, such an important point, why hadn't anyone mentioned it before?

Man Man Hongshan smiled faintly: "We signed a contract with the contract manufacturer. This incident is their responsibility, so all losses will be compensated by them."

"Whether the contract manufacturer will pursue compensation or sue the paper mill is their own business—none of our concern."

Everyone understood. Another reporter raised his hand: "Mr. Man, will Rising Sun Company continue cooperating with this contract manufacturer?"

Man Man Hongshan said: "This is my second point."

Everyone perked up—here it comes again, surely another big announcement.

Man Man Hongshan said: "This incident has inflicted irreparable damage to Rising Sun's reputation. Many within the group and Rising Sun Company strongly oppose continuing cooperation with this manufacturer."

"But from the very founding of the group, our chairman said we must be a socially responsible enterprise—once we grow, we must help other promising, trustworthy enterprises grow too."

"This manufacturer contacted us immediately after the problem arose, reached an agreement with us, and, once the investigation was complete, compensated us according to the contract."

"So, we prefer to keep working with such a trustworthy partner rather than abandon them. More importantly, hundreds of workers at the manufacturer rely on us to lead them toward shared prosperity."

"But the manufacturer must relocate away from Qianguan Town, far from the pollution source—or change the cooperation model: Rising Sun buys 100% of its output and invests two hundred million to build a bottling base."

Investing two hundred million to build a bottling base? That was a massive move.

"But!" Man Man Hongshan's expression turned serious, "because beverages are most vulnerable to water contamination, we've been burned once—we won't be burned again."

"Therefore, Rising Sun's investment in Pingyu County is conditional on shutting down all polluting enterprises."

The room erupted in uproar—so this was the real plan. Not just settling scores with the paper mill, but burying it alive.

One had to admit, Rising Sun's plan was ruthless: two hundred million in investment to build a bottling base.

Especially with the employment opportunities it would create—no official could refuse such a lure.

Not just Pingyu County, even the city and provincial governments would take it extremely seriously.

That paper mill was finished—no chance of recovery.

………………

Houhai, the first bar.

It had just opened at noon, and not a single customer inside.

Think about it—who'd be crazy enough to come here for drinks at noon?

Yet there was one crazy enough, sitting there drinking alone.

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie and Du Du Youwei entered the bar and immediately spotted Zhou Andong—he was the only one inside.

"Where's Qiuqiu?" Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie sat down, eyeing Zhou Andong with clear hostility. "Why are you alone?"

"Qiuqiu's busy!" Zhou Andong snapped his fingers. "Waiter, bring two cases of beer, and get some lamb skewers and chicken wings from the barbecue place across the street."

The waiter knew Zhou Andong well—he was the boss's friend, so he didn't dare slack off.

Du Du Youwei smiled: "I thought I'd get to see Qiuqiu. Now that I know it's just you, I wouldn't have come."

"She'll be here after she finishes what she's doing," Zhou Andong said, opening bottles for Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie and Du Du Youwei.

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie asked: "Where did she go?"

Zhou Andong said: "To the Ministry of Public Security."

Because Chen Erhei had escaped legal punishment multiple times, the people behind him had enormous power.

So this issue had to be solved at its root—Seeing Jian Qiu went straight to the top of the police hierarchy.

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie didn't ask further. Going there meant something important was happening.

Zhou Andong didn't hide anything—he recounted everything that happened last night.

"It was extremely dangerous. If we hadn't prepared thoroughly, things could've escalated last night—someone might have died."

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie's face turned grim: "They're truly audacious."

Du Du Youwei's expression was also uneasy: "I know Chen Erhei—he's infamous."

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie said: "I've heard of him too."

Zhou Andong raised his bottle in a gesture—Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie and Du Du Youwei raised theirs too. CLINK. The three clinked bottles.

Zhou Andong took a sip: "Chen Erhei must be eliminated. If he escapes legal punishment again, it will threaten Deku's safety—and even An Jing's personal safety."

"So Seeing Jian Qiu went to the top. Whoever's behind Chen Erhei must be crushed—so they dare not reach out again."

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie asked: "Need help?"

Zhou Andong smiled: "Of course. But not now. Once the case is solved, you can go interview Wang Fujing Police Station."

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie nodded: "No problem."

Du Du Youwei asked: "You called us here at noon to drink—surely it's not just to tell us this."

"You're perceptive as ever, Wei-jie!" Zhou Andong gave a thumbs-up, dropping a tiny compliment. "Reporter Guan, if you can marry a woman like Wei-jie—with a brilliant mind and such beauty—you'd better burn more incense for your ancestors."

Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie rolled his eyes.

Zhou Andong immediately said: "Why roll your eyes? Am I wrong? Don't you think Wei-jie is beautiful? Don't you think she has a brilliant mind?"

"I…" Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie glared at Zhou Andong, teeth bared. "How could you possibly describe Wei-jie's greatness in just a few words?"

Du Du Youwei watched the two, shaking her head helplessly: "Just say it—what do you want from us?"

"I'm suing McDonald's for unfair competition."

Zhou Andong's words were truly shocking—Reporter Guan Reporter Hearing Guan Shengjie spat out the beer he'd just swallowed.