Mr. Su's Love Investigation Report
Chapter 217

Chapter 217: Chapter 217

Tu Hengsha profoundly reinforced the lesson of behaving well after getting a spanking, remaining compliant for a few days, at least not angering Mr. Su.

Hao Ren still accompanied her in advocating against domestic violence. Although the report on Liu Hong’s case stirred up a storm online, it ultimately did not impact the case itself since the fact remained that Liu Hong had committed murder.

Remembering the little girl covered in bruises still pained Tu Hengsha. She discussed with Hao Ren about visiting the girl’s grandma when they had time to check on her.

However, when the two were making these plans, an article suddenly appeared online condemning Chenjiang Daily for false reporting on Liu Hong’s case, accusing them of profiting off the victim’s corpse.

The reporting on Liu Hong’s case was done by Hao Ren and Tu Hengsha, but this sudden article was first published by a self-media account, subsequently shared by major marketing accounts. It quickly gained traction, sparking a wave of "anti-Chenjiang, seek the truth" sentiment online, with the most compelling evidence being the little girl’s video and some recorded phone interviews.

In the video, the little girl, given the pseudonym An An, timidly expressed on camera, "Dad didn’t cause her injuries; it was the reporters who told her to say that, and that it was her mom who often hit her."

As for the phone interviews, they spoke with Liu Hong’s granny and Liu Hong’s own elder brother. Both stated over the phone that the deceased—Liu Hong’s husband—was an honest man who simply couldn’t earn money. Liu Hong despised her husband, frequently quarreling and threatening divorce. When he refused, she’d vent her anger on the child. Liu Hong’s granny broke down crying on the phone.

Suddenly, almost all public opinion sided with the deceased, meaning Liu Hong’s father. A group of people began copying and pasting replies under every news article, "The granny’s words might be doubted, but her own brother is saying this, so what’s there not to believe?"

More replies inundated them with insults, saying they knew the news couldn’t be trusted nowadays and expected a twist within days. They didn’t foresee that even Chenjiang was untrustworthy! They cursed Hao Ren and Tu Hengsha by name for tarnishing Chenjiang’s reputation, calling for the removal of such unethical journalists. They argued that it was such journalists manipulating public opinion that ruined the entire media environment. Some went further, calling Hao Ren and Tu Hengsha "prostitutes" and cursing Hao Ren’s entire family to die and wishing Tu Hengsha to be raped and murdered...

Such responses weren’t numbered in hundreds or thousands but in tens of thousands.

By noon, comments on the most-read online news article exceeded two hundred thousand.

Recriminations at every turn, insults at every sound, Tu Hengsha’s hand trembled as she held the mouse.

This type of public backlash, she had seen before as a media personality, already lamenting that public opinion had grown into an uncontrollable beast capable of destroying a person. But she never thought she’d ever be deeply mired in it, familiar with the process, even familiar with the insults and curses.

Hao Ren was right beside her, and he saw it all: her every move, her pale face, her shaking hands.

He poured her a cup of warm water, handing it to her.

She received it with her left hand but didn’t drink, her eyes still glued to the computer monitor.

Hao Ren straightforwardly pulled her right hand away from the mouse, forcing it to take hold of the cup. "If it troubles you, don’t look! What’s there to see? No need to fear, if the sky fell I’d be the one to hold it up. I’m the lead writer; I’m the one to take the responsibility. You need not fear. As for those ignorant and mindless comments, just ignore them."

The cup was warm, but her hand still trembled as she held it.

People are so peculiar. Knowing some things shouldn’t be looked at, knowing it would only bring unnecessary distress, yet they can’t help it, repeatedly refreshing and reading those endless insults. But in the end, she almost believed itself: Was it truly their interview’s inadequacy, failing to investigate deeply that led to erroneous reporting?

She glanced instinctively towards Su Ronggui’s desk, but he wasn’t there today. He’d gone out with Chen Qi for a character interview and hadn’t returned yet.

She didn’t even know how many times she had looked at his spot, knowing he wasn’t there yet unable to resist checking, unsure when he’d return, unaware if he knew about the massive issue unfolding.

In that moment, her glance was caught by Su Rongxing.

Su Rongxing had been in high spirits for nearly half a day. Regardless of the real truth of the matter, who was right or wrong, whose report was accurate wasn’t important to her. What mattered was seeing Tu Hengsha being knocked down a peg.

Seeing Tu Hengsha glance over, she took a sip of water and slowly spoke, "What’s there to look at? Not even Su Ronggui can save you in this matter. Who else can you blame for being so eager for success? Thought you caught a big story and was quick to make a name for yourself? Ha, can getting famous be that easy? Then star reporters should be everywhere, right? I suggest you remain content and grounded, climbing step by step. Those who always think of reaching the sky in one step will always fall miserably!"

"Su Rongxing, shut up!" Hao Ren immediately retaliated.

"What business is it of yours when I’m talking to Tu Hengsha?" Su Rongxing sneered, "Oh, I forgot, you’re the lead writer. Then let me say this clear right here, Hao Ren, I’m not talking about you, I’m just communicating and exchanging with our photographer, Tu Hengsha. I mean no harm; I am sincerely concerned about her, protecting her! Don’t forget, she’s to become my sister-in-law someday. Is there anything wrong with me caring for my future sister-in-law and wishing her well?"

"Su Rongxing! Quit your sly remarks; we’ve been colleagues for years. You know Hao Ren, and I don’t care who you think you are, or whether you are male or female, or a darling of the group—while you might stand out in others’ eyes, to me, you’re nothing! If I want to fight, I’ll fight!" He said as he stepped from his seat, starting to roll up his sleeves.

"Hao Ren!" Tu Hengsha held him back tightly, others seeing the confrontation, hurried to advise, helping to restrain Hao Ren.

Although Su Rongxing feared Hao Ren, she refused to yield, retorting defiantly, "Pathetically disgusting couple! My second brother is truly miserable; don’t even know if he’s being cuckolded unknowingly!"

Hao Ren made to attack again, and Su Rongxing simply walked away.

Other colleagues swiftly tried to appease Hao Ren and consoled Tu Hengsha in the meantime, advising them not to worry and wait until the chief editor returned.

Hao Ren sat back down; private messages on his social account kept popping up.

He clicked to open them, finding curses flooding the inbox, overwhelming him. Predictably, his whole family, his ancestors through eighteen generations were insulted, with screens full of messages like, "Why don’t you just die? Family crematorium!"

"Do you have a daughter? Hope she gets abused! Stabbed at three!"

"Are you and Tu Hengsha adulterers? Is it great sleeping with Tu Hengsha? Is she big? Is she tight?"

...

Such was unbearable to read.

He worried Tu Hengsha beside him might see and quickly clicked to close them. Yet, his speed was no match for the messages. Glancing sideways, he realized Tu Hengsha indeed was staring at his monitor, her eyes vacant.