Chapter 47 - 35: Made Contact

Zhou Wenbin slapped his thigh: "Exactly! Why didn’t you say this yesterday? You’re much more sensible than that Zeng Hongwen. If she had half your awareness, things wouldn’t have gotten to this point." Little did he know that what Xu Chunliang said was completely borrowed from Zhao Feiyang.Xu Chunliang said, "Boss, I think you’re too keen on this matter; if we can’t afford to offend them, can’t we just avoid them?"

Zhou Wenbin bitterly smiled: "We really can’t avoid it."

Xu Chunliang had watched the videos spreading online, including those about the dark dealings in the beauty center’s contracts. Seeing Zhou Wenbin this helpless, it seemed the rumors online were mostly true. If Zeng Hongwen was the dean’s niece, it would indeed be very tricky. If she was just an ordinary contractor, in such a situation, there would definitely be a need to clarify and distance any relations.

Zhou Wenbin took out his phone and refreshed it again, finding that instead of decreasing, the number of online videos had increased. The likes on the video he bookmarked earlier were continuously rising, proving that the internet regulation department hadn’t intervened yet.

Zhou Wenbin inwardly cursed that this was bad. If the public opinion couldn’t be controlled in time, the influence would only get worse over time, affecting not just the beauty center and Changxing Hospital, but also pointing directly at Dean Gu Houyi.

He could already feel Gu Houyi’s anger. If the event continued to ferment, it’s likely that Gu Houyi’s fury would be taken out on him.

Xu Chunliang also noticed his anxiety: "Boss, why not use some connections to get those videos deleted?"

Zhou Wenbin admitted he couldn’t find any direct connections. He was puzzled, given Gu Houyi’s connections, how come he hadn’t settled this matter by now? The fire was already burning him directly, why was he letting it continue?

Xu Chunliang had some understanding: "Isn’t this a job for the cyber police? Don’t you deal with police all the time?"

Zhou Wenbin said, "The police I know are all from the local station; do you know anyone in the cyber regulation department?" He was desperate, asking a newcomer who had just started working, and immediately regretted it.

Xu Chunliang took this seriously, thinking of Lu Qi, went aside and made a phone call to him.

Xu Chunliang asked with a try-it-and-see attitude: "Brother Lu, do you know anyone in the network regulation department?"

Bad news spreads far and wide; even Lu Qi knew about the dispute at their Changxing Hospital. He immediately knew what was going on: "Is it about the beauty center dispute at your hospital?"

"You know about it too?"

"Obviously, half of Dongzhou City already knows."

Xu Chunliang said: "The truth isn’t like that, the couple are both scoundrels, they’re deliberately fabricating lies to slander our hospital."

"Why didn’t your hospital do something sooner? Right after the event, you should’ve controlled the public opinion, immediately suspended the accounts of the liars, and took down the related videos."

Xu Chunliang said: "I was out at a meeting today, I just found out now."

Lu Qi laughed: "You’re acting like you’re so important, this matter isn’t your responsibility, is it?"

"Why wouldn’t it be? I work in the medical office, with such incidents, we’d be the first ones to be questioned."

Lu Qi said: "Why did you think of coming to me? You crafty fellow, did you always know my brother is responsible for this matter?"

"Your brother?... Our brother is in charge!"

Zhou Wenbin never expected Xu Chunliang to actually help, but hearing this, he couldn’t help but be startled, what’s going on?

Lu Qi said over the phone to Xu Chunliang: "Alright, quit pretending. I’ll handle this for you, I’ll call my big brother now to help out, I’ll get back to you later."

Xu Chunliang hung up and said to Zhou Wenbin: "I’ve found someone!"

Zhou Wenbin looked at him with skepticism, doubtful that Xu could do what even Dean Gu hadn’t managed yet.

Xu Chunliang noticed his disbelief: "A friend of mine in the police promised to help. His big brother is in charge of the cyber monitoring department."

"What’s his brother’s name?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head, he didn’t know.

"What’s his surname then?"

"His surname is Lu. Why?"

Zhou Wenbin’s heart skipped. The head of Dongzhou City’s cyber regulation department is named Lu Ming. Could Xu Chunliang have found him? If it’s truly this connection, the problem shouldn’t be much. Zhou Wenbin hoped it was true, though he couldn’t quite believe it, knowing Xu Chunliang as simply the heir to Huichun Hall without much background.

Lu Qi called back quickly, informing Xu Chunliang that the matter was settled. They were already working on it, and within an hour, those accounts and related videos would be wiped out.

Xu Chunliang conveyed this directly to Zhou Wenbin.

Zhou Wenbin still found it hard to believe, but he knew he had to report this to Gu Houyi. If things went well, they would have made a great contribution; if not, Gu Houyi would definitely reprimand him.

But considering that Gu Houyi already blamed him for this mess, how much worse could things get?

Gathering his courage, Zhou Wenbin went to the dean’s office, even though it was already after hours. The office lights were on, Liu Dengke hadn’t dared to leave, and the dean’s office was also lit.

Liu Dengke saw him coming over again, thinking this guy had no tact; the big boss was still fuming, wasn’t he just asking to be scolded by coming now? They were fellow townsmen, out of good will he reminded: "Old Zhou, our boss hasn’t left yet; he’s still quite angry."

Zhou Wenbin asked, "Because of the videos?"

Liu Dengke nodded, and Zhou Wenbin mustered courage and walked towards the dean’s office. Liu Dengke intended to stop him, but ultimately decided against it. If you’re heading for trouble, don’t blame me.

As Zhou Wenbin reached the door, he could hear Gu Houyi’s roar from inside: "What’s going on? Why must we wait until tomorrow?"

Even Gu Houyi was having a bad day. He contacted numerous connections but hadn’t managed to suppress the matter until now. The cyber regulatory department had replied they would review the case immediately; they could temporarily suspend Shi Zhiwei and his wife’s account, but couldn’t do a large-scale blocking without consideration; they needed to assess before deciding.

Gu Houyi asked to speak to their head, only to be told that Director Lu Ming was attending a meeting in the Capital City. The person he contacted was an assistant director and expressed that he had done his best.

Gu Houyi got hold of Lu Ming’s contact, but the call didn’t go through. In sensitive departments like theirs, turning off phones during meetings is a norm. Of course, contact could be made, but Gu Houyi didn’t have that level of connection.

When Zhou Wenbin entered, it was at the height of Gu Houyi’s frustration, and Zhou Wenbin was startled by his expression.

"What are you here for? Isn’t it messy enough already?"

Zhou Wenbin said, "Dean Gu, I’m here to report something important."

"I have no time to listen to your nonsense."

"I’ve contacted Director Lu Ming."

Gu Houyi was momentarily stunned, looking at Zhou Wenbin in surprise.

Zhou Wenbin felt there was no turning back. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to report something he couldn’t even be sure of himself: "Director Lu Ming has promised to block and delete all accounts and videos damaging Changxing Hospital’s reputation within an hour."

This time, it was Gu Houyi who found it hard to believe. If he hadn’t managed, how could Zhou Wenbin? He hadn’t noticed this capability before?

Words were insufficient; Gu Houyi first thought of picking up his phone, opening the video app. He followed Shi Zhiwei and his wife and was delighted to find their account was already blocked. With the accounts blocked, the videos were gone, too. Checking other major accounts, some were already blocked, and the videos had been removed from those not blocked.

Gu Houyi had struggled all afternoon, using countless connections, only to get a promise for a decision after evaluation the next morning. Unexpectedly, Zhou Wenbin managed to settle it.

Gu Houyi watched his phone a bit more. Zhou Wenbin also secretly checked his phone, realizing he had won this bet, and breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Gu Houyi also let out a sigh of relief. The adverse impact of the incident was finally under control. Words may wear away noble metals and bones, but though he didn’t gain any benefits from the beauty center, he couldn’t deny his kinship with Zeng Hongwen.

Seeing Gu Houyi’s expression ease, Zhou Wenbin knew his boss’s anger was subsiding.

Gu Houyi said, "Sit!"

Zhou Wenbin intended to sit on the sofa on the side, but Gu Houyi pointed to the chair opposite him, surprising Zhou Wenbin as he sat down: "What work arrangement does Dean Gu have?"

Gu Houyi opened a drawer, took out a cigarette, and Zhou Wenbin hurriedly took out a lighter to light it for him.

Gu Houyi took a puff, feeling his long-standing chest discomfort of the day finally easing: "Wenbin, do you know Director Lu?"

Zhou Wenbin did know Lu Ming, but Lu Ming didn’t know him; after considering, he decided against detailing the events: "Not directly; it was through a friend that I managed to get in touch."

Gu Houyi nodded: "I’ve arranged for the publicity department to make a video, which will clarify the matter."