Chapter 570: A Punch on Cotton

Gu Siqing hadn't been reading the newspaper much lately because she hadn't had the time. She only found out about Ling Pingying's criticism of her in the newspaper after her family told her.

This time, Ling Pingying's words were very sharp. She accused Gu Siqing of being indifferent and ignoring the readers who liked her. She even did not show up when the readers were hurt because they came to Kyoto to find her.

Gu Siqing was a little angry after reading the contents of the newspaper. The reason why Ling Pingying accused her so harshly in the newspaper was obviously because Fan Yangbo's parents said something bad to her. She had done her best for Fan Yangbo.

Some people just keep getting more and more, and once they don't get what they want, they will deny all the good things others have done.

I was angry, but the issue still needed to be resolved. Ling Pingying's distortion of right and wrong in the newspaper couldn't be ignored. But first, I had to figure out why Ling Pingying was doing this.

Ling Pingying had a grudge against her, and after knowing Fan Yangbo's affairs, she published some articles criticizing her in the newspaper, which made her unhappy, which was understandable. But Gu Siqing always felt that things were not that simple.

Many human actions are driven by self-interest. If Ling Pingying couldn't benefit from this, there was no need for her to do it. After all, she had suffered a great blow in the last war of words between them in the newspaper.

Most people know how to avoid risks and seek benefits, and Ling Pingying naturally understands it as well.

After thinking for a while, Gu Siqing called Xue Yuanming of Xincheng Publishing House and asked him if Ling Pingying had any book to publish recently.

"Yes, she's going to publish a novel at the Workers' Publishing House," Xue Yuanming said. "He mentioned it to me when I was having dinner with Director Wang of the Workers' Publishing House a few days ago. Director Wang also spoke very highly of Ling Pingying's novel."

Gu Siqing finally understood this time. Ling Pingying wanted to have another war of words with her to increase her popularity and promote her upcoming novel.

That depends on whether she is willing or not!

Gu Siqing found Xia Yi and asked if she could sue Ling Pingying in this situation. Xia Yi had also seen Ling Pingying's article and said, "You can sue her for defamation, but I suggest you wait and see what she does next."

Gu Siqing was puzzled and asked, "Why?"

Xia Yi explained to her, "The greater the impact on you, the more favorable it will be for you during the court trial. Besides, the truth will eventually come out, so it doesn't matter if your reputation is damaged for a few more days."

Gu Siqing didn't know much about this, so of course she listened to him and said, "Anyway, I'll leave this matter to you. I'll follow your arrangements."

"Also, after we sue Ling Pingying, we will communicate with the TV station's legal channel and ask them to do a program on defamation. Then you can have a war of words with Ling Pingying in the newspaper, which will definitely be effective." Xia Yi said.

"Law students have a different mindset!" Gu Siqing joked with Xia Yi. Xia Yi said, "Then what's the reward for me? You're a rich man."

When Gu Siqing heard him say this, her nouveau riche temperament was fully revealed. She waved her hand and said, "That watch you liked last time, I'll buy it!"

Xia Yi smiled, "Really?"

Gu Siqing: "Of course it's true! Go buy it now."

Xia Yi didn't bother to be polite with her, but still said, "Wait until the case is over before buying it."

"OK."

The matter was settled, and Gu Siqing went about her business as usual, as if nothing had happened. But Ling Pingying was getting anxious. She had already thought about the possible angles from which Gu Siqing might attack her and how she would fight back.

But after waiting for several days, Gu Siqing hadn't responded at all. She felt like she'd punched cotton, feeling incredibly suffocated. Fan's parents were also anxious. They'd read Ling Pingying's article and felt relieved.

They thought that since the news had been published in the newspaper, Gu Siqing should give in and then they could discuss arranging a job for their son. But several days passed and there was no movement from Gu Siqing.

They called Ling Pingying, "Writer Ling, didn't you say that if the story appeared in the newspaper, Gu Siqing's family would arrange a job for my son? Why haven't they contacted us?"

Ling Pingying also wanted to know why Gu Siqing hadn't made any move. Normally, a war of words between the two of them in the newspapers would be a win-win situation, so why hadn't Gu Siqing made any move? But for now, they still had to appease the Fan couple; after all, they were still needed. She said, "Don't worry, things haven't escalated yet. Everything has its course."

"But we are going to be discharged from the hospital and go home." said Fan's mother.

"Are you going to be discharged so soon?" Ling Pingying said anxiously. She had been planning to contact a journalist friend and interview them in a few days, but it seems she has to do it earlier.

"Well, I'll have a reporter interview you tomorrow." Ling Pingying added, "After the interview, you can go home. After all, this is no small matter, and it won't be over soon. Just go back and wait for the results."

After Mr. and Mrs. Fan hung up the phone, they were feeling a little worried. Mrs. Fan said to Mr. Fan, "Could Mr. Ling help us? I'm becoming increasingly unsure."

Father Fan took out a cigarette and smoked it with a frown, then said, "Just do as she says. We have nothing to lose anyway."

"But what if the author named Nian Dou Bao gets angry?" Fan's mother said worriedly.

Fan's father said: "If she's angry, she should be angry at the writer. We weren't the ones who published the article in the newspaper."

Fan's mother felt that he was right and felt relieved.

Gu Siqing had indeed been affected quite a bit. She had received far more letters from readers these days than usual, and most of them were condemning her. Gu Siqing had initially opened a few of them, but the more she read, the angrier she got, so she simply stopped reading.

A few days later, another report appeared in the newspaper, describing how Fan Yangbo went to Kyoto to find Gu Siqing. Of course, there was some false information in it.

Immediately afterwards, Ling Pingying published another article in the newspaper, severely condemning Gu Siqing for having no empathy and not taking readers into consideration.

This time, the incident had a much bigger impact; even the TV station's union leader came to talk to her. Gu Siqing recounted the true story, and the leader said, "Since that's the case, you should clarify it quickly to avoid further negative consequences."

"I'm preparing to sue, but it takes time for the court to accept the case," said Gu Siqing.

The union leader naturally understood the twists and turns, but he didn't say anything. After all, Gu Siqing was the one who was right. If she wanted to gain some benefits from this matter, it was her own business, and the company didn't need to interfere too much.

The next day, Gu Siqing received a call from Xia Yi, saying that the lawsuit had been filed and she could fight back.

Three days later, Gu Siqing published an article in the newspaper, briefly recounting what had happened, then retaliating against Ling Pingying, and finally saying that she had sued Ling Pingying and Fan's parents.

I was going to make up for yesterday's post today, but some things got delayed and I haven't been able to do it for a few days. I'll try to make up for it tomorrow.