Sparks spread across the prairie, unstoppable

An August heatwave swept across Beijing, but even hotter than the weather was the media coverage of a series of "emotional manipulation cases." Mo Xiaoyu put down his newspaper, taking in the shocking headline: "Well-known entrepreneur suspected of mentally controlling multiple employees, victims jointly sue."

"This is the seventh one." Shen Que pushed the iced coffee towards her. "Copycat crimes are spreading."

Mo Xiaoyu rubbed his temples. Since the passage of the Emotional Health Act, similar cases have cropped up across the country. The perpetrators seem to have drawn inspiration from Gu Yanshen's case, employing more covert methods to exert control.

"We need to take action." She stood up. "Notify all branches and convene a video conference in one hour."

At the video conference, the reports from local officials were worrying.

"Three similar cases were discovered in Chengdu, and the perpetrators were all corporate executives..."

"The situation in Shanghai is more complicated, involving foreign companies..."

"Some victims in Guangzhou are afraid to report the crime for fear of losing their jobs..."

Mo Xiaoyu listened to the report, his fingers unconsciously drumming on the desk. This was no longer an isolated phenomenon; it was becoming a social problem.

"We're too passive," she interrupted, "always intervening after a crime has occurred. We should establish a preventative mechanism."

After the meeting, she immediately contacted her old classmate, Director Zhao, from the Ministry of Public Security. After listening to her concerns, he remained silent for a long time.

"Xiaoyu, this is a very tricky matter," Director Zhao sighed. "These cases operate on the fringes of the law. Collecting evidence is difficult, and determining the nature of the crime is even more challenging."

"That's why you need to pay attention," Mo Xiaoyu insisted. "This is no longer an ordinary labor dispute, but an organized crime."

Three days later, a sudden change arrived. Director Zhao called suddenly, his tone urgent: "Xiaoyu, you're right. We just solved a case, and the suspect's confession was inspired by a 'successful case'. Would you like to come to the bureau?"

In the meeting room of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, Mo Xiaoyu saw shocking evidence - an underground forum dedicated to exchanging "control techniques" with tens of thousands of members. The forum analyzed Gu Yanshen's case in detail and regarded it as a "textbook."

"These people regard emotional manipulation as a kind of 'management art.'" The investigating police officer pointed at the screen, unable to hide his anger.

Even more disturbing is that they found a detailed "target screening manual" in the suspect's home, which listed easily manipulated personality traits: lack of love, low self-esteem, financial difficulties...

"This is organized crime." Mo Xiaoyu felt a chill on his back.

After returning to the foundation, she immediately formed a special working group, but disagreements arose within the team when formulating a response plan.

"We should push for legislative amendments and increase penalties," lawyer Li argued.

"The most urgent task is to protect potential victims," ​​Shen Que objected, "The legislative process is too long."

"We can develop an early warning system," Lin Wei suggested, "using big data to identify high-risk groups."

Just as the debate was going on, an emergency call interrupted the meeting - an employee of a certain technology company jumped off a building, and the suicide note mentioned that he had suffered long-term mental persecution from his superiors.

Mo Xiaoyu and his team rushed to the scene immediately. The company entrance was crowded with reporters, and within the cordon, the victim's colleagues looked pale.

"He was often publicly humiliated..." a female employee sobbed. "The boss said he was incompetent and wouldn't be able to find a job if he left here..."

In the company's conference room, executives are still trying to defend themselves: "This is just strict management..."

"Strict management will not allow people to choose death." Mo Xiaoyu interrupted coldly.

That night, she made a bold decision: to join forces with several media outlets to launch a series of reports on "Workplace Mental Violence," disclose the details of these cases, and raise public awareness.

The day after the report was released, the foundation's phone was flooded with calls, some expressing support, some seeking help, and some threatening.

"Do you understand the consequences of doing this?" Chen Yongchang called again. "This is making an enemy of the entire business community."

"If the business community condones this crime, then I would rather be their enemy." Mo Xiaoyu hung up directly.

Pressure mounted. First came the tax audit, then the fire inspection. Even the foundation's property suddenly required an early lease renewal. It was clear someone was secretly exerting pressure.

"Our account has been frozen again." Lin Wei reported.

"I'll use my copyright income to pay for it." Mo Xiaoyu remained calm.

In the most difficult time, she received a special gift - the girl who had been a victim in the Southern case now became a volunteer of the foundation, bringing with her a dozen other victims who had also come out of the shadows to provide support.

"Teacher Mo, let us help you," the girl said. "We understand that kind of pain best."

At the same time, the police launched a nationwide crackdown. The underground forum was shut down, and dozens of key members were arrested. During the interrogation, a shocking truth emerged: the forum's founder was actually a professor at a well-known business school.

"I call this 'efficient management,'" the professor insisted during the interrogation. "The strong prey on the weak; that's the law of nature."

This statement sparked public outrage. After media coverage, public anger was ignited. More and more people came forward to share their experiences, and the hashtag "I'm a victim too" was launched on social media.

Under pressure, the National People's Congress announced the launch of the revision process of the "Emotional Health Law" and considered adding the crime of "mental control".

The dawn of victory was just beginning to appear, but Mo Xiaoyu fell ill. After a month of overwork, her body had given her a warning.

While receiving an IV drip in the hospital, she received an invitation from UN Women to share her experience at the Global Anti-Violence Forum.

"Do you want to go?" Shen Que was worried about her health.

"Of course." Mo Xiaoyu pulled out the needle. "This is an opportunity for the world to hear China's voice."

Standing on the podium of the international forum, Mo Xiaoyu looked at the audience of different skin colors below the stage, and suddenly remembered himself who was secretly writing in the study many years ago.

"Once, I thought I was fighting alone," she began. "Then I discovered that every awakened soul is a spark. Now, these sparks have spread across the prairie..."

At the end of her speech, there was prolonged applause. An African representative excitedly shook her hand and said, "Please bring your experience to my country!"

On the day she returned home, she was greeted at the airport by not only her team but also an unexpected person, Gu Yanshen. He stood at the back of the group, holding a bouquet of white lilies.

"Congratulations," he said, handing over the flowers. "You've done what I could never do—turn pain into blessing."

Mo Xiaoyu took the flower and said, "Because you made me understand that some darkness must be illuminated."

After getting in the car, she turned on her phone and saw the news push: the amendment to the "Emotional Health Act" was passed with a high vote, adding the crime of "mental control" with a maximum sentence of ten years in prison.

Outside the window, autumn deepened, and golden ginkgo leaves covered the streets. Mo Xiaoyu knew that this battle was far from over, but the spark had already spread and could no longer be extinguished.

And she will continue to be the one holding the lamp.

A single spark can start a prairie fire