It's hard to guard against hidden arrows, but our original intention remains unchanged
The early winter morning mist hadn't yet dissipated as Mo Xiaoyu hurried to the foundation's office. She wrapped herself tightly in her camel coat, her freshly bought coffee in hand, the steam condensing into a white mist in the cold air. Today was the quarterly press conference to announce the foundation's achievements for the year.
Pushing open the office glass door, assistant Lin Wei immediately came forward with a strange look on her face: "Sister Mo, something happened."
Mo Xiaoyu didn't stop walking: "Have you arranged the media reception?"
"That's not it." Lin Wei handed over the tablet. "Business Weekly published this report this morning."
A striking headline caught my eye: "The Business of 'Mockingbird': Emotional Business or Money-Making Tool?" The article questioned the use of the foundation's donations, implying that Mo Xiaoyu was using the guise of charity to conduct business. The article also included a photo of her attending a commercial event, deliberately cutting out the charity logo in the background.
"When was it sent?"
"Five in the morning. It's trending now."
Mo Xiaoyu took a deep breath, the aroma of coffee suddenly becoming pungent. She walked into the office. Outside the window, the city was awakening. The morning light penetrated the mist, but it couldn't illuminate her current mood.
"Issue an emergency meeting at nine o'clock." She put down her coffee. "Please ask Lawyer Li and Shen Que to come."
The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense. Lawyer Li spoke first: "This is a premeditated attack. The data cited in the article is highly specialized, not something an ordinary journalist would have access to."
Shen Que added, "I checked. The latest major shareholder of Business Weekly is Chen Yongchang."
"The Chen Yongchang from the Traditional Entrepreneurs Alliance?" Mo Xiaoyu recalled meeting this old man, always dressed in a traditional Chinese gown, at a policy seminar. At that time, he had strongly opposed the Emotional Health Act proposal promoted by the foundation.
Lin Wei whispered, "Will the press conference go ahead as planned? Some media outlets have already requested a response."
"Open." Mo Xiaoyu stood up. "Not only must it be opened, but it must be opened more grandly than originally planned."
At ten in the morning, the press conference was packed with reporters. The flash cameras were more intense than usual, and the questions were particularly pointed.
"Ms. Mo, how do you respond to the report in Business Weekly?"
"Where exactly does the foundation's charitable funds go?"
"Does any company under your name have any business dealings with the foundation?"
Mo Xiaoyu stood on the stage, the lights a bit dazzling. She recalled the nervousness she had felt at her first press conference two years ago, but now she felt only calm.
"Thank you for your questions," she said clearly. "First, I solemnly declare that all of the foundation's accounts are completely open, and the whereabouts of every donation can be checked. Secondly—"
She paused deliberately, her eyes sweeping across the room. "I invite all journalists to log on to the foundation's official website now and view the real-time accounting system."
There was a commotion in the audience, and several reporters immediately began looking up information on their phones.
"As for the so-called 'business event,'" she pulled up a PowerPoint presentation, showing photos of the entire event. "This was last week's Entrepreneurs Charity Dinner. The foundation received three million yuan in donations that night, all of which will be used for the psychological rehabilitation of the recipients."
A reporter suddenly barked: "But it's undeniable that your fame has indeed brought you commercial benefits!"
Mo Xiaoyu looked the man straight in the eye and said, "If my visibility can help more people get help, I'm happy to take on that 'benefit'."
After the press conference, Mo Xiaoyu returned to the office and found that his palms were covered in cold sweat.
Shen Que followed in and closed the door: "It was handled beautifully. But this is just the beginning."
Sure enough, new attacks followed that afternoon. A "explosive post" appeared on a well-known forum, claiming that Mo Xiaoyu was exploiting the cases of beneficiaries to hype them up, while a "former employee" anonymously accused her of arbitrary rule.
"Do you want to respond?" Lin Wei asked anxiously.
"No." Mo Xiaoyu shook his head. "Responding will only keep the heat going. What we need to do is prove it with action."
She immediately convened the project team: "Start the 'Warm Winter Plan' ahead of schedule and complete follow-up visits with all recipients within this week."
Over the next three days, the entire foundation was mobilized. Mo Xiaoyu personally led the team, visiting over twenty beneficiary families. She patiently listened to each recipient's situation and meticulously documented their needs. The accompanying reporter, initially looking for faults, was gradually moved by her sincerity.
On the third night, Mo Xiaoyu fell asleep in the car on the way back. When he woke up, he found himself covered with a heavy coat and the car parked downstairs of the foundation.
"Why didn't you call me when you got here?"
"You seem to be sleeping soundly." Chen Que handed her a thermos cup. "Ginger tea, prepared by Lin Wei."
The office was brightly lit, and the employees were all working overtime. Seeing Mo Xiaoyu come in, Lin Wei ran over excitedly: "Sister Mo, check Weibo!"
It turned out that a family member of a beneficiary interviewed that day had posted a long article detailing how the foundation had helped them overcome their difficulties. It also included a photo of Mo Xiaoyu squatting in an old residential complex, talking with an elderly person. This Weibo post was widely forwarded, and public opinion began to reverse.
Even more surprising was the sudden visit from Zhou Ling, now a vice president of a company, who still maintained his composure.
"Mr. Gu asked me to give this to you." He handed over a file bag. "This contains some internal information about Chen Yongchang Enterprises. It might be useful to you."
Mo Xiaoyu didn't answer immediately: "Why did he..."
"He said it was a form of atonement," Zhou Ling put down the briefcase. "Also, he told me to tell you: Be careful of Chen Yongchang's next move. He's good at exploiting policy loopholes."
After seeing Zhou Ling off, Mo Xiaoyu opened the briefcase. Inside were recent tax records for Chen Yongchang's company, along with several documents with government agencies. She immediately called for Attorney Li.
At eleven o'clock in the evening, Mo Xiaoyu was alone in the office sorting out documents. His phone rang. It was his mother.
"Xiaoyu, I saw the news." Mother's voice was filled with worry. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She walked to the window and looked at the night view of the city. "Mom, do you remember when I was a kid and my classmates wrongly accused me of stealing?"
"Of course you don't remember. You cried all night, but still went to school the next day."
"You said then that innocent people don't need to explain themselves, and time will prove everything."
The mother on the other end of the phone smiled and said, "You are doing better than I thought."
After hanging up the phone, Mo Xiaoyu continued working. In the early hours of the morning, she finally discovered key information: Chen Yongchang's company was applying for a government public welfare project, and the application materials showed obvious signs of falsification.
She immediately texted Attorney Li: "I've found a breakthrough."
Outside the window, the sky is getting light. A new day is about to begin, and a new battle is waiting.
But at this moment, Mo Xiaoyu is more determined than ever because she knows that the best way to protect her original aspiration is not to make excuses, but to keep moving forward.
The truth may be late, but it is never absent. And those dark arrows shot at the light will eventually be exposed in the sunlight.
The truth may be late, but it is never absent
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