Undercurrent rises again, the original intention remains firm
An early summer downpour pounded against the glass curtain wall of the foundation. Mo Xiaoyu stood by the window, gazing at the rain-blurred city skyline. Today marked the 100th day since the Emotional Health Act came into effect. While this should have been a time for celebration, his desk was piled high with requests for help from across the country. The law had been passed, but implementation was proving elusive.
"Another vicious incident." Lawyer Li pushed open the door, his face grim. "A company executive was exercising mental control over a subordinate. The victim sued under the new law, but the court dismissed the case due to 'insufficient evidence.'"
Mo Xiaoyu turned around, the reflection of the rain swaying in her eyes: "How many times?"
"The seventh case this month." Shen Que followed in, holding a data analysis report. "Since the new law was implemented, a total of 235 related cases have been accepted nationwide, with a success rate of less than 30%."
Lin Wei hurried in, her hair wet from the rain. "Sister Mo, I just received news that Chen Yongchang has established the 'Entrepreneur Rights Protection Alliance' in southern Taiwan, openly opposing the implementation details of the new law."
The rainstorm intensified, as if foreshadowing a new storm.
Three days later, Mo Xiaoyu and his team rushed to a southern city. Here, one of the most high-profile cases since the new law was implemented occurred: a female employee, suffering from depression after long-term mental abuse from her boss, filed a lawsuit, but the company countersued her for defamation.
The atmosphere in the local court's mediation room was oppressive. The opposing lawyer pressed the issue: "My client is just being demanding. Can this be considered mind control?"
The victim sat in a corner, her fingers twisted together, her face pale. Mo Xiaoyu noticed a faint scar on her wrist.
"We need to see the complete surveillance records." Lawyer Li argued.
"It's a commercial secret and cannot be disclosed," the opposing lawyer sneered. "Besides, who can prove that her depression is caused by work?"
The mediation ended on bad terms. As they left the courthouse, the rainstorm had just subsided, and the setting sun struggled to peek through the clouds. The girl suddenly grabbed Mo Xiaoyu's sleeve and asked, "Teacher Mo, did I do something wrong?"
Her eyes reminded Mo Xiaoyu of his past self - the self-doubt that was deep in his bones.
"You're not wrong." Mo Xiaoyu held her cold hand. "It's those who abuse their power who are wrong."
That night, Mo Xiaoyu studied the case materials in his hotel room until late at night. Shen Que knocked on the door and came in, bringing local snacks.
"Eat something first." He put the lunch box on the table. "I found some interesting stuff."
It turned out that the actual controller of the other company was Chen Yongchang's nephew.
"No wonder they're so confident." Mo Xiaoyu put down the information. "This is to scare the monkeys."
Worse news came the next day: the foundation's major donor suddenly asked to withdraw its funding, citing "excessive policy risks."
"This is a premeditated crackdown," lawyer Li said during the video conference. "They want to strangle us from our funding chain."
The balance in the foundation's account is only enough to sustain operations for three months.
To make matters worse, a well-known forum suddenly flooded with "exposure posts" alleging that the foundation had "cooked accounts" and "misused donations," accompanied by doctored financial screenshots.
"Do we need to hold a press conference to clarify?" Lin Wei asked anxiously.
"No." Mo Xiaoyu was unusually calm. "Explaining at this time will only make things worse."
She made a decision that surprised everyone: to immediately launch a comprehensive audit of the foundation and invite the media to monitor the entire process.
"Are you crazy?" Even Chen Que objected. "All accounts will be frozen during the audit. How can the foundation operate?"
"Use my personal savings." Mo Xiaoyu took out his passbook. "This is all my royalties and bonuses. It should last for a while."
On the first day of the audit, the foundation's offices were packed with reporters and auditors. Mo Xiaoyu exposed all the account books, contracts, and bank statements, even the invoices for office supplies.
"Ms. Mo, aren't you afraid that doing this will affect the reputation of the foundation?" a reporter asked.
"True reputation can withstand any test," she responded calmly.
On the third day of the audit, two unexpected things happened.
First, the victim girl in the southern case contacted the media and provided key evidence - a secretly recorded audio recording that clearly recorded how her boss conducted mental manipulation.
"It was Teacher Mo who gave me courage," she said in an interview. "If even someone like her is doubtful, then what else in this world can be trusted?"
On the same day, Zhou Ling came to visit unexpectedly. He was no longer in a suit and tie, but in a simple jacket, holding a USB flash drive.
"Mr. Gu asked me to bring it to you," he said. "The evidence of Chen Yongchang's company's tax evasion is enough to keep him busy for a while."
Mo Xiaoyu didn't answer immediately: "Why did he..."
"He said this time he was acting in the public interest," Zhou Ling put down the USB drive. "Chen Yongchang's actions have already exceeded the bottom line of commercial competition."
The audit results were released a week later: the foundation's accounts were clear and every penny was spent effectively. Donors who had previously withdrawn their funding were ashamed to resume their partnerships, and new donations poured in.
The case in the south also saw a turn for the better. Faced with irrefutable evidence, the other company finally agreed to mediation, not only compensating the victim but also promising to rectify its internal management.
The joy of victory did not last long before Mo Xiaoyu received a call from Chen Yongchang.
"Ms. Mo, that's a good move." His voice remained calm. "But you have to know that in the business world, no one can always win."
"I never thought about winning against anyone," Mo Xiaoyu replied. "I just wanted to help those in need."
After hanging up the phone, she stood alone in front of the office window. As night fell, the city lights came on one after another. Behind each light, there might be a struggling soul.
Shen Que walked in and stood beside her: "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking about the battle between darkness and light," Mo Xiaoyu said softly. "In fact, darkness will never disappear. All we can do is let ourselves become the light."
She picked up the thick stack of letters asking for help on the table. The top one was from a little girl in a remote mountain village, and there were traces of tears on the letter paper.
"Look," Mo Xiaoyu pointed to one of the lines. "She said that knowing we existed gave her the courage to say 'no' to her abusive stepfather."
Outside the window, a bright moon breaks through the clouds, and its light fills the world.
In this world of eternal alternation between light and darkness, Mo Xiaoyu chooses to be the everlasting lamp. Not because he is unaware of the horror of darkness, but precisely because he knows it, he is more determined to shine brightly.
Because the darker the place, the more we need to keep the light in our hearts.
What she needs to do is to let this light illuminate more corners.
The darker the place, the more we need to hold on to the light in our hearts.
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