Chapter 280 Both powerful figures have been offended
Huo Tinghuai paused, instinctively assuming that the editor-in-chief had another interview assignment for him.
"President, please speak."
President Hu glanced at Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou beside him, seemingly hesitant.
"It's alright, please go ahead, President."
Since he had said that, President Hu did not hesitate any longer.
“I just received a call from Deputy Commander Shen’s home. He said that the community should treat the interviewees differently.”
"They also said that as the editor, you were cold and inhumane."
"In addition, he was very dissatisfied with the arrangements for this interview and hoped that someone else could be interviewed."
As a pillar of the newspaper, President Hu greatly admired Huo Tinghuai's professional abilities and character.
Because of his admiration, he did not believe the Shen family's one-sided story.
"Tinghuai, what exactly happened?" President Hu's implication was that he needed a reasonable explanation, otherwise he couldn't handle the matter.
After all, Deputy Commander Shen was waiting for him to call back.
Huo Tinghuai didn't react much after hearing this. His attitude just now wasn't exactly enthusiastic, but it wasn't cold either.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the fact that the interview didn't meet the other party's expectations.
Now the Shen family is eager to find a way out, so they've shifted the blame onto him.
That's what Huo Tinghuai thought, and that's what he said.
President Hu looked troubled after hearing this.
That's the situation, but if we say it so directly, neither of us will save face.
Seeing this, Jiang Si stepped forward and said, "President, this really can't be blamed on my cousin."
"Cousin?"
President Hu was taken aback upon hearing this, clearly not expecting the two to have this kind of relationship.
"Are you relatives?"
"Yes.
Jiang Si nodded. "Comrade Huo Tinghuai is my wife's cousin. We are indeed relatives."
Before President Hu could speak, she continued, "Today, my husband and I have come here at the invitation of the newspaper to conduct an interview with a 'Patriotic Supporter of the Military Model'."
"As the editor in charge of this interview, Comrade Huo Tinghuai was conscientious and responsible, and made thoughtful and appropriate arrangements."
"Personally, when he saw my brother and sister-in-law, he greeted them warmly, said a few more words, and introduced me to the environment of a newspaper office. Isn't that just human nature?"
"How come in some people's eyes it becomes a cold attitude and differential treatment?"
At this point, Jiang Si couldn't help but let out a cold snort.
“Even if your own relatives just say a few words normally, people will speculate and report on you behind your back.”
"They even had their family members call you, President, to complain. It's really... hilarious!"
After listening, President Hu remained silent for a moment, recalling the arrogant tone of the Shen family on the phone, and felt utterly speechless.
He's managed to get to this position; what kind of ups and downs hasn't he seen?
The Shen family thought they had picked the easiest target.
In the end, they shot themselves in the foot.
I wonder if the Shen family will regret it to the core when they find out the truth.
Thinking about all this, President Hu's expression relaxed a little. "Alright, it's nothing. You can go about your business."
After saying that, he nodded to Jiang Si and Huo Tingzhou, and then hurriedly walked towards his office.
Upon returning to his office, President Hu immediately dialed the Shen family's number.
On the other end of the phone, Mr. Shen was clearly still upset about the interview that morning.
After the call was connected, President Hu was not given a chance to speak before he was met with a barrage of accusations.
After he finished speaking, Chen's mother took the receiver back.
As the saying goes, "Give a slap and then a sweet date."
Since Mr. Shen had already said what needed to be said, Mrs. Shen did not continue the topic.
Instead, she softened her tone and said, "President Hu, we took a day off specifically to accompany our child to this interview."
“We didn’t expect things to escalate like this, and we don’t expect the other party to apologize to the child.”
"I only hope that your company can assign a more professional editor to be in charge of the following interview."
Mother Shen believed that her request was reasonable and that the other party would definitely agree.
So he handed the receiver to Shen's father.
Unexpectedly, President Hu simply said one sentence after listening.
"I have already taken note of the situation you just reported."
"But as far as I know, Editor Huo and Comrade Jiang are actually relatives."
"Exchanging a few pleasantries upon meeting is normal social interaction and does not violate any regulations."
"In addition, the gatekeepers restrict entry to unregistered personnel. This is a rule established by the newspaper to ensure work order, and it is not targeted at your company. We hope you understand."
President Hu's words were clear and his meaning was obvious.
Rules are rules. Since your family didn't register, it's only right that you're not allowed in.
Besides, they are relatives, what's wrong with exchanging a few words when you meet?
As for any further interviews, Huo Tinghuai has already stated that he will not accept any more.
Editor-in-Chief Wen will be busy for several more days.
The remaining editors could be arranged, but after thinking it over, President Hu decided to lay out the unpleasant truth upfront.
"We can reschedule the interview, but a good interview requires the joint efforts of both parties."
"I hope Comrade Shen can make some preparations in advance, otherwise even the best editor will be unable to cook without rice."
"Are you saying I'm right, Deputy Commander Shen?"
That's practically saying it outright: your son has nothing in his belly, so who can you blame?
Shen's father wasn't stupid; he could naturally understand the other party's subtext.
But he couldn't get angry, so he could only bite the bullet and add a sentence for his son.
“He went to the construction site every day during this period and didn’t get much rest.”
"But President Hu, you're right. Don't worry, it won't happen again next time."
President Hu is a shrewd person. Since they've already said that, it would be pointless for him to keep pressing the issue.
After exchanging a few more polite words, the two sides hung up the phone.
"What happened? What did President Hu say?" Seeing that Mr. Shen's face was ashen and sweat was beading on his forehead, Mrs. Shen was startled.
Seeing this, Shen Dong looked over anxiously, "Dad, say something, what's wrong?"
"What else? You've completely humiliated me today!"
Father Shen slapped his right cheek in anger, “You good-for-nothing! At this critical juncture…”
"Okay, let's talk this out."
Shen's mother was clearly worried about her son, and she started protecting him even before anything had really happened.
"The child is grown up, so please give him some face."
"Give him any face whatsoever! Look at the mess he's made!"
Mr. Shen was furious. "Are you just bored and have nothing better to do?"
"Why stage such a charade? Now look what's happened, you've offended everyone!"
"Dad, he's just a junior editor at a newspaper. What's wrong with talking about him?"
Shen Dong was inexplicably scolded and felt somewhat resentful.
"You have no idea how awful they were at the newspaper office just now. The questions they asked were all so tricky, they were clearly trying to make things difficult for me!"
"Shut up!"
Mr. Shen interrupted him angrily, "What did I tell you? I told you not to go out socializing these days, but to stay home and review your materials, prepare for the interview questions you might be asked. Did you listen?"
"You wouldn't listen! Now look what happened, Director Hu practically called you an incompetent fool. Are you satisfied now?"
Seeing her husband's devastated expression, Chen's mother was quite puzzled.
Before she could speak, Mr. Shen slumped back into his chair with a dejected expression.
"It's not a big deal if you offend a newspaper editor, but do you even know who he is?"
At this moment, the people present were still unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
Until Shen's father said, "He's Chairman Huo's nephew! His father is the director of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau... no..."
As if realizing something, Shen's father's face visibly turned ashen.
"I'm afraid he won't be able to be called Director Huo anymore soon. I heard that after the New Year, he might be transferred to the Ministry of Public Security as a vice minister."
He originally wanted to find an opportunity to ease the tension between the two families, but what happened...?
The more Shen's father thought about it, the more desperate he became. "Not only did we fail to get on the good side of the Huo family, but now you've offended them both!"
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