Lin Ce couldn't refuse Li Han's repeated requests.
The general outline of this academic fraud case is as follows: Nine graduate students from the Chemistry Department of Y University reported their supervisor for academic paper fraud, misappropriation of research funds, and exploitation of graduate students.
Professor Ma's graduate students even had to borrow their experimental equipment from other groups through their senior classmates.
Y University is a key university. These nine students have put in countless efforts to get into the graduate program at this key university, only to end up like this.
Such examples of students being exploited by their supervisors after passing the postgraduate entrance examination are not uncommon. Postgraduate students become cheap labor for their supervisors, not only having to do work for them for free, but also facing verbal abuse and threats of not being able to graduate.
Having witnessed the darkness within academia, many graduate students become depressed as they progress through their studies.
After meeting with Zhang, the representative of the nine students, on their way back to the company, Lin Ce suddenly pulled Li Han aside to avoid the camera.
"Junior Sister Li, if you're working with me on this project, be prepared that it might be terminated at any time, and we might only end up with a half-finished product."
Lin Ce and Li Han whispered to each other. Li Han remembered the academic fraud case. The tutor who was reported was Professor Ma from the Chemistry Department of Y University, a key university.
When faced with scandals, many universities choose to spend money to suppress trending topics and cover up these scandals, preventing them from being exposed to the public and affecting the school's reputation and future enrollment.
"Senior Brother Lin, have you been threatened?" Li Han asked Lin Ce with great concern.
However, since Lin's report was broadcast on "City of Light," it means that this matter can be followed up. Moreover, Y University has already established a special investigation team to investigate Ma's academic fraud.
“It wasn’t Y University that put pressure on me.”
"Several of the papers in which Professor Ma is suspected of academic fraud involve the anti-aging ingredients and core selling points of KA Beauty, a skincare brand under the Sugie Group."
Li Han suddenly remembered the words "Shanjiang Group" that Lin Ce had written in his notebook in a state of distress that day, and it all became clear to her now.
“If this matter is investigated thoroughly, it will inevitably have a direct impact on this skincare brand under the Sugie Group.”
Lin Ce nodded and whispered, "I am facing a lot of resistance right now, but I can't let down those nine students who studied hard all those years to get into graduate school."
"If Professor Ma hadn't been thoroughly investigated, and they hadn't been assigned new mentors and were still under Professor Ma's supervision, they probably wouldn't have had a good time, and graduating would have been difficult."
"Netizens have already exposed KA Beauty's fraudulent claims about its skincare effects, and that it contains excessive levels of harmful substances."
"But the spokesperson's fans have been controlling the comments and even accused us, the reporting party, of being paid to target their idol and the top-selling domestic brand because of their idol's endorsement."
Li Han's expression turned serious. Whenever a brand under the Shanjiang Group is launched, it will have a top celebrity endorse it. KA Beauty is endorsed by Xue Jinda, a currently popular idol. This idol's fans are very powerful and have strong purchasing power. They are often seen tearing into other artists and their fans on Weibo. It's terrifying.
KA Beauty has always touted itself as a shining example of domestic products through its creative marketing strategies. Coupled with the overwhelming promotion from Xue Jinda's fans, this skincare brand has become synonymous with the glory of domestic products and ranks first on the best-selling list of domestic skincare brands.
"Expert analysis of the test report and lawyers, coupled with Professor Ma's own admission during the investigation."
"It's no use them being stubborn."
"If the Sugie Group is wise, it will have no choice but to painfully cut off the skincare brand to protect itself."
Li Han comforted her, saying, "As long as the facts are true, all those vicious words coming down from the internet are futile struggles. Black can't be turned into white."
Lin Ce smiled wryly: "The difficult part is tearing through this fig leaf."
With one more comrade-in-arms, Lin Ce wasn't so panicked anymore.
Li Han and Lin Ce passed by a 723 convenience store, and Lin Ce suggested, "Let's go in and buy lunch."
I'm a little hungry.
However, after entering the convenience store, Lin Ce noticed that two bento boxes on the shelves were empty. He asked Li Han curiously, "The 723 convenience store's signature bento boxes are always out of stock lately. Are they selling too well?"
Li Han certainly couldn't say directly that there was a problem with the supply of raw materials and that they were controlling inventory, so she could only vaguely say, "Is that right? I haven't been at the Si family for long, so I haven't paid much attention to this aspect."
At this moment, the photographer following the two kindly reminded Lin Ce: "Xiao Lin, you can go to the newly opened Hao Shi convenience store across the street. They also have these two signature bento boxes that are out of stock and they taste very similar!"
"It's 1.5 yuan cheaper, and it comes with a free drink."
"Thanks."
Lin Ce originally intended to just buy any other bento box, but seeing the curiosity on Li Han's face, he suggested, "Let's go check out that Haoshi convenience store across the street."
The two arrived at the Haoshi convenience store, which had been open for less than two days.
You wouldn't believe it until you see it! Many of the products in the store, especially the instant food, oden, and specialty desserts, are practically identical to those in 723 convenience stores, with only one character or word changed in the name.
Lin Ce often buys snacks or lunch at 723 convenience stores, and he was stunned when he saw these: "This is too shameless, it's practically copying 723 convenience stores."
This store is cheap and its products are similar to those of 723 convenience stores. Compared to the deserted 723 convenience stores across the street, this store is extremely popular.
Furthermore, there was a life-size standee of the celebrity who was the spokesperson, a certain movie star, placed at the entrance of the convenience store.
Li Han sensed something was wrong; this was a strategy of using low prices to seize the market and steal customers from their 723 convenience store.
There are many such cases in the business world: first, use low prices to seize the market and suppress competitors, and then raise prices after forcing them to withdraw from the market. At this point, customers have no other choice.
"Just who is this Sugie Group? Is it some business tycoon with a net worth of over 100 million who is just creating a new account under a different name?"
Lin Ce bought the two bento boxes that were out of stock at 723 convenience store and handed them to Li Han to try. As he unpacked the cutlery, he said, "They've suddenly appeared and started a price war, yet they can still afford to hire so many big names in the entertainment industry for endorsements. They're practically burning money every single moment."
Li Han unpacked the cutlery, opened the signature spicy braised pork bento, and took a bite. The taste was just like the bento from 723 convenience store, as if it had been cooked in the same pot.
It just doesn't taste as fresh as the ones from 723 convenience stores.
Her gaze fell on the chili peppers in the bento box, and she picked up a piece and put it in her mouth.
Li Han's eyes widened. How could even the seasonings taste the same?
Just as Li Han finished her meal absentmindedly and returned to the company with Lin Ce, Lin Ce received a call from Cheng Man, the director of the news department.
"Lin Ce, could you please go to the entrance of the film and television equipment room on the 5th floor and pick someone up for me?"
Cheng Man's tone was strange; it was the first time Lin Ce had heard the director speak in such a troubled tone.
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