For a time, many rumors slandering Yizhihaitang appeared in Renhe County.
In fact, the authors of vernacular novels, just like the reputation of the modern entertainment industry, need to maintain a good public image. Once there is a problem with the image and people boycott them, they will be ruined.
The rumor fermented for a whole morning and became more and more intense.
Song Wanxian asked someone to invite Zhang Xiuyuan over and told him the truth.
"This incident must have been deliberately fabricated by someone. Perhaps it's related to the person who set fire to the printing factory," Song Wanxian speculated. "Perhaps the person's real goal wasn't Fengya Bookstore, but you. They couldn't bear to see your storybook become so popular."
Zhang Xiuyuan seemed to be lost in thought. Song Wanxian's guess was correct. However, his storybook had only been serialized for three issues, not long, and not many people knew his identity as Yizhi Haitang. The Zhao family knew about it, and they could be completely trusted. Song Wanxian could also be trusted. So there were only two outsiders who knew about it, one was Yang Xin, and the other was Xie Ping.
Zhang Xiuyuan's mind flashed with the image of Xie Ping again. That person was really weird. He actually preferred Xie Ping because Yang Xin made him feel very comfortable. Moreover, the third issue of the book could be serialized and sold on time thanks to her help.
Zhang Xiuyuan told Song Wanxian his guess.
"But these are just our guesses. We have no evidence. Even the government officials couldn't find any clues regarding the burning of the printing factory, let alone these groundless rumors." Song Wanxian frowned, believing the person behind this was too sinister. "What we need to do most now is to dispel these rumors."
The most terrifying thing about rumors is that people just follow them. Because the rumor spread in the morning, the number of people buying the third issue of the book and magazine decreased visibly.
Zhang Xiuyuan pondered for a moment and said, "Now, there is only one way."
Song Wanxian looked up at him.
Zhang Xiuyuan said: "I can only reveal my identity." The people in Renhe County basically knew his identity as the owner of Yipinzhai, and it was a positive one.
Only when the people know that Yizhi Begonia is Zhang Xiuyuan, the rumor will be self-defeating.
Song Wanxian did not agree immediately.
The reason why the author of the storybook uses a pen name instead of his real name is that he does not want others to discover his true identity.
Nowadays, Yizhi Haitang is very popular. If Zhang Xiuyuan is found to be Yizhi Haitang, it is likely to have a huge impact on him.
"Let me think about it again." Song Wanxian held her forehead and fell into deep thought.
Just then, there was a noisy sound outside.
The waiter hurried in.
"What's going on?" Song Wanxian asked.
"Boss, someone threw rotten vegetable leaves at the door of our bookstore, and even splashed water on the ground. They said we were black-hearted businessmen who actually protected a wicked person like Yizhi Haitang and sold his storybooks. They also said that if we continued to sell them, they would let our bookstore burn down."
"Did they catch anyone?" Song Wanxian asked with a serious face.
"The constables just went to arrest them. But a lot of people have gathered outside. They must have been instigated."
After the printing factory was burned, the county magistrate knew that the man's target was Fengya Bookstore and Zhang Xiuyuan, so he specially sent a constable to protect them.
Soon, the constable brought two people in.
"Tell me quickly who sent you here." the constable shouted.
The two men stiffened their necks and did not answer, only saying that they were doing it to prevent the people of Renhe County from being deceived by a crabapple branch.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
