Seeing the neighbor's wary and fearful expression, Zheng Dandan continued to add, as if it wasn't enough: "Of course, with your conditions, it must be more than 250. Good things come in pairs, how about a compensation of 1,000? It's barely worthy of your status."
When the neighbors heard this, they couldn't help but feel discouraged.
A loss of one thousand could seriously damage their health, and Zheng Dandan has experience in winning lawsuits.
They were in a dilemma, wanting to leave but unable to save face. The thought of being scared away by a little girl would be too embarrassing, and they couldn't accept it.
"Like mother, like daughter. Neither of them is a good thing! She is so mean and sarcastic at such a young age. How will she get married in the future?" Finally, a neighbor said with a pale face and a tough mouth. After he finished speaking, he ran away in a hurry, fearing that Zheng Dandan would notice and catch him.
Seeing this, the other neighbors wanted to follow suit. However, before they could utter a word, Zheng Dandan gave them a glare that made them choke on it and instantly become quiet.
The atmosphere became increasingly tense and tense as the silent standoff continued. He felt restless and uneasy, like a thorn in his side.
After a few minutes, the neighbors finally couldn't stand it anymore. They left the Zheng family one after another, their heads bowed, some depressed and some frustrated.
"Little sister, you're back!" Zheng Jianjun was happy and moved. Zheng Dandan's appearance was like a life-saving straw to him.
"Did you know about the nonsense the newspapers wrote about Mom?" asked the eldest brother, Zheng Jianye, with concern. He had just experienced the immense pressure of public opinion firsthand and was eager for the matter to be resolved as soon as possible.
"I know, don't worry, brother. I have asked Tan Xueming to handle it." Zheng Dandan comforted Zheng Jianye.
"Little sister, they're really going too far, actually spreading rumors in the newspaper. It was clearly my aunt who provoked you first, so you sued. Grandma became paralyzed herself, so why should my mother take the blame?"
With a backbone, Zheng Jianye was no longer worried or panicked, and was able to vent his dissatisfaction.
"I will make them pay the price." Zheng Dandan's tone was cold and firm.
Tan Xueming tried various channels and finally contacted the editor who wrote the article for the newspaper.
Most media workers at that time were kind and honest, but there are many birds in the forest. Every industry has its own special talents, and unfortunately, this editor was one of them.
Tan Xueming explained his purpose, but no matter whether he was given evidence or invited to discuss in detail, he refused to cooperate for the sake of popularity and sales.
"General Zheng, what should we do?" Tan Xueming was in a dilemma. As the primary channel for information dissemination, newspapers held a strong reputation. If the editors refused to cooperate, the dirty laundry thrown at Sun Cuilan would be difficult to clear.
"Have you contacted the editor-in-chief or other responsible persons of the newspaper?" Zheng Dandan asked.
"The editor who wrote the article is the editor-in-chief of the newspaper. The only way to contact other responsible persons is to write letters. Public calls may be intercepted by the editor-in-chief." Tan Xueming blamed himself. He felt that he had alerted the enemy.
Zheng Dandan heard this and read the fabricated news again. After a while, she said, "Go to Ginkgo Village and ask Wu Qiuju to come see me."
"Yes." Tan Xueming responded and did as he was told.
He was extremely efficient. Not long after, Wu Qiuju appeared in front of Zheng Dandan, looking timid and reserved.
"What do you want from me? That newspaper has nothing to do with me!" She hurriedly tried to distance herself from the matter.
"Don't be nervous. I didn't say it had anything to do with you." Zheng Dandan soothed Wu Qiuju's tense nerves. After she calmed down, Zheng Dandan continued, "I want you to testify."
"Testify? Testify to what?" Wu Qiuju looked at Zheng Dandan in surprise and vigilance.
"To prove my mother wasn't an unfilial daughter," Zheng Dandan replied, looking Wu Qiuju straight in the eye. "You should know why you were sued, and you should also know how Sun Xiaofang became paralyzed. I want you to tell the newspaper the truth. In return, not only will I not receive the compensation awarded by the judge, I'll give you two hundred and fifty yuan."
Wu Qiuju wanted to refuse at first, but hesitated after hearing the last sentence.
People are moved by interests. Even if telling shameful experiences is embarrassing, how can it compare to real benefits?
"Of course, you can refuse. But I will collect the compensation awarded by the court." Zheng Dandan continued to add fuel to the fire.
"I promise!"
Under the inducement and coercion, Wu Qiuju made a choice.
"Very good, I will contact the reporter for you, and you tell him the truth of the matter. By the way, also tell him how the three of them treated my mother in the past. You won't let me down, right?" Zheng Dandan looked at Wu Qiuju deeply.
Wu Qiuju quickly shook her head, "No."
Zheng Dandan smiled with satisfaction, then instructed Tan Xueming to find a newspaper that was equally powerful as the one that had slandered Sun Cuilan. Putting aside the feud between the newspapers themselves, simply debunking the rumors wouldn't be difficult.
The reporter arrived at the Zheng family home shortly after being invited. Initially, he had a strong opinion of the Zheng family due to the report. But after hearing Wu Qiuju's trembling recounting of the truth, he was instantly filled with guilt and anger.
They did everything in their power to slander and abuse their daughter, which is unworthy of being a parent! The most abominable thing is that their colleagues actually followed suit and became accomplices to the evil!
"Comrade, don't worry, I will let the people see the truth as soon as possible." The reporter assured Zheng Dandan.
"Thank you. What you have heard now is only my aunt's one-sided account. If you want a more truthful, comprehensive, accurate and authoritative report, you can go to Ginkgo Village. Listen more and ask more. People in the village will know something more or less." Zheng Dandan suggested.
Sun Cuilan's reputation was at stake, and she didn't want to see repeated twists and turns. Wu Qiuju's testimony, coupled with the villagers' corroboration, would finally establish the truth and bring the case to a close.
"Thanks for the suggestion, I will."
Zheng Dandan's frank attitude made the reporter's impression of her deepen.
"Can I go now?" Wu Qiuju was extremely scared of Zheng Dandan. After the reporter left, she and Zheng Dandan were alone in a room, and she couldn't help asking.
"Please." Zheng Dandan personally escorted Wu Qiuju out, and before parting, she warned, "Don't cause any trouble. I'll give you my reward once the rumors about my mother are cleared up. If you take money you shouldn't take, or tell lies you shouldn't tell, I'll make you understand what it means to lose more than you gain."
The rumors were spreading like wildfire, and she didn't believe there wasn't someone behind them. If Wu Qiuju was short-sighted and bribed, it would be another storm and trouble.
"I know, I won't." Wu Qiuju waved her hands repeatedly. She was now completely different from the shrew she was a few months ago.
The neighbors gradually learned about Sun Cuilan's identity and the news in the newspaper. Although they were afraid of Zheng Dandan's intimidation and did not dare to go to her house to be warriors for justice, they could not help but point fingers at her behind her back.
It would take time for the new report to come out. Zheng Dandan was worried that Sun Cuilan would be affected, so she simply turned a blind eye and took the person to Ginkgo Village.
Few villagers were literate, and even fewer were willing to spend money or have the time to read newspapers. They all knew the truth, so the report didn't cause any waves.
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