Fierce Deskmate - Chapter 6 - I Know Who It Is

After Xu Bin left, Li Xin immediately called Zhang Shu, who was filming in Xiangshan, to discuss the situation.

Zhang Shu, upon receiving the call, was furious and lashed out at Li Xin, demanding that they find a way to suppress the rumors immediately to protect his reputation.

Li Xin agreed repeatedly, knowing she couldn’t afford to offend this top artist of Huamei Group.

After hanging up, Li Xin reopened the “Entertainment Circle Storm” Weibo account, and her heart skipped a beat.

Earlier, there were only a few shares, and the comments were mostly from Zhang Shu’s fans attacking the blogger, defending Zhang Shu, and threatening to send the blogger razor blades and court summons.

No one expected that in just a few minutes, several influential Entertainment Accounts had shared the Weibo post.

“This week’s hot topic, superstar Zhang Shu hit-and-run…” was shared by “Entertainment Live,” an account with millions of followers.

“So Zhang Shu is this kind of person… I refuse to believe it…” was shared by “I’m Just Too Kind,” which has hundreds of thousands of followers.

“With evidence, superstar Zhang Shu hit someone…” This Weibo post included a screenshot of a news report from a year ago about the hit-and-run incident.

This was a blatant attack!

Some Entertainment Accounts post sensational gossip to attract followers. They have no malice, nor goodwill-just a thirst for attention.

But Li Xin was certain that this time was different.

They were organized and disciplined in their attack on Zhang Shu, aiming to tarnish his name.

“These bastards…” Li Xin was about to contact the website officials to request post deletions when the phone on her desk rang.

Li Xin picked up the call, and Xu Bin’s cold voice came through: “Meeting in the small conference room.”

“Okay, Mr. Xu.” Li Xin sighed, quickly grabbing her laptop and heading to the meeting room.

With a Huamei Group star involved, there was no room for the assistants to be anything but nervous.

When Li Xin arrived at the small conference room, it was already filled with people. Xu Bin, the supervisor of Zhang Shu’s studio, Zhang Mingyuan from the Public Relations Department, Zhu Kaimo, the new leader of the Thunder Team, General Manager Wang Xin, and secretary Ling Chen were all present.

“Close the door,” Xu Bin instructed.

Li Xin turned to shut the door, ensuring their discussion wouldn’t be overheard.

“The situation has escalated,” Xu Bin said, his face grim. “While I was reporting to Mr. Wang, I contacted Weibo officials… They said they can’t delete the posts without verifying the facts, or it might provoke a stronger backlash from Big V Accounts and users.”

“They won’t delete the posts and are asking us for evidence?” Zhang Mingyuan from the Public Relations Department sneered. “The burden of proof lies with the accuser. We’ve tried contacting ‘Entertainment Circle Storm’ via private message, but they won’t respond. Are they unwilling to negotiate?”

“Unwilling to negotiate? Do they want to ruin someone completely?”

“We’ll have to issue a lawyer’s letter,” Xu Bin said, adjusting his glasses. “We’ll take a two-pronged approach: have the studio’s Official Weibo Account clarify the truth, distancing Zhang Shu from the incident. Meanwhile, continue private negotiations with ‘Entertainment Circle Storm,’ even if it costs some money.”

“The question now is… how much information do they really have?” Wang Xin asked, holding a fragrant cup of coffee, drawing everyone’s attention. “What if they’re just bluffing?”

“Mr. Wang…” Li Xin suddenly spoke, interrupting the discussion.

“Hmm?” Wang Xin looked at the young woman in the corner, who had been staring at her laptop, and asked.

“‘Entertainment Circle Storm’ just updated their Weibo again…”

“What did they say?”

“Let me see.”

Li Xin turned her laptop around, showing the latest post from “Entertainment Circle Storm.”

“You wanted evidence? Well, here you go.”

Below the text were nine screenshots. The first was a collection of news reports about the hit-and-run incident. The second was part of a PR draft from Huamei’s Public Relations Department to quell the incident. The third was a WeChat conversation screenshot between someone and the victim’s family, expressing dissatisfaction with the hit-and-run and demanding fair compensation. The WeChat name of the person communicating with the victim was blurred. The fourth was Zhang Shu’s medical record, showing he was hospitalized after the accident due to not wearing a seatbelt-subsequent screenshots all pointed to Zhang Shu’s drunk driving and hit-and-run.

The conference room fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared blankly at the screenshots, unsure of what to say.

They all understood that the exposure of this information signaled a terrifying reality.

“There’s a mole!” Wang Xin said angrily. “There’s a mole in the Public Relations Department.”

“I’ll investigate immediately,” Zhang Mingyuan said through gritted teeth. As the director of the Public Relations Department and the person responsible for handling Zhang Shu’s incident, he couldn’t escape responsibility for the leak of such critical information.

“No need to investigate,” Ling Chen interjected. “I know who it is.”

“Who?” Xu Bin asked harshly.

“Their writing style and every punctuation mark… I’m very familiar with them.”

Wang Xin turned to look at Ling Chen, sitting beside him, his expression dark and his smile sinister. “I knew it, a beast should be kept in a cage… Letting it out will only lead to trouble.”

Chen Shu had maintained a good habit over the past two years, waking up at six every morning to run for half an hour at the nearby university playground, then bringing breakfast for two back home. The school’s Fried Dough Stick, Steamed Bun, and Sauerkraut Noodles were cheaper than those at small eateries outside.

After showering, he would wake Ling Chen, who loved to sleep in, for breakfast. After a quick cleanup, they would head out to catch the subway to work.

Now that Ling Chen was gone, Chen Shu’s good habit remained.

At six o’clock sharp, he opened his eyes, staring at the empty half of the bed and the vacant room in bewilderment.

Ling Chen had completely left his world.

After a quick wash, he donned his sportswear and headed to the school playground again.

The students around him ran with vigor, one after another overtaking him, filling Chen Shu with a sense of “aging and decline.”

But he had only graduated a little over two years ago!

On his sixth lap, a familiar figure appeared by the side gate of the court.

Chen Shu ignored it, continuing to run until he completed ten laps, drenched in sweat.

“Chen Shu.” Zhu Kaimo approached, his chubby face squeezed into a smile. He raised his hand to pat Chen Shu’s shoulder but hesitated, noticing the sweat-soaked clothes, awkwardly scratching his head instead. “Young people sure have stamina. This track must be 800 meters, right? I doubt I could manage even one lap.”

“Ling Chen told you?”

“Heh, if it weren’t for secretary Ling, who would have thought you’d be up so early and exercising in such a great place?”

“She didn’t come, did she?” Chen Shu asked, wiping his sweat with a towel as he headed off the field. “I suppose she wouldn’t dare.”

“No, secretary Ling has to work.”

“Oh.” Chen Shu nodded, then looked at Zhu Kaimo with a puzzled expression. “Don’t you have work? Why are you here?”

“Of course I have work. I’m here to ask for your help.” Zhu Kaimo adopted a humble posture.

Chen Shu chuckled, “Are you inviting me back to lead you again? Impossible, I’ve let it go. Find someone else.”

“It’s not that…” Zhu Kaimo looked a bit embarrassed.

“Not that?” Chen Shu was puzzled. “Then what is it? I worked diligently at Huamei for two years, performed outstandingly, and yet you’re not inviting me back?”

Zhu Kaimo wanted to turn and leave.

He knew Chen Shu’s situation well. His girlfriend was taken by the boss, Wang Xin, who, for some reason, wanted Chen Shu out of Flower City, blacklisting him in the industry. After he resigned, they threw a bucket of dirt on him… Forget finding a job, he probably couldn’t even stay in Flower City.

Could he, Zhu Kaimo, dare to invite back such a “stray dog”?

“Stray dog…” The term emboldened Zhu Kaimo, boosting his confidence, even straightening his previously slightly bent back.

He was here to negotiate; there was no need to grovel.

“Nothing else?” Chen Shu asked, seeing Zhu Kaimo silent for a while. “If not, I’m leaving.”

“It’s about Zhang Shu…”

“Oh, Huamei’s superstar. What does his matter have to do with me?”

“Chen Shu…” Zhu Kaimo’s temper flared. He had experienced this young man’s ruthless tactics and sharp words before. Otherwise, during the Thunder Team’s leadership change, he wouldn’t have lost his position to this young upstart.

“What?” Chen Shu raised an eyebrow, his gaze cold as he looked at Zhu Kaimo. “Did you come here early in the morning just to vent your anger?”

Zhu Kaimo’s expression changed several times, finally suppressing his anger.

He had a mission, and now was not the time to offend this heartless fellow.

His face returned to a flattering smile, “You’re aware of Zhang Shu’s situation. Since it has happened, it needs a solution, right? On behalf of Huamei, I’d like to invite Chen Shu…”

“Call me Mr. Chen. If you don’t respect others, how can you expect respect in return?”

“…Alright, Mr. Chen. On behalf of Huamei, I’d like to invite Mr. Chen for breakfast. I’ve reserved a table at Xinglong Restaurant nearby. Please do us the honor.”

“No time.” Chen Shu said, heading towards the school cafeteria.