Chapter 9

"Bravo, well done!" In the editorial office of *The Great Jianghu*, Zhou Daoran looked at the computer screen, clapping his hands in delight, "I didn't expect this kid to be so tough."

The screen displayed the post that Liu Jington had just sent.

At that moment, the entire editorial department was filled with a thick atmosphere of joy. All the editors seemed like whales that had been submerged for a long time, finally able to surface and breathe a sigh of relief.

"Speaking of which, Mi Hu really has a way with things." Tang Nan was tilting his head to talk to his colleague "Qinghuaci" when he heard an editor-in-chief say, "Everyone, check the group."

Zhou, the chief editor, sent a screenshot in the group. The content read: "Three, in my personal opinion, for a cultural product company to stand invincible, producing good content is the key. Smearing behind the scenes, plotting, and framing are all short-sighted and not worth mentioning. I share this with you all." This statement was particularly well-put, both encouraging the opponent and ourselves. This young Gu Yongsheng has such insight, which is no small feat.

Everyone replied, "Yes."

Then the chief editor said, "Everyone, go and support his post. Don't be too aggressive; just casually express your realization. Then tag the innkeeper and ask him to respond."

"Okay, chief editor." Everyone responded in turn.

Liu Jington's post was pinned to the top within half an hour, and the comments section was incredibly active. Most of the comments were helping Gu Yongsheng summon the "innkeeper." Everyone was joking and teasing, helping Gu Yongsheng convey the message: "Everyone is so eager, but the great innkeeper still hasn't come out to greet us?"

"Innkeeper, Gu Yongsheng is calling you to reply."

"Request the time and place for the live writing. Even if it's a thousand miles away, I will go to the scene to witness the glory. Please, innkeeper, make it happen."

"Innkeeper, please take off your mask, show your abs, and fight!"

...

In addition to the comments, this post quickly spawned a series of battle posts, and soon the entire forum's homepage was dominated by the news of "Gu Yongsheng challenging the innkeeper." The media, sensing the opportunity, quickly shifted their focus, publishing articles supporting the live writing and asking the whistleblower to come forward with their real name.

With just this one post, the situation was immediately reversed, showing that true excellence is built on solid foundations.

At this moment, Gu Yongsheng, who had turned the tide with a single post, was eating noodles with his editor, Mi Hu. Strangely, Mi Hu's face wasn't particularly pleasant. She said to the boy in front of her with a slightly angry tone, "If you're wrong, I won't let you off."

The boy smiled and said, "Do as I told you, and you'll see the results."

Mi Hu finished her meal in a gloomy mood, then hurriedly said goodbye to Liu Jington. Before leaving, she added, "This weekend, come to my place to pick up the computer and the contract. I'll treat you to a meal; I don't want to owe you anything."

If Liu Jington were really fourteen years old, he wouldn't have understood the meaning of her words, but with the soul of a college student, Liu Jington easily caught the undertone. Watching Mi Hu's back, he smiled silently.

When Mi Hu returned to the office, the entire editorial department stood up and gave her a warm round of applause. The chief editor poked his head out of his office and waved, "Mi Hu, come to my office."

Mi Hu smiled and thanked everyone, then walked into the chief editor's office. No one noticed the complex look in her eyes, nor the complex look in another pair of eyes in the office.

"Chief editor, we have a mole in our editorial department." Mi Hu entered the chief editor's office, her smile fading, and she got straight to the point.

Zhou Daoran's face remained calm as he pointed to a chair and said, "Sit down first."

Mi Hu looked at the chief editor in confusion and sat down.

"Mi Hu, have you ever considered that this might be a trap?" Zhou Daoran looked at Mi Hu without any emotion, "I mean, from start to finish, this could be a setup, a counterintelligence operation."

Mi Hu firmly said, "Impossible, he has already posted to refute the rumors and explained things for me."

Zhou Daoran chuckled and said, "Right, a series of traps."

"Why can't you believe him?" Mi Hu raised her voice, and her voice carried to the editorial department, where everyone looked puzzled, thinking the issue was already resolved.

"How long have you been in this society? Have you ever experienced a real business war? Don't tell me you've only read about it in novels; that's too naive. I can tell you, it's a battle where they eat you and don't even spit out the bones."

The chief editor was also angry, and his words floated out of the office, making the entire editorial department suddenly quiet. Everyone started whispering, guessing the reason for the argument between the chief editor and Mi Hu.

"You started by saying he framed me, I went to find him and had him post an explanation, and now you say he's setting a series of traps. You never believed him from the beginning. You've never even met him, and you're making judgments based on your own experience. Are you saying we should just give up on this author?" Mi Hu said, feeling wronged.

"I can't afford to take that risk. Think about it, from the beginning, has he acted like a fourteen-year-old?" Zhou Daoran said with a hint of disappointment, "Mi Hu, you're too emotional."

"I believe him, I just believe him!" Mi Hu called out with a sob, then ran out of the office. At the door, she turned back and said, "If the chief editor insists on his arbitrary judgment and refuses to trust others, then fire me too."

"Bang!" A dull sound, Zhou Daoran stood up and pointed at Mi Hu, shouting, "What are you saying? Are you threatening me?"

Mi Hu didn't respond and walked away.

"Do you think *The Great Jianghu* can't function without you? You're too arrogant. Go to HR and process your resignation tomorrow!" Zhou Daoran issued the dismissal order to Mi Hu's back.

The editors in the department were stunned. What was this sudden turn of events? Tang Nan was about to get up to chase after Mi Hu but heard the chief editor say, "Whoever wants to chase, go together!"

Tang Nan stuck out his tongue and sat back down.

Another "bang," the chief editor slammed the office door and pulled down the blinds. Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared to ask why.

Half an hour after Zhou Daoran and Mi Hu's argument, the innkeeper finally appeared. However, he didn't challenge Gu Yongsheng but wrote an apology post, stating that he was only reasonably questioning and had no intention of framing anyone. Since the party involved had come forward to explain, the truth was revealed, and his mission was accomplished. Therefore, he decided to close his account and would never appear on the *Jianghu* forum again. He even pretended to wish Gu Yongsheng's new work success.

This response disappointed the forum users. Just as the climax was about to arrive, one side suddenly backed down, which was a real letdown. Gu Yongsheng's defense against the operational's questioning was easily broken, and a few troublemakers tried to stir things up, but the innkeeper stuck to his word and didn't show up.

Another user speculated that this was all a publicity stunt by *The Great Jianghu*, and this post gained some attention, but it didn't cause a big stir.

The first rain of April came unexpectedly. Mi Hu stood by the large window, holding a cup of milk, looking down at the crisscrossing roads below. She lived on the sixth floor, with a good view. The spring rain fell steadily, like countless threads connecting heaven and earth. The streetlights in the rain looked so dim and lonely. Mi Hu took a sip of milk, and a young, innocent face suddenly appeared in her mind, along with the strange words: "For you, a thousand times over."

"Really, what a brat, saying such nonsense." Mi Hu spat, but a strange feeling stirred in her heart, and a faint smile appeared on her face. At that moment, her phone rang.

"Hello, Brother Nan..."

The first call was from Tang Nan. He expressed concern about the argument between her and the chief editor and said he would wait for the chief editor to calm down and then join other editors to plead for her. After hanging up with Tang Nan, Mi Hu felt relieved.

Then a few more editors called, mostly offering comfort and encouragement. Mi Hu's mood became conflicted and complex, and she felt a bit guilty.

"It's all his fault, what nonsense about luring the snake out of the hole. Where's the snake?" Mi Hu muttered to herself, and her phone rang again.

"Editor Kuang," Mi Hu answered the call out of habit, "I didn't expect you to call too."

"Yes, you are a key talent in our editorial department. If you're wronged, we naturally have to show concern." Kuang Heng's voice came from the phone.

"Thank you."

"No problem. So, are you really deciding to leave *The Great Jianghu*?"

Mi Hu's heart skipped a beat. She coughed and said, "Brother Nan said he would join you and the other editors to plead for me, but I think..." Mi Hu sighed, "I think if the chief editor doesn't change his attitude, I probably won't be able to return."

"The chief editor has always been good to you. This isn't a big deal. Lower your head, admit your mistake, and we'll plead for you. As for Gu Yongsheng, it's better to let him go. You can't let an author ruin your future, right?"

Mi Hu sat on the sofa, picked up a cushion, and hugged it, saying, "This is a matter of principle. He is stuck in his ways and stubborn. The magazine will find it hard to break out of its困境."

After a brief silence, Kuang Heng sighed, "Yes..."

The next morning, the rain had just cleared, and the sun shone through the clouds, casting a golden glow. Early-rising office workers carried their bags, breakfast, and soy milk, hurrying along. The bus stop was crowded with men and women waiting for the bus, and those with cars occasionally glanced at the anxious people at the stop, feeling a sense of superiority...

Kuang Heng had joined *The Great Jianghu* as an editor four years ago, witnessing the magazine's most glorious period. Later, Xue Muliang and Han Shuo emerged and started their own magazines, leading *The Great Jianghu* into decline. However, Han Shuo had a falling out with his investor, and the magazine was suspended after only two issues. Xue Muliang's *Ding Xiaoshuo* quickly rose to prominence.

*The Great Jianghu* had undergone several personnel changes, and Kuang Heng and a new batch of young editors were promoted to chief editors.

Today, Kuang Heng was in a good mood. The long-planned project was about to bear fruit, and he had an unexpected gain. He left the KFC after breakfast with a smile on his face.

It was a ten-minute walk to the company, but as he stepped into the editorial department, he was stunned by the scene in front of him.

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