Chapter 84

Chapter 32: Online Exposure

While various parties were anxiously discussing the handling of the sudden "oil gate" incident, Lin Feng was not idle. This incident was both an opportunity and a crisis.

The detection of the carcinogen "arsenic" in the frying oil used by global 500 companies McDonald's and KFC, but not in his Start Fast Food chain, would greatly help in establishing a good brand image for Start Fast Food in the hearts of the people. However, it also meant that his Start Fast Food would become a target for criticism.

Lin Feng knew that McDonald's and KFC used oil filtration powder to extend the life of the frying oil, but this inevitably led to the presence of carcinogens. Only by strictly adhering to food regulations and changing the frying oil every six hours could the presence of carcinogens be completely eliminated. However, doing so would significantly increase costs, and the so-called highly profitable fast food industry would enter an era of slim profits.

This was a difficult decision for Lin Feng. If he continued to change the frying oil every six hours, the monthly net profit of a single branch would not exceed 2000 yuan, and the flagship store's net profit would be only 1000 yuan. The input-to-output ratio was completely disproportionate. This was also the reason why McDonald's and KFC used oil filtration powder.

Lin Feng now faced a choice between morality and profit, and he could only choose one.

Liu Yingying knew about Lin Feng's dilemma, but she was powerless to help. This was not something she could decide or offer an opinion on. Now that Start Fast Food had gained recognition, the pile of franchise contracts waiting to be signed was thick. This decision would directly affect the future development model and direction of Start Fast Food. A slight misstep could destroy the brand that had been built up with great effort.

Just as Lin Feng was hesitating, Wang Yun secretly called him.

"Lin Feng, I'm sorry, but today's report won't be broadcasted," Wang Yun said in a low voice.

"What do you mean? Why won't it be broadcasted?" Lin Feng frowned.

"It seems to be an order from the city. It just won't be broadcasted. Also, don't tell anyone about this, or I'll be in trouble," Wang Yun warned.

"Okay, I understand," Lin Feng thought for a moment and realized this was another cover-up policy by the city leaders, who wanted to keep things under wraps until the heat died down.

However, could they still cover it up now? The public had the right to know, especially when it came to matters concerning their health. It was shocking that the city leaders, in order to protect foreign investors, would disregard the lives of the people. This deeply touched Lin Feng's moral底线, and he made his decision.

"Wang Yun, do you still have the tape?" Lin Feng asked anxiously.

"The tape was taken by Director Meng, but I secretly made a copy," Wang Yun said. As the host of "Chu Tian Style," she had seen many tragic lives of the people and had a soft heart. She strongly disagreed with the city's actions and thus kept a copy.

"Can you give me the tape?" Lin Feng asked.

"What do you plan to do with it?" Wang Yun knew Lin Feng's intentions but was worried about the trouble it would bring her. "If Meng Dong finds out, I'll lose my job."

"Don't worry, I'll process it. I don't want to be retaliated against by the city leaders either," Lin Feng said. He would not post the original tape online, as it would be obvious who was behind it. At that time, no matter how much Mayor Yu Hao had supported him as a local entrepreneur, he would be "handled" along with other leaders.

Wang Yun was still hesitant. Copying the tape was a matter of conscience and journalistic ethics—citizens have the right to know. But now, giving it to Lin Feng, considering his previous actions and current influence, would definitely cause a huge stir. Wang Yun had to think carefully. She was a recent college graduate who had finally found a well-paying job she loved, and she did not want to lose it easily.

Lin Feng seemed to guess Wang Yun's thoughts and smiled.

"Wang Yun, don't worry. If you lose your job because of this, I'll hire you as the PR manager of my Lin's Catering and Entertainment Company," Lin Feng offered. Given Wang Yun's popularity and reputation in Chu City, hiring her as the PR manager would be beneficial for the company.

Wang Yun was moved. Since becoming the host of "Chu Tian Style," she had seen many dark sides of society that she had never encountered or even heard of in school. This had left her deeply shaken and exhausted. If not for the sense of achievement she felt after helping the people and their heartfelt gratitude, along with the good salary, she would have resigned long ago.

After a moment of hesitation, Wang Yun still declined Lin Feng's tempting offer but agreed to give him the tape.

After obtaining the tape, Lin Feng immediately found a video editor at a photography studio. After multiple edits and cuts, the video became more blurred, but the faces and voices were still clear. After ensuring that it would not be obvious that it was the same video as the original (non-experts would not notice the discrepancies), Lin Feng, through his connection with Ma Huateng, posted it on Tencent's website.

Ma Huateng, upon seeing the video, knew it would become the most hotly discussed topic in China, and possibly internationally. He immediately ordered the technical team to place it on the homepage with the largest headline.

"Shocking! Carcinogens Found in McDonald's and KFC Frying Oil!"

Within three hours, as Chu City leaders and provincial leaders were giving instructions, and as headquarters personnel from McDonald's and KFC were being summoned, the report went viral. It received over ten million views and was shared thousands of times. Major forums all reported on the incident, and all chat rooms and QQ groups were discussing one topic:

Carcinogens were detected in the frying oil of global 500 companies McDonald's and KFC, but not in "local" fast food stores.

As netizens delved into the "oil gate" incident, they discovered that McDonald's and KFC used oil filtration powder, which led to the presence of carcinogens in the frying oil. They condemned McDonald's and KFC for their unethical practices.

At the same time, netizens highly praised Lin Feng's Start Fast Food for its people-oriented approach and concern for public health. They called on Chu City netizens to avoid McDonald's and KFC and to support Lin Feng's Start Fast Food. They also lamented that Lin Feng's Start Fast Food was not yet open to franchise applications from other regions, so that people in other areas could also enjoy safe "local" fast food.

With the widespread promotion by netizens, Lin Feng's Start Fast Food gained even more attention, with the potential to surpass McDonald's and KFC as the top fast food brand in China in terms of reputation. Of course, in terms of actual business coverage and profit, Lin Feng's Start Fast Food was still insignificant.

The sudden explosion of news on the internet did not escape the notice of the Publicity Department of Chu City, led by Minister Li. He was sweating profusely. He had watched the video and compared it with the one secretly shot by Wang Yun. Although there were similarities, there were also differences, indicating that it was not the same video. The exposure of the video meant that someone else had recorded it and posted it online.

Minister Li immediately reported to Mayor Yu Hao. Upon learning that the presence of carcinogens in McDonald's and KFC frying oil had been exposed online, Mayor Yu immediately convened a meeting to discuss how to handle the sudden incident. Naturally, the leaders who were called from various banquets were even more resentful of the Health Bureau Director Zhao, who was the instigator of this mess.

Director Zhao wished he could find a hole to hide in. Being hated by all the leaders, he was very afraid!