Chapter 146: Chapter 146: Negotiating with Xu Li

In the photo, Gu Qinghuan’s calm and radiant smile made anyone who saw it feel refreshed and at ease.

Zhong Luoning leaned in for a look as well. “Our Huanhuan is really beautiful.”

“Haha, that reporter really knows how to take pictures…” Gu Qinghuan started to say, but then suddenly remembered something.

“That’s right, the reporter! How could I forget about him?

Xu Huaian, do you remember that reporter Xu Li who interviewed me when we first came to Beijing? He said he was from the People’s Daily and even left us his contact information!

Talk about a pillow when you’re sleepy—this is perfect timing, isn’t it? Why bother looking for other newspapers? Let’s go find him first! If we can get our story into a People’s Daily column, I’d like to see who still dares to protect Xu Jianguo.”

“Sure, I think the address is still in your bag. Let’s go check it out.”

The two of them acted right away, quickly tidied up, and headed out to find him.

Fortunately, Zhong Luoning was still at home to look after the kids. The little ones were all well-behaved, and Yuran always listened to her mother, so Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian felt at ease leaving the three children with her as they went out.

Meanwhile, Xu Li was riding high these days. Ever since he came back from his business trip and handed in the article he’d written based on the material he’d accidentally photographed at the train station, things had been going his way. The editor-in-chief immediately recognized the educational value of his piece and decided to put it on the front page.

Xu Li had been at the newspaper for a few years, always handling marginal stories that ended up in the corners of the paper. He’d never really had a chance to take the lead before!

His colleagues were all green with envy.

Recently, the editor-in-chief had been paying special attention to him, believing that Xu Li had a keen eye for the stories in everyday life. He’d already gotten a raise, and a promotion seemed just around the corner.

For today’s big release, he’d stayed up late the night before, confirming the layout with the printing department before finally going home to rest. Naturally, he got up late the next morning.

As he was humming a tune and getting ready to head to work, he happened to run into Xu Huaian and Gu Qinghuan, who had come looking for him.

His lucky star! Xu Li spotted Gu Qinghuan right away. “Comrade Gu, long time no see! What a pleasure!”

Xu Li reached out his hand eagerly, his eyes sparkling. He wasn’t married yet, and had no resistance to a woman like Gu Qinghuan, who combined beauty and intelligence.

It was just a pity she was already married.

Xu Huaian didn’t like anyone coveting Gu Qinghuan. Without missing a beat, he gripped Xu Li’s hand firmly. “Reporter Xu, nice to meet you!”

Don’t think he hadn’t noticed the way this reporter was practically drooling over Gu Qinghuan.

Xu Li sighed inwardly, a little disappointed, but maintained his composure. “So, you two came to see me today? Is there something I can help with?”

Gu Qinghuan didn’t notice the subtle exchange between the two men.

“Reporter Xu, could we find somewhere to sit and talk?”

Xu Li checked his watch. “Could you wait a moment? I need to go in and take care of something first. Let’s meet in the small park out front in ten minutes.”

Gu Qinghuan had no objections.

The two of them strolled toward the small park, discussing how best to negotiate with Xu Li to maximize their advantage.

At the same time, Xu Jianguo, who had just been released from the police station, returned home feeling more and more stifled. He couldn’t swallow this humiliation.

He quickly used his connections at the Revolutionary Committee to find out Gu Qinghuan’s address.

Xu Jianguo gathered a few Red Guards he knew and prepared to go cause trouble at her place.

Xu’s mother and father, after their son’s recent arrest, were actually frightened. They realized that no matter how capable Xu Jianguo was, he couldn’t cover the sky with one hand. They advised him to let it go, divorce Zhong Luoning, find another woman, and start over—maybe have another son or daughter.

They were getting old and didn’t want any more trouble.

But Xu Jianguo wouldn’t listen. All he could think about was revenge.

Gu Qinghuan and Zhong Luoning had gotten him thrown in the police station for two days, humiliating him completely. He had to get his dignity back.

He was no longer the small fry who used to grovel and curry favor just to climb the social ladder.

After Fang Zhihai hung up the phone, he thought for a moment and made another call.

“Chen Jiadong! What’s going on over there? I just got a report that you released a troublemaker and a black sheep? Do you even know what you’re doing?”

“Leader! I had no choice. The Revolutionary Committee put a lot of pressure on us to protect Xu Jianguo. We didn’t dare go against them,” Chen Jiadong replied, aggrieved.

He was caught in the middle, stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“Damn the Revolutionary Committee! They’re the real lunatics, always causing trouble and making a mess of things.

Don’t worry about them. I’ll handle those bastards. You just follow procedure—do what needs to be done!

Aren’t they the ones who love organizing rallies, denunciations, and big-character posters? Give that Xu guy the same treatment—he’s a homewrecker who’s ruined his own family, a real scumbag, worse than an animal.”

Fang Zhihai’s words reassured Chen Jiadong.

“With your support, I’m relieved. We’ll do things by the book, don’t worry.”

Fang Zhihai made another call, this time to pressure the Revolutionary Committee.

And just like that, the matter was settled.

Gu Qinghuan, unaware that Tang Zhenye had already helped resolve their trouble with a single phone call, was still negotiating with Xu Li.

Gu Qinghuan wanted to use Xu Li to expose Xu Jianguo’s scandal and utterly ruin his reputation.

“Comrade Gu, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but you know that the People’s Daily usually only reports positive news. Stories about family scandals aren’t really suitable for our paper. I doubt our editor-in-chief would approve it.

Besides, this isn’t just an ordinary family scandal—it could even have political implications. The Revolutionary Committee might come after us,” Xu Li said honestly. He didn’t dare touch this hot potato.

“Reporter Xu, this news is a double-edged sword. If used well, it could be a huge boost for you.

I have solid evidence of Xu Jianguo’s misconduct—irrefutable proof.

I’ve even thought of a headline for you: ‘Why Does the Revolutionary Committee Harbor Homewreckers and Oppress the People?’

Seeing is believing. With this evidence, you can become champions of justice. I believe this would greatly enhance the influence of the People’s Daily.

This is a win-win situation!” Gu Qinghuan spoke eloquently, going straight for the jugular.

It had to be said, Xu Li was extremely tempted.

He hadn’t spent years at the paper for nothing—his news instincts were sharp, even if his writing skills were a bit lacking.

He knew that if this article was done right, it would have a huge impact. The first newspaper to take on the Revolutionary Committee would be remembered by the public.

And it really was a sure win. He’d seen the photos—they were shocking and damning.

“Comrade Gu, how about this? I’m just a small fry—I can’t make the decision myself. I need to discuss it with my editor-in-chief and get back to you,” Xu Li said, clearly interested but unable to promise.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t push him for an immediate answer, but applied subtle pressure: “No problem, that’s only right. But I do need you to decide quickly—this is urgent. I’ve already contacted a few other newspapers this afternoon. Whoever is willing to report the truth will get the story.”

The implication was clear: You’re not my only option.

Xu Li immediately felt anxious and took one of the photos from her.

“Comrade Gu, do you have a phone? If not, just leave me your address. As soon as we make a decision, I’ll come find you. Could you hold off on contacting other papers for now? I’ll do my best to make this happen,” Xu Li said, more and more convinced that this story was worth reporting. He didn’t want to let this juicy scoop slip away.

Seeing that the fish had bitten, Gu Qinghuan relaxed.

“Alright! But you have to be quick—get back to me before two this afternoon.” She gave him the address of the villa and left.

Xu Li immediately took the photo to his editor-in-chief.

Xu Huaian looked at Gu Qinghuan in amazement.

He’d never realized how skilled she was at negotiating—just a few words and Xu Li was dancing to her tune. She controlled the entire pace of the conversation.

And Xu Li was a reporter, after all.

“What’s wrong? Impressed by my skills? Piece of cake! Haha, don’t worship me—I’m just a legend,” Gu Qinghuan said, striking a playful pose.

Xu Huaian smiled indulgently.

Their original plan was to try a few different newspapers to test the waters, but since they’d run into Xu Li—and the People’s Daily was the best option—they decided to put all their eggs in this basket for now.

With that settled, they hurried home.

Zhong Luoning was still sick, and there were three kids at home—they couldn’t help but worry.

After Chen Jiadong got off the phone, he discussed with his team what excuse they could use to arrest Xu Jianguo again. Having just released him, it would look bad to take him back in so soon—it might seem like they were being arbitrary.

This moment of hesitation gave Xu Jianguo his chance.

He gathered five or six Red Guards he was close to and, under the banner of criticizing the bourgeois reactionary line, swaggered over to Gu Qinghuan’s villa.

The Red Guards wore green military caps and uniforms, belts strapped around their waists, and Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book in hand—a comical sight.

Over the years, they’d run wild, smashing up government offices and factories, labeling old revolutionaries, intellectuals, and even leaders as reactionaries, stirring up the masses to denounce and humiliate them.

People who saw them coming would hide in fear, while the Red Guards just laughed, feeling all the more powerful.

Bang! Bang!

The violent pounding on the door startled Zhong Luoning inside, making her jump like a startled bird. She was all too familiar with this kind of hostile knocking."