I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 233 Zhao Ming Continues Investigation

Zhao Ming decided to continue his investigation, believing there must be a bigger secret behind this bun shop. He led his team to re-examine all the information, trying to find new clues.

"Zhao Ming, I found some new information." A team member came over, holding a document. "I discovered that Zhang Wanqing's bun shop underwent a large-scale renovation ten years ago."

"Large-scale renovation?" Zhao Ming was slightly stunned, then nodded. "Interesting, go on."

"That renovation took place shortly after Old Man Li left," a team member said with a slight smile, excitement in his eyes. "The renovation included replacing equipment, redecorating, and even hiring a professional chef to provide guidance."

"Professional chef?" Zhao Ming was slightly stunned, then nodded. "Interesting, let's keep looking."

"Okay." The team members responded and continued to work.

Zhao Ming picked up the document and read it carefully. It contained a detailed record of the renovation, including the time, content, and cost. He knew that this renovation might be the key.

"Zhao Ming, do you really want to continue investigating?" Li Hua's voice came from the door, interrupting his thoughts.

"Of course." Zhao Ming said with a grin.

Zhao Ming led his team to the former site of Zhang Wanqing's bun shop, trying to find traces of the renovation. They carefully examined every corner, not missing any details.

"Zhao Ming, look at this." A team member pointed to a tile in the corner, his eyes full of excitement. "This tile is different from the others. It might have been replaced later."

"Interesting." Zhao Ming smiled slightly, his eyes showing excitement. "Keep investigating."

They carefully pried open the tile and found a small iron box. Zhao Ming opened the box and found a yellowed note inside.

"What is this?" Zhao Ming was slightly stunned, then unfolded the piece of paper. On it was a line of words: "The real secret recipe is here."

"The real secret recipe?" Zhao Ming was slightly stunned, then nodded, "Interesting, keep looking."

They continued searching the old site and eventually found an old notebook in a hidden corner. Zhao Ming opened the notebook and found some secret recipes and experiences about making steamed buns.

Zhao Ming returned to the newspaper office with his team and began compiling the results of his investigation. He knew that this discovery could cause an even bigger sensation.

Zhang Wanqing sat in a corner of the bun shop, her eyes fixed on the newspaper in her hands. Zhao Ming's latest report took up an entire page, its headline blaring and eye-catching: "The Shocking Secret of a Century-Old Bun Shop." Her fingers gently stroked the paper, as if she could sense Zhao Ming's pride and defiance.

"Wanqing, don't take it too seriously." Mom's voice came from the kitchen, a hint of comfort. "Our bun shop relies on real ingredients. Those groundless accusations won't affect us."

Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly and nodded, but there was a hint of determination in her eyes: "Mom, I know. But this report may have a greater impact on our business. I can't just sit back and watch."

"Then what do you want to do?" Dad came over with a cup of hot tea in his hand, a look of concern in his eyes.

"I've decided to delve into Zhao Ming's background and find his weaknesses." Zhang Wanqing raised her head, her eyes filled with determination. "He keeps making groundless accusations like this. I can't let him continue like this."

"That's a good idea." Fu Siyuan came over, notebook in hand, his eyes showing seriousness, "We can start with his past and see if he has any evidence."

"Okay." Zhang Wanqing nodded, her eyes revealing a determination. "Let's act immediately."

Zhang Wanqing, Fu Siyuan, and Li Wei immediately sprang into action. They began investigating Zhao Ming's background through various channels. Fu Siyuan, leveraging his journalistic resources, contacted the newspaper where Zhao Ming had previously worked; Li Wei, through his own connections, sought to uncover Zhao Ming's past; and Zhang Wanqing was responsible for organizing the clues, ensuring that no detail was missed.

"Siyuan, do you have any clues?" Zhang Wanqing sat in front of the computer, staring intently at the information on the screen, and asked Fu Siyuan who was on the phone.

"Well, I contacted the newspaper where Zhao Ming used to work, and they said that Zhao Ming had been complained about because of a report." Fu Siyuan put down the phone and said with a frown, "The report involved a company's commercial secrets, and Zhao Ming was accused of misconduct."

"Inappropriate behavior?" Zhang Wanqing was slightly stunned, then nodded. "Interesting, let's continue investigating."

"I've made some progress here too." Li Wei pulled a slip of paper from his pocket with several names and phone numbers written on it. "I asked a few people, and they all said that Zhao Ming used to do whatever he wanted to achieve news impact."

"Any means necessary?" Zhang Wanqing frowned slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes. "Then do we have any evidence?"

"I'm investigating." Fu Siyuan smiled slightly, his eyes revealing confidence. "As long as we can find solid evidence, Zhao Ming will have nowhere to hide."

"We can't let him continue like this," said Zhang Wanqing.

A few days later, Zhang Wanqing and the other two finally found some key clues. Fu Siyuan contacted Zhao Ming's former colleagues and learned that Zhao Ming did have some unknown behaviors at work.

"Zhao Ming often resorted to unscrupulous means to achieve news impact at work," a former colleague said over the phone. "He once fabricated facts and even threatened interviewees to dig up dirt."

"Fabricating facts?" Zhang Wanqing was slightly stunned, then nodded, "This is outrageous."

"Yeah," the former colleague sighed. "He's willing to sacrifice his professional ethics for fame."

"Are there any specific examples?" Fu Siyuan asked.

"Yes," the former colleague thought for a moment, then said, "Once, he reported on a company's financial problems, and the company sued him. Although he ultimately won the case, many people questioned his actions."

"That's great." Fu Siyuan smiled slightly, his eyes full of excitement. "We have solid evidence."

"Okay." Zhang Wanqing nodded, her eyes revealing a firmness. "We will immediately organize these materials and prepare for publication."

Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan then began to sort out these clues and prepare to write a report to expose Zhao Ming's misconduct. They recorded Zhao Ming's misconduct in detail and attached relevant evidence and witness testimony.

"Editor-in-chief, this is our report on Zhao Ming." Fu Siyuan handed the manuscript to the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, with anticipation in his eyes.

"Well, it's very well written," said the editor-in-chief.

"Thank you, editor-in-chief." Fu Siyuan said.

"Siyuan, you've done an excellent job since you came to the newspaper. I'm very satisfied with you and have decided to enter you for this year's journalism award."

"Editor-in-chief, why am I the only one here? Isn't Wanqing here?" Fu Siyuan asked.

“Um…yes, it’s just you,” the editor replied.

"But the manuscript was completed by both of us...he..." Fu Siyuan was a little excited.

"Siyuan, please go out first." The editor-in-chief interrupted Fu Siyuan.

Fu Siyuan had no choice but to leave the editor-in-chief's office.