I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

Chapter 237 Zhao Ming publicly apologizes

After the report on Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan came out, a new one-sided trend appeared on the Internet. Netizens turned from supporting Zhao Ming to supporting Zhang Wanqing's family. It was really a case of everyone pushing when the wall falls.

Social media was flooded with condemnations and questioning, and many people sympathized with Zhang Wanqing's bun shop.

"Zhao Ming's report is so untrue," one netizen wrote on social media. "He fabricated facts to achieve news impact. This behavior is so unethical."

"I think Zhang Wanqing's bun shop has always been legitimate," another netizen commented. "Zhao Ming's report is too exaggerated. Maybe someone deliberately framed her."

“Yes, I’ve had it, it’s really delicious!”

"Hey, weren't you guys on Zhao Ming's side before? And you even said Zhang Wanqing's buns were made of human flesh?"

"Uh... keyboard warriors are really scary. Aren't they fence-sitters?"

"That's right. Fortunately, I didn't take sides before and let the bullets fly for a while. Otherwise, I would have been like you, wrongly accusing Zhang Wanqing's bun shop."

Online public opinion gradually shifted, with many questioning Zhao Ming's motives. Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan seized the opportunity to release more evidence, further exposing Zhao Ming's misconduct and publicly exposing his years of misconduct as a journalist.

Zhao Ming knew that if he continued to hide and didn't come forward, the incident would likely continue to escalate, and he would eventually become the target of everyone's condemnation. Not only would his career as a journalist be ruined, but he might never dare to speak publicly again.

Under pressure from all sides, Zhao Ming finally decided to make a public apology. He stood in the lobby of the newspaper office, facing numerous reporters and cameras, with a look of helplessness on his face.

"Everyone, I'm Zhao Ming." Zhao Ming smiled slightly, his eyes firm. "I'm here to publicly apologize to everyone. My recent reporting was indeed problematic. I resorted to unscrupulous means to achieve news impact, causing great trouble to Zhang Wanqing's bun shop. I offer my deepest apologies."

"Zhao Ming, you finally realized your mistake." A reporter asked with anticipation in his eyes.

"Yes." Zhao Ming smiled faintly, his eyes revealing helplessness. "I realized that sometimes, the truth is the truth, and we can't use any means to pursue news effects."

"So what will you do in the future?" another reporter asked, with curiosity in his eyes.

"I will be more cautious with every report and ensure that it is based on facts." Zhao Ming smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a determination. "I hope that through my efforts, I can let everyone see a more real world."

"Zhao Ming, is your apology sincere this time?" a reporter asked, with doubt in his eyes.

"I'm sincere." Zhao Ming smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a determination. "I hope everyone can give me a chance to prove myself again."

Zhao Ming's public apology caused a stir. Many expressed skepticism, but others expressed understanding. Zhang Wanqing and her family felt somewhat relieved after seeing Zhao Ming's apology.

"Zhao Ming finally apologized, but we can't take it lightly. We still need to continue to pay attention to his movements and make sure he doesn't do something similar again," said Fu Siyuan.

While Zhao Ming's public apology temporarily calmed the situation, Zhang Wanqing's bun shop's reputation hasn't fully recovered. Many customers remain concerned about its safety, and business is declining. Zhang Wanqing and her family are seeing this and are anxious.

"Wanqing, this isn't a solution." Fu Siyuan sat in the corner of the bun shop, a hint of worry in his eyes. "We must find a way to regain our customers' trust in us."

"I feel the same way. We can't just sit there and watch business decline," Li Wei said in agreement.

"Then do you have any good ideas?" Zhang Wanqing said with a slight frown.

"I've come up with an idea. We can hold a 'transparent kitchen' event, inviting customers to visit the bun production process and let them see with their own eyes how our buns are made." Fu Siyuan smiled slightly, his eyes revealing confidence.

"Transparent kitchen?" Zhang Wanqing was slightly stunned, then nodded. "That's a good idea. It will allow customers to understand our production process more intuitively."

"Yes, we can also invite some well-known bloggers and media to visit, let them take pictures, generate traffic online, and expand the influence of the event." Fu Siyuan said.

"Then let's start preparing right away." Zhang Wanqing said expectantly.

So, the three of them immediately took action. They used various channels to invite customers, bloggers, and media to see the bun shop's production process. At the same time, they also prepared some promotional materials detailing the shop's history and production process.

A week before the event, Fu Siyuan and Li Wei got busy. They contacted local bloggers and media outlets, inviting them to visit the bun-making process. They also posted previews of the event on social media, attracting a large number of customers.

"Wanqing, look at this." Fu Siyuan held up his phone, a hint of excitement on his face. "A lot of people have already signed up for the event."

"That's great." Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a sense of relief. "Our efforts have not been in vain."

"By the way, we also need to prepare some promotional materials," Li Wei said, his tone revealing a seriousness. "Detailed introduction to the history and production process of the bun shop will help customers get to know us better."

The day before the event, everything was ready. Fu Siyuan and Li Wei stood at the door of the bun shop, with a hint of anticipation on their faces.

"Wanqing, see if there is anything else you need to prepare." Fu Siyuan said.

"I think it's almost done. Siyuan, Li Wei, what do you think? Lin Yue and Chenchen will come to help tomorrow." Zhang Wanqing said.

"We have made sufficient preparations and believe that the event will be a success. Wanqing, I am here. If anything happens, we will deal with it flexibly!" said Fu Siyuan.

"Hey, buddy, don't be like this. Every time it's you and Wanqing doing this and that, but what about me? Aren't we the iron triangle? I'm just the light bulb for you two!" Li Wei joked.

"No, no, Li Wei, the three of us are the iron triangle. Wanqing and I are just good friends. You are not a light bulb." Fu Siyuan quickly explained.

Zhang Wanqing, who was standing by, felt a sudden sense of disappointment when she heard Fu Siyuan say this, but it was also expected. She pretended to be calm as usual and said, "Well... yes, Siyuan and I are just... good friends..."