Chapter 850 - 869: Since You Can’t Avoid It, Then Don’t Avoid It
Chapter 850: Chapter 869: Since You Can’t Avoid It, Then Don’t Avoid It
Things were gradually taking a turn for the worse.
"Let’s push back the lunch break by an hour." Earlier, Wanxing had compiled all the information on recent events and sent it to their four-person group chat. Jiang Qiuqiu, having some free time, had read through the chat history multiple times. "Little President Qian, let’s have a meeting with Wanxing."
As soon as the joint comms connected, Wanxing’s voice rang out. "Even if you two hadn’t initiated the call, I would have.
"This morning, the operations department has been monitoring the news online. They kept posting to try and regain some traction, but it’s completely useless.
"The posts and replies we sent out clearly have high engagement, but they just won’t trend. I suspect we’re being targeted by the Star Network itself."
As soon as those words fell, the atmosphere in the call grew heavy.
Getting a Federation News platform to halt an interview was one thing, but pulling strings within the Star Network to suppress posts was on an entirely different level.
"It’s not just that," Qiuqiu said. "Little President Qian has been getting ’special treatment’ here on Q3 as well."
Previously, as an investor, he had been quite popular with many companies and organizations. Borrowing a Treatment Pod from a hospital shouldn’t have been a problem at all. Yet, he hadn’t been able to borrow one and had even been bluntly rejected.
They showed no regard for his reputation.
"I believe the higher-ups of Q3 want to do more than just fight a public relations war with me."
Initially, they thought the ban Ting Mo mentioned only meant Jiang Qiuqiu was blacklisted by Federation News. Now, it seemed the scope of the ban extended across the entire Star Network.
When Jiang Qiuqiu first started her free clinics, she hadn’t intended to get involved in so much trouble.
For one, she wanted to use higher-intensity training to solidify her Sea of Spirit Power, stimulating herself to see if she could break through from A+ to S in one fell swoop. The other reason was the belief that when one had the capability, one should give back to others.
She knew Q3 Planet was unregulated. Seeing such a long queue upon arrival, she knew what to expect, just as she had been mentally prepared after hearing Qian Xingxing describe the situation beforehand.
However, neither Qiuqiu nor Little President Qian had ever planned to use public opinion to bluntly clash with a specific planet—or rather, the unspoken rules governing all Numbered Planets.
Little President Qian wanted to change the current state of the interstellar society and promote equality for all, but he wasn’t the one who should be shouting such slogans. He had a corporation behind him and many employees under his command. While pursuing his ideals, he also had to be responsible for everyone. Statements like that should come from a council member.
Like the older generation, after gaining wealth, Little President Qian had discussed with Qiuqiu about establishing relations with a "council member." They wanted to quietly have their own thoughts voiced by those at the center of power.
Jiang Qiuqiu had also agreed that this was the best course of action. But she never expected that a single interview would trigger such a massive chain reaction.
Before coming for the free clinic, Qiuqiu had specifically consulted Dean Zhu, who also felt there wouldn’t be any major issues. Yet, no one could have anticipated that Xiao Xiao’s interview, its sudden viral popularity, and the posts from eagle-eyed netizens would unwittingly thrust Qiuqiu into the center of public discourse and place her in direct opposition to Q3.
It was hard to say who was right or wrong, or who had been reckless; it was simply a series of too many coincidences. Besides, the deed was done. They were now facing the boss monster head-on.
"It was my decision that lacked foresight," Jiang Qiuqiu said. "But we have no way back, and we can’t afford to retreat. Blindly backing down will only lead to losing more ground."
"Qiuqiu, saying that completely dismisses my role as a decision-maker. I agreed to this as well." Little President Qian also sighed. "Let’s not dwell on the past. What’s done is done. We need to focus on the present."
Wanxing asked, "What do we do now? Post on Q3? Seize the narrative?"
"No." Qiuqiu was very calm. "We have another way."