What should be done to break this stalemate?
Su Wanran felt a surge of despair.
Su Ru, calmer, said, "The only way to deal with all schemes and tricks is to investigate the truth clearly, present facts, and cite evidence. As long as everything is explained and it's proven that Wu Lingxuan did it, then we'll be innocent!"
Easier said than done.
Moreover, with things having escalated to this extent, could the truth truly be uncovered?
By then, it would likely become a "he said, she said" situation, turning into a "Rashomon" and ending in utter chaos.
Lu Ming stated, "It's still possible to clarify the truth now, but it's impossible to make the general public believe the truth. Even if we uncover the truth, people won't want to believe it. Because Wu Lingxuan's 'living bodhisattva' reputation is too solid, coupled with her current status as the 'underdog,' this double buff makes her almost invincible."
Even Lu Ming said so; it seemed there was truly no solution.
Su Wanran sighed heavily, "Is the Su family beyond saving?"
No.
There was still hope.
Lu Ming said, "The most important things now are two: First, was this incident really caused by Wu Lingxuan? Second, compensation."
Su Wanran looked bewildered, "Didn't you just say the public won't believe the truth? Then what's the point of us investigating?"
Lu Ming shook his head, "We're not trying to make the public believe; we're trying to be clear ourselves. Although all evidence points to Wu Lingxuan, we still need to confirm it! Remember, before you deal with an enemy, the first thing you need to do is confirm whether the person you're dealing with is indeed your enemy. Otherwise, it'll be a tragedy if you find out later that the enemy wasn't your enemy at all."
Investigating the truth, not to make the public believe, but to confirm your true enemy!
Su Wanran nodded, "Then what about compensation?"
Lu Ming explained, "It's like playing a game. Due to the developer's operational errors, players suffered losses, and they were all complaining. However, as long as the developer is sincere and provides adequate compensation, the players will choose to forgive. Not only will they forgive, but they'll even be happy!"
While it couldn't be generalized, the basic principle was understandable.
As long as compensation is adequate, it can often make up for mistakes.
Lu Ming continued, "Since the Wu family has already stated they will compensate all victims for their medical expenses, we cannot follow suit. We must take a differentiated approach, and we must make the victims sincerely convinced!"
Everyone looked confused; Lu Ming's words seemed a bit profound.
It was actually very simple.
It meant that the public shouldn't feel like the Su family was just going through the motions, doing the same thing as the Wu family, completely copying them without any genuine attitude!
Su Ru asked, "Then how specifically should we compensate to show we have attitude?"
Jiang Mengxin was more direct, asking, "Do we need to increase the compensation amount?"
In their minds, as long as the money paid was enough, the victim's family would be satisfied.
Wrong!
Lu Ming immediately negated their idea.
He said, "Just giving money is useless. If a loved one dies due to food poisoning, or suffers severe after-effects, no amount of money can bring them back."
Uh...
Jiang Mengxin was confused, "Then how do you propose we compensate?"
Lu Ming held up three fingers and said, "For compensation to the victims' families, I have thought of three points. First, absolutely no one will be allowed to die from this incident! Even leaving after-effects is not allowed! Our Su family guarantees to treat and rehabilitate all victims."
Everyone was stunned for a moment; this was too difficult.
However, it was still feasible, at least more reliable than Lu Ming's second point.
Lu Ming continued, "Second, for all victims of food poisoning, if they have other difficult-to-cure illnesses, our Su family will also guarantee to cure them!"
Good heavens.
This was insane!
If the other party had a common cold or fever, it would be easy to treat; but if they had uremia or cancer, how could you guarantee a cure?
Su Wanran was dumbfounded, "Lu Ming, are you talking nonsense?"
If this was actually said and executed, the future of the Su family would be truly uncertain.
If they won this gamble and truly cured all the victims' difficult-to-cure illnesses, then the Su family would soar to new heights. The victims wouldn't only not blame the Su family, but they might even thank them and present them with banners.
But if they failed.
Then, I'm sorry, the Su family would be plunged into eternal damnation!
This was entirely a gamble.
And it wasn't over yet; there was a third point.
Lu Ming continued, "Also, since the Wu family is covering all medical expenses, our Su family cannot be left out completely. So, for whatever medical expenses the victims incurred, our Su family will provide double the cash refund!"
Tangible cash was more reliable than anything else.
With these three points, would any victim still be unsatisfied?
First, you're guaranteed not to die, nor will you have any after-effects.
Second, if you have other illnesses, they will be cured along with it.
Third, double the medical expenses will be refunded in cash!
Listing these three points made Su Wanran's scalp tingle, and she gnashed her teeth.
She stared at these three points and slowly said, "The compensation in the third point is actually acceptable; this amount of money isn't a big deal for our Su family. But the first two points, especially the second one, are difficult. If this truly succeeds, the Su family's reputation won't collapse but will rebound against all odds! But if it goes wrong, the Su family might be utterly ruined."
A gamble.
Su Wanran's palms were covered in sweat.
Su Ru and Jiang Mengxin fell silent, quietly watching Su Wanran, as she was the head of the family and the only one with decision-making power.
After a long silence, Su Wanran couldn't make up her mind.
Lu Ming saw her predicament and said, "Don't agonize over it too much. Leave it all to me. For the next period, I will do nothing else but wholeheartedly help the victims with their treatment, ensuring everyone recovers their health. If I fail, Wanran, you can sacrifice me, abandon the pawn to save the king, and use me to secure the Su family's stability."
"No!" Su Wanran looked up at Lu Ming, her eyes much clearer. She smiled and said, "If you fail, I, Su Wanran, will step down as the head of the Su family and leave Wudu forever, never to return. I, Su Wanran, will stake my future on this, so you can go all out!"
Her willingness to say this proved one thing: Su Wanran was truly kind.
Su Ru couldn't help but applaud and say, "I say, Wanran, you are more deserving of the title 'living bodhisattva' than that hypocritical Wu Lingxuan!"
Haha.
Su Wanran stood up with a laugh, "Since the plan is set, let's take action. I will go and speak to the victim's families who are blocking the door now and give them a satisfactory promise!"
Furthermore.
Lu Ming said, "Leave the investigation of the truth to me. Tonight, I will determine if Wu Lingxuan is the mastermind. I will find out who the enemy is!"