The "River Lady" model competition is the biggest event of the year in River City. Although grand and official in nature, it also presents an opportunity for development, especially in business and the entertainment industry. Naturally, the media world wouldn't let this "fat meat" go, and enticed by the organizer's exorbitant five hundred million yuan for public relations and promotion, companies from all over the country eagerly jumped in. In the end, Sheng Tian Culture from Huzhou, Battle Studio from River City, Confidence Media from the capital, and David Creations from abroad became the final winners of this competition. The four companies will form a collaborative alliance, fairly dividing four hundred million yuan. Then, during the PR and promotion period, the one with the best performance and results will receive the remaining one hundred million yuan as a reward.
River City Daily and its affiliated electronic fashion magazine, though not directly benefiting from this fund, will represent the government as "official media" and the organizer's "business supervisor." They will be fully involved in the event, not only for regular reporting and promotion but also to fulfill the "three guiding" roles: guiding promotion, guiding topics, and supervising business. Ping An is the specific person in charge of this "three guiding" role.
"What? I have to hang a placard from the event organizer too? What kind of damn content censor am I?"
"What? I have to review all content released by the four companies? Ancestors, can I possibly review it all myself?"
"I can fine them? That's not bad! Who gets the fines?"
"Where's the office? An's? Then I'm not going! Yes, I'll assign a representative to be stationed there long-term!"
In the River City Daily office, Ping An, sitting in his newly renovated office, hung up the phone furiously and immediately called An Jing.
"What could you not do that's better? Ten billion yuan, wouldn't it be better to build dormitories for children in the mountains? What are you doing with this 'River Lady' thing?"
"What? It was unanimously approved? I approved it too? What did I approve? Who approved it for me?"
"Wan Rou? I don't even know her! Is she another secretary you've assigned me? Can't you just get rid of my damn position?"
"What? You want to use my shares as collateral? I have stocks? How come I don't know? Oh well, I'm really annoyed by this damn event you're running anyway."
"What? I can be the general manager myself? What are you saying? Don't be angry—oh, it's your in-law's mother, Auntie? Why did you—oh, An Jing is having a physical? Oh dear, don't be angry, how was I supposed to know? Hey, hey, don't hang up, don't hang up!"
Mei Qian's mother rudely hung up the phone. Ping An pursed his lips, looking wronged like a child who's upset but trying not to cry, and reluctantly opened the files of the four companies.
"Sheng Tian Culture? Manager Duo Li? What a tacky name, couldn't they just use their real names?" "Battle Studio? Battle? Old man, didn't you retire? Didn't you say you wouldn't meddle in worldly affairs anymore? When did you open a studio?"
"Confidence Media? Well, a state-owned enterprise! Tsk, tsk, look at their file, it's all clear and concise. State-owned enterprises are reliable!"
"David Creations? Holy crap, registered in India, the third brother is here?"
After a cursory glance at the four companies he was about to manage, Ping An opened the organizer's organizational chart.
Organizer—An's International, holding sixty percent, with the final right of interpretation.
Organizer—Zizai Trading, holding forty percent, the overall apparel supplier.
Co-organizer—Angel Entertainment.
After a lot of effort, Ping An finally found the River City Daily's name at the bottom corner of the organizational chart.
"Damn it, they don't take us seriously!" Ping An's impulsive temper flared up.
At the exact same moment, less than five kilometers from Ping An in a straight line, near a manhole cover in a park, Gao Xiaofei, pinching his nose, also exploded in his usual temper.
"The 'River Lady' competition is about to start, and the district emphasized repeatedly that nothing should go wrong. And yet, a lady has emerged from the sewer, unfortunately, she's dead. Gao Xiaofei gritted his teeth and said to Hei Dou, "Don't make a big fuss, investigate this thoroughly. It's not that I don't have time for you, but the situation doesn't allow it. Oh well, don't feel pressured, unleash your methods, and quickly solve this case, but remember, don't let it become a big scandal."
"Boss, look at those people outside with cameras. How long do you think we can keep this quiet?" Hei Dou said helplessly.
"Think of a way, if that doesn't work, go find Ping An! That old guy, all these years he's only focused on his own pleasure and hasn't researched cases anymore. Alas, I really miss the days when we solved cases together." Gao Xiaofei shook his head and mournfully got into the car; he still had to report to the district chief.
A naked female corpse found in the sewer? The corpse has eighty-eight stab wounds? The autopsy report states that the deceased had no blood left in her body? It's rumored that she was a participant when the 'River Lady' event registration opened six months ago?
Ping An looked at the messages on his phone with annoyance, but his mind wasn't on the case, but rather on how to eliminate this negative news that could affect the event.
"What! The deceased is Nian Xiaobei? No way!" Su Tang said in surprise to Shi Han at the milk tea shop.
"It's confirmed, the school has been notified. She died tragically," Shi Han said regretfully to Su Tang.
"This, how can this be? We haven't done anything yet! Is it our fault?" Su Tang became emotional, tears streaming down her face.
"Sacrifices are always inevitable; we did our best," Shi Han said. "Although the entrusted task failed, the case is not over. I plan to continue working hard to help the police catch the murderer."
"Yes, yes, I think so too. We can't let innocent people die in vain," Su Tang nodded firmly.
"However, we are not your master. If it were your master, he could openly participate in the investigation. But we, now, can only rely on ourselves and can't even get information from the police," Shi Han said.
"I understand what you mean. This is up to me," Su Tang said, clenching her fists seriously. "I will definitely find the mastermind behind this."
"We're counting on you!" Shi Han said. "By the way, has Diana been looking for you recently?"
"No, she's probably busy with the competition. Perhaps with Boss Wan intervening last time, she doesn't want to provoke me anymore," Su Tang said.
"Then it's going to be difficult. If she doesn't get involved, will we contact Ma Delu's company next? And how will we uncover Diana's secrets? Not to mention the mastermind," Shi Han said after staring at Su Tang for a long time. "Alas, never mind, let's leave it at that for now. I'm leaving."
"Hey, don't! Let's discuss it further. Or, or I'll go find Diana and participate in this competition?" Su Tang said excitedly, dropping her usual reservations to Shi Han. "We'll work from the inside and outside together to take them down?"
"It's too risky. Your family wouldn't let you do this," Shi Han said hesitantly.
"It's fine, don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble," Su Tang said, widening her eyes and acting cute. "Aren't you still here? I'm not afraid!"
With Da Shu and the others not in the shop, the milk tea shop was quiet, with only the sound of Zhang Xiao Ao diligently writing and doing homework filling the air.
"Are you sure?" Shi Han asked again with difficulty.
"I'm sure," Su Tang replied affirmatively.
After seeing Shi Han off, Su Tang leaned against the glass door, watching him leave.
"Tsk, tsk, their persistence in the case is so much like Master's," Su Tang sighed.
"On the prairie, facing white wolves, only cowards put women and children first," Zhang Xiao Ao finally finished his problems, tidying his stationery as he spoke unhurriedly. "I think he's far worse than Master. His character isn't that great."
"Pfft, what do you know! This is called wisdom!" Su Tang ignored Zhang Xiao Ao's sarcasm, her mind currently occupied with how to extract useful information from Hei Dou.
Hei Dou, naturally unaware that his most cherished wild girl was plotting against him, was also plotting against someone else at that moment.
"Brother, please have some pity on me. I've lost so much weight because of this case."
At Gao Da's bun shop, Ping An, Hei Dou, and Gao Da sat in the innermost corner of the shop. Ping An was eating meat buns with gusto, completely indifferent to Hei Dou's complaints.
"When I found Xiang Wanfeng and asked you to be the captain of the mobile training brigade at the municipal bureau, you refused to do it, saying it was meaningless, and then shamelessly went to be a criminal police captain under Gao Xiaofei. Is solving cases meaningful?" Ping An said, full of disappointment.
"Alas, Hei Dou felt like he learned some case-solving skills from you, and that's why he wanted to be a criminal police officer. I think it's good, at least it's practical," Gao Da said ramblingly, holding a bowl of rice soup.
"Brother, please help me. From the bombing case to the kidnapping case, then the murder in the courtyard, and finally the female corpse in the sewer, this is clearly another major case. Mei Qian from the municipal bureau is so busy she's like a headless fly. Director Gao, oh, Gao Xiaofei gets scolded every day, so he takes it out on me," Hei Dou said. "With such a big case, aren't you tempted? Give me some advice!"
"Not tempted. I'm living quite well now. Mei Qian solved the complicated courtyard murder case, didn't she? You just need to put in more effort. I won't cause you trouble anymore." Ping An rubbed his distended stomach and, still not satisfied, picked up another bun.
"Don't, please do! We're all your people now. No one dares to scold you if you cause trouble now. Who is in charge from the municipal bureau to the district bureau who hasn't worked on a case with you?" Hei Dou solicitously brought a bowl of rice soup and placed it in front of Ping An.