On the very day Ye Yunlin and his family arrived in the capital, Tian Man’s exposé on the Shen family was published.
Colleagues from Shen Daqiang’s factory and neighbors who read the article immediately began whispering about him and Wang Fengqin behind their backs.
Shen Liya was the first to see it and rushed home to tell Shen Daqiang. Enraged, he cursed Shen Zhiqiu violently. Wang Fengqin pretended to calm him down but secretly egged him on, suggesting he hire thugs to beat up Ye Yunlin and Ye Jiawu.
First, it would let Shen Daqiang vent his pent-up hatred over Ye Yunlin’s earlier assault.
Second, it would drive a wedge between Ye Yunlin and Shen Zhiqiu, ensuring the Ye family stopped supporting her.
Only when Shen Zhiqiu was left helpless would she remember their “kindness,” obediently return to their side, and revert to being their meek, compliant daughter.
Shen Daqiang loved the idea. The next day, he sent men to attack them—but instead of Ye Yunlin and Ye Jiawu getting hurt, he ended up arrested.
…..
At the Newspaper Office
The editor-in-chief hadn’t expected much from Tian Man’s piece, but when it boosted sales, he was thrilled.
During the morning meeting, he praised her lavishly and granted her permission to continue investigative reporting.
“Tian, you’re amazing!”
“Our evening paper’s always been overshadowed by the daily—finally, we’re getting our moment!”
As colleagues showered her with compliments, someone suddenly called out, “The team leader’s back!”
Everyone scattered to their desks.
Cao Yuejin strode out of the editor’s office and stopped at Tian Man’s desk. “Tian, I read your report. It’s… creative. I never knew you had a novelist’s flair.”
His sarcasm was obvious—he thought her piece was too tabloid-like. Unfazed, Tian Man smiled. “Thanks for the praise, Team Leader. Our paper’s mission is to serve the people, so naturally, we should cover their stories.”
“Highbrow or lowbrow, art has no hierarchy. News is the same—state affairs matter, but so do neighborhood disputes. As long as it’s true news, it’s good news.”
Cao Yuejin’s smile turned stiff. “Still as sharp-tongued and competitive as ever.”
“But Tian, as an old colleague, let me advise you: A married woman should focus on being a good wife and mother. Don’t be so aggressive at work.”
“Men lead outside; women manage the home—that’s the natural order. My wife excels at this. You should chat with her sometime, learn from her.”
Tian Man waved him off. “No thanks. Women hold up half the sky. We can balance work and family—unlike some men who claim to be ‘bold and vigorous’ yet can’t even handle their own households.”
“My husband does just fine. Maybe you should talk to him and learn how to channel that vigor productively.”
Li Xiaoli, sitting nearby, burst out laughing. Soon, the entire team was snickering.
Cao Yuejin’s face darkened. He glared at Tian Man, too furious to retort.
“Tian Man, you’re something else!”
With that, he stormed off.
…..
Originally, Cao Yuejin had another interview scheduled—coincidentally near Shen Daqiang’s neighborhood.
Seeing a crowd outside the Shen residence, he went to investigate, hoping to scoop a story that would outshine Tian Man’s.
Instead, he realized it was the family from her report.
When a woman (Shen Zhiqiu) showed up, slapping Wang Fengqin and berating Shen Daqiang, he quickly snapped photos, sensing a sensational story.
He didn’t recognize Shen Zhiqiu—he photographed her simply because she was beautiful.
Returning to the office, he worked overtime on the article. But instead of submitting it to their evening paper, he contacted the editor of Capital News.
By the next afternoon, while Shen Zhiqiu’s group was still descending the mountain, Cao Yuejin’s piece was already printed.
“Tian! Someone’s copied your story!”
Li Xiaoli handed her a fresh copy of Capital News, pointing to page three. “Look!”
Tian Man skimmed it. The report also covered the Shen family—but it blatantly sided with Shen Daqiang and Wang Fengqin, painting Shen Zhiqiu as an unfilial daughter and Li Shuying as a villain.
“The byline says ‘anonymous’… but the writing style feels familiar.”
Li Xiaoli whispered, glancing at Cao Yuejin’s empty desk. “It’s probably…”
“Him,” Tian Man confirmed.
She and Cao Yuejin had joined the paper together, even briefly partnered.
When he’d pursued her romantically, she rejected him—and he’d held a grudge ever since, constantly competing with her.
She knew his style: his reports were always biased, a cardinal sin in journalism. A reporter’s job was to present facts objectively, not inject personal bias.
“Tian, do you think he’s jumping ship to Capital News?”
“Not sure.”
She didn’t care about Cao Yuejin’s career, but if he was leaking stories elsewhere, he’d better secure the job first. Otherwise, the editor wouldn’t let this slide.
Right now, though, she needed to warn Shen Zhiqiu.
Shen Zhiqiu had left her contact number at Fu’an Alley. Tian Man called ahead, then visited after work with the newspaper.
Shen Zhiqiu didn’t even need to read the article—the photos alone confirmed it was the same man from that day.
“What man?” Tian Man asked.
Shen Zhiqiu described the stranger photographing the scene during Shen Daqiang’s arrest. Comparing details, they confirmed it was Cao Yuejin.
“He’s beyond redemption,” Tian Man muttered. “Just to spite me, he’d stoop this low?”
