Inheriting a Farm Made Me an Internet Sensation - Chapter 29

Weren’t the people who came here today social news reporters? How did they all know about her, a “faded star” who had already left the entertainment circle?

However, since she had already attracted their attention, she might as well seize the opportunity to let Lin Muhan and Ms. Bai escape first.

With this thought, Tan Xiao immediately shot a look at Lin Muhan, signaling her to leave first.

Lin Muhan understood the hint and led Ms. Bai quickly down the steps.

Jiang Yue’s hesitation gave the entertainment reporters mixed in among the social news crowd a perfect opening.

“President Jiang, does your reply on Weibo mean that you don’t think highly of Tan Xiao?”

Those words were provocative. The social news reporters, sensing a lead, followed up.

“President Jiang, are you skeptical about the agriculture business Tan Xiao has transitioned into?”

“Tan Xiao’s cultivation of pure natural vegetables has gained significant social attention. What are your views on this, President Jiang?”

Question after question was hurled at Jiang Yue.

Jiang Yue knew she couldn’t reply to these questions rashly. Retracting her gaze, she gave the security guard a look and headed straight for the parking lot.

With Jiang Yue, Lin Muhan, and Ms. Bai all gone, Tan Xiao was the only one left at the scene.

Those reporters seemed determined to pluck every bit of news they could from Tan Xiao alone.

“Tan Xiao, why are you appearing here? Is it also because you are following the Huatai gender discrimination case?”

“Tan Xiao, what are your new plans and arrangements for Anxin Farm?”

“I heard you’ve accepted an appointment from Binhai Agricultural University to handle practical teaching for the students of the College of Agriculture. Is this true?”

“There are rumors online saying you’re just using Anxin Farm to gain hype, and your ultimate goal is to return to the entertainment industry.”

“How do you balance high yields with pure ecological cultivation?”

Surrounded in the center, Tan Xiao wanted to cry but had no tears. She really wanted to howl that she was only there to pick someone up and ask them to let her go.

But looking at this crowd’s posture, if she didn’t answer a single question today, she probably wouldn’t be able to move an inch.

Helpless, she cleared her throat and replied, “High yields and pure ecological cultivation have always been difficult problems that the College of Agriculture is trying to overcome. Currently, I am also working hard to continue tackling this challenge, striving to achieve nationwide ecological cultivation as soon as possible.”

After speaking, she held her hands out in front of her, slowly shuffling away while trying to prevent the reporters from getting closer.

But this had little effect. She sighed, “Everyone, can you please show some kindness? I have urgent business.” Seeing that they were unmoved, she added, “How about this: leave your contact information, and I’ll send you some vegetables.”

The reporters looked at each other, seemingly considering the feasibility of this suggestion.

Seeing an opening, Tan Xiao pressed on, “Don’t worry, if Anxin Farm has any new breakthroughs in the future, I will definitely contact you proactively.”

“You keep your word?” a nearby reporter asked, half-doubting.

Tan Xiao pointed at the cameras. “Isn’t this all being recorded?”

As soon as she said that, she began the mode of receiving business cards.

By the time she finished collecting them, the reporters had mostly dispersed, leaving only two entertainment reporters who had been hiding among the social news crowd, unwilling to leave.

As if knowing they couldn’t stop her with just the two of them, a reporter wearing glasses held up one finger: “Just answer one question for me, and I’ll move aside immediately.”

Tan Xiao took out her phone and checked it; there was a message from Lin Muhan saying she was waiting at a nearby cafe.

She put her phone away and looked at the reporter’s pitiful expression, feeling quite helpless. “I’m not even in the entertainment circle anymore. There’s really no need to hang onto me.”

“So, will you just be farming from now on?”

Tan Xiao nodded as her response.

True to their word, the two reporters didn’t block her any further. She successfully returned to the parking lot and made it to the cafe Lin Muhan mentioned.

She was truly spooked by that group of reporters. Entering the cafe, sensing the gazes cast upon her, she lowered her head and made it safely to the corner on the second floor that Lin Muhan had specified.

She glanced left and right, confirming no one recognized her, and finally let out a sigh of relief.

Taking in Tan Xiao’s small movements, Lin Muhan, who was sitting opposite her, said with a smile, “Since you know you’re half a celebrity now, don’t go running around everywhere.”

Before Tan Xiao could answer, Lin Muhan rested her chin on one hand and asked, “Did you come to the court specifically to pick me up?”

After sending Ms. Bai off in a car, she had returned to the court. Seeing that Tan Xiao seemed able to handle it, she changed her mind and came to this cafe to wait.

She thought that even at Tan Xiao’s fastest, it would take half an hour; she didn’t expect her to arrive in such a short time.

This also made her a bit curious about how Tan Xiao managed it.

But more than that, she was curious about Tan Xiao’s reason for coming to the court.

Having her thoughts pierced so bluntly by Lin Muhan made Tan Xiao feel a bit embarrassed. Her ears and face felt a little hot, and she turned her head away unnaturally with a soft “Mm.”

Little did she know, her straightforward answer made Lin Muhan feel somewhat flattered, and the smile on her lips grew wider.

Tan Xiao, who had been watching her out of the corner of her eye, saw her like this; amidst her shyness, the heart that had been hanging in suspense finally settled.

From Lin Muhan’s current mood, she could judge that the outcome of today’s hearing might not have been so bad.

“The court is currently in recess, so I’m going to break my promise about going back to the small courtyard this weekend,” Lin Muhan said with a slight hint of disappointment. Today’s trial results actually didn’t meet her expectations. Her judgment was that they could win today, but she hadn’t expected that at the last moment, Huatai’s lawyer would proactively apply for a recess, and the judge would actually agree.

Based on her understanding of Huatai’s past methods, they might use some underhanded tactics during the recess.

For the sake of stability, she still needed to prepare more substantial evidence to leave Huatai with no chance for a counterattack.

Hearing this, Tan Xiao was naturally a little disappointed, but she could understand.

She picked up her coffee, took a small sip, and said softly, “Business comes first. You can go back to the courtyard whenever you want.”

“You haven’t even inherited the farm yet, and here you are talking big,” Lin Muhan teased.

Previously preparing for the trial, her nerves had been in a constant state of tension, including the moment she walked out of the court hall—she hadn’t dared to relax for a second.

It wasn’t until she saw Tan Xiao, saw her standing silently to the side waiting for her, that the rock weighing on her heart was instantly moved away.

Victory and defeat are common for a soldier. Just as she thought before, if she lost the lawsuit, the worst-case scenario was that she’d stop being a lawyer. With her business mind, she wasn’t afraid of not being able to support herself.

Tan Xiao replied with a smile, “It’s only a matter of time.”

“Yes, yes, yes. When Teacher Tan takes action, she’s worth three people.”

Huatai General Manager’s Office.

Jiang Yue walked quickly to her desk, leaned over, and forcefully pushed all the documents on the table to the floor. Only then did the stifled anger in her heart dissipate a little.

Lawyer Jiang, who followed her in, kept his head down, standing in place with his eyes fixed on his nose and his nose on his heart.

“Say what you just said again,” Jiang Yue said, hands on her hips, breathing heavily.

Lawyer Jiang didn’t dare look up and said in a small voice, “My suggestion is… out-of-court mediation.”

Jiang Yue snorted coldly and turned to look at him. “Who was it that vowed so confidently that we were sure to win this time?” She took a deep breath, her tone slightly calmer. “Three million. Make those people shut up.”

“Yes.”

After Lawyer Jiang left, Jiang Yue remembered something. She picked up her phone, found a string of numbers in her contacts, and dialed: “The task I gave you, how is it going?”

“Don’t worry, it’s all set. Once the ‘East Wind’ arrives, the new persona Tan Xiao rebuilt will be completely ruined.”

She hung up, moved to the landline, and dialed the secretary’s office, instructing: “Contact Mr. Liu, Mr. Sun, and Mr. Huang. Tell them I’m hosting a banquet at Golden Splendor tonight and waiting for their arrival.”

Huatai’s reputation cannot be ruined. Those blind people who dared to provoke Huatai should be taught a lesson.

That night, the hashtag about Tan Xiao not returning to the entertainment industry hit the trending searches again.

Following closely behind was the news of the wrap-up and promotion of Sun Xin’s new drama.

An hour later, another trending topic regarding Tan Xiao began to ferment rapidly.

Tan Xiao Bribed Testing Agency to Create Fake Zero-Pesticide Vegetables

As soon as this Weibo post came out, it instantly sparked heated debate, causing Weibo to crash.

The phones of Chen Cuihua and Tan Xiao were ringing non-stop; people were either calling to cancel orders or to question them.

Those online who had previously stood by Tan Xiao all turned against her, accusing her of wrongdoing.

The reason was simple: an insider from the testing agency had come forward, posting chat logs with a helper from Anxin Farm, and there was even a voice clip from the helper as evidence.

Chen Cuihua and Tan Xiao sat together. After listening to the voice-changed clip, they were both laughed out of anger.

“Bah! You son of a bitch, saying such nonsense. Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”

Tan Xiao was also quite speechless. Realizing the College of Agriculture also had testing equipment, she immediately dialed Professor Wu.

“Panicking? I thought you could really keep your cool. The students have already gone to test the samples voluntarily. The results will be out in a moment.”

Hearing this, Tan Xiao let out a long breath. “Thank you.”

“Tan Xiao, I think you should reflect on yourself. Why do they only target you? This shows your character is the problem!”

“Professor Wu, when did you learn to make sarcastic remarks?” Tan Xiao said helplessly, naturally catching the teasing in his voice.

“Just now. Anyway, regarding the testing agency, Old Wang has already made a call. Tomorrow, their director will personally bring people to your farm for random inspections. You handle it yourself.”

“This time is different from before. Think carefully about exactly who you have offended.”

Tan Xiao was about to thank him again, but Professor Wu didn’t give her the chance and hung up directly.

Chen Cuihua, who had heard the whole thing, turned to look at her. “Professor Wu is right. Think about it—who have you provoked recently? This is too cruel; not only are they trying to ruin you, they’re trying to ruin Anxin Farm along with you.”

Except for Jiang Yue, who had such a large influence, she couldn’t think of anyone else for the moment.

However, Tan Xiao didn’t say this to Chen Cuihua; after all, it was just her guess.

Ring ring ring…

Tan Xiao picked up her phone and saw the name “Su Han” jumping on the screen.

Chen Cuihua pulled her head back and signaled with her eyes for her to answer quickly.

Tan Xiao shook her head, already guessing the purpose of Su Han’s call.

As soon as the call connected, Su Han’s voice came through the receiver.

“This matter this time—can you solve it yourself?”

It wasn’t a lecture, surprisingly.

Tan Xiao suppressed the surprise in her heart and said truthfully, “I’ve already thought of a solution. The director of the testing agency is coming to the farm tomorrow for a personal inspection; it won’t leave any room for criticism.”

“Didn’t you collect those reporters’ business cards? Call them right now and invite them to the farm tomorrow. Remember, this isn’t just about Anxin Farm anymore; it involves the face of Huangtian International.”

“Understood. I won’t let you lose face.”

Tan Xiao hung up and pointed upstairs to Chen Cuihua, signaling that she was going to find the business cards to contact the reporters.

Chen Cuihua understood her meaning and quickly waved her hand, signaling for her to go.

As soon as she left, Chen Cuihua’s phone rang again.

This time her attitude was very decisive; without another word, she agreed to the order cancellations. If they wanted to collaborate again later? Sorry, no way.

Upstairs, just as Tan Xiao had finished calling the reporters one by one, there was movement downstairs. She walked to the living room window and looked out—it turned out Lin Muhan had rushed over.

Ding…

She withdrew her gaze and opened WeChat. It was the test report sent by Professor Wu, along with a voice message.

“Use this to deal with those netizens first. Tomorrow, once the testing agency’s report is out, post them together.”

After thanking him, she didn’t publish the test result on Weibo immediately.

Since Su Han had said to invite reporters to the scene, she might as well let this matter ferment even more violently. When tomorrow’s report comes out, the face of the mastermind behind the scenes will hurt even more.

Lin Muhan, rushing upstairs, saw her and said while panting, “I’ve already sent people to look into this; there will be results soon.” She massaged her forehead in anger. “Who on earth is so determined to drive you to a dead end?”

Tan Xiao took two steps forward to comfort her. “I’m fine.” She hesitated for a moment but still reminded her, “You should be careful too. Jiang Yue is no pushover.”