CHAPTER 160: CHAPTER 160: FALSE REPORTING

Chen Wenjun picked up Yaya, "Alright! Dad’s waiting for your big yacht, let’s go home!"

This day was destined to be unforgettable for Lin Qin and the four children.

The next day, when Chen Wenjun brought those photos home, Lin Qin immediately went to the city to buy some exquisite frames, framed all the photos, and hung them on the living room wall for exhibition.

Once she finished, it was Monday.

As soon as Lin Qin got to school, she headed straight for the academic building. With a full schedule on Monday, it was already noon by the time the six of them finished class.

After returning to the dorm, a neighbor suddenly came over with a copy of the campus weekly, "Du Juanhua, look at this, is it talking about you?"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered around to see that in a prominent position, the campus weekly reported a campus violence incident, severely condemning Lin Qin and her group’s lawlessness and brutality, hinting that the cause was Du Juanhua interfering in someone else’s romantic relationship, becoming a third party.

The article was signed by the journalism club’s reporter Jia Pengxuan.

Ge Qiuyue was furious, "Nonsense! I’m going to ask this Jia Pengxuan right now what gives him the right to write such things!"

Lin Qin stopped her, her expression a bit grave, "This Jia Pengxuan is the vice president of the journalism club, just promoted this year; this news is highly likely to be sensationalist. I’ll go check it out first, and then we’ll talk."

Lin Qin couldn’t afford to rest and rushed to the sophomore boys’ dormitory at noon to find the journalism club president, Zhou Kai.

"President, what’s going on with this news?"

Zhou Kai carefully looked through it and gently explained, "This report was issued by Vice President Jia Pengxuan; he’s a veteran in the journalism club and has the authority. What’s wrong? Is there a problem with it?"

Lin Qin let out a cold laugh, "Not only is there a problem, but it’s a very big one. First, the Vice President is spouting nonsense without understanding the truth of the matter; second, his actions have already constituted spreading falsehoods illegally. I now demand that the Vice President clarify the matter publicly and apologize to the affected parties."

"This... I’ll get Jia Pengxuan over here for you to talk with." Zhou Kai frowned and turned to head for the dorm at the end of the corridor.

Not long after, Jia Pengxuan came out following Zhou Kai.

Lin Qin looked at him with a serious face, "Vice President, I want to ask, did you approach the affected parties to learn the facts before making this report?"

Jia Pengxuan was indifferent, "This article is my responsibility, it has nothing to do with you."

Lin Qin laughed in anger, "I’m one of the participants, how could it not be related to me? If the Vice President doesn’t give me a reasonable explanation today, don’t blame me for making a big deal out of this."

Zhou Kai hurried to mediate, "No, no, our journalism club is just keeping up with current events on campus. Since this matter is inconsistent with reality, we’ll just retract it."

"Just retracting it? This matter has already seriously affected the affected party’s reputation, and a simple retraction isn’t going to resolve it. There must be a public apology clarifying the facts!" Lin Qin argued based on reason, with an extremely firm attitude.

Jia Pengxuan also got irritated, "Am I the Vice President or are you? A freshman should stay low-key both in life and work, it’s not your place to tell me what to do!"

"Enough, say no more!" Zhou Kai glared at Jia Pengxuan, then turned to Lin Qin with an apologetic look, "Junior, this isn’t really a big deal. If I publish another news piece clarifying the inconsistencies, would that be okay?"

Lin Qin was almost exploding with anger, "Not okay! If the president can’t ensure fairness and justice, don’t blame me then!"

Zhou Kai watched helplessly as Lin Qin stormed off, then looked at Jia Pengxuan with displeasure, "What’s your problem? The journalism club’s original intention is to report on current campus events. Why publish that article without thorough investigation? Now that the affected parties have come to confront you, you’re still so unyielding. What exactly are you trying to do?"

Jia Pengxuan let out a cold snort, "I just can’t stand freshmen being so arrogant. The fact that Li Xiaomei ended up in the hospital is real, and campus violence is unacceptable. I did nothing wrong!"

Lin Qin returned to dorm 301, seething with anger, and everyone could tell from her expression that things hadn’t gone well.

Bai Junjun angrily said, "Let’s go and beat him up again."

Ge Qiuyue rolled her eyes, "What did you promise Director Zhang last week? How long has it been since then? What about the previous incident?"

Bai Junjun immediately quieted down.

Du Juanhua lay on the table crying, genuinely without any feelings for Wang Xinyuan now, and even harbored deep resentment.

Clearly, she did nothing, so why was she being slandered like this?

Lin Qin’s eyes wandered over to Ge Qiuyue, "Sister Ge, isn’t setting up a club usually something that needs approval from the student council?"

"That’s right." Ge Qiuyue nodded, puzzled.

Lin Qin said, "Here’s the plan: you take me to see the student council president. We’ll apply to start our own club, call it E Society, primarily also for publishing news, but more focused on some recruitment information or providing resources helpful to students."

Ge Qiuyue and the others looked at Lin Qin in shock.

"Sister Qin, running a press club costs money. To my knowledge, the journalism club applies for funding every year, five thousand a year. Without money, you can’t run a club at all," Zhou Xue said.

Du Juanhua lifted her head, speaking tearfully, "Sister Qin, you all have already done so much for me. It’s my own foolishness, misjudging people. You don’t need to trouble yourselves any longer for me."

Lin Qin looked seriously at her roommates, "I’m doing this not just for Du Juanhua, but also out of a sense of justice. The journalism club talks big about reporting campus news, yet it’s actually deceiving us. This time, I’ve lost all faith in the journalism club. I can’t swallow this anger without exposing their hypocrisy."

"But the money..." Ge Qiuyue furrowed her brow.

Lin Qin was unconcerned, "What’s there to worry about! We’ll find some sponsors, solicit advertisements; even without school funding, we can still operate, and eventually replace the journalism club!"

Lin Qin clenched her fist with determination.

Seeing her so eager, Ge Qiuyue gritted her teeth and agreed, "Alright! I’ll take you there!"

The main headquarters of the university’s student council was on the third floor of the activities building.

With Ge Qiuyue leading the way, Lin Qin soon met with the student council president, Zhao Qingyue.

Once Lin Qin explained her intentions,

Zhao Qingyue gave Lin Qin a scrutinizing look, with a bit more sternness, "Lin Qin, you should know how difficult it is to establish a club. It not only requires time and effort but more importantly, funds. The school’s funds are limited. Your E Society is similar in nature to the journalism club, and the school won’t approve it."

Lin Qin remained calm and smiled, "Senior, there’s no need to worry. As long as you agree to let us establish E Society, we’ll cover the operational costs ourselves, without needing school support. Moreover, I’m a local here and know many legitimate and safe part-time channels, which can provide students here with job opportunities. I am also well-informed about the news and events in An City, so there are plenty of ways to secure sponsorships.

I even have some resources at the senior university side. Occasionally, if our school needs to promote something, I can lend a hand. This includes finding affordable food supplies for school events and more. These are all benefits, provided you approve my application to start the club."