I was a rookie reporter in the 00s

The three of them quickly packed up and drove to the old neighborhood in the north of the city. Along the way, Zhang Wanqing felt a mixture of nervousness and anticipation. She knew the results of this investigation could have a significant impact on the bun shop.

"We're here." Li Wei parked the car at the entrance to the community. The three of them got out and looked around. This was a typical old neighborhood, with narrow spaces between buildings, and sunlight only scattered on the ground. The community was filled with an old-fashioned atmosphere, as if time had stopped here.

"Let's go ask that old neighbor first." Fu Siyuan took the note and led everyone to a dilapidated residential building. They climbed several flights of stairs and finally arrived at the door of that house.

Fu Siyuan knocked on the door, and soon the door opened, and an old lady with white hair poked her head out. Her eyes were a little cloudy, but she had a kind smile on her face.

"Hello, we're here to ask about Old Man Li." Fu Siyuan smiled slightly, his tone polite, "Are you his old neighbor?"

"Oh, yes." The old lady nodded, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Old Man Li, he's a good man, and his craftsmanship is also very good. What do you want from him?"

"We're from Zhang Wanqing's bun shop." Zhang Wanqing stepped forward and smiled slightly. "We want to know about Old Man Li's situation. He's very important to us."

"Zhang Wanqing's bun shop?" The old lady was slightly startled, then nodded. "I know, your buns are delicious. Old Man Li used to often come to your house to help out."

"Yes." Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes. "Do you know where he is now?"

"He now lives at the other end of the community, in a small house by himself." The old lady thought for a moment, then said, "Go straight along this road until you see the big locust tree. Turn left, and you'll see his house."

"Thank you." Zhang Wanqing said gratefully, then left with Fu Siyuan and Li Wei.

Following the old lady's instructions, the three of them quickly found Old Man Li's residence. It was a shabby little bungalow with a yard full of various flowers and plants. Although it was a bit messy, it exuded a sense of vitality.

"Is anyone there?" Fu Siyuan knocked on the door and asked loudly.

"Who is it?" an old voice came from inside the house, and then the door slowly opened, and an old man with white hair and wrinkles on his face appeared at the door. He was wearing an old cotton jacket and holding a shovel in his hand. He looked like he had just come back from working in the yard.

"Hello, Grandpa Li." Zhang Wanqing walked forward and smiled slightly. "We are from Zhang Wanqing's bun shop and would like to chat with you."

"Oh, you are?" Old Man Li smiled slightly, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "What do you want from me?"

"I am Zhang Wanqing, and Li Yuehan is my mother." Zhang Wanqing said.

"Oh, it's Yuhan's daughter. Come in, come in..." Old man Li said with a smile.

"We would like to ask you, have you ever been the chef of our bun shop?" Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly, with a hint of expectation in her eyes.

"Yes, I used to be the chef of your family's bun shop." Old man Li smiled slightly, with a hint of emotion in his tone, "Back then, your family's bun shop was still very small, and I taught you a lot of things."

"Then why did you leave suddenly?" Zhang Wanqing frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt in her eyes.

"Well, it's a long story." Old Man Li sighed, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. "Back then, your family's bun shop encountered some difficulties. Funds were tight, and business was not good. I was old and in poor health at the time, so I decided to leave and let your family develop on their own."

"I see." Zhang Wanqing nodded slightly, a look of relief in her eyes. "Did you know that recently someone said that our family's secret recipe for steamed buns was passed down by you? They even wrote a report discrediting our steamed bun shop. My mom and dad are very worried about this."

"What?" Old Man Li was slightly stunned, then shook his head. "How is this possible? Your family's secret recipe is passed down from generation to generation. How could I possibly pass it on to you? Your bun shop has a history of hundreds of years, and the secret recipe is absolutely confidential. How could I, a worker for your family, be the inheritor of your bun shop's secret recipe? Isn't this a joke? Haha..."

"Then do you know why there is such a saying?" Zhang Wanqing frowned slightly, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

"I don't know about that." Old Man Li shook his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "But what I can be sure of is that your family's bun shop has always been developed through your own efforts and inheritance."

"Thank you, Grandpa Li. Sorry to bother you. Please have a good rest." Zhang Wanqing smiled slightly, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes.

"You're welcome. This is what I should do. Yuhan has had a hard time. The bun shop has been passed down to her generation, and she's still able to persist. What kind of spirit is that... Oh, the spirit of craftsmanship... Who says women are inferior to men? Yuhan is a very capable woman." Old Man Li smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of kindness. "Your family's bun shop has always worked hard. I believe you will be able to overcome this difficult time."

Back at the bun shop, Zhang Wanqing immediately told her family what Old Man Li had said. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief after hearing it.

"It seems that Zhao Ming's so-called evidence is untenable." Dad smiled slightly, his eyes showing a calmness. "We just need to make Old Man Li's words public to prove our innocence."

"Then how do we spread his testimony?" Zhang Wanqing frowned slightly, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

"We can write a report and describe Old Man Li's words in detail." Fu Siyuan smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a sense of confidence. "This will not only prove our innocence, but also let readers know the true story of our bun shop."

"That's a good idea." Zhang Wanqing said.

"Wanqing, do you know what this is called? It's called tit for tat!" Li Wei said with his teeth bared.

Zhang Wanqing began writing the report, while Fu Siyuan compiled the text and photos. They meticulously recorded Old Man Li's words and took photos, ensuring every detail was included. After much effort, the report was finally completed.

"Editor-in-chief, this is our report on Old Man Li." Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan handed the manuscript to the editor-in-chief of the newspaper.

"Well, it's well written. I will arrange for publication as soon as possible," said the editor-in-chief.

"Thank you, editor-in-chief. I want to thank you both publicly and privately." Zhang Wanqing said gratefully.

"From a personal perspective, you are right to clear the name of your bun shop. From a public perspective, making the truth public is what a journalist should do." The editor-in-chief is truly a tolerant and sensible person.

A few days later, Zhang Wanqing and Fu Siyuan published their report, detailing Old Man Li's words and including his photo and contact information. The report immediately caused an uproar.

"Zhao Ming, take a look at this." Li Hua held the newspaper, his face grim. "Zhang Wanqing and the others made Old Man Li's words public."

"What?" Zhao Ming was slightly stunned, then frowned, "How is this possible?"

"They found Old Man Li and wrote down his testimony in detail." Li Hua smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a sense of gloating. "It seems that your so-called evidence is untenable."

"Humph." Zhao Ming sneered, his eyes revealing a sense of unwillingness. "Do they think they can win like this?"

"Zhao Ming, don't be so persistent." Li Hua smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a persuasive look. "Sometimes, the truth is the truth, and you can't change anything."

"Who said that? If Zhao Gao could call a deer a horse, then I, Zhao Ming, can do the same. Just wait and see, hahahahahaha..." Zhao Ming said insidiously.