N-A-A Chapter 1247 Ningguang's Efforts
Chapter 1247 Ningguang's Efforts
Charlotte, recalling the struggles she faced while writing the report, couldn't help but complain to Shao Yun.
"But do you know what? Just two years ago, the Liyue official team highly praised Ningguang, saying that she 'made great contributions to Liyue's economic development.' How come, in such a short time, they've turned her into someone who's completely worthless?"
"Such contradictory assessments make me not want to write this report at all!"
As a journalist who pursues the truth, she is most disgusted by this kind of public opinion that is swayed by power and ignores the facts, and her tone is full of indignation.
Seeing her puffed-up face, Shao Yun's lips curled into a contemptuous yet teasing smile. He leaned back on the sofa and said casually:
"Isn't this kind of thing normal in officialdom? When someone leaves, everyone turns their back on them; when a wall falls, everyone pushes it down. When the wind changes, the evaluation naturally changes as well."
"But I'm just a country bumpkin who farms and herds livestock in Nata. I don't understand those complicated political machinations, and I'm too lazy to try to understand them."
After a change of power, the new ruler always paves the way for their rule. Everything is normal...
Charlotte was even more upset after hearing this. She slumped her shoulders and sighed.
"I originally wanted to stay in Liyue to continue investigating the truth behind the coup and see how much of the official story was true and how much was false."
"As a result, the Liyue General Affairs Department came to my door and accused me of 'spreading false information,' and deported me!"
By the end, her voice was tinged with grievance; this was the first time she had been treated so rudely by the authorities for reporting the news.
Upon hearing that Charlotte had been expelled from Liyue, Shao Yun immediately became interested and raised an eyebrow, asking:
"Didn't they burn your press releases and smash your camera?"
When Charlotte heard this, well, perhaps because she was too conspicuous, the scene when she was expelled from Liyue was indeed somewhat unexpected.
"It was a close call! Those people were about to smash the camera, but luckily a man named Zhong Li stepped in and acted as a mediator. He spoke a few words to the people in the General Affairs Department, which saved my camera and manuscript."
Recalling the scene, she still feels lingering fear. If Zhong Li hadn't appeared in time, all the results of her interviews over the past few days would probably have been ruined.
Upon hearing that it was Zhong Li who had protected Charlotte, Shao Yun vaguely guessed something. Could it be that Zhong Li was behind the decision to execute Ning Guang's three secretaries?
When Zhongli saw you off from Liyue, did he say anything special to you?
Charlotte nodded, carefully recalling the scene.
"He told me something similar to what you told me at Wanmin Hall: to stop getting involved in the affairs of the upper echelons of Liyue."
"They also said that 'some truths are destined to be buried, just like the demon goddess Heuria, and forcibly seeking them will only cause more trouble.'"
Zhongli's tone at the time did indeed carry the advice of someone who had been through it all, but she just couldn't let it go.
At this point, Charlotte's face lit up with a fearless expression as she stared intently at Shao Yun.
"But I will never give up! The truth should not be buried, and someone should stand up and clarify those distorted facts!"
"That's why I came to Nata. I believe that here, I will surely find the truth I seek!"
……
Just as Charlotte was radiating an aura of seeking the truth, Ningguang returned from selling eggs and milk to the Suspended Wood tribe.
Upon hearing the noise, Shao Yun immediately stood up and walked to the door, temporarily leaving Charlotte, who was still immersed in "seeking the truth," in the living room.
Upon opening the door, the first thing that catches the eye is Ningguang's still simple ranch maid attire.
Beside her was a basket of fresh vegetables: bright green lettuce, bright red tomatoes, and some potatoes that looked very appealing.
Outside the carriage, Yuan Shang was unloading empty milk jugs one by one; clearly, they were all sold out.
Ningguang was bending down to change her shoes at the door when she saw Shao Yun open the door. She immediately straightened up and showed a gentle smile.
“Mr. Shao Yun, I’m back. The eggs and milk sold well. On my way back, I saw fresh vegetables for sale at the market of the Suspended Wood People’s tribe. I thought it was time to replenish the food at home, so I bought some.”
As she spoke, she handed the vegetable basket beside her to Shao Yun, her face showing an expectant expression, as if waiting for Shao Yun's approval.
Shao Yun reached out and took the basket of vegetables, looking them over.
After all, we haven't planted any vegetables in our garden yet... so we still need to buy groceries regularly... Ningguang has a good eye, these vegetables are quite good.
At this moment, Ningguang took out another money bag and handed it to him with both hands.
"This is the money left over from selling milk and eggs. Please count it. The people of the Suspended Wood tribe really appreciate our ranch's products. The milk was so fresh that it was snapped up immediately."
Shao Yun took the money bag and gently weighed it in his hand, feeling the heavy weight of the mortar inside.
He didn't open it immediately, but simply stuffed it into the Eastern Legends backpack.
"Oh, welcome back. You've had a long journey."
Perhaps the news Charlotte had just brought about from Liyue was still lingering in his mind, because he didn't seem very interested.
Ningguang keenly sensed Shao Yun's mood, her eyes darkening slightly. Thinking he was displeased that she had returned too late, she quickly explained:
“I apologize, Mr. Shao Yun, I know I’m back a bit late. But that’s because I had an unexpected gain in the Suspended Wood People’s tribe. I found several merchants who are willing to buy our ranch’s products on a long-term basis.”
"Although these are mostly small restaurants and food stalls, not large businesses, our ranch is currently small enough to meet their needs for 'fast delivery and fresh products.'"
"I've had a preliminary talk with them. As long as we can guarantee consistent quality, we won't have trouble finding stable customers!"
Shao Yun listened as Ning Guang clearly and logically recounted the business intelligence she had found in the Suspended Wood People's tribe that day.
They knew exactly which restaurants needed a stable milk supply, which food stalls had a high demand for fresh eggs, and even their payment methods and replenishment cycles. I couldn't help but smile and praise them:
"As expected of you, you've only been there for half a day, yet you've already screened out the potential users so clearly and even figured out the details of the subsequent cooperation. You're even more attentive than me, the rancher."
Upon hearing Shao Yun's praise, Ningguang's face instantly lit up with a bright smile, like a puppy being gently stroked on the head by its owner.
"This is what I should do. I'm happy to share your burdens."
She paused, then looked up again and pressed her advantage, saying:
"If Mr. Shao Yun doesn't mind, I would like to use my rest time in the evening to compile a detailed list of merchants, clearly marking each one's needs and cooperation intentions, to facilitate subsequent communication. Is that alright?"
Just as the two were having a pleasant conversation, Charlotte, who had just come to her senses, suddenly widened her eyes, her eyeballs almost popping out of their sockets.
She pointed at Ningguang and shouted in a shrill voice, "Ah!!! Ningguang! What are you doing here?!"
If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that the simply dressed woman in front of her, who was busy selling the ranch's products, was actually Ningguang, the once high and mighty Tianquan Star of Liyue!
Ningguang was still waiting for Shao Yun's reply when she heard the voice and realized that there were guests at home.
Her first instinct was to politely go to the kitchen to prepare a drink, but when her gaze fell on Charlotte's face, she froze instantly. After scrutinizing her for a few seconds, she spoke uncertainly.
"Huh? You're... Charlotte, a reporter from the Steambird Newspaper?"
Charlotte finally realized what was happening. She turned sharply to Shao Yun and exclaimed joyfully:
"Mr. Shao Yun! I finally understand why you hinted that I should come to Nata to find you back in Wanmintang!"
"So, the day before yesterday, Quanxing Ningguang was actually at your house! You rescued her from Liyue, didn't you?"
Ningguang felt a little uncomfortable with Charlotte's enthusiastic and direct questioning. She could feel the undisguised "news-seeking desire" in Charlotte's eyes, and she felt a little flustered. She subconsciously wanted to avoid the topic.
She quickly made an excuse to avoid Shao Yun.
"Well... I've changed my shoes, Mr. Shao Yun. I'll go put the groceries I bought into the refrigerator first, so they don't go bad if they're left out too long."
As she spoke, she took the vegetable basket from Shao Yun and turned to run towards the kitchen as if fleeing, clearly trying to use the opportunity of organizing the ingredients to temporarily avoid Charlotte's questioning.
But how could Charlotte give Ningguang a chance? She immediately stepped forward and blocked Ningguang's path, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.
Immediately afterwards, she quickly pulled a notebook out of her backpack and looked at Ningguang with bright eyes.
"Wait a minute, Lady Ningguang, please grant me an interview! I have so many questions I'd like to ask you about the coup in Liyue!"
Ningguang looked at the light flickering in Charlotte's eyes and heard the familiar "Ningguang-sama" again, and a bitter smile slowly appeared on her lips.
"Don't call me Lady Ningguang anymore, that's all in the past."
"I am now just a maid in Mr. Shao Yun's house. My daily work is to take care of housework and sell ranch products. I am no longer the Tianquan Star of Liyue I used to be."