Reborn As Super Heiress

Capítulo 1821: Chapter 1724: Moral Coercion

“Is this Miss Huo Sining?”

When Huo Sining received this strange call, she was a bit stunned, but out of courtesy, she still responded calmly, “I am.”

“Hello, Miss Huo, I’m a reporter from Nanhua Daily. I wanted to ask if you have been following the situation in the earthquake disaster area since returning from Meishan?”

Huo Sining frowned slightly, puzzled about how this reporter got her private number. Ever since her official appearance at the Spring Festival Gala, Liu Cheng had been handling all external contacts. Savvy journalists would normally call Liu Cheng, not her directly.

Because of this, Huo Sining sensed something was off, so she answered the reporter’s question with extra caution:

“Of course, I’ve been closely following developments in the Qingya Meishan disaster area, and I’m deeply concerned for and pained by the suffering of the people there.”

The reporter immediately pursued further upon hearing this: “But from what I know, Miss Huo, after being taken out of the disaster area by the rescue troops, your official blog has not been updated. We haven’t seen you reporting your safety on Weibo or thanking the rescue soldiers, nor have you prayed for the Qingya victims. Are your words somewhat insincere?”

The night of the earthquake, the mermaid legend crew had already been evacuated from the disaster area by the rescue team because many fans were worried about the actors’ safety. This news was revealed that very night.

And because Huo Sining had previously instructed, when Zheng Lixiang led the filming crew out of Meishan, she didn’t notify the public about Huo Sining staying behind to help with disaster relief. So in the eyes of the public and even media reporters, Huo Sining was the one luckily rescued by the troops.

Since Huo Sining had been busy rescuing people in the disaster area, she hadn’t had the time to clarify on Weibo. Now hearing this reporter’s questioning, she immediately understood; this was another journalist coming with ill intentions, bent on moral coercion.

In recent times, Huo Sining had seen many news pieces from sanctimonious journalists and was very annoyed by media’s moral coercion on entertainment stars. Her face darkened, anger stirred from her heart, and her mood became instantly unpleasant:

“Reporter, that you called me, is there something important? If not, I’m sorry, but I have to hang up. I’m busy and don’t have time to chat with you!”

As she spoke, Huo Sining intended to hang up the call. The reporter, not expecting Huo Sining to be this difficult, immediately revealed his intentions:

“Miss Huo, our media knows some details about your identity. You hold Crown Jade Beauty Company, have store shares, and even shares in S University Research Institute. Even with what we know, your net worth is in the billions. You’re wealthy and have received the gratitude of rescue soldiers, yet the Qingya disaster area is severely hit, and we wonder how much you actually donated?”

Huo Sining was immediately incensed: “How much I donated, what does that have to do with you? You reporters don’t interview those suffering in the disaster area but instead interview me. Don’t you think it’s a waste of ink? Besides, I’m rich, so I should donate money? Was my money blown in by the wind? Then why don’t you also call and ask those people on the Forbes list how much they donate?”

That reporter was also angered by Huo Sining’s attitude: “Miss Huo, you are a public figure and someone who, rather luckily, escaped the disaster area. Surely you can empathize more than others. Shangguan Zhuo and Zhang Ziyi donated 10 million each, and your wealth is significant. Can’t you spare that amount of money?”

Huo Sining coldly replied, “Since Shangguan Zhuo and Zhang Ziyi donated so much, you should interview them. As for me, sorry, no comment!”

Saying so, Huo Sining conclusively hung up the phone. The reporter, unwilling to give up after being hung up on, met with Huo Sining’s darkened expression; she promptly set the reporter’s number as blocked, finally gaining some peace and quiet.

Huo Sining greatly disliked the way these entertainment journalists worked. When she sold her Jadeite mine shares to Bada, she hadn’t intended to make a fuss, precisely because she didn’t want this matter to be hype.

Her donations were voluntary, but she understood that many stars in the entertainment circle actually have a tough time, enduring many hardships to make it big. Yet, the hard-earned money by these stars is seen by many as unearned. Once a major incident occurs, everyone wants to ask, did you donate money?

Stars are human too; they stay up late, diet, rush schedules, and their lives are not easier than ordinary folks’ lives. It’s hard to earn some money, only to be morally coerced by envious keyboard warriors and those ‘holier-than-thou’ reporters, ultimately donating money under public pressure. To Huo Sining, this is laughable.

Huo Sining was determined not to respond to these reporters, so she spoke harshly without leaving any room. Yet, she never expected that this call would lead to a looming controversy.

After hanging up on that reporter, Huo Sining was still somewhat upset. Shortly after, she received a call from Zheng Lixiang.

“Charity performance?”

“Yes, I thought that organizing such an event could increase the exposure and recognition of our film, while also providing extra support for disaster relief. This charity performance, no emphasis on money donations, goods would do, things like clothes, shoes, books, all items that the disaster area could certainly use. Everything collected will be donated to the disaster area.”

Zheng Lixiang explained.

Huo Sining was very intrigued by this suggestion: “That’s nice, I think it can be done, you go ahead and arrange it, I’m in.”

Zheng Lixiang laughed, “Our crew has two heavyweight divas, and with you, this show is more than enough to hold the fort. But mind you, don’t hold back, bring out that set you performed at the Spring Festival Gala, do a few magic tricks, liven up the atmosphere, what do you think?”

Huo Sining said, “Sure, I’ll follow the leader’s arrangements.”

Zheng Lixiang chuckled, chatted with Huo Sining a bit more, then satisfactorily hung up the phone.

Huo Sining thought for a bit, took out her phone, pressed a number, and dialed out.

The phone rang seven or eight times before someone finally picked up, “Hello.”