Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Her Identity, These People Don't Deserve to Know
"What are you glaring at me for? If you have the guts, show evidence that those two cameras really broke!" The woman gave Jiang Ning a disdainful look and yelled without regard for the setting.
Jiang Ning bit back anger, grabbing Ye Ranran's hand, "Ranran, show them, we have evidence!"
Ye Ranran nodded, pulled out her phone, opened the photo album, and handed the photos she had just taken to Shao Minghui.
Shao Minghui, who had worked in videography before, saw the photos Ye Ranran had specifically pointed out and understood everything.
With a cold face, he turned and glanced at the group of women causing a commotion, and with a slight snort affirmed, "Those two cameras are indeed broken."
Lin Mo'er and a few other women heard it, pursed their lips, and appeared somewhat unconvinced.
Seeing this, Ye Xuefu instantly switched to a composed and elegant demeanor and slowly approached Ye Ranran as if walking a red carpet.
"Ranran, we believe you wouldn't steal the station's equipment. However, the cameras you brought are somewhat subpar," Ye Xuefu said, taking her hand and sighing lightly, seemingly troubled.
"If you want to give a gift, let me find you two better ones, and I will send them in your name, okay?"
After she finished speaking, sounds of admiration filled the air, especially from the sponsors, saying either "Xuefu is so kind-hearted" or "Xuefu's contributions to Huacheng are vast; the city is fortunate."
Those uninformed might think this was Ye Xuefu's kindness, but Ye Ranran was clear about her scheming.
She just wanted to climb on Ranran's back to enhance her own image.
By buying cameras out of her own pocket to help new talent, wouldn't everyone say Ye Xuefu is kind-hearted?
And Ye Ranran being cared for by Ye Xuefu would be criticized and scorned.
Killing two birds with one stone, her calculations were meticulous.
Unfortunately, it wasn't just Huacheng TV Station's staff present; the professionals from the rival TV station were not blind.
While Ye Xuefu played the part of a good Samaritan, a director from the rival station approached, scrutinizing the cameras in the hands of Ye Ranran and Jiang Ning for a good ten seconds before his eyes widened in shock.
"These are professionally custom cameras, the latest from Mei Rafael Company, not something a non-VIP can just buy!"
His words made many turn their heads, staring intently at Ye Ranran's cameras.
Lin Mo'er and Ye Xuefu were instantly dumbfounded.
Mei Rafael Company, they had heard of it. Huacheng TV Station had contacted them many times but had never managed to purchase their cameras.
Yet, Ye Ranran could? And even gifted the station two? Could they be fake?
Both women yearned for someone to expose a fraud, but what they heard next were exclamations of admiration.
"These two are the limited of the limited, not something money can just buy. Huacheng TV Station has really struck gold."
"I've tried my connections before, even met with the manager of Mei Rafael and still didn't get on the list. To see their cameras up close today, I have no more regrets in life."
"Shao Minghui has indeed discovered a gem, to bring such great cameras right from the start, I'm envious!"
With every compliment, Ye Xuefu and Lin Mo'er's faces twitched in pain.
They wished Ye Ranran's cameras would just smash to the ground, shattering into pieces, leaving her with nothing to be proud of.
Reminded by a few people, Shao Minghui also recognized the logo of the camera brand, and with a beaming face, said, "On behalf of Huacheng, I thank you for your gift, with you in Huacheng, our future will surely be blooming."
These words lifted Ye Ranran to an incredibly lofty position.
Upon hearing this, Ye Xuefu's expression soured, she clenched her fists, almost unable to control herself, feeling the urge to fly at Ye Ranran and tear her apart.
But Lin Mo'er held her hand and gently shook her head, whispering, "Don't be angry, she's still got a fake medal we can catch her on."
Ye Xuefu exhaled a long breath, blinked, and leaned into Lin Mo'er's ear, "Let them start trouble, don't you intervene."
Lin Mo'er raised an eyebrow and smiled, patting Qu Le who was next to her. Qu Le immediately understood and raised his voice, "Director Shao, you mustn't overlook her fraud just because of a gift."
"Fraud?"
Everyone looked at Qu Le.
Qu Le coughed twice, seemingly upright as he said, "Yes, her Grammy Gold Microphone Medal is fake, isn't it? I never saw her name on the Grammy's official website."
As he finished, he glanced at a few veterans in the TV station, purposely asking, "The seniors here often apply for the Grammy, have you seen Ye Ranran's name on the official website?"
The veterans exchanged glances, then one after another replied,
"I've never seen Ye Ranran's name, maybe she's new this year?"
"Even new winners would be listed on the official website. I think Qu Le's right, Ye Ranran must be making a fake."
"Nowadays, newcomers want to join Huacheng by fabricating some fake background, which is understandable. But to dare falsify a professional award like the Grammy, that's kind of stupid."
...
Most of these words were spoken out of jealousy because, after Shao Minghui's earlier comments, they felt ignored and wanted to see Ye Ranran's downfall.
Ye Ranran watched them calmly, not uttering a word in rebuttal. She had actually anticipated such reactions since her medal was different from the ordinary ones.
Her identity was not something these people were worthy of knowing.
"Director Shao, if someone is committing fraud, shouldn't you fire them immediately? You mustn't condone such wrongdoings, or Huacheng will become a laughingstock."
Some began to suggest to Shao Minghui the idea of firing Ye Ranran.
Shao Minghui knitted his brow, also struggling at the moment. He had seen Ye Ranran's medal and it was absolutely genuine, but her name wasn't on the official website; how could that be explained?
Surely the professionally respected Grammy wouldn't make such a mistake.
As Shao Minghui was at a loss for a solution, the doors of the banquet hall were pushed open.
Meng Liuguang escorted an elder with gray hair toward them.
Qu Le and the others might not recognize the elderly man's identity, but Shao Minghui and the others identified him immediately.
They widened their eyes in disbelief at the newcomer.
Mr. Robinson, the founder of the Grammy Gold Microphone Medal, a man they usually couldn't even dream of meeting, was actually coming to them in person.
"Shao Minghui, what are you standing there for? Come and give me a hand," Meng Liuguang said, his gaze on Ye Ranran but speaking to Shao Minghui.
"I apologize for my oversight," Shao Minghui hurried over, filled with excitement.
After Qu Le and some others from the rival station inquired and learned the identity of the visitor, they were pleasantly surprised and emotional, but they also remembered Ye Ranran's medal.
One of the bolder ones charged forward and addressed Mr. Robinson directly, "Honorable Mr. Robinson, we have a request for you to expose a fake here."
Robinson furrowed his brows, puzzled, "Expose a fake?"
"Yes, someone has forged a Grammy Gold Microphone Medal, and we'd like you to debunk her on the spot!" the woman said earnestly.