A Divine Farmer

Chapter 243 - The Generous Yang Jingjing!

“I'm not pressuring you; you're the one who suggested ten minutes. If you're going to claim that the burn has lightened, what can we do? We can't prove anything unless the lady's face is completely healed,” the reporter stated with a smug look.

Some of the nearby reporters began to furrow their brows, sensing that Zhang Xiaolong was being unfairly challenged.

Indeed, as Xiaolong had mentioned, it would be miraculous for a tampered bottle of cosmetics to lessen the severity of a burn, let alone heal a face in ten minutes. That was simply out of the question. Cosmetics, and even professional medications, couldn't achieve such a feat. The whole situation was straying from its original purpose.

They came to uncover the truth, but was this spectacle really going to reveal it?

“Fine, in ten minutes, if her face hasn't healed, feel free to expose me and call for legal sanctions. But since this is a wager, what if her face does heal?” Xiaolong challenged the reporter with a defiant gaze. “What will you do then?”

“If she truly recovers, it would confirm that Essence Dragon Company hasn't produced any counterfeit products. We'll offer our sincere congratulations,” the reporter replied cunningly. “But do you really think that's likely?”

Many onlookers scoffed at the reporter's cunning. What was this? If her face remained damaged, it was a grave issue, but if it healed, just a simple congratulations would suffice? That hardly seemed like a fair bet!

“Alright, I'll accept your bet on behalf of these two ladies and await your congratulations,” Xiaolong responded unexpectedly, not angered by the reporter's guile but rather accepting the challenge with composure.

Now, curiosity among the crowd peaked. Cameras and video recorders were all trained on the scene, capturing every moment at this once inconspicuous booth that now seemed to command the entire exhibition's attention.

Yang Jingjing had finished applying the cosmetic product to the woman's face. Xiaolong instructed her to apply an extra layer over the wounds to ensure they were fully covered.

The woman remained silent this time, resigned to the process unfolding before her.

With the bet in place, all that was left was to wait a little longer for the outcome. Ultimately, what she said didn't matter; she was unable to move a muscle.

Time ticked by, and due to the layer of white makeup, it was impossible to discern any changes in the woman's injuries.

Yet, there was one certainty among the onlookers: burns don't just vanish that quickly. Thus, their anticipation had shifted to seeing how Zhang Xiaolong would handle the situation.

“Ten minutes are up!” Some were eager to keep track of time.

Zhang Xiaolong glanced at his watch. “We're thirty seconds short, but I won't quibble over half a minute. Let's unveil the results now.”

The reporter sneered, convinced that Xiaolong's disregard for the final seconds stemmed from knowing they wouldn't make a difference.

Yang Jingjing attempted to step forward but was held back by Zhang Xiaolong, who then personally smoothed the cream across the woman's face.

As the cream was evenly distributed, all eyes were fixed on the unfolding scene, their mouths agape in astonishment. Could it be… was it actually true?

When the woman's face was fully exposed, the crowd was dumbstruck. Not a trace of the burn remained, not even a scar.

What kind of makeup was this? Was it so revolutionary that it left other products in the dust?

“This… How can this be? Just a moment ago, there were clear…” The skeptical reporter was at a loss for words, pointing at Zhang Xiaolong, “What exactly did you do?”

“I did nothing but wait for your good wishes,” Zhang Xiaolong replied with a nonchalant shrug.

Laughter rippled through the crowd, a clear retort to the earlier malicious intent.

The reporter's face contorted with frustration, and he begrudgingly conceded, “It appears Essence Dragon Makeup is without fault. I extend my best wishes for your continued success and innovation in product development.”

With that, he quickly retreated, disappearing into the throng of people.

The woman, who just ten minutes prior had vehemently accused the makeup of burning her face, was once again the focus. The same product that she claimed caused her injury had now miraculously healed it. This was an impossibility, leaving only one conclusion: she had been lying.

“May I ask why you pretended to be a burn victim to falsely accuse Essence Dragon Makeup?”

“Was someone directing you to do this? Is this an act of malicious competition among industry peers?”

“Do you have anything to say about this outcome? Are you aware of the severe consequences of your actions?”

Question after question left the woman completely bewildered. She had never anticipated such a dramatic turn of events.

“I don't know, I don't know anything…”

While speaking, she tried to push her way out, realizing that if she lingered, she might end up at the police station.

“Do you really think you can just walk away?” Zhang Xiaolong called out from behind her. “You accused someone's makeup product of being faulty and sought to have reporters vindicate you. Now that you've been unmasked, do you think you're off the hook?”

“Who put you up to this? Speak up, or we're calling the police!” Zhou Li demanded, her anger palpable.

The woman desperately wanted to flee, but the crowd of reporters and onlookers had formed a tight circle around her, making escape nearly impossible. Overwhelmed, she collapsed to the ground.

“I was wrong, I admit my mistake. Please don't send me to prison. I was blinded by greed. Someone offered me a hundred thousand yuan to stir up trouble here. All I had to do was attract the reporters' attention. Once the job was done, I was promised another hundred thousand,” she confessed on the spot. “But I don't know the man; I've never seen him before. I truly don't recognize him!”

A hundred thousand yuan to frame someone? It's a significant sum, but to risk her own reputation for that amount showed the woman's desperation.

“Please, don't arrest me. My husband was in a car accident, and I have two children at home who need to be fed. I had no choice; when this person approached me, I…” Overcome with emotion, she broke down crying on the floor.

“It seems she really doesn't know the person who instructed her,” Yang Jingjing observed, approaching the scene. “Suing her would be pointless; it wouldn't affect the mastermind behind this.”

Zhang Xiaolong nodded in agreement, recognizing the complexity of the situation.

“Go ahead and leave,” Yang Jingjing decided. “If what you're saying is true, then I suppose you're quite unfortunate. Consider the hundred thousand yuan you received as a donation from Essence Dragon. Here, take this bottle of cosmetics as well. It should help improve your skin. Let's not have any more accusations about us selling harmful, low-quality products, alright?”

“Ah?” The woman was taken aback by the unexpected leniency and the gifts. Once it sank in, she quickly expressed her gratitude.