23 Chapter The Heights of Power Must be Actively Seized

"Hello friends, I'm Old Tang. Yes, the one who asked for six hundred thousand in overtime pay. This should be my first video, and I'll be uploading some interesting videos from time to time. I hope everyone likes them..."

"The story is quite simple. I was renting a place and saw a nice apartment on some APP, with good decoration, a good location, and a good price. So, I arranged with the agent to go and view it."

"But when I got there, they told me that the apartment had just been rented out. I said that's quite a coincidence. I contacted you last night, and now it's only nine in the morning. How could it be so coincidental that the apartment has already been rented out?"

"Then they admitted they used fake photos and a fake price, and said that all agents do this nowadays..."

Tang Fangjing went on to talk about the cost of his taxi fare and the lawsuit he was filing. In the end, he added:

"Honestly, after they paid me, I was content. I'm not a bad person, really. It was their attitude that got me—saying that everyone does this nowadays and that I should make the whole industry use real listings if I'm capable."

"So look at this, the stage is set, let's get to work..."

I'd filmed a bit of footage while running around earlier, and now I've edited it all together. In the scorching heat, I ran around like a salesman, promoting from dawn to dusk, frenzied as if possessed.

Of course, a significant portion of the video covered the help from the university students. I had specifically confirmed with them if they were okay with appearing on camera. Some didn't mind, and some insisted on showing their faces...

Then came the investigation results, as well as the reports and lawsuits. Of course, companies like Hua Shi Real Estate and Anke 85, which were diluting their service with lies, had to be highlighted.

After a careful check to ensure there were no issues, I clicked upload.

I posted on all major platforms, since short video platforms now support longer videos too.

I'm actually short on money myself. After buying a house, I was left with very little. Thankfully, the public interest lawsuit settlement came through. With a fifty-fifty split, that amount should be enough for Tang Fangjing to live on for a while.

But with a mortgage to pay, and considering the future purchase of a car and a parking space, I definitely need to make more money.

Sigh, if only my system could give me money as well. Life is important, but so is money. I have to go to the hospital for check-ups every month and take all sorts of expensive medication.

Why is it that in those novels with characters who have systems, they end up with fancy cars and beautiful women, living the high life...

After uploading the video, Tang Fangjing informed the university students who had left their contact information with him, and then he didn't bother to follow up. As expected, the opposite party appealed Elder Zhang's case, and he needed to show up, even if just as a formality.

......

Lu Jiayu, now a working office drone, was busy when her phone rang. She picked it up and her face lit up with surprise—Old Tang had actually pulled it off?

To be honest, although everyone had been helping out before, we all knew that young people come and go quickly.

Even if it was just for fun, they expected to see the results the very next day after participating. When things quieted down later, nobody paid much special attention anymore.

But Old Tang had wrapped things up quietly!

Don't ask why we call him Old Tang. Despite his young age, he's slick like an old hand—a pure vibe, much more mature than his peers.

So even though he's only about twenty-five years old, everyone calls him Old Tang.

I really want to watch that video. I'm dying to see those agents' reactions when they find out what's been exposed. But I'm at work right now...

Forget it, I'll sneak a peek. But before that, I need to share it and tell my friends!

The same thing was happening on campus, especially among those who had initially gone to collect evidence. They were ecstatic to see the video now!

"Guys, come quick and watch this. That thing I participated in before has been wrapped up. What are you all doing, guys? Hurry up and come over!"

In the dormitory, Zhang Yuhao was shouting at a few of his roommates. It was essential to have others join in on watching—it was all the more satisfying!

And with the first time under his belt, if Tang Fangjing ever wanted to do something similar again, people like Zhang Yuhao would definitely be the first to run and join in. The sense of participation was just too high...

Compared to someone purely interested in fun like Zhang Yuhao, other students who had been scammed, especially those who recently rented apartments, felt a deep connection!

The comments section was getting crowded with all sorts of rants.

"Holy ****, I've had the same experience, but I chose to look at another apartment. Although I was really upset inside because the one I originally liked was gone, someone has finally taken them on!"

"Damn, all of a company's listings are fake? So, they're not mixing in any truth at all, huh? The way the host of the video describes their trickery as 'water diluted with water' is just spot-on!"

"And the platforms, particularly that 85, how dare they claim they've fulfilled their responsibilities? It's a nest of scammers, and yet they have the audacity to say anything!"

But what everyone found most thrilling was watching the reactions of those real estate agency bosses when they received their penalties and subpoenas.

So many people have encountered this before, and plenty have heard about it too. Now, that's just how things are done; there's no helping it.

Well, now it's good. Someone has finally stood up to them, and did it in such a way that left them speechless!

One hundred percent fake listings, huh? How are you going to explain that?

As the video began to trend on various platforms, the Jingzhou Market Supervision Department threw fuel on the fire by issuing a notice.

At last, several listed companies came forward to apologize.

They pledged to provide strict training to their branches nationwide, insisting that such incidents must not happen again, and of course, they stated they would not appeal.

The platform companies did the same, hastily apologizing, which was for the best. They were practically stripped bare, and if they remained obstinate, their competitors would die laughing.

All sorts of apologies pushed the fervor to a peak, and under such intensity, some opinions started to emerge.

"Idle Clouds and Wild Cranes": As a mere passerby, I really don't understand why so many people hate agents. Is there something wrong with what they're saying? The whole industry operates this way, and why is that? It's because you customers are the greedy ones.

Do the agents owe you something? You want nice houses for low prices, chauffeured cars, and yet disdain the agents who run around in all weather to earn a hard living. Is it necessary to make such a fuss about it?

What's the big deal with fake listings? What exactly have they conned you out of? Come on, tell me. Many agents offer car pickups, so speak with your conscience, what exactly have they fooled you into?

Arguments like this all had the same core: the fakes are just there to attract leads; everyone does it, and it hasn't really conned anyone. After all, you ended up renting a place, why blow things out of proportion…

These arguments sparked a new round of debates, and the video's comment section turned into a battlefield.

Tang Fangjing only learned about this quarrel the next day, as he was just walking out from the Jingzhou Intermediate Court. Elder Zhang looked dark-faced.

No clue how much fake booze this guy had drunk, but today he seemed determined to make a statement, and Tang Fangjing could only indulge him a bit. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing to perform a solo act.

And so, Elder Zhang ranted on…

What I didn't expect was for the issue to become such a hot topic. To be fair, those people had a point; it "seems" they haven't really conned anything.

But what if everyone used real listing information, real prices?

Choosing online is meant to make things more convenient for everyone, sorting out all aspects beforehand.

Now that we're faced with fake information, the agents have turned it into a kind of blind box game offline...

Many people don't like the hassle and even dislike dealing with others. So sometimes they show you another apartment, you see it, you rent it.

It's not because they like the apartment but mostly because they don't want the hassle...

But if the information was real, wouldn't there be more choices available?

Tang Fangjing turned his thoughts into an article titled: Just Because Everyone Does It, Does That Make It Right?

If you don't stake your claim to the moral high ground, don't be surprised when others gradually encroach upon it.

Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Using fake attractions to generate traffic can never be considered right; society needs people who do the right thing.

After posting the article, he was busy heading over to Yuefu Residential Complex. The bank had disbursed the loan today, and he couldn't wait to move into his new place.

On the internet, some socially anxious and inconvenience-averse individuals suddenly saw the light. It really was just like that; they had caved in while renting apartments just because they were afraid of the hassle.

Take someone like Lu Jiayu, for instance. The agent she had encountered before even admitted to her before she viewed the apartment that the listings were fake, created just to generate leads.

However, the agent didn't send real listing information online; they insisted she visit in person. By that time, she had already looked at three apartments.

On her fourth viewing, she actually didn't like the apartment, but with school ending soon and several tiring visits already done, she felt compelled to accept it.

She hadn't given it much thought before, but now it seems clear. If the online listings were real, she definitely would have scrutinized them before visiting.

So she started furiously berating "Idle Clouds and Wild Cranes"...

......

At Yuefu Residential Complex, Tang Fangjing had received the keys. Step outside, and there's the law firm; a walk of just over ten minutes brought him to the Guangming District Court. Could anything be more awesome!

In the future, a ride on an electric scooter is all it'll take to get to court. Comfortable.