This was all Wu Erpang's fault for being too agitated, and because of Fu Fanshan's powerful status. So he didn't explain things to the employees, only instructing them to treat him well. But unexpectedly, this incident occurred.
A short while later, the farm owner, Wu Erpangzi, rushed in with the female server. As soon as she entered the room, she wiped her sweat and bowed deeply to Fu Yuanshan, repeatedly apologizing, "Boss Fu, I'm so sorry! It's all my fault for not explaining things clearly to the server. You are my benefactor; it's already a blessing that you came to my farm. How could I possibly take your money? If I did, may I be struck by lightning one day!"
Fu Yuanshan waved his hand and said calmly, "Wu Er, don't blame your employee. She didn't do anything wrong. It's just that none of us had any money on us. We do have cards, hehe. Mo Er, why don't you go to the bank and apply for a bank card? That way, things won't be so awkward. I'll have someone bring you the money when I get back. That's all, we're leaving!"
Wu Erpangzi said with a bitter face, "No, it can't be."
But Fu Yuanshan accompanied Zhou Xuan out of the room, and Yang Jinjun quickly followed behind. Yuan Li, Wang Ziqing, and Lan Yin were all very unhappy. They got up to leave, but when they got to the door, the female waitresses surrounded them, chattering and asking if they could answer their names.
Of course, this cannot be refused. With a large group, the safety of the wives and children must be considered; with a small group, it's naturally less of a problem. One should be polite to fans when necessary. After all, fans are concerned for their parents' well-being.
Upon reaching the parking lot, Yang Zhongjun warmly said to Zhou Xuan, "Little Zhou, let's distribute the people reasonably as soon as we get back. Two people per car. Yuan Li and I will share a car, and Zi Qing and Miss Yan Yin can share your cars."
Yang Zhongjun spoke very frankly, without any attempt to hide his meaning. But everyone understood what he really meant: he wanted Wang Ziqing and Lan Yin to get to know each other and build a relationship.
Yuan Li, Wang Ziqing, and Lan Yin immediately frowned. Wang Ziqing and Meng Xun were somewhat wary of Yang Zhongjun, after all, he was their boss. Their reputations were all built on the money his company funded.
But Yuan Li seemed a bit arrogant and spoiled. His face darkened, and he coldly retorted, "That's not quite right. We're artists, not escorts. We agreed to make a brief appearance at the store opening, and it's just that there's no scheduling conflict. It's fine if you have time to go, we'll see. Mr. Yang, don't be fooled. In today's society, there are plenty of con artists from the countryside!"
Jian Yuanshan was taken aback, and his face darkened.
Zhou Xuan chuckled and said, "Mr. Yang, thank you for your trouble. I don't drive and I don't own a car. I came here in Brother Fu's car. Since Yuan Jingsheng is so understanding, I think we should just leave the same way we came. That's more convenient!"
Yang Zhongjun's face immediately turned purple with embarrassment. He wanted to explode in anger but couldn't bring himself to do it in front of Zhou and Fu.
Fu Yuanshan snorted, pointed at Yang Zhongjun, opened his mouth but said nothing, then pulled Zhou Xuan to his Audi, opened the door and got in.
After the car drove out of the farm, because Wu Erpang was still bowing as he saw Fu Mangshan off, and a large group of female waitresses were standing outside, Yang Zhongjun couldn't make a scene. He frowned and said, "Get in the car!"
After getting in the car and driving away from the farm restaurant, once on the road, Yang Zhongjun, who hadn't even seen the actress from the farm, yelled at Yuan Li, who was sitting in the passenger seat: "Yuan Li, what the hell are you thinking today? Trying to sabotage me? You try to talk about status with me? What status do you have? If I don't praise you, what are you? Let me tell you, you're just a nobody!"
Wang Ziqing and Lan Yin, the two girls, were so frightened by Yang Zhongjun's sudden outburst that they didn't dare to make a sound in the back seat.
I've never seen him so angry before, especially since he's the top employee in the company, someone who usually dotes on him! What's wrong with him today?
Yuan Li was stunned for a moment, then his face flushed red as he said, "President Yang, what do you mean by this? Does that mean my contribution to you is less than that of those two country bumpkins?"
"Country bumpkin? I'll curse your ancestors!" Yang Zhongjun was furious and cursed, "You've made me a lot of money, but don't forget that I also helped you get started. Without me, what would you have made? A person should know their place, not just talk nonsense. Let me tell you, my status isn't bad, but if that country bumpkin you mentioned were to cause me trouble, he could easily find an excuse to shut down my company. Who do you think he is? Don't think that just because you've acted in a few movies and become famous, you can look down on everyone and act like a high-class person. Think about it, what were you like ten years ago? Calling people county bumpkins and country bumpkins, you're even worse than a country bumpkin at heart!"
Yuan Li had never been insulted like this before. Moreover, how could he possibly save face in front of this man? He retorted angrily, "President Yang, don't be so rude. What's so great about those Fu and Zhou guys? I know all the high-ranking officials and wealthy people in Beijing, and I have plenty of close connections. If they mess with me, I'll make sure they suffer. Look at how they're fighting—they're just gangsters. What's so scary about gangsters?"
Yang Zhongjun was furious, but he suddenly stopped himself and yelled at Yuan Li, "Get out of the car! Get out of the car! Get out of here!"
Yuan Li, panting heavily, pushed open the car door, jumped out, and turned to Yang Jinjun, coldly saying, "President Yang, there are plenty of companies looking for me these days, so don't try to fool me."
Yang Zhongjun coldly replied, "What do you want? Don't make any demands; you have a contract with me!"
"Heh heh, it's just money. Our contract only has six months left." According to the contract, breach of contract is based on the contract period. It's only six months. If I have to compensate you, it'll be ten thousand if I don't even ask for it! Yuan Li snorted and said, "Mr. Yang, I'm not easily intimidated. Besides, I've been in this business for so many years, I have some connections. Let's part ways amicably. I'm telling you, Mr. Yang, this is Beijing, I have people in the upper echelons!"
"Get lost!" Yang Zhongjun angrily stepped on the gas and started the car. Yuan Li's words were too arrogant. What an ingrate!
To be honest, in the entertainment industry, there's no real distinction between betrayal and betrayal; everything revolves around money. Yang Zhongjun is like that, as are Yuan Li and others. Sometimes, however, there's a degree of loyalty. Take today, for example; Yuan Li has been somewhat unethical. Although Yang has wronged him, Yuan Li, as his contracted artist, is essentially his official employee. Working for his boss is perfectly reasonable and proper, as long as it's not excessive.
But was what he did today too much? He didn't ask Yuan Li to sell his reputation or dignity. He let Wang Ziqing and Lan Yin ride in Fu Yuanshan and Zhou Xuan's car. Even if there were rumors of a connection with the Mo family, it was far from the point of selling one's body. Which company's public relations department doesn't have female employees drinking and eating with clients?
Wang Ziqing asked hesitantly, "Mr. Yang, who are Fu Jinggan and Zhou Jingsheng?"
Yang Zhongjun had gradually calmed down by this time, and after a while, he replied, "Ziqing, Yanyin, you are both my men. To be honest, I, Yang Zhongjun, am not a very kind person, but I consider myself to have treated you fairly well. As for these two, let me tell you, I don't know the one surnamed Zhou, but that Fu Jingsheng is the director of the Jiadongcheng Public Security Bureau, and he has just been promoted to deputy director-general. I heard he was directly appointed by the municipal party committee. He has a precedent of being a high-ranking official, and in three to five years, he might become the director-general of the Public Security Bureau. Yuan Li is too presumptuous. In this society, genuine friendships are not as simple as he thinks he's become a close friend after having a few meals together. I don't believe he has any connections or dealings with certain high-ranking officials in Beijing. But if there's something serious, it should be brought to the table. If it's some trivial matter, then so be it. But if it's something like Director Fu's case, would anyone offend a mere actress like him? A high-ranking official at the provincial level? What a joke!"
"So, are we still going to their shop tomorrow?" Wang Ziqi asked in a low voice.
"Go, of course we'll go!" Yang Zhongjun grumbled. "Not only will we make them proud, but we'll also give them face. Director Fu just had a funeral. We have to give him this car."
Fu Yuanshan kept accelerating in his Audi, his face grim.
Zhou Xuan smiled and advised, "Brother, let it go. It doesn't matter. We don't need to fight over someone like that. It's not like we're mortal enemies. We're just paying to hire him anyway. If that guy surnamed Yuan doesn't want to come, so be it. Besides, I think that Boss Yang treats you quite well. It's just that that guy surnamed Yuan under him doesn't listen to orders!"
Fu Yuanshan snorted and said, "Brother. I know, it's only because of that bastard Du Cunwu that I had to come and cause trouble, and then he had to pull that bill-setting thing, making that Yuan guy look like a country bumpkin!"
Zhou Xuan said calmly, "Let him curse. He's not wrong. I think he's just a vain person. We don't need to be like him. There's no point in arguing with him!"
Fu Yuanshan hummed again, then shut his mouth and said nothing more. He simply drove off without asking Zhou Fu, heading straight back to Hongcheng Garden.
Ran Xuan got out of the car and asked, "Brother, come in and sit for a while, let's cool off."
"No, I have things to do. You also need to prepare for tomorrow." Fu Yuanshan shook his head and declined Zhou Xuan's invitation. He waved goodbye to Zhou Xuan and then drove off.
After Zhou Xuan returned home, only Liu Ji and her mother were there. She overheard them saying that Fu Lei and her younger sister Zhou Rong had gone to the shop together, and she wanted to help her sister out. The shop was opening tomorrow, and everyone was busy and overwhelmed. Right now, everyone in the family except her was busy.
He had been sitting alone in his room all day, feeling annoyed by Yuan Li's constant insults, calling him a "country bumpkin." Although he had just told Fu Yuanshan he didn't mind, he was still quite upset.
In the afternoon, Li Wei came over, ran into Zhou Xuan's room, and tossed a small notebook to Zhou Xuan with a grin.
Zhou Xuan opened the leather case and saw four driver's licenses inside. He took them out and looked at them. They were his father, Zhou Cangsong's, his younger brother Zhou Tao's, and his younger sister Zhou Ying's. He exclaimed in surprise, "What?! We haven't even learned to drive! What's the use of you getting these licenses? You scoundrel, you don't learn anything good, you just do these crooked things!"
Li Wei chuckled and said, "Brother Xuan, my brother-in-law, stop complaining. That's just how things are in this world. Everyone does it, but you insist on not fitting in. You think this is..." "Oh dear!"
As Li Weizheng was speaking animatedly, Xiao suddenly felt a chill. All her clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, and underpants had vanished, leaving her completely naked. She stared at Zhou Fu for a moment, then quickly covered her lower body, exclaiming, "Brother Xuan, Brother Xuan, I was wrong, I was wrong! Please give me back my clothes, please give them back!"
Zhou Xuan snorted, "No. Aren't you coming back yet!" The old man, who had been snorting, stepped out of the room. Once outside, out of Li Wei's sight, he smiled. This Qian Wei was getting increasingly shameless. But jokes aside, laughter was still laughter. He really liked this little Wu. As for his brother-in-law, he needed to teach him a lesson; this kid was becoming increasingly disrespectful to him. (To be continued... For more chapters, please visit Jibashan, the author of the original novel, Gu Chi!)
Volume 1, Chapter 320
Li Wei hurriedly grabbed Zhou Xuan's armor from his wardrobe and put it on, raising his hands in surrender and saying, "Brother Xuan, Brother Xuan, I admit my mistake, I admit my mistake!"
After listening to Li Wei ramble on for a while, Zhou Xuan urged him to go back: "Li Wei, you shameless thing. Forget it, just take Xiao Ying's driver's license to her. Girls like to be pampered. But I advise you, it's fine if you just get a driver's license, but you can't just let Xiao Ying and the others drive. At least she has to learn how to drive!"
Zhou Xuan understood that while driver's licenses could be easily obtained, driving on the road without proper training was irresponsible and endangered one's own life.