Zhang Feng slammed his hand on the table and said, "What exactly happened? You're not allowed to eat tonight until you explain it to me clearly."
Li Jingjing said, "Uncle, please don't be angry."
Zhang Feng immediately deflated; he wouldn't give face to anyone else, but he had to give face to his daughter-in-law.
Li Jingjing said, "Uncle, Wenjing is an agent for youth health products. She bought them at the media retail price and sold them at the market price. There's nothing wrong with that, is there? We're operating legally. Do you want to see Wenjing achieve nothing in her life?"
Zhang Wenjing's mother sensed that Li Jingjing was a little angry, so she quickly scolded Zhang Feng: "What are you doing? Your son is doing legitimate business, why are you meddling in it? Stand aside!"
"Youth health products?" Zhang Feng was taken aback. Those things were indeed valuable; everyone in China knew that. But then Zhang Feng thought of something else and asked, "You might be an agent for someone else's products? Besides, don't you know that those are products from the north? They're restricted from coming to us in the south." After saying that, Zhang Feng gave Li Jingjing a suggestive look.
Zhang Wenjing naturally saw all of this and said, "Dad, Zhao Qiang and Zhang Lingfeng have a business relationship. It was they who helped me negotiate this deal. As for the products from the North, do you think I'm afraid?"
Li Jingjing snorted: "Who dares to gossip?"
If Chen Kezong's granddaughter were to do this kind of business, no one would dare to say anything.
Just then, there was another knock on the door. Zhang Wenjing's mother hurriedly went to open it. The person who came was an acquaintance from downstairs, who also worked for the government. He was carrying a much larger bag. Because his official rank was much lower than Zhang Feng's, his attitude was extremely humble: "Hello Mayor Zhang, hello Auntie, is Wenjing home?"
Zhang Wenjing said proudly to her father, "Dad, look, business is coming in again, and I haven't even opened for business yet!"
Volume 2 [520] A Family
[520] A family
At the Chen family's villa, the three men sat together in silence. After a long while, Chen Guangmin finally spoke, "Aren't you two supposed to be very clever? Why don't you come up with a solution?"
Chen Yaohui said, "Dad, what can we do? We have no real power right now. You should think of a way to get my grandfather to rescind the punishment against us. If this continues, we'll be left out."
Chen Guangmin sighed: "I told you from the beginning not to go too far in anything, but you just wouldn't listen. Now you know how formidable your grandfather is, right? You all thought I was stupid, that I was missing a screw. Heh heh, in front of your grandfather, you have to play dumb to have any hope of appearing too smart and making him wary."
Chen Yaocan said, "Can you blame us for this? We moved the funds because we didn't want my uncle to take advantage of the situation and develop his business outside. My grandfather knew that my uncle wouldn't achieve much if he stayed in the Chen family as a helper, so he sent him out. If we hadn't controlled his funds, he might be even more successful now."
Chen Guangmin said, "Alright, even if your intentions are good, tell me where the misappropriated funds went. As long as you transfer the funds back, your grandfather can still give you a chance."
The brothers, Chen Yaohui and Chen Yaocan, exchanged a glance and said helplessly, "We've spent it all."
Chen Guangmin slammed his hand on the table: "Several hundred million, and you've already spent it all?"
Chen Yaohui said, "Dad, why are you so excited? Go to Macau and try it. It's just a one-night stand. You can lose whatever you have."
Chen Yaocan said, "These days, celebrities are asking for more and more money. They can charge tens of millions just for sleeping with someone for a month."
Chen Guangmin's hands trembled with anger: "Others say I'm brain-dead, but I think you're the brain-dead ones."
After a while, Chen Yaohui picked out something happy to talk about. He said ingratiatingly, "Dad, another opportunity is coming. I heard that my eldest uncle will definitely come back to Shanghai to attend my grandfather's birthday celebration."
Chen Guangmin said, "So what?"
Chen Yaocan said, "Dad, think about it, would the Chen family business be passed on to outsiders?"
Chen Guangmin said, "Given your grandfather's preference for sons over daughters, he probably wouldn't."
Chen Yaohui said, "That settles it. As long as my uncle dies, Dad, who do you think will be qualified to inherit the Chen family business? At that time, will you still care about those few hundred million yuan?"
Chen Guangmin gasped: "You guys are too bold."
Chen Yaohui snorted: "There is nothing in this world without risk. One general's fame is built on the bones of ten thousand. Whose promotion is not achieved by stepping on the corpses of their comrades?"
Chen Guangmin asked, "Are you confident? Don't forget that our family's expert has already been crippled by that Zhao guy."
Chen Yaocan said, "Dad, I forgot to tell you, besides eating, drinking and having fun, we also bribed Chen Guangwei's bodyguard, African Lion, with those hundreds of millions of yuan."
Chen Guangmin's face lit up with surprise: "Really?"
Chen Yaohui clenched his fist: "Nearly a hundred million yuan has been poured in, Dad, do you think anyone can withstand that?"
Chen Guangmin said, "If the African lion makes a move, then we are 90% confident."
Chen Yaocan said, "Not 90%, but 100%."
Chen Yaohui said, "It's a pity that the African lion has never obtained the secret formula for the catalyst."
Chen Yaocan said, "We have almost mastered the process of synthetic rubber production. The only thing we lack is a catalyst. It's really strange. These are just ordinary raw materials, but they become magical catalysts the day after they are put into the warehouse. With these catalysts, the most crucial chemical reaction in synthetic rubber can be completed."
Chen Yaohui said, "We have been trying to get into that warehouse, but it is too heavily guarded. We lack the opportunity to take away the finished catalyst. If we can get the finished catalyst, we might be able to analyze its composition and manufacture it ourselves."
Chen Yaocan said, "We tried to mix the ingredients according to the proportions prepared by Zhao Qiang, but we failed. Does he have some secret weapon?"
Chen Guangmin said, "Don't worry about him for now. He was already acting mysterious back in the north, so it's not surprising that he's behaving this way now."
Chen Yaohui said, "That's true. The catalyst isn't the most important thing right now; dealing with my uncle is the top priority."
Chen Yaocan reminded his father and brother: "But this Zhao Qiang is quite cunning. We need to be careful that he doesn't come to Shanghai with us."
Chen Guangmin said, "I heard that you two are getting very close to Li Zhongyuan?"
Chen Yaohui chuckled: "Dad, are you trying to use Li Zhongyuan to keep Zhao Qiang in check?"
Chen Guangmin nodded: "Besides the three top experts around your grandfather, if your aunt's bodyguard, Zuan Tianbao, doesn't make a move, only Li Zhongyuan can deal with him."
Chen Yaohui said, "I can try to persuade Li Zhongyuan. I hinted at this idea last time, but he didn't agree."
Chen Guangmin took a deep breath: "Your aunt is no simple person either."
Chen Yaocan said, "What's so special about her? She's a woman after all. What use is she even if my grandfather values her highly?"
Chen Guangmin asked, "Are you aware that Li Jingjing ran away to Baiyuan City?"
Chen Yaocan said, "I understand."
Chen Guangmin asked, "What do you think about her and Zhang Wenjing's sales of youth health products in second- and third-tier cities in the south?"
Chen Yaohui said, "It's just a way to make money."
Chen Guangmin said meaningfully, "We have to be wary of people in the North. This time, your grandfather actually sent invitations to the leaders of several major companies in the North. I can't figure out what your grandfather is up to. A few years ago, your grandfather kept supporting your uncle, simply to suppress the speed of our development. Later, when he saw that your uncle couldn't compete with us at all, he sent him to develop in other places and also took away our power. Now he's even grooming your aunt. Could it be that he wants your uncle and aunt to join forces to deal with us?"
Chen Yaocan said, "My grandfather likes to play the balancing act, but since the forces of all parties are not equal, my grandfather's plan will not succeed."
Chen Guangmin said, "Your aunt's side has always lacked funds, so its development has been slow. But this time, the youth health product has actually cooperated with her. Judging from the current market prices of the products, your aunt's side will definitely benefit greatly. We have to be careful."
Chen Yaohui said with difficulty, "Dad, should we defend or cooperate? Should we talk to Li Zhongyuan?"
Chen Guangmin, shrewd and calculating, said: "You're playing a game of defending while cooperating? Haven't you ever played the game of laughing while stabbing someone in the back?"
In Baiyuan City, Zhao Qiang lay back on Zhao Ling's office chair, bored, while Zhao Ling rubbed his forehead from behind.
"Just watch the interview from behind, whatever you do, don't show yourself," Zhao Ling instructed.
Zhao Qiang laughed and said, "What, are you afraid that I'm too handsome and will be snatched away by those minor celebrities?"
Zhao Ling gently tapped Zhao Qiang on the forehead: "You're so proud of yourself. I haven't seen you get any more handsome lately. In fact, you seem a bit bland. But it doesn't matter. In our hearts, you'll always be the most handsome and the best."
Zhao Qiang had observed that his appearance was becoming more and more like his former self, and he had indeed become much more ordinary. The secretary knocked on the door to remind Zhao Ling that her interview time was up, and Zhao Ling picked up the documents on the table and went out.
Zhao Qiang thought for a moment and followed, but instead of entering the interview room, he went into the next room. He didn't need to use his X-ray glasses; it was a specially set-up observation room where he could see the situation inside through one-way glass. There was also a special sound transmission device that transmitted the sound from the interview room, allowing Zhao Qiang to have a complete view of the situation from inside.
The first few models were alright; they were decent-looking, but mostly artificial. Zhao Qiang didn't care. These days, celebrities rely on their looks; how can you become famous if you don't make yourself look good?
Actually, none of the people who came for the interview were very famous. Lingdong Entertainment is a startup company, and these third-rate stars wouldn't be willing to come if the annual salary wasn't considerable.
"Next." Zhao Ling called out. Although she had a few targets in mind, she wasn't very interested in any of them. These people weren't worth Lingdong Entertainment spending a lot of money to cultivate. No matter how much packaging they received, they wouldn't become famous.
Sitting nervously on a chair outside the interview room, Su Xiaosu was told by Guo Yang, who had come with her, "Be brave, you're the best."
Su Xiaosu said, "Thank you, Guo Yang. I'm so grateful for your encouragement during this time, even though it led to you being fired from the company."
Guo Yang said, "My old entertainment company was terrible, I've wanted to quit for a long time. If you can join this entertainment company, I'll come too." Guo Yang is a male star with some fame in China. He has a lot of confidence in Lingdong Entertainment, an entertainment company that hasn't even entered the provincial level yet. So the key is whether Su Xiaosu can be accepted.
"Number 18," the staff member called out. Guo Yang said, "Xiao Su, it's your turn. Go ahead. You need to have some confidence in yourself. This is just a small entertainment company at the city level. With your experience in the domestic entertainment industry for so long, you're more than capable."
Zhao Ling marked the previous document with a big question mark, which was practically announcing that the young starlet had been eliminated. The photo underneath the document caught Zhao Ling's eye. She casually tossed the document with the question mark aside and carefully read the second document. "Su Xiaosu?"
"Hello, judges." Su Xiaosu walked in timidly and bowed.
The HR manager in charge of the interview asked in a formulaic manner, "Su Xiaosu, hello, why did you come for this interview?"
Su Xiaosu said, "Because I was attracted by the compensation model of an annual salary of 500,000 plus performance revenue sharing."
The HR manager then asked, "Aren't you afraid of being treated like a beast of burden? Perhaps Lingdong Entertainment will keep making you participate in various performances in order to squeeze out the maximum profit from you."
Su Xiaosu said, "Really? I've learned about your company's operations before, and it seems that your benefits and rest time arrangements are quite reasonable."
The HR manager smiled and asked, "What is your current annual salary at your company? And what is your ideal annual salary?"
Su Xiaosu said, "I get two thousand for each performance, the company provides food and lodging, and two thousand for costumes and makeup every month. As for my goal, I'll strive for one million, but I'll be happy as long as I can get a guaranteed annual salary of 500,000, because that's more profitable than my current company."
The HR manager then asked, "According to your information, you graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music. With your voice and education, you could have had a better career. Why did you stay at your previous entertainment company?"
Su Xiaosu said, "I worked there before I graduated. I got attached to it after a while, so I didn't leave."
The HR manager pressed further: "Then why did you decide to change jobs?"
Su Xiaosu looked somewhat downcast: "I want to change my environment and start a new life."
The HR manager asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Su Xiaosu hesitated for a moment: "It used to happen, but not anymore."
"Are you still in contact? You need to know that as a celebrity, your love life is very important."
Su Xiaosu shook her head: "We won't contact each other anymore, and we won't in the future."
Zhao Ling drew a big checkmark on the document, which the HR manager next to her naturally noticed. He smiled and said, "Su Xiaosu, congratulations on passing the interview. If you have time, you can try to record a short video. Our company is producing a short film that might need you."
Volume 2 [521] The Feast
[521] Banquet
When Guo Yang saw Su Xiaosu walk out of the interview room with a smile, he quickly stood up and asked, "Xiaosu, how did it go?"
Su Xiaosu made an OK sign: "You passed the interview."
Guo Yang said, "You're amazing. I knew you could do it."
Then a staff member came out and told Su Xiaosu: "Please go to the restaurant for lunch. Here is your meal ticket."
Su Xiaosu said, "No need, let's eat outside."
The staff member explained, "All the colleagues who passed the interview have to go. Do you want to miss this opportunity to get to know and interact with everyone?"