Zhao Qiang said, "I can provide the investment, but I won't interfere with the management, and I won't disclose the capital ratio either."
Zhang Wenjing and Li Jingjing were stunned. In other words, on the surface, this company belonged to Zhang Wenjing. "Then what are you after?"
Zhao Qiang said, "There's no end to the money in this world. Wenjing and I are friends, and I have an obligation to help her."
Zhang Wenjing stood up and said, "I believe Brother Qiang won't harm me. Where else can I find such a good deal, getting 30% of the profits for free? I'll do it. Besides, this company is nominally my boss, so my dad won't scold me for being a good-for-nothing anymore."
Li Jingjing said, "If the product you're talking about is really that amazing, we'll make a fortune even if we only take 30% of the shares. But we can't just sit back and enjoy the benefits. I'll be in charge of the investment, but Wenjing and I must control the management and product sales rights."
Zhao Qiang said, "Okay, I'll bring out the materials and samples another day and we can discuss it in detail."
The three of them finalized a grand plan in the government conference room, while Qiao Hua and Zhang Feng were complaining bitterly. The Feng family's companies had more than 10,000 workers. Although not everyone could come, the scale of more than a thousand people was still quite daunting. The scene was somewhat chaotic, and it was impossible to find a worker representative. Qiao Hua made several calls to Feng Youyang, but his secretary refused to answer each time, citing illness. Qiao Hua was so angry that he stomped his feet repeatedly: "This Feng Youyang has no respect for the municipal government at all."
After spending more than two hours at the scene without any results, Qiao Hua and Zhang Feng had no choice but to turn around and return to the hospital. The problem lay with Feng Youyang. If they didn't do their job properly, the workers wouldn't listen to their advice. Although they could use the armed police to control them, that method would only provoke the remaining workers, making the situation even more uncontrollable.
In Feng Youyang's ward at Baiyuan Central Hospital, what was originally a single VIP ward now had an extra bed. Liu Wen was bandaged up like a mummy. He had severe burns on his face, both of his thighs were broken, and he had various stab wounds all over his body. His nose was also collapsed. He looked as miserable as could be, and he kept screaming in pain. Feng Youyang felt much better listening to Liu Wen's cries of pain, because someone was suffering even more than him. This was also the reason why Liu Wen was arranged to be admitted.
"Commander Liu, we can't let Wang Yipeng get away with this. We must bring Su Xiaosu back to Red Dragonfly and give her a good rest." Feng Youyang said bitterly, since she was the one who started all of this.
Liu Wen said in a muffled voice, "Boss Feng, what can I do in this state? You should contact our General Manager Wang directly. I'm willing but powerless. That Zhao Qiang is too vicious. I believe you understand. I can't fight him."
Feng Youyang snorted: "Do we need to take action ourselves? I have already used the power of online public opinion. Now all of China is condemning the assailant. The louder the outcry online, the more attention the central government will pay to this matter. Now we are the victims, the abusers, and the class that needs sympathy. The Baiyuan Municipal Government will soon be unable to withstand the pressure, and then they will step in to teach Zhao Qiang a lesson for us."
Liu Wen said, "But that Zhao Qiang knows sorcery. That's not all. Don't you know that the Chen family has already gotten involved? Zhao Qiang is now fearless."
Feng Youyang asked doubtfully, "The Chen family? You mean Chen Guangwei?"
Liu Wendao: "No, it's a woman named Li Jingjing, she should be Chen Kezong's granddaughter."
Feng Youyang said, "As far as I know, apart from Chen Guangwei having some dealings with Zhao Qiang, the rest of the Chen family don't really like Zhao Qiang. As for Chen Guangwei, he seems to be doing well now, but in reality, he has been excluded from the power circle by the Chen family. Don't worry about him. But what about the sorcery you mentioned?"
Volume 2 [527] Reversal
[527] Reversal
Recalling it still terrifies Liu Wen: "He... he could control things and insert them into me."
Feng Youyang certainly didn't believe it, but the injuries on Liu Wen's body were real. Seeing how scared Liu Wen was, Feng Youyang was furious and shouted, "If you've got the guts, let him try to stab me too. I want to see what he's made of."
Someone at the ward door said, "Oh, who did Boss Feng send to seduce you?"
Feng Youyang quickly shut his mouth. After all, he was an outstanding young man. How could he swear in front of the municipal party secretary? He gave a slight bow as a greeting, "Secretary Qiao, Mayor Zhang, hello."
Qiao Hua said, "Boss Feng is awake. I came to see you this morning but you were resting, so I didn't want to disturb you."
Feng Youyang said, "Oh dear, what's going on? No one woke me up. It's an honor for me that Secretary Qiao and Mayor Zhang came to visit me together. I'm so sorry."
Qiao Hua inwardly scoffed. The faces of businessmen were even more insidious than those of politicians. He had been scolded by Feng Youyang's wife that morning, yet Feng Youyang was still putting on this act.
Zhang Feng couldn't help but say, "I just tried calling, but I couldn't get through to you, Boss Feng. You've got quite the influence these days."
Feng Youyang immediately shouted, "Xiao Wang, Xiao Wang, come in here!"
Secretary Xiao Wang entered the ward with her head down: "Mr. Feng, what's the matter?"
Feng Youyang pointed at Qiao Hua and Zhang Feng and asked, "Did Secretary Qiao call me?"
Xiao Wang said, "Yes, didn't you instruct me not to answer any calls? I saw that your injury was quite serious, so I turned them all down."
Feng Youyang feigned anger: "Are you out of your mind? You actually dared to turn back Secretary Qiao's call? Do you want this job or not? I..."
Qiao Hua intervened, saying, "Boss Feng, let it go. Xiao Wang was only thinking about your health. Don't pursue this matter any further."
Feng Youyang found a way out and said to Xiao Wang, "Consider yourself lucky. This time, Secretary Qiao pleaded for you. If there's a next time, you're in trouble."
Xiao Wang bowed his head and greeted Qiao Hua, saying, "Thank you, Secretary Qiao and Mayor Zhang, for not holding it against me."
Qiao Hua waved his hand, and Xiao Wang left the ward. At this moment, Qiao Hua and Zhang Fengcai noticed that there was still another patient in the ward. Zhang Fengcai asked curiously, "Who is he? How did he get into Boss Feng's ward?" Zhang Fengcai did not believe that Feng Youyang could not afford a private room.
Feng Youyang said casually, "Oh, this is Liu Wen, the head of the Red Dragonfly Troupe. He was just beaten up and brought here. We are friends, and it's good that we live together so we can talk."
Unexpectedly, the person wrapped up like a mummy was Liu Wen. Qiao Hua and Zhang Feng looked a little embarrassed. They had been there when Zhao Qiang and Li Jingjing beat up Liu Wen, but Liu Wen was already unconscious at the time, so he didn't know that Qiao Hua and Zhang Feng had been there.
Liu Wen was unfamiliar with the officialdom of Baiyuan City, so he dared not interrupt. If he could, he would have burst into tears long ago.
After considering for a while, Qiao Hua finally spoke: "Boss Feng, we know you were seriously injured, but we want to hear the truth about what happened last night."
Feng Youyang snorted under his nose and said, "Secretary Qiao, you keep investigating without taking any action. Don't you feel sorry for us victims? Let me make it clear in advance that victims also have dignity. If you really push us too far, we're capable of anything."
Zhang Feng tried to smooth things over: "Boss Feng, harmony brings wealth. Let's talk things out slowly. Let's get down to business and not be impulsive."
Feng Youyang cursed, "Damn it, not impulsive? I was having drinks with my friends, and after drinking a bit too much, I went upstairs to rest. Who knew that some wild fox would take a fancy to my wealth and try to seduce me? When that failed, she tried to rape me and, together with her accomplices who arrived later, beat me up like this. I have no way to seek justice. Is there any justice in this world?"
Liu Wen hurriedly spoke up: "Yes, yes, I testified for Boss Feng that I was unlucky in my choice of partner. I never expected Su Xiaosu to be so despicable. She secretly set her sights on Boss Feng's wealth. First, she tried to seduce him, and when that failed, she resorted to force. In the end, she even gathered accomplices to murder Boss Feng. Fortunately, Boss Feng was lucky, otherwise he would have been killed."
Qiao Hua and Zhang Feng exchanged a glance and smiled wryly. They had gotten such a result again. What were they going to do?
Qiao Hua said to Feng Youyang, "Boss Feng, I think no matter what happens, we should let the workers return to work first. If it affects the stability of our city's economy, then we'll be guilty."
Feng Youyang pretended to be puzzled: "What? Workers are resuming work? Secretary Qiao, I don't understand what you mean."
Qiao Hua said, "The workers in several of your factories are gathering and causing trouble. If this is not quelled, the situation may escalate. Boss Feng, you don't want anything to go wrong, do you? Disrupting social stability is a responsibility you can't afford to bear."
Feng Youyang said with a straight face, "Secretary Qiao, although I am just an ordinary citizen, you can't pin the blame on me. You saw me like this with your own eyes, how could I possibly disrupt social stability? As for the workers' disturbance you mentioned, it has nothing to do with me. Perhaps the workers felt that I am a decent person and genuinely stood up for me, so I can't dampen their enthusiasm. Besides, it might not be of any use if I spoke up. What the workers want is a fair resolution. The municipal government should just announce the results as soon as possible. Secretary Qiao, you're not trying to protect the criminals, are you?"
Zhang Feng reminded Feng Youyang, "Boss Feng, to be honest, that Zhao Qiang also has connections. You'd better not make a scene, otherwise no one will benefit. It would be best if everyone could sit down and talk things out calmly."
Feng Youyang closed his eyes: "I'm sorry, Mayor Zhang, I'm very tired, and I don't want to compromise with the bad guys. If the Baiyuan Municipal Government can't handle this matter properly, then I will continue to report it to higher authorities. I don't believe there's no place in this world where justice is served."
Qiao Hua reminded Feng Youyang, "Boss Feng, it seems that Su Xiaosu's story is the opposite of yours. She says that you and Liu Wen drugged and raped her."
Liu Wen shouted, "This is slander against me, the leader of a performance troupe! Would I do such a thing? Besides, who is Boss Feng? Would he possibly be interested in a woman like Su Xiaosu, who frequents the pleasure quarters? This is simply an insult to Boss Feng!"
Feng Youyang opened his eyes and said, "Commander Liu, don't argue with them. The innocent will remain innocent, and the guilty will remain guilty. We must trust that the eyes of the masses are discerning."
After that, Feng Youyang and Liu Wen stopped talking and pretended to be asleep with their eyes closed. Qiao Hua and Zhang Feng were left speechless. They were really not good at being local officials. They could only leave dejectedly. Fortunately, Jia Lili was not there, otherwise today's matter would not have ended well.
The ward quieted down. Feng Youyang opened his eyes, and then Liu Wen opened his eyes as well. After glancing at Feng Youyang, Liu Wen said with some concern, "Boss Feng, are we about to give up? The Party Secretary and the Mayor have both come to persuade us. That Zhao Qiang must have some tricks up his sleeve. He can control spoons and forks like magic. We should be careful."
Feng Youyang summoned his secretary and said, "Xiao Wang, take a picture of Commander Liu."
Secretary Xiao Wang took out a digital camera from his bag and said to Liu Wen, "Commander Liu, please put on an expression of pain and anger."
Liu Wen asked, puzzled, "Boss Feng, why are you taking pictures?"
Feng Youyang cursed, "You call yourself someone in the entertainment industry? Public opinion, you need to guide public opinion! Don't you understand that your miserable state is perfect for stirring up netizens' sympathy, letting millions of netizens see what kind of person Zhao Qiang is? He even beats up someone like you who's old, frail, and disabled. Is he even human?"
Liu Wen immediately felt relieved and cooperated with his secretary, Xiao Wang, to pose in various ways. Then, Xiao Wang directly opened her notebook in the ward, uploaded the photos to the forum, and after some polishing, a follow-up article on the assault incident was born.
Feng Youyang was very proud and said, "With my status, outsiders will believe whatever I say, not to mention there is video evidence. I'm not afraid of that kid having any background. No matter how powerful his background is, he's going to fall for this."
Liu Wen praised, "Boss Feng is indeed brilliant."
The secretary said, "Mr. Feng, it's all taken care of. I've already notified several professional online troll groups to make sure our posts are at the top of all the forums, so no one will miss them."
Feng Youyang said, "Good, well done. Tomorrow, have the workers gather early and give each of them two hundred yuan as a business suspension subsidy. Let them go directly to the city government building to plead my case. Have someone hide among them to take photos and publish them online in a timely manner."
Xiao Wang nodded: "Okay, Mr. Feng, I guarantee I will complete the task. We have already received a reply, and they all support our call to condemn the assailant. Mr. Feng, our plan is going very smoothly. This matter will not only not have a negative impact on you, but it will also help increase your online popularity."
Feng Youyang said, "If I didn't have this ability, would I, Feng Youyang, even need to make a living?"
His smugness didn't last long before Xiao Wang refreshed the screen, exclaiming in surprise, "Mr. Feng, something's wrong! Our post has sunk!"
Feng Youyang tried to sit up, but with his arms and legs in casts, he was practically useless. Instead of sitting up, he aggravated his injuries and cried out in pain, "What happened? Did those online trolls not work? We paid them every penny!"
Secretary Wang didn't even bother contacting them online; she immediately pulled out her phone and called the other party: "Hey, what's going on? The posts on all the forums have sunk. If you do this, we'll have to deduct your pay."
"Boss, we really can't hold on any longer. The other side is too powerful. We've already crashed the server twice, but they're still posting much faster than us. This is their counterattack. You guys should take a closer look at the posts that have been pushed to the top. We can forgo the reward, but considering the other side's strength online, you really should handle this matter carefully. Goodbye."
Feng Youyang asked anxiously, "What happened?"
It was only then that Xiao Wang had the time to carefully read the article that had been pushed to the top. It was an exposé revealing the unspoken rules of the entertainment industry. A guy claiming to be a veteran in the industry was revealing secrets that had been talked about for ages, disclosing the prices for celebrities to accompany others for meals, drinks, and sex. He even pointed out, with details, how a certain celebrity dined with a certain businessman at a certain hotel and how much the celebrity received as a reward afterwards. Another celebrity was drugged and raped for refusing to obey the company's arrangements. Finally, this veteran pointed out that the current online rumors of assault incidents were caused by these meals and called on the government to pass certain laws and regulations to protect the freedom and safety of celebrities.
"Isn't this just a waste of time to report such boring things?" Xiao Wang thought.
However, the article spread online at an unimaginable speed. It hadn't even appeared when Xiao Wang fabricated the story about Liu Wen being beaten. In just over ten minutes, all the major forums were filled with related reports, and the number of replies to the post instantly reached an all-time high. No matter how much money Xiao Wang spent hiring online trolls, he couldn't deal with them. No wonder that group of people left without even asking for payment.
This article was just the trigger. Subsequently, "enthusiastic" netizens dug up a lot of behind-the-scenes information. The mastermind behind the assault incident was named Liu Wen, while the real victim was not the person who was assaulted, but a girl named Su Xiaosu who had been popular on screen for a while.
As a result, Su Xiaosu's information was gradually revealed. She was a girl with no blemishes on her path of growth, a girl so pure that it was heartbreaking. No one would believe that she was the attacker in the assault incident. Instead, the blame began to shift to the 'victim' Feng Youyang. Some even revealed that Feng Youyang had dined with various female celebrities on several occasions. The most terrifying thing was that he was photographed and his photos were circulated online. Although it was an old story, at this critical moment, such photos were an incredibly powerful weapon.
With a crash, Feng Youyang knocked over the dining table on the hospital bed with his head, spilling soup and water all over himself, but he was completely unaware. The pretty nurse was so frightened that she shrank to the side and didn't dare to say a word. Jia Lili, who came to deliver the food, said, "Old Feng, don't get upset. I believe you." Jia Lili was referring to someone exposing Feng Youyang's past 'shameful deeds'.
Feng Youyang angrily declared, "Please issue a public notice for me: I reserve the right to pursue legal action against those who verbally abuse me."
Xiao Wang said, "I had someone investigate, but the other party is very well hidden. We haven't even been able to find their IP address yet. I'm afraid the cyber police will also have difficulties. With the current negative news about President Feng online, our plan is not going to work."
Feng Youyang said indignantly, "Who exactly has such power to turn the situation around? I don't believe Su Xiaosu has such ability."
Liu Wen said, "Yes, she is usually quiet and has few friends. Someone is definitely plotting against her. Could it be Zhao Qiang?"
Feng Youyang said, "If he can do it, why can't I? Is it because I haven't spent enough money? Xiao Wang, continue to help me contact experts. I want to defeat him online."
Xiao Wang said disappointedly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Feng, I contacted a few other companies, but they all said they dared not take this job. Their network power is too strong. They simply don't dare to offend them. Otherwise, they would be attacked no matter what job they do in the future. They would not risk their livelihood for us."
Jia Lili comforted her husband, who had caused such a big fuss over a woman: "Old Feng, what do you need the eyes of the masses for? We're in the right right now. The test results show that there were no drugs in the other person's body, so the claims of drugging or raping are completely unfounded. What are you afraid of? Just continue to pursue their responsibility for assaulting someone."
As the saying goes, "A single word can awaken a dreamer," Feng Youyang said, "Right, what heart? Eat, eat."
(Thanks to Xiangbei Aixin for their 100-coin donation, and thanks to 63258, mr2002093088, Jiutou Shenmao, and Jimo Niaoniao for their monthly ticket support.)
(Wishing all my friends a happy Labor Day as Labor Day approaches)
Volume 2 [528] The End
[528] It's over.
Ignoring what was happening online, the chaotic day passed in the blink of an eye.
As evening fell, the factory workers went home, but they began to gather again in the early hours of the morning. With a subsidy of two hundred yuan, they were even more energetic and went directly to the city government building. Some magazine and newspaper reporters and online reporters also came, but they hid in the crowd and dared not show themselves.
The reason they dared not show their faces was that there were at least 180 plainclothes police officers mixed in with the workers. If they saw anyone taking pictures, they would immediately confiscate their equipment. It wasn't that the Baiyuan Municipal Government was inactive, but there had been no instructions from above, and neither side was willing to compromise. They dared not offend either side, so they just endured it, doing whatever they could. The only one suffering was the grassroots staff, who usually spent their time in the office drinking tea and chatting.
As dawn broke, several workers yawned in the square. One of them asked, "Old Liu, when will the subsidy be delayed?"
Another person said, "Who knows? Anyway, I got the two hundred yuan last night. That's much better than going to work."
"We won't get arrested, will we? This is causing trouble." The one who spoke was a timid worker.
The bolder worker said, "What are you afraid of? The factory is backing us up. Besides, who is our big boss? He's a provincial people's congress representative! Do you know what a people's congress representative means? Even the mayor and the municipal party secretary have to treat him with utmost respect."