Power and Wealth
Chapter 1718 – What were you doing?!
In the hallway,
With the TV series and movie halted it was now a matter of life and death for the company. Mr. Zhou naturally clung to every shred of hope; he couldn’t bear to watch the company go bankrupt. These were the fruits of decades of hard work. So, after finishing his call with Director Sun, Mr. Zhou hastily dialed several other leaders he knew or had dealt with.
“Hello, Director Liu,” Mr. Zhou hurriedly said.
“Xiao Zhou, what’s the matter?” a middle-aged man said from the other end.
Mr. Zhou didn’t have time for pleasantries. He got straight to the point: “Director Liu, our company’s film projects have stalled. You also know these were years in the making for us. Nearly all of our funds are tied up in them. If they get halted, the consequences are unimaginable. Could you find a way to help us?”
The implication was crystal clear.
Mr. Zhou felt he would use his money since personal relationships were not working. There had to be a way. He had always handled situations like this with ease. Frankly, at this point, he wasn’t willing to admit that he was being outmaneuvered by someone much younger. If there were other options, Mr. Zhou wouldn’t apologize to Dong Xuebing or Yu Meixia. At his position and age, saving face was often more important than anything else. Thinking of Dong Xuebing’s arrogance, Mr. Zhou didn’t want to lower himself. He would rather spend more money to resolve the matter, considering it a case of spending money to resolve the crisis, at least not admitting defeat to them.
However, Mr. Zhou’s plan was once again unsuccessful.
The middle-aged man on the other end of the phone didn’t even think about it when he heard it. He said, “I just found out about the halt, and I’m powerless.”
Mr. Zhou anxiously asked, “Can you tell me which leader ordered the halt?”
“It won’t be useful if you know, and I can’t say,” the middle-aged man replied.
“Director Liu, please help us once. As long as the company survives this crisis, I promise…” Mr. Zhou was about to say more.
The middle-aged man interrupted, “Xiao Zhou, take care of yourself.”
After saying that, he hung up. Mr. Zhou’s face changed slightly, and he fell silent for a long time.
Then, he reluctantly called another leader, but whether the other party had received advance notice, they didn’t answer his call. Mr. Zhou made another call, and this time, not only did the other party not answer, but they directly hung up, prompting the busy tone indicating that the line was busy. This attitude was already apparent—they didn’t even want to talk to him, let alone have room for discussion. They had drawn a clear line.
These were all leaders with absolute power that Mr. Zhou knew!
Mr. Zhou had never expected that their attitudes would be so uniform. It chilled him to the bone!
Who exactly did Dong Xuebing contact? Which level of leader halted their projects? There wasn’t even room for negotiation or explanation.
This was bad!
If he couldn’t even talk, how could he exert any effort?
Meanwhile, General Manager Wu and other senior executives hurried over.
“Mr. Zhou.”
“What happened?”
“As for the halt…”
The senior executives held company shares, affecting their livelihoods and financial resources. They couldn’t afford to care. If the company went bankrupt, it would not be good for everyone!
Mr. Zhou looked at them but didn’t say a word.
They exchanged pale-faced glances, clearly understanding that it hadn’t worked out. Were even those leaders who had a good relationship with Mr. Zhou powerless?
In the hallway.
“How did it come to this?”
“How did things get halted out of nowhere?”
“If these two projects are indefinitely suspended, not only will they never be released, but even a delay of three months or half a year would break the company. The funding chain would have long snapped!”
“Could it be that young guy who caused this?”
“It must be him. Who else could it be?”
“But isn’t this too quick? He just made a few calls, and our projects were stopped. The review procedures can’t move that fast!”
“Well, who knows? That guy seems a bit spooky.”
The executives discussed anxiously, all worried about their futures.
General Manager Wu couldn’t care less about his injured mouth and spoke urgently, “Mr. Zhou, what do we do now?”
Apart from Mr. Zhou, he held the most shares in the company and was the most anxious person after Mr. Zhou.
Mr. Zhou still didn’t say a word, closing his eyes and remaining silent for a long time, seemingly pondering and calming his emotions.
One second…
Ten seconds…
The atmosphere in the hallway became increasingly oppressive.
Suddenly, the door to the monitoring room opened. Deputy Director Chang and a police officer walked out. The officer continued investigating, questioning witnesses, while Deputy Director Chang headed to the restroom. In a short while, he finished washing his hands and walked out, glancing at Mr. Zhou and the others over there.
Mr. Zhou approached him, “Deputy Director Chang.”
“Hmm?” Deputy Director Chang glanced at him absentmindedly.
Mr. Zhou paused. His expression had already changed. From a previously indifferent attitude, he suddenly appeared calm and composed. It couldn’t be said that he wasn’t anxious, “What you suggested just now was right. This matter isn’t a big deal. Let’s listen to you and settle this privately between us.”
Mr. Zhou unexpectedly made a concession.
Yes, saving face was more important than anything else, but sometimes it wasn’t worth much.
Hearing this, Deputy Director Chang inwardly sneered, thinking, ‘Why the hell didn’t you say that earlier?’ He knew that Dong Xuebing wasn’t ordinary, so he had come to help each other out from the start, intending to resolve the matter amicably, which would have benefited everyone. But what about them? They thought I was out to get them, constantly demanding and arrogant, even challenging me.
Now you want to settle?
Where were you earlier?
Deputy Director Chang had no intention of intervening. He stated professionally, “Settlement is possible, but it’s up to the parties involved to negotiate.”
Mr. Zhou hesitated, “You’re a policeman. I think a police officer should intervene.”
Deputy Director Chang couldn’t be bothered to entertain him, “I can’t intervene. I initially tried to mediate for your sake, but you disagreed first. We’ve dealt with each other many times, and I was initially trying to help you. You should see that now. But you didn’t appreciate it. I can do nothing now.” After Mr. Zhou and the others didn’t give him face, Deputy Director Chang had previously made it clear that if problems arose, they shouldn’t come looking for him. Deputy Director Chang certainly wasn’t going to retract his statement now. Now, you want me to get involved? It’s too late!
Mr. Zhou and several company executives all looked a bit embarrassed. Initially, they hadn’t anticipated Dong Xuebing’s background or his significant influence within the Radio and Television Bureau. That’s why, even after General Manager Wu’s scandalous intentions toward women, they didn’t feel they were in the wrong. They just wanted to give Dong Xuebing a lesson to uphold the company’s credibility. This led them not to give Deputy Director Chang and the police station any face. However, who could have predicted such a dramatic turn of events? It was too late for regrets now.
“Deputy Director Chang, please help us,” another senior executive from the company also grasped the situation. Mr. Zhou bowed his head, indicating that things had reached a desperate point. They naturally understood that the company’s survival now depended on the attitude of that young man named Dong inside.
Deputy Director Chang waved his hand. “I’ve said you need to negotiate and mediate among yourselves. Our police station can only provide a venue for mediation at best.”
General Manager Wu was still furious about being beaten by Dong Xuebing. “But what about the assault?”
Deputy Director Chang replied, “If you can’t settle privately, our police station will intervene. But I believe both sides are at fault in this matter.”
General Manager Wu angrily retorted, “But they accused me without evidence!”
No evidence? You’re still talking about whether there’s evidence or not?
Deputy Director Chang was annoyed by him and didn’t even bother responding.
“Old Wu!” Mr. Zhou shouted, “Shut your mouth!”
General Manager Wu’s face darkened. He gritted his teeth but remained silent.
General Manager Wu caused the whole incident and stirred up trouble for their company with this mysterious figure. Mr. Zhou wouldn’t show him any favor. Evidence? It wasn’t about evidence anymore. Mr. Dong had already clarified earlier that he didn’t need evidence. Indeed, the facts proved his capability. With his influence, Mr. Zhou’s entire company had struggled to get the TV series approved for over a month. Still, he canceled the approval with one phone call in ten minutes. It was clear he intended to take down their company. Bringing up evidence now was meaningless; everyone understood their company’s bad behavior started this.
Mr. Zhou had lost his arrogance long ago. Even his tone softened to the extreme. He looked at Deputy Director Chang and said, “We were rude before. I just arrived and didn’t fully understand the situation. So, it was a bit abrupt. If there’s anything offensive, please forgive me. Later, we’ll need your help to speak. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll absolutely comply if you say a word.” He offered a blank check.
Deputy Director Chang didn’t care about that. Help them speak? Nonsense! That guy inside can even command the secretary of the Municipal Party Committee. If I help them speak, wouldn’t I just be causing more trouble? Do they think I don’t have enough on my plate? If this had started earlier, when the young man asked Mr. Zhou and them to apologize, Deputy Director Chang could have helped mediate a bit, and there wouldn’t have been a problem. But now, it was too late because the company’s senior management had escalated the situation to an irreconcilable point. Deputy Director Chang certainly wouldn’t stir up trouble now. He doubted if this matter could even be mediated. That young man’s temper was unusually foul!
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