Chapter 38 – Venting for the Company’s Leading Lady

Chapter 38 - Venting for the Company's Leading Lady

Zhou Weichuan reopened the folder, his slender and strong fingers tapping on the key points of the documents, connecting them in his mind.

Due to the failure of the first round, Yao Hui was now executing their second move.

Tang Fei's smear campaign remained the same recycled accusations, merely repackaged in new forms.

The most recent and substantial piece of evidence against Guan Yin was a scandalous rumor that tarnished his personal image.

By resurrecting photos that were once deleted from the internet, disregarding Guan Yin's reputation, it indicated that Tang Fei had exhausted all the leverage she held over Yao Hui.

The final battle horn had sounded.

"All these supposed scandals are fake. Tang Fei has been silenced for five years due to these false allegations. Most people couldn't withstand such a fall from grace without any means to fight back," Zhou Weichuan felt an indiscernible mix of pain and anger within him.

The strong needed protection too.

One point worthy of attention is that, apart from newspapers and magazines, Yao Hui has also been in contact with Nine O'Clock's collaborator, New Cinema World.

New Cinema World's relationship with Yao Hui seems ambiguous, with their interactions growing more frequent.

What are they up to?

A strike?

Haggling for a higher price?

Or do they want to benefit from both sides while squeezing more from him?

Zhou Weichuan taps forcefully on the file about New Cinema World.

The chairman of Nine O'Clock is laissez-faire, but the young master isn't. It's time for people to witness the prowess of Nine O'Clock's legal department.

Zhou Weichuan sends Zheng Haisheng a message: "Inform the legal department that it's their turn to take the field and decimate the opposition."

Zheng Haisheng replies, "Boss, the legal team is ready. The relevant evidence has been submitted to the court, awaiting a hearing date. The court's acknowledgement can be disclosed at any time."

"Announce it tomorrow. Arrange a video conference with the PR and legal departments."

"In twenty minutes."

Zheng Haisheng worked in perfect harmony with Zhou Weichuan, both swift and efficient in their actions.

Zhou Weichuan, refraining from sending mere cease-and-desist letters that merely irritated others, made it clear: if anyone wanted legal documents, they'd receive a court summons, delivered via express mail, no less. A harsh bite would make the rumor-mongers bleed, teaching them the weight of the law's iron fist. Some rumors might be easy to spread, but paying compensation would be even easier.

Over the past five years, Tang Fei had suffered from countless slanders and defamation. If the legal department didn't make the perpetrators pay dearly, their performance review would surely suffer.

Once the video conference connected, Zhou Weichuan spoke, "Everyone, Ninth Point has been conservative in the past, focusing solely on defense. Now, we're transitioning to a more aggressive defense and counterattack strategy. The legal department will have a significant workload ahead. We need to expand and recruit talent this year.

"We need to identify top-notch lawyers specializing in cases involving fabricated facts, defamatory statements with veiled implications, or indirect infringement. Sign individual consultancy agreements with them.

"Our current law firm partners must be informed that there is a conflict of interest between Yao Hui and us. In the future, there will be numerous lawsuits where they'll be on opposing sides. If they also represent Yao Hui, they'll have to choose one."

The head of the legal department bowed his head to take notes, elated by the prospect of expanding and thriving. The wrinkles on his face deepened, reflecting his joy.

"The Public Relations Department should cooperate with the Legal Department in monitoring public opinion and gathering information. If faced with rumors or negative comments, the PR Department should initiate communication first. If the issue cannot be resolved peacefully, it will be handed over to the Legal Department."

The PR Department head pleaded, "Mr. Zhou, this would offend everyone in the entertainment industry who relies on gossip marketing. In the future, they might gang up against us with veiled insults. Given the profoundness of Chinese culture, it's difficult to sue them for indirect attacks. Our company's TV dramas and artists will be at a disadvantage in terms of publicity."

It was like throwing the PR Department into the mouth of a volcano!

He had to resist, or he'd be burnt to ashes.

"Welcome their money. I hope they keep insinuating and implicating us every day. With their cooperation, the Legal Department will become a revenue-generating department in the future. The profound Chinese culture shouldn't be a tool for them to make ill-gotten gains."

"Mr. Zhou, you're going too far."

"Both ways involve controlling public opinion, but isn't it more satisfying to pay them to shut up rather than being silenced by their payments?

"Being too rigid can lead to breakage. They might stop spreading rumors, but they definitely won't promote us positively, or even mention us at all. We'll lose a significant portion of online attention and the young market. You need to reconsider your decision on matters that affect the entire industry."

Zhou Weichuan seemed to consider this point, and the PR Department head sighed in relief. The young boss was currently putting on a show of madness. What could he do? Could he seek help from outside? He was waiting anxiously for an answer!

After a moment, Zhou Weichuan said, "List the marketing companies we collaborate with. Nine O'Clock will invest in a few of them. Isn't it dull and stagnant when those who control the industry resources form a tight-knit group? Let's join them and liven up the industry atmosphere. Monopolies aren't good; there should be some competition."

The head of the Public Relations department wiped the sweat beads from his forehead. The PR department had narrowly escaped marginalization, barely descending from the brink of disaster to a slightly safer zone beneath the volcano's edge – they had survived.

"Mr. Zhou's wisdom is commendable!"

Flattery always finds its way through, regardless of reason or rhyme. Whether the boss is mad or not, I'll follow suit and lose my mind in kind.

"Keep an eye on the public interest, and once it reaches the threshold of our predictive model, seize the opportune moment to initiate promotional activities for the signing ceremony. Simultaneously, extend invitations to major media outlets."

Shen Fan, Song Li, and Berlan were all seated in the front row for their business presentation, with the camera crew instructed to capture every nuance of their expressions.

"President Zhou, what's the plan here?"

This request seemed rather odd.

"I want to see the guest's acting skills and, at the same time, give Sister One some satisfaction. Do you have any objections?"

"No!"

The head of the Public Relations Department shook his head like a rattle drum.

The company's top star, now she's just this one sister, personally mentored by the young boss – who wouldn't know how much importance is placed on her? Of course, there can be no objections to standing up for the top star!

After finishing the video conference, Zhou Weichuan shamelessly made a late-night nuisance call to the esteemed actor, Civilization Hua.

"Uncle Wen, am I disturbing you at this hour?"

"I was just having a dream. Would you say that I'm being disturbed?" Civilization Hua's voice was gruff and sulky, clearly annoyed.

"I'll bring wine to your door as an apology another day."

"Ah, Weichuan, I was just having a nightmare. Your call came at just the right time." Civilization Hua's tone perked up.

"I need your help tomorrow to clarify the situation with Tang Fei. If you could also criticize Yao Hui for secretly recording and using your image to ruin young people's futures, I think it would better suit your senior figure in the industry." Zhou Weichuan sounded like a mischievous child tempting another with a lollipop.

"When will you come by?" The 'child' wasn't fooled.

"I'm in Shanghai, but I'll visit you as soon as I return to the capital."

"Tomorrow? Tomorrow's a good day. I checked the calendar – it's highly auspicious, suitable for all matters."

...

In the Jiangzhou Film Studio, inside Tang Fei's exclusive makeup van, Tang Fei's head was submerged in the sink, practicing holding her breath underwater while performing intense movements. Suddenly, a line of text appeared at the bottom of the basin.

"Mission Triggered: Case of Slander, Averting Troubles by Making a Show of Strength"

"Three men make a tiger; there are many within the palace who slander the Empress, compromising her dignity. Please, Your Majesty, launch an investigation to intimidate all those with ill intentions. Do not allow the slanderous insults to persist."

"Completion Progress: 99%"

"Mission Reward: Swimming Skill Card (60% Proficiency) (No prior skill required. Upon usage, 30% proficiency will be consumed to unlock the skill, reducing the proficiency to 30%)."

Meow, meow, meow?

Tang Fei's head shot up from the filled basin, splashing water droplets like a light rain. He Zhou, holding the timer, jumped to avoid the sprinkle. "Sis, the time isn't up yet. Why did you come out?"

They were scheduled to shoot underwater scenes the next day, so Tang Fei had asked He Zhou to help her practice. This mission had suddenly appeared, almost complete at 99%. Was the system sending her a skill as a thoughtful gesture?

Today was definitely a praiseworthy day for the system. It was behaving exceptionally well.

System: Let me count how much compensation I can reap. How should I entice the host to spend money?

Tang Fei read the mission carefully. This task seemed to be a side quest in the "Vindication Record," with 99% progress indicating that everything was ready except for the final push.

How would one intimidate the wicked? Was Boss Zhou about to make a grand move?

Tang Fei rubbed her hands together, impulsively considering calling her boss at midnight to inquire about the situation.

Seeing his cousin's face turn blank again, He Zhou waved his fingers in front of her eyes. "Sis, do you need a break? Are you too tired?"

Could it be that Cousin was under too much stress and experiencing mental confusion?

"Aah? Oh! No, no, I'm not tired. Let's start again." Tang Fei held her face and patted it. "Focus!"

She would eventually learn of the boss's actions. In the meantime, she would continue to strive to perform underwater scenes without a body double, showcasing her perfect figure and face.

She had heard that underwater shots made one's face look especially beautiful.

...

After holding her breath in the sink, Tang Fei fetched a small stool. Using one leg of the stool to support her abdomen, she relied on her back and waist strength to hoist herself up, suspended in mid-air to practice her underwater movements. She even clipped a nose clip on to hold her breath.

"A Zhou, take a video. I want to see which pose looks better on camera."

He Zhou raised his phone. "From how many angles?"

"Every angle!" Tang Fei seemed to be fueled by an invisible fire, striving for perfection in every perspective.

What a beautiful and perfectionist cousin! Her determination was impressive!

Inspired, He Zhou began his night of acrobatics, crawling, crouching, leaning, and even using a selfie stick on top of the car for bizarre photography angles.

Exhausted, He Zhou dozed off in the middle of the night, while Tang Fei continued to experiment with angles using the adhesive tape on her selfie stick.

As the night passed, the roosters on set started their daily routine, crowing at the dawn's soft light. He Zhou, with a furrowed brow, stirred slightly, while Tang Fei stealthily pulled the blanket over herself, pretending to have slept on the sofa all night.

On the early morning subway, as office workers and students scrolled through their phones, the Daily Headlines delivered its major push notification! Weibo, Douyin featured opening ads! A-Teng News showcased a large image on its homepage! And WeChat official accounts published their articles one after another!

"Breaking News! Nine O'Clock Entertainment files a lawsuit against the industry for Tang Fei!"

"Backing the Leading Lady! Nine O'Clock production team supports Tang Fei with a lawsuit against seventy individuals!"

"Seventy Defendants Unveiled! Nine O'Clock Entertainment tears into marketing accounts!"

"Nine O'Clock: We'll see you in court!"

"Group lawsuit against seventy - will the defendant's bench be spacious enough?"