Chapter 163: A Dispute Over Inheritance at the Banquet

Chapter 163: A Dispute Over Inheritance at the Banquet

As the awards ceremony on stage concluded, the host began the closing remarks. The winners and presenters were invited back on stage one by one.

A sea of camera flashes illuminated the audience.

The reception for the nominees was held in a neighboring hotel. Organizers guided the invited guests towards the venue.

Xing Le and Zhou Weichuan waited for Zhou Xianfeng to come down from the stage before they left together.

When the trio reunited, Zhou Xianfeng was accompanied by a few close friends and the award-winning Nie Xiangyin, while Meng Gao had already headed to the hotel.

Nie Xiangyin extended her hand to Zhou Weichuan, hoping to shake hands.

"President Zhou Jr., nice to see you again. I hope we'll have a pleasant collaboration in the future."

Zhou Weichuan smiled but didn't offer his hand. Instead, Xing Le promptly stepped forward and shook her hand. "Nice to meet you. Perhaps it will be me you'll be working with."

"Mr. Le, are you also joining Nine Points?" Nie Xiangyin's face flushed slightly, but she maintained her smile.

She had joined Nine O'Clock out of respect for her husband's film aspirations. Previously, Zhou Weichuan had rejected Tang Fei's collaboration, and now he was taking this stance – it left a peculiar taste in people's mouths.

Xing Le: "Of course I'm coming."

Nie Xiangyin and Xing Le engaged in casual conversation, but their ears and eyes were focused on Zhou Xianfeng and Zhou Weichuan.

Zheng Haisheng followed at the back like a block of wood, his mind racing. His boss had deliberately instigated trouble today, and he wondered how he could possibly diffuse the situation.

If they succeeded, his workload would increase, and all the benefits of being a subsidiary would vanish.

If they failed, the boss wouldn't accept defeat easily and would surely stir up more chaos.

Even if the boss suddenly changed his mind and decided against causing trouble today.

Given the urgency yesterday, Zheng Haisheng had resorted to crude methods for public opinion surveys. The truth couldn't be hidden, and about seventy percent of the employees were willing to follow the boss. However, the remaining thirty percent would most likely report to the company's elders by tomorrow.

Zhou Xianfeng walked at the forefront. Glancing back at Zhou Weichuan, who nodded in approval, he observed Xing Le and Nie Xiangyin engrossed in conversation. Something felt off to him. "You're bringing A'Le to work now?"

Zhou Weichuan: "Someday, he'll have to take over."

Zhou Xianfeng: "With you brothers working together, I can truly rest easy after I'm gone."

Zhou Weichuan: "Cooperation isn't as good as each doing our own thing; it makes everyone uncomfortable when we're entangled."

Zhou Xianfeng was taken aback for a moment. "Isn't it nice that you two are getting along today?"

Arriving at the cocktail event, Zhou Xianfeng was led to a table by a staff member. After he sat down, Zhou Weichuan took a seat beside him. "Only today, our goals align. Otherwise, our paths diverge."

Xing Le chimed in from behind, "That's right. Apart from today, I get an itch to teach him a lesson whenever I see him."

Zhou Weichuan glanced up. "Looks like you're the one asking for trouble."

Xing Le shrugged nonchalantly. "My knuckles are itching the most."

Zhou Xianfeng tapped the table lightly and lowered his voice. "Don't push your luck, both of you. We're out in public."

Nie Xiangyin was already laughing awkwardly. Zheng Haisheng, accustomed to such scenes, sat down next to Zhou Weichuan without a fuss. The other old friends distanced themselves, engaging in casual conversations rather than rushing to sit near the pair.

The Zhou family's domestic affairs were intricate and difficult to meddle in.

Today, from afar, the brothers seemed to be in perfect harmony. Yet, upon closer inspection, their tension was palpable.

Let's praise what's commendable and turn a blind eye to what's not.

Zhou Xianfeng had initially been swayed by the notion of brotherly unity and held some anticipation. However, that hope was swiftly dashed by the current scene before him.

Xing Le took a seat and wiped his hands with a towel. "Zhou Weichuan, should I speak or will you?"

Zhou Weichuan poured a cup of tea for Zhou Xianfeng. "I'll do it. Dad, Xing Le and I have discussed it. Since you're still physically and mentally robust, we thought it'd be best if you help us divide the business at nine o'clock. If any mistakes occur, we know you've got our backs."

Zhou Weichuan's voice was loud enough for all to hear, near or far.

Upon hearing this, everyone paused their actions, ears perked up.

Gossip is an inherent human trait.

A division of assets and inheritance!

Such significant matters usually didn't make it to court or newspapers unless they were leaked through office gossip.

Now, revealing such a scene directly would surely make everyone's ears perk up by a few centimeters.

However, Zhou Weichuan was openly disclosing this in front of outsiders, dragging Zhou Xianfeng's dignity down to its lowest point. Soon, his face would be left utterly shredded.

Zhou Weichuan's tone remained surprisingly calm and composed, and his reasoning seemed plausible. So why would he lose his mind and bring up such matters in this setting?

This deviated slightly from the melodramatic content people usually heard.

Was it a civilized form of separation?

Or a dignified division of assets?

Just as Zhou Xianfeng had taken his tea, he felt as if Zhou Weichuan had nailed him to the spot. He found it hard to believe and inconceivable. Glancing around at the crowd, he wondered if he had been hallucinating.

Even though their ideologies clashed, Zhou Weichuan rarely humiliated him in public.

Deep down, he regarded this son as a source of pride.

Though he hadn't been very involved in his upbringing, and they often quarreled over management issues, and despite their infrequent meetings, wasn't he still his son?

He was excellent, and whatever he was involved in became his pride.

"I didn't catch that, Weichuan. Could you repeat it?"

Xing Le chuckled. "Dad, he's pretty clear. He means we split the Nine Points into two parts, each of us managing our own section while you oversee the whole picture and hold the fort."

Zhou Xianfeng turned back and glared at Xing Le fiercely. "A'Le, I didn't ask for your opinion."

If you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all.

But Xing Le wasn't one to listen. He continued, "We've discussed this already. Look, I even brought the company's files. As soon as you give the green light, we can start working on it right away and finalize everything tonight, ensuring it won't affect tomorrow's business operations."

Slam!

Zhou Xianfeng slammed his teacup down hard on the table next to Xing Le, splashing hot water onto his face. "Don't speak unless you're asked."

Xing Le wiped his face with his hand. "Haha."

Everyone around them pretended not to notice the tension. The staff immediately approached the media present, asking them not to capture the scene.

A staff member brought over a towel, and Xing Le wiped his face as he said, "Fine, I won't say anything. Let your precious son do the talking."

Why use me as a scapegoat?

Can your darling sweetheart possibly speak more eloquently than I can?

You dare to publicly humiliate me but have never dared to touch Zhou Weichuan. You cherish your illegitimate child, but he doesn't acknowledge you as his father.

I treat you like a father, but you don't treat me like a son.

Xing Le lowered his head, brushing away the water droplets from his hair.

I really am damn pathetic.

Nie Xiangyin felt as if there were needles in her seat; it was too uncomfortable to sit through today's meeting.

If there's an internal conflict at nine, should she still participate?

Does Tang Fei's value, combined with her husband's films, offset the risks of internal management within the company?

Zheng Haisheng glanced at Zhou Xianfeng's teacup, which still held remnants of tea. He signaled to a staff member to bring him a towel in preparation.

He felt that the boss wouldn't say anything pleasant; it would be good if he didn't surpass Xing Le's harshness.

"Zheng Hai, let's talk about this at home."

Zhou Xianfeng asked Zhou Weichuan again, his face stern, hinting for him to speak sensibly.

Zhou Weichuan spoke clearly and deliberately, "Dad, while everyone is here, I want to clarify first that I wish to separate from Time Culture, as well as the studios of Lai Wenquan and Wang Li. If you think that's too much, you can just give me Time Culture, and leave the rest to A'Le."

Countless eyes turned to Zhou Xianfeng and Zhou Weichuan.

Zhou Weichuan's request was unusually modest!

He was polite and reasonable, with low demands!

It didn't seem like a struggle for assets, but rather a reluctant action...

Was this the legitimate son returning, ready to oust the eldest son?

Didn't Old Zhou usually favor Zhou Weichuan?

Was this his way of expressing his love for his eldest son while secretly pushing him aside?

The most valuable part of Nine O'Clock was its dozens of director's studios, scriptwriting and copyright departments. The post-production, publicity, legal, and public relations teams were all renowned in the industry.

Time Culture had only recently ventured into talent management, with Tang Fei being its sole valuable asset.

If they only wanted Time Culture, wouldn't that be equivalent to sending Zhou Weichuan into exile?

Staring at Zhou Weichuan, Zhou Xianfeng felt like he didn't know his own son anymore. What was he doing?

"My health is still good! What are you doing? Huh?" Zhou Xianfeng's low voice trembled with suppressed anger as his hand shook violently on the table. Being suddenly challenged by his son in front of industry peers had left his eyes reddened with fury.

Xing Le refilled Zhou Xianfeng's cup with a smile on her face.

Well, I could've put it more bluntly.

Judging from his elder brother's tone, it was as if he had been wronged by an old man.

Zhou Weichuan: "I don't enjoy taking what belongs to others, nor do I favor a flat organizational structure without a middle management."

He disliked appropriating someone else's business, let alone their father's legacy.

The corners of Zhou Weichuan's mouth lifted slightly, concealing his true emotions.

"Whose possessions are you talking about?" Zhou Xianfeng turned to look at Xing Le, who leaned back dramatically. "Not my problem. It's obvious he's upset about the starlet being signed to a contract without a second thought."

"Starlet?" Zhou Xianfeng looked at Zhou Weichuan in shock. "You and Tang Fei? What's going on? You...are you supporting her out of personal interest? How do you view the company? You're willing to split assets with me over one person's interests?"

Zhou Weichuan: "It has nothing to do with anyone else. I simply don't like your management style. I have my own plans for the artists' development."

"Even if it conflicts with the company's interests?"

Xing Le's lips stretched wide. "Back then, you could push me away for the sake of the starlet's illegitimate child. Father-to-son inheritance, isn't it?"

Zhou Xianfeng stood up abruptly. The glass of water that Xing Le had poured was spilled all over his face. Xing Le closed his eyes, and Zheng Haisheng promptly offered him a towel.

Zhou Xianfeng said, "Hai Sheng, go ask the organizers to prepare a private room for us."

"Hai Sheng promptly obliged, and soon the private room was ready. Zhou Xianfeng looked at Zhou Weichuan and said, "Let's have a father-son chat."

Zhou Weichuan nodded. Xing Le was about to follow, but Zhou Xianfeng turned back and said, "Accompany Director Nie, I need to speak with your brother alone."

Xing Le gritted his teeth. "You're father and son, but I'm not, huh."