Chapter 276 What's there to be angry about?: Wu Zetian wouldn't care if others discussed her male favorites.

Although Xiang Dong doesn't understand concert movies, he watched Yue Opera movies when he was a child.

Good heavens, back then, as soon as the movie screen was pulled up, people from all around would come to watch. He wasn't very interested in the melodious Yue Opera, but he witnessed the craziness of his grandmother, mother, aunt, and sisters.

They could walk 10 miles together to see a movie.

Now, if Xiang Dong replaces his concert film with a Yue opera film and his fans with his devoted female relatives, you can instantly see the true value of his work.

It's possible, absolutely possible.

Moreover, Xiang Dong keenly recognized that there were opportunities to curry favor and build connections within the group.

That is the film distribution rights.

He's practically stepped into the arts and culture circle, or as they say in Hong Kong and Taiwan, the entertainment circle.

So he knew that, theoretically, anyone could make a movie, and the cost wasn't as high as the public thought.

Whether a film can be shown in theaters depends on whether you have the film distribution rights.

Wang Xiao has a lot on her plate, so asking about the concert's progress already shows that her boss is paying extra attention to this matter.

She took the opportunity to address all the issues she, as the boss, could think of to the senior management.

"If the person in charge of approvals is still blocking things, no matter what their reason for blocking them, you should raise the bar, raise it to the appropriate level."

"Michael has held concerts in Hong Kong and Taipei, so Shanghai is his third stop in China. When I was in contact with his agent and during the interview, he mentioned that Shanghai was the third city in China he had visited."

Xiang Dong was then surprised: "He can talk?"

Wang Xiao replied without hesitation: "Isn't that right? If so, why can't we say it? Let's hurry up and get this settled as soon as possible. The sooner he holds his concert, the sooner we can earn money from other concerts."

Before the real estate boom emptied the wallets of six generations, people were still quite willing to spend money on pleasing themselves.

Xiang Dong nodded in agreement, and then took the opportunity to mention another project: "There is indeed a TV series called 'Shanghai People in Tokyo' in preparation, but the director said that if everything goes smoothly, it will be around next year before filming can begin. It is a Sino-Japanese co-production. The location scouting for 'Ku-i no Yu' is almost done."

As he spoke, he laughed, “The documentary ‘A Native of Beijing in New York’ became a hit, and now many people want to sponsor it in Tokyo, but they are mostly companies in China. What I’m talking to them about is that since we can’t film until next year, we should also include the fish market in Pudong.”

His reasons were readily available: "It's just like the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. When the protagonist returns to China, he sees that the former rural areas have now become bustling fish markets in Tokyo. The contrast between the two perfectly reflects Shanghai's progress and development."

Wang Xiao was overjoyed: "How did Zhang Junfei manage to win you over? He's really something, he even managed to get our CEO Xiang on board."

Xiang Dong said apologetically, "I think what he said makes sense. The director didn't object either. It mainly depends on the progress of the construction. If we can film it around this time next year, the director also thinks it's worth filming the changes in Pudong."

As soon as he finished speaking, the men's clothing counter in the mall started playing the song "The World Needs Kindness" as if it were timed perfectly: "A fence needs three posts, a hero needs three helpers. For everyone's happiness, the world needs kind hearts."

Wang Xiao was practically laughing so hard she could hardly breathe, nodding repeatedly: "Okay, okay, you can decide for yourself."

Being able to fully leverage and integrate the group's existing resources to maximize profits is a skill, and she certainly wouldn't stop her from doing so.

Yang Tao, who was listening nearby, felt a strong sense of alarm.

She had witnessed Zhang Junfei's capabilities firsthand; he had forced her to move from Shanghai to Beijing.

I never expected that even with such a huge mess to run in Shanghai, he still wouldn't stop, he could still create even more trouble.

Yang Tao now wished she could split herself in two, one half rushing back to Beijing to get busy, and the other half staying in Jinning to learn from her boss.

For example, when the boss directly approved Zhang Junfei's use of General Manager Xiang's resources to promote the fish market and other projects in Shanghai through "Shanghai People in Tokyo," she suspected that the boss was actually subtly appeasing Zhang Junfei.

Before this, everyone thought the boss would put the chip factory in Pudong.

interesting.

Yang Tao felt that she could analyze the hidden meaning behind any action her boss took.

Wang Xiao saw that she seemed to be deep in thought, so he didn't say anything.

In fact, if we're talking about integrating resources and maximizing benefits, Yang Tao's current collaboration with Zhang Junfei would allow her to maximize her profits.

Currently, Singapore is the best option for exporting Beijing's mid-to-high-level skilled workers.

Singapore has a large Chinese population, and although English is the official language, Singaporeans speak Mandarin in their daily conversations.

This greatly reduces the difficulties that skilled workers with generally low levels of education but solid technical skills may encounter in their work communication.

Coincidentally, Singapore is currently recruiting foreign skilled workers to meet its economic development needs.

Although Mr. Zhao, who was working with Wang Xiao to build a hotel in Pudong, had no interest in hiring people to work in Singapore.

But a businessman's interest always depends on whether there is enough profit.

If the profit is large enough and the risk is low, interest can arise out of thin air even if one has no interest at all.

However, Wang Xiao did not intend to remind Yang Tao of this.

In addition to external guidance, everyone's growth also requires their own self-awakening.

When you can get rid of that little knot in your heart and start from the perspective of the optimal solution for your own interests, then you will be truly mature.

Of course, if she doesn't realize it soon, Wang Xiao won't just stand by and watch; he'll directly call people to get to work.

Because if she can maximize the benefits of arranging mid-to-high-level skilled workers in Beijing, it will help her expand her business in Beijing and acquire more land vacated after factories relocate.

However, by then, Mr. Wang would no longer be able to entrust the development of the newly acquired land to Yang Tao.

Upbeat British electronic music filled the atrium as models, sporting a new look, reappeared on the runway, and the fashion show resumed.

Wang Xiao nodded to the east, then pushed his bike backward, saying, "You're busy."

Yang Tao quickly joined Liu Ba in pushing the boss's wheelchair.

Chen Yanqiu finally seized the opportunity and waved to her daughter.

Actually, she, her husband Wang Tiejun, and her younger brother Chen Yidong arrived quite early.

But just as they arrived, Xiaoxiao was greeting Secretary Fang.

The couple's philosophy was that they shouldn't interfere with their child's work, so they didn't go there and instead went shopping instead.

After Secretary Fang left, Xiao Xiao went to talk to Xiao Xiang again, so they naturally didn't want to disturb them and decided to continue shopping.

Xiaoxiao had finally finished her busy work, and the two sides ran into each other again. Chen Yanqiu naturally couldn't help but complain: "Wow, you're something else! Your uncle, aunt, and Jingjing came over on the second day of the Lunar New Year, and we've only just seen you now."

Wang Xiao smiled and apologized to her uncle's family: "I'm really sorry, something came up unexpectedly."

She hasn't been home since she left school in the first year of junior high.

Looking at the spacious and bright shopping center, Qian Xuemei couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, time flies! I remember three years ago, in 1991, during the Spring Festival, Xiaoxiao was helping our clothing factory sell suits at the People's Department Store. Goodness, that was the first time I'd ever seen clothes sell so fast, it was almost like a fight was breaking out."

Actually, it was even earlier, in the autumn of 1990, during the rice harvest. Suddenly, Xiaoxiao changed completely. From being so determined to marry a divorced man and become a stepmother, she suddenly woke up and focused all her energy on making money.

However, on such a joyous occasion, Qian Xuemei felt it unnecessary to mention unlucky people, so she simply skipped that part.

Chen Yanqiu also has memories of the Spring Festival in 1991: "Yes, it was about selling suits. They sold well, and the People's Department Store wanted to take the credit. They wouldn't let Xiao Xiang rent the counter anymore and kicked him out. That's how the self-service clothing supermarket came about."

Looking back now, it's only been three years.

Those who were driven out of their homes and had nowhere to set up their stalls back then now own such a large shopping mall.

It's a 60-story building, taller than the Jinning Grand Hotel.

And this is just one of the new businesses under Xiaoxiao's name.

Chen Yanqiu suddenly felt dizzy.

She couldn't think about it, she couldn't even imagine doing it.

Wang Xiao just smiled and invited his parents and uncle's family, "Would you like to come upstairs and have a seat and get something to eat?"

Chen Jingjing still had something on her mind. As soon as she sat down in Maxim's Fast Food Restaurant, she cautiously asked her cousin, "Sister, is Anna alright?"

Wang Xiao hummed in agreement and said casually, "I dropped out of school and am learning baking now. Once I've mastered it, I'll work as a baker in the shop."

Chen Jingjing clutched her chest, let out a long sigh of relief, and smiled broadly: "That's great! Actually, our classmates were also worried about what Anna would do after graduating from high school. She definitely wouldn't be able to go to university. It's great that she can learn a skill early so she can support herself."

Qian Xuemei took the opportunity to educate her daughter: "That's why I told you not to meddle in other people's business. Your sister will definitely consider all aspects when she thinks about a problem."

Wang Xiao had no intention of continuing the topic and asked Chen Jingjing, "Do you want a double platter, roast goose rice, or something else?"

Everyone had been shopping for several hours and was starving. Even though it was only a little past eleven o'clock, they quickly ordered food and ate.

Let's eat quickly while there are fewer people around.

When more people arrive, there will probably be long queues for food.

Chen Yanqiu asked her daughter, "Xiaoxiao, what do you want to eat?"

"I'm not eating." Wang Xiao glanced at his watch. "I'll wait for Secretary Fang to come over so we can eat together."

Wang Tiejun was stunned: "Secretary Fang is coming again?"

Wang Xiao nodded: "I'll come over after the meeting."

So, she can just eat some snacks to tide her over for now.

Otherwise, if she's already full, and then dine with her boss, will she eat or not when they sit down at the table?

Chen Yanqiu sighed, "Secretary Fang really works hard, having to travel back and forth so much."

Now that she's the union chairperson at the steel plant, she's developed a cadre mindset to some extent.

Secretary Fang always rushes over for lunch after her meetings, and it's certainly not because she's craving Hong Kong fast food. If she wants to eat something, the best Cantonese chefs in the country can be dispatched to cook for her.

She's interested in the Wuzhou International Shopping Center.

This landmark building, which the Jiangdong Provincial Government worked tirelessly to ensure the completion of after the real estate market froze last year, finally opened today.

As the top leader of the provincial party committee, Secretary Fang certainly had to make a show of support to give other projects that were still struggling due to the banks cutting off loans confidence: Look, the government is doing everything it can to help you overcome the difficulties.

Thinking about it this way, the higher a person's position, the less free they are.

Even where and when to eat is not up to them.

She thought this, and whispered it to her daughter.

Wang Xiao shook his head with a smile: "On the contrary, the higher you go, the more freedom you have. If you feel more comfortable down below, it's simply because you have no other choice."

Do factory workers really want to eat the same old food in a cafeteria where the cook's hands tremble when serving the food?

Do children with disabilities really enjoy coming home every day at noon to eat leftover cold dishes with boiled water and rice porridge?

Having no other choice, these became their freedom.

Chen Yanqiu was taken aback, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond to her daughter's words.

Wang Tiejun was very straightforward and quickly changed the subject: "Hey, do you want some plum sauce?"

Wang Xiao ate a milk candy and drank a cup of red date and longan tea.

It wasn't until almost one o'clock in the afternoon that Secretary Fang hurriedly arrived.

Upon seeing Wang Xiao, she smiled and said, "After thinking it over, I still want to try what Hong Kong fast food tastes like. Is there any more?"

"Yes," Wang Xiao said with a smile. "There were a lot of customers today, and they used up the leftover dinner food for lunch as well."

Secretary Fang asked with concern, "How were the sales figures this morning?"

Wang Xiao smiled and showed the printed receipt to his boss: "The data you reported to me fifteen minutes ago shows that the current turnover has exceeded two million. We've issued about two thousand three hundred VIP cards."

A gasp came from behind Secretary Fang, and the young female cadre accompanying him widened her eyes: "How is this possible?"

Wang Xiao laughed: "We were surprised too. It seems that the people of Jinning's enthusiasm for spending has exceeded our expectations. It's all thanks to the effective leadership of our leaders that the people of Jinning live and work in peace and contentment, which is why they dare to take money out of their pockets to spend."

Her smile was genuine; she was truly happy.

This is because the shopping mall and the brands it enters adopt a cooperation model of "unified mall management + brand joint operation and commission".

Moreover, because the shopping mall provides a minimum sales guarantee, the risk for brands entering the mall is reduced, so the commission rate is 18%-25%, which is higher than the industry average of 15%.

This means that the higher the sales volume of each brand, the more commission the shopping mall can receive.

Sales of 2 million, even with the lowest commission rate of 18%, amount to 360,000 yuan.

This is just the profit from one morning.

Secretary Fang has always attached great importance to economic work, so he is certainly not a complete novice; he knows the basic common sense.

She quickly did the math in her head, then couldn't help but sigh, "This is truly a golden goose."

Wang Xiao smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the support of the people of Jinning that I'm confident I can complete the construction of all the towers this year. At that time, I hope you, Secretary, can take some time out of your busy schedule to attend our completion ceremony."

The weight on Secretary Fang's heart was finally lifted, and he beamed with joy: "Of course, I've been waiting for that day."

What she was thinking was that, given the current situation, if the funding for that building in the city center really ran out and couldn't be replenished, then the provincial and municipal governments wouldn't need to keep dragging it out. They could see if they could let President Wang take over.

In a good mood, Secretary Fang even ate Hong Kong-style Maxim's Fast Food with the gusto of a gourmet feast, praising it highly.

After that, she didn't leave immediately. Instead, at the invitation of the beauty advisor at the cosmetics counter with a soft Taiwanese accent, she tried applying makeup.

Once the neat and professional makeup was completed, Secretary Fang smiled at herself in the mirror: "I look more energetic, and I feel more energetic. I look energetic."

Leaving the counter, she turned to Wang Xiao and asked, "How well do our Jiangdong cosmetics sell in the CIS countries, Eastern Europe, and Africa?"

Wang Xiao frankly stated, "Skincare products, such as pearl cream and pearl paste, sell quite well and are very popular. But cosmetics are not doing so well; the manufacturing process is not up to par, and we can't open up the market."

Secretary Fang nodded: "We not only need to have industry, but we also need to be excellent in it."

Due to time constraints, she couldn't stay in the shopping mall indefinitely.

Wang Xiao pushed the wheelchair and accompanied Secretary Fang toward the gate.

Suddenly, backlit by the light, a cart rushed into the gate, with what looked like a person lying on it. The old woman pushing the cart knelt down with a thud and shouted at Secretary Fang, "Your Honor, please do justice for us! This Pan Jinlian, after hooking up with that Russian, abandoned her husband and daughter, leaving my son and granddaughter behind!"

The guards quickly stepped in front of the old woman who was about to pounce.

If they really manage to get the provincial party secretary arrested for no apparent reason, then their job is done.

But while they could stop the old woman's movements, they couldn't stop her accusatory cries: "Please, Your Honor, do me justice! My poor son has been so harmed by this Pan Jinlian!"

With a shout of "Wow!", everyone who heard it rushed over to see the gossip.

Goodness, what Pan Jinlian? Which one is Pan Jinlian?

What's lying on that cart?

The old woman, wearing a tattered cotton-padded coat, stretched out her hand and pointed fiercely at Wang Xiao: "You vicious woman, you dare to cheat on me but don't dare to admit it?"

If it weren't for the inappropriate setting, Wang Xiao, who was also about to enter a state of watching the drama unfold, would have been completely dumbfounded, instantly exclaiming, "Me?"

Alright, who is this?

Wait, is this the time to just sit back and watch the drama unfold?

What a joke! All sorts of people are causing trouble in the mall for no reason. It's chaotic and not only affects the shopping environment, but what if something happens?

The shopping center general manager, who had finally managed to squeeze out a little free time and was now able to grab a bite of lunch, almost fainted on the spot upon seeing this.

Good heavens, where did this cart come from? Is security all about dead people? How can you let a cart carrying a living corpse into the shopping mall?

He rushed downstairs and immediately directed the belatedly alerted security guards to drag the person out.

The old woman struggled desperately: "Wang Xiao, you shameless Pan Jinlian, you dare to do it but don't dare to admit it... Waaah—"

They had the security guards drag the cart and all that outside.

Wang Xiao gave him a wink, and Xiao Gao quickly followed.

The mall erupted in chaos. Everyone looked at each other, and those who knew Wang Xiao and those who didn't were reminded by others that all eyes were on her.

Oh dear, Pan Jinlian, let's see how she tries to explain herself.

As a result, the woman identified as Pan Jinlian—Wang Xiao—acted as if nothing had happened, only apologizing to Secretary Fang: "I'm sorry, Secretary, it was our security work that was inadequate, and this caused a blunder."

Secretary Fang was only briefly taken aback, but his expression quickly returned to normal: "It's alright, the mall doors are open, anyone can come in."

Xiang Dong, who had come to help, shouted, "What nonsense is this? Her son has a wife and children but still tried to commit marriage fraud. He was arrested by the police and went to jail. After he got out of jail, he was caught by the police in someone else's house, fell off the balcony, and became paralyzed. And now he has the nerve to turn around and accuse them?"

Wang Tiejun and Chen Yanqiu, along with their younger brother and sister-in-law, and other steel mill and commercial city workers who had come to join the fun, chimed in: "That's right! Everyone knows about the people the police arrested back then. Do they think we're dead? Bah! What bad luck during the New Year! And now they dare to twist the truth. If she wants to find a daughter-in-law, let her go to America!"

This is outrageous! Do they really think their steel mill and commercial center are easy to bully?

Some onlookers wondered, "Why is he hiding outside someone's balcony?"

The people around laughed: "He probably got caught cheating. Tsk, karma's coming back to bite him, he's paralyzed now."

Secretary Fang reached out and took Wang Xiao's hand, patted it in his palm, and said with a gentle smile, "It's alright, you go ahead with your work. I have to go now."

The young female cadre following behind her seemed quite curious, giving Wang Xiao a strange look before quickly following her leader.

As Secretary Fang got into the car, he shook Wang Xiao's hand again: "It's alright, you go ahead with your work."

Wang Xiao smiled at her and said, "Secretary, have a safe journey."

As the red light of the Audi's taillights faded into the distance, she turned around and met Sister Miao's flushed face—the latter was panting, leaning on her knees, her down jacket zipper stuck in the collar, completely unlike the composed senior engineer, looking like a ruffled penguin.

When Grandma Ruan blocked the door, Sister Miao happened to be in line to use the restroom. After hearing the gossip, she sensed something was wrong and quickly came to find someone.

"My God! Are there no normal people among them? Before the New Year, Ruan Rui's mother went crazy at the chemical institute and was kicked out. We thought she would come to her senses. But she's gone even crazier."

What was wrong with Old Lady Ruan before the Lunar New Year?

I don't know where she heard the news that Wang Xiao's leg was broken, but she actually thought that since she had broken her leg, she would definitely not be able to find a good family, and should come back to take care of the paralyzed Ruan Rui.

As for why she thinks this way, it can only be said that every mother who loves her eldest son feels that it would be beneath her to have her son marry a princess at any time.

Because this matter was so outrageous, Sister Miao didn't mention it at all when she first met Wang Xiao.

Why bring it up? Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult during the Chinese New Year?

Intentionally reminding them: Don't forget how stupid you were back then, insisting on marrying into such a family?

Sister Miao is just not keen on social niceties, it doesn't mean she's mentally challenged or likes to offend people for no reason.

But she never expected that Old Lady Ruan would wait for this moment and come to the shopping mall to cause trouble.

Wang Xiao comforted the anxious and angry Sister Miao, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. There are all kinds of people, and all sorts of oddballs can be found."

Chen Jingjing followed closely behind, looking at her sister with concern: "Sister, don't be angry. It's not worth ruining your health."

She heard that her popularity had soared, but she couldn't see any signs of it; she was just seething inside.

Her sister must be furious; her aunt was trembling with rage just now. Her uncle was too; he was grinding his teeth in anger.

Wang Xiao smiled, reached out and patted the high school girl's head, and said softly, "Jingjing, let me tell you something. Wu Zetian didn't care what others said about how many male concubines she had."

Different people care about completely different things.

What's a little bit of gossip?

In 1994, even celebrities didn't care about this, let alone a businesswoman like her.

She is not a government official, and there are strict party disciplines and national laws governing her personal conduct.

She did not issue any publicly traded shares, and the damage to her personal image led to a drop in stock prices.

Therefore, the person who directed Old Lady Ruan to make this scene today, apart from annoying her, cannot cause her any harm.

She couldn't hurt him; all his jumping and tantrums were just the antics of a clown.

Wang Xiao's only question now is: which idiot caused this mess? How lousy!

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That's right. Generally speaking, apart from money, and especially huge sums of money, ordinary things don't even warrant a second glance from our CEO.