Fang Yihua's heart immediately tightened, and she quickly apologized, "I was careless for a moment! I never thought that the conversation in the contract department that day would be recorded and secretly filmed!
I never expected Lu Ruirong and her father to be photographed at the finance company! There must be something fishy going on among us, or... or maybe this was a trap set by that sinister villain Xiaolin Tianwang! I... I was so careless!
But I don't understand! Why would Louis Cha personally intervene? Given his status and position, would he really stand up for a minor artist like Lu Ruirong and lash out at TVB so harshly?
There must be someone behind this... It must be Kobayashi Tenmo! There's a lot of outcry out there, especially among the artists' fans, who are all making a fuss, demanding we give them a raise!
Run Run Shaw walked over to the huge mahogany desk and sat down, his expression unchanged as he snorted coldly:
"Humph. Cha Liangyong? Just an old fox being used as a pawn by others. Lu Ruirong? Just an actor.
As for that contract…it was written in black and white, with the price clearly stated. She signed it herself! Did we force her? No! She simply felt the TVB contract was too harsh and refused to sign it!
TVB gave her this job and the opportunity to be famous, but she doesn't know how to be grateful. Instead, she feels that TVB has treated her unfairly? How can this be justified in the world?
At this moment, the arrogance and contempt for artistes in Run Run Shaw's tone were fully revealed, which was exactly the same as the description in the Ming Pao article that "artists were treated like grass".
Because he is just that kind of person, TVB and Shaw Brothers have always been just a business to him.
Even if they were the most popular artists, so what? In his eyes, they were just a "playboy" whom he could make famous or destroy at any time.
"This matter shouldn't have been a big deal. If there were a genuine dispute over the contract, legal action would have been taken. TVB is a huge company, so what's the big deal about this? But... Louis Cha wrote it himself, so it carries a different weight. Add to that the loan sharking photo... This smear campaign of 'rich and unkind' and 'forcing women into prostitution' has been thrown so harshly and accurately that it's ruining our reputation! That's their real goal!"
Run Run Shaw stood up abruptly as he spoke, walked to the window, and looked out at the bustling Hong Kong Island below. His back revealed a stubborn toughness as he sternly said, "But, so what? I, Run Run Shaw, am upright! The contract is legal, taxes are paid in full, TVB's license is issued by the Hong Kong government, and the public loves to watch its programs! We haven't broken any laws! Who can do anything to TVB? Those artists clamoring for a pay raise, those audiences clamoring for a boycott...
Not satisfied? Fine! The door is open. If you have the guts, don't sign a TVB contract! If you have the guts, don't watch TVB programs! Go to Rediffusion Television! Go to ATV! Where can you see if they can pay them more? Where can you see if they can produce better dramas than TVB?! Did I earn my title as a 'TV tycoon' by giving away handouts and submitting?!
Run Run Shaw's status and personality determined that he would never compromise because of external threats.
Faced with this kind of public opinion attack, he has his own solution.
As he spoke, he suddenly turned around, stared at Fang Yihua, and then gave a firm order:
"Mona! Don't people say that we at TVB are stingy and only take in and don't give out? Great! I, Shao Laoliu, have plenty of money!
But I'd rather feed it to dogs or build walls than succumb to this kind of public pressure and give those ignorant actors a raise! You want to teach me how to spend money? I'll do the exact opposite!
You must do two things immediately: First, donate two million Hong Kong dollars to the Hong Kong Student Aid Foundation in the name of TVB and myself, Run Run Shaw!
Second, in contact with the mainland, I will donate to Lingnan Province to build five university libraries or teaching buildings, and name them "Yifu Buildings"!
"Money, move it over immediately, and make a big splash for me! I want all of Hong Kong and all of China to know that my money, Run Run Shaw, is donated to education and the future! It's not to be fed to those greedy actors or those who want to teach me how to do things!"
Fang Yihua looked at Run Run Shaw's resolute and cruel eyes and instantly understood his intention.
However, this is completely consistent with her understanding of Run Run Shaw. If Run Run Shaw would really give in so easily, he would never have been able to sit on the throne of Hong Kong's television tycoon.
This was a counterattack, a retreat to advance, and a blatant demonstration: I have money, but I'd rather give to charity and gain a good reputation than bow to employees or public opinion! TVB's rules cannot be challenged!
From Fang Yihua's perspective, Run Run Shaw's response was absolutely beyond many people's expectations, and was also enough to shut up most people.
"Yes! Sir Run Run! I'll do it right away!"
Fang Yihua responded quickly, feeling a little relieved, but a chill welled up in her heart.
She knew that once Run Run Shaw issued this order, the invisible rifts and confrontations between TVB and its artists, some angry audiences, and even the forces represented by Jin Yong and Kobayashi Tenmo would become even deeper, with no room for maneuver.
Run Run Shaw used his wealth and toughness to draw a cold and arrogant line under the dazzling night sky of Victoria Harbour.
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