Start the counterattack
Although the trending topic was removed, it had already generated considerable buzz, giving people something to discuss, and the conflict naturally pointed to the Chi family group.
Early in the morning, Lin Tingyue noticed that Chi Zhuo's phone was ringing non-stop.
He let the phone ring, but didn't answer it, leaving it on silent as he quietly accompanied Lin Tingyue to breakfast at the restaurant.
Lin Tingyue sipped her warm milk, but her gaze involuntarily fell on the table opposite her.
"The phone," she finally couldn't help but whisper, "has been ringing."
“It’s not important,” he said briefly, handing her a peeled egg to her plate. “Eat more; you didn’t sleep well last night.”
Lin Tingyue felt a vague unease in her heart. She glanced at Chi Zhuo, her brows furrowed, and she felt a thousand guiltes in her heart.
"It's all my fault, it's not your responsibility to solve it. I will communicate clearly with Jiang Shaoyang and make sure it won't affect you."
Upon hearing this, Chi Zhuo did not stop moving, but simply pushed the bone china plate containing the eggs closer to her.
"Eat eggs." His voice was steady, without the slightest hint of emotion.
"But..." she said hastily, even with a hint of anxiety she herself didn't realize, "I'll personally explain to Jiang Shaoyang. This matter was originally my fault..."
“Listen to this.” He interrupted her, his tone still low, but with an undeniable composure. He raised his eyes, his gaze calmly landing on her face. “The eggs are getting cold, take a bite quickly.”
The phone screen lit up again, displaying another familiar name. He glanced at it, tapped it lightly, and directly switched to airplane mode.
“The Chi family is deeply rooted,” he finally spoke slowly, his voice clear and calm, like morning dew, “a few gusts of wind cannot bring them down. As for Jiang Shaoyang…”
He paused slightly, picked up a silver spoon, and stirred the black coffee in his cup. "He's not worth a second glance, much less a word from you."
These words were spoken very casually, yet they carried a sense of superior confidence.
“When something happens, face it and solve it.” He put down his spoon, the handle gently tapping against the saucer with a crisp sound. “You just need to remember that whatever you want to do, or whatever you do, the consequences,” he looked at her, his eyes focused, “I will take responsibility for.”
Lin Tingyue looked at him, all the prepared words stuck in her throat.
She lowered her head, silently picked up the warm egg, and took a bite.
Not long after, Lin Tingyue called.
"Sister Yue, the promotion we agreed on has suddenly been canceled. Would it be convenient for you to come to the studio?"
Lin Tingyue told her assistant to stay calm and not panic; she would try to get back by the afternoon.
Lin Tingyue hung up the phone, her mood a little off. Chi Zhuo noticed her subtle reaction but didn't rush to ask any questions. He simply pushed the warm milk half an inch closer to her.
“Something’s come up at the studio,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I need to get back as soon as possible.”
“Hmm,” Chi Zhuo nodded, saying nothing more, only saying.
On the way back, Lin Tingyue looked out the window at the rapidly receding scenery, her mind in turmoil.
The brand that proposed terminating the contract was an important collaboration that the studio had recently worked hard to secure, with a significant initial investment. If things change now, it will not only be an economic loss, but also a heavy blow to the reputation that the studio has just built up.
Jiang Shaoyang was really quick.
We finally arrived in northern Beijing, and the car came to a smooth stop downstairs at the studio.
Lin Tingyue took a deep breath and was about to get out of the car when Chi Zhuo gently grasped her wrist; his palm was dry and warm.
“Don’t rush,” he looked at her, his gaze calm and serene. “Find out what’s going on. If you need me, I’m here.”
Lin Tingyue felt a warmth in her heart and nodded: "I'll go up and take a look first."
The atmosphere in the studio was heavy. Her assistant rushed forward as soon as she entered, her face filled with anxiety.
"Sister Yue, the person in charge from the brand just urged us again. They were very firm, saying that considering the current public opinion, it's not suitable to continue the cooperation for the time being."
Lin Tingyue took the termination letter from Xiao Chen, quickly scanned the high-sounding official wording, and understood what was going on.
"Contact them, schedule a time, and I'll talk to them in person."
The assistant hesitated, "Sister Yue, their attitude is very tough, I'm afraid..."
"Go and contact them." Lin Tingyue's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable determination.
She returned to her office and had just sat down when her phone vibrated again, displaying the name of another business partner on the screen.
She composed herself, answered the phone, and heard the other party's tactful yet equally clear attempt to distance themselves.
She put down her phone, a sense of powerlessness creeping over her. She leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples.
She turned on her computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard, pulling up all the prior communication records, contract terms, and budget for the collaboration with this brand.
The phone rang. It was a message from Chi Zhuo, just three simple words: "How is it?"
Lin Tingyue's gaze swept over the object, and the slight panic in her heart was strangely soothed. She replied, "It's being handled, don't worry."
A moment later, he replied: "I'm downstairs."
Lin Tingyue looked at the line of text, took a deep breath, and brought her attention back to the screen.
The assistant returned quickly, looking even worse than before: "Sister Yue, the other party... the person in charge said there's no need for a face-to-face meeting, and everything will proceed according to the breach of contract clauses."
"Breach of contract clause?" Lin Tingyue raised her eyes, her gaze sharp. "The contract clearly stipulates that, except for force majeure and our serious fault, any party terminating the contract without cause shall be liable for compensation of three times the initial investment. Are they prepared to pay this money?"
The assistant was taken aback by the question: "They...didn't mention compensation, they only said the cooperation was terminated."
“Unilateral termination is a breach of contract.” Lin Tingyue stood up, picked up her coat and bag, and said, “Find me their headquarters’ complaint channels and the publicly available contact information for their Asia-Pacific regional manager. Since the lower-level managers want to smooth things over, then find someone who can speak up.”
Her movements were swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation, and her assistant immediately went to carry them out.
Lin Tingyue went downstairs and immediately saw the familiar black sedan parked in an inconspicuous spot on the street corner.
She walked over, opened the car door, and got in.
Chi Zhuo closed the laptop on his lap and turned to look at her: "What do you need me to do?"
“Not for now,” Lin Tingyue said, her eyes fixed ahead. “Take me somewhere first.”
She gave an address, which was the location of the brand's flagship store in northern Beijing.
Chi Zhuo didn't ask any further questions and had someone start the car.
Lin Tingyue was on the phone the whole time in the car.
She first contacted a lawyer she knew, briefly explained the situation, and consulted about the legal procedures for unilateral breach of contract and the key points for securing evidence.
Then, she dialed another number, her tone shifting to a perfect blend of familiarity and helplessness.
"Sister Wang, it's me, Tingyue. Yes, there's something I'd like to ask you about... Do you know anyone in the marketing department at the 'Fanya' brand headquarters? Sigh, there's been a slight hiccup in our collaboration; communication at the lower levels isn't going smoothly..."
Her tone was gentle and her words were tactful, but her purpose was clear.
Upon arriving at their destination, Lin Tingyue was about to get out of the car when Chi Zhuo spoke up: "Shall I go up with you?"
"No need," Lin Tingyue shook her head.
She walked into the store alone, revealed her identity directly, and asked to see the store manager.
While waiting, she discreetly observed the flow of customers and the store's displays.
The store manager was a capable woman in her early thirties. After learning Lin Tingyue's purpose for coming, she showed a perfunctory apology on her face.
"Ms. Lin, we are very sorry, we also received instructions from above..."
“I understand,” Lin Tingyue interrupted her, her tone calm. “That’s why I’m here to ask your store and your brand’s headquarters to reassess this decision.”
She took a USB drive out of her bag. "This is the complete marketing plan we prepared for this collaboration, as well as a list of resources our studio invested in the early stages and some data feedback. I believe that any brand that is market data and results-oriented will not easily give up on a partner who is so well-prepared and whose brand image is highly compatible with ours."
She pushed the USB drive in front of the store manager and took out a printed document: "This is a copy of the key terms of the contract. I've marked the liability for compensation for unjustified termination in yellow. I personally believe that hastily terminating the cooperation based on some unverified online rumors, and being willing to bear the risk of breach of contract, is inconsistent with 'Vanya's' consistent professional image and business logic. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding in your company's internal communication?"
She spoke at a steady pace and with clear logic, demonstrating both her own value and preparation, while also pointing out the legal risks and pressure of potential decision-making errors that the other side might face.
The store manager's expression changed from polite and distant to somewhat serious.
“Ms. Lin, I will report what you have said to my superiors as fact. But the decision-making power is not in my hands.”
“I understand,” Lin Tingyue stood up. “Please pass this on as soon as possible. Also, please tell your superiors that if your company insists on terminating the contract, our studio will immediately initiate legal proceedings to recover all compensation in accordance with the contract, and reserve the right to pursue legal action for any negative impact on the brand’s reputation caused by this matter. Of course, I believe that both of us would prefer to see a win-win situation.”
After she finished speaking, she nodded slightly, turned and left, her back view upright and composed.
Back in the car, Chi Zhuo looked at her: "Is it resolved?"
“I’ve planted a seed,” Lin Tingyue let out a long breath. “Whether it will sprout or not remains to be seen.” She rubbed her temples, a hint of fatigue on her face, but her eyes remained bright.
In the evening, a exhausted Lin Tingyue returned to her studio.
The assistant immediately came forward, a hint of excitement on her face: "Sister Yue! 'Vanya' has replied! They said the Asia-Pacific head saw the materials you left and hopes to have a video conference with us tomorrow morning to renegotiate the details of the cooperation!"
Lin Tingyue paused, her nerves, which had been tense all day, finally relaxing slightly. She nodded: "Okay, let's prepare the meeting materials."
Sitting back in her office chair, she didn't immediately look at the documents her assistant had prepared, but instead opened an encrypted folder on her computer.
Inside were her communication records and emails with Jiang Shaoyang over the years, and even audio clips she had unintentionally recorded on some occasions.
She originally prepared these things to make a documentary for future anniversaries, but she never expected them to serve this purpose now.
No matter how fast Jiang Shaoyang's movements are, she can't just passively parry his attacks.
She summoned her assistant, her voice calm and devoid of any sign of fatigue. "Two things. First, contact a lawyer—not just for consultation, but to formally retain them. Second, sift through all the materials we've compiled regarding Mr. Jiang Shaoyang, including any insinuations, pressure, or even inappropriate remarks, and encrypt and package them."
The assistant paused for a moment, then realized what Lin Tingyue was about to do, and her expression immediately turned serious: "Understood, Sister Yue!"
Chi Zhuo called at that moment, his voice reassuringly calm as it came through the receiver: "How's it going?"
Lin Tingyue looked at the list of documents being organized on the screen, her eyes sharp: "The promotional cooperation issue is half resolved, but more importantly, I'm preparing to formally sue Jiang Shaoyang."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Chi Zhuo's deep and affirmative response: "Reason?"
"Infringement of reputation, commercial defamation, and unfair competition," Lin Tingyue stated clearly. "He used public opinion to fabricate and spread false facts, which directly led to the obstruction of my studio's business cooperation, economic losses, and severe damage to its reputation. All of these are supported by a chain of evidence. I thought it was unnecessary before, but now it seems that tolerance will only lead to more unscrupulous behavior."
"Is the evidence conclusive?" Chi Zhuo asked directly.
“Enough to file a case and get him into trouble.” Lin Tingyue said confidently, “I know he has a powerful family and a long legal process, but what I want is not to bring him down immediately, but to clearly tell him that I am not someone he can manipulate at will. This lawsuit, even if it is just the notice of case filing being delivered to him, is an attitude and a counterattack.”
Chi Zhuo chuckled softly on the other end of the phone, his admiration undisguised: "Okay, I support you."
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