Chapter 41 You say I'm vicious?
Some people in the room looked away; some waited quietly for Chen Jiashu to continue; and others, like Zhu Ao and Tian Jiayue, were ready to stand up and refute those people for Chen Jiashu at any time.
After a brief pause of two or three seconds, Zhu Ao's eyes fell on Director Liu's flushed face as he explained, "Director Chen's question is very clear. You now have two choices: First, apologize to Director Chen and this meeting for your questions regarding your personal circumstances, and promise not to raise any more personal speculations unrelated to the agenda of this meeting; second, or, please follow Director Chen's request and directly cite the specific chapters and data in your 'Mergers and Acquisitions Investigation Report' to clearly point out to all of us which risk was overlooked due to your so-called 'judgment influence'."
Zhu Ao's words made Director Liu's face extremely embarrassed. She looked at Director Lü for help, and Director Lü shook her head very slightly, then cleared her throat and put on a smile: "Alright, alright, Director Liu was just concerned about the company's interests and was a little anxious. Her words were not very precise. What President Zhu said makes sense. We should indeed rely on the report and data."
...
Not long after the meeting ended, Zhu Ao went to the sales department and then came back to find Chen Jiashu.
"There's something unexpected going on. The trucks carrying supplies that our group sent immediately were photographed by some media outlets. The media praised us highly, saying that even though our own factory was destroyed, we were still donating money and supplies, and that we were a company with a conscience. Also, someone took a picture of you, and those netizens are all praising you."
Zhu Ao paused for a moment before speaking, then continued, "The e-commerce department reported that our official live stream usually only has a few hundred or a few thousand viewers online, but tonight the peak number exceeded 500,000! The server crashed. These netizens weren't buying anything; they were practically 'robbing' us. Our inventory was emptied instantly, and the comments section is full of 'We support you' and 'We can't let a conscientious company fall.'"
He tapped his hands, thought for a moment, and said, "This was completely an accident. We are under a lot of pressure right now, and we are afraid that we will not be able to keep up with the subsequent shipments and after-sales service, and let everyone down."
Chen Jiashu slowly took off his vision aid glasses, looked up at Zhu Ao, who was both happy and worried, and instructed him to do two things.
"First, trace all online praise, especially from self-media, back to its source to ensure that it was not planned or guided by our own people. Second, immediately check whether there are any exaggerated claims or statements that exploit the disaster in the live broadcast room."
Zhu Ao nodded repeatedly: "I'll take care of it right now."
The man's footsteps were like the wind, stirring the air in the room. Papers on the desk were blown up and then fell back down. Chen Jiashu reached out and pressed them down, then looked up at the door, but Zhu Ao was nowhere to be seen.
*
She put the tablet back on the table and saw a figure at the door. As the figure approached, the door was knocked twice. She called out, "Come in."
The assistant pushed open the door and came in, clutching a stack of documents in his left hand: "Director, the viewership ratings for the 'Entrepreneur' program last month have been compiled."
The report was on her desk, and her assistant had only been gone a short while when there was another knock on the door.
Qin Qiao casually flipped through a couple of pages, glancing at the end-of-month ratings data, which showed another 0.3% drop. Starting a program is difficult, but maintaining stable ratings is even harder; viewers easily get tired of the show. She tapped her temple, pondering the guests for the next episode.
Lu Tai's assistant: "Director Qin, Lu Tai would like to see you in his office."
Wisps of tea steam drifted from the gaps in the white porcelain gaiwan, rising towards the roof.
Lu Tai picked up the tea lid, skimmed off the foam, and took a small sip:
"Have you been making investments lately?"
The way he looked down and then looked up revealed three deep forehead wrinkles, like fresh creases on a piece of paper.
Her slender hand, supporting the bottom of the teacup, trembled slightly. The tea lid brushed against the tea. Qin Qiao lowered her head, took a sip of tea, gently put down the teacup, and humbly asked, "Are you referring to Hengyu's shareholding?"
Lu Tai didn't speak, but his eyes conveyed an "Mm".
She leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming more serious:
“Lu Tai, I know the ins and outs of this matter best. Initially, I invested in this startup in my personal capacity, holding a 10% stake... The problem lies with the company's founder, Chen Cheng, who, out of gratitude and a desire to surprise me, unilaterally increased my shareholding to 30% through an agency.”
"Upon learning of this, my first and most serious warning to him was that this was wrong. Furthermore, a week ago, I terminated the equity agreement and reverted to a standard loan agreement."
The tea had warmed up, and Lu Tai's probing gaze faded like the tea mist. His fingertips traced circles on the side of the teacup as he listened silently as she continued.
Qin Qiao said succinctly, "As a media professional, my investment behavior was inappropriate. I will submit a detailed explanation to the station and am willing to accept any criticism."
Lu Tai slightly raised his hand, gesturing for a pause: "Director Qin... I trust you about this matter; we've all worked together for so many years. But now... someone has filed a complaint under their real name, which puts us in a very passive position. What I'm most worried about is the internet... You know the current online environment; once it gets online, it's beyond our control..."
How could Qin Qiao not understand the deeper meaning behind Lu Tai's words... I believe you are innocent, but you must immediately come up with a perfect solution that can not only convince the station but also convince hundreds of millions of netizens.
The mainland media also pointed out the core of the incident: the person who reported it will definitely make it public; the truth itself is not important, what matters is the emotions of netizens.
That night, Qin Qiao saw the trending topics #ProvincialTVAnchorIsViolation# #SourceOf6Million# #WhereDidTheReporterGet6Million?# which made it into the top ten trending topics.
This person not only filed a formal complaint with the station but also exposed it online, showing their determination to oust her from the position; they could only be a competitor.
Who could it be?
Qin Qiao leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed, deep in thought. There were only a few positions in their line of work, and the competition was always fierce. People would stop at nothing to get ahead.
She has been back in China for almost a year, and her sudden appointment has already made some people unhappy. Some people... in the end, it's just the same few people. It seems they have been watching her for a long time, just waiting for her to make a mistake.
Director Yu called and asked her to come to the station immediately.
Fortunately, the signature on the agreement with the agency was not her own, the shares had been transferred, and there was a formal loan agreement.
As for Chen Cheng, he must not be allowed to testify; he must remain silent.
The idea that she secretly increased her shareholding to 20% is simply a fairy tale. Netizens won't think about it deeply; they'll only become more curious and dig deeper.
There's another crucial point... the source of the six million, which is a vital and indispensable link in the entire chain of evidence.
She now needs to prepare: a handwriting analysis report, an equity transfer agreement, a formal loan agreement, and proof of the source of the 6 million yuan in funds.
Key point: There's no need to explain how she acquired the 30% stake; she only needs to inform the public that the 30% stake has nothing to do with her.
On the drive to the provincial TV station, Qin Qiao pondered how to resolve the matter. Upon arrival, the three leaders at the station briefly questioned her, conveying the same message as the mainland station: the station only cares about the results, and she must persuade millions of netizens within the crucial 24 hours.
Qin Qiao didn't sleep a wink that night, and the live broadcast work for the next day was handed over to the female anchor of Group B. She was out all morning, and at 11 o'clock, she received the handwriting analysis report. Just as she stepped out, Chen Jiashu called.
Directly overhead, a dark cloud was carried away by the wind, and bright sunlight shone down. Qin Qiao stopped in the middle of the steps, and her shadow was cast on it like continuous waves.
“Qiaoqiao, I saw the trending topic. That 6 million was part of our property division during our divorce. I have the complete record here. If you need, I can explain the situation to the public at any time.”
That day, her harsh words angered him so much that he overturned everything on the coffee table, but whenever something happened, Chen Jiashu was always the first to stand up for her.
The same thing happened with Chairman Ling that time.
Chen Jiashu has always treated people with sincerity, but she even questioned his character... Yet he never held a grudge, and the next time they met, he greeted her with a smile.
After ending the call, Qin Qiao stood there in the cold wind for about ten minutes. Then she edited a message and sent it: [Are you free on Sunday? I'd like to treat you to hot pot.]
Apologize.
Chen Jiashu's magnetic voice came from the receiver: "Send me the restaurant reservation."
Meanwhile, Yang Shuhua was reminded by her neighbor of some negative comments about her daughter trending on social media. She only glanced at them, and her blood rushed to her head. She went home, grabbed her car keys, drove straight to the building where Hengyu worked, rushed into his office, and invited him to a booth downstairs to talk.
Chen Cheng received a call from Qin Qiao half an hour ago, telling him not to make any public statements. Yang Shuhua, however, came to him asking him to clarify things for her daughter.
The jasmine tea in the glass was clear and slightly yellow, with wisps of white smoke rising in a fragrant ambiance. Yang Shuhua's eyes were slightly red, her palms rubbing against the glass, and her gentle smile carried a heavy weight.
Chen Cheng clenched his fists, tears welling in his eyes, filled with self-reproach: "Auntie... I'm sorry."
Qiao Jie's success today is inseparable from the hard work her parents put in behind the scenes. He understands a mother's heart and knows how worried and heartbroken they must be.
It's all his fault.
Chairman Chen is right. True gratitude is not about dragging others down with you. And now, because of his reckless actions, Sister Qiao is being questioned and criticized by the public.
"Auntie knows you're a good kid... loyal and kind. Qiaoqiao helped you because she values your talent and hard work. You're good friends who admire each other, Auntie understands."
Even Sister Qiao's mother was so understanding, making Chen Cheng feel even more like a scoundrel. He clenched his fists, wishing he could slap himself.
When he looked up and saw the tears welling up in Yang Shuhua's eyes, his heart trembled violently.
"Auntie has been thinking about this all the way. The root of this matter lies in the 'shares.' Reporters can't do this. As long as this charge is pinned on her, Qiaoqiao will never be able to clear her name." Yang Shuhua raised her hand and pressed her palm against the tear stains at the corner of her eye. "Now there is only one way, which is to make everyone believe that Qiaoqiao was unaware of the matter."
Chen Cheng asked in a hoarse voice, "Auntie, do you want me to prove that it was all my own idea?" It was indeed his idea, and Sister Qiao was completely unaware of it.
Yang Shuhua nodded slightly: "Chen Cheng, just tell everyone... that back then, you wanted to thank Qiao Qiao and give her a surprise, but you were afraid she wouldn't accept it because of her strong principles... so... so you went through me. I'm getting senile, and I gave you her ID card... but it was all for her own good. Who could have imagined that something like this would happen? She's so busy all day long, how could she possibly keep track of where her ID card is or what she's used it for?"
Chen Cheng's pupils widened as Yang Shuhua spoke, initially in astonishment, but quickly filled with self-reproach.
"...Auntie, this means I...I stole..."
What will happen to his company if he admits to being a thief? Who would want to work with a founder who has no credibility? How can he maintain his standing in the industry after bearing this stigma?
Sister Qiao is a public figure, and her public image cannot be compromised, while he is unknown... At worst, he can just go back to Jiang City.
Yang Shuhua reached across the table with her right hand, grasped his fist, and pleaded earnestly, "Chen Cheng... Auntie begs you, this is the only way for Qiaoqiao..."
Watching Yang Shuhua's figure disappear around the corner, Chen Cheng turned his eyes away and his gaze fell on his phone screen.
He tapped rapidly on the screen, editing a blog post.
Dear leaders, media friends, and netizens:
I am Chen Cheng, the founder of Hengyu Technology. The recent online events have caused Ms. Qin Qiao immense harm and distress, and this is entirely my responsibility.
In the early stages of my business, to express my gratitude to Ms. Qin Qiao for her loan and assistance, and due to my lack of legal awareness, I secretly obtained her identification documents through her mother and arranged for her to hold shares on my behalf. She was completely unaware of the shareholding ratio and details.
Here, I sincerely apologize to Qin Qiao. I'm sorry. I also apologize to everyone who was disturbed by this matter.
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