Video Editor

Faced with a lawsuit from Lesheng Company amounting to six million yuan, Ye Xiaoming, Liu Bing, and Feng Shijie were instantly overwhelmed by immense fear.

Driven by their instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm, their first thought was not how to cope, but how to escape from the seemingly sinking ship as quickly as possible.

So, behind the backs of major shareholder Suning and "senior advisor" Ding Yuanying, they privately devised what they considered a "wise" plan.

That is to take the initiative to seek peace and apologize to Lesheng Company, and be willing to pay 100,000 yuan in compensation to settle the matter peacefully.

If Lesheng does not accept the offer of peace, they will immediately withdraw their shares and cut their losses in time.

When Su Ning learned of the three men's decision, he felt a complex mix of disappointment, disdain, and knowing things had turned out this way.

He knew all along that his cooperation with these three short-sighted shareholders would not last long, but he never expected the test to come so quickly.

Their reaction was so foolish and cowardly that they lacked even the slightest courage to resist.

Society is not a school; no one can explain everything like a teacher, so many things require insight and judgment.

It is obvious that Ye Xiaoming and his two companions did not possess such abilities, and they did not understand the true intentions of Su Ning and Ding Yuanying, nor did they realize that Ding Yuanying wanted to "rob the rich to help the poor".

Then, Ye Xiaoming and his two companions, with humble smiles and 100,000 yuan, went to find Lin Yufeng of Lesheng Company.

Lin Yufeng was just worrying about how to further attack the regulated poetry style. Seeing this, he sneered inwardly, but on the surface, he put on a magnanimous attitude and turned this apology into a carefully planned "show".

In front of numerous employees and the media, he "righteously and sternly" refused the apology and the mere 100,000 yuan in compensation, emphasizing that market fairness and justice must be upheld through legal means.

Thus, their path to reconciliation was completely blocked, and they were reduced to mere clowns in the public eye.

The three, having been humiliated and utterly disgraced, returned to the ancient city, utterly despondent.

Then, they shamelessly approached Suning and formally confronted them, demanding to withdraw their investment.

The long-suppressed contradictions erupted completely at this moment.

Ye Xiaoming's voice was hoarse: "President Su, you've seen the situation yourself. Lesheng is determined to fight to the death! We can't win this lawsuit at all! We don't want to lose everything along with them, we have to withdraw our investment!"

Liu Bing quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! You even paid for our initial investment, we'll take the loss! As long as you can remove our names from the company!"

Although Feng Shijie did not speak, the retreat in his eyes already showed his attitude.

Su Ning looked at them with icy eyes.

He didn't angrily accuse him, but rather stated the facts in a tone that was almost declarative: "Since you went to great lengths to invite Teacher Ding to manage the business, you should have been prepared to bear the corresponding risks. The business world is like a battlefield; how can you only think about winning and not be able to afford to lose?"

"Hmph! All the strategies were devised by you, Teacher Ding and President Su. Our opinions have never been adopted by you, so we will never pay for your mistakes."

At this point, Suning was too lazy to waste any more words and simply said, "Okay, I agree to your withdrawal of shares."

The procedures were processed exceptionally quickly.

Suning acted swiftly, immediately instructing its lawyers to prepare a withdrawal agreement.

Ye Xiaoming and Liu Bing signed their names with a sense of relief and trepidation, getting back the principal that Suning had advanced for them. From then on, they had no further equity ties with Geli Poetry Company.

However, the shrewd Liu Bing made a bizarre request after signing the papers: "President Su...you see, although I'm no longer a shareholder, I still have feelings for the company. Could you...let me continue to work in the store? I'm willing to do sales or store management!"

He was trying to achieve the dual goals of "effective risk avoidance" and "preserving hope," both avoiding the risk of a lawsuit and staying in the company to observe, hoping that he might benefit from any turn of events.

This wishful thinking was ruthlessly shattered on the spot by Suning.

“No.” Su Ning’s answer was firm. “Your identities are too special. Either you, as shareholders, share the risks with Geli Poetry and fight to the end, or you, like you are now, withdraw completely and cleanly. There is no third way. Unfortunately, you chose the latter, which also proves that you do not have the qualities required for the former.”

Liu Bing's face turned ashen instantly, but knowing he was in the wrong, he had no way to refute it and could only shut his mouth in embarrassment.

And by leaving behind the keys to Ding Yuanying's BMW, it was tantamount to stabbing him in the heart.

Moreover, feeling the mocking look in Su Ning's eyes, Liu Bing suddenly felt like a rat in a trash can.

At this moment, Su Ning turned his gaze to Feng Shijie, who had been silent all along, and said in a slightly softer tone, but still with an undeniable force: "Feng Shijie, your situation is different from theirs. You can't just back down as easily as they did."

Feng Shijie was taken aback, then looked up, his expression a mixture of dissatisfaction and confusion: "Why? I need a reasonable explanation!"

Su Ning looked him straight in the eye and said, word by word, "As everyone knows, the core of the regulated verse project is the poverty alleviation project in Wangmiao Village. You are from Wangmiao Village. You were the one who went to great lengths to invite Teacher Ding here, and you were the one who mobilized the villagers to participate. Now, the project has encountered its first real challenge. As one of the leaders, if you are the first to withdraw your investment and run away, what will the villagers of Wangmiao Village think? How will you maintain your standing in the village afterward? Where is your 'morality' and sense of responsibility?"

These words struck Feng Shijie like a hammer blow. He opened his mouth, but could not refute them.

Suning proposed a compromise: "You own 11% of the company. So I suggest you withdraw 10% and keep 1%. This way, you can withdraw most of your funds, reduce your personal losses, and also retain a symbolic participation and explanation for yourself and your fellow villagers, thus fulfilling your 'moral obligations'."

After struggling internally for a long time, Feng Shijie's fear of the actual loss finally overwhelmed his last bit of adherence to his hometown sentiments. He nodded dejectedly: "Okay... President Su, I accept your suggestion and will keep 1%."

"Feng Shijie, let me give you one last friendly reminder: Geli Poetry Company is a poverty alleviation project set up for Wangmiao Township. I hope you won't act recklessly and mess things up. After all, if Wangmiao Township really disappears, there will be Limiao Township or Zhangmiao Township. I am not Teacher Ding or Officer Rui, and I have no sentimental attachment to your Wangmiao Township."

"..."

After the agreement was signed, a pale-faced Feng Shijie received most of the returned funds.

Looking at the three people in front of him, who seemed relieved but also disheveled, Su Ning's last bit of politeness vanished, replaced by undisguised mockery.

He coldly surveyed them and said, "I wonder if the three of you play cards regularly? It seems you have no idea what 'accepting the consequences of a bet' means. At the card table, getting a good hand is certainly lucky, but what's more important is having the courage and wisdom to play a bad hand and even turn the tide. What you do, turning the table and leaving the moment things go wrong, is utterly despicable. Fools like you are really not suited for starting a business. Not only are you wasting your time and energy, but your behavior is also laughable to anyone with eyes to see!"

Ye Xiaoming's face was extremely ugly, but he forced a smile and said, "Hmph! President Su, then I wish you and the profound Teacher Ding a bright future with Geli Poetry!"

Upon hearing this, Su Ning's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Don't worry, that's inevitable. As for you, you've only peeked at the outside world from the edge of a well, indulging in a fleeting glimpse. Ultimately, you'll fall back down. For all eternity, you'll never break free from the shackles of your own social class. This has nothing to do with the system, nor with luck; the root cause lies in your own vision and courage!"

These merciless and scathing words turned Ye Xiaoming, Liu Bing, and Feng Shijie's faces from red to white, and then to ashen.

They were filled with shame and indignation, but powerless to refute it. They could only secretly conclude that this was just Suning's outburst of anger and frustration at the company's impending collapse.

They would never admit that these words had precisely pinpointed the root of their failure. After Ye Xiaoming and the other two idiots left, only Su Ning remained in the office.

Having purged these useless parasite shareholders, the ship of Geli Poetry, though seemingly more isolated, has also shed unnecessary burdens and can now set sail lightly to face the coming storms.

……

Despite the aggressive lawsuit filed by Lesheng Company and the last-minute defection of three shareholders, including Ye Xiaoming, Ding Yuanying remained calm.

He calmly suggested to Su Ning, "Xiao Yawen studied law and is very capable. She also has some understanding of the cause and effect of this matter. We can ask her to be the lawyer representing Geli Poetry Company and handle this litigation."

"Understood! I'll go to the capital to find her right away."

"I heard you even forced Feng Shijie to retain 1% of the shares?"

"Yes! The main concern is that he might cause trouble in the future, so this 1% is to constantly remind him of the moral principles we should uphold."

"Oh well! Originally, I intended to keep all his shares and return them to him after things calmed down, but now it seems he has indeed missed many opportunities."

“Teacher Ding, I don’t have the same passion for Wangmiao Township that you and Officer Rui have. My starting point is still to make money and profit, so I can’t be too lenient with them.”

"Hmm, perhaps you're right! But what are your plans after things calm down?"

"In addition to ensuring the poverty alleviation project in Wangmiao Township, Geli Poetry is preparing to enter the high-end market, and will purchase high-end professional sound equipment for concerts."

"Great! Now I can finally relax."

At this point, Xiao Yawen's relationship with Suning had long surpassed ordinary business cooperation.

Through frequent contact and shared experiences, the two developed feelings for each other and established a romantic relationship.

Therefore, when Su Ning personally went to Beijing to explain the situation to Xiao Yawen, Xiao Yawen had no reason to refuse, both publicly and privately.

However, Xiao Yawen does not see herself merely as an amateur lawyer who passively takes on cases.

She keenly realized that this lawsuit, which seemed like a catastrophe, might be a severe test for Geli Poetry Company, but for her personally, it was an unprecedented and significant opportunity to deeply intervene and potentially acquire company equity.

In Xiao Yawen's residence, Xiao Yawen and Su Ning sat facing each other after their passionate encounter.

She didn't rush to discuss litigation strategy, but after careful consideration, she cautiously spoke: "Suning, this lawsuit is extremely risky, but crisis also contains opportunity. If we can win this case, Geli Poetry will surely become famous overnight. So I want to participate not only as a lawyer, but also to become a true part of the company."

She paused, then looked at Su Ning with a determined gaze: "I originally planned to use my savings over the years to buy the shares that Ye Xiaoming and the others withdrew from. I wanted to take this risk and share in the possibilities of the future."

To Xiao Yawen's surprise, Su Ning did not show any surprise after hearing her idea; instead, a gentle smile appeared on her face.

He gently stirred the freshly brewed coffee that Xiao Yawen had made and said, "Yawen, I'm glad you think this way. It shows that you understand Teacher Ding's plan and see the true value of classical poetry. However, there's no need to buy it."

He raised his head, his gaze sincere and firm: "I have decided to transfer 10% of my company, Geli Poetry, to you free of charge. This is not a legal fee, but an acknowledgment of your vision and courage. Welcome to become a core partner of Geli Poetry."

This unexpected and generous gift, which may be worth far more than all her savings, left Xiao Yawen stunned.

She hadn't expected Suning to be so generous and trusting, and a feeling of being deeply understood and fully supported welled up inside her.

She said no more, but simply held Su Ning's hand tightly again, everything understood without words.

That evening, she repaid Suning's deep affection in her own way.

……

Upon formally accepting the commission, Xiao Yawen immediately demonstrated exceptional professionalism.

She didn't limit herself to the materials on her desk, but personally drove to Wangmiao Village to inspect the production line on-site. She used cameras and video cameras to record in detail every step and process of the villagers making speakers by hand, highlighting the nature of their family workshops, self-financing, and non-employed labor. These first-hand video materials became key evidence in court later to refute Lesheng Company's accusation of "dumping at low prices".

In Wangmiao Village, she also had a conversation with Ding Yuanying, who was in charge of the operation.

Ding Yuanying casually inquired about her views on the key points of the case, her analysis of Lesheng Company's strategy, and possible countermeasures.

Xiao Yawen's logical and insightful answer made Ding Yuanying nod in approval.

He confirmed that the woman not only possessed legal expertise but also had keen business acumen and a calm demeanor, making her fully capable of taking over the operation and management of the Geli Poetry Company after the war.

……

Meanwhile, Rui Xiaodan, who had been closely following the developments, witnessed the entire process of Geli Poetry Company's growth from nothing to something, from passionate entrepreneurship to encountering tremendous changes, and then to its desperate struggle for survival and hiring lawyers to actively fight back.

All these ups and downs, and the intense clashes between humanity, culture, and business rules reflected in them, deeply moved her.

She began to transcend the level of specific events and think deeply: what is the essence of the so-called "myth" created by Ding Yuanying?
What exactly is the source of the so-called "salvation" for the villagers of Wangmiao Village, and indeed for each of us?
How exactly does the invisible hand of "cultural attributes" determine the fate of individuals and groups?
She had too many questions and was eager to find out.

On a moonlit night, she sat and drank with Ding Yuanying, pouring out all the confusion in her heart.

Ding Yuanying did not give a direct answer, but instead guided her to engage in deeper reflection.

As expected, fueled by alcohol and a deep conversation, Rui Xiaodan reflected on her years as a police officer and her current confusion, and finally made up her mind.

She solemnly said to Ding Yuanying, "Yuanying, I have decided to take your advice from some time ago. I am preparing to resign."

Her eyes were no longer confused, but filled with a clear plan for the future: "After resigning, I want to first systematically study law and economics, and then... maybe I can try to become a lawyer, or like Yawen, to really participate in and create something. I need to change my perspective and understand the logic of how this society works more deeply."

Her decision signifies that she is about to embark on a completely new life path.

The legal battle between Geli Poetry Company and Lesheng Company has entered a new phase due to Xiao Yawen's involvement and Rui Xiaodan's awakening.

...(End of chapter)