How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 426 What goes around comes around!

"Stop!" Li Lehua shouted sharply, his face as gloomy as the sky before a storm, every wrinkle seemingly hiding thunderous fury.

What Zhang Wen just said was undoubtedly a threat to her.

If the other party posts it online, the company will definitely face a collective outcry from netizens.

Her task now is to resolve this matter immediately, to minimize the impact and avoid making the situation worse or more complicated.

Zhang Wen paused, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He then slowly turned around, a look of innocent confusion on his face, and deliberately asked, "Is there anything else you need, Mr. Li? Are you suddenly reluctant to let me go?"

"Stop acting with me!" Li Lehua said coldly, her eyes filled with suppressed anger. "Tell me, what do you want before you'll stop?"

The company's blatant bullying has yet to be cleaned up, and she simply cannot withstand another round of public criticism. If this gets back to the shareholders, they will definitely reduce her power in the company immediately.

"I don't want anything, isn't it you, Mr. Li, who's been refusing to let this go?" Zhang Wen said innocently.

"How could it be me? Wasn't it you who first tried to frame Song Haoran, which led to the whole series of events that followed?" Li Lehua said emphatically.

“Mr. Li, if you want to resolve this issue, you must first show sincerity, instead of being unreasonable. As the old saying goes, ‘If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it in the first place.’ If you have this attitude, there’s no need for us to continue talking,” Zhang Wen said calmly, but his eyes held a hint of coldness.

Li Lehua felt a chill run down her spine, and a hint of guilt flashed in her eyes.

Does the other party already know that Song Haoran's harassment of Bai Lu was orchestrated by her?
That shouldn't be the case. This matter is known only to heaven, earth, and her; Song Haoran knows, but no third person knows. So how did the other party find out?

and many more!

Do Song Haoran's assistant and agent also know about this?

If these two people know, then there might be a fifth or sixth person who knows.

Damn!

Li Lehua's face turned pale and then purple, looking both ugly and frightening.

Nevertheless, she still refused to back down. As the boss of Tianxi Media, she could not allow her self-respect to be trampled on by an employee.

“I’m just being unreasonable. Don’t forget how you schemed against me,” Li Lehua said.

"Scheme? When did I scheme against you?" Zhang Wen asked, puzzled.

"The contract for the future girl group!"

"Mr. Li, this is just you being unreasonable. How can this be called scheming? Did I force you to sign the contract, or did I trick you into signing it? It was clearly a matter of mutual consent, okay? You're only saying this because the group is popular and you're jealous. If the group wasn't popular, would you still be like this? Mr. Li, don't be too greedy," Zhang Wen said with a sneer.

He knew that the other party had been holding a grudge about this matter. They were truly capitalists, feeling that they had lost a huge amount of money even if they didn't earn a single penny more.

"You're being hypocritical after getting a good deal!" Li Lehua shouted.

"It's not like you didn't get a good deal from the group. If they had resolved it unilaterally back then, each of them would have only had to pay five million in compensation at most. Now each of them has to pay six million to the company. You've made a huge profit," Zhang Wen said.

Li Lehua was trembling with anger. Compared to the commercial value that this group is currently showing, what is six million?
Isn't this being schemed against?
“How about this, let’s each take a step back and release another statement on the official Weibo account. The content should be something like this: after communication between both parties, it was all a misunderstanding, and Song Haoran’s team concealed the truth from the company. As for the online public opinion, it’s Song Haoran’s revenge against the production team,” Li Lehua said.

A company as large as Tianxi Media is unlikely to apologize to the other party, and the other party currently holds the initiative in the matter, so they certainly won't give in easily.

Therefore, the only option now is to drag Song Haoran out as a scapegoat. In any case, the company has already terminated its contract with Song Haoran, and given his current reputation, the possibility of him returning to the entertainment industry is basically zero.

"hehe."

Zhang Wen gave a sarcastic laugh, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

"You're quite adept at using this trick of shifting blame, but do you think netizens are fools? Netizens these days are very discerning. By throwing all the mud at a washed-up artist, your attempt to shift the blame is too obvious. In the end, it will only make people think that the company is hypocritical."

It's fine for both sides to compromise, but it's absolutely impossible to expect to avoid any consequences.

"So what do you want? Do you want Tianxi Media to apologize to you?" Li Lehua looked at the young man in front of him with hatred, as if he were looking at an enemy.

“An apology is unnecessary. After all, you are the boss, and your face is more important than anything else,” Zhang Wen said with a smile. Then, he changed the subject and continued, “But a clause must be added to the statement that the company acknowledges oversights in its management of the artists and is willing to take corresponding responsibility.”

"Impossible!" Li Lehua replied without hesitation.

If this is written in, wouldn't it be tantamount to publicly admitting that the company has problems?

Admitting that the company has problems is tantamount to admitting that her management as general manager is flawed. What will the shareholders think then? Isn't this just giving them a reason to put their own people in the company?

"Then you can keep dragging it out. I wonder what the shareholders behind the company will think after seeing all this negative online commentary." Zhang Wen shrugged, looking indifferent.

Li Lehua was startled, immediately recalling the phone call Zhao Dong made last night and the promise he made to Zhao Dong.

In fact, she had contacted the person in charge of the Weibo platform a long time ago, wanting to invite them out for dinner. However, the other party immediately guessed her purpose and said that Song Haoran's matter had caused a great deal of trouble, and it was impossible to reduce the heat by deleting posts or banning people from speaking. It might even backfire.

Of course, the other party also offered a solution: the one who tied the knot must untie it.

If we deal with the people who created the problem, won't the problem disappear?
As for how to solve it, that's up to her.

She thought about this suggestion for a long time and was planning to contact a few other media bigwigs to try. However, when she heard that this guy surnamed Zhang actually dared to come to work at the company, she asked Xu Qingyu to call him over. The remaining calls were never made.

At first, she didn't want to talk to Zhang Wen and just wanted him to get out of the company as soon as possible. However, his statement that "Tianxi Media firing a bullied employee and posting it online will definitely be sensational" forced her to change her mind.

There's no way to fire her for the time being, and the media mogul doesn't want to offend netizens over such a small matter. It seems that the only way to quell this is for her to compromise.

“I can add that statement,” Li Lehua said through gritted teeth, “but you have to promise me that you will never use this matter for publicity again.”

"No problem." Zhang Wen readily agreed, then added, "However, because of your irrationality, I spent an extra eight million on public relations. You have to reimburse me for that. You can't expect me to be taken advantage of, can you?"

"You!" Li Lehua was so angry she almost fainted. The other party was simply pushing their luck and taking advantage of her.

However, this also resolved a question that had been bothering her for many days: why did things escalate so much that they couldn't be suppressed?

She only spent two million to hire a PR team to create hype, while the other party spent eight million on PR. The difference of several million is obvious, so it's no wonder they couldn't suppress it.

Those media outlets are opportunistic; whoever pays them the most is their boss.

"Don't be angry, Mr. Li. You've even gotten wrinkles. If you think it's not worth it, you don't have to pay. I have plenty of time to waste," Zhang Wen said unhurriedly.

He actually spent four million, and the extra four million was for compensation for emotional distress.

Li Lehua gritted her teeth. The word "wait and see" directly shattered her mental defenses. The other party had time to wait and see, but she did not.

"Okay, I promise you." Li Lehua squeezed out the words through gritted teeth, as if it had taken all her strength. Frustrated, so incredibly frustrated.

If it weren't for the shareholders eyeing her covetously, she would have insisted on continuing her battle with them.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wen smiled with satisfaction. "That's right. It's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. Cooperation and mutual benefit are the key."

As he spoke, he turned around and grabbed the doorknob, then suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back to Li Lehua, saying, "By the way, Mr. Li, let me give you a friendly reminder: don't always try to scheme against others. Remember, what goes around comes around."

After saying that, he opened the door and left, his head held high and chest out, like a general who had won a battle.

As the door closed, Li Lehua slumped helplessly onto the sofa, looking at the tea set on the tea table, feeling that she was one of them, a tragic figure.

After scheming for so long, it was truly a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead, losing both wife and army.

Taking a deep breath, she got up and returned to her desk, picked up the intercom, and said in a hoarse voice:
"Secretary Hu, draft a statement. The gist of it is: After communicating with the co-producer of 'Perfect Days,' the misunderstanding has been clarified. The company will hold Song Haoran accountable for concealing the facts and maliciously creating conflicts. At the same time, we acknowledge that the company has oversights in managing its artists... In addition, have the finance department prepare eight million and transfer it to the account designated by Zhang Wen."

what?
Secretary Hu covered her mouth in surprise, almost crying out.

Has Mr. Li lost?

Otherwise, why would they admit their mistake and pay compensation?
Teacher Zhang is truly a man of few words; it seems best to avoid provoking him in the future.

Oops!

I didn't smile when I was facing Teacher Zhang just now; instead, my gaze was icy. I wonder if Teacher Zhang will misunderstand me.

"Yes, Mr. Li, I'll take care of it right away." Secretary Hu didn't dare to ask any more questions and immediately agreed.

When Zhang Wen returned to the training department, the office area immediately fell silent as soon as he pushed open the door.

Compared to their previous evasiveness, this time everyone's eyes were on them, waiting to see what they would do next: go to the practice room to keep the God of Literature company, or go back to their workstation to pack up and leave...

Everyone had already heard from the company group chat that Teacher Zhang had gone to General Manager Li's office, so they thought that Teacher Zhang would definitely be scolded by General Manager Li, and at worst be fired from the company, or at least be punished by cleaning toilets.

"Teacher Zhang."

Just then, Director Xu Qingyu walked out of her office and said to Zhang Wen, "Come to my office."

Zhang Wen nodded and walked towards the director's office.

The moment the door closed, the entire office area erupted in discussion again.

"Judging from Teacher Zhang's appearance, he seems to be in a good mood, as if he wasn't scolded."

"He might be faking it, not wanting us to see through him. Think about it, he offended President Li this time and even criticized the company. Do you think President Li will let him off easily?"

"That's true. Actually, I quite like Teacher Zhang."

"Shh, keep your voice down, don't let anyone hear you."

"..."

Xu Qingyu closed the door, her gaze sweeping over Zhang Wen's face before she asked with concern, "How did President Li deal with you?"

Although she was under General Manager Li's command, from the perspective of the training department director, she did not want Zhang Wen to be fired, as this would have a significant impact on the training of trainees.

“President Li has already apologized to me, and I have already forgiven her,” Zhang Wen said.

"what?"

Xu Qingyu was stunned, her mouth agape.

What the hell?

Mr. Li actually apologized?

What an international joke.

Mr. Li is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. When has he ever bowed his head to his employees or apologized to his competitors?

A few years ago, a female artist won the Best Actress award and wanted to negotiate a higher share of the profits with the company. However, she was yelled at and kicked out of the office by the company's CEO, Mr. Li. After that, the actress didn't receive any work for two months. Finally, she cried and apologized to Mr. Li before she was able to get work again.

"You, what you said is all true? You're not lying to me?" Xu Qingyu asked in disbelief.

"Of course, she admitted that she shouldn't have provoked them, and said that she would strengthen the management of her artists in the future," Zhang Wen said in a relaxed tone.

Xu Qingyu stared at Zhang Wen for a full half minute before she believed his words. But then she thought there was no such thing as a free lunch, and a powerful woman like President Li wouldn't apologize easily. So she asked, "Did you reach some kind of agreement?"

"I guess so. She apologized to me and compensated me for the public relations expenses during this period. My company and I issued a statement saying that it was just a misunderstanding and shifted the responsibility to Song Haoran," Zhang Wen said slowly and deliberately.

Anyway, a statement will be released soon, and the whole internet will know then, so there's nothing to hide now.

Xu Qingyu was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood everything: sacrificing Song Haoran would bring happiness to everyone.

"Are you guys trying to drive Song Haoran to his death?" Xu Qingyu said with a wry smile.

This is indeed a good way to quell public opinion, but it's a bit too cruel to Song Haoran.

"If he hadn't harbored some unrealistic ideas, he wouldn't be in this predicament now. Since it all started with him, it should naturally end with him as well," Zhang Wen said calmly.

Since you're being used as a pawn, you should be prepared to be killed.

"Aren't you afraid that President Li will hold you accountable later?" Xu Qingyu asked.

"If she could really threaten me, do you think I'd still be standing here talking to you like this?" Zhang Wen asked with a smile.

He actually hoped that Li Yuehua would settle accounts with him later, so that he would have another chance to benefit from her. He was just afraid that she wouldn't understand the situation.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyu felt that what the other person said made sense, so she didn't ask any more questions and simply said, "Since everything is alright now, let's focus on our work again."

"OK, all right."

……

(End of this chapter)