My Life with Narration

Chapter 521 - 512: Tang Nan’s Friends

Shen Yi knew why Zhou Qingde had come today. Of course, she wasn’t a mind reader, but she knew what she had done since returning yesterday.

It was too slow to have her company personnel poach the other party’s technical staff. Since that was the case, she could only use some personal connections to show Huayue her stance.

The underlying message was that their actions upset her greatly and, if necessary, she was ready for a confrontation.

However, she hadn’t expected the other party to act so quickly, thinking they’d wait a few days before making a move. She didn’t expect them to show up the day after her return.

Although Huayue was larger in scale and market value, the nature of their companies meant that Huayue couldn’t recklessly wage a price war against her.

The main reason being the internal complexity of Huayue, where interests were decentralized and couldn’t be unified.

When faced with benefits, they might work together, but when confronted with risk or loss, differing opinions would inevitably emerge within the company.

This is an issue that listed companies cannot avoid.

On her side, although her scale and market value were smaller, the company was effectively under her sole control. She could do whatever she wanted, and the employees below had no say in decision-making.

As for the landlady and Tang Nan? One was a hands-off boss and the other was inept. With such a large company relying on her to keep it running, naturally, she could do as she pleased.

Of course, she couldn’t count on the landlady. Maybe in a couple of years, if Tang Nan got familiar with the company’s operations, she could take a break.

As for the subsidiaries, once stability was achieved after the headquarters’ success, she could delegate by appointing someone to act as president of a subsidiary.

Without shares, but able to decide on the operation of the subsidiary, which would free up more of her time.

But those were future matters. At least for now, the company was still under her command.

"It was a lapse in judgment on President Hu’s part. I apologize on behalf of him and Mr. Su. If possible, Huayue actually has a project coming up, and if Baihua is interested, we could work together. What do you think, President Shen?" Zhou Qingde adjusted his tone with a smile after a brief moment of awkwardness.

It seemed as though he hadn’t noticed the sharpness in Shen Yi’s words earlier, and even Shen Yi had to admit to herself that he was formidable—a tough opponent.

If you wanted an attitude, he gave you that, while also offering compensation. Sure, the collaboration would be profitable for both parties, but it was still his resources on the table, leaving no room for criticism.

"President Zhou, just an apology for playing games with my friend isn’t quite right, is it? Manipulating public opinion to affect stock prices, then moving one million through your company’s account—ha, don’t you find that ridiculous?"

This matter could have ended here, but when your President Hu was caught, he got angry and started making small moves. I came all the way from Jiang City—what, was that for your amusement?"

You think being young means being naïve? On the contrary, aren’t there people in their old age who are equally foolish? If apologies sufficed for any wrongdoing, then why would we need the police, right?" Shen Yi’s words, spoken calmly, carried an immense pressure.

Zhou Qingde, despite his age and position, felt the full weight of the pressure.

Even though Shen Yi was young, she undoubtedly had the ability to challenge him, and strictly speaking, to challenge Huayue as well, naturally carrying her own temper.

Furthermore, he was well aware of what they’d done recently. To put it bluntly, they thought Su Qing was young and naive, satisfied with any scraps they threw his way.

They even had a handle on him, and with some maneuvering, they could potentially land him in jail—more ridiculous than some oppressive contracts in entertainment companies.

And he had already found out that Su Qing wasn’t just a friend, but most likely President Shen’s boyfriend, or at worst, that of a major celebrity. Otherwise, Shen Yi wouldn’t be acting this way.

She didn’t hesitate to mobilize her network as soon as she returned to retaliate.

Even though this level of backlash was something he could handle—having been in the capital for so many years, if Shen Yi had her connections, how wouldn’t he?—but any counter-strike could escalate matters, which wasn’t what she wanted to see.

"President Shen, you’re right, but we’re all businesspeople. This kind of conflict doesn’t benefit anyone. President Hu will face the board’s penalties, and I can offer two additional product projects. What do you think?"

An hour later, watching Zhou Qingde leave, Shen Yi sat in her chair, sighing.

The matter was settled—not with any dramatic threats or counterthreats, nor any ostentatious face-offs, but rather by a concession on interests.

It’s like when two people encounter friction, it usually ends inconclusively; if conflict escalated lethally, the remaining party wouldn’t fare well either, leaving compromise as the only option, merely with one side conceding some benefits.

The same logic applies at the company level. They’re not shaking hands, but this incident can only be closed.

Although Baihua isn’t quite an internet giant, it’s not insignificant, and clearly, the other side isn’t made of clay either.

When can one side truly knock out the other with a single blow? That would require a power imbalance or having compromising evidence in hand before the decisive blow can be dealt without fear of retaliation.

Like the Wen Family against the landlady’s ex-husband, or Su Qing’s schemes, coupled with the Wen Family’s leverage over Xu Feng’s company—only such conditions could flip the table without worry of retaliation.

Ultimately, it’s about who has the bigger fist. When the fists are about equal, so-called ’peace’ prevails.

The same applies even between supposed nations—a weaker nation takes a beating easily, but you never see superpowers directly duke it out, do you?

Simply out of fear of mutually assured destruction.

In less than two days, Shen Yi had nearly resolved the headquarters’ issue, while Tang Nan had been virtually helpless. This was due to their different focus areas.

Tang Nan’s network didn’t influence the company, just as Shen Yi’s couldn’t extend into the entertainment circle—it’s the same concept.

Meanwhile, Tang Nan drove Su Qing to the Capital Film and Television Base—slightly in the suburbs but with lots of ancient architecture used for filming, similar to Jiang City’s South Suburb Ancient City.

But in Jiang City, the most you’d see is the occasional film crew. The capital, however, has dozens of film cities and bases of different sizes.

Many production crews gather here to shoot, attracting a lot of extras and many performing arts students.

However, it’s not as powerful as Hengdian, the true mecca for extras.

"There’s just a month left till the New Year. Don’t actors get breaks? Why are you still filming in this cold?"

In the car, Su Qing looked at the extras waiting roadside for a job and couldn’t help asking.

Upon hearing this, Tang Nan rolled her eyes and said, "Do you think everyone’s as well-off as you?

Besides, it’s not New Year yet. For actors, this is work, and some crews are even trying to hit the New Year release slot, making this the busiest time.

If things go well, all’s well and good, and they can have a nice holiday. If not, they can’t even enjoy their New Year before getting back to work."

In response, Su Qing nodded. He hadn’t delved into the workings of the entertainment industry and didn’t know much, except that every profession was tough.

Fame and success are great, but most artists in the country struggle to get by, and being someone like Tang Nan who’s made it is like being at the top of the pyramid—very rare.

"We’ve arrived, come along. Try not to get too dazzled," Tang Nan smiled as she parked the car at a restaurant.

In response, Su Qing shook his head; she underestimated him.

Then, the two got out of the car, with Tang Nan naturally putting on a mask and sunglasses as they walked into the restaurant side by side.

Upstairs, Tang Nan pushed open a door and shouted:

"Ladies, I’ve brought a man..."

But before she could finish, and before Su Qing could see what was inside, he felt several hands grabbing his clothes, pulling him inside.

"Oh wow, such a young guy!"

"So young? Not bad, Old Tang!"

"Come have a drink with us first!"

Su Qing: ???

This scene seemed familiar to him!

...