After the divorce, I started to transfer

The previously harmonious atmosphere in the restaurant seemed to vanish instantly, and it fell silent immediately.

Chen Feng just put a piece of food in his mouth and left it there, forgetting to chew it; the muscles in his jaw were even a little stiff.

Wu Mengting kept a straight face, expressionless, and silent. Her eyes held a hint of pain, but even more so, resentment.

Sun Xiaorui wished she could disappear on the spot. She minimized her presence, lowered her head deeply, and silently ate the rice in her bowl without making a sound or picking up any vegetables.

Finally, Chen Feng couldn't stand the oppressive atmosphere any longer. He swallowed the food in his mouth, cleared his throat, and tentatively broke the deadlock, asking, "So what's your final opinion? Should we replace Hu Rui or not?"

Wu Mengting raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone laced with sarcasm: "Just now, you said you wanted to replace her and asked me to recommend a successor. Why are you asking me now?"

"So you mean it can be replaced?" Chen Feng asked cautiously.

“You’re the boss, so of course you have the final say on this kind of thing,” Wu Mengting threw the question back at her.

“Then let’s replace her.” Chen Feng made up his mind, and then added, “I don’t actually mean to fire her, I just want to change her position. I think it would be better to transfer her to another department to continue as a manager, or simply set up a new department for her to be in charge of.”

Wu Mengting was fairly accepting of Chen Feng's relatively lenient arrangement, so she followed up by asking, "If she were to change departments, which department do you think would be more suitable for her?"

Chen Feng pondered for a moment, then carefully analyzed, "Her current work enthusiasm is clearly low; she only wants to live a comfortable life. Departments that require hard work and are quite busy are obviously not suitable for her, such as the marketing and public relations departments. Therefore, departments that are more suitable for her are those with relatively easy and stable work, such as the human resources, finance, administration, and planning departments. The professional requirements for the finance manager are extremely high, which she obviously cannot handle. The human resources and planning departments also require considerable professional skills and energy, which I think are also beyond her capabilities. After all things considered, the position of administration manager is the one she should be able to handle."

Because their company's administrative department exists independently of the human resources department, it has essentially lost its core personnel management authority. Functionally, it's more like a logistics department, at most handling some general tasks like meeting organization and document processing. It doesn't have much power; its main role is to provide services and handle miscellaneous tasks for various departments within the company. This department, which includes the human resources department, has always been under the overall management of Sun Xiaorui.

Of course, everyone in the company knows that Sun Xiaorui is actually just an executor; the real person in charge is Wu Mengting.

Therefore, transferring Hu Rui from the powerful artist management department to the administrative management department, although nominally at the same level, is effectively a demotion. The power and importance of the two positions are completely incomparable.

"How is the planning department? I think she has some unique insights and skills in film and television planning," Wu Mengting offered a different perspective.

"What about Xu Wei, the current planning department manager? I think his work ability and performance are quite good," Chen Feng asked rhetorically.

"How about the publicity department?" Wu Mengting changed the subject and said, "I think Pan Zhike's work attitude has become a bit lax. He hasn't completed the publicity tasks assigned by the company very well. I think it's necessary to put some pressure on him to get him moving."

Chen Feng frowned slightly: "Pan Zhike is considered one of our company's veteran employees. Isn't it a bit humiliating to ask him to step down and give way to someone more capable?"

Wu Mengting smiled slightly, a hint of meaning in her smile: "I didn't mean to let Hu Rui replace him. What I mean is that since Hu Rui joined our company, she hasn't made any great contributions, but she has certainly worked hard, and she deserves some respect and reward. So, I think it's very appropriate to give her the title of 'Publicity Director'."

"Publicity Director?" Chen Feng was a little surprised. "Isn't that the same level as your CFO? That's considered the company's vice president level, and the salary should be significantly increased accordingly. This isn't a transfer; it's a promotion and a raise."

“Don’t forget, I’m still your full-time assistant as chairman. Being the CFO is just a side job. My actual rank is the same as the company’s general manager. So, even if Hu Rui becomes the publicity director, she’s still half a rank below me,” Wu Mengting explained nonchalantly. “Actually, even if we’re on the same level, it doesn’t matter. I’ll help you look after the company. With your authorization as the big boss, everyone has to listen to me. Just tell me directly, is Hu Rui suitable for the position of publicity director?”

"Can she handle it?" Chen Feng still had some doubts. "I remember that the job of a publicity director is also quite busy and complicated. They are responsible for developing the overall publicity plan, implementing the publicity and promotion of film and television projects throughout the process, and also responsible for the media planning, advertising and promotion of the project and maintaining relationships with major media outlets."

Wu Mengting chuckled and said, "You remember it very clearly. It seems that this boss is not completely ignorant. The job content you mentioned actually overlaps a lot with the functions of her current artist department manager, or rather, it requires real-time and close communication and coordination with the artist department. So, this job is completely within her comfort zone for her."

Chen Feng laughed, then said with a hint of realization, "You're indirectly rewarding her. Not only did you promote her and give her a raise, but you also arranged such a comfortable and suitable position for her."

Wu Mengting nodded frankly and said, "I guess so. After all, Hu Rui is capable, otherwise she wouldn't have been Hao Xiaolian's assistant for so long. Moreover, she has good connections in the media circle. Letting her handle dealings with major media outlets and help our company's artists develop publicity strategies and plans is a good use of her talents and familiarity with the business."

“I can agree to you promoting her and giving her a raise.” Chen Feng changed the subject and stated his conditions, “However, you and Zhang Yuxi should stop deliberately targeting each other in the future.”

“Then she should be more self-aware, terminate her contract early, and leave our company voluntarily.” Wu Mengting’s face instantly turned cold. “Anyway, even if she stays in our company, we will no longer invest any resources to promote her.”

Seeing this, Chen Feng had no choice but to take the blame himself, explaining, "Initially, I was the one who took the initiative, and she chose me because she desperately needed a sugar daddy to promote her. Our relationship has always been just a normal business transaction, so don't overthink it. You went through so much trouble to make her famous, and now you're forcing her to terminate her contract early? Wouldn't our company lose a lot of money for nothing?"

“Her popularity is declining steadily. The benefits brought by ‘Qing Yu An’ have been almost exhausted, and her commercial value is also continuing to decline.” Wu Mengting’s analysis was calm and cruel. “If she doesn’t have any new, sufficiently popular film or television works in the short term, she will only be able to return to the second or third tier in a year or two at most. Therefore, there is absolutely no need for us to continue keeping her in the company. Because even if we keep her, I will never give her any decent resources again.”

Chen Feng's face darkened, and he asked somewhat displeasedly, "Do you really have to force her to leave like this?"

“I didn’t mean to force her to leave.” Wu Mengting’s tone was calm. “I was just stating the facts and making a rational analysis. If you told her exactly what I just said, she would want to leave on her own.”

Chen Feng was momentarily speechless, but deep down he could understand Wu Mengting's thoughts. Fengmang Films was now undoubtedly Wu Mengting's territory, after all, Chen Feng had even been willing to give her the entire company.

Therefore, when she discovers a "vixen" trying to seduce her man on her turf, her first reaction is to eliminate her immediately. Yang Wenqi is a prime example of this.

Now that it's Zhang Yuxi's turn, this reaction is perfectly normal.

Perhaps the only exception is Sun Xiaorui, whom she took in as her "little sister." After all, Sun Xiaorui seems to be the honest, obedient type. But most importantly, Sun Xiaorui has been with Chen Feng the longest and is more senior than Wu Mengting. It's unlikely that Wu Mengting would be able to get rid of Sun Xiaorui.

But Zhang Yuxi is different; Wu Mengting could rightfully kick her out of her territory. Faced with Zhang Yuxi on one side and Wu Mengting on the other, under normal circumstances, Chen Feng would almost certainly choose Wu Mengting without hesitation.

But this involves a promise that Chen Feng once made.

When Chen Feng was with Zhang Yuxi, he made it clear that he would do everything he could to support her.

However, Zhang Yuxi is still under contract with the company, but she is facing the predicament of being kicked out. This is undoubtedly equivalent to Chen Feng breaking his promise and failing to support her.

Furthermore, just recently, he had promised to stand up for Zhang Yuxi and seek justice for her, and had even clearly stated that he would deal with Hu Rui.

As it turned out, Hu Rui was about to get a promotion and a raise.

This obviously wouldn't give Zhang Yuxi an explanation, and he himself would feel embarrassed and ashamed.

He couldn't find a reason to persuade Wu Mengting, so he shoveled down several mouthfuls of food in frustration. After a while, he said in an almost forceful tone, "If you really don't want her to stay in the company, fine, let her leave, but don't charge her the penalty for breach of contract. Let's part amicably, and that will be my way of giving her an explanation."

Wu Mengting's lips curled into a sneer: "Even if you give her a discount on the breach of contract fee, it should still be at least 20 million. You're really generous to her."

The company initially signed a five-year contract with Zhang Yuxi, with a penalty of 50 million yuan for breach of contract. However, she had only been with the company for a little over a year, and if the contract were strictly followed, she would have to pay at least 30 million yuan in penalties.

Even with a discount, around 20 million is the industry standard; otherwise, why would a company let a popular artist go? If you don't take the money, you're just waiting to be blacklisted. There are many such examples in the entertainment industry.

“I’ve already said that what happened between us was my initiative, so you can’t blame her.” Chen Feng emphasized, “Besides, she’s always been very decent. She’s never had any improper thoughts about being my girlfriend, let alone trying to use this to climb the social ladder. So, you don’t need to be so hostile towards her at all.”

Wu Mengting retorted, "This is the most normal reaction, okay? I've been very tolerant by not confronting you or her directly. I even considered keeping my personal and professional life separate and having her star in my new script, but now I admit I can't. It's impossible for her to participate in my new script."

Chen Feng frowned and said, "Didn't you say before that your script was tailor-made based on the personality traits of these two people? They don't get along and are natural competitors. If you let them star in your drama, wouldn't that be perfect, like playing themselves?"

Wu Mengting didn't answer his question immediately. She just silently lowered her head and ate her food. After a full three minutes, she finished all the rice in her bowl, then looked up at Chen Feng with an unusually calm expression and slowly said, "If she agrees to cut ties with you and is willing to pay a 20 million yuan penalty to leave the company, I will agree to let her star in this new drama. Of course, you also have to promise me that after I let her star in this new drama, you will completely break off your relationship with her."

To be honest, at this stage, Chen Feng doesn't have much lingering affection for Zhang Yuxi. Because their relationship has essentially been a transaction from the beginning, it's impossible for Chen Feng to develop genuine feelings for her.

As for Zhang Yuxi, he felt that she had always been very clear-headed before, but in the past few months, he felt that the relationship had changed slightly.

It wasn't that Chen Feng was narcissistic, but his true feeling was that Zhang Yuxi seemed to have developed genuine feelings for him, or rather, she wanted to deepen her relationship with Chen Feng, her boss and financial backer.

Therefore, Wu Mengting is now demanding that Chen Feng break off his relationship with Zhang Yuxi. Chen Feng can manage to do it if he grits his teeth a little.

After all, he had always had the idea of ​​"decluttering," but it was easier said than done.

Now that Wu Mengting is there to push him, things are much easier to handle. At least she gives him enough reason and pressure to carry it out.

However, Chen Feng did not agree immediately. He pretended to hesitate and look troubled for a moment before slowly saying, "I will discuss this with her."

If he agrees too readily and easily, Wu Mengting might take advantage of the situation and make him "cut ties" with his other female friends in the same way, which would be terrible.

Therefore, at this moment, it is necessary to deliberately make things difficult.

Wu Mengting was naturally dissatisfied with Chen Feng's ambiguous answer, and she frowned and asked, "What if she doesn't agree?"

"Do you think she would refuse?" Chen Feng countered. "After all, as you just said, now that you've discovered our affair, she should know clearly that she can no longer stay in this company."

"That's hard to say. With your charm, Mr. Chen, she might still choose to stay for you." Wu Mengting's tone was tinged with jealousy.

“I think that waiving the penalty for breach of contract, plus the female lead in your new drama, these two conditions combined might be enough to convince her,” Chen Feng said, offering his final proposal.

"You're really generous to her. That's twenty or thirty million."

“The company is still mine. The penalty she pays to the company is the same as her paying me. This makes me feel like I have no class. If you agree to this condition, then consider this penalty as my personal breakup fee to her. She is, after all, a popular actress. A breakup fee of twenty or thirty million is not high.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Mengting's gloomy expression vanished instantly, and she even said with some joy, "Okay, you said it yourself! Then consider this breach of contract fee your breakup fee to her. Call her now and make it clear that you're cutting ties with her completely!"

"Isn't there a need to be in such a hurry? You haven't even finished writing the script yet." Chen Feng didn't expect her to be so anxious.

"The script will be finished in about a week. Her agent is messaging her almost daily to check on the progress. Tell her the good news; she and her agent will be happy. Give her a call now." (End of Chapter)