Financial freedom starts from graduation

Chapter 221 A Few Small Things (Update)
After Zhang Shihao finished speaking, Zhou Wang was about to speak when his cell phone suddenly rang.

Because Zhou Wang's phone was on the tea table, when the screen lit up, Zhang Shihao also saw it. After a moment of surprise, he couldn't help but laugh:

"Hey, bro, you also know a man named Zhu Yunlong, who is also a lawyer...eh?"

Zhang Shihao was halfway through his speech when he suddenly felt something was wrong, but before he could figure it out, Zhou Wang had already answered the phone.

He didn't hesitate and pressed the hands-free button directly.

"Mr. Zhou, it's me, Lao Zhu!"

There was laughter from the other end of the line.

"Hello, Lawyer Zhu, what can I do for you?"

"That's it..."

It was very quiet on the other end of the phone, but Zhu Yunlong still lowered his voice unconsciously.

"Well, a celebrity named Zhang Dada contacted me yesterday. He wanted to sue Wuyou Media over a contract termination dispute. Mr. Zhou, you should know about this, right?"

Zhu Yunlong certainly knew that Zhou Wang was a shareholder of Wuyou Media. In fact, he was one of the first people to know about this...

Because the initial share acquisition was completed with his assistance, the original contracts of all acquisition agreements are still locked in the safe in his office.

"I just heard about it."

While Zhang Shihao was stunned, Zhou Wang just smiled.

"I can't make the decision on my own, so I want to hear what you think, Mr. Zhou..."

"Have you talked to Mr. Zhang?"

Zhou Wang asked thoughtfully.

"We just finished talking. Uh, actually, he's sitting in my office right now... Of course, he's not next to me. I'm calling you from the confidential room."

"What does he want?"

"His request is that Wuyou Media buy back his shares at the current market value. In addition, he also wants Wuyou Media to compensate for his loss of reputation and make a public apology."

Zhu Yunlong gave a brief summary.

"Old Zhu, if you really go all out, do you have a good chance of winning the case?"

Zhou Wang asked curiously.

"Just barely... 70% sure."

"Seventy percent?"

Zhang Shihao, who had been listening, couldn't help but speak up, "Lawyer Zhu, I know you're great, but are you talking nonsense?"

Under China's judicial system, lawyers have very limited room for flexibility, so if a lawyer says he is 70% sure about a case, it is basically the same as him saying "I'm sure to win."

As the other party in the tit-for-tat confrontation, Zhang Shihao was of course not convinced.

Although Wuyou has no cooperation with Yunshangyun, their legal department is not there to just sit there and do nothing. They have to deal with countless similar cases every year. Lawyer Qian, who is in charge of the legal department, is also an authority in the industry.

That’s why Zhang Shihao felt that Lawyer Zhu was somewhat of a boaster…

"Who is this……"

Zhu Yunlong on the other end of the phone was stunned when he didn't expect that there was someone else next to Zhou Wang.

"Mr. Zhang Shihao, you should know that he is... one of us."

Zhou Wang added three words at the end.

Zhu Yunlong understood immediately. He was not angry at Zhang Shihao's questioning. He just laughed and said, "It turns out to be Mr. Zhang from Wuyou Media. I have heard of your name for a long time. You are a well-known figure in Hangzhou's financial world!"

"Mr. Zhu, may I ask what is the basis for your '70% certainty'?"

However, Zhang Shihao still kept dwelling on what he had just said.

"I listened to Mr. Zhang's description of what happened, and I also read your company's announcement about the party. My judgment is that Mr. Zhang did not commit any obvious breach of contract. Being absent from work due to 'physical discomfort' is an exception stipulated in the contract. Mr. Zhang agrees with this, right?"

"But he's not really unwell..."

"Who can prove it?"

Zhu Yunlong smiled and said, "He did go to the hospital that night. You should know that. If you really want to be picky, who among us modern people is absolutely healthy? If he wanted to be hospitalized, could the hospital refuse him? In fact, he did stay in the hospital for a night..."

"With the hospital's endorsement, and the fact that your contract does not specify 'how sick' you have to be to be exempted from work obligations, your reason for terminating the contract is untenable based on this alone."

Zhang Shihao was speechless for a moment.

"As for the so-called lack of morality, that is something that public opinion needs to consider... Unless you can make public opinion big enough to interfere with the judiciary, it will be useless."

Zhu Yunlong spoke eloquently, "In addition, Mr. Zhang, you may not know that Mr. Zhang still has some things that are beneficial to him. For example, he has also contacted some other experts who are dissatisfied with Wuyou, and plans to speak out at a critical moment to tell about the unfair treatment they have received in Wuyou..."

"Is there such a thing?"

Zhang Shihao's face suddenly became serious.

"This is just one of his bargaining chips. There are some other things that I am not comfortable talking about over the phone, but I am sure that you, Mr. Zhang, are probably unaware of them."

"Lawyer Zhu, no matter how much money Mr. Zhang gives you, I will give you a 30% increase. Please, I'll leave this matter to you..."

After Zhang Shihao finished speaking, Zhu Yunlong didn't respond. Zhang Shihao then realized that he had missed something.

He patted his head, leaned back, and made a "please" gesture to Zhou Wang.

"Is it easy to solve?"

Zhou Wang smiled and asked.

"That depends on how far President Zhou wants to resolve the issue."

Sure enough, Zhu Yunlong answered immediately.

This scene made Zhang Shihao smile bitterly, and he looked at Zhou Wang with more surprise.

How many secrets does this magical little brother have?

Of course, Zhang Shihao wouldn't be stupid enough to really explore it, but that didn't stop him from once again sighing from the bottom of his heart.

"Don't take it to court. Buy back the shares at a price lower than the market value. At the same time, ask him to stop causing trouble and don't let this incident damage Wuyou's image. Can you do that?"

Zhou Wang thought about it and spoke.

"It's a little difficult, but it shouldn't be a problem. If it's a share buyback, can the two CEOs accept it within two million?"

Zhu Yunlong smiled, his tone relaxed.

"can!"

Zhang Shihao nodded immediately without hesitation.

Although he said that he would only give Zhang Dada 500,000, Zhang Shihao himself knew that 500,000 was simply not realistic.

Two million is too cheap!

"Okay, then, Mr. Zhou, and Mr. Zhang, please wait for my news. I will try to get Mr. Zhang to propose a peaceful termination of the contract with Wuyou within three days."

Zhu Yunlong hung up the phone after he finished speaking. Zhang Shihao didn't say much, but insisted on lighting a cigarette for Zhou Wang himself, which made Zhou Wang feel embarrassed.

Looking up at the luxurious starry sky ceiling in his office, Zhou Wang exhaled a puff of smoke and suddenly remembered the line from the movie:
"The referee, the assistant referee, the organizer, and the co-organizer are all my people. How can you fight me?"

Hey, Mr. Zhang, you are confused!
……

After Zhang Shihao left, Jiang Qingkui, who had only helped to make tea, did not say a word, but could not help but whispered:

"Boss, regarding the position of vice president..."

"You are not suitable, forget it."

As soon as Jiang Qingkui opened her mouth, Zhou Wang knew what she was thinking. He immediately refused and added, "I still can't leave you now."

Jiang Qingkui pursed her lips and said nothing more. In fact, she didn't really want Wuyou to take the position. It was just that after yesterday, she suddenly felt a little afraid of being with Zhou Wang day and night...

At the same time, Jiang Qingkui also felt a little regretful. He was really bewitched and believed in the so-called "Secretarial Work Rules".

Now that he thinks about it, that was originally thrown to him by Zhou Wang. Doesn't this mean that he had fallen into the trap he carefully laid from the very beginning?
It was I who started all this on my own initiative, and now I am in a dilemma and have no idea what to do next.

But one thing is certain, she can no longer maintain the calmness she had before.

If Zhou Wang knew her thoughts, he would definitely laugh and cry. No matter how smart Jiang Qingkui is, she is still a woman after all. Once she starts to have wild thoughts, she will trap herself in it. Little did she know that this was the first step to self-destruction, my wise sister Qingkui...

"Agent Lin Ran has been waiting outside for a long time. Boss, please see..."

Jiang Qingkui asked, having put his thoughts aside.

"Well, let her in."

Zhou Wang nodded.

Jiang Qingkui stood up, and after a moment, she brought in Lin Ran, who looked a little nervous, and then she walked out.

"Mr. Zhou!"

It was no longer the same situation as the night before. There were only two people in the office at this time. Lin Ran was obviously a lot more restrained. He came up and bowed deeply to Zhou Wang. The collar of his silk shirt was snow-white.

"Well, sit down."

Zhou Wang coughed lightly and pointed across the tea table.

"Boss Zhou, what do you want to talk to me about?"

"Oh, nothing. I plan to open my own short video account and need someone to help me operate and maintain it..."

“Hmm… ah?!”

Lin Ran responded subconsciously at first, then looked up in surprise.

"Although you are a manager, you should be familiar with the operations. I heard from her that her account has grown from a few hundred thousand followers to the current 7 million, and you have made an indelible contribution."

Zhou Wang smiled and said, "Because I'm not very familiar with other people in the company, do you want to give it a try?"

"I... Mr. Zhou, this... is too sudden. I am definitely willing, but I am worried that I will not be able to satisfy you."

Lin Ran was a little incoherent at first due to her excitement, but soon, fearing that Zhou Wang would misunderstand her and she would miss this opportunity, she nodded quickly.

"Don't feel pressured. Just treat it as a try. Try it as you like. If there's anything you're unsure about, we can discuss it with you."

Zhou Wang said with a smile: "Let's try it for a while. If it's okay, I will sign a formal contract with you."

"Mr. Zhou, do you have any requests?"

Lin Ran took a deep breath and asked.

"First of all, I don't do live broadcasts, and I don't sell goods. For now, you can use this account as my daily account to share some things. There may be commercial considerations in the future, but that's for later."

Zhou Wang drummed his fingers on the tea table and said as he thought: "My only requirement is to quickly increase the number of fans. The target group does not need to be fixed, but they must be real fans... anti-fans are also fine."

"Okay, Mr. Zhou, I'll make a note of it."

Although he was a little confused, Lin Ran did not question it out loud, but just nodded.

"As for your treatment, I won't promise you a rank or salary, that's the company's decision, but I can personally give you an extra bonus."

Zhou Wang pondered and said, "How about this, one dollar per fan?"

"Ah, Mr. Zhou, this is too much, I can't accept it!"

Lin Ran was startled and quickly waved his hands.

If it's an amateur with no foundation, one dollar per fan is not that exaggerated. In the current era, there are many people who are willing to pay a big price as long as they can become popular.

But considering Zhou Wang's conditions and his existing popularity, Lin Ran wouldn't dare to say he would have a million fans, but three or five hundred thousand would definitely be easy to do.

Lin Ran would feel that the money was a little hot to the touch, and was no different from something he had picked up.

"No need to refuse, it's settled. But remember, there must not be any zombie fans among my fans. In addition, I will give extra rewards for every million fans you reach. Go for it."

Zhou Wang confirmed it with an unquestionable tone, and Lin Ran could only nod in agreement.

"Then Mr. Zhou, I will go back and help you register an account. At the same time, I will put together a preliminary plan and report to you when the time comes."

"Okay, go and do your work."

Zhou Wang waved his hand.

When Lin Ran was about to leave, she hesitated for a moment, but she finally mustered up her courage and said, "Mr. Zhou, have you been following Sisi's account recently?"

"I watch fewer short videos now, what's wrong?"

Zhou Wang was stunned.

"No, nothing... Mr. Zhou, I'm leaving first."

Lin Ran waved his hands in panic and walked away in small steps.

Zhou Wang looked at her departing back thoughtfully, then took out his mobile phone, opened "Title Audio", and found the account of "Hua Suisui" in the follow list.

If there is any difference, there is actually no difference. The only difference is that she changed her name.

From "Hua Sui Sui", it became "Hua Sui Sui (love version)".

Zhou Wang wasn't sure if he remembered it wrong, but her number of fans seemed to have dropped a lot, maybe hundreds of thousands...

I casually clicked on her latest video, which was updated yesterday. The content of the video is "Girls and Flowers", a video with nothing special about her appearance. It continues her previous style. The more interesting part is the copywriting:
"She may not be willing to do so, but she decided to be brave."

The video received only 40 likes, but received an astonishing 60 comments.

Zhou Wang opened the comment section and saw that it was indeed a scene of heated argument.

"Are you really in love? Honey, no!"

"My youth is bound."

“I don’t bless you, nor do I understand you. I’ve unfollowed you.”

"Fuck, who is this guy? I want to fight him to the death!"

Most of it was wailing, mixed with jealousy and confusion; there were blessings as well, but they were drowned out by more controversial voices.

Among all the comments, the only one Hua Suisui replied to was a long comment of blessing. The reply was also very simple, just three words: "He deserves it."

The number of comments below is endless, and most of them are speculating about the other party's identity. It's not that no one thought of Zhou Wang, after all, the two walked the red carpet together. It's just that due to the lack of evidence from Hua Suisui, it remains just speculation.

More than ten minutes later, Zhou Wang put down his phone. He thought about it and then called Dong Bingru, the company's vice president who was in charge of talent contracts.

……

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and it was August 2024, 8.

During these two days, several small things happened at Wuyou Media when most people were unaware.

First, Zhao Yan, a senior agent with a "bad reputation" in the company, resigned quietly, and her former talents were assigned to other agents.

Wang Xiaoxiao, who had just signed a new cooperation agreement with "Cat Music" and had become a potential stock, was directly assigned to Lin Ran, which made other agents who had not had time to make a move regretful.

But what gives them some psychological comfort is that among Lin Ran's talents, the internet celebrity "Hua Suisui", who is ranked among the top ten in the company's appearance, is said to have peacefully terminated her contract with the company.

Although the official announcement has not yet come out, the changes in Hua Suisui's account and the removal of the label of Hua Suisui's original exclusive lounge seem to confirm the gossip, and Hua Suisui has not appeared in the company again.

At first, the lower-level employees would gossip about the inside story, but later they found that the middle and senior management were very secretive about the matter, and some smart people immediately chose to shut up.

In addition, the "Endme" who just signed with the company, the original B-level contract was directly upgraded to an A-level contract that theoretically only tens of millions of Internet celebrities can sign, and it is one step away from the exclusive S-level contract enjoyed by celebrity artists, which has triggered another wave of heated discussions...

What surprised them the most was that Endme took a week-long sick leave at this time, and no management in the company expressed dissatisfaction with the matter.

At eight o'clock in the morning, Zhou Wang woke up on time from the soft big bed in the master bedroom of the Soviet-style mansion.

First, I went to the gym to lift weights as usual. After half an hour, I washed up and had breakfast. Then I came to the cloakroom, where a suit personally matched by Jiang Qingkui had been placed out separately.

With Xiao An's gentle and meticulous help, Zhou Wang put on his clothes and simply combed his hair. When he came to the garage, Miao Ying and Jiang Qingkui, who were also dressed more formally, were already waiting there.

The cleaned Rolls-Royce Phantom radiated a shiny glow in the sun. After getting in the car, Zhou Wang asked Jiang Qingkui again: "All shareholders are sure to be present, right?"

“Yes, everyone has a more positive attitude.”

After hearing this, Zhou Wang nodded and signaled Miao Ying to start the car.

The car drove out of the mansion, but did not drive out of the community. Instead, it drove along the internal road of Taohuayuan for 5 minutes and then came to a helicopter pad with an "H" line painted on it.

Amid the roar of propellers, a Bell 3000 seven-seater business helicopter worth 407 million RMB was already waiting here.

Under the guidance of the random service personnel, Zhou Wang took Jiang Qingkui onto the plane. The cabin door closed, and the helicopter took off vertically, heading towards the West Lake Golf Club located in the southwest of Hangzhou...

(End of this chapter)