Chinese entertainment industry has been booming since 2008.

Chapter 187 Crisis and Opportunity

January 2nd, 2010!

As soon as Zhang Yang walked into Xingchen Entertainment, he sensed that something was off.

When Xiao Zhao, the receptionist, saw Zhang Yang, she immediately approached him, her face pale, and said, "Mr. Zhang, have you seen the news?"

Seeing Xiao Zhao's expression, Zhang Yang's heart sank, and he asked, "What's wrong now?"

"It's... Xuewei Beer."

After saying that, Xiao Zhao handed over the tablet computer, on which a secretly filmed video was playing.

In the dimly lit workshop, a man in work clothes was barefoot on a pile of malt, chatting and laughing with the person next to him. When the video was zoomed in, it was clear that the man spat into the pile of malt and then laughed. The logo in the corner of the screen was clearly visible—Xuewei Beer.

The video title is shocking: Shocking! Xuewei Beer embroiled in hygiene scandal!

It was posted at 3 a.m., and in just seven hours, it has been forwarded more than 500,000 times.

The comments section was filled with outrage and a variety of emotions.

"Holy crap! That's disgusting! I even drank their beer yesterday!"

"No way, no way? Zhang Yang's Xuewei beer is this bad quality?"

"Zhang Yang, come out and show yourself? Don't pretend to be dead when something happens!"

"They used to praise Yang for being responsible, but now it seems like it was just a persona. His Xuewei beer is so rubbish, how good can he be?"

"All those righteous words I spoke out before now seem like it was all scripted!"

"You were pretending to be a champion of justice before, now you've been slapped in the face, haven't you?"

Boycott Xue Wei! Boycott Zhang Yang!

There were also rational voices attempting to analyze the authenticity of the video.

"The filming time of this video is uncertain, and it may not be in the current production stage..."

""

"The factory management problems aren't really related to Zhang Yang, are they?"

"I have a feeling someone is trying to get Zhang Yang; the timing is too coincidental."

"What does corporate behavior have to do with individuals? This is extortion."

But these voices were quickly drowned out by the wave of anger.

Zhang Yang gripped the tablet slightly tighter. He hadn't expected those people to be so despicable. Well, they were the ones who spoke ill of others, but Zhang Yang had experienced their bad behavior firsthand.

"Where is Sun Yu?"

Seeing that Zhang Yang's expression was not good, Xiao Zhao quickly replied, "In the conference room, the public relations team is all here."

Zhang Yang nodded to Xiao Zhao and strode towards the conference room.

Pushing open the door, the room was filled with smoke, and seven or eight people sat around a conference table, each of them looking grim.

Upon seeing Zhang Yang arrive, Sun Yu quickly stood up: "Mr. Zhang, as you can see, the current online sentiment is very unfavorable to us."

After sitting down, Zhang Yang asked directly, "What was Xue Wei's reaction?"

"The chairman has already reported the incident to the police and suspended the production line at the factory in question for self-inspection."

As soon as Sun Yu finished speaking, Liu He handed a printed statement to Zhang Yang: "Mr. Zhang, the internet is in an uproar right now, which is having a huge impact on your reputation."

Has the authenticity of the video been confirmed?

"According to the initial analysis by the technical department, there are no obvious signs of editing in the video. The filming location is indeed one of Xuewei's branch factories in Shandong Province, but the filming time... cannot be determined. It may have been filmed a long time ago and is only being released now."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang understood. Why release him now instead of earlier or later? This was to break the golden body protecting him.

At this point in time, Zhang Yang has already caused a lot of controversy by kicking Yan Yalun, and now Xuewei Beer has run into trouble. The combination of these two issues is enough to shake his public image.

"Was it done by Ye Weiming and his group?"

Sun Yu took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, "It's almost certain. We found that the IP addresses of the first few Weibo accounts to post the video are the same as the online trolls who attacked us before. And the timing is perfect, right when the incident involving you and Yan Yalun was at its peak."

The meeting room fell silent; everyone knew what this meant.

"Director Zhang, what do we do now?"

Zhang Yang did not answer Liu He's question immediately. He walked to the window and looked at the reporters gathered downstairs. Perhaps because these reporters knew that he had come to the company, there were obviously many more people than before.

Just then, Zhang Yang's phone vibrated; it was Zhang Yi calling.

Zhang Yang pressed the answer button and heard Zhang Yi's exhausted voice: "Yangyang, you saw the news about Xuewei Beer, right?"

Zhang Yang didn't speak, but Zhang Yi immediately understood and continued, "Dad was so angry he almost ended up in the hospital again. We're at the factory now, investigating when and by whom this video was taken."

"Did you find it?"

Zhang Yi's voice was bitter: "Our initial assessment is that it was done by an employee we fired last year. At the time, he was suspected of theft, but we never expected him to do something like this. This must have had a significant impact on your end, right?"

Zhang Yang didn't mince words and answered frankly, "It will definitely have an impact on me, but now is not the time to worry about me. Right now, the most important thing is how to deal with this."

"We are already preparing for the press conference. Dad will personally appear at 3 pm."

"Dad's health..."

"He said that even if they have to carry him, they will carry him to the press conference."

Zhang Yi paused, then continued, "Yangyang, are you coming?"

Zhang Yang remained silent for a few seconds.

If he goes, he'll be criticized for putting on a show.

If he doesn't go, he'll be called a coward.

No matter which option you choose, it's wrong.

In the end, Zhang Yang still decided to go, not as the celebrity Zhang Yang, but as the second son of Xuewei Beer.

"Okay, I will attend the press conference this afternoon."

"Then it's settled. 2 PM, Xuewei headquarters conference room."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Yang said to the public relations team, "I will be attending the Xuewei Beer press conference at 3 pm this afternoon."

Liu He quickly spoke up to remind him, "President Zhang, the public relations team suggests that you don't show up for now and wait for Xue Wei's situation to be dealt with first. If you show up now, it might add fuel to the fire."

"If I don't show up, I'll be handing a knife to Ye Mingwei's gang, so I have to go."

Zhang Yang's tone was very firm, but Liu He still wanted to persuade him: "Mr. Zhang, but..."

'

"No buts, Liu He, do you know what the most fatal aspect of this incident is?"

"It's a deception; the public feels deceived."

Zhang Yang was very satisfied with Liu He's answer. He nodded and said seriously, "Liu He, you are absolutely right. Right now, netizens have a very simple perception. They think that all my previous actions were just acting and creating a persona. To break this perception, I need to face this matter with sincerity and honesty."

At this point, Zhang Yang paused, glanced around, and continued, "Even if I'm scolded, even if I'm misunderstood, I have to stand up, because hiding won't solve the problem, it will only make it fester."

The press conference was held at 2:50 p.m.

The conference hall, which could accommodate two hundred people, was packed to capacity. The aisles and back rows were crowded with reporters with their cameras and microphones, and some familiar reporters were whispering among themselves.

When Zhang Yang, Zhang Yi, and Zhang Dahai walked in accompanied by staff, the audience fell silent instantly. Then, a flurry of flashes went off, turning the room into daylight.

Zhang Yang was dressed simply today: a dark gray suit, a white shirt, and no tie.

Zhang Dahai was wearing a dark blue Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, but his face was pale and his steps were unsteady.

Zhang Yi and Zhang Yang supported him on either side, and the three of them walked to the front of the stage.

Without any pleasantries or opening remarks, Zhang Dahai sat down in the middle, adjusted the microphone, and began to speak directly, his voice hoarse but clear.

"Dear media friends and consumers who care about Xuewei, hello everyone. I am Zhang Dahai, chairman of Xuewei Beer. I have invited you all here today for only one thing, and that is to apologize."

The old man stood up, bowed deeply to the camera, and remained so for a full ten seconds.

As he stood up, his eyes were red-rimmed: "Because of my mismanagement, Xuewei has been involved in such a scandal. For betraying the decades of trust of consumers, I, Zhang Dahai, apologize to everyone here."

After he finished speaking, he bowed again.

A low murmur arose from the audience; some were moved, while others remained indifferent.

Zhang Dahai sat down and picked up a document from the table: "This is the complete investigation report of the incident at the Third Branch Factory in Shandong Province last August. At that time, we dismissed five people directly responsible, rectified the production line, and thought we had finished dealing with it. But now it seems that our handling was too hasty, too superficial, and too... self-deceptive."

He opened the report and showed it to the camera page by page: "This morning, we established a special investigation team, which I personally led, to thoroughly investigate similar management loopholes and hygiene hazards at Xuewei Beer."

Zhang Dahai's words did not surprise the reporters in the audience too much. After all, being stubborn at this point would only make things worse. The example of Boss Jia was very telling. Of course, Boss Jia has already started to exert his influence.

Zhang Dahai swept his gaze across the faces of the crowd below and said in a resolute tone, "At the same time, we have contacted the State Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and authoritative third-party institutions, inviting them to supervise our rectification process throughout. The rectification report and test results will be regularly released to the public."

Seeing the reporters' lukewarm reaction, Zhang Dahai took a deep breath and continued, "In addition, I have three things to announce;

First, all Xuewei Beer products manufactured in the past year will be recalled, and all returns will be accepted from consumers regardless of whether there are quality issues. Second, a special compensation fund will be established to compensate all consumers who have purchased Xuewei products. Third...

2

The old man looked at Zhang Yi and Zhang Yang beside him with a complicated expression: "Xuewei Beer will be suspended indefinitely for rectification, effective immediately."

These words shocked everyone present. Even Zhang Yi and Zhang Yang looked at Zhang Dahai. This was something that had not been discussed before!

Ignoring his two sons' surprise, Zhang Dahai continued speaking to the camera: "I know that many people may not believe what we are saying now, and may think that we are doing crisis management or putting on an act. I will not defend myself, but I will just ask everyone to watch our next actions."

After he finished speaking, he stood up again and bowed for the third time.

This time, applause broke out from the audience, starting sporadically and then growing louder.

After Zhang Dahai finished speaking, Zhang Yi began to speak: "I am Zhang Yi, the current general manager of Xuebei. I am primarily responsible for this incident. It is my dereliction of duty and inadequate supervision that I bear the blame for. I will be fully involved in the process of compensating consumers."

After he finished speaking, he bowed deeply, and his eyes were red when he stood up.

Finally, it was Zhang Yang's turn.

He walked to the front of the stage and stood still.

The next second, the flashes went off wildly, almost blinding people.

After the murmurs below subsided, Zhang Yang raised his head, looked directly at the camera, and calmly said, "I am Zhang Yang. I feel ashamed and angry about what happened at Xuewei Beer."

This anger is the same as that of all consumers, because I am also an ordinary person, someone who drinks beer and cares about the cleanliness of the food I eat.

Today, I pledge in a dual capacity: as a member of the Zhang family, I will participate fully in the rectification and supervision of Xuebei to ensure that my father's promise is fulfilled word by word.

Finally, Zhang Yang took a step back and bowed deeply.

As he stood up, he saw the amused looks in the eyes of several familiar reporters in the front row.

Zhang Yang knew that today's press conference was just the beginning.

The real test is yet to come.

After the press conference, the online sentiment underwent a subtle shift.

Although the criticism and abuse continue unabated, some dissenting voices have begun to emerge: "Zhang Dahai personally apologized, ordered a work stoppage for rectification, and recalled the products already sold. Isn't that a heavy price to pay?"

"Although Zhang Yang's apology was a bit perfunctory, at least his attitude was sincere."

"Let's wait and see what Xuewei Beer does next. Talk is cheap, but actions speak louder than words."

Of course, most of the comments were sarcastic and cynical: "They're really putting on a good show; this whole family deserves an Oscar."

"Let's wait for the refund and see how they explain it."

"A family of drama queens."

Late at night, in the Zhang family study.

Zhang Dahai, Zhang Yi, and Zhang Yang, father and sons, sat facing each other with three cups of tea in front of them, but no one touched them.

"Dad, are you really sure you want to sell Xuewei Beer?"

Zhang Yang's words made Zhang Dahai's hand holding the teacup tremble. Then, he sighed, "I've been through too much lately, and I've come to realize that even if we force ourselves to keep Xuewei Beer, we'll only be barely surviving."

Zhang Yi naturally knew how painful it was for his father to make this decision; it was the culmination of his father's life's work.

"Xiao Yang!"

Zhang Dahai looked at Zhang Yang: "Xiao Yang, are you really planning to be involved in everything from now on? Do you have the time?"

"Dad, this is both a crisis and an opportunity. If we do everything well this time, then when my older brother or younger brother starts their own business, consumers won't bring this up."

I plan to make a documentary about this, without embellishment or avoidance, capturing the most authentic facts. Although this might upset some people, if they dare to do the first thing, why can't we do the fifteenth?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dahai's eyes flashed with satisfaction: "Xiao Yang, you're quite good. Men of the Zhang family are courageous and responsible, and we take revenge for every wrong done to us."

Just as Zhang Yang, Zhang Dahai, and Zhang Yi were having an in-depth conversation, they were shocked by the online reports about Xuewei Beer's refund policy and its suspension of operations for rectification.

Opinions among netizens are divided. Some think it's just posturing, while others think it's a desperate struggle. In any case, this topic has successfully diverted some attention and salvaged some of the reputation.