Chapter 114: Tensions and Deals at Bei Hai Lang Xing

“Mr. Zhou, I understand how you feel. When an employee encounters such issues, we feel both guilty and sad. Some problems require a proper sit-down discussion. This isn’t the right place for it. Let’s find a nearby hotel and talk things through to resolve it. Does that work for you?”

Vice President Qian’s ability to both speak and act was impressive.

Even when Zhou Can caused a scene and cursed, he still spoke in a calm tone.

“There’s nothing to discuss! Our only demand is to cancel the contract.”

Zhou Can’s stance was unyieldingly firm. m.cascoo.net

“Canceling the contract isn’t an issue, but you must adhere to the terms! Over the years, the company poured astronomical sums into training, branding, and promoting Su Qianqian. Typically, a signing artist would be expected to cover a portion of those costs if the contract was annulled. Given her special circumstances, I appealed to our higher-ups and spoke highly on her behalf, which is why the company agreed not to pursue that breach penalty.”

Vice President Qian’s silver tongue was remarkably persuasive.

He could spin even a death sentence into a lifeline.

Zhou Can didn’t call him out; instead, he hiddenly snorted in disapproval.

“Mr. Zhou, I believe you’re a reasonable man. Recently, our company spent a fortune to produce a music album for Su Qianqian – not a single penny has been recouped! If you hadn’t offended Mr. Zhao that night, the album might have sold… Sigh! Let’s not dwell on the past.”

Vice President Qian sighed and shook his head repeatedly.

He performed his act of misery in front of Zhou Can.

Unfortunately, Zhou Can wasn’t buying the act.

“Our company’s only requirement is for Su Qianqian to purchase the album. Then we can part on good terms.”

No matter how you twisted it, Bei Hai Lang Xing Company was unyielding on this matter.

“Five million is too steep; we simply cannot cover it.”

Zhou Can had arranged for Su Qianqian to play along for several days in this negotiation—this meeting was the moment he’d been waiting for.

He wasn’t in a hurry.

Now that Su Qianqian was threatening suicide daily, it was clearly Bei Hai Lang Xing Company who was anxious.

Just one look at Vice President Qian’s pitiful demeanor told the story.

“From the sound of you, you’re still willing to buy the album, which shows you’re reasonable. Let’s find somewhere more private to discuss this, shall we?”

Vice President Qian glanced around; with too many people and too much noise, he didn’t want to negotiate in public.

Reluctantly, Zhou Can was led by Vice President Qian and the woman named Wu Jiali to a nearby hotel, where they booked a room.

Both sides sat down to discuss the matter thoroughly.

“Mr. Zhou, please have some water!”

Wu Jiali brought over a bottle of water and handed it to Zhou Can.

The woman, dressed in a low-cut top and an ultra-short skirt, made it impossible for Zhou Can to meet her gaze.

It was just too distracting.

“Mr. Qian, I’ll be direct—can you make the call on this?”

Zhou Can looked at Vice President Qian.

“First, tell me your budget.”

Vice President Qian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“One hundred thousand!”

Without blinking, Zhou Can stated a price.

“That’s a complete joke on an international scale! Which company today produces a music album for less than tens of millions? Mr. Zhou, if you really want to settle this, you need to show some real sincerity.”

Vice President Qian nearly suffered a stomach hemorrhage at that quote.

Yet he managed to keep his cool.

This man was shrewd to the core.

Polite and refined while speaking, yet ruthless in pursuit of profit.

Just like the night they got Su Qianqian drunk and handed her over to Mr. Zhao to secure a deal.

“Even at ten million, we wouldn’t be able to come up with the money. For this to work, you not only need to show sincerity but also make concessions. You’ve seen your girlfriend’s condition—who knows when she might disappear. Then that album would sell for nothing.”

Zhou Can’s meaning was clear.

He was willing to shell out money for Su Qianqian’s album purely for her sake.

If she were to vanish, he wouldn’t be a sucker paying for it.

This issue was truly Bei Hai Lang Xing Company’s weak spot.

They were reckless enough to risk it all.

Su Qianqian was even willing to risk her life; no matter how ruthless the company, they couldn’t handle her.

“Mr. Zhou, you have a point. Here’s our proposal: we’ll make some concessions and sell the album for 4.5 million, paid in full upfront. That’s our absolute bottom line.”

Vice President Qian gritted his teeth, his expression showing that he was willing to sacrifice everything.

Zhou Can, having already learned the album’s cost from Mr. Li, wasn’t about to fall for Vice President Qian’s bluffs.

After a hard-fought negotiation and tug-of-war over the price,

the final price was settled at 1.6 million.

Clearly, the negotiations had come to an impasse.

This was the extreme limit set after Vice President Qian conferred with the silent Mr. Gui over the phone.

In the end, Zhou Can declared that he would sell his house to raise the money to buy the album.

Vice President Qian agreed.

At this point, the deal was essentially done.

Both sides appeared satisfied with the outcome.

Bei Hai Lang Xing Company would lose a couple hundred thousand, but there was no other choice. On one hand, Su Qianqian’s suicidal threats had spooked their higher-ups—if she were to die, the consequences would be dire. On the other hand, they feared ending up empty-handed if she truly committed suicide, leaving the album unsellable.

It was better to cash in while that ‘loyal fool’ was willing to pay up.

To monetize the album.

……

The next day, Bei Hai Lang Xing Company called proactively to check on Zhou Can’s fundraising progress.

They were evidently very anxious.

Zhou Can rushed to the bank to complete the mortgage procedures.

After rigorous reviews and when Bei Hai Lang Xing Company was growing desperate, he finally bought the album.

At the contract signing, Zhou Can mentioned he needed a lawyer friend to review it.

The other party naturally had no objection.

Essentially, he had Mr. Li examine the contract for any hidden loopholes.

Sure enough, Mr. Li found several sneaky pitfalls. After a few modifications, everything was in order, and Zhou Can signed the contract and made the payment.

He obtained the album’s master copy along with all the copyrights.

Thus, the purchase of the music album was successfully concluded.

Bei Hai Lang Xing Company took a small loss.

Zhou Can felt as though he had relieved Su Qianqian of a great burden.

He suspected that when the album finally became a hit, Bei Hai Lang Xing Company would be stamping their feet in frustration and cursing bitterly.

After successfully acquiring it, Zhou Can handed over the remaining details to Mr. Li.

“Brother, tomorrow make sure you either get leave from the Hospital or switch to the evening shift. In the morning, let’s go register our company together!”

Mr. Li said happily.

Mr. Li had been guiding things from behind the scenes all along.

Once the album was secured, he had no further concerns.

He would handle all company affairs from then on while Zhou Can continued working as a doctor. The profits were to be split equally.

“Alright! I’m off!”

Zhou Can waved goodbye to Mr. Li and his wife.

It was evident that Qiu Jie fully supported her husband’s decision to start a company. As a wife who shared every day with him, she understood his ambitions perfectly.

Perhaps they had already achieved financial freedom.

Yet at their level, higher aspirations were inevitable—a life of merely worry-free meals and drinks wasn’t enough.

“Mr. Zhou, drive safely! You truly are our lucky charm. My health has greatly improved, and I have my zest for life back. Mr. Li, seizing this rare opportunity, can finally pursue the career he loves. Thank you!”

Qiu Jie expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Zhou Can.

Mr. Li also showed a long-missed smile.

“Sister-in-law, please don’t say that. Our deep friendship is fate. If I were ever to express thanks, it should be for Mr. Li giving me 50% of the shares—a tremendous favor.”

Zhou Can mentioned this matter directly, showing how grateful he was to Mr. Li and his wife.

Otherwise, accepting such a huge benefit without even a word of thanks would be like treating someone as a fool.

It would be akin to taking someone for an idiot.

With Mr. Li’s connections, skills, and funds,

he could easily start his own company.

There was absolutely no need to split the shares with a layabout like Zhou Can.

“Hehe, you just don’t understand Mr. Li. In his eyes, friendship is far more valuable than money.” Qiu Jie laughed.

“So you think only you can treat money lightly?”

Mr. Li shot a discontented look at Zhou Can.

“Besides, you made a significant contribution—providing all the information and managing the album acquisition, with both parties footing equal bills. I see no issue with giving you a 50% share.”

“Alright, alright, I can’t argue with you. See you tomorrow.”

Zhou Can waved and strode away.

Now that he was in a relationship and in the honeymoon phase, he naturally wouldn’t return to the company dormitory.

He planned to go back to Baying Lake Xiangshan Villa with Su Qianqian to celebrate, then share the news of her signing with the new company.

Sitting in a taxi, he could hardly contain his excitement.

This was the first company he had ever co-founded.

He hoped for a promising outcome.

When the company eventually turned a profit, he would proudly tell his parents that he’d finally grown up—no more freeloading, now earning his own money.

“Can you come by Bei Hai Lang Xing Company, Zhou?”

“I’ll be right there! What’s up?”

Zhou Can and Su Qianqian headed to Bei Hai Lang Xing Company together.

Originally, Zhou Can planned to accompany Su Qianqian until her resignation procedures were finalized and they could leave together.

Later, Su Qianqian informed him that the financial settlement and personnel file transfer procedures were complex and might take time. So she told him to proceed while she completed hers.

Could it be that this rogue company still had schemes up its sleeve?

Her album had already been purchased, and legally, the company no longer held any contracts to bind Su Qianqian.

“When processing your file transfer, HR instructed me to go to the General Manager’s office for Mr. Gui’s signature. A former colleague, when she resigned, was called into the GM’s office and wasn’t seen for ages. Later, she warned me never to go there alone.”

Having navigated the entertainment industry without incident for years, Su Qianqian knew the importance of staying alert.

After all, Mr. Gui was as predatory as a wolf.

Why would anyone pass up an easy target?

In the past, Su Qianqian was valuable—and she worked in his company, so he naturally wasn’t in a hurry. Now that she was leaving, this was Mr. Gui’s final chance.

“Wait for me!”

Zhou Can replied with just two words.

Then he immediately instructed the taxi driver to turn around and head to Bei Hai Lang Xing Media Company.

Twenty-plus minutes later, the taxi arrived at the building of Bei Hai Lang Xing Company.

“No need to search!”

Zhou Can tossed a hundred-yuan note and charged into the building.

A security guard stopped him.

“What kind of look is that? I just negotiated a huge contract with your company! Are you blocking me from entering?”

“My apologies, my apologies!”

The guard, clearly intimidated, continuously apologized.

Zhou Can barreled into the building; the elevator was just too slow.

He sprinted up the stairs to the third floor.

“Who are you looking for?” a female employee asked.

“Su Qianqian!”

“She’s in the General Manager’s office!”

Zhou Can dashed towards the General Manager’s office. “Hey, you can’t go in!” Ignoring the woman, he kicked the door open.

Inside were three people: a beautiful woman in a business suit and black stockings—likely the secretary—standing by; a pudgy, disreputable man sat in the General Manager’s chair. He was at least fifty years old, with heavy eye bags, exuding a mix of subdued authority and streetwise roguery.

His glare was even more intimidating than that of the refined Vice President Qian.

He resembled a stealthy tiger lurking in the mountains—cunning and meticulous—reminding one of Sima Yi from the Three Kingdoms, both deceptive and calculating.

“Who are you?” the female secretary shouted angrily.

When Su Qianqian saw Zhou Can burst in recklessly, her eyes immediately filled with tears.

This man was clearly willing to risk everything for her.

Absolutely willing to risk it all.

“He’s Qianqian’s boyfriend!”

The man at the General Manager’s desk was momentarily stunned by the disruption, then quickly regained his composure.

He looked at Zhou Can coolly, a friendly smile creeping onto his face.

“If Qianqian has such a protective boyfriend, I’m sure she’ll be very happy.”

Zhou Can hadn’t anticipated that the office scene would unfold like this.

It was entirely different from what he had imagined.

Earlier, charging in recklessly, he thought Mr. Gui was about to act inappropriately towards Su Qianqian.

Instead, inside he found not only Su Qianqian but also a female secretary.

“Sorry about earlier. I’ll compensate for the door lock—I promise to cover the cost.”

Even though Zhou Can was there to sign the contract, Mr. Gui had yet to appear.

It was their first encounter.

Since the other party had been so courteous, Zhou Can felt too embarrassed to act out of line.

“Understood.”

Mr. Gui took a pen and began quickly signing and stamping Su Qianqian’s file.

A polished individual always wants a glowing reference on their record when resigning—it affects future job prospects.

But isn’t this normally HR’s responsibility?

It was rare to see the General Manager intervene personally.

“Alright, I wish you a bright future. If things don’t work out, the doors of Bei Hai Lang Xing Company will always be open,” Mr. Gui said to Su Qianqian.

Taking back her file, Su Qianqian stood up.

“Thank you, Mr. Gui, for your care and guidance. Goodbye!”

She turned and looked at Zhou Can.

At that moment, Zhou Can noticed a small detail:

Why did the female secretary keep glancing at the cup of water in front of Su Qianqian?

Not everyone dressed in clothes is human, and not every winged creature is an angel—sometimes they’re just predatory.

The woman was attractive and carried herself with flair.

But her eyes darted around erratically, faster than a mouse’s.

Clearly, she was a turncoat who shifted with the wind.

Could there be something wrong with that cup of water?

Worried that Su Qianqian might be harmed, Zhou Can grew increasingly anxious.

The cup was still full.

She likely hadn’t taken a sip yet—perhaps she was simply cautious.

“Qianqian, sit down for a moment. I still need to discuss a few points with Mr. Gui!”

Yet in his mind, Zhou Can was weighing whether he should alert the police.

What if the water was fine?

The rational thing would be to leave with Su Qianqian since she wasn’t hurt.

But his conscience and sense of justice told him that if the water were indeed compromised,

and he didn’t get Mr. Gui arrested this time, more girls might fall victim in the future.

The colleague Su Qianqian mentioned could very well be one of the victims.

“Mr. Zhou, are you here to discuss the door lock compensation? It’s just a few bucks—you’re clearly protective of your girlfriend. I understand. No need for compensation; please, leave now!”

Mr. Gui said magnanimously.

This hasty attempt to brush Zhou Can off only deepened his suspicion.

“Thank you, Mr. Gui. However, I’d like to discuss something else.”

While speaking, Zhou Can pulled out his phone and quickly messaged Mr. Li.

“Help me call the police. Location: 3rd Floor, General Manager’s Office at Bei Hai Lang Xing Company. Hurry.”

“Received.”

Zhou Can had everything arranged, deliberately engaging Mr. Gui in idle chatter to divert suspicion.

To avoid arousing further doubts, he even feigned a request for advice on how to monetize the album.

Mr. Gui appeared to know a bit about his situation.

For an outsider who purchased the album without understanding how to profit from it, this was understandable.

Patiently, Mr. Gui explained various methods for monetization.

Just then, the door was pushed open.

“Who called the police?”

Two police officers entered the office.

“I did!”

Seeing the police, Zhou Can exhaled in relief.

Mr. Gui’s face turned ashen, though he tried to remain composed.

The female secretary looked visibly panicked.

“What’s going on?” the police asked.

The atmosphere was calm, not resembling a scene of conflict, except for the noticeably damaged door lock.

At Mr. Gui’s signal, the female secretary instinctively reached for the cup of water in front of Zhou Can.

“Don’t move!” Zhou Can shouted sharply, startling her.

The female secretary quickly explained, “This cup was originally for Su Qianqian. I was just about to replace it with a fresh one.”