Chapter 25 - A Week (II)

[Day 3]

The article that was posted spread like a virus. People who read the article posted it and share. The controversies of CJ's was in its peak.

In the CEO's office, CEO Long slammed the table. The moment he came the directors barged in his office and demanded a meeting.

"We have a team for PR! What are they doing?! They cannot even control the media! Delete this article no matter how much! Or bribe this petty SHM!" CEO Long was reaching his limit. It was only an article, with a little evidence on it, they could easily topple them all! But this very article was giving him a headache.

"Sir, we've been doing that. We even hired expert hackers to delete it. But many people posted it in their accounts and shared. Whenever we deleted it, it popped again. They even saved it as a screen shot. We also contacted the SHM, but their answers....w-were not-t g-good." The PR's lead team stuttered at the end. She still remembered how the SHM answer them when she called.

"Do you think we can be swayed by money?? No! We are SHM! Do you know SHM?! SHI HUA MEDIA! SHI HUA means TRUTH! We,creators of SHM will get JUSTICE! We will---"

She ended it. She was scared of their shouting. All she said in the beginning was 'hello, we are from CJ's--' and they started ranting. They not even give her a chance to tell them her purpose of calling. What's more. They even posted this morning that CJ's called them to bribe them to stop posting.

Seeing that post, made her vomit blood. She did not have a chance to say that to them! Well, it was true that was her purpose.

So, bribing them or having negotiations was a no-no.

"Then go at their office! Who will not like money? Just bring a case, that's what their goal anyway." CEO Long only thinks that once they stop posting this matter will end.

"Sir, I'm afraid we shall not do that. Their recent post said that we contacted them and bribe them, if we show up to their office people will think that we are really bribing them." Which is true.

She silently added.

The PR was also having an headache. They were receiving calls from other media wanting them to have an explanation. The public were also angry at them demanding if it's true or not. They had not given response. Giving response required resources. They need evidence to oppose the evidence of SHM.

"CEO Long, this issue affected our business even overseas."

One of the directors said.

"What do you mean even overseas?!"- CEO Long

The director break out in cold sweat, he must tell this bad news.

"Earlier, one of the foreign investors called us, they're pulling out the deal. Also, one of the malls that we signed to, canceled the contract, they even block list us."

"What?! They are believing that groundless rumors?!" CEO Long cupped his fist. This situation was getting worst!

"Sir, the evidence they had are really accurate. Just by asking and confirming the people in that transaction list and comparing them they know that file is genuine. So many people believe them. We need to fix our image , people don't trust us anymore."

CEO Long massages his temples.

"How they got their hands on that evidence? Is there a rat in our company?" He said in a low voice. But inside he was fuming.

"We will investigate. But our image.." - one of the directors said.

"Create a new transaction. Deny everything. Let PR handle the matter."

- CEO Long.

_______________________

The PR handle the matter. They knew deep in their hearts that CJ's was at fault. But they don't have any choice. This is the place they work.

They posted an apology and an explanation.

[We are really sorry for our incompetence and misgivings to our dear customers.

[First, CJ's really want to thank you for trusting us and allows us to give an explanation.

We deny the file that SHM posted. We have never seen that transactions before, what we have is here. ]

A file was attached. It was another audit with same people who bought from CJ's. The file was the same at the file that SHM posted. The difference is the accounts,shares, and amount.

[What the SHM said about the diamonds that people bought for being fake confirmed, was the culprit was already found out? We already handle the matter when we found out the diamonds were switched .

[So please , believe in us as we serving the public for a hundred years.]

This statement brought new heights to the issue.

People argued. Some sided at CJ's others were not. The upper society even heard of the matter. They supported CJ's since they were their usual buyers. Also, the jewelries in their hands were genuine.

Aside from that their PR made another team to investigate at SHM. They posted the past posts and news that SHM covered. Since SHM did not have any good works in the past, CJ's used that against them. Their news like tailing and confirming rumors of the President of Oil company having another mistress and the cheatings of other politicians. Because of this background people started to side at CJ's.

Xiong Zhi who were riding at her car to her new office was browsing through her phone.

Well, she can't help it. She needed to check.

When she read the post of CJ's, she could not help but smile inwardly.

'What a fool...by doing this they are just digging deeper towards their grave.'

Then she put her phone away. She had seen enough , and without doubt she would be meeting her Vice director of IHZHI soon.

_____________________

Entering her office she noticed the private room was locked. She knew that genius boy was in that room again.

She reach her phone and stared at it. She was wondering what Linfeng was doing. Earlier when Linfeng accompany her to her building he said he had some matters to attend. In the past, he always make excuses of that. But she did not give a thought of it. Now, that her feelings to Linfeng was crystal clear she had noticed that Linfeng was always busy. How?

Since she stared at him at the corner of her eye every ride to their school she noticed that Linfeng was always in his phone. Talking and chatting. Sometimes he was in daze like thinking of something then contact someone on his phone.

'What is he doing?'

Xiong Zhi wanted badly to asked him, but she knew Linfeng like his privacy especially now that he had not develop his feelings towards her.

She sighed. How come she did not notice it in the past?

Now she was in the dark of what Linfeng was about to do.

Rrriiiiingggg

Xiong Zhi picked up the phone absent mindedly and answered it.

"Hello? Is it Xiong Zhi?"

Xiong Zhi mind was quickly cleared. Her eyes brightened and a slight curve of her lips she said.

"It is me."

"Umm...I-I am Fang Dien. Remember me? You went to me last time and give me three days to ummm...to decide..."

"Of course. I've been waiting. So what's your answer?"

"Ummm..can we meet first?"

"K. Go to the address that I gave you." Then she ended it. He's the reason why she came here today in her office.

_____________

Fang Dien went to Xiong Zhi's office. He was actually hesitating if he had to accept this offer. But the girl was right. He had no other choice. That bastard really blocked him to any company he apply for. He was prepared to work odd jobs. But he was graduated with a bachelor degree. It was a waste. So he tried to make his deal with this girl work.

Arriving at the office, he was a bit startled .

No one is really here..

But what could he expect , IHZHI have not yet started.

He entered one of the private rooms and he saw a boy typing madly at his computer. Without turning back the boy said,

"She's in the other room "

He closed the door and entered the other room. He saw Xiong Zhi sitting with doc.u.ments in her table.

He took a seat across from her and stared at the doc.u.ments in the table.

Xiong Zhi moved the paper closer to him and handed him the pen.

Fang Diem's mouth twitched.

'That's it? No talking?'

Xiong Zhi was clear. Coming here meant signing the contract.

Fang Dien picked up the pen and started signing. He already read it almost hundred times. After he was done he looked at Xiong Zhi.

"Ms. Xiong, I'm glad you give me this opportunity. No doubt it was you who use connections to bail me out. Thank you. For this I will do all my best for this company. Let's work well."

"I hope you work well. You're the CEO, you will handle the business. I will just provide some possible business deal and approve some deal that you want to suggest. Aside from that, you'll decide everything. You will be meeting your Vice Director soon." Xiong Zhi said while reaching out some paper.

Fang Dien raised his brow.

"Is the Vice not yet convince?"

"She is. But cannot meet us in a moment."

He just nodded. Then Xiong Zhi handed him a paper. It was a list of names.

"Contact these people, recruit them. If you know someone who could work hard and loyal, count them in. By next week, this room must be filled with people. This-" she handed another paper written on it was other companies' names.

"--this companies and establishments, contact them. Invest in their new project. NEW project only. Demand 20% interest."

"20? That's too much." No one would agree in daylight robbery.

" They will. Trust me. I will contact you again after a week. With our Vice Director."

Then Xiong Zhi stand up,

"You can start now." And she left.

Fang Dien stared at the list. He reached out to his phone and searched every company in the list. After a while , he was shocked.

These projects that Xiong Zhi wants to invest were all....

Too mediocre....

Now he understood why Xiong Zhi was confident that these companies will accept their proposal. Turns out no one wanted to invest to their lame project.

And now, their company wanted to invest. Fang Dien began to doubt.

'This company....can it really grow?'

Did he make the right decision? Working here? With a highschool girl as his boss?

'No matter, she's the boss, I'll just do my best.'

But little did he know that after a year those mediocre project that he looked down upon will rise like a small bird turned into a phoenix.

[END OF DAY 3 ]

A/N : remember Fang Dien? Refer to chapter 8 and 9 ^^