Chapter 144 Regret
I smiled bitterly but also sweetly, and said, "Of course, no force can separate Jingjing and me. We will get married after she returns from her studies in the United States."
"Really?" Cheng Jia lowered her head and said quietly, "I still don't understand how you and President Hua... could get along? Aren't you and her... mortal enemies?"
I smiled and said, "There are some things in this world that are beyond human imagination, such as love. I don't understand why Jingjing likes me, I only know that the woman I love most in this world is her!"
Cheng Jia forced a smile, and I could vaguely sense some sadness in her smile. She said, "Well... I really want to wish you all the best."
I nodded, drank the cold water in the cup in one gulp, and said, "It's late, I should go home. It would be bad if I woke up your family."
Cheng Jia didn't want to keep me, nor did she mean to send me off. I put down my cup, said goodbye to her, opened the door and walked into the darkness. On the way, I thought again, although the Yejian fragrant tea beverage has been successfully developed, this is only the first step in the hard work of starting a business. There are still many days to come...
In the following days, the company's new products were immediately put into mass production. Due to technical problems, we added a vacuum production and packaging system to the production line. This cost a lot of money, and the company's financial situation was immediately stretched.
Moreover, the plan to vigorously promote the company's products was imminent. That afternoon, Fan Yunting called the company's senior management and planning department staff to a meeting in the conference room to discuss how to comprehensively promote and vigorously promote Yejianxiang Tea Beverage in the next step.
In front of each person at the conference round table was a bottle of freshly produced Yejian fragrant tea beverage, and the room was filled with a rich tea aroma. Fan Yunting sat in the main seat, frowning as she flipped through the promotional plan that the planning department had just drawn up. The people below were also whispering, wondering whether President Fan was satisfied or not.
Planning is not my strong point, so I have no say. But as the company's vice president, I have to attend this kind of meeting. I sipped the product I developed, watched everyone silently, and did not make any comments.
After a while, Fan Yunting sighed, threw the plan on the conference table, and said, "I can think of a way to solve the funding problem. If that doesn't work, I can apply for a loan from the bank. But without the publicity of television media and the advertising effect of celebrities, how can our products be understood and accepted by the general consumers? I don't think the plan you have drawn up will work."
"Boss Fan," a manager from the planning department said, "If we want to shoot a TV commercial, let's not talk about the production costs. Just hiring a celebrity who is qualified and famous enough to be the spokesperson is a huge expense. Everyone knows the current celebrity market. Even those third-rate celebrities are priced at hundreds of thousands of yuan, not to mention those first-tier celebrities. I'm afraid the company can't afford the high advertising costs!"
Someone else said, "Yes, we can only get a maximum of one or two million yuan from the bank. After all, our company is just starting out and has no business. We should spend the money where it counts."
"Even if we invite those third-rate stars, I don't think the publicity effect will be that great. It might even be a waste of money, but it will only make a splash, which is not worth it."
For a time, everyone had different opinions, and the general consensus was that the company's financial situation did not make it suitable for heavy publicity on television media.
Fan Yunting's eyebrows were almost knitted together. She interrupted everyone and said, "There will always be a way to deal with the funding issue, but the publicity plan cannot be delayed. I want you to immediately launch the first battle of product publicity in print media and various portal websites, and the plans in the business plan must be implemented immediately. Regarding the TV advertising, please make a plan for me so that I can think about it carefully."
Everyone packed up their things and prepared to go back to work when President Fan gave the order to adjourn the meeting. At this time, the financial director Qian Xiaolei made a joke: "Hey! If we had money, we could invite superstar Xu Shu to be our spokesperson. Are we afraid that our company's products won't become popular all over the country? She is currently filming a Hollywood blockbuster, and her influence will soon spread all over the world. It is not impossible for our new products to take advantage of this opportunity and enter the international market."
Everyone laughed when they heard this. Someone said, "It's a good idea, but we have to see if it's realistic. The net worth of the big star Xu Shu is an astronomical figure. How many companies in China can afford it?"
Fan Yunting also laughed and said, "Qian Xiaolei, you are really a fantastic person! Come with me to the bank later. Please don't say anything about this matter!"
Qian Xiaolei pouted and said angrily, "I just said that. Can't you even take it as a joke?"
I froze in my chair. Based on the relationship between Xu Shu and me, I was confident that I could convince her to lower the price and cooperate with us. If the company's financial conditions allowed, this would be a good option, or even the best option. With Xu Shu's super popularity and reputation, it would be difficult for the company's products not to be popular. But... First, I didn't want to beg her, and second, I drove her away that day, and I didn't know if she would still be angry with me. Maybe she wouldn't give me face, which would be embarrassing.
After thinking for a long time, I resisted the urge to speak and decided not to express my opinion for the time being.
Fan Yunting then announced the end of the meeting, and everyone immediately went back to their work. She took Qian Xiaolei to the bank, and I went to the production workshop to take care of my products.
Two days later , Qian Xiaolei told me that the bank only agreed to lend her 500,000 yuan, which was far from what Fan had expected. Fan was looking for investors everywhere, determined to launch her publicity plan.
One evening, around ten o'clock, I was at home taking a shower and getting ready for bed when I suddenly received a call from Fan Yunting: "Tang Qian, I... I..."
I listened to her for a long time without saying anything, and asked curiously: "What's wrong with you? Is there something wrong?"
Her crying voice came from the phone: "I... regret it, can you come and save me?"
I immediately felt something was wrong and asked, "What happened? Where are you?"
"I'm at the Hilton Hotel. I...really regret this. Please come and save me!"
I put my shoes back on immediately and walked out the door, saying, "I'm coming, don't worry, tell me what happened."
"There was a... person who promised to invest one million in me, on the condition that I... would pay him for sleeping. I... was confused for a moment and agreed. But... I really regret it now. I'm hiding in the bathroom and I can't hold on for much longer. Come here soon!"
I said angrily, "What? Why are you so confused? Call the police!"
"No, the police dare not intervene in his affairs. I can only beg you. Tang Qian... I'm so scared!"
I ran to the street, hailed an empty taxi, and said to the driver, "Hilton Hotel, please hurry up." Then I said to my cell phone, "Who is so arrogant? Even the police can't do anything about it? Which room are you in?"
"No. 1808, I can't say anything. Please come quickly. I really... can't hold on for much longer."
"Hold on as long as you can! I'll be there soon!"
Ten minutes later, I rushed into the Hilton Hotel, took the elevator to the 18th floor, and found room 1808. I didn't care about anything else, I just pounded on the door with my fists, and shouted, "Open the door! Open the door!"
After a long while, the door finally opened. A middle-aged fat man in a bathrobe appeared at the door. He glared at me and said angrily, "Who are you? What are you yelling for?"
I recognized him as soon as I saw him. Isn't this fat guy a government official who often appears on TV and talks about building a clean government?
I ignored him, pushed him aside and walked in, calling out, "Boss Fan!"
The bathroom door opened, and Fan Yunting cried and threw herself into my arms, shouting, "Tang Qian, you're here!"
The fat man seemed to understand something and came over and said, "Mr. Fan, what do you mean? Didn't you agree to this? Don't you want the one million?"
I turned around and sneered, "You think you're so great just because you have a couple of dirty bucks? Your money was earned through corruption and abuse of power. You use this dirty money to force women into bed. What kind of public servant are you?"
The fat man laughed instead and said, "Who the hell do you think you are? Do you think you're going to teach me a lesson? This is something we both agreed to. It's a deal. I didn't force her. Ask her if this is true."
Fan Yunting hid behind me, shivering and shouting, "Tang Qian, take me away!"
I looked at the fat man with disdain and said, "Get out of the way, a good dog doesn't block the road!"
The fat man snorted and said, "You've got guts, kid! Your name is Tang Qian, right? Good! I'll remember you! I can have as many women like that as I want, I don't care!" As he said that, he made way.
I took Fan Yunting's hand and pulled her away, and at the same time replied to him without showing any weakness: "I will remember you too! Scum!" When I went out, I heard the fat man's sinister laughter.
As soon as I pulled Fan Yunting out of the Hilton Hotel, I immediately shook off her hand and said angrily, "Boss Fan! I know the company needs money! But you can't get it by selling your body! What's the difference between you and a prostitute? Fortunately, you can still regret it, otherwise I won't stay in the company. I think it's dirty to use this kind of money!"
Fan Yunting burst into tears. She covered her face and squatted on the ground, crying bitterly, "I'm sorry... wuwu... I'm sorry... I... I can't help it!"
After a tantrum, I saw Fan Yunting crying so miserably. I couldn't bear it anymore. She was just my boss, and I couldn't control her. So I sighed and said, "Okay, okay! Why are you crying? What were you doing earlier? We'll figure out the funding issue later, and you can go home first."
I turned around and was ready to ignore her and leave, but after thinking about it, I turned back, squatted down and said, "Mr. Fan! I have always admired you. I know you have really given a lot for the company. But! A person must have a bottom line and dignity! If you don't even want these, what's the point of the company having great development? You will still be looked down upon by others! Our company employees will also feel ashamed. Is this what you want?"
Fan Yunting raised her head, her face all stained with tears. She cried, "So...so I regret it! Tang Qian...you scolded me...so sad!"
I was speechless! Although Fan Yunting was confused in doing this, fortunately she was able to stop herself from going too far and wake up in time. And her starting point was also for the company. What I said about her just now was really hurtful.
I patted her shoulder and said, "It's good that you're okay. Go back and have a good sleep. We'll think of other ways tomorrow." As soon as I stood up, Fan Yunting suddenly grabbed my sleeve, her eyes full of pleading, and said, "Tang Qian... I'm afraid... he might send someone to retaliate against me. I've heard of such things before."
I said, "You knew you still agreed to him? Do you have any brains?"
Fan Yunting's face flushed, and she just kept pulling me. She whispered, "I... was wrong! Tang Qian, please go back with me. I'm really scared!"
I thought about it and it made sense. A scum like Fatty could do anything. We had to be on guard. Then he sighed again and said, "Okay, where's your car? I'll go home with you."
After we drove away, I noticed her face was getting redder and she was a little fidgety. I thought she was scared and she smelled of alcohol, so I didn't pay much attention to it. But when we got out of the car outside her house, Fan Yunting could hardly walk.
I supported her curiously and asked, "Mr. Fan, what's wrong with you?"
Fan Yunting shook her head and said, "No... I don't know. Please help me in."
I supported Fan Yunting, who was almost limp, and opened the door with difficulty to enter her home. When I turned on the light, I found that her face was so red that it was almost bleeding. Not only her face, but also her neck, hands, and all exposed skin were red.
Her body was trembling slightly, her breathing was rapid, and her eyes, which used to be bright, were now full of blood. I thought she had some kind of acute illness, so I hurriedly said, "Mr. Fan, you are not well! I'd better take you to the hospital."
I supported her and was about to turn around and leave, but Fan Yunting grabbed my hand and said with a sad face, "No! It's... no use. That scum... was so mean. He put drugs in the cup I was drinking!"
