Although Zhou Lin had managed Yazhi in the past, the company had never been her personal property. It was one of Zhou Group’s subsidiaries, and Zhou Shichang was its largest shareholder. But because he had placed Zhou Lin in charge from the beginning, all of Yazhi’s employees had been hired under her administration, including Pan Zhihai.
Given Pan Zhihai’s position, he was effectively the highest authority at Yazhi whenever Zhou Lin was absent. At first, she had indeed delegated considerable power to him. He couldn’t do absolutely anything he pleased, but most decisions were his to make. Then Zhou Lin handed Yazhi over to Zhao Chenlin, and Pan Zhihai gradually lost his say in company affairs.
Zhao Chenlin was like any other spoiled rich boy: ignorant, idle, and unable to control his appetites. He had lost his virginity at thirteen and was now thoroughly experienced in romance and sexual encounters. Many celebrities linked to him by the gossip press had in fact been intimately involved with him.
People said one shouldn’t pursue people in one’s own circle, but Zhao Chenlin used Yazhi to pursue numerous artists signed to the company. Quite a few were willing to compromise themselves in exchange for fame.
To make these pursuits easier, Zhao Chenlin often went over Pan Zhihai’s head when dealing with the company’s artists. For example, he might promise someone a chance at stardom in exchange for spending a night with him, then interfere with arrangements Pan Zhihai had already made. Pan might have secured an important film or television role for one artist, only for someone Zhao Chenlin had been involved with to decide they wanted it. Zhao Chenlin would then insist that Pan replace the original choice.
It happened so often that Pan Zhihai’s plans for the artists were severely disrupted. Worse, the artists themselves began doubting his authority. Even after Pan set their schedules, they worried that they might be replaced at the last minute. From the moment Zhao Chenlin took over Yazhi, Pan Zhihai had disliked the young master.
Fang Hui was clever enough to recognize Zhao Chenlin’s character. He ingratiated himself by catering to all of Zhao’s preferences, becoming his devoted lackey and earning his trust. With that backing, Fang Hui grew increasingly contemptuous of Pan Zhihai.
Pan Zhihai had learned only yesterday that Yazhi was getting a new chairman, another young master of Zhou Group. Like Zhao Chenlin, the newcomer was the chairman’s grandson, but rumor had it that this young man was different, if only because his surname was Zhou.
Pan had worried the new Young Master Zhou might be another spoiled playboy. He certainly hadn’t expected the man to turn up without warning, only to have Fang Hui mistake him for an aspiring celebrity and openly proposition him. Had the circumstances been different, Pan would have thrown back his head and laughed three times.
Pan Zhihai wasted no time calling together everyone currently at the office. He introduced Wang Cheng as their new chairman, so that no other fool would mistake a pearl for a worthless stone, and announced Fang Hui’s dismissal.
“You have no right to fire me!” Fang Hui sprang to his feet, his face twisted with rage. He had worked so hard to gain his position at Yazhi. If Pan Zhihai could dismiss him with a single declaration, all those years of effort would be wasted. Even if he found another entertainment agency willing to hire him, he would have to climb the ladder all over again.
Pan Zhihai sneered. “Fang Hui, have you lost your mind? Young Master Zhou gave the order to dismiss you. I made it perfectly clear that he’s now the chairman of Yazhi, and all company affairs are under his authority. That order came from above.”
“I’m Young Master Zhao’s man. Only Young Master Zhao has the right to decide whether I stay!” Fang Hui refused to give up.
Pan Zhihai said nothing. He looked toward Wang Cheng, who was sitting quietly.
Leaning back in his chair with his eyes half closed, Wang Cheng appeared both relaxed and composed. Only after hearing Fang Hui’s words did he lift his eyelids. He met the man’s teeth-grinding expression and asked, “Who pays your salary?”
Fang Hui stared at him, dumbfounded.
“If I remember correctly, it’s Zhou Group. Zhao Chenlin has been removed from all responsibilities at Yazhi. From the moment I took over as chairman, he ceased to have anything to do with this company. I’m not joking, and this isn’t some funny story you’re listening to. You have one hour to collect your things and leave. If you’re still here after that, you’ll have to bear the consequences.”
Wang Cheng’s forceful attitude finally brought the others back to their senses. Their new chairman was nothing like they’d expected. On his first day, he’d fired Fang Hui, Yazhi’s most influential and arrogant talent manager. It was quite a way to make an example of someone. Those with secrets of their own kept their mouths tightly shut.
Fang Hui’s face flushed with humiliation.
He spat that he had no desire to work for a rotten company like Yazhi anyway, then slammed the door and stormed out.
Wang Cheng drew his gaze away and looked around the room. “Is there anyone else who doesn’t want to work here? You can leave right now.”
The attendees exchanged looks. No one stood up.
Wang Cheng had expected as much. “Since nobody wants to resign, I’ll make this clear from the outset. I don’t run things the way Zhao Chenlin did. You’re all employees of Yazhi, and I don’t want to see people scheming against one another. Nor should anyone think a powerful backer gives them the right to run wild. Everyone will follow company rules. Anyone caught breaking them will be dismissed immediately.”
After the meeting, Pan Zhihai took Wang Cheng to his office.
It was the office Zhao Chenlin had formerly used. Everything from the decorations to the furnishings reflected his tastes: only the most expensive and luxurious would do. He had hardly ever done any serious work there, though he’d used the room for intimate encounters with quite a few of the company’s artists. That was no secret among the staff.
“Have someone disinfect the entire place.”
Wang Cheng didn’t even go inside. He took one look and headed toward Pan Zhihai’s office instead.
“Of course, Young Master Zhou.” Pan Zhihai agreed without hesitation.
Once in his own office, Pan Zhihai immediately pulled a file from his desk. “Young Master Zhou, these are the artists Fang Hui was responsible for over the past year. The last three are relatively unknown and transferred to other agencies last year. The first two have played supporting roles in several television series and have some recognition. His most famous artist, however, is Cen Xi. Last year Cen Xi played an important supporting role in a very popular fantasy cultivation drama. These days, the projects he’s offered are generally lead or second-lead roles, and he receives plenty of advertising offers. He’s currently Yazhi’s biggest star.”
“And the one who’s constantly in the news for acting like a diva, losing his temper, hitting and scolding assistants, and putting on one face in public and another in private?” Wang Cheng had done his homework before coming. Naturally, he knew about Cen Xi.
Pan Zhihai immediately realized the new chairman had investigated the company beforehand. After a moment’s thought, he decided not to hide anything. “Cen Xi does have a bad temper. Young Master Zhao is his backer.”
With Zhao Chenlin behind him, Cen Xi was always the first to choose among the company’s resources, leaving everyone else with whatever he didn’t want. Many artists had no choice but to curry favor with him. If someone pleased him, he might generously hand over a good opportunity he’d rejected. But anyone he disliked could forget about getting ahead. Cen Xi was unquestionably Yazhi’s top male star. Whenever he appeared at the office, he was surrounded by people flattering him.
“Don’t give him all the best opportunities anymore. Find someone suitable to manage him and assign him a new manager. I heard the company gave him six assistants. Is that right?” Wang Cheng asked as he flipped through the documents.
“Yes.”
“Reduce that to two. Four can be reassigned.” Wang Cheng made the decision without hesitation. How many assistants did Yazhi even employ? Some artists had none at all, and others were forced to share managers.
Pan Zhihai’s eyes lit up. “But he’s currently our most profitable artist. Won’t he be unhappy about that? What if he transfers to another company?”
Wang Cheng cut him off. “Yazhi isn’t desperate for the money he brings in. Besides, he still has four years left on his contract, doesn’t he? Breaching it would cost him a substantial penalty. If he really makes up his mind to leave, let him. Now give me a list of every artist signed to the company and the manager assigned to each.”
Pan Zhihai immediately handed him the list. As soon as he’d learned yesterday that Yazhi would have a new chairman, he’d prepared all the relevant paperwork.
“Everything’s here.”
Wang Cheng glanced at him in surprise. He had originally thought Pan Zhihai might be cut from the same cloth as Fang Hui. Even if he wasn’t, Zhou Lin had hired him, so Wang Cheng had expected Pan to side with her and make things difficult. After meeting him, however, he seemed rather different.
“President Pan, why don’t you tell me what you think of Yazhi?”
Pan Zhihai’s spirits rose. He recognized a chance to demonstrate his loyalty. “Young Master Zhou, from my point of view, I genuinely want Yazhi to improve. But before you came, the company had too many problems. Young Master Zhao did whatever he pleased, cared only about himself, and never gave a thought to whether the business was succeeding. Manager Zhou ignored the problems, and yet when profits fell, the blame landed on me. If you hadn’t arrived, I was seriously considering resigning. Your arrival has at least given me hope. If you don’t mind, I’d like to help you make Yazhi successful again. I believe it still has enormous room for growth.”
“You’re a clever man. I really do need someone capable of helping me run Yazhi. I hope you won’t disappoint me.” Wang Cheng had noticed during the meeting that Pan Zhihai disliked Fang Hui. He didn’t know the reason, but if Pan had fallen out with Fang Hui, his relationship with Zhao Chenlin was unlikely to be particularly good either.
Pan Zhihai was delighted. “Don’t worry, Young Master Zhou. I won’t let you down.”