Chapter 231 - 154: Don’t Try to Get Close, Let’s Keep Things Separate

Chapter 231: Chapter 154: Don’t Try to Get Close, Let’s Keep Things Separate

Upon hearing this, Director Zhang put on a guilty-looking smile.

"I’m so sorry, President Yan. I’ve been stuck on set recently and really can’t get back. We can just talk about whatever it is over the phone."

Saying he couldn’t get back was just an excuse.

In reality, he was already planning to head back to the company—right after he hung up.

He had just told Liu Min that Xiao Ran’s proposal was acceptable, but it would be best to sign the contract back at the office, and with him present.

After all, there were a few things he wanted to say to Xiao Ran in private.

Yan Li hadn’t expected Director Zhang to refuse so bluntly.

But she had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Director Zhang, look, our two companies have been working together for so long. This time, for some reason, Chief Editor Liu rejected four of our company’s web series in one go. I think there must be some kind of misunderstanding..."

Hearing this, Director Zhang frowned. ’See? It really is about this!’ he thought.

He feigned surprise. "That happened? I honestly had no idea. That’s so disrespectful to you, President Yan. I’ve been incredibly busy these past couple of days, tied up with the production. When I have a free moment, I’ll definitely have a chat with her and ask what’s going on."

You could be ruthless in your actions, but you couldn’t be too final with your words. After all, no one knew how long the road ahead would be.

Perhaps Yunya Company would grow bigger in the future, and another collaboration would be possible.

For a businessman, being slick was a necessity.

Hearing this, Yan Li, who was sitting in her car, felt her brow twitch.

Her tone softened, a rare occurrence.

"Director Zhang, if this was something that could wait, I wouldn’t be calling you."

’I’m truly at a dead end,’ she thought. ’If I had known Ai Qi would suddenly pull something like this, I wouldn’t have produced so many series at once.’

They had always had such a pleasant working relationship before.

Now, all the money was sunk, and there was nowhere to broadcast them. Forget making a profit; the losses alone could kill her.

Director Zhang frowned. "Ah, I’m just too busy right now. Let’s talk about this later. Later."

With that, he hastily hung up the phone.

To be honest, those few web series from Yunya Company held no real appeal for him.

After all, many well-known productions were seeking out Ai Qi. They certainly weren’t short on shows.

Listening to the dial tone from the other end, Yan Li let out a deep sigh, her eyes filled with anxiety and disappointment.

She hadn’t had a single night of sound sleep in days. The constant setbacks and pressure had made her lose a noticeable amount of weight.

Even her bold red lipstick couldn’t hide the haggard look on her face.

After thinking it over and over, she took out her phone and called Wang Meng.

"Find a way to contact Mango. Get in touch with Director Ma and see if he can take at least two of the series. Contact someone at Kuyou, too. Send whatever gifts are necessary."

"Okay, President Yan. Understood."

After hanging up, Yan Li thought for a moment. She still couldn’t bring herself to give up on Ai Qi. After all, it was a long-term connection.

With that in mind, she dialed the number of Vice President Dong Ming.

Dong Ming was in a studio, flirting with an internet celebrity, when his phone suddenly rang. He looked annoyed.

"Who is it? So clueless!"

Sitting in front of the vanity mirror, Taozi looked at Dong Ming obediently.

"President Dong, don’t be like that. You should answer the phone."

Persuaded by Taozi, Dong Ming finally picked up his phone, muttering curses under his breath.

When he saw the caller ID said Yan Li, he jumped in surprise.

He even snatched back the hand he had placed on the female streamer.

He said respectfully, "President Yan!"

"Prepare a generous gift and have it sent to Director Zhang’s office at Ai Qi immediately!" Yan Li commanded.

’This is just how business is,’ she thought. ’When you need to ask for a favor, you have to adopt the right attitude!’

’Even if he won’t give me face, he has to give face to money!’

Hearing this, Dong Ming was taken aback. ’President Yan usually meets with Director Zhang personally. Why is it my turn this time?’

He asked nervously, "Is it appropriate for me to go?"

Yan Li’s tone was impatient. "Of course it is! You expect me to go myself?"

’Does this man even have a brain?’

She was the boss!

’Is it appropriate for me to go handle something like this personally?’

Having been scolded, Dong Ming’s fleshy face clearly darkened, but he didn’t dare to voice his anger.

’This woman is a total lunatic!’

’She’s always either shouting or roaring!’

Hearing his silence, Yan Li, on the other end of the line, grew angrier the more she thought about it.

"What in the world is going on inside that head of yours?"

’Other people make progress, but this Dong Ming is actually regressing. He has to ask about something like this? He’s a complete idiot!’

Dong Ming, still not daring to show his anger, replied, "Okay, President Yan. I understand."

"If you can’t even handle this, you might as well take an early retirement!"

Yan Li then angrily hung up the phone.

Listening to the busy signal, Dong Ming was filled with resentment.

’Bitch. No wonder her husband is fooling around with her younger sister!’

’Serves her right!’

Seeing Dong Ming’s ugly expression, Taozi, who was beside him, couldn’t help but ask with concern, "President Dong, are you alright?"

Dong Ming spat on the floor resentfully. "What a piece of work!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got, and he continued to curse, "She wants a gift delivered to his office, not handed to him personally, and then she calls me stupid? She’s the one who doesn’t even know how to give a gift properly. I bet she’s going bankrupt soon!"

Of course, in his stupidity, he couldn’t imagine that Yan Li was doing this precisely to give Director Zhang no opportunity to refuse.

Once the item was in his office, even if he wasn’t there, it was as good as him having accepted it.

And as long as he accepted the gift, he would have to help her.

...

Meanwhile, Yan Xici had just gotten out of class. She and Si Yingying were walking out of the academic building, holding their books.