Chapter 0892: Internal Conflict

Standing in Wang Zhonglei's office, Zhou Ziqiang's heart was full of trepidation. As one of Wang Jinghua's people, he knew very well that Sister Hua's relationship with this young Boss Wang was actually not very good.

To put it bluntly, Wang Zhonglei, as the second-in-command of Huayi, had always looked down on Wang Jinghua's patriarchal style. Treating agents like nannies and meddling in every detail, no matter how trivial, seemed warm and caring, but in Wang Zhonglei's view, it was no different from a cottage workshop.

In Wang Zhonglei's eyes, a modern enterprise is about doing business, even if it's a talent agency. While everyone is indeed a collaborator, the problem is that once a star signs with the agency, they should appropriately hand over some autonomy. If you spend money to promote someone but still have to serve them like a filial son or grandson, what a joke—does Huayi Brothers really think it's a charity?

Of course, these words couldn't be said openly, but everyone at Huayi knew that Young Boss Wang and Sister Hua couldn't stand each other.

"President Wang, you wanted to see me," Zhou Ziqiang said cautiously to Wang Zhonglei.

Wang Zhonglei smiled and waved his hand: "Have a seat. I just want to ask you about something."

He knew Zhou Ziqiang well—a trusted confidant of Wang Jinghua, practically her right-hand man.

"I heard that Future Film is very interested in Fan Baobao's agency contract?" Wang Zhonglei glanced at Zhou Ziqiang and asked.

Zhou Ziqiang was startled. Though he didn't know how the news had leaked, he nodded: "Yes, that's indeed the case."

After all, Wang Zhonglei was the boss; there was no way to hide such a matter, so Zhou Ziqiang simply answered him honestly.

Hearing this, Wang Zhonglei frowned and looked at Zhou Ziqiang: "Then why isn't our side letting her go?"

Huh?

Zhou Ziqiang was taken aback, never expecting Wang Zhonglei to ask such a question.

But he quickly recovered and explained: "President Wang, it's not that simple. Why would they suddenly want to sign a new actor with no reputation? I've looked into Fan Baobao's situation—at most, she's done some commercials and had bit parts in a few films and TV shows. For Future Film to take an interest in such a newcomer, I think there must be something we don't know."

If Zhao Fusheng were here, he would certainly praise Zhou Ziqiang highly. This man was indeed capable; even without knowing the full story, he had deduced so much through his own analysis—a real talent.

Wang Zhonglei felt the same way.

Glancing at Zhou Ziqiang, he sighed inwardly. This was a talented person, but unfortunately, one who stood with Wang Jinghua and could never be won over.

After all, Wang Jinghua had trained him personally. If Zhou Ziqiang wanted to survive in the agent circle, he couldn't risk offending her.

"You're right, but I've noticed that the agency doesn't seem to value this newcomer much. Since that's the case, why not hand her over to Future Film and build a good relationship with them?" Wang Zhonglei sighed and said to Zhou Ziqiang.

He hadn't communicated with Zhao Fusheng, but he had his own sources. When he heard that Future Film was approaching Huayi Brothers to sign Fan Baobao, he knew Zhao Fusheng was behind it.

The Wang brothers were smart. They knew that after Jiang Wen's contract expired, he wouldn't stay at Huayi. Regardless of where he went, that alone meant they couldn't support Ma Dajun and Gao Zhenhai.

But the Wang brothers also knew that Zhao Fusheng and Jiang Wen were no pushovers. Although both sides, constrained by the rules of the Beijing circle, couldn't openly clash, a confrontation was inevitable sooner or later.

As businessmen, neither Wang Zhongjun nor Wang Zhonglei wanted to fall out with Zhao Fusheng or Jiang Wen. Since Huayi aimed to become the largest film and entertainment group in China, Future Advertising, a rising powerhouse, was not an enemy they wished to make.

Thus, the Wang brothers decided to use Fan Baobao's contract as a gesture of goodwill toward Zhao Fusheng, letting him know that Huayi was not his enemy.

But clearly, Wang Jinghua didn't think so.

Zhou Ziqiang felt something was off about Wang Zhonglei's words, but as a subordinate, he couldn't casually criticize his boss's remarks, so he simply listened obediently.

In his mind, he was curious: what kind of powerful backing did Fan Baobao have that she could get Wang Zhonglei to speak on her behalf?

Just then, the office door opened, and a stern-faced Wang Jinghua appeared at the entrance.

"Sister Hua."

Zhou Ziqiang quickly stood up and greeted her respectfully.

"Oh, Sister Hua is here. Please have a seat," Wang Zhonglei also stood up, smiling.

Even though they privately held each other in contempt, reason compelled them to maintain decorum in public.

This was a quality a qualified businessman should possess: business is business. In their view, mixing emotions with business would eventually lead to losses.

"Xiao Zhou, you go out first. President Wang and I have matters to discuss." Wang Jinghua didn't stand on ceremony; she waved for Zhou Ziqiang to leave and sat down opposite Wang Zhonglei.

"President Wang, isn't it inappropriate to call my people over like this?"

With only the two of them left in the office, Wang Jinghua dropped all pretense, her smile vanishing as she looked sternly at Wang Zhonglei.

Wang Zhonglei frowned, glanced at the composed Wang Jinghua, and said flatly: "Sister Hua, regardless, this is the company. I am the vice president of Huayi Brothers. Calling a department manager from a subsidiary agency for a talk—I don't see anything inappropriate. And what do you mean by 'your people'? Are you planning to set up an independent kingdom within the company?"

This had long been a point of contention for the Wang brothers against Wang Jinghua. In their view, although Wang Jinghua had brought a large group of people to Huayi, these people operated like an independent kingdom within Huayi Brothers Agency, with Wang Jinghua as their queen.

This greatly displeased the Wang brothers. After all, in their eyes, Huayi belonged to them, and so did Huayi Brothers Agency. Wang Jinghua's actions were undoubtedly challenging their bottom line.