After my divorce, I started to have good luck-Chapter 958 - 510: Pulling Strings for a Favor (2)

Besides, Sun Xiaorui is in charge of human resources and administration, so she manages most of the company's personnel decisions, though she mainly listens to Wu Mengting.

Lu Sijia is nominally the company's general manager, but she mainly oversees film production, investment, and artist management. Yet now Wu Mengting is getting involved in film production; her first self-written and produced project "Green Jade Case" is expected to bring considerable profits to the company.

So, if we really put it objectively, Wu Mengting's power in the company is, at present, no weaker than Lu Sijia's. As long as we align ourselves with her, become one of her people, she will definitely help you secure this role."

Zhang Jingwen knows what's right and wrong, so upon hearing this, she immediately asked: "How can we get aligned with her? By inviting her to dinner or something?"

Wang Yuee smiled slightly and said: "You don't understand office politics. I've discreetly asked a few senior employees in the last couple of days. While Lu Sijia and Wu Mengting seem harmonious on the surface, there's actually overt and covert struggle between them. For example, Wu Mengting's intervention in the film production is a good indication, while Lu Sijia has placed her trusted aides within the finance department. In short, they're planting spies in each other's domains.

Currently, the only department that Lu Sijia can truly control is the artist department, as she manages several company-contracted artists. Therefore, if we proactively pledge allegiance to Wu Mengting and become her people, she will certainly support you."

"Wouldn't that completely offend Lu Sijia then?" Zhang Jingwen asked.

"Lu Sijia already has issues with you. This time, she seemingly did not make things difficult for you and only asked you to compete fairly with Luo Yingying and others, but she definitely favors Luo Yingying. Even if Chen Feng doesn't order a total ban on you, it would be hard for you to get any good resources under her supervision, not to mention her supporting you. But if you now pledge your allegiance to Wu Mengting and gain her support, things will be different."

Zhang Jingwen was somewhat dissatisfied and said: "Don't talk about pledging allegiance. We're just collaborating with Fengmang Film and Television Company, not working for them. Chen Feng and I are on equal footing, not to mention Wu Mengting and Lu Sijia."

Wang Yuee responded with a wry smile: "Under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head, my young lady."

Zhang Jingwen's expression changed slightly before putting on a determined face and said: "Let's go, let's find Wu Mengting now."

Zhang Jingwen immediately walked towards the company, and Wang Yuee hurried to catch up.

...

Last night, Chen Feng first received a call from a college friend he hadn't contacted in ages; Chen Feng initially rejected it twice seeing it was an unfamiliar number, but answered it the third time.

This college friend hardly maintained much of a relationship with him; he didn't even attend the last reunion. Suddenly calling him now, after revealing his identity, Chen Feng finally remembered him.

This old friend chattered away for quite some time, mainly flattering him and reminiscing about college days. Just when Chen Feng was feeling a bit impatient and wanted to find an excuse to hang up, he mentioned Zhang Ziliang and Zhang Jingwen, saying a good buddy requested him to speak with Chen Feng, hoping he wouldn't trouble Zhang Jingwen anymore.

Chen Feng was naturally a bit angry when he heard that, but out of respect for the old friend, and given it's a matter not easily talked about publicly, he merely grunted a couple of times, telling the old friend that he hadn't bothered Zhang Jingwen, much less harassed her, and he was aware of the issue, advising the old friend not to meddle in it.

After this call, Chen Feng felt slightly uneasy but didn't take it seriously.

After all, he had given Zhang Jingwen a chance; if she still doesn't fulfill her obligations later, he'll inform Lu Sijia to completely ban her.

Then, this morning, he received another call from Tao Yaoyang trying to plead on someone else's behalf. Zhang Ziliang had asked a friend close to Tao Yaoyang to convince him, or he wouldn't have wanted to make the call.

So, when Chen Feng heard Tao Yaoyang speaking similarly to the old friend last night, he was enraged. His relationship with Tao Yaoyang is certainly better than with the college friend he hasn't seen for years, and there's not much reservation.

He directly told Tao Yaoyang about the previous verbal agreement with Zhang Jingwen, yet now the contract is signed, Zhang Jingwen seems to want to renege.

Upon hearing this, Tao Yaoyang immediately realized he'd been deceived, apologized on the spot to Chen Feng, and angrily called Zhang Ziliang, giving him a stern warning and blacklisting him.

If not for some consideration of Zhang Ziliang's uncle and his own friend's face, Tao Yaoyang would have retaliated against him.

Meanwhile, Chen Feng was thoroughly provoked by Zhang Jingwen. He immediately called Lu Sijia, instructing her to ban Zhang Jingwen completely.

However, Lu Sijia opposed, stating that Zhang Jingwen was already under contract, and given her good appearance, she could bring considerable profits to the company if the script suited her. She argued that outright banning her wasn't necessary and would result in losses for the company.

She also asked Chen Feng for the reason for the ban.

Of course, Chen Feng couldn't say the truth; he merely expressed his current aversion and anger towards Zhang Jingwen.

Lu Sijia chuckled at this reason, but she didn't overthink it, instead counter-persuaded Chen Feng for quite some time, saying that as a boss, he shouldn't treat employees solely based on personal likes and dislikes. While it may be unrealistic to treat everyone equally, he should at least maintain basic fairness and justice. Otherwise, employees might become disaffected, which wouldn't align with the company's development and interests.

Furthermore, Zhang Jingwen was already under contract with the company, and there were penalty clauses for breach of contract. Though the company could violate and drag out legal proceedings with her, was it really necessary?

Chen Feng, of course, didn't listen, instead adamantly ordering Lu Sijia that from then on, no project offers should consider Zhang Jingwen. As for the company's breach, they'd deal with it later. At least for the foreseeable future, Zhang Jingwen shouldn't expect any project offers from the company.

Seeing that Chen Feng, the boss, was serious about this, Lu Sijia had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

...

Zhang Jingwen and Wang Yuee's pledging went smoothly; they found Wu Mengting's office, and Wang Yuee expressed their intention to side with and pledge allegiance to Wu Mengting, who accepted without much hesitation.

Indeed, she had plans to intervene in the artist affairs, just hadn't found a good entry point previously; now was perfect timing.

Besides, Wu Mengting had always had a favorable impression of Zhang Jingwen; when Chen Feng asked for opinions before, she supported signing Zhang Jingwen.

Moreover, she's ambitiously writing her second screenplay, also a period drama, and intended for Zhang Jingwen to play the female lead.

With Zhang Jingwen actively coming over now, she was naturally pleased.

Wang Yuee seized the chance to mention the female third role in the company's invested comedy film, and without much thought, Wu Mengting promised to secure it for Zhang Jingwen.

Events unfolded surprisingly smoothly for Wang Yuee and Zhang Jingwen.

As it happened, it was close to noon, so they invited Wu Mengting to lunch.

After slight hesitation, Wu Mengting agreed.

The venue was a private restaurant that Wu Mengting hadn't visited before, specializing in Korean cuisine.

While the three were happily dining, Zhang Jingwen's phone suddenly rang. She picked it up and saw it was her brother, so she answered it.

"Wenwen, where are you now?" Zhang Ziliang asked hurriedly.

Zhang Jingwen frowned: "Having lunch outside. What's up?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Report your location, I'm heading over immediately; you need to take me to find Chen Feng." Zhang Ziliang sounded extremely urgent.

"What's going on? Why are you looking for him?"

Zhang Jingwen glanced at Wu Mengting opposite her, nodded apologetically at her as Wu Mengting smiled back, before standing up and heading outside.

"My dear sister, you've really killed me this time. My hot pot and bar were just raided. They claimed sanitary, fire safety, all sorts of standards weren't met, served me a rectification notice. Both places were shut down. Even my clothing store called saying someone caused trouble, clashed with staff, now it's a police matter. You tell me, what's all this? It's blatantly someone targeting me. After considering everything, Chen Feng seems the most suspicious."