Transmigration; A Mother's Redemption and a perfect Wife.-Chapter 349; Calming down 1

Huo Ting Cheng settled into a plush lounger, his posture deceptively relaxed. His eyes, however, remained fixed on Tang Fei’s silhouette through the glass, a warden ensuring his most prized possession was safely within the walls of her gilded cage.

Huo Qi stood beside him, his fingers flying across the tablet screen. "The interrogations are ongoing. Preliminary reports suggest the attackers were low-level operatives, hired through several shell corporations. The trail is complex, but we are tracing the financial backflow." He then switched screens. "And the security detail at the audition halls reports all is calm. The additional guards have been deployed discreetly, as you ordered."

Huo Ting Cheng gave a curt nod, his silence was a command for him to continue.

A moment later, the balcony doors hissed open again. Secretary Li, ever impeccable in a tailored suit, joined them, holding a leather-bound folder.

"President Huo," he began with a slight bow. "The initial contract drafts for Madam Tang’s project, along with the preliminary budget allocations she requested, are prepared for your final review. The legal team has ensured all clauses regarding artist freedom and well-being are prominently featured, as she insisted."

"Leave them," Huo Ting Cheng said, his gaze still locked inside. "I will review them tonight."

A staff member arrived silently, setting down a tray with a pot of steaming jasmine tea and four delicate porcelain cups. Dr. Zu Zhi poured, the simple, domestic action a stark contrast to the tension thrumming in the air. He handed a cup to Huo Ting Cheng, who accepted it without a word.

For a few minutes, they sat in a silence that was anything but peaceful. It was the silence of a battlefield after the first skirmish, everyone waiting for the next assault. The only sounds were the clink of porcelain, the whisper of the wind, and the faint, determined voice of Tang Fei from inside.

It was Zu Zhi who finally broke the quiet atmosphere, his tone deliberately light, aiming for normalcy. "The Ouyang Group is making another push into the southern market. Their latest merger is causing quite a stir."

Huo Qi, seizing the lifeline, grunted. "Their methods are reckless. They’re burning capital to buy market share. It’s unsustainable."

"They are creating problems for our supply chain," Secretary Li added, sipping his tea. "But their aggression has made several of their older partners nervous. We could easily poach two, perhaps three, of their key logistics contracts."

Huo Ting Cheng listened, his expression unmoved. "Draw up the proposals. Make the terms irresistible. I want them destabilized by the end of the quarter."

It was a normal conversation about corporate warfare, the kind they had a thousand times. But it was a performance. Each of them was acutely aware of the sleeping, or rather, working, dragon in the room, the woman whose stolen memories and threatened future were the true reason for their gathering.

Huo Ting Cheng’s eyes never strayed from Tang Fei for long. He watched her laugh at something a contestant did, saw her lean forward with intense interest, observed the vibrant life in her that he was so determined to preserve, even if it meant suffocating it.

— — — — —

The mid-morning sun streamed into the office, casting a warm glow over Tang Fei as she sat back, listening to Huo Wu’s final briefing. The digital tablet in Huo Wu’s hands seemed to contain the blueprint of an entire world waiting to be born.

"Madam Tang," Huo Wu began, his voice respectful and clear, "these are the finalized department proposals for the Entertainment Division. President Huo personally vetted the shortlists last night."

"Show me," Tang Fei said, leaning forward.

Huo Wu navigated the screen with efficient taps. "We begin with the drama production crews, cinematographers, editors, and assistant directors, primarily recruited from our former media branch partners. For the artists, each singer, actor, and model will be assigned a manager selected for discipline and experience, all on six-month provisional contracts."

"Good. I will not tolerate scandals or chaos," Tang Fei stated, her gaze steady. "This industry has enough of both."

"Understood." Huo Wu swiped to the next file. "The directors and screenwriters are next. Several are respected veterans who came out of retirement, having left their old studios due to creative restrictions. They believe in the vision you’ve presented."

A faint, knowing smile touched Tang Fei’s lips. "Is it my vision, or my name and my connection to Huo Ting Cheng?"

Huo Wu offered a polite, careful smile... "Both, Madam. They’ve seen your interviews and trust the transparency you promise. They want to work where art is valued again."

Tang Fei gave a slow nod. "Let’s ensure we prove them right then."

"Then we have the Academy instructors, acting, voice, and dance coaches from top-tier international academies. Many left their fields after years of exploitation. They’ve agreed to join, provided the Academy remains truly independent under your leadership."

"Of course! That is non-negotiable," Tang Fei affirmed.

"Accommodations near the Academy grounds are being prepared, and construction is ahead of schedule, overseen by Huo Qi. The foundation is set, Madam."

A quiet pride glimmered in Tang Fei’s eyes. "It’s becoming real, but really so huge."

"Because people trust you," Huo Wu said softly. "You’re building a place for second chances."

Tang Fei’s expression softened with purpose. "Then we must ensure no one loses that chance."

As Huo Wu finished, Tang Fei leaned forward, her tone shifting to one of clear command.

"Send a notice to all shortlisted departments. I want them in the audition halls by noon to observe the live auditions. They are to identify talents they believe would fit their teams. Furthermore, they have the authority to bring in trusted personnel, be it a videographer, an editor, or an assistant. All I require is full documentation and fairness."

"Understood," Huo Wu replied, typing swiftly.

"And when the contracts are drafted," Tang Fei continued, her voice firm, "they must reflect our principles: fair remuneration, comprehensive medical coverage, annual leave, and performance-based increments. This will not be like other agencies. We build loyalty by valuing it first."