Chapter 147

This targeted reporting was definitely not something an ordinary person could manage; the mastermind behind it had great power. Cheng Zhanjun really wanted to ask if Zhou Andong and his group had offended someone.

But hearing Zhou Andong say this, he suppressed this question. Moreover, Zhou Andong's tone was very relaxed, clearly having already come up with a countermeasure, which made him quite curious.

After all, in his view, the liquor factory at this time had already fallen into a desperate situation, and it would be extremely difficult to turn things around. Even if he stepped in to resolve it, it would be extremely tricky.

He couldn't think of any way Zhou Andong could win this comeback battle, so he was looking forward to seeing if Zhou Andong would really bring him a surprise.

Cheng Zhanjun put down the phone and looked at Zuo Peiming sitting opposite him: "He said he invites me to watch a big show; he must have a countermeasure in mind, so you don't need to go either. We'll just wait for this show to start and see exactly what is so spectacular about it."

Zuo Peiming said worriedly, "The influence of this matter is too great. One oversight, and all our efforts will go down the drain."

Cheng Zhanjun said helplessly, "The situation is developing too fast, and the negative impact has already been caused. We must prepare for the worst; I hope Zhou Andong can really give us a surprise."

Over the next few days, negative news targeting Jiangzhou Yugong liquor was overwhelming, yet the Jiangzhou Yugong Liquor Industry Company did not make any response, not even accepting media interviews.

And I don't know from which day it started, but the song "Cheers, Friend" was sung all over the streets and alleys, and every audio-visual store was playing it. Even in passing, one could hear people humming "Cheers, friend."

Provincial stations would play the MV of this song at irregular intervals, and the popularity of song requests on the radio remained high. This song became a hit, and the name An Jing also became a hit—and a massive one at that.

He Zhongwei was looking down at a newspaper in his hand. His face gradually turned pale, and his eyes were filled with despair. Dazed and confused, he didn't even know how he had returned home.

"Zhongwei, what's wrong with you?" Seeing He Zhongwei's state, Su Xiaohui was startled and hurriedly helped him into the room, "Say something, what exactly is wrong?"

He Zhongwei handed the newspaper to Su Xiaohui and gave a miserable smile: "Xiaohui, the last chance is gone. Tomorrow... I'll go look for a job."

Su Xiaohui fell silent. She hoped He Zhongwei would find a job and live a good life, but looking at her man's eyes, which lacked any vitality, she felt heartbroken.

"Did you not win an award?"

He Zhongwei shook his head: "No, Jiangzhou Yugong Liquor Industry has run into trouble. This short story competition will probably end up with nothing."

Su Xiaohui took the newspaper, looked at the report on it, and said incredulously, "How is that possible? Such a famous liquor, how could it kill people?"

He Zhongwei shook his head powerlessly: "The newspapers have all reported it; how could it be fake?"

Su Xiaohui asked, "Did the magazine hosting this competition issue a statement terminating the competition?"

He Zhongwei was stunned. Su Xiaohui understood, turned around, and found a copy of *Intimate Companion*, which had the phone number of the literary competition's judging committee, and then dragged He Zhongwei away.

"Where are you going?" He Zhongwei asked.

Su Xiaohui said, "Call and ask the competition's judging committee."

The two found a public phone and dialed the number of the judging committee from *Intimate Companion*.

"Hello, I am a writer who submitted to the short story competition. There has been a lot of negative news about Jiangzhou Yugong liquor these past few days... Oh... Okay... Understood... Thank you!"

Su Xiaohui hung up the phone and looked at He Zhongwei with a smile on her face: "There is no change to the competition; the list of winners will be announced on May 1st."

He Zhongwei's spirits were instantly lifted. He grabbed Su Xiaohui's shoulders and asked excitedly, "Really?"

Su Xiaohui nodded heavily: "Really!"

"Hahaha..."

He Zhongwei laughed out loud. The laughter sounded very happy, but only Su Xiaohui understood the bitterness in He Zhongwei's heart.

In the capital, at the Haihong Hotel, in the third-floor conference room, members of the literary competition's judging committee, composed of more than thirty magazine editors, were holding a meeting.

Judging committee director Jiang Hongbo said, "The negative impact of Jiangzhou Yugong liquor is too great. Should we cancel their naming rights? If we cancel, what about the prize money for this competition?"

A judge said, "It's too late to cancel the naming of Jiangzhou Yugong liquor and find another naming sponsor. We can only have each magazine share the costs equally."

Deputy director Zhao Meifeng said, "This short story competition was facilitated by Guan Shengjie, who promoted our cooperation with Jiangzhou Yugong liquor. Now that Jiangzhou Yugong liquor has had such major negative news, should we ask for his opinion on how to handle it?"

Another judge said, "Why ask for Guan Shengjie's opinion on canceling the naming rights? If he doesn't agree, we won't cancel? Furthermore, the naming sponsor has had such a big problem; it affects not only the literary competition but also the reputation of our magazine. Should we pursue legal responsibility against the naming sponsor?"

Zhao Meifeng glanced at this judge and chuckled: "What responsibility do you want to pursue against the naming sponsor? How do you pursue it? Don't forget, we are just cooperating; it's mutually beneficial, and we didn't sign any contract."

"We must give Guan Shengjie face. Let's do this: I'll call him first to ask about the situation and see what he says." After speaking, Jiang Hongbo checked the time, "Alright, it's noon; everyone go eat first."

Meng Weihua came. Zhou Andong was very surprised. How long had it been? He thought this guy wouldn't come again. And he didn't come early or late, but came when the Jiangzhou liquor factory was in a precarious situation, which was very interesting.

"Factory Director Zhou, I'm here now; are you very surprised?"

Zhou Andong said: "It really is a surprise. If it weren't for the fact that there's no bad blood between us, I would definitely think you're here to see me make a fool of myself."

Meng Weihua laughed out loud: "I said it, maybe you won't believe it. Such a crisis might be destructive to anyone else. But I believe you will definitely resolve it perfectly."

Zhou Andong laughed: "I didn't expect you to believe in me so much. To be honest, I don't even have that much confidence myself."

"You're right!" Meng Weihua said: "I have quite a lot of confidence in you. As for where this confidence comes from, I don't know either."

Zhou Andong also laughed out loud: "Can I consider this as you buttering me up?"

Meng Weihua said very seriously: "Factory Director Zhou, I can tell you very seriously, this is definitely not buttering you up."

"Clap, clap, clap..."

The office door was suddenly knocked on. Before Zhou Andong could speak, Gu Bing pushed the door open and came in: "Jiangzhou Yugong liquor has become unsalable, and many wholesalers have called to demand returns."............

Suddenly something came up; the second update might be very late, or I'll make up for it tomorrow night. Don't wait, everyone.