Chapter 669: Stick-Up Scheme

"Everyone in the world knows McDonald's, but how many people even know about our Dicos, even within China?"

Zhou Andong lit a cigarette and sat down. "So we don't just need to sue McDonald's—we need to launch a major publicity campaign."

"I get it," An Jing's eyes lit up. "Use McDonald's to make Dicos famous."

"Snap!" Zhou Andong snapped his fingers. "During the publicity, don't focus on the lawsuit itself, but on how McDonald's lost a direct competition with Dicos."

"For the sake of profit, it violated business ethics, breached principles of honesty and fairness, broke the law, and used illegal, underhanded tactics to crush its competitor."

"Then the public will think: Dicos must taste better than McDonald's—otherwise, why would McDonald's lose the competition and then resort to stabbing Dicos in the back?"

"Once that impression takes root in people's minds, McDonald's won't easily be able to repair its image. It strikes the competitor and builds our reputation at the same time—why not do it?"

"Besides, this kind of publicity is far more effective than spending tens or hundreds of millions on ads. All we need to pay for is lawyer fees and transportation costs for reporters."

Jian Mingfan, who had been listening all this time, sneered: "So you're just sticking up McDonald's?"

"You know nothing," Zhou Andong glanced at Jian Mingfan. "This is marketing."

He turned to An Jing. "Drag out this lawsuit as long as possible. If you lose, appeal. Also, once Zhang Zhang Zhonghui's case yields results, contact a few media outlets we're close with to promote him."

"No matter how high Zhang Zhang Zhonghui rises in the future, building a good relationship with him only benefits us—never harms us."

An Jing nodded. "I'll go get you something to eat."

………………

At the police station, after arranging everything, Zhang Zhang Zhonghui stepped outside and stood by the entrance, lighting a cigarette.

Dajiang soon followed him out: "What are you thinking about?"

Zhang Zhang Zhonghui said: "I'm thinking Chen Erhei isn't the kind of person Gao Zong could ever hire. Even if he did, the cost would be beyond what Gao Zong could afford."

"That does seem odd," Dajiang mused. "To find out why, bring Gao Zong back and ask him."

Zhang Zhang Zhonghui checked the time: "He should still be at McDonald's. Go there in plainclothes and bring him in—after all, you know each other. Give him some dignity."

Dajiang nodded, pulled his car keys from his pocket, and got into a minivan.

McDonald's, General Manager's Office!

Gao Zong sat in a large leather chair, smoking slowly, looking uneasy.

At first, he never thought Chen Chen Zhaolong would fail, so he waited in his office for good news.

But what he finally got was the news that Chen Chen Zhaolong and his men had been arrested—surprising him, and making him realize how serious this had become.

He wasn't worried about Qi Hong's arrest—he was taken away for spreading rumors and slander, which Gao Zong could easily deny.

But Chen Chen Zhaolong was caught in the act, with solid evidence.

He believed Chen Chen Zhaolong wouldn't betray him, but his subordinates? That was another matter.

"Sigh!" Gao Zong sighed, stood up, walked to the window, and stared at Wang Fujing in the night, feeling regret.

He shouldn't have contacted Chen Erhei. But he'd clung to hope, thinking Chen Erhei was a seasoned veteran who couldn't possibly fail.

"Knock, knock, knock…"

The office door knocked. Gao Zong slowly turned, returned to his desk, and sat down.

"Come in!"

The door opened. When he saw Dajiang enter, his heart lurched and his body froze.

Then, noticing Dajiang was in plainclothes, he relaxed, regained his composure, and forced a smile.

"Young Jiang, you came at this hour—haven't eaten yet? I'll have someone pack a few meal sets and send them over to your station."

Gao Zong's warmth was just as before, making Dajiang sigh inwardly.

Don't be a good general manager of a joint venture—instead, dabble in shady schemes. You brought this on yourself.

"Gao Zong, I came because I need you to come to the station for some clarification."

Gao Zong's heart, just settled, shot back up. His smile vanished, his expression turned cold.

"Comrade Jiang, if it's about something, say it here. I'm busy."

Dajiang looked at Gao Zong, paused, then said: "Gao Zong, over the past year, we've been friends. Today, I came in plainclothes to give you face."

"If you don't cooperate, we'll show up in uniform, cuff you right here, and drag you out in front of all these customers—you'll lose all dignity."

Gao Zong stayed silent. Since Dajiang had come and said this, there was no way he could walk away unscathed.

"I'll make a phone call."

"Fine," Dajiang hesitated, then turned and left the office.

It was against protocol, but Dajiang agreed. Many staff here knew him.

If Gao Zong left with him and didn't show up tomorrow, someone would come to the station. Better to give him face now.

Two or three minutes later, Gao Zong stepped out of the office.

"Let's go," Dajiang said quietly.

Gao Zong followed Dajiang out of McDonald's and into the minivan: "Thank you."

Dajiang nodded. The entire ride, neither spoke.

At the station, Dajiang led Gao Zong to Zhang Zhang Zhonghui's office and knocked.

"Come in!" Zhang Zhang Zhonghui's voice came from inside.

Dajiang opened the door and stepped in. Gao Zong followed. He'd been a frequent visitor here—he knew Zhang Zhang Zhonghui's office well.

Zhang Zhang Zhonghui looked at Gao Zong with no expression, gestured to the sofa: "Sit."

Gao Zong sat. Dajiang poured him tea.

Zhang Zhang Zhonghui walked over, sat beside Gao Zong, picked up the ashtray, and offered him a cigarette.

Gao Zong took it, lowered his head as Zhang Zhang Zhonghui held the lighter to his face.

Then Zhang Zhang Zhonghui lit one for himself.

"Sigh."

After drawing smoke, Zhang Zhang Zhonghui sighed: "Gao Zong, I always thought you were sharp. How did you end up doing something so foolish?"

The phrasing was skillful—Zhang Zhang Zhonghui didn't name any specific act, but he gave Gao Zong the psychological hint: I know everything.

Gao Zong forced a faint smile: "Chief Zhang, what exactly are you implying I did?"

Zhang Zhang Zhonghui looked at Gao Zong, speaking sincerely: "If I didn't consider you a friend, you'd be in the interrogation room right now—not my office."