Chapter 91: Upfront

Xu Fengnian refilled his glass of wine and then downed it again. The reddish face gradually revealed the expression of an old tycoon.

Yuan Datong's heart was filled with distaste.

In everyone's mind, Xu Fengnian was a veteran with rich experience and a respectable elder.

But Xu Fengnian's words today just broke this image in everyone's mind. At this time, in their eyes, he became an arrogant old fox.

Zhou Yi and Sparrow Records had indeed benefited a lot from HuaXiang Entertainment, but the same could be said about the other side.

The way Xu Fengnian put it seemed to show that they hadn't contributed to the company at all. The rest of the group viewed Zhou Yi as a fellow brother in arms, so seeing him seemingly being looked down on made them feel slight frustration.

At this time, only Zhang Xiaohua bowed his head, as if nothing had happened. He had seen through Xu Fengnian's mind and understood what he was trying to do.

Xu Fengnian poured out another cup of white wine before turning his eyes back to Zhou Yi, who was opposite to him. He seriously asked: "May I know what's your impression of our Boss Zhang? What do you think of his leadership?"

Zhou Yi answered in truth: "There is nothing to say, regardless of his courage or leadership, including business insights, I am convinced that he is a genius in his own right!"

Xu Fengnian smiled at his answer and asked: "So dare I ask Zhou Yi, what were the earnings of Sparrow Records before you met us?"

Zhou Yi suddenly reddened up and lowered his head.

At the same time, Yuan Datong felt like Xu Fengnian's words were getting more and more excessive. This was obviously an euphemistic blow to Zhou Yi's self-respect, everyone had been to the Sparrow. They knew the situation there very well: the equipment was worn out, the employees were ragged, and the situation overall was quite poor.

Of course, Zhang Xiaohua recently gave Sparrow consecutive business opportunities, so they made lots of money. The situation had improved due to of this.

Those were just normal business dealings between the two companies, but Xu Fengnian was distorting this meaning, as if to say that the situation of Sparrow being improved was due to them relying on the charity of HuaXiang Entertainment.

Although Zhou Yi wasn't a person of HuaXiang Entertainment, Yuan Datong had already regarded him as a fellow brother.

Xu Fengnian continuous digging comments at Zhou Yi was aggravating Yuan Datong.

Seeing Yuan Datong's face slowly transforming towards anger, seeing him on the urge of an outburst. Zhang Xiaohua slyly kicked Yuan Datong's foot.

Turning to look at Zhang Xiaohua next to him, Yuan Datong's heart is full of doubts:

But seeing Zhang Xiaohua's shaking his head vigorously the meaning was obvious, he wanted Yuan Datong not to interrupt.

Yuan Datong was getting more and more confused in his heart, but since Zhang Xiaohua indicated him not to speak up, he could only wait and see.

Xu Fengnian asked Zhou Yi: "If I said that Sparrow Records should be managed by Boss Zhang, what would be you thoughts on it?"

The whole table was dead silent.

So this was his intention... to merge Sparrow and HuaXiang.

Indeed, this was Xu Fengnian's purpose and of course Zhang Xiaohua's wish as well, but Zhang Xiaohua didn't want it this way.

The plan was to first acquire the company and then officially change their name to HuaXiang Records!

Zhang Xiaohua had insufficient funds before leaving him unable to buyout Sparrow Records in one breath. Also as time had progressed he had formed a friendship with Zhou Yi leaving him feeling awkward about broaching the topic.

Zhang Xiaohua wanted to work step by step, swallowing Sparrow Records little by little so they could gradually shift towards this new relationship, but he didn't expect that Xu Fengnian would actually bring this up with Zhou Yi so abruptly.

In any case seeing the situation Zhang Xiaohua decided to keep pushing the boat forward.

With Zhang Xiaohua's financial resources today, as long as Zhou Yi nodded, Zhang Xiaohua could buy the company and make it his own in minutes.

In fact, Xu Fengnian understood Zhang Xiaohua's mind very early, and also knew that Zhang Xiaohua wouldn't be good at explaining the situation to Zhou Yi due to his emotional entanglement in the situation so Xu Fengnian took it upon himself to act as the middleman and villain of the situation.

In this case even if the suggestion was rejected, the villain would be Xu Fengnian, having nothing to do with Zhang Xiaohua.

Zhang Xiaohua understood Xu Fengnian's good intentions.

Although Zhou Yi was honest, he wasn't a fool he understood the implications of the suggestion.

Zhang Xiaohua was indeed a natural talent, especially his leadership ability.

He had even donated so much money to help the children from the village. Such a good person was indeed rare.

But to hand the company over to him for management, he wasn't sure of how he felt about this, he did believe that under Zhang's Xiaohua full control, Sparrow Records could improve vastly. But this was a company he had built with his own hands, to hand it over to someone else just felt wrong….

Zhou Yi became lost in his thoughts, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly smiled: "Manager Xu, you've drank too much. Zhou Yi and I are not only partners, we are also brothers. Since Sparrow Records is Zhou Yi's, after all his hard work, how can I just jump in and buy his baby? This is asking him to sell his child to me. Who would be willing?"

Xu Fengnian seeing Zhang Xiaohua move replied to keep the play going. Since he raised a white flag, he could only cooperate with him and continue to show a black flag. He said: "Boss, this is not appropriate. Brotherhood belongs to brotherhood and business to business. As long as the company can grow and let the employees live a good life, what is wrong with taking over? What is the difference between Sparrow Records and HuaXiang Records? The difference only lies in who can better lead the company to make money, let the company expand to the peak!"

Having said that, Xu Fengnian took another look at the crowd and asked: "Aren't I right?"

Yuan Datong and co looked at each other. Although they were a little embarrassed for Zhou Yi, Zhang Xiaohua was obviously the stronger candidate than Zhou Yi.

On ability, Zhou Yi just couldn't compare with Zhang Xiaohua.

In a few short months, Zhang Xiaohua earned 300 million yuan. Not only that, he also led everyone to make a massive profit.

So the collective nodded, Xu Fengnian's words were endorsed!

Xu Fengnian struck the iron whilst it was hot: "Zhou Yi, I think you should be very clear in your heart, who can really lead everyone. Now, as long as you nod, a new large-scale and powerful record company can be born. Of course, you won't lose anything. You would stay in HuaXiang Records and become the head the of record production department. After all, there are still many people in the factory who need management. If you like my manager's position. I can even give that to you."

Unexpectedly, at this time, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly patted the table.

"I just said that Zhou Yi is my brother, and Sparrow Records belongs to him. If Zhou Yi is willing to sell, that's his business and that is fine. But if anyone dares force Zhou Yi to sell the company to me, be ready to face my retaliation."

When Zhang Xiaohua said this, Zhou Yi was immediately touched!

After careful consideration, Zhou Yi also made a decision. He didn't hesitate any longer and quickly said to Zhang Xiaohua: "Brother Zhang, don't be angry. I think Manager Xu is right. Brother, you are a rare talent, if I hand over the company to you, I believe that the company will definitely be in the right hands. If you have no issue, I am willing to take off the signboard of 'Sparrow Records' and hang up the words 'HuaXiang Records' on the company's door!"

Zhang Xiaohua seemed a little embarrassed at this moment, but his heart was refreshed. He smiled and said: "This... Sparrow Records was built by your hands, you make me... make me very embarrassed!"

"Does Brother Zhang look down on me and down on the villagers of Sparrow? I believe that only Brother Zhang can fulfil my long-cherished wish to let those folks live a prosperous life. As long as you can promise to keep everyone in the company, it is yours."

Zhang Xiaohua put on a face as if in a dilemma.

Seeing this, Zhou Yi became anxious: "We can discuss the official contract later...."

"Okay, I am in."

Zhang Xiaohua immediately looked up, as if accepting a solemn task.

Yuan Datong felt hesitation... in fact, he knew that Zhang Xiaohua had planned this idea way ahead of time.

Today, he clearly got his wish, but he still showed such a difficult look. In the end, making Zhou Yi feel as if he was the one being given a favour.

Ugh!

Yuan Datong silently sighed in his heart, he couldn't help feeling disappointed in the way Zhang Xiaohua and Xu Fengnian had played Zhou Yi, but he forced his emotions down and stayed silent.