"Mr. Zhou, this is Mr. Tao Sicong, the shareholder representative from Tianxiong Fund. Mr. Tao himself is engaged in the auction industry... and this is Ms. Shen Ning, the shareholder representative from Wind Bell Capital..."
Zhang Xuan enthusiastically introduced each shareholder representative to him, and since Zhang Xuan himself was present as the representative appointed by the founder, his enthusiasm naturally made everyone more amiable towards Zhou Wang.
Zhou Wang didn’t bother to explore the reason for Zhang Xuan’s change. In the adult world, it didn’t seem that important. Considering Zhang Xuan’s unique position of connecting upper and lower levels within the group, Zhou Wang handed him a business card.
The third business card given out was to the person who impressed Zhou Wang the most at this shareholders’ meeting.
"Qiu Zeyu, Deputy Director of the Human Resources Department."
With a very brief self-introduction, Zhou Wang shook hands with a handsome young man in a custom Hermes suit who appeared to be in his early thirties.
The position of Deputy Director of the Human Resources Department was at the same level as Qi Lingtong, yet Qi Lingtong was not qualified to appear at the shareholders’ meeting, while this person was.
Combined with the well-concealed yet inadvertently revealed aura that was typical of people like Young Master Zhang, plus a genuine Beidou accent, Zhou Wang easily deduced...
This was the offspring of an influential family.
The deliberate approach from the beginning left Zhou Wang puzzled until before the meeting started, when the person noticed Zhou Wang’s confusion and quietly said with a smile:
"I am a good friend of Xixi."
Zhou Wang suddenly understood.
Speaking of Xia Xiwei, although she made a nonsensical headline last time, when she chatted with Zhou Wang on WeChat afterward, she behaved as if nothing had happened. Her "thick skin" was something Zhou Wang quite admired...
Of course, given the amount of WeChat messages Zhou Wang received daily, he only occasionally replied to her. But she was busy too, so their chats seemed bizarre.
For instance, Xia Xiwei would share a funny story from her filming set in the morning, and Zhou Wang would only remember to reply in the evening. By then, it was difficult to continue the morning’s conversation, so he would start a new topic. Then, once Xia Xiwei finished her midnight work, she’d bring up a third topic...
It was like they were both talking to themselves, or rather, it wasn’t really a conversation; the one-on-one chat box felt more like the other person’s memo.
But honestly, Zhou Wang liked this way of chatting.
Because it meant there was no verbal burden, nor did he have to deal with emotional baggage thrown his way—just simple sharing and banter.
Like old friends who had known each other for years...
Later, Zhou Wang realized that it indicated Xia Xiwei was actually very emotionally intelligent. She had the same ability as Ding Yi, to bring up any topic without making you uncomfortable.
Upon hearing Qiu Zeyu mention this, Zhou Wang promptly sent her a message to inquire.
Surprisingly, Xia Xiwei replied rather quickly this time:
"I knew you went to Beidou, so I mentioned it to him. Brother Yu is a decent guy, probably the one I find most agreeable among the ’Beidou Four Young Masters’..."
"?"
Zhou Wang was puzzled, "Wait a minute, what is this ’Beidou Four Young Masters’? Are you writing a martial arts novel?"
"Hahaha, it’s just a way of saying it in the circle. None of the current four are the original ones... Anyway, if you find him agreeable, get to know Brother Yu, it won’t hurt."
After chatting a bit with Xia Xiwei, and politely declining her invitation to shoot a magazine together, Zhou Wang exited WeChat and searched online.
To Zhou Wang’s surprise, he could indeed find information about the "Beidou Four Young Masters," and in their encyclopedia entry, he saw another familiar name—Jiang Minghao, Jiang Yisen’s brother, was one of the four.
"If everyone has no objections, please sign the resolution. The changes to the shareholder register and company charter will take effect immediately."
At this moment, following Zhang Xuan’s lead, and after all the shareholder representatives present had signed, Zhou Wang also heard the system prompt as expected.
Ding!
[Riding the breeze, inspecting Chang’an’s blossoms in one day]
[Detected that the host successfully assumed a position in Douyin Group as a member of the shareholders’ meeting, the "job package" has been sent to the warehouse]
...
Given that everyone was stepping forward to shake hands and congratulate him, Zhou Wang couldn’t check the system warehouse for the package and temporarily set it aside to engage in another round of small talk with everyone.
Before the meeting adjourned, Qiu Zeyu smiled and invited him, "Mr. Zhou, care to stop by my office?"
Zhou Wang saw that Qiu Zeyu had something to say, and given Xia Xiwei’s evaluation of him, he gladly accepted.
As the Deputy Director, Qiu Zeyu’s office was actually not as large as the one Jin Lu had given Zhou Wang, but that wasn’t the main focus for both of them. Jiang Qingkui and Qiu Zeyu’s assistant waited in the outer room, leaving only Zhou Wang and Qiu Zeyu at the tea table in the office.
"Does Mr. Zhou enjoy cigars?"
Qiu Zeyu pulled out a cigar box with an English logo, and Zhou Wang immediately recognized it as the "Cohiba," the king of cigars, one he’d also seen in Zhang Shihao’s office.
"Not really, always felt it was a bit redundant."
Zhou Wang chuckled and waved his hand.
"With Yunan Province’s tobacco quality, Mr. Zhou indeed doesn’t need such redundancies, hahaha..."
Qiu Zeyu laughed heartily.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the topic suddenly shifted as Qiu Zeyu asked, "I wonder how Mr. Wang Ruixi has been lately. I haven’t seen him since half a year ago. Mr. Wang left quite an impression with his overwhelming presence back then..."
Zhou Wang was slightly taken aback, squinted his eyes, "Why would President Qiu think to inquire about Mr. Wang through me?"
"No need to overthink, Mr. Zhou. The small incident at Peninsula·Furongli Restaurant is unknown to the general public, but if even I am unaware, wouldn’t that make my reputation outside into a real joke?"
Qiu Zeyu laughed again, "I am indeed curious about the relationship between Mr. Wang and Mr. Zhou, which is why I couldn’t help but ask."
Seeing Qiu Zeyu’s straightforward attitude, Zhou Wang couldn’t help but smile, "There’s nothing significant about it, just an old acquaintance."
With Zhou Wang saying as much, Qiu Zeyu did not pursue further, but silently mulled over the term "old acquaintance" in his mind.
"Is Mr. Zhou also friends with Zhang Zhiyuan, Young Master Zhang?"
At this point, Qiu Zeyu inquired again.
"President Qiu also knows Young Master Zhang?"
Zhou Wang was quite surprised.
"Haha, not from the same circle, but I have a friend in the Northeast who has a decent relationship with him. I met him once before."
Qiu Zeyu explained with a smile.
After some more small talk, Qiu Zeyu suddenly became slightly more serious, asking in a solemn tone, "I wonder if Mr. Zhou is available tonight?"
"Oh?" Zhou Wang was taken aback, "Currently, I don’t have any important arrangements. What do you mean by that, President Qiu?"
Qiu Zeyu smiled faintly.
"Because Xixi had previously mentioned it to me, I also knew that today was the day Mr. Zhou officially joined the group, so I took the liberty of preparing a party in advance... If Mr. Zhou doesn’t mind, would you allow me to show some hospitality tonight?"