Chapter 839: Chapter 320: Where’s My Husband? (Part 4)
For example, just last September, the Irish Data Protection Commission fined TikTok 345 million Euros, citing overseas companies for violating privacy data protection principles for teenagers.
An ironic yet somewhat amusing fact is that overseas companies directly stored a reserve fund of up to 1 billion US Dollars in their public accounts, just to deal with potential future fines.
… Damn it, I’ll pre-emptively predict your fine, just say a number and I’ll pay it.
In this context, TikTok has made many efforts to expand its market share in Europe.
Apart from investments in infrastructure and providing jobs, organizing various events to increase influence is also part of their strategy.
What Qiu Zeyu and Zhou Wang were talking about is one of the most important events of the year, held around Halloween. Sponsorship is not only to save costs but also to make the event bigger. The more international top-tier brands that participate, the more successful the event will inevitably become.
However, due to the situation of overseas companies in Europe, these brands also leverage their position over TikTok, and the sponsorship conditions they offer are not very favorable.
In this case, the head of the overseas company’s European division couldn’t make decisions arbitrarily and had to report the matter to the group headquarters.
Because the development in Europe isn’t very smooth, there are two completely opposing opinions in the board of directors on how to handle this matter, resulting in a delay in making a final decision.
“You don’t know how fierce the arguments were during today’s remote board meeting. Some big shots even suggested that maybe it’s better to just give up the European market because those brands are making unreasonable demands…”
Qiu Zeyu said helplessly, “The current situation is that since headquarters has not given clear instructions, the European subsidiary has a lot of pent-up emotions, especially their person in charge, President Lu, has even sent me his resignation letter.”
“But President Lu’s status is quite special, and the group definitely won’t allow him to leave at this time, so the responsibility of comforting him has fallen on me, the Deputy Director of HR…”
Zhou Wang then realized why Qiu Zeyu immediately contacted him when he heard he was going to Paris.
Qiu Zeyu simply couldn’t spare any time to personally travel to Europe, so he wanted to ask Zhou Wang, as a shareholder of the group, to meet with President Lu, who happened to also be in Paris. One purpose was to understand the situation in person, and another was to help reassure him.
“I understand, Brother Yu, send me the relevant materials and the business cards, and I’ll play it by ear when the time comes.”
“Alright, but little brother, don’t be too stressed about it. I’ve communicated over the phone with President Lu a few times, and the outcomes haven’t been great. I’m afraid he has made up his mind to leave, and if it can’t be changed, then so be it…”
“Brother Yu, will you be held accountable because of this?”
Zhou Wang caught the sigh in Qiu Zeyu’s words and couldn’t help but pause.
“There’s no question of accountability, it’s just that the Director of HR is going to retire by the end of the year, and if I want to advance further within the group…”
Qiu Zeyu didn’t finish, but Zhou Wang already understood his meaning.
At just over thirty, Qiu Zeyu holds the position of Deputy Director of HR at Douyin Group. It’s undeniable that he has the necessary capability, but the fact is that his family background played a significant… or rather, a decisive role.
Under such circumstances, it’s easy to imagine that Qiu Zeyu is under significant pressure. If he could persuade President Lu to change his mind, it would undoubtedly dispel much of the criticism and provide enough leverage for his next promotion…
Reciprocating, since Qiu Zeyu had just tirelessly helped Zhou Wang yesterday, Zhou naturally wanted to repay the favor.
However, Zhou Wang didn’t really have any confidence, as this matter seemed beyond him at the moment. After chatting a bit more with Qiu Zeyu, once they hung up, Qiu Zeyu sent over a bunch of related materials via WeChat.
Zhou Wang skimmed through them, but suddenly froze because he saw a familiar brand on the sponsorship shortlist for the Halloween event.
Or rather, it’s not exactly “familiar,” but there’s some history.
Brioni…
The top luxury bespoke suit brand that once declared “Wherever Zhou Wang is, they won’t be.”
Zhou Wang’s gaze lingered for a few seconds before closing the materials, put down his phone, checked the time, and suddenly stood up. He said to Yang Mi, who had been listening intently:
“Sister Mi, I’m suddenly feeling a bit sleepy, I’m going to take a nap… care to join me?”
“Hmm?”
Yang Mi initially didn’t get it, until Zhou Wang laughed, took a stride towards the back cabin, leaving, it made her blush slightly and spit a little.
… The flight attendant is still standing nearby, what a mess!
…
Soon, Zhou Wang entered the lounge, closed the cabin door, and lay flat on the bed.
Zhou Wang wasn’t really here to sleep; after putting on the sleep mask, he immediately sank his consciousness into the system warehouse and gently touched the “gear” sparkling with white starlight.
A string of information instantly popped up —
[Kieran’s Time Gear (ID 003) — after use, interact with the river of time, generating a forgotten piece of time]
[Base Coordinate: April 23, 2022]
[Estimated Duration: 60 days]
[Activate Now?]
…
60 days?
Zhou Wang was slightly surprised, as it was 40 days more than last time. Fortunately, there were still seven to eight hours before landing, so it should be enough.
With that in mind, Zhou Wang made his choice:
“Yes.”