Chapter 704: The Storm of Trending Topics

"Are you sick in the head?" Shang Rongyan retorted directly, without a moment's hesitation.

She sat in her chair with her legs crossed, arching her delicate eyebrows in disdain. "General Manager Shang Xinlan, I'm not like you freaks. Stop trying to boss me around, spouting nonsense. Mind your own business, understand?"

General Manager Shang Xinlan clenched her fists, but she couldn't refute her. Although she was the older sister, she had no authority to criticize Shang Rongyan. Once, because she had spoken too harshly, she had been slapped by Shang Yanxiong.

"I, I understand." General Manager Shang Xinlan's tone softened slightly as she said with concern, "I'm just worried about you, worried that Zheng Qian might have caught you with some kind of leverage. That man is extremely sinister; he is very bad. You must be very careful."

Shang Rongyan waved her hand impatiently.

She stood up and walked straight out of the venue. "Hmph, do you think I need you to tell me that? Zheng Qian is just scum, and my brother will deal with him ruthlessly sooner or later. Don't trouble yourself; you'd better focus on yourself."

"The press conference isn't over yet. Where are you going?"

"Get lost. Didn't I tell you to leave me alone? The fact that I came here today is already giving you enough face; don't push your luck. If you try to lecture me again, don't blame me for being rude. Or what, do you want to be slapped by my brother again?"

Hearing this, General Manager Shang Xinlan finally shut her mouth.

Watching her retreating back, her eyes were filled with envy.

She, Shang Yanxiong, Shang Yanxi, and Shang Rongyan were all born to the same mother. As the eldest daughter of the first wife, she had absolutely no status as an older sister in front of Shang Rongyan. However... thinking that this was the eldest brother's wish, it must be correct.

Taking a deep breath, after successfully gaslighting herself, she walked back into the venue.

Earlier, she had said that what followed was a media meeting, which meant Zheng Qian was not welcome—a polite way of kicking him out.

Zheng Qian had no intention of staying anyway.

After leaving with his people, he asked about the acquisition of Weibo.

"President Wei just said she has already sent people to negotiate. Since Weibo is currently listed in Hong Kong, there is actually quite a bit of room to maneuver. However, the financial backer behind them, Father Ma, is too powerful and not easy to deal with. She wants to ask for your opinion."

He Yanyan sat in the back row with Zheng Qian, reporting cautiously.

After Chen Weiqiang took his whole family to live in Europe and Qianhe Group was left as an empty shell, she had been transferred over.

Zhong Xiaoyao was the Secretary-General of the General Manager's Office and needed to oversee many administrative matters, and Hao Ruxue and Chang Mengmeng also had their own work to do. Zheng Qian simply called He Yanyan over to be his personal secretary; the person who used to do this job was Xia Xixi.

"Tell President Wei to figure something out. The Weibo I want is not a publicly listed company."

"Try to see how we can privatize it. And... as far as I know, the Aladdin Baba Group is not having an easy time right now. After Father Ma retired from the scene, his successor has been beaten badly by Pinduoduo. Right now is their most vulnerable moment, so there is still a chance."

Zheng Qian said thoughtfully.

He Yanyan nodded like a bobblehead and immediately took out her phone to send a message.

While communicating with the other side, she reported the current progress to Zheng Qian, which was quite encouraging.

Because Aladdin Baba Group was currently preparing IPOs for several of its subsidiaries simultaneously, coupled with many previous strategic errors, they were facing a serious funding gap and were trying to find a solution.

Wei Rusi keenly captured this point and, while negotiating, purchased a large amount of stock from retail investors.

Since Weibo had funding needs, she also took the opportunity to purchase some from the board members.

Now, she was already one of the shareholders of Weibo Group.

But at best, she was only a minor shareholder.

She had no real say.

However, this was not something to rush. Zheng Qian was very confident in Wei Rusi's methods.

Anyway, they had plenty of money, it just depended on how they operated.

But they already possessed some authorization.

Such as using Weibo to control public opinion.

The press conference was generally very smooth. Although there was an unexpected situation with Zheng Qian, it was harmless. General Manager Shang Xinlan even thought this was a rare opportunity; Qianlu Research Institute could absolutely not possess a better Autonomous Driving System than theirs.

That was a product of the Amazon Technology Group! It even had the participation of several other top-tier laboratories.

Returning to her office, just as she was preparing the wording to report to Shang Yanxiong,

"Sister, it's bad! There is a lot of negative news on Weibo right now!"

Shang Yanxi burst in, saying nervously.

She furrowed her brows slightly. "What is it, why are you making such a fuss? Can't you just let the Public Relations Department handle it?"

As she spoke, she opened her computer.

What caught her eyes were these trending topics: [Shanghe International holds a press conference, representing China, declaring war on Sion Stanley! Like for this patriotic enterprise!]

This trending topic satisfied her very much; it seemed the Public Relations Department had not been idle.

Isn't this quite good?

But when she moved her gaze downward...

[Shanghe International actually has US backing! On the high seas, challenging Yebei Zoro!]

[A detailed analysis of those food-grade jade feet in Shang Rongyan's movie]

These were the two trending topics with the highest click-through and discussion rates, both of which were videos.

General Manager Shang Xinlan clicked on the first one suspiciously.

In the footage was the captain under The Group, Kexipi.

Leading the way in front were two US warships, bypassing the two sides of Zheng Qian's [Sailing] fleet.

And following closely behind the US warships was Kexipi's Shanghe International fleet.

He was standing on the deck, mouth wide open, angrily yelling something at Zheng Qian. Due to the heavy wind and waves on the sea, it was not very clear. But judging by his very vivid lip movements, he was definitely "greeting" Zheng Qian very "politely."

At that time, Zheng Qian was in the guise of Yebei Zoro, so everyone didn't recognize who he was, but they only recognized Yebei Zoro!

What everyone saw was!

The people from Shanghe International colluding with the US side.

Angrily scolding Yebei Zoro! This made the people online feel very unhappy!

The comments below were all: [Running dogs of the American Empire!]

"This person... where is he now?"

General Manager Shang Xinlan was so angry her teeth ached.

Shang Yanxi hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I sent people to find him the moment the video was exposed, but there has been no news at all. The fleet members who went to the Middle East with him said that after he temporarily docked, he went up to find a lady, and then there was no word from him... It is suspected... um, it is possible that he ran away without paying the prostitute fee."

[Bang!]

General Manager Shang Xinlan slammed the table in anger, trembling all over.

"Find a way to find him. Then silence him... No, kill him! Don't let me see him appear again!"

"But, sister, isn't it best to let him come out and clarify now?"

"No! In this kind of situation, trying to cover it up only makes it more obvious. Saying nothing and handling it coldly is the best approach. Heh, don't you know what the poor netizens in Jiuzhou are like? Before long, everyone will forget about these things."

"Okay, I understand."

"Also! Immediately arrange for the Public Relations Department to settle this! Just issue a defamation notice and then remove the trending topics!"

Shang Yanxi nodded and hurried out to make arrangements.

Almost at the same time.

Zheng Qian received an overseas call from Vanekto.

"Oh, my dear Vanekto! How are you? I heard you have officially resigned from the Prince's side? Our Qianlu Security Team is short of hands; are you interested in coming to Jiuzhou to be a security guard? This has much more of a future than your imperial guard job!"

Hearing this, Vanekto smiled bitterly.

He really didn't know why Zheng Qian was so persistent about him going to Jiuzhou to be a security guard.

He had said it several times!

"Zheng... I'm sorry, I have already contacted an English influencer whom I have 'crushed' on several times via Instagram, and I am preparing to meet her offline. I don't have any plans to look for a job for the time being. If I do, I will tell you immediately."

"By the way! What about that Kexipi?"

In fact, Zheng Qian only found out later that this guy had actually angrily yelled at him across the sea on the deck.

Could he tolerate that?

So, when he was looking for girls, he was caught red-handed by the local snake, Vanekto.

After being brutally humiliated by a group of strong men for a month or two, his eyes were now unfocused, lifeless, and pitiful.

"Don't kill him, just tidy him up a bit and make him look energetic. Then shoot a short video and send it to Huahua's people when the time comes. It might be very useful; maybe there will even be a live stream connection or something."

"Poor Kexipi, he probably doesn't have the heart to ship CP anymore, sigh."