We May Have to Suspend Our Partnership

The secretary was slightly taken aback upon hearing the other person's light chuckle.

As a young person who surfs the internet all year round, I actually have a different understanding of the word 'hehe'.

That's a derogatory term like "wqnmlgb".

The reason for using "hehe" instead of a derogatory term is mainly to reflect the attitude of young people who want to speak eloquently while also being tactful in their tone.

However, this only applies to younger people online, because for many older people, "hehe" still means laughter.

But what's the situation now?

The owner of that small company actually said "hehe"?

Does that mean he's cursing me, has nothing to say to me, and doesn't want to talk to me?

I came here specifically to communicate with you, and this is your attitude?

Thinking of this, the secretary's already dissatisfaction flared up even more.

"Mr. Meng? What's this?"

Meng Shu on the other end of the phone spoke quickly, making her stance clear from the very first sentence.

[I'm sorry, that won't work.]

She paused, then continued speaking.

[Miss, we have always maintained a pleasant business relationship with Infinite Network Entertainment, and we were very satisfied with the contract at the time.]

[Over the past year, we've both been mutually beneficial and developing together. Now you suddenly want me to claim the copyright, claiming that the Supervisor Lian I worked with made a mistake and that we both need to correct it. That reason probably won't convince me.]

[I'm very busy right now, I have a ton of things to do, and I have an announcement to release in a few days. I really don't have time to talk to you about this. Please have your supervisor talk to me.]

Upon hearing this, the secretary knew that the call was about to end, so she hurriedly tried to persuade the person to stay.

"So, Mr. Meng, I called to talk to you. I'm here on behalf of my superiors and the interests of Infinite Network Entertainment to discuss how to resolve this matter."

"You need to understand that this matter cannot be left unresolved. Please cooperate with us. Thank you."

Meng Shu smiled on the other end of the phone.

[I'll say it again, I'm sorry, it's not possible.]

[However, I can explain to you why the copyright is with us, and not with your Infinite Network Entertainment.]

Meng Shu paused for a moment, then continued.

[You just said that the copyrights to the products of all companies that cooperate with Infinite Network Entertainment are held by Infinite Network Entertainment.]

[Based on my understanding of the industry, it's highly likely that Infinite Network Entertainment funded these small companies to produce it. Only when the publisher invests can they hold the copyright.]

[This is similar to preparing a film. The producer provides the funding, then finds production companies to share the risk, and then hires a directing team to film. Ultimately, the copyright belongs to the producer and the various production companies that shared the risk. The directing team does not hold the copyright.]

[Miss, do you understand? Our Only Game is different. From start to finish, we haven't needed a single penny from Infinite Network Entertainment to help us develop the game. We've always had a relationship similar to allies. Once the game is finished, we only need your help with promotion. Therefore, under these circumstances, it's perfectly reasonable for the copyright to be with us. We hope you understand.]

secretary:.

The secretary remained silent.

What's wrong with this small business owner?

Did he think he was bargaining with some other small company of similar size?

What is the scale of Infinite Network Entertainment?

Big companies!

You fawn over us, rely on us, and still want to reap all the benefits?

Alliance?

Do you really think your company is indispensable?

What will you do without Infinite Network Entertainment's promotional channels?

Even if another publishing company takes over, can you guarantee that they can make the same large upfront investment as we have?

I thought that a calm and peaceful exchange would make the work easier, which would benefit both of us.

Even though you no longer have the copyright to your work, you can still access resources and distribution channels, and everything else you need will remain the same as before.

Why are you fixated on that IP address?

Is it meant to be a family heirloom?

For a moment, the secretary's initial displeasure subsided somewhat.

Because she knew that if the copyright issue couldn't be resolved, her superiors wouldn't be able to close the deal.

Meanwhile, this arrogant little company will most likely face a cold shoulder in the future.

Forget about resources and technical support.

"Mr. Meng, please note. We at Infinite Network Entertainment are in talks with Tiancheng Pictures about a film adaptation project. Do you know Tiancheng Pictures? They produced the hugely popular film ' Black Teacher-Student Romance ' last year."

"The project involves adapting games into films and television series. The main goal is to enhance the value of the IP and present the game to the market in a more accessible form of entertainment."

"This project was personally negotiated by the leadership, and the company values it highly. We don't want to get stuck at this stage, which is why we're asking for your cooperation."

Only in this way...

[You're using our company's products to negotiate business?]

Suddenly, Meng Shu's voice rose on the phone, interrupting the secretary.

This made her pause briefly, then reiterate her dissatisfaction.

"Mr. Meng, I'll say it again, please don't interrupt me."

[I'm asking you a question! Did your company, Infinite Network Entertainment, use our company's games to negotiate business deals?]

The voice was stern and authoritative.

His tone was booming and resonant.

The sudden change in tone and the two interruptions made the secretary, who was on the other end of the phone, tremble.

At that moment, she felt as if she were facing her own boss, and she was under a lot of pressure.

[Yes or no?]

Meng Shu's voice came again, its questioning tone making the secretary's pride hard to accept. But faced with this question, she didn't know how to answer.

"Mr. Meng, please calm down. Let's talk this out calmly, okay?"

[yes?]

The single-word question made the secretary feel an urge to hang up the phone.

But she knew in her heart that if she hung up just like that, it would be an admission that she had been implicated.

The tone of the person in charge on the other end was filled with an invisible pressure, like that of a leader, forcing her to grit her teeth and persevere.

Just as she was about to speak, a cold voice came from the other end of the phone again.

[You don't need to answer. Judging from your attitude, answering makes no difference. I was wondering why you suddenly changed your mind after everything was going so well; it turns out you're trying to use our company's products for business.]

[I'm asking you, did Manager Liang send you here for this?]

This question left the secretary speechless once again.

At the same time, it also made her feel a little uneasy.

What's going on?

Does this Mr. Meng know the chairman?

No way... There are many small companies that cooperate with Infinite Network Entertainment. But their bosses at most only have contact with department heads and department managers...

Some of them can't even get in touch with their department managers.

Not to mention the COO, CEO, and chairman.

But this Mr. Meng... seems to have some connection with the chairman?

Just as the secretary was at a loss for words, Meng Shu's next sentence completely confirmed her suspicions.

[Go tell Manager Liang that discussing copyright is fine, but have him give me a call, or have Supervisor Lian come and talk to me. I don't want some random person I don't even know making me do this and that, expecting me to be completely obedient.]

The secretary understood the two meanings in those words.

The first approach is to only talk to people I know, even if it's a manager.

The second type, you're not worthy.

The secretary, who wasn't stupid, bit her lower lip. From the moment Mr. Meng's attitude changed, she only managed to utter one weak sentence.

Now she's being completely suppressed, which is hard for her to accept as the COO's secretary, given her pride.

So she took a deep breath and spoke softly.

"Mr. Meng, if your actions hinder the progress of your superiors' work, will you bear the responsibility? Please understand... we have the right not to promote your company's products."

There was a moment of silence on the phone before someone spoke.

[Oh, really?]

The secretary swallowed hard, and when she sensed that the other party wasn't pressing her so much, she spoke up as well.

"Yes... if it gets serious, we might directly..."

The secretary paused, seemingly considering whether to continue.

But the next second, her eyes hardened, and she spoke.

"... Terminate the cooperation immediately...!"

silence--

The two remained silent.

The person on the other end of the phone seemed surprised by such a statement and was momentarily at a loss for words.

But the secretary was somewhat uneasy.

For some reason, after saying those words, she felt conflicted, torn between two opposing feelings.

One feeling is one of relief, freed from the pressure of being questioned by the leader.

One reason is unease, since adults are responsible for their words.

Especially when it comes to statements involving interests in the workplace, one wrong move could ruin your future.

Although she added the word "maybe" and it was only said verbally, it should still serve as a warning.

However, the secretary is now also very annoyed, and at the same time, she has come to some realization.

If Mr. Meng really does know the chairman, then their contract would be quite special.

The secretary was stunned at the thought.

If that's the case, then shouldn't this small company be treated the same way as other small companies?

Just as the secretary was lost in thought, Meng Shu laughed again on the phone.

[Hello, whether or not to continue this collaboration is no longer a major headache for us.]

[Continuing the cooperation is fine; we want to make things easier and more convenient. Terminating the cooperation is also possible; we can do it ourselves, that's no problem.]

[But I know you definitely can't make that decision.]

[So, you should go back and tell Manager Liang to call me. Or, you could have your supervisor call me.]

[That's all for now, I'm busy, I'll hang up now.]

No sooner had I finished speaking than the phone went dead.

He didn't even wait for the secretary to speak.

She stared blankly at her phone, speechless for a moment.

This attempt to get things done not only failed, but I was also questioned and felt very aggrieved.

Recalling what had just happened, the secretary pursed her lips and dialed the number of her direct supervisor, the COO.