Happy Cooperation

Online, as Zhou Yuanlei's video began to spread, a mix of true and false information made some consumers who had originally intended to buy hesitate.

The most direct consequence was that Ning Yifan's latest batch of Phantom Projectors took a full two days to sell out.

"This can't go on." In the study cluttered with Phantom Projector parts, Ning Yifan frowned at the review video from Zhou Yuanlei displayed on the projector screen.

Over the past two days, the Phantom Projector's online reputation had worsened. Some victims even appeared online, posting claims that they had been scammed into buying the projector, spending a full five thousand yuan on a pile of junk.

They made it sound so real that if Ning Yifan hadn't produced the Phantom Projector himself, he might have believed it!

"This can't keep up. I need to find a way to stabilize the reputation. People like this are just disgusting!"

Although Zhou Yuanlei's video hadn't caused Ning Yifan major losses yet, if it continued to escalate, once his Phantom Projector production increased, it would lead to unsold inventory.

Currently, most buyers were people who had seen the Phantom Projector in person or were recommended by friends. Fewer were purchasing based on the earlier review videos from those Content Creators.

While this slow approach could still attract some customers, explosive sales growth would be difficult.

"Should I expose his dirt?" After a few clicks on the computer, Ning Yifan looked at another desktop displayed on his screen, hesitating slightly.

That might have some effect, but it wouldn't bring the satisfying sense of justice or let Ning Yifan vent his frustration.

As a software expert, Ning Yifan could easily write a few attack programs with a flick of his fingers, but he generally preferred not to rely on unconventional methods to win.

"I'll wait two more days and see if things turn around. If there's no other way, I'll have to do it." He planned to remotely control the other's computer, delete the slanderous video about the Phantom Projector from his account, and plant evidence of him taking money to praise or smear digital products.

The Phantom Projector continued to sell normally, but daily sales slowly declined.

Two more days passed, and the latest batch of three hundred projectors sold out. The parts for the next batch would arrive the following day. As funds gradually returned, the subsequent batch could produce a thousand Phantom Projectors at once, and cash flow began to move.

Counting the money still on the shopping platform and the product parts, after over a month of sales, Ning Yifan's total assets had exceeded ten million.

In the study, Ning Yifan rewatched an episode of the classic anime Yu-Gi-Oh!. When it ended, he closed the video player and reopened the attack software to check Zhou Yuanlei's computer status.

It was still on standby. He cut the monitor's video output signal and minimized the computer's power usage to avoid sudden fan spins from the GPU or CPU that might alert Zhou Yuanlei.

Ning Yifan looked at his desktop, where he had already prepared a text video of Zhou Yuanlei's apology and evidence of him taking money to deceive fans. His fingers tapped lightly on the desk, the mouse right beside his hand. One click to confirm sending, and he could control the other's computer to execute the entire sequence.

But that would be too easy on him, wouldn't it? And it would still cause plenty of trouble later. For example, Zhou Yuanlei could claim his computer was hacked, that all the posted info was fake, and that he was a victim too!

In his mind, Ning Yifan weighed the pros and cons.

That would just lead to more back-and-forth arguments. Unfortunately, while he had found evidence of Zhou Yuanlei taking money for videos, he hadn't found direct proof of him slandering Shenma Technology Company or the Phantom Projector. He couldn't finish him off in one blow and restore the projector's reputation.

Should he do it or not?

Ning Yifan still hesitated.

"The rain that night couldn't keep you..."

Just then, a phone rang.

He picked it up—an unfamiliar number, no spam tag. Ning Yifan answered casually.

"Hello, who are you looking for?"

"Are you the boss of Shenma Technology Company?"

"Yes, that's me. What can I do for you?"

"The number on the Enterprise Information Network is your personal one? Guess you really are a small company. How have the last few days been, huh?"

"Who is this?" Ning Yifan frowned.

"Forgotten me so soon? We chatted the other day. Think hard—have you had any troubles lately?"

His expression shifted. Ning Yifan started recording the call and said, "You're Zhou Yuanlei, the Content Creator from Boiling Digital Reviews!"

"Smart. Since you know who I am, I'll keep it short. How have your company's product sales been these past few days?"

"Thanks to you, sales are so-so."

"Heh, still stubborn. So, do you regret it now? If you'd agreed back then, none of this would've happened. Fifty thousand isn't a big deal for someone like you. Why haggle over a little money with a small fry like me?"

"Oh, you're a small fry? Don't you have millions of fans online? Quite famous!" Ning Yifan said sarcastically.

"Talking to you is exhausting. Do you even know what modesty means? Forget it, I'll cut to the chase. My offer still stands, but your company's problem now can't be solved with fifty thousand.

After all, the internet is full of negative news about your company now. Different situation.

Here's the deal: one hundred thousand. Give me one hundred thousand, and tomorrow I'll make a new review video for the Phantom Projector and post it on my channels.

I'll claim the power strip I used that day was faulty, with internal wires melting, so the projector didn't perform as it should. I'll apologize and recommend the Phantom Projector to my fans, giving you another promotion."

Ning Yifan thought for a moment and said, "One hundred thousand? Let me think about it."

"What's there to think about? I can see your projector sales aren't bad. Even if they've dipped a bit, you can still afford one hundred thousand. I'll give you a few hours. Reply before tonight. If you agree, it's a win-win. I'll be your company's loyal fan and promote all your products. If not, trust me—your sales will drop even more. You might not sell a single unit. Believe me?"

"I believe you."

"Good. Think it over and get back to me soon."

Beep, beep, beep—

The dial tone came through the phone. A smile spread across Ning Yifan's face.

"The internet isn't a lawless place. Before you became a big Content Creator, your videos were pretty ethical. I hope this incident teaches you a lesson."

Recalling the legal knowledge he had read, Ning Yifan's smile grew even brighter.

He saved the key audio recording evidence on his phone, then waited over an hour before dialing the other party's number, still with the recording on.

"I've thought it over. I hope you'll keep your word and help our company promote the Phantom Projector."

On the phone, Zhou Yuanlei was in high spirits, laughing as he said, "Haha, don't worry. I take money and get things done—I have to maintain my reputation, or there won't be any business in the future."

"Alright, but I don't have a full million in liquid funds in my account right now—only about six hundred thousand. How about this: I'll transfer you six hundred thousand first, and once the funds come back in a couple of days, I'll send the remaining four hundred thousand. This six hundred thousand is a down payment. I hope that after you receive it, you'll keep your word and upload the clarification video to your personal account."

Zhou Yuanlei said impatiently, "What a hassle. A company this big can't even scrape together a million? Fine, I'll send you my bank card number later. Transfer the money to me before tonight, and I'll release the clarification video first thing tomorrow morning. Trust me, I'm not going to fight with money—we don't have any major grudge, do we?"

"Alright, that's settled."

"Pleasure doing business."

"Pleasure doing business."

The call ended again. On the other end of the phone, after hanging up, Zhou Yuanlei's face broke into a wild grin. "If you'd done this from the start, it would've saved so much trouble. Had to be stubborn, huh? Now you're paying double to get this sorted.

Since you want to use review videos to sell products online, you have to play by the rules of this industry. Use us content creators and then try to shake us off? No way. I'll make you spit out even more!

Haha, with this money, I'll go check out the BMW 4S Store tomorrow. With a Beemer, that new girlfriend I just picked up will be a lot easier to handle!"

On his end, Zhou Yuanlei imagined a beautiful life, laughing wildly without restraint.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the phone, Ning Yifan also wore a faint smile. "Really, anyone can become a content creator these days. That's a good thing for ordinary people, but it can also be a bad thing—no cultural requirements, no need to understand the law!"

On his phone, Ning Yifan quickly received the bank card number the other party sent over.

Taking his ID and bank card, he rushed to the bank before it closed and transferred six hundred thousand to the other party's account.

After leaving the bank, Ning Yifan immediately called Zhou Yuanlei.

"The money's been sent. Check if you've received it. I hope you'll keep your word!"

Zhou Yuanlei's voice, barely containing his excitement, came through quickly. "Haha, got it! Don't worry, I'll start making the Phantom Projector review video right now. It'll be up online by tomorrow for sure!"

Ning Yifan said calmly, "Good, I'll wait for your good news. I'll transfer the remaining four hundred thousand in a couple of days."

"Pleasure doing business."

"Pleasure doing business."

The call ended. Ning Yifan strolled leisurely along the crowded street, planning to wait about half an hour before heading to his final destination for the day—the police station.