Online, as Zhou Yuánlěi's video began to spread, the truth became difficult to distinguish from rumors. For a while, even consumers who had been inclined to buy the product began to hesitate.
The most immediate consequence was that it took a full two days to sell out the latest batch of Phantom Projectors Ning Yifan had listed.
"This can't go on." In the study, which was packed with Phantom Projector parts, Ning Yifan frowned at the review video of Zhou Yuánlěi playing on his projector screen.
Over the past two days, the Phantom Projector's reputation online had steadily worsened. Some supposed victims had even appeared, posting that they'd been duped into buying one, and that their five thousand yuan had bought them nothing but a pile of junk.
They made it sound so convincing that if Ning Yifan hadn't made the Phantom Projector himself, he might almost have believed them!
"This can't go on. I have to find a way to stabilize our reputation. People like this are disgusting!"
So far, Zhou Yuánlěi's video hadn't caused Ning Yifan much damage. But if things kept escalating, once Ning Yifan increased production again, the products would end up sitting unsold.
Most people buying the Phantom Projector now had seen it in person and bought one after a friend recommended it. Very few were still purchasing it because of the reviews posted earlier by those few video creators.
At this rate, he could still gradually gain customers, but it would be difficult to achieve explosive sales growth.
"Should I dig up dirt on him?" After a few operations on his computer, Ning Yifan looked at the desktop of another computer displayed on his screen, hesitating.
It might have some effect, but it wouldn't bring the satisfying, cathartic feeling of giving Zhou Yuánlěi a taste of his own medicine.
As a software expert, Ning Yifan could easily write a few attack programs with a few keystrokes. But under normal circumstances, he didn't want to rely on unconventional means to win.
"I'll wait two more days and see if things turn around. If there's really no other way, I'll have to do it." He could control the other man's computer, delete the smear videos about the Phantom Projector from his video account, and post evidence that he'd taken money to praise or attack digital products.
The Phantom Projector continued to sell as usual, but the number sold each day was slowly declining.
Two more days passed, and the latest batch of three hundred virtual projectors sold out as well. The parts for the next batch of Phantom Projectors would all arrive the following day. As the money gradually came back in, he'd be able to produce a thousand projectors at a time in future batches, and his funds had begun to circulate.
At present, counting the money still on the shopping platform and the product parts, Ning Yifan's total assets had climbed to just over ten million yuan after more than a month of sales.
In the study, Ning Yifan rewatched the classic anime Yu-Gi-Oh! After an episode ended, he closed the video player and reopened his attack software to check the status of Zhou Yuánlěi's computer.
It was still idle. He'd cut off the video output to its monitor and reduced the computer's operating power to a minimum, preventing the graphics card or CPU fan from suddenly speeding up and catching Zhou Yuánlěi's attention.
Ning Yifan looked at the apology video he'd prepared on his desktop, along with the evidence that the other man had taken money to make videos and deceive his fans. He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk. The mouse was by his right hand; all he had to do was click to confirm, and he could make the other man's computer carry out a whole series of actions.
But wouldn't that be letting him off too easily? And it would still cause plenty of trouble afterward. Zhou Yuánlěi could come forward and claim someone had taken control of his computer, so every message it sent was fake and had nothing to do with him. He could even play the victim!
Ning Yifan weighed the pros and cons.
That would drag him into another messy dispute. Unfortunately, although he'd found evidence that the other man had taken money to make videos, he hadn't found direct proof that he'd slandered Shenma Technology Company or the Phantom Projector. He couldn't take him down in one blow and restore the product's reputation.
Should he do it or not?
Ning Yifan was still hesitating.
"Even the rain that night couldn't keep you here..."
Just then, his phone rang.
He picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number. It wasn't labeled as an advertising or sales call, so Ning Yifan answered without thinking.
"Hello. Who are you looking for?"
"Are you the boss of Shenma Technology Company?"
"Yes, I am. What can I do for you?"
"The number on the Enterprise Information Network is your personal number? No wonder you're such a small company. How have the past few days been? Heh!"
"Who is this?" Ning Yifan asked, frowning.
"Forgot about me already? We talked the other day. Think carefully—has anything been bothering you lately?"
Ning Yifan's expression shifted. He turned on call recording and said, "You're Zhou Yuánlěi, the video creator behind Boiling Digital Reviews!"
"Clever. Now that you know who I am, I'll get straight to the point. How have your company's sales been over the past few days?"
"Thanks to you, sales have been so-so."
"Heh, still putting on a brave face. Any regrets now? If you'd agreed to my offer back then, none of this would have happened. Fifty thousand yuan isn't a big sum for someone like you. Why make a fuss with a nobody like me over that little bit of money?"
"Oh, you're a nobody? Don't you have several million followers online? You're famous!" Ning Yifan said sarcastically.
"It's exhausting talking to someone like you. Ever heard of modesty? Whatever, I'm done beating around the bush. I'll be direct: my earlier offer still stands, but now it'll take more than fifty thousand yuan to fix your company's problems.
"After all, there's a lot of negative coverage about your company online now. Things aren't the same as before.
"Here's the deal: one million yuan. If you pay me one million, I'll make a new review video about the Phantom Projector tomorrow and post it on several of my video accounts.
"I'll say that the power strip I used that day was faulty and its wiring burned out, so the Phantom Projector couldn't perform as it should. I'll apologize for that, recommend the Phantom Projector to my fans, and give your product another round of promotion."
Ning Yifan considered it, then said, "One million? Let me think about it."
"What is there to think about? Your projector's been selling pretty well, hasn't it? Sales have dipped a little these past few days, but it's not as if you can't scrape together a million. I'll give you a few hours. Get back to me by tonight. If you agree, we'll both be happy. I'll become a loyal fan of your company and help promote and review all your products. If you refuse, believe me, your sales will drop even further. You might not be able to sell anything at all. Believe it or not!"
"I believe you."
"Good. Think it over, and get back to me as soon as you can."
Beep, beep, beep—
The call ended with a busy tone. A smile spread across Ning Yifan's face.
"The internet isn't beyond the law. Before he became a big-name video creator, he used to make videos with a conscience. I hope this teaches him a lesson."
Recalling the legal knowledge he'd read, Ning Yifan's smile grew brighter.
He saved the key evidence from the call recording. A little over an hour later, he called the other man back, recording the call again.
"I've made up my mind. I hope you'll keep your word and promote the Phantom Projector for our company."
Zhou Yuánlěi was in high spirits. He laughed and said, "Ha ha, don't worry. I take money to do a job, and I care about my reputation. Otherwise, I'd be out of business."
"Good. But I don't have a million in liquid funds in my account right now, only around six hundred thousand. How about this: I'll transfer you six hundred thousand first, then send the remaining four hundred thousand once the money comes in over the next couple of days. The six hundred thousand is a down payment. I hope you'll keep your word and post the clarification video on your personal account once you receive it."
Zhou Yuánlěi sounded impatient. "What a hassle. How can a company this big not even come up with a million? Fine. I'll send you my bank account number in a bit. Transfer the money before tonight. I'll post the clarification video first thing tomorrow morning. Trust me, I wouldn't turn down money. It's not as if we have any serious grudge between us."
"Fine. It's a deal."
"Pleasure doing business."
"Pleasure doing business."
The call ended. On the other end, Zhou Yuánlěi hung up and grinned with delight. "Why didn't he just do this from the start? He had to be stubborn, and now he's paying twice as much to settle things.
"If you want to sell things online using review videos, you have to follow the rules of the business. You can't use us video creators and then think you can just toss us aside. I'll make you cough up even more than you took!
"Ha ha! With this money, I can check out the BMW dealership tomorrow. With a BMW, it'll be a lot easier to get with that new girlfriend of mine!"
Over here, Zhou Yuánlěi imagined his wonderful new life and laughed wildly.
On the other end of the call, Ning Yifan wore a faint smile too. "Looks like just about anyone can become a video creator. That can be a good thing for ordinary people, but it can also be a bad thing. There are no educational requirements, and you don't even need to know the law!"
Ning Yifan soon received the bank account number Zhou Yuánlěi had sent him.
Taking his ID and bank card, Ning Yifan hurried to the bank and transferred six hundred thousand yuan to the other man's account before it closed.
As soon as he left the bank, Ning Yifan called Zhou Yuánlěi.
"I've transferred the money. Check whether you've received it. I hope you'll keep your word!"
Zhou Yuánlěi's voice came through, barely able to contain his excitement. "Ha ha, I got it. Don't worry. I'll start making the Phantom Projector review video right away. I guarantee it'll be online tomorrow!"
Ning Yifan replied calmly, "Good. I'll wait to hear from you. I'll transfer the remaining four hundred thousand in a couple of days."
"Pleasure doing business."
"Pleasure doing business."
After ending the call, Ning Yifan strolled along the busy street. He planned to wait about half an hour before heading to his final destination for the day: the police station!
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