Chapter 11: Start the Countdown? Start the Countdown!

“Alright, you can leave now. Don’t forget to close the door.” Jiang Yichen gave Shen Baizhou a disdainful glance. Handling a fresh graduate like this was nothing…

“Kid, this is what happens when you offend me! See that?” At this moment, Sheng Jiong was ecstatic, shivering with pride.

“You dare provoke me? I’ll make sure you don’t get a single cent and vanish completely from this circle!”

With a flourish, Sheng Jiong slammed his hand on the table. “It’s too late to kneel and beg me now—I’m angry!”

Shen Baizhou secretly glanced at his phone’s recording—it had already been recording for 15 minutes since he entered. Originally, he only planned to give them a piece of his mind, not ruin them completely. But with their current attitudes, he could no longer be blamed.

He pressed play. A clear recording came from Shen Baizhou’s phone:

“You want compensation? Keep dreaming…”
“To be honest, our company’s legal department is powerful. Go ahead and sue…”
“Don’t worry about whether I’m making this up or if it’s true. Once this act spreads through the circle, do you think you, Shen Baizhou, still have a place in the film and media industry?”
“You dare provoke me? I’ll make sure you disappear completely from this circle…”
“It’s too late to kneel and beg me now…”

The continuous playback felt like a bucket of cold water poured over Jiang and Sheng.

Sheng Jiong’s mouth slowly fell open; his face drained of color. Only now did he realize that Shen Baizhou had been setting a trap for him.

Jiang Yichen anxiously held her hands, filled with regret… She had glanced at Shen Baizhou’s résumé—just a rookie, only a year out of school. She’d seen plenty of these kids; even if they were cheated, they’d help count the money. She hadn’t thought much of him…

Who would’ve guessed Shen Baizhou had been secretly recording them? Only a seasoned player would do something like this. She had underestimated him…

Looking at Shen Baizhou now, both of them were panicking. He, however, remained calm. He picked up a bottle of water and took a sip.

“Why so quiet now?” he asked. “Weren’t you full of energy just now?”

“Shen Baizhou, this recording…” Jiang Yichen’s eyes darted around, but Shen Baizhou interrupted her.

“This isn’t just a recording,” he waved his phone. “It could very well be tomorrow’s trending topic…”
“We’re a media company. You should know the trends—news about workplace PUA scandals can blow up overnight.”
“Look, I’ve already edited a post for a certain blog. As soon as I hit ‘send,’ swoosh… you two will be infamous!”

“No, no, no…” Sheng Jiong nervously swallowed. “Xiao Shen, let’s talk this over.”

“Yes, yes,” Jiang Yichen tugged at her shirt hem, forcing a smile. “Don’t act impulsively…”

They knew Shen Baizhou was serious. From past experience, once this negative news broke, the company could be ruined—but even if the company survived, they’d be finished. In recent years, scandals like this exploded on social media all the time: companies issued apologies and immediately fired the staff involved. Standard procedure.

“When I post this, the company will fire you immediately. Maybe they’ll even give you the honorable title of ‘temporary worker.’” Shen Baizhou waved his finger, a teasing smile on his face.
“As tarnished employees, no other company would hire you. In short, your careers are over… Sheng Jiong, remember what you said? Offend me and I’d make you vanish from this circle? Hah, maybe I’m fine, but you? You’re about to disappear…”

“Baizhou, no, no, I…”

“The fun isn’t over yet…” Shen Baizhou smiled casually, watching their fearful expressions.

“Next, how will you handle the precise doxxing by netizens? Supervisor Sheng, Sister Yichen, you were so confident just now. I suppose you have strategies for online abuse?”

“Baizhou, you misunderstand,” Sheng Jiong forced a laugh, more pitiful than crying.

“Yes, it’s a misunderstanding,” Jiang Yichen quickly nodded, trying to appease him. “We can still negotiate your resignation properly…”

“Negotiate?”
“Yes!”

“Salary, compensation, bonuses, year-end bonuses.” Shen Baizhou held up four fingers. “Oh, Sheng, the bonus—I want the same as you. Fair, right? After all, you wrote nothing for the script and went to a foot spa, while I did some work. As for the year-end bonus, I’m not greedy—six months’ salary is fine.”

“This…”

“Not allowed? Fine, I’ll send it…”

“Wait! Baizhou, wait! This can be negotiated, but it has to be approved by Director Huang…”

“Then call him over. I give you three minutes. If he doesn’t arrive in three minutes, I’ll send it!” Shen Baizhou shook his phone.

“Start, the, countdown!”

Huang Liang had just turned 35, but his scalp was mostly bald. Paired with his overindulgent, small, slanted eyes, he looked shifty and cunning.

Entering the HR office, he glanced around and focused on Shen Baizhou.

“You’re bold! In all my years, this is the first employee who dares to order me to arrive within three minutes!”

“Three minutes is tight,” Shen Baizhou nodded. “Considering your frequent foot spa visits have exhausted your body, the time limit should be slightly relaxed.”

“Sharp-tongued, huh?” Huang Liang laughed instead of getting angry. “I like employees who challenge me.”

“Supervisor Sheng, tell your boss my conditions—I’m too lazy to repeat them.” Shen Baizhou took another sip of water.

“Boss, he says he…” Sheng Jiong started, but Huang Liang waved him off.

“Shen Baizhou, you graduated last year,” Huang Liang said. Shen Baizhou paused slightly.

“After graduation, you stayed at your uncle’s house. Your uncle works at Haiding Hospital, chief physician. Your aunt is a housewife with a bad temper,” Huang Liang continued.

Shen Baizhou’s expression changed.

“Your uncle has a daughter—your cousin—currently a junior at the Imperial Capital Film Academy. Your uncle’s address: Building 2, Unit 1, Apt 1301, Jinyu Dongjun, Sihe Road, Haiding District.”

Huang Liang smirked coldly, his grin fake. “Am I right?”

Shen Baizhou froze, panic flashing in his eyes. Huang Liang was threatening him! Earlier, he had warned Sheng and Jiang using “personal career,” now he used “family safety.” The message was clear—do you want the money, or the safety of your family?

Huang Liang was a man with connections in all circles. Shen Baizhou knew this wasn’t an empty threat… A previous director who challenged him ended up with paint thrown on his house every day, deliberately rear-ended while driving, unable to go to work for days. That director eventually apologized and submitted to Huang Liang.

For a regular employee, Huang Liang’s methods were even harsher. Rumors about him in the company were terrifying.

“Do you understand what I just said?” Huang Liang looked down at Shen Baizhou like a wild dog covered in scabs.

Shen Baizhou was silent. His uncle was away, and he had moved out. His aunt was home alone. If Huang Liang sent people to throw paint, wouldn’t she be scared? His aunt was tough on him, but she was family. Could he risk her just over a petty dispute?

“Shen Baizhou, if you understand, hand me your phone now.” Huang Liang sneered. “I’ll also give you three minutes.” He shook his own phone.

“Start, the, countdown!”