Only after being reborn did I realize how fascinating the world of the rich is.

Hou Guowei looked somewhat embarrassed after hearing Li Xiaofeng's words. President Jiang, who was standing next to him, quickly scolded Li Xiaofeng: "Xiaofeng, how can you talk like that? Don't be so presumptuous!"

Li Xiaofeng feigned surprise and said innocently, "What did I do wrong? I was just stating a fact. How did I act presumptuously?"

Then, he smiled and said to Hou Guowei, "Director Hou, I'm still young, still a child. If I said something inappropriate, please feel free to criticize and correct me, so that a young person like me can also have a chance to grow!"

Hou Guowei smiled, then, somewhat annoyed, tried to soothe Li Xiaofeng: "President Li, you're too kind. Your Wanzhong Media is a large company with a valuation of over 20 billion."

You're the big boss, and I'm just a lowly section chief, a deputy no less. How could I possibly be qualified to criticize you? Besides, I'm a public servant; my primary duty is to provide excellent service to bosses like you!

Li Xiaofeng still smiled and said, "Director Hou, although I am young, I am not ignorant. I know your status and influence."

If a leader of your rank were demoted to a lower-level position, you would undoubtedly be the top official in the county, a figure of absolute authority, a powerful and influential person.

"Hey, Mr. Li, please don't say that. We are public servants of the people. Even when we go to the local area, we are still supposed to work for the benefit of the people. Otherwise, how can we live up to the trust that the people have in us?"

Hou Guowei spoke in a steady, righteous, and articulate manner, and his ability to reach this position at such a young age is truly remarkable.

Li Xiaofeng smiled and continued, "Let's put the Wei family's matter aside for now. You probably don't understand how big the conflict of interest is between me and Hezhong Media!"

"How big is it?" Hou Guowei asked dismissively.

Instead of answering him directly, Li Xiaofeng asked, "Director Hou, I'd like to ask, if impoverished mountainous areas need donations, and you use your connections to solicit donations from businesses and companies, how much money would they be willing to contribute?"

These words were somewhat impolite. Hou Guowei frowned slightly, but still said in a calm tone, "It's hard to say. It depends on the size of the company and enterprise."

I've never done anything like that, and policy doesn't allow for forced contributions. But Shanghai is a big city, and some large, profitable companies might contribute hundreds of thousands or even millions of yuan!

Actually, Hou Guowei's words were a bit of an exaggeration.

In an era when the average salary in Shanghai is less than 2,000 yuan and most ordinary people only earn around 1,000 yuan, a million yuan is a huge sum of money.

In addition, large cities like Shanghai have relatively sound legal systems and a much better business environment than other places.

When faced with quota issues, companies and enterprises can easily handle it by contributing a few thousand or ten thousand yuan. Without a special reason, officials are unlikely to take a hard line.

Li Xiaofeng chuckled and said, "Director Hou is just being modest. With your influence, those companies and enterprises would definitely have no problem coming up with tens of millions if you stepped in!"

Hou Guowei quickly waved his hand: "That's too much, that's too much, I don't have that much face!"

"No, not at all. With your influence, Director Hou, tens of millions is not a small amount!"

To put it more broadly, if Director Hou were to intervene and get a company to donate 100 million yuan, and the company did so without hesitation, wouldn't that be considered disrespectful to you?

Hou Guowei frowned, somewhat displeased, and said, "President Li, what exactly are you trying to say by going around in circles with me like this? Are you implying that I'm overestimating myself?"

"Oh, Director Hou, please don't misunderstand. I didn't mean that at all. What I meant was that the conflict of interest here is at least 10 billion yuan."

Your suggestion that I take a step back and let things be clear implies that I should donate over 10 billion yuan to charity. I'm petty and narrow-minded; I truly don't have that kind of magnanimity!

With a bitter face, Li Xiaofeng poured out his grievances to Hou Guowei.

Hou Guowei frowned even more, and asked with some doubt, "Xiao Li, are you trying to be mysterious with me, or are you playing riddles with me again?"

Li Xiaofeng smiled and said, "Director Hou, I've always been the one to speak the truth. I just didn't want you to misunderstand, so I beat around the bush a little."

I already talked to Uncle Jiang about this a few days ago. Even he, an old-fashioned businessman, doesn't understand it, so it's normal that you don't understand it either.

However, you can ask the people at Hezhong Media yourself. As long as you are willing to find a neutral industry veteran to act as the referee, I can personally confront them face to face.

"If they dare to utter the word 'no,' I dare to spit in their faces right in front of you and the middleman. Do you believe me?"

Hou Guowei's tightly furrowed brows relaxed. He turned to look at President Jiang, then turned back to him, asking with a doubtful tone, "Is what you're saying true or false?"

Li Xiaofeng said with a wry smile, "Director Hou, if you find this approach a bit troublesome, you can go to a venture capital firm and find a senior professional to tell him about Wanzhong Media and Hezhong Media."

Ask him if the stakes involved far exceed 10 billion. If he dares to say a word against it, I'll slap him across the face right in front of you and tell you to stay away from him from now on!

Li Xiaofeng's words left Hou Guowei stunned, clearly taken aback by the figure of 10 billion.

After hesitating for a moment, Hou Guowei said apologetically, "Mr. Li, I certainly don't understand the situation you're describing. After all, I'm not in business, and it was a bit hasty of me to come here this time."

I understand what you said. When I get back, I will ask a professional to find out what happened.

However, as your public servants, one of our duties is to serve entrepreneurs like you well. We still hope that market order can be more peaceful, and that everyone will refrain from causing trouble!

Li Xiaofeng quickly adopted a flattered expression and said in a very humble tone, "Oh, Director Hou, you are too kind."

Actually, I'm not the kind of person who makes a fuss over nothing; I just believe in repaying kindness tenfold. I've already discussed the conditions with Uncle Jiang, and as long as the other party is sincere, it shouldn't be too difficult.

"That's good, that's good!" Hou Guowei smiled.