Chapter 71: At a Loss
“Boss, we’ve tried to suppress it, but just two days after going online, his site already has three million downloads. We didn’t have time to react. Later, Brother Lin Xuan posted a long article accusing our website, which trended on social media. Many readers went to download his site.”
Lin Xuan’s site could be said to have taken advantage of all favorable conditions.
First of all, he had the capability. The novels on the site were very appealing, enough to attract people to download them. Moreover, his pen name Ah Xuan was quite famous in the novel circle.
He was also forced to leave Soaring Novels due to deliberate suppression. Now that he’s back and opened a site to compete against Soaring Novels, this is the script of a satisfying protagonist. Everyone naturally has an innate preference for such a strong, tragic character.
Another reason is that readers have been dissatisfied with Soaring Website for a long time. Since Soaring relies on being the largest site, they sometimes suppress authors of their favorite novels. Now that there’s a site openly challenging Soaring Website, they naturally want to support it.
The general manager looked grave, “In just one day, the number of downloads has surged from three million to thirteen million, and the numbers are still rising. Meanwhile, many users have uninstalled our website.”
They had never encountered such a situation before—another site stepping on them to rise, and they were completely powerless to retaliate!
Meng Bo’s expression changed slightly, “It’s trending, why don’t you take it down? Are the PR department staff just eating their salaries?” He couldn’t help but scold!
Thirteen million downloads! That’s already a significant number!
How could Lin Xuan’s site grow to this extent?
“The trending topics, we contacted Weibo to take them down,” the general manager replied.
“Then why are these trending topics still on Weibo?” Meng Bo pointed angrily at his phone before the general manager finished speaking.
“Weibo responded that they can’t take them down,” the general manager’s face turned unpleasant. “I read the novels on his site; they’re very captivating. Boss, this time our website might really face a formidable rival.”
Meng Bo slumped into his office chair in despair.
He had only one thought: he couldn’t let the Palm Treasure website grow…
But now, he was at a loss, not knowing what to do.
He had no idea that Lin Xuan was so capable, actually able to open a site. He thought Lin Xuan was just an ordinary author, and if his novel got banned, that would be it.
Now, he’s stepping on Soaring Website to rise!
Meng Bo also saw the novels inside, and his face turned even grayer.
“Boss, it’s bad news.”
The legal department supervisor rushed in.
“What’s wrong now?” Meng Bo irritably scolded.
“Boss, Bai Linjiang from Suzhou Group’s legal department has filed a lawsuit against us, claiming our contract is illegal. They demand we revise the contract and compensate the losses of the authors whose novels were unjustly removed. Also, regarding the novel ‘Pampered by a Psychotic Tycoon,’ they demand termination of the contract and return of the copyright to the original author,” the legal department supervisor trembled throughout his explanation.
“Suzhou Group?” Meng Bo widened his eyes, “How did we offend them? Tell me, could this be the personal action of their lawyer?”
“This is basically impossible.” The legal department supervisor shook his head. “Bai Linjiang only handles company affairs and never takes outside cases. He’s currently the best lawyer domestically, and he has never lost a case. Moreover, our contract indeed has many unreasonable aspects, so our chances of winning this time are slim.”
“Even if our chances of winning were high, we can’t confront Suzhou Group!” Meng Bo’s face turned pale.
His family doesn’t just run this company. If they get targeted by Suzhou Group, the other businesses will be ruined!
But now that things have escalated to this point, will his father be disappointed in him? Will he promote the illegitimate child instead?
“You go contact Bai Linjiang and tell him that we agree to all their demands, so we don’t have to go to court,” Meng Bo instructed in a trembling voice.
“Yes.” The legal department supervisor sighed in relief. It’s good that they don’t have to deal with Bai Linjiang.
The legal department supervisor exited the office.
“How could we possibly offend Suzhou Group?” Meng Bo muttered, his face ashen.
This revision of the contract, compensation to those novel authors, and the rise of Palm Treasure Website undoubtedly dealt a heavy blow to Soaring Station.
The general manager frowned.
Logically speaking, their small station should never have caught the attention of a giant like Suzhou Group.
He suddenly remembered what the legal department supervisor said about terminating Lin Xuan’s novel contract and returning the copyright.
Could this be related to Lin Xuan?
“Boss, could it be because of Lin Xuan that Suzhou Group is targeting us?” The general manager guessed.
“Lin Xuan?” Meng Bo furrowed his brows tightly.
“Yes.” The general manager nodded. “All of this is too coincidental. Not long after we took down his novel, he created a site. The novels on the site must have been written by many big-name authors he recruited, showing his substantial financial power. He’s definitely not just a simple novelist.”
“At the same time, Suzhou Group’s legal department came knocking, demanding we terminate our contract with Lin Xuan’s novel. Clearly, they’re doing this for Lin Xuan.”
“Boss, this time we’ve met our match.”
Hearing the general manager’s words, Meng Bo’s hands and feet began to go cold.
If Lin Xuan really has ties to Suzhou Group, and if Suzhou Group targets his family’s other companies, he dare not imagine…
“Boss, our site was fine before. Think about how we offended Lin Xuan?” The general manager reminded him. He had always disliked Lābāhuā. With such a good opportunity, he couldn’t let her off without a scratch?
“Yes, it’s her!” Meng Bo was filled with anger. “If it weren’t for her instigation, I wouldn’t have taken down Lin Xuan’s novel, wouldn’t have driven him away, and then he wouldn’t have opened a site to oppose us!”
“And we wouldn’t have offended Suzhou Group!”
It’s all her fault!
Fuming, Meng Bo went to the male frequency editor’s office.
When Lābāhuā saw Meng Bo, her eyes brightened. Today, the boss told her he would promote her to chief editor. He must be here to announce the news!
She didn’t expect the boss to come personally to announce it. He must be here to give her face!
Lābāhuā’s face lit up with a smile.
“Boss, how did you come here?” Lābāhuā smiled as she walked up to Meng Bo.
