Song Qiao and Qin Ya frowned, their faces hit by a strong smell of smoke the moment they entered.
Manager Cheng was lounging on the sofa, a cigarette in hand, idly watching television.
Without even lifting his head, he acted as if he hadn't noticed their arrival.
"Good afternoon, Manager Cheng. I am Song Qiao, the owner of Xiang Piaopiao processing factory. I'm here to apply for advertising time on your channel."
As Song Qiao spoke, he extended his right hand. Despite his displeasure at Cheng's attitude, Song Qiao humbled himself, knowing he was the one asking for a favor.
"Hmm, have a seat."
Manager Cheng's eyes remained fixed on the TV as he responded indifferently.
"Our prime time slots are all filled. If you want to advertise, it will have to be after eleven o'clock at night."
After Song Qiao sat down, Manager Cheng maintained his lukewarm demeanor. He hadn't taken Song Qiao and Qin Ya seriously from the start. Who would approach a television station for cooperation without any connections? Seeing a boss who looked like he was struggling to even afford a security guard, he assumed the so-called Xiang Piaopiao Food Processing Company was nothing more than an obscure little workshop.
"This..."
Song Qiao's heart sank upon hearing Manager Cheng's reply. The choice of time slot was crucial for advertising placement on television. After eleven o'clock, viewership plummeted, making advertisements at that hour practically worthless.
"Manager Cheng, after eleven o'clock might not be feasible. If we could move it up by two or three hours, I'm willing to pay more."
After a moment of thought, Song Qiao proposed his terms.
"Young man, are you dreaming?"
"Two or three hours earlier is our prime time."
Manager Cheng scoffed dismissively. Even setting aside whether Song Qiao could afford it, those time slots were not something he could simply arrange. Typically, only clients with connections to the station director could air their advertisements then.
"Manager Cheng, please be accommodating."
Song Qiao, unfazed, smiled and produced a pre-prepared red envelope from his pocket. He had come prepared, as such was the custom of the times; getting things done without 'silver' was a fool's errand.
Cheng Yuan finally looked up and appraised Song Qiao, nonchalantly accepting the red envelope. He subtly felt its thickness, estimating over five thousand yuan. His attitude immediately improved, and he lowered the leg he had propped on the coffee table.
"Don't even think about the eight or nine o'clock evening slots. You know that's impossible. However, I can arrange something for you around noon, around twelve o'clock."
"But it won't be cheap."
Cheng Yuan said calmly. Twelve o'clock, while not prime time like eight or nine in the evening, was still a period of relatively high viewership, certainly better than after eleven at night. With no connections, Song Qiao could only grit his teeth and agree.
"Alright, as Manager Cheng says, twelve o'clock it is."
Having handed over a five-thousand-yuan red envelope for such a minor adjustment in timing, Song Qiao felt a pang of dissatisfaction. Cheng Yuan's greed was truly apparent.
"Are your materials ready? Let me see them."
Seeing Song Qiao agree, Cheng Yuan was pleased. Qin Ya, without waiting for Song Qiao's instruction, immediately took out the documents from her briefcase and handed them to Cheng Yuan.
Cheng Yuan then noticed the secretary who had accompanied Song Qiao. After a careful glance, he couldn't help but swallow, a greedy glint in his eyes. He hadn't noticed such a stunning woman before. He suddenly sat up straight on the sofa and, while taking the documents, brushed against Qin Ya's hand.
Qin Ya instinctively recoiled a few steps, evading Cheng Yuan's lecherous touch. Though disgusted, she suppressed her anger for her boss's sake.
"Boss Song, I just remembered, there are a few minutes of free time after seven-thirty this evening. We can run your advertisement then."
For reasons unknown, Cheng Yuan's attitude had undergone a complete 180-degree shift. Song Qiao, unaware of Qin Ya's discomfort,'s eyes lit up. "Really? That's wonderful! Don't worry, Manager Cheng, money is not an issue."
Cheng Yuan smirked and stole another glance at Qin Ya.
"Boss Song, money is secondary. But you need to agree to one condition."
"What condition?"
Song Qiao asked, looking at him with some confusion.
"Let your secretary..."
Cheng Yuan said, a lewd expression on his face. Beside him, Qin Ya trembled, looking at her boss nervously. Song Qiao understood Cheng Yuan's implication immediately. His expression darkened, and the flicker of hope within him vanished.
"What do you say? If you agree, you can see your factory's advertisement on television tonight."
Manager Cheng, now driven by lust, failed to notice Song Qiao's changing demeanor.
"I'll agree to your mother's demand!"
Seeing Cheng Yuan's lecherous look, Song Qiao could no longer contain his rage. He threw a punch, striking Cheng Yuan squarely in the face. A pig-like howl erupted from the office.
"You creature that thinks with its lower half, try asking me again."
As Song Qiao spoke, he threw another punch.
"You're crazy! How dare you hit me? I'll make sure your advertisement never airs."
Cheng Yuan roared in anger, his eyes filled with malice. He had never expected his request to provoke such a reaction from Song Qiao. Upon hearing Cheng Yuan's threat, Song Qiao's anger subsided slightly. He gave Cheng Yuan a wry smile.
"I can do without the advertisement. But if you dare utter another word to me today, I'll make sure you're beaten to a pulp."
With that, he grabbed the stunned Qin Ya and pulled her towards the exit.
"You just wait! As soon as you leave this office, I guarantee no one will dare accept your advertisements."
Cheng Yuan's venomous voice followed them out the door. Song Qiao shook his head indifferently, ignoring the threat as he strode out of Cheng Yuan's office.