Anonymous account: “Of course. If you need to manipulate it, you don’t have to release it immediately. Find whoever can make it as explosive as it can get so that her scandal will be all over the news. That would be the best. I can wait as well, there’s no need to rush.”
Da Xiong: “Okay. Name your price. I will buy your recording. However, we must sign an agreement. I need this recording of yours to be an exclusive one.”
Anonymous account: “50,000 yuan, then.”
If it were a currently active artiste embroiled in such news, the value would surely not be so low.
However, the other party knew as well that Lu Qi was completely out of touch now. She did not have any exposure at all. She did not have the courage to ask for a huge price even if she wanted to.
Even still, 50,000 was a price she quoted so that the other party could bargain for a lower price.
Da Xiong: “You are prepared that I will bargain with you over the price. You must be a staff in He Zhengbai’s workplace, right? He’s a director, so you should be familiar with the industry rules in this aspect as well.”
Anonymous account: “Since you guessed it, I won’t deny it, but can you promise not to reveal my identity? I’m not intending to quit my job yet.”
Da Xiong: “Sure. 10,000—I will buy the recording on your phone plus keep your identity a secret. Actually, I will definitely have to keep your identity a secret. I do have this bit of integrity to do that, even if you didn’t ask me to. If I casually revealed the whistleblower’s identity, who else would dare to work with me? Ten thousand yuan is simply the price for buying the recording on your phone. We both know very well about Lu Qi’s news value now. Ten thousand is also more than what I would have quoted, but since we are working together for the first time, I will treat it that I’m making a friend.”
The anonymous account also agreed readily. “Sure, just 10,000. Many thanks. I presume I can call you Brother Xiong from now on?”
Da Xiong: “Aye, sure. When Lu Qi’s scandal is up, there will definitely be many chances where I’ll need news about Lu Qi again. It’s very convenient since you are working at He Zhengbai’s company. We can be in touch then and work it out together.”
Anonymous account: “No problem.”
Da Xiong: “When Lu Qi’s news popularity gets back up, I will definitely give you a good price. Don’t worry, if we are going to work together for a long time, I won’t shortchange you. I, Da Xiong, have my own reputation to uphold in this business.”
Anonymous account: “Of course I trust you. Cheers to working together next time.”
After that, Da Xiong transferred 10,000 to the other person’s account and the other person sent a screenshot to show receipt of the money.
Lu Man sent him the message: “Brother Xiong, I’m done reading it.”
Da Xiong immediately replied, “Lu Man, what do you think? Lu Qi’s news is not useful for me at the moment. Even if I manipulate it, it will be something to do in the future. I just feel that no matter what, if there is material, I will just buy it first. Who knows what will happen next time?”
Lu Man thought about it and said, “How about you resell it to me? Leave her recording with me. I will use it when the opportunity comes.”
Lu Man had the same thought as Da Xiong. It was not the best time to release it immediately.
However, since Lu Qi dared to harbor thoughts about Han Zhuoli, Lu Man would not spare her.
It would be just nice if she could keep this recording with her on in case she needed it.
That was what Da Xiong thought as well. Or else, he would not have contacted Lu Man.
Lu Qi’s recording was really useless if left with him. He had too many other news pieces that were worth more than this.
He’d decided to buy this recording also because he wanted to do it for Lu Man.
Lu Man was Han Zhuoli’s wife!
Could Lu Man lack firsthand information next time?
Be it because he was viewing things from this perspective or simply because of Lu Man’s relationship with Han Zhuoli, or even because he was considering how Lu Man and he had had a good working relationship all this while, Da Xiong would still have been willing to do this for Lu Man.
