Chapter 38: Signing the Co-Creation Agreement

"Rewriting?"

A flash of surprise crossed Tao Yuang's eyes. Of course, he knew what rewriting was, and he was familiar with the process. However, this blatant attempt to deceive superiors through irregular means to secure company development resources was not something a student would typically propose.

Why say that? Because students generally possess a "student mindset." One core tenet of this mindset is strict adherence to rules and reverence for authority. This is because, in school, if a student breaks the rules, they are immediately corrected by teachers or even face disciplinary action. Over time, students form a mindset of following rules and fearing authority.

Many newcomers entering the workplace often encounter bullying from veterans. For instance, a senior might find an excuse—like having plans in the evening—and dump all their unfinished work onto you, knowing full well you wouldn't dare resist or refuse. For those who still hold onto a student mindset, this workplace veteran represents a crushing authority, and the former subconsciously submits. This is precisely why many workplace veterans enjoy bullying newcomers.

Shedding the student mindset, daring to break the constraints of rules, and looking "authority" straight in the eye is the true mark of adulthood.

...

Seeing the shock in Tao Yuang's eyes, Zhang Yang nodded and replied, "That's right, rewriting."

Before he could finish, he continued, "My market research reports are not sold as exclusive buyouts. If you, Senior, are willing to bear the consequences of being discovered by your superiors, I can simply charge an authorization fee and tacitly allow you to rewrite my reports."

Though framed as a collaborative rewrite, Zhang Yang was effectively treating Tao Yuang as a VIP client, aiming to secure the money first. He was certain that if Tao Yuang actually became a star fund manager at Huaxin Securities, he would immediately assemble his own market analysis team to avoid leaving any loose ends for others to exploit. A brief partnership would be a win-win for both.

"How much is the authorization fee?" Tao Yuang asked.

As a seasoned professional who had been grinding in the workplace for years, he had long since discarded his student mindset. Tao Yuang knew very well that as long as one could bear the consequences, there was nothing that couldn't be done.

"50,000 yuan a month," Zhang Yang stated his initial price.

For others, 50,000 yuan a month might seem unreasonable, but for Tao Yuang, who needed market research reports to secure development resources at Huaxin Securities, it was a bargain. Once he secured those resources, he could potentially become a star fund manager, with annual management fees reaching tens of millions of Chinese yuan.

Before calling Zhang Yang, Tao Yuang had contacted several financial data analysts at Huaxin Securities, sending them Zhang Yang's report and asking how much it would cost to produce one of the same quality. The others hadn't even talked about money; they simply stated it couldn't be done. Zhang Yang's reports weren't just based on public data; they contained his unique insights into the current capital market and specific stock sectors, including predictions for future trends.

Driven by desperation, Tao Yuang had chosen to negotiate with Zhang Yang. However, 50,000 a month just for rewriting seemed too steep. He countered, "Senior doesn't have it easy either; my monthly salary is only 70,000. You want 50,000 in one go—I really can't afford that. 30,000, how about 30,000 a month?"

Zhang Yang smiled faintly, saying nothing, his gaze shifting to the Rolex Datejust 116231 on Tao Yuang's left wrist. If he remembered correctly, the list price for that watch was 84,000.

Wearing a Rolex worth over 80,000 and driving a BMW M3 worth nearly a million while crying poverty—did he really think Zhang Yang didn't know about the extra income fund managers made?

"Ahem."

Tao Yuang smoothed his sleeve, partially covering the watch, and said somewhat guiltily, "How about this: 40,000 a month. Consider it a favor to your senior. If you run into any unsolvable problems in the future, I'll help you solve them."

"Are you serious?" Zhang Yang asked with a faint smile.

Saving 10,000 yuan in exchange for a favor from a future star fund manager was a very profitable deal overall; after all, they say favors are the hardest debts to repay. Tao Yuang was in a bind too. His actual monthly income, including extras, was around 90,000, but he had car and mortgage payments to cover. If Zhang Yang insisted on 50,000, he would have no choice but to beg his girlfriend, Yue Shuxue.

"Absolutely," Tao Yuang promised, patting his chest.

As long as he successfully obtained the resources from Huaxin Securities and used the connections from Yue Shuxue's family to polish his image, he might truly become the next Sun Jiandong, just as Li Zhenrui had said.

"Since you've put it this way, Senior, I can't refuse. Let's go with 40,000 a month," Zhang Yang relented.

"Since you've agreed, brother, let me add a couple more points," Tao Yuang said, quickly clearing his thoughts. "You must guarantee at least four reports a month—macro market reports or sector/stock-specific reports—and you need to send them to me two days in advance. Once I finish rewriting them, we will release them together."

"No problem," Zhang Yang replied with a light smile.

"Let's sign a 'Co-creation Agreement.' That way, even if we are discovered, we have an excuse to argue our case," Tao Yuang suggested.

Zhang Yang: "Whatever you say."

As long as the money was in hand, everything else was negotiable. Seeing Zhang Yang nod, Tao Yuang immediately called the box manager waiting outside and asked for A4 paper, a fountain pen, and an ink pad.

Soon, the items were delivered. Since it was a handwritten agreement, the two also recorded a video to corroborate the content, ensuring it held legal weight.

Halfway through the recording, Tao Yuang’s phone rang.

"Bad timing," he muttered, glancing at the caller ID with annoyance. Upon seeing the name "Yue Shuxue," he quickly suppressed his frustration and said to Zhang Yang, "I need to take this call."

"Sure, go ahead," Zhang Yang nodded slightly.

Tao Yuang walked quickly to the balcony of the Jiuxiao Hall, gazing out at the Huangpu River, and pressed answer. "Hello, Xiaoxue."

"Yuang, where are you?" Yue Shuxue’s voice on the other end was pained, her tone tense.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" Tao Yuang asked anxiously.

"My stomach hurts, and my chest feels tight. I don't know if it's because of the pregnancy," Yue Shuxue explained.

Just half a month ago, Yue Shuxue had felt unwell and lost her appetite, so she went to the hospital. They didn't know until the check-up: she was already four months pregnant. Tao Yuang, thrilled to become a father, had immediately decided to get their marriage certificate with Yue Shuxue soon.

Hearing that Yue Shuxue was in pain, Tao Yuang quickly said, "Stay home, I'll be back right away."

He hung up in a rush, returned to the box, and said to Zhang Yang, "Brother, something urgent has come up. Let's finish this quickly. As for the meal, just order what you like; I'll tell the manager."

"Understood." Zhang Yang didn't ask what happened; he wasn't that gossipy.

After finishing the corroborating video, Tao Yuang left in a hurry with the handwritten agreement. Before departing, he didn't forget to leave his bank card with the Peace Hotel box manager as a deposit.

Looking at the China Construction Bank gold card in his hand, the manager re-entered the box and asked Zhang Yang, "Sir, the gentleman who just left said your bill is on him and left his card as a deposit. Would you like to order now?"

"Wait a little longer," Zhang Yang gestured.

The manager didn't rush him and closed the door again to leave. Zhang Yang then opened his phone, found He Jing's number, and dialed.

"Beep—beep—"

After a few rings, the call connected.

"What?" He Jing’s tone carried a hint of annoyance; she seemed to still be holding a grudge about Zhang Yang offering to take her to the cafeteria.

Zhang Yang: "I'm treating you to dinner."

"Not going." He Jing refused immediately, thinking to herself, *If you don't want to treat me, don't. Offering to take a girl to the cafeteria—how stingy.*

"I need to talk to you about something," Zhang Yang said.

"Talk on the phone. Besides, I'm not going to the cafeteria; I just ate."

"It's not the cafeteria."

"Not the cafeteria?"

"No. Take a cab to the Peace Hotel."