Rebirth 03: Starting a Business After Giving Up a Secure Job

Chapter 80 The Iron Fist Falls

Monday morning, Chengdu was bathed in bright sunshine.

Located in the digital mall, Zhou Kun's "Innovative Digital" store had just opened, and he was sitting behind the counter counting the weekend's revenue.

He was in a good mood; the sales of "Shengyue" MP3 players over the weekend were better than expected. Although his son, Zhou Yang, told him about Tang Lei's appeal on stage to boycott piracy, he didn't take it too seriously.

Over the years, the crackdown on piracy has been all talk and no action.

Just as he was counting the banknotes for the second time with his saliva, the light at the doorway was blocked by several shadowy figures.

"Boss, are you open for business?"

Zhou Kun looked up and saw three men in dark jackets walk in. The one in the lead was in his forties, with a serious expression and a briefcase tucked under his arm.

Two young men followed behind, one of whom was carrying a black box that looked like a toolbox.

"Open for business." Zhou Kun smiled and stood up. "What would you like to see? We have MP3 players, headphones, USB drives, and all good stuff..."

"We're from the district market supervision bureau." The man in the lead flashed his badge. "We received a report that you're suspected of selling electronic products that infringe on others' copyrights. This is the inspection notice."

Zhou Kun's smile froze instantly, and his mind went blank.

A young man behind him had already walked to the shelf, his eyes sweeping over the blue boxes with the "Sheng Yue" logo.

"Comrade, is there some mistake? We get our goods through legitimate channels and have invoices..." Zhou Kun hurriedly walked around the counter, trying to offer a cigarette and build rapport.

"Whether it's a mistake or not, we'll know once we check." The head of the inspection team didn't take his cigarette and signaled the two young men to take action. "Focus on checking this 'Shengyue' MP3 player. Pay attention to checking the pre-installed song list. Seize any that have the song 'Lilac Flower' pre-installed."

"We... the songs on this machine are all pre-installed, we didn't know that..." Zhou Kun tried to explain, but sweat was already beading on his forehead.

An inspector had already turned on a "Shengyue" MP3 player, skillfully operated it a few times, and brought up the song list. "Lilac Flower" was prominently listed.

Another inspector took out a connecting cable and a laptop from the black box he brought and began on-site evidence collection.

"How much of this MP3 player do you have in stock right now?" the inspection team leader asked while taking notes.

"No, not many left, just... just these few, they're all people who put them here to sell on consignment..." Zhou Kun stammered.

"Boss, you have more than just a few units here." Another inspector poked his head out from the small back warehouse and raised his voice, "There are several unopened boxes inside, all of this brand."

The head of the inspection team glared at Zhou Kun, a look that made Zhou Kun choke on his words.

Count, record, take photos, and affix seals.

The inspection team members worked quickly and efficiently. Zhou Kun stood to the side, watching as boxes of "Shengyue" MP3 players were carried out and piled up in the center of the store, like a small blue mountain.

Those things he once considered "powerful tools for increasing sales volume" are now piled up coldly, covered with white seals.

"Upon on-site inventory, a total of 427 'Shengyue' brand MP3 players suspected of infringing on the copyright of the musical work 'Lilac Flower' have been seized in accordance with the Copyright Law and relevant regulations on the sale of pirated audio-visual products. Further investigation and processing are pending. Please sign here." The person in charge handed a document to Zhou Kun.

Zhou Kun's hands were shaking so badly that he could barely hold the pen.

He glanced at the number 427, and felt as if his heart had been stabbed 427 times. 427 units, calculated at a minimum cost of 300 yuan each, totaled 12.8 yuan, not even including shipping costs.

This is all the capital he's bet! His heart is bleeding.

"Comrade, this is a misunderstanding! I'll contact the supplier right away, I'll return the goods, I won't sell them anymore, okay?" His voice was pleading.

"Whether there is any infringement or whether legal liability needs to be borne, we will investigate and determine in accordance with the law. Now please cooperate and sign." The person in charge was unusually firm.

Zhou Kun knew it was no use saying anything. Trembling, he scribbled his name on the seizure list.

As he watched the inspectors affix the last seal to the large cardboard box and then begin loading the goods onto the bread cart at the door, his legs went weak, and he leaned against the cold counter.

Just then, his phone started ringing incessantly. It was his son, Zhou Yang.

At the same time, the atmosphere was somber in the small conference room of the administration building at Xichuan University of Technology.

The university president sat in the main seat, his face grim. The dean of the Computer Science Department and the deputy secretary in charge of student affairs sat opposite him, their foreheads slightly sweaty.

Teacher Zheng from the Youth League Committee sat to the side, with her notebook open in front of her.

"The weekend's performance was a great success. Teacher Tang Lei also gave the school valuable feedback. He mentioned that some of our students were organizing the sale of pirated electronic products containing his songs on campus, which had a very bad influence."

The dean of the Computer Science Department nodded quickly: "Yes, Principal, we had previously..."

"I heard that a student reported this situation to your college's student affairs office last week? And they submitted the necessary materials?"

The deputy secretary's heart tightened; he knew he couldn't hide it any longer, and he forced a smile, saying, "Yes...that's true. The teachers in the student affairs office spoke with that student, Zhou Yang, and made him write a self-criticism..."

"Is writing a self-criticism all it takes to get it over with?" the principal questioned.

"Students are openly selling infringing goods on campus, and the copyright holder has already taken legal action! The Industry and Commerce Bureau has also intervened. Is this a simple violation of school rules? This is suspected of being illegal!"

"If the other party takes this seriously, and the court summons is sent to the school, and then the media reports on it, have you considered the impact?"

The dean and deputy secretary of the School of Computer Science turned pale.

"Schools are places for teaching and nurturing people; they should cultivate law-abiding individuals with a sense of social responsibility, not 'businessmen' who break the law and engage in crooked practices!"

"Professor Tang Lei has already been very considerate of the school by not publicly naming names, but the message was clear! If we continue to cover it up and try to smooth things over, what will the outside world think of us? What will the students think of us?"

"Principal, we were not aware of our shortcomings and our handling was not timely. We are responsible..." the dean hurriedly stated.

"Now is not the time to talk about responsibility, it's time to solve the problem immediately!" The principal waved his hand.

"First, all commercial activities of that student named Zhou Yang on campus must be immediately stopped."

Second, all those infringing MP3 players he has, as well as those held by his downstream distributors, must be confiscated and seized. Not a single one of them should be allowed to circulate outside the company!

Third, the college must conduct a serious investigation into him personally. The college should discuss what punishment he should receive and submit it to the university for approval. There will be absolutely no leniency!

Tomorrow, I want to see the college's preliminary handling opinion and explanation of the situation!

"Yes, Principal, we'll take care of it right away!" The dean and deputy secretary immediately stood up.

"Furthermore," the principal said, his tone still stern, "the teacher in the student affairs office who handled this matter previously, who tried to avoid responsibility and smooth things over, also needs to be criticized and educated. Student affairs work isn't about covering things up; it's about guidance and education! Your college needs to deeply reflect on this matter!"

"Yes, we will definitely conduct a thorough self-examination and resolutely rectify the situation!"

As they stepped out of the small conference room, the dean and deputy secretary's backs were soaked with sweat.

"Go back to the meeting immediately!" the dean gritted his teeth. "Those people in the student affairs office are simply... incompetent!"

Half an hour later, at the Student Affairs Office of the School of Computer Science.

The older teacher who had previously received Xu Qiang was now ashen-faced, standing before the dean and deputy secretary with his head almost bowed to his chest.

"You're an old comrade, how come you have no political acumen at all?!" The deputy secretary's fingers trembled with anger.

"The students raised such a serious problem, and you just casually say 'write a self-criticism' and that's it? And 'try to resolve it through negotiation'? Is this something that can be negotiated?"

Now look what's happened! It's reached the principal! The principal slammed his fist on the table! The Computer Science department has lost all face.

"I...I was thinking that if there were some business disputes between students, and our college got too involved, would that..." the teacher tried to explain.

"What do you mean, 'what if'? It's not a dispute anymore! The principal is personally overseeing it now!" The dean was even angrier.

"Right now, find Zhou Yang for me! And also, find all his agents, one by one! Confiscate all the pirated machines they have!"