On the afternoon of October 4, 1998, Xiao Yawen and Liu Bing drove from Beijing to the ancient city at Ding Yuanying's invitation. Following Ding's instructions, Xiao Yawen dropped Liu Bing off at Ding's building and then drove to the Venus Hotel to avoid any further involvement.
Since selling his shares, Liu Bing had been trapped in a state of awkwardness and regret. Meeting Ding Yuanying now filled him with a sense of estrangement and unease. He knocked on the door, forcing an unnatural smile, "Brother Ding, you wanted to see me?"
"Come in and sit down," Ding Yuanying invited, offering him a cigarette. "I'm preparing to leave soon. I wanted to have a chat with you before I go, given the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. You can take this opportunity to go home for the holiday."
Liu Bing hesitated, "Brother Ding, about Xiaodan... I haven't expressed my condolences..."
Ding waved him off, lighting a cigarette and handing Liu the lighter, "Let's not talk about that. We have a history with our record company dealings, so I wanted to ask you—what are your plans for the future?"
Liu Bing lit his cigarette and said, "No concrete plans yet. I'll just muddle through and see what happens. I have a deep connection to the company; I helped build it from scratch. As long as they don't kick me out, I'll stay."
"When the company was first established, we had to consider personal relationships. Now that it's restructured, it must follow new rules. In the market, personal connections aren't enough. You need to be competent to have opportunities," Ding Yuanying advised.
Liu Bing shook his head, "I hurt Ouyang Xue with the share withdrawal, and President Xiao must have a low opinion of me. She's busy negotiating with Lusheng, but once she has time, I think she'll deal with me."
Ding Yuanying asked, "If you foresee the outcome, why persist?"
"I'm one of the founding members; my experience only holds value in this company. If I go elsewhere, it's worthless. If President Xiao gives me a chance, I have hope here. I've thought about starting something on my own, but it's tough to do business now. Staying with the company is at least stable and not a loss," Liu Bing explained.
Ding Yuanying probed, "If you hadn't predicted the outcome of the lawsuit, would you have sold your shares?"
"We wouldn't have. We didn't know you had calculated everything beforehand," Liu Bing admitted.
Ding Yuanying retrieved a manila envelope from the inner room and placed it in front of Liu Bing. The envelope's paper, color, and writing were all slightly aged. It was sealed with string, glue, and paper strips, covered with a layer of red wax. The archival date was November 12, 1996, and the seal date was October 3, 1998. The envelope was labeled "Gelüshi Company Documents."
Liu Bing had seen this envelope on multiple occasions over the past two years.
"According to civil litigation law, if new evidence is sufficient to overturn the original verdict, a retrial can be requested within two years of the verdict becoming effective. The company won't wait two years to fire you. The original documents in this envelope are new evidence enough to overturn the verdict. If the retrial overturns the verdict, you know the company's fate," Ding Yuanying said.
Liu Bing stared, tense and with a sense of sinister conspiracy. He instinctively took the sealed envelope, as if grasping the reins of his destiny.
"Our record company history is why I can do this for you. Remember, this is only to keep your job, not to blackmail others. I've already stooped low enough; don't make me lose more face," Ding Yuanying warned.
Liu Bing nodded repeatedly, "I understand, I understand."
"Good. I won't take more of your time. Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival; go home early," Ding Yuanying said.
Liu Bing hadn't let go of the envelope since he picked it up, fearing Ding might change his mind. He stood up quickly, "Brother Ding, you still have to talk with President Xiao. I'll head back now."
At the door, Ding Yuanying reminded him, "Liu Bing, President Xiao isn't petty. If you're capable, you'll get opportunities. If you're not, it's the same wherever you go."
Liu Bing nodded again and again, "I understand, I understand," he said as he left.