The videos from both sides had become highly similar.

Both exposed the formaldehyde apartment issue. Although the other side’s editing and various details weren’t as good, they had investigated all rental brands on the market, including Sloth Apartments.

Moreover, as a review media outlet with a consistently good reputation in the tech circle, their credibility was quite high. Having a third party come forward was far better than Fei Huang Studio exposing this issue, since Fei Huang Studio had a direct interest relationship with Sloth Apartments.

This made the video that Fei Huang Studio was currently producing quite awkward.

Zhu Xiaocai thought for a moment: “Export the video and save it, but let’s not release it.”

The editor was dumbfounded: “All that work for nothing?”

Zhu Xiaocai shook his head: “Of course not for nothing. We did the right thing. Even though nobody will know about it, doing this was meaningful in itself.”

There was no need to release the video anymore.

Because the problem had already been exposed and had attracted sufficient attention, the rest had nothing to do with Tenda.

Previously, Zhu Xiaocai and his team hadn’t approached third-party review agencies mainly for two reasons.

First, the quality of various review agencies varied greatly, and the video effect might not be guaranteed. If Fei Huang Studio approached them, they certainly couldn’t interfere with their work, and the actual effect might be far from what was expected.

If the video response wasn’t enthusiastic enough, it wouldn’t serve its exposing purpose.

Second, if the fact that Fei Huang Studio had found a third-party agency to release the video was exposed, the credibility of the video would similarly be questioned. Homely Group might even seize this opportunity to counterattack, making the situation even more unfavorable.

Fei Huang Studio couldn’t go around asking each review agency whether they planned to make formaldehyde apartment videos, nor could they just keep waiting, otherwise, more victims would accumulate.

After comprehensive consideration, it was better to handle it personally, at least giving people a sense of openness and honesty.

But now, coincidentally, a fairly objective review media had stepped forward to expose this issue, so there was no need for Fei Huang Studio to release their video.

The editor regretfully put the exported video into a folder: “Too bad Huang isn’t here. He still doesn’t know that after all this work, this video will never meet the audience.”

Zhu Xiaocai smiled: “It’s alright, Huang wouldn’t mind this either. Speaking of which, Huang should be back this weekend, right? Wonder if he’s having fun in Africa. The signal is poor there, it’s often hard to get in touch.”

The editor took out his phone and browsed the comments under the Tenda Life APP.

“Seems like quite a few people have left messages in Sloth Apartments’ section, but there’s still a lot of controversy.”

“Nobody’s picking on prices and quality anymore, but these regulations from Sloth Apartments… many people still don’t understand them.”

This video not only attacked those formaldehyde apartments but also pushed Sloth Apartments into the spotlight.

All at once, Sloth Apartments became the true “safe housing” – healthy, environmentally friendly, with cleaning services. Although expensive, which was more important – money or life?

Life and health could never be measured by money.

But even so, many people were still questioning Sloth Apartments’ model.

If it were merely health considerations, wouldn’t it be better to rent ordinary houses, or those “safe houses” that had been vacant for over six months?

Now everyone could accept Sloth Apartments’ prices – after all, you get what you pay for. Using so many good materials and good furniture justified charging more rent.

But Sloth Apartments’ biggest problem remained unresolved – it was not livable!

No storage space, unable to add your own furniture, unable to change the room layout – these remained points that many tenants found difficult to accept.

Zhu Xiaocai shook his head: “Who knows? These inconsiderate regulations couldn’t possibly be deliberately designed to drive away tenants, right? Mr. Pei must have other considerations. We’ll know if we wait patiently.”

…

Meanwhile, Pei Qian in his office had just closed this review video.

“Other review agencies are making this video as well?”

“Well, that’s good too. Formaldehyde apartments should indeed be exposed.”

“But could you not praise my Sloth Apartments at the same time?”

“Good thing I was mentally prepared, otherwise my back would have another knife in it.”

After seeing this review video, Pei Qian knew that Fei Huang Studio’s video most likely wouldn’t be released.

But that was fine. Exposing formaldehyde apartments was the goal, and it didn’t matter who did it.

The only surprising thing was that this review video had also tested the formaldehyde concentration in Sloth Apartments.

After all, Sloth Apartments was still in its infancy, incomparable to rental companies like Homely Group in scale. The fact that they hadn’t escaped testing was truly extraordinary.

Sloth Apartments’ environmental index completely crushed all other rental brands. This news breaking out was another huge boost to the Sloth Apartments brand!

But Pei Qian was somewhat prepared for this. After all, whoever disclosed the formaldehyde apartment issue, someone would test Sloth Apartments’ formaldehyde levels. This was inevitable.

Pei Qian had long known that these competitors were all unreliable!

His industry peers were too incompetent, couldn’t count on them at all.

Many times it wasn’t that Mr. Pei wanted to make money, but his peers wouldn’t allow him not to.

So Pei Qian hadn’t placed all his hopes on his peers; he knew they were just a bunch of useless teammates.

To make Sloth Apartments lose money, he had to rely on various inconsiderate regulations and this bare-bones decoration style.

As long as Sloth Apartments remained unlivable and rooms remained unfilled, the Sloth Apartments brand would continue to bleed money.

“Knock, knock, knock.”

A knocking sound came from outside the office.

Assistant Xin pushed the door open: “Mr. Pei, Jingzhou TV’s Finance Channel wants to interview with you, mainly because Startling Inn has made outstanding contributions to the renovation of the old industrial zone, so…”

Pei Qian was stunned, with a question mark floating above his head.

?

Jingzhou TV interview? Again?

Pei Qian hastily said, “No time!”

“Tell the TV station that I’m busy with work and don’t have time. Next time for sure.”

Assistant Xin nodded: “Alright, Mr. Pei.”

After Assistant Xin left, Pei Qian patted his chest, calming himself down.

Jingzhou TV Finance Channel?

Come on, last time Slackin’ Takeout was sabotaged by the TV station!

Now they want to try something with Startling Inn? I won’t fall for it again!

Startling Inn was in the old industrial zone. Although Startling Inn was still far from breaking even, it had gained decent popularity.

Renovating the old industrial zone had always been a difficult problem, and local Jingzhou enterprises were unwilling to touch this mess.

Tenda Group had invested heavily in the old industrial zone to create a theme park like Startling Inn. Although it was a haunted house, it was still a tertiary industry, enough to become a benchmark project for old industrial zone renovation!

So, it was only a matter of time before the TV station came for an interview.

When Startling Inn first opened, the TV station had reported once, but that time didn’t generate much attention or discussion. After all, Startling Inn’s promotion was overwhelming; it didn’t need the TV station’s report.

But Pei Qian dared not accept a special interview. He knew very clearly that if he accepted an interview, things would definitely go wrong!

Just like last time with Slackin’ Takeout, Pei Qian had only shown his back view, yet netizens had identified him, turning it into “Tenda’s boss personally promoting.” If he accepted an interview and Startling Inn became popular because of it, that was entirely possible!

Moreover, Pei Qian didn’t want to show his face.

As for written news releases… don’t even mention it, he had psychological trauma.

So Pei Qian’s attitude was very firm: just say he’s busy, next time for sure.

I won’t accept interviews. What can you do? Hold a knife to my throat? Stab me in the back?

You can’t!

…

Finance Channel reporter Zhang Lixian hung up the phone, looking bewildered.

Mr. Pei refused!

Logically, this was a TV interview, and a positive one at that, setting an example. It would greatly enhance the corporate image. How could he refuse?

Deliberately refusing?

That wasn’t likely. There was no reason to refuse such a good opportunity.

Very likely… he didn’t have time?

Zhang Lixian felt a bit disappointed because this time she wanted to report not just on Startling Inn itself, nor just on the renovation of the old industrial zone, but also wanted to interview Mr. Pei about his views on investment.

Previously, Jingzhou TV had reported on Startling Inn, but the effect was average, not generating much response.

Upon reflection, the main issue was that the content wasn’t done well.

This interview is planned to take a different angle.

Most companies didn’t respond to the call to renovate the old industrial zone and didn’t dare invest there for fear of bearing risks.

But Mr. Pei was also an investor. Why did he dare to invest in the old industrial zone? Was there a story behind this worth exploring?

Everyone thought this would be a good angle.

However, unfortunately, Mr. Pei wouldn’t accept the interview, so things were a bit stuck.

A staff member suggested: “If Mr. Pei doesn’t have time… how about someone else? Mr. Pei isn’t the only investor in Startling Inn. Mr. Li from Fuhui Capital also co-invested quite a bit of money there.”

Another staff member nodded in agreement: “Yes, we could interview Mr. Li. He’s also an investor, so the effect should be the same.”

Zhang Lixian thought about it and felt this might be a good alternative.

Mr. Li from Fuhui Capital had also invested in the old industrial zone, equally worthy of praise, and he had likely worked with Mr. Pei, understanding some inside information about Startling Inn’s construction process.

Thinking of this, Zhang Lixian found Fuhui Capital’s phone number and successfully contacted Li Shi, explaining her intention: to arrange a special interview to share the journey of investing in the old industrial zone, and the reasons behind such successful investment.

Li Shi, on the other end of the phone, gladly agreed.

Zhang Lixian was pleased: “Then, Mr. Li, we’ll come to your office for the interview? Please suggest a time.”

After a moment of silence, Li Shi on the other end said: “If we’re talking about successful investment experiences… compared to the office, I have a better interview location.”

“City Dawn’s Sloth Apartments.”