Early the next morning, Rong Jing had to go to the company. The two had agreed to meet again at the entrance of the pheromone matching center in the afternoon.
Gu Xi was supposed to be dealing with his house matters today and then addressing some compensation issues for the previous time he had taken off from work. However, as he watched Rong Jing leave, and thought about this afternoon’s visit to the matching center, he couldn’t help but feel anxious and restless. He couldn’t focus on anything else.
Gu Xi opened his Weibo account. There was no message yet from the water army company, and Xun Jiarui hadn’t posted any new revelations yet. Due to the previous topic, the popularity of Imperial Power was rising once again.
Gu Xi sent a message to the water army company, instructing them to stay vigilant and to inform him if the situation changes.
Thinking about what Guan Hongyi had said, he opened his fanny pack, took out a paroxetine1which, according to google search, is an antidepressanttablet, poured a glass of water, and swallowed the tablet.
He still couldn’t calm down and continued to walk around the room. He opened the gaming app, and played Tetris, and then Plant vs. Zombies, but his demeanor couldn’t hide his anxiety and aversion to what was to come.
*
Rong Jing spent the entire morning learning from Zhou Xiang. When noon approached, Zhou Xiang hesitated for a long time before he finally decided to enter the CEO’s office, and spoke, “Mr. Xie.”
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Dkl Nkdt, ldtaspple kd nblnjkdt vbl Y pvsnjp’ xyajlv valdep, alrzkle, “Frlyj.”
“Zsw pll, R pvkzz byhl psxl xyvvlap vs bydezl qsa vbl nsxrydu, yde vbld vblal’p y ryav sq vbl uswdt xypvla’p cwpkdlpp vbyv dllep vs yzktd okvb swa nsxrydu’p. Ebyv es usw vbkdj…”
Gp y zsdt-vkxl ryavdla vbyv byp osajle okvb bkx qsa ulyap, Dkl Nkdt eked’v dlle vs twlpp obyv bl oyp kxrzukdt, “Zsw oydv y aykpl?”
Hbsw Dkydt pxkzle, jdsokdt vbyv vbkp oyp yd lypu vsrkn vs ekpnwpp yp vbl svbla ryavu wdelapvsse obyv bl xlydv. Mblu ekpnwpple psxl xsal, yde Hbsw Dkydt xykdvykdle y pxkzl yp bl oldv vs vbl dlmv qzssa vs qkde Ssdt Kkdt, obs bye fwpv qkdkpble ekpnwppkdt bkp nszzycsayvksd okvb WBL, “Zswdt xypvla.”
Ssdt Kkdt zssjle yv bkp oyvnb, osdelakdt obyv Qw Dk oyp eskdt, yde ypjle, “Txx?”
Hbsw Dkydt zlydle kd nzspl yde obkprlale, “Ya. Dkl ypjle kq vbl sdl bwdeale xkzzksd bl tyhl usw byp yzz clld prldv.”
Rq vbl uswdt xypvla eslpd’v wpl kv, ds ynbklhlxldvp okzz cl tykdle, yde R, yp vbl uswdt xypvla’p kdhlpvxldv yehkpsa, osd’v byhl vbl nbydnl qsa y pyzyau kdnalypl.
Ssdt Kkdt: “…” Psd’v ypj xl, vbl ydpola kp ds.
Xie Ling gave him a hundred million for investment. Although there was no time limit, he had to submit reports on time, and had his progress monitored. Several experts had already been enlisted to help him integrate and plan.
Rong Jing’s mind started to wander. The companies he chose before were certainly the golden cheats of the male leads in the novel, most of them still in their early stages or in the development phase. Hence, the required investment figures he spent weren’t much, ranging from hundreds of thousands to a few million only. After all the spending, it hadn’t even reached fifty million. He even recently invested a whopping twelve million in a post-production company.
12 million is already a lot.
Rong Jing saw the director from the entertainment department, whom he encountered last time, entering the elevator. He quickly walked in, and the two started chatting.
Rong Jing asked, “I wonder what the investment plans are this year?”
Facing a family member2Note: Since Rong Jing is also in the entertainment industry, he’s regarding him as something similar to a family member, the director mentioned several TV dramas and movies.
Rong Jing nodded and asked, “May I ask what the Director thinks of Imperial Power?”
“Director Liu Yu is certainly young and bold…” The director praised him first as per the usual practice in the industry before giving criticisms, “…but I don’t know if the young master has heard about this. He graduated from the Film Academy’s directing department and has gained professional qualifications, but his passion is for making artistic, literary films. He’s actually from a wealthy family, but did you know that he had almost lost all of his money just to make his films?” Investors tend to be wary of such eccentric directors, who spare no expense with their films.
Rong Jing knew that making documentaries might not be profitable, but he didn’t expect artistic, literary films would be challenging.
“But Lou Ta has received good feedback, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed, it has, but it is still a commercial film with an artistic, literary touch. It has good reviews and box office results. The plot analyzes the lives of the poor before the redevelopment of the old city.
It’s reasonable to think that because of his previous success, it’s guaranteed that he would be able to attract more investors now. However, it’s the cold winter season, and no one can guarantee his success once more. There are too many uncertainties, and everyone is cautious. I also heard that the main investor seems to have withdrawn funds, and the reason is unknown. Rumor has it that they suddenly lost interest in this project.”
“That’s because I replaced the lead actor that the main investor favored.”
Seeing the director’s shocked expression, Rong Jing clarified, “Without relying on my big brother, of course.”
In simpler terms, he didn’t rely on Xie Ling’s connections and power, simply relying on his own strength.
You got the role all by yourself? That’s truly incredible.
So, did the main investor intentionally release such news to mislead other investors?
Rong Jing noticed the director’s growing interest and enticed him, “It also has its own good points. Imperial Power is an adaptation of a novel, with a certain target audience. Plus, top-tier stars like Gu Xi have joined the project, providing both a solid base audience and popularity. With Liu Yu’s directing skills, as long as we put our hearts into it, there’s no fear of it not becoming popular.”
The director now understood; the young master had a plan in mind.
“Are you suggesting…”
“I will invest personally, but I believe we shouldn’t let others reap the benefits. See if our entertainment department is interested,” I’ll fund it myself, pushing the flames for my own sake. “But of course, this is just a tiny, insignificant suggestion from me. Everything would still depend on your plans for this year.”
If all things goes according to his memory, this movie will become a huge success, injecting vitality into the previously struggling historical drama genre. Small investors who will decide to invest in this will certainly earn a lot of money.
In the original novel, after Xie Jisheng inherited the Xie family, the once-disfavored entertainment department was entirely cut, only to regain its glory under the management of the Wu family.
Thinking about it, it was a bit upsetting.
The original story believed that the Xie’s was an old business, unable to adapt to the times and therefore rightfully eliminated. Whew, who said old businesses weren’t good? Old businesses have solid foundations and capital. Moreover, Xie Ling had always been seeking a balance. It was Xie Jisheng’s lack of skills and ability that made the company go down, wasn’t it?
Since my big brother doesn’t have time for side businesses, I might as well stir things up a bit.
After hearing Rong Jing’s plan, the director suddenly felt enlightened.
It made sense. In reality, ‘Imperial Power’ coincidentally faced the winter chill of the entertainment industry, and its market value was underestimated.
Thinking about the young master’s previous statement about bringing down Shengteng Entertainment, and now seeing all the online criticisms on Weibo and regulatory interventions, it seemed like he had indeed succeeded.
The director looked at Rong Jing with excitement, as if he was staring at a chicken that laid golden eggs.
Could the Xie’s entertainment department finally welcome its spring?
In a hurry, Rong Jing, accompanied by the newly acquainted professional managers and Zhou You, headed to Shengteng Entertainment to discuss the project proposal for the 60 percent acquisition. Xu Shengteng, the main person in charge, got caught for trespassing into an Omega’s room, resulting in a moral misconduct charge and his subsequent arrest.
At the entrance of Shengteng Entertainment, a group of Gu Xi’s fans were still protesting, earnestly hoping that the company would take strict actions against such societal scum.
The reputation of Shengteng Entertainment had completely crumbled, and now was the perfect time for acquisition talks.
According to market prices, such a large company would typically cost several billions. In the original novel, Xie Jisheng spent most of Xie’s working capital, which was one of the reasons leading to the rapid collapse of the Xie’s.
Even though Shengteng was infamous now, it still housed some second and third-tier celebrities. Dealing with numerous contracts alone posed a considerable challenge, making it undoubtedly still valuable for acquisition.
Rong Jing, well aware of his lack of expertise, hired professional managers to negotiate and try to get the best deal, earning the approval of the majority of shareholders.
After this matter, he hurriedly went to the matching center’s entrance at the appointed time.
Gu Xi was already there, engrossed in playing a mobile game to ease the steadily rising anxiety, listening to the soothing sounds of other players being eliminated.
A shadow cast over his head, and Gu Xi immediately smiled, looking up at the person who just arrived, “You came.”
Two plain words, but the tone was like a refreshing rainfall after a prolonged drought.
Rong Jing wanted to pat his head. He looked so obedient.
The two of them walked into a high tech building, filled with a futuristic atmosphere. At first, considering Gu Xi’s indifferent demeanor, Rong Jing thought he didn’t care about this matching process at all.
But then, he noticed Gu Xi walking weirdly, and Rong Jing almost burst into laughter. This was just too cute.
The staff guided them, and they first got their numbers from the machine.
In the lobby, there were already many Alphas and Omegas waiting to be matched. There was a clear distinction between the two genders, with the seats of one gender on the left, and the other on the right.
Most of the Omegas come accompanied by someone of the same gender, while Alphas mostly come alone, waiting to be chosen by an Omega. Almost never would you see someone like Gu Xi, who brought an Alpha to accompany him.
Rong Jing was casually looking for a seat next to an Alpha but saw Gu Xi pointing to an empty row of seats.
The two of them immediately become the most unusual spectacle in the entire building. They drew collective attention from both sides, and now, seated in the middle row of seats, these two stood out among the crowd.
We’re supposed to be all singles here. Are these two out of their minds? Why did they come here? To stir up trouble?
In a gathering of singles looking for their partner, what are these two doing here, blatantly flaunting their existing relationship, provoking people?
No one noticed among the group of Alphas that there was one person there wearing a peak cap, struggling to look in Rong Jing’s direction as he was being suppressed by someone. With his mouth being blocked, no one noticed his desperate struggle.
This person is none other than Wu Fuyu, who was sent over by Wu Hanqi for a pheromone matching after receiving a message from the pheromone matching center.
However, Wu Fuyu actually didn’t want to come here. In this day and age, who still arranges love for others?
All his energy was now focused on how to make Rong Jing notice him. Rong Jing, this fcking bastard, still hasn’t added him as a friend. It made him so frustrated.
Wu Hanqi was straightforward with his intentions too.
I let you roam outside for so long, not so you could engage in same sex relationships. Now you have to go to the matching center, and find a person or persons that could match your pheromones. It doesn’t matter how many you would take.
Once you meet more people, you’ll understand how bizarre Alpha-Alpha relationships can be.
Wu Fuyu, who has always obeyed his father’s words, refused this time. It escalated to the point of wanting to leave home, but he was stopped by Ji Jiong Jie, who arranged for someone to intervene.
Ji Jiong Jie received orders from his uncle and took decisive action. Wu Fuyu was brought in, bound and tied, all the way to the matching center.
“Uhhhhhhhh—” Let me go! Why is Rong Jing here? Who is he matching with? And who’s that damned minx next to him? Look at those hips and that waist, definitely an ancient bewitching devil! Let me go and check!!
His struggles caught the attention of the Alphas nearby, and one of the bodyguards whispered in his ear, “Young master, if you don’t quiet down, we’ll have to take necessary measures.”
With a cold syringe appearing before Wu Fuyu, the threat was evident.
Wu Fuyu rolled his eyes in frustration: Ah, Ji Jiong Jie, you philandering pervert! I can’t stand you! You’re a bastard who uses chicken feathers as commanding arrows, a fox that exploits the tiger’s might!3T/N: Yeehaw, Wu Fuyu. Slow down with the idioms, man. 1.) Chicken feathers as commanding arrows – Used to describe a person who, based on some casual words from a superior, arrogantly orders others around. 2.) Fox that exploits the tiger’s might – Implies that someone is acting arrogantly while using or relying on the reputation or power of someone else powerful to intimidate others.
Lol Fu yuuu sorry but maybe next next life lol
Thank you for this chapter!