Chapter 479: Wish He

Nowadays, many stars in the entertainment industry register their companies or studios in Huoerguosi.

Later, when Huoerguosi changed its policies and Hainan offered tax incentives, they moved their registration to Hainan.

Either way, they run wherever there's a benefit, aiming for free rides—they don't need to set up factories or anything substantial, just rent a room as an office.

Virtually every star in the entertainment industry, without exception, has registered a company in Huoerguosi, including those who project impeccable public images.

For instance, Hu Ge, Liu Tao, Hu Jun, Chen Kun, Wu Jin—they're practically clustered there.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have later uncovered over a hundred stars evading taxes, triggering a wave of back tax payments.

Don't be fooled by how glamorous stars look in public, how they talk big about money being worthless—they'll do anything for profit, for exploiting the masses.

Behind closed doors, they might not be what they seem at all! And the state's policy was surely well-intentioned—to boost local economies and make regions thrive—but it's constantly exploited by those with ulterior motives.

So sometimes the state is stuck: it wants to do things right, but these people keep sabotaging it.

And yet they haven't broken any laws—doesn't that seem strange?

Of course, there are those who don't follow the crowd—Liu Tianxian, Nazha, Jing Tian never did this; they played by the rules, did things properly.

Nazha is even from that region, so she'd have had even easier access, yet her studio ended up in Shanghai and Guangzhou—she never even considered doing that.

Liu Tianxian and Jing Tian need no mention—they've never changed their agencies in decades.

In this circle, those who aren't famous and are often bullied are often the good ones, because they don't follow the herd.

Sometimes, those who are wildly popular and adored by many aren't necessarily good people—they might have all sorts of Mao Ni.

Let's get back on track—Fang Hong was still talking to Wang Zhangtian; their conflict had been brewing for some time, fundamentally over misaligned interests.

Wang Zhangtian said: "That's not something I can decide alone—I'm co-producing Deng Chao's film with others."

"Then there's nothing to be done," Fang Hong said. "If you want me to push back my schedule, you're harming Yutu Film's interests and Tu Piaopiao's interests."

Wang Zhangtian fell silent—he knew that well.

"Also, General Manager Wang, don't forget your position—you're Tu Piaopiao's second-largest shareholder; you can't favor outsiders."

This remark carried a hint of turning the tables.

It meant Tu Piaopiao is your real son; everything else isn't.

Wang Zhangtian couldn't stand his nonsense—he knew perfectly well who was his son and who wasn't.

He couldn't help asking: "You say Tu Piaopiao is close to you, yet I've never received any benefits from Tu Piaopiao—it didn't subsidize 'The Breakup Guru' much, but heavily subsidized 'Transformers 4'—and previously, multiple Yutu Film movies received massive ticket subsidies. What do you say to that?"

"But you've used Tu Piaopiao's channels too—if you're going to say that, then I'll say this: during the propaganda campaign for 'So Close Yet So Far,' why did not a single promotional banner appear under your media network? Tu Piaopiao was the distributor." Fang Hong was dissatisfied.

To compete, he had blocked Tu Piaopiao's access to Guangxian's media channels.

This was invisible, but he wasn't unaware—last time, during 'Dad Where Are We Going,' competing with 'The Four Constables 2,' they subtly weakened 'Dad Where Are We Going''s promotion too.

Of course, last time he hadn't noticed—Chen Zhixi had pointed it out to him, and only then did he pay attention.

Wang Zhangtian was momentarily speechless—he had indeed blocked promotion for 'So Close Yet So Far.'

He'd even done the same with 'Dad Where Are We Going.'

"You've failed to fulfill your duty as a shareholder. Though we're both in film and competitors, we're also partners! Where did the promised resource-sharing go?" Fang Hong said again.

He had once leveraged their channels to rise, and now he was questioning why he couldn't use them anymore.

Of course, Wang Zhangtian had his reasons—because if things continued like this, the gap between Yutu Film and Guangxian would widen further; he had to think of himself.

He asked: "Principal, ask yourself honestly—is Tu Piaopiao yours, or everyone's?"

"Of course it's everyone's," Fang Hong said shamelessly.

"Do you even believe that yourself? Tu Piaopiao exists essentially to serve only you." Wang Zhangtian said.

No matter how much money Tu Piaopiao burned, most of it went to Yutu Film's own movies—even when it subsidized others', it never matched the scale of its own.

Who else got massive subsidies? Guangxian couldn't even dream of enjoying Yutu Film's spending spree.

"Didn't I grow Tu Piaopiao beyond your expectations? Now it holds about 70% market share—who else could achieve that?" Fang Hong said.

"I admit you have vision and foresight, but we shareholders contributed too. When you had no money at the start, who gave you funds? Who gave you channels?" Wang Zhangtian pushed back.

"You gave me money—wasn't it to help me open the market? I succeeded in opening it—that's enough. Other shareholders have no complaints—why do you?" Fang Hong didn't back down.

What started as a discussion about rescheduling had suddenly turned into a dispute over Tu Piaopiao's ownership.

Still, Wang Zhangtian had good vision—he invested the most back then and had legitimate rights.

In truth, this was still about misaligned interests—other shareholders like Wanda and Tencent had no complaints, because they cared only about market share: as long as you held it, they were fine.

But Wang Zhangtian wanted both the channel and to have Tu Piaopiao serve him—how could he expect both?

"I have no personal issue with you—only that you think only of yourself, never of others," Wang Zhangtian said, frustrated. For years, his company had barely survived, while Yutu grew stronger and Tu Piaopiao expanded with it.

Yet he never reaped any benefits from Tu Piaopiao—all the gains went to Yutu.

Naturally, he felt some imbalance.

Of course, he had made money from Tu Piaopiao's growth—his shares had appreciated.

"General Manager Wang, that sounds childish. We're partners, but also competitors—if you didn't succeed, look to yourself." Fang Hong spoke casually.

"Forget all that—let's just talk about rescheduling 'So Close Yet So Far.' What's your answer?" Wang Zhangtian didn't want to discuss that issue anymore.

Talking more was useless—he was at a disadvantage, while the other held the upper hand; the more he argued, the more they could accuse him of not trying hard enough and shut him down.

He shouldn't have brought up that topic with this man.

"I can't reschedule—it's already locked in. Even if I wanted to, other presidents, directors, and partners at the company wouldn't allow it, and Tu Piaopiao wouldn't allow it—I can't help you." Fang Hong said.

Since they couldn't reach agreement, there was nothing left to say—they naturally hung up.

On the other end, Wang Zhangtian was furious—he shouldn't have invested in Tu Piaopiao in the first place, shouldn't have helped build it up; now he'd created an enemy for himself for nothing.

If he'd backed another platform instead, things might have turned out differently—but it was too late now; they'd already gone this far.

If he tried switching platforms now, it would take another huge effort.

"Will this conflict with Wang Zhangtian make him pull his investment from Tu Piaopiao?" Chen Zhixi warned.

"Don't overthink it—if he pulls out, it'll be after the IPO, to maximize profit. If he really wants to withdraw, plenty will be eager to take his place," Fang Hong said.

The current Rabbit Tickets are hot commodities — once listed, they can soar to ten billion. Wang Zhangtian would be a fool to pull out now.

Chen Zhixi said nothing, and also felt it wouldn't happen.

"Besides, I'd be happy to see him pull out. I don't even want him anymore — his channels aren't much use to us now." Fang Hong said.

Now Fang Hong really didn't want Enlight Media much; he wanted to bring Chang'e Technology in.

Chang'e Technology's Toutiao was currently developing at breakneck speed — registered users over 200 million, daily active users over 15 million. Zhang Yiming was still fierce.

And Chang'e Video had over 30 million daily active users and over 280 million monthly active users.

It was only because these past few months Jade Rabbit TV dramas kept popping up one after another — just finished airing The Wife's Secret, then airing Ancient Sword, followed by Zheng Zheng Comes, all of these were online-and-TV simulcasts.

Plus other web dramas like Darker and White-Coat School Flower with Long Legs, so gradually Chang'e Video wasn't really short on content anymore.

Going forward, there would be one quality TV drama and one web drama each month to meet demand — the further on, the more content.

Bilibili was also developing well, because TV dramas could now be freely clipped and explained, and copyright hadn't reached there yet.

Since posting videos earned money based on view counts, the content was growing richer and richer, and there were still many people doing it part-time.

So letting Chang'e in and connecting with Chang'e's channels was the best move. Enlight's channels would only become more and more of a liability unless they brought in capital.

Of course, later Enlight brought in Alibaba, becoming part of the Alibaba Group.

Then Chen Zhixi said nothing more. She said, "Then let's execute according to plan."

"According to plan, don't bother with him." Fang Hong waved his hand.

This matter was just a prelude — how it erupts later was still unknown, but Fang Hong had a plan to kick Wang Zhangtian out.

Before, there was no money and they needed his support; now kicking him out didn't matter — best to kick him out right before listing, that would be perfect.

But it probably wouldn't be easy to kick him out either — he was also waiting to go public.

And kicking him out didn't necessarily mean he'd sell to Chang'e Technology — he might sell to other companies like Wanda or Tencent.

It just wasn't easy to arrange for Chang'e Technology to take over.

With a shareholder like this selling shares, they had to offer to internal parties first; only if no one internal took them would they sell to outsiders.

And Chang'e Technology was an outsider.

Just as Fang Hong was planning how to kick Wang Zhangtian out, Liu Tianxian went to Fang Hong's home and was chatting with Xu Liyun.

The weather was fine that day. Xu Liyun was turning the soil with a hoe: "Xixi, I heard you got Best Actress."

"Yes, Auntie, you saw the news too?" Liu Tianxian stroked Heizi's dog head.

"I saw it — I watch the news every day. I even watched the video of you receiving the award; it was Xiao Fang who showed me. You're really amazing." Xu Liyun leaned on her hoe as she praised her, feeling quite proud, happy for her future daughter-in-law in her heart.

"Hehehe, not at all, Auntie, I still need to keep working hard." Liu Tianxian said she needed to keep working hard, but in her heart she was overjoyed, her face beaming with happiness.

"Mm, you can also let Xiao Fang work harder; you should rest more at home."

Xu Liyun said this, then looked at Liu Tianxian and said: "You're still calling me Auntie? You should change how you address me."

(End of chapter)