Chapter 274: Need a Lawyer?

This sudden, strange meeting began just like that.

"Strange" was how Liu Liu Xiaoli defined this meeting.

Because she had never imagined that there would actually be a meeting that was, as Chen Nuo said, "everyone just treat it like coming over for a chat."

In her view, whenever someone said that, it was all bullshit.

A meeting would only ever be like a meeting, just as a chat would only ever be a chat.

As it turned out, this meeting, the likes of which she had never seen, lasted for a full two hours, and it never once felt like a meeting; it really was just like a chat.

Chatting about this and that.

Everyone said a few things; it was as if they had said a lot, yet also as if they had said nothing at all. There were complaints and expectations, casual nonsense, and shy requests.

There were long-famous actresses, as well as unknown female artists; there were newly emerged directors already quite famous in the mainland, and there were lecherous Hong Kong perverts who didn't act like decent human beings.

No matter what anyone said.

Even with Liu Liu Xiaoli wearing her polarized sunglasses, she had to admit at this moment that in a meeting where people were just chatting, that little guy really had quite a lot of charm.

He didn't seem like a young man in his twenties at all.

It was that kind of charm of a mature man that only a mature woman like her could truly appreciate.

No matter who it was or what they said, he didn't have any airs, he listened very carefully, he would offer his own opinions from the other person's perspective, and he would try to find ways to solve problems.

That feeling was truly, terrifyingly mature.

While listening, Liu Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but think that if she were an artist under him and encountered such a boss, she was afraid she would also...

She couldn't help but sigh softly in her heart; no wonder Xixi would steal money for him, it really was a wretched fate.

Liu Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but feel that maybe she should just let this matter go; after all, that money of hers was indeed saved for Xixi.

This girl was young, and if she wanted to take money to support a man, then she, as a mother, had no way to stop it.

After all, when a man is grown he should marry, and when a woman is grown...

No, that's not right.

It's casting a long line to catch a big fish; if you don't risk the child, you won't catch the wolf.

Although 20 million is a lot, if they could improve their relationship further, thinking about it, it was still acceptable.

It's just 20 million; even if it were truly lost, Xixi is still young, and her recent development momentum is quite good, so she might earn it back in a few years.

However, when the "old cadre tea party" ended and Chen Nuo announced the meeting was over, and then specifically asked Liu Qi Yifei to stay behind, Liu Liu Xiaoli still felt a shock in her heart and braced herself with all her might.

This little bastard, don't you dare try to push your luck with me!

If 20 million isn't enough, then I, Liu Liu Xiaoli, can only sacrifice my body to feed...

No, it should be sacrifice my life to accompany...

That's not right either.

In short, this little bastard better not think about swindling another cent from Xixi!

However, to Liu Liu Xiaoli's surprise, once the others left, Chen Nuo didn't say a word, but instead tossed over a contract and said, "Qi Yifei, and Liu Ayi, you two take a look together."

Upon seeing this, Liu Liu Xiaoli nearly had her eyeballs pop out.

Liu Qi Yifei had never encountered such things before and was still frowning, using her little brain to understand exactly what every word on the contract meant.

But Liu Liu Xiaoli had only flipped through a few pages before she looked up, her expression dazed as she asked, "Little Chen, you... what is this?"

Chen Nuo didn't answer, but instead handed over another document, smiled, and said, "There's also this, Liu Ayi, take a look, and then explain it to Qi Yifei. I think she might not understand it."

"You're the one who doesn't understand!" Liu Qi Yifei raised her head, a bit angry, and said, "Chen Nuo, I understood it. Let me tell you, my money was given... was lent to you, not because I wanted to buy your shares!"

Chen Nuo couldn't be bothered to pay attention to this silly woman and said to Liu Liu Xiaoli, "Liu Ayi, you also know that Liu Qi Yifei lent a sum of money to me a while ago, or rather, to the company, totaling 20 million. This 2% equity transfer agreement isn't actually being transferred by me; it's being carved out from the shares of this Mr. Qi Yuntian."

"The 20 million counts as the money Qi Yifei put in to buy into the company."

"The latter document is the management agreement I, Chen Nuo, just signed with the Huanran Huaran Yixin Company. It's signed for 20 years, and the attachments include my current advertising contracts and acting engagements."

"Starting from January 1, 2009, I will also sign a management contract with the company, with a 50-50 split. Whether it's movies, TV shows, or advertising endorsements, 50% of all related performance income will go into the company's account to be shared as dividends with the shareholders."

"Among this..."

Among this...

Liu Liu Xiaoli listened to Chen Nuo's words while flipping through the materials in her hands.

American Mattel: 7 million USD for 4 years.

American Harry Winston: 10 million USD for 5 years.

China Li Ning: 35 million for 3 years.

China Angel Diapers: 30 million for 3 years.

According to Chen Nuo, just these four endorsements alone would bring 50 million into the Huanxin Company every year.

And that was just a small matter.

The most important thing, the thing that made Liu Liu Xiaoli almost unable to catch her breath, was...

Chen Nuo's acting fees.

The Korean "Mother" and "Under the Hawthorn Tree" were both filmed by Chen Nuo in 2008, so the acting fees were naturally recorded in 2008; Liu Liu Xiaoli knew that these, of course, did not appear here.

However, he had included the acting fee for "Twilight," which was signed and filmed in 2008, in this year's accounting, because it would only start arriving successively from January 2009.

It went without saying; this was clearly just giving away money.

And it wasn't a small amount; it was half of 440 million RMB, which is 220 million!

Just this 220 million plus the 50 million in endorsement fees—Liu Liu Xiaoli calculated it with her elementary school math and knew it added up to 270 million, and of this 270 million, Liu Qi Yifei's 2% would get her 5.4 million.

That's not even including this year's Twilight 2.

On this document, it was clearly stated that his Twilight 2 and 3 were both signed with profit-sharing agreements!

Although not as exaggerated as Twilight 1, as long as the global box office sells 200 million, he would still be able to get 10%.

Although Liu Liu Xiaoli was no box office analysis expert, even a fool knew...

If the shoddy production of Twilight 1 could reach 635 million USD globally, then the higher-budget Twilight 2 couldn't possibly be bad.

Even if it were a failed sequel, a global box office of 500 million USD shouldn't be a problem.

Calculating from this, Chen Nuo's pre-tax acting fee would be a full 50 million USD!

As long as that sci-fi film by what's-his-name Nolan doesn't lose money, perhaps by the end of this year, the 20 million Liu Qi Yifei lent out behind her back could be mostly recovered. Starting the year after next, every dividend Liu Qi Yifei brought in would be pure extra income.

More importantly, from this moment on, Liu Qi Yifei could no longer be considered simply an artist under the Huanxin Company.

Just think about the future financial prospects.

In this year of 2009, just the acting fees and endorsements contributed by Chen Nuo would definitely be close to 1 billion. But is Chen Nuo the only artist in the Huanxin Company? A portion of her own Xixi's acting fees and endorsements would also be counted into the company's account, and there's also Fan Fan Fan Binbing, there's Ning Hao, there's that little fatty, and those two new actors who also look to have good image and temperament...

From now on, Liu Qi Yifei would have a share of all their income.

For a company with an annual profit of around 1 billion, if it were valued in the capital market, 20 million for 2% is absolutely a super-sized free lunch that only a Crown Prince could eat.

Perhaps after the Twilight series ends, Chen Nuo's acting fees might not necessarily remain this high, and the Huanxin Company's annual profits might not always maintain such an unimaginably high level.

However... so what?

As long as the movie invested in this time can break even, the 20 million they invested could be recovered in the first year, and every year after that would be at least a net profit of several million. Where in the world can you find such a business?

It's not that you can't find it; for example, in Colombia or the Golden Triangle, you can find it.

But that requires having the mindset of being ready to meet the King of Hell at any time.

The sharp-tongued Liu Liu Xiaoli didn't know what to say at this moment. She gripped the document tightly with both hands, looking at the young man sitting in the main seat with complex eyes.

"Mom, let me see again, what is written on your copy?" Liu Qi Yifei, who was to the side, tugged at the agreement in Liu Liu Xiaoli's hand, but couldn't pull it away.

Liu Liu Xiaoli, like Chen Nuo, ignored her silly daughter.

She looked at him.

Just like at the Peak of the Forbidden City, on the night of the full moon, Ximen Ximen Chuixue looking at Ye Ye Gucheng.

Her gaze was as focused as it could be, as serious as it could be.

"Little Chen, you're not joking?"

Chen Nuo smiled slightly and answered with a question: "Liu Ayi, do you need a lawyer?"

Fan Fan Fan Binbing, invested 50 million, Chen Nuo transferred 5% to her from his own 80% stake.

Liu Qi Yifei, invested 20 million, Qi Yuntian transferred 2% to her from his 20% stake.

This was the result finally discussed that day when Chen Nuo called Qi Yuntian to the villa.

Actually, at the very beginning, Chen Nuo wanted both people's shares to be carved out from his 80%,

but Qi Yuntian firmly disagreed.

In the end, Chen Nuo thought about it and felt that Qi Yuntian made sense; business is business, so that's how it would be done.

Therefore, in the final share division, there were four shareholders in the Huanxin Company.

Chen Nuo 75%, Qi Yuntian 18%, Fan Fan Fan Binbing 5%, and Liu Qi Yifei 2%.

The signing of the management contract between Chen Nuo and the Huanxin Company also meant that its original studio operation method, which was like a makeshift troupe, had officially embarked on a formalized company operation model.

From then on, Chen Nuo was not only the company's chairman but also an artist under the company.

Just like Fan Fan Fan Binbing and Liu Qi Yifei, they were both artists and shareholders.

It could be said that the interests of the few were now completely tied together.

Just as Fan Fan Fan Binbing said after crying and laughing, and then crying and laughing again, when she saw the contract Chen Nuo gave her before the meeting started,

in this life, no one should think about taking away from her hands, or forcing her to give up, the right to suck blood from Chen Mou!

With this 5% now, she didn't have to worry about the things she had worried about in the past.

She could even loosen the strings on herself a little, not working like she was playing with her life to earn money as she did before, as if she had to earn all the money for a lifetime while her youth and beauty were still there.

"But, Chen Nuo, you know, I don't, I don't want this." Fan Fan Fan Binbing looked at the agreement at the time, sobbing and stuttering as she spoke.

She didn't call him Boss, nor did she call him Chen Zong, and she certainly didn't use any of those other messy titles.

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Of course I know," ruffled her hair, and gave her a hug.

He was just about to say something.

But Fan Fan Fan Binbing suddenly reached back and held him tightly.

If it weren't for the fact that it was still early for the meeting, and the office building that bastard Qi Yuntian bought was simply too large—even just half for personal use was around 800 square meters, truly vast and sparsely populated.

Perhaps before long, everyone would know that the sound of Fan Fan Fan Binbing crying was no different from any ordinary woman.

If there was a difference, it was at most that when weeping with joy, she would hug people and kiss them randomly.

……

……

When Liu Liu Xiaoli was in the conference room, nearly following in Fan Fan Fan Binbing's footsteps by weeping with joy for her own silly girl.

Zhao Zhao Liying arrived at Hearing Qi Yuntian office.

Just now, in that meeting that didn't really feel like a meeting, she had said almost nothing.

Qi Yuntian was clearly not concerned with this either; after chatting with her for over half an hour, she left with a complicated mood.

Zhang Zhang Xinyu and Zhou Dong Jie had already been waiting outside for quite a while.

The few of them didn't leave the company; since the place was big anyway, they found a corner shielded by a bookshelf and sat down on a sofa.

Afterwards, Zhang Zhang Xinyu asked impatiently: "What did Boss Qi say to you?"

Zhao Zhao Liying looked at her good friend and said with a complicated expression: "Boss Qi told me to focus on television dramas from now on."

Zhang Zhang Xinyu let out an "ah," but immediately said: "That's also pretty good! As long as the company is behind you, you'll definitely be getting female lead roles in the future! For sure! Little Ying, we're going to be famous! Hahahaha... I really want to tell Liu Shishi this news quickly; she even said we... hmph, let's see what she says now!"

Zhao Zhao Liying didn't mention that Boss Qi had told her to go back and prepare, because Chen Nuo said she was suited for period costumes, so the company had arranged for her to audition for two period dramas: one was Zhang Zhang Jizhong's "Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre," and the other was called "Schemes of a Beauty."

She looked at her good friend with envy and said: "You're going to film a movie, and it's even the female lead. Zhang Xinyu, just like you said before, you've finally waited for it."

Zhang Zhang Xinyu laughed and said: "Hahaha, not at all, it's not 100% yet. It's just letting me go try out. I heard from Boss Qi that Director Li Yu has quite high standards, so I might not necessarily get it. It's just that since the company arranged it, I have to bite the bullet and go for it."

As she spoke, she suddenly remembered that lecherous fatty she had met earlier; after she rejected him, he had followed that person surnamed Wen when the meeting adjourned.

Hehehe, it looks like Wen Wen Yongshan really has broken up with Brother Nuonuo. Truly joyous and worth celebrating, a cause for universal rejoicing. If it weren't for the fact that company matters are strictly forbidden from being leaked, hmph hmph.

I really must share this with the Nuomi sisters today.

……

……

"Miss Wen, Miss Wen. Please, can you let me finish speaking?" Shuai Peng followed behind Wen Wen Yongshan, pleading bitterly in Cantonese.

Wen Wen Yongshan walked to the water dispenser in the office area, poured a cup of water, and after taking two sips, also said helplessly in Cantonese: "I've already told you, I have things to do at home recently, and I'm very busy. I only just came back from Hong Kong today. Besides, I haven't finished school yet, and I'm not ready to take on roles."

Peng Peng Haoxiang smiled and said: "Miss Wen, of course I know that. I also know you're still studying."

"I can wait for you to graduate; you're graduating next year, right? We can start filming then. It's just, could you please take the script to Chen Zong to look at first? If he thinks it's okay, then we can book the schedule. His schedule is so precious, it's not unreasonable to ask a year in advance, right?"

"Miss Wen, I really wrote this script for the two of you. If you don't film it, the script I wrote can only be performed for ghosts."

"Please, please."

Regarding this thick-skinned fellow countryman from Hong Kong, Wen Wen Yongshan had no choice for the moment; she sighed helplessly and said: "Alright then, I'll help you show it to Nuozai, but as for the result, I don't know."

"Good, good, good." Peng Peng Haoxiang hurriedly put on a smile and said, "Thank you, thank you, Miss Wen. I'll bring the script to you in a moment."

"No need, no need." Wen Wen Yongshan nodded, then suddenly remembered and asked: "By the way, what's the name of your script?"

"It's called 'Love in a Puff,' or 'Love in the Buff,' anyway, whatever."

(End of chapter)