My capital is quite large.

Chapter 191 Cat and Mouse Game

That evening, the banquet hall on the top floor of a five-star hotel in downtown Nanjing was brightly lit and filled with elegantly dressed people.

As a national-level comedy that broke Chinese film history records, the celebration banquet for "Lost in Thailand" naturally attracted the attention of countless industry investors and media.

Of course, the main focus tonight isn't just director Xu Zheng, but also the actresses who make cameo appearances in the film.

At a side table in the banquet hall, Bai Lu, Song Tie, Xin Zhilei, Li Yitong, and Zhu Xudan, a group of actresses from Haofeng Film and Television who had been thrown out of the manor by their boss because of Yang Mi's cleverness and had been sitting on the sidelines in the company for a long time, were all dressed up in a dazzling display of beauty.

Each of them wore the most figure-flattering dresses, with impeccable smiles on their faces, but their eyes kept glancing towards the VIP passage of the banquet hall.

For these marginalized figures who rarely get to see the boss's face, tonight is one of the few opportunities they can legitimately appear in front of the big boss and showcase their charm!

"I wonder if the boss will even glance at me tonight," Zhu Xudan said, biting her red lips, her heart filled with unease.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the three male leads, Xu Zheng, Huang Bo, and Wang Baobao, sat together exchanging pleasantries.

Having learned from the previous experience at the dinner party, Wang Baobao would never dare to bring Ma Jinlian, his family member, to the event this time.

Among the family members of the three main actors, only Tao Hong, who also appeared in the film, sat there gracefully and poisedly.

at last.

Amidst great anticipation, the banquet hall doors were pushed open.

Li Feng, accompanied by his chief secretary Zhang Xinyu, arrived at the scene.

The entire banquet hall immediately fell silent, followed by a burst of enthusiastic applause.

After all, "Lost in Thailand" did indeed earn Haofeng Network a net profit of more than 300 million yuan. Li Feng gave the crew a lot of face today, with a perfectly appropriate smile on his face, and nodded to both sides frequently.

Upon arriving at the main table, Li Feng delivered a brief speech, affirming and encouraging the lead actors.

Then, Zhang Xinyu took out three red envelopes containing checks and handed them to Xu Zheng, Huang Bo, and Wang Baobao respectively.

"One million each, as an extra reward from the company for your hard work. Keep up the good work," Li Feng said calmly.

The three were so excited that they bowed repeatedly to express their gratitude.

After going through the formalities and handing out red envelopes, Li Feng prepared to leave.

As for the group of women staring at him expectantly at the side table, Li Feng didn't even bother to glance at them.

Seeing that the Buddha statue was about to leave, Xu Zheng became anxious.

"Mr. Li! Please wait!" Xu Zheng quickly chased after him, rubbing his hands together with a big smile.

"Mr. Li, this celebration banquet is too crowded and noisy. I've arranged a second event at a nearby clubhouse, where the environment will be completely private. I was thinking... I'd like to have a private chat with you, Mr. Li. Would you do me the honor?"

Li Feng stopped and turned to look at Xu Zheng, whose head was gleaming bald.

Thanks to the attentive and calming service provided by Secretary Zhang in the car before arriving at the celebration banquet, Li Feng was in a fairly good mood at this moment.

He certainly knew what Xu Zheng wanted to talk about.

"Alright, since you're a hero, then I'll follow your arrangements." Li Feng nodded noncommittally.

……

Half an hour later.

Inside a highly private private room in a club.

Pushing open the door, the room was unexpectedly elegantly decorated, with a faint fragrance filling the air.

What surprised Li Feng the most was that a little girl was sitting properly on a mahogany chair in the corner of the private room.

The girl was wearing a simple, pure white dress, with no makeup.

This attire and demeanor seemed completely out of place in this setting filled with fame, fortune, and desire.

Li Feng glanced at her and immediately understood that the girl and Xu Zheng had definitely agreed on terms, and she was sitting here specifically as a gift.

He walked to the head seat and sat down, with Zhang Xinyu standing behind him expressionlessly.

To be honest, Li Feng didn't feel anything special about this type of girl.

Clean?

In the eyes of ordinary people, such innocent and naive girls are probably rare gems.

But in the face of a behemoth like Li Feng, cleanliness is merely the most basic threshold to even get into his sights.

So what if she's beautiful? The entertainment industry is never short of beautiful women.

In the face of absolute capital, beauty is a resource that is ridiculously cheap.

However, Li Feng's willingness to come here today certainly has its own reasons.

This bald Xu Zheng, relying on the luck of "Lost in Thailand", has become arrogant and actually dares to set up his own business and take away the goose that lays the golden eggs.

Do you think you can get rid of Li Feng with just a little girl?

If this kind of thing gets out, won't people in the industry think that Li Feng is a nouveau riche who is easy to fool?

Although personally disciplining a minor director would be somewhat beneath one's dignity if word got out.

But who told Boss Li to suddenly get into the cat-and-mouse game tonight?

Once the food and drinks were served, Xu Zheng, like a madam, began to vigorously promote the girl.

"Mr. Li, let me introduce you. This girl is Tian Xiwei, the female lead I carefully selected for my next film!"

Xu Zheng smiled obsequiously, "This girl has a clean, natural look and is extremely malleable! I brought her here today specifically to broaden her horizons. If President Li can offer her even a little guidance, it would be a blessing she's earned in this lifetime!"

Tian Xiwei sat in the corner, listening to Xu Zheng's blatant sales pitch, his cheeks flushed red, his hands nervously clasped together, and he didn't even dare to lift his head.

Li Feng patiently listened to Xu Zheng's long string of flattery, then picked up his teacup, took a sip, and finally spoke.

"Director Xu, let's skip the pleasantries."

Li Feng put down his teacup and looked calmly at Xu Zheng. "You've gone to so much trouble today because you want to discuss buying back the 'Lost in..." IP, right?

Hearing Li Feng get straight to the point, Xu Zheng's heart tightened, and he quickly put on a smiling face: "Mr. Li, you are too kind! I was just thinking, could I invest some money myself to participate in the production of the sequel..."

"You can take back the IP, or you can invest money and incur costs, that's fine too."

Li Feng's words made Xu Zheng's eyes light up!

"I can give you this IP for free, and Haofeng can cover all the subsequent investment shortfalls."

Before Xu Zheng could express his gratitude excitedly, Li Feng abruptly changed the subject: "However, we need to sign a performance-based agreement."

"Your film 'Lost in Thailand' grossed 1 billion, so for this sequel, I'll increase your production costs tenfold, raising it to a 300 million yuan marketing and production budget!"

"With the scale increased, the bottom line for box office revenue is set at [18 billion]."

"Director Xu, is this request too difficult for you?"

boom!

1.8 billion?!

Upon hearing this number, Xu Zheng's smile froze, and his entire face turned as green as night!

The highest box office record in Chinese film history is only 10 billion yuan! The newly released "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" has Stephen Chow's golden brand backing it, and it is expected to reach 12 billion yuan!

Asking him to direct a movie that grossed 18 billion?! That's not just making things difficult for him, that's killing him!

Reaching a cost of 300 million sounds great; you can spend it lavishly.

But in the Chinese film market, who dares to confidently guarantee that they can create such a box office miracle?!

"Mr. Li... isn't this target of 18 billion a bit... too high?"

Xu Zheng swallowed hard, and could only force a smile as he asked, "What if... I mean, what if we don't reach this betting target?"

"Easy," Li Feng said casually, as if discussing the weather.

"If it doesn't reach 18 billion, then it means that Director Xu's ability can't support the value of this IP."

"Then the previous offer of giving it away for free is no longer valid. The licensing fee for this IP will be ten million."

"Moreover, Haofeng's share of the profits has been increased from 50% to 60%, it's that simple."

Simple?!

Xu Zheng's mind raced as he quickly calculated the cost in his head.

If a sequel is made, even if it only achieves an incredible box office of 15 billion!

He threw his entire fortune of 30 million into it, plus his salary as director and lead actor, and in this 300 million yuan pie, he would only take up a 20% share at most!

If Haofeng's investment increases from 50% to 60%, it will definitely squeeze the share of the weaker party! Then Xu Zheng's share will only be a pitiful 10%!

With a box office of 15 billion, after deducting theater costs and other expenses, the net profit is approximately 5 million.

10% of 500 million is 50 million.

After deducting the 30 million yuan of principal investment, and then deducting the 10 million yuan punitive IP licensing fee...

In the end, after working myself to the bone and under immense pressure to make a movie that grossed 15 billion, I only made a net profit of 10 million?!

This is even less than the 30 million yuan that "Lost in Thailand" made!!

This isn't a bet; it's exploitation! It's bloodsucking! It's like cutting flesh off Xu Zheng's body with a knife!

But... what if?

In Xu Zheng's mind, two little people were fighting.

What if a miracle happens and it really reaches 18 billion?

Not only can he get this super IP for free, but he can also earn more than 100 million yuan in net profit with his 20% share! Achieving financial freedom!

This temptation, like the devil's apple, plunged Xu Zheng into extreme turmoil.

What puts him in the most difficult position is that he was the one who took the initiative to meet Li Feng tonight!

Li Feng condescended to have this meal with him. Did he really have the right to refuse this offer?

If he refuses now, he can forget about ever touching the "Lost in..." IP again! Haofeng has a million ways to find another director to continue making films for this IP!

"Mr. Li... 18 billion, that's really too difficult."

Xu Zheng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, making a last-ditch effort, "This is breaking records beyond belief, could you possibly lower it a little? How about 15 billion?"

Li Feng didn't speak, but slowly raised his wrist and glanced at the Patek Philippe.

"One minute."

The implication is clear: if you don't sign this betting agreement within one minute, you'll never have a chance to get the rights to the "Lost in..." series back.

Looking into Li Feng's cold eyes, Xu Zheng felt pain all over his body.

He was truly unwilling to give up the profits from this huge opportunity!

Then he thought that even if the box office revenue was only 10 billion, he could barely break even and wouldn't go bankrupt.

Fortune favors the bold! When a man dies, he flies to the heavens; if he doesn't die, he lives forever!

"Let's do it!"

Xu Zheng gritted his teeth, as if using all his strength: "President Li! I'll sign this performance-based agreement!"

Upon hearing this answer, Li Feng lost all interest in even glancing at him.

He stood up, straightened the hem of his suit jacket, and walked straight toward the door of the private room.

Seeing Xu Zheng's relieved expression, Zhang Xinyu stepped forward and said in a businesslike manner:

"Director Xu, bring your company seal to the film and television department to sign the contract at 10:00 AM tomorrow."

At this point, Zhang Xinyu's gaze paused for a moment.

She recalled that before the boss left, his gaze lingered on the awkward girl in the corner for half a second longer.

As the chief secretary who understands the boss's mind best, she naturally wouldn't overlook this detail.

Whether the boss is interested in her or not is unknown, but it's always good to be prepared!

Zhang Xinyu turned around and added to Xu Zheng, "By the way."

"When signing the performance-based agreement, don't forget to bring Ms. Tian's agency transfer contract. We want her."