Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 194 Huayi's Ambition

Zhang Chao and Wang Zhongjun met in a teahouse, which was a complete Song Dynasty style building from the main door to the private rooms.

This was something Zhang Chao specifically mentioned. Recently, Zhang Chao had suffered internal injuries from eating all kinds of banquets, and he really didn't want to eat the so-called "big meal" anymore.

Zhang Chao came wearing casual clothes and carrying a backpack.

The two sat down and chatted about their recent situation. Hearing that Zhang Chao was preparing for his graduation project, Wang Zhongjun smiled and said, "So many people are looking forward to your graduation."

Zhang Chao was surprised and asked, "Where did this come from?"

At this time, the tea artist knocked on the door, then entered the room with a complete set of tea art tools, and said softly, "Gentlemen, can we start?"

Wang Zhongjun nodded and held out his hand: "Please." He then said to Zhang Chao: "I think the tea art here is the best in Yanjing, and even more authentic than that in Hangzhou."

The tea artist was a beautiful woman in her 20s with a slender figure. Her facial features and makeup were all very pretty. She was wearing a modified Song-style Hanfu, with a tube top inside and a single coat outside. When she bowed, she leaned forward, revealing two dazzling white jades.

But the tea artist seemed unaware, and still began to show his skills with a solemn and sacred expression.

Washing hands, pouring teapot, serving tea, washing tea leaves, brewing tea, brushing lid, sealing teapot, dividing cups... all these operations are as smooth as flowing water, which is really pleasing to the eyes. Especially when the tea artist shows his arms and shoulders from time to time in his gestures, it is even more fascinating.

Wang Zhongjun leaned back in his chair, half-closed his eyes, and quietly observed Zhang Chao's expression.

Zhang Chao had just spent the whole night with Song Jia yesterday, and now his mind was as calm as water. He sat on a chair, looking at his nose with his eyes, and his heart with his nose, like an old monk in meditation.

Wang Zhongjun watched for a long time and found that Zhang Chao neither paid special attention to the tea artist in front of him nor avoided him deliberately. His attitude was naturally calm. A feeling of admiration and a little disappointment surged in his heart.

He had invited more than one celebrity from the cultural world to come here to drink tea and talk about things, but no matter how clean and noble their reputation was in the outside world, they would inevitably cast a few shifty glances at them at this stage.

There were even a few who wanted to touch it right there and then.

Zhang Chao suddenly said, "Mr. Wang hasn't told me why so many people are looking forward to my graduation."

Wang Zhongjun came to his senses and replied, "Your talent for writing and marketing is constrained by classes and homework every day, and you can't display it. What a pity! After graduation, you will have free time, and everyone is looking forward to working with you more."

Zhang Chao responded with a smile: "School life is not a constraint, but a kind of protection... I am still considering whether to study for a doctorate."

At this time, the tea artist began to serve tea. She placed the cups in front of Zhang Chao and Wang Zhongjun with both hands, bowed deeply, and then returned to her seat.

Zhang Chao picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "Although I am from Fuhai, I don't usually drink tea, nor do I know much about tea. But I can tell that this tea is good, clear and sweet. - Mr. Wang, don't beat around the bush, just tell me what you want to talk about."

Wang Zhongjun waved his hand, and the tea artist bowed, quietly left and closed the door.

Wang Zhongjun did not speak immediately, but turned the teacup around in his hands a few times before saying, "Student Zhang Chao, what is your impression of Huayi?"

Zhang Chao thought for a moment and said, "We are producing high-quality films continuously and the momentum is very good." Wang Zhongjun nodded, his expression showing pride and pride. Since investing in Feng Xiaogang's "Never Ending" in 1998, Huayi has almost become a synonym for a domestic private film company. For several years, Huayi has won the first place in the domestic box office.

Only Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige can occasionally snatch this "first" from them.

Wang Zhongjun said: "From what I understand, your 'Midnight Tide' is also developing very well. You have signed many writers and works, and the film and television adaptations are also booming. You also have business in Japan and the United States."

Zhang Chao said helplessly: "At first, I just wanted to set up a personal studio, mainly focusing on in-depth development of the copyright of my own works. I didn't expect it to get bigger and bigger, and everyone still trusts me so much..."

Wang Zhongjun thought to himself, "Just pretend, kid," while saying, "That's how things are done. Once you start, you can't stop. When Zhonglei and I founded Huayi in 94, we didn't expect to be able to achieve what we have today.

Some people say that "times make heroes", while others say that "heroes make times". In fact, in my opinion, it is nothing more than people pushing things forward or things pushing people forward. Just like today, some things have already come to our doorstep, and we are also being pushed forward, or even have to run forward. "

Zhang Chao knew that Wang Zhongjun was definitely not looking for him to discuss the copyright of his work this time, but he still pretended to be dumbfounded and said, "I don't understand what Mr. Wang means."

Wang Zhongjun filled Zhang Chao's glass again before saying, "We at Huayi are planning to go public in two to three years!"

Zhang Chao thought that was indeed the case, but he still pretended to be surprised and said, "Going public? That's great! Once it goes public, we can cut...ah, and let the company develop faster and better. Congratulations!"

Wang Zhongjun said with some pride: "Going public is certainly a good thing. As long as we can go public, our major shareholders will be worth at least this amount..." After saying that, he stretched out his right index finger and gestured.

Zhang Chao knew that Wang Zhongjun had more to say, so he just lowered his head and drank his tea without responding.

Wang Zhongjun said: "For domestic listing, there are two types: main board listing and Growth Enterprise Market listing. For main board listing, the requirements for the nature, scale, performance and net profit of the company are stricter than those for Growth Enterprise Market. Of course, more funds can be raised.

With Huayi's conditions, it is not difficult to meet the requirements for listing on the Growth Enterprise Market. But since we have done it, of course we have to work towards a greater goal. So we want to strive for listing on the Main Board.

If we can get a listing on the main board, the number of major shareholders who participated before the listing will be more than this number. So..."

Seeing that Zhang Chao still didn't respond, Wang Zhongjun became anxious and asked directly: "Student Zhang Chao, are you interested in participating in our listing plan?"

Zhang Chao suddenly came to his senses and said, "That's great. I still have some cash on hand. What's your financing plan? How much money for how many shares?"

Wang Zhongjun almost vomited blood on the spot. He didn't know whether Zhang Chao really didn't understand or was pretending not to understand, so he had to patiently say, "We are not short of funds now. What we need is performance and net profit. You, 'Midnight Tide'..."

Zhang Chao continued with a look of sudden enlightenment: "Yes, performance, performance. We at Midnight Tide do have a few good books 'waiting to be published', such as Dwelling Narrowness. Let me tell you, Dwelling Narrowness is a good story..."

Wang Zhongjun felt like he was going to explode on the spot. He was sure that Zhang Chao was playing dumb. Everyone in the industry knew that "Dwelling Narrowness" was a dud. If it could be filmed, would they have waited until now? Although he was not sure why Zhang Chao had been avoiding a direct response to him, he was not going to beat around the bush, so he said directly:

"Mr. Zhang Chao, what we hope is that your 'Midnight Tide' can be merged into our Huayi Company, so that you can become one of our Huayi's major shareholders. We can discuss the specific valuation of 'Midnight Tide' and your shareholding ratio later.

But I promise that the purchase price will satisfy you!"

(There will be another chapter later)
(End of this chapter)