Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 138 Educating Wang Sicong in front of Wang the Richest Man
After finishing filming "Love O2O", Chen Xiu returned to Beijing.

The censorship process for "Detective Chinatown" was successfully completed in early November, and now the release date needs to be determined.

As this was the project she was in charge of, Chen Xiu arranged a time with Ye Ning the day after she returned to Beijing.

The two arranged to meet at Wanda Pictures. As soon as Chen Xiugang entered, Ye Ning displayed an even stronger enthusiasm than during their previous two meetings.

"Mr. Chen, it's been a long time! Still want coffee?"

"Coffee is fine, thank you."

Looking at Ye Ning holding her hand, Chen Xiu felt a little puzzled by his attitude.

We're all partners, so mutual respect is enough. There seems to be no need for excessive enthusiasm.
Noticing the doubt in Chen Xiu's eyes, Ye Ning maintained her smile, but inwardly thought: If President Wang hadn't spoken to me beforehand, why would I have been so attentive?

After exchanging pleasantries, the two sat down on the guest sofa, and Ye Ning had her secretary bring them coffee.

"...The first screening of 'Detective Chinatown' has ended. The three representatives from Jinyi, Dadi, and Hengdian are somewhat unsure about the film's prospects."

Before the screening schedule is finalized, several small-scale internal screenings are held for each film.

The invited members are all representatives of domestic chain cinemas who have seen the films, and their opinions will largely determine the proportion of screenings in the early stages.

Of course, this only applies to the early stages. If the movie performs well in the first few days after its release, the percentage will be adjusted immediately, since nobody wants to turn down money.

Hearing what Ye Ning meant, Chen Xiu could roughly guess what those people were thinking.

"Do they feel that the detective comedy style hasn't been market-tested yet, and the cast isn't particularly strong, so they're hesitant to allocate too many screenings initially to test the waters?"

"That's roughly the idea, but Wanda's cinemas will still be able to allocate 15% of screenings in the first week."

A smile appeared on Ye Ning's thin face.

The benefits of getting Wanda to invest in "Detective Chinatown" are now fully on display.

As a production company that controls downstream cinemas, as long as the quality of the films it invests in is up to standard, Wanda can increase the number of screenings of "Detective Chinatown" in its own cinemas, regardless of how many concerns other cinemas may have.

Because they have profits from both upstream and downstream operations, the more they sell, the more money they make!

Chen Xiu seemed somewhat skeptical of Ye Ning's "comfort."

"If a film has a few days of preview screenings before its premiere, and the audience response is enthusiastic and the box office revenue per theater is good, will the proportion of screenings in the first week change?"

"Of course! All arrangements are determined based on market feedback, but what about the theaters hosting the preview screenings?"

At this point, Ye Ning had already seen the hint in Chen Xiu's eyes.

Since Wanda Cinemas has its own theater chain, the preview screenings of "Detective Chinatown" can naturally be arranged there...

A thoughtful expression appeared on Ye Ning's face, and she began to consider the feasibility of this matter.

If it were another film company collaborating with Wanda, there would be no need for this internal preview screening, as it would be troublesome to arrange and require a significant investment of publicity and distribution resources.

However, when it comes to movies that you invest in yourself, you have to deal with all sorts of trouble!

With that thought, Ye Ning's eyes hardened: "Okay, President Chen, I'll discuss the internal screenings in a meeting and come up with a plan before the end of the month."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Ye."

Chen Xiu nodded to Ye Ning, her face showing only the relief of sharing the burden, not the weariness of having to do everything herself.

The benefits of securing a powerful investor for a project are becoming apparent at this moment.

If everyone is part of a community of shared interests, then when problems arise, even if you don't intervene, the other party will do everything they can to make the pie bigger and try to get a bigger slice for themselves.

But if you want to monopolize the business, not to mention anything else, just the approval, distribution, publicity, theaters... you'll have to handle all those steps yourself, and it'll take at least a year to get it done.

As for special treatment, don't even think about getting special screenings in internal cinemas; you're lucky if you don't even get a ticket!

Once the distribution strategy for internal preview screenings is finalized, Wanda will hold internal meetings to discuss the specific plan.

Feeling that there was nothing else to do, Chen Xiu got up to say goodbye to Ye Ning: "President Ye, I won't disturb your work any longer. Let's communicate online about the premiere ceremony later."

“That’s no problem! However, Mr. Chen…”

Ye Ning stood up and smiled awkwardly: "President Wang told me that after we finish discussing the film distribution today, he must invite you to the Orland Club. He wants to have dinner with you."

Why doesn't he ask me out himself?

"They're probably worried you might have other things to do and won't be able to go."

Ye Ning pushed up her glasses and said meaningfully.

Upon hearing his words, Chen Xiu also recalled her repeated rejections of Wang the Richest Man's invitations.

The other party probably thinks you don't want to see his son, right?

With a light laugh, Chen Xiu shook her head: "Okay! I'll go straight to the Orland Club later. Um, should I call President Wang to let him know? Or can you come?"

"I'll be fine with it, Mr. Chen. Around what time will you arrive?"

Chen Xiu glanced at the clock on the wall and assessed the distance between this place and the Orland Club.

"11 point."

"Okay, um, Mr. Wang will also be at this dinner..."

"If he weren't here, this dinner would probably have to be postponed, right?"

Chen Xiu knew exactly what was going on, said something, and then shook hands with Ye Ning to say goodbye.

Upon arriving at the Orland Club, Chen Xiu didn't even have time to call and ask for Wang the richest man's private room number before the manager who had given him the VIP card last time came to greet him from the door.

"Mr. Chen, Mr. Wang and his son are already waiting inside. Please follow me."

"Are there any other people besides them?"

The manager paused for a moment, then realized that the "other person" Chen Xiu was referring to was probably the real owner of the Orland Club.

"There is no one else, only General Manager Wang and Young Master Wang."

"Okay, please."

He gestured for the other person to point ahead, and Chen Xiu followed behind him with a relaxed expression.

Arriving at the innermost VIP room of the Orland Club, the manager stopped at the door, then quietly opened it and gestured for them to enter.

Chen Xiu nodded to him before stepping inside.

After passing through the entrance hall and entering the living room, before Chen Xiu could even see the interior furnishings, Wang the richest man's signature loud voice had already reached his ears.

"Chen Xiu, you've finally managed to treat me to this meal!"

Chen Xiu looked in the direction of the sound and saw Wang, the richest man in a shirt, standing at the head of the large round table, looking at her with a smile.

The person sitting to his right was none other than Wang Sicong, who looked utterly dejected, as if he had been forcibly dragged over by Old Wang to socialize.

"Mr. Wang, you're exaggerating a bit. I've been really busy lately."

Chen Xiu walked to the empty space on Wang's left and took the initiative to shake hands with him.

"I know you're busy, that's why I told Xiao Ye not to waste time and to finish our business as soon as possible so you could come over for dinner!" The richest man, Wang, explained the reason for inviting Chen Xiu over today, and then pointed to the seat on the left: "Sit down! If you, our distinguished guest, weren't here, I would have had to stand to greet you."

"If you're standing, it'll be uncomfortable for me to sit!"

Chen Xiu didn't actually like these polite formalities.

But people of Old Wang's generation like this routine, so he could only go along with it and reluctantly follow along.

However, the polite exchanges between the two standing people elicited a sneer from the only seated person present.

"Hey."

The noise made Old Wang's smile freeze, and then he turned to look at Wang Sicong sitting on the other side: "Do you have gastroenteritis? Why are you making such a fuss?"

"I just find it funny. You two are clearly from different generations, yet you're putting on such a polite act towards each other. Isn't that strange?"

"If you can't speak properly, then don't speak!"

Wang, the richest man, frowned and his face darkened as he reprimanded Wang Sicong.

Influenced by the authority he had been under since childhood, Wang Sicong didn't dare to stand up to Wang the richest man when he saw him glaring at him. He simply turned his head to the side to show his silent resistance.

However, in Wang's eyes, this behavior was embarrassing for him.

"If you don't want to eat, then get out!"

"Mr. Wang, may I say a few words?" Chen Xiulai said, trying to smooth things over.

Although it was somewhat inappropriate to interrupt the conversation between the father and son, Wang Shoufu's repeated invitations clearly indicated that he wanted Wang Sicong to get to know him.

If this dinner doesn't go through, there will probably be more trouble later.

Thinking of this, Chen Xiu could only offer words of comfort and take the opportunity to teach this young master Wang, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, a lesson.

Facing Chen Xiu, the richest man in the country, Wang still maintained a certain level of decorum: "If you want to curse this bastard, you don't need to give me face."

"Not really."

Chen Xiu waved his hand, then looked at Wang Sicong, whose face was also pale: "Does Mr. Wang think the polite exchanges between Mr. Wang and me just now were ridiculous?"

"Ha, you're just a young man in your early twenties, yet you act so mature. Isn't that funny?"

"It's really funny."

Wang Sicong's expression froze, and his gaze toward Chen Xiu began to turn serious.

"If it were Mr. Wang who invited me to dinner today, we could naturally exchange pleasantries in the way young people do. But I can't exactly joke around with Mr. Wang, can I? Wouldn't that be a different kind of ridiculous thing?"

Chen Xiu gestured with her chin toward Wang Sicong, signaling him to take over the conversation.

Previously, Wang Sicong had clashed with Chen Xiu twice online, either directly or indirectly, and both times he failed.

Then, Wang, the richest man, kept praising Chen Xiu to Wang Sicong, saying how outstanding she was.

He was certainly not convinced by this peer who was 5 years younger than him. Now, upon hearing Chen Xiu's theory, Wang Sicong quickly racked his brains to find the loopholes in her words.

"So, you're learning the polite ways of my dad's generation?"

"I've seen and been exposed to it a lot before, so I naturally learned it. You could say I learned it."

"Don't you think it's fake and hypocritical to try to please these older business people in this way?"

"Don't go too far with your words, kid!!"

Wang, the richest man, forcefully interrupted the conversation. After glaring angrily at Wang Sicong, he also placed his hand on his belt.

"Mr. Wang, calm down."

Chen Xiu gestured to Wang the richest man, then went to continue her on-site debate with Wang Sicong.

"In dealing with people and things, one must have ways to adapt. How can one be biased towards one side? Xiao Wang can always say such things, but I suppose he has never had the experience of having to do business with the older generation?"

"I invest in young industries that don't require me to deal with older people."

"But those who make the rules are all..."

At this point, Chen Xiu paused.

Wang, the richest man, pursed his lips thoughtfully, and his gaze toward Chen Xiu held a hint of understanding.

Only Wang Sicong remained with his arrogant, domineering demeanor: "Do I need to deal with these social niceties you're talking about?"

"Even a company manager needs to properly arrange the positions of his subordinates, let alone when dealing with people in the same ecological niche? If you, Mr. Wang, think that you can just sit back and wait for your investment to pay off after investing in a promising company, you will most likely end up with nothing!"

Chen Xiu uttered the only harsh word of the day, and considering the events of the past few days, Wang Sicong had no way to refute it.

Exposed in person, Wang Sicong's face turned red: "You son of a bitch..."

"Alright! Don't you think you've embarrassed yourself enough?" Wang, the richest man, interrupted sternly.

Looking at his father's expressionless face, Wang Sicong's arrogance vanished instantly.

As his son, he naturally understood Wang's attitude and style.

If it's a confrontational, shouting attitude, then it's not really serious; at worst, it's just a month of no communication! But once the richest man in China puts on this expressionless face, then things become serious.

Wang Sicong knew that if he didn't obey, his old man would really hit him.

Glancing at the sullen-looking Wang Sicong, the richest man in the family personally picked up the decanter and poured two glasses of wine, placing one glass in front of Wang Sicong and the other in front of Chen Xiu.

"Stand up and apologize to Chen Xiu!"

"He and I..."

Wang Sicong looked at Wang the richest man with great reluctance, but after a two-second eye contact, his expression returned to calm in the blink of an eye.

"Apologize then."

Wang Sicong picked up the glass of wine in front of him, stood up obediently, and toasted Chen Xiu: "I'm sorry, what I said just now was a bit impolite."

"You're too kind. Let's discuss this more when we have time. I think it's quite interesting."

Chen Xiu picked up the wine that Wang the richest man had brought over, reached out, and touched Wang Sicong's wine glass to hers.

Upon hearing this, Wang Sicong's face darkened slightly, but he didn't refute it as he had before.

After watching the two finish their drinks, Wang, the richest man in China, stepped in to take charge of the situation.

"That's right! You young people are full of vigor. Even if someone gets red in the face and sullen, it's a small matter. Let's have a drink, laugh it off, and the matter will be over."

After saying that, the richest man in the family looked to his left and said, "Chen Xiu, based on our relationship, you're still Congcong's uncle. Try to be more accommodating to him in the future..."

"Click~"

Before Wang, the richest man, could finish speaking, a crisp sound of glass colliding reached their ears, followed by Wang Sicong's protest.

(End of this chapter)