Huayu 2015, the Artist of Light and Shadow

……

The actor auditions were secondary; first and foremost, Lu Yunzhou needed to consider matters at the capital level.

Otherwise, you'll have worked hard all day only to have someone else benefit from your efforts.

At that moment, Ji Rujing and Lu Yunzhou were thinking the same thing.

Ji Rujing came to see Lu Yunzhou not only to discuss actor auditions, but also to talk about project management.

"Yunzhou, before the project officially starts, we need a holding company."

"These are the three plans I designed for you."

"Option one: you take the lead, and I'll bring Tangtang along. The three of us will set up a film and television production company. You'll own 60% of the shares, and Tangtang and I will each own 20%. You'll handle the projects, I'll manage the production team, and Tangtang will provide the funding. We'll each have our own responsibilities. Then, this company will serve as the main controlling entity to produce the projects."

"Option Two: You set up your own director studio and contribute the script and your director's fee as equity. The production company that Tangtang and I set up will act as the production company. In addition, Tangtang's personal studio will contribute her salary as equity. We can also obtain absolute control over the 'Death Is Coming' project."

"Option three: You don't set up your own studio first. Instead, you join the project as a screenwriter and director. Tangtang Studio will take the lead in setting up a project company, and then negotiate with Kiwi and other investors. In this option, you will have no risk."

Because the preliminary preparations for the "Death Is Coming" project are almost complete, but the main project holding company is still missing.

This is a big deal involving money.

Nothing else matters; this matter must be addressed promptly.

Without a controlling shareholder, they cannot sign contracts.

Therefore, Ji Rujing must get this matter settled before next week.

"First, I rule out option three."

Lu Yunzhou listened without hesitation.

Option three seems to offer the most freedom, but if a conflict arises, Lu Yunzhou will have no say in the matter.

Entrusting one's fate to others is not in Lu Yunzhou's nature.

"Secondly, I rule out option two."

Lu Yunzhou glanced at the subtle expectation on Ji Rujing's face and also ruled out this option.

This plan, while seemingly advantageous to himself, is actually eroding the trust and enthusiasm of Tang Yan's team.

If Lu Yunzhou were a greedy person, he would choose option two without hesitation, as it would be the option that maximizes his benefits.

But now he's not doing business; he's choosing partners.

We can't let others suffer too much loss, otherwise, this cooperation will only last once at most.

We need to have a long-term vision.

Tang Yan is already 32 years old, and she will soon be getting married and having children.

In another timeline, after experiencing the online backlash this year, Tang Yan had already decided to step back from the limelight and then devoted all her resources to Chen Yuqi, a newcomer in her company.

Unfortunately, Chen Yuqi is simply beyond help.

He filmed a lot of flop movies.

This forced Tang Yan to return to public life.

In this timeline, thanks to Lu Yunzhou's appearance, Tang Yan has an even better option.

During her brief departure from the entertainment industry, Tang Yan will most likely introduce her resources and connections to Lu Yunzhou, paving the way for his future.

For Lu Yunzhou, these connections are far more important than short-term gains.

"Sister Ji, I choose option one."

In just a few seconds, Lu Yunzhou made his decision: "I'm not good at running a company, nor am I good at finance or legal matters. If I were to run a company on my own, I would only find it incredibly troublesome."

"With the help of Sister Ji and Sister Tangtang, I think our company would be running much better."

Most importantly, the profit-making potential of the film and television industry is actually not high.

The risks far outweigh the profits.

Unless, like Jaywalk Studio, they sign artists with special talents.

For example, a father involved in pyramid schemes and a mother who wears earrings.

Perhaps only by operating a company in this way can one ensure a steady profit without losses.

"it is good."

Upon hearing that Lu Yunzhou had chosen Option 1, Ji Rujing's face lit up with a friendly smile, indicating that she was preparing to truly form a bond of mutual benefit with Lu Yunzhou and Tang Yan.

Previously, we could only be described as relatively close friends.

Now, they can truly be considered a family, a community of shared interests.

After all, there's a saying that goes, it's harder to shake someone's interests than to shake their soul.

After Lu Yunzhou made his choice, Ji Rujing quickly adapted to her new role and began to plan for the company as its COO.

"Our company currently has no funds in its accounts. Tangtang will contribute 1000 million yuan as the company's registered capital."

"Next, I will use this company as the main entity to negotiate with kiwifruit and Paradise Umbrella to establish a project company."

"1000 million, plus your script fee and director's fee, converted into a 2000 million investment, I'll help you get 30% of the project company's shares."

"Tangtang's personal studio will use her film remuneration as its core equity and obtain at least 20% of the shares."

Together, the two parties have acquired more than 50% of the shares, enough to give them control over the entire project.

As for kiwifruit and Paradise Umbrella, will they have any objections?

Ji Rujing felt that it was highly unlikely.

Kiwifruit doesn't care who leads a single project.

As video platforms, their most important needs right now are attracting new users, creating viral content, and making a splash across the entire internet.

They've already burned through a lot of money on this.

As for Paradise Umbrella, they have no objections whatsoever. They just want to hitch a ride, get enough brand integration, and make some extra money along the way.

If Kiwi Fruit and Lu Yunzhou were to clash, Ji Rujing believed that Paradise Umbrella would unconditionally side with Lu Yunzhou.

"These are all minor business matters. Now, let's talk about the most important thing. Let's give our new company a more memorable name... Mr. Lu."

The most important thing for a production company is to have a reliable director.

Without a director, an agent alone cannot build a team.

Because a good director can leave at any time and find a platform to work with on their own, so they don't need an agent at all.

Ji Rujing concluded that Yang Mi and Jiaxing would not succeed because, given Jiaxing's style, they simply couldn't find talented directors.

Talented people are often arrogant.

At least in terms of personality, they all felt that they were superior to others.

How could they possibly be interested in Jaywalk Studio's style?

Therefore, artists from Jaywalk Studio, such as Dilraba, need to actively offer themselves up, even though Lu Yunzhou is actually a friend of Tang Yan, Jaywalk's rival.

"Let's name the company [Yun Jing Yan Ran]. And the company logo will be customized as [YJY]. Doesn't it look like a smiling face?"

Lu Yunzhou blurted it out casually. No matter how their names were combined, they always possessed an elegant charm.

"It really does look like a smiley face. And it's that kind of suave, roguish smiley face."

Ji Rujing glanced at the logo; it was the alphabetical order of the three people's names in English.

She pondered for a moment and realized that her name was ranked higher than Tang Yan's.

Mr. Lu, you have excellent taste!

"Then I'll go do my work."

After packing up the documents, Ji Rujing prepared to leave, but suddenly remembered something and solemnly instructed, "President Lu, remember to eat well and don't always order takeout."

……

After having the driver take Lu Yunzhou home, Ji Rujing immediately called Tang Yan to tell her what had just happened.

"Sister, I knew it. Yunzhou is different from others. He's not the kind of person who cares a lot about money. He values ​​our friendship more."

Tang Yan was overjoyed to learn that Lu Yunzhou had chosen Option 1.

Option 1 means that the two of them can cooperate for a long time and their relationship may be even closer than that of many married couples.

"When I first saw him, I knew he was a very reliable person. And it turns out I was right."

Tang Yan couldn't help but start boasting.

"Really? Then our Tangtang has excellent taste."

Ji Rujing offered a few insincere compliments.

She couldn't help but wonder, who was it that confidently promised Yang Mi that Dilraba would play the second female lead in "Diamond Lover"?

……

Sunday morning.

Wenzhou, Yueqing.

Zhang Ruonan and her daughter were preparing to take the high-speed train to Shanghai that afternoon to attend a so-called audition next Monday.

But before they left, they suddenly received a call from Ji Rujing.

"Ms. Ruonan, I'm so sorry, I didn't do my job well."

"So, you're Mr. Lu's sister. Why didn't you say so before? Luckily, I had someone inquire about it."

"I've arranged a car to pick you up in Yueqing. As for the specific audition process, my assistant will explain it to you in the car. Don't worry, this role is definitely yours."

Lu Yunzhou acted selflessly and insisted on holding open auditions.

But how could Ji Rujing allow Lu Yunzhou's little sister, who was also his previous blind date, to compete fairly with others?

These are minor matters; she doesn't need Lu Yunzhou to remind her to take care of them herself!

Otherwise, how can her value be demonstrated?

"Mr. Lu?"

When Zhang Ruonan received the call, she was thinking about what beautiful clothes she should wear to the audition tomorrow so that she could outshine everyone else.

Hearing the title "President Lu" on the phone, she was momentarily stunned and cautiously asked, "Are you talking about Brother Yunzhou?"

Brother Yunzhou?

I knew it! This girl has a special relationship with our CEO Lu!

Hearing what she wanted, Ji Rujing was immediately satisfied and nodded with a smile: "Yes, Miss Ruonan."