Rebirth 02, the Celestial Being Told Me to Stop Pretending

The day after Lu Chen returned to Beiping, his phone rang while he was in his office confirming the electrical wiring with the renovation workers.

The caller ID shows a number from Xingcheng.

"Hello Mr. Lu Chen, I am a staff member from the editorial department of Hunan TV. We have seen your preliminary proposal for the 'Super Girl' program and would like to invite you to Changsha for a face-to-face meeting."

Lu Chen switched his phone to his left hand and wrote a name on a sticky note on the table with his right hand: Ouyang Changlin.

Director of Hunan TV.

While "Crazy Stone" was still showing in theaters, Lu Chen asked someone to deliver a document titled "Suggestions on the Optimization of the Format and Commercial Operation of the Large-Scale TV Talent Show 'Super Girl'" to the editorial office of Hunan TV.

There's no fluff in the document.

The article begins by analyzing several structural opportunities in the mainland television market in 2003, and then presents a complete competition format.

The box office success of "Crazy Stone" is Lu Chen's best calling card.

"Are you going to Xingcheng?" Liu Yifei's voice came from the doorway.

Lu Chen turned his head and saw her standing at the door, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, carrying an insulated bag in her hand.

"Why are you here?"

"My mom asked me to bring you some soup." Liu Yifei walked in and placed the insulated bag on the table.

"She said you've lost weight since you came back from Hong Kong."

How did your mom know I'd lost weight?

"I said it," Liu Yifei said confidently.

"I visited you in Hong Kong for four days, and you only slept four hours each day."

Lu Chen was stunned for a moment.

"Did you tell your mom about our trip to Hong Kong?"

"I told you part of it." Liu Yifei blinked.

"I told you I was going to see Anita Mui and would also like to discuss business with you while I was there."

"Only a part?"

"I didn't say I'd wait for you at the hotel to tie your tie."

Lu Chen looked at her.

The girl was fifteen years old; the tips of her ears were a little red, but her eyes were bright.

"Liu Yifei."

"what?"

"Thank you for the soup, Auntie."

"You're welcome." She turned her face away.

"Investors can't let their partners go hungry."

Lu Chen smiled.

He opened the insulated bag, inside was a bowl of pork rib soup, still steaming.

"Are you going to Xingcheng?" Liu Yifei asked again.

"Yes. We're discussing a collaboration with 'Super Girl'."

"Can I go?"

"no."

Why?

"You're not acting anymore?"

"I'm asking for leave."

Does your mom know?

"I don't know." She tilted her head.

"So, can you take me there?"

Lu Chen sighed.

"Liu Yifei, do you feel like you got a taste of success from that trip to Hong Kong?"

"What kind of benefits?"

"Wonton noodles at a Hong Kong-style cafe."

Liu Yifei was stunned for a moment, then blushed.

"I...I just want to go see the stinky tofu in Xingcheng."

"no."

"oh."

She lowered her head, but after two seconds looked up again. "Then when you come back, bring me stinky tofu."

"It depends on my mood."

"The land has sunk!"

"Okay, okay, take it."

Liu Yifei nodded in satisfaction.

She walked to the door and looked back one last time.

"Lu Chen."

"Um?"

"Don't push yourself too hard when negotiating business deals. You haven't had a proper rest since you came back from Hong Kong."

Lu Chen looked at her.

A fifteen-year-old girl stood in the doorway, sunlight streaming in from behind, gilding her with a golden hue.

"knew."

"And one more thing," she whispered, "I'll continue to teach you how to tie a tie."

"good."

As Lu Chen sat on the plane bound for Xingcheng, the image of that girl was still constantly in his mind.

She said she would teach her how to tie a tie.

Ouyang Changlin met with Lu Chen in his office.

This station director is known in the Hunan Broadcasting System as a person who dares to take action.

He was the one who launched "Happy Camp" in 1997 and "True Love Match" in 2000.

The station has been looking for the next hit show, and the results of the trial season of "Super Boy" on Hunan Entertainment Channel were only so-so.

Now a 21-year-old is sitting across from him with a proposal.

He immediately said, "The format of 'Super Boy' is problematic; it failed to address the issue of audience engagement."

Ouyang Changlin wasn't angry; instead, he smiled and said, "Tell me what you think."

Lu Chen opened his laptop, and on the screen was a flowchart of the competition format.

"First, the entire audition process will be broadcast live. We want the audience to be involved from the very beginning of the audition, to see ordinary people gradually become stars, and that's what creates a sense of growth."

"Secondly, the judges can't be lukewarm, easygoing people. They need to be sharp-tongued, argumentative, and have personality. The judges arguing is a highlight in itself."

"Third, SMS voting determines who advances. This puts the decision-making power from the judges to the audience. Each SMS costs one cent, and the audience will vote repeatedly for their favorite contestants."

"Fourth, regional competitions. The top three contestants from each of the four regions—Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Shanghai—will participate in the national finals. Regional identity will boost local viewership."

After listening, Ouyang Changlin leaned back in his chair and stared at Lu Chen for a long while.

"How long have you been writing these ideas?"

"One month," Lu Chen said.

What he didn't say was that these ideas were a methodology derived from witnessing the entire evolution of variety shows in his previous life.

What do you want?

Without hesitation, Lu Chen held up one finger: "First, as the program planner and format consultant, I will charge a planning fee of one million per season."

As he spoke, Lu Chen held up two fingers.

"Secondly, Coordinates Music has acquired the exclusive agency rights for all contestants' songs' ringtones and wireless value-added services, with a revenue share of 25%."

"Finally, the revenue sharing rights for the joint planning of the national tour concert: 15%."

Ouyang Changlin picked up the calculator on the table and pressed a few buttons.

"Your company is newly established, and you're eating this much?"

"Director." Lu Chen closed his laptop.

"Before the release of 'Crazy Stone,' everyone said that a sophomore at the Beijing Film Academy couldn't make a blockbuster. I let the box office speak for itself. Now, whether you think this plan is worthwhile or not, it's not you asking me, it's the market asking you."

The office was quiet for a while.

Ouyang Changlin suddenly chuckled: "Alright. I'll have someone handle the contract with you."

"But there's a condition: for the first season's format, you have to send someone to follow the whole process. I want to see you turn what you have in your head into a show."

"no problem."

Lu Chen reached out his hand. The two hands clasped together.

Lu Chen did not stay in Xingcheng for long and flew back to Beiping overnight.

In his bag, there was an extra draft of the "Super Girl" cooperation agreement, as well as a check from Hunan TV for a one million yuan advance payment for planning fees.

In addition to the box office revenue share from "Crazy Stone" and the buyout fee for the distribution rights in Hong Kong and overseas.

He currently has around six million in cash at his disposal.

The first thing I did upon returning to the office was to call Wang Yan over.

"I need you to help me start an investment company."

Wang Yan was stunned. "You want to invest in stocks?"

"Hong Kong stocks, US stocks, and A-shares." Lu Chen handed him a prepared list.

"Open the account first, and I'll transfer the funds in batches. As for foreign exchange controls, you'll need to find a legitimate channel, such as a bank with a QDII quota or an offshore company structure."

"There's one more thing." Lu Chen took out another document from the drawer.

"Could you help me find some courtyard houses currently for sale in Beiping (Beijing)? Focus on the areas around Houhai, Shichahai, and Yonghe Temple. Over 300 square meters in size, and don't worry about the price."

Wang Yan took the document, but hesitated to speak.

"What do you want to ask?" Lu Chen noticed his expression.

"What exactly are you planning?" Chen Mu asked directly, voicing his question.

"Movies, variety shows, music copyrights, stocks, courtyard houses—how are all these things pieced together?"

Lu Chen stood up and walked to the only window in the office.

Outside the window, there was a dense flow of traffic, and the gray horizon offered little in the way of scenery.

But what he saw was another timeline, a future he had once walked through, a future so prosperous it was dizzying.

"Movies are the brand, variety shows are the cash flow, copyrights are the moat, and stocks are leverage." He didn't look back.

"I'm building a structure that will allow my assets to double every year for the next ten years."

"What about the courtyard houses?"

"Oh, that's for my own residence."

"grass!"

Wang Yan was silent for a moment, then said something that surprised Lu Chen: "Then I need a raise."

Lu Chen turned around.

"I'll be the chairman, and you'll be my president."

At the time, Wang Yan did not realize the weight of those words.

The first weekend of May

Lu Chen sat in his empty office, with two project proposals spread out in front of him.

The first document: "Coordinates Pictures 2003-2004 Development Plan".

The details are very clear: the team will be built by the end of the third quarter; pre-production for the next film will begin in the fourth quarter;

During the same period, the execution and implementation of the first season of "Super Girl" was completed with Hunan TV;

Coordinates Music has signed ringtone copyright agreements with no fewer than twenty singers;

Achieve revenue balance and strive for profitability by the end of the year.

The second document: "Feasibility Report on the Purchase of Courtyard Houses in the Core Area of ​​Beiping".

The report was prepared by Wang Yan; it's very professional.

The document lists detailed information on more than ten properties for sale in the Houhai and Shichahai areas, including area, total price, property rights status, and repair costs.

Lu Chen's gaze lingered on one of the apartments: Shichahai Ya'er Hutong, with a building area of ​​280 square meters, facing south, with two courtyards, and a total price of 1.38 million yuan.

He drew a circle next to this property.

Now is not the time.

The company needs to maintain ample cash flow, and it needs to prepare resources for the next investment project.

The goal of owning a courtyard house should be put on hold for later. Once his assets have multiplied several times, buying a house will no longer be a financial decision, but a strategic move.

He stacked the two plans together and locked them in a drawer.

It was already dark outside.

The night breeze in Beiping seeped in through the cracks in the window, carrying the lingering chill of late April.

Forget about romance, I'm just trying to make money.

If someone is reborn and still as poor as a crap, then I was reborn for nothing.

Lu Chen's phone vibrated.

It was a text message from Wang Yan:

"The account has been opened. When will the funds arrive?"

He replied:

"tomorrow."