Homelander Comics

"Impossible!" Bai Ye flatly refused: "I am a very possessive person, but I have no interest in sharing anything with others. As for Summit Entertainment, I either buy it or give it up. There are so many Hollywood film companies, why do I have to buy Summit Entertainment?"

"Then you will have to accept a certain premium."

Ikana advised:

"In fact, there is no need to be obsessed with full control. Control is the most important thing."

"It's fine if it's a premium, the last thing I lack right now is cash."

Bai Ye shook his head and rejected Ikana's proposal.

"Well, since you have money, I'll listen to you." Ikana smiled helplessly and said, "The current CEO of Summit Entertainment, Rob Freeman, was originally the CEO of Paramount Pictures, one of the six largest Hollywood studios. He was recently poached by the three shareholders of Summit Entertainment and has been a senior talent. After acquiring Summit Entertainment, I think we can keep his position."

"Okay, you have the final say on these small matters." Bai Ye said indifferently, "In short, I will set up Mercury Media and invest $10 billion. In addition to acquiring Summit Entertainment, I will use the rest to acquire some other good small and medium-sized film companies. All power will be handed over to you. I have only one request of you, which is that you must not cause huge losses to Mercury Media. It is best to make a profit as soon as possible."

"Bai Ye..." Ikana stared at him in amazement. "Are you serious? You just registered a media company and you invested 10 billion US dollars? I always thought that the 10 billion US dollars you mentioned was just like the publicity of most companies. It would be good if half of it could be realized in the end. It would start with the acquisition of Summit Entertainment for 3 million US dollars, and then use Summit Entertainment as a tentacles to slowly grow in Hollywood. But you..."

Well, Bai Ye’s behavior is too rough and he can’t deal with Ikana.

"How long will it take to dominate Hollywood with the method you mentioned? It's too slow." Bai Ye said, "If you don't do something, then forget it. But if you do it, you must do it to the best of your ability. The $10 billion investment in Mercury Entertainment is just the beginning. I will continue to invest in the future depending on the situation. I also plan to acquire one of the Big Six Hollywood companies within two years!"

"The Hollywood Big Six..."

Ikana didn't know what to say. Even if it was Norman Osborn, it was impossible for a giant worth tens of billions of dollars to be acquired just like that, right?

"Do you think I'm kidding you?" Bai Ye saw the hesitation in Ikana's eyes, smiled, and said, "When you notice the scale of my Galaxy Capital's bank acquisitions one day, you probably won't doubt my strength anymore."

Well, after the last Hearst family banquet, Bai Ye had contact with David Solomon, co-head of Goldman Sachs' investment banking department, and entrusted Goldman Sachs to help with the acquisition of part of Galaxy Capital's bank acquisition.

With the help of the professional Goldman Sachs, bank acquisitions were extremely easy, because Goldman Sachs was always able to catch the banks' tax evasion, illegal operations and the like, and then frantically lower the price, so that even though there was an additional intermediary, Goldman Sachs, Galaxy Capital's costs were lower. Of course, Goldman Sachs was also able to earn generous commissions from it.

"I don't understand, how come you suddenly seem to be richer than your father?"

Ikana looked at Bai Ye in confusion.

"Maybe it's because I have a talent in the financial field. I had never been exposed to it before, but now that I have, I have developed it all at once."

Bai Ye shrugged and said.

Well, the so-called financial talent is a bit too hardcore. Blowing up other people’s factories and landmark buildings, killing drug lords and robbing, etc. are indeed financial talents. Aren’t short selling and money laundering also financial talents?

Hardcore finance is also finance.

As for the idea that you can easily make money in the stock market by relying on a super brain...you're just thinking too much.

Newton, a giant of human science, is regarded as one of the most important scientists in the history of science along with Einstein. His IQ is said to be as high as 190. He has made great achievements in mathematics, physics, astronomy, etc. He is a genius and a versatile person. However, even Newton could not escape the fate of being slaughtered in the stock market.

In 1720, the "South Sea Bubble" incident occurred. Due to the emergence of information fraud, commercial bribery, collusion between government and business, insider trading, and crazy cashing, Newton turned from an old scientist into a fresh green leek. He lost all his money and almost lost his underwear.

Afterwards, Newton said: "I can calculate the trajectory of celestial bodies, but I cannot calculate the complexity of human nature."

The stock market is not a game of wisdom, but a game of human nature. In addition to Newton, many other smart people also went bankrupt because of stock speculation: Marx went bankrupt in 1864 and became a philosopher; Keynes went bankrupt in 1920 and became an economist; Churchill went bankrupt in 1929 and became prime minister...

"Bai Ye, can you tell me if I have a talent for finance?" Ikana looked at Bai Ye with bright eyes: "I also want to make a lot of money on Wall Street."

Who would want to work hard in Hollywood when they can make money on Wall Street?

Bai Ye grinned and said, "Okay, come home with me tonight, and I will check you thoroughly to see if you have a talent for finance."

Ikana: “…”

"Then forget it."

Ikana rolled her eyes.

She is not a shameless woman like Paris Hilton.

Bai Ye curled his lips: "You don't want to do this."

Of course, he couldn't help Ikana develop his financial talent because he was dealing with hardcore finance and couldn't teach Ikana anything. And his Mercury Media still needed a leader.

"Okay, let's not discuss finance, let's continue talking about Mercury Media." Bai Ye said, "Summit Entertainment focuses on the development, financing, production and distribution of movies, especially in global distribution, where it has achieved certain results. After acquiring this company, Mercury Media will not have any major weaknesses in the film industry, but Summit Entertainment's foundation is still too shallow and it does not have enough film libraries. So after acquiring Summit Entertainment, your next goal is to target those small and medium-sized film companies in Hollywood that have rich film library resources, acquire them, and lay a solid foundation."

At first glance, the film library always reminds people of a dusty film archive, but in Hollywood, it means a continuous and inexhaustible source of wealth. The films included in the Hollywood library are often films that have been released for more than 7 years. At this time, the film has gone through the entire distribution process, from theaters, audio-visual products to television broadcasts and overseas markets, and has completed the process of collecting revenue. From an accounting perspective, the film has also completed the "depreciation" cycle and can be thrown into the warehouse. But in the eyes of savvy Hollywood executives, with the development of new media technologies and the expansion of consumer markets, film library resources can still be redeveloped and utilized to realize new market value, especially for those classic films that were once popular with audiences.

Take Warner and Universal, two large studios with more than 5000 film libraries, for example. The library resources will generate $5 million in cash flow for them every year. Such cash flow can help large studios maintain operational stability and even turn the tide when the studio encounters a crisis.

Ikana nodded and said:

"Since I was going to work in Hollywood, I certainly couldn't help but do my homework in advance. Of course I knew that the film library was the soul of a film company, so I would certainly take this matter seriously."

"That's good."

Bai Ye said with a smile, it seems that hiring Ikana was not in vain, she has learned to move on her own.

"By the way, Bai Ye, I have something to discuss with you."

Ikana suddenly thought of something and said.

"what?"

Bai Ye took a sip of red wine.

"We are going to acquire Summit Entertainment. While learning about Hollywood, I am also thinking about what good project to come up with to launch our first move after taking over Summit Entertainment." Ikana said, "I accidentally found a novel on the bestseller list. After a quick read, I feel it is particularly suitable for adaptation into a movie. I think we can buy the film and television adaptation rights and use it as a movie appearance for Summit Entertainment."

Bai Ye raised his eyebrows: "What novel?"

Ikana: "The Hunger Games."

Bai Ye looked at Ikana with a strange expression: "You are really good at picking."

"Why, you take it seriously too?"

Ikana looked at Bai Ye in surprise.

"Well, I bought back the copyright a long time ago."

Bai Ye nodded.

In fact, this book was written (copied) by Bai Ye, because after buying Summit Entertainment and other film companies, Bai Ye not only wanted to develop his own media empire, but also wanted to make Tangtang a Hollywood A-lister and a world-class star.

"The Hunger Games" is a very successful commercial work. Lionsgate Entertainment relied on the huge success of "The Hunger Games" to get out of its debt crisis and become one of the "Big Seven" in Hollywood.

Bai Ye remembered that the cost of making "The Hunger Games" was 1.52 million U.S. dollars, the domestic box office revenue was 4.08 million U.S. dollars, the overseas box office of the film was 2.86 million U.S. dollars, and the global box office reached 6.96 million U.S. dollars. According to Hollywood rules, the production and distribution company takes 50% of the domestic box office, and the overseas box office takes 30%, with a total box office revenue of 2.9 million U.S. dollars. After deducting the cost, the profit is 1.4 million U.S. dollars. However, box office revenue is only a small part of Hollywood. Due to strict copyright awareness, copyright operation is the bulk of the profit.

- For example, the movies made by Jet Li in Hollywood all seem to be losing money, but in fact, this is not the case. In addition to the box office revenue of theaters, Hollywood has another larger source of income, which is disc revenue. The disc revenue of almost every movie starring Jet Li in Hollywood is higher than the box office revenue. That's why Jet Li was able to gain a foothold in Hollywood, and his salary was increased to 1000 million US dollars in the later period.

In addition to its commercial success, "The Hunger Games" is also one of the rare Hollywood movies with a female lead. The plot revolves around the heroine, which is a perfect work for Tangtang.

"I'm telling you..."

Bai Ye was talking to Ikana when he inadvertently caught a glimpse of a group of people coming in from the banquet hall. Among them was a graceful and pure girl in a white evening dress, walking into the banquet hall holding her father's arm.

Mariko Yashida!

One of Bai Ye's ex-girlfriends.

After being with Bai Ye, she really couldn't stand Bai Ye's romantic nature, so she didn't even get her diploma from Harvard University, which she was halfway through. She sadly transferred to another school in the United States and returned to Japan.

Mariko keenly noticed Bai Ye's gaze, and looked into Bai Ye's eyes. Her eyes were filled with resentment, as if they could speak: Your conscience tells me that it is not me you love the most. I returned to Japan on a very quiet night...

Chapter 76 is out, please go subscribe, please.

Chapter 80: I, Shushu, know everything, but my lower limbs are...paralyzed

Ikana was chatting with Bai Ye, and suddenly she felt that Bai Ye was stuck. Following Bai Ye's slanted gaze, she saw Yashida Mariko staring at Bai Ye.

Ikana understood instantly.

This is another romantic debt of Bai Ye.

"What are you looking at?"

Ikana bumped into Bai Ye and said:

"What, do you know me?"

"Ha... I don't know her." Bai Ye touched his nose and smiled awkwardly: "It's just that a few Japanese came suddenly..." Facing Ikana's contemptuous gaze, Bai Ye was too lazy to make up a story: "Okay, I know her, just as you imagined, she is also one of my ex-girlfriends."

Mariko Yashida glanced at Ikana who was talking to Bai Ye, her eyes moved slightly, and then she lowered her head and accompanied her father to talk with the executives of Wells Fargo.

"You have so many ex-girlfriends." Ikana was too lazy to get angry. She was already angry enough. "Tell me, what are their backgrounds? Judging from the appearance of them, their backgrounds must be complicated."

"Mariko is the chairman of the Yashida Group of Japan, the granddaughter of Ichiro Yashida, and the only direct descendant of the third generation of the Yashida family."

Bai Ye briefly talked about Mariko's background.

"Yashida Group?" Ikana looked at Mariko in surprise and said, "I've heard of this company. It's one of the Japanese chaebols, a giant with a market value of nearly $100 billion. Does that mean she is the only heir to this giant company?"

"I guess so." Bai Ye said, "In fact, when I first contacted Yashida Mariko, I also had a mission on my shoulders. It was at the request of my father. Yashida Group started out in the medical industry and is a Japanese chaebol giant that spans many fields. Medical care is also its absolute main business. Our Osborne Group also happens to be in the medical industry, so there is a lot of room for cooperation. In addition, Osborne is also very ambitious about the Japanese market. If Yashida Group and Osborne Group can join forces, wouldn't Osborne be able to use the path of Yashida Group to enter the Japanese market in one fell swoop?"

"Thinking about it this way, your marriage with this Yashida Mariko is actually a very good choice, but..." Ikana asked curiously: "Why did it fall apart later?"

"You know me. Since I'm rich, I want to take care of more girls and reduce the burden on society." Bai Ye shrugged and said, "So... Mariko couldn't accept it. She said I hurt her heart. After barely maintaining the relationship for a while, the two of us just couldn't get along, so we broke up..."

Ikana listened to Bai Ye's words and felt that they were quite logical at first, but she couldn't think too much about it. Once she thought about it, Ikana felt that Bai Ye's words were full of loopholes. She looked at Bai Ye with suspicion:

"Are you making up some lies to fool me?"

Two world-class medical giants are going to get married. How could such a thing end for such a trivial reason?

Anyone who is a little bit well-informed among the upper class in America cannot be unaware of the nickname of Bai Ye's Seven Stars Whore. Didn't Yashida Mariko know this before she came into contact with Bai Ye?

I couldn't stand it after I came into contact with it...

In the end, because of her resistance, the marriage of interests between the two families fell through. Isn't the whole thing too trifling?

"Why would I fool you?" Bai Ye said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "I've met many marriage proposals, right? Mariko is just one of them. Among your best friends, even Amanda was once my marriage proposal. It's not a rare thing. After meeting them, we found that our personalities were really incompatible, so of course we had to break up."

"Besides..." Bai Ye hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm going to tell you something. Don't spread it around."

"whats the matter?"

Ikana also showed her curiosity.

Liking gossip is part of human nature.

"Yashida Industries has not been developing as expected over the years and has fallen into a certain degree of debt crisis." Bai Ye said, "The internal relations have gradually become very complicated. My father gradually lost hope for the future of the Yashida Group... In short, Mariko was not a suitable marriage partner later."

"Is it really just that?"

Ikana felt it was quite reasonable, but she still felt that Bai Ye was hiding something from her.

"If you don't believe it, forget it."

Bai Ye rolled his eyes and didn't bother to pay attention to Ikana.

There are indeed some secrets, but how can I tell you?

Wells Fargo CEO Richard Kovacs and Mariko's father, now CEO of the Yashida Group Shingen Yashida, met in the middle of the banquet hall and had a cordial conversation, looking like they were in cahoots.

Richard Kovacs brought Shingen Yashida, Mariko Yashida and a man with a vulgar and rat-like temperament to introduce and communicate with the guests at the banquet.

"It seems that Shingen Yashida must be a big client of Wells Fargo Bank, which is why Richard Kovacevich is so enthusiastic."

Ikana looked at Bai Ye with a half-smile:

"I guess it will reach you soon..."

"Don't let your imagination run wild. I've already told you that Mariko and I are over a long time ago."

Bai Ye emphasized again.

Ikana sneered in her heart: The more guilty a person is, the more he should emphasize it.

Sure enough, it was soon Bai Ye's turn. Richard Kovacevich introduced them with a smile, "Mr. Shingen, this is the young master of the Osborne family..."

"There's no need to introduce this person. I know Mr. Osborne Jr."

Shingen Yashida smiled and nodded.

"Yes Richard, Mr. Yashida and I have known each other for several years."

Bai Ye also smiled.

Although Mariko and Byakuya were once arranged marriage partners, the relationship between Byakuya and Yashida Shingen has always been bad. Yashida Shingen also strongly opposed the marriage between Yashida Mariko and Byakuya. Therefore, the end of Byakuya and Mariko's relationship was so smooth.

This matter is actually very easy to understand, because Shingen Yashida is the current CEO of the Yashida Group, and Mariko is the only direct descendant of the third generation of the Yashida family. When Mariko marries the Osborne family, she will have a very powerful external aid. When Mariko wants to compete with him for the Yashida Group... the problem will be very serious - it is possible to marry for Mariko, but it must be a marriage that will prevent Mariko from escaping the control of the Yashida Group.

Well, no one who has enjoyed the power would be willing to give it up.

Not to mention his daughter Mariko, Shingen Yashida is always looking forward to his father Ichiro Yashida dying soon so that he can take over the huge group company of Yashida Industry. In this way, he can become one of the most powerful people in Japan. As long as his father is alive, he will only be in charge of Yashida Industry on behalf of his father.

——Ichiro Yashida is an old Japanese soldier from the World War II. He was saved by Wolverine when the Eagle Sauce dropped mushroom bombs. He is now in his seventies and may die at any time.

Of course, even if Byakuya and Yashida Shingen disliked each other, they did not fall out with each other. That would be too un-Yuya and not in line with the way of life of the chaebols.