Bai Family Restaurant.

Their ancestors were imperial chefs, making it one of the earliest privately owned restaurants in Beijing.

The overall style is like a garden, and the waiters even do cosplay, playing roles like princesses, princes, eunuchs, and emperors. That's quite a unique feature.

Shen Fang led Liu Tianxian to the Lotus Pond Moonlight private room. As soon as they entered, they saw several familiar faces. Although they had only met once, they had seen many of them on TV: Zhang Guoli, Feng Lazi, and a young man who looked very much like Zhang Guoli. Without a doubt, it was Zhang Mo.

Heshen, the Lord, a beautiful older sister named Xu Qing, and finally a middle-aged man who looked quite robust, though we've never met him.

Upon seeing the two arrive, Chen Daoming introduced them to Shen Fang and Liu Tianxian.

Shen Fang then realized who the middle-aged man was: Ye Daying, a bigwig in Beijing's entertainment circle and the grandson of Marshal Ye Jianying. He came from a family of directors and was a second-generation official with a very prominent and impeccable background.

Shen Fang and Liu Tianxian sat down next to Chen Daoming.

The dishes have all been served.

"My dear apprentice, I called you here today because Lao Zhang, Lao Wang, and Xiao Qing want to sign with your Longteng Media. I'm thinking that your company has just been established and you're short-handed right now."

Upon hearing this, Shen Fang smiled broadly and said, "It is an honor for Longteng to have the three teachers here."

Xu Qing interrupted Shen Fang.

"Don't call me teacher, you're making me sound old. Just call me Sister Qing." Xu Qing rolled her eyes at Zhong Lingxuan.

Zhong Lingxuan glanced at Xu Qing, whose femininity was on full display. Just that one glance was full of endless charm.

Shen Fang clicked his tongue. This woman was ripe to the bone!

Shen Fang quickly changed his tune: "Sister Qing, it's mine, it's mine. I'll punish myself with a drink to apologize to you, okay?"

Xu Qing smiled and said, "Then I'll have a drink with you."

Xu Qing picked up her wine glass, opened her cherry-like lips, drank it down, smiled slightly, and gave Chen Fang a charming glance, a flirtatious look.

Shen Fang fell for it; this older woman was too tempting, and his heart stirred.

"President Shen, I'd like to ask about the compensation package if we sign with your Longteng Media." Zhang Guoli interrupted the exchange of glances between Shen Fang and Xu Qing.

Shen Fang looked at Zhang Guoli.

"Teacher Zhang, to be honest, I don't really care about artist management, and I don't lack the money from it. The fact that you've come to Longteng is a great honor for me. How about this: we split the profits 20/80, with you getting 80% and the company getting 20%. Longteng will handle everything, including agents, assistants, vans, and costumes for commercial performances. If you ever want to go independent, I can fund the establishment of your own studio so you can be your own boss. What do you think?"

After Shen Fang finished speaking,

Zhang Guoli was stunned; the more she looked at Shen Fang, the more he seemed like a sucker. Could there really be such a good thing?!

“Xiao Fang, this isn’t the right thing to do. These days in the industry, the company takes the lion’s share, and the artist gets a small cut. What you’re doing…” Chen Daoming was worried his apprentice would be taken advantage of. These were all his friends, and although he wanted to help them find a good place, Chen Fang’s terms seemed unfair no matter how you looked at them. The company was basically serving the artist, even losing money. How could they do that?

Xu Qing found it outrageous after hearing it.

Shen Fang waved his hand: "Teacher, I never intended to make money through agents. Longteng Media doesn't rely on artists, it relies on projects and pan-entertainment plans. How much money can artists earn? Companies that exploit artists can never grow big. Making money through artists is not what I want. What I want to do is do big things, integrate domestic film and television resources, make them systematic, and develop popular IPs. Once I develop a good IP, the money will be endless. Artists just bring the works to life. I'll make all the big money, I don't care about this little bit. I don't lack this little bit of money."

If Wang Zhongjun were here, he would definitely be cursing. "Are you implying anything about us Chinese?!"

After listening to Shen Fang's bold words.

Zhang Guoli, Wang Gang, Xu Qing, Ye Daying, Chen Daoming, Zhang Mo, and Feng Lazi were all stunned.

That's incredibly extravagant!

Zhang Guoli picked up his wine glass.

"Mr. Shen, you really understand how considerate you are of us artists. I'd like to toast you."

Shen Fang waved his hand: "Teacher Zhang, please don't be so polite. Just call me Xiao Shen or Xiao Fang. We're not strangers. You and my master are good friends. Calling me President Shen would be too formal."

Zhang Guoli smiled upon hearing this: "Then I'll have to go all out, Xiao Fang. Your project is too big for the domestic market to handle... you..."

Shen Fang smiled and said, "The domestic market may not be able to accommodate us now, but it will definitely be able to in the future. I plan to take the company public by the end of 2008, and then officially launch the pan-entertainment IP blockbuster plan. That will be the time for Longteng to make its mark. Before 2008, we just need to build Longteng's reputation and make a few blockbusters to set an example for people in the industry. I never thought about making money in the domestic market. I signed Director Zhang to go international."

Wang Gang, unfazed by the remark, gave a thumbs-up.

"Xiao Fang, you are insightful and have a well-thought-out plan. You are impressive. You are a man who can accomplish great things."

Shen Fang waved his hand: "You flatter me. Actually, our domestic film market is gradually maturing step by step. With the rapid improvement of the national economy, the entertainment industry will be a blue ocean market in the future. So to be honest, I don't care if we lose money. I'm not afraid of losing money. As long as we can lead our domestic film and television industry on the right path, losing money is no big deal."

Upon hearing this, Chen Daoming looked at Shen Fang with a puzzled expression.

"Apprentice, are you implying that our industry is heading down the wrong path?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!