Claire and Gasco also started the first round of confrontation. Li Zhenyu wanted to obtain all the authorizations of Martin's works, which was considered excessive greed by Gasco.

"80 million US dollars, plus the subsequent dividend income, if this is also called greed, those guys in Hollywood should be hanged on the street lights."

Gasco accepted Claire's description in full, knowing that the condition was not too harsh.

But fighting for better conditions for his employer is his purpose for coming here and the meaning of his existence.

If he didn't do anything, why would Martin spend a lot of money to hire himself?

Glancing at the two people who were chatting happily, Gasco pretended to be generous and said, "Well, since they are friends... let's talk about the dividend ratio."

Claire knew he was difficult to deal with, but she didn't expect him to be so shameless.

As time went on, the argument in the living room grew louder and louder, and the two men almost came to a quarrel.

Martin was a little annoyed because his thoughts were frequently interrupted.

Li Zhenyu also said helplessly: "It seems that we can only talk about this today. Let's finish the business first and discuss the follow-up part."

Martin nodded, but he felt as if thousands of feathers were gently scratching his heart.

This feeling is so uncomfortable!

"Gasco." Martin called out to Gasco, who was still debating, and took him aside to discuss in a low voice.

Li Zhenyu also came to Claire's side, chuckled and said confidently: "It seems that there will be a result soon."

"Will Martin put pressure on him?" Claire pondered.

Li Zhenyu nodded as an answer to her question.

This made Claire feel relieved. Gasco was not an easy person to deal with. She had not been able to gain any advantage over him until now.

However, Claire always held on to her bottom line, which was also the key point that led to the argument between the two.

Now, with Martin's intervention, I believe the situation will change.

This is good news for her.

"Boss, how did you convince him?"

In Claire's opinion, Martin must have been influenced by him to make such a decision.

Li Zhenyu smiled slightly and said, "I think he did this out of our friendship."

Only he understood that this change came from 'Martin's friendship.'

In Martin's heart, I have become the most important friend in his life, no doubt about it.

"Martin, you can't..."

"I have decided that this condition is not bad, and I don't want my friend's interests to be harmed because of me."

"Your kindness will hurt you."

The argument between the two gradually came to an end. Li Zhenyu didn't hear it all, but he caught a few words.

Looking at Carlisle's questioning eyes, he nodded firmly again.

Soon, Martin and Gasco came over.

The former had a serious look on his face, while the latter had a look of reluctance and helplessness on his face.

"Li, do you have the contract ready?"

"Of course, but the terms haven't been negotiated yet."

"No, that's enough."

Martin shook his head and told him to sign the contract according to the plan they had just agreed on.

He can sign now for $80 million in copyright fees and 12% of the subsequent peripheral revenue share.

"Wait, I'll go change the contract now."

Claire's assistant went to revise the profit-sharing ratio in the contract, and the few people who stayed at the scene raised their glasses together to celebrate the upcoming cooperation in advance.

"Li, I hope the project can be launched as soon as possible. I want everyone to see that wonderful world as soon as possible."

"Yes, Martin..."

Li Zhenyu assured him that the "Ice and Fire" project would be launched within two years.

"Two years?" Martin frowned, obviously not satisfied.

"It's not easy to present that world perfectly. A lot of preparation needs to be done in advance. Martin, you don't want to leave any regrets in your work, do you?"

This reason satisfied Martin. Since it was for the purpose of presenting the work perfectly, it was naturally worth the time to wait.

After the assistant returned with the contract, Claire and Gasco confirmed that there were no issues.

Li Zhenyu signed his name on the contract first, and then handed the pen to Martin.

Swish~ The signing was completed, and the amber Yamazaki single malt whisky was added to the coffee table glass again.

"Cooperative entertainment~"

After discussing the business, Claire and Gasco completed their mission and left the villa one after the other.

Martin stayed and wanted to continue his previous discussion with Li Zhenyu.

The two chatted from day to night, and continued to talk during dinner. It was not until it got dark that Martin reluctantly left after he reminded him.

"Martin, we can communicate via email later. I will tell you as soon as I have any ideas."

Martin hugged him warmly, waved goodbye, got into the car parked on the side of the road and drove towards the city center.

Without someone getting in the way, Liu Meina finally had time to pester him.

I ran up to him and hugged his arm. Just as I was about to say something, the phone in my pocket suddenly rang.

Seeing the caller ID, Liu Meina curled her lips and hung up.

But the next second, the other party called again: "Anihasayo, your lovely and well-behaved daughter is gone. Now it's the vicious and rebellious pregnant daughter. Please don't call me again. That's it. I'm hanging up."

"Liu Meina, do you have to let me freeze all your cards before you obey me?" The threat in her ear stopped Liu Meina, who had put down her phone and pressed her thumb on the hang-up button.

Angrily, he put it to his ear again, "You said you don't need to threaten me with this."

"You also said that you would listen to me and do as I say."

Seeing her angry expression, although Li Zhenyu didn't know the inside story, he could roughly guess what was going on.

Let the mother and daughter resolve the minor conflicts themselves.

Reaching out and pinching her plump and moist face, Li Zhenyu pointed to the room and said silently: "I'm going out for a while, wait for me at home."

Liu Meina wanted to ask "what are you going to do?", but she still had to deal with her mother on the phone, so she could only nod reluctantly and stand on tiptoe to kiss him on the face.

"What's that noise, Liu Meina, where are you?"

"Didn't I tell you..."

Turning aside with a guilty conscience, Li Zhenyu also walked quickly towards the room.

He also had to meet someone, and the other party wrote to him in the afternoon to make an appointment.

Li Zhenyu originally wanted to schedule it for tomorrow, but the other party had to fly to Georgia early tomorrow morning to attend the second half of the year business meeting held by the fabric supplier.

Therefore, the meeting time can only be scheduled in the evening.

The address is the open-air bar on the top 12th floor of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

When Li Zhenyu arrived, there were two empty cups in front of Alice Lee.

"Alice."

Li Zhenyu raised his hand to greet her, then sat opposite her with a smile on his face.

Alice Lee glanced at the slender watch on her wrist. "You're late, but it's okay. Would you like something to drink?"

“Mojito.”

A medium-strength cocktail based on rum, considered to be more masculine in taste.

"I'll have one, too."

Alice Lee had already had two drinks, and for the third she wanted to try something different.

“The scenery here is really nice.”

The two of them were positioned close to the fence, and they could overlook most of Hollywood just by sticking their heads out.

The lights at the foot of the mountain were brilliant, the voices were bustling, and from time to time fireworks exploded in the sky, lighting up most of the sky.

Hollywood at night is a paradise for revelers.

"Yes!" Alice Lee agreed with emotion.

Then, she withdrew her distracted, reminiscing gaze and talked about the reason why she invited him this time.

Alice Lee had a sum of money that she had given to an investment company to manage.

Recently, she wanted to change a company to manage her money. The financial crisis caused a sharp drop in the profits of the previous institution, and the profits were no longer enough to satisfy her.

"How much is this money exactly?"

"Two hundred million."

"Dollar?"

Alice Lee put down her wine glass, lightly touched her short hair that fell in front of her eyes with her fingers, and said with a smile: "If it was Korean won, how could I have the nerve to come to you."

This statement was not meant to flatter him; Alice Lee was just stating a fact.

200 million won...

She herself was too embarrassed to offer her hand, let alone make time to invite him to meet here.

"Won't you consider it again?" Li Zhenyu wanted to know how much she had heard and how determined she was.

"Don't think about it. I will stay in the United States for two days and have someone prepare the paperwork. We can sign the contract when we return."

Li Zhenyu joked: "You dare to hand over 200 million US dollars to me without asking anything. It seems that you already know enough details."

"I just heard that you never let your friends down."

"Are we friends?"

Li Zhenyu stretched out his hand and pointed between the two of them, wondering when this friendship began.

Alice Li picked up the wine glass, put down her crossed legs, walked around the coffee table and sat next to him: "Now, that's it."

(End of this chapter)