Chapter 55 One Percent Shareholding Plan
Jian Zhen and Xu Weisheng's relationship is an open secret within Touxue. Xu Weisheng himself is probably the least aware of this, as he still retains the self-awareness of being a "secret lover." Therefore, when faced with everyone's teasing, his first reaction is to try to cover for Jian Zhen.
"Who arranged this?" Xu Weisheng smiled as she removed the ribbon from her hair, deliberately glancing at the people behind Jian Zhen.
“Me?” Jian Zhen said generously.
"Huh? Teacher Jian, you—" Xu Weisheng stopped midway through his movements, looking at her helplessly.
Bubble said anxiously, "Oh, Mr. Xu, stop pretending! Everyone knows you're the boss's wife at Touxue!"
The room erupted in laughter, and even Chen Siying rolled her eyes while smirking.
Amidst the surrounding laughter, Xu Weisheng remained cautious, staring at Jian Zhen and silently mouthing, "Am I?"
Jian Zhen stepped forward, gave him a familiar hug, and quietly said, "Good performance, you are allowed to become a full-time employee."
Xu Weisheng had already instinctively hugged her, and now he could only hug her even tighter, wishing he could pick her up and spin her around a couple of times. He managed to restrain himself from the impulse and awkwardly managed to squeeze out, "Thank you, Director Jian."
"You're welcome." Jian Zhen chuckled, patted his back to signal him to let go, then tilted her head to look at Fang Wei, who was frozen in place at the door, and said, "Hello, what brings you here?"
Fang Wei's brain has always processed information efficiently, steadily, and orderly, like a well-managed river. But now this river has suffered two floods in succession, and it seems that the dam is about to burst.
"I...I came here..." Fang Wei turned to look at Xu Weisheng, completely surprised that this was Lin Sheng himself. This was completely different from the idol he had imagined. He thought Lin Sheng would be 1.75 meters tall, wearing jeans and a plaid shirt, with naturally curly frizzy hair. Although he was sloppy, he had a certain artistic temperament. But the person in front of him was too exquisite. His features and figure were impeccable. He could even smell perfume behind him. Had he really transmigrated into some kind of celebrity cosplay variety show?
“He came to visit the set,” Xu Weisheng mercifully answered for him.
"Ah, right, I saw this morning that you guys announced you're making a movie about billiards. I'm a die-hard fan of the original, and I was so curious that I couldn't resist bothering you..." Fang Wei felt like he'd been granted a pardon, picked up his brain and put it back in, and started a normal conversation.
The scene that had shocked him was now analyzed as fact, becoming evidence that overturned the unfounded speculation about variety shows—that celebrities cannot publicly date, and that Hsu Wei-sheng and Chien Chen were clearly a couple deeply in love.
In other words, Lin Sheng really looks like this. My goodness, someone actually won a double gene lottery, and there's one ticket that they've never claimed.
"It wouldn't be right to visit the set without bringing a gift, would it?" Bubble teased him, squeezing out a corner since they were quite familiar with each other.
"Yes, that's right, a gift..." Fang Wei's back was beaded with sweat. Why hadn't he thought of this when he came downstairs?
Fortunately, he slapped his forehead and came up with a brilliant idea. He looked up at Jian Zhen and said, "Director Jian, I happen to have an investment plan for Touxue that I'd like to discuss with you."
The investment plan that Fang had not mentioned was summarized by him in the subsequent detailed talks as a one percent shareholding plan, that is, to transfer one percent of the shares of his personal company to Touxue, on the condition that some advertisements for their products be inserted into the subsequent works.
Product placement in an aircraft advertisement isn't difficult, especially since Fang Wei didn't limit the duration or format, nor did they agree on any clauses regarding market reaction. However, Jian Zhen's first thought wasn't that she had gotten a bargain, but rather—"How much is your one percent stake worth?"
Xu Weisheng gently tapped the side of her shoe with the tip of his under the table, trying to persuade her not to be so arrogant in accepting rejection, because—
Fang Wei answered seriously and methodically, "We recently secured Series A funding, led by Sequoia Capital. At the moment, 1% of that is worth about three million to four million. However, our company's business prospects are good, so please seriously consider this proposal, Mr. Jian. I assure you that this number will grow exponentially over the next ten years."
Jian Zhen had just kicked Xu Weisheng back when she realized he was hinting at something with his dawdling. She stood there, swallowing a non-existent mouthful of saliva: "Uh, President Fang, if that's what you're saying, then this 1% shareholding plan is indeed quite tempting. But I don't quite understand. Capital is profit-driven. What benefit could there be in Touxue?"
This question really stumped Fang Wei. Compared to the profitability of his industry, even if Touxue in the entertainment industry were to reach its peak, the money she would earn wouldn't be enough. So why was he so eager to get involved with Touxue? It couldn't possibly be for money.
He lowered his head and rubbed his palms together, pondering for a while before taking a deep breath and looking up at the two of them, saying, "No, it's just that I hope Touxue can live on forever, becoming a star instead of a shooting star. It's a pity that I can't participate in your actual creative process, I can only provide some support, which is also a personal wish of mine."
He said the last sentence while looking at Xu Weisheng.
Xu Weisheng met his gaze and his face suddenly turned red. He thought to himself that it was a good thing he hadn't chosen to expose himself in front of the public back then, otherwise he definitely wouldn't have been able to deal with those young and enthusiastic fans.
The proposal was ultimately accepted by Jian Zhen. In retrospect, it can be considered one of the most successful decisions in Touxue's business history. In the same year that the Billiards Boy movie was officially released, Fang Wei's drone company had already completed its Series D financing, expanded its market at an incredible speed, quietly made a fortune in the new field of new business economy, and even became a leading enterprise in the global small civilian aircraft industry, an absolute dark horse.
Even He Youjia, who usually doesn't care about the real world, knows that the company on the 19th floor is quite famous now. When Jian Zhen asked her to draw the company logo in the background of the scene, she hesitated and said, "Won't the audience think we're just trying to ride on their coattails..."
Good heavens, who remembers that it was Fang Wei who begged them to advertise for him?
Chen Siying got promoted and is now also the episode director. She slid out of her chair and said to Youjia at the next workstation, "Why worry about so much? Just draw your own. Even if the audience criticizes us, the director is still there to take the blame. Hurry up and finish the work. I need to review it after you're done, and then I'll hand it over to the next person for replacement. It's Wednesday today, and I have a date tonight, okay?"
"Hey, another new gay bar in the Greater Bay Area?" Bubble joked as she passed by. After spending these past few years together, she had figured out Chen Siying's tough exterior but weak interior, and was no longer as afraid of him as before. Bubble leaned against the edge of Youjia's table and comforted him, "Don't overthink it. Actually, with Direction's current popularity, President Fang doesn't need us to advertise anymore. Adding these few frames is just a little Easter egg. Some viewers who watch movies with a magnifying glass will definitely notice it, and we can then take the opportunity to promote the history of Touxue's collaboration with Direction. Wouldn't that add another great story to the internet?"
"So, according to you, we're the ones who profit?" He Youjia looked up at her, bewildered.
"Of course, who is your sister Jian Zhen? She wouldn't do even a single joule of useless work."
"What is a Joule?" He Youjia asked curiously.
Bubble was overjoyed. This little illiterate girl! She turned to look at Chen Siying, raised an eyebrow and said, "Teacher Chen, can you explain this to me?"
Chen Siying twirled the pen in her hand and coldly asked, "What is Joule?"
Bubble's smile froze on her face. After a moment, she smacked her lips, made a gesture of surrender, and left.
She bumped into Jian Zhen, who had just returned from outings, in the corridor and immediately grabbed her boss to complain: "Sister Xiao Zhen, do you know? I'm the only desperate science student here."
"So what? Will I send you to work under Fang Wei?" Jian Zhen said bluntly.
"Never mind, never mind." Bubble shook her hands, lowered her two forearms that were raised like a crab, and followed Jian Zhen's steps, saying, "Why did Lao Le say that you're not going to the Shanghai premiere next week? I see that your flight ticket is not on the business trip system."
"Oh, well, whether I can go or not depends on the situation. Something came up at home, so I might not be able to go next week." Jian Zhen opened the thermos lid, lowered her head, put the straw into her mouth, took a big gulp, and then let out a long breath. She turned to look at Paopao and asked, "Has Zixin given birth? Is it a boy or a girl?"
Bubble proudly raised her head and smiled, saying, "Look, I've been following you all this time just to get you to ask this question! Good news—mother and daughter are safe!"
"That's great, you're at the Women and Children's Hospital, right? I'll bring a big red envelope tomorrow."
"Hey, I saw that President Xu already gave them to you two. Zixin even bragged about them to me." Bubble pinched her thumb and forefinger and exaggeratedly said, "They're so thick! Didn't President Xu tell you?"
Jian Zhen interlocked her fingers, holding a water glass, and gave a helpless laugh. This was what she meant by "something's going on at home."
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