One good thing after another

Getting things done after receiving payment was always the unshakable principle of General Manager Cao Jingming. “Creative Ability” had just purchased a complete suite of film special effects, modeling software, and engines and algorithms from a software development company in Huateng, totaling twenty-eight million. The software did exist, as did the algorithms, but they were all off-the-shelf products from foreign special effects companies that this firm merely represented. This company either sat idle or, when it did do business, made enough in one deal to last three years.

The legal representative of the company didn’t have to be surnamed Cao, but the young man who went with Chen Pi to Huateng’s Bund to admire foreign beauties most certainly was. During this process, Boss Li discovered that General Manager Cao was a law-abiding and taxpaying citizen. He couldn’t help but feel a deep respect.

“Mr. Li, I hope we can cooperate more in the future!”

“Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Cao. I also hope to have a long-term partnership with ‘Sanjiang Media.’ It’s always good to lean against a big tree for shade.”

Laughter erupted all around.

After the signing ceremony, the group enjoyed a few drinks and chatted. Boss Li had brought his people along mainly for the food and drink; apart from Su Mengyao and Gan Xingnu, the likes of Guo Rong, Chen Bosheng, and Wu Shuguang were all there for the buzz. After all, working with a state-owned giant like the Sanjiang Media Group was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—just being part of it gave them something to brag about for years.

Guo Rong snapped dozens of selfies. Although he supported Su Yongzhi’s campaign, an occasion like today wasn’t for Su Yongzhi to attend.

“Wow, boss, this is amazing! ‘Sanjiang Media’—that’s the top in Sanjiang Province! They practically own the television business here...” Wu Shuguang was beside himself with excitement; it felt almost unreal. Not even Teacher Ai could pull off something like this, to have the Sanjiang Media Group organize a formal signing ceremony.

If Ai Shoujin wanted the kind of spectacle Li Jie had today, he’d need an official assignment, a project commissioned by the top brass to produce a tribute film—then the group would cooperate. But in that case, was it for Ai Shoujin’s sake? Of course not—it would be for the sake of the organization.

No wonder Wu Shuguang was so elated. After drifting through so many crews and companies over the years, it was clear Boss Li’s operation was the most interesting—high-level, sophisticated, and classy.

“Come on, Wu, this is just the beginning. The real good days are still ahead,” Li Jie said, popping a skewer of grilled meat into his mouth. After a swig of juice, he continued, “We made a killing this time. When we get back, everyone gets double pay, and there’ll be a year-end bonus for New Year’s.”

“Thank you, boss!” Wu Shuguang grinned from ear to ear. He’d already made a tidy sum helping Su Yongzhi with the short film selection, and now, with double pay and a year-end bonus on top, life was looking up. It just goes to show—you have to pick the right mentor.

Teacher Ai Shoujin—he was truly a benefactor.

“As soon as the competition’s over, I’ll get the ad shoot underway. By the way, did that ‘Shence Apparel’ New Year’s gift arrive?”

“Everything except the trench coats is here—the down jackets, snow boots, and all that. Just waiting for you to distribute them to the team, boss.”

“Chase them up. Without the trench coats, what am I supposed to wear for post-competition interviews?”

“Don’t worry, boss. I’ll call right away.”

This endorsement came with quite a few items, though all were fairly niche. One was a motorcycle contract, still under negotiation; the other, already settled, was with “Shence Apparel,” a large fashion company from the northeast originally specializing in fur.

The endorsement fee was 4.5 million over two years—a public rate for a hot small-screen star. In reality, most would get less, perhaps 700,000 per year. But Li Jie had become a breakout star with lasting appeal and massive potential, so he secured a solid 4.5 million for two years.

Li Jie, however, didn’t sign a two-year deal, but a one-year contract, which many celebrities disliked. Two million a year, with both sides making small concessions—he would endorse only trench coats and leather jackets, specific men’s styles. He wouldn’t represent suits, traditional Chinese jackets, or Hanfu.

“Shence Apparel” couldn’t be sure a child star from a family show would boost their sales—the overlap between audiences and customers seemed minimal. But among the new generation of celebrities, few had his aura or presence. In the end, owner Liu Yi decided this young man fit the company’s image perfectly and settled on a 2-million-a-year endorsement.

They also threw in a 300,000 signing bonus and 200,000 worth of regular clothes as New Year’s gifts. “Creative Ability” would send the sizes, and “Shence Apparel” would ship to Jianye.

Owner Liu Yi was a meticulous man, so Li Jie planned to make the endorsement short film especially well. Even if it was just an online ad, with Mr. Liu being so particular, he couldn’t just phone it in. He’d cosplay as “Yan Shuangying” and guarantee Mr. Liu’s satisfaction.

Though Li Jie’s acting wasn’t stellar, his ability to look cool in sunglasses was now second to none.

As soon as these arrangements were made, Cao Jingming and Liu Deyu came over. After clinking glasses with Li Jie, Cao Jingming said with a smile, “Mr. Li, twenty-eight million... that’s quite a sum.”

“There are still taxes to deduct, Mr. Cao.”

“Mr. Li is truly generous. If you need my help in the Canglong District council election this March, just say the word.”

Generous indeed—throwing in an extra three million to offset taxes, all above board and proper. Cao Jingming had rarely seen a young man as decisive and openhanded as Li Jie. There were prodigal sons who’d burn through money faster, but that was because they had family money.

What did Li Jie have? Recently, Cao Jingming had checked—Li Jie’s partnership with Su Yongzhi hadn’t been long-standing. Before that, he was an orphanage kid who got into university. He’d been a child star and his song copyrights were valuable, but none of that intersected with Cao Jingming’s business interests. He’d never had any designs on Li Jie before.

Now, things were different. Success brings momentum. A child prodigy then, a filmmaker now—it all fit.

Cao Jingming was very satisfied with their cooperation. He added, “Mr. Li, Director Liu has some good news for you—I’ll let you two talk.”

He raised his glass in a final toast, then left Liu Deyu and Li Jie to their conversation.

“Director Liu, what’s the good news?” Li Jie asked, raising his glass. Liu Deyu clinked it and smiled.

“I have a friend who’s a senior secretary at the ‘Tangyao Consortium,’ here on business in Sanjiang Province. She happened to hear that both Korea and Japan are very interested in importing ‘Masked Gourd Hero.’ Normally, ‘Sanjiang Media’ would make the introduction, but the Yangtze River Delta’s cultural exports were mostly handled by ‘Huateng Media’ as the general contractor.”

Director Liu got straight to the point, dropping a major bombshell.

As Li Jie felt a surge of delight, he heard Liu Deyu continue, “‘Huateng Media’ had an agreement with ‘Kaihuang Group’ to handle children’s content separately. If this project goes ahead, it’s likely ‘Kaihuang Group’ will close the overseas deal first. But now their subsidiary, ‘Daye Films,’ has shut down and won’t be restarting soon. So, my friend suggests that ‘Longyou Group’ under the ‘Tangyao Consortium’ wants to test the waters here and is looking for a local partner.”

Looking for a local partner?

Li Jie was suspicious: What a coincidence? I don’t buy it—clearly, they’re just looking to use me as a stepping stone.

Following the principle of never making a move unless there’s real profit in sight, Li Jie decided: unless “Longyou Group” showed real sincerity, the answer would be no.