After seeing Nazha, Chen Pingjiang's first reaction was to recall a good brother from his previous life: Ma Yingjun!
Ma Yingjun lived up to his name, being somewhat handsome, but his mind was completely filled with Nazha; he was absolutely smitten with her.
He wondered what had become of him later.
"Chairman Chen, Chairman Chen?"
Cai Yinong called out, pulling Chen Pingjiang's thoughts back to the cocktail party.
"Hm? What is it?"
"It's like this, as Tangren is a local film and television company in Shanghai, and Hu Ge and I are both locals, we'd like to invite you to try authentic local cuisine tonight. We'd be honored if you could join us."
Seeing four pairs of expectant eyes fixed on him, Chen Pingjiang, feeling a bit hungry, nodded at once:
"Then I shall impose."
"Not at all, not at all, we're absolutely delighted that President Chen can honor us with his presence,"
Hu Ge said with a smile.
As Tangren's top star, he also held shares within Tangren, being one of the minor shareholders, and was therefore quite familiar with Cai Yinong, having a clear understanding of the difficulties the company was currently facing.
After the cocktail party dispersed, Chen Pingjiang called Wan Yuqian to join him.
He had originally wanted to call Zhao Shaoyang and Ni Na, but Zhao Shaoyang said he was busy; he was taking Ni Na to meet other companies and had an appointment.
In the car, Chen Pingjiang analyzed the situation.
"Cai Yinong probably can't wait to get close to us. Their company is finding it increasingly difficult to gain a foothold in the film and television market, which is crowded with giants. Firstly, they lack resources on the IP side and aren't open or inclusive enough. On the artist side, there are only a few recognizable names, and once those few go solo, Tangren will be in trouble. Most importantly, they're probably short on cash."
Wan Yuqian was a bit puzzled:
"We already have a film and television company, you're not planning to invest in Tangren, are you? I've looked into them; they're quite good at period dramas, but their scripts for other genres are mediocre."
"We'll see. Since Cai Yinong came to me, isn't she after our money and resources? Even if we're not her only opportunity, missing this village means it'll be a long time before she finds the next one,"
Chen Pingjiang said with a smile.
The dining location was a small white villa in Zhagkou District, which appeared to have been renovated.
When Chen Pingjiang arrived, many luxury cars were parked at the entrance.
Cai Yinong and the other three had been waiting at the entrance for a long time.
After the vehicle came to a stop, Cai Yinong quickly gave Nazha a look, signaling her to open the door.
Apparently, Liu Shishi was much quicker than her, already standing by the car door a step ahead.
Cai Yinong shook her head helplessly; being too young simply meant being unreliable.
She had originally wanted Nazha to go to the boss's side and Liu Shishi to the other side, but the two of them went to the wrong places.
She sighed inwardly:
"This child, Chen Pingjiang is definitely sitting in the boss's seat. I gave you an opportunity, and you couldn't seize it."
"President Chen, be careful."
Liu Shishi gently reminded him with a soft, gentle smile.
Chen Pingjiang nodded and walked towards Cai Yinong.
Wan Yuqian was a bit surprised to see a young star opening the door for her, but then, seeing Nazha's youthful appearance, she found her very cute and immediately praised her:
"Your cheongsam is lovely, very beautiful."
"Ah, thank you."
Cai Yinong led the way, ushering Chen Pingjiang and Wan Yuqian into the private room.
"Many celebrities love to eat at this restaurant; it's a long-established brand, 103 years old this year. I specifically ordered representative local dishes, but I'm not sure if they suit your tastes. If there's anything you don't like, please feel free to say so,"
Cai Yinong said with a humble demeanor and a smile, introducing the dishes.
With each dish served, Cai Yinong personally introduced it, more professionally than a waiter.
"This is 'Four Happiness Roasted Bran'. This dish truly tests the chef's skill; if done well, it's delicious, but if not, the roasted bran will absorb all the oil, literally turning into a sponge, and every bite will be cold oil."
"The second dish is 'Drunken Roe Crab'. Drunken crabs are generally divided into raw-marinated and cooked-marinated; this one is raw-marinated, using Guyue Longshan Huadiao from old Shaoxing."
"The third dish is Smoked Silver Cod, and the fourth is Braised Pork with Preserved Vegetables, which is a specialty of this restaurant. Chairman Chen and President Wan, you must try more of it later."
"Additionally, there's Three-Yellow Chicken and Stir-fried Hand-shelled River Shrimp. Both are essential dishes when eating local cuisine."
"The seventh dish is Kung Pao Eel Back; the eighth dish is Boiled Shredded Tofu; and the ninth dish: Scallion Oil Noodles with Abalone."
After Cai Yinong finished her introductions, everyone present applauded.
Chen Pingjiang smiled and said,
"President Cai's introduction was very professional, impressive."
"Oh, no, no, Chairman Chen, President Wan, please help yourselves first."
Nazha, standing by, was stunned.
Was this still the Cai Yinong she knew?
Normally, Cai Yinong was very authoritative at the company.
How could she do something like this, introducing dishes one by one like a waitress?
For Nazha, a freshman in college, the biggest person she had encountered was Cai Yinong.
But seeing Cai Yinong act somewhat subservient when facing Chen Pingjiang at this moment made her entire worldview feel a bit shattered.
She couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Chen Pingjiang.
Chen Pingjiang, also keenly aware that someone was watching him, turned his head and met Nazha's curious gaze directly.
In an instant, Nazha quickly lowered her head as if she had done something wrong.
No one else noticed this scene, only Cai Yinong smiled knowingly, her mind as clear as a mirror.
Following the rules of dining in China, starting with Cai Yinong, several people took turns standing up to toast.
When it was Nazha's turn, with a flushed face, she blankly said,
"Chairman Chen, President Wan, I toast you both. Eat well and drink well."
What a simple "Eat well and drink well!"
Cai Yinong lowered her head, almost unable to watch; she had spent half the journey teaching her.
Hu Ge and Liu Shishi on the side couldn't help but laugh, and Chen Pingjiang also looked at Nazha with interest, wanting to tease her.
Nazha adorably stuck out her tongue.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes.
Seeing that the atmosphere was quite harmonious, having moved past the initial reserve and with everyone gradually becoming more familiar, Cai Yinong finally spoke:
"I'd like to ask, Chairman Chen, how do you view the future of the film and television industry?"
Chen Pingjiang smiled.
Cai Yinong wasn't testing him, but rather seeking cooperation; the question was merely a prelude.
"The future of the film and television market is very clear. The rise of online video platforms is almost inevitable; they will be important broadcasting channels independent of television stations. In fact, at certain times, online video platforms are even more popular than television stations. Take Kuaibo, for instance; we can not only watch films on Kuaibo via computer but also via television. The TV will become a terminal similar to a mobile phone."
"The advantage of video platforms is that users can watch films anytime, anywhere; they don't need to wait in front of the TV at a specific time, and even if they miss the release time, they can still watch. On this point alone, television stations find it hard to catch up. Furthermore, most of those who use Kuaibo to watch films and TV shows are young people, which overlaps with the target audience of many film and television productions."
At this point, Chen Pingjiang intentionally paused, looking at Cai Yinong:
"Tangren's current situation is actually very precarious. If you don't transform and plan for the future soon, you'll probably miss this train."
Who was Chen Pingjiang?
Cai Yinong didn't believe Chen Pingjiang needed to be alarmist when facing someone as insignificant as herself.
Startled, she immediately asked,
"Chairman Chen, could you elaborate? I don't quite understand."
Chen Pingjiang nodded:
"Baidu has iQiyi, Tencent has Tencent Video, Alibaba has Youku, and we have Kuaibo. Besides these, there's also LeTV. Future streaming platforms are bound to be a game among giants. Previously, with fewer TV series, it was a buyer's market, but as more and more film and television dramas emerge, the market is transitioning to a seller's market. For exceptionally good films, of course, there's still a market, but for ordinary ones, you'll have to play by the giants' rules."
"The giants aren't foolish; they'll also support their own forces. Why would I spend tens of millions or even hundreds of millions to buy the online broadcasting rights for a series when I could just produce it myself? At the very least, we could co-produce. With such a huge pie, the giants would never give up. When they come charging into the market, waving their checks, your traditional film and television companies will have a tough time."
With every word Chen Pingjiang spoke, Cai Yinong's face grew a shade paler.
Hu Ge and Liu Shishi exchanged glances, while only Nazha looked at Chen Pingjiang with eyes full of adoration.
He knows so much, Nazha thought to herself.
"Furthermore, there's another situation you need to be aware of. Excellent scripts are very rare; only a few top screenwriters can produce them. You wouldn't dare use ordinary scripts, as you'd lose money if you filmed them. The future will be an IP world, and online novels will become a crucial force.
Firstly, online novels have a massive fan base who are willing to pay for their favorite stories. Secondly, if a novel succeeds, it must have been market-tested, making it a natural fit for filming and greatly reducing the possibility of losses. I even estimate that more than half of future film and television scripts might come from IP copyrights."
After listening, Cai Yinong pondered for a long time.
Chen Pingjiang's words had brought her too much shock.
She knew some things, but she couldn't see the whole picture, only a corner of it.
It was nowhere near Chen Pingjiang's insightful perspective.
"Chairman Chen, I'd like to toast you. Your words were very impactful and greatly enlightening."
Wan Yuqian watched Chen Pingjiang's performance with a smile, and then, seeing the adoration in the young lady's eyes next to them, she smiled to herself.
A few years ago, she had looked at Chen Pingjiang with similar eyes.
However, Wan Yuqian was very clear-headed and knew that Chen Pingjiang already had a girlfriend, so she decisively controlled her feelings.
She also clearly understood that there was no possibility between her and Chen Pingjiang, as she was one of the group's founders after all.
After her mindset gradually calmed, Wan Yuqian could face Chen Pingjiang with ease.
The two had become like siblings, occasionally bickering, which was quite good.
"Chairman Chen, what do you think of Tangren Film and Television?"
Cai Yinong asked at this moment.
Chen Pingjiang thought for a moment:
"In the future, our two sides can cooperate, but investing in shares is out of the question. The main reason is that I'm quite domineering; I prefer controlling stakes over minority investments. If it were purely a financial investment, frankly, Tangren wouldn't be a wise choice, especially since we already have our own film and television company. President Cai founded Tangren in '88, over twenty years ago, and I wouldn't have the heart to take what she loves."
"However, that doesn't hinder our cooperation!"
Somehow, hearing Chen Pingjiang's refusal, Cai Yinong felt distressed, and Hu Ge and Liu Shishi's eyes also dimmed.
Although they were in the entertainment industry, they all knew Chen Pingjiang's discerning eye.
If even he didn't rate it, then it was probably...
Sensing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Wan Yuqian laughed heartily and changed the subject:
"President Cai, how did you handle that matter with Yu Zheng last year?"
Hearing the name "Yu Zheng," Cai Yinong's face immediately fell, and Hu Ge and Liu Shishi also looked a bit uncomfortable.
"I really can't stand it; there are actually such shameless people in this industry. I won't hide it from Chairman Chen and President Wan: a large part of why we wanted to seek help from Renren Entertainment Group was because we didn't want Bu Bu Jing Xin to lose to Gong. People fight for dignity, just as Buddhas contend for incense."
Now, Chen Pingjiang understood the implications.
Blame his shallow knowledge; he usually paid little attention to the entertainment industry, so he wasn't clear about the matters between Cai Yinong and Yu Zheng.
But Wan Yuqian, who usually loved gossip, naturally knew.
To clarify this gossip, one must first mention Yang Mi.
Previously, Yang Mi participated in the Xian Jian San project produced by Tangren Film and Television as an artist from another company.
Afterwards, Xian Jian San became a huge hit, making a bunch of people famous overnight.
Cai Yinong was very fond of Yang Mi at the time and wanted to poach her.
So, in 2009, she organized a trip to Egypt, and it was there that Hu Ge and Yang Mi were rumored to be dating.
Liu Shishi and Yang Mi were also good friends.
But in the end, Yang Mi didn't join Tangren.
Later, Yu Zheng's Gong seized the initiative, premiering in January this year and immediately becoming a huge hit after its release.
However, Gong became embroiled in controversy over "plagiarism" and "piracy."
Then, the story must begin with the war of words between Yu Zheng and Cai Yinong.
The fuse for the war of words was ignited when, while both dramas were in pre-production, Cai Yinong used the word "pirated" in a Weibo reply to a netizen's question about "the difference between Bu Bu Jing Xin and Gong."
That eccentric Yu Zheng started cursing on Tieba, from Gong to Tangren, and then to Cai Yinong's private life.
He even registered small accounts to echo his main account, acting in perfect concert.
The cursing was absolutely terrible.
Cai Yinong was furious on the spot and immediately published a blog post titled Jin Chao Bei Gou Yao as a response.
The blog post exposed a game endorsement matter at the time, where each side claimed to be in the right.
Roughly, the promotion for Xian Jian San excluded Yang Mi.
Yang Mi then issued a statement saying Xian Jian San didn't include her, and Yang Mi's fans began cursing Tangren, Hu Ge, and Liu Shishi.
Cai Yinong published this article, Jin Chao Bei Gou Yao, during her war of words with Yu Zheng, incidentally explaining the matter, but Yang Mi's side did not respond directly.
It's said that Yang Mi wasn't entirely blameless in this.
In short, this is where the feud between Yang Mi and Tangren began, and Hu Ge and Liu Shishi also suffered the consequences.
Coupled with the rivalry between the two dramas, Gong and Bu Bu Jing Xin.
That's why, after Wan Yuqian mentioned Yu Zheng, it was Hu Ge and Liu Shishi who looked displeased.
Chen Pingjiang wasn't interested in this kind of entertainment industry gossip, much less bothered to get involved in the messy affairs between Tangren and Yu Zheng.
Anyway, he didn't want to invest in Tangren.
Giving them a hand was fine, but a full-blown rescue was out of the question.
Tangren had more than a few problems.
Veteran staff like their exclusive stylists and cinematographers left.
Afterwards, artists left one after another.
If someone said Tangren had no problems, would you believe it?
In 2010, Yuan Hong's contract expired and was not renewed; in 2012, Lin Gengxin fell out with Tangren; in 2016, Jiang Jinfu unilaterally terminated his contract, accusing Tangren of six major offenses; in 2016, Liu Shishi's contract expired and was not renewed; in 2017, Jin Chen proposed to terminate her contract.
In the end, only Hu Ge remained as a prominent figure.
At the end of dinner, Cai Yinong saw everyone off at the door and said,
"President Wan, let me take you to the hotel. I'd also like to chat with you along the way."
Wan Yuqian was momentarily stunned.
She looked at Chen Pingjiang, and after seeing him nod, she replied,
"Alright then, that's really too much trouble for President Cai."
"No trouble at all, I felt a connection with you the moment we met."
Chen Pingjiang suppressed a laugh, "a connection"?
The two of them were old enough to be mother and daughter.
As they parted, everyone shook hands.
Chen Pingjiang saw Cai Yinong pull Nazha aside to say something, but Chen Pingjiang didn't pay attention, instead chatting with Hu Ge about interesting anecdotes from filming.
After seeing Wan Yuqian into the car, Cai Yinong then said,
"Hu Ge, could you please take Liu Shishi home? It's not safe for a girl to go back alone at night."
"Okay, President Cai, you go ahead and do your thing, don't worry."
Soon after, Cai Yinong, Hu Ge, and Liu Shishi all left.
Now it was Chen Pingjiang's turn to be dumbfounded.
Recalling Cai Yinong pulling Nazha aside to talk just now, and then looking at the pitiful Nazha beside him, he suddenly understood.
At this moment, only he and Nazha were left.
If he didn't take her, who would?
"Then... I'll take you? Where do you live?"
"Oh, thank you, Brother Chen."
Hearing that Chen Pingjiang would take her back, Nazha's voice was a bit joyful.
Chen Pingjiang wanted to laugh:
"They all call me Chairman Chen, why do you call me Brother Chen?"
Nazha thought for a moment, tilting her head:
"Because 'Chairman Chen' makes you sound old, but you're clearly not much older than me. In my impression, 'Chairman' usually refers to old men."
"What did Cai Yinong say to you just now? All secretly."
"Ah!"
Nazha jumped, hearing Chen Pingjiang mention it, her small face instantly flushing, spreading like an ink wash painting.
"No... she didn't say anything, just told me to be careful on the way."
Chen Pingjiang thought to himself, do you take me for a fool?
"Get in the car!"
"Okay!"
Nazha was obedient yet a little nervous, but there was a sparkle in her eyes.
......
Meanwhile, Hu Ge and Liu Shishi were chatting in the car.
Liu Shishi said:
"That little girl Nazha seemed completely lost after seeing Chairman Chen. You wouldn't believe it, I chatted with her on the way to the restroom just now, and she said she thought Chairman Chen was very handsome and talented, like he knew everything. I then smiled and asked, 'Didn't you first notice his social status and the wealth he represents?' I didn't expect her not to care about any of that."
Hu Ge smiled:
"That's normal, Nazha is just a bit of a romantic, but she's quite cute. What did President Cai say to her earlier? So secretive."
"Well, you'd better not ask about that."
"Tell me, what's so important that I can't know?"
"Oh, well, just don't worry about it."
"It wouldn't be..."
"No, it's not what you're thinking."
(End of Chapter)