Chapter 142: Chapter 125 Finally Finished Filming_2

“Chen, ‘Hua Qiangu’ might not fetch a good price, giving me twenty million like this doesn’t seem appropriate!”

“There’s nothing inappropriate about it.”

Chen Pingsheng had her sit down reassuringly before he explained:

“Recently, some very unfavorable rumors have emerged about Tengying. Although these rumors don’t affect us much, they could lower the selling price of ‘Hua Qiangu’.”

“Besides, the twenty million I’m giving you now will be added to the cost of investment. Furthermore, it’s a declaration to the outside world of Tengying’s strong confidence in ‘Hua Qiangu’.”

“With a bit of luck, this might even help us sell it for a small target more than expected.”

Zhao Liying was completely surprised. She had thought that the twenty million was purely a reward.

She hadn’t realized there were so many twists and turns involved.

She wasn’t very knowledgeable about business, but she could still understand the benefits of this approach.

“Chen, you’ve really thought this through.”

“What’s this! It’s nothing.”

After sitting down, Chen Pingsheng brewed himself a cup of tea, “There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“Chen, with our relationship, what’s there to be reserved about? Just speak your mind.”

“Okay then, it’s actually good news.”

Chen Pingsheng said, “Next, I plan to take Tengying public. Before going public, I want to sign a stock option contract with you, which stipulates that you can only claim the shares ten years later.”

“Chen, are you afraid I’ll run away?” Zhao Liying’s smile was as warm and comforting as ever.

“Things are different now,” Chen Pingsheng said earnestly. “Before, you were just a minor actress playing bit parts, but now you’re about to become a top-tier celebrity. Countless big companies will undoubtedly try to poach you. This is my way of making you feel secure about staying with our company.”

It was foreseeable that there would be many large companies looking to snatch Zhao Liying away.

“Don’t worry, Chen, I always remember the day you invested over ten million to cast me as the leading lady.”

Zhao Liying smiled sincerely and genuinely.

“That was the first time in my life I got to be the main character, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep for several days.”

Chen Pingsheng smiled and said, “That was also the first time in my life I invested in a TV drama, and I’m glad to have met you.”

Zhao Liying offered her hand, “Me too, I’m very happy to have become your neighbor.”

Chen Pingsheng nodded, “Since that’s the case, let me talk to you about something more pragmatic. Tengying’s initial valuation will be three billion, and I’m giving you a 5% option which you can realize only after ten years. Perhaps by then, Tengying may be the industry leader.”

“Of course, there’s a possibility it could go bankrupt as well, but either way, I hope you keep on thriving.”

“So do I.”

To retain a top-tier celebrity with stock options that would vest in ten years seemed a very worthwhile deal to Chen Pingsheng.

Honestly, when faced with major interests, not even parents are necessarily reliable, let alone the favor of his early support.

An unbreakable bond of benefit is the path to the long-term.

Only if she continued to excel at Tengying would she truly devote herself to remaining with the company.

Chen Pingsheng chatted with Zhao Liying for a while.

She had just finished filming ‘Hua Qiangu’ and didn’t plan on resting.

She was without a doubt a model of diligence.

However, for her next script, Chen Pingsheng hoped she would choose one related to her image as a foodie.

The next year was a pivotal one for Fei Yangyang; whether or not it could go public largely depended on the success of the financing plan for the next year.

Truth be told, Zhao Liying was quite satisfied, and even admiring of Tengying.

She only needed to focus on acting here, while Tengying would also facilitate capital operations on her behalf.

If Fei Yangyang really managed to go public, then she wouldn’t just be an actress anymore.

She would also become one of the major shareholders of a publicly-traded company, which was something unthinkable at other firms.

Therefore, she treasured the opportunity Tengying had given her.

She was also especially eager to help it grow step by step.

When it came to choosing scripts, Chen Pingsheng felt her vision was quite unique; most of the scripts that came her way were ones that weren’t likely to make money.

She often picked ones with decent profits.

That’s pretty much like having Lady Luck on our side.

After Zhao Liying returned to her own studio,

Yang Qian stayed around for a while. When Chen Pingsheng called her up, he said, “I’m thinking of setting up a Public Relations department dedicated to handling Tengying’s external relations and the artists’ images.”

The main reason Yang Qian didn’t go to Chang Fu’s live streaming studio was that she found it uninteresting.

She didn’t really like the way money was made in live streaming.

Tengying was different; the relationships in entertainment companies are actually very complex.

It had to be someone highly skilled in interpersonal relationships who could manage the PR department well.

Yang Qian asked, “Just with Zhao Liying as your artist, I’m afraid that might not be enough, right?”

“Indeed, it’s not quite enough,”

Chen Pingsheng said, “Because we invested in Hua Qiangu independently, and she has suffered several waves of online attacks before, I want to expand into films in addition to TV series in the future. Companies that just produce TV series are valued too low.”

“That is true.”

Yang Qian nodded, “There isn’t a single entertainment company that only produces TV series and has gone public on the mainland. Even if you become the first one to brave this, I suspect the market value would hardly meet your expectations. Investing in films does carry larger risk, but it’s obviously more valued by the capital.”

“Investing in movies will still depend on the opportunities that arise later,”

Chen Pingsheng felt his Golden Finger hadn’t leveled up in a long time; he wondered if the next upgrade would unlock a function for investing in and getting returns from movies.

If that were the case, Tengying would really take off.

However, for the time being, the most important thing was to sell Hua Qiangu at a good price.

“You take charge of the PR department for now. There will definitely be some TV stations coming over for Hua Qiangu soon, and once the post-editing is complete, we’ll set an auction date,” he said.

The most important task for the newly established PR department was to manage this matter.

Nothing was more important than selling Hua Qiangu at a good price.

Chen Pingsheng also called over Bai Xin and Jiang Yilei.

This time, he gave Zhao Liying a bonus of twenty million, also wanting to send a message to the outside world.

That the filming of Hua Qiangu had far exceeded expectations, and he, the boss, was very satisfied.

Besides, the ratings for the two dramas Zhao Liying previously starred in were very good; she already had a certain influence.

“Bai Xin, Yang Qian is now in charge of the PR department and essentially your boss. If I’m not here and you’re unsure about something, ask her for advice. If you continue to slack off, watch out, I might dock your salary,” he said.

“Uncle,” Bai Xin pouted with a sad face, “what did I do wrong? At least tell me so I can correct it, or you could spank my butt twice if that works.”

First not giving her a bonus, now threatening to dock her salary.

Bai Xin couldn’t be more anxious.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, just cooperate with Jiang Yilei and Yang Qian on promoting Hua Qiangu from now on.”

Chen Pingsheng didn’t scare her anymore; he took out a set of keys from his drawer and handed them to her.

“This is for you. It’s a real shame for my secretary to drive a car worth just over a hundred thousand. It makes me look bad,” he said.

“Ah?” Bai Xin felt like she was on an emotional roller coaster.

Had he denied her a bonus just to give her a car?

A Porsche, she loved it.

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“Okay, An’an is on summer vacation lately and misses her tutor quite a bit. Find some time to visit her, too,” he said.

“Uncle, why don’t you bring An’an over to play?”

Chen Pingsheng said helplessly, “She’s gotten obsessed with practicing Praying Mantis Fist lately, always either watching mantises fight or mimicking their kicks.”

“Alright then.”

Chen Pingsheng hurried them along to get to work, “Your car is parked downstairs; don’t drive your hundred-thousand car anymore. Others might think I can’t afford to pay you.”

Having a secretary reflect his prestige, Bai Xin giggled foolishly, instantly puffing up her chest in pride.