My Life with Narration

Chapter 656: Chapter 647: Bribed Employees

Isn’t it true? Nowadays, there are only a few companies in the country with the strength to invest in films. In fact, quite a few are created by actors who, after reaching a certain level of fame, establish their own companies and then get involved in investments.

However, there aren’t many actors who have reached this level in the country, and most of them are focusing on nurturing newcomers. Last year, the ’Free Time Sister’ that Su Qing met was one of the top ones among them.

She is both an actress and a boss, and she can also act as an investor.

Of course, there are also wealthy and bold celebrity artists who invest in a specific film out of their own pocket, but those are in the minority.

Moreover, you can’t just approach them for investment just because they’ve invested in a film. After all, they are actors.

But Su Qing’s situation is different. His is purely a film investment company, which means any director with a project can come and try their luck.

In today’s market, film companies established by outsiders like Su Qing’s Baiwen Entertainment are extremely rare.

There are no artists under him, and there’s no resource exchange involved. This essentially offers a large piece of cake, which is tempting to many.

Yet, in the end, it was Wang Fan who personally stated that Su Qing’s side would not be investing for the time being. The timing of the next investment is still unclear, but he promised to share any news promptly with everyone.

Upon hearing this news, many directors in the group sighed with regret, saying it’s a pity, while some felt that they were particularly unlucky.

However, some people understood because Su Qing’s Baiwen Entertainment had just invested over a hundred million, leaving financial resources as an issue.

Over a hundred million may not seem like much compared to companies that easily deal with tens or hundreds of billions today, but it’s by no means a small number.

Don’t be fooled by some films that claim to have billion-dollar budgets, as how many of those billion-dollar investments come from a single company?

Most are pooled together by several companies, as no one’s money grows on trees. This is called risk sharing.

For example, the 300 million-plus investment in ’Wandering Earth,’ when including distribution costs, might have been even larger. But how many companies pooled together for that?

Only capital-abundant individuals with absolute confidence in a project might invest alone.

Like a mogul not interested in money who spent a fortune, hired a bunch of celebrities, shot a movie just for fun, and even played the protagonist himself. It’s quite the thrill, imagining punching Yip Man and fighting Wolf Warrior.

In the evening, Su Qing, Tang Nan, and Wen Jingqi had dinner outside and returned to Shen Yi’s place.

"Bro, if this movie can sell as well as ’Wandering Earth,’ what would our return rate be?" Wen Jingqi was a bit excited for his first film investment.

Although fifty million was not a small amount to him, having been in the real estate industry for years—and particularly given the recent slump in that sector—he was keen to explore new opportunities. Coupled with the novelty of a first-time venture, he was naturally excited.

[Although Wen Jingqi was not sure about his foresight, your identity as the Stock God gave him considerable confidence, so he harbors some hope for success.]

In response, Su Qing took a sip of water, smiled, and said, "That would depend on the investment proportion. After excluding cinema revenue share and various taxes, you should get about two to three hundred million. But I advise you not to hold too high of expectations. This film is unlikely to surpass ’Wandering Earth.’ I’d be satisfied if it makes half the box office."

For Su Qing, who had already predicted the box office, this film would undoubtedly be profitable, though not nearly as much as ’Wandering Earth,’ but still very satisfactory.

"What? You don’t have confidence in this movie?" Wen Jingqi was taken aback and couldn’t help but ask.

Su Qing shook his head, "If I didn’t have confidence, I wouldn’t have invested."

Tang Nan chuckled and said, "Brother Wen, ’Wandering Earth’ is a phenomenal movie. It’s not so common. Besides, even at half the revenue, considering the current investment ratio, you’d still make a fortune."

Then Tang Nan gave the two a rundown of insider knowledge about movie box office and some intricacies, which made Wen Jingqi realize that being in a different industry is like climbing a mountain. In this field, he should just be the money bag.

That night, Wen Jingqi stayed over, and the next morning, he flew back to Jiang City because that was his main base. Now that projects had begun, he, as the person in charge, couldn’t be absent for too long.

In contrast, Su Qing did not leave. Although he had established the company and closed deals on three projects, with no money left to invest further, it didn’t mean his tasks here were completely done.

"Who are they?"

In the office, Su Qing looked at the three in front of him and couldn’t help but ask Tang Nan beside him.

"Employees from my department. I don’t have any tasks for them at the moment, so I’m lending them to you. But you’ll need to pay their wages. I can advance you at first, just like with Xiao Hu. Remember to repay me when the work ends," Tang Nan said casually.

"Hello, President Su!" *3

Looking at the two men and one woman before him, Su Qing nodded and asked somewhat confusedly, "I could, but I won’t be staying in the capital for long. I have to head back to Jiang City soon, and I don’t plan on investing further. Wouldn’t having Xiao Hu here be enough?"

It’s not that he was stingy about the wages, but he didn’t know why Tang Nan had suddenly sent him three more people.

Not understanding something and asking about it is one of his strengths.

Hearing this, Tang Nan was amused, "For someone who’s a boss, you sure are liberal with money. I wouldn’t feel secure unless we had someone there. What if he secretly keeps a portion of our money? Especially with Director Deng, an investment of a hundred million.

As investors, naturally, we need to send people to follow the crew. While they need not manage, they have to be present during expenditures. At least let us know where our money is going.

And as investors, not sending anyone would be undermining our own face, wouldn’t it?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qing suddenly understood. There was indeed such a matter. Although he didn’t send anyone when investing in Wang Fan before, it didn’t mean he was unaware of its importance.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but glance at the three individuals, with a narration playing in his mind.

[Lin Hao, Ma Junjie, and Dong Li go with the team as representatives of the investors. Except for them going to the ’No One in Sight’ crew, others will be bought off, resulting in some fund wastage (embezzlement).]

Listening to this, Su Qing narrowed his eyes with interest. The narration didn’t specify who wouldn’t be bought, but said that except for the ’No One in Sight’ crew, the other two would be.

In other words, they would all be bought off, just to varying degrees. The only reason the ’No One in Sight’ crew wouldn’t have such issues was likely because the investment was too small, leaving no room for wastage—with every penny needing to be put to good use, just like the situation with the Wang Fan crew back then.

For a long time, Su Qing’s gaze flickered, and Tang Nan perceived some issues too. The three being scrutinized felt a wave of pressure.

"Alright, those three then. I have no objections," Su Qing said with a smile.

At this, Tang Nan nodded, "Alright then, you three get ready to join the crew."

"Yes, President Tang!"

...