Huayu Shen Gongbao

Chapter 24 Becoming Horipro in China

After receiving Shen Gongbao's call, Li Lianjie didn't know what to say, since it was Li Lianjie who had taken the initiative to request that Shen Gongbao accept the interview to clarify the rumors.

Even though he thought Shen Gongbao's words and actions were stupid and hateful, he couldn't find too many faults with them.

Because of Shen Gongbao's status as a die-hard fan, he was very dedicated to his role in the Kung Fu King film crew.

This wasn't the first time he'd spoken like this; he'd often made similar remarks on set before.

This time it was just that we talked about sensitive topics.

Moreover, Shen Gongbao's clarification was very effective. Although many people thought he was spreading rumors, the controversy has now subsided.

Netizens started making memes, the focus of public opinion shifted, and the controversy surrounding the bullying incident on the set of The Forbidden Kingdom faded away.

With the main objective achieved, the teasing and ridicule of Li Lianjie was no big deal.

This is just his personal dissatisfaction; it has nothing to do with the interests of the entire production crew.

Even from the perspective of exposure and publicity, the Kung Fu King crew also benefited from a surge in traffic, gaining higher popularity and attention.

-----------------

After finishing lunch, Shen Gongbao prepared to rush back to the film crew.

The location for this live interview was Xinlang Shanghai branch.

On the way back to Hengdian, Li Xue deliberately drove herself and let Shen Gongbao sit in the passenger seat.

She wanted to discuss important matters with Shen Gongbao, but found that after getting into the car, Shen Gongbao closed his eyes to rest, his fingers moving rapidly as if he were playing the piano.

Li Xue misunderstood. She rolled her eyes at Shen Gongbao and said, "I'm driving. Don't mess around with your hands, it's dangerous!"

Shen Gongbao opened his eyes, smiled, and said, "I know, don't be afraid. I'm just practicing without any props, it's all for your happiness!"

In fact, Shen Gongbao had no other intentions. The reason he kept moving his fingers was because of the reward from the Taoist book.

The feedback came from the Taoist book as soon as the live broadcast ended in the morning.

[The player manipulates public opinion by leaking recordings, thereby gaining an important role in the film crew, betraying his teammate Li Lianjie, and achieving instant fame and recognition. The reward is a basic skill: Qin (a type of Chinese stringed instrument).]

[Musical Skill (lv1): Shen Gongbao has cultivated for thousands of years and is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Musical skill is one of them, mainly encompassing the skills of playing the qin and understanding musical scales.]

Shen Gongbao was initially a little disappointed upon seeing the reward.

He made a big move this time, actively writing a program to expose his dirty secrets, and then coming out to whitewash himself and make a big splash, which can be said to be the best he could do.

But the reward was simply a musical skill.

However, after he had processed the reward, he felt very satisfied.

The skill of playing the zither not only includes the technique of playing the zither, but also the basic knowledge of musical scales.

With this skill, Shen Gongbao gained another talent in the entertainment industry, and the songs he had in mind for the future finally had a place to be used.

In addition, playing the zither also strengthens and affects the body.

Shen Gongbao felt that his fingers had become very flexible, his reaction and coordination had improved, and his perception of rhythm had become more acute.

In other words, this reward is actually a combination of skill enhancement and some physical enhancement, which is quite powerful.

Having received the award for his musical skills, Shen Gongbao was indeed itching to play, so he started playing without any props in the car.

Hearing Shen Gongbao's teasing, Li Xue's heart fluttered, but she dared not continue.

Worried that Shen Gongbao might become really interested and she wouldn't be able to refuse, she quickly got back to the main topic: "You've turned the tables this time, becoming an instant sensation and a hot topic, and you've also landed the role of the God of War of Jade Frontier. What are you planning to do next?"

Aren't you ready to sign the contract yet?

Li Xue witnessed the entire operation of Shen Gongbao, and her admiration for Shen Gongbao's abilities grew even stronger, softening her tone when she asked questions.

Shen Gongbao sat up straight and asked in return, "What about your sister's contract? Why hasn't it been finalized yet?"

In the past, Shen Gongbao's question would have been considered overstepping his bounds, but now that Li Xue's loyalty has reached 95, she is definitely one of his own, so there is naturally no problem at all.

She stated directly, "This involves a power struggle among multiple parties. Among Huayi Brothers' female artists, Zhou Xun is currently the top female artist, and she receives the best treatment."

Next up are my sister and Fan Bingbing.

Fan Bingbing's contract with Huayi has expired, and a new contract is still under negotiation.

In addition, Huayi Brothers is also negotiating the terms of a contract with Liu Yifei.

Shen Gongbao nodded and asked again, "So, Huayi is now using Liu Yifei and Fan Bingbing to pressure you into lowering your signing price?"

"That's right."

"And what about you guys? What are your bargaining chips?"

"My sister's sugar daddy is Shi Tao, as well as Cheng Tian and Wang Jinhua. Sister Hua is my teacher and also my sister's former agent. My sister and I have always had a good relationship with her."

Shen Gongbao thought for a moment and analyzed, "Let me summarize, you now have three paths to take:

First, stay with Huayi, receive a signing fee, and subscribe to Huayi's internal shares, which have certain appreciation potential in the future;

Secondly, he could go to Chengtian Entertainment and continue working with Wang Jinhua, but the conditions Chengtian could offer were unclear, and the competition within Chengtian was also fierce.

Third, whether to go anywhere else and directly establish a studio depends on Shi Tao's capabilities.

The traffic light was red at the intersection. Li Xue stopped the car and exclaimed, "You're really amazing. You analyzed the situation clearly in just a few words."

Therefore, we don't plan to set up an independent studio for the time being. Shi Tao doesn't have much money, and he doesn't have resources in the industry.

Shi Tao is a real estate tycoon and Li Bingbing's top friend; this relationship has lasted for several years.

Rumors circulate online that Shi Tao proposed to Li Bingbing but was rejected, but it's unclear whether this is true or not.

Hearing Li Xue's words, Shen Gongbao shook his head and said, "No, I think you can set up a studio. The time is almost ripe."

Following the course of their previous life, Li Xue and Li Bingbing chose to stay at Huayi and subscribe to internal shares, thus earning their first capital. A few years later, they founded Hesong Media.

Fan Bingbing, under Mu Xiaoguang's guidance, accepted investment from Chengtian Entertainment, established her own studio, and began her solo career.

She later connected with the Hong Kong entertainment circle, and in 08 she brought in Bona Film Group's investment.

Bona Yinglong is a company jointly established by Poly Bona, Yinghuang and Jackie Chan.

Fan Bingbing thus gained access to various resources, gradually rising from a minor figure among the "Four Dan and Two Bing" (referring to top actresses and actresses in the entertainment industry) to become the number one traffic queen in the Chinese entertainment circle.

Objectively speaking, neither of Bingbing's choices were wrong.

But for Shen Gongbao, he needed Li Xue to set up a studio.

First of all, Shen Gongbao needs a studio and an agent to help him handle various matters in the entertainment industry;

Secondly, Shen Gongbao did not want to be controlled by others. He could not directly join Huayi or Jackie Chan's stunt team, as that would put him under their control.

If we follow Fan Bingbing's path and establish a studio with Li Xue, bringing in investment from companies like Huayi Brothers and Jackie Chan, we would have much more freedom.

This way, you can also access resources in the entertainment industry.

Finally, and most importantly, the more shareholders the studio brings in, the more teammates Shen Gongbao will have.

This way, he can get the Taoist book reward by sabotaging his teammates.

Upon hearing Shen Gongbao's words, Li Xue shook her head and explained, "Setting up our own studio is certainly a freedom, but we lack the resources and capital, and the risk is too great."

"It would be safest to take a signing bonus and subscribe to Huayi's internal shares; that would be the most secure approach."

Shen Gongbao said confidently, "Don't worry, just do as I say, and I definitely won't harm you."

Have you ever heard of Horipro, the Japanese agency?

"I've heard of Horipro. It's one of the largest talent agencies in Japan. Although their artists' incomes are relatively low, they have a certain human touch and can provide retirement benefits to some has-been artists." Li Xue asked, "What does that have to do with us?"

Shen Gongbao said with a smile, "Horipro is known as the Temple of Goddesses in Japan. The male artists in the agency are negligible, but the female artists are all outstanding!"

Why don't you start your own studio and create a Horipro for China?

When the time comes, everyone will praise you, Li Xue, when they mention the most popular female artist in the Chinese entertainment industry, calling you the goddess maker of the Chinese entertainment industry!

Isn't that more interesting?

Upon hearing Shen Gongbao's words, Li Xuezhen was truly moved; she felt that this matter had potential.

The main reason was that she had personally witnessed Shen Gongbao causing trouble on multiple occasions, which led her to develop a blind trust in this man and be willing to accept the empty promises he made.

"Wait a minute! What Horipro from China? Are you trying to get me to help you build a harem?"

"What nonsense." Shen Gongbao was not in a hurry when Li Xue exposed his thoughts. Instead, he shamelessly said, "Women are prone to conflicts. You need me as the backbone to act as a lubricant."

I'm doing this for your career development!

Li Xue: "..."