How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 394 Replica?

set.

Gao Yue put down her phone and returned to Zhang Wen's side.

It's Sunday, and she was bored at home alone, so she came to the film set with Bai Lu.

On the surface, she's accompanying her artists, but actually she wants to spend more time with her boyfriend.

Her gaze returned to Bai Lu, who was filming, but her mind was still preoccupied with the phone call she had just received.

The boss's call came suddenly and ended abruptly; such unusual behavior inevitably makes one wonder.

After thinking for a while, she still couldn't figure it out, so she moved to the side and quietly told her boyfriend what had just happened.

"What exactly do you think President Li means?" Gao Yue finally asked, voicing her doubts.

After hearing this, Zhang Wen was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "President Li just doesn't want you to waste resources on the Future Girls group."

"Why?" Gao Yue asked, puzzled.

“Have you forgotten the new contract that Zhao Tong and the others signed with the company? The five of them together are required to pay the company a fixed amount of ten million yuan every year, while the other artists have signed revenue-sharing contracts with the company. If you give all the resources to Future Girls, the other artists will naturally receive fewer resources, and the company's revenue will also decrease,” Zhang Wen explained.

After listening, Gao Yue suddenly understood. No wonder President Li asked her why she was leading a new group and said it would waste her time and energy. So that's what happened.

only……

“If it really was resources I brought to the group, wouldn’t Mr. Li’s actions be tantamount to shelving the group?” Gao Yue said, frowning.

She wasn't concerned about the group itself, but rather her boyfriend. After all, he was not only the person in charge of the group but also the guarantor of the contract. If the group didn't perform well, then the ten million would have to be paid out by her boyfriend.

"It's not so much that she's been sidelined, it's just that she's been left to her own devices. She's the company owner, so naturally she doesn't want company resources to be wasted," Zhang Wen said calmly.

Different perspectives lead to different views on a matter.

If he were the boss, he would do the same for the company's benefit, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with Li Lehua's behavior.

Media companies are not charities. They pour resources into an artist because they want to get more returns from that artist. If the returns are fixed no matter how much they invest, then who would invest?

“Without company support, the group’s future development will be greatly affected.” Gao Yue paused here, looked at the calm-looking man, and asked, “Aren’t you worried?”

"What's there to worry about? The group didn't have any company support before, but it's doing very well now, isn't it?" Zhang Wen said with a smile.

support?

Haha, it's good enough that they don't cause trouble.

How did the company treat the group members in the past?
Instead of standing up for their own trainees when they were bullied, they colluded with the "Super Trainee" program team, resorting to any means for profit, even arranging for Zhao Tong and others to clean toilets.

Where is the support?
Even if the company had said something back then, Zhao Tong and the others wouldn't have been eliminated in the first round.

It was the company's inaction that gave him the idea of ​​giving Zhao Tong and the others a new contract. He didn't want the group he had put so much effort into developing to end up benefiting the company.

Gao Yue thought about it and felt that her boyfriend's words made sense, so she asked, "What are your plans for the group next? Tell me about them."

"The most important thing in the short term is to release an album. After that, we will collaborate with our brand ambassadors to organize some offline events, and then strive to release another album by the end of next year," Zhang Wen said.

He has a very clear vision for the future development of girl groups: release albums, release albums, for female vocal groups, the work is more important than anything else.

Works represent strength. Only with strength can one go far, instead of being like a shooting star, briefly streaking across the sky and disappearing into the vast night.

Many singers are short-lived, and the reason for this is simply that they don't have any good works to follow.

"You've planned so meticulously; you're starting to look more and more like a manager," Gao Yue praised with a smile.

"Who do you think you are? I'm going to be a boss someday," Zhang Wen said.

In his view, agents manage a lot but earn little, while bosses earn much more.

"Great! I look forward to the day you become the boss. Don't forget to promote me then," Gao Yue joked.

"Of course, I'll promote you to head of the artist management department and boss's wife." Zhang Wen said seriously, adding in his mind: make money for me during the day and warm my bed at night.

Gao Yue was unaware of Zhang Wen's thoughts, but hearing the title "boss lady" again made her very happy. She secretly thought that she should try to secure more resources for her future daughter so that her boyfriend could become a boss as soon as possible.

"Oh, right." Gao Yue suddenly remembered something and looked at the man, asking, "This drama will officially wrap up filming at the end of the month. What are your plans for Bai Lu?"

“You’re her agent, isn’t this your job?” Zhang Wen asked.

"Hehe, if it were before, I definitely wouldn't have asked you, but...aren't you her boyfriend? Seeing how concerned you are about her, what if it conflicts with my plans?" Gao Yue said, rolling her eyes at the man.

"Well, I really don't have any plans," Zhang Wen said, rubbing his nose sheepishly.

"cut!"

Gao Yue pursed her lips. No wonder Bai Lu was jealous; he clearly cared more about his future daughter than his girlfriend.

He's already planned out his future job for his girlfriend, but he hasn't even thought about her job for next month.

Zhang Wen understood Gao Yue's thoughts from her eyes, and said, "You're a top agent, I believe in your abilities."

"Really?" Gao Yue looked at the man with suspicion.

"Of course, you don't believe me?" Zhang Wen retorted.

When Gao Yue was asked this question, she was speechless.

Should I write a letter?

The other party's words were clearly made up on the spot.

You don't believe me?
Isn't this hurting my boyfriend's feelings?

Finally, faced with the choice between believing and not believing, she chose to obediently keep quiet.

Seeing that Gao Yue didn't speak, Zhang Wen turned his gaze to Bai Lu on the set.

Girlfriend number one is right. As her boyfriend, he should indeed make some plans for girlfriend number two.

He's so good to his students, so naturally he can't neglect his girlfriend either.

Zhang Wen pondered whether he should use his connections to find a resource for Bai Lu, and it couldn't be an ordinary resource; it had to be a high-level one.

However, the thought that Bai Lu had to give 60% of his earnings to the company made his heart bleed.

When new artists sign contracts with a company, the revenue split is usually 20/80, with the company taking 80% and the artist only getting 20%. Later, as the artist's commercial value increases or certain conditions are met, the revenue split may be readjusted.

Bai Lu's share of the profits only gradually increased from 20% to 40% after it produced several hit period dramas that brought huge profits to the company.

"How many years are left on her contract with the company?" Zhang Wen suddenly asked.

"Who? Bai Lu? There are still four years left," Gao Yue said.

"So long?" Zhang Wen frowned.

"Is that considered long? Bai Lu signed a 10-year contract with the company, and many other artists have signed 15-year contracts with the company. Basically, their entire youth belongs to the company," Gao Yue said.

The difference between a 10-year and a 15-year contract isn't just about the length of the contract. Companies also tend to focus on developing artists who sign 15-year contracts. Furthermore, artists on 15-year contracts receive more investment than those on 10-year contracts.

Since both types of artists need to be promoted, the company will definitely promote those who can work for the company for many more years.

For artists who sign 10-year contracts to become famous, in addition to having outstanding talent, they also need a lot of luck, because the resources they get are those that artists who sign 15-year contracts would not even look down on.

The TV series that made Bai Lu famous was one that she got the role after being rejected by three other artists.

"Given Bai Lu's situation, is it possible to sign a new contract with the company?" Zhang Wen asked.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yue immediately guessed what the man was thinking.

"You want to replicate the same trick you used on Zhao Tong and the others on Bai Lu? Impossible. The company won't allow it. Zhao Tong and the others were still trainees back then and had no commercial value, but Bai Lu's commercial value is undeniable. The company won't let go of this cash cow prematurely," Gao Yue said, shaking her head.

She is an agent, working for the company, so she is quite familiar with the company's situation.

For a young star like Bai Lu, unless she is willing to pay a hefty penalty for breach of contract, which is at least in the nine figures, she will be forced to sell her product.

This is why many celebrities, despite falling out with their companies, are unable to leave.

“It’s all about human effort, right? How much money do you think we need to pay to the company each year to shorten Bai Lu’s contract to two years?” Zhang Wen asked.

“One hundred million, at least one hundred million,” Gao Yue said.

She knew the man had some savings, otherwise he wouldn't have guaranteed the future girl's future, but she felt that even if he had a lot of savings, it wouldn't exceed 100 million, so she said that number.

Moreover, the company has already suffered a loss once with the future girl's contract, and will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen a second time.

Therefore, the actual amount may be higher.

The scene that Gao Yue had envisioned to scare them away did not occur.

The man had one arm crossed over his chest and the other supporting his chin, as if he were seriously considering the feasibility of the matter.

"???"

Gao Yue's eyes were filled with shock.

what's the situation?
Could it be that the other party really has 200 million?

Zhang Wen is indeed seriously considering renegotiating the contract with Bai Lu.

However, after thinking it over, it still doesn't seem worthwhile. Paying 100 million a year means that Bai Lu would need to earn more than 170 million a year to reach the level of the original profit-sharing contract.

This number is probably only achievable by top-tier celebrities.

"Forget it, those two years won't make a difference," Zhang Wen said, finally giving up on the idea.

"..."

Gao Yue's lips twitched involuntarily.

What did she hear?
The other person said "it's not a big deal if it's just two more years," not "it's too much."

Gao Yue looked at the man, and her expression changed.

She wondered: Have I fallen in love with a rich second-generation?
"stop!"

Director Han Xiaohua's voice suddenly rang out on the set, and the male and female leads who were acting stopped all their movements.

"You performed very well. That's all for this morning. Everyone, please take a break."

After hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief and happily went to collect their boxed lunches.

Bai Lu then walked up to Han Xiaohua and said politely, "Director Han, I've finished filming my scenes for today. Can I leave now?"

"Okay, let's go." Han Xiaohua nodded.

"See you tomorrow, Director Han."

"See you tomorrow."

Bai Lu looked happily at Zhang Wen, who was standing behind Director Han, winked at him, and then walked towards the van.

Gao Yue silently followed, and Zhang Wen said goodbye to Director Han before leaving the set.

This was arranged with Director Han yesterday. We would focus on filming Bai Lu's scenes in the morning and set aside half a day for Bai Lu to record a song.

It wasn't because the TV series was about to wrap up that she went to record the song, but because Wang Qi was preparing to produce a mini album for the future girl group, and she would be very busy for a while.

In order to avoid affecting the promotion of the TV series, Zhang Wen approached Wang Qi about recording the song. Wang Qi was very accommodating and voluntarily gave up his rest to come to the company to record the song for Bai Lu.

The two cars drove into the underground parking lot of Tianxi Media one after the other.

As luck would have it, Zhang Wengang saw Li Lehua walking out of the elevator as soon as he got out of the car, seemingly about to leave the company.

He tried to pretend he hadn't seen it, but before he could look away, his eyes met the other person's.

Well, I can't not say hello now.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Li," Zhang Wen said as he walked over.

"Teacher Zhang is so busy, how do you still have time to come to the company?" Li Lehua asked casually, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

The training school was tricked by this young man once during recruitment, and now the future girl group's contract has been swindled by him again. As the boss, she is hurt and angry, so her attitude is naturally not good, nor can it be.

Zhang Wen sensed the unfriendly tone in his boss's voice, so he sighed and said, "Sigh, it's because I need to come to the company to work overtime on Sundays that I'm so busy."

"Are you here to pay for those five trainees? The finance department is closed today, but I can make an exception for you," Li Lehua said.

She has learned through some acquaintances that the future girl group has already received six million in sales revenue, and with the addition of three commercial endorsements, their income will definitely exceed ten million.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't envious.

If the agreement hadn't been renegotiated, at least five million of that ten million would have belonged to her, and there would have been more in the future.

Unfortunately, there's no medicine for regret, and no way to turn back time.

And all of this is because of this man.

So cunning!

“Mr. Li, you’re joking. It’s only been less than a month. How could I possibly come up with that much money?” Zhang Wen said.

"Can't come up with the money? Do you want me to help you calculate it?" Li Lehua said through gritted teeth.

He spent his whole life playing with eagles, only to have one of his eyes pecked out by an eagle in the end. He had to vent his anger.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Li, I don't have time, but don't worry, I guarantee that I will hand over the money as per the contract once the one-year period is up."

Zhang Wen knew his boss was angry, so he didn't press the matter further. After finishing his sentence, he hurriedly headed for the elevator to avoid becoming the other party's punching bag.

I thought to myself: What a lack of class, so petty!
……

(End of this chapter)