Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 485 A Brighter Future Awaits
Lu Kuan glanced at the message and dialed the number.

"Hello? Teacher Zhao isn't resting, is she?"

Zhao Benshan was a little surprised: "No, no, I just asked you about it."

Mr. Lu looked at the message on his phone: "Have you already partnered with Damai.cn? I'd like to ask about the details."

"Oh dear, I really didn't know that. Should I have Yao Hailong call you now? I'm afraid that if we pass the message around here, it might get misinterpreted."

He added, "Hailong is the tall guy with a buzz cut who I asked to drive to the airport to pick you up when you were on temporary assignment as an advisor last time. He's one of my old men."

"Ok."

In his previous life, Yao Hailong served as the general manager and person in charge of the "Liu Laogen Grand Stage" flagship store in Beijing for 15 consecutive years, and was Lao Zhao's absolute confidant.

Before Liu Yifei could even ask a question out of curiosity after the call ended, Yao Hailong's thick Northeastern accent burst out from the receiver.

"Mr. Lu! It's great to be able to talk to you again!"

"Hello, Hailong." Lu Kuan exchanged a few pleasantries with him before getting to the point, his doubts growing stronger: "I have something to ask you, but don't tell anyone except Teacher Zhao."

"No problem! Mr. Lu, please give your instructions!"

"When you started your online ticketing business, did you find Damai.cn yourself, or did Damai.cn find you?"

Yao Hailong answered truthfully: "They found us last month. We were originally considering Yongle and Yiyang, but after contacting them, we found Damai.cn to be a good fit."

He flattered her without understanding why: "President Lu, as expected of your Olympic partner, the system is incredibly professional, the team is in great spirit, and the price is even a little advantageous."

The man's expression looked even stranger to Xiao Liu.

The latter was naturally familiar with Damai.cn. He had even seen Cao Jie from Damai.cn, a very energetic middle-aged man with a buzz cut, when the Organizing Committee held a coordination meeting.

Based on his assessment of the domestic cultural industry, before the rise of mobile internet and ticket subsidies, there were few major players entering the market, so there was no reason for these ticketing websites to be so aggressively expanding and preying on other sectors.

Liu Laogen Grand Stage is one thing, it still has over 100 million yuan in revenue nationwide. But Beijing People's Art Theatre only has one or two million yuan in ticket sales per month. Why bother with this?

Why do you still have a price advantage if you develop your own system?

He asked for some more details, but unfortunately, Yao Hailong couldn't explain them clearly now.

The "evil axis" formed by Ali, Wanda, Baidu, and Link to Think Tank was originally set out for Wenjie. Everyone knows that the latter is powerful, so these four top domestic companies dare not be negligent in the slightest.

Since the plan was finalized in mid-June, over the past four months, software development, business model exploration, and business expansion such as those for Beijing People's Art Theatre, the Grand Stage, and other concert tickets have been put on the agenda.

The only place they avoid is the movie theater, also to prevent the outside world from learning about the war situation in advance.

Actually, at this stage, Mr. Lu still had more doubts than suspicions, even though he knew that Legend Capital was behind Damai.com.

However, it's difficult to directly associate normal business operations with conspiracy theories targeting oneself; that would be like seeing enemies everywhere.

But he still had a second thought: "Manager Yao, could you please do me a favor?"

"Please go ahead, Mr. Lu."

"You will definitely have to go through the process before you open. If Damai.cn people come to train you, or if you go to Damai.cn for training, please let us know in advance."

"okay!"

Yao Hailong was puzzled, but he still readily agreed. He guessed that Wenjie must also be interested in this business.

It was still a bit puzzling that such a big boss was concerned about this insignificant field.

The professional manager immediately called Zhao Benshan, but Zhao pondered for a long time without figuring it out.

It seems that Mr. Lu's thinking and focus are different from ordinary people, otherwise why would he become the richest man?
"Hailong, just agree to whatever he says first, and let me know."

"Secondly, shut your mouth. Don't go around spouting nonsense after you've had a few drinks. This matter must be kept absolutely secret. No matter how big or small, don't let anyone hear anything outside."

"Otherwise, we'll offend Lu Kuan, Damai.cn, and Lianxiang."

"Don't worry, boss, I'll take care of it then."

Working people are destined to work. At 10 p.m., Yao Hailong was kept awake by several phone calls. Gao Jun, who was also in Beiping, received the same treatment.

"Mr. Lu."

"Any recent developments in the industry? In all aspects? Especially in the online ticketing sector?"

Gao Jun was taken aback: "Everything is normal."

What stage have we reached in negotiating the import of our 4K and IMAX equipment?

"We're negotiating the prepayment percentage and equipment installation discounts, trying to see if we can lower the price further. Butian Pictures also needs money, and everyone is tightening their belts right now."

Boss Lu smiled. Gao Jun didn't dare to bring up the lack of money too much, and he even learned to answer the question himself.

Of course, it's also an implication, a way of complaining about being poor.

The mischievous boss was already imagining how he would use the funds laundered back to China after the CDS settlement to give Gao Jun, Xie Ning, and the like a taste of sudden wealth and trouble.

Now I'm worried about being short of funds, so I can only try to negotiate with the purchasing party to get favorable terms.

When they have so much money they can't spend it all, then force them to spend it efficiently, and see what expressions these subsidiary managers will have then.

From: "Does not having enough money mean you can't do anything? The key is how you negotiate! The market waits for no one!"

He said, "Look at you, you won't spend the money even if I give you some. Hurry up and spend it all quickly and efficiently! The market waits for no one!"

Boss Lu opened a back door at Benshan Media, and out of caution, Gao Jun naturally kept a close eye on him.

"When we talked about Avatar and cinema upgrades last time, there was something I wanted to say but didn't, because it's also a pretty expensive thing."

"Just letting you know in advance, it's about online ticketing. We'll be shifting some ticket sales online, and we can coordinate with our payment platform for promotion..."

Gao Jun was horrified. This boss was becoming more and more inhumane. Was he using the money he was supposed to use to buy cabbage to buy heroin?
He's already worked himself to death with foreign suppliers, and now this expensive thing is coming up?
"Mr. Lu, you know the situation right now, this..."

Boss Lu laughed and said, "Don't be in such a hurry. It's not something you have to do right now. What I'm reminding you is to pay more attention to industry trends."

"Especially Damai.cn, see if you know any friends who have inquired about the company, whether there has been any recent financing or anything like that."

"Okay, no problem." Gao Jun's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was almost completely dead.

Lu Kuan also thought of Gewara, but online ticketing is a capital- and resource-intensive industry, and these companies, which are still in their early stages, have no acquisition value.

Unless you're a leading online ticketing platform like Damai.cn, with a well-established team and partners, integrating with movie ticketing is relatively easy.

This made Gao Jun wary, and the big boss then made another promise, but this time it was truly a golden promise.

"Don't suffer from a fear of insufficient firepower when it comes to cinema construction."

"I can't tell you the exact time right now, but at the latest by February or March next year, our financial situation should improve. You and Xie Ning must maintain your confidence and not let financial problems cause you to miss the opportunity."

"Roger that!"

Lu Kuan couldn't quite recall the exact date when the subprime mortgage feast would end, but he vividly remembered Buffett's various remarks after the Spring Festival in 09 in his previous life.

In late 08, he called on The New York Times to be greedy when others are fearful.

In early 09, he reiterated: Bad news is always the best friend of investors; panic allows us to buy America's future at low prices.

Subsequently, Berkshire Hathaway significantly increased its holdings in financial stocks such as Wells Fargo and American Express in the first quarter of 2009, and publicly stated that its personal accounts would be "fully invested in U.S. stocks, except for Treasury bonds."

Of course, he had already been lurking and buying at the bottom for a long time when he made the call. This was using his influence to cooperate with the government's market rescue and also to boost his own position.

In March 2009, the S&P 500 index bottomed out at 666 points and then rebounded. It was at this point that Paulson chose to close out all his short positions and secure his profits.

After hanging up the phone, turning off the lights, and getting into bed, Liu Yifei finally had the chance to ask her question.

"Is there something wrong?"

"It's possible. I've ordered someone to investigate further and report back."

Lu Kuan gently wrapped his arms around Liu Yifei from behind, placing his left hand under her neck as a human pillow, while his right palm warmly rested on her lower abdomen.

Xiao Liu asked curiously, "About what? It's not about Huayi, is it?"

She was worried that the last time might have been too much of a shock to Bingbing, and something bad might have happened. "No, Huayi is basically a dead dog now. We just need to choose the best time to kill him," Boss Lu joked. "Right now, there's a Tibetan Mastiff barking at me. Although it's an old dog, it has a pack behind it."

"Who is it?"

"President Liu."

Lu Kuan said it was like telling his wife a bedtime story: "He had previously asked Boss Liu for an introduction, and even brought out the big Buddha behind him, trying to get me to join the association and invest in Wenjie, but he was rejected."

"The noise and commotion surrounding Zhu Nanfang and others all have his shadow behind them. Lian Xiang is now Nanfang's biggest financial backer, and his influence in offline print media is not small."

"I hadn't thought that much about it before, but recently Damai.cn, a subsidiary of Legend Capital, has been quite outstanding. I'll have someone inquire about it first."

Liu Yifei thought of the conversation she had with Zhao Benshan that evening when she thought of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, and instantly understood his meaning.

"Is Damai.cn, which is just a ticket seller, really that much of a threat to Wenjie?"

"Let's see how they develop." Lu Kuan patiently explained, "I told you before about the future of film distribution channels, which will involve the integration of three screens. Not only will film distribution channels shift online, but the distribution channels for the big screen will also follow suit."

"Your iPhone 3G can already download some mobile apps from Apple's App Store. One of our key tasks this year for our video, Weibo, and online store is to develop and promote mobile apps."

"If things continue to develop like this, we can easily imagine that every aspect of our future life will involve dealing with this mobile phone, such as buying movie tickets, which can also be done on a computer now."

As Xiao Liu listened to his description of the "future world," she turned and looked at the man with sparkling eyes: "When I was studying at Booth School of Business, I always heard a saying—in Silicon Valley, a day's delay is a year's delay."

Boss Lu nodded: "Yes, Damai.cn is currently only involved in commercial performances, concerts, and theaters. If they were to enter the movie ticketing market, and with the support of a group of people who are also struggling with their own interests, they would face considerable trouble."

This is about the struggle for control of distribution channels, and the resulting autonomy for first-mover companies in terms of user profiles, scheduling, and marketing strategies. It is a true top-level design.

Unfortunately, that's what he was thinking, and that's what the four evil axes were planning to do as well.

The multiplier effect of the Internet+ industry allows all first-mover advantages to be amplified infinitely, enabling them to establish competitive barriers in the fastest way.

Moreover, this is an alliance of four companies in the industry that have no shortage of people, connections, channels, or money.

“No.” Lu Kuan felt increasingly uneasy and reached for his phone: “Relying solely on the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, Zhao Benshan, and Gao Jun to gather information is not enough. I need to send a message to Lao Han.”

"Can Han Shanping get information for you from the inside?"

"If you want to do online ticketing, the software you develop must be connected to the 'National Film Ticketing Comprehensive Information Management System' of the Film Bureau's Funding Office. Just check if they have any projects approved."

The full name of this organization is the National Film Funding Office, which is responsible for receiving, compiling and providing services for cinema ticketing data nationwide, and managing the national cinema computer ticketing system.

The requirement to unify system access and software development parameters through administrative orders is to prevent box office fraud and ensure tax revenue sharing.

It's a very simple point:
If the box office revenue is not entered into the system, cinemas will withhold it privately, which will directly reduce the collection of the national film special fund by 5%.

Han Shanping, being an elderly man, went to bed early. Since there was no reply to the message, the young couple cuddled together and continued to try to fall asleep.

Liu Yifei gently rested her head in Lu Kuan's arms, like a weary bird returning to its nest finding the most comfortable perch.

Her cheek was pressed against his chest, and she could clearly feel the rise and fall of each other's breath, like two leaves trembling gently in the night breeze.

"Is it just my imagination? I can smell your warm, milky scent all over me. Why don't you take off your shirt so I can have a good sniff?"

Xiao Liu ruthlessly exposed: "Don't get involved, just go to sleep."

"You're really something else. You were just fighting with bad guys, how come you can't hide your lecherous tail as soon as you're in bed?"

Boss Lu laughed and said, "That's all part of the fun. If success were as easy as dandelions on a hillside, it wouldn't be so precious."

"Liu Chuanzhi is no ordinary person. Be careful. Even I've heard a lot about him," Liu Yifei warned.

"Fighting with others is endlessly enjoyable. These old fogies will eventually die from exhaustion."

The man's large hand gently rested on her lower abdomen, his palm warm, as if silently protecting the budding little life.

"Besides, our second generation is about to be born. According to the calendar, they should be born in the Year of the Ox. With proper upbringing, the little calf will crush these filthy things with one kick."

Liu Yifei found it amusing, but also felt a little ticklish from his warm breath, so she curled up and turned over.

Her knees bent slightly, forming a natural protective posture. Lu Kuan's legs naturally pressed against the back of her knees, their bodies fitting together perfectly, as if they were born to be so compatible.

The future mother was already feeling a bit anxious: "You're thinking too much, but what if he's not very smart? What if he doesn't have that much ability?"

“Your experiences over the years have been quite perilous at times. I can’t imagine what would happen if our children had to face them. What if they couldn’t protect such a large family business?”

Boss Lu was joking: "Then let's practice on alt accounts. I refuse to believe that none of them can inherit my intelligence."

"Get lost! You're already starting to complain, huh?"

"Haha, no problem, but we need at least two kids, right? Otherwise, it would be very lonely for one child to grow up in a family like ours."

Xiao Liu said thoughtfully, "Yes, the two children can keep each other company, which is good for their growth."

The carefree future father yawned: "Don't worry about their future appearance or ugliness, intelligence or stupidity."

"There's nothing wrong with living a mediocre life peacefully and healthily."

Even if we can't keep this family business, they will at least have enough to eat.

Xiao Liu got more and more excited as he spoke: "No! They still need to be properly educated, at least they can't become those annoying second-generation rich kids. You can't spoil them."

Lu Kuan smiled and said, "You seem to be a tiger mom. So, how about you play the strict mother and I play the loving father?"

"Tiger Mom it is, just don't hold me back," Liu Yifei said with a smile.

The couple's current mindset is quite different, which actually stems from their different family backgrounds and upbringing.

Lu Kuan's attitude toward his child's future stems from his dual life experience as a time traveler.

His early years, marked by the loss of his mother and struggle for survival, led him to regard "peace and joy" as the simplest blessing for his descendants.

He, who once huddled in the cold winter, only thought about weaving an everlasting spring for his unborn child, and had no great obsession with their future development.

But Liu Yifei doesn't think so.

Fundamentally, she was born into a middle-class family and received an elite education from a young age.

Coupled with the fact that her husband, whom she had always admired and looked up to, was so outstanding, and her mother Liu Xiaoli's experience of raising her daughter alone after her divorce, she felt a greater sense of responsibility for cultivating her future children's character and abilities.

This is matrilineal inheritance.

Furthermore, in Xiao Liu's view, your father also suffered hardships when he was young.

Humans are not given, but shaped.

Suffering is not something to be celebrated or imitated, but certain experiences in past and present lives are indeed important reasons for shaping the path we have today.

She is willing to blush and sweat a little when necessary, and to be stricter in education.

At least the son shouldn't be too much of a "tiger father, dog son" type, otherwise it would be a slap in the face for his old mother.
The poor baby in her belly doesn't realize yet that their mother, Liu Xiaolv, has already set a strict culture medium.

Even the old man couldn't save him.

"To be honest, I never wanted to have a child so soon." Liu Yifei's voice flowed softly in the darkness, like a winding stream under the moonlight.

"We've only been dating for a year and just got married. We just want to enjoy our time together as a couple."

"But that day at the hospital, when I saw that tiny black dot on the ultrasound report, I suddenly had a very strange feeling—"

The girl gently placed Lu Kuan's hand on her flat stomach: "There's actually a little person hidden here who will grow up to look more and more like us. I've been impatient since day one."

Lu Kuan closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep: "The year will be almost over after we finish filming 'Under the Hawthorn Tree,' time flies."

"Well, thankfully you stayed with me until I gave birth," Liu Yifei mumbled lazily before falling into a deep sleep.

As darkness fell, the occasional chirping of insects drifted in from outside the window, making the night seem even quieter.

The girl's hair was scattered on the pillow, carrying a faint minty scent. In her sleep, she unconsciously snuggled into his arms, like a young animal that had found a warm nest.

Lu Kuan kissed the top of her head, and in this quiet autumn night, he suddenly felt that life couldn't be more perfect than this.

With a loved one by your side, blood ties connecting you, and a future to look forward to.

(End of this chapter)