I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 314 Complete defeat
At midday, the weather gradually warmed up.

In his office, Li Minghao solemnly accepted the report handed to him by his secretary.

Data shows that starting at 10:00 AM, a large-scale wave of ticket refunds suddenly broke out in cinemas nationwide under Huaying International. Many viewers were even willing to pay a 50% handling fee to get a refund for their pre-sale tickets for "Star Wars".

Li Minghao gripped the report tightly, staring intently at each and every data point…

Star Wars is not only Tianyu Media's last desperate gamble, but also their last bargaining chip to salvage the outflow of capital!
In a sense, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it "strategic value"...

It is not only a lifeline for box office recovery, but also the key to stabilizing investor confidence.

If Star Wars becomes a box office hit, it will not only help Huaying International reverse its market downturn, but also boost investor confidence and bring capital back.

However, failure would mean an accelerated capital flight, ultimately leading to a complete collapse.

However, Huaying International never considered the possibility of failure. After all, as the leading company in the entire China cinema chain system, they firmly believed that with the high profits of the Star Wars super IP and the marketing of related products, they would definitely be able to drive a surge in revenue, thereby proving their continued profitability to the capital market!
It was precisely because of this confidence that he and Tianyu Media dared to set the ticket price for "Star Wars" so high.

In fact, in this pricing strategy, Huaying International, the other two major cinema chains, and even Tianyu Media have, in a sense, sent a signal of reconciliation to Zhou Yang...

They tacitly allowed Zhou Yang's theaters to simultaneously screen "Star Wars," and implicitly agreed to cease attacking any films under Zhou Yang's umbrella. Even with "Star Wars" being so popular, they still sent people to [Xuanshi Entertainment] to discuss their knock-off film, "Moon Wars 2." Essentially, this conveyed the subtext of "a ceasefire for mutual benefit and making money together," and in a sense, it could even be seen as a tacit cooperation between the two parties...

But to Li Minghao's utter surprise, Zhou Yang, this madman, was willing to give up the profits that were within his grasp in order to wipe them out!
This has completely defied their expectations!

"What a madman!"

"He wants us dead!"

"wrong!"

"He wants the entire market!"

"..."

The moment Li Minghao saw the news of the opening of [Xuan Shi Shopping Mall], his face instantly turned ferocious, and his fist, which was about to slam into the table, suddenly stopped just before it hit.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his surging anger, and with trembling fingers dialed Dong Qichang's number: "Mr. Dong, everyone can make a living in the market, your actions of overturning the table are too dishonest!"

On the other end of the phone, Dong Qichang sighed: "I'm sorry, I'm just an executor. Some things, once started, can't be stopped..."

"Mr. Dong, the market is so big, there's no need to make things mutually destructive. We can renegotiate the profits from 'Star Wars.' We, [Huaying International], are willing to give up the profits of one film to collaborate with your [Xuanshi Entertainment] on 'Moon Wars 2.' We can even open up joint screening rights in some second- and third-tier cities to jointly develop the lower-tier market. Mr. Dong, a price war will only lead the entire industry into a vicious cycle. It's not too late to stop now!"

Dong Qichang was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the phone. Li Minghao seized the opportunity to raise his bargaining chip: "We, Huaying International, Tianyu, Huasheng Brothers, and even other cinema chains, if you want, our three major cinema chains and five major film companies can sit down and have a good talk to redistribute market share. Cinema alliances need healthy competition, not mutual destruction..."

There was still silence on the other end of the phone.

Li Minghao's tone gradually became more earnest. He looked out the window at the sun slowly disappearing into the clouds, and lowered his voice even further: "President Dong, you should know that stopping now is better for everyone. Zhou Yang wants market share, we can give it up; he wants profits, we can share them. But if it really comes down to a fight to the death, our three major cinema chains and five major film companies... will not be willing to accept that!"

"..."

After another unsettling silence on the phone, Dong Qichang sighed deeply.

"It's too late. Once an avalanche starts, it's not something we can stop just because we want to. President Zhou was only the one who pushed over the first domino, but..."

"Feel sorry!"

The call was immediately disconnected.

Li Minghao was left behind with an increasingly ferocious expression.

He clenched his fist tightly, his gaze piercing the secretary like a knife: "Contact the five major film studios and the other two cinema chains immediately!"

"Convene an emergency meeting immediately!"

"No, also contact the other 15 small cinema chains and tell them we have a project! A new project!"

"..."

....................................

In the chairman's office of Wanhong Cinemas.

Chairman Pei Jiahong stared at the news of the opening of [Xuanshi Mall], his fingers tapping rhythmically on his desk.

At this moment, he knew better than anyone that Wan Hong Cinemas was standing at a crossroads of fate.

Whether it's the abyss or the dawn's sunshine, it all depends on a single thought!
During this period, he closely monitored the fierce competition between the cinema alliance led by Zhou Yang and the three major cinema chains, including Huaying International.

However, he neither chose to join Zhou Yang's camp nor established any contact with the three major cinema chains.

Pei Jiahong knew that this was not only a contest between emerging capital and traditional established capital, but also a life-or-death reshuffling of the industry.

Like fifteen other small and medium-sized cinemas across the country, Wan Hong Cinema Line has maintained a cautious wait-and-see attitude, hesitant to make a move. The reason is simple: for large, well-funded cinema chains, even a loss could be a comeback thanks to their substantial capital. But for cinemas of Wan Hong Line's limited scale, a wrong bet could lead to utter ruin…

Previously, they were able to observe the outcome of this struggle from the perspective of bystanders.

However, with the premiere of "Star Wars" just around the corner, Zhou Yang suddenly unleashed a price-cutting tactic, and the situation became clear—this price war not only targeted the three major theater chains, but also aimed at neutral small and medium-sized theater chains like them.

When the wave of ticket refunds began to crash against his doorstep, Pei Jiahong finally realized that standing by was no longer an option; he had to make a choice!
Just then, the phone rang.

It was a call from Huaying International, one of the three major cinema chains, and it was Chairman Li Minghao himself who called...

Although he hadn't answered the phone yet, he already realized that Li Minghao was offering him a bargaining chip!

The call connected, and Li Minghao, who was always aloof and even aggressive, spoke with unprecedented sincerity and without any airs at this moment.

"President Pei, the market has changed. Zhou Yang has left us no way out. Our three major cinema chains are willing to cede 30% of the market, as long as you stand with us. We are currently contacting overseas capital and leading domestic brands, preparing to build a commercial complex even larger than [Xuan Shi Mall]."

"It's not just about profit sharing; we can also share a film library. In the future, all imported blockbusters will be prioritized for our partner cinemas. In addition, we are planning a 'Super Movie Month' event. As long as you join us, each cinema will receive a marketing subsidy of 500 million yuan..."

"President Pei, this is a critical moment for your survival. Zhou Yang wants more than just market share; he wants a complete reshuffling of the industry. But as everyone knows, while his ambitions are great, his foundation is still shallow. He is destined to lose this battle. If you join us, you will become the biggest contributor after this battle!"

"..."

On the other end of the phone, Li Minghao's words became increasingly earnest, but Pei Jiahong remained clear-headed throughout.

He inquired in detail about Li Minghao's specific plan, but the other party only gave vague and vague answers, failing to produce any substantial solutions. In the end, he used the excuse that "we need to work with the three major cinema chains and five major film companies to discuss the perfect plan," and said that he would give them the plan tomorrow...

Pei Jiahong's doubts grew deeper and deeper.

He wasn't stupid. Zhou Yang was coming on strong, with all his projects clearly laid out; while the three major cinema chains were still making plans...

The mall is like a battlefield!
Zhou Yang is clearly about to flip the table!

After you finish discussing the plan
The day lilies are cold!

Moreover, your three major cinema chains have joined forces with capital to besiege Zhou Yang countless times, each time with great fanfare, but all ending in failure...

This time, you're already at a disadvantage, on the defensive. If you want to beat Zhou Yang again...

Pei Jiahong shook his head.

Just then, the phone rang.

Pei Jiahong was stunned when he saw the caller ID!
It's Zhou Yang!
He answered the phone immediately!
On the other end of the phone, Zhou Yang's voice was very calm.

"Mr. Pei..."

"Mr. Zhou!"

“A wise bird chooses a good tree to perch on. A few months ago, when the situation was turbulent, I did not rashly invite you to join. Now the situation has become clearer, and the cinema chains that followed me have made a fortune. The three major cinema chains are at their weakest point. Once they collapse, their market share will naturally be released. The Chinese film market has broad prospects and will only become more prosperous in the future. I cannot take over such a large market by myself.”

"..."

“Every member of the Cinema Alliance has strong financial backing, and their ambitions in the film market are obvious. After this battle, they are bound to grow wildly. This is my last invitation to you to join us—as long as you agree, I will immediately transfer ten million yuan of Cinema Alliance support funds to you, and let us create a new world together!”

"..."

"More importantly, I hope you don't forget how the three major cinema chains schemed to take you over before I came along, and how many shady things they did to small and medium-sized cinemas..."

The voice on the other end of the phone was filled with the authority of someone in a superior position.

After hearing this...

Pei Jiahong's expression was complicated. After a long silence, he finally asked a question.

"If we join you, will we even be able to survive?"

"Of course! But how much market share they can capture in the future depends on their individual abilities."

"Okay! Let's join!"

"Ten minutes later, check the company account... Fifteen million, this is your welcoming gift!"

"Wait, wasn't it ten million? How come..."

"I'm happy today."

"..."

(End of this chapter)