Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 470 A Phone Call and Arrangements from Across the Ocean
"Show! We've reached a preliminary agreement with Microsoft on Azure AI supercomputing!"

Upon hearing Sam Altman's opening remarks, Chen Xiu looked at herself clearly visible through the floor-to-ceiling window and noticed that her slightly furrowed brows suggested a hint of uncertainty.

After a moment, the phone rang again.

Hello, are you listening?

"please continue."

"Okay, Microsoft is willing to invest in us again. As agreed from the beginning, you need to liaise with them on this part. When would be a convenient time for you?"

"I need to confirm the schedule. I'll call you back at this time tomorrow, okay?"

"OK! Half of the funds you invested last year have already been used up, so I still hope you can arrange to come over as soon as possible."

"I see."

They said goodbye and hung up the phone. Chen Xiu's eyes looked unfathomable through the French windows.

He paced back and forth in circles, pondered for a moment, and then turned and walked towards Guo Fan.

"Excuse me, where were we?"

"So you've prepared a movie and need a director to assist with filming, can I be one?"

Guo Fan repeated the application, indicating that his decision was not impulsive.

Chen Xiu pursed her lips and realized that her thoughts were still on her conversation with Sam Altman, so she took the initiative to expand the topic in an attempt to divert her attention.

"Old Guo, let me tell you about the script first."

"Okay!"

Guo Fan nodded, his expression becoming serious.

Chen Xiu briefly explained to him her envisioned plot, the main character's biography, and the details of the important supporting characters.

After listening, Guo Fan soon began to talk about his filming ideas.

"If I were in charge of filming this story, I could introduce the female lead first, and then use her perspective to introduce the male lead. The two would clash for some reason, which would be beneficial for the development of the subsequent story..."

The storytelling method he described unfolds in chronological order, gradually revealing the whole story and the charm of the characters.

Chen Xiu never intended to make the story too complicated, and there was no need for flashy filming techniques such as interspersed flashbacks.

If a movie can tell a clear story, if the actors can play their roles well, and if the plot isn't too mindless, then the work can already be considered excellent.

Seeing that Guo Fan was serious, Chen Xiu nodded in agreement and said, "Go to the company tomorrow and talk to Wei Feng. I wrote the script, and he will be in charge of the project preparation."

"Mr. Chen, will you be coming tomorrow?"

"I have other plans. I should go to the United States in a few days, so I won't be able to keep up with the project."

"You're going to America? Uh...didn't that incident just happen last year?"

Guo Fan looked at Chen Xiu with a hesitant expression, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Chen Xiu nodded and said, "Douyin's situation is different. The software company won't go out of business just because someone is missing. I understand. Thank you."

"fine."

Guo Fan had only a superficial understanding of the internet technology circle, so since Chen Xiu said there was no problem, he didn't say anything more.

After finishing his business, Guo Fan returned to the center of the venue to complete the celebration banquet procedures.

After greeting Meng Ziyi, Chen Xiu left the venue first and headed towards Douyin Company.

……

"You're going to America?"

Upon hearing the news Chen Xiu had shared, Su Xiao immediately put down her work, got up, and came to the sofa, staring at him for a long time.

Chen Xiu shrugged and said, "Strictly speaking, I'm going to California."

"Although they are not much different, it is still slightly better."

Su Xiao's expression relaxed slightly, and then she let Chen Xiu pull her hand and sit down next to him.

Chen Xiu continued, "Before I leave, I will communicate with Musk and ask him to accompany me as a business card. He is coming to Shanghai to build a factory, and his lifeline is here. I am also a shareholder of Tesla, so the situation will be guaranteed."

Su Xiao nodded slightly, looking much more at ease, but her worries still lingered on her face.

"Facebook's suppression of TikTok has never stopped, and their headquarters are also in California..."

"What does TikTok have to do with me? Wasn't it spun off a long time ago?"

Chen Xiu said slyly that the reason TikTok was spun off and listed was to prevent this situation from happening.

As a Chinese company, Douyin is beyond the reach of the US, no matter how much they want to interfere.

If they want to cause trouble for TikTok, they should do it the way the script would normally, by summoning Zhou Shouzi for a hearing.

Chen Xiu's position at Douyin is Chief Strategy Officer and ordinary director. Although he is a senior executive, he is not involved in any specific work, so detaining him would be meaningless.

Hearing that Chen Xiu had thought things through, Su Xiao's worry began to be replaced by doubt.

"Since you've already prepared everything, why bother making the special trip over here?"

"Is it okay if I just come to see you?"

Chen Xiu said dismissively, but Su Xiao squinted and slowly moved closer to him to examine him carefully.

“I can tell when you’re downplaying the important points, so tell me the truth.”

"Uh……"

Chen Xiu hesitated for a moment, but under Su Xiao's intense gaze, she finally revealed her original thoughts.

“I originally wanted to sign a shareholding agreement with you. My shares, plus the original shares you have acquired over the years, already exceed ByteDance’s shares.”

Why do you have this idea?

"Just in case, and also to add another layer of insurance for myself." Su Xiao frowned, then stared at Chen Xiu as her brows slowly relaxed.

"Do you think that as long as you hand over the shares to me to hold on your behalf, you will no longer have any value to be seized?"

"Leaving aside Douyin Co., Ltd., I am just an ordinary billionaire, and most of my wealth is in China. It would be meaningless for the United States to keep me here; on the contrary, it would scare others away."

Aren't you afraid they'll turn around and threaten me?

"Therefore, the nominee shareholding agreement I envision would include a clause stating that you can only exercise the rights and responsibilities of these shares on my behalf when I am abroad, and that they cannot be traded."

Chen Xiu held Su Xiao's hand, her gaze sincere and earnest.

"You can also understand this nominee shareholding agreement as me asking you to exercise decision-making power on my behalf at the next company meeting."

"Hmm~, why didn't you let Meng Ziyi hold it on your behalf?"

Su Xiao tilted her head to one side, her phoenix eyes narrowed, and the expression on her lips was particularly meaningful.

Chen Xiu paused for a moment, then said in surprise, "I thought you wouldn't be jealous..."

"Hmph! It's pointless for me to argue with you about these things normally, but now is the crucial moment."

Su Xiao hooked her finger around Chen Xiu's collar, pulled him towards her, and repeated the question to his face.

"Why not let Meng Ziyi take over?"

"You knew perfectly well..."

I want you to say it yourself.

"..."

Chen Xiu glanced at Su Xiao speechlessly, but at the same time found her jealous look quite amusing.

"Good wood may be strong, but it can't be used to make a boat; plain rice may be bland, but it's enough for a day. Sister Meng isn't cut out for this job. If we force her to take the position, who knows what kind of trouble she'll cause. When it comes to work, I only trust you. You can't be absent for a single day."

"Grumpy."

Su Xiao rolled her eyes, but the corners of her mouth turned up.

She didn't withdraw her hand, but continued to move it inside her collar, pressing it against Chen Xiu's collarbone.

Are my hands cold?

Chen Xiu grabbed the hand, stuffed it into her clothes, and then covered it through the clothes.

Su Xiao's red lips were luscious and her cheeks were flushed. Her ears were burning, and her eyes seemed to ripple with emotion. Her legs, encased in trousers, slowly came together.

Chen Xiu used his free hand to lift her up and place her on his lap. Their eyes met, and they could hear each other's breaths.

As her gaze began to become unfocused and blank, Su Xiao suddenly tilted her head back, her hands gripping Chen Xiu tightly, causing him to let out a muffled groan.

Hearing the noise, Su Xiao pursed her lips and let go of Chen Xiu's hand, but still held onto Chen Xiu's collar.

Meeting Chen Xiu's puzzled gaze, she straightened her expression and said, "Let's settle the important matters first, instead of thinking about these things all day long."

"Didn't we just reach an agreement?"

"Details, details!"

Su Xiao angrily emphasized repeatedly, then loosened her collar. Without getting up, she continued to sit and reached out to hug Chen Xiu's neck.

"When you go to California this time, you need to bring bodyguards with you 24 hours a day. Even if you stay in the hotel all day, don't let them leave."

"Okay, it's up to you."

"Yes, once you get there, you should also contact the embassy, ​​just in case."

"That won't do... I'll listen to you."

Chen Xiu's dismissive rebuttal was met with a strong pull and a glare from Su Xiao.

Left with no other choice, he had to agree to this to put Su Xiao at ease.

After confirming the security details, Su Xiao lowered her gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Besides discussing financing with Microsoft, are there any other plans for this trip to the United States?"

"We also need to go to Warner Bros. We discussed a collaboration with them last year, and if all goes well, 'Detective Chinatown 1900' will film there."

"Your script, ha, the second one was pretty bad, hopefully this one will be better."

"I didn't write the script for the second movie..."

Although it can't really be considered the first one, Chen Xiu still has some confidence in screenwriting, because he really wrote "The Song of Qin King Breaking the Enemy's Formation" and "The Xuanwu Gate Incident".

The script for the upcoming film has been completely rewritten and has little to do with the original "Miracle. Stupid Kid".

Hearing that he was still paying attention to such trivial matters, Su Xiao realized that Chen Xiu must be very confident about this trip.

However, there is one thing she still needs to remind you of.

Thinking of this, Su Xiao glanced at Chen Xiu sideways, then suddenly reached down...

"Ok??"

Chen Xiu stared wide-eyed, stunned.

Su Xiao didn't take it seriously: "Learn from past mistakes, don't make a fool of yourself on your trip to California this time!"

"Capsizing in a ditch, that's a pretty apt metaphor... Hiss... Don't worry, I don't want just anyone."

Chen Xiu's face turned pale, realizing that the opponent's strength was considerable.

Su Xiaojie's fair cheeks grew even redder, and before leaving, she asked, "When do you plan to leave?"

"Prepare the necessary work, we'll leave next week and be back at the end of the month."

"Then let's get started!"

"Start what? Huh!?"

(End of this chapter)