Entertainment Era: Starting with Teaching Sister Meng to Sing

Song Shihui kept his word. Just after lunchtime, two middle-aged men in suits knocked on the villa door.

He gestured to the two men that they didn't need to change their shoes, and after welcoming them into the house, Song Shihui introduced them to Wang Xiaozhou.

"This is Mr. Guo Kai, the business manager of Digua Video. He is in charge of all matters related to the acquisition of video resources."

Wang Xiaozhou stepped forward and shook hands with him.

Guo Kai was a very refined middle-aged man, thin, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, perfectly fitting the stereotypical image of a highly educated intellectual.

"I had heard that a very talented young man had recently emerged in the industry. But after meeting him today, I realized that talent is the least remarkable of all of Mr. Wang's many virtues. It's a pleasure to meet you."

This was a roundabout way of praising Wang Xiaozhou's handsomeness. It was the first time Wang Xiaozhou had received emotional support from a stranger. He shook Guo Kai's hand several times, as if they were old friends who had just met.

Song Shihui didn't keep the other middle-aged man waiting for long. After the two finished exchanging pleasantries, she introduced him again: "This is Mr. Tao Jing from KuKu Video. His position is the same as Mr. Guo Kai's. He is mainly responsible for video collaborations."

Unlike Guo Kai, Tao Jing was physically strong. As soon as he entered the house in the dead of winter, he took off his coat, revealing a short-sleeved shirt underneath and showing off the tattoo on his right arm.

"Nice to meet you."

Tao Jing's way of greeting people wasn't a handshake, but a fist and palm salute, exuding a strong sense of江湖气 (jianghu qi, a kind of chivalrous and江湖-like demeanor).

Coincidentally, Wang Xiaozhou had spent decades in the underworld across both his lives, and this kind of person returned his greeting with a fist and palm salute: "Nice to meet you."

After introducing everyone, Song Shihui, like a virtuous wife, invited them to sit down, giving the three of them some time to exchange pleasantries, while she went to the kitchen to prepare some fruit.

No one would eat fruit in this kind of setting, but she wanted to create the feeling of guests visiting her home. This would subconsciously lower the guard of the two managers, which would be very beneficial for Wang Xiaozhou to start the negotiations later.

After exchanging a few pleasantries on the sofa, the group officially began their conversation.

"Teacher Wang, our company is indeed very interested in your short film that was first released on Tencent. How about this, Guo Kai and I will make an offer for you. There's no need for the three of us men to argue over such a small amount of money. If it's okay, it's okay; if it's not okay, it's not okay."

Upon hearing Tao Jing's words, Wang Xiaozhou narrowed his eyes.

People like him may seem carefree and have a strong sense of chivalry, but in reality, they are the most cunning and value profit above all else. Their righteousness is just a facade they deliberately project to better deceive others.

Whether the second round of broadcasting rights can be sold is still uncertain, even if he sets a price.

So Wang Xiaozhou didn't even bother to speak to him, and went straight to Guo Kai and said:

"What did Manager Guo say?"

Guo Kai chuckled awkwardly, "Could we listen to Manager Tao's proposal first?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xiaozhou immediately put away the contract on the table: "I'm not selling."

These two must have discussed it beforehand. If we continue negotiating with them, it's very likely that we'll sell the same product on both platforms for the same price.

Even if he loses the second round of broadcasting rights, Wang Xiaozhou will not let them take advantage of him. Besides, there are more than just these two video platforms in China, so why should he lower his standards to make such a small amount of money?

Tao Jing's expression stiffened upon hearing this. He had investigated Wang Xiaozhou at home and thought that a high school student like him could not possibly have any negotiation skills. Before coming, he had considered that the worst outcome would be to purchase the broadcasting rights at 20% below the market price.

But before he could even open his mouth, Wang Xiaozhou flipped the table and refused to play anymore. How could this be allowed? He was completely outmaneuvered.

"Teacher Wang, please don't rush. May I ask why you suddenly changed your mind?"

Seeing Tao Jing repeatedly giving him meaningful glances, Guo Kai reluctantly spoke first and asked.

Wang Xiaozhou replied nonchalantly, "I sell, you buy, we are indeed natural adversaries, but do you two competing companies really need to unite because of me?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Kai glanced at Tao Jing with an embarrassed expression, secretly blaming him for not being cautious enough. Why did he pretend to be something he shouldn't have, making Wang Xiaozhou see through him at a glance?

Tao Jing hadn't expected Wang Xiaozhou to be so perceptive. Logically speaking, an eighteen-year-old shouldn't be able to understand so many intricacies.

Fortunately, Song Shihui appeared at this moment and helped the two out of the predicament.

After placing the fruit on the coffee table, Song Shihui smiled and said, "That doesn't mean we have to refuse to sell it altogether. Here's what we'll do: you name a price first, and we'll let the two managers discuss it."

Upon hearing this, Tao Jing quickly nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, you make an offer first, and we'll discuss it."

Without further ado, Wang Xiaozhou held up two fingers: "Two million."

Tao Jing's smile froze: "So, Teacher Wang means two million in total from both families?"

Wang Xiaozhou shook his head: "No, it's two million per family."

"That's impossible."

Guo Kai, who seemed easy to talk to, was surprisingly difficult to talk to at this moment: "If my information is correct, the first-run broadcast rights for your short drama only sold for one million. There's no reason why the price for the second run should be more expensive than the first run, let alone twice as expensive."

Wang Xiaozhou had no intention of arguing with him, and simply smiled and said, "But this short film is very popular right now."

The two business managers from the video platform were both taken aback. They never expected that this eighteen-year-old student would be so knowledgeable.

"Liaozhai: Lanruo Temple" has received over eight million views on the Tencent Penguin platform. Based on the high initial price per view on video platforms, the true value of this short film should be around four million.

The price for second-run broadcasting rights is lower, but definitely less than half, so Wang Xiaozhou's price is very reasonable.

He needs to sell many properties for two million, so he has to make some concessions on the price.

"This price is really beyond our expectations. I, Lao Tao, will give you another offer: 1.5 million. How about that?"

Wang Xiaozhou smiled: "If Manager Tao has nothing else to do in Jinmenwei, please go back. I have to fly to Northeast China this afternoon, otherwise I would definitely have invited Manager Tao to have a meal."

Even in the eyes of eighteen-year-old Wang Xiaozhou, Tao Jing was not a江湖人 (jianghu person, a person of the martial arts world), and the face he wanted was simply not there for Wang Xiaozhou.

Tao Jing was caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Guo Kai felt somewhat relieved. Luckily, he hadn't spoken first, or he would be the one standing there dumbfounded now.

Without further ado, Guo Kai extended his right hand to Wang Xiaozhou: "Two million. We at Digua agree. Wishing us a pleasant cooperation in advance."

With the deal settled, Wang Xiaozhou no longer acted petty and extended his hand with a smile, saying, "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

Then Wang Xiaozhou looked at Tao Jing and said, "Manager Tao, are you still hesitating? Two million is a reasonable price. I wanted to make a good relationship with you. Otherwise, after Manager Guo agreed at the beginning, I would have raised the price to two and a half million."