Reborn In 1983: Starting With Reclaiming My Birthright Chapter 561: Box Office - Novel Cool

Chapter 561: Box Office

Chapter 561: Box Office

Lu Jiaxin returned to Hong Kong and rested for a day before heading back to work. Her first stop was Green Forest. Even though she hadn't been working there long, the store had already expanded to include eight new branches. Susan and Xu Yue preferred a steady and cautious approach, but Lu Jiaxin was bolder. With her driving force, the business was progressing faster than ever.

So far, they had opened a total of 128 stores, and Lu Jiaxin's temporary goal was to reach 200. Once they hit that milestone, she planned to slow down a little.

Fashion was Lu Jiaxin's forte, and she didn't need to spend too much time on it. She only needed to oversee the general direction, leaving the specifics to Xu Yue and Susan. Xin Xin Property mainly focused on rent collection, and the previous issue with high-level employees taking advantage of loopholes was due to a lack of supervision. Lu Jiaxin wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

In the afternoon, at 3 p.m., Lu Jiaxin arrived at Wonderful Film and Television.

Tian Pengyu greeted her with a beaming smile and said, "Boss, the box office figures for 'God of Gamblers' are out. We made a total of $36.86 million. Boss, we profited by $1 million from this movie!"

Lu Jiaxin glanced at him and said, "That $1 million includes taxes and various other expenses. After deducting those, our net profit is only slightly over $8 million."

Tian Pengyu immediately thought of her rental company, and his smile faded a little. "Boss, although Wonderful Film and Television can't compare to your other businesses, it has its strengths. 'Legally Blonde' boosted sales for Green Forest women's clothing and Five Blessings Jewelry, and 'God of Gamblers' has done the same for Green Forest men's clothing. I heard that many styles have sold out."

Lu Jiaxin looked at him and said, "If it weren't for the sake of promoting the fashion and jewelry companies, do you think I would have gone to so much trouble to write the screenplay?"

Tian Pengyu handled all the big and small matters at Wonderful Film and Television, and Lu Jiaxin never interfered. This was because, firstly, the profits weren't high, and secondly, Nie Zhan had told her that his family owed a debt of gratitude to Tian Pengyu's family. Nie's grandfather had once saved Tian Pengyu's parents and later supported the three siblings through university. This was why, even though Nie Jingting had consistently produced flop films, she still did her best to support him. Despite other film companies offering higher salaries, Tian Pengyu had never wavered in his loyalty.

Tian Pengyu smiled and said, "Yes, our company's success today is thanks to you, Boss."

Lu Jiaxin took out a contract and handed it to him. "Take a look at this. If there are no issues, go ahead and sign it."

Tian Pengyu thought it was a company contract of some sort, but when he opened it, he found that it was a share transfer agreement. After reading it, he was both surprised and delighted, but soon hesitated. "Boss, 10% of the shares is too much."

His annual salary was 1.2 million, and he also received bonuses of several hundred thousand. Compared to his previous salary of just 500,000 a year, he was already very satisfied.

"The company's affairs are all handled by you, so it's only right that you get a share," said Lu Jiaxin. "Manager Tian, my principle is that the harder you work, the greater your reward. As long as you do a good job, I won't treat you unfairly. But don't take what isn't yours, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

Tian Pengyu knew that Xin Xin Property had recently dismissed several high-level employees for taking advantage of their positions. "Boss, rest assured. If it's not my money, I won't take a single cent," he said.

As long as he grew the company and strengthened it, his annual salary and bonuses would increase, and the shares in his hands would also rise in value. As for using his position to take advantage, that would be short-sighted and foolish.

Lu Jiaxin nodded and continued, "I've heard that some entertainment companies introduce their good-looking male and female artists to wealthy people. I can't control what other companies do, but I won't allow that kind of thing to happen in my company. If anyone forces them, we must protect our artists."

"What if they go out and find someone on their own?" asked Tian Pengyu.

"If our artists go out and look for a backer on their own, we'll turn a blind eye," Lu Jiaxin said. "But if they're purely trading sleep for resources, we can't keep them. It'll ruin the company's culture."

Tian Pengyu never expected Lu Jiaxin to make such a request, but upon further thought, it made sense. The real purpose of this film company was to promote the other products under her name, and filmmaking was just a side business. Naturally, she wouldn't want any scandals to taint her reputation.

"Rest assured, Boss. All these clauses will be included in the contract," Tian Pengyu assured her.

After wrapping up their discussion, Lu Jiaxin said, "I heard that Director Wang has already written the script for 'God of Gamblers 2'. Bring it to me to have a look."

Tian Pengyu hadn't brought the script with him. "I've read the script, and it's not quite there. I've already asked him to make revisions," he explained.

With the first installment being so popular, they couldn't afford for the sequel to fall flat, or they would be criticized relentlessly. Criticism was the least of their worries; the real concern was the potential damage to the movie's reputation.

Lu Jiaxin took out the 'God of Gamblers' script from her bag. "Take this to Director Wang and tell him it's the first draft. Let him make the necessary changes."

Tian Pengyu accepted the script with both hands and said with a smile, "Boss, I've already commissioned a screenwriter to work on the script for 'Legally Blonde 2'. It should be ready for submission by next week. I'll need you to look it over then."

Uh-oh...

Lu Jiaxin took out the 'Legally Blonde' script. "This is the outline for 'Legally Blonde 2'. Once the screenwriter finishes the script, take a look. If it's good, we'll use it. If not, give them my outline, and merge the two scripts."

Tian Pengyu felt like today was turning out to be a great day. "Boss, the script you wrote is definitely going to be amazing!"

"It all depends on what the audience likes," Lu Jiaxin replied humbly.

After concluding their business, Lu Jiaxin headed home. She had barely settled in when she received a call from Zong Shimeng. "You want to invite me for afternoon tea? It's too hot to go out. Why don't you bring your three kids over to my place instead?"

Upon hearing this, Zong Shimeng was reminded of Lu Jiaxin's mansion. "I used to think that my house was spacious, but now I realize what a truly grand mansion looks like."

Lu Jiaxin laughed. "Your brother-in-law promised to buy you one, didn't he? You'll have a grand mansion like this soon enough."

Zong Shimeng had also done her research and learned that five-section compounds were traditionally inhabited by high-ranking officials and noble families. While some still existed, very few remained intact. "I haven't heard anything yet."

This wasn't surprising. While there were plenty of two- and three-section compounds in Si Jiucheng, five-section mansions were rare, and their scarcity drove up their value. Anyone with a clear head would recognize the worth of such a property.

"Poetry, you can always buy a three-section compound," Lu Jiaxin suggested. "That would be more than enough space for you and your three children. I've always believed that a house doesn't need to be huge; it's more important to feel comfortable in it."

The house by Shicha Lake had been bought by her aunt. If it had been up to her, she wouldn't have chosen such a large place; at most, she would have opted for a three-section compound. Of course, there was no denying that living in a grand mansion was incredibly comfortable.

Zong Shimeng shook her head. "I want a five-section compound, and I want to renovate it to my liking. I'm in no rush. I can wait."

With her willingness to spend, there was still a good chance she would get what she wanted.

"After you went back, did your mother-in-law or grandmother-in-law say anything to you?" Lu Jiaxin asked.

"No," Zong Shimeng replied with a smile. "I told them I was going to Si Jiucheng to see a doctor for my health. How can I have a fourth child if my health isn't good? But when I said I wanted to take the children to Si Jiucheng, they didn't agree."

"So you can't go?" Lu Jiaxin asked.

Zong Shimeng replied casually, "No, my father-in-law is very supportive of the idea. He said it's good for the children to visit the capital and know where their roots are."

Her father-in-law usually only concerned himself with external matters and never interfered in family affairs. This was the first time he had voiced an opinion, and it made her realize that he still cared about the mainland.

(End of Chapter)

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