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Chapter 573: The Premiere of 'Noble Families'
Chapter 573: The Premiere of 'Noble Families'
Li Huini had stayed in Sijiu City for almost a month, visiting all the attractions and even traveling to Jingda and Huada universities. Upon her return, she arranged to meet with Lu Jiaxin for a meal.
During their dinner, Li Huini shared her insights, "The inland regions are developing rapidly, and with their large population, the prospects are promising. I've discussed with my grandfather about venturing into the inland market."
You see, this was the result of her immersion in the environment. Even during her leisure trip, she gained insights into the inland economy and explored potential markets.
Lu Jiaxin nodded in agreement, "Yes, the inland regions hold great potential for development. I won't be available during the weekend, as I'll be traveling inland on Saturday and won't be back until Monday."
She was off to establish a factory inland; the Green Forest factory in Hong Kong City was simply too small. She had planned to enter the inland market in a couple of years, but now she realized the need to prepare in advance.
Li Huini added, "Jiaxin, I've noticed that women in the inland regions don't seem to wear much makeup and often go barefaced. Everyone desires beauty, and I believe there's a huge opportunity for cosmetics and skincare products in the inland market."
"Are you considering entering the cosmetics business?"
Li Huini's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she asked, "Are you interested in partnering with me? If so, let's do it together!"
Lu Jiaxin shook her head, "I'm afraid I won't be able to manage it. I'm already stretched thin."
While she wasn't keen on a partnership, she also wasn't interested in a small-scale investment. In fact, she had been contemplating acquiring a cosmetics company herself. However, the recent issues with Xin Xin Property and Green Forest had made her aware of the loopholes in her management style, which others could easily exploit. She decided to first rectify and tighten the management of the two companies before venturing into the cosmetics business.
Li Huini couldn't hide her disappointment.
Before they knew it, it was already early October, and 'Noble Families' premiered. Initially, Lu Jiaxin had considered collaborating with TVB, but their stinginess in offering only a standard price for the copyright buyout, including the Hong Kong City and overseas markets, had turned her off. Naturally, she declined, and instead, she reached out to ATV's top management. After viewing the first two episodes, they quickly sealed the deal, acquiring only the broadcasting rights for Hong Kong City and leaving the overseas rights untouched.
Lu Jiaxin had written the outline for 'Noble Families' and oversaw the forty-episode script. The plot was intriguing, and they spared no effort in ensuring the best visuals for costumes, makeup, and styling. They engaged a director renowned for this genre, and the lead actors perfectly embodied their respective characters.
The series aired during prime time, and after the first two episodes, newspaper and magazine reviews started pouring in the very next day. This publicity wasn't orchestrated by Wan Jia Film and Television but rather ATV's strategy to create buzz for the drama.
First, the series boasted high production value, with meticulous attention to costumes, props, and styling. Second, the plot was tightly woven, incorporating melodrama, romance, and patriotism. Third, it was rife with controversial and satirical moments that kept viewers engaged and entertained...
On the fifth day of the show's airing, Tian Pengyu called Lu Jiaxin, excitedly sharing, "Boss, our 'Noble Families' is a hit! Thank goodness we only sold the broadcasting rights for Hong Kong City. We would've incurred huge losses otherwise."
In just six episodes, the show had ignited discussions, and the ratings were expected to soar as the more captivating episodes aired. With its success in Hong Kong City, they could now demand a premium for the overseas broadcasting rights.
Lu Jiaxin found it amusing, "Who was it that objected to producing a drama series in the first place?"
Tian Pengyu quickly admitted his mistake and assured her, "Boss, from now on, whatever you want to produce, be it a drama or even a film about a dog, I won't utter a word of objection."
In later years, a renowned director would indeed go on to create a film about a man and a tiger, winning awards and achieving box office success. However, Lu Jiaxin didn't have the inclination or patience for such endeavors.
Tian Pengyu continued, "Boss, Lan Ying proposed to renew her contract, and she's asking for a five-year extension. Boss, we really need to sign more stars to our agency; our roster is too small at the moment."
Lu Jiaxin nodded, instructing him to come up with a plan, and then emphasized, "The key is to focus on creating quality content.
And if Wan Jia Film and Television became an industry leader, celebrities would be clamoring to participate in their productions. However, to ensure the company's growth, we still need to cultivate our own talent."
Tian Pengyu readily agreed. In the past, when Nie Jingting was the boss, he was the one begging others, and even then, people wouldn't give him the time of day. Now, wherever he goes, everyone greets him politely as Mr. Tian, especially some celebrities who are eager to audition for their company's films. This kind of treatment was unheard of in the past!
Of course, he was happy to be flattered, but Tian Pengyu kept a clear head. For important roles in their films, he insisted on choosing actors with strong acting skills and suitability for the character. Otherwise, no amount of lavish gifts would do. Damaging the company's reputation would be equivalent to destroying his own rice bowl.
Midway through the drama's broadcast, Zong Shi Meng called and asked, "Jiaxin, Liu Yushu isn't dead, is he? If he dies, Afang will be heartbroken."
Lu Jiaxin couldn't help but find it funny that she had specifically called to ask about the plot.
"Why aren't you saying anything? He really is dead, isn't he? No, Liu Yushu can't die. If he does, I won't watch this stupid drama anymore."
Lu Jiaxin laughed heartily. "He's not dead. Liu Yushu's fake death is just another turning point for the female lead. Sister Shi Meng, you've become so sentimental ever since you got pregnant."
Zong Shi Meng's mood immediately brightened now that she had the answer she wanted. She laughed and said, "I don't know either. Ever since I got pregnant, I've become so emotional. Even the smallest, most insignificant things make me cry. Zhifang says this baby is a girl."
"Then you'll have a good pair of children," Lu Jiaxin remarked.
Zong Shi Meng smiled. "If it's a girl, I hope she'll look like me. None of my three children look like me. Every time I take them out, people tease me about it."
After chatting for a while, Zong Shi Meng laughed and asked, "If you're free this weekend, I'll come over to visit you."
"Can you go out now?" Lu Jiaxin asked.
"I can't go to crowded places, but coming to your place is fine," Zong Shi Meng replied.
"Then I'll call Meitong and invite her over too," Lu Jiaxin suggested.
Thinking of how the four of them used to hang out and chat together, Zong Shi Meng brought up Shi Yuyu. "She's been arranged to go on a blind date by her family. The man is the son of her father's good friend, so they've known each other since they were young. You could say they're childhood sweethearts. They got engaged last month, and the wedding is set for the end of the year."
Lu Jiaxin exclaimed, "Why didn't she tell us about the engagement?"
"I asked Meitong about it, and she said she didn't know either," Zong Shi Meng explained. "She said Shi Yu didn't call her, probably because she was afraid that seeing us would remind her of Tao Yong."
"She asked me to design her wedding dress, but she hasn't picked it up yet," Lu Jiaxin said. "Since she's already engaged, I'll put it up for sale."
Tao Yong had already paid for it, but after they broke up, Lu Jiaxin was left to deal with it. She hadn't been sure if the two of them would get back together, so she had just left it untouched. Now that Shi Yu was engaged, the probability of them reconciling was almost zero, so there was no point in keeping it around.
Zong Shi Meng sighed softly, a hint of regret in her voice. "Back when we were hanging out together, I was the ugliest one among you and Nie Zhan. Who would have thought that now, the two of you are still as loving as ever, while they've gone their separate ways."
Lu Jiaxin felt that it was mainly because she was from the mainland, and she thought that perhaps Nie Zhan had been attracted by her novelty. Once he discovered that their values, consumption habits, and other aspects were different, they would break up. However, after that one meeting, she realized she had overthought it; the young girl had her own ideas and was very confident.
"Breakups and makeups are a normal part of life," Lu Jiaxin said philosophically.
(End of Chapter)
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