Chapter 1171: Zhou Yu Beats Huang Gai

Product placement in movies is nothing new.

As early as the 1970s and 1980s, movies and TV dramas in Hong Kong and Taiwan had already started product placement, but at that time, the mainland was relatively closed off and paid little attention to such matters.

It wasn't until around the mid-1990s that the mainland gradually began to incorporate product placement in films and TV dramas.

Zhao Fusheng's suggestion to Ye Jing this time was quite clear: to turn the business of product placement in future film and television productions into a fixed process.

After all, he couldn't keep an eye on this area forever. Or rather, Zhao Fusheng felt it necessary to let Ye Jing and the leaders of Future Films know that making movies or TV dramas didn't necessarily mean waiting until after release to recoup costs.

In his previous life, Zhao Fusheng clearly remembered that many directors' films had already announced that they had recouped their costs through advertising revenue before they were officially released.

So now, he was striving to achieve this.

Naturally, Ye Jing was somewhat surprised and also a bit uneasy about Zhao Fusheng's suggestion.

"Will it work?" Hesitating for a moment, Ye Jing cautiously asked Zhao Fusheng, "I always feel it's a bit unreliable. We've had product placements before, but they might not be willing to pay that much, right?"

Zhao Fusheng laughed heartily: "Why worry about that? Submit the plan, determine where ads can be placed. Let the advertising company handle it; you just take care of collecting the money."

After thinking for a moment, he instructed Ye Jing again: "By the way, discuss this with Old Jiang. First, make sure it doesn't affect the normal filming of the movie, then proceed with the placements. Also, this isn't just for 'A World Without Thieves'; every film and TV drama our company produces from now on will undergo advertising bidding."

Ye Jing was taken aback, then realized this should be Zhao Fusheng's decision.

"Don't worry, I know what to do," Ye Jing said to Zhao Fusheng before hanging up.

Putting down the phone, Zhao Fusheng shook his head helplessly. This was probably the difference between a visionary and an ordinary person. For him, product placement was commonplace. In his previous life, whether in movies, TV dramas, or even variety shows, the 'money daddy' was someone no one dared to offend. But now, people weren't yet accustomed to linking film and television works with advertising.

By the time they realized it, they would have missed many opportunities.

At that moment, Zhao Fusheng remembered that he had forgotten to ask Ye Jing how Fan Baobao was doing on the set.

But I figured it should be fine. Although Old Jiang wasn't there, Ye Jing was, and Sister Feihong too. Plus, Yang Panpan had been sent over by Zhao Fusheng. The crew were all from the Beijing circle and knew about Fan Baobao's relationship with me, so no one would be foolish enough to cause her trouble.

Moreover, given Miss Fan's current temper, if she did run into some bastard picking a fight, Zhao Fusheng was a hundred percent sure she wouldn't hold back.

No help for it—that was the teaching from Mom and Li Yuan. Zhao Fusheng occasionally overheard phone calls between his mother, Li Yuan, and Fan Baobao, and the content genuinely surprised him. The two mothers clearly and directly told Fan Baobao that it was fine for her to love acting and go ahead boldly, but she must not disgrace Zhao Fusheng. Especially now that Zhao Fusheng was the boss of a big company, Fan Baobao couldn't have bed scenes or kiss scenes in her films. If anyone dared to take advantage of her, no second thoughts—just hit them. Even if it led to a lawsuit, it didn't matter; the family would go all out to pay compensation for her.

"Even if it's some rich second-generation, don't be afraid. Worst case, the whole family emigrates." When his mother said that with overwhelming authority, Zhao Fusheng knew that Fan Baobao would surely know what to do.

Sure enough, Fan Baobao said that from now on, whenever she took on a role, she would discuss it with Zhao Fusheng in advance and guarantee she wouldn't embarrass the family.

Circumstances change people. With different status and position, everyone's perspective naturally shifts. Zhao Fusheng understood this well and had no intention of correcting it.

......

......

Three days later, in the general manager's office of Future Investment Fund.

"Miss Dong, I'm really sorry to bother you." Tong Zhenbang looked apologetically at Dong Chenxi. Behind him stood Xiao Bao, with a defiant expression, and Chen Shijie, whose face was as expressionless as a poker card.

"Mr. Tong, since you know it's a bother, if you have something to say, please just say it directly." Dong Chenxi said irritably. "I have to go to a meeting at the head office now. General Manager Zheng is waiting for me to report on the recent fund movements."

Tong Zhenbang wasn't bothered by her blunt attitude. He smiled and said, "Just a few words. It won't delay your business, Miss Dong. Shall we chat?"

Dong Chenxi frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, five minutes."

Tong Zhenbang nodded and had Chen Shijie and Xiao Bao leave, leaving only him and Dong Chenxi in the office.

"Go ahead, what is it?" Dong Chenxi looked at Tong Zhenbang and said.

To her, no matter how vicious this guy in front of her might be, Dong Chenxi wasn't afraid. Because as Zhao Fusheng said, a toothless tiger and a venomless snake are nothing to worry about.

For someone like Tong Zhenbang, once he chose to wash his hands and go legit, he was no longer the formidable figure everyone had to fear.

It is often said that a hero grows old, but Tong Zhenbang was no hero—merely a villain bent on taking his money and disappearing without a trace.

"Well, I have some personal funds, and I was wondering if I could also place them with your company for investment," Tong Zhenbang said bluntly to Dong Chenxi. "About ten million US dollars."

Hearing this, Dong Chenxi was taken aback and remained silent for a long time.

She was not surprised that Tong Zhenbang could come up with so much money; she was surprised that the guy was actually, as Zhao Fusheng had said, eager to invest his money.

Even sooner than Zhao Fusheng and she had imagined, because according to Zhao Fusheng's estimate, Tong Zhenbang would only do this after she had given him the first dividend payment.

But the guy couldn't even wait!

Secretly delighted, Dong Chenxi kept her expression unchanged, raised an eyebrow, and glanced at Tong Zhenbang: "Mr. Tong, I need to report this to Chairman Zhao before I can give you an answer."

The fish had taken the bait, so there was no need to worry about it escaping. Dong Chenxi planned to follow Zhao Fusheng's advice and play the long game to catch the big fish.

"Of course, I wanted to see Chairman Zhao anyway," Tong Zhenbang said with a smile.

Clearly, he had already anticipated Dong Chenxi's reaction. The previous investment of one hundred million US dollars, made on behalf of Mr. Li, had naturally been accepted.

Most importantly, a large portion of Tong Zhenbang's money was secretly skimmed from the company.

In other words, this money must not be known to Mr. Li.

If news leaked, Tong Zhenbang couldn't guarantee that his family would live to see the sun tomorrow.

"Also, Mr. Tong, there's something else I need to tell you. Our boss intends to settle the half-year dividends for you before the end of the year, given that the previous investment went smoothly," Dong Chenxi said slowly, looking at Tong Zhenbang.

Dividends?

Tong Zhenbang was stunned at these words and looked at Dong Chenxi in surprise: "Miss Dong, do you mean..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Dong Chenxi smiled slightly: "Based on the dividend ratio of thirty percent on one hundred million US dollars, before New Year's Day 2005, Future Investment will wire fifteen million US dollars to the account you provided."

Hiss!

Tong Zhenbang drew in a sharp breath.

He really hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to be so generous. In such a short time, he had made over twenty million US dollars.

No, if Future Investment dared to settle the half-year dividends directly, it meant they must have earned even more!

With this thought flashing through his mind, Tong Zhenbang looked at Dong Chenxi and probed: "Miss Dong, if you don't mind me asking, what projects has your company invested in? I'm just curious, nothing else."

Dong Chenxi shrugged: "Nothing much, just bought a few stocks. Also, the boss acquired some shares in Alibaba and plans to enter the real estate industry."

"E-commerce and real estate..." Tong Zhenbang muttered to himself, clearly not understanding.

Dong Chenxi couldn't be bothered to explain further. She stood up and said, "If there's nothing else, Mr. Tong, I think we should be going."

Hearing this, Tong Zhenbang, though full of questions, knew he shouldn't say more and followed Dong Chenxi out.

Watching Dong Chenxi take the elevator upstairs, Tong Zhenbang sighed and walked downstairs.

"Boss, what do you think?" Xiao Bao asked quietly from behind him.

"This Zhao Fusheng is really something..." Tong Zhenbang said expressionlessly, then after a moment of silence, suddenly spoke.

"What do you mean?" Xiao Bao was puzzled, looking confused, wondering why his boss was suddenly praising Zhao Fusheng. Had that guy done something remarkable again?

As for Zhao Fusheng, Xiao Bao now truly dared not provoke him. In his words, he and the other man were on different levels. If even his own boss didn't want to offend him, why should he?

"Nothing, it seems the old man made the right decision this time," Tong Zhenbang said with a bitter smile, shaking his head and muttering to himself in response to Xiao Bao's question.

Although Dong Chenxi's words just now were evasive, he keenly realized that the investment strategy Zhao Fusheng had chosen might be the most suitable for Mr. Li.