Chapter 247 | Ian's Performance
[At a household]
Two females crossed on their way to watch the television right in the middle of the living room.
"What are we going to watch tonight? Please don't tell me it's Star Time again! I'm tired of the fake compliments the judges are giving!" The elder one yelled across the hall as the younger one smiled.
The younger sister smiled back.
"There's something more interesting on TV. It's the show, yes, but it's far more interesting than those compliments!" she said loud enough for her to hear.
The elder sister roamed around the kitchen and walked back with a bag of popcorn. Star Time had been one of their always go-to shows at night, nevertheless, this day was different.
"What do you mean interesting? What is it?" She pushed further.
"Bring the popcorn, there's Ian! I've been keeping track of his Nwitter! And he was so excited to perform for this…"
"Perform? Isn't Ian a director? I'm not a huge fan of the movies, but… what is he even going to perform?"
The younger sister rolled her eyes, noticing how she didn't know about a famous person who was being talked about left and right in the industry.
"Ian is a director, but do you remember the movie, La La Land? The one we went with dad and mom? Ended up crying my eyes out?"
"Yes, of course, I do. What about it?"
"City of stars…. Are you shining just for me….?"
The younger sister started singing.
"What… What?" The older sister couldn't wrap her head around what she was trying to say. She was confused and bothered.
'What is she singing? Why the hell does that sound so familiar?'
"OH. MY GOD! Are you kidding me? Ryan Gosling… City of stars! Is Ian going to sing? What… Can he sing?"
The other sister shook her head.
"Focus, Jennie! I told you, he's just a director. But he composed the song, and it's been said that he's a talented pianist. So he's going to play, but there's going to be singers, of course! I bet this is going to break the internet in no time!"
"Hey, it's starting!"
The two sisters sat side by side in front of the television and continued to watch. In no time, Ian's skillful fingers started to play among the keys.
The singer started to sing, and the hearts grew fonder of the two sisters as they continued to hum along to the melody, singing through the lyrics.
"City of stars
Are you shining just for me?
City of stars
There's so much that I can't see
Who knows?
Is this the start of something wonderful and new?
Or one more dream that I cannot make true?..."
'Just beautiful….'
Seeing the man, who's too young to be working as a director, but is amazingly good-looking, the elder sister felt an unusual emotion.
'I have got a crush on that man'
She thought to herself and soaked herself in the song.
-
[At the Railway Station]
It was 5 pm, in China.
The streets were busy, and so was the railway station. As it was the time when many workers got off of work, public transport was always busy.
A man wearing a black suit with a white t-shirt inside, with his work bag, sat on a bench at the railway station.
He looked here and there just to notice how busy everyone was.
"Excuse me! Can you please move?! Thank you!"
"Watch where you're going!"
"What a rude person?!"
"Can you move, please?!"
"When's the next train?"
"Mom, I'm hungry!"
Many voices of people who were in the station were heard through and through. He sighed.
"Shu, did you miss your train again?"
Shu's friend asked in Chinese. He was considerate of his friends as they had been friends since childhood.
Shu sighed loudly.
"Yeah, there's going to be two more hours until the next train…"
Shu said and took out his phone. He was feeling devastated from all the work tension he bore while he was at work since morning, and missing the train for four days in a row would be something no one loved.
He took the phone and clicked on the notification.
'Star Time: Ian Renner, the American director performs….!'
The notification was from a Chinese website which made him excited.
"Ian Renner is going to perform…"
"What? Ian? The same director who directed Batman? Oh my god!"
"Yeah, come take a look. In ten minutes!"
The two friends started to watch Star Time together. When the song started to play, they couldn't help but sing along.
The song went on for one and a half minutes, and everyone applauded as it came to an end.
"Oh my god! Look at these comments! They're asking Ian to write more songs!"
"Comments are asking him to sing, even!"
"Goodness, not like he's going to see all these… Haha!"
"This is crazy! I wish Ian came here just to meet his fans, even for a tour!"
The two men started discussing how great of a director Ian is, and how creative he is with everything he puts his hand in.
-
[Renner's Office]
Ian walked inside his office with a smile. After the day he had in the studio, his excellent performance, he was feeling ecstatic about everything.
"Ian, good morning!"
"Good morning, sir Renner!"
"You're in a good mood, good morning!"
"Good morning, Ian!"
Ian walked inside, maintaining the smile, and the nods he gave to employees every time they greeted him.
"49% engagement increased on Star Time! Can you believe it?! It's all because of your appearance!"
Raelynn said as soon as he walked inside.
"You're spending more than half your day here huh?" he asked in a mocking tone.
She winked, "what else when the CEO is my boyfriend?" She giggled at her tone. "The producer of the show wanted to talk to you, Murphy will send over the message. And, I'm here to talk about Keanu's script, Real Estate?"
"Isn't the meeting today, Rae? We can talk about it there."
He asked with a look of question on his face.
Raelynn nodded, "Sure. I'll get going then,"
She said and walked out.
Ian grabbed his tablet and started checking what he had to do today. There were several meetings scheduled, including a meeting with Will, the director of Lincoln Studio.
Ian smirked looking at his name.
It was a clear strategy. It was almost as if Will dug his own grave, and wanted to sleep in it by his own will, without pressure, no tactics, no games, just by his wish, he walked inside the trap.
"This is going to be exciting."
-
2 pm - Renner Studio.
"Will Garner is outside, should I send him in, sir?" 4
Ian smiled. "Yes, please."
Will walked in, with a neutral face. It wasn't a smile or a scowl. It was weirdly neutral.
"Ian Renner."
"Will, have a seat. Have you thought about it?" Ian straightaway talked business.
"Yeah, I did. But there are a few terms that I'd like to discuss with you, can my lawyer come in?"
Ian paused for a moment, "Sure, let him in."
"How about yours? Are we going to discuss deals without lawyers? Can't be that careless now can we?" Will asked.
Ian nodded. "You're right. Let me get my legal guard up," He said and did nothing.
"What?"
Ian raised his eyebrows.
"What?"
"No lawyer?"
"Oh, he was already on his way. I'm sure he'll be here in a second."
Ian said confidently. Knowing Will was someone who'd always try to pull some random antic up when it comes to Ian, he had to be prepared.
He knew today's meeting was going to be about the OTT platform he wanted, and he also knew about the man who he was discussing business with.
In no time, Jordan Wright walked inside the office with a smile.
"Jordan, this is Will and Mr. Harrison, his lawyer. And this is Jordan Wright, my lawyer."
The pair shook hands with the lawyer.
Within minutes, they were discussing the agreement and what both parties had to conclude.
".... You're telling, all this time, you had sixty percent shares ownership, and you were getting 20% of the profits?"
Will shrugged visibly. "The previous majority shareholder had the contract, I just took it under him. You should talk about this with the board. They're deciding the profits, and the producers are the ones who are deciding where the profits go."
"I thought these many shares are enough to decide things."
"I'll take them. And I don't want to buy off your company for free, I'll pay half the market price."
"WinSix is not for sale. You know it. Nor any shares"
"Okay, I'll arrange the price you bought the shares for. Is there anything more to discuss?" Ian asked Jordan.
"Yes, Ian. There are different clauses in the contract that I felt we need to rethink. Shall we?"
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