Chapter 8 Acquiring Golden Film and Television

After bidding farewell to his mother and aunt, Xiao Feng drove his McLaren Elva towards the Media Center, where Golden Film and Television occupied the 9th floor.

This particular company held special significance, as it had been the agency representing Lin Yuyan in his previous life. Xiao Feng, though not particularly knowledgeable about the workings of the film and television industry, had already decided on a clear course of action. He planned to acquire Golden Film and Television outright, ensuring that Lin Yuyan would have a stable platform to continue her journey toward stardom without unnecessary obstacles.

As he stepped into the lobby, the receptionist, a young woman with a polite demeanor, immediately noticed him. She was taken aback by the sight of the tall, handsome young man dressed in exquisitely tailored designer clothing, and her face turned a noticeable shade of red as she spoke.

"Hello, may I ask who you're here to see?" she inquired, her voice laced with a mix of professionalism and curiosity.

"I'm here to see Teacher Mu," Xiao Feng replied with a polite yet confident smile, making his intentions clear without unnecessary elaboration.

"Please wait here for a moment," the receptionist said quickly, gesturing toward the nearby rest area. She then proceeded to lead Xiao Feng to a comfortable seat and even brought him a glass of water, her every movement reflecting the subtle care she was taking to ensure he felt welcomed.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in," a deep and authoritative voice responded from inside an office.

Behind the door was Mu Zheng, a prominent figure in the television drama industry. He was currently engaged in a serious discussion with a young actress about an upcoming project. When he heard the knock, his expression turned slightly impatient, as if displeased at being interrupted during an important conversation.

"Mr. Mu, there's a very handsome young man here who wishes to speak with you," the receptionist announced, her tone carrying a hint of excitement.

Mu Zheng raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Haven't I already told you to turn away all those boys and girls hoping to become stars? I don't have time to meet every single one of them!"

"But, Mr. Mu," the receptionist interjected, her voice now slightly more insistent, "this young man is different. He's wearing designer clothes, and I noticed he has a limited-edition Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. I looked it up online—it's worth several million yuan!"

Mu Zheng's irritation immediately gave way to curiosity. He inhaled sharply, leaning forward in his chair as he fixed the receptionist with a serious gaze. "Are you absolutely certain about this?"

"Do I dare lie to you about something like this?" the receptionist replied, slightly affronted by the question.

"Alright then, bring him in," Mu Zheng said, his tone now laced with intrigue. He then turned to the actress seated across from him. "Zhu Lin, let's wrap up here for now. This role is your first lead, so make sure to study Nie Qingcheng's character carefully and come back to me with a deeper understanding."

"Understood, Teacher Mu," the actress replied respectfully, bowing slightly before leaving the room.

As Xiao Feng was being led to Mu Zheng's office, he caught sight of the actress walking in his direction. Her striking appearance immediately caught his attention.

Her facial features were sharp and well-defined, her clear, sparkling eyes exuding elegance, and her entire presence radiated a fresh and refined temperament. The round softness of her face added a touch of sweetness, while her olive-toned skin and carefully styled hair enhanced her overall charm, making her look like a masterpiece of nature's artistry.

A name instantly surfaced in Xiao Feng's mind: Zhu Lin.

The resemblance between her and Lin Yuyan was uncanny, and for a moment, Xiao Feng was reminded of a lighthearted joke that had circulated online years ago:

"The one who smiles beautifully is Zhu Lin, and the one who looks funny is Lin Yuyan."

Zhu Lin , who had been subtly observing Xiao Feng as well, suddenly found herself meeting his gaze. Flustered, she quickly looked away and hurried past him, her head lowered.

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Feng's lips. He found her shy demeanor amusing and thought to himself, This girl has an interesting personality.

Upon entering Mu Zhang's office, Xiao Feng was greeted by the man himself, whose reputation preceded him. Mu Zhang's influence in the television drama industry was undeniable, with an impressive portfolio of works such as The Palace, Beauty's Scheming, and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace. However, his strong opinions and controversial remarks often attracted public scrutiny and debate.

Mu Zhang, dressed in a light blue suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, scrutinized Xiao Feng with a discerning eye. The young man's polished demeanor, luxurious attire, and the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist all pointed to a background of immense wealth and privilege.

For a fleeting moment, Mu Zhang even considered signing Xiao Feng as a talent under his banner. His natural good looks alone were enough to outshine most of the current male leads in the industry without any effort.

"Hello, Teacher Mu. My name is Xiao Feng," Xiao Feng introduced himself, extending his hand with a polite smile.

"Hello, Mr. Xiao. Please, have a seat," Mu Zhang replied, shaking hands with Xiao Feng warmly before motioning toward the chair opposite his desk.

Once both were seated, Mu Zhang adjusted his glasses and asked, "Mr. Xiao, what brings you to Golden Film and Television today?"

Xiao Feng leaned back slightly, his demeanor calm and composed. "Teacher Mu, I'm here to discuss the acquisition of Golden Film and Television," he said straightforwardly.

"What?"

Mu Zhang's eyes widened in shock as he abruptly stood up from his chair, clearly caught off guard by Xiao Feng's words.

"I want to acquire Golden Film and Television," Xiao Feng repeated, his tone unwavering. "Name your price, Teacher Mu."

"Mr. Xiao, are you aware of Golden Film and Television's current market value? And when did I ever express an interest in selling my company?"

"I don't know the exact market value of Golden Film and Television, nor does it matter if you're unwilling to sell," Xiao Feng replied smoothly. "In that case, let me rephrase my proposal: I'm willing to invest in Golden Film and Television."

Mu Zhang's lips curled into a faint, sarcastic smile. "Mr. Xiao, our company is valued at around 500 million yuan. May I ask how much you're planning to invest?"

"Three billion yuan or more," Xiao Feng replied without hesitation, his tone steady and sincere. "Teacher Mu, just name your terms. Money is not a concern."

Mu Zhang's breath hitched as he sat down slowly, his earlier sarcasm giving way to a mix of astonishment and contemplation.

After a long pause, Mu Zhang finally asked, "Mr. Xiao, are you serious about this?"

A slight smile tugged at the corners of Xiao Feng's lips. "Teacher Mu, you and I are both professionals. I wouldn't waste my time—or yours—on jokes."

"And why would you want to do this?" Mu Zhang pressed, still trying to gauge Xiao Feng's intentions.

"No particular reason," Xiao Feng replied with a casual shrug. "The film and television industry just seems intriguing to me, so I thought I'd give it a try."

For a moment, Mu Zhang seriously contemplated throwing the tea from his cup at Xiao Feng.

"Are you serious about this? You're talking about casually investing two billion yuan as if it's pocket change. Do the adults in your family even know you're doing something this reckless?"

Xiao Feng, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, replied in a steady voice, "Do I look like someone who would make such a serious statement as a joke? As long as you agree to my terms and sign the contract, I will transfer the two billion immediately."

Mu Zhang observed Xiao Feng's unwavering expression and tone, which left him no room to doubt the young man's resolve. Despite his skepticism, he had to admit Xiao Feng seemed completely serious.

"To be completely honest with you, Mr. Xiao, Golden Film and Television is currently in desperate need of financial support to ensure its continued growth and expansion. For instance, there was an actress I was highly optimistic about just a short while ago. However, due to the company's limited funding, there is a high possibility she might end up signing with another agency."

"So, does this mean you are considering my offer, Mr. Mu?" Xiao Feng asked, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Mu Zhang hesitated momentarily. He found it puzzling that Xiao Feng was ready to invest such a colossal amount without so much as a second thought. His willingness seemed to lack the usual level of deliberation one would expect for a deal of this magnitude.

After a few moments of contemplation, Mu Zhang finally broke his silence. "I am inclined to agree to your proposal, but I do have certain conditions that must be met."

"Please, go ahead and state your terms," Xiao Feng responded, his tone even and confident.

"If you invest the three billion yuan, you will, of course, hold an 85% stake in Golden Film and Television, making you the controlling shareholder. However, as someone who is not directly involved in the entertainment industry, I must insist that you refrain from interfering with the company's daily operations and decision-making processes."

Mu Zhang's intent was clear: while Xiao Feng could assume the role of majority shareholder on paper, the actual management and creative direction of the company had to remain firmly under Mu Zhang's control.

"That arrangement works perfectly for me," Xiao Feng replied without any hesitation, much to Mu Zhang's surprise.

In truth, Xiao Feng had no desire to involve himself in the operational intricacies of Golden Film and Television. He understood that a company of this caliber needed a competent and experienced team to steer it toward success. Moreover, Xiao Feng had no intention of dedicating his time and energy to overseeing the operations of what he considered a relatively small entertainment agency. His primary objective was straightforward: to ensure that Lin Yuyan, an actress he deeply cared about, would be discovered by Mu Zhang and given the opportunities she needed to flourish. He wanted to pave a path for her that was far smoother than the one she had endured in her previous life.

"As long as the company continues to operate efficiently and achieves its goals, I will have no reason to interfere," Xiao Feng elaborated. "In fact, if additional funding is required to support future projects, I will be more than willing to provide it. Furthermore, if the company encounters any issues that you find difficult to handle, I can personally step in to resolve them."

Mu Zhang's interest was piqued. "What kind of issues are you referring to?"

"For instance," Xiao Feng began, his tone turning slightly mischievous, "if certain entitled individuals from wealthy families start harassing the actresses under your company's management or if someone insists on inappropriate favors during business negotiations, you can leave those matters to me. The entertainment industry is notorious for its murky waters, and you are undoubtedly more familiar with its complexities than I am. Focus on developing the company to its fullest potential, and I will handle the troublesome elements. Even if there are unforeseen complications or if something gets out of hand, you can fight back without hesitation. Whatever the consequences, I will take full responsibility."

Xiao Feng's calm yet confident declaration left Mu Zhang momentarily speechless. His composed demeanor, combined with his willingness to shoulder such heavy responsibilities, made Mu Zhang increasingly curious about the young man's background.

"Mr. Xiao, if I may ask, what kind of family background do you come from?" Mu Zhang ventured cautiously.

Xiao Feng responded with a mysterious smile and shook his head lightly. "That's not something I can disclose just yet. However, when the time is right, you'll find out."

"Fair enough," Mu Zhang replied. "I'll trust your judgment, Mr. Xiao. I'll instruct my secretary to draft the contract immediately."

---

It didn't take long for the contract to be prepared. The terms were straightforward: Xiao Feng would invest two billion yuan in exchange for an 85% ownership stake in Golden Film and Television, leaving Mu Zhang and his partners with the remaining 15%.

Once the contract was ready, Xiao Feng signed his name with ease. He then borrowed Mu Zheng's computer to complete the transfer of the funds to the company's account, finalizing the transaction.

"Welcome aboard, Director Xiao," Mu Zhang said with a mixture of respect and amusement, extending his hand toward Xiao Feng.

"Haha, thank you, Mr. Mu," Xiao Feng replied, shaking his hand firmly.

Before leaving, Xiao Feng handed Mu Zhang a file. "By the way, Mr. Mu, I have the profile of an actress here. Take a look when you have time. Of course, whether or not you choose to sign her is entirely up to your professional judgment."

Mu Zhang accepted the file and glanced briefly at the name: Lin Yuyan.

With a polite smile, Xiao Feng added, "Now that my business here is concluded, I'll take my leave. I trust the company is in good hands."

---

After Xiao Feng left, Mu Zhang leaned back in his chair, reflecting on the sudden turn of events. A three-billion-yuan investment had fallen into his lap almost effortlessly. It wasn't just the financial backing that impressed him but the sheer confidence and composure Xiao Feng displayed throughout their interaction.

Having spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry, Mu Zhang understood that talent alone wasn't enough to succeed. Without strong backing or significant connections, even the most gifted individuals often found themselves manipulated or sidelined. Xiao Feng's ability to casually invest such a staggering sum spoke volumes about his background, which Mu Zhang could only guess was extraordinary.

With this newfound capital, Mu Zheng envisioned the company launching multiple high-quality projects simultaneously, potentially accelerating Golden Film and Television's growth to unprecedented levels. Perhaps his long-cherished dream of taking the company public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange was finally within reach.

As he opened the file Xiao Feng had left behind and reviewed Lin Yuyan's profile, Mu Zhang made up his mind. No matter what connection Lin Yuyan had with Xiao Feng, signing her would be a step toward solidifying this invaluable partnership.