224: Chapter 224 Ghost Hunting

"If there are more than two hit movies in the same screening window, and one of them belongs to our alliance, the cinema must ensure that our alliance's film receives more screenings than the others."

Hu Shou gasped after hearing this.

The first rule was fine; it was only natural, otherwise they wouldn't need to cooperate with the cinema.

But the second rule was a bit overbearing. After a moment of deliberation, he asked, "President Chen, if a movie that's neck-and-neck with our alliance's film is one invested in and produced by the cinema itself, must this still be the case?"

"Yes, it must. This is to protect the interests of all three parties."

"If the situation you just described really occurs, and the cinema significantly tilts the screening slots toward its own invested films, our interests will be severely damaged."

Chen Shaoping explained with a resolute expression and an unquestionable tone.

After hearing this, the others also had a sudden realization.

"Why must it be seven days?" Yang Mi asked.

"Sister Mi, it should be said that the minimum is seven days to ensure it covers a weekend," Chen Shaoping said with a smile. "Only then can we better judge whether the audience actually likes the movie."

"Then how will the interests of our cinema be guaranteed?" Hu Shou asked solemnly.

Chen Shaoping paused for a moment before continuing, "The cinema already takes the lion's share of the box office revenue."

"Since the cinema is now being asked to make a sacrifice, your share of the box office split will naturally be increased."

"However, this ratio isn't fixed; it's tiered."

"We'll divide the box office into segments—for example, the ratio between 100 million and 200 million, and what it is between 200 million and 300 million."

"Once the box office reaches a certain value, the ratio will remain constant. Of course, this ratio will definitely decrease as the box office increases."

Hu Shou thought for a while and said, "This method is indeed quite reasonable. What do the other two think?"

Yang Mi and Xu Jing naturally understood and had no objections.

Even if they hadn't understood, they wouldn't have objected.

Because Chen Shaoping's interests were aligned with theirs right now; he wouldn't sabotage himself.

Soon, the broad framework was settled, and the next step was to discuss the most troublesome details.

At first, everyone was relatively restrained, but gradually, the discussion grew more heated, and their words became...

Yang Mi slammed the table and roared, "Chen Shaoping, you only provide the script, yet you dare to ask for thirty percent of the profits?"

Chen Shaoping didn't back down either. "Don't think I'll yield just because you're pretty. In terms of figure and temperament, my Zhang Ying is much better than you."

Li Qian was also fuming and gave Chen Shaoping a kick.

On the other side, Xu Jing also stood up abruptly, slamming the table. "Why does my team only get fifteen percent? This is so unfair!"

Instead, Hu Shou watched like an outsider as the three of them argued until they were red in the face.

If he hadn't had reservations, he would have taken out his phone to record it long ago.

But while he had reservations, little did he know that Si Wodi's phone, hidden under the table, had already started recording.

The reason Hu Shou didn't need to argue with the three of them was that the cinema's position was unique.

The cinema's share was based on the total box office, while the shares of the other three parties were based on what remained after deducting the cinema's cut and other necessary expenses.

Seeing that the three of them couldn't reach a consensus, Hu Shou took a deep breath, slapped the table, and joined the fray.

"Why is Yang Mi the only investor? Our Tudi Cinema City is a massive enterprise; we want to invest too."

Chen Shaoping frowned. "Old Hu, don't join the chaos right now. Your issue is easy to solve. We'll talk about it once we've sorted this out."

...

After nearly three hours of fierce battle, including a break for boxed lunches, they finally reached a consensus.

The investors would take seventy percent, while the scriptwriter and the production team would each take fifteen percent.

Although Chen Shaoping felt he was losing out a bit, it was still acceptable.

The other two parties also felt they were losing out, thinking Chen Shaoping was taking too much, but they considered that he had initiated the alliance and without his scripts, everything was just talk.

They reluctantly accepted.

Especially Yang Mi; although she had agreed, her face remained dark, without a trace of a smile.

She felt the investors should take seventy percent only after first deducting the investment amount.

But Chen Shaoping and Xu Jing flatly rejected that.

"Finally, let's talk about the issue Old Hu raised," Chen Shaoping said.

Just then, Zhang Ying walked in, nodding apologetically to the others.

She leaned in and whispered a few words into Chen Shaoping's ear.

Chen Shaoping remained expressionless. "Tell them to wait a moment; we'll be done here soon."

"Okay." Zhang Ying walked back out.

"The investment issue Old Hu mentioned is indeed a good question."

"All four of us can invest; the specific amounts can be negotiated."

Chen Shaoping said decisively.

"No, you can only invest in what I don't invest in," Yang Mi countered.

Chen Shaoping's face was cold as he said solemnly, "Sister Mimi, that won't do."

"That goes against my original intention for forming this alliance. I want to play the game and ensure everyone makes a profit."

"If you fully invest in every script, then Xu Jing and I are just licking the bottom of the bowl. If you're eating all the meat, what's the point of us playing?"

Chen Shaoping spoke relatively calmly, but his tone was very cold.

The atmosphere in the conference room instantly fell silent.

Yang Mi's mind raced, thinking of crazy stone, which was still in theaters.

She gave a light chuckle. "Then it wouldn't be too much if my investment amount is the highest among the four parties, right?"

Chen Shaoping nodded. "That's fine."

The other two naturally had no objections.

Chen Shaoping stood up and said loudly, "In that case, please wait a moment. The contracts are being finalized. Everyone can leave once they're signed."

"Of course. If we don't sign the contracts today, it would be a waste of all the breath we spent arguing just now," Xu Jing agreed.

Yang Mi glared at him and muttered dissatisfiedly, "Crude!"

However, she had no intention of leaving.

Hu Shou ambled over to the window and lit a cigarette, taking a greedy drag. He had been holding it in for too long.

Li Qian stood up and said with a smile, "Everyone, I'll step out for a moment. Once the contracts are ready, I'll print them and bring them in."

"CEO Li, please, go ahead!"

"Wait a moment, Sister Qian, don't go out yet," Chen Shaoping called out.

Li Qian was slightly startled and asked, "Is there something else?"

With a soft exclamation, the conference room door opened, and Zhang Ying led three police officers inside.

Si Wodi's pupils constricted. Although he didn't know what the three officers were there for, his body instinctively began to tremble.

The others were also bewildered, not knowing why Zhang Ying had brought three police officers in.

Tan Zhuo scanned the group, his gaze finally landing on Chen Shaoping.

Chen Shaoping smiled. "Officer Tan, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's no problem," Tan Zhuo replied calmly. Then he said loudly, "Everyone, we received a report from President Chen Shaoping that someone here is carrying listening devices."

"Intending to record your entire meeting and sell it to other companies."

"We will conduct a body search on the spot to catch this person."

"Now, please do not move. Thank you for your cooperation!"

Everyone's eyes widened, and they scanned the others uneasily, trying to see who was the problem.

"For the sake of fairness, we will start searching with President Chen and CEO Li."