Chapter 42: A Triumphant Start to '97! A 12-Million Deal Sealed!

It was nothing more than a casual, ordinary one-night stand.
And to top it off, the female lead had fled.
Which was actually fine.
It showed that Xu Qing understood the rules of the game.
The basic rule:
After the night is over, they become strangers once again.
Since they had known each other beforehand, things could simply return to how they were.
Naturally, Ma Xun intended to abide by the basic rules.
Still, Ma Xun had to admit.
The phrase "plump and round, jade-like and smooth" could only be truly appreciated through deep, personal experience.
Moreover, the shifting expressions on Xu Qing's face had left a profound impression on him.
At the very beginning, she had certainly been wild and letting loose.
Yet by the end, she realized the situation had escalated beyond her control.
Her pitiful, lingering pleas for mercy were truly...
Better not to dwell on it too much; the night had passed.
Bidding farewell to 1996 in such a manner was undoubtedly quite exceptional.
And what about the upcoming year of 1997?
First of all, Ma Xun decided to review the previous year.
He briefly calculated how much he had earned and how much liquid cash he currently had on hand.
The returns from Seventeen Years Are Not for Crying amounted to just over two million.
There was no helping it; that was simply how CCTV operated.
While the show's viewership ratings had been exceptionally high, it left little room for massive profits.
Fortunately, his second aunt had brought word that it would be rebroadcast.
Doing business with CCTV was always like this, and Ma Xun had prepared himself mentally for it.
Then there was the copyright business.
Those five million were where the real profit lay.
Subsequent negotiations were still ongoing.
These earnings had to be split with Sun Donghai.
What actually landed in Ma Xun's hands was around four million, given their sixty-forty split.
As for managing the New Shanghai Bund project, it was not yet concluded.
Dividing those profits would have to wait.
Next came his partnership with Sister Hong.
This was primarily centered around the film Hear Me.
Currently, the box office had reached roughly twelve million.
Projected returns should therefore be over four million.
After splitting with Sister Hong, Ma Xun would pocket at least three million.
However, these were merely "projections," as some funds had yet to be collected.
Still, it was acceptable, especially since the film's theatrical run was not yet over.
Additionally, further copyright deals could be brokered down the line.
Making movies right now was undeniably exhausting.
There was no alternative; that was simply the state of the domestic film market at present.
While theatrical chain companies existed, a nationwide cinema chain system had yet to be fully established.
A theater chain company could be thought of as several cinemas banding together for mutual support.
Their actual market strength remained quite modest.
Ma Xun remembered clearly that the true nationwide rollout of the theater chain system would have to wait until 2002.
In truth, that year would hold immense significance for Chinese cinema.
Not only was the chain system implemented, but the blockbuster Hero was released.
It ushered in the era of the cinematic blockbuster.
Or, viewed from another perspective:
Without the establishment of the theater chains, Hero could never have initiated the blockbuster era.
Much like the present moment, when cinemas across the country were scattered like loose sand.
Not only did film releases have to be organized city by city,
Even collecting revenues was an agonizingly difficult task.
Yet this was the current reality.
If one wanted to make movies, one simply had to accept it.
Continuing his calculations.
Ma Xun had incurred quite a few expenses, and moreover, he now needed to purchase a car.
To match his "mysterious background" and the status of a "big shot," the vehicle could not be subpar.
Ma Xun had previously collected a few price quotations.
Mercedes and BMWs were truly not cheap these days, ranging anywhere from five hundred thousand to a million.
Yet as the saying went: ride a bicycle to the bar,
Save where you must, spend where you must.
The money for this car genuinely could not be spared.
Factor in various miscellaneous expenses, alongside deductions and additions for taxes,
And Ma Xun still had roughly five million left in his hands.
That was five million!
In the 1990s, that could unquestionably be called formidable.
This gave Ma Xun an even greater sense of confidence.
Moving forward, he still had numerous business ventures he could pursue,
And plenty of deals yet to be finalized.
He could boldly make a statement:
Five million was merely the starting point.
Interestingly enough, good news followed closely behind.
Once New Year's Day passed,
Ma Xun received a phone call from Ye Quanren.
"I’ve already handled Joan Chen, and she’s extremely interested in this talent search.
Of course, everything is just as you predicted; Joan hinted to me multiple times about her deep dissatisfaction with old-timers like Liu Lili.
As for that Station Manager Ouyang, upon hearing the proposal, he was absolutely thrilled..."
Splendid, everything was proceeding according to plan.
Ma Xun was hardly surprised.
From the moment he learned the originally assigned director was Liu Lili, he knew the situation could be exploited.
Thus, the crucial next step was the production of the program itself.
"Um, regarding our capabilities..."
Ye Quanren used the word "capabilities," but Ma Xun understood she meant money.
"You can rest easy on that front."
Ma Xun replied with absolute confidence, prompting Ye Quanren to drop the subject.
Her only task now was to keep Joan Chen firmly on board.
There were, however, a few things Ma Xun left unsaid.
The five million served as his safety net.
Yet he had no intention of actually dipping into that "safety net."
When executing a project, why use one's own capital?
The rumors he had planted previously should now be ready to yield returns.
...
It was the depths of winter,
The prime season for eating traditional instant-boiled mutton.
Ma Xun and Sun Donghai returned once more to Niu Street.
This time, they were hosting Bai Daqing.
"Did this deal actually go through?"
"Yes, the project is absolute and certain."
"A Qiong Yao drama?"
"It's a talent search for a Qiong Yao drama."
"Holy crap! You two brothers are truly amazing!"
Unlike his younger brother Bai Xiaohang, Bai Daqing projected an aura of greater composure and authority.
Yet, faced with a variety show tied to a Qiong Yao production,
Even he could not conceal a stir of excitement.
There was no helping it; Qiong Yao dramas were simply overwhelmingly popular these days.
Let alone him, even that Station Manager Ouyang had his eyes glued to this production all day long.
However, Bai Daqing was certainly not Bai Xiaohang—he had a sharp mind.
First, he raised a toast.
The three of them finished their drinks and laughed heartily.
The atmosphere was splendid.
Immediately afterwards, however, Bai Daqing said with absolute calm: "I need to put some things out there first. A talent search like this has never been done before, and nobody has any certainty about it.
And while we know the viewership ratings for this television station are stellar, after all, it's still primarily a provincial broadcaster.
Given its scale, a program costing over twelve million... quite a few bosses feel it's a bit too expensive."
Summary: They felt it was too expensive.
Sometimes things were like that; one only needed to listen to the very end of a statement.
Sun Donghai's expression soured instantly. "Brother Bai, what kind of talk is that? How rare is an opportunity like this? My brother and I secured this chance with the utmost difficulty—why don't you ask around and see how many people want a piece of a Qiong Yao drama?"
Bai Daqing nodded in agreement. "Brother, what you say is true, but we're still talking about upwards of twelve million."
He had a point, as that was genuinely a substantial sum of money.
At that moment, Ma Xun took a bite of mutton and casually interjected.
"Brother Bai, when did we release the news last year? And what happened this past November? Brother Bai, speak from the heart—did our brothers inflate the price?"
The words sounded somewhat peculiar, yet they hit every single crucial point!
Last November had played host to the CCTV advertising bidding session.
Qinchi had dropped a staggering 320 million right out of the gate!
Yet Ma Xun and Sun Donghai had released the news of this talent search long before that event.
In other words, while this variety show was only for Hunan TV's Channel 2,
Compared to 320 million, how could twelve-odd million possibly be considered expensive?
The key point was that they had not raised their prices at all!
Upon hearing this, Bai Daqing found himself utterly speechless, left with no choice but to nod.
"What you brothers say is right. What you brothers say is right."
Seeing his reaction, Sun Donghai felt a surge of joy and secretly gave Ma Xun a thumbs-up.
Yet the matter did not end there.
Only then did Ma Xun look at Bai Daqing and say, "I understand Brother Bai's misgivings, and I comprehend the mindset of those corporate sponsors—they're simply worried about uncertainty.
How about this: the person in charge of this production isn't Qiong Yao herself, but once the person in charge arrives on the mainland, I'll arrange for Brother Bai and the advertisers to meet with them. Naturally, Station Manager Ouyang will likely be among our peers."
The moment Bai Daqing heard that, his mind was instantly at ease!
Crucially, he picked up on a vital detail:
This particular Qiong Yao production would not be overseen by Qiong Yao herself.
In the past, most projects had been handled by Qiong Yao and her husband.
Yet judging by Ma Xun's phrasing, someone else would be steering the ship this time.
The crucial part was that Ma Xun actually knew about it!
This spoke volumes, indicating that the project was rock-solid.
"Brother! You should have said so earlier! Right now, I..."
Bai Daqing wanted to express his apologies, and was already reaching for his wine glass.
Ma Xun pressed his hand down to stop him. "Don't rush, Brother Bai. We need to lay some terms out first. You know better than I do how important this meeting is. Therefore, I also need to gauge your 'strength'—I hope to be able to see..."
Strength?
Bai Daqing understood. "How about this! Don't give this project to anyone else; I'll bring a six-million-yuan check to the meeting. How does that sound?"
In other words, he would cough up half the funds upfront.
Sun Donghai was ecstatic. "Wonderful! Let's drink to that!"
Though Sun Donghai had acted a bit prematurely, Ma Xun felt resigned yet satisfied overall.
With this, the three of them had effectively sealed the deal.
They spent the remainder of the banquet eating, drinking, and chatting away, the atmosphere filled with merriment.
Once the banquet concluded...
"Why were you in such a rush?"
"That's six million yuan."
"But this Bai Daqing is no simple character; he explicitly said he'd only hand over the six million at the actual meeting."
Hearing Ma Xun's words, Sun Donghai felt his alcohol buzz practically vanish.
It seemed Bai Daqing was exceedingly cautious as well.
Thus, the critical turning point would indeed be that upcoming meeting.
"Brother, that person in charge..."
"Rest assured, even if Station Manager Ouyang doesn't show up, that person in charge will definitely be there."
Ma Xun had planned this far in advance, using the pretext of evaluating actresses through the talent search.
Joan Chen had no idea that before she had even set foot on the mainland, Ma Xun had already sold her out once.
Even so, Sun Donghai now knew precisely how they should proceed next.
"What should we do about the actors for the talent search?"
"We don't need to worry about the Taiwan side; as for our side..."
"Art school entrance exams!"
Sun Donghai was quick enough to blurt out the answer.
The entrance exams for the major art academies would take place right after the Spring Festival, making it the perfect window of opportunity.
Yet the mention of art exams instantly brought two names to the forefront of Ma Xun's mind.
Gao Yuanyuan and Bingbing...