novellhall Chapter 36 Signing Fan Binbin
Chapter 36 Signing Fan Binbin
November 5th, Monday.
"Terror Hotline" and "The Unemployed Emperor" were released today, but Lin Dong didn't go to the cinema. Both were small films with limited screenings and almost no marketing, so he knew how they would fare at the box office.
He took Zhang Baizhi back to the company.
Xiang Hailan's workstation has been cleared out, with only a potted green ivy that no one has watered remaining on the table.
As Zhang Baizhi walked past, his eyes lingered on the potted green ivy for a moment before he followed Lin Dong into the office with light steps.
Today she wore a white short-sleeved shirt with a light blue A-line skirt, her hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she wore light makeup.
"Brother Dong, I'll be your secretary for the next few days." She placed a small notebook and a pen on the corner of her desk, her movements deliberately proper, but a smile was hidden in the corner of her eyes.
Lin Dong glanced at her. "What can you do?"
"Serving tea, pouring water, answering the phone, organizing files—" She counted on her fingers, stopping at the fourth finger, blinking, "And... taking care of the boss."
Lin Dong ignored her comment, sat down in the reception area, and started boiling water to make tea.
Seeing that he didn't respond, Zhang Baizhi wasn't in a hurry. He walked to the side of the reception area, opened the curtains halfway, and let the morning light fall directly onto the coffee table.
Then she sat down on the armrest of the sofa opposite Lin Dong, crossed one leg, and the hem of her A-line skirt slid up an inch.
"Brother Dong," her voice softened, tinged with a hint of uncertainty, "Zhou Sheng's script is still not finalized. And they haven't even finalized the cast. Judging by this, filming won't start for at least another two or three months."
Lin Dong poured the first brew into the purple clay teapot, and the aroma of tea filled the air. He didn't reply.
"I spend every day alone in my apartment reading scripts, flipping through the same few pages over and over again, and I might have to revise them at any time."
She rested her chin on the back of her hand, rolled her eyes up at him, and said, "Brother Dong, of all those projects you have on hand—are any of them suitable for me?"
She emphasized the words "suitable for me" very softly, but the meaning was clear. Not a supporting role. Not a cameo. She's the lead actress.
Lin Dong picked up his teacup and blew on the tea foam. "Isn't 'King of Comedy' enough for you to act in?"
"That's enough—but it's still early." Zhang Baizhi stood up, walked to Lin Dong's side, squatted down, put his arm on Lin Dong's knee, and looked up at him. "I just want to take advantage of these few months to act in another movie. Brother Dong, look how well I've been performing lately—"
"In which aspect?"
Zhang Baizhi blushed slightly and lightly tapped his knee. "Brother Dong, be serious. I was talking about acting."
"You've never acted before, how would I know if you're good or bad?"
"Then you can give it a try."
She stood up, walked behind him, and began massaging his shoulders with her fingers. The pressure was just right, and she found the acupoints quite accurately. "Give me a role, and I'll act it out for you. If I don't act well, you can scold me. If I do act well—"
She bent down, brought her lips close to his ear, and whispered, "If you act well, you'll reward me."
Lin Dong held his teacup without moving, a slight smile appearing on his lips.
This cat had its paws tucked into its paw pads, but it was putting all its effort into rubbing against them.
"Let's wait for an opportunity."
Zhang Baizhi's fingers paused for a moment. Those three words weren't an agreement, but neither were they a refusal.
Knowing she couldn't push too hard, she resumed massaging the area and her tone returned to its obedient mode: "Okay. I'll listen to Brother Dong."
"Alright, since you want to be my secretary temporarily, then fulfill your duties as a secretary and go outside! We'll have guests coming later." Lin Dong glanced at her and dismissed her.
Zhang Baizhi did not resist, kissed Lin Dong on the cheek, and then turned and left.
10 o'clock sharp.
Zhang Baizhi pushed the door open again and came in with a very subtle expression on his face—neither unhappy nor happy.
"Brother Dong, Miss Fan and Mrs. Fan have arrived."
Lin Dong nodded. "Please invite them in. Inform General Manager Chen."
Zhang Baizhi turned and left.
Half a minute later, the door was pushed open.
Zhang Chuanmei walked in front.
The woman, in her early forties, wore a beige knitted cardigan, had her hair styled in small curls, and carried a black leather handbag.
Fan Binbin followed behind her.
Seventeen years old.
Her face still had some baby fat that hadn't completely faded, but her features already showed the foundation for being followed by countless cameras in the future—high brow bones, a straight nose, and a clean and neat jawline.
She wore a white dress with a light pink knitted cardigan over it.
Zhang Chuanmei spoke first: "President Lin, I've heard so much about you."
"Mrs. Fan, Miss Fan. Please have a seat." Lin Dong stood up and led them to the reception area.
Chen Xinjian pushed open the door and sat down on the single sofa on the side, nodding to Zhang Chuanmei and the other person.
Lin Dong began pouring tea, and Zhang Chuanmei began her opening remarks.
"Mr. Lin looks even younger than he does in the newspapers." Her tone was humble and respectful, but not subservient. "I heard about you when I was in mainland China—a genius stock market king who returned from Wall Street and invested two billion US dollars in Hong Kong films. It is a blessing for my daughter and me to meet you in person today."
Fan Binbin sat next to his mother, his back ramrod straight, his hands clasped on his knees. He didn't speak, but his gaze lingered for a moment as Lin Dong poured tea before politely looking away.
"How old is Miss Fan?" Lin Dong pushed the teacup in front of her.
"Seventeen." Fan Binbin bowed slightly, his voice more steady than that of his peers.
"Have you acted in movies?" Lin Dong asked knowingly.
"I have acted in it. Last year, I played a maid named Jin Suo in the 'Princess Pearl' drama series. At the same time, I am currently filming 'Ma Yongzhen's Battle for Shanghai,' where I play the second female lead, Bai Xiaodie."
Lin Dong nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
Zhang Chuanmei put down her teacup and leaned forward slightly.
"President Lin, President Chen, my daughter and I are here today with the utmost sincerity, hoping your company can provide a solution."
She paused briefly and glanced at Fan Binbin.
Fan Binbin picked up the conversation, "President Lin, I want to develop my career in Hong Kong. If I sign with Tengda, I will definitely listen to the company. I will act in whatever the company arranges and learn whatever the company asks me to learn."
When she said this, she looked directly at Lin Dong, without flinching or showing off.
There was a clarity beyond her years on her seventeen-year-old face—she knew she was asking for a favor, but she didn't feel there was anything shameful about it.
Chen Xinjian sat up slightly on the sofa to the side and began to speak.
"Ms. Fan, do you still have a contract with Qiongyao Company?"
Zhang Chuanmei nodded. "There are still four years left. But we've already started discussing contract termination."
"How much is the termination fee?" Chen Xinjian asked.
"Well—" Zhang Chuanmei hesitated for a moment, "Their asking price is 100 million, but it's negotiable."
Chen Xinjian nodded, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then asked, "What are your thoughts on revenue sharing?"
"Fifty-fifty." This time, Zhang Chuanmei didn't hesitate. "Your company will be responsible for resource investment, and we'll split the profits fifty-fifty. Three-year contract."
Chen Xinjian put down his teacup and shook his head.
"Mrs. Fan, let me be frank with you. A 50% cut and a three-year contract—that's too high and too short. Tengda doesn't make money by taking a cut from artists, but there have to be rules."
"For a newcomer, the company bears all the initial investment, from branding to resource promotion. After three years and a half years, just as the company recoups its investment, the contract expires. This situation doesn't seem fair to either side."
Zhang Chuanmei paused for a moment. She knew Chen Xinjian was telling the truth, but she was unwilling to lower the conditions too much. She turned and glanced at Fan Binbin.
Fan Binbin didn't interrupt. His gaze lingered on Chen Xinjian's expression for a moment before shifting away.
"Mr. Chen," Zhang Chuanmei turned back to Chen Xinjian, "we're not unreasonable people. What kind of conditions do you think are suitable? Name your price. As long as it allows us to have a foothold in Hong Kong, we're willing to discuss it."
Chen Xinjian leaned back on the sofa, about to speak, when Lin Dong waved his hand.
"Tengda will handle the contract termination. In addition, there must be at least one film with an investment of 5 million yuan per year, with either the second female lead or the first female lead. In terms of profit sharing, 65% will go to the company. The contract term is seven years." The tone was crisp and decisive.
Zhang Chuanmei's expression changed.
"Mr. Lin, seven years—that's too long. And a 65% cut—"
"The profit sharing can be adjusted later," Lin Dong interrupted her. "As Miss Fan's business develops, the proportion can be adjusted accordingly. But this is the starting point."
Zhang Chuanmei's lips moved, as if she was about to say something more.
"mom."
A hand gently rested on the back of Zhang Chuanmei's hand. Fan Binbin turned her head and glanced at her mother. Her gaze was calm, but Zhang Chuanmei read something else—stop arguing.
Fan Binbin turned to Lin Dong.
"Mr. Lin, I'll sign the seven-year contract. 65%, no bargaining. As for terminating the contract, please leave it to Mr. Chen."
When she said those words, there was not a trace of reluctance in her tone.
Lin Dong looked at her, then stood up and extended his hand to her. "It's a pleasure doing business with you."
Fan Binbin grasped his hand. It was a seventeen-year-old's hand, with distinct knuckles, and a slight sheen of sweat on his palm, but his grip was steady.
"Thank you, Mr. Lin." She released her hand and bowed slightly.
"For the details of the subsequent contract, you should contact General Manager Chen," Lin Dong added to Fan Binbin. "General Manager Chen will arrange for someone to handle the termination of the contract for you."
Chen Xinjian stood up and nodded to Zhang Chuanmei and Fan Binbin. "Mrs. Fan, Miss Fan, let's talk in the conference room."
The three of them pushed open the door and left. The office fell silent.