Chapter 49: Chapter 49: What Can You Give Me?
Feng Mogu tried to interact with Gu Bai a few times in the game, but realized Gu Bai wasn’t interested in chatting. After the game, he just bid farewell briefly and logged out.
After adding Lu Wei on WeChat, Gu Bai typed directly: "Find some time to chat?"
Seeing this, Lu Wei spoke directly to his audience in the live stream: "That’s it for today’s live stream, we’ll work overtime tomorrow!"
With these words, he quickly ended the broadcast, ignoring the audience’s reaction.
"Magician streamer? Big live performance?"
"I suspect Choukai went to curry favor with a bigshot."
"A shady deal? Would a bigshot even care about Choukai’s mouthpiece??"
In front of the computer, Gu Bai saw Lu Wei end the stream and directly dialed a WeChat call.
"What’s up, bigshot Gu Bai?"
Gu Bai didn’t bother to correct his title, lit a cigarette, and began: "You probably don’t have a guild yet, right? Planning to start a live streaming guild, interested in joining?"
"Huh?"
On the other end, Lu Wei was already pondering how to decline.
Understanding his mindset, Gu Bai spoke directly: "Don’t rush to refuse, just hear the terms I’m offering."
"Speak your mind, bigshot."
"Inviting you to my guild isn’t like signing ordinary streamers. I want your title as Douyu’s top streamer, do you get what I mean?"
From the moment Gu Bai planned to start a live streaming guild, he had his ideas. He didn’t want to start small, signing a few minor streamers just to hang on. Since he was going to do it, he wanted to do it the best.
He already envisioned a model, using PDD’s "Little Elephant and Big Goose" guild from the future as a template, striving to cultivate top streamers. Once major platform’s top streamers were under his wing, he would truly enter the streaming world with the power to compete with big platforms.
Remember, in the future, Little Elephant and Big Goose was essentially the pinnacle of streaming guilds, housing numerous first-class game streamers, including PDD, Uzi, Grand Commandant, Eggplant, Meng Lei, 70KG, Hua Laoshi, and many others, with a valuation as high as 8 billion.
However, currently, the streaming world is too muddled; major streamers are fighting on their own, resources aren’t integrated. If Gu Bai can be the first to consolidate these top resources, even just a streaming guild valued at over 10 billion isn’t a pipe dream. More crucial is the influence; if truly achieved, Gu Bai being called the godfather of streaming wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
"I understand, but I really don’t need to join a guild. Lately, I’ve been discussing with UU about starting one ourselves."
"I won’t sugarcoat things. If you decide to join my guild, during the Douyu Annual Gala, I’ll gift you 10 million. I think securing an annual championship shouldn’t be a problem, right? Moreover, after joining the guild, your streaming revenue won’t be split with the guild, including your signing fees, etc."
"Um..."
Gu Bai’s offer of 10 million startled Lu Wei. As a top streamer, he wasn’t splitting profits with minor streamers at 55/45; even after taxes, he could pocket millions. Plus, his biggest concern was guild revenue sharing. He knew he could generate substantial profits on his own without guild support, so why let the guild take a cut? Now Gu Bai says the guild won’t touch his earnings, so what does he need to give? Just his name, Lu Wei?
Seeing Lu Wei still hesitant, Gu Bai dropped one final bombshell.
"I won’t talk about shares. Under normal collaboration, I should give you share profits, but our cooperation mode means that giving you shares is just handing over money.
So, here’s the deal: as long as you’re in my guild, I’ll provide an annual signing fee of 5 million each year. This standard isn’t fixed; if your influence stays strong or increases, the fee increases; if it diminishes, the fee decreases. I’m saying both the good and the harsh upfront; you can think it over."
"Should I discuss it with UU?"
Everyone knows that UU Sister manages Lu Wei’s business affairs; otherwise, with his business acumen, rising to such a position would be difficult.
"Sure, contact me after you’ve discussed."
At that, he hung up the call.
Under normal circumstances, Gu Bai wouldn’t consider signing Lu Wei, given he was soon going to be banned. But Gu Bai thought, since he was here, why not try to change this event?
UU Sister listened and immediately tugged his ear.
"Do you really need to think it over? What’s there to consider?"
"Trying to swallow such a big pie, I can’t help but feel something’s off..."
Lu Wei said, reluctantly scratching his ear.
"What’s off?
Lu Wei, let me tell you, you’re no longer a small-time professional player; you’re a major streamer now. Just your name is worth a lot, understand that Gu Bai is after your reputation?"
"How do I have a reputation?"
"Ancient wisdom says, spend a fortune on acquiring a prized possession. He’s signing you as a show for others to see.
Gu Bai is obviously highly ambitious, aiming for more than a typical streaming guild. Use your brain for a second; you, Lu Wei, Douyu’s top streamer, joining his guild, imagine the impact? His company’s reputation will soar. Future streamer signings will be much easier.
Moreover, I watched your stream earlier; even Principal Wang was respectful to him. Catching such a bigshot’s coattails, why hesitate? Especially with such outstanding terms, it’s practically free money.
What are you afraid he might take from you? As a streamer, what could he possibly scheme? Plus, these terms will be written into a contract, won’t they? Even if the contract isn’t honored, you’re not at a loss."
Lu Wei listened to UU Sister’s completely sensible arguments and meekly said: "Should I call him now and say yes?"
"Why call him now? Observe the situation, wait a couple of days before calling. He didn’t seem too urgent."
"Alright."
Gu Bai didn’t realize that after just meeting Principal Wang, he inadvertently had him cover for him once. Sometimes, no matter how wealthy, lacking a certain social status is really ineffectual. Between a lottery winner turned billionaire and a seasoned industrial tycoon with resources and connections, whose words hold more weight?
After napping for so long in the afternoon, Gu Bai wasn’t sleepy at all, lying on the bed browsing short videos.
Ding.
He received a message from Qi Man on WeChat.
"Are you asleep?"
A smile curved at Gu Bai’s lips; the roles of hunter and prey often swapped in an instant. Previously, Qi Man treated him like a fool, trying to bait him slowly. Little did she know, revealing her intentions caused her to leap into Gu Bai’s fish pond. Gu Bai’s afternoon remarks evidently worked; either accept it or leave it. Why make business deals as convoluted as dating?
Originally thinking Qi Man would play coy for a few days, he didn’t expect her to cave after just a few hours.
"Not yet."
Qi Man lay in bed, her nightgown outlining perfect curves.
"What can your kind of relationship offer me?"
Gu Bai settled into a more comfortable position: "That depends on what you want?"
"I can want anything?"
"Of course not, that depends on your own value."
"Understood... then I’d like to try."
After sending these words, Qi Man curled up, her bottom line completely shattered. She initially believed her advantages would land her at least as a public socialite, if not a wealthy wife, yet with Gu Bai, she could only be a hidden canary.
"Then see you tomorrow; you’ll know what you can gain."
Finished speaking, Gu Bai put down his phone.
Being rich is truly nice.