Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Black Swan Entertainment
Ever since acquiring the ’Non-action’ aura, Gu Bai has been researching continuously over the past two days.
So-called aura is not just an external display, but more importantly, an internal and external sublimation.
"Non-action does not mean doing nothing, but doing everything by following the natural law of development, without forcing it."
This is the most concise sentence Gu Bai found in his research over these days, and he deeply resonates with it. His original mindset, which had been gradually deviating from the right path, has been corrected back. Now, he truly embodies the above sentence, going with the flow, unaffected by how much money he has.
Today is Tuesday, but Gu Bai still asked his counselor for a leave of absence.
Because the Black Swan Investment Company was ready, and with the addition of Xiao Qiang and Mr. Shao, the whole company began to fall on the right track. Coincidentally, they also solved the matter of the live broadcast guild today.
"Old Gu, why do I feel you’ve changed in a way I can’t quite describe?"
"What change?"
"If I knew, would I call it indescribable?"
In the elevator, Li Zhun, with a puzzled look, kept looking Gu Bai up and down repeatedly.
Gu Bai has heard this phrase countless times in the past couple of days. The sudden emergence of the ’Non-action’ aura indeed brought tremendous changes to him. Fortunately, it didn’t alter his appearance; otherwise, adding 3 points to his original looks would make people suspect he had a cosmetic surgery.
Now, Gu Bai’s every move emits a natural vibe, making it hard for people to feel any aversion, which directly enhances the initial impression of meeting him for the first time.
Seeing Gu Bai always with a faint smile and not explaining, Li Zhun shook his head.
"Forget it, you’re like a mystery, completely unreadable. Do you remember last time when you hit Lu Jinghou’s car?"
Gu Bai nodded.
"It’s only been a few days, of course, I remember."
"Do you really think that guy just accepted the compensation money of hundreds of thousands and let it be?"
"?"
"That guy’s family has some connections up there. They tried to find out where you came from but found nothing. Otherwise, do you think he’s a magnanimous person? Suffering such a loss without thinking of getting even?"
"Checking on me? How did they check?"
"I’m not too sure myself, just heard from people in the circle. They went through your files at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, but they couldn’t figure out a thing."
Upon hearing this, Gu Bai, who was initially a bit nervous, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The system’s power is undeniable. It ensures that no one can trace him, but this incident serves as a reminder to elevate his social status on the surface as much as possible.
It’s not the fear of being identified; it’s the fear of not being able to explain his various sources of funds afterward.
"Old Gu, given our relationship, can’t you give me a hint?"
Gu Bai gave a mysterious smile: "I’m just an ordinary little citizen; what’s there to reveal?"
"Alright, alright, say it if you want, don’t if you don’t. I don’t care about your identity, as long as it doesn’t hinder us from making money."
As they talked, the elevator stopped at the 55th floor.
Just as they reached the company’s entrance, the security guard promptly stopped them: "Please hold on, gentlemen. The company is currently not receiving outside guests."
Saying this, he looked at Gu Bai and Li Zhun apologetically.
"It’s okay."
Ever since the company’s registration was completed, it has been managed by Yan Xiaobo. Even Xiao Qiang and Mr. Shao joined later, and Gu Bai himself has never been there. It’s normal for the security not to recognize him.
With that, Gu Bai dialed a call to Mr. Shao.
After speaking briefly, Mr. Shao hurriedly appeared at the entrance.
"President Gu."
Gu Bai nodded at him.
"Later, send my photo to the employees to recognize my face."
Although it’s somewhat clichéd, in his own company, it’s not quite right if the employees don’t recognize him, right?
"Okay, I’ll have the secretary handle it later."
As the Investment Department Director, Shao, currently the highest-level manager other than Gu Bai in the company, certainly has the qualification to have a secretary.
Moreover, right now, the Black Swan Investment Company only has this one single department. There are no other departments; if the two dedicated accounting audits count as a finance department, then there would be a finance department.
Following Shao into the company, managed by Yan Xiaobo, most parts are already renovated. However, many office areas remain empty. Currently, even the Investment Department employees have mostly been poached by Gu Bai waving RMB from major capital companies.
Suddenly remembering something, Gu Bai asked Shao: "Is Xiao Qiang at the company now?"
"Director Xiao has gone for a headhunting company’s interviews and is not at the company today."
Hearing this, Gu Bai nodded and greeted Li Zhun, entering the general manager’s office.
Though it’s a joint-stock company, all the company shares are currently in Gu Bai’s hands, so there is no need for a chairman position.
Gu Bai, as expected, sat in the chair behind the desk and tossed a cigarette to Li Zhun.
"I have no idea what you’re trying to do. Playing with an investment company isn’t something that can be easily done. Even within the circle, only folks like Principal Qin Fen have done it, and the scale isn’t that big either."
Li Zhun took the cigarette, glancing around at the office’s decoration.
"Handling some matters in a personal capacity is too cumbersome. Having an investment company can save a lot of hassle."
Li Zhun didn’t really want to persuade Gu Bai, hearing his indifferent tone, Li Zhun changed the subject: "It’s almost the National Day holiday, any plans?"
Gu Bai nodded.
"Last time Brother Qin mentioned going to Europe together, and the time has been set, it’s this National Day, do you want to join?"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhun was a little tempted but still shook his head and declined.
"I’ll pass. I have some things to do this National Day. I originally planned to have you accompany me to Kyoto, but since you’re planning to go to Europe, forget it."
Since he had already decided to go to Europe with Qin Fen, Gu Bai didn’t bother to ask what Li Zhun was going to do in Kyoto.
While the two were chatting, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The office door was pushed open, and Mr. Shao walked in holding a document.
"President Gu, here is the detailed information on Star City’s Dinosaur Guild’s live streaming, and the market’s valuation of it."
Gu Bai took the document and gestured for Mr. Shao to sit down.
Star City Dinosaur Cultural Media Company, with 765 contract anchors, 112 currently broadcasting, well-known anchors include Cai Lolita (Cai Jiahui), etc. The company, excluding anchors, has 42 employees, and the market valuation is between 6 to 8 million RMB.
After reading the document, Gu Bai looked up.
"Alright, there’s no need to follow up on this project anymore. Find someone to register a company, fully controlled by our company, with the name Black Swan Entertainment Culture Communication Co., and recruit a group of people to build the company framework for him. Then, make a high-profile signing with Douyu’s top streamer Lu Wei. I’ve already negotiated the specific terms with him, and you just need to draft the contract per my requirements."
"Understood."
Mr. Shao was still very attentive to the company’s first project.
As for why Gu Bai didn’t want to acquire that Dinosaur Guild, the reason is simple. First, the company’s registration is in Star City, and the core development area can only be in Shanghai in the future. With the limited capacity of a startup company, there’s no way to handle developments outside of Shanghai. Given this, it’s simpler to expand costs and establish a guild of our own.
Gu Bai continued, "I’ve currently allocated an initial fund of 100 million for this project. I need you to quickly contact top streamers on various live streaming platforms, by any means necessary. I want Black Swan Entertainment to have no fewer than ten top streamers under its umbrella by November."
Mr. Shao said with some difficulty, "President Gu, that’s a bit tough. Those top streamers’ signing fees are very high, and normally, they wouldn’t be willing to switch. According to your plan, the budget may exceed significantly."
Gu Bai was indeed putting Mr. Shao in a difficult position, as his expertise lay in investment, not operating a live streaming guild.
Gu Bai knew handing this task to Mr. Shao was challenging for him, so he softened his tone a bit.
"Don’t worry about the budget; just set up the company structure first. I’ll assign professionals to be involved in this project later."
"Thank you, President Gu, for understanding."
Gu Bai nodded.
"You may go and get busy."
Hearing this, Mr. Shao left the general manager’s office directly.
"But why are you so fixated on influencers and live streaming?
Right after partnering with us to start a media company, you’ve been eager to establish a live streaming guild, throwing money at it without regard for cost."
Li Zhun looked puzzled.
Gu Bai couldn’t find a way to explain, so he simply brushed it off with a smile, "It’s purely out of interest."
"If I believe that, then I’d be a fool. You’re just burning money."
Faced with Gu Bai’s brush-off, Li Zhun was still unconvinced.
Gu Bai just chuckled and immediately changed the subject.
"How’s Xingnai Media doing?"
Li Zhun shrugged.
"What else? Just hanging in there, spending every day. If it weren’t for the company’s branding and the creation of several social media influencers with millions of followers, with favorable market reactions and some ongoing ad deals, I’d suspect this is completely a losing business."
"How much money is left in the company’s account?"
"Why?"
"Interested in playing it big?"
"?"
Li Zhun looked at Gu Bai in confusion.
"I plan to host an influencer festival, inviting influencers from all over the country to come to Shanghai for this event. Look at every industry related to media, aren’t they all chasing after exposure and traffic?
There are music festivals for music, film festivals for film, let’s ride this trend and create an influencer festival, the first influencer festival in the country!"
After hearing Gu Bai’s words, Li Zhun also sensed the business opportunity, continuing to gaze at him.
Gu Bai smiled subtly.
"The first to try new things reaps the greatest rewards. Imagine the massive traffic this festival could generate. Even leaving everything else aside, if it succeeds, just the advertising and peripheral services could generate substantial profits. More importantly, think about how much exposure and benefits Xingnai Media, as the organizer, could get. You’re aware of that, right?"
"But this isn’t something that can be achieved just by talking. The company’s current funds don’t exceed 80 million RMB, and some of it has to be reserved to ensure the company’s normal operations. Where will the money come from?"
Gu Bai smiled upon hearing this, picking up the Black Swan logo figurine on the table, playing with it.
Li Zhun instantly understood his intention and laughed.
"You’re even planning to earn money from your own company?!"