Chapter 126: Chapter 125: A Brief Discussion on the Entertainment Industry
Although the acquisition was complete, Long Dan Ni and others were not in a hurry to return to Jinmen. Instead, they were invited by Gu Bai to visit the headquarters of Black Swan Capital.
As a customized business luxury car, the Bentley Arnage had ample space, and at Gu Bai’s invitation, Long Dan Ni joined him in the car.
As soon as she got in, Long Dan Ni was attracted by the luxury features inside the car. The extravagant materials chosen for the Arnage’s interior and the meticulous installation made it a crown jewel among global automobiles. Every detail strove for perfection, and as a custom model, its luxury was elevated even further.
The most exquisite features were the handcrafted leather interiors and wooden panels. The leather used throughout the interior was all sourced from the Scandinavian Peninsula, and the craftsmanship involved in stitching these cushions was on par with the handmade customization of top luxury brands.
Given her status, she had ridden in many luxury cars, but compared to Gu Bai’s Arnage, they all paled in comparison.
When both were seated, the driver inquired, and upon receiving Gu Bai’s reply, slowly started the vehicle. However, the ride was so smooth that it was imperceptible.
The atmosphere in the car was somewhat tense, so Long Dan Ni was the first to break the silence.
"President Gu, to be honest, I never expected this collaboration to be so smooth."
Hearing this, Gu Bai turned his head with some curiosity and asked with a smile, "Smooth? What did President Long initially think?"
"To be honest, we approached no fewer than 10 capital firms lately, some purely capital companies and some giants within the entertainment industry, but none gave me a definitive answer. Frankly, after returning from the reception that day, I didn’t expect to reach a collaboration so quickly. So when your company messaged me, I immediately came to Shanghai with Huang Wei without any delay."
"Actually, under normal circumstances, the potential of your Wajijiwa is already quite good, but precisely because your rise is based on Tianyu’s downfall, it’s normal that no one wants to cooperate with you.
Ordinary companies don’t dare engage with you.
And you can’t offer enough to entice the giants within the circle, so it naturally hit a deadlock. But Black Swan Capital is different. First, I believe in your capability, and secondly, I need a stepping stone into the entertainment industry. Since it’s mutually beneficial, there’s no need to delay. Solving it sooner is better for both of us."
Tianyu, as a giant in the entertainment industry, although it has gradually declined in recent years, still has a massive scale and complex relationships that no one dares to provoke. But Gu Bai’s tone showed no regard for it.
The so-called entertainment giant’s scale is merely in the hundreds of billions. Even Wanda Film and Television, the current leader, is only about 60 billion, which hardly intimidates Gu Bai. His plan is to use money to amplify his influence, followed by rapid development. Regarding the projects that will explode in the entertainment industry over the next four years, Gu Bai is well aware. Even if he doesn’t absorb all of them, securing a portion will ensure Black Swan Capital makes a fortune in the entertainment sphere.
The future plan is to utilize Wajijiwa, now Black Swan Entertainment, to participate in popular online variety projects such as "Huaguo Hip-hop" and "Actors in Place." Whatever can be consumed must be taken.
Subsequently, the goal is to develop its own cinema chain, step by step creating its entertainment empire. By that time, so-called unspoken rules won’t be necessary, and it’s basically what having everything at one’s whim means.
Long Dan Ni also understood that Gu Bai in front of her possessed the capital to disregard Tianyu and hence did not continue on this topic, but rather asked about the cryptic words Gu Bai mentioned before leaving the party the other day.
"President Gu, what did you mean when you said the entertainment industry would be cleaned up?"
Gu Bai roughly anticipated Long Dan Ni would ask this question. Instead of answering immediately, he asked her in return, "Do you think the current entertainment industry is healthy?"
One sentence, and Long Dan Ni didn’t know where to start.
After considering for a long time, Long Dan Ni slowly uttered a few words,
"Not healthy."
Hearing this, Gu Bai smiled.
"Exactly, since you know it’s unhealthy, of course, it will be rectified."
"But isn’t this the normal development trend of the entertainment industry? Consumer levels have risen, and there is demand for cultural and mental stimulation. Moreover, this unhealthy state isn’t something the entertainment industry can decide; it’s driven by the market."
There’s an old saying, without demand, there’s no supply. Everyone criticizes traffic stars and various young idols, but no one is unaware that it is precisely because they cater to the market that capital lines them up and thrusts them to the forefront.
Originally, Gu Bai thought that the Four Returned Sons and Kun Kun were the bottom line for traffic stars. How much worse could it get? However, the phrase "Hello everyone, we are Candy Super Sweet" completely destroyed Gu Bai’s illusions about traffic stars. As long as this market exists, the bottom line is endless.
"You’re right, it’s all market-driven, but the market isn’t always correct. I’ll slowly explain these things to you. As long as you understand, what I tell you to do is doable, and what I prohibit is not, then surpassing Tianyu will merely be a matter of time for Black Swan Entertainment, without any taint."
Long Dan Ni, half-comprehending, nodded.
At her level, she could somewhat sense the turmoil in the entertainment industry. Indeed, it has developed somewhat unhealthily over the past two years. Moreover, the Gu Bai before her already represented a deep background for her, and since they were both on the same boat, Gu Bai essentially had no reason to deceive her.
As for Gu Bai’s thoughts, they were even simpler.
In essence, Gu Bai stepped into the entertainment industry for two words.
Make money.
Although he already had more money than he could possibly spend, who would reject more money? Although it’s just a number, a higher number signifies higher status in these peaceful and prosperous times, without a doubt.
He didn’t want to, nor could he, become a savior.
All capital knows to cater to the market instead of opposing it.
Traffic stars are certainly detestable, but who can say that an entertainment industry without them would be truly healthy? Nothing is absolute, and since they exist, there must be a reason.
The only thing Gu Bai can do is to curb the rampant surge of this unhealthy trend as much as possible and minimize his involvement. As for the rest, it’s not his responsibility. When the reckoning day comes, none of those who deserve misfortune will escape.