Chapter 133: Chapter 132: Opening Night Gala
PM.
The time was about right, and Gu Bai and his group headed towards the World Expo Performing Arts Center.
This time, Gu Bai didn’t have Xu Bo drive him, instead, he drove his own Poison over. After all, it was an influencer event, and he might have a cordial and friendly exchange with some influencer. At times like this, a sports car’s importance becomes apparent.
But that was just an excuse.
With Gu Bai’s current status, even if he rode a bicycle over, a large number of influencer celebrities would cluster around him. He just wanted to show off a bit.
Gu Bai’s Poison.
Tian Shu’s McLaren P1.
Li Zhun’s Ferrari.
Even Wu Qian was driving a Ferrari FF.
Not to mention anything else, just the value of the convoy of a dozen supercars was close to 200 million, and just Gu Bai’s Poison accounted for half of it.
When the convoy arrived at the World Expo Performing Arts Center, the media quickly turned their cameras towards them.
Some of these media were invited by Xingnai Media for promotion, while others came on their own. After all, the grandeur of this influencer festival was no less than a celebrity concert hosted by some regular TV stations.
There were also some uninvited small influencers taking shots with their phones.
As everyone got out of the cars and gathered together, the surrounding bodyguards formed a human wall to ensure they could enter without obstruction. Those small influencers wanting to ride the wave of popularity abandoned that idea when they saw this display, guessing those hulky bodyguards could throw them into the Huangpu River before they even got close.
Gu Bai and Principal Wang walked at the center, while the others flanked them.
The status and position of Principal Wang was undeniable, and Gu Bai, no one felt it was inappropriate for him to take the center stage. If it were a while ago, Li Zhun and others might have put Gu Bai on an equal footing, but today, no one thought Gu Bai was an ordinary second-generation. Could an average second-generation have a net worth of 20 billion?
Forget second-generation, some people present could not even match his wealth combined with their parent’s assets. Even Principal Wang hoping for him to produce 20 billion was a pipe dream.
Under the gaze of the media, Gu Bai followed alongside Principal Wang into the performing arts center, having Tian Shu lead them to their arranged seats, while Gu Bai along with Principal Wang and Li Zhun headed backstage.
As soon as they entered the backstage, Xingnai Media staff hurriedly greeted them.
"President Gu."
"President Li."
"President Wang."
Principal Wang was merely accompanying, while Gu Bai and Li Zhun nodded at them in acknowledgment.
Before Gu Bai could even open his mouth to speak, a staff member said to him, "President Gu, there’s been a small incident with the gala."
"?"
Gu Bai looked at him puzzled, as the entire schedule had been finalized a week ago and rehearsed several times, how could there be an incident?
The staff member hesitated to speak as more and more influencers came over to greet, creating an awkward atmosphere.
"It’s okay, just tell me directly."
With Gu Bai’s permission, the staff member then said, "A singer we previously contracted, Lu Meng, is demanding a last-minute price increase, saying she’ll not perform unless it’s approved, and also wants us to compensate her loss."
Gu Bai was more puzzled, a last-minute hike and refusal, plus wanting compensation for loss?
"Didn’t sign a contract?"
The staff member quickly replied, "Signed, but the contract has a clause where if the performer is physically unwell, they can negotiate with the host, she’s using that clause to ask for more money. Director Yan said he would handle it, so he didn’t notify you all."
After listening to the staff, Gu Bai understood.
Such last-minute price hikes and refusals were common in events, and they never demanded astronomical amounts, just adding a small portion to the original price.
Considering the effort for organizing an event, usually, unless a strong contract’s signed, hosts would acquiesce to avoid disruptions, paying off the issue, just ensuring not to collaborate in the future. However, Gu Bai couldn’t fathom where Lu Meng got the courage to stir trouble in his domain?
"Take me there."
Gu Bai’s tone was calm, without a hint of anger, yet the staff couldn’t help but shiver inwardly, leading the way quickly.
Principal Wang and Li Zhun exchanged a glance, both of them with a look of anticipation, it was, after all, the first time seeing Gu Bai angry.
A few minutes later, the staff led Gu Bai and others to Lu Meng’s dressing room.
At that moment, the room had quite a few people besides Yan Xiaobo, but most were there to watch the spectacle.
"Director Yan, it’s not that our Xiao Meng is unreasonable, her throat really isn’t well, the contract states that if the performer is unwell, negotiation is to happen. Our demand isn’t excessive, just raising the performance fee from 600K to 800K, as a consolation for Xiao Meng performing despite her condition."
Lu Meng’s manager was arrogantly listing her demands to Yan Xiaobo.
"I don’t have the authority to approve a last-minute price increase, how about you perform first and I’ll report your request later?"
Yan Xiaobo was planning to brush it off to ensure the gala proceeded smoothly since Lu Meng was scheduled with another influencer for a performance, cutting it would indeed affect the gala’s proceedings substantially.
Hearing Yan Xiaobo’s seemingly conceding tone, Lu Meng’s manager was encouraged, viewing Xingnai Media as an influencer entertainment company with little ties to the broader entertainment world, not fearing consequences. Moreover, she’d used this tactic successfully numerous times, expecting no exception this time.
"Then there’s no way, if Director Yan doesn’t agree to increase the price, this collaboration ends here, we’ll refund you 400K of the 600K fee, the remaining 200K covers Xiao Meng’s lost work and medical expenses."
Lu Meng, meanwhile, sat before her vanity, playing with her phone, saying nothing, but setting a clear attitude: what her manager said was her position.
At this point, Yan Xiaobo knew without the money, negotiation was impossible, so he said, "Let me explain the situation to our general manager first."
Hearing this, Lu Meng’s manager smiled smugly; this strategy never failed, practically netting them extra money every time. Although their industry reputation was tarnishing, they didn’t care. Lu Meng’s rise was scandal-fueled, reputation didn’t compare to the tangible allure of money.
Standing outside, listening to the dialogue within, Gu Bai pushed the door open, stepping inside with Li Zhun and Principal Wang.
"No need to find, we are here."
Hearing the voice, Yan Xiaobo turned around hastily, respectfully greeting them.
"Hello President Gu."