Chapter 149: Chapter 146: Hua Bin International
After finishing their tea, Gu Bai and Principal Wang agreed to play a round of golf.
Sports like golf have always been synonymous with high-end activities.
The costs associated with golf are quite expensive. In the last century, it was considered a sport for the nobility. Although it has become more popular now, the concept of it being a noble sport remains deeply rooted in people’s minds. Moreover, due to the complex requirements of golf courses, the participation of ordinary people is relatively low, which is why golf is called a noble sport.
Building a golf course in a small city is cheap, but the cost of living in small cities makes it difficult for golf to survive, so golf courses in China are generally concentrated in big cities. Imagine the costs required to build a golf course in a place like Kyoto, where land is extremely expensive?
If the price is not high, how can it be profitable?
So those who can build golf courses in Kyoto, from the very beginning, follow a high-end route, with no intention of catering to the general public.
As for Gu Bai, he had only seen how golf was played on TV and had never actually tried it himself.
Just as the two were about to set off, Gu Bai received a phone call.
Seeing the caller ID, it was Long Dan Ni.
After answering the phone, Long Dan Ni’s voice came through.
"President Gu, I called President Shao earlier, and he said you’re in Kyoto?"
Gu Bai: "Yes, I have some minor matters to handle, so I’ll be staying in Kyoto for a few days."
As for what matters to handle, Long Dan Ni knew well even if Gu Bai didn’t say it. The Wu Qian incident is now the talk of the town. Although the specific situation is well-controlled, the entertainment circle’s information flow makes it widespread. Anyone with some connections in the circle knows that Wu Qian ended up like this because he offended Gu Bai.
However, Long Dan Ni was not foolish enough to ask Gu Bai for details, instead adopting a more serious tone.
"President Gu, President Zhang from Mango Media asked me to arrange a meeting with you; he’s currently in Kyoto."
Hearing Long Dan Ni’s words, Gu Bai murmured lightly: "Mango Media?"
Then he continued to say to Long Dan Ni: "Tianyu is not stepping in; they’ve directly revealed their hand?"
On the other end of the phone, Long Dan Ni smiled wryly: "It seems so..."
This was also unexpected for Long Dan Ni. She thought that after being acquired by Gu Bai, Black Swan Entertainment was under the protection of capital and could at least develop smoothly at this stage. However, she didn’t anticipate that just a few days later, the true giant in the entertainment circle, Mango Media, would come knocking.
"Alright, I happen to have a golf game with the principal this afternoon. Just let President Zhang come to Hua Bin International golf course to find me."
"President Gu... Isn’t this a bit inappropriate?"
Mango Media, after all, is a giant with a market size of 40 billion, and yet their CEO has to personally come to Kyoto and find Gu Bai?
Upon hearing Long Dan Ni’s doubts, Gu Bai’s tone remained calm.
"President Long, you need to remember one thing: now you’re the general manager of Black Swan Entertainment, not Tianyu’s general manager.
It’s Mango who eagerly seeks me out; I’m not the one begging to see them, do you understand?"
Noticing the dissatisfaction in Gu Bai’s tone, Long Dan Ni quickly said: "Understood, President Gu, I’ll convey your message to him immediately."
"Tell him, between two and four in the afternoon, and not to be late."
With that, he hung up the phone.
Mango Media?
Gu Bai really didn’t consider it a big deal.
Although he has entered the entertainment circle, there are only a few companies that Gu Bai considers truly significant.
Tencent, Wanda Film and Television, Ali Film and Television, and so on—the companies that control film distribution power. As for Mango Media, although its market value would reach hundreds of billions in later years, it’s just a big player in the TV circle.
Not to mention that Black Swan Capital is currently collaborating intensively with Tencent, with several projects undergoing deep cooperation. Could Mango Media really upset things?
"What’s up?"
Seeing the disdain on Gu Bai’s face, Principal Wang asked curiously.
Gu Bai waved his hand lightly: "It’s nothing. Someone thinks I’ve ruffled their feathers and wants to give me a hard time."
Although curious, Principal Wang didn’t pursue it further. Gu Bai hadn’t avoided talking on the phone just now, and Principal Wang knew a little about the relationship between Gu Bai’s Black Swan Entertainment and Mango.
..............
It was a little past one in the afternoon.
Two ordinary Mercedes business cars pulled up at the entrance of Hua Bin International golf course.
Gu Bai and Principal Wang got out of the cars, one after the other.
This time, they were only accompanied by two bodyguards. After all, they were just coming out for a bit of leisure, and there was no need for a large entourage every time.
The golf course executives, who had already been informed, were waiting at the entrance. Seeing Gu Bai and Principal Wang get out of the car, they hurried over to greet them.
"Welcome, President Gu and President Wang, to our Hua Bin International."
Though Gu Bai was new to Kyoto, his reputation in the Beijing Circle was not at all small.
Wu Qian was originally an artist supported within the Beijing Circle but was easily taken down by Gu Bai in just a few words, boosting his reputation.
A venue like Hua Bin International, which caters specifically to high-society individuals, would naturally gather intelligence on Gu Bai promptly.
"Is the golf course ready?"
Gu Bai didn’t speak, and Principal Wang didn’t have the inclination to exchange pleasantries with a golf course executive, directly asking.
"Upon receiving Young Master Wang’s call, we arranged the course immediately. This way, please."
Having said that, he gestured invitingly and led Gu Bai to the interior of the golf course.
As Principal Wang walked, he introduced to Gu Bai: "Hua Bin International is the largest golf course in Kyoto. Even my dad usually comes here for a game."