Red Treasure Chest Opens

But making money is still very difficult. Today's performance only earned 100,000, and he only got 15,000 before tax.

If there were ten such performances a month, it would be considered good, but there's no opportunity at all right now.

With this success, perhaps other music festivals will send invitations, provided his popularity continues to rise.

Now, he can only hope that his popularity doesn't fade too quickly!

Time's up, the treasure chest opens!

One treasure chest, one item, a nesting doll-like treasure chest.

[Red Treasure Chest x1][Advanced Director Skill]

This skill immediately made Lin Chudong's eyes light up. This was the most useful item he had obtained since opening treasure chests.

At least it's related to the entertainment industry. Can directing be considered a life skill?

Given the system's usual tendencies, anything not related to music is probably a life skill, right?

These over a hundred hours weren't waited in vain. A good item!

Use!

Waves of information flooded into his mind, and Lin Chudong's scalp cells became excited.

Open the next treasure chest.

[191:59:59]

[Cost to Speed Up]: 50000

This is a full twenty-four hours longer than last time, an extra day, but the cost to speed up hasn't changed.

Fifty thousand yuan. Lin Chudong really wanted to try it, to see if it would open immediately.

But he decided against it. Now is the time when money is needed, so he can't waste it like that.

Now that he has the Director Skill, Lin Chudong can consider developing towards film and television, earning more money for the company, and continuing to do music.

However, film and television require capital. The money they have now is nowhere near enough.

On the other side, Dafei Studio was holding a meeting.

Shen Jianbin sat in the conference room, and the performers from today's show were waiting to be reprimanded.

Shen Jianbin tapped the table with his finger, "Wu Bo, your performance today was truly terrible. It's a complete disgrace to your million-dollar annual salary."

"A band's lead singer isn't just someone who can sing."

"You saw Da Fei's performance. When it was at its peak, he got all the audience members to shout out the musicians' names, and at the end, he directed everyone to follow the band's official Weibo."

"These are all things a lead singer should do, but you didn't even mention them. Even if you're famous on your own, it won't help the band at all, and you won't have a good future. Do you understand?"

To put it bluntly, Wu Bo was just an employee. If he didn't have the concept of collective benefit, he wouldn't be needed.

Wu Bo nodded. "Brother Bin, I understand."

Wu Bo clenched his fists, his jealousy growing stronger.

Shen Jianbin glanced at Sun Jie and gave him a look before speaking.

"If there's nothing else, everyone can leave. We have a Variety Show coming up in a few days, and we'll be very busy. Get some rest early."

After Shen Jianbin finished speaking, several people left one after another.

Sun Jie stayed behind. "Brother Bin, did you need me for something?"

They had known each other for a few years, and a single look was enough to understand each other's intentions.

Shen Jianbin said, "Da Fei's popularity is rising, and we can't let him make a comeback. Otherwise, it won't do us any good."

Sun Jie nodded. Public opinion always sided with the victor. If Da Fei truly rose again, they would surely become the target of public criticism.

"Brother Bin, what should we do?"

"We need to suppress their popularity. Tonight, I'm going to have dinner with a few bosses and express my intentions. You get a few boxes of Mooncakes and put some Gold Bars inside. Each box of Mooncakes should be worth around 100,000."

"You contact a few Models and have them accompany us tonight. Don't bring any cheap ones; get some high-class ones to properly entertain these bosses."

Sun Jie nodded. "Brother Bin, don't worry. Give me a few hours, and I'll make sure it's handled beautifully!"

Sun Jie was very efficient, and they were all very familiar with this kind of thing. When Da Fei Band first started gaining traction, they had done this sort of thing often, but it was always behind Lin Chudong's back.

Shen Jianbin held a cigarette in his left hand and made phone calls with his right.

"President Sun, would you like to join us for a meal tonight? I have something I need your help with."

"Hahaha, what celebration are you talking about? You're making fun of me. It's at eleven o'clock tonight; I've booked a private room. President Li and the others will be there too!"

"President Li, I've found a few young ladies for us to meet tonight. I know your preferences, don't worry, I'll make sure everything is arranged properly!"

"President Xu..."

"..."

Eleven o'clock at night.

A private room on the third floor of Tiandingxuan.

Several middle-aged men sat at a dining table. Some were stout from prosperity, others had receding hairlines, all looking rather greasy, but each was undeniably wealthy.

Shen Jianbin stood up to greet them. "Manager Xu, Manager Li, you've finally arrived! I'm truly grateful you could make time for my dinner amidst your busy schedules!"

Xu Mingde, Vice President of Magic City Youyou Culture Group Company, was an old friend of Shen Jianbin.

Li Fugui, head of Fugui Media Co., Ltd., was responsible for planning several popular music variety shows.

Sun Xuan, chief director of Magic City TV Station.

Besides these three influential figures, there were several other bosses, all "sugar daddies" holding significant resources.

Shen Jianbin said, "Sun Jie, go call those friends in. I'll introduce them to the bosses."

Sun Jie pushed open the door, and several young women walked in. They were tall, beautiful, and fair, with long hair framing lovely faces – all top-tier beauties.

"Come, ladies, please sit. Get acquainted. This is an opportunity for you to perform well. This dinner is considered a business meeting, right?"

Li Fugui laughed heartily. "That's right, that's right. It's mainly about business."

He pulled the hand of the female model beside him and said with a smile, "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Let's eat first. We can talk after a few bites."

The female model had long accepted this unspoken rule. Her hand casually slid down her chest, touching her flat stomach.

"I don't eat much. A few bites with you will suffice. I'll serve you!"

These were not KTV hostesses, but much more sophisticated socialites, adept at reading people and possessing many skills.

Sun Xuan frowned, not fond of such social obligations.

"Manager Shen, if you have something to say, just say it directly."

Li Fugui was taken aback. "Right, let's get down to business. Why isn't Manager Meng here?"

Mentioning Meng Wenxiang, Shen Jianbin's expression turned helpless.

"Manager Meng couldn't accomplish what he promised me today, so he felt embarrassed to come."

They exchanged glances. Li Fugui asked, "Is it about the Music Festival?"

Shen Jianbin nodded. "Yes, as you've all seen, Da Fei bullied me. I nurtured him, and he bit the hand that fed him! You've all heard the story of the farmer and the snake, and it's happening to me in real life!"

The others quickly chimed in, "Yes, that person is too much. Ungrateful."

Shen Jianbin gave a signal, and Sun Jie promptly picked up several boxes of mooncakes.

"The festival is approaching. Please, bosses, try our hometown's mooncakes first. They're bean paste flavored."

Li Fugui frowned, "My blood sugar is high, I can't eat Mooncakes."

As soon as he picked up the Mooncake, its unusual weight made him pause.

He slightly opened a gap, and a golden light shone directly on his face.

Li Fugui chuckled, "Mooncakes with bean paste filling, I really haven't tried those before, hahaha..."

"President Shen, just tell me what your plan is."