"So, let's go talk to Fruit Video tomorrow."
*
Although video platforms in this world had yet to grow as powerful, or television stations as weak, as in Ye Jin's original world, they already held considerable sway.
Fruit Video was currently one of the largest video platforms in the country. With several hit dramas released in succession recently, its daily active user count was already showing signs of edging ahead of the other two major platforms.
Naturally, its offices were grand and upscale, occupying an entire building in the CBD in central City A.
Standing outside Fruit Video's office building, Ye Jin remarked to Huo Yun with a sigh.
"I wonder when our company will grow to this size."
Ye Jin did not lack the money to rent an office building, but she would not waste it either.
Cloud Brocade Entertainment only had a dozen or so people in total, including herself and Huo Yun. Besides, given the nature of their work, they hardly ever needed to work on-site, so they had only rented an office in a development zone on the outskirts.
Huo Yun did not actually hold out much hope for that. After all, how could a film and television company so easily compare with a platform? Still, she would not say anything to undermine Ye Jin's confidence now. She simply said, "That day will definitely come."
The two then entered Fruit Video's building together. Since they had made an appointment, they soon met He Tu, the director in charge of the Kunlun Duel project.
He Tu was in his early thirties and wore an impeccably neat suit. Though he could not be called handsome, he looked quite sharp.
"Miss Ye, Miss Huo, I've heard so much about you. Welcome, welcome."
Ye Jin and Huo Yun naturally returned his warm smile.
None of them liked wasting words on pleasantries, so they went straight to the point.
He Tu asked with a smile, "I hear you want to invest in Kunlun Duel? That's quite rare. After all, if not for their contractual obligations, several investors would probably have already bolted. To be frank, we're also discussing internally whether to cut our losses."
Ye Jin paused. He really was a senior executive at a major corporation! Right off the bat, he had tried to put them in their place, openly declaring that they did not want to invest either and seizing the initiative in the investment talks.
But Ye Jin was not flustered. If they really did not want to invest, why bother coming specifically to negotiate with them?
With that thought, she smiled. "I see. This project certainly carries considerable risk now. Still, it seems Fruit Video must not be particularly busy, taking such an interest in a project you're about to abandon that you sent a director like yourself to negotiate."
He Tu's heart gave a jolt, and he realized the woman before him would not be easy to deal with.
Although he had not looked down on Ye Jin before, he had assumed she was merely a wealthy family's daughter-in-law dabbling in investment after switching fields halfway through.
He Tu put away his polite smile and said seriously, "What are your thoughts on this project, President Ye? Or what have you come here for?"
Ye Jin knew He Tu was now beginning to discuss the project with her seriously. As for his earlier slight, she did not take it to heart. She would let her ability speak for itself.
"Since we both intend to keep betting on this project, we need to reduce not only the investment but also the risk. I hear Star Universe Entertainment is trying to persuade you to keep He Cheng, then quietly release the drama once the storm has passed."
"I'll be blunt. I don't agree with keeping He Cheng. This drama was meant to rely on buzz and traffic in the first place. Keeping He Cheng would mean we couldn't market or promote it at all when it airs, and that would mean the drama is guaranteed to flop."
"Given that, a short, sharp pain is better than prolonged agony. We might as well spend a little more now and replace He Cheng outright."
"If your company intends to follow Star Universe Entertainment's suggestion and keep He Cheng, then we won't invest in this project either."
He Tu's expression instantly turned grave. "Are you trying to threaten us, President Ye? You should know your investment comes nowhere close to Star Universe Entertainment's. Isn't it rather presumptuous to threaten us with your investment?"
Ye Jin smiled and shook her head. "This isn't a threat. It's simply cutting our losses in time. Why would we invest in a project that's certain to lose money? Fruit Video is a major professional platform. I imagine your risk assessments can only be more professional than ours."
With that, she looked at He Tu, perfectly composed.
Under that gaze, He Tu felt somewhat unnerved.
What the hell? Wasn't she just a second- or third-tier star dabbling for fun? Why did she give him the illusion that she had seen right through him?
Only after a long while did he say, "My apologies, President Ye. I can't make the call on something this significant. I'll have to consult my superior."
With that, he left the conference room.
About five minutes later, the conference room door opened again, and a glamorous yet capable-looking woman walked in.
He Tu introduced her to them. "This is President Xu, Xu Yan, our senior vice president in charge of content investment. She's also the wife of our President Fu, Fu Ruiming."
Xu Yan then smiled. "You certainly are impressive, President Ye. Let's discuss the cooperation directly from here."
The two names sounded somewhat familiar to Ye Jin, but she did not dwell on it and instead focused on negotiating with Xu Yan.
Xu Yan was indeed highly capable. After several rounds of negotiation, even Ye Jin, who knew in advance what lay ahead, had failed to gain the slightest advantage.
About half an hour passed. With both sides rather parched, Xu Yan had her secretary buy a few coffees so everyone could take a short break.
Just then, a sudden commotion arose outside the conference room.
Soon, the conference room door was abruptly kicked open, and a tall man in a bespoke suit appeared before everyone, carrying a pitiful-looking woman in a white dress.
The man bellowed furiously, "Xu Yan, how can you be so vicious! You actually used money to humiliate Xiao Rui! I've told you, Xiao Rui and I truly love each other. She doesn't love my money at all. If you have any grievances, take them out on me!"
At the man's furious roar, everyone around turned to look at them, their faces speechless but not particularly surprised. Clearly, this sort of thing was no longer a secret at Fruit Video.