NOVPUB
Chapter 824: Chapter 716 Stingy Tang Qing (Please subscribe!)
Just after all the presidents of Tang Qing’s subsidiaries had received the email about the annual meeting,
less than ten minutes had passed,
Tang Qing’s phone rang.
Upon seeing the number, it was actually Zheng Lin calling. Tang Qing, having no idea what the matter could be, casually pressed the answer button.
"Brother Zheng, what’s up?" Tang Qing asked.
With a laugh, Zheng Lin asked in return, "Little Tang, I just got an invitation email from Sky Eye mentioning the company’s annual meeting on the 20th this month in Qingyan City, right?"
As one of the directors of Comet Film Company, he was naturally on the list to be notified. However, unlike Tang Qing, he didn’t have the final say. The annual meeting was hosted by Sky Eye, and all that was required was for Tang Qing to give his nod of approval, without the need to ask for Zheng Lin’s opinion.
"Yeah, what about it?" Tang Qing asked again.
"Well, do you need me to call some friends to show support?"
Zheng Lin revealed his intention.
"Friends? What friends?" Tang Qing was puzzled. Zheng Lin’s friends spanned many areas around Huaxia, including officials, businessmen, and those in the entertainment circle.
As a matter of fact, Zheng Lin said, "Of course, I’m talking about celebrity friends. Although my family doesn’t allow me to get involved with the entertainment circle, it doesn’t mean I don’t know some big-name celebrities. I’m acquainted with the likes of Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, and others.
While I can’t guarantee that I can get them given their busy schedules before the New Year, if they don’t have commercial performances scheduled, my face should be influential enough. It’s likely they’ll give a friendly discount, and it’s not impossible that they do it for free."
"Huh... Stars of such caliber performing for free? You’re joking, right, or are you trying to use your influence to bully folks?" Tang Qing teased.
With a wry smile, Zheng Lin said, "Bullying with my influence my ass. I’m no spoiled brat. These people have significant influence in Huaxia, knowing too many people for me to have leverage over. So, I might need to borrow some of your ’tiger skin’."
Celebrities.
Once they possess wide-reaching influence,
even the face of a second-generation rich kid like him wouldn’t be as effective.
Take someone like Jackie Chan, a well-established superstar. Everyone knows that, whether domestically or internationally, their networks run deep after years of building. Zheng Lin may not fear them, but certainly, others won’t fear him either.
"Tiger skin? Isn’t your ’tiger skin’ working?" Tang Qing was puzzled.
Laughing cheerfully, Zheng Lin said, "It’s just an expression, an expression. You might not realize how much of an impact ’Civilization: Soul of the Stars’ has had on the industry. The status of the entire movie is no secret—it’s been talked about from one to ten, ten to a hundred.
Plus, with the high-quality trailers that Comet Film Company has released globally, many celebrities are interested in working with us. Just a hint of a promise, and it’s not impossible to get a free commercial performance."
"Really? That’s amazing." Tang Qing was surprised.
Zheng Lin continued to explain, "Of course, the bigger the celebrity, the more they care about ’going international.’ They’re not lacking in money; what they desire is a pursuit of their own, a pursuit in their artistic journey.
Breaking out internationally has always been a dream for our country’s celebrities, but sadly, due to quality constraints, the returns have been meager. For commercial performances that simply want to capitalize on their fame, they would naturally charge a high fee.
But being acquainted with a film company with huge development potential is a whole different story. Although they’re not qualified to see the sample film, that doesn’t prevent others from praising it to the skies.
Right now, film companies and celebrities nationwide are watching this movie. If it meets the expectations, Little Tang, I feel like the entrance to Comet Film Company will be trampled down in the future."
Speaking of this made Zheng Lin somewhat proud. He felt that investing in Comet Film Company might just be the investment with the highest return in his lifetime, with this one movie alone being enough to recoup his initial investment.
"Well... if it’s free, then I’ll invite them."
Tang Qing wasn’t particularly interested in raising the status of the annual meeting.
Whether it’s a second-tier celebrity or a Chinese megastar, it wouldn’t have much effect on the internal cohesion of the company. The money spent on inviting big stars would be far better put to use if it were given to employees instead.
It wasn’t a public relations move where a famous star’s presence was needed.
"..."
Zheng Lin was speechless.
Tang Qing’s generosity and frugality were at two extremes.
Heh.
Quite cute, actually.
With a chuckle, Zheng Lin said, "Alright, alright, I’ll ask around for you and get back to you when I’ve contacted them. Is there any celebrity in particular you want to invite?" It wasn’t for no reason that Zheng Lin was so eagerly involved in the annual meeting—it was also a reflection of his value.
"Hmm... no, I’m not a fan, just handle it from your side. Just three to five people will do. Remember, don’t bother with those who aren’t free." Tang Qing’s attitude towards celebrity pursuits had never changed.
Celebrities.
It’s the celebrities who appear on the silver screen who interest Tang Qing. As for their private lives, he had no interest in mingling with celebrities, not even interested in meeting them, lest when he next enjoyed movie characters, he would have to think of cheering with wine, chit-chat, and making cozy connections.
It would spoil the viewing experience.
When they act in movies, I spend money to watch; when they release albums, I spend money to buy—that’s enough.
"Stingy!"
Zheng Lin muttered as he hung up the phone.
Then,
he mulled over whom to invite, really.
Inviting someone this time wasn’t just to add to the bustle; it was also about his, Zheng Lin’s, reputation. Someone with too small a name wouldn’t do—they’d be a letdown for him. But the ones with big names were few, easily countable on one’s fingers, and whether they’d be available remained uncertain.
He took out his mobile phone,
flipped through it,
and upon seeing a name, made a call.
"Sister Fei, could I ask you for a favor...?"
...
Noon.
After eating.
Yunxin hurried back home.
Today was New Year’s Day, and many parents were out playing with their children, so she naturally didn’t have any classes. Riding her bicycle, Yunxin didn’t feel the heaviness in her heart. This was a lightness she had never experienced before.
As soon as she got home.
She saw her mother busily working in the ground, and her father hadn’t taken a break today either, still selling at the market in town. He only came back after selling all the vegetables, and he normally brought his lunch with him.
"Mom, I’m back."
While speaking.
Yunxin set down her small bag.
She went to the backyard and rolled up her sleeves to help her mother.
"How did it go, what did Mr. Tang say?" Yunxin’s mother, He Suxin, asked eagerly.
Yunxin chuckled: "He agreed, he’ll come to our house tonight."
He Suxin hastily said, "Then you better go to the market and buy more vegetables. Does he have any dietary restrictions? I think we should buy more seafood, and the rest..." she was saying when Yunxin interrupted her.
"Mom, Mr. Tang said that home-cooked dishes will be fine, we can just make what we’re good at. His family never lacks seafood and precious ingredients. He specifically asked me to make some simple home dishes, just ensure there’s a good quantity, as Mr. Tang has a big appetite."
Yunxin had already witnessed the inscrutable appetite of Tang Qing.
"How can that be enough when someone takes the trouble to visit our home?" He Suxin said, hesitating.
Yunxin laughed: "It’s fine. What delicacies hasn’t he tasted? I’ve been eating at his place for so long, and I haven’t seen any signs of home-cooked dishes. I think he genuinely wants to eat something ordinary."
"Well... okay then, you go ahead and arrange it. Your cooking skills are even better than mine," He Suxin had to agree, entrusting this task to Yunxin. Yunxin was always diligent, and indeed, she was better than her mother at it.
"Alrighty." Yunxin agreed.
"Then hurry up, go buy the freshest vegetables," He Suxin dodged her daughter’s gardening shovel.
"Oh, then I’ll head out now."
Yunxin said, patting off the mud from her hands.
"Be careful on the road," He Suxin advised.
"Sure."
Having said that.
Yunxin hopped on her bicycle.
She headed for the nearby vegetable market.
Only ten minutes passed.
Braving the slightly cold wind, she arrived at the town’s vegetable market.
From afar, she saw her father, Yunhai, selling their own vegetables with the same enthusiasm as any ordinary vendor, despite the cold wind. Suddenly, Yunxin thought of her father’s many talents and his trembling hands.
She couldn’t help but sigh as she walked over.
The past is like smoke.
It’s fine to reminisce but not to be consumed by it.
This was what her father had taught her.
After seeing off a group of customers, only a few chili peppers and some bean sprouts they had grown themselves were left in the three-wheeled cart. A few more customers, and he could probably sell out and then go home.
"Dad."
Yunxin approached him.
Yunhai looked up, saw his daughter, and a smile spread across his face weathered by the years. His hands may have failed him, but having a promising daughter, who was currently just a tutoring class teacher, filled him with comfort.
Women.
In the realm of traditional Chinese painting in Huaxia, they are a small minority.
Originally, he wanted Yunxin to carry on his legacy, but alas, with his hands gone, let alone succession, he couldn’t even teach. That led Yunxin to focus on realistic painting and leave traditional Chinese painting aside.
What worried Yunhai and his wife the most was not Yunxin’s achievements.
But rather her safety.
Congenital heart disease, truly a life-threatening condition, required constant medication. He was also aware of the changes in his daughter lately. Even without her saying anything, the examination reports were no fabrication.
If only medicine could cure her, that would be miraculous.
The purpose of this invitation was to thank Tang Qing. Whether or not it had to do with Tang Qing, just the substantial increase in income from staying at Tang Qing’s during this time, accounting for half of Yunxin’s income, was enough for gratitude.
At the same time, he too wanted to meet this genius of a man, Tang Qing, who was prodigious to the point of being supernatural.
"Did he agree?" Yunhai’s eyes lit up. Every day when he saw the paintings Tang Qing sent to his daughter, he felt the urge to pay his respects, but with his hands disabled, he couldn’t even imitate, only watch.
Yunxin nodded and smiled: "Yeah, he’s coming to our house tonight. I’m off to buy some of our specialty dishes now."
"Good, you go... never mind, I won’t sell these anymore. I’ll go with you." Yunhai said and covered the remaining vegetables with a cloth.
Father and daughter.
One pushing a bicycle.
The other pushing a tricycle.
Began picking out the best at the market, taking into account Tang Qing’s requirements for ingredients. After a full hour, they finally finished buying what they needed. Yunxin, on the tricycle, carrying her father Yunhai and her own bicycle, rode towards home.
