Traffic Star Development Program

Chapter 17 is meticulously crafted.

"But there are a few things I need to clarify in front of everyone," he paused, "First, the numbers in that article are estimates, not the actual amount received. It's true that the number of views exceeded 100 million, but the platform's revenue sharing is settled periodically. What we've actually received so far is the guaranteed initial payment of 300,000. Adding that to the previous operating funds, the company currently has a little over 2 million available in its accounts."

He looked around. "Two million? What do you want me to use to give out red envelopes?"

Li Yang spoke up, "President Zeng, that's not how it works. This show is a hit, and the profits will definitely continue to come in. Who would believe you if you said you had no money?"

"Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant," Zeng Hao said, looking at him. "But do you believe the contract? When you signed it, there was a clause stating that the filming fee was 10,000 yuan, and the profit-sharing terms would be implemented according to the production company's internal regulations. Did you read that at the time?"

Li Yang's expression changed slightly. "What internal regulations? The contract was unilaterally decided by you, which is inherently unfair."

"You signed the contract yourself," Zeng Hao said, his tone still calm. "No one held a knife to your throat. There are hundreds or even thousands of actors in Hengdian lining up for this position. You had the ability to negotiate terms before signing. It's a bit late to complain about unfairness after you've already signed."

The atmosphere in the open space became heavy.

Zeng Hao stopped looking at Li Yang and instead scanned the entire crowd. "But I'm not unreasonable. I know you've been working hard for three months," he paused, "How about this, tonight's late-night snack for the crew is on me. It'll be fifty yuan per person, and it'll be my personal treat, not through the company."

Someone in the crowd whispered "Wow," followed by a murmur of discussion.

Fifty yuan per person, forty or fifty people, two or three thousand yuan, is a pittance for Zeng Hao, but for actors in Hengdian, it is already a rare generosity.

Before Li Yang could say anything more, a supporting actor quietly tugged at him, "Alright, bro, stop messing around."

"Yeah, having a late-night snack is a good idea."

"President Zeng said that's all the money in the account, what can we do?"

The crowd's momentum had largely dissipated, and Li Yang's face was grim; he was now isolated and helpless.

Zeng Hao looked at him. "Li Yang, is there anything else you want to say?"

Li Yang gritted his teeth. "That's all."

"That's enough for now, let's keep filming."

The crowd dispersed, Zeng Hao turned around, and Peng Bing quickly caught up, lowering his voice, "Mr. Zeng, is this how it's resolved?"

"Almost," Zeng Hao said. "Make sure you arrange the late-night snack, and remember to order plenty of meat dishes."

Peng Bing was both amused and exasperated. "Okay."

After the late-night snack ended, the actors dispersed in twos and threes, but Zeng Hao stayed behind, sitting at the table drinking tea and waiting for the crowd to leave.

In the end, Zhang Tianai was left alone. She tidied up the things on the table, her movements a little slow.

Zeng Hao didn't speak first, waiting for her to come over.

Zhang Tianai sat down opposite him. "President Zeng, I'd like to have a talk with you."

"explain."

She paused for a moment, "I saw that article when it was published. I didn't collude with Li Yang and the others," she paused again, "but I do feel that 10,000 yuan is not commensurate with the current popularity of this drama."

Zeng Hao looked at her. "So?"

"So I wanted to ask," Zhang Tianai's eyes were direct, "if I want to take on other roles, are there any restrictions in my contract?"

Zeng Hao put down his teacup. "You want to leave?"

"I didn't say I was leaving; I was asking about the terms for other dramas," she said. "According to the contract, our contract ends after 'Go Princess Go' finishes filming, right?"

"right."

Zhang Tianai nodded, paused for a few seconds, and then asked, "What does President Zeng mean?"

Zeng Hao leaned back in his chair, looking at her. "Your market value has probably increased five to ten times because of this drama, but do you know how long this popularity will last?"

Zhang Tianai didn't say anything.

"Without a management company or resources, the hype can only last for six months at most," Zeng Hao said. "After six months, can you guarantee what role I'll take on next?"

Zhang Tianai tapped her finger lightly on the table. "So you mean..."

"I have a next project in hand," Zeng Hao said. "The budget is higher than 'Go Princess Go,' and it's a theatrical film, not a web series."

Zhang Tianai raised his head, a hint of barely suppressed emotion flickering in his eyes.

"Sign with Sunshine Entertainment for three years. I'll have Sister Liu send you the terms. There's also a signing bonus of 200,000 yuan, which will be deposited into your account in one lump sum," Zeng Hao said, his tone no different from negotiating a guaranteed minimum payment. "Whether you think it's worth it or not is up to you."

Zhang Tianai stared at him for a few seconds. "The 200,000 yuan signing bonus, is it because you think I'm worth that price, or because you need me to cooperate with you on the next project?"

"Yes, I have them all," Zeng Hao said. "Is there a problem?"

Zhang Tianai lowered his head and smiled, a smile tinged with bitterness but also with a clear understanding of something. "No problem."

"Then go back and review the contract. If you have any objections, talk to Sister Liu," Zeng Hao stood up. "I'm going back to Qianhu City the day after tomorrow."

Zhang Tianai responded with a sound of agreement, but did not move.

Zeng Hao had already walked a few steps when she called out from behind, "President Zeng."

He didn't turn around, but paused for a moment.

"Thank you," Zhang Tianai said softly.

Zeng Hao did not answer and continued walking forward.

The filming of "Go Princess Go" officially wrapped up on June 14th, with a final expenditure of 870,000 yuan, which was 30,000 yuan less than the budget of 900,000 yuan.

The news was leaked by a member of the production crew, and then picked up by that entertainment gossip website to publish a follow-up report with the title changed to "Go Princess Go Wraps Up Filming: 30,000 Yuan Left Out of a 900,000 Yuan Budget, Producer's Stinginess is Admirable." The article was sarcastic, but the comments section was full of "Stinginess is skillful" and "This is what you call knowing how to spend money."

When Zeng Hao saw this report, he was interviewing an agent.

The other party's name is Xu Wen, 32 years old. He previously worked in a small or medium-sized brokerage company for six years and has some media resources and announcement channels. He just left his previous company last month and sent his resume to Sunshine Entertainment.

Zeng Hao put down his resume. "Why did you leave your previous job?"

Xu Wen spoke fluently, "My previous boss wanted to save on agency fees, so he poached the two artists I was in charge of and took over his management. There's no point in me staying."

What do you think you're best at?

"I'll take any gigs," Xu Wen said without any hesitation. "Variety shows, brand events, endorsements—as long as the artist has a certain level of popularity, I can fill my schedule with gigs."

Zeng Hao looked at him for a few seconds, "I have two artists I need you to connect with right now, one of whom is Yang Shanshan. Do you know her?"

"Second-tier, mainly variety shows and film and television, their popularity has been average recently."

"The other one is Zhang Tianai, the female lead in 'Go Princess Go'."

Xu Wen's eyes flickered. "I know this show. It's very popular right now."