Because of Liu Yutong's one sentence, that acquiring enough copyrights could easily build a film and television company worth tens of billions, Lin Muyang had been buying up copyrights in large quantities since last year.
He now held the copyrights to over eight hundred thousand films and TV dramas, not to mention other online music copyrights.
He had spent almost all his money on this. Not only that, he had also borrowed hundreds of millions from the bank where his mother worked, and that was almost all used up now.
However, as long as Liu Yutong didn't give the word, he could only keep his head down and continue acquiring copyrights.
Moreover, during the acquisition process, he had encountered a competitor.
A company called Leshi was also frantically buying up copyrights, but their moves weren't as big as his, and their efforts weren't as aggressive, so he still held the advantage in terms of the number of copyrights.
In short, he was now considered a leader in the domestic copyright field.
It was just that so far, he hadn't received any arrangements from Liu Yutong regarding the next step. Coupled with the immense financial pressure, this was why he anxiously rushed from Pearl City to find Liu Yutong for clarification.
Now he had finally gotten a definite timeline, and he felt a sense of relief.
Finally, the hard times were about to be over.
Immediately after, the two began discussing the equity distribution for the soon-to-be-established film and television company.
"Yutong, I've basically bet my entire fortune on the copyrights. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the next steps and how the equity should be arranged."
It was quite rare for these words to come from his mouth, clearly different from his previous style.
Perhaps he had also realized that the current Liu Yutong was completely different from before.
In the past, he could consider himself on equal footing with Liu Yutong based on his status, even thinking he was superior at the very beginning.
But now, look at the people in Liu Yutong's circle.
Zhou Muchen, Gu Yebai, Zhu Silin... and so on.
All were top-tier young masters and young ladies whose status far surpassed his.
Lin Muyang looked at Liu Yutong at this moment, and an image of himself squatting at the entrance of the Finance University to give her flowers flashed in his mind.
Thinking back on it now, it seemed somewhat laughable.
But... he didn't regret it.
Liu Yutong was also very direct. With a mindset of keeping clear accounts even between close friends, she directly allocated the shares.
"For the new company, you will contribute with all your existing copyrights. I will be responsible for all subsequent capital investments, including funds for building the video platform, content production, and operations. For the initial equity distribution, I will take fifty-one percent."
This was a controlling stake ratio for a normal company.
Lin Muyang's fingertips tightened slightly.
If it were before, he probably would have jumped up immediately, arrogantly demanding controlling interest.
But now, after a brief silence, he lifted his head and managed a smile that wasn't entirely carefree.
"Okay! Fifty-one percent, no problem."
"The company's management and decision-making will also be led by you. I'll cooperate."
Liu Yutong looked quietly at Lin Muyang. She could clearly feel that a certain balance between them had shifted.
Although he was still her business partner, a partner of Pearl Capital, he was no longer that Lin Muyang who was once high-spirited and everywhere proclaiming he would win her over.
For the first time in a real sense, he had lowered his head before her.
Liu Yutong shook her head. "I don't have that much time to manage. I'll only be responsible for providing you with strategic direction. The company's daily operations and decision execution will still be fully under your responsibility. You will still be the chairman of the new company."
Hearing this, Lin Muyang was slightly taken aback.
He had thought that giving up controlling interest would also mean losing the leading role, but he hadn't expected Liu Yutong to have no intention of seizing power at all.
"Alright, we'll do it as you say."
Liu Yutong continued, "Since the direction is set, we need to quickly build a core team next. You need to resolve the heads for the three sectors: technology, content, and market as soon as possible. I'll arrange for the funds to be transferred."
"No problem."
Lin Muyang thought of something and added, "That Leshi company, I wonder if you've heard of it, Yutong? I feel this company's philosophy is quite similar to ours and could likely become a formidable rival."
"I've heard of it. A company whose boss likes to talk about dreams."
Liu Yutong said calmly, "But the market is never short of competitors. You focus on building the platform framework first. The copyright library is your confidence, and the funds are mine. Next, we're going to show everyone what it truly means for content to be king!"
When Lin Muyang heard Liu Yutong's last sentence, his gaze became mesmerized for a moment.
He seemed to see again that girl from last year who first showed her brilliance on the Finance University campus, the one who made his heart flutter at first sight. Only now, she had shed some of her youthful naivety, becoming more mature, powerful, and dazzling!
How could there be such a perfect woman in the world.
After finishing the conversation with Lin Muyang and agreeing with Yu Mo on attending the judicial auction the day after tomorrow, everyone went their separate ways.
Lin Muyang planned to go to Shenzhen in the south to poach some talent to build the platform.
After all, there were more software talents there.
Liu Yutong's heart also stirred slightly. She thought of a very important figure from her past life, a talent who created a national-level social software, Zhang Dalong.
This person might be worth trying to recruit.
Based on the timeline, he should still be in charge of the email project now. It would be two years later that he would officially launch that software which would later have over a billion users, becoming a legend in the industry.
Before leaving, she specifically instructed Lin Muyang to visit this person named Zhang Dalong at the Tencent company when the time came.
As long as they could poach him, money was not an issue. Whatever compensation he wanted, she could afford it. She had that confidence. At this time, even Pony Ma probably couldn't have more cash flow than her.
If they couldn't poach him outright, even just luring him over first would do.
As long as he came, she would handle the rest.
Lin Muyang seriously memorized the name Zhang Dalong and said he would definitely go find this person.
After learning about the project Liu Yutong intended to bid on, Yu Mo also left to make preparations.
Only Liu Yutong, Yu Xin, and Lan Die, who had been standing quietly to the side all along, remained in the room.
Lan Die hadn't sat down since entering the room, always standing quietly by Liu Yutong's side.
It was as if Liu Yutong finally remembered her now. She stood up, turned around, and asked,
"Lan Die, have you gotten used to being in Pearl City, in the Wanlong Hui, during this time?"
Lan Die was slightly startled, seemingly not expecting Liu Yutong to suddenly ask her this.
She nodded gently, her voice cool. "Quite well."
"When Hua Muying recommended you to me, he specifically mentioned your abilities."
"He said you are a person of exceptional perseverance and also particularly hardworking."
"But our Wanlong Hui is not short of people with perseverance and hard work. What we lack are partners we can completely trust."
"I'll be going out of town on business to Yuncheng. During this time, my safety will need someone in charge, but this position is not one just anyone can fill." Liu Yutong said seriously.
Lan Die: "If Miss Liu needs a bodyguard, there are many more suitable candidates in the association."
"No!"
Liu Yutong gently shook her head. "I've said before, what I need is more than just a bodyguard. You'll understand in time."
Then she extended her hand, offering a sincere invitation. "Lan Die, your past has made you accustomed to solitude, but I'd like to invite you to try living a different kind of life."
Lan Die gazed into Liu Yutong's earnest eyes and finally understood why so many people within the Ten Thousand Dragons Society were utterly devoted to her.
Because only when you stood right before her could you truly feel it—it was genuinely difficult for any normal person not to develop a fondness for her.
Unless, of course, you were her enemy.
After a moment of silence, Lan Die slowly raised her hand and grasped Liu Yutong's, uttering a single word: "Okay."
