Cohabitation with Sword Spirit-Chapter 74 - 65: Why Do You Think I’m an Idol Master?
Morning of August 3, 2017
The first full company meeting of Jiulinglu Company was held at Shen Garden, attended by Chairman Wang Jiu, General Manager Shen Qingming, Board Secretary Li Chaolu, and intern Li Xinyu.
The main agenda of the meeting was to convey the board’s decision-making spirit, assign specific tasks, and timely suppress the laughter coming from the board secretary during the meeting.
"Hahahahaha, this fool wearing cat ears and paws is actually Shen Qingming? Hahahaha, I can’t take it, I’m laughing to death, my stomach is about to explode, hahahaha..."
In the makeshift conference hall at Shen Garden, Li Chaolu was unable to suppress his laughter no matter how hard he tried, crouching in agony on the conference table, trembling like Shen Qingming when he first tried Wang Jiu’s cooking.
At the other end of the table, Shen Qingming’s face was ashen, his eyes seemed ready to burst into flames and roast the large ham in front of him.
Sitting on a small stool in the corner of the meeting room, Li Xinyu looked anxious and restless, constantly leaning forward trying to catch a glimpse of the paper materials on the conference table.
From the start of the meeting, he was placed in the most remote corner of the meeting room and wasn’t given any meeting materials, completely missing out on the illustrations of Spirit Cat Qingming on the documents... He was itching with curiosity, suffering immensely.
He had already heard from his friends yesterday evening that a Spirit Cat girl had appeared at the Mountain Shifting Sword Dao Club in the East City District. Cat ears and paws, sweet and adorable, causing an uproar and melting the hearts of everyone present, men and women, young and old alike... Unfortunately, the details were only rumors from those present, as the related footage was strictly confidential and not circulated, leaving much to the imagination.
As one of the first fans to witness the Spirit Cat design, he naturally knew that Spirit Cat girl was his cousin Shen Qingming, and understood the terrifying impact of the combination of a young girl’s physique with cat ears and paws... But no matter how detailed his imagination, it couldn’t surpass the design sketches personally drawn by designer Wang Jiu!
Li Xinyu restlessly swayed on the stool, appearing as uncomfortable as if suffering from hemorrhoids, and let out heavy breaths. He was soon pinned down by the combined force of Hundred Flowers Sword Qi and Immovable Tyrant Body, knocked down and unable to get up.
Chairing the meeting, Wang Jiu ignored the violence occurring right under his nose and said, "The next issue is how to partner with Qian Yu to swiftly establish the idol brand and seize the market lead."
Li Chaolu said, "They provide the money, we provide the people, and we split the profits fifty-fifty, doesn’t that work?"
Shen Qingming scoffed, "A mentally challenged cooperation plan."
"Oh dear, just became famous and already acting like a diva?"
"Careful with your big ham leg, or I’ll use my general manager’s authority to turn you into Cat Meat No. 2!"
Li Chaolu immediately shut his mouth, sat up straight, and quickly, meticulously took the meeting minutes with a brush pen.
At this time, the bruised and battered Li Xinyu offered his suggestion.
"Cooperating with Qian the Third... isn’t necessarily a bad idea. Although there had been unpleasantness before, Qian Yu is credible and capable in terms of business operations. He is Patriarch Qian’s most beloved youngest son and the designated heir. Partnering with him is essentially partnering with the Qian Family. Whether in terms of money, manpower, or resources, it’s unimaginable. The only problem is that the Qian Family isn’t doing charity – the more they invest, the more they’ll demand in return."
Wang Jiu nodded, "Indeed, Qian Yu just replied to me. According to his proposed partnership plan, roughly, our side provides the core Spirit Cat brand products, and the Qian Family provides all resources needed for funding and brand promotion, developing peripheral products. In return, we receive 10% of the final profits."
Li Xinyu tutted, "As expected of the Qian Family, really knows how to bargain. This is more like a 90-10 split... wait, only 10% of the final profits? There’s a lot hidden in here – just by inflating the costs, it wouldn’t be surprising to report a loss in the end."
Li Chaolu frowned and asked, "You know about this?"
Li Xinyu grinned, "Heh, I’ve always dabbled in investment and business operations, keeping a keen eye on new things in QingCyan Cloud City."
"Humph, no wonder your cultivation progress is slow, getting left behind by Sister Wanqing."
"Hey, no matter how hard I try, I’d still get left behind by Sister Wanqing! Her cultivation talent is on par with Uncle’s!"
Li Chaolu stopped engaging with the fatty and said, "If the Qian Family’s terms are so harsh, let’s just ditch them and go it alone."
"It’s impossible." Li Xinyu said, "Firstly, Qian the Third has already seen Sister Qingming’s Spirit Cat design and recognized its huge potential. If they can’t partner with us, they could very well go it alone. Given the Qian Family’s influence in QingCyan Cloud City, they could make any idol they support famous across the city in just three days. On our side, because we can’t leverage family resources, it’s hard to compete with them."
Li Chaolu felt dissatisfied, "So, we just hand over most of the benefits to the Qian Family?"
Li Xinyu said seriously, "On the bright side, without the Qian Family’s involvement, those benefits wouldn’t exist with just us."
"You sure know how to speak for the rich!"
Li Xinyu said, "Because that’s what I tell shop owners when I invest in small businesses..."
"Have you no shame..."
As the brother and sister were talking, Wang Jiu at the head of the conference table spoke again.
"Alright, since no one objected to the cooperation just now, I’ve already communicated with Qian Yu via instant messaging, and reached a preliminary agreement, forming a new company. Our side will provide technical expertise as equity, holding 30% of the shares."
"30%?!" Li Xinyu was incredulous, "They actually accepted such terms?"
Wang Jiu said, "Qian Yu offered these conditions as soon as he heard the Spirit Cat design was my creation, on the condition that I act as a special consultant and chief designer during the operation period, continuously providing mature and forward-thinking idol designs like Spirit Cat, and offering guidance on business strategies."
Li Xinyu paused for a moment, then nodded, "I see... This is a long-term consideration. Sister Qingming’s Spirit Cat design, although indeed incredibly cute, is mainly fresh ideas and unique design, without significantly high technical barriers. If others intentionally imitate, they could capture some of its essence. Furthermore, Sister Qingming can’t focus solely on an idol career, setting aside cultivation, and can’t compare with professional idols. But if you, a master designer, provide technical support, ensuring ongoing market leadership as the pioneer, the long-term benefits are very promising. By contributing technical expertise for a 30-70 split, the Qian Family isn’t really losing out."
Wang Jiu said, "In fact, I think these terms are quite favorable for us, because I don’t have any other ideas."
Li Xinyu’s eyes widened, "Huh?"
Wang Jiu said, "I’ve only mentioned these things in passing before when I overheard Shang Lanfei and Zhao Yuming chatting. I’ve never seriously studied them. In reality, Spirit Cat Swordsmanship is everything I know about idols." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"..." Li Xinyu paused for a long time, "So, you really don’t know how to build idol stars, only having some vague concepts?"
Wang Jiu said, "I’m not an idol master or Galaxy Fairy, just a humble Honored Guest Elder of the Li Family. So I’m very puzzled why you all thought I should know a lot."
"..."
"So the terms Qian Yu proposed essentially add twofold returns for us without any additional input, so I agreed."
Li Xinyu was left speechless, only able to give a thumbs-up in admiration.
Li Chaolu looked at Wang Jiu with starry eyes, "Prince Wang Jiu is just too handsome."
——
Meanwhile, in the luxurious estate of the Qian Family, Qian Yu eagerly awaited the Flying Sword Communication from Shen Garden. The other party had already signed the contract, and as soon as he added his signature, the contract would take effect immediately.
Soon, a flash of gold appeared outside, and the flying sword carrying the contract hovered silently by the window. As Qian Yu looked at the sword’s light, he seemed to see a golden, vast wealth beckoning to him.
A 30-70 split, this condition might seem overly generous, but with Qian Yu’s experience, it wasn’t hard to predict that once the idol industry blossomed, it would soon enter a phase of fierce competition. By then, exceptional creativity would be the key to victory. Paying a bit more for this key, what’s the big deal? As for Wang Jiu’s professional level, he had no doubts; the heart-melting feline design couldn’t have been created by a mere stroke of inspiration or coincidence.
Ha, it looks like dad’s Gold-Burning Palm was lenient after all, thinking he’d be losing money non-stop for the next six months...
With a hint of satisfaction, Qian Yu earnestly signed his name on the four copies of the contract.
