After believing she had perfectly resolved the comedy film screenplay issue, Shao Yichen tossed aside her manuscript and fell into a peaceful sleep.
Once again, she dreamed of successfully losing money.
But unlike her previous dream, this time the system didn't automatically send her back after she successfully lost money three times in a row. Instead, it required her to go to the System Host Management Bureau to register properly and sign a confidentiality agreement before being sent back to her original world.
Shao Yichen silently cursed the system for its delays—how could it be fully automated for binding hosts and issuing tasks, yet when it came to matters directly affecting the host's interests, it couldn't be automated? Such bureaucratic formalism!
Despite her complaints, she still went to the Management Bureau.
The System Host Management Bureau was located in a corner of the universe with no gravity, surrounded by twinkling stars. She floated over unsteadily and shouted with full vigor at the registrar: "I want to go home! Quickly present the registration form to me!"
The system registrar looked up—it was Li Xingyu.
Seeing his dark, solemn gaze, Shao Yichen instantly became timid, inexplicably feeling guilty as if caught doing something wrong.
But before she could explain, a "beep-beep-beep" sound reached her ears. She and Li Xingyu stared at each other, both looking perplexed.
After a long silence, Shao Yichen said: "Student Li, your phone is ringing."
Li Xingyu didn't speak, continuing to stare at her with his dark eyes.
Unable to bear it any longer, Shao Yichen reached out to help him turn off his phone—then she grasped empty air and woke up.
Oh, it wasn't Li Xingyu's phone ringing in the dream, but her own phone ringing in reality.
Shao Yichen insincerely apologized in her heart to Li Xingyu who had been wrongly blamed in her dream, grabbed her phone, and saw it was Nan Rongyu calling.
She answered: "Hello?"
"Hey, Director Shao, about that question you asked yesterday—I don't know much about it, so I asked my brother." Nan Rongyu's voice came through, sounding energetic and full of vitality.
Shao Yichen knew he had recently gained a wave of fans from "The Web," and most importantly, after attracting so many fans, there were finally some hearing-impaired fans who, loving the whole package, thought their singing was good and were willing to support them. This had made the twins walk as if floating lately, in excellent spirits.
Without waiting for Shao Yichen's response, the cheerful Nan Rongyu continued: "My brother says that establishing a company from scratch involves too many procedures. Since you have cash on hand now, it's better to directly acquire a company."
Direct acquisition? This was indeed an approach Shao Yichen hadn't considered. But thinking about it, she realized it was actually a good suggestion—no hassle of starting from scratch, no need to recruit new employees, and the employees generally had production experience, meaning she'd never again have to arrange everything from venues to equipment rentals herself when making films.
"But my brother also said there are other things to pay attention to when acquiring," Nan Rongyu added, sensing Shao Yichen's interest on the other end.
"What things?" Shao Yichen asked.
"It's best not to acquire a company that has just spectacularly flopped with one film, or has lost money on several films in a row. Even if you do acquire such a company, it's better to change its name," Nan Rongyu said. "Some viewers will instinctively avoid a company known for making terrible films, which is bad for box office performance."
As Nan Rongyu spoke, Shao Yichen's mind began working.
A company that had lost money spectacularly and consistently without ever turning a profit—wasn't that exactly what she needed?
In others' eyes, inheriting such a company's reputation might be a drawback, but in Shao Yichen's eyes, it was definitely a plus!
She thanked Nan Rongyu, hung up the phone, and immediately began searching for box office poison companies on the verge of bankruptcy.
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Three days later.
"Everyone, show a better state! Be energetic! Smile! Give the new boss a positive, uplifting impression!"
Morning Star Media Company's distribution department head, Li Qianqian, faced the other employees huddled in the conference room, trying hard to boost everyone's spirits.
But the others couldn't help looking worried.
"Sister Qianqian, I know you mean well," the company receptionist, who had joined at the same time as her, said with a bitter expression. "But the company has been acquired, and we old employees might all be dismissed. How can we smile?"
"Why are you so certain the new boss will dismiss old employees? Don't overthink it—let's meet this new boss first," Li Qianqian comforted them, though she wasn't very confident herself.
Who could know what kind of person this new boss would be?
Thinking of this, she felt somewhat regretful. Why had she, a management graduate from a prestigious university, been fooled by the high salary in the recruitment three months ago and joined such a company as the distribution department head?
As soon as she joined, she learned the company had invested heavily in a film that had lost its entire investment, putting her in the awkward position of being employed yet effectively unemployed.
Didn't she face the same problems as the receptionist?
Her problems were even more serious than the receptionist's!
After all, if the receptionist left, she just needed to find a new job; but with Morning Star Media's last film losing so badly, still owing the bank over ten million in debt, if Li Qianqian left, having this company name on her resume would label her as a "failed company manager." Add to that the invisible gender discrimination in society, could she even find another job?
Thinking about these issues, Li Qianqian's mood grew increasingly heavy.
Just as the small conference room fell into dead silence, there was a "click" from the door.
Everyone looked up to see the old boss entering with a young woman who looked like an intern.
"From today on, ah, I officially step down and have nothing to do with the company anymore," the previous company chairman pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his sweat. "Now, the company is officially handed over to the new chairman."
Although his demeanor appeared somewhat pathetic, few employees in the company sympathized with him—after all, it was because he had purchased more novel adaptation rights than the company needed without understanding the film market, and insisted on casting inexperienced traffic idols as leads, that the company had fallen into crisis with a broken capital chain.
The former chairman, seeing the situation in the conference room, had no interest in saying more and simply handed over the company: "Now, all company matters are entrusted to the new chairman. I now invite the new chairman, ah, to speak. I have matters to attend to, so I'll leave first."
With that, the former chairman quickly left the conference room, his steps even a bit springy—finally rid of this money-losing company! Who would have thought someone would actually take over this hot potato!
With the former chairman gone, those remaining in the conference room were stunned.
What was happening? The former boss had just slipped away?
That was fine—but where was the next boss?
As everyone exchanged glances, trying to communicate with their eyes, they saw the intern-like woman who had entered with the former boss step forward, standing in front of everyone.
This intern-looking young woman addressed everyone: "I am Shao Yichen, the company's new chairman and CEO."
—No way?!
At that moment, all employees, including Li Qianqian, felt a strong sense of disbelief from the depths of their hearts.
This young woman who looked like she had just graduated from college was the company's new boss?
Wouldn't the company collapse even faster now?!
Instantly, the employees in the conference room showed various expressions, but overall, the looks directed at the new chairman were not particularly friendly.
However, the woman named Shao Yichen seemed oblivious to these thoughts and continued speaking: "I know this company has encountered some problems with a previous project, investments have been wasted, the reputation has been affected, and there's still over ten million owed to the bank."
Hearing the new chairman immediately touch on painful subjects, the others in the conference room looked even more uncomfortable.
Self-introduction followed by a show of authority—was the next step to dismiss the employees?
Of course, it might not be forced termination, but there were too many ways for a company to make employees unable to continue working: claiming violations of company rules to dock pay; not assigning work, then only providing basic performance pay; giving poor evaluations in work assessments...
In short, weren't there plenty of ways to make someone unable to continue at a company?
For a moment, everyone in the company couldn't help feeling pessimistic.
But to their surprise, Shao Yichen's next words were unexpected.
"—But I believe the failure of the previous film doesn't mean your work has failed," she looked straight ahead, directly at everyone in the conference room. "On the contrary, your work has its bright spots, which is why I bought this company."
The people in the conference room couldn't help thinking they had misheard.
What was happening? No dismissal of old employees? This new CEO wasn't following the usual script?
Regardless of the employees' discussions, Shao Yichen continued.
"I've already cleared the company's debt, and I'll handle some disputed contracts in the coming time. I want to declare that after taking over this company, I won't change the company's name, won't dismiss company employees, and won't change the company's logo," Shao Yichen's tone wasn't forceful, but conveyed a resolute attitude.
After saying this, her tone softened: "Of course, if anyone wants to leave the company, I won't prevent it. Just follow the normal resignation procedures."
"I can specifically tell everyone that the company will take on the task of filming a movie in the next six months. I believe that in the days ahead, we can achieve this goal together."
"Words alone are meaningless, so to demonstrate my determination, I'm going to announce something," at this point, Shao Yichen's serious demeanor changed as she smiled mysteriously.
"Starting this month, all company employees' salaries will increase by 50%—I heard your salaries for this month haven't been paid yet? Perfect timing then, let's distribute the salaries today!"
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As it turned out, speeches might not effectively motivate company employees, but paying salaries had a significant motivational effect on any company's staff.
After Shao Yichen paid the monthly salaries to the company's dozens of employees on-site, the conference room became harmonious and cheerful. Whether it was the company receptionist or the distribution department head, the gazes directed at Shao Yichen were filled with warmth.
No matter how unreliable this new CEO might appear, as long as she could pay salaries on time, we trust her unconditionally!
At least until the next payday.
Seeing the company's atmosphere improve dramatically, Shao Yichen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she had been wealthy before her rebirth, she had never actually managed an entire company and was feeling a bit uncertain. But to complete the system's task, she had no choice but to forge ahead.
Fortunately, under the dual offensive of money and persuasion, the results were quite satisfactory.
Taking advantage of the conference room's positive atmosphere, she inquired: "Who is the company's general manager? After the meeting, I'd like to understand the company's current situation from the manager."
The conference room suddenly fell silent.
All employees collectively fell silent, saying nothing.
Finally, Li Qianqian, as the distribution department head, reluctantly answered: "The general manager... resigned."
And took most of the company's middle and senior management with him.
Upon learning this news, Shao Yichen's expression didn't seem to change; inexplicably, she even appeared somewhat pleased. She continued asking: "Then who currently holds the highest position in the company?"
The conference room fell into silence again.
Finally, Li Qianqian looked left and right, then tremblingly raised her hand.
"Probably me," she answered.
"Good," Shao Yichen slapped the table. "From now on, you are Morning Star Media Company's new general manager!"
Li Qianqian: ????
Wasn't this promotion step a bit too large?
CEO Shao, Chairman Shao, it's not that I don't want a promotion, but with such a big step, aren't you afraid of falling?
Your servant hasn't mentally prepared for such a heavy responsibility!
Without giving her time to digest this shocking fact, Shao Yichen continued, looking even more pleased: "Well then, there's nothing else to discuss, so let's adjourn the meeting—Li Qianqian, stay behind, let's have a good talk between the new CEO and the new general manager about the company's next steps!"
Author's Note: Second update today~
Let's congratulate the birth of the new CEO and the new general manager!
Thank you to the little angels who cast sovereign votes or watered with nutrient solution during the period from 2020-09-05 11:33:40 to 2020-09-05 19:08:15~
Thanks to the little angels who watered with nutrient solution: Bystander A Eating Melon 50 bottles; Falling Two Worlds 40 bottles; Porridge, HSH 20 bottles; Aiyiweina 10 bottles; 3292221 6 bottles; Making a Little Heart, Orange Caramel, Waiting for Double Updates Every Day, Willow Liu 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!