BXBX NOVEL Chapter 206: 206, Handsome Man
“President Xiao, what you just saw are the trailers for the series of films EMC Company plans to invest in and shoot next year. In my opinion, these films are quite impressive, captivating the modern audience’s psychology, with a considerable investment value. We, Qi Ao, are quite optimistic about them, YiXin and Huanyu Media also think they’re worth investing in. What are your opinions after watching them?” A bowing investor asked for guidance.
Xiao Yebai didn’t respond.
He hung his head, his slender fingers holding a black pen. Light from the window cast into the room, causing reflections on his glasses, making it hard to discern his expression.
His silence created an awkward atmosphere.
After a light cough, Mo Yaoxiong spoke up, “Our Mo Family has never ventured into the film and television industry. I can’t really understand these trailers, but since everyone is optimistic about them, I guess we can consider them. Yebai, what are your thoughts? Please share.”
Tapping his pen twice on the table, Xiao Yebai finally looked up, his thin lips forming a faint response, “Forgive me for being blunt, but I can’t really see any potential investment value in these works.”
Upon hearing these words, that investor’s face turned dark immediately, and the expressions of other representatives also turned awkward.
The large conference room became so quiet that you could almost hear a pin drop.
Until…
“Heh.”
A cold snort suddenly erupted.
Qu Yunyao was stunned.
Xu Rui slammed the data onto the conference table, abruptly stood up, anger flaring as he questioned, “President Xiao, what do you mean by that? If Mo Family is not willing to invest, please decline directly. I, Xu Rui, hate people who pretend to know when they don’t and people who insult and ridicule art!” “Didn’t you show me the trailer for an evaluation?” Xiao Yebai’s voice stayed level without a trace of emotion.
With a loud “thud,” Xu Rui slammed his palm on the conference table again, “You’re free to dislike my concept, but please do not insult my work! To a thousand people, there are a thousand Hamlets. You have only seen a portion of the trailer, and yet you jump to conclusions. This only stresses your superficiality!”
“Director Xu.” Compared to Xu Rui’s outburst, Xiao Yebai remained composed and detached, his voice calm and steady, “As you said, ‘to a thousand people, there are a thousand Hamlets. Why was my opinion interpreted as an insult to your work? Can it be that you prefer silence over feedback on your work? Or is it that Director Xu can only receive praises and can’t take any feedback?”
Xu Rui was rendered speechless.
Initially, he considered this young President Xiao, with his pretty and scholarly appearance who relied on women to advance in status, merely an empty shell. But to his surprise…
He was more than meets the eye.
He quickly composed himself and argued, “But you don’t understand what art is. My trailer is just a synopsis. There are many more exciting parts you haven’t seen yet!”
“Since you’re seeking my investment, shouldn’t you have come prepared, presenting the most exciting parts?” Xiao Yebai, with his soft voice but compelling urgency asked, “I am a businessman. I merely follow the rules of business and principles of economic operation. By showing us a trailer without any highlights and no visible commercial value, expecting me to invest 10 billion…”
He formed his thin lips into a light smirk, “Is this your insincerity? Or do you think all investors are stupid rich suckers?”
At this point, Xu Rui was completely stunned.
An elegant man adorned in a suit, tie, and thin-rimmed glasses unceremoniously spits out the word ‘sucker’…
How incongruous!
As for the other investors on-site, their faces turned grim.
Just now, to save face for Mo Yaoxiong, they seemed quite optimistic, deciding to invest. But now, they essentially confirmed Xiao Yebai’s epithet of ‘suckers.’
They were being openly criticized by a man in his twenties…
Those with abrasive personalities, those who were older, more experienced – how could they swallow this insult?
An executive in his forties stood up and pounded the table, “Xiao Yebai, what do you mean by that? If you don’t understand art, don’t utter nonsense! Just because you don’t see its potential – – does that mean we are all wrong?” “President Fang is right!” Another executive in his thirties agreed, “We’ve consulted with dozens of domestic film critics and scriptwriters. They reviewed the trailers and scripts, and it was after a comprehensive evaluation that I decided to invest. Are those film critics and scriptwriters… idiots too?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Liu’s got a point here.”
“I also quite like these works.”
II II
The conference room buzzed with discussions. It seemed somewhat uncontrollable for a while.
“Ahem.” Mo Yaoxiong had to get up and mediate, “Our Mo family has never ventured into the film and television market. Yebai’s concerns are understandable. Everyone, calm down first…”
A cell phone ringtone suddenly broke the tension.
Under everyone’s gaze, Xiao Yebai picked up the phone from the table, took a glance, then stood up, “Zhong Kai.”
Zhong Kai also quickly stood up, “President Xiao..”