My Virtual Girlfriend-Chapter 101: One of Us (Vote for recommendation!)

After listening to Mei Li’s well-organized speech, Chen Yan seriously sized up the top agent before him for the first time.

Sure enough, she was the woman who had made Lu Man famous.

She definitely had skills.

Much more reliable than Lu Man.

Chen Yan smiled and said, "No problem. Let’s solve one issue at a time."

On the way, the group did not rush to discuss these important matters, but casually chatted about entertainment gossip and their respective situations.

Soon, they arrived at the hotel.

Lu Man stopped the car and led everyone upstairs.

Upon entering the room, she instinctively took off her mask and sunglasses first.

Then, as she took off her coat and threw it on the bed, she said, "We’re all insiders here, so just find yourselves a seat."

The typical Lu Man style, Chen Yan was used to it.

But Mei Li was simultaneously saying, "Young lady... you’re throwing your clothes around again," as she picked up Lu Man’s clothes from the bed and neatly hung them up.

Chen Yan and Yu Qiao Qiao exchanged glances.

Both could see the same judgment of Mei Li in each other’s eyes: She was totally treating Lu Man like a spoiled daughter... a classic mom fan.

Probably learning from last night’s embarrassment of having no water, Lu Man had someone send over a box of bottled water in advance.

She opened the cardboard box, took out a few bottles, and handed them around, then said, "Everybody have some water first. Then Mei Li will talk about the company share ratio we discussed last night, and you guys can see if it works."

Accepting the water from Lu Man, Yu Qiao Qiao felt a bit out of place and said, "Should I step out? Is this... confidential?"

Lu Man looked towards Chen Yan.

Chen Yan smiled and said, "It’s fine. You’re one of us."

After saying that, he added, "And in our company, you and Lu Man are the most familiar with each other, so I plan to have you represent me as a liaison officer in the studio."

"Of course... there will be extra salary."

Yu Qiao Qiao obediently nodded.

She felt like a piece of movable brick; wherever Chen Yan needed her, that’s where she’d be moved, and she had gotten used to it.

Mei Li glanced at them both, but didn’t speak.

Then she opened her water bottle, took a sip, cleared her throat, and said to Chen Yan, "Mr. Chen. In this place, let me first apologize to you on behalf of Man Man."

Chen Yan looked at her curiously.

Mei Li continued, "She is young and unaware of the substantial support you provide, and she has not shown you enough respect or given you sufficient shares."

"So, after understanding your contributions in detail last night, I created a cross-shareholding plan to protect the interests of both parties."

As she spoke, she stood up, opened her small bag, took out a document, and handed it to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan took the document and looked at it.

The document was detailed.

The main content was that Chen Yan and Lu Man would set up two companies.

One celebrity studio and one film and television company.

For the celebrity studio, Chen Yan would invest 10 million, holding 30% of the shares. Lu Man would contribute personally, holding 60% of the shares, and Mei Li would invest 2 million along with her personal capabilities, holding 10% of the shares.

Business-wise, although Chen Yan did not mind the small money, he still did a quick calculation.

Overall, he was getting a great deal. With 10 million, he was buying 30% of a popular actress’s future income, and he didn’t have to do anything himself, which was very cost-effective. Given Lu Man’s current popularity and fan base, an annual income of 20 to 30 million was not a problem (before any potential ban).

If conditions were so favorable, then obviously, compensation had to be found elsewhere.

So, he continued to look at the share ratio of the film and TV company.

The film and TV company’s share structure was much simpler. According to the plan, within three years, Chen Yan would inject 290 million to set up a film and television company, holding 95% of the shares, while Lu Man’s Celebrity Studio would contribute 10 million, holding 5% of the shares.

Since the studio was contributing, according to the proportion, of this 5% equity, 3% belonged to Lu Man, 1.5% to Chen Yan, and 0.5% to Mei Li.

Per the document’s requirement, Chen Yan would formally promise that the total capital of 300 million in this film and TV company would be used entirely for investing in Lu Man’s film and TV projects.

Using a two-tier share structure, Mei Li successfully tied Chen Yan’s 300 million capital to Lu Man’s chariot without costing Lu Man her freedom. Moreover, they could even share the profits of the film projects through the studio’s cross-shareholding.

It also ensured Chen Yan safeguarded his own interests.

It must be said, the plan was cleverly designed.

However...

What did this have to do with Chen Yan?

Chen Yan just wanted to make easy money.

Investing in Lu Man was also because it offered a decent professional return.

After reading the document, Chen Yan nonchalantly placed it on the table and said, "Fine. Go ahead with your plan."

This surprised Mei Li.

To be honest, the agreement was quite fair.

But the problem is... there’s not much fairness in this world.

Holding capital, facing an actor, one inherently could be unfair.

After all, there are actors everywhere, but only a few with capital...

So, she was fully prepared to haggle with Chen Yan.

But...

Just like that, he agreed hastily?

She looked at Chen Yan, probing, "Don’t you need to review it a bit more, see if there’s anything that needs adding?"

Chen Yan waved his hand, "No need."

Mei Li asked again, "Then you don’t plan to discuss the share ratio any further?"

Chen Yan smiled and said, "I’m investing in Lu Man simply because I believe she will definitely become a superstar."

"As for whether it makes money or how much it makes, I don’t care."

"After all... I just want to witness the birth of a superstar."

Hearing Chen Yan’s words, Mei Li’s mouth slowly opened wide, her eyes filled with astonishment.

After a pause, as if suddenly realizing something, she sharply turned to look at Lu Man.

At that moment, Lu Man was visibly moved.

Mei Li’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

After finishing the discussion about the company’s share distribution, the group went down to eat.

During the meal, Chen Yan and Mei Li discussed the timeline for the funds to be in place.

Chen Yan promised that the funds would be deposited by the end of the month and also transferred the one million allotted for Yu Qiao Qiao and Lu Man’s expenses to Mei Li, as the first installment of funding.

Mei Li did not refuse and took the money, writing a receipt for Chen Yan.

After completing all that and finishing their meal, Mei Li initiated a handshake with Chen Yan, "Mr. Chen, it’s a pleasure doing business with you."

Chen Yan extended his hand and shook hers, "Pleasure doing business."

Releasing his hand, Chen Yan asked, "Do you have any plans next? Should we continue discussing the film and TV project this afternoon?"

Mei Li, who initially said she wanted to discuss the film and TV project when they met, now changed her statement, "I have to return to the Magic City this afternoon, and I have a meeting tonight with Man Man’s agency about termination."

"The information for the film and TV project is already organized. I will send it to your email tomorrow, and you can look it over. We can talk more when we meet next time."

Chen Yan said, "Shall I see you off?"

Mei Li smiled and declined, "No need, Man Man can take me."

After saying this, she gave Lu Man a meaningful glance.

Understanding that Mei Li had something to talk to her about, Lu Man said to Chen Yan, "Chen Yan, you and Qiao Qiao go ahead, I’ll take her to the airport. I’ll return the car to Qiao Qiao tomorrow."

After saying that, she looked at Yu Qiao Qiao, "Is that okay, Qiao Qiao?"

Yu Qiao Qiao obediently nodded, having no objections.

Chen Yan said, "Alright. Then you take Mei Li, and I’ll head back to the office with Qiao Qiao."

Mi San Dao was still at the office.

As it turned out, Chen Yan’s idea was good, but Yu Qiao Qiao shyly said, "Chen Yan, I suddenly have something at school this afternoon, I can’t make it to the office. I’ll go tomorrow, is that okay?"

Chen Yan: ...

What’s this now...?

Why do I feel like I’m being abandoned by the whole world...

This script seems a bit off...

But... Yu Qiao Qiao had a legitimate reason, so Chen Yan could only reluctantly agree.

After watching Chen Yan and Yu Qiao Qiao playfully leave the hotel, Mei Li and Lu Man also started heading toward the parking lot.

On the way, Lu Man curiously asked Mei Li, "Sister? Do you have something you want to talk to me about?"

Mei Li "hmm"ed, her brow slightly furrowed as she said to Lu Man, "Man Man... I have a feeling there’s something off about Chen Yan..."

She paused, puzzled, and added, "Are you sure... he doesn’t have any other motives?"