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Faced with Li Yan's assertive stance, the attendees quickly reacted, swiftly organizing their thoughts and preparing their opinions.

Because this team was just recently formed, there wasn't enough tacit understanding and trust, making them susceptible to external influences. For instance, Jiang Xueyin's attitude just now made them maintain a cautious approach, while Li Yan's current attitude prompted them to feel the need to be more proactive.

"I think we need to observe further, because in Qiao Pan's production record, not all mid-to-small investments were profitable—several were losses, which is why he's at his current situation." The speaker was market manager Luo Ling, a cute girl with big, bright eyes, not very tall, around one meter fifty-five.

Li Yan could tell she was against it but was speaking tactfully due to his stance.

Feng Xiang didn't agree with Luo Ling's opinion. He wanted to oppose, but after glancing at Luo Ling, he hesitated and eventually didn't say anything.

But with someone taking the lead, others also eagerly spoke up, each striving to quickly express their opinions to avoid ending up copying others and appearing incompetent.

"Every investment carries risk, especially film projects, where only a tiny portion of the films made each year are profitable; even among those that make it to public screening, only a small fraction are profitable. Qiao Pan has already proven his ability with several films, and I think we can try to engage."

"I agree, but we need to delve deeper. We should explore what factors led to the success of Qiao Pan's successful productions and why the failures happened. We can't simply judge by box office figures alone."

"As the company's inaugural project, we can collaborate with other companies with mature production experience. While profits will be slightly less, risks will also be mitigated. As long as there's a release, the company's reputation and influence will certainly increase."

"Not only joint investment but also multiple projects at once to capture attention more intensively and expand company recognition."

"I think we can replicate the success of the Huayi Brothers by simultaneously working on film production, film distribution, TV production, celebrity agency contracts... and not putting all our eggs in one basket. If one flower doesn't bloom, another will..."

This opinion hadn't been voiced when it was silenced by the stares of others.

In rural terms, 'You haven't learned to plow the fields, yet want to learn to rake them.' More commonly, 'You haven't learned to walk, yet want to run.' The all-around development of the Huayi Brothers began after becoming one of the top private film companies following years of growth. Its development foundation started from making holiday films with Feng Xiaogang. A new company without acquisitions or mergers of other businesses can't achieve this overnight.

Though understanding this, Li Yan didn't mock and summarized, "Heavenly Film is just our first step. If we perform well, even without diversification, the parent company, or other partners and clients, will encourage us to expand. But now, having just launched, we need to focus on making movie investments successfully. We need to produce works and build our reputation!"

Glancing at everyone, Li Yan continued, "In summary, most of you still support this. It's just that opinions vary in detail and degree. I hope your suggestions are for the company's development, not just to appease my personal stance! This preliminary assessment concludes here. You all need to work hard from various angles, thoroughly analyzing Qiao Pan's works, both successful and failed, picking out a typical example for each. The analysis results should be ready by tomorrow morning. I've already contacted Qiao Pan and some other companies, and I'll arrange for him to visit us tomorrow. We need to be ready for the second phase of evaluation by tomorrow morning! Any questions?"

"No problem!" everyone answered loudly.

The company has already gone through the establishment and preparation phases, and now it's time to charge forward. Everyone aims to achieve results quickly and values Li Yan's decisive style. They are still in an all-out-effort phase, most afraid that Li Yan would become lax and drag them down. His being proactive makes them even more so.

...

Exiting the conference room, Li Yan's gaze fell on Jiang Xueyin's seat, where she stared blankly at the computer, appearing to be in a daze. Her eyes were slightly red as if she'd been crying.

Everyone was starting to immerse themselves in work enthusiastically, so she couldn't dampen their spirits or hinder progress due to any resentment. Li Yan returned to his office, then asked Jiang Xueyin to see him through an internal line.

After a while, Jiang Xueyin entered with a cold expression, "General Manager Li, what are your orders?"

The emphasized "General Manager" revealed both deliberate aloofness and a strong sense of sarcasm.

Li Yan looked at her and pointed to a chair.

"Sit down!"

Jiang Xueyin stubbornly remained still, what attitude? Commanding a puppy?

Seeing her stubborn demeanor, Li Yan joked, "What? Afraid to sit? Worried I'll eat you? Rest assured, even if I were a lecherous boss harassing subordinates, it wouldn't be you. You'd have to practice for eight hundred years to match up to a tenth of your cousin."

Though Jiang Xueyin wasn't as stunning as Zhang Yurong, she was still considered a beauty, in her prime with youthful charm. Hearing such a jab, how could she not be annoyed? With someone else, she could retort, but Zhang Yurong left her speechless. She could only glare at Li Yan angrily.

A single "I don't dare," still made her sit down heavily, then glare at Li Yan, seemingly saying, "I'm not afraid of you."

"Careful, don't break the chair apart." Li Yan teased again.

Break the chair apart? Do I weigh that much? Jiang Xueyin was fuming, her chest heaving. After taking a few deep breaths, she coldly said, "General Manager Li, did you call me in just to talk nonsense?"

Li Yan had already roused her anger, intending to convert it into determination. He then got to the point: "Do you know what mistake you made earlier?"

"Mistake? Ha! My mistake was stealing your spotlight as the general manager!" Speaking of being kicked out, Jiang Xueyin was even more annoyed.

"Your mistake was misplacing yourself. Maybe because I wasn't timely on the scene, so in a mountain where there are no tigers, monkeys became kings. But even if you are Yurong's cousin, even if considering the company, you must do your financial job well without acting like the boss lady."

You're the tiger, I'm the monkey? Jiang Xueyin was furious, but before she could unleash her anger, Li Yan's remark about her acting like the boss lady further enraged her, making her tremble.

"Some people finally have a bit of authority, don't worry! Sister Jiang doesn't care about taking over your little power, and stop using chicken feathers as emblems of authority!"

"Really? Oh, I'm just someone who finally has a bit of authority; indeed I'm worried about treacherous ministers seizing power. Since comrade Sister Jiang speaks so resolutely, dare you wager with me?" Li Yan patted his chest, a look of relief and gratitude on his face.

But to Jiang Xueyin, he was being utterly fake, clearly pretending and not forgetting to call her a "treacherous minister". Although reason told her he might have some trick up his sleeve, she impulsively said, "Wager on what?"

"Mainly I'm afraid someone might hinder the work because I reprimanded her..."

Before Li Yan finished speaking, Jiang Xueyin had already sneered, "Ha! Don't worry, I separate personal grudges from public duties clearly. Moreover, this company doesn't belong to someone but to my cousin; I'll steadfastly defend the company's interests for her."

"Okay, then let's wager; see if you can do the financial job well and follow the wise leadership of the manager. If you can't, best cry to Yurong, and let her transfer you to the headquarters' finance." Li Yan said disdainfully.

Although Jiang Xueyin found the 'wise and mighty manager's leadership' revolting, Li Yan's taunt about her crying to her cousin irritated her greatly. "Let's bet! I won't fail and won't complain..."

Just a while ago she complained to Zhang Yurong; it left her feeling a bit unsure. She hurried to turn passive into active: "What if I succeed? Does someone dare to transfer to clean toilets?"

"Hey, why clean toilets? Aren't you afraid I'll install monitors in the ladies' restroom?"

"..."

Li Yan's face turned stern, and he said seriously, "If, within three months, you can follow my leadership, not negatively influence others, and do your financial work excellently, I'll treat you to a meal as an apology for kicking you out publicly today, and I'll praise your abilities to your cousin's face! If you can't, you'll have to apply for a transfer, so we won't see eye to eye."

"Fine! But I must choose the restaurant; be prepared to pay with your salary!" Jiang Xueyin said fiercely.

She was quite satisfied with this wager. Because if she manages for three months, she can apply for a transfer; if she succeeds, not only would it be a sweet revenge but also cause him a big financial pain while inviting him to dinner. He wouldn't dare ask Yurong to cover the cost, right?

"No problem, even if you want to go to the world's most famous restaurant, I'll allow it!"

Li Yan had a generous expression, looking as though victory was assured.

Seeing his demeanor, Jiang Xueyin felt she couldn't admit defeat. It's only three months, right? She must make him treat her at the world's most famous restaurant! See if he can still smile then!

If Huang Ying were here listening to Li Yan, she might chuckle sneakily. Because once, Li Yan made a similar joke to her. The world's most famous restaurant he referred to was McDonald's or KFC, the kind with tens of thousands of outlets worldwide as "the most famous" joints. "Most famous" doesn't equate to "best" or "priciest" restaurants.

Dispelling the daydream of making Li Yan unable to pay the bill, Li Yan turned on the computer. Having used her to assert authority, now he employed this method to settle her, internally creating balance.

Just then, a call came in; seeing it was Yue Yao!

Could there be something happening in the hospital?

(Thanks to yesterday's rewarding brothers: dongmin806, tea guest of Dragon's world, Yang Duoduo, zjun971210, CP Pampas) (To be continued. To know what happens next, please log in at www.qidian.com with more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)

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