They are equivalent to ordinary employees receiving salaries. The company leadership matters have nothing to do with them, and it's even more impossible for them to get involved; it would only cause trouble for themselves.

Seeing the situation, Long Dan Ni frowned and said to Duan Weiyuan, "Why don't you discuss with President Chen about each of our companies making an additional investment?"

Duan Weiyuan smiled wryly, "President Long, since you are the project's chief, you can surely continue to increase investments. As for me, I'm just a representative and would need to apply for approval from higher-ups. Our progress for additional investment is likely not fast enough unless we use the post-production costs in advance; otherwise, it will surely affect the program's progress."

Seven million isn't a lot of money in the eyes of either company, but this is cooperation.

Certain things must be calculated clearly; otherwise, a minor financial dispute could potentially lead to a major issue. This is something both Long Dan Ni and Duan Weiyuan clearly understand.

At this moment, Gu Bai arrived at the shooting site with several staff members.

Looking at the space for the two to three hundred people on set, which was now completely silent, he couldn't help but ask, "What's going on? It's only 9 AM and you're already taking a break?"

Long Dan Ni and Duan Weiyuan quickly went over to greet Gu Bai.

"President Gu."

"President Gu."

Director Cao Xianzong and Producer Qiu Yu also followed suit upon seeing Gu Bai.

Gu Bai first instructed the staff to distribute 300 cups of Starbucks before smilingly asking them, "What's happening here? Is there a problem with the show?"

Upon hearing Gu Bai's inquiry, Long Dan Ni explained the general situation to him.

After listening, Gu Bai raised his eyebrows and said, "This kind of thing?"

To Gu Bai, a financial issue of seven million was indeed a small matter. Long Dan Ni nodded slightly, "Although seven million isn't much, the issues involved are somewhat complex, which is why I was just discussing with President Duan whether to make an additional investment."

"Then go ahead with the additional investment. If it doesn't work out, advance the post-production costs for now, and I'll personally talk to President Chen and reimburse the costs according to the revenue share when the time comes."

With Gu Bai's promise, a sense of joy appeared on Cao Xianzong's face.

Even Long Dan Ni and Duan Weiyuan breathed a sigh of relief. This matter required someone of Gu Bai's caliber to handle; he solved the problem with just a few words.

But Qiu Yu said inopportunely, "Chairman Gu, although your solution is currently the best choice, there's something that needs your attention.

Admittedly, Director Cao is a good director, and a large part of the show's current success is due to him. However, if he continues this way, it will indeed make our production work difficult. The show is only in its third episode, yet Director Cao has already increased the budget four times. The first three times, though small amounts totaling less than four million, I had nothing much to say since everyone is working for the show.

However, with the fourth request for an additional seven million in budget, and you agreed, there are still seven whole episodes to go. If this happens every time, how can I continue as a producer?"

Qiu Yu is the deputy general manager of Celestial Image Studio under E Factory Film and Television and is more of a collaborator with Gu Bai, so his tone isn't very polite but reasonable.

Duan Weiyuan kept signaling with his eyes for Qiu Yu to be cautious with his words, but Qiu Yu was truly angered by Cao Xianzong today and vented all his grievances.

Gu Bai hadn't reacted when Cao Xianzong couldn't help but jump in, "Even Chairman Gu agreed to additional investments, so what do you have to say? Did I embezzle the money? Am I not doing this for the show?"

Gu Bai frowned at the argument between Cao Xianzong and Qiu Yu.

He had long heard that conflicts between producers and directors could easily be incited, and today he witnessed it firsthand. Not to mention a well-funded project like "Creation 111," yet such conflicts still arose. If it were for smaller investment film projects, wouldn't the producers be fighting with the directors?

Listening to their noise, Gu Bai's frown deepened. Long Dan Ni observing Gu Bai's expression, knew that if not stopped, Gu Bai might truly get angry, and she immediately scolded, "Have you quarreled enough?! Isn't Chairman Gu here to handle the issue? Do you think solving it by arguing will work?"

Upon Long Dan Ni's scolding, Cao Xianzong and Qiu Yu glanced at each other but didn't continue to argue.

After a long silence, Gu Bai slowly said, "What Producer Qiu just mentioned is reasonable, exceeding the budget once or twice might be justified, but continually exceeding is unreasonable.

The investment budget for the 'Creation 111' project was originally quite large. If Director Cao still finds it insufficient, then I have to question your capability since a show can't be produced purely by pouring money into it, right?"

Cao Xianzong looked at Gu Bai's expressionless face, paused as if wanting to say something, but eventually remained silent.

Gu Bai continued, "But since Director Cao regards the investment as insufficient, I will contact President Chen afterwards to add more investment. However, I hope there won't be such budget misjudgments like this in the future."

Qiu Yu couldn't help but ask, "Then, Chairman Gu, will the unsubsidized seven million budget for this episode be granted?"

Gu Bai gave him a light glance.

"Grant three million."

As soon as the words fell, Cao Xianzong was about to speak but was directly interrupted by Gu Bai.

"Director Cao, listen to me first!"

"This three million comes from other budget allocations; regarding the villa you mentioned, it doesn't have to be rented. As luck would have it, I recently bought one in the Capital City. I can let the production team use it for free; does that work?"

Upon hearing Gu Bai's offer, Cao Xianzong first couldn't help but be overjoyed, then hesitated, and couldn't help but inquire, "Chairman Gu, I mean no offense, but as you know, the program has a total of 111 participants, plus celebrity mentors and staff, possibly reaching up to 200 people... an ordinary villa might not meet our filming requirements..."

Without a word from Gu Bai, Long Dan Ni interjected, "Director Cao, do you think Chairman Gu would live in just any ordinary villa?"

Cao Xianzong replied, "I was just clarifying beforehand... if it's an ordinary villa, it really might not meet the filming needs..."

Cao Xianzong dared not question Gu Bai too much, and his tone slowly weakened.

Gu Bai chuckled softly and shook his head.

"Whether or not it meets filming requirements is not a topic that needs discussion. If my villa can't meet them, then there are probably very few in the entire Capital City that can."

The Yihetu Original Building King spans 3600 square feet, making it one of the most enviable properties not just in the Capital City but also nationwide. Gu Bai's words may sound boastful, but they're factual.

With the problem resolved, Cao Xianzong said nothing further, and Duan Weiyuan also stepped in, "Chairman Gu, regarding the leasing terms of your villa, I think we should clarify things so as not to shortchange you..."

Gu Bai waved it off nonchalantly, "It's just for a few days, what's the point of such precise calculations? I'm not short of that bit of money."

Even just for a few days, this kind of leasing, even if only briefly, would reach millions, yet Duan Weiyuan noticed how nonchalant Gu Bai seemed about such amounts, silently admiring his financial prowess.

As the discussion concluded, Gu Bai turned his gaze back to Qiu Yu.

"Producer Qiu, as a producer, you've indeed shown diligence, but I hope you can adjust your attitude a bit. President Chen and I appointed you as a producer to work, not to hear your complaints, understood?

This will be the first and last time today. If you can't handle this position, there are plenty of others who can replace you.

If you're unhappy about what I've said, feel free to report back to President Chen, or even President Ma, and tell them that it was I, Gu Bai, who said this."

Hearing this from Gu Bai, Qiu Yu's face instantly turned pale.

Duan Weiyuan had been constantly signaling to him with his eyes earlier, which he noticed but was too angry to care about at the moment. Now reflecting on the situation brings a sense of alarm.

Even E Factory Film and Television's President Chen Wu would probably refrain from using such a tone with Gu Bai, yet he not only dared to, but actually did so.

The previous person with no sense of decorum, responsible for contestant management, even if not dismissed by Gu Bai, is now in the cleaning department at the Shanghai Black Swan Group Headquarters.

With a slight glance at Qiu Yu, Gu Bai said nothing more and instead picked up a still warm cup of milk tea and walked towards Xu Beibei among the contestants.

Although the "Creation 111" show is buzzing, Gu Bai didn't put much thought into it. If it weren't for his Old Gu Family and the Old Xu Family's little princess being in this show, Gu Bai might never have come here at all and simply stayed home waiting for the money to roll in.

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