Start by Spending One Billion [Entertainment Industry]

Sheng Quan had acquired a building.

In fact, when the building marked with 【ssr】 by 006 was drawn by her, her first reaction was: Did 006 secretly give her special treatment?

006 was utterly shocked and loudly protested its innocence: 【How could that be! I tried! It's impossible to give special treatment! This was drawn by the host herself!】

Sheng Quan: ...So you actually did try to give me special treatment.

She had actually managed to draw a building without any system intervention.

And not just any ordinary building, but a 33-story commercial tower located in Shanghai, with a total area measured in hundreds of thousands of square meters.

What does it mean to own such a building?

Ask anyone on the street, and they could tell you the immense value it represents—prime real estate in a bustling metropolis.

Sheng Quan herself was astonished. Since she had always had average luck, she hadn’t held much hope for the draw. Seeing that the lowest option was 【one floor of a commercial building, rented for six months】, she had kept her expectations low.

After all, it was all free. Even if she got the smallest prize, it would still solve a major financial burden.

Before the draw, she had even been eating a jianbing guozi (a type of Chinese crepe) that Yu Xiangwan had brought back for her after his trip down the mountain.

And it wasn’t even the deluxe version—just a regular one with an egg.

Then, just as she took her first bite, she drew the highest-tier prize: a commercial tower.

【I hereby declare that jianbing guozi is now my favorite food!】

Sheng Quan was overjoyed. Although she couldn’t access the rental income from the building right now and could only use the floors as needed, knowing that the building was generating money (thanks to the hardworking 006, who had invested it as capital), she was thrilled.

Most importantly, with this building, she could now leverage its prestige to simplify many things. Sheng Quan could almost see a swarm of money fluttering toward her like little winged creatures.

Take, for example, this Mr. Wang who had suddenly appeared to apologize to her. The building had just been transferred to her name yesterday, and this afternoon, he had flown over to meet her.

Sheng Quan would bet that if she didn’t have this building, he would probably still see her as some random rich kid who suddenly popped up, or a young person not worth paying attention to. He definitely wouldn’t have been so polite.

Of course, Mr. Wang would never admit it. He was all smiles, speaking in a warm and fatherly tone: “I only found out from people online that Yan Hui used to be with Huafan and had some unpleasant history with them back then.”

“Although I wasn’t at Huafan at the time, it was still Huafan’s mistake. After learning the details, as the new owner of Huafan, my first thought was that I had to apologize to Teacher Yan Hui. I don’t know what Mr. Fang was thinking, letting such a talented person go over some petty grudge and holding him back for ten years.”

As he spoke, he stood up from the dining table: “I must toast to Teacher Yan Hui. Huafan wronged you.”

In essence, he was conveying one central idea: This wasn’t my doing. If you want to hold a grudge, take it up with that Mr. Fang.

Sheng Quan understood perfectly. She gestured for Yan Hui, who had quickly stood up, to sit back down, and she herself raised her glass, smiling gracefully:

“This matter has nothing to do with you, Mr. Wang. Why are you apologizing? If anything, I’m the lucky one. If he had still been at Huafan, you would have surely discovered him. Snatching such a talented person from you, I should be the one toasting you.”

Mr. Wang was momentarily taken aback and now genuinely viewed this Miss Sheng in a new light.

Before coming, his biggest concern had been that young people tend to be hot-headed and might not know how to take the offered olive branch. But Sheng Quan not only gracefully accepted it but also handed one back to him.

At such a young age, her words and actions were so polished. If he didn’t know her age, he would have thought he was dealing with one of those seasoned veterans.

Mr. Wang’s smile became much more sincere.

After all, in the same industry, it’s always good to exchange compliments. When there’s no conflict of interest, it’s best to keep things amicable and profitable.

Originally, he had just wanted to nip any potential trouble in the bud—who knows if a young person might get carried away and come after Huafan? But now, he genuinely considered building a friendly relationship with Sheng Quan.

A wealthy, well-connected, and sharp-minded second-generation heir, clearly intent on making a mark in the entertainment industry—it couldn’t hurt to get to know her better.

He clinked glasses with Sheng Quan, then turned his gaze to Yan Hui, who was sitting nearby: “It’s a shame we missed out on Teacher Yan Hui, but that doesn’t mean we can’t collaborate. We happen to have a project in production right now. Would Teacher Yan Hui be interested in making a guest appearance?”

Sheng Quan showed interest: “Are you referring to 《Hua Nian》, Mr. Wang?”

Mr. Wang’s heart skipped a beat. Although their company hadn’t gone out of their way to hide the production of 《Hua Nian》, there hadn’t been much media coverage either. For Sheng Quan to know about it, she must have done some research on Huafan.

Why would she investigate Huafan? The implications were quite intriguing.

Mr. Wang couldn’t help but curse inwardly. These wealthy families really raised no pushovers. That scoundrel Fang Chengdong’s dirty deeds almost landed on his lap. If he hadn’t been quick-witted and agile, he might have ended up with a wealthy and troublesome adversary for no reason.

As for whether Sheng Quan might not hold a grudge against Huafan—who could say? Most people wouldn’t, but a young, wealthy heir who could drop a million for a favorite novel character—who knows what she’s thinking?

It’s like the classic question: Who’s more dangerous—a thirty- or forty-year-old thug or a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old thug?

The answer is always the young one. Young people are reckless, impulsive, and passionate—they’re capable of anything. And Sheng Quan might have some kind of “Qin Heng filter” when it comes to Yan Hui. Mr. Wang was just glad he’d come in time.

Sheng Quan could tell from Mr. Wang’s subtle expression what he was thinking. She clarified: “Don’t misunderstand. Our production supervisor is just very well-informed, and I happened to hear about it.”

Yu Xiangwan, who had been silently peeling shrimp for Sheng Quan, gave Mr. Wang a polite smile.

It was indeed him who had told Sheng Quan about it.

In fact, he had used his extensive network to thoroughly investigate everyone around Sheng Quan, including Yan Hui. Otherwise, how else would he have traced things back to Huafan?

Yu Xiangwan hadn’t intended to do anything malicious. In his eyes, Sheng Quan was the best person in the world, but good people often attracted envy and schemes. Having seen too much of the industry’s underbelly, he couldn’t help but want to protect her.

And Huafan, an entertainment company with a history of conflict with Yan Hui, naturally made it onto Yu Xiangwan’s watchlist. Even if they didn’t cause trouble, who knows if they might try to ride on the coattails of the hype?

Mr. Wang, who had indeed considered riding the hype, glanced at the elegant and handsome Yu Xiangwan, who had spent the entire meal using his fair, slender hands to peel shrimp and pour wine for Sheng Quan.

"Hahaha, so that's how it is. President Sheng, you really have a lot of talented people under you. I'm truly envious. That's right, it's 'Crane Blossom Years.'"

—Come on, how well-informed can a producer be? He didn't believe it. Sheng Quan, that little fox, must have investigated Huafan thoroughly.

Mr. Wang secretly admired his own wisdom, but on the surface, he maintained a kind smile. "Since President Sheng knows about it, I wonder if you'd be willing to let Teacher Yan Hui guest star for a few days?"

Sheng Quan was more than willing. Yan Hui's career had just crossed the ten-point mark, and he had already earned her a building. If it weren't for knowing that haste makes waste and that the best choice was long-term development, she would have pushed Yan Hui's career to eighty points on the spot.

Amid the cheerful clinking of glasses, Yan Hui secured a guest role in a decent production. Since "Crane Blossom Years" was set to wrap up this month, he could finish filming this month and, at the earliest, appear before the public in two months.

Sheng Quan was overjoyed, as if she could already see Yan Hui's career skyrocketing to new heights.

Moreover, she had gained her first industry connection—Mr. Wang.

Although Mr. Wang appeared friendly toward her, he was, after all, a seasoned veteran who had been in the industry for decades. His network and resources were far more extensive than they seemed, certainly more than what Junyue Hotel could offer.

If they built a good relationship, Sheng Quan could easily tap into his vast resources and connections.

Mr. Wang extended a friendly olive branch, and as a newcomer to the entertainment industry, Sheng Quan naturally wouldn't ignore it. After consulting with 006 about her control over Huaxing Building, she offered to lease an entire floor to Mr. Wang at a discounted rate next quarter.

Mr. Wang's pupils constricted in surprise.

"An entire floor?! President Sheng, this... this is truly too generous. Thank you so much."

Here's what it means to lease an entire floor of Huaxing Building at a relatively low price.

First, this highly commercial building is located in Shanghai, where land prices are astronomical. Its location? Right in the heart of the business district, with everything from dining to shopping and high-end property services. Any company serious about growth would want to set up shop here.

As more promising and well-funded companies moved in, Huaxing Building gradually became the kind of place where landing a job right after graduation would earn you some serious envy.

Think about it: when job hunting, would you rather work in a nondescript building next to a nail salon or in a prestigious, high-end skyscraper with a corporate vibe?

And when negotiating deals, would you feel more confident partnering with a company based in an unknown building or one headquartered in Huaxing Building?

Over time, it became a trend for business owners looking to establish their company's reputation to lease space in well-known commercial buildings like Huaxing Building, as long as they had the funds.

In a fast-paced city like Shanghai, where companies rise and fall daily, Huaxing Building never struggled to find tenants. It's like how property prices in Shanghai are always sky-high, but landlords never worry about finding buyers.

Mr. Wang was wealthy. He owned more than just a small company like Huafan. If he wanted, he could stay in the penthouse suite of Junyue Hotel for half a year. But even he couldn't lease an entire floor of Huaxing Building; he had to share it with another company.

Because Huaxing Building was in such high demand, it wasn't just about having the money—it was about availability.

That's why Mr. Wang rushed over as soon as he heard Huaxing Building had been transferred to Sheng Quan. Having the money to buy the building was one thing; actually acquiring it was another.

Huaxing Building was like a golden goose that never stopped laying eggs. The fact that Sheng Quan had secured this golden goose suggested that the forces behind her were beyond Mr. Wang's imagination.

006: "I'm just really good at making money~"

In any case, Mr. Wang speculated a lot, but he didn't ask Sheng Quan a single question. He wasn't foolish enough to bluntly inquire, "Who are you, and where do you come from?" All he needed to know was that the person in front of him was President Sheng, his newest and most amiable friend.

Yes, the moment Sheng Quan offered to lease him an entire floor, this young and beautiful lady had become his best friend, his confidant, his sister from another mother.

The fifty-something Mr. Wang was so thrilled that he kept pouring himself drinks, getting completely drunk, his face flushed red. Before the gathering ended, he grabbed Director Wan Bao's hand, repeatedly calling him "President Sheng":

"President Sheng, I've never clicked with someone so well in my life. Why didn't we meet decades ago? I'm so happy. From now on, if you need anything, just say the word. Old Wang here may not be good at much, but I live by three words: loyalty above all!"

Director Wan Bao, whose hand was being held: "...Mr. Wang, you've got the wrong person. President Sheng is over there."

Yu Xiangwan draped Sheng Quan's coat over her shoulders and said to Mr. Wang's flustered assistant, "Mr. Wang is too drunk. Let him stay at the hotel President Sheng arranged."

Sheng Quan, who hadn't actually arranged anything, nodded with a slightly flushed face. "Yes, it's too late for him to go back now. Let him leave tomorrow morning."

"I'm not leaving. I'm too happy," Mr. Wang insisted, still clutching Director Wan Bao's hand. This time, he got the name right: "Director Wan, if President Sheng is investing in your project, it's bound to be a hit. I wonder if I could hitch a ride and make a small investment too? I won't put in much, just two million. Do you think I could have the honor of working on the same project as President Sheng?"

Director Wan Bao, who had only come to make an appearance and had no idea why he was invited to this dinner between two executives: "!!!"

Was this really happening?!

He was overjoyed but didn't forget that Sheng Quan was the project's main investor. He immediately turned to Sheng Quan with hopeful eyes.

Sheng Quan, seemingly tipsy, smiled and nodded with a slightly red face. "Of course, Mr. Wang is welcome to invest. Director Wan, why aren't you agreeing?"

"Yes!!" Director Wan Bao's "yes" was loud and clear, his little mustache practically quivering with excitement.

He wanted to discuss the details tomorrow, but the drunk Mr. Wang insisted on signing the contract right away. He ordered his assistant to run out and print the documents, bought paper and pens, and, under Director Wan Bao's eager gaze, signed the investment agreement on the spot.

Not only that, but he also signed the agreement for Yan Hui to join the production.

Seeing this, the slightly tipsy Sheng Quan joined in the fun, signing the contract to lease an entire floor to Mr. Wang next quarter. Such contracts had templates, so aside from the assistant running around, everything went smoothly.

Once both contracts were finalized, the drunken group bid each other farewell with laughter and waves.

Mr. Wang could barely walk straight. With the support of his assistant, he shuffled forward, his head constantly turning back to wave at Sheng Quan, shouting, “No need to see me off, no need! Go back and rest early, hahaha! I’m just so happy today. Don’t bother sending me off, go back~”

He was a large man, and his constant fidgeting made it a struggle for his assistant to keep him steady. Fortunately, the assistant was strong enough to manage, and they eventually made it to the car arranged by Yu Xiangwan.

The assistant, who had deliberately avoided drinking to stay sober for driving, settled Mr. Wang into the backseat and took his place behind the wheel. As soon as the car pulled away from the hotel entrance, Mr. Wang, who had been acting rowdy just moments ago, suddenly straightened up. He wiped his face and carefully unfolded the contract he had been clutching tightly, scrutinizing it with great attention.

The assistant, who was driving, couldn’t help but comment, “…You weren’t drunk after all.”

“How could I afford to be drunk with such an important matter at hand? If I had said the wrong thing while intoxicated, I might have offended someone.”

The assistant was impressed. “You’re really something, acting so convincingly. If I hadn’t caught you earlier, you would’ve fallen flat on the ground.”

“So what if I fell?” Mr. Wang replied, his chubby face practically blooming with joy as he looked at the contract in his hands. “With this, I’d be willing to fall a hundred times.”

The assistant was puzzled. “But Sheng Quan had already agreed to your terms. Why did you still put on this act?”

“Listen, kid, it’s only because you’re my nephew that I’m telling you this. If you were just any assistant, you’d do as you’re told and not ask unnecessary questions. Be careful, or I might fire you.”

The assistant chuckled while driving. “Isn’t it because you’re my uncle that I dared to ask? My mom sent me here to learn from you, after all. If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t have bothered. So, why did you go through all this trouble? Did you notice that Miss Sheng was just making empty promises?”

Mr. Wang’s face remained radiant with happiness, and he was in a good enough mood to enlighten his nephew.

“Let me teach you one thing. In the business world, a contract that hasn’t been signed on the spot is just hot air, no matter how sweet the words sound. It’s like me saying I’ll get Yan Hui into our crew. If the agreement isn’t signed, I could easily turn around tomorrow and claim it was just drunken nonsense. What could they do about it?”

The assistant smirked. “As if you’d dare to go back on your word with Sheng Quan.”

Mr. Wang shot his nephew a glare. “Exactly because I wouldn’t dare that we had to make sure this was set in stone.”

“Sheng Quan might not have been feeding us empty promises, but this deal is a golden opportunity for us. An entire floor of the Huaxing Building! I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight if we hadn’t secured it.”

His heart was still racing with excitement. “With these three contracts signed, we’re essentially tied to Xingmang for the time being. She helps me, I help her. Over time, we’ll naturally become allies. Ah, who would’ve thought that at my age, I’d get to board such a big ship?”

Mr. Wang was immensely proud of himself. It was his quick thinking that had turned a potential crisis into an opportunity. If he hadn’t acted swiftly, swallowing his pride and flying over personally, this young but formidable Sheng Quan might have held a grudge against Huafan—and by extension, him.

If he hadn’t seized the moment, leveraging his connections to win her favor, how could they have secured such a lucrative deal as renting an entire floor of the Huaxing Building?

“This Miss Sheng, though clearly a clever little fox, is still young. She doesn’t fully understand all the tricks of the trade. She was genuinely drunk, and with a little coaxing, she signed the contract. We’ve really lucked out. Give her a few more years of experience, and it might not have been so easy.”

The assistant suddenly understood, his admiration for his uncle skyrocketing. “Uncle, you’re amazing! Miss Sheng was completely fooled. She was even worried you might fall!”

Mr. Wang’s pride swelled even further. Though his grin was practically splitting his face, he still managed to feign modesty. “Oh, it’s nothing special. Just standard practice in the business world.”

***

At the hotel entrance.

Once the car was out of sight, Sheng Quan, who had been leaning on Yu Xiangwan for support with a flushed face, immediately straightened up, her eyes clear and sharp.

She took a few sips of water from the bottle Yu Xiangwan handed her. “Alright, it’s done. Let’s head back.”

Wan Bao, who had been grinning foolishly, was stunned. It took him a moment to process what had just happened. “Sheng… Sheng Quan, weren’t you… *hic*… drunk just now?”

“No, I was just playing along with Mr. Wang,” Sheng Quan replied, smoothing her hair. “He wanted to use the drunken atmosphere to finalize the contract. It’s a common tactic in business. But this is a win-win situation, and I’m not losing out, so I just went with the flow.”

Sheng Quan was in high spirits. Not only was her career about to take another leap forward, but she had also gained access to Mr. Wang’s extensive network of connections. On top of that, the food at the Junyue Hotel had been exceptional, and the joy of not having to peel her own shrimp all evening had been the cherry on top.

Wan Bao was even more confused. His already fuzzy head spun further. “Mr. Wang… *hic*… wasn’t drunk? He already invested two million in me.”

Yu Xiangwan stepped in to explain. “Mr. Wang wanted to establish a business relationship with Sheng Quan to pave the way for future opportunities. Even if he hadn’t pretended to be drunk, he would’ve invested that two million.”

He added, “I thought it was obvious. Mr. Wang may have acted drunk, but he was careful not to touch Sheng Quan even once. Even when shaking hands, he only shook yours.”

Wan Bao’s gaze turned vacant. “…Wasn’t it because he was drunk that he shook the wrong hand???”

Yan Hui chimed in softly, “Mr. Wang was probably trying to avoid offending Sheng Quan. He wasn’t drunk at all. I noticed he covered his mouth when speaking to her, to avoid letting his breath smell of alcohol, but he didn’t do that when talking to us.”

Wan Bao’s eyes widened in shock. “You weren’t drunk either?! Weren’t you passed out asleep just now?!”

Yan Hui blushed, looking embarrassed. “Sheng Quan said I’m not good at handling these kinds of drinking situations, so she told me to pretend to be drunk. I just faked sleeping.”

Wan Bao: “…”

So, while everyone else had been acting drunk, laughing and making merry, he was the only one who had actually been intoxicated?

He was utterly bewildered.

Do rich people not only have more money but also more tricks up their sleeves??