Chapter 437 224: The Joy of 'Cash Power' (2)

The final net profit won't be less than 1.5 billion.

A net profit of 1.5 billion in just a few months.

This deal was definitely worth doing!

Moreover, Qi Sheng could have Pop Mart design the Demon Child figures in advance.

Then, once the film became a hit, they could be launched right on cue.

They could get ahead of counterfeit manufacturers and develop a revenue stream from merchandise.

The domestic merchandise industry was practically nonexistent.

Trying to stamp out counterfeits was completely impossible.

But if they designed the merchandise one step ahead, before the movie was released,

and had manufacturers prepare their stock, they just might be able to grab a bigger piece of the pie.

With Pop Mart's online and offline sales channels,

it would be no problem at all for merchandise revenue to break 100 million.

Qi Sheng used his desk phone to call Scones over directly.

"Thank you."

When Scones saw Gu Pan pour him a glass of water, he was so flattered he hurried to thank her.

"I'll let you two talk. I'm going to step out for a bit."

Gu Pan didn't know what had come over her, subconsciously slipping into the role of a secretary.

Her steps were noticeably lighter as she left the office.

Qi Sheng smiled and laid out his idea.

"I called you here to discuss the company's immediate focus. We're going to concentrate on developing an excellent animated film IP the group has acquired."

"An animated film IP?"

Scones asked thoughtfully, "An animated film like *Return of the Great Sage*?"

"Correct. But this time, the IP is Nezha. This is the character prototype I drew by hand."

"Get your design team ready ahead of time, and get the manufacturers and sales channels lined up."

Qi Sheng handed Scones a hand-drawn prototype of the Demon Child character.

"And not just figures. We can develop all sorts of other merchandise, like throw pillows, umbrellas, and T-shirts."

"Quality control has to be strict. I don't want to see a flood of bad reviews that could even impact box office revenue."

Scones hadn't expected Qi Sheng to be a skilled artist as well, and his admiration for his boss grew even deeper.

However, the design of the Demon Child gave Scones pause.

"Boss, this version of Nezha... he doesn't seem quite like the traditional one, does he?"

Qi Sheng smiled and explained, "You can think of it as an animated film with a story that deviates from the original. The Demon Child represents a struggle against fate..."

"I understand now. I'll have the design department draw up a proposal as soon as possible and find a factory to handle production ahead of time."

Scones hesitated. "Boss, what value of merchandise inventory do you think would be appropriate to prepare?"

"This film's box office will be at least 4 billion. Let's prepare 400 million in inventory to start."

"Four hundred million?"

Scones was stunned; his jaw nearly hit the floor.

The merchandise revenue from *Return of the Great Sage* was already considered the ceiling for the domestic film and television industry.

But that was only 300 million.

'Could this... Demon Child character really be an even bigger hit than *Return of the Great Sage*?'

...

At six o'clock, Qi Sheng left his office and went to the design department.

"Hello, Boss!"

Greetings echoed one after another.

Dong Bai and Gu Pan, who had been whispering to each other, looked over as well.

"Everyone, go ahead and head home for the day. If you're not done with your work, you can continue tomorrow."

Qi Sheng smiled, waved his hand, and walked toward Dong Bai's workstation.

The colleague at the desk next to Dong Bai's quickly took the hint and offered up their chair.

Grabbing their work badge and bag, they made a quick exit.

"How was work today?"

Qi Sheng sat down without ceremony and asked Dong Bai with a smile.

"Director Sun is taking great care of me, and I'm familiarizing myself with the design process as quickly as I can. Thank you, Brother Sheng."

Dong Bai's charming little face turned an adorable shade of red.

"I'm glad you're settling in, but the design department is going to be very busy."

"Once the office over in Chengdu is ready, you'll all be moving there."

Qi Sheng glanced at his watch and said with a smile, "Let's all have dinner together, a sort of celebration for you and Panpan starting your jobs."

"Panpan got a job too?"

Dong Bai looked at her best friend in surprise; Gu Pan hadn't mentioned it earlier.

"Oh, it's nothing definite yet. We'll see after he actually gets the company up and running."

Gu Pan, not expecting Qi Sheng to suddenly bring it up, shot him a reproachful glare.

"That's great! Panpan, you can finally be the female lead!"

Simple-hearted Dong Bai was genuinely happy for her best friend.

"Oh, thank you so much, *Brother Sheng*~!"

Gu Pan forced the corners of her mouth into a smile, thanking Qi Sheng insincerely.

"No need to thank me. After all, I've personally 'tested' your acting skills. There's still plenty of room for improvement."

Qi Sheng watched Gu Pan with a grin, mortifying her.

"I can't be bothered with you."

'When she thought about how Qi Sheng had kissed and touched her in the office, a strange discomfort spread through her body.'

'After dinner, she was definitely going back to her dorm to take a shower.'

'It was all that bastard's fault, making her body have this strange reaction.'

...

Once they were downstairs from the company building,

Gu Pan and Dong Bai saw Qi Sheng's car.

A ridiculously flashy, black-and-red G-Wagen.

'Hmph. A G-Wagen for a scumbag.'

Gu Pan pulled Dong Bai into the back seat.

"Anything you two want to eat?"

Qi Sheng started the car, asking the two women for their opinions like a gentleman.

"We're fine with anything."

Dong Bai replied sweetly.

"Let's get copper pot hot pot, then. I've only ever seen people stuffing their faces with it in videos. Today, we'll go try it for ourselves."

Qi Sheng opened a review app and picked the number one restaurant on the list.

"The wait for that place is super long!"

Gu Pan glanced at the restaurant's name and gave Qi Sheng a well-intentioned warning.

"Wait in line?"

Qi Sheng laughed scornfully. "Not for me."

"Tch. Well, don't regret it later."

Gu Pan rolled her eyes and went back to her private conversation with Dong Bai.

When they arrived at Manheng Ji on West Ping'an Street,

there was indeed a long line at the entrance, just as Gu Pan had said.

"See? Told you so, didn't I?"

Gu Pan shot Qi Sheng a smug look, her metaphorical tail practically wagging.

'She was overjoyed to see the scumbag thwarted.'

"You two wait here a minute."

Qi Sheng smiled and walked over to the hostess at the door.

"How many tables are ahead of us?"

"There are 102 parties ahead of you right now. Would you like to take a number?"

The waitress's eyes practically sparkled when she saw Qi Sheng.

A woman's reaction to seeing a handsome man is the same as a man's to seeing a beautiful woman.

"No need. What's the number for the next table to be called?"

"C125."

The waitress replied subconsciously.

"Who is C125?"

Qi Sheng scanned the crowd of people waiting in line and called out loudly.

"That's me! Is it our turn?"

A man in his forties trotted over happily, afraid they'd call someone else.

"Here's the deal. I want to cut in line, so I'll buy your spot," Qi Sheng explained with a smile, pulling out ten red bills.

"This is 1,000 yuan. If you agree, give me the ticket."

"Of course I agree! I'll just get another number!"

The man froze for a second, then chose the money without hesitation.

For an ordinary person like him, his time was the least valuable thing he had.

"Thanks."

Qi Sheng smiled as he took the paper ticket from the man's hand, then found the two women waiting at the back of the crowd.

"Let's go. We're up next."

"How is that possible? There were so many people ahead of us."

Gu Pan's face was a mask of disbelief.

"It's simple. You just spend a thousand bucks to buy the next number, and problem solved."

Qi Sheng said with a casual brag.

"You cheated!"

Gu Pan had forgotten about Qi Sheng's superpower: money.

'Hadn't she also been intimidated into letting him bully her?'

'Damn rich people!'

'One day, I'm going to be one of them, too!'

Walking into an affordable hot pot restaurant with two stunning women in tow,

it was hard not to attract attention.

Fortunately, both Gu Pan and Dong Bai were used to the stares.

As for Qi Sheng, he couldn't care less.

"Bring us one of every signature dish."

Qi Sheng glanced at the menu. With an average price of thirty or forty yuan per dish, there was no need to be selective.

"Can you even eat all that?"

Gu Pan was dumbfounded and gave Qi Sheng a strange look.

"I'd advise you to eat a lot tonight. Otherwise, you might not have any energy later."

Qi Sheng said pointedly, giving Gu Pan a meaningful look.

"You!"

Gu Pan was smart; she naturally understood what Qi Sheng meant.

'That scumbag actually wanted to take her to a hotel!'

'Even if he was going to be her sugar daddy, couldn't they at least cultivate some feelings first?'

'Just establish the relationship so directly?'