CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 105: COLLECTION FEE? THE DISHEARTENED XU QINGQIU

"These are the company’s registration documents, which you signed before, and these are the registration procedures..."

"The name is Unlimited Entertainment Co., Ltd."

Chu Tian scrutinized the thick stack of documents while listening to Hou Yichuan’s introduction.

"For ease of management, I also registered some wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Unlimited Media, Unlimited Brokerage, Unlimited Film and Television, Unlimited Culture, and so on."

"Registering so many? Is there a particular reason?"

Chu Tian had always believed that professional tasks should be handled by professionals. In his previous life, he had managed his own studio, but he had to admit, this area wasn’t his forte.

"It’s like this, President Chu. Nowadays, a single company can cover many business areas, but for easier management down the line, it’s better to separate them."

"This not only makes management more convenient and flexible, but it also prevents misuse of the company name and facilitates subsequent corporate group operations."

"Corporate group operations?"

Chu Tian smiled as he looked at the other man. He hadn’t expected Hou Yichuan to be so ambitious.

The company isn’t even fully set up, and he’s already thinking about forming a corporate group?

However, Chu Tian did agree with the other points. Otherwise, if Unlimited Entertainment became famous, all sorts of companies like Unlimited Media, Unlimited Film and Television, and so on, might pop up online. It wasn’t unheard of for various underhanded tactics to tarnish a company’s reputation. Although the chance of that was minimal, who could guarantee that no one would exploit a loophole? As for management, he didn’t understand it, so it was better to listen to others. After all, he was the boss; as long as he controlled the funds, there generally wouldn’t be any major issues.

"Okay, thanks for your hard work."

After dealing with some matters that required his approval, Chu Tian called Liu Ting and Lin Xiu in from outside.

"Our company is just starting up, so let’s skip the red tape. I’ll keep it short."

"Right now, the most important thing is to quickly set up the company’s structure. Personnel need to be put in place quickly but must also be carefully selected. We can’t have any unsuitable hires. Brother Lin, I’ll have to trouble you with this."

"Yes, President Chu!"

"Additionally, regarding finances, there’s currently no money in the company’s accounts. Sister Liu, you need to organize the accounts promptly. Then, give me the corporate account details. Also, Sister Liu, in the next few days, you’ll need to coordinate a payment with another company."

"This transaction is somewhat special. Consider it my investment in the company. However, I won’t appear in person, nor should my name be mentioned. Just handle it through the company’s legal representative, President Hou."

"I will give you an authorization letter then. Just take it and coordinate with the other party. If there are any issues, contact me privately. Don’t let the other party know, understood?"

Although Liu Ting was somewhat puzzled, as a financial officer, the first things she needed to understand were: one, for whom the accounts were being prepared, and two, not to ask unnecessary questions.

Apart from illegal activities, performing her accounting duties well was her main job.

Hou Yichuan didn’t understand either, but he cleverly chose to turn a blind eye. After all, as long as money came in, it was fine. Plus, having a hands-off boss would make his job much easier.

After Chu Tian had finished giving instructions, a weight was lifted from his mind.

With the company’s only three employees, plus himself making four, they found a nice restaurant. They had a good meal to bond, get to know each other better, and as a welcome for the new team, while also informally celebrating the company’s establishment.

It had to be said, Liu Ting’s efficiency was remarkably high. Early the next morning, Xu Qingqiu’s studio received a call from Liu Ting’s company to coordinate the transaction.

At first, Li Chunhua was baffled. She asked Xu Qingqiu, who was equally clueless, until Liu Ting arrived at their office with the documents. It took half a day of discussion before they finally clarified all the details.

"This is Mr. Youmeng’s power of attorney, and these are photocopies of the patents for several songs. For specific reasons, some information has been redacted, but you should have the patent numbers and codes on your end for verification."

"This is our company’s receiving account. This is a copy of the song authorization letter Mr. Youmeng provided to you; we’ve kept this copy for our records, and you can verify it as well. Once you confirm everything is correct, we hope the payment can be made promptly."

Li Chunhua and Xu Qingqiu expressionlessly looked at the documents spread on the table, both feeling extremely conflicted.

"Did you just say ’Mr. Youmeng’?"

Liu Ting looked at the beautiful, famous actress before her, unsure what she meant, but simply nodded professionally, indicating there was no issue.

However, Xu Qingqiu was extremely surprised. This was the first time she knew ’Youmeng’ was a man! She had previously considered if it might be Chu Tian, but as time passed, it felt less likely, especially since all the songs were written from a female perspective. Gradually, she began to suspect some woman was writing them for her, even wondering for a time if it could be Yiyi. She never imagined that after all that, it would turn out to be a man!

"Ms. Liu, can I meet Mr. Youmeng?"

"Sorry, you cannot."

"What about a contact detail, then? Could you give me one, like a phone number? We don’t have to meet; I just want to call. I have some questions I’d like to discuss with him."

"Sorry, President Xu, there’s no way I can do that. Mr. Youmeng specifically instructed us to keep his identity confidential."

Hearing the reply, Xu Qingqiu’s face filled with disappointment, but there was nothing she could do.

"I’ll leave the documents here then. If there are no issues, I’ll head back now. You can call me if you have any questions."

Having said what needed to be said, Liu Ting took her belongings and walked towards the exit. Just as she stepped out of the office, she saw Chu Tian sitting at his desk, which startled her for a moment.

It wasn’t until Chu Tian shot her a look that she snapped back to her senses and quickly walked out, pretending nothing was amiss.

Her heart was pounding—THUMP, THUMP, THUMP—all the way downstairs. She had been so startled moments before that she almost screamed.

Who wouldn’t be scared? You’re there on business, only to suddenly discover your own boss is an employee at the client’s company—wouldn’t that shock anyone? No wonder he insisted on keeping his identity a secret! Though she didn’t know what her boss was up to, it definitely wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Could he have taken a fancy to the female star and be trying to win her over this way?

Sitting in the car, Liu Ting was at a loss whether to laugh or cry at the thought, and ultimately didn’t dare to speculate further.

It was best not to meddle in the boss’s affairs; she’d just pretend she knew nothing.

Meanwhile, back in the office, Xu Qingqiu was somewhat downcast.

"What’s the matter, Qingqiu? Are you upset about so much money going to someone else?"

Hearing Li Chunhua’s teasing, Xu Qingqiu rolled her eyes at her helplessly.

"Sister Hua, what are you talking about! I’m just feeling a bit disappointed, that’s all."

"Disappointed? Disappointed about what?"

"It’s just... I thought sooner or later I would find out who ’Youmeng’ really is. But now it’s clear that the company will be handling everything, and he’s so secretive. Isn’t it going to be even harder to find out now?"

"If I had known it would be like this, I would have insisted, no matter what, even if it meant losing sleep, just to see who this person is."

"Why are you so eager to find out who he is? Is it that important?"

Sister Hua’s question made Qingqiu pause. Right, was it really that important?

After thinking for a while, she said, "But, you and I both know he must be someone we’re very familiar with, right? At least, he’s very familiar with us. Don’t you want to know who he is?"

Without a second thought, Li Chunhua blurted out, "I do!"

"Huh? Then why did you ask me that?"

"What good does wanting to know do? For me, who he is matters, but whether he continues to write songs for you matters more. Do you understand, my dear?!"