Chapter 39: Breaking Even
Upon hearing that their daily revenue had reached tens of millions, Xu Youyou immediately praised, “You’ve all done an excellent job. I’m not surprised at all by these results.”
On the other end of the line, Ouyang Ouyang’s ears turned red from his boss’s compliments. However, being someone who wasn’t skilled in socializing, he could only stiffly reply, “Thank you for trusting me, boss…”
Xu Youyou was learning how to be a good boss. After thinking for a moment, she added, “Ouyang, I’ve always believed in your abilities. You should believe in yourself too.”
Ouyang Ouyang frantically nodded on the other end of the call, then quickly realized Xu Youyou couldn’t see him. He hurriedly said, “Boss, don’t worry. Since you’re willing to give me this opportunity, I’ll never doubt myself again.”
Xu Youyou then asked, “With a daily revenue of tens of millions, how much do we actually get?”
There were many different collaboration models between short dramas and streaming platforms. Their company used the full-investment model, meaning Xu Youyou bore the costs of scripts and production. Once the drama was released on the platform, they received a 6%-10% revenue share.
Ouyang Ouyang replied, “Boss, I compared several platforms before choosing the one with the highest rebate. They offer us 10%.”
When Xu Youyou invested in this short drama, she initially transferred two million. However, since short dramas had relatively low production costs, even after spending as much as he could, Ouyang Ouyang only used five hundred thousand.
Both Ouyang Ouyang and Song Zhibai’s salaries were calculated separately, at one hundred thousand each.
So in total, the short drama only cost seven hundred thousand, meaning it had already broken even—and even made a profit.
“You should ask your friends if they’re willing to sign a long-term contract with the company. Right now, you’re our only director, working like a lone commander. Since you all get along well, you could form a team, which would make future projects much easier,” Xu Youyou suggested.
Ouyang Ouyang was deeply touched by this. His boss wasn’t worried about him forming cliques and instead encouraged him to bring in his own people. He felt so moved that he wanted to work for Xu Youyou forever!
“They’d love to! The job market has been tough these past two years, and they’re already employed before even graduating, putting them ahead of their peers. They’re all eager to work for you, boss!” Ouyang Ouyang said excitedly.
Xu Youyou wasn’t sure if the team Ouyang Ouyang was currently leading was the same as the one from her past life, but she knew he was the core. As long as she kept him happy, money would continue flowing toward her in the future.
“Great. Once the platform settles the payment, I’ll send you all a big bonus,” Xu Youyou promised.
The mention of money made Ouyang Ouyang so happy he could barely contain his excitement.
Xu Youyou then asked, “How’s the script for the TV series coming along? If it’s ready, we can start the approval process.”
Aside from monitoring the release of the short drama, Ouyang Ouyang had spent almost all his time studying the script Xu Youyou had given him before she left the country.
“Boss, will Song still be the lead actor?” Ouyang Ouyang asked.
Xu Youyou frowned slightly. She didn’t like how the entertainment industry overly prioritized young idols, forcing everyone to address them as “teacher,” “big brother,” or “big sister.”
“In the production team, the director is the core. Even Song Zhibai has to listen to you. Just call him Xiao Song,” Xu Youyou said.
Feeling valued by his boss, Ouyang Ouyang relaxed. He had initially worried that Song Zhibai was Xu Youyou’s lover and would eventually overshadow him. But hearing her words, he realized she placed more importance on the director.
After ending the call with Ouyang Ouyang, Xu Youyou dialed Song Zhibai to share the short drama’s success, showering him with compliments.
“The short drama’s success is thanks to both Ouyang’s direction and your outstanding performance. I knew you’d nail this role, and you didn’t disappoint me… The TV series will start filming soon. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange an acting coach for you, ensuring you become a star overnight!”
After painting this enticing vision of the future, Xu Youyou finally put down her phone and lay back on her bed.
Before drifting into sleep, she groggily thought, Being a boss is really exhausting.
After sleeping for a full ten hours, Xu Youyou finally adjusted to the time zone and was fully re-energized.
Since the system hadn’t refreshed any new treasure-hunting missions, she gathered all the previous finds that hadn’t yet yielded results.
“Sit up straight and behave!” Xu Youyou commanded her dog, Guai Guai.
Guai Guai glanced at her, then provocatively flopped onto the floor.
Annoyed, Xu Youyou scooped the dog into her arms and vigorously ruffled its sleek, shiny fur.
Guai Guai barked helplessly, “Woof woof! Evil poop-scooping servant! You messed up my fur!”
Xu Youyou tilted her head and asked, “Guai Guai, are you super valuable? Was your previous owner a billionaire?”
That was the only explanation she could think of. Otherwise, she couldn’t understand why an ordinary stray dog was recognized as a “hidden treasure” by the system.
She had asked Guai Guai multiple times before, but the dog’s brain was too small to remember its past owner. In fact, after spending so much time with Xu Youyou, it had grown attached to her and rarely mentioned its old home.
Guai Guai whined, “Woof woof! Are you going to return me?”
Xu Youyou shook her head. “Even if your last owner was the richest person in the world, I wouldn’t give you back. You’re my dog now, right?”
The little dog let out a happy bark and lifted its head obediently, allowing Xu Youyou to scratch its neck.
Hugging Guai Guai, Xu Youyou turned her attention to her other two “treasures.”
One was a stone sculpture she had shipped from the U.S. at great expense. The other was a jade pendant she had won at an auction.
She pondered over them but couldn’t figure out their secrets. So, she decisively decided to cheat.
“System, are you there? System, are you there?”
[I’m here.]
“Dear system, give me a hint?” Xu Youyou shamelessly pleaded.
After a long pause, the system finally responded.
[Wear the jade pendant. As for the sculpture, just open it.]
Xu Youyou’s eyes lit up. Open the stone?
She realized she had been too rigid in her thinking. Why hadn’t she thought of cutting it open?
At first, she planned to go out and find a stone-cutting machine immediately. But then she hesitated—every time the system led her to something, it was never ordinary. Wealth attracted trouble, and if she really unearthed a priceless gem, she might not be able to keep it safe.
The two bodyguards who had accompanied her overseas were both ex-soldiers. Even when facing gunfights in the U.S., they had done everything to protect her. She felt she could trust them. Without hesitation, she called them.
“If you’re willing to quit the security company and work exclusively for me, I’ll pay you 100,000 yuan a month. What do you think?” Xu Youyou asked.
Previously, she had hired them through a security firm, which took a cut of their pay. Instead of letting the company profit, she preferred to give the money directly to them.
On the other end of the call, she heard a loud thud—as if someone had fallen off their chair.
A moment later, a voice responded, “Boss, I’m submitting my resignation right now. I’ll report for duty today!”
