[T/N: Summary of the chapters 399 to 415:
The story follows Linton's large-scale maid recruitment campaign in Hong Kong, which unexpectedly evolves into a nationwide talent discovery. Initially, Linton arrives in Hong Kong with Miguel Herrera and meets his contact Lin Hao, to finalize the hiring of domestic staff for his estate. However, Miguel's overenthusiastic execution turns the process into a beauty pageant-like event, attracting thousands of young women. After several elimination rounds, 128 women remain -- many with performance and arts backgrounds.
Linton reviews detailed profiles presented by Lin Hao and Miguel, discovering names that would one day become famous in the entertainment world -- Li Xiaoran, Sophia Hu, Yan Danchen, Zeng Li, Gao Yuanyuan, Yin Tao, Michelle Dong, Qin Lan, Ni Hong Jie, Zhang Ziyi, Xu Jinglei, Li Bingbing, and several others.
Recognizing their potential, he decides to nurture them instead of restricting them to domestic work. He holds meetings to discuss acting, career development, and the realities of the film industry, offering mentorship and structured training programs while stressing the value of discipline and authenticity. His candid speeches encourage the women to think seriously about their ambitions, sparking both admiration and private competition among them. Linton's Hollywood background and influence impress many recruits, some of whom begin to see him as both a mentor and a potential partner capable of shaping their destinies.
Among them, Xu Jinglei, ambitious and confident, attempts to gain Linton's favor through charm and intimacy, hoping to secure her future in the industry. Similarly, Li Bingbing, driven by hardship, seeks his mentorship and support, leading to a relationship built on trust, sensuality, and ambition. Li Xiaoran expresses her dream to follow Linton to America as an assistant, promising to work hard and learn English.
Linton refines the training curriculum for his recruits, emphasizing English proficiency, etiquette, and discipline.
Xu Qing, a poised and mature actress, with family ties to Lin Hao helps Linton with logistical arrangements and culinary recruitment while becoming his cultural guide and romantic interest. Their shared travels and thoughtful conversations deepen into a meaningful relationship.
Outside these professional endeavors, Linton explores Hong Kong's antique markets with Lin Hao, searching for cultivation treasures. Using his spiritual senses, he successfully identifies a hidden artifact -- a stone concealing a powerful spatial ring.
After securing treasures and overseeing recruit training, Linton embarks on a scenic journey across China with Xu Qing. They visit natural and cultural landmarks, deepening their emotional and physical relationship while Linton quietly searches for additional cultivation artifacts. Although his spiritual quest yields nothing, the experience strengthens their bond.
Returning to Beijing, Linton attends high-profile meetings with China Film Group executives Han Sanping and Sun Tao. Their discussions focus on importing Hollywood blockbusters into China, fostering cross-cultural exchange and strengthening Linton's influence in the Chinese film industry. Demonstrating generosity and foresight, he offers free television broadcast rights for all of his films, winning respect and building key alliances.
To conclude this stage of his journey, Linton and Xu Qing purchase an exclusive villa in Beijing -- a symbolic and emotional milestone reflecting both their deepening relationship. Linton gifts Xu Qing a phoenix quartz pendant, representing affection and spiritual harmony.]
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[Chapter 416: Final Destination Explodes onto Screens, UPN Transforms]
On August 13, Linton bid a reluctant farewell to Xu Qing, ending his trip across China, and boarded a plane back to Los Angeles.
Upon returning to the estate, all the women who had heard the news rushed back, including Michelle Reis, who was filming in Hong Kong, Izumi Sakai and Akina Nakamori from Japan, along with the ever-reluctant Charlize Theron. Also present were Jennifer and Noriko Sakai, who had just begun a two-week nationwide promotional tour for Final Destination.
Following recent extensive media coverage of various accidental deaths in newspapers, magazines, and TV shows, the publicity campaign for Final Destination had gained tremendous attention in a uniquely impactful way. Coupled with Jennifer's star power, the film grossed an impressive $1.63 million during its midnight screening on August 12.
On August 12 alone, the film raked in $10.85 million, bringing the first-day total, including midnight showings, to an astounding $12.48 million. For a movie with a modest $15 million budget, this was an extraordinary success, marking another blockbuster hit born from a small investment yielding high box office returns.
That morning, director James Wong happily kicked off a nationwide roadshow with Jennifer, Noriko Sakai, and the male lead Christian Bale.
Meanwhile, Cristiana and Nicole Kidman, both busy capitalizing on the overwhelming momentum of Independence Day, had paused their activities to join the event.
Independence Day had now been in theaters for nearly 50 days, earning $353 million in North America alone, just shy of E.T.'s record $359 million. Despite daily earnings slowing to just over $1 million, surpassing E.T. to claim the crown for highest domestic box office was all but guaranteed.
Overseas, the film had grossed over $430 million, bringing its global total to a staggering $780 million. Both Cristiana and Nicole Kidman had firmly established themselves among Hollywood's top-tier female stars with this hit.
The next few weeks promised a flurry of spectacular parties and live performance events. Madonna's due date had been tentatively set for August 25, less than two weeks away. Yet, nourished by Linton's vital energy, she remained in excellent health, free from the usual discomforts associated with late pregnancy.
Even amid the wild, vibrant parties, she was fully engaged, donning various seductive nightwear and uniforms. Her radiant presence among the women was strikingly unique, radiating an irresistible allure that drew even more of Linton's attention and energy.
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After a day and a half of revelry and theatrical performances with the women, the festivities finally wound down. Everyone dispersed to attend to their own affairs.
Linton then returned to his long-neglected office, convening meetings with the management teams of both his film company and UPN Television Network to hear their reports and assess operational status.
Both companies were running exceptionally well. The film company's summer blockbuster season, bolstered by Independence Day and Final Destination, delivered unprecedented energy.
UPN's progress was even more impressive. The second season of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which started airing in late July, had attracted unexpectedly strong advertising bids. Following fierce competition, Pepsi secured the 15-episode season's naming rights for $80 million.
Along with additional sponsorships, the season's total advertising revenue exceeded $200 million, based solely on product placements.
The hour-long program included five commercial breaks during the broadcast, plus seven ad segments before and after the show, each lasting 20 seconds for a total of 140 seconds. Advertising slots sold for $260 million, and after sharing revenue with affiliate stations, UPN's net income from this alone surpassed $130 million.
The show aired in the highly competitive Saturday prime time variety slot. Viewer ratings skyrocketed throughout the summer, surpassing an impressive 5%, holding the top spot for that time slot.
International licensing deals also flourished, with rights sold to 34 countries and one-time licensing fees exceeding $300 million. The revenue sharing from international broadcasts promised to bring in even more impressive sums.
The BBC in the UK had already aired the first season, achieving explosive ratings. The revenue share from BBC alone was expected to exceed $20 million.
Even more remarkable was the hit drama ER, now in its twelfth episode, consistently climbing in ratings. The most recent episode garnered a 6.5% viewer share, and the afternoon reruns still regularly broke a 1% rating.
It had become a true phenomenon, second only to Friends in popularity over the past five years.
The show's six lead actors -- Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Noah Wyle, Eriq LaSalle, Sherry Stringfield, and Vivian Chow -- had become household names across North America. George Clooney, in particular, was skyrocketing to superstardom.
Due to ER's soaring ratings, the production accelerated filming of the first season, aiming to complete it by early August.
Another surprise was Teletubbies, which, after a promotional buildup in April and May, saw ratings surge in June. Even in the 5:30 pm Tuesday slot, ratings exceeded 1.5%.
The show's merchandise sales also exploded. The four Teletubbies plush toys sold out completely, with manufacturers ramping up production but still unable to meet demand. It was estimated that profits from these plush toys alone would surpass $300 million this year.
Licensing deals for other merchandise like backpacks, snacks, bottles, cups, stickers, and toys also boomed. In less than two months since July, over 200 licensing deals had been signed, totaling $160 million in fees.
Thanks to Teletubbies' massive success and merchandise profitability, broadcasters in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and other countries clamored to buy the show's local broadcasting and merchandise rights.
Neither UPN nor Linton's film company had the capacity to distribute globally or manage overseas merchandise. Although selling the overseas rights outright reduced potential profits, partnering with local broadcasters was the most viable option.
Without the means to monitor sales or licensing overseas, a one-time high-fee buyout was the practical solution per country.
Through this strategy, rights sales and merchandise licensing in just the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Spain had generated over $500 million in revenue.
UPN Television Network's resurgence was undeniable. This year alone, its profits might exceed $2 billion, with cash flow soaring to an astonishing $1.7 billion.
CEO Chris was ambitious, launching multiple initiatives: channel expansion, news division growth, and nationwide coverage.
UPN was confidently marching toward its goal of becoming the fifth largest television network in the United States.
*****
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