Actor: Thank you.

"Depend on!"

"No wonder I always lose."

"Look what you've done!"

At the card table, the diva, who had been playing all day and almost lost to her daughter, pointed at the table leg next to her and cursed.

Zhang Yuan looked down.

It turns out the mahjong table was an old table left over from when we bought the house.

The original owners of these houses also used them for entertaining guests, and they provided their own tables.

The table might be loose or damaged; one of its legs is slightly limping.

When the aunt and uncle in the family were preparing, they noticed it and simply grabbed a magazine to use as a pad.

"look!"

"Is this even acceptable?!"

"They put a book under my feet, are they trying to make me lose?!"

Zhang Yuan wanted to say that whether you lose or not probably doesn't have much to do with puns or homophones.

It's purely a matter of skill level.

As he spoke, Zhang Yuan noticed that the diva started to adjust the hem of her shirt and unbutton her jeans.

What are you going to do... Zhang Yuan was startled. Was he so desperate to lose that he was planning to play mahjong naked?

"grass!"

Wang Fei pulled down his pants and looked at himself before cursing.

"I forgot to wear purple underwear when I went out today."

"With that magazine you're using to prop up the corner of the table, isn't this just a purple-bottomed book?!"

Zhang Yuan: …

You're not a true Beijinger, are you? Why are you speaking with a Northeastern accent?

That's how gamblers are, or rather, that's how people are.

When faced with a problem, they instinctively look for external causes first.

It was already dark when Zhang Yuan, as previously agreed, hired a team of chefs to prepare a seafood feast for his guests.

The Empress then summoned her eldest daughter, Dou Jingtong, as well.

Coincidentally, Guan Xiaotong and Jiang Yilang, who had been making wishes to him throughout the Lunar New Year, also came to visit him hand in hand.

Dou Jingtong has grown up quite a bit and is the same age as Guan Xiaotong.

The three people next to them were chatting and playing on their phones.

Miss Dou glanced at her gambling-addicted mother with disdain.

Clearly, compared to mahjong and the adults' conversations, she, like Guo Xiaobao, was more interested in the two pretty girls.

Zhang Yuan glanced sideways, thinking he should remind Miss Guan and Miss Jiang.

You two can play friends, but with Miss Dou having such unusual interests, things get a bit dangerous.

Although according to the "Childhood Sweethearts" Act, the three of you minors can do whatever you want without breaking the law.

But if something goes wrong, and your two fathers come after me again...

When it was time to clear the table for dinner, Zhang Yuan picked up the magazine and dusted it off.

As expected, Chen Kun was the headline on the front page.

"This has certainly made them famous, but whether it's good or bad is another matter."

During the meal, they talked about Zhang Yuan's plan to buy a house in Xixi Wetland.

The pop diva was very supportive, saying that people have to live and enjoy life.

He also mentioned that he bought a villa in Hainan for vacation purposes.

As soon as this was mentioned, several veterans raised their arms and said that they had also bought houses in Hainan.

Moreover, they are all in similar areas, and some are even in the same villa community.

"Maybe I should buy one too."

"We can visit each other's homes during our vacations."

"That's great!" The diva was the first to raise her hand in support: "We can even play cards together on vacation."

"Why don't you come to our Class 6-1 activity in Hainan next time?"

"I'll come when I have the chance," Zhang Yuan said politely.

But in my heart, I was against it.

The small team organized by Wang Fei consisted of a large group of middle-aged people from the imperial circle. When they held events, they had to wear old-fashioned school uniforms and red scarves, cosplaying as junior high school students.

We also have to sing the school song...

Zhang Yuan simply couldn't accept this kind of perverse sense of humor from middle-aged people.

Furthermore, the team disbanded after Wang Fei and Brother Li divorced.

A group of people each supported one of the two sides and didn't interact much with each other.

I'm not getting involved in your messy affairs.

When Director Feng heard Zhang Yuan mention buying a house in Hainan, he glanced at his wife, Xu Fan.

I just said I was going to Hangzhou to buy it, and now I'm going to Hainan to buy it.

You're rich enough, kid...

Xu Fan gave him a helpless look.

This kid used to be so humble, but lately he seems to have gotten arrogant.

They are becoming increasingly exaggerated in their actions and increasingly boastful in their speech.

After eating, they played cards for a while, and the game didn't end until late at night.

Then, before the official start of work, he hurriedly took care of all the miscellaneous tasks.

I first flew to Sanya and went to Yalong Bay.

The pop star gave him a business card with the contact information of the sales manager of a well-known local villa community.

Many celebrities buy houses in Hainan, especially those from the capital city and the Northeast.

Zhao Benshan, Jiang Wenli, Chen Long, Li Lianjie.

Zhang Ziyi was the spokesperson for Phoenix Water City in Sanya last year, and she also managed to get a discount and bought a set.

When a celebrity comes to buy a house, the sales manager naturally greets him warmly and recommends the most expensive apartment types.

Yalong Bay has abundant tropical vegetation and is a natural reserve for mangroves and corals.

Therefore, the greening rate is extremely high both inside and outside the community.

Actually, the Haitang Bay area became even more popular later, with many five-star hotels and super duty-free shops being built there.

The main feature of that area is its proximity to the sea; the beach is right outside your door.

However, Haitang Bay is not fully developed yet.

Zhang Yuan glanced at it casually. The largest apartment had a property certificate area of ​​over 800 square meters, but the actual land area was more than double that, reaching over 1600 square meters, and it came with a garden and swimming pool.

At that time, even the top-tier villas in the area cost only a little over 2 yuan per square meter, less than 3 yuan per square meter.

The total cost is around 2000 million.

So... Cheng Hao, who had gone along with him, glanced at him with her almond-shaped eyes.

How did you combine the number 2000 million with "that is"?

She didn't understand, but Zhang Yuan knew perfectly well.

It's actually quite cheap now, but it will rise even more sharply in the future.

There are many super low-priced villas in Hainan online, but those are not the so-called stacked villas. They are not in Sanya, but in places like Lingshui, which are in remote locations.

The real luxury villas in prime locations in Yalong Bay and Haitang Bay must have residential property certificates, not commercial property certificates, and they have always been very expensive.

The price dropped a bit later, but it was still over 100,000 yuan per square meter.

Moreover, the property management fee is over ten yuan per square meter.

Rich people aren't stupid.

That's just how the world works; the assets of the wealthy don't depreciate significantly because high-quality assets only generate more money.

It is the inferior assets that ordinary people buy that will continue to depreciate.

The gap between the rich and the poor will therefore widen further.

Seeing that Zhang Yuan settled on the house without even blinking, Cheng Hao was a little dazed.

After spending a day in the area, playing in the water and kicking in the sand, we headed straight to Xixi.

Through Director Feng's introduction, they contacted Aman Resorts and were led directly into the unopened area of ​​Xixi Wetland.

The villas here are much smaller.

Because Aman has only acquired 4 square meters of land.

So the largest apartment is only 300 square meters.

Moreover, only four room types are available for sale, one of each, and the rest are hotel villa suites.

The smaller one is 70 square meters, and the larger one is this 300-square-meter house.

The smallest room type costs 3000 per night.

Don't think it's expensive.

This place is only 5 or 6 kilometers away from West Lake.

Aman Resorts has enclosed a plot of land on the other side of West Lake, next to Lingyin Temple.

The smallest room there costs 5000 per night.

Even Zhang Yuan sighed after seeing it, "It's so good to be rich."

To burn the first incense at Lingyin Temple during the Lunar New Year, you have to climb up the mountain step by step.

The temple's back entrance is just a left turn away from where they exit. How could you possibly outmaneuver them?

This world is full of privileges that come with wealth.

But those who already possess privileges are still not satisfied.

Hangzhou Jack Ma enjoyed numerous privileges, including having a plot of land next to Yuhu Bay in West Lake fenced off to build the so-called Lakeside University.

Zhang Yuan is gradually experiencing the happiness of the wealthy.

Aman staff took them to see the house, and they rode directly in a covered boat, rowing all the way to the backyard of the villa.

There is also a tea table on the boat, where you can enjoy West Lake Longjing tea amidst the reeds.

"It's more practical to remove the tea table and replace it with a bed," Zhang Yuan muttered.

Cheng Hao gave him a push in an annoyance.

Seeing a reed bed makes me think of bad things.

Although the houses aren't as big as those in Hainan, Yuhang is still Yuhang, and the prices aren't cheap at all; they're double what they are in Sanya.

A 300-square-meter house with a small swimming pool.

Zhang Yuan looked around and was very satisfied with the jacuzzi located in front of the large floor-to-ceiling window.

Cheng Hao pushed him again.

"What are you doing?"

"You're not thinking anything good with that expression."

The two regions have different landscapes, but each has its own charm.

China is so diverse and colorful.

If you've thoroughly explored and enjoyed your domestic life, you don't necessarily need to travel abroad.

The talks went very smoothly; everything could be settled for 1600 million.

While enjoying a fine meal at the hotel's upscale restaurant, Cheng Hao kept shaking his head.

"You have no sense of budgeting!"

Yes, the profit share from "Painted Skin" that Pang Hong just received was spent in the blink of an eye.

Moreover, he also lost several million dollars.

"People can't just have work; they also need places to enjoy life."

"After the house is all settled, furnished, and renovated, you can bring your parents for a vacation."

"Really?"

"I originally intended it to be shared, and outstanding employees in the company can come and play if they need it."

"Consider it an employee benefit."

We ate, drank, and played, and had a very pleasant time throughout the trip.

There is only one shortcoming.

My dear sister insists on trying local specialties when she eats.

Despite his objections, she resolutely ordered a West Lake Vinegar Fish...

Then there is no more then.

He ate without making a sound.

The food at Aman is of five-star hotel standard, and they don't even use grass carp.

These are bamboo shoot fish that have been kept in clean water beforehand to remove the muddy taste.

But it still didn't taste very good.

Steamed or braised with black bean sauce, bamboo shoot fish is delicious.

Just like Zhou Xun, why is the performance in "The Message" and "Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace" so noticeable?

The fish is still the same fish, but if you cook it wrong, even a good thing can be ruined.

After the house contract was signed, he specially took Cheng Hao to dinner with Director Feng and his wife to express his gratitude.

Throughout the meal, he kept boasting about how beautiful the house he bought was.

On the way home after dinner, the older sister frowned and scolded her.

"You haven't been behaving very well in front of strangers lately."

"This is too exaggerated. It's different from before."

"It's not for outsiders, but for Huayi's people," Zhang Yuan corrected calmly.

"So you knew too, huh? Then you should tone it down a bit."

"I noticed that Director Feng got a little annoyed by what you said in the end."

They've been showing off to Zhang Yuan so much they're sick of it.

"First of all, you need to understand what kind of person Feng Xiaogang is," Zhang Yuan said, holding Cheng Hao's hand and stroking it.

"Putting aside his talent and ability, he is essentially a despicable person."

"If something is unpleasant, I'll turn on you on the spot."

"If he doesn't turn against you, it's only because he needs something from you, or because you are far superior to him."

“But he won’t forget it. It will stay in his heart, and when he has the chance, he will come back to kick him while he’s down.”

"So he is different from people like Wang Fei."

"Old Wang really doesn't care."

"Whether you have money or not, she doesn't care."

Whether it's good or bad is your own business, as long as it doesn't affect her.

"But Director Feng is different. He weighs the pros and cons and combines internal and external factors. He's very shrewd."

"He has all the emotions of an ordinary person: jealousy, anger, arrogance, contempt... and they are very intense and utilitarian."

Zhang Yuan's expression turned serious: "Don't forget, calculate according to the time."

“He knew about Yao Cheng and Hua Yi when they first met.”

"But they never gave me any reminders or hints."

"So, he was never on my side."

He sides with whoever can bring him benefits.

"Yes, don't you know that very well?" Cheng Hao found it increasingly strange.

"Knowing he's that kind of person, it's okay to get to know him; after all, he's an industry bigwig."

"But you still deliberately put on a show of wealth in front of people."

"Can he feel comfortable about this?"

"But I want him to be uncomfortable." Zhang Yuan looked out the car window.

"What exactly do you want to do?" Cheng Hao felt that he had a conspiracy.

“This is a very important matter, I can’t tell you right now.” Zhang Yuan’s gaze was firm: “No rush, let’s play around with them first.”

In the following days, he began his new year's work.

First, we went to shoot commercials and videos for Red Bull.

Zhang Yuan didn't really like drinking this sweet and sticky stuff, but he still had to make all sorts of expressions of enjoyment.

After that, he received numerous invitations from major entertainment magazines and talk shows.

He selected several important companies to shoot cover photos for.

The interview will proceed slowly, and we'll talk about it later.

Within days, magazines featuring him as the "box office champion" appeared on the streets.

This further boosted his market value.

When Red Bull saw this news, they felt they had hit the jackpot.

For such a low price, they managed to get a popular actor to endorse it.

He then went to Hollywood for a second audition at Paramount.

I discussed the details with the producer and director.

Throughout the entire process, director Stephen greeted him with a smile and was exceptionally kind to him.

It seems that having my older sister Yang Ziqiong put in a good word for me was effective.

Anyway, Lee Byung-hun is still dealing with that bunch of scandals, so he's already out of the game.

Considering that he is currently the most valuable young actor in China, and Harvey's efforts, the negotiations with Paramount went relatively smoothly.

However, even the big Hollywood studios are quite stingy.

The salary is $100 million, no more than that.

I don't care how much you get from the Global Store next door, this is all I'm giving you.

The advantage is that the other party made some concessions on the revenue sharing for the licensing of comics, animation, and toy portraits.

After negotiations, the figure was one point higher than Harvey had expected, reaching 8%.

Paramount's idea was that if the movie sold well, the merchandise would also be popular.

If sales are poor, the surrounding area will also suffer.

Large companies prefer to use later-stage profits to reduce early-stage risks, since it's uncertain whether there will be any profits later on.

But with lower salaries, the budget and financial statements look much better.

After the negotiations and signing of the contract, they found someone to take his measurements and prepare to customize his costume.

Going through the film and television insurance process, obtaining the official documents required for work visas, and a whole host of other hassles...

After finally finishing up and returning to China, I rushed to Dalian before I even had a chance to rest.

A press conference for the movie "The Message" is about to be held here... (End of Chapter)