Actor: Thank you.

Chapter 1117 Face
After finishing his conversation with Guan Hu, Zhang Yuan received a phone call.

While watching "Cow," I was thinking that the last time I watched something like this, Zhang Ziyi had a falling out with me.

It was her who called this time too.

I want to have dinner with him.

Zhang Yuan thought it was because of his brother's previous outburst.

He kept making excuses and couldn't be bothered to see the other person.

I never imagined it wasn't so simple.

Besides seeking reconciliation with him, I also want him to use his connections.

This woman has always been quite ambitious and wants to change her career path.

He became a producer and created a romantic comedy called "Sophie's Revenge".

She plays the lead role, and Fan Bingbing plays the second lead opposite her.

The play is about to be released, and I want to invite Zhang Yuan to support him.

Think beautiful!
Zhang Yuan ignored her.

Your brother hasn't even come to see me in person yet, and you still want my help?
Does she really think she's a movie queen, that everyone has to fawn over her?
Moreover, there aren't many useful people in this show.

The director was a woman, the one who later directed "One Night Surprise" and "Surprise Journey".

The skill level is so-so.

Fan Bingbing likes to support female directors, and she has worked with one.

But this person is dispensable to me, so there's no need to rush to give him face.

And I didn't even act in that play.

Moreover… Zhang Yuan squinted and pondered for a moment.

Fan Bingbing is the second female lead. If she wants me to help out as a guest, she should be the one to contact me.

Her complete silence indicates that she knew Zhang Yuan's recent attitude towards Zhang Ziyi and deliberately didn't mention it.

That's where Fan Bingbing's cleverness lies.

Knowing Zhang Yuan's personality, she adopted an attitude of detachment.

But I also know he won't stop others from doing business, so I can cooperate with him with peace of mind.

Zhang Yuan thought for a moment and decided to remain silent and let her be.

As for Zhang Ziyi...

He decided to give it one last chance.

This was the third time he had asked the other party the same question, which is exactly what the saying goes: things don't happen more than three times.

"I've been quite busy lately, so I'm afraid I'll have to postpone my meals."

"As for helping with publicity... I also have my own film and need to handle publicity, so I'm quite busy."

"I see," Zhang Ziyi replied with some disappointment.

"I'll see if I can squeeze in some time."

"If I can, I'll call you."

"Oh, right," Zhang Yuan casually added at the end, "I mentioned Tang Wei to you before."

"Could you spare some time sometime to help with the communication?"

"It's a real shame that they had to shut down right after their debut."

"We're all in the entertainment industry, so we should help each other."

Zhang Ziyi is a smart person, just not as smart as she thinks.

But she also understood the meaning behind Zhang Yuan's words.

Just like when Wang Zhonglei approached Zhang Yuan to trade Ning Hao for Yao Cheng and Sha Yi.

Zhang Yuan was also using Tang Wei to make a deal with himself.

If you help resolve Tang Wei's troubles, I'll come and support you.

In Zhang Yuan's view, it was very fair.

But in Zhang Ziyi's view, it's a matter of course for you to show your support. Why should I help a competitor, someone who might take my jobs?
"Oh dear, it's not that I don't want to."

"I already told you, how could I possibly get a word in edgewise?"

"How could those important figures possibly listen to an actor like me?"

Zhang Yuan sneered, "So now you know you're an actor?"

You don't even realize how cheap you are?

"It's nothing, I was just saying it offhand," Zhang Yuan said with a laugh as he hung up the phone.

"I gave you a chance but you didn't use it!"

"You really think I need you to solve this problem for me?"

"Tang Wei isn't one of my people."

"It's just to make you clean up the mess you made and wipe the shit you produced."

"And yet they still don't know how to appreciate it."

"If it's too difficult, then don't do it."

Zhang Yuan stretched in the car on his way home.

"Because after a while, I won't need your 'help' anymore."

If I take action myself, what need do I have for you?

After taking care of some chores at home, Zeng Jia came to my house.

"That company in Hubei Province."

"It's the company that's suing us over copyright issues."

"Their lawyer contacted our lawyer and said they wanted to talk."

Zeng Jia felt this was a good opportunity.

They're willing to talk because they want an out-of-court settlement.

It's a good thing that the lawsuit can be settled.

"They want to take the case back to their local area, but instead they want to chat," Zhang Yuan said with a smile, touching his lips with his finger.

“Uh…” Zeng Jia saw that the boss had a half-smile.

I understand that this question is being asked of myself.

"Are they... feeling guilty?"

"You've made progress," Zhang Yuan praised.

It's impossible that the other party is a saint; it's better to avoid trouble.

Huaqi got to know the local broadcasting company.

They must have asked around and found out that even if they win the case, it will be very troublesome.

Surely the film can't just be shown in Hubei Province, right?
He believed that although the other party was his opponent, their approach to doing things was still correct.

"They call this preparing for both possibilities, fighting while negotiating."

"Talking all the time makes you seem weak and too easy to suffer losses."

"If you first act like you're ready to fight to the death, and then start talking, wouldn't you be more willing to talk to the other person?"

Zeng Jia raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself that this made sense.

Having a lawsuit always bothers me, and I want to settle it as soon as possible.

"Opponents are often worth learning from; we should see their strengths."

"Next, the other party will definitely try to coax and deceive you, and offer a slightly higher price than originally."

"They used jurisdiction over the case as leverage to force us to compromise," Zhang Yuan analyzed in detail.

"Whom did they send to negotiate?"

"A manager."

"If it's not the boss, I won't show up. You can go."

"While I'm at it, I'll learn how to do these things."

When discussing business, it's important to consider the appropriate roles and positions.

Companies and countries are the same.

If you don't send the president and I send a section chief to receive you, that would be incredibly disrespectful.

The other party's CEO hasn't shown up yet, so let's assume I'm going to negotiate in person.

People will think you're in a hurry.

You need something from me.

But not talking to them isn't an option either, as it might make the other party feel insulted, and if they get angry, things could get out of control.

After making preparations, Zeng Jia held a formal negotiation with the other party.

She came back to him a day or two later.

"How's it going?"

"Just like you said..."

She was a little scared.

He cautiously raised his eyes to look at Zhang Yuan.
What they said was basically exactly the same as what the boss predicted.

They originally offered 100 million, but are now willing to increase it to 200 million.

They started off friendly, but after offering their price, they said it was their final offer!
If you disagree, then we'll take this to the end... The other party mimicked their boss's tone.

"See? Is this the kind of thing you're playing?" Zhang Yuan didn't care at all.

"So how should we reply?"

"We don't want money; we insist on copyright ownership." He firmly stated his opinion.

After Zeng Jia gave this reply, the other party remained silent for a few days.

That day, Zhang Yuan was practicing boxing at home.

They were practicing Shaolin Kung Fu.

I won't play with you guys, but I know how to use your fists, isn't that infuriating?

I was practicing intensely, sweating profusely, when I picked up a towel to wipe my sweat and saw several missed calls.

It was Feng Xiaogang calling.

"It's been a long time. Are you free lately?"

"Let's go out for a meal."

Zhang Yuan thought for a moment and said, "You don't usually contact me unless there's something wrong."

If someone calls me, it's definitely because something's wrong.

So I agreed.

We went to a banquet in the evening. To be honest, it was just Director Feng and his wife; there were only three people at the table.

"I also want to thank you. The house in Xixi Wetland is settled. Let's go there together when we have time, as a vacation."

"Okay." Xu Fan handed over the liquor and replied with a beaming smile, "I already told you that."

“Let our Xiaogang, Director Feng, buy it.”

"He said that place is too far from the capital, and he can only go there a few times a year, so it's not worth it."

Zhang Yuan smiled but didn't say anything.

He knew Feng Xiaogang.

It's not that I don't want a house, it's that I don't want the money to buy one.

When filming "The Banquet" before, we went to the bamboo forest for location shooting.

Several major scenic spots are pulling out all the stops to compete for the title of filming location for Feng Xiaogang's movie.

In the end, the scenic area in Anji even gifted him a villa.

He wouldn't buy it if it wasn't given away for free.

In addition, Director Feng is rich now, but not too much.

They'll really make a fortune after Huayi goes public.

"It's okay if you don't buy it. My house is yours to stay and do as you please," Zhang Yuan generously invited.

"That's a good feeling."

I made an appointment with these two to go on a trip together when I have some free time in a while.

Zhang Yuan had wanted to invite the two of them for a long time, and this was the perfect opportunity to do it.

As they ate and drank, halfway through, Zhang Yuan tentatively asked...

"You summoned me here today because of Ning Hao?"

After thinking it over, it seemed like this was the only thing that mattered.

"No," Director Feng waved his hands repeatedly, "That's Xiao Wang's business, I'll just cooperate at most."

Feng Xiaogang had also been asked to talk to Ning Hao before.

But Zhang Yuan now sensed that what he was saying was the same as Zhang Ziyi's feelings towards Tang Wei.

He didn't want Huayi to have another person who could "compete" with him.

Internal resources are limited, and he is now the "leader," so of course he doesn't want someone else to share the spoils.

This person is not very magnanimous to begin with, especially when it comes to money.

"What's the matter?" Zhang Yuan found it interesting: "What's our relationship? If there's anything I can help you with, just say so."

At this moment, Xu Fan glanced at Feng Xiaogang.

Director Feng lowered his eyelids, picked up food with his chopsticks and ate, completely ignoring his wife.

Xu Fan bit her lip, clearly a little annoyed.

"It's nothing." She then put on a smile again and spoke to him.

“I heard that you recently had a minor conflict with a company in Hubei Province.”

Zhang Yuan: …

He hadn't expected this.

"A little," I answered truthfully.

"I'm from Hubei Province." Teacher Xu Fan held up the wine bottle, wanting to refill his glass.

Zhang Yuan quickly stopped him, "snatched" the bottle, and poured the wine himself.

"How could I possibly ask you, a senior, to pour me a drink?"

Teacher Xu let go and sat down, her expression turning somewhat pale.

As soon as I brought it up, they wouldn't even let me pour them a drink.

Feng Xiaogang remained silent and continued eating.

Zhang Yuan knew that Teacher Xu came from Hubei Province, which is Wuhan.

Her parents were both famous Chu opera actors.

Because of this influence, Xu Fan chose to study Peking Opera and later switched to drama.

Along the way, my family has put in a lot of effort.

They are considered a small, prominent family in Hubei's arts and culture circle.

Zhang Yuan realized that the other company must have found out that he had a personal relationship with Xu Fan.

It's easy to ask about this; there are always many people watching when you go to his house to play cards, so it's no secret.

Back in my hometown, I could easily get in touch with her through connections.

They asked her to act as a mediator.

No wonder Feng Xiaogang looked so ashamed.

Just like Hua Yi approached Ning Hao, he probably didn't want to get involved in this matter at all.

As the saying goes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative.

"Those in the same industry are all neighbors."

"If there's anything, it's best to talk it out."

Zhang Yuan listened to the other party's advice.

He kept nodding, but didn't answer.

Finally, he spoke softly.

"Sister Fan, let me toast you first."

Thank you for your trouble.

"But this isn't about money, it's about the film."

"We all want this play."

"If they won't let go, I have no intention of letting go either."

"I was prepared to fight to the bitter end!"

"After all, I own the copyright, so I'm not afraid of anyone if I'm in the right!"

Zhang Yuan raised his voice, but quickly lowered it again.

"But I've always considered you my own sister, how could I not give you face?"

"How about this, you go and try to persuade them for me."

"No, I'll give them some money to make up for the losses incurred in the early stages of preparation, as long as they give me the show."

"Ah, this..."

I was the one advising you, how did it turn into you advising me?

When it comes to talk therapy, Zhang Yuan has never lost.

The conversation with Xu Fan ranged from their professions to their dreams.

Finally, fueled by alcohol, he grabbed Xu Fan's hands and shook them vigorously.

He took the initiative and asked her to speak on his behalf, hoping she would give in.

I almost knelt down.

The only problem was that his kneeling motion was a bit slow, deliberately giving the other party a crucial moment to stop him.

Of course, even if the other party doesn't stop him, he will pretend to fall down because he's not standing properly, and then get up on his own.

Dropping a stool is a skill.

In short, it drove Xu Fan to the brink of collapse.

He staggered away, pretending to be drunk.

The nanny cleaned up the leftovers, while Teacher Xu sat on the sofa, holding her forehead.

"I told you not to get involved in this," Director Feng complained.

"He came after my dad. How could I not listen to him?" Teacher Xu rubbed his temples with his thumb. "I didn't expect this kid to be so difficult."

"I think he'll at least give you some face."

"After all, I acted in one of your plays."

"Hey, don't!" Director Feng said with a crooked mouth, crossing his legs.

“Look at how he’s been lately.”

"They've become incredibly arrogant."

"They can even casually travel across land, and they dare to meddle in the affairs of island nations."

"They've all gotten themselves blacklisted."

"You still think I'm a threat?" Director Feng said irritably.

He was clearly venting his anger through those words.

It sounds like I expected this all along, but actually I was holding onto a sliver of hope.

But the noodles didn't turn out well.

Since the other party was clearly not giving him face, he vented his anger by speaking in a fit of pique.

Just like when Zhang Yuan asked Zhang Ziyi for "help," she didn't give him face.

Everyone has their own opinions.

"They're famous now, and they're rich too."

"He owns more shares in Huayi than I do," Director Feng said sourly.

He cares a lot about this.

"Alright, alright." Xu Fan nudged her husband.

You're just spouting nonsense to me, while whispering behind my back.

Why didn't you confront them directly?

"Judging from Director Feng's expression, it seems like he has a problem with me." Once back in his car, his feigned drunkenness dissipated.

"Yeah……"

He nodded noncommittally.

The next day, he received a call from Universal Pictures.

Ask him to go to Hollywood to discuss his next film project.

We had contacted each other before, and the appointment was scheduled for a few weeks later.

But now that it's being moved up at the last minute, forcing him to get there early, Zhang Yuan felt that it couldn't be anything good.

To be precise, Universal Pictures contacted him not to discuss anything.

Instead, it's a questioning...

(End of this chapter)