Actor: Thank you.

That morning, Cheng Hao pushed open the door to the bedroom bathroom.

"Hey!"

"What are you doing coming in all of a sudden?" Zhang Yuan was startled.

"What mischief are you up to, hiding inside and not coming out?" The older sister poked her head in to observe.

"What do you mean by doing bad things?" Zhang Yuan stood up from the bathtub filled with hot water. "Why don't you join me?"

"Who takes a bath so early in the morning..." Cheng Hao complained, glancing at his body.

"It's not impossible."

She then unbuttoned her pajamas and joined in.

Just as Zhao Decai explained when he helped him plan the renovation, what was the large bathtub for?

"I still think you've done something wrong." Not long after, Cheng Hao, her hair still damp, brought up the matter again.

"Who takes their phone into the bath? Aren't you afraid it will fall into the water?"

"Is he still calling that vixen?"

Zhang Yuan glanced at his iPhone 3.

These days, cell phones are definitely not waterproof.

It seems that only Sony has released a few models that can still be used after falling into water.

As for calling the vixen... it can't be entirely wrong.

A woman's intuition can sometimes be quite accurate.

I take a shower as soon as I wake up in the morning because I'm in a good mood.

My expectations were met, and the results were even better than I had imagined.

I told Huayi to just find a corner and hide quietly, instead of making a big fuss with me.

As a result, he ruined his own face.

His tactics were very successful. First, by seizing the copyright of "Old Boys," he further established the other party's unscrupulous methods.

Then came the rumors he spread about "karma and retribution".

So suitable!

A man makes such a sacrifice for his woman, only to be betrayed in the end.

This is a poignant and tragic story.

Although betrayal is shameful, people will tell themselves that this is reality.

Nobility is the epitaph of the noble, and despicability is the passport of the despicable.

This has always been the case.

At most, everyone should keep their eyes open and make sure they don't get deceived.

But right now!
The traitor has been punished!
The story took a dramatic turn.

The idea of ​​karmic retribution is not limited to Chinese culture, Buddhism, or Taoism.

The concept of cause and effect is also prevalent in Western culture.

Take modern literary works, for example. In the Western classic "Game of Thrones," the story and characters are full of chaos and unpredictability.

However, there are also severe revenge and retribution plots.

These are oaths originating from Western culture.

This is what the West calls loyalty.

The meaning of the word "loyalty" differs slightly between Eastern and Western cultures.

In Eastern culture, since the Spring and Autumn Period, the word "loyalty" has been transformed into a bottom-up obligation, specifically referring to the loyalty of subordinates, especially scholar-officials, to the royal family.

Extending this to the present day, we have seen the kind of rigid and even perverse culture of seniority and hierarchy found in Japan and South Korea.

In the West, loyalty refers more to mutual agreements between people.

For example, the "guest power" in Game of Thrones.

This is not a fictional story, but a real historical fact in ancient Western times.

When a guest arrives at the host's house and accepts the bread and salt offered by the host, the guest's rights immediately take effect.

During their visit, neither party may harm the other, or they will be punished by the gods.

In contrast, China often uses banquets to carry out assassinations.

This incident has also been regarded by some public intellectuals as a symbol of Western "civilization".

Don't forget how the Native Americans treated the settlers, and how the settlers repaid these indigenous people.

Oaths and rules are defined by the strong.

But the prerequisite is that you have to win!

Now Huayi has "lost," at least in the area of ​​internet investment.

Therefore, whatever Zhang Yuan says is right!
And it aligns with the common belief in cause and effect.

This is what happens to disloyalty!

Everyone can stand on their moral high ground and criticize him, because Zhang Yuan is right.

Moreover, Zhang Yuan's current outburst of cursing and saying that Huayi is getting her comeuppance is quite in line with his emotions.

It's right to get angry and yell; if you stay quiet and don't say a word, people will find it strange and suspect something is wrong.

While Zhang Yuan was taking a bath, he was listening to the reports from the two "vixens".

Fan Bingbing called him and said that everything was fine at the cosmetics company, and the Wangfujing store was under renovation and expected to open before Christmas.

Christmas is a peak season for consumption, and cosmetics are a good gift for girls.

Furthermore, she heard that many downstream companies were now rushing to Huayi to collect their debts.

The logic is simple: when any large company is involved in a scandal, whether it is public or private, inside or outside the industry, it will cause suppliers who have IOUs to panic.

Everyone is worried that you might have financial problems and be unable to pay your bills.

Although Huayi is a film and television company, it also has downstream companies that come back to settle accounts.

Besides, it's almost the end of the year, so it's perfectly reasonable for them to come and collect the debt.

There's a specific term for this: a bank run.

So how do we handle a bank run?
Only by making normal payments can we regain market confidence.

As a listed company, Huayi faces even more severe challenges in this regard, and mishandling it could directly impact its stock price.

Going public is a good thing, but it can also put a lot of constraints on the company's management.

Moreover, Huayi had no choice but to grit her teeth and pay at this point; she had to scrape together the money even if she didn't have any!
If they don't make payments or settle accounts, it further confirms the rumors that they broke their promises.

For the sake of saving face, one has to grit one's teeth and endure it.

Zhang Yuan's release of the news that they had broken their promise further intensified the run on the bank.

It's a vicious cycle.

This vicious cycle further confirms Zhang Yuan's concept of "cause and effect."

The story ends here.

"You want to completely kill Hua Yi?" Fan Bingbing felt scared just thinking about it.

Too scary!

Zhang Yuanming hadn't done much, and Hua Yi hadn't done anything unusual either.

But why did the other person suddenly look up and find themselves already in a pit as they walked along?

There were bamboo skewers in the pit, all pointing upwards, and they were filled with molten gold.

After much thought, Fan Bingbing concluded that Zhang Yuan suffered losses, losses, losses... but ultimately won.

can't read.

Could it be that God truly favors him?

Is he really the legendary, one-in-a-million film and television genius?
They're so lucky.

Is this what operations are all about? When luck comes, you win.

This isn't just something Fan Bingbing thinks about; many of her industry peers think the same way.

It seems Zhang Yuan is blessed with good fortune and great luck; going against him will only lead to a bad end.

However, Zhang Yuan expressed his disapproval of Fan Bingbing's suggestion to kill the other party.

"Don't underestimate an established company, especially a publicly listed one."

“You used to work there, so you should know better.”

You won't die; at most, you'll be weak for a while.

Making some deals, making compromises, and at most giving up some shares, can help the economy recover.

But even this short period can create a window of opportunity for survival and growth.

"By the way, have you contacted Alibaba's business department again?"

"We've been in contact, but their attitude is still pretty much the same. They think we can participate in Double 11 next year, and that we were too hasty this year, as the brand has only been established for a few months." Fan Bingbing didn't feel too much regret.

She had already gained fame in just a few months and was very satisfied, feeling that Zhang Yuan's promises were being fulfilled one by one.

“Alright…” Zhang Yuan scratched his chin and thought for a moment.

"That's all for now. I'll let you know if anything happens later."

This is a genuine fox's communication.

A fake fox also contacted him.

Yang Tianbao, this "spy," also took the initiative to call him.

"Xiao Ming has been in a bad mood lately, especially after being called back to the company for a meeting."

The darling gave the information she had gotten from her boyfriend.

Not only Huang Xiaoming, but all the artists at Huayi were called back for a meeting.

Stabilizing morale indicates that the company has recently encountered some "trouble," but the storm will soon pass.

More resources will be arranged for everyone after this, so don't worry.

They said not to worry, and then they increased the intensity.

The artists were informed that financial settlements would be postponed for one quarter.

The financial model of a talent agency involves signing contracts for artists in the company's name, and the funds are first transferred to the company's account and then to the artist's account, with a settlement cycle.

If the funds are first deposited into the artists' accounts, what if they don't share the profits with the company?
Tax payments and other related matters will also become more complicated.

This incident has also led many artists to refuse to sign with companies, or to establish their own studios after becoming famous.

Like Fan Bingbing, after she had her own studio, although she had to share money with Zhang Yuan, she had the initiative and the accounts were processed through her first.

This feeling of being able to control one's own destiny can offer artists some comfort in this turbulent industry.

But now Huayi is facing a run on its bank and needs to pay out money.

Where does the money come from?
Wool comes from sheep.

Xiao Wang: I don't want to suffer as a celebrity, even if it means more infamy.

Delaying the closing of accounts by one quarter can free up hundreds of millions of yuan, significantly mitigating the financial impact on the company.

Of course, the artists wouldn't agree.

But the boss immediately shut him up with words like "gratitude," "facing it together," and "family."

They also promised to pay interest.

You can't disagree, the money's all with them.

Should we go to court?
How can we even get by then?

Few of these celebrities are truly stupid.

Zhang Yuan is the only artist who can rival Hua Yi; anyone who imitates him is doomed.

Several close associates, such as Luo Haiqiong and Feng Xiaogang, took the lead in chanting slogans, saying they would weather the storm with the company.

Others had no choice but to agree, putting on an act of unity against a common enemy.

In reality, no one knows what they are thinking, nor what impact it will have.

Other artists will definitely have something to say. You, Luo Haiqiong and Feng Xiaogang, are both shareholders of the company. How can you say such things?

We are just wage earners, why should we be owed wages?

When Yang Tianbao brought this up, she complained that Xiaoming had planned to take her on a luxury trip abroad during the Chinese New Year, but now it had all been canceled. "Your boss Zhang is still the best," she said coquettishly in a cloying voice.

"See, I'll let you know immediately if anything happens, so don't forget about me."

Zhang Yuan considered her attitude and concluded that she probably didn't mean she wanted to ask him out.

Instead, bet on both ends!

Before the ship sinks, the rats run first.

Huayi is an aircraft carrier, not so easy to sink, but Yang Tianbao's knowledge is not enough to understand it. He just felt it was bad, so he placed his bet on it.

Ultimately, people are all for themselves.

"I know, I won't forget you." Zhang Yuan felt that the other person was quite useful, in every sense of the word.

Just avoid close contact.

Big Baby also brought him a message: Hua Yi had issued a ban during the meeting.

First, artists are not allowed to talk about anything related to the company, especially negative news, and are not allowed to respond.

You can't say it, whether in front of the media or in private.

Also, you're not allowed to mention the collaboration between Huayi and Tudou!

Especially that project that was supposed to be comparable to "Eleven Degrees of Youth," which had already generated a lot of buzz and a significant amount of investment.

The entire operation has been shut down; Huayi is no longer involved!

It's even more important not to let anyone mention it; doing so would only make you look foolish.

Hua Yi is now trying her best to distance herself from the potato, fearing that it will affect the stock price.

"Hehehe..." Zhang Yuan hadn't laughed before, but he laughed when he heard this.

After thanking the baby, I hung up the phone.

In a great mood, he took a bath early in the morning, and he and Cheng Hao made the most of their day by starting their day early.

Based on the information from the two "vixens," it's clear that Hua Yi is indeed facing financial difficulties, or at least she's feeling quite anxious.

In that short period of time, the other party will not have time to bother you.

They're too busy taking care of themselves to have time to worry about me.

It made him feel much more relaxed.

After playing in the water with my dear sister, we went to have breakfast.

I received a call from Qin Hailu while I was having dinner. He said that director Zhang Meng had watched my performance in "Qinghong" and wanted to meet with me to have a chat.

He happily agreed.

"It's all good news."

"What good news?" Cheng Hao put the peeled hard-boiled egg into his bowl.

I gave the other party a general overview of the content of "The Piano in a Factory".

"I fully support it." She nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling.

"Actors should broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of the world. Their careers should be diverse, involving playing different roles and challenging themselves."

"An excellent actor should not confine himself to certain unique themes."

"Moreover, acting in art films can help you calm down and reflect on your previous work," Cheng Hao shared her experience.

She comes from an art-house film and stage background; she only went into business to make money.

What you said is pretty much what I was thinking.

"Mmm," she replied with a radiant smile.

"Are you busy later?"

"You need to go to the Beijing People's Art Theatre for rehearsal, what's wrong?"

I want you to stay.

"One should have moderation." The older sister tapped his nose. "But if you really want it, I can come back earlier."

“Cheng Hao, your thinking is very unhealthy!” Zhang Yuan straightened his back.

"Don't keep lusting after my body."

"I was originally pure and innocent, but you corrupted me."

Cheng Hao: ...

He only spoke properly when the other person tried to pull his ear.

"I'm not keeping you here for intimate activities, although this is fine too."

"I want you to come with me to entertain my friends. I do need to be back early tonight. I'll be waiting for you."

"Who are you entertaining, and why do you want me to accompany you?" Cheng Hao asked curiously.

"Ning Hao and his wife."

……

evening.

"I'm sorry, there was a small problem with the rehearsal."

"The leader's inspection and speech took up time." Cheng Hao, carrying a shoulder bag, strode into the room.

"It's not too late, just in time."

Zhang Yuan, wearing an apron and a tall chef's hat (which he somehow managed to get his hands on), carried dishes out of the kitchen.

You need to equip the complete set to get the buff effect.

"You guys are really lucky. How often does he cook?"

“You’ve run into them as soon as you arrive; I’ve only seen them a few times.”

Cheng Hao followed him into the restaurant and, upon seeing the couple, helped them by offering encouragement.

That's why I had her accompany me.

The invitation was for a couple, so it was a two-on-two situation. With a female companion, Xing Aina wouldn't be so bored.

In addition, Cheng Hao was able to speak up for them.

Let's eat first.

Stone was also there, and Zhang Yuan didn't do something as unethical as feeding a child liquor.

But Big Head, the father, drank quite a bit.

"Damn it, what bad luck!" Ning Hao cursed after a while.

“There are children here,” Zhang Yuan advised.

When the man tried to light a cigarette, he reached out and snatched it from him.

"The child is here."

"I should have known better than to take him out."

"It's alright, let Shitou go and rest first." Cheng Hao led Xing Aina to get up and took the child to the guest room.

It's also good to keep them around so we can talk things out.

"We've had the wine and the food."

"Life goes on." Zhang Yuan put down his chopsticks and pushed the wine bottle aside.

“I can’t continue!” Ning Hao slumped back in his chair. “You were right again.”

Just as Zhang Yuan said, the film "No Man's Land" was revised and resubmitted for review.

Then... it got pushed back again, just in the last couple of days.

Zhang Yuan invited him to dinner because he knew about this.

"What did Huayi say?"

"grass!"

When he asked, the other party immediately cursed.

"They had another fight."

"I told him to give me some time to make some changes, and if it's not good enough, I'll reshoot the content and change some of the plot."

"Damn it, they just said it was impossible, they didn't have the budget, and they told me to give back the money I had already paid."

"They also said that we shouldn't even think about paying the remaining director's fee."

Zhang Yuan shook his head with a cold smile.

Huayi is so greedy these days that she'll eat even mosquito legs, so it's normal for her to treat you the same way.

"You want me to pay you back."

"How can I compensate you?"

Big Head was completely frustrated.

What would the United States do when it strategically retracts its operations?
First, exploit your allies to the bone.

That's how Kissinger came about with his famous quote.

"When America's enemies are dangerous, when America's friends are deadly."

Because if you want to gain benefits from the enemy, you have to pay a high cost in the war.

However, extracting from allies only requires peaceful means and is less costly.

What Huayi is doing now is the same thing: when faced with financial difficulties, she first squeezes her own people.

This behavior aligns with business logic and the logic of zero-sum games.

Ning Hao is now not only an "ally," but a high-cost ally that has brought losses.

Hua Yi also knew that he probably couldn't pay back the money in a short period of time.

But at least they could use the "open window theory" as a pretext to prevent Ning Hao from asking for more and to squeeze some of his profits out of him.

As for the film "No Man's Land"... just like the collaboration with Tudou.com, there was simply no time to manage it.

"Don't be afraid, your wife and children are here, and many people envy you."

Zhang Yuan poured some tea for the other party.

"I envy you too."

"Don't be fooled by my wealth, house, car, woman, and career; I have no children and no wife."

Ning Hao: ...

Are you showing off in front of me?
"How about I switch with you?" Big Head asked, tilting his head.

"Hao, don't listen to his nonsense, he's not serious." Cheng Hao entered the room at this moment.

"What do you mean he's not serious? I'm just advising him."

Zhang Yuan waved his hand and then stood up.

He straightened his clothes and put on a serious expression.

"What are you going to do?" Ning Hao looked up at him with a puzzled expression.

"Your problem now is that the film won't pass censorship, and Huayi is putting pressure on you."

"My career and finances have suffered a double blow."

"Don't even mention it, I'm so annoyed!" Big Head said, holding his head in his hands, looking like he didn't want to face reality.

"So now you have to solve these two problems."

"I need to have enough money to support my wife and kids, and I also need to continue my career."

"I told you to stop talking." Big Head felt a headache coming on.

"Hao, don't worry, he said that because he wants to help you find a solution," the older sister said.

"is it?"

"of course."

Zhang Yuan pointed at him and said, "You need external intervention to get out of this predicament."

"You can't do it on your own."

"What external force could be at play?" Big Head wondered to himself, who would help him now?

Then he saw Zhang Yuan slowly turn the finger that was pointing at him toward himself.

"Therefore, I will take action." (End of Chapter)