Actor: Thank you.

In the private room of the hotel, people were drinking and chatting happily.

"Brother Honglei, we need to have a few more drinks."

"After you finish this cup, there's another one."

"After one cup, there are still three cups..."

Zhang Yuan took Sun Honglei, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, and the cups and bottles were empty.

Not long after the meal started, when only half of the hot dishes were served, they had already finished a one-pound bottle of white wine each.

When Sun Honglei saw this, he had an illusion.

It seems like today I am not here to discuss work or meet the crew, but to catch up with old friends.

His head was slightly dizzy.

A pound of liquor is no big deal for him.

After all, he came from a dance hall, it’s impossible for him not to be able to drink.

This guy started with two kilograms, and if he held on a little, he could carry three kilograms.

When traveling around the world and mixing in society, drinking is a must.

The same goes for Zhang Yuan's subordinates. They come from poor backgrounds and most of them can drink a lot.

Those from well-off families will be relatively worse off.

It's because of the helplessness of life that forces me to drink.

Sun Honglei recalled that Zhang Yuan's alcohol tolerance was quite good back then.

After all, it was he who made "Song the Tiger" surrender to drinking that time when he was upset.

But it wasn’t as ferocious as it is now!
My tongue is a little thick, after all, I drank it too quickly.

But the other party was not drunk at all.

The key is that he is as enthusiastic as he was back then, without any investor airs at all.

Especially after drinking a few more glasses, Zhang Yuan took out something, which reminded him of the past.

"Brother Honglei, do you smoke?"

"I have some, smoke mine." Sun Honglei took out a pack of soft-shell cigarettes.

It can be said that he is indeed a mixed-up person. Now the first cigarette he smokes is Zhonghua. It's really a scene.

However, Zhang Yuan waved his hand to refuse.

"You can't do this, hit me."

Sun Honglei was wondering, Huazi wouldn't work, what kind of cigarette was that?

Panda or the world?
In those days, there were still extremely expensive cigarettes, and it was not uncommon to see cigarettes costing ten or twenty thousand yuan a pack.

Sun Honglei thought, maybe this kid has become rich and wants to show off.

But when he saw Zhang Yuan take out the cigarette box, he narrowed his eyes and smiled.

It's not some sky-high priced cigarette at all.

Even cheap.

It’s just a pack of white box Hongtashan!
One pack of soft-box Zhonghua cigarettes can buy four or five packs of Hongtashan cigarettes.

"Come, come, come..." Zhang Yuan tore up the cigarette box and distributed it to everyone.

The people on Dongyang Qingyu's side were confused.

Is the bigger the boss, the stingier he is?

Zhang Yuan is treating us with such cheap cigarettes?
They didn't understand, but Sun Honglei just picked it up and put it into his mouth, and Zhang Yuan was furious for him.

Just like back then.

Not only are the movements the same as those of a person, but so are the smoke.

Liu Huaqiang smoked Hongtashan cigarettes back then!
After this explanation, everyone understood that there was such a thing.

"It was nice to have this back then." Zhang Yuan said with a smile.

"Director Gao Qunshu is so stingy that even Hongtashan is reluctant to give us the money."

"When I recall those days, there are only two words."

"Green!"

Sun Honglei also listened, laughed, and smoked.

He would look at the half-smoked cigarette in his hand from time to time.

After being used to smoking expensive cigarettes, when I smoke Hongtashan cigarettes, I feel my throat is a bit numb, and it feels strong in my lungs and not so smooth.

But Sun Honglei's heart is extremely at ease.

Firstly, through this cigarette, I recalled the days when I worked myself to death on a film but only earned a few tens of thousands of dollars.

Secondly, through the smoke, he also received the information given by Zhang Yuan.

I haven't forgotten the friendship we had back then.

So he felt relieved.

Zhang Yuan saw that his brows relaxed and the slight bit of restraint he had shown after entering the house mostly disappeared, and he realized that the other party had settled down.

That's good.

My goal has been achieved.

You have to make him feel at ease before you can move on to the conversation.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Just as Zhang Yuan and Sun Honglei were chatting happily, the door of the private room opened and a tall and thin woman walked in, apologizing repeatedly.

The person who came was Yao Dazui who was called by Zhang Yuan.

In this way, the original male and female protagonists are gathered together.

Zhang Yuan attaches great importance to this film, and the reason is actually to make money.

"Lost" is a real hit drama, the kind that will definitely make a lot of money.

So to be on the safe side, he would of course prefer to use the original team, which is safer.

Low risk and high return, this is what he pursues.

Besides, Yao Chen is one of our own. She became famous thanks to this movie, and the company can make more money from her. It's a positive cycle, a virtuous circle.

The best way to deeply squeeze out the value of an artist.

All you have to do is let the gods return to their positions, and you can get the best of both worlds.

Dongyang Qingyu handed the first version of the script to Zhang Yuan.

He handed the notebook back to Yao Cheng.

"I'm so sorry, the plane is late."

"Sorry, sorry." Yao Dazui clasped his hands together and greeted everyone one by one. Then Zhang Yuan waved at him and called him to sit next to him.

"Long time no see." Zhang Yuan turned around and smiled.

"You didn't come to the last two company dinners in the courtyard."

"I finally saw someone this time."

"If I don't see you again, I'll almost forget what you look like." Zhang Yuan complained.

Yao Cheng's face tightened, there was a strange look between his brows, and he replied with a stutter.

"I, I, I'm busy. I didn't mean it..."

"I understand. Everyone is busy."

“It’s normal that I can’t touch it.”

"Well, these are all new friends, let me introduce them to you."

Zhang Yuan greeted them one by one.

Yao Cheng punished himself with three small cups of wine for being late, which only added up to one or two taels, not too much.

Another half an hour passed, and not only were all the dishes served, but most of them had been eaten. The female boss Zhang Jing then started talking about the play.

Needless to say, Sun Honglei first met the key condition that the director did not want a handsome guy.

And to be honest, Brother Honglei is as famous as his name suggests, and the characters he plays are as loud as thunder.

He has his own traffic in the film and television industry, especially in the TV drama industry.

Although he looks average, he has his own unique features and the audience can remember him and call him by his name.

As for Yao Cheng, it was Zhang Jing who contacted him first.

The other party originally thought that since they were working together, the right to choose the actors should not be 50-50, but at least their opinions should be asked.

After all, the copyright of the novel is in my hands.

If he is not satisfied, Zhang Yuan can stop the project at any time, which would cause them to suffer a huge loss.

It just so happens that the heroine Cuiping, designed in the original novel and by director Jiang Wei when he deepened the script, is a very distinctive woman of the time.

Just like Yu Zecheng, the role cannot be played by a traditional beauty.

If you let Fan Bingbing or Zhao Wei act like this, it will be over immediately.

In the original novel, Cui Ping is a female guerrilla leader with an extremely distinctive personality.

Smoking welding fumes, not knowing how to use the toilet or the stove.

The first time she appeared on stage, although she put some sawdust on her head...it could be considered as hair oil, she still looked a little unclean.

What is certain is that this character is not only not a beauty, but also a "rough guy".

She has a fierce personality, is extremely powerful, and is straightforward.

It just happened to be in stark contrast to the other rich wives who were leaders of the Secret Service.

The original work has less than 2 words and the description is not detailed.

When deepening the script, director Jiang Wei added many light comedy scenes to the character of Cuiping, using the plot and other characters to highlight a different kind of cuteness for this unconventional female character.

There is a saying in the acting industry: the show protects the person and the person protects the show.

The guarantor of a play is just like the actor, but the work and the character itself are so charming that they lift the actor up to the level.

In fact, it’s not just actors. Chen Shiren’s “Farewell My Concubine” is a typical example of a play guarantor.

It's a group of top experts, from cameramanship, screenwriters, costumers, co-ordinators, etc., plus actors and scripts, who all lifted the film up to the top.

The opposite is true for human security dramas.

The most famous skit was Torchbearer. After Zhao Benshan finished his performance, he went backstage and hugged Song Xinxin and cried loudly.

Not exciting.

Because the skit "Torchbearer" is a topic-based composition.

The Olympics were about to start, and the Spring Festival Gala asked him to do this.

Zhao Benshan hated essay writing the most, so his notebook was not well organized.

The book is not good, but you still insist on using it.

They are afraid of damaging their reputation and afraid that the audience will not like it, so they are forced to do things they don’t like.

So he was under so much pressure that he almost collapsed.

He also said personally that if he and Song Xinxin were not on this show, it would be a failure.

This is the human security drama.

As for the play "Lost", it is interesting.

This film is a case of both the person guaranteeing the play and the play guaranteeing the person.

In the play between Sun Honglei and Yu Zecheng, it is obvious that Ren Bao has more scenes. There is absolutely no flaw in Honglei's acting skills and personal charm.

But when it comes to Yao Cheng, there are more people who guarantee the performance.

Because Yao Cheng is actually a very smart and lucky woman.

The role that first made her famous in the entertainment industry must be Guo Furong in "Wulin Waijia".

As for Dongyang Qingyu, the reason why they chose Zhu Yuanyuan to play Cuiping after she became pregnant was because of the role of Guo Furong!
She has a fierce personality, is extremely powerful, and is straightforward.

Guo Furong and Cui Ping share these characteristics.

Moreover, Guo Furong's official match was Lu Xiucai, and Cuiping's official match was Yu Zecheng.

Both pairs are "weak men and strong women" configurations.

Moreover, during the script design stage of "Live", director Jiang Wei made it clear that the goal was "not to preach" and to try to make the film serious yet humorous so that the audience would like it more.

Most of the humorous scenes are about Cuiping.

Yao Cheng happens to be famous for his comedy, so putting him in this position is not only harmonious but also enhances the comedic effect.

This role fits right into her comfort zone.

So she is lucky.

One thing leads to another. Without Guo Furong, there would be no Cui Ping.

Guo Furong made her a well-known actress, but the role of Cui Ping made her a first-line actress in the TV drama circle!
This kind of luck is rare in the circle.

In fact, Zhang Yuan knew that in terms of acting talent and skills, Yao Cheng was just so-so in the film and television industry, neither good nor bad.

He is a special actor who needs a specific role to show his strength.

As long as the role fits.

It was a pleasant chat with Zhang Jing.

Both Sun Honglei and Yao Cheng showed great interest in this play.

Plus Zhang Yuan was there to help.

One of them is his old friend and the other is his subordinate.

With him around, things naturally go smoothly.

The purpose of eating is to finalize the general intention.

After their intention was made clear, the two of them and Zhang Yuan did not leave for the next few days.

Get together with Zhang Jing and Jiang Wei to discuss the specific arrangements afterwards.

In less than a week, we had reached the contract stage.

It was quite smooth.

Since we have started discussing the contract, we will inevitably start negotiating the pay.

Yao Cheng’s side is easy.

Calling Yang Siwei over, and with Zhang Yuan around, it won’t be a problem.

There were 30 episodes in total, and she was offered 5 yuan for each episode.

That is the total package price of 150 million.

Don’t underestimate it, it’s just over one million, it seems ordinary.

But in fact, it was already very high in those days.

When filming "Moment in Peking", Zhao Wei's pay was only 10 yuan per episode.

Zhao Wei is a real top star, absolutely the number one actress in TV dramas.

This is why those who make TV dramas all want to climb into the film industry, because the upper limits of the two are a level apart.

As one of the four Dans and two Bings, Zhang Ziyi's pay can easily crush Zhao Yanzi's, the difference is just that big.

However, after the rise of online platforms, the upper limit of TV drama pay was rapidly raised, to the point where the radio, film and television authorities had to issue a salary cap order.

Yao Cheng is at a certain level, it's good enough that he can get this.

Moreover, he paid half of the total investment of 2000 million, and he was also paying the film remuneration, so it naturally cannot be too exaggerated.

Yao Cheng has already negotiated and signed a contract with the production company Dongyang Qingyu, and will only have to wait a few months before filming begins.

However, things were not so smooth for Sun Honglei.

Brother Honglei is very clear about his situation.

So I will never hesitate when offering a price.

"Since you asked me to mention it, I'll say it."

In the office, Sun Honglei put on his standard squinting smile, which was a bit creepy.

Then he raised two fingers.

“30 per episode!”

30 per episode.

It was considered an exorbitant price in those days.

For the 30-episode TV series, his salary alone was 900 million.

The total investment was only 2000 million, and he wanted to take nearly 5% of it alone.

Is it reasonable?
It’s actually reasonable.

It is common for the combined pay of the male and female protagonists to exceed half of the total budget.

And this is the other party’s offer.

For a gangster like Sun Honglei, there is definitely room for negotiation.

But even if it was reasonable, Zhang Yuan was unwilling to give it.

I'm going to lower the price severely!
"This is too high..." Director Jiang Wei was about to speak when Zhang Yuan raised his arm slightly, interrupting him with just one movement.

And everyone present noticed that the harmonious and cheerful atmosphere in the room just now seemed to have changed in an instant.

Zhang Yuan was seen pursing his lips, bending down, and leaning forward.

His eyes were fixed on Sun Honglei, without even blinking.

Then he slowly spoke.

"Brother Honglei."

"I'm willing to pay this price."

"Hey..." Jiang Wei became anxious when he heard it. Why have you decided on it?

But he was stopped by the boss Zhang Jing standing nearby.

Zhang Yuan continued.

"I'm willing to give it, do you dare to take it?"

After saying that, he still looked at the other person intently.

After about half a minute, Jiang Wei, Zhang Jing, Yao Cheng and others all felt that the room was cold. When they felt cold, Sun Honglei coughed lightly and looked away.

When looking at each other, whoever looks away first loses.

Although Brother Honglei remained calm, his heart was pounding.

The look in Zhang Yuan’s eyes just now... was too cruel!
It’s easy to get the money, but the question is, once you’ve got it, can you still leave?
Sun Honglei has some background and connections.

But the people with strong ideas are all back in my hometown in Northeast China.

In the imperial capital and Hengdian, he is almost a white person.

I also heard about Zhang Yuan, Boss Sun and Jia Dai.

People who know the true situation of this matter will not tell it, so the story is spread in a supernatural way.

So Zhang Yuan’s scare just now was spot on!

Brother Honglei finally understood.

The young man who poured wine and lit cigarettes for me five years ago and a few days ago is just one side of Zhang Yuan.

The reason why he can move up so quickly is because of his current side!
The joy and emotion after the reunion almost made him forget that he had climbed from an extra to an investor in just five years.

He is definitely not someone who can be bullied or intimidated so easily.

Especially the other party's momentum just now, it didn't seem fake.

If you really insist on asking for a sky-high price, you may not be able to get away with it unscathed if the negotiations fail.

However, Sun Honglei had been traveling around the world since he was in his teens, so he quickly calmed down.

"Ask for the sky's worth and pay the price down to earth."

"Zhang Yuan, we have been friends for many years."

"There's no need to be so serious."

"Brother Honglei is right!" Zhang Yuan's expression immediately changed and he smiled again.

The others also felt that the atmosphere in the house changed, as if spring had arrived and flowers were blooming.

Zhang Yuan understood that intimidation alone might be useful in dealing with others.

But for a veteran like Sun Honglei, the most he can do is gain the initiative and momentum.

In the end, we still have to talk... (End of this chapter)