Huayu started as a substitute director

Chapter 740 Covering the sky with one hand
In fact, Yu Xian longed to make normal movies; very few normal directors are willing to keep making niche horror and erotic films.

Fang Hong needed a large sum of money, and Yu Xian's yellow skin and Chinese identity made it difficult for him to get by there, so he could not do as he wished.

This time, Fang Hong didn't stop him from making a blockbuster. Everyone has their own pursuits, and you can't block someone else's path for your own sake.

Besides, making blockbuster movies doesn't prevent us from continuing our Chinese affairs; it just means we'll make them more slowly and less often.

Only by making blockbusters, commercial blockbusters, can one realize their own value. As for art films and such, they can go to hell. Even Zhang Yimou has figured this out.

"Alright, will you negotiate your salary with Warner Bros. yourself, or will we help you?" Liu Tianxian said.

“You guys talk to him for me, get the principal to talk to him for me, he’s pretty shameless in this regard,” Yu said.

"Who are you calling shameless?" Fang Hong said.

"Sorry, I accidentally blurted out the truth," Yu said jokingly.

Liu Tianxian laughed heartily.

"Just wait, I'll deal with you when I get to Los Angeles," Fang Hong said threateningly.

"You're coming to the United States?" Yu asked in surprise.

“Yes, The Martian is going to be nominated for an Oscar, so of course we’re going to go and participate,” Liu Tianxian said.

“That’s fine, you can come early to celebrate the New Year with me!” Yu Xianxing said excitedly.

“That won’t do,” Liu Tianxian said.

The Oscars are at the end of February, and Chinese New Year is at the end of January. How can I go and spend the New Year with Mr. Yu?

"Alright, then I'll leave this to you." Yu Xian's tone carried a hint of disappointment.

"You should find a girlfriend soon so she can keep you company," Liu Tianxian said, and then the two hung up the phone.

She could also sense Yu Xian's disappointment, but they had their own families and loved ones.

Over there, Yu Xian was shirtless, with his arm around Guo Biting, looking deep in thought.

"What's wrong, baby!" Guo Biting is petite and adorable.

"Warner Bros. wants me to make a film, a DC Universe movie, a top-tier A-list production." Yu pinched her little nose.

"Wow! You're amazing, are you Superman?" Guo Biting was also very excited and propped herself up to sit up a little.

"No, it's something else!" Yu said.

"Can I have a role? Just a supporting role, not necessarily the lead." Guo Biting looked at him expectantly with her big eyes.

"I don't know yet. This is just an initial idea and hasn't been finalized. If a suitable role comes along, I'll definitely arrange it for you," Yu Xian promised.

"Baby, you're so good to me." Guo Biting hugged him tightly with her delicate body.

Yu first patted her head, then took out a cigarette, lit it, took a quiet puff, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

You can buy Chinese cigarettes in the United States.

He took a few puffs, then held the cigarette to Guo Biting's lips and said, "Have a puff."

“I don’t smoke,” Guo Biting said.

"It's nothing, just one puff," Yu said.

Guo Biting couldn't refuse, so she parted her red lips slightly, put the cigarette butt in her mouth, and then took a deep drag, immediately coughing as if she had choked.

"Hahaha"

Yu laughed loudly and leaned close to his ear, saying suggestively, "Does the smell of cigarettes or my smell better?"

"You're so naughty." Guo Biting's face turned red.

"Come on, taste my flavor again." Yu pressed her head down.

Guo Biting moved her body down.
Liu Tianxian on the other end also asked, "Should we call Lao Zha and tell him it's all settled?"

"Don't attack so quickly. If you attack so quickly, it'll seem like we took it too easily. Wait a few days, at least let him think it's a challenge for us!" Fang Hong said.

“That makes sense,” Liu Tianxian nodded.

Just as she was lost in thought, Fang Hong lifted the blanket and suddenly covered her with it.

"Ah! Are you trying to die?" Liu Tianxian's voice was dazed.

"."

The next day, the two brothers from Huayi really did come to the company again. This time, Liu Tianxian also came and was sitting on the sofa reading a book.

"Even the celestial being is here!" the king exclaimed as he entered.

“Yes, he’s at work, so I just came to keep him company,” Liu Tianxian said.

"Tianxian is truly a model of a virtuous wife and loving mother. Principal is so lucky to have married you." Boss Wang's old face looked rather unpleasant when he smiled.

Liu Tianxian smiled but didn't say anything.

"Principal, this is something I brought especially for you, West Lake Longjing tea." President Wang placed a can of tea on the table.

If you're going to use persistent persuasion, you need to show some sincerity.

"Your matter has been settled. The president of Warner has agreed to return your money," Fang Hongping said calmly.

"Really?!" The eldest king was pleasantly surprised, and he and his younger brother exchanged a glance, their eyes also filled with astonishment.

“Yes, but it will take some time. I will confirm the repayment date with them, and then you can process it as a withdrawal of investment,” Fang Hong said.

Withdrawing investment is a normal process.

Upon hearing this, President Wang was overjoyed and clasped his hands together, saying, "Thank you, Principal! Thank you, Principal!"

Mr. Wang also put his hands together in gratitude.

I never expected that something they couldn't handle for so long could be resolved by the principal. He must have never even made a phone call before.

"You're too kind, it's just a small matter, nothing to me." Fang Hong waved his hand, speaking casually, with a hint of pretense.

Liu Tianxian smiled. This person was really something. They had talked for so long and even betrayed Yu Xian, but now he was putting on an act and talking so casually.

However, there's no need for the two brothers to know this. The more relaxed you appear, the more likely they are to admire you and feel the vast difference in strength.

After all, it was a problem that Huayi had been trying to resolve for almost a year without success.

"Yes, yes, that's what my brother and I said too. We can only ask the principal for help, and only the principal can help us," the king flattered.

"It's too harsh to talk about begging or not. We're all friends, there's no need to say such things. Now that this matter is settled, let's manage the business well from now on. Don't take too big a step, or you'll easily run into trouble," Fang Hong casually advised.

"To be honest, we need this money to pay off our debts, which are a huge burden, especially for you, Principal," Boss Wang sighed.

They were wondering if the principal's debt could be postponed.

"It's only right to pay back debts. If someone doesn't even pay back their debts, then they're no different from an animal, right?" Fang Hong's words meant that the person shouldn't even think about defaulting on their debt.

"Yes Yes."

The king nodded, looking troubled, and said, "Could we postpone the debt to Jade Rabbit until we make money and then pay it back to you?"

They revealed their true intentions: first, to ask for money; second, to postpone the debt.

"This is not easy to handle! We agreed that it had to be paid back this year, not after the new year." Fang Hong shook his head.

"There's really no other way, everything is very tense," the king said with a sigh.

"I see," Fang Hong pondered.

Both Wangs looked at him hopefully, wanting to hear the principal relent. "If it continues, there will be more late fees," Fang Hong said.

"Principal, this..." President Wang looked troubled.

They can't even pay back the principal, and now they're charging penalty interest? That's too cruel. They were just calling each other friends.

“Principal, look how good our relationship is,” Xiao Wang said at the right moment, leaving the rest of his sentence unsaid, but the meaning was already very clear.

"This relationship is a relationship, and business is business. They can't be mixed up. You still call Jack Ma 'Dad.' Did your father make any exceptions for you? No, he didn't!" Fang Hong said, spreading his hands.

Even the big and small kings bow their heads; Principal Jack Mabi is even more money-grubbing.

The idea that someone isn't interested in money is a lie. There's no such thing as someone who isn't interested in money. Even the United States, a superpower, is desperately short of cash.

Let alone individuals and businesses.

“But since you’ve said you’re friends, I’m not such a heartless person,” Fang Hong added.

"Principal, please speak. We're listening." Boss Wang's hope returned.

"You guys have a project called 'Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons' with Stephen Chow and Tsui Hark, right? Let Jade Rabbit get involved too, consider it interest." Fang Hong asked directly.

Since the copyright for "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" was previously held by Huayi Brothers, Stephen Chow had to collaborate with them if he wanted to make the film.

But both sides knew that the collaboration wouldn't last long, and this was the last film they would make, so neither of them intended to make it well; they were just there to fleece the audience.

Since it's all about harvesting韭菜 (a metaphor for exploiting people), then the Jade Rabbit should also participate in the harvesting. I wonder how Stephen Chow will react to this news.

With a wave of his hand, the boss said generously, "Principal, you should have said you wanted this project earlier. I would have given it to you, let alone let you participate."

This caught Fang Hong off guard; he hadn't expected the two brothers to be so savvy.

He glanced at Liu Tianxian, who simply smiled.

"Alright, I'll consider postponing the debt issue." Fang Hong didn't give a definitive answer, fearing something might go wrong.

"Thank you, Principal. I'll also need your help with the Warner loan repayment." Boss Wang adopted a humble attitude, after all, he needed the other party's help.

It's just talk now; it hasn't been implemented yet.

Fang Hong waved his hand, indicating that they could leave. There was nothing more to say; if they continued, the other party would be willing to give Huayi to him.

That company is heavily in debt, what would they want it for?

After the two brothers left, Liu Tianxian said, "I hope I haven't been tricked!"

"Who knew these two brothers would be so shrewd, giving away money-making projects like it's nothing, making me feel embarrassed to ask them to repay their debts," Fang Hong said.

"They're probably really afraid of you. Besides, if you want it, informing them is already giving them face. If they won't give it to you, just take it from them. They're even more afraid of you doing that." Liu Tianxian opened her mouth and clenched her small fist.

"Am I that bad?" Fang Hong looked at her.

"Who knows, in other people's eyes you might be that bad," Liu Tianxian said.

"And how do I appear in your eyes?" Fang Hong asked.

“In my eyes, you’re definitely a good person, a really good person,” Liu Tianxian said with a smile.

While the two were chatting, Da Wang and Xiao Wang met with Stephen Chow to discuss the distribution of "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons," and Tsui Hark also came.

In a high-end room, the four sat facing each other. The two kings told Stephen Chow about the principal's intention to get involved in "The Demons Strike Back".

"No, Mr. Wang, what does this movie have to do with the principal?" Stephen Chow was very surprised. He had just finished arguing with the principal about profit sharing, and now the principal was interfering in his movie project.

They couldn't escape the principal's clutches anymore; he was everywhere.

"It has nothing to do with him, but if the principal wants a share, we have to give it to him. That's the principle. Your opinion is useless." Boss Wang didn't care what he thought at all.

Anyway, this is the only collaboration we'll have; there won't be any more opportunities to work together in the future.

But the principal remains an absolute power in this circle.

Old Master Xu didn't care; he had no grudge against the principal.

"Mr. Wang, you're completely disregarding my feelings. I'm one of the project owners for this movie, after all," Stephen Chow said, displeased.

If he gives some to the principal, then he will earn less. He is still very confident in his film, after all, the last one grossed more than 3 billion yuan.

Moreover, this is an IP film, so it's guaranteed to be profitable.

"So what if you're one of the project owners? We're already giving you face by telling you this. Do you really want the principal to steal your project?" These were the words spoken by Little Wang, slamming his fist on the table, much like what Liu Tianxian said.

How can they not understand their own status and identity? Who is the principal? He's someone who can compete with Wanda, Alibaba, and Tencent.

It's already a miracle they're not fighting over it; they still don't seem to know who the big shots are in this circle.

This completely baffled Stephen Chow. It meant that if the principal wanted it, he should obediently hand it over and not wait for the principal to snatch it away.

In fact, Fang Hongzhen never intended to snatch this terrible project. It was just a spur-of-the-moment idea to get Huayi to pay some interest, since he had spent time and effort persuading them.

After putting in so much effort to get this done, I was bound to want something in return, but I never expected to mess with Stephen Chow.

That's quite normal, though. In today's film and television industry, no one is unafraid of Principal Wang. Even the fashion group has been subdued by him, let alone a mere director.

"That's too domineering."

Before Stephen Chow could finish speaking, Tsui Hark patted his arm and shook his head slightly, signaling him to stop talking.

If he keeps talking like that, he'll turn something that was originally nothing into something. It's just about making a little less money, what's the big deal?

Offending this person or that person is bad, but offending the principal is like offending a whole bunch of people.

"Stephen Chow, why can't you think straight? Can't you understand some social etiquette? Your movies make money, but how many people are actually investing in your movies these days?"

"You've offended all the capital in Hong Kong, and now you've offended us film and television capital. From now on, nobody will play with you anymore."

Mr. Wang really couldn't help but want to say something to him.

Anyway, when they invest in other people's movies, there are never any problems, arguments, or misunderstandings.

Stephen Chow always seems to have conflicts with whoever he invests in.

To put it simply, Stephen Chow has offended all the major production companies, including Huayi Brothers, Enlight Media, and Jade Rabbit.

Bona Film Group has never worked with him, but he is close to those film and television people in Hong Kong, so naturally they wouldn't ask Stephen Chow to make a movie for them.

That's how choices work; if you choose this, you can't choose that one.

"Alright, whatever you say goes." Stephen Chow didn't say anything more. If he continued, he would lose face completely. These people didn't take him seriously at all.

"Think it over carefully yourself. Without the principal, this movie can't be made," said the boss.

Stephen Chow was also disheartened; the principal really had absolute power, taking away his share with just a single sentence.

However, Huayi's next move was even more outrageous: it sold its share of the market to Wanda, Jinyi, Hengdian and other cinema chains.

After all, the combination of Stephen Chow and Tsui Hark is pretty awesome.

A few days later, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian called Lao Zha again, saying that Yu Xian had agreed to film "Aquaman," but the salary needed to be discussed.

"Eight million dollars! One price!" Old Zha said directly.

“Mr. Yu is at least an A-level director, right? You’re not giving him enough. Ten million dollars, it can’t be less than that,” Fang Hong said directly.

"OK, OK, ten million dollars." Old Zak was probably deliberately quoting a low price, waiting for him to bargain.

"I also need bonuses, a 5% share of net profit, and a 3% share of global derivative revenue later on!" Fang Hong wanted to give Yu Xian a long-term meal ticket.

(End of this chapter)