I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 224: Thousands of Gold to Buy Horse Bones

Although Xu Kong is also well-known in Hong Kong City, in comparison, even if he walks on the street without disguise, the frequency of being recognized is much lower.

But this is also a benefit.

At least Xu Kong doesn't need to be too cautious when going out here.

There are also fewer situations where I am surrounded by fans.

"Teacher Shi Rui."

When he arrived at a private room of a high-end restaurant in Hong Kong City, Xu Kong met Shi Rui, whom he had met once before.

But besides Shi Rui, there was another middle-aged man.

Before coming, Shi Rui said that he had a friend who wanted to meet him.

But Xu Kong himself didn't know who it was.

When they met now, Xu Kong still didn't recognize the other person.

At least not one of the veteran Hong Kong artists he was familiar with in his memory.

……

"let me introduce."

"This is Mr. Cao Bentao, the chairman of Gangcheng Fengxiang Films."

"This is Xu Kong. Director Cao should have known him for a long time."

Xu Kong was stunned for a moment. Of course he knew about Fengxiang Film.

It is considered an old film and television company in Hong Kong.

There are countless classic movies produced before.

Even the opening credits of Fengxiang Pictures have probably become the childhood memory of many people.

However, in recent years, with the rise of the mainland entertainment industry, Fengxiang Pictures has lost its presence.

Although the company is definitely still there, it is still constantly shooting new films with a Hong Kong flavor.

But it has disappeared from the sight of mainland audiences for a long time.

……

"Hello, Mr. Cao."

Xu Kong calmly shook hands with the other party.

He could roughly guess why Shi Rui took the initiative to set up such a situation and let him meet Cao Bentao.

However, at present, Xu Kong only has memories and cannot be said to have too many filters about Fengrui Pictures.

"Director Xu, I really like the TV series and music you've directed."

Cao Bentao said with a smile.

Xu Kong also responded politely.

However, he has seen too many similar opening moves, and most of them are actually just compliments and there is no need to take them seriously.

"I know Director Xu, you are most likely not short of investment."

"But if possible, I still hope to consider cooperating with Fengrui."

"You can propose any conditions you want. As long as the investment budget is within 300 million, we will not interfere with the script or casting!"

"And if you want to use our actors from Hong Kong, Director Xu just needs to ask, and I will take care of the rest."

……

Although Cao Bentao is from Hong Kong, he speaks Mandarin quite well. At least Xu Kong didn't hear much of an accent.

Compared with Shi Rui's often incomprehensible Hong Kong Mandarin, the difference is visible to the naked eye.

And it can be seen that although he is the chairman of a large company.

But Cao Bentao had a unique underworld aura that Xu Kong had rarely seen before.

He speaks directly and his attitude is also very generous.

Although it was the same as Xu Kong expected, they just wanted to invite Xu Kong to accept their investment to film a movie.

But the various conditions are almost impossible to mention at will.

He almost expressed considerable trust and sincerity towards Xu Kong.

To put it simply, they are only responsible for paying the money, and Xu Kong will decide the rest.

This kind of treatment is almost unique.

……

After the other party said this, Xu Kong really couldn't think of any reasons to refuse for a moment.

However, he still made it clear in advance that he would not receive any film remuneration, but only a share of the profits.

Cao Bentao was stunned for a moment, then he couldn't help laughing and clapping his hands and said:

"Director Xu and I have exactly the same ideas!"

Obviously, the other party had no objection to Xu Kong taking 50% of the share.

But this can be guessed a bit.

No matter how much one trusts Xu Kong, it is difficult to avoid the idea that Xu Kong is simply trying to make a quick buck under such delegation of power.

Therefore, the best way is to tie Xu Kong to the same interests as Fengxiang Film.

This will ensure that Xu Kong is very attentive to the movie.

……

"Is there really no other request?"

Xu Kong couldn't help but ask.

The main reason is that the other party offered such conditions, which can be said to be even more relaxed than Feng Ge's.

This made Xu Kong, who had thought of a lot of excuses before, not know how to refuse at this moment.

“It’s not really a request, but if possible, I still hope Director Xu can shoot in our Hong Kong city.”

"It would be best if you could write a script in a style similar to our Hong Kong films."

After Cao Bentao finished speaking, he saw Xu Kong who was lost in thought, and quickly added a sentence.

"Of course, if it doesn't work, that's fine."

"It mainly depends on your personal ideas, Director Xu." But in fact, after Xu Kong heard what Cao Bentao said, many classic films from his previous life emerged in his mind.

In fact, even if Cao Bentao didn't mention it, if he accepted the investment from Fengxiang Pictures, he would most likely consider these Hong Kong films first.

The main reason is that there are too many of them. I guess it would be difficult to make a choice just to decide which one to shoot.

……

"Director Xu, do you have any other concerns?"

"Just say it directly."

"If you don't believe me, ask Shi Rui. I am a straightforward person. Don't take it to heart."

"But I don't like trouble either, so if you have any ideas, we can discuss and finalize them now."

Cao Bentao spoke very directly.

Although Xu Kong has not expressed his opinion at this time, he has already decided to agree to the other party.

At the moment, there really isn’t much reason to refuse.

For him personally, not only is there no loss, but if he really plans to shoot some classic Hong Kong films in the future.

With the help of Fengxiang Pictures, a local company, it is estimated that there will be less trouble, including the "Comrades: Almost a Love Story" filming in Hong Kong this time.

"I don't have any worries."

"But I didn't have that much time for about a year afterwards..."

Xu Kong finally had to add a sentence.

At present, "Sweet Honey" has not officially started filming. It is estimated that it will be March or April next year from the completion of filming to the release.

Moreover, the drama from Fengqing Entertainment has been delayed once. After finishing filming "Sweet Honey", they will definitely continue to film the drama that they promised to Yu Yaqing.

After all, the script has already been written.

In other words, if Fengxiang Pictures really wants to invest in his new movie, it will take quite a while just to wait in line.

……

"I thought it was because of something."

"No problem at all!"

"As long as Director Xu is willing, our investment in Fengxiang will always count."

Cao Bentao spoke very readily.

What he even meant was that no matter whether Xu Kong's film performance this time was ideal or not, his subsequent works might not be able to maintain the same popularity as before.

None of this will affect Fengxiang's continued investment in Xu Kong.

Since people had said this, Xu Kong could only agree with a smile.

However, there is definitely no need to sign a contract directly at the moment, so it can be regarded as a verbal agreement between the two.

But Xu Kong’s visit to the dinner was obviously not in vain.

Upon hearing that Xu Kong's film would be shot in Hong Kong, Cao Bentao seemed very enthusiastic.

As for some subsequent issues regarding framing and filming, the other party assured Xu Kong that there would be absolutely no problem if they left it to Fengxiang Pictures to help.

……

It was not until the evening that Xu Kong said goodbye and left.

However, Cao Bentao and Shi Rui did not leave because Xu Kong said he did not drink. After Xu Kong left, Cao Bentao asked the waiter to bring two bottles of expensive wine.

Shi Rui’s agency is naturally Fengrui, but although Cao Bentao is his boss, he also has shares in Fengrui, and the two have been friends for decades.

In normal communication, it doesn't seem like a superior-subordinate relationship.

After all, with Shi Rui's current status and financial strength, if he wants to leave, there is actually no pressure at all for him to open his own studio or even company.

Although Shi Rui is a king of singers, he is actually also an actor with good acting skills.

This was the development model for most of the Hong Kong artists of that generation.

They are almost all-rounders in the fields of film, television and music.

"Lao Cao, what are your thoughts this time?"

"Do you really trust a young man that much?"

Shi Rui couldn't help but ask.

Although he was the one who set up today's game, he really didn't understand Cao Bentao's ideas.

Although he admired Xu Kong very much, the other party's previous two Cantonese songs were also rare singles in recent years that he personally approved of.

But this doesn't mean that he doesn't know the risks involved.

Xu Kong is indeed a very popular newcomer in mainland China.

Several consecutive hit dramas also prove the other party's ability as a director and screenwriter.

But even so, it is still unknown whether Xu Kong will have difficulty adapting to the local film industry.

The conditions Cao Bentao gave Xu Kong this time were really too lenient.

It's even a little bit different from the other party's usual style.

……

"I'm buying horse bones for a fortune."

Cao Bentao took a sip of the wine in his glass and said lightly.

In fact, whether he would lose money on his investment in Xu Kong's movie this time was not that important at all.

More importantly, he is optimistic about Xu Kong's future.

And now Feng Xiang does feel like he has reached old age.

Although most projects still retain a certain profit, it is difficult to replicate the golden age of the past.

He tried many methods, but none of them had much effect.

Compared with the conservative and even somewhat stubborn closed-minded thinking of some other local entertainment companies in Hong Kong, he is deeply aware of the great potential of the current mainland market.

The only way to break the impasse is to abandon their original model, try to learn the operating methods of some mainland companies, and employ a large number of talents such as directors and artists from the mainland.

As for Xu Kong, it doesn't actually matter whether he is a good horse or just a horse bone. What matters is that they currently need excellent directors or other talents who are familiar with the mainland market.

……

(End of this chapter)