Huayu became famous overnight

Chapter 269 Who Writes a Diary If They're a Serious Person?

"Xiao Xu, what can I say to you? Actually, I wanted to discuss this with you beforehand, but things got rushed, so it was delayed until today."

Zhang Guoshi sighed, "You're not a weirdo, are you?"

"Won't--"

Xu Ming drew out his words and laughed, "It's normal for people to come and go. Besides, my first film was with you, and I'm so grateful to you."

Zhang Guoshi observed Xu Ming's expression and sensed that the other party wasn't faking it.

I just felt it was too magnanimous.

In his opinion, given their current situation, it would be better to break off all ties completely.

Zhang Guoshi carefully stated the purpose of his visit: "I'm here to ask you something. Some members of the team have signed contracts with Qiming, and I might need you to inform HR on my behalf."

Say what?

Free contract termination?

Xu Ming sneered inwardly. He had thought that this old man was about to be exposed and had no choice but to come and confront him.

In matters of the heart, there's never enough taking advantage.

He asked himself whether, since collaborating with Zhang Guoshi, Qiming had given him a much larger share of the profits than Zhang Guoshi had received during the New Pictures period.

It can only be said that human nature is always greedy.

Of course, it's probably also related to the controversies surrounding him.

After all, Zhang Guoshi's ability to become the national advisor was largely due to his pragmatism.

He looks honest, but in reality, few directors in China are as shrewd as him.

"That's easy to do. I can terminate the contract without any compensation..."

Xu Ming's words had just brought a look of joy to Zhang Guoshi's face when he froze at the next sentence: "The premise is that they have to leave voluntarily."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Guoshi frowned.

"The company has its own rules and regulations. Even if I am the boss, I can't make decisions unilaterally. At least you have to do the bare minimum."

Xu Ming paused for a moment and said, "Only if your team members proactively resign through HR, and then HR comes to me, can I release them without compensation."

"Oh, I understand. Let's go through the procedure one more time."

Zhang Guoshi nodded. No wonder Qiming is developing better than Xinxiang; its management is indeed noteworthy.

He didn't even consider whether those people were willing to leave with him.

Who is he?
With Zhang Yimou as the director, how many people wouldn't want to make movies with him?

Moreover, LeEco offered decent compensation.

"Is there anything else, Uncle Zhang?" Xu Ming asked.

He meant that if there was nothing else, the other person could leave.

After Zhang Guoshi finishes his performance, he still needs to find LeTV to do another one.

“There really is one,” Zhang Guoshi added. “The last one.”

Xu Ming's eye twitched. How shameless!

He remained silent, waiting for the other person to speak.

“I’m planning to cast Gong Li as the female lead in my new movie, but it’s not convenient for me right now. Could you help me ask around?” Zhang Guoshi said thoughtfully.

no……

For a moment, Xu Ming wondered if the other party was testing him.

But he sensed the seriousness on Zhang Guoshi's face and realized he was just overthinking it.

"Okay."

Xu Ming agreed with a subtle expression.

After seeing off Zhang Guoshi, he hesitated before sending a text message to Gong Li.

The two had no contact for a long time after "Dearest".

The complicated relationships left them unsure how to get along, so they simply ignored each other.

Unexpectedly, the silence was broken by the external force of Zhang Guoshi.

Impatient for Gong Huang's reply, Xu Ming called LeEco directly.

"Heh, I heard LeEco Pictures is about to be established?" Xu Ming sneered.

"Uh, we're about to send you an invitation in three days," the LeEco representative said, sounding unsure of himself.

"It's a good opportunity to invite all my colleagues in the film and television industry. I'd like to announce in person how LeEco poached its partners!"

Xu Ming raised his voice and said sternly, "If it weren't for Zhang Guoshi coming over today, I wouldn't have known that you two had already made contact in private and were about to get married before informing me, the aggrieved party, right?"
Do you even know how important Zhang Guoshi is to me and to Qiming? By poaching him, you're digging up my lifeline!

On the other end of the phone, the LeEco representative was sweating profusely.

As for it?
Do you really think no one knows your name, Xu Ming, the "Xu Digger"?

Ultimately, however, it was their actions that were unethical, especially since the two sides were also cooperating.

The LeEco representative could only curse the group inwardly for its lack of competence; at least they should have given people some advance notice.

If it were him, and one of his key subordinates were suddenly poached, he would probably be even more agitated than Xu Ming.

Not to mention that Zhang Guoshi is not just as simple as Gan Jiang.

"Chairman Xu, I just found out about this too..."

"Stop talking nonsense. What are you pretending for? I don't believe that as the person in charge of LeEco's film and television project, you wouldn't know about such a big operation?"

Xu Ming showed none of the magnanimity he displayed in front of Zhang Guoshi, his tone filled with rage: "I even went out of my way to introduce you to the investment project in Benshan Media, and this is how you treat your partners?"

The LeEco representative put his phone away and waited for Xu Ming's roar to subside before saying, "Chairman Xu, you've misunderstood. This was definitely done by someone else behind my back. I really didn't know anything about it."

He spoke with a hint of smugness in his voice.

The angrier Xu Ming appeared, the more smug he became.

Everyone says that Xu is shrewd, but in his opinion, he's nothing special; he can still get the better of people.

"Hmph, what's done is done, so you can say whatever you want," Xu Ming said unhappily.

"Once the group's personnel appointments are made, it's truly irreversible. Otherwise, I'll visit you another day to apologize, even if it means carrying thorns on my back."

LeEco representatives still wanted to ease tensions between the two sides, at least to remain friends on the surface.

"What's the point of apologizing a hundred times? I want compensation, restitution!" Xu Ming sneered.

The LeEco representative instinctively wanted to refuse. Why should they compensate someone they recruited based on merit?
But then I thought about it again, and it seems that Zhang Yimou still has a film contract with Xu Ming.

Unbeknownst to him, Xu Ming had already feigned magnanimity and put the film contract aside in front of Zhang Guoshi.

The latter deliberately confronted LeEco after Zhang Guoshi left, in order to exploit the information gap.

"How do you want compensation? The group won't agree to things like monetary damages or apologies," the LeEco representative said.

“We at Qiming have recently launched several projects and happen to have a few sponsorship slots available. Shall I send someone to your group to discuss this?” Xu Ming said slowly.

The LeEco representative immediately understood the other party's so-called compensation method.

The sponsorship fee will likely be significantly overpriced.

However, he quickly agreed, since the company's accounts would be used anyway.

"The LeEco Pictures will be established the day after tomorrow..."

"I will be there on time."

Xu Ming always readily complies with the requests of his clients.

If Zhang Guoshi wanted to leave, no one could stop him, and he couldn't possibly pay a higher price to keep him.

The other party's value to Qiming is no longer as crucial as it was initially.

To some extent, its symbolic meaning outweighs its practical value.

The sponsorship fee in real money would be just right, and given LeEco's development, he believes that Zhang Guoshi will come back obediently in a few years.

……

The next day.

After explaining the plan to the distribution team, Xu Ming instructed them to go to China Film Group to learn from their experience.

Then he beckoned Xiaojuan closer. "How many members of Director Zhang's team went with Director Zhang?"

"Fifty-fifty. If LeEco hadn't offered such high salaries, I estimate that 90% of the people wouldn't have left," Xiao Juan said.

"Heh, can you really spend money the same way you spend money you earn yourself and money you swindle?" Xu Ming chuckled.

That's nothing compared to what's to come in two years. The amount of money people spend on Taobao will be absolutely outrageous.

"Since they were able to refuse Zhang Guoshi's offer to stay with the company, it shows that they have a certain level of trust and cohesion with the company, so we should nurture them properly."

As Xu Ming was speaking, a "ding" sounded.

He took out his phone and glanced at it, then couldn't look away.

It was sent by Empress Gong.

"Let's leave it at that for now. Go tell the person in charge of sponsorship to send someone to LeEco as soon as possible to secure the sponsorship, and quote a higher price."

Xu Ming sent Xiao Juan away and returned to his office.

Gong Li: Do you want me to go?

What's going on? Master's task?
Xu Ming carefully considered his reply: "Your schedule is up to you."

Gong Li: Then I've contacted Director Zhang.

[Xu Ming: Actually, someone of your status doesn't need to act in those art films anymore; their chances of winning awards are slim. I'll tailor-make one for you later.]

[Gong Li: How do you take measurements?]

Xu Ming paused in his typing. That's why they say when women get ruthless, men have nothing to do with it.

Gong Li: Okay, I'm kidding you. Reject him for me. Even if you don't try to persuade me, I won't work with him again.

That's not necessarily true. In his previous life, after Zhang Guoshi joined LeTV, he collaborated with them on the film "Coming Home".

However, in this life, I interfered and caused the two of them to collaborate on "Dearest" ahead of schedule. At the same time, Zhang Yimou got married to his new love, so it seems that the two of them had already broken up.

Following Gong Li's instructions, Xu Ming gave Zhang Guoshi a reply that the former had refused.

For a time, I unexpectedly found myself in a lull, free from trivial matters, and even had the leisure to write in my diary and record the beauty of life.

On April 13th, I began recording my new album. I also attended the opening ceremony of LeEco Pictures.

On April 14th, I recorded a new album. In the evening, I looked for Mimi. It shouldn't be a big deal to relax a little once in a while, right?

The 15th, the seventh day.

On the 16th, I can no longer indulge in romantic love, so I recorded a song!

On the 17th, record a song!

On the 18th, Guan Tingna brought turtle soup, feeling bad if she didn't reciprocate.

The 19th, the fourth day.

On the 20th, cheer up, let's record a song!

On the 21st, Xiao Songjia came to see him.

On the 23rd, Li Jinming and Zhao Wenqi also joined in.

On the 24th, in the land of beauties, at the grave of heroes, I will abstain from pornography starting today!
Record songs on the 25th, record songs on the 26th, and record songs on the 27th.

On the 28th, Jing Tian arrived with a large sponsorship; alas, he broke his promise.

On the 29th, Ni Ni, having somehow gotten wind of the situation, also wanted to get a piece of the pie.

On the 30th, Tang Yan came to the company for a makeup trial for "Legend of Fragrance" and couldn't resist in the dressing room.

May 1st, a new month, a new chapter. This month, I must abstain completely, or I'll be cured forever!
On May 5th, Gong Li returned to China and was once again sexually assaulted.

……

5 month 10 day.

Xu Ming appeared unsteadily at the start of filming for "My Love from the Star".

His once upright posture was now somewhat hunched.

It's empty, completely empty.

Passersby could vaguely hear him murmuring things like "the root of troubles" and "let it live for now."

"What's wrong? You look listless?"

Fan Jinshuo looked at Xu Ming with surprise and doubt in his eyes.

"I haven't been sleeping well lately, but I'll be fine after a few days of rest and recuperation," Xu Ming replied literally.

When he felt the other person's large, beautiful eyes staring at him again, there was no longer any of the previous allure; only a serene, Buddha-like stillness remained.

Fan Jinshuo chuckled and said, "Could it be that you haven't been sleeping well because of LeTV Pictures?"

It's common knowledge in the industry that Zhang Guoshi has switched to LeTV Pictures.

Everyone mocked Xu Ming, saying he got his comeuppance, as the guy who loved poaching people the most had his own people poached.

In her opinion, this was the only thing that could keep the other person from sleeping.

"LeEco Pictures? It's not that bad." Xu Ming scoffed.

Looking back at the history of LeTV Pictures, the "Tiny Times" series was their first pot of gold.

Now the surname is Xu.

After that, he made a small profit from "Coming Home" produced by director Zhang Guoshi, but then lost everything with "The Great Wall".

The financial reports look good entirely thanks to the "Boonie Bears" movie series.

These competitors don't even need him to make a move; they'll just disappear on their own.

Fan Jinshuo blinked, sensing the confidence in Xu Ming's words, but wondered where the latter's confidence came from.

After all, Le Vision Pictures is backed by Le Vision, which is currently at the peak of its popularity, making it a behemoth in the industry.

Strange to say.

The mainland film and television industry is like a beginner's village. Every time a new capital emerges, it wants to come in and take a look, and it never gets old.

After Xu Ming and his crew burned incense and prayed to Guan Gong, and shouted "Good luck on the start of filming," they were stopped by several reporters.

Although the production team started filming in secret under his instructions and had no intention of publicizing it, given their cast, reporters still managed to find ways to get into the ceremony for interviews.

Xu Ming turned a blind eye to this.

It's not suitable for him to promote himself in a big way right now. It's okay to leak information to a small number of people to satisfy his fans and followers.

"Master Ming..."

"Stop, you're flattering me too much."

Xu Ming said to the reporter holding the Sohu Entertainment microphone in an annoyed tone.

"After 92 years, everyone calls Stephen Chow 'Master Xing,' and last year, Xu Mingnian was hailed as the 'Master of Film.' So it's only by convention that we call you 'Master Ming,'" a Sohu reporter explained.

"We should ask the person in question. I'm only 24 by the Chinese age reckoning, I really can't be called a grandfather, and I might even make people feel old."

Xu Ming said in a friendly tone, "Why don't you call me 'Mingzai' for now, and then call me 'Mingye' in ten or twenty years?"

He's already standing high enough in the entertainment industry; he doesn't need to be elevated any further.

Calling him "Master Ming" doesn't bring him any real benefit; on the contrary, it makes him extremely risky and arrogant.

Ideally, one should be able to act like a grandpa while still being able to do things that a grandson can do.

"Teacher Xu, this should be your first TV series. How did you decide to switch from being a movie star to developing your career in TV dramas?"

There's a saying that roles are not divided into big and small. In my opinion, movies and TV series are the same, there's no difference. Including sketches, I put 100% sincerity and energy into them.

Xu Ming spoke eloquently, spouting nonsense that even he himself didn't believe.

Both films are shot over three months, but a movie is 100 minutes long while a TV series has 20 or 30 episodes. It's impossible to say that the performances are on the same level.

"Then why did you think of finding Fan Bingbing to partner with you?" another reporter interjected.

Xu Ming glanced at the microphone and said, "Hmm, Guangying Ticketing Website."

People who are on your side will ask questions.

"It's a long story, but to make it short, I've actually liked Sister Bingbing for a long time. I grew up watching her dramas..."

(End of this chapter)