In Huayu, the career reward is spy

Chapter 242 The Scramble!

Beijing, China Film Group headquarters, conference room.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Han Laosan leaned back in his leather seat, the cigarette between his fingers already half-burned, the grayish-white ash teetering precariously.

The meeting room was filled with heated arguments, but few people were actually angry; instead, quite a few were making sarcastic remarks.

He squinted at the loudly shouting people, wondering who they were putting on an act for.

Old Chen from the distribution department, with a cigarette between his fingers, tapped the table and said, "The box office for 'Initial D' is guaranteed to be at least 150 million!"

What is Ji Yu's reputation like now? He has a huge fan base in racing, movies, and music, not to mention that he also beat the Japanese and Americans this time.

This movie is a money-printing machine!

He paused for a moment, then said mysteriously, "A classmate of mine at Shanghai Film Studio told me that the premiere of Initial D will be held at the International Circuit, and there will be various exhibition races. Leaders from Shanghai will be there!"
This film doesn't even need promotion! The film companies will be fighting over it!

Old Chen spoke with spittle flying everywhere, taking a drag of his cigarette and glancing at Han Laosan out of the corner of his eye.

At this point, someone spoke up, but in a very unpleasant tone.

"Everyone would love to pick up money, but Ji Yu isn't that close to us. This movie also has investment from Shanghai Film Group."

Director Zhao from the marketing department sneered, "Last year, when Infernal Affairs was being released, we rejected it outright because we were afraid of competition. And what happened? Shanghai Film Group took it, and it was a box office smash!"

Before he could finish speaking, someone immediately chimed in, "That's right, we tried to protect those films back then, but each one ended up worse than the last! We missed out on a great movie. We can't even get a chance to make Infernal Affairs 2 now, let alone Initial D."

"I'm telling you all, forget about it."

A branch manager snorted and said, "Ji Yu is quite something now, getting close to the leaders in Shanghai."

I didn't know how to take down Huaguoxing before, but now I'm cooperating with Jiang Zhiqiang.

Do they lack distribution channels? Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, North America—they've got them all covered!

"So what? China Film Group still calls the shots in mainland cinemas!" Old Chen retorted.

"Ha, you think Ji Yu is an easy target?"

Director Zhao scoffed, glanced at everyone, and said, "Let's not even talk about Shanghai Film Group. Bona Film Group and Huayi Brothers, which one wouldn't want it? Lianyi Brothers will definitely make a move too. If we go to compete now, we'll just be giving Ji Yu a chance to embarrass us. Anyway, I'm not going. Whoever wants to go can go. Old Chen, you're so capable, why don't you go?"

Old Chen immediately fell silent, glancing intentionally or unintentionally at Han Laosan, who hadn't said a word.

The meeting room suddenly fell silent, and everyone's gazes turned to Han Laosan, seemingly casually.

He was the one who made the final decision to reject "Infernal Affairs" last year.

Han Laosan stubbed out his cigarette, his face cold as he surveyed the room. "Have you had enough?"

Everyone was silent.

Han Laosan just stared at them for several seconds before speaking.

"Old Chen, go contact Jiang Zhiqiang and sound him out."

Han Laosan stood up, the cuff of his white shirt brushing against the table, picking up a bit of cigarette ash.

"Old Zhao, go do some research and see what the film companies below have to say. Then come up with two plans for me. We can make some concessions on the distribution and marketing revenue."

"Okay, but Jiang Zhiqiang is a cunning guy, he'll probably ask for an exorbitant amount." Old Chen was a little worried.

Han Laosan glanced at him, said nothing more, and went out.

The sky over the capital suddenly darkened; it was unclear whether it was due to a sandstorm or a downpour.

In the general manager's office of Polybona, Yu Dong stared at the quarterly financial report on the table and couldn't help but rub his temples.

The company's funds are running out, and the box office performance of the few movies released recently has been poor.

The company has grown significantly, but its revenue is declining, and it's almost unable to support so many employees.

The best solution right now is to raise funds, but those old fogies at Poly Culture absolutely refuse to increase their investment.

They also disagreed with his decision to bring in external investment, fearing it would dilute their equity.

If I keep going like this, I'll wear myself out.

If financing is not an option and capital increase is impossible, then the only option left is to find a way to make money on their own.

The company doesn't have much money; if the next movie also fails, then it's really over.

Where can I find movies that are guaranteed to make a profit?

Zhang Yimou's "House of Flying Daggers" hasn't even been filmed yet, and Chen Kaige has already joined China Film Group.

He's always been distributing Hong Kong films. He did quite well at first, but Hong Kong films aren't doing so well now, otherwise he wouldn't have lost money.

He couldn't get the good Hong Kong films; they were all snatched up by China Film Group.

What else can we do?

He tapped his fingers impatiently, glancing out of the corner of his eye at the newspaper his secretary had placed on the corner of the table.

The bolded, red text above caught his attention.

1.8 million?
"What is this? 1.8 million?" He reached for the newspaper.
Just glancing at the title above makes my heart skip a beat.

Several theater managers predict that Initial D's box office is likely to surpass that of Hero!
The mainland Chinese film box office market has finally ushered in a spring!
Yu Dong sighed. "Is the box office market finally experiencing a spring?"
How come he's losing so much money he's almost starving?

However, the box office prediction for Initial D should be pretty much correct; even if it doesn't surpass Hero, it should still exceed 100 million.

Isn't this a movie that guarantees a profit?

The production company has already made its name known throughout Asia and the world, so there's no need for promotion; they can just sit back and wait for the revenue sharing.

This could be an opportunity for me, or it could be an opportunity for the company.

Ji Yu rose to prominence quickly, but his connections and experience were lacking, so he had to rely on other companies for distribution.

Perhaps he needs a dedicated service provider!
He thought for a moment and then put the newspaper back where it was.

He plans to go to Shanghai to meet with Ji Yu and try to negotiate, even if it's just a joint release!

However, before going, he planned to give Ji Yu a gift.

He doesn't have much money, but who says he has to?
Giving money as a gift is also acceptable, as is giving it to someone.

He quickly dialed a number, "Old Zhao, you mentioned last time there was a smart girl in the talent show who looks like Li Xiaolu, what's her name? Yes, yes, Ganwei!"

Yu Dong immediately replied quickly, "Help me get in touch with her. I have something important to take care of. I'll treat you to drinks later. By the way, tell her I won't mistreat her, and if she can seize the opportunity, she can save herself fifty years of hard work!"

The person on the other end of the phone became interested and curiously inquired who it was, even joking that if it was an old man, the young lady wouldn't be interested.

Yu Dong cursed inwardly, then laughed, "He's a young master, and handsome! Otherwise, he wouldn't have used a honey trap."

After exchanging a few perfunctory words, he hung up the phone, his tightly furrowed brows relaxing slightly.

I hope Ganwei won't let him down, and I also hope Jiyu won't let him down.

You absolutely must be a little lecherous!

Shanghai, an international racetrack.

Under the scorching sun of Shanghai, the international racetrack gleamed with a blinding white light.

Ji Yu was wearing a black baseball cap, with the brim pulled low to shield himself from the sun.

He was holding binoculars and observing the course on the track.

The weather in Shanghai is already hot and humid, and today the sun is even more scorching, more frightening than a furnace.

He casually wiped the sweat from his chin and began to mentally construct a complete model of the race track.

At this moment, Maki walked up from the stands, came to his side, and opened a parasol.

The black parasol was large, yet she held it firmly with her slender wrist. Ji Yu felt the temperature drop, turned his head, and saw Maki. He said with some surprise, "Why did you come? Didn't you say you weren't coming today?"

Maki smiled slightly and placed a folder on the railing with one hand.

"This is the data I collected last time, which can save you some time."

After taking a look, Ji Yu found it to be extremely detailed, much better than what he could see on his own.

However, this kind of data is hard to translate into an intuitive feeling; Ji Yu still relies on a sense of feeling when driving.

Maki tucked her hair behind her ear and said softly, "The T3 curve is 2 degrees steeper than the standard one, and the last downhill slope is steeper than expected."

Her voice was clear and crisp as she spoke, gesturing with her fingers on the drawing.

Although Ji Yu didn't like the data, he listened attentively.

This is out of respect for Maki.

These data are then fed back into the vehicle's computer, which is helpful to all drivers.

Ji Yu listened while looking through binoculars.

I didn't come here out of boredom; the premiere performance was very important.

It was his first performance in China and his first time driving on a professional racetrack.

We can't lose face.

However, he didn't have much time and didn't have time to come and familiarize himself with the route.

Fortunately, he gained the "Dark Driving" skill through Initial D. Although it was an incomplete version, it was enough for him to slack off.

After driving it a few times, you should be able to memorize all the road conditions.

When it comes to the competition, you can drive with your eyes closed.

He used to mock Takumi Fujiwara, but now he understands that even if you're just a cat that can't catch mice, you're still invincible if you can become the protagonist of a manga!
Ji Yu observed for a while, put down the binoculars, turned to Zhenxi and said, "Come on, let's go down and run a lap."

Maki immediately smiled and said she was honored.

The two walked towards the track, with Ji Yu walking a little faster, but the shadow of the parasol always loomed over him.

Ji Yu seemed determined to outrun Maki, so she quickened her pace as well.

In the end, both of them started running.

After running onto the track, Ji Yu looked back at Maki and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Maki's elegant and composed demeanor gradually faded, and she burst into laughter along with them.

After laughing for a while, she said with some helplessness, "You really enjoy seeing others lose their composure? That's childish, like a primary school student."

Ji Yu shook his head. "I just hope you can relax a bit and not be so tense."

Maki was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously bowed slightly to Ji Yu in gratitude.

"Oh well, hopeless!" Ji Yu said sarcastically, turning to walk towards the race car, but this time the sunlight enveloped him.

Maki watched his retreating figure, a slight smile playing on her lips, and chased after him, holding her umbrella.

Beside the race car, Ji Yu was helping Maki adjust her helmet when his assistant came running up, panting.

Ji Yu glanced at him and noticed that his expression was somewhat flustered and guilty, so he guessed that he had probably made a mistake.

The assistant said somewhat timidly, "Brother Yu, Wang Zhongjun from Huayi wants to visit you."

Ji Yu didn't say anything, but looked at Maki's helmet and adjusted it for her, gently tugging at her hair.

The assistant couldn't help but wipe the sweat from his forehead and explained in a low voice, "They called this morning, and I turned them down for you, but I accidentally let it slip that you were coming to the racetrack."

Ji Yu acted as if he hadn't heard her, patted Maki's helmet and said, "Not bad, looks like a beautiful race car driver!"

After saying that, he turned to his assistant and asked, "Is he outside now?"

The assistant nodded and tentatively asked, "Shall we meet?"

Ji Yu couldn't help but sigh. Without answering whether he would see him or not, he turned around, walked to the front of the car, and closed the hood.

The assistant hesitated, wanting to speak but daring not to.

Maki looked at him and said, "If he hadn't come, we definitely wouldn't have seen him. Since he's here, we definitely have to see him. But how and when we see him is not something he can decide."

The assistant was somewhat bewildered; should they meet with him or not?
At this moment, Ji Yu was sitting in the car, having already checked all the instruments. He leaned over and called out to Maki, "Get in the car quickly."

Maki turned around and said immediately, then turned to her assistant and said, "Tell him that Mr. Ji is busy and the track is not open to the public yet, so we can't invite him in. He will see Mr. Ji when he is done."

After saying that, she turned around, got into the car, and quickly fastened her seatbelt.

She had wanted to ride in Ji Yu's car for a long time, and she couldn't wait any longer.

Ji Yu noticed her little gesture and couldn't help but laugh.

I thought she could keep up that act forever.

"Ready, let's go!"

As soon as Ji Yu finished speaking, the engine roared and shot off like an arrow.

The assistant watched the car disappear around the bend and couldn't help but sigh.

It seems like Brother Yu is getting less and less patient.

Is it because he's surrounded by too many smart people that he's become spoiled?
Although the assistant had been with Ji Yu for over a year, compared to Maki, he was as incompetent as a college student who hadn't graduated.

A few minutes later, the assistant returned to the track, humming a song.

Inside a Mercedes-Benz outside the stadium, Young Master Wang was on the phone reporting the situation to his older brother.

The voice of Brother Wang came from the other end of the phone, "Since he said he would see you, then you should wait there. If you can't see him, then go find Huo Wenxi, and if all else fails, then go find Li Xiaoran."

"Don't worry, brother, I guarantee there won't be any problems!"

After hanging up the phone, Mr. Wang looked at a gift box placed next to him.

At this moment, the woman in the passenger seat turned around and asked curiously, "Mr. Wang, what have you prepared? You're being so careful that you won't even let me sit in the back."

"Siyan, this is a really good thing. You can't necessarily buy it even if you have money."

"How much did you spend?" Huo Siyan couldn't help but ask.

"Keep it secret!"

Xiao Wang stroked the box, and thinking about the price of the items inside, he felt a little heartache.

However, as long as we can secure the marketing and distribution rights for Initial D, we'll definitely make it back.

Even a joint promotional campaign can make Huayi a household name.

Even if the movie project falls through, the collaboration with Magic Language Entertainment can still help the company's business grow rapidly!
You won't lose out by coming here!
He looked at Huo Siyan and said, "When you see Ji Yu later, do your best. If you seize the opportunity, you can soar to great heights."

Huo Siyan immediately smiled sweetly and said, "President Wang, I don't want to soar to the sky. Huayi is just fine."

Mr. Wang's eyes turned cold as he gave her a forced, insincere smile.

Huo Siyan was puzzled and a nervous expression appeared on her face.

More than ten minutes later, she suddenly realized that she had said the wrong thing.

What does it mean to not want to soar to great heights? What does it mean to say that Huayi is just fine?

This is basically criticizing Huayi for being incompetent.

(End of this chapter)