Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 427: Impatience

At noon, Zhang Yan had lunch with Dou Wei, Guo Chuanlin, Cui Jian, and others. Wang Fei and Cui Jian's girlfriend, Song Xiaohong, who gave birth to his daughter last year, were also present.

It was also from Wang Fei that Zhang Yan learned the final box office of "Heaven and Earth" in mainland China—2300 million yuan.

For a tragic story film, this is no small sum; it seems Han Sanping really put in a lot of effort this time.

Andy Lau's company was thus spared from bankruptcy, which explains why he has been in Beijing recently, working with the Beijing Film Studio to prepare for "The Book and the Sword".

"Zhang Yan, did you really snatch that 'little rascal' role from Wang Shuo? Did you really make Jiang Wen cry?! And..." Taking advantage of the movie, Wang Fei asked several questions in a row, clearly very curious about these gossips.

"It was reported in Hong Kong as well?"

"Of course, people on Hong Kong Island are still very interested in your affairs. After all, you were once a big guy who caused a sensation throughout the island, hehehe..."

Seeing Wang Fei laugh and fall into Dou Wei's arms, Zhang Yan shrugged and said, "It's innate, what can I do? Okay, let's not talk about these topics that will make you envious and jealous—Dou Wei, when is your concert finally going to happen? It's already September, why is there still no news?"

"The emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuch is!"

Dou Wei glared at Zhang Yan with displeasure and muttered, "You think you can just go like that? You'll have to pull strings with the British first, won't you?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Cui Jian said quietly, "It seems the British are quite supportive of mainland rock music."

Zhang Yan then went straight to the point: "I heard that Magic Stone and its parent company Rock Records have had a conflict over this matter. Some people at Rock Records are accusing Zhang Peiren of letting the wolf into the house and helping us mainlanders to take over their own market."

Upon hearing this news, Dou Wei was clearly surprised and pushed Wang Fei away from his arms, questioning, "Where did you hear this from? Zhang Peiren didn't say that!"

"Of course, I found out from Taiwan."

Zheng Zhihua found out about this news. He had been warmly received by Yuanmeng on several occasions when he visited the mainland, and it was the time when he had the best impression of the mainland, so he worked very hard to find out information.

As the saying goes, distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Dou Wei frowned and pondered for a moment, then said indifferently, "So what if we fall out? At worst, we, Magic Rock, can just part ways with Rolling Stone."

"You can pull him down."

Guo Chuanlin rolled his eyes at him: "I only have one question: Does Magic Stone have its own distribution channels? Without Rolling Stone, how will you release albums and make money?"

Dou Wei was speechless. All of Magic Stone's records were distributed through Rock Records' channels, and even if they entered the mainland, they were in the form of export-to-domestic sales.

After a moment, he retorted somewhat uncertainly, "If Yuanmeng can publish a monograph, why can't we be affiliated with a state-owned publishing house?"

"cannot!"

Cui Jian decisively denied it. The two looked at each other, and Dou Wei quickly gave in, because Old Cui had indeed been banned before.

"At worst, I can stay in Hong Kong Island to develop my career."

At this point, Wang Fei offered her opinion: "You already have some fame in Hong Kong. If this can generate buzz, you could totally..."

"Don't go!"

Dou Wei interrupted her unhappily: "There is no fertile ground for music there, let alone real music. If I go there, I will only wither and die of thirst!"

"Then what about my songs?!"

Wang Fei angrily punched him hard, and kept complaining. Soon the topic changed from whether there was music in Hong Kong to urging him to get married.

Zhang Yan gave Dou Wei a heads-up and then stopped talking about the topic. Anyway, Dou Wei wouldn't starve, and if things got really bad, he could always live off a woman.

As they were leaving after dinner, Cui Jian deliberately pulled Zhang Yanzhui behind him and whispered, "Find me an apartment in Tianjin. I might go stay with you for a while."

"Hide? Hiding from what?"

Zhang Yan subconsciously looked at Song Xiaohong: "Is your backyard on fire?"

Cui Jian said helplessly, "The rock scene has been too damn chaotic lately. People keep trying to get me to do something big. It's really annoying. I want to find some peace and quiet."

"That's easy. I'll call you later and arrange it for you."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it, we're all Jaguar guys."

...In the afternoon, Zhang Yan went to the Broadcasting Institute.

I originally planned to meet up with my sister first, and then go find Zhou Tao and Tao Hong separately. But after waiting at the door for a while, I saw the three of them walk out of the school together.

"This is what you are doing?"

Zhang Yan found it hard to believe. He knew that the last time he personally tried to bring them together, the two parted on bad terms. How come they were getting together on their own now?

Tao Hong came to see Fangfang.

Zhou Tao smoothed a stray hair from his temple and said with dissatisfaction, "I came to see you. What's the story behind Tianjin TV inviting Ni Ping to host 'National Treasure'? I heard you recommended her?"

"Or else?"

Zhang Yan retorted frankly, "Can you find the time to host the program long-term, or can Kang Hui give up his job on 'World Report'? Even if you can squeeze out the time, CCTV won't let you go."

"Then you don't need to recommend Ni Ping?!"

Zhou Tao argued forcefully, pointing out that Ni Ping had made a mistake and was being partially sidelined, and that she was hoping to rise to become CCTV's top female anchor. However, Zhang Yan unexpectedly stepped forward and helped Ni Ping out.

“Ni Ping won’t fall from grace so easily.”

Zhang Yan offered his advice: "What you should do now is release the news and claim that you recommended Ni Ping to me. That way, you can occupy the moral high ground in the future."

"This……"

Zhou Tao immediately fell into thought.

Indeed, it's not safe for her to challenge for the top spot right now. If she can gain a reputation for helping someone in need, she'll at least have a certain advantage, if not a sure thing, when she tries to become number one in the future.

Zhou Tao had already accepted the matter in her heart, but Zhang Yan's recommendation of Ni Ping without consulting her still made her very dissatisfied, and at the same time she had some doubts and vigilance.

This extension...

I hope I don't have Cao Cao's tastes?
Director Chen is currently in a cold war with Ni Ping!
"Okay~"

At this moment, Zhang Fang urged, "Let's talk about everything after we get in the car. Don't just stand here—we're celebrities now!"

Indeed, in just a short while, people have already started pointing and whispering about this place.

Zhang Yan hurriedly led the three towards the crown, just then, the mobile phone he was carrying suddenly rang.

He tossed the car keys to Zhang Fang, answered the phone, and heard an urgent voice on the other end: "Ms. Zhang, I heard it's somewhere in Beijing? I've run into some trouble here, could you please help me out?"

The man spoke in a rapid, hurried Hong Kong-accented Mandarin, and Zhang Yan didn't understand him at first. It wasn't until the man calmed down and repeated himself that Zhang Yan hesitated and said, "Helping you is no problem, but could you tell me who you are first?"

"It's me, Hua-zai!"

"Oh, it's Mr. Liu."

Upon discovering that it was Andy Lau calling, Zhang Yan asked in bewilderment, "You encountered trouble in Beijing, why didn't you seek help from Director Han?"

"Director Han said you're quite familiar with these people!"

"I?"

Zhang Yan pressed on with curiosity, "Who is this person, and how did you get involved?"

"No, I was just staying at a hotel normally. They came to my door out of nowhere and asked if I was going to hold a concert. I told them no, but they said they would hold a concert for me. After I refused, they have been harassing me in various ways."

Tsk~
I'm quite familiar with myself, and I'm helping someone organize a concert.

Zhang Yan roughly guessed who it was.

Previously, Cui Jian said that the rock scene was too chaotic and he wanted to go to Tianjin to find some peace and quiet. He didn't take it too seriously, since the rock scene has never been quiet.

But he clearly underestimated the arrogance of these people.

Forcing Andy Lau to hold a concert is almost as bad as the movie "Island of Fire" back then.

(End of this chapter)