The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 112 Loyalty! A Sky-High Price! (14) Requesting Monthly Tickets!

"Honey, Director Shen."

Going home was out of the question. After dropping Da Mimi off at the meeting place she had arranged with her best friend, Qin Lan, Li Xiaolu, and the others' eyes lit up when they saw Shen Shandeng.

Shen Shandeng said politely, "I have other things to do, so I'll leave Mimi in your care, Sister Lan."

Shen Shan registered that in their previous life they had a Teddy Sisters group. In their previous life, Da Mimi would have had to wait a few more years to join.

However, in this life, Da Mi Mi has a much wider network of connections than in her previous life. She moves freely in various circles of actors and celebrities, joined the Teddy Sisters earlier than in her previous life, and holds a high position as a core member.

"Don't rush off, come and take a look at the house." Da Mimi urged her best friend to stay.

Shen Shandeng laughed and said, "Mimi, I trust your judgment. Even if your judgment is wrong, I still trust Sister Lan's judgment."

"Not at all, not at all." Qin Lan couldn't help but chuckle. Shen Shandeng was really easygoing. This was Shen Shandeng's joke, and it would be respectable to say it out loud.

Da Mimi wanted to say something more, but her real intention was not what she was talking about; she really wanted to participate in the dinner party that was bound to have all sorts of clashes.

Qin Lan pulled her aside: "Mimi, Director Shen has his own things to do."

Shen Shandeng gave Qin Lan a grateful look.

The street scenes outside the car window flashed by.

After losing sight of Da Mimi and her group, Shen Shandeng dialed a number.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Youde, have you found a suitable office building? Okay, you can choose one. By the way, have Qifeng and Wu Jing arrived yet? Good, I'll be there soon too."

While "The Eunuch" is still showing in theaters, Shen Shandeng is already busy preparing for his next project.

Shen Shandeng knew very well that the real contest lay in whether or not he could maintain his victories.

With the box office success, three projects were launched simultaneously, and his company needed new space to meet its office needs.

After explaining the important matters, Shen Shandeng mentioned the dinner arranged by Tian Lili.

"Tian Lili will contact you about a dinner engagement. Please make arrangements. Remember, we have the advantage, and we also have the time."

"So, no rush. The location should be according to our wishes. Also, we need them to create favorable conditions for the meeting first, and then we can have substantive contact."

The production team of "The Sinner" desperately needed a lifeline, but for Shen Shandeng, this was a minor matter.

I agree, but only in principle.

Each situation needs to be analyzed individually.

If you perform well, he might consider giving you a chance to meet.

The reason he agreed to the meeting was not to give face to Tian Lili or Marco Müller, but because Shen Shandeng had come up with an idea to collect dogs and wanted to give it a try.

In addition, I also want to learn how the "art" circle that appreciates ugliness operates.

How exactly is ugliness viewed as beauty, and how does this distorted logic remain self-consistent? How do all these aspects operate?
He felt there were things he could learn from them.

He gained a lot from "The Hidden Dragon and the Hidden Tiger" and "The Creation of Evil".

Even if it's the enemy's moves, he'll learn from and absorb the parts that are worth emulating.

Shen Shandeng was also very curious. He knew that the girl who starved to death in his previous life was perfectly fine, but after studying a specific major at a specific school, she suddenly became mentally unstable.

"Boss, approximately how many people?" On the other end of the phone, Ma Youde took out a pen and paper to carefully record the details.

Ma Youde's role has now shifted to that of Shen Shandeng's chief steward, with public relations being just one of his responsibilities.

Of course, he also received a share of the rewards for the success of "The Supervisor," totaling more than forty items.

Having worked with Shen Shandeng for several years, I've already bought a house in Beijing and am now trying to get permanent residency.

Shen Shandeng's gaze was his direction!
Loyalty! Absolute loyalty!
Shen Shandeng thought for a moment and said, "You should come too. After all, you're an international art director, so you can soak up some of the artistic atmosphere. Qi Feng and Wu Jing should also come, in case of any necessary physical confrontations."

Upon hearing this, Ma Youde understood the nature of the dinner: "Then, the female companion?"

Shen Shandeng knew that Da Mimi wanted to go, but this kind of occasion was not suitable for a little maid, or a bad woman: "Let Fan Bingbing go with me."

Ma Youde on the other end of the phone understood immediately and didn't ask any unnecessary questions: "Understood, boss. The location is set. Do we need to rehearse the script with Miss Fan beforehand?"

"Sure. But I'll talk to her first."

"Okay, don't worry."

Shen Shandeng hung up the phone and then dialed another number with practiced ease.

It took a while before the call was connected.

"Hey? My great director, you've finally remembered me?"

Fan Bingbing's voice came through the receiver.

"There's a dinner party, a dinner with Marco Müller and Jiang Zhiqiang. You'll have to come with me," Shen Shandeng said succinctly.

Fan Bingbing asked in confusion, "I know Jiang Zhiqiang, but Marco Müller?"

Shen Shandeng said, "The artistic director of Venice."

Fan Bingbing immediately gasped and exclaimed excitedly, "Could you arrange a Best Actress role for me?"

"It depends on your performance." Shen Shandeng's hand swept across the car window.

Fan Bingbing was just making a joke, but Shen Shandeng's answer surprised her and she almost stopped breathing.

They quickly found a secluded spot and whispered, "Is this a trap?"

Shen Shandeng said, "That's what they might think, but not to me. You put on your battle robes, play the role of a pretty face, and flatter me well, and I can make you win all the A-list Best Actress awards at the three major film festivals."

"I guarantee I'll make a good impression on you, and I'm not just some pretty face." Fan Bingbing picked up her chopsticks.

Shen Shandeng said, "Yes, Ma Youde will handle the specific details with you. What to wear, what to say, and the appropriate level of intimacy—listen to his arrangements." "Understood, I guarantee I'll complete the mission and fight for you." Fan Bingbing's words were loaded with meaning, and she smiled broadly. "What about the payment? Director Shen, this is extra overtime, you know. I miss you so much, can I keep you company? I promise I'll make you happy."

Shen Shandeng scolded, "What nonsense are you spouting! You'll be lucky enough to win a Best Actress award in the future, what more do you want in terms of compensation?"

"Being a Best Actress is too far away, I don't dare to think about it. I just want to seize the moment," Fan Bingbing said in a low, enticing voice.

"We'll see how you perform then." Shen Shandeng said noncommittally and hung up the phone.

tired!
Shen Shandeng was annoyed!
Women have no fun without jobs!

The film crew of "The Eunuch" were in their office at the Beijing Film Studio.

Zhou Qifeng and Wu Jing have arrived.

The office heating isn't strong enough; it's a bit cold.

"The agreement with the teacher has been finalized, and the donation process will begin this week," Zhou Qifeng reported. "Teacher Yu is overjoyed, saying he has never felt so proud in his life."

Shen Shandeng simply smiled faintly.

"Of course. We must remember the kindness shown in helping someone in need."

Shen Shandeng walked to a desk with a thick notebook spread out in front of him, containing scribbled project ideas.

"The TV series 'The Eunuch' is still airing, but new projects can't wait. I called you here to talk about the next script."

"Qifeng, Brother Jing, we need to shift our focus immediately."

“The three projects, ‘Jiajing,’ ‘Lu Bing,’ and ‘Du Gong 2,’ must be launched immediately.”

Upon hearing this, Wu Jing instinctively straightened his back even more.

"Director Shen, just tell us what to do, and we'll do it!"

Shen Shandeng got straight to the point: "The media praise and box office figures, the once-hot creative scene of 'The Eunuch' are all just a thing of the past. I hope you can adjust your mindset as soon as possible. New honors await us."

"We need to be more humble and more diligent."

Zhou Qifeng and Wu Jing were both taken aback!
They were still basking in the euphoria of the success of "The Eunuch," but Shen Shandeng clearly had a much broader vision!

If the unprecedented success of "The Eunuch" was like a shot in the arm, then Shen Shandeng's leadership allowed them to continue to unleash their talents.

For a moment, the two were filled with boundless enthusiasm and anticipation for the future! The best was yet to come!

Seeing that they were listening, Shen Shandeng continued, "The first key to launching a project is the script. A good story is the foundation of everything."

Shen Shandeng paused, then dropped a number that nearly made Zhou Qifeng and Wu Jing choke: "Jiajing, Lu Bing, and Dugong 2, three scripts. Jiajing and Lu Bing, one million each; Dugong 2, two million."

"How many?!"

Zhou Qifeng gasped, nearly slipping off his chair.

Although Wu Jing remained calm, his pupils suddenly dilated.

2007 years.

A screenwriting fee in the millions is absolutely astronomical!

Many low-budget films have a total investment of no more than this amount.

There are only about this many bestselling novels suitable for adaptation!
"Senior brother, this, this is too high, isn't it?" Zhou Qifeng stammered.

Shen Shandeng frowned: "Hmm?"

"Director Shen."

"Ah."

Shen Shandeng explained, “High? This money isn’t easy to get. I’ll revise it repeatedly until I think it’s the best. If it doesn’t meet my requirements, there’s no money. But if the movie is profitable, the screenwriter will get a share of the profits.”

Shen Shandeng's gaze sharpened: "What I need is something that can stand the test of time and form the cornerstone of a 'cinematic universe'! Not just some filler job."

“Our project has ample funding, and with the sequel to ‘The Eunuch’ as bait, there are plenty of investors who want to invest.”

"Since we're not short of money, we need to use it wisely! Let me be clear from the start, the film funds must be used for the film!"

"We absolutely cannot be able to endure hardship, only to become complacent when times are good! I'd rather invest real money in films and in personnel! Only by spending real money can we create something truly valuable. Spending money on the script is far more worthwhile than wasting it on superficial things!"

After a brief moment of shock, Zhou Qifeng and Wu Jing quickly calmed down.

Wu Jing nodded emphatically: "I agree! The script is the foundation of a film. Director Shen, this is the true attitude of making movies!"

This is the attitude towards making movies!

Money is only worthwhile when it's spent wisely!
Zhou Qifeng calmed down, his blood boiling: "Understood! We'll find the best screenwriter based on this standard! We'll definitely live up to your expectations!"

Having learned from his experience with "The Eunuch", Shen Shandeng no longer needed to handle every detail personally. He simply handed over the general matters and rushed to the Central Motion Picture Corporation.

Han Sanping's office.

The fragrance of tea lingers.

"Is the China Film Group building almost finished?"

While asking questions, Shen Shandeng easily found the tea leaves.

Liao Yun dared not speak out in anger: "We'll have to wait until July or August next year."

Shen Shandeng thought that once the China Film Building was completed, even his old connections at the Beijing Film Studio would not be able to easily meet with Han Sanping.

Fortunately, he's different; he's already risen to prominence and is feeling great.

Han Sanping came over with a brisk walk after finishing his meeting.

Liao Yun hoped that the leader would see Shen Shandeng taking his tea leaves and say a few words, at least a few words.

Han Sanping didn't even notice; he was too excited!
He's winning every day now, and he can't stop!
(End of this chapter)