Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 73: Box office explodes again! Breaking 100 million in five days!
"Little Eagle, didn't we agree that we'd discuss things together?"

Han Sanpin personally called to communicate.

"Fire at the drop of a hat; that's going a bit too far!"

Han Sanpin's attitude was solemn.

“If I don’t fire this shot, it will be a fatal blow to my film,” Cao Zhong said. “Chairman Han, I’ve told you before, I don’t need a way to survive. My only way to survive is through this film. Only if this film survives can I survive.”

"You anticipated this would happen?" Han Sanpin asked in surprise.

“When someone gets desperate, they’re capable of anything,” Cao Zhong said. “To be honest, Mr. Han, lately I’ve been walking along the base of walls and carrying a switchblade with me. I’m afraid that I might accidentally run into a stray while walking down the street.”

Han Sanpin remained silent, then touched his nose on the other end of the phone, feeling a little sorry for Cao Zhong, and said: "...It doesn't have to come to this."

Cao Zhong said calmly, "When you're out in the world, the most important thing for a boy is to protect himself."

“Just now, I received a phone call,” Han Sanpin said. “They felt your firing was too extreme and biased, and had a negative impact, so they wanted you to stay silent. The caller said that Jia Zhangke was so angry because of your response that he was hospitalized.”

"Is there any risk of him recovering?" Cao Zhong asked earnestly.

???

Han Sanpin was about to answer when his mind didn't keep up with his mouth. He only realized that Cao Zhong's words were wrong after the first word had already come out.

Unable to keep up with the young man's unconventional thinking, Han Sanpin was completely bewildered. "This little eagle is too wicked! I, the old eagle, can't keep up!"

The response was a bit funny, and Han Sanpin couldn't help but laugh.

“I said I would protect you, and I definitely can.” Han Sanpin laughed for a while and continued, “However, my advice is to make as many friends as possible and as few enemies as possible. If you really have a rather extreme opinion about the award, I can bring Chen Kai to talk to you in person, in private. Try not to do this online.”

He said, "We haven't withdrawn your response, but this call wasn't just for you; many directors probably received it too. At least don't discuss it openly."

Cao Zhong asked, "So, does the higher-ups know?"

Han Sanpin said, "I don't know for sure, but we still need to wait for further analysis. You know, machines are often slow to react."

Cao Zhong narrowed his eyes and accepted the task: "I understand. As long as Captain Jia doesn't act rashly, I will definitely behave myself."

"They'll behave themselves sooner or later." Han Sanpin's voice became more serious. "By the way, how's it going with over 3300 million in box office revenue in two days?"

"It's alright. We haven't reached a small goal yet," Cao Zhong said casually.

What is meant by "small goal"?

"Breaking 100 million," Cao Zhong said. "My expectation is to achieve at least two smaller goals."

Han Sanpin suddenly stiffened.

"Kid, you've got some nerve. Keep trying to act tough, aren't you? You're just trying to show off in front of me. I know all about you kids' little schemes."

"Not really."

Cao Zhong felt wronged. "You haven't seen any big scenes, but I have. It would be difficult for this movie to be made if it didn't do well at the box office!"
His mood was indeed completely unmoved!

Cao Zhong was too lazy to explain to the old man anymore. "But speaking of which, I'm already preparing for my second movie."

"Come to China Film Group, let's talk face-to-face."

Han Sanpin suddenly got excited, "I like this kind of hard work from young people. Little Eagle, if your new movie is good enough, I promise I won't call you Little Eagle anymore, I'll call you Director Cao."

"Wait a minute, the script is being written and refined."

Cao Zhong explained, "To be clear, I'm preparing two films. One is a comedy, which I don't plan to direct myself; I want Shen Ao to direct it, and I'll produce it. The second film I'm directing is 'Walking the Dog.'"

"Walking the dog?" Han Sanpin asked, puzzled.

“Yes, walking the dog,” Cao Zhong said. “Nanjing Photo Studio is very popular, but some people are in a hurry, so I’ll make them even more anxious.”

"Isn't rushing things just asking for trouble?" Han Sanpin asked in surprise. "You're making things harder for yourself. If there are problems with public opinion, you'll just be asking for trouble."

"Then tell me, if they were to bite me for a year, only to find out in the end that they missed their target, how would they feel?"

Cao Zhong couldn't help but laugh when he thought about this second movie.

Han Sanpin felt like he was being torn apart, and said firmly, "Don't try to tempt me, kid. I want to see the script at the celebration banquet."

Cao Zhongdao: "Do you think it's just the script for the second movie?"

"What's the meaning."

“After ‘Nanjing Photo Studio,’ there’s another system,” Cao Zhong said. “Chairman Han, I’m just afraid you won’t be able to handle it.”

Han Sanpin's breathing became heavier.

What system?

"The success of this system depends on the final result of 'Nanjing Photo Studio'," Cao Zhong encouraged Lao Deng. "The higher the box office, the greater the probability of this system's success."

Cao Zhong said earnestly, "It's a system that can get Chairman Han into the department."

He also emphasized a particular syllable.

Han Sanpin understood.

"I was able to get this script through this year because of the special timeline, but I'm not so sure about next year." Han Sanpin thought this system was about the script.

“It has nothing to do with this, you don’t need to make things difficult for me,” Cao Zhong said.

"I really want to join the department!" Han Sanpin said without speaking, but his heart was already churning violently.

"Tell me, what kind of help do you need!"

A moment later, he clenched his fists, his eyes burning with intensity.

"No matter what happens next, you have to protect me until the movie is out of theaters, you have to crack down on piracy to the maximum extent, and you have to do as much promotion as possible on the official website."

Cao Zhongdao said, "Thank you in advance, Chairman Han!"

Han Sanpin hung up the phone.

Feeling conflicted, he remained silent for a long time.

Looking at the box office figures for the past two days, Han Sanpin narrowed his eyes.

Why did he place his hopes on Chen Kaige and Hong Kong and Taiwan directors in the first place?
Isn't this the revival of Chinese cinema?
He shouldered the responsibility of reviving Chinese cinema, bearing so many grievances in his heart, all for the sake of the market.

Regardless of what Cao Zhong said or did.

The box office figures are now real!
With Han Sanpin's arms, he can still protect one person!
"Zhao Haicheng!"

Han Sanpin yelled at his secretary, "Go and investigate! If there are any pirated resources or pirated VCDs, deal with them seriously, to the fullest extent of the law! I want to see this movie reach its limit!"

……

Beijing.

Jiang Wen was chatting with his teacher, Xie Jin.

Wearing his reading glasses, Xie Jin read through all of Cao Zhong and Jia Zhangke's responses.

He coughed twice and asked.

"How old is this guy named Cao Zhong?"

"Only twenty, I guess," Jiang Wen said.

"It can be considered a truly insightful observation," Xie Jin said. "This kid loves to think; you definitely couldn't have come up with this three-tiered structure."

Jiang Wen narrowed his eyes: "What about my previous award-winning films?"

"Was your 'Brilliant Days' really brilliant?" Xie Jin asked. "You know best why that film was banned. It aligns with his theory. If you look at it that way, you certainly won't win any awards at this year's Venice Film Festival."

"Not even a chance?"

“No,” Xie Jin smiled. “If you really took it, you should thank him.”

Jiang Wen frowned, lost in thought and remained silent.

I'm devastated.

He had already proclaimed the saying, "Planning is up to Heaven, but success depends on planning," so not winning the award was indeed a little embarrassing!

……

Jiang Wen is a sensation, and the box office is exploding!

Friday's box office saw a significant drop due to the weekend and Cao Zhong's response.

2004 million!
It grossed over 20 million yuan in just three days!

The total has exceeded 50 million!

The media was in an uproar!

on Saturday,

2543 million!
Sunday,

2428 million!
Breaking 100 million in five days!

crazy!

"Nanjing Photo Studio" is going crazy for business!

Cao Zhong has gone berserk!

This box office performance left even the most renowned directors in the entertainment industry speechless.

He also silenced all the directors Cao Zhong criticized.

Zhang Weiping wanted to retort, but Zhang Yimou stopped him. Chen Kaige was stopped by China Film Group. Jiang Wen was silenced by Xie Jin's words.

Suddenly, the spotlight of the entertainment industry was on them.

It all comes down to Cao Zhonghe's "Nanjing Photo Studio"!
The audience is giving it rave reviews!
Box office revenue is skyrocketing!
It stunned the entire film industry, leaving them speechless.

"Damn, there are only so many screens. Don't these viewers dislike watching movies? What's going on here?"

Feng Xiaogang was initially shocked, but now he is dazed and bewildered.

Many people were confused!
I can't sleep. How is it possible to sleep like this?

(End of this chapter)