Huayu02 started by making films.

"Here's the thing, I have a script that I plan to use to compete at Cannes next year. If New Line joins in, and we win the Palme d'Or, we'll then use that as leverage to campaign for the Oscars. That way, we can have distribution channels in Europe, Asia, North America... all over the world."

"How's the script?" Shay pressed.

Han Yi gave a reassuring gesture: "I have connections in France, and if I bring EuropaCorp in, it'll be a sure thing."

"Okay," Shay agreed immediately, "I'll contact Europa right away."

(Note: EuropaCorp: This company produced and distributed films such as "Lucy" and "Taken".)

In the afternoon, Han Yi returned to the hotel.

Upon entering the main gate, one could see Chen Chen sitting on a chair in the lobby, his face pale and his expression anxious. Han Shanping stood to the side, silently smoking, the ashtray already piled high with cigarette butts.

Han Yi quickly stepped forward and asked, "What happened? Did you lose something?"

Hearing the sound, Chen Chen looked up, her eyes instantly reddening. She ran over in a few steps, her voice trembling, "Han Yi, the Film Bureau has issued a notice...you're banned..."

She was incoherent and couldn't finish her sentence after a long time.

Han Yi pulled her into his arms and looked up at Han Shanping: "Mr. Han, tell me, how many years have I been banned?"

Han Shanping asked first, "Has the film been sold?"

Han Yi nodded.

Han Shanping then stubbed out his cigarette and walked over with heavy steps: "While you're in a good mood selling your films, I have some bad news for you."

Han Yi hugged Chen Chen tighter and gestured with his chin toward Han Shanping: "President Han, stop keeping me in suspense."

"Okay, you can prepare yourself mentally."

"Speak up!"

Han Shanping held up his index finger: "One year. Director Tong just called me personally."

Upon hearing this, Han Yi laughed instead: "Just one year? I thought it would be at least ten years. How much do those idiots in the bureau look down on me?"

Chen Chen gently punched him in the chest.

Seeing Han Yi's reaction, Han Shanping breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "It was Lu Taro and his bastard father who did it. They brought a group of people to put pressure on Elder Tong early this morning. A one-year ban is already the result of Elder Tong's strong pressure."

"Alright, alright, I'm not planning on making any more films in China anyway." Han Yi waved his hand, not caring at all.

"What about Cannes?"

"The film was originally planned to be shot in France. Let's go straight to Paris."

……

Marco Polo Airport, morning of the 10th.

Han Yi saw off Fan Xiaopang, Jiang Wu, Chen Chen, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and others.

Before leaving, he handed the script for "Untouchable" to Jiang Wu, repeatedly instructing him to keep it a secret. While hugging Fan Bingbing, he whispered:

"After returning to China, I'll hold a press conference every now and then, and occasionally visit the Xie Jin Academy as a way of giving back to my alma mater. I'll be careful about the roles I take on; no matter what kind of TV series or movie it is, I'll turn down anything that isn't the lead role. I won't play supporting roles for those stinking soldiers. I can start looking at some high-end brands for endorsements."

After rambling on and on, Fan Xiaopang, with tears welling up in his eyes, agreed to everything.

Finally, it was Chen Chen's turn. Han Yi told her to go back and give the documentary she had kept in the study in Jimen to Professor Dai, so that the literature students could start adapting it, and they could discuss other matters when he returned.

After everything was settled, Han Yi and Han Shanping boarded a flight to Paris.

The next day.

Saint-Denis, a city in the northern suburbs of Paris, France.

EuropaCorp was founded by Luc Besson and another investor. (Note: Luc Besson directed *Léon: The Professional*.)

Inside the meeting room.

Han Yi, Han Shanping, and Xie Yi, representing Ruoxing, China Film Group, and New Line Cinema respectively, engaged in detailed negotiations with this newly established film company in 2000 regarding "Touch of the Light".

The final cooperation agreement is as follows: The total investment for "Untouchable" is US$1000 million. Han Yi will receive US$100 million as screenwriter and director, while Ruoxing Company will invest US$300 million to lead the filming, post-production and editing, jointly owning 40% of the film.

The remaining 60% was split equally among China Film Group, New Line Cinema, and EuropaCorp, with each responsible for distribution in Asia, North America, and Europe respectively. Box office revenue was allocated according to investment ratios.

The four companies will register an independent project company in France to specifically operate the film, with each party assigning a financial officer to participate in the supervision.

As soon as the funds arrived, Han Yi immediately transferred $400 million. He then summoned Robert and began preliminary preparations at EuropaCorp.

……

On the 11th, Han Shanping disembarked at the Capital Airport terminal.

The driver from China Film Group was already waiting at the door. After getting in the car, he went straight to the China Film Group building to handle matters related to Han Yi's ban from directing.

Inside the China Film Group's conference room, fourth- and fifth-generation directors, including Kai Zige, Teng Wenji, Zhang Junzhao, and Zhang Yimou, were all present.

The group took their seats, appearing formal and upright, but secretly whispering among themselves.

"Why did President Han suddenly call us all here?"

"You're not planning to invest in our film production, are you?"

"Come on, who knows if the investment you got was actually used for making the film?"

"Old Zhang, tell me, what's Mr. Han up to today?"

Fourth-generation director Teng Wenji looked at Zhang Yimou with a slightly scrutinizing gaze, but in his heart he was thinking:

"Damn it, you climbed up here by accident. I'll have to keep a closer eye on those sixth generation guys; they're getting less and less respectable."

The famous director Feng Xiaogang once said:

"There was a house that symbolized the director. The fourth generation went in through the door and then welded the door shut, preventing anyone else from entering. Then the fifth generation jumped in through the window and welded the window shut as well. Seeing that the fifth generation had already entered, the fourth generation simply formed an alliance and guarded the doors and windows to the death, refusing entry to anyone else. But who would have thought that the sixth generation director, without dismantling the door or breaking the window, would simply dig a hole in the ground and crawl in."

These are the layers of barriers in the directing world. To get in, you have to find the right patron first. Those tropes involving sending women to their partners, NTR, and in-laws have already been thoroughly explored by this group.

Today you report me, tomorrow I'll report you, it's like dogs fighting, a mouthful of fur.

The car stopped in front of China Film Group. Han Shanping strode out of the car and walked straight to the conference room.

Hearing the whispers from outside the door, Han Shanping gently pushed it open, his gaze sharp as an eagle, slowly sweeping across the room. Each step he took was deliberate, a silent pressure spreading outwards.

He walked to the head seat and sat down, his gaze sweeping over each of the directors present before he spoke: "I won't bring up your messy affairs today. I called you all here to ask you one question—"

He stood up and slowly walked around the long table, placing his left hand on the shoulder of each director in turn, his voice low and authoritative:

"Who among you participated in writing the letter to the Film Bureau and reporting Han Yi?"

The group of directors looked at each other, but no one responded.

"You're not going to tell, are you?"

Han Shanping strolled over to Teng Wenji, pressed his shoulder, and looked at Zhang Yimou: "Old Mou, tell me, who has reported any of the Sixth Generation directors over the years?"

Sitting upright like a terracotta warrior, Zhang Yimou quietly lowered his head and mumbled, "President Han, I really don't know anything about this. I, Old Zhang, am an honest man. If I were to report this..."

"You all had someone else write it for you, right?" Kai interrupted coldly from the side.

"Brother Kai, you—"

"What do you mean, 'you'? Don't you know who was the most vocal in reporting among the sixth generation?"

"That's all from what I learned from Teng Wenji!"

"How did this get to me again?"

"Zhang Yimou, holy crap..."

Seeing the group arguing like shrewish women in the marketplace, Han Shanping slammed his fist on the table:

"Shut up, all of you! I'm not here to listen to your arguments."

The meeting room gradually quieted down. Han Shanping continued: