Huayu02 started by making films.

In the office, Zhang Huijun dialed Director Liu's number in front of Han Yi, but was still politely refused.

Han Yi immediately understood the meaning behind it.

Zhang Huijun asked, "Han, what are you planning to do? How about I contact Hebei TV? I have pretty good connections there..."

Han Yi waved his hand: "Director Zhang, don't trouble yourself. I'll think of a solution myself."

Stepping out of the office, Han Yi pondered for a moment. At this stage, the only station that could rival Beijing TV was probably Shanghai TV. As for Hunan TV, they'd have to wait a few more years.

He dialed Mr. Yan Dingxian's number directly, intending to ask him to help arrange a meeting with "Little Ren"—Ren Zhonglun.

Over the phone, Han Yi arranged to meet with Grandpa Yan at the Shanghai Animation Film Studio that evening, then hurriedly packed his bags and headed straight to Shanghai.

China Eastern Airlines was very fast; just two hours later, the plane had landed at Hongqiao Airport.

Han Yi walked out of the terminal with his shoulder bag on his back. Just as he raised his hand to hail a taxi, a middle-aged man wearing glasses approached him and asked:

"Is that director Han Yi?"

Han Yi nodded in confusion, thinking to himself, "I have fans in Shanghai too?"

He then asked, "It's me, and who are you?"

The bespectacled man confirmed Han Yi's identity, quickly stepped forward, and firmly grasped his hands:

"Director Han, I've heard so much about you! I'm Ren Zhonglun, the one you asked Elder Yan to contact!"

Han Yi then realized what was happening and carefully examined Ren Zhonglun, who exuded the shrewdness typical of Zhejiang merchants.

At that time, he was still the vice president of Shanghai Film Studio, but it was he who later turned the tide, pulling Shanghai Film Studio back from the brink of bankruptcy and transforming it into one of the most profitable film studios in China.

Thinking of this, Han Yi composed himself, changing his handshake to a hug, and said with a smile, "President Ren, didn't we agree to meet at Shanghai Animation Film Studio? Why did you come to pick me up in person?"

Ren Zhonglun laughed and said, "I happened to be nearby when Elder Yan called, so I came over on my way."

The two of them walked and talked.

Arriving at the car, Han Yi noticed the undried mud on the rear tires and looked up at the cloudless sky.

They were all sensible people, so no one said it out loud.

The conversation continued after they got on the bus.

Ren Zhonglun asked humbly, "Director Han, is this your first time in Shanghai? How are you finding it? Compared to Beijing, are you adjusting well?"

"This is the second time. I came here last National Day. I originally wanted to visit the Shanghai Film Studio, but I unexpectedly ran into Mr. Yan at the Shanghai Animation Film Studio first."

"Why don't you stop by the Shanghai Film Studio on your way?"

"The security guards wouldn't let me in."

"..."

There was a brief silence in the conversation, with only the sound of the engine inside the car. A short while later, the two arrived at the small conference room of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio.

Old Master Yan was already sitting inside, drinking tea and smoking.

After the tea was poured, Han Yi got straight to the point: "President Ren, I won't beat around the bush. The reason I'm here is to..."

He explained the situation in a few words.

After hearing this, Ren Zhonglun immediately patted his chest and guaranteed:

"Don't worry, Director Han. I, Ren, may not have many other connections in Shanghai, but I certainly have strong ones. Leave the collaboration with the TV station to go live on satellite to me!"

After saying that, he took out his phone in front of Han Yi and made a few calls, arranging for the director and deputy director of Shanghai TV to meet at the Peace Hotel.

The time was set for the evening.

What else could Han Yi say? He could only pick up his teacup, drink it all in one gulp, and solemnly say, "Thank you so much, President Ren."

Ren Zhonglun waved his hand: "It's nothing, it's all nothing."

Once the business was over, the conversation became more casual.

Ren Zhonglun subtly probed Han Yi's upcoming film plans; Yan Dingxian, on the other hand, calmly sipped his tea, occasionally glancing over as if to say:

"Hey kid, are you ever going to make animated movies again?"

Someone started it up, and Ren Zhonglun suddenly asked, "Director Han, 'Untouchable' has been showing in Shanghai for over a week now, do you know how much it's grossed?"

Han Yi shook his head helplessly: "That depends on the numbers reported by the theater chains. Whatever they say is what it is."

Ren Zhonglun sat up straight and said seriously:

"Director Han, that's not quite right. Here, I, Old Ren, still have some control. The data I just tallied this morning shows that the box office in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai alone has already exceeded 2000 million."

Hearing this, Han Yi sat up straight: "Really? Mr. Ren, you must be kidding me, I'm still a student."

Ren Zhonglun lit a cigarette and laughed, "How could this be fake? I brought the reports with me." With that, he took out a few thin sheets of A4 paper from his briefcase and handed them over.

Han Yi took a look: 1000 million from Shanghai, 500 million scattered across various regions of Jiangsu, down to the county-level cities, and 500 million from Zhejiang.

As expected of a Shanghainese man.

He handed the report back and asked, "Mr. Ren, would you consider this result good or bad?"

"Of course it's good!"

Ren Zhonglun waved his hand and said,

"Due to SARS in the first half of the year, many films didn't dare to be released. Finally, some films were released, and then 'The Intouchables' suddenly appeared. Director Han, you have no idea, the entire theater was filled with audiences who came specifically for you, the Cannes Palme d'Or winner!"

Han Yi chuckled, "That's all thanks to Mr. Ren's excellent promotion."

"This film wasn't distributed by Shanghai Film Group, it was distributed by China Film Group."

At this point, Ren Zhonglun's tone became somewhat sour.

"Many cinemas in Shanghai had originally allocated their screenings to other films, but when they saw the attendance figures, they were stunned and quickly rescheduled them all to show up for you..."

"Hehe..." Han Yi didn't know what to say, so he could only laugh along.

Just then, my cell phone rang in my pocket.

Han Yi took out his phone and saw it was Han Shanping. Ren Zhonglun also glanced over, and Han Yi answered the call under his slightly apologetic gaze:

"Mr. Han, is there something you need?"

"The opening week box office figures for 'The Intouchables' are out, do you know how much they are?" Han Shanping's loud voice came through the receiver.

"How many?"

"4000 million!"

"That's not bad. Mr. Han, did you include the southern region as well?" Han Yi asked.

"Of course it's included!"

Han Yi did some mental calculations and realized that after all this time, the Beijing circle was full of empty talkers. He would have to add other regions to be on par with the Yangtze River Delta region.

Han Shanping then asked, "Han Yi, where are you now? Let's have a celebration party tonight! You have no idea, the total box office revenue for all the movies this year so far doesn't even equal what you've made in just one week."

Han Yi paused for a moment, then replied, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Han, I'm in Shanghai and can't make it back in time. How about... you order a few dishes and have a drink?"

"If you don't come, what good drinks will an old man like me have... Wait, what did you just say? Where are you?!"

Han Shanping was polite at first, then his voice suddenly rose, and the last three words were almost shouted out.

Before Han Yi could reply, Han Shanping launched a barrage of questions:

"What were you doing going to Shanghai? What's so fun about Shanghai? Did you go to the Shanghai Film Studio? Did you see Ren Zhonglun?! Let me tell you, that guy is no good... *beep beep*"

Han Yi hung up the phone before he could finish speaking.

He looked up at Ren Zhonglun somewhat embarrassed: "President Han is just like that, he speaks his mind directly, President Ren, please don't take it to heart."

Ren Zhonglun waved his hand magnanimously: "Hey, Lao Han and I have known each other for a long time, it doesn't bother me, it doesn't bother me."

Even so, Han Yi still detected a subtle resentment in his tone, guessing that the other person was thinking:

"China Film Group is just relying on its import rights! What's with all the arrogance... pshaw."

That evening, in a private room in the Dragon and Phoenix Hall of the Peace Hotel.

Eight-treasure gourd duck, braised pork with abalone, smoked fish from old Shanghai... the dishes are dazzling, the taste is authentic, and the presentation is exquisite.

In summary, it can be summed up in eight words: large plates with few dishes, catering exclusively to Shanghainese.

One serving is priced at 888.

The liquor they drank was Moutai, which Ren Zhonglun brought himself, and he was also charged a corkage fee.

Over drinks, Han Yi and the two station directors finalized the details of the collaboration between the TV series "Chinese Paladin" and Shanghai TV for broadcast on satellite.

After seeing off the two station directors, Ren Zhonglun returned to the lobby of the Peace Hotel and ran into Han Yi coming out of the restroom.

He stepped forward and asked, "Director Han, how about staying here tonight?"