Huayu02 started by making films.

Taking advantage of his drunken state, Han Yi feigned displeasure:

"Mr. Ren, didn't we agree at the dinner table that you should call me Han Yi, or Xiao Han, but please don't call me Director Han, or I'll be unhappy."

Ren Zhonglun blushed and replied with a smile:

"My fault, my fault. Han Yi, then listen to me, rest here for the night, and I'll take you to see the Shanghai Film Studio tomorrow. Tell me which security guard stopped you, and I'll handle it."

Han Yi wasn't about to let him do that, and waved his hand, saying, "I have a place to stay in Shanghai, I'll go directly to the Shanghai Film Studio to find you tomorrow. Perfect timing, we can also talk about our next film collaboration?"

Upon hearing this, Ren Zhonglun's eyes cleared instantly, and the effects of the alcohol seemed to vanish in a flash. He'd been busy all day, waiting for just this one sentence.

He immediately put his arm around Han Yi's shoulder and, half-jokingly, shouted that he wanted to become sworn brothers.

Han Yi finally managed to persuade him to get into the car, and instructed the driver to take him somewhere first, and then take President Ren home.

The car drove to a storefront at No. 1-1, Lane 85, Yaohua Road, Pudong New Area, facing the street.

Han Yi got out of the car, exchanged a few more polite words with Ren Zhonglun, and agreed to meet again the next day before turning around and walking upstairs.

Ren Zhonglun leaned back in his seat, the drunken look on his face gradually fading. He looked up at the building Han Yi had entered.

The first two characters of the "XX Beauty Salon" sign at the entrance have been completely removed.

He whispered to the person in front, "Find out who owns this shop later."

Driver Xiao Wang nodded: "Okay, Mr. Ren."

The entrance to "Zhang Min Beauty Salon".

Han Yi stared at the three remaining characters above the door, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He took out his phone and made a call:

"Hey? Min-jie? Are you in Shanghai? I'm at your doorstep...beep beep..."

The call was disconnected.

Han Yi looked up and saw that the light in the bedroom on the second floor had come on.

A slender figure drew back the curtains. The woman glanced down and uttered only two words:

"They're here."

Then came a series of thumping sounds as people went downstairs.

Han Yi stood outside the door. Soon, the lights on the first floor came on.

Zhang Min, dressed in her pajamas and without makeup, walked in, opened the door, and asked, "Why are you here so late? Have you been drinking?"

Han Yi stepped inside and said, "I came to talk to Shangying about something, and before I knew it, it was late. Is this place convenient for you? Can I stay the night?"

Zhang Min leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and said with a smile, "I have a cat upstairs too. You can go up and see for yourself if you don't believe me."

Han Yi blurted out, "Can your cat do backflips?"

"What's a backflip?"

"Take me up there and have a look..."

……

Six points later.

The wind has died down and the waves have stopped; it's all rather dull and tasteless.

Zhang Min lay in bed, her mind blank, with only one thought remaining: "It still feels the same, so powerful."

Han Yi asked, "Sister Min, would you like to act in a TV series? There's a role for me."

"What role?"

"A descendant of Nuwa. Chosen by the emperor to be empress, yet she still yearns to find the one she loves. Having finally found him, she is abandoned by him on their wedding night..."

Zhang Min listened with interest, and shakily sat up: "That sounds interesting. But..."

"But what?"

"Let's do it a few more times, and I'll agree to act."

"Alright, let's go."

……

The next day, it was almost noon.

Han Yi rushed to the Shanghai Film Studio.

Ren Zhonglun had been waiting for a long time and personally welcomed him inside.

Inside the office, tea was served and everyone sat down. Han Yi went straight to the point:

"Mr. Ren, the general plot of the new movie is as follows:"

Sixteen-year-old Liu Xinyan grew up in a single-parent family and moved to the United States with her mother. After being introduced to jazz at school, she dreamed of becoming a top drummer. One night, while practicing alone at school, she was spotted by the "devilish mentor" Fletcher and selected for his professional band...

After hearing the synopsis of this female version of "Whiplash," Ren Zhonglun asked:

"Director Han, although I know nothing about music, what's the main thing about playing the drums? If a man played, would it be more powerful?"

Han Yi thought to himself, "I'm a male director. If I don't cast female actors, am I supposed to cast male actors? I'm not one of those famous gay directors in the industry."

He answered calmly:

"Mr. Ren is indeed an expert. However, in this script, the protagonist must be female, and she must be a leading lady. Just imagine, when the audience sees a girl taking on the role of drummer, which is usually played by men, wouldn't that be a strong contrast?"

Ren Zhonglun pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That makes sense. That's why I say your directors have such quick thinking; my old brain just can't keep up."

"Mr. Ren, you're too modest..."

After some mutual flattery, the two got down to business and discussed the production costs of "Whiplash".

Han Yi cut to the chase: "President Ren, have you heard of Brother Kai's 'The Promise'?"

Ren Zhonglun nodded.

Han Yi continued, "That film was mainly invested in by China Film Group. Do you know how much his director's fee was?"

Ren Zhonglun shook his head.

"I've inquired with President Han; it's 1500 million, of course in RMB."

This time, Ren Zhonglun neither nodded nor shook his head.

He was a little stunned, and tentatively asked, "Then, Director Han, you...?"

Han Yi picked up his teacup and took a sip, both to moisten his throat and to give Ren Zhonglun some time to prepare mentally.

He put down the cup before speaking:

"Brother Kai won the Palme d'Or in the last century, a tie, I won't go into details. Now look at me, Best Director at Cannes, the sole Palme d'Or winner, plus an Best Actor award. With my qualifications, getting the same directing fee as him isn't too much to ask, is it?"

Ren Zhonglun listened to the first half, nodding in agreement. But the last sentence made him suddenly stop, pausing before asking:

"So... what was the approximate production cost of this movie?"

"Around 1000 million," Han Yi shrugged.

Ren Zhonglun quickly did the math in his head: 2500 million. The production cost wasn't actually high; the problem lay in the director's fee. He'd known about Kai's *The Promise*, a commercial blockbuster, since the news had circulated within China Film Group recently. But *Whiplash* didn't sound like a commercial film at all.

He then asked, "Director Han, do you plan to release this film as a commercial film, or through film festivals?"

Han Yi, however, asked with suspicion, "President Ren, shouldn't you ask about the director's fee first?"

Ren Zhonglun waved his hand: "I can still make decisions about investments of thirty to fifty million."

Seeing this, Han Yi said directly, "This film may not have the comedic elements of 'The Intouchables,' but the music is absolutely top-notch. Let's follow the same path as 'The Intouchables,' first go to film festivals to sell the rights, then arrange a release..."

After listening to Han Yi's explanation, Ren Zhonglun felt confident: as long as they could get nominated and sell the rights, they could recoup their costs. Domestic box office revenue would just be icing on the cake; if it became as popular as "The Intouchables," everything extra would be pure profit.

With that in mind, he immediately made the decision: "We'll do it your way. However, regarding the actors, post-production, and production team..."

Han Yi continued, "I'll decide on the lead actor; everything else will be handled by Shanghai Film Studio. I don't have high requirements; as long as the cinematography and props are top-notch, that's fine."

"Fine!" Ren Zhonglun gritted his teeth.

Finally, Han Yi casually added, "By the way, Mr. Ren, I'll be a judge at Cannes next year."

Ren Zhonglun jumped up from the sofa and shouted towards the door, "Call the finance department! Transfer the money, transfer the money now!"

After lunch, Han Yi and Ren Zhonglun officially finalized the contract for "Whiplash".

Han Yi contributed 1000 million yuan from his director's fee and held 1500% of the film's rights as both screenwriter and director; the remaining 500 million yuan was funded by Shanghai Film Group, with 5 million yuan going into Ruoxing Studio's account and the remaining 1000 million yuan used for production costs.

My trip to Shanghai has come to a temporary end.

On the plane, Han Yi, wearing an eye mask and pretending to sleep, suddenly had a thought flash through his mind:

"Who makes movies with their own money?!"