Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

A screening room inside China Film Group Corporation in Beijing.

As Maggie Cheung hangs up the last phone call on the screen, the image goes dark and the lights come on.

Han Shanping leaned back on the sofa without saying a word.

The head of China Film Group, who has seen countless films, had an undisguised look of shock in his eyes at this moment.

"A masterpiece! Seven award-winning actors and actresses expose each other's secrets at a dinner party, without a single wasted word, the emotional tension is off the charts."

"Why is there only one camera position?"

"You should have said so earlier! I would have sent you a few of the latest imported cameras." Han Shanping turned to look at Liu Yuehua, who was sitting next to him and still sending text messages.

Are you really planning to release this film?

Liu Yuehua raised an eyebrow. "Chairman Han, are you afraid you'll take this personally?"

"Nonsense." Han Shanping gave Liu Yuehua a disdainful look.

"These actors acted so realistically. Anyone with eyes can tell who they're implying with those lines about being kept by a sugar daddy, doing gigs, and even money laundering."

"I'm afraid it will cause public controversy and be difficult to handle."

"Besides, how are you going to get this film approved? Why don't you try submitting it to a film festival first?"

"Have your shell company in Hong Kong send a letter first; perhaps we can make an exception."

Liu Yuehua stepped forward and said, "Chairman Han, if you say it's a movie, then it is a movie."

"If you say it's not a movie, it's just a video of a real party that the cleaning lady in the villa secretly filmed by installing a miniature camera behind a vase in order to extort money."

Upon hearing this, Han Shanping's hand trembled violently, and the ash from his cigarette fell into the cup.

"Are you fucking crazy?" Han Shanping stared wide-eyed.

"Are you going to make a mockumentary, using the reputations of these superstars as a publicity stunt?"

"These guys' fans could tear down the gates of China Film Group."

"It can't be demolished because this has absolutely nothing to do with China Film Group, and it doesn't even have anything to do with me, Liu Yuehua."

In front of Han Shanping, Liu Yuehua dialed Zhang Guorong's number.

To facilitate communication, the other end of the phone also connected with Hong Kong's four biggest stars, as well as six other film emperors and empresses.

Upon hearing Liu Yuehua's announcement of the publicity plan based on photos secretly taken by a cleaning lady, the person on the other end of the phone immediately erupted in chaos.

"No, absolutely not." Liang Chaowei's voice sounded quite annoyed.

"Yuehua, we signed the performance-based agreement to make money, not to ruin our reputation."

"If this videotape is leaked as a scandal, the public will really think that we are such wicked people in private, and all our commercial endorsements will be ruined."

"Brother Chaowei, please calm down. Since this is a setup, how could I let you brothers and sisters take the fall?"

Liu Yuehua unveiled his long-planned ultimate tactic of shifting blame.

"Listen to my first step."

"I'll personally go to Taiwan in the next few days, find a local scumbag who has gambling debts, spend a little money, and register a shell company in Taiwan using his identity."

"Then this Taiwanese shell company will actively publicize it in the media, igniting the whole thing."

"Add a filter, cut in some random shots to stir up some buzz, and once the news comes out, media outlets across the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong and Macau will definitely repost it like crazy."

"Pay attention to the second step."

At this point, what everyone needs to do is stand up immediately and solemnly announce to the media that they were actually preparing to shoot an experimental film, but were secretly filmed by the cleaning staff during the preparation stage.

"All the leaked content is the actual content of the script and movie; the related news is all taken out of context."

"Everyone wants to condemn this unscrupulous act of secretly filming. Several companies' public relations departments have stepped in, pretending to file a lawsuit against this Taiwanese company across the sea."

The big shots were all stunned.

"The more you deny it, the more curious the audience becomes, and the more they believe that what they think is the truth."

"Human nature is such that we love to see celebrities fall from grace; this massive amount of traffic translates into huge sums of money."

"The hype will only grow stronger. When this wave of attention reaches its peak and everyone's curiosity is at its highest, that's when our film will be released."

"Of course, everyone must remember to register the script copyright in advance, and be sure to tell everyone at the press conference that it is indeed an experimental film."

"It was initiated by everyone to create art in response to gossip paparazzi spreading rumors and taking photos without consent, and to oppose media violence."

"Finally, the CEOs of several major companies came out again, wiping away tears, and said that the profits earned from this film, after deducting costs, will be donated free of charge to grassroots film practitioners in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau to help them overcome their difficulties."

"For example, a young filmmaker who was just being cyberbullied by a well-known mainland director, but who had just gained popularity on a Hong Kong program."

"And isn't the cost ultimately up to you?"

Liu Yuehua said with a smile, "Think about it, everyone. With this kind of elevation, you have instantly transformed from the protagonists of scandals into lone heroes who save the industry and fight against unscrupulous gossip paparazzi, and trusted seniors who mentor the younger generation."

"Who would dare to stand against you? That would be standing against public welfare and against the industry."

"As for that Taiwanese shell company that was initially blamed, it can be deregistered. The legal representative can stay in the local area and become a deadbeat, so there will be no way to prove anything."

The bigwigs on the other end of the phone were completely shocked by this seemingly heinous series of actions, which shattered their worldview. They were able to make money like prostitutes, erect a golden archway of compassion, and in the end, they seemed to be able to get away unscathed.

"I agree."

After a long pause, Mr. Yang from Emperor Group was the first to speak on the other end of the phone.

"The cost is almost zero, and it's very easy to operate."

After thinking for a moment, the others also felt that there seemed to be no problem for the time being, so they all agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Han Shanping looked at Liu Yuehua and shook his head with a wry smile.

"You little rascal, you really should go..."

"Alright, I can guarantee you that once public opinion takes hold in mainland China, I'll have my men follow your orders and attack wherever you point."

"Thanks, Mr. Han. With your words, this situation is now much better."

……

Two days later, in Xiamen, Fujian.

In 03, there were no direct flights to Taiwan. To get to Taiwan, you had to go through Xiamen via the "Mini Three Links" or transfer in Hong Kong.

The transit through Hong Kong costs more money, and Liu Yuehua is currently raising Tang Yan and Liu Shishi in Hong Kong, having award-winning actors and actresses give them special treatment.

With half a day to spare while waiting for the ship, Liu Yuehua, having nothing better to do, strolled into a movie theater in a shopping district.

The movie "Comet" was showing in theaters, and Liu Yuehua spent 25 yuan on a ticket, which made him wince in pain.

He wasn't there to see the movie he made; he was there to randomly check if any theaters were cheating on box office revenue.

As the movie was coming to an end, Liu Yuehua noticed a girl in a junior high school uniform sitting next to him taking notes.

The little girl was very pretty, with bright, lively eyes, and she was muttering to herself.

He looks familiar.

The movie ended and the lights came on.

The young girl closed the script. As she turned her head, she met Liu Yuehua's gaze, who was calculating how much money he could get from this.

The young girl suddenly froze, then lowered her voice, "Are you Director Liu? I've seen you on TV."

Liu Yuehua raised an eyebrow. "Little girl, you've mistaken me for someone else. I'm just an ordinary 18-year-old male college student."

(Guess who the little girl is.)