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

"Really?" Liu Yuehua smiled.

He used his Qi Observation Technique to scan the crowd.

Ugh, the local gangs are so rude.

Liu Yuehua calmly pulled out his real trump card from his bag: a draft of the box office revenue sharing agreement for "Perfect Strangers".

"Boss Lin, you should save your 200 million buyout trick for fooling recent college graduates."

"I won't buy out this tape; I only want a tiered revenue split," Liu Yuehua said, throwing the contract aside.

"In mainland China, Chairman Han of China Film Group personally gave me the green light; in Hong Kong, the public relations departments of the four major film and television companies were ready to cooperate with me to hype up this major case of voyeurism."

"Are you not planning to do business with mainland China and Hong Kong in the future?"

"This is a media storm that sweeps across Asia. I didn't need you to pay for publicity. I just wanted you to help me register a shell company and then use your night market stalls, video arcades, and underground DVD distribution channels in Taiwan to stir up some trouble for me."

"I've changed my mind now."

"If the movie is released, I want to take 50% of the total box office revenue."

"Fifty percent? Are you fucking robbing me?" Another Taiwanese publisher slammed his fist on the table.

"You think it's too expensive, and I think it's too expensive too," Liu Yuehua said casually. "You guys are probably all doing legitimate business, so you don't really know the rules of the underground."

"I had already asked around through friends before coming to Taiwan."

"Mr. Chen Qili is very interested in this kind of business. If you are not willing to sign this 50% profit-sharing agreement today, then I will give this film to my friends in the underworld for free tonight."

"By then, all the night markets in Taiwan will be filled with their pirated DVDs. Bosses, do you think you'll still be able to make a single penny from your legitimate channels?"

This is a real table-flipping move. You try to play dirty tricks on me, so I'll just take away your livelihood by open-sourcing the project and giving it away to my competitors for free.

Anyway, it's just a DV tape with no cost. As long as it can stir up a wave of public opinion, earn enough emotional points, and allow for upgrades, he doesn't care whether the other DVD sellers are legitimate or thugs.

Boss Lin and the others were completely dumbfounded.

They originally thought this 18-year-old was a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered, but who knew he was a hungry wolf in sheep's clothing.

Giving the master tape to a friend in the underworld is a lose-lose tactic that most people wouldn't even dare to consider.

But the kid spoke so casually, as if he had no intention of making money at all.

"Director Liu, let's talk this out. Why get angry?" Boss Lin's attitude softened instantly.

If the underworld figures really manage to seize the opportunity first, they won't even get a sip of this incredible wealth.

Ten minutes later, a profit-sharing agreement that resembled an unfair contract was finally signed.

Taiwanese distributors reluctantly bowed their heads. Not only were they not able to buy out the deal for 2 million, but they were also forced to accept a 50% cut of the total box office revenue and bear all the upfront costs for producing and printing DVDs for publicity purposes.

Liu Yuehua stuffed the contract into his bag, patted Boss Lin on the shoulder with satisfaction, just like a father patting his son.

"That's right, everyone should be friendly and make money together. Once we've made enough from this round, I'll take you to Hong Kong to do real capital operations."

Wu Zongxian, who had been standing by like a ghost, finally stepped in to smooth things over, laughing heartily to lighten the mood.

"Wow, Director Liu is really something. In business, once we reach an agreement, we're all friends."

"Come on, Xiao Lin and Xiao Wu, don't just stand there, pour some tea for Director Liu. Drinking alcohol is bad for your health, let's drink tea instead."

Although the two models didn't understand Liu Yuehua's actions, seeing that the big shots had bowed their heads, they became as obedient as waiters, serving tea and water.

Her eyes were alluring, and her jade-like legs stretched out horizontally.

"Director Liu, now that the business is over, let's talk about some highbrow art," Wu Zongxian said with a broad smile.

Liu Yuehua finally became interested. Art is good, and art needs to be appreciated.

I'd like to see what surprises you, Wu Zongxian, Taiwan's top entertainment figure, have in store for me.

Which clean-cut minor celebrities were worth trying in 2003? I can't recall.

While Liu Yuehua was thinking, Wu Zongxian went out and brought someone in.

"I brought a younger brother with me today. He has always admired you, the genius director who has made a name for himself in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau."

The man was wearing a hoodie and a baseball cap, with the brim pulled low. He had his hands in his pockets and looked both shy and reserved.

"Hey, Director Liu, that's great! Not bad at all."

The young man looked up, revealing a face that was both shy and stubborn, and greeted them in a mumbled accent.

Holy crap, it's Jay Chou?

I thought you were going to...

So this was a surprise...

Liu Yuehua's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't show the slightest displeasure and calmly nodded.

"Jay, I've heard so much about you. Is there something you need?" Jay Chou asked hesitantly, pulling down his hat brim before speaking at Wu Zongxian's prompting.

"Here's the thing, our company recently bought the rights to a Japanese racing manga called 'Initial D,' and we plan to collaborate with people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong and Macau on a big production."

At this point, a hint of excitement flashed in Mr. Zhou's eyes.

"I wanted to play the male lead myself, but several directors I contacted didn't quite understand the feeling I wanted to express."

"I've seen your Comet; the pacing is fantastic, and the direction is superb."

"Brother Xian just mentioned that you were coming over, so I was thinking of asking if you'd be interested in forming a film crew."

Upon hearing this, even Boss Lin and the others nearby perked up their ears.

With Jay Chou's involvement and the adaptation of a hit comic book IP, this is definitely the most commercially explosive project in the Chinese film industry next year. Even a little bit of information leaked out would make countless established directors scramble to get it.

As a result, this top star in the music industry has actually taken the initiative to extend an olive branch to a new director who has just debuted.

The private room fell silent as everyone waited for Liu Yuehua's answer.

Liu Yuehua picked up the tea that Ms. Lin had poured and took a sip.

He did not immediately agree, nor did he show any surprise.

Simply directing "Initial D" would not be worth the fixed director's fee. To participate in such a super IP with international influence as a mere employee would be a crime against this cash cow.

The profits from this are enough to turn a newly established shell company into a financial behemoth.

Jay Chou's music copyrights, product placement through licensing and naming rights for racing car models, and even sequels...

Speaking of sequels, there's one person who absolutely cannot be included.

Although he's not as handsome as the readers, if he spoils the plot, the sequel will be ruined.

"Is the script outline finished?" Liu Yuehua asked casually.

"I've roughly put together a first draft, but it's not finalized yet," Jay Chou replied cautiously.

"Okay, send me a copy to my email later." Liu Yuehua stood up, giving an ambiguous answer without making a clear promise.

"I'll think about it if I have time."

After saying this, Liu Yuehua walked out of the private room, leaving the group of people looking at each other in bewilderment.

Mr. Lin was stunned for a moment, then quickly called out to Ms. Lin and Ms. Wu.

"What are you two standing there for? Hurry up and follow them!"

"These are my honored guests, so you must take good care of them. Do whatever I tell you to do, understand?"