1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

Cheng Xuemin smiled slightly and gestured for the young diplomat to pour Brian a glass of water.

"Brian, calm down, have some water! It's a long night, we're all a bit tired!"

“Tired? Oh no, Cheng, my adrenaline is off the charts right now, I’m not tired at all!” Brian took the water glass, put it aside without even looking at it, and gestured with his hands as he said, “Listen, Cheng, we talked about the global distribution of ‘Redemption’ before, right?”

"Back then, I said I was optimistic about it, very optimistic! But I must admit that my vision at the time was conservative, far from enough!"

"The Palme d'Or! Plus the free global advertising effect from this incredible gamble! My God, this isn't just a movie, it's a global cultural phenomenon! A giant, walking money-printing machine!"

He patted his briefcase excitedly: "We're old friends!"

"The collaboration between 'Tai Chi' and 'Shaolin Temple' was very pleasant, right? We built trust! So, I'm here, bringing our utmost sincerity!"

He abruptly opened his briefcase, pulled out several thick, beautifully bound documents, and slammed them onto the coffee table in front of Cheng Xuemin. The words "Global Distribution Agreement" on the document covers stood out prominently.

“Thirty million US dollars!” Brian held up three fingers, his voice hoarse with excitement. “After tax! Exclusive distribution rights across all channels worldwide, excluding mainland China and parts of Southeast Asia! One-time payment!”

"This is the minimum guaranteed price! Cheng, do you know what this means? This has broken the record set by 'Shaolin Temple'! It's the highest global rights buyout price ever for an Asian film, no, for any non-English film! There is no other!"

He took a breath and continued to escalate the situation, speaking as fast as a cannonball: "And this is just the minimum guarantee! We've also prepared the most generous offer based on tiered revenue sharing terms from box office receipts and subsequent television and video sales!"

"Once you sign, the payment process for the thirty million US dollars can begin immediately!"

"We have the world's top distribution network and the most mature publicity team. I assure you, we will ensure that 'Redemption' achieves the most brilliant box office results in every corner of the world, commensurate with its artistic and commercial value!"

"It will not only be the Palme d'Or winner, it will become a box office legend in global film history!"

After Brian finished speaking, he leaned back slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on Cheng Xuemin with burning intensity, his chest heaving slightly with excitement.

He believed that no one could refuse such a offer!
With a $30 million guarantee and the global distribution channels he shares with MGM, this is a contract every filmmaker dreams of.

Especially now, with the Palme d'Or just won and the buzz around it at an all-time high, he believed Cheng Xuemin would sign immediately.

Counselor Li listened from the side, secretly surprised.

Thirty million US dollars!
Even after tax!

This is simply an astronomical figure!
He looked at Cheng Xuemin, waiting for his reaction.

Cheng Xuemin still wore that faint, enigmatic smile on his face.

He didn't immediately look at the thick contract, nor did he show any shock or elation at the figure of thirty million US dollars.

Cheng Xuemin simply reached out and gently pushed the contract back to Brian a little bit, his movements calm and unhurried.

“Brian!” Cheng Xuemin spoke, his voice steady, carrying a strange soothing power, yet revealing an undeniable firmness, as he said:

"First of all, thank you and MGM for your recognition and such a generous offer. It is indeed an impressive number."

Brian smiled, leaned forward, and prepared to strike while the iron was hot!

But Cheng Xuemin changed the subject: "However, I think you may have misunderstood me and underestimated the value of 'Redemption' at this moment, as well as the greater possibilities it carries."

Brian's smile froze slightly: "Cheng, I don't understand what you mean. A minimum of thirty million US dollars is already the absolute top tier!"

Cheng Xuemin gently raised his hand, interrupting Brian's words. His gaze calmly looked at the dazzling night view outside the window, then turned back to Brian's face, and he said, "Brian, my friend!"

"Before tonight, 'Redemption' was an excellent film with the potential to win awards at Cannes. Its value could perhaps be measured in tens of millions of dollars!"

He paused, his fingers unconsciously tracing the rim of the Palme d'Or trophy, and continued in that calm yet weighty tone:

"But after tonight, 'Redemption' will no longer be just a movie. It is the Palme d'Or winner, a symbol of the collision and fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, the victor of a super commercial game involving $400 million that shook the world, and the absolute focus of discussion in all media outlets around the world for at least the next week!"

"It embodies artistic value, commercial legend, national honor, and even symbolic significance of a subtle power struggle between East and West!"

"Do you think the value of such a work can be completely defined by a global distribution buyout contract, even if it's a contract worth thirty million US dollars?"

Brian's excitement and confidence slowly faded, replaced by a serious scrutiny and contemplation.

He realized that the young Chinese man he was facing was much more clear-headed and much more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

"Cheng, I admit you have a point. But a movie is ultimately a movie; it needs to be seen by an audience and generate box office revenue in theaters!"

“My collaboration with MGM will maximize its commercial value. The $30 million guarantee already takes into full account its current popularity…” Brian was trying to regain the initiative.

"The hype?" Cheng Xuemin chuckled softly, a knowing and composed smile in his eyes. "Brian, the hype has just begun!"

"Current reports are based solely on the results of awards and bets. The film 'Redemption' itself, its story, its emotions, its philosophical core, its universal appeal to all humanity... have not yet been truly understood and discussed by a global audience!"

"What do you think will happen when film critics around the world begin to analyze it in depth, when the first audiences leave the theaters, shaken and moved by its power, when the name 'The Shawshank Redemption' becomes a kind of spiritual symbol..."

Will its popularity decline, or will it reach a new peak that we cannot even imagine at this moment?

Brian fell silent!

He had to admit that Cheng Xuemin was right!
The Palme d'Or and the huge bet were just the tipping point; the quality of the film itself was the core fuel that determined how high it could ultimately fly! He had seen "Redemption" and knew how terrifying it was.

Once it's released nationwide, the resulting movie-going frenzy and positive word-of-mouth will be absolutely phenomenal!

“Therefore!” Cheng Xuemin leaned forward slightly, his gaze becoming sharp and sincere. “Brian, I value our partnership very much!”

"But now is not the best time for us to hastily decide on the global rights. Let the dust settle a little longer. Let the name 'Redemption,' the Palme d'Or, and the legend of the $400 million film ferment in the global media for another two days, and in people's word of mouth!"

"Let its value receive fuller and more enthusiastic recognition and expectation."

Seeing Brian's increasingly serious expression, he softened his tone, but his stance remained firm: "I need to see more!"

"Seeing the genuine, all-out efforts and offers from major global publishers; seeing the specific reactions and expectations from different regional markets!"

"I also need some time to consider whether there are more flexible cooperation models that are more beneficial to the long-term interests of both parties, besides a simple global buyout!"

"For example, regional licensing? For example, a higher percentage of revenue sharing? For example, in-depth cooperation on derivative products and subsequent adaptation rights?"

After Cheng Xuemin finished speaking, he leaned back on the sofa, picked up the glass of water again, took a small sip, and looked relaxed, as if he had just rejected not thirty million US dollars, but a cup of coffee that didn't suit his taste!

A brief silence fell over the suite!
Only the faint sounds of the city outside the window and the ceaseless roar of the Mediterranean Sea in the distance!
Counselor Li listened with great excitement, but also secretly felt a chill run down his spine!
Thirty million US dollars!

Cheng Xuemin just casually let the bullets fly for a while longer?

This composure, this control over the situation, this absolute confidence in one's own worth—even this seasoned diplomat was amazed!

Despite having just won a huge sum of $400 million in gambling funds, the young man was not arrogant at all!
Based on the impressive performance of other young people, who have already achieved a massive $400 million victory, they certainly won't be so concerned about the small box office revenue of the movie. They would sell it immediately if it could gross $30 million.

This way, I can return home faster, report the good news to my country, and receive tremendous honor!
If it were Counselor Li handling these matters, he would surely wish he could sprout wings and fly back, and would not care at all about the tens of millions of US dollars in copyright fees.

After all, what difference does it make if it's thirty million US dollars, or even forty million or fifty million US dollars?
It's not like we're short an extra ten or twenty million US dollars, is it?
But the young man before him was calm and composed, showing no signs of being intimidated by praise or criticism, and his ability to let the dust settle. This earned Counselor Li's utmost admiration!

Brian's expression shifted constantly as he stared intently at Cheng Xuemin, trying to find even the slightest hesitation, greed, or wavering in that young yet overly calm face!
But he failed!
Cheng Xuemin's eyes were clear and deep, like a deep pool under the moonlight, calm and still, yet unfathomable.

After a full minute, Brian suddenly let out a long, deep breath, and the anxious and exaggerated expression on his face disappeared.

Instead, a complex expression emerged, a mixture of helplessness, admiration, and an even stronger interest.

“Cheng!” Brian shook his head, then smiled, this time with more sincerity and admiration, and said:
“I have to admit, you are more composed and more far-sighted than any filmmaker I’ve ever met, even more so than the shrewdest old foxes in Hollywood! You are a true strategist, not just an artist or a businessman!”

He picked up the contract from the coffee table, but instead of putting it back in his briefcase, he held it in his hand and patted it lightly: "Okay, I accept your suggestion!"

"Let the dust settle for two more days! But I must remind you, Cheng, hype is a double-edged sword! It can increase value, but it can also attract more sharks!"

"The other five Hollywood studios, as well as the top independent distributors in Europe, are definitely scrambling to get your contact information and preparing their offers. The competition will be extremely fierce!"

“I look forward to fierce competition,” Cheng Xuemin smiled, a sharp glint in his eyes. “Only through full competition can the true value of ‘Redemption’ be most fairly reflected!”

"And I believe that, based on our successful collaboration on 'Shaolin Temple,' Brian, you will remain one of my top priorities as a partner!"

"As long as your sincerity can keep up with the growth rate of the value of 'Redemption'!"

These words were spoken with neither arrogance nor servility, giving Brian both hope and pressure while firmly maintaining the initiative!

Brian gave Cheng Xuemin a deep look, stood up, and extended his hand: "Cheng, you are a formidable opponent and an exciting partner."

"I will immediately relay your message back to MGM headquarters for further analysis! At the same time, I will also have them prepare... a more suitable offer and proposal for the legend!"

"I guarantee that my next proposal with MGM will show you that we are not only the highest bidder, but also the one who best understands and can unleash the full potential of 'Redemption'!"

“I look forward to seeing it!” Cheng Xuemin also stood up and shook hands firmly with Brian.

After seeing Brian off, whose steps were still hurried but whose eyes had regained much of their shrewdness, the suite fell silent again.

Counselor Li walked to Cheng Xuemin's side, looked at the still dazzling night view outside the window and the crowd of reporters faintly visible below, and sighed:
"Thirty million US dollars, just pushed it away like that? Xuemin, you've got some nerve. But... you're right, if we let it ferment for another two days, its value would probably be much more than that!"

“That’s right!” Cheng Xuemin nodded with a smile and said, “Although we won the bet of four hundred million US dollars from the Japanese, our artistic value should be reflected in the film!”

"If we just sell the global rights to 'Redemption' for such a pittance, it would be too good for those white people!"

Cheng Xuemin picked up the glass of red wine on the table, took a sip, and then walked to the window to look down at the Mediterranean night view. He was in a good mood!
"So, Xuemin, what's your bottom line?" Counselor Li nodded and asked tentatively, but he wasn't really optimistic about how much foreign exchange a film could fetch.

After all, he has been stationed abroad for many years and has a certain understanding of the European and American film markets.

A movie that guarantees a minimum of thirty million US dollars in revenue sharing is truly an epic, phenomenal achievement. In any case, it's rare to see one or two movies like that in Europe and America every year!

"At least fifty million US dollars!"

When asked by Counselor Li, Cheng Xuemin casually gave a number.

……

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