Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 588 What did I do to you?

In November of last year, Huayi invested 10.5 billion yuan to acquire 70% of the shares of Dongyang Meila Media Company, which was established two months ago. Dongyang Meila Company was founded and controlled by Feng Xiaogang, who also controls 99% of the shares.

Huayi has thus re-established its ties with Feng Xiaogang.

However, Huayi's 1 billion yuan was not easy to obtain. Feng Xiaogang signed an extremely harsh five-year performance-based agreement with Huayi: Dongyang Meila had to bring Huayi Brothers at least 10 million yuan in net profit in the first year, and in the following four years, the net profit each year had to increase by 15% compared to the previous year. If this target was not met, Feng Xiaogang would personally make up the difference out of his own pocket.

This is the real reason why Feng Xiaogang brought up the sequel to "Cellphone" again after 12 years, and also the real reason why Feng Xiaogang has frequently participated in variety shows in the past two years.

He wants to make money for Huayi.

Along with "Cell Phone 2", "Marriage Lab", "Unforgettable", and "The Song Has Gone Far Away" (the project name of "Youth") were also unveiled.

When have we ever seen Feng Xiaogang work so hard, approving four films in one go?
Fortunately, Feng Xiaogang didn't invest in "Mr. Six," otherwise he would have had to pay Huayi Brothers to make up for their losses this year.

In fact, Fan Bingbing couldn't quite explain why Feng Xiaogang wanted to make "Cellphone 2".

He said the film explores the profound question of whether technology or humanity is the master, but based on Fan Bingbing's understanding of Feng Xiaogang over the past ten years, this topic doesn't seem to be his forte, and such a task should be left to Li Qiutang in front of him.

Li Qiutang said, "When you film 'Cellphone 2,' your character Wu Yue will return, right?"

But Fan Bingbing didn't seem to have received the news in advance: "I don't know what kind of story it is yet. According to him, the second part should be a completely new story, without Wu Yue's scenes."

It's clear that, at least for now, Fan Bingbing isn't very interested in "Cell Phone 2" and doesn't think the story of the second film has anything to do with the first.

It's a pity that the deal for "The Butterfly Lovers" didn't go through, but Fan Bingbing isn't discouraged. She's not short of acting opportunities for the time being, and she just said, "It's been 10 years since we last worked together, so you still have to remember me."

"Of course, which director in the industry wouldn't want to film you?"

Fan Bingbing took the compliments as a compliment, and before leaving, she added, "Don't just think about your Yifei when there are good movies; take a look at ours too."

Li Qiutang laughed and said, "If you're so capable, say that to her face."

Fan Bingbing smiled and left.

As a traditional film season, the National Day holiday is still highly valued by film companies. This year, films from Berna, Autumn, Guangxian, and LeTV are all scheduled for release.

Before the start of this year's National Day film season, various companies were promoting their films as usual, but something seemed a little off.

The market has begun to predict a downturn for Huayi Brothers, believing that the company's failure during the summer season and its absence from the National Day holiday season demonstrate its declining trend.

"Ye Ning's arrival did not reverse Huayi Brothers' decline. Since the withdrawal of 'Mr. Six' from theaters, Huayi's performance has been declining, and the films released have been lackluster. In March, the company announced plans for more than ten new films, which briefly boosted morale, but could not mask its current weakness. Huayi's strategy of diversifying beyond film is also being questioned by the market. The most crucial thing for Huayi now is to demonstrate to audiences and investors its determination to focus on its core film business, rather than how successful its investments have been."

"Since the beginning of this year, the bubble in film and media stocks has begun to burst, and the stock prices of various companies have continued to fall. Among them, the biggest declines are seen in Wanda and Huayi. The former was affected by the obstruction of its merger and acquisition, but as the largest cinema chain in the country, Wanda's fundamentals remain solid. However, the fate of Huayi is uncertain. Compared to its peak of 900 billion, Huayi's market value has fallen by more than half. In addition, the film performance this year has not been ideal, which will only make things worse for Huayi."

These press releases merely state the current situation and facts; there is no fabrication or smear campaign involved.

However, the timing of these announcements is crucial. During such an important period as the National Day holiday, it would be awkward for any of the major domestic film companies to be absent.

But expecting this little bit of news to do anything to a listed film company is wishful thinking.

However, Huayi Film CEO Ye Ning stepped forward at the appropriate time to respond to these questions.

However, it's still a bit difficult to hear his truth in public. Ye Ning doesn't admit that Huayi's sluggish stock price is solely the company's own problem. He says that the entire film and television media sector is declining, and Huayi is not an exception. The sluggish stock price should not be attributed to the company's inaction.

As for the less-than-ideal performance of the main film business, Ye Ning attributed the responsibility to the nature of the film and television industry: "No one can predict which film will definitely be a big hit; making a profit and losing money is the norm in this market."

They then expressed their determination, stating that Huayi Brothers remains committed to film. "Our goal remains to seek change while maintaining stability, and to build momentum for a breakthrough." They added that although the company will miss the National Day holiday release, it will release "I Am Not Madame Bovary" in November, "The Wasted Times" in December, and a major blockbuster is scheduled for the Spring Festival next year. "Huayi Brothers has become a brand eagerly anticipated by Chinese moviegoers, and we will not be absent."

If Ye Ning is absent from the Lunar New Year/Spring Festival film season, she might as well quit.

Yu Dong wanted to invite Li Qiutang to the premiere of "Operation Mekong", but Chen Zhixi showed up instead.

Chen Zhixi is also an option; she can be half of Qiutian's family.

When Chen Zhixi represented Autumn Pictures at the premiere of "Operation Mekong", Li Qiutang had just finished her day's work and was going home for dinner.

After moving, there are some things I'm really not used to. The environment isn't as spacious as before; the gym, the home theater, the study, and that huge jacuzzi that could fit two people are all gone. Now I have to wait for the elevator to go out.

However, Li Qiutang wasn't being pretentious; she just continued living her life as usual.

I arrived just in time; the mother and daughter were setting the table.

"You're back?" Liu Yifei urged Li Qiutang, "Go wash your hands, dinner is ready soon."

For the family of three, Liu Xiaoli prepared five dishes and a soup and set them on the table.

Li Qiutang looked at the dark-colored thing in front of her: "What is this?"

"Braised mutton, made from a sheep slaughtered that day, it's delicious," Liu Yifei introduced.

When the meal was served, Li Qiutang's first bite was of the mutton.

Salty! Extremely salty!

Moreover, it wasn't braised long enough; the lamb was cooked but not tender, and it was a bit tough to chew.

Things are different now. Li Qiutang now dares to give her mother-in-law feedback: "Mom, this meat isn't cooked well. It's not up to your standards."

Liu Xiaoli smiled and said, "The meat wasn't cooked well today. Try the tofu, it's delicious."

The tofu was delicious.

Liu Yifei put a piece of green vegetable in Li Qiutang's bowl: "Eat more green vegetables."

Li Qiutang took a bite, frowned, but still swallowed it.

Liu Yifei noticed Li Qiutang's expression and asked, "Is it not tasty?"

"It's a bit blurry."

Liu Yifei noticed that Li Qiutang never touched that plate of mutton and vegetables again after that.

After dinner, the couple went for a walk, but Liu Yifei no longer let Li Qiutang hold her hand.

"What's wrong? Who upset you today?"

"You, you've angered me!"

"Don't accuse me wrongly. I go out in the morning and come back in the evening. What did I do to you?"

(End of this chapter)