1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 167 Crazy Woman
In a private cinema in Hollywood, Los Angeles, rows of seats were left empty, with only a few viewers sitting in the front rows, watching "A Better Tomorrow" on the screen with great interest.

The film was re-mastered by transferring the tape from magnetic to plastic, with a slight loss in image quality.

The film was not dubbed but was produced with English subtitles.

A movie plays to the end very quickly.

As the end credits rolled, the lights in the theater came on.

Peng Jiayan sat on the edge of her chair, turned her head, and looked at Michelle Pfeiffer next to her nervously.

And a few other older white guys.

Her stolen bag was delivered to the hotel where she was staying by Michelle Pfeiffer that evening, and the two watched "A Better Tomorrow" together in the hotel.

After watching the whole movie, Michelle Pfeiffer felt that this movie was no worse than "Scarface" and if it was replaced by a white actor, it would definitely be very popular in Hollywood.

When she learned that Peng Jiayan was helping Zhai Yuan find a North American distributor, she didn't say much.

On the third day, which was this morning, Michelle Pfeiffer personally drove to the hotel to pick up Png Ka Yan and brought her to this private cinema.

"Martin Bregman, my personal agent, is also a Hollywood director and producer."

"Michael Wilhite, head of Buena Vista Film Distribution, a subsidiary of Walt Disney."

"Roy Swanson, the film purchasing manager of API Independent Distribution. His boss is Roger Corman."

In addition to these three, there are also heads of several other Hollywood distribution companies.

Only then did Pang Chia-yen realize how many resources Michelle Fei had obtained after she became famous, and how powerful her Jewish godmother was.

At this point, the movie screening ends.

When the lights came on, Peng Jiayan immediately turned her head to look at the expressions of the heads of the distribution companies.

The white guys had different expressions on their faces.

Martin Bregman was the first to say: "This is a typical allegorical film that incorporates the lyrical violence of Sergio Leone and Sam Peckinpah into the Asian style. At least, it is the first Asian film shot in this way that I know of. No wonder it won the box office championship in Hong Kong."

A New Line Cinema executive frowned.

He looked at Pang Ka Yin and asked, "Are Hong Kong filmmakers now capable of making this kind of film? I previously released Chen Shilong's Drunken Master and thought you only knew how to make kung fu films. What's the name of this director?"

Pang Chia-yan said hastily, “The director is Wu Yu-sen, but the person who actually created this story is his boss, a 19-year-old Hong Kong kid named Zhai Yuan.”

"Nineteen years old? You must be kidding." The other party obviously didn't believe it and said, "I have many friends in the film industry in Hong Kong, and I have never heard of this person."

Peng Jiayan smiled and said, "If you ask them now, everyone will know."

The head of New Line wanted to clarify a few more words, but was interrupted by Disney's Michael Wilhite who laughed and spoke.

"Thompson, I can guarantee that what this little girl said is true, because I have dealt with Zhai Yuan's company, and his employees told me last year that Zhai Yuan had just turned 18."

Upon hearing this, Peng Jiayan looked at the person in charge of the new line with pride.

Michael Wilhite continued: "He directed 'The Man From Earth'. You can go back and look at the list of directors. Unfortunately, 'A Better Tomorrow' uses only Asian actors. Although it's well made, the largest audience may be concentrated near Chinatown."

The meaning of this statement is ambiguous.

Michelle Pfeiffer smiled and whispered something to Peng Jiayan, who looked a little embarrassed.

"I can't make the decision."

"What are you afraid of? He sent you to America, so you certainly have the right to make some decisions."

Peng Jiayan wanted to say that she was helping Zhai Yuan find a distributor, but she felt that there was no need to explain further at this point.

"Okay then." She nodded gently to Michelle Pfeiffer.

"Mr. Wilhite, doesn't Walt Disney want to get all the rights to 'The Man From Earth'?"

Michelle Pfeiffer smiled and said, "How about exchanging all copyrights for the distribution of A Better Tomorrow?"

Michael Wilhite smiled and said, "Ms. Michelle Pfeiffer is still straightforward. This is also an option that our company has discussed. If Hong Kong is willing to give us the full copyright of The Man From Earth, Bowei will use more resources to distribute A Better Tomorrow. Although this is a movie starring Asians, we have many distributors and many channels in the federal countries, so it should be able to reap good box office results."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Pang Chia-yan and asked, "So how much share does your boss want?"

Peng Jiayan was slightly distracted when she thought that the first movie shot by Zhai Yuan would belong to someone else.

It was not until Michael Wilhite asked again that she hurriedly said, "According to Hong Kong standards, the theater chain and cinemas will take 40% to 60% of the box office revenue depending on the quality of the film, and then deduct about 20% for copies and publicity, and the rest belongs to the production company."

"Hollywood's publicity and promotion is not that cheap. It costs at least 30% including the copy."

Michael Wilhite frowned and said, "I can give you 15% of the box office share. I can't decide if it's higher than that, and the head office probably won't agree to a higher price."

Just this much?

Peng Jiayan fell silent. She felt that she had to discuss this with Zhai Yuan.

…………

Zhai Yuan, who was far away in Hong Kong, was unaware of Peng Jiayan's conflicted emotions at this time.

At his invitation, he finally met the legendary Anita Mui, who was known as the "most beautiful woman in Mount Wutai".

Twenty-year-old Lan Juying is in the prime of her life.

She was really pretty, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Zhai Yuan knew why she was also known as one of the "Four Mad Kings".

"Are you Zhai Yuan from Jiuyi? Not bad, you're a boss at such a young age."

Lan Juying sat on a chair in the office, crossed her legs, looked Zhai Yuan up and down, and said, "I'm coming to work in your company, so you should give me a play to be the heroine. By the way, I still have a contract with Zhao's. Although they have hidden me now, you still have to help me pay the penalty. In addition, Wu Zhenyu, Liu Qingyun and Li Zixiong also want to come to your company, so you should sign them as well."

Zhai Yuan was stunned for a moment, then he picked up the contract document on the table and flipped through two pages.

Hey, it says here that I am the boss, right? How come this person looks more like a boss than me?

Zhai Yuan asked: "Excuse me, young lady, what is your last name?"

Lan Juying said dissatisfiedly: "Lan Juying, you invited me here!"

Zhai Yuan nodded: "What does Miss Lan do at Zhao's now?"

“It makes me angry just talking about it!”

Hearing this question, Lan Juying frowned and kept on complaining, "I was doing well as the host of "403 Shuttle". I was just late a few times before the New Year, and suddenly I was told that I didn't need to record the show anymore and was told to film a TV series. Well, I filmed a TV series, but not only did I not get the female lead role, I was asked to start from a minor role. Of course I was unhappy."

She said a lot in one breath, licked her lips, and said to Zhai Yuan: "Hey, if you want to hear a story, pour me a glass of water. You are so young and don't know how to entertain guests. Let me make it clear that I don't drink soda. It's full of low-quality saccharin. Just give me plain water."

Zhai Yuan exhaled and forced a smile: "Okay, wait a moment."

Asking the staff outside to pour her a glass of water, Lan Juying took two sips slowly, put down the water cup and recalled the previous topic, and spoke again. "Yes, they asked me to be a curator. Hey, big man, my classmate Liu Jialin has already become the heroine, why should I be a curator? I was upset, so of course I was not in the mood when I started working. As a result, the director not only did not comfort me, but he even dared to be mean to me! I scolded him in public for making a rubbish, which was actually a small matter. Who knew that I would receive a notice of suspension of performance and that they would freeze me for a period of time. It's really nonsense!"

After Lan Juying finished speaking, she took another sip of water and asked Zhai Yuan, "Do you think that what Zhao did was too much?"

Zhai Yuan fell silent.

He thought of what director Ang Lee said when he commented on the Virgin Spring:
I did not get it，I was just in awe
Zhai Yuan probably knew why this beautiful girl ended up in such a miserable state.

She is not destined to be a princess but she has princess syndrome.

Little Weng Meiling.

"I'm sorry, Miss Lan."

Zhai Yuan rolled up his sleeves and glanced at his bare wrists, pretending to be in a hurry: "I suddenly remembered that I have an appointment with a distinguished guest to discuss business. Why don't we stop here today? I'll have the HR department notify you if there is any new news."

Lan Juying raised her eyebrows and stared at Zhai Yuan with her bright eyes, her expression very serious.

Zhai Yuan felt frightened by her gaze. He heard that this woman had mental problems. Would she suddenly pull out a knife?
He leaned back calmly.

Lan Juying still maintained a serious expression, but tears flowed out without warning.

Tears streaked across her delicate face, and her voice became more sobbing: "Am I not a distinguished guest? I came to you from a company as big as Zhao's, just to get a leading actress. Is that too much?"

Zhai Yuan frowned. What kind of crazy thing was this?

He took out two tissues and was about to hand them to the other party.

Lan Juying waved her hands and her tears stopped instantly.

She smiled smugly, and the crying tone in her voice disappeared. "Hey! You were also fooled by my acting skills, right? This shows that there is absolutely no problem with my ability. There is a villain in Zhao's company who is trying to harm me! Tell me, when are you going to Zhao's company to pay off my penalty for breach of contract, and then start a play with me as the heroine?"

"..."

Zhai Yuan felt that the phrase "using beauty to commit crimes" was very suitable for her, but Lan Juying might not think that she was committing crimes deep down in her heart, she just thought that she was beautiful.

Seeing is believing, the four crazy kings are worthy of their reputation.

It is probably a bit difficult to deal with a princess with this degree of princess syndrome. No wonder she was admitted to a mental hospital several times and her family and friends avoided her.

Zhai Yuan felt a little regretful for calling this woman and asking her to come upstairs for the interview.

Damn you! My mind was dominated by my second brother at that time!

Just as I was thinking about how to tactfully get rid of the other party, the landline phone on the table suddenly rang.

Zhai Yuan quickly answered the phone. It was Peng Jiayan calling from overseas.

"Hey, Sister Jiayan~"

Zhai Yuan thought that the call came at the right time. If Lan Juying was tactful, she would have known to avoid it, right?

Unexpectedly, the next second, the crazy woman suddenly stood up from the chair, spread her long legs, walked a few steps to the desk, and slapped the hang-up button of the phone.

In the receiver, Zhai Yuan just heard Peng Jiayan's brief words about overseas release, and then the line was disconnected with a beep.

Lan Juying raised her chin proudly: "I'm asking you a question, and you haven't answered yet, so I'm answering the phone. Is that polite?"

Zhai Yuan looked at her in surprise, his face gradually darkened, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes.

"Ms. Lan, I am officially informing you that there is no suitable job for you at Jiuyi Entertainment. You can leave now."

He suppressed his anger and called back.

Lan Juying noticed that he seemed really angry, so she rolled her eyes and muttered, "Stingy guy!"

He sat back in his original position and said in a commanding tone, “Okay, I’ll give you three minutes. After you finish your call, I’ll give you another chance to reconsider.”

Zhai Yuan held the receiver and ignored her.

On the other end of the line, Peng Jiayan's puzzled voice rang out: "Why did the call get disconnected for no reason?"

"It's okay. I just accidentally hit the hang-up button."

Zhai Yuan's expression eased, and he said with a smile, "How's it going, Sister Jiayan? Have you really found an overseas distributor?"

Peng Jiayan's voice was a little tired, but she couldn't hide her pride: "What if we really find it?"

Zhai Yuan's heart moved, knowing that this matter was likely to work, and he immediately said seriously: "If you really find it, I think you are amazing!"

Peng Jiayan laughed out loud, "Go to hell! Do you think I'm a three-year-old kid?"

Zhai Yuan smiled and asked directly, "Don't tease me, Sister Jiayan. Anyway, my distribution company in Hong Kong has already failed. Did you really expect this?"

Before Peng Jiayan could speak, another woman's voice rang out from the other end of the line: "Hello! Boss Zhai Yuan!"

Zhai Yuan asked: "Who are you?"

The woman said in broken Cantonese and English: "Boss, I'm Michelle Pfeiffer. How could you forget the heroine of your movie?"

Zhai Yuan was stunned and wondered how these two people got together?

Michelle Pfeiffer's voice sounded again, a combination of Chinese and English. With Zhai Yuan's full-level pyromaniac skill, he was able to understand it almost exactly.

She said, "Zhai Yuan, you have to thank Peng Jiayan. She didn't sleep well in the past few days to help you distribute the movie. You know, she has dark circles under her eyes? She was also robbed by black people in Los Angeles..."

As Michelle Pfeiffer was talking, there was a playful voice from the other end of the line, saying that Pang Ka Yan was not allowed to continue and was trying to snatch the phone away.

When Zhai Yuan learned about what happened to Peng Jiayan in Los Angeles, his brows furrowed and his face became a little serious.

Michelle Pfeiffer seemed to have failed to snatch Peng Jiayan. When her phone was taken away, she shouted through the receiver: "Zhai Yuan! You must cherish Peng Jiayan. She must really like you to do this!"

Immediately, Peng Jiayan's scream was heard.

Zhai Yuan listened to their laughter and his frown gradually relaxed.

I was originally planning to buy a ticket to America to help Director Peng get ahead, but it seems that she is in good condition.

"Hey, Zhai Yuan, don't listen to Michelle's nonsense, I..."

Beep!
The disconnection sounded again.

Zhai Yuan's smile froze on his face. He looked up and saw that the crazy woman had come closer to him again, with one finger pressing on the hang-up button.

Lan Juying blinked her big eyes and said with a tone of arrogance, "Three minutes are up~"

(End of this chapter)