How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 469 Disdain

As the Spring Festival draws closer, the streets are decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the whole place is red, creating a festive atmosphere.

When Zhang Wen arrived at the company, many tasks were already being completed. Everyone was chatting and laughing, discussing their plans for the Spring Festival. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than usual.

Good morning, Deputy Director Zhang!

Upon seeing Zhang Wen, the training department staff all stopped their previous conversation and took the initiative to greet him.

"morning!"

Zhang Wen nodded in response to each of them.

Since he was appointed as the deputy director of the training department, everyone's attitude towards him has returned to its previous enthusiasm.

No, it's more enthusiastic than ever before.

Previously, everyone thought that he had offended the general manager and would definitely be punished. Now that they see that the general manager not only did not punish him but also promoted him, they naturally assume that he has reconciled with the general manager and has gained the general manager's favor.

It's like the top salesperson in a company; even if they're late, leave early, or yell at the boss, the boss has to pretend they didn't hear it, and when they see it later, they still have to smile and talk to them.

He didn't care about this change in attitude; wherever there are people, there is a social dynamic, which is perfectly normal.

Zhang Wen pushed open the door and walked into the office. He now had his own independent office, which, although small, was fully equipped.

Most importantly, once the door is closed, he can do whatever he wants without caring about other people's opinions.

Just as he turned on his computer, ready to continue writing the script, his phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the phone lying next to him; the screen showed a call from Chen Mingyuan.

Since Li Lehua appointed him as deputy director, Chen Mingyuan rarely contacted him at the company. The two usually communicated by phone or arranged to meet at a coffee shop to discuss business, all in an attempt to lull Li Lehua into a false sense of security.

"Good morning, Mr. Chen," Zhang Wen said after answering the phone.

"Good morning, Director Zhang." Chen Mingyuan's voice was somewhat cheerful, then he deliberately lowered his voice and said, "I had dinner with some old friends last night, and someone said that Liu Haiyang has been looking for scripts everywhere recently, and even offered a sky-high reward of ten million. Did you know that?"

"Really?" Zhang Wen was slightly taken aback; he had never heard of it before.

However, with so many screenwriters and a large reserve of scripts at Tianxi Media, why is Liu Haiyang now seeking scripts everywhere and even offering a reward of ten million? Has he been provoked?

and many more!

Could it be that Liu Haiyang knows the board intends to let Chen Mingyuan take over the film and television production department and is preparing a TV series project, so he also wants to do something big and outdo Chen Mingyuan?

"It's true. I came to the company today to inquire. Liu Haiyang is not only asking for scripts, but also preparing the production team. He's even found the actors, and filming will start in the spring," Chen Mingyuan said seriously.

"It seems Mr. Liu wants to challenge you," Zhang Wen said.

Offering a reward of ten million for a TV drama script is an astronomical price, even he was tempted. You know, "Perfect Days" only sold for about four million back then.

It seems they were driven to desperation.

However, Liu Haiyang sought scripts everywhere but didn't come to him, which clearly showed that he looked down on him and had no confidence in the TV series "Perfect Days".

"That Liu Haiyang, even on his deathbed, he still tried to kick me. He's so despicable," Chen Mingyuan said irritably, then, as if suddenly remembering something, added, "By the way, Director Zhang, how's your script coming along?"

"What, Mr. Chen, do you not have confidence in me?" Zhang Wen asked with a smile.

This is probably the real reason why Chen Mingyuan made this call.

The other party panicked after seeing Liu Haiyang's script with a huge reward, unsure if they could win the competition, so they called him for some comfort.

The unspoken message: Are you sure you can handle this? If not, don't force it. We can offer a huge reward.

"No, Director Zhang, I absolutely didn't mean that," Chen Mingyuan hurriedly explained. "I just wanted to ask about your writing progress. We can't lose to Liu Haiyang, can we?"

"Don't worry, when Liu Haiyang needs a script but doesn't come to me, he's destined to lose," Zhang Wen said, his words brimming with domineering confidence.

Chen Mingyuan was surprised that the other party was so confident. Although he didn't know where this confidence came from, he still chose to believe the other party.

Who can blame them when the other party is truly talented?
Perhaps he can bring his musical talent to a TV drama script and then shock the television industry in a way that shocks the music industry.

"Okay, I look forward to your script. When the TV series airs, I'll definitely give you a big red envelope," Chen Mingyuan said generously.

Zhang Wen didn't expect that this guy surnamed Chen would also start making empty promises, but he believed what the other party said, only on one condition: that the TV series had high ratings.

If the ratings are low, forget about giving him a red envelope; you'd be lucky if they didn't plant a bomb on him.

"Dang Dang Dang!"

Just as Zhang Wen put down his phone, there was a knock on the office door.

"Please come in."

"Crack!"

The door opened, and the person who entered was none other than Liu Haiyang.

It's true what they say, speak of the devil, and he appears.

"Mr. Liu, what brings you here?" Zhang Wen stood up, looking surprised. "What's the matter? You could have just given me a call, and I would have come to your office."

"I was just passing by and stopped by to check on things. Hope I didn't disturb your work?" Liu Haiyang asked cheerfully.

"No." Zhang Wen shook his head and gestured for the other person to sit down.

He didn't believe a single word the other party said.

Passing by?

His office isn't next to the vice president's office, so why would he pass by it for no reason?
Huh?
Zhang Wen suddenly remembered the phone call from earlier. Chen Mingyuan said that Liu Haiyang had been looking for scripts everywhere recently. Could it be that he couldn't find a script he liked, so he came to him specifically?

If that's the case, should he make a profit of ten million or not?

If you don't make money, wouldn't you become a bastard?
He doesn't want to be a bastard.

"Teacher Zhang, this is my first time here since you became the deputy director of the training department. How are you doing? Are you settling in?" Liu Haiyang asked after sitting down, without any airs, as if he were having a casual chat.

"That's great, everyone is very cooperative with my work," Zhang Wen said after hearing this, while thinking to himself: How can anyone not adapt to being a leader?
Let alone a mere deputy director, he could adapt instantly even if he were made general manager.

"Well, if there's anything you don't understand, you can go to Director Xu or me. By the way, how's the post-production of the TV series 'Perfect Days' going?" Liu Haiyang changed the subject, showing interest in something else.

"It'll be soon. I was chatting with Director Han the other day, and he said it would definitely be finished before the Spring Festival, which should be in the next few days," Zhang Wen said.

Liu Haiyang nodded. Today is February 13th, the 2th of the lunar calendar. The Chinese New Year is just around the corner, isn't it?

"Have you been in contact with director Han Xiaohua recently?" Liu Haiyang asked after thinking for a moment.

“Recently? No.” Zhang Wen shook his head.

He's been busy with special training courses lately and hasn't contacted director Han Xiaohua for almost half a month.

“I remember when we were on the set of ‘Perfect Days,’ Director Han always called you ‘Brother Zhang.’ It seems you two got along quite well,” Liu Haiyang said.

"It's alright, mainly because Director Han is approachable," Zhang Wen said with a smile, but he was secretly wondering, "Didn't we come here to ask him for a script? Why is he always mentioning Han Xiaohua?"
Liu Haiyang's expression froze upon hearing this. Who in the entire film and television industry doesn't know that director Han Xiaohua has a fiery temper? Especially on set, from TV Kings and Queens to extras and special effects actors, no one has ever escaped being scolded.

Approachable? That's only for you.

However, when he thought of Director Han Xiaohua's special attitude towards Zhang Wen, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

"Teacher Zhang, I have something I'd like to ask you for a favor." Liu Haiyang's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression.

"Mr. Liu, you're too kind. Just let me know if you need anything," Zhang Wen said with a smile, thinking to himself: Finally, they're getting to the point.

He could almost see ten million beckoning to him.

"cough!"

Liu Haiyang cleared his throat before saying, "It's like this, I have a TV series project and I'd like to invite Director Han to direct it. I heard that you were the one who invited him and successfully persuaded him to direct the TV series 'Perfect Days'. Could you go again and invite him for me? I will definitely thank you properly after it's done."

Zhang Wen stared blankly at Liu Haiyang, completely withdrawn.

He had assumed the other party was there to buy a script, but it turned out they wanted him to persuade Han Xiaohua to direct their new drama.

Nima!

Looking down on him and then asking him for help—isn't that bullying an honest person?

"President Liu, why aren't you going? You're the deputy general manager of Tianxi Media, you carry more weight than me." Zhang Wen's attitude changed abruptly, and the smile in his eyes disappeared.

He had already planned to invite Han Xiaohua to direct his next drama, so why would he go and invite her for him?

Hum, dreaming!

"My relationship with Director Han was just so-so to begin with, and then the bullying incident on set caused a lot of unpleasantness between us. If I went, I would only be rejected, and there was no hope at all," Liu Haiyang said with a wry smile.

I remember on the last day of filming, after he went to the set, Han Xiaohua ignored him from beginning to end, as if she didn't see him at all.

At the time, he felt that the cooperation was over, so he didn't apologize or anything. He figured if they ignored him, it wouldn't hurt him anyway.

However, he recently took a liking to a script, which is an urban youth drama, and among the directors who make urban youth dramas, Han Xiaohua is undoubtedly the best.

To win the contest against Chen Mingyuan, the setup naturally needs to be top-notch.

If we could get Han Xiaohua to join us, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.

“Mr. Liu, actually, I don’t hold as much importance in Director Han’s eyes as you think. You’re a senior, so you should know very well that many people become brothers on set, but strangers once they leave. Think about it, I’m just a junior screenwriter, while Han Xiaohua is a famous director. Do you think he would give me face?” Zhang Wen also gave a wry smile.

He thought he had made his refusal very clear, but Liu Haiyang was still persistent.

“Teacher Zhang, why don’t you give it a try? How will you know you’ll be rejected if you don’t go? Actually, I think Director Han has a good impression of you. Even if he can’t agree immediately, he will seriously consider it.”

"..."

Zhang Wen thought to himself: Why don't you try it yourself and let me try? Doesn't my face matter?

He realized that the old man was determined to make him go find Han Xiaohua. It wasn't that he didn't understand, but that he was forcing him to go even if he did.

Zhang Wen thought about it and realized that he was actually planning to go to Director Han's studio recently. Rather than being harassed by the man surnamed Liu, he might as well shut him up once and for all.

"Alright." Zhang Wen nodded, feigning reluctance. "President Liu, it's only because it's you. If it were anyone else, even if it were Li Lehua or Chen Mingyuan, I wouldn't agree."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haiyang immediately smiled and said, "Teacher Zhang, thank you. If you go, Director Han will definitely agree."

"Mr. Liu, you're putting pressure on me. If Director Han doesn't agree, does that mean I can't go back to the company?" Zhang Wen sighed deeply after saying this.

"No, whether Director Han agrees or not, I will remember this favor." Liu Haiyang said, patting his chest.

"If Mr. Liu says so, then I feel no pressure." Zhang Wen's face broke into a smile again.

"I'm already very grateful that you can go, how could I put pressure on you?" Liu Haiyang said sincerely.

Zhang Wen smiled and said nothing more.

Liu Haiyang also smiled.

The two looked at each other, neither of them speaking, and the room suddenly fell silent.

Zhang Wen blinked, a hint of doubt in his eyes. Hadn't he already finished speaking? Was there something else?

Liu Haiyang instantly understood the look in his eyes, coughed lightly, and then said, "Teacher Zhang, when do you plan to go to Director Han's place? The New Year is coming soon, I think it would be better to go sooner rather than later."

Zhang Wen chuckled inwardly. What do you mean by "go early"? You just want him to go now, don't you?

hypocritical!

“Okay, I’ll go now.” Zhang Wen said, extending his hand to the other person.

Liu Haiyang was taken aback when he saw it, then grasped the hand and said with a smile, "Teacher Zhang, I wish you every success."

Zhang Wen's lips twitched slightly. He waited for the other person to release his grip before saying, "Mr. Liu, the script."

"script?"

"Yes, how could I convince Director Han without a script?"

Liu Haiyang slapped his forehead. He had been so focused on having Zhang Wen persuade Han Xiaohua that he had forgotten that Han Xiaohua also needed to read the script.

"Look at my memory, I'll go back to the office and get it right now."

After saying that, he got up and left the office.

Zhang Wen was speechless.

They didn't even give him the script, yet they want him to persuade Han Xiaohua. Are they planning to use his persuasive skills to get him to talk his way out of trouble?

A few minutes later, Liu Haiyang hurriedly walked in from outside, carrying a file folder in his hand.

"Teacher Zhang, here you go, this is the new work of the famous screenwriter Jiang Ke."

Zhang Wen didn't know who Jiang Ke was, but judging from Liu Haiyang's confidence in the script, he figured that this screenwriter Jiang was definitely not an ordinary person.

He took the file bag, picked up his coat, and walked out of the office.

Liu Haiyang immediately followed, ostensibly to see him off.

From the office to the elevator, from the training department to the underground parking lot, it's almost as if they're driving people directly to Han Xiaohua's studio.

"Teacher Zhang, thank you for your help. I'll be waiting for your good news at the company," Liu Haiyang said, waving his hand.

Zhang Wen nodded, opened the door and got into the car, thinking: There must be news, but it won't be good news.

……

(End of this chapter)