I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 395, Wang Lei's Ultimate Bets: A High-Stakes Gamble on Huayi's Equity
Looking back on my life.
Li Xuan discovered that he was always moving forward in one direction without confusion, towards the path of becoming 'famous in the entertainment industry'.

Perhaps my greatest strength is that I have experienced a period of life where I was lost, eating steamed buns in a rented room, and painstakingly honing my acting skills but receiving no reward due to the blockade of capital and circles. Therefore, I know what I want, what I desire, and what goals I want to achieve. I want to stand at the highest point of starlight and let everyone see me, see the ideas I output, and the money and fame I gain.

Live a life with a different attitude.

To seize a position before social classes become rigid.

At the same time, the system also gives me the opportunity to receive more 'extra rewards' while obtaining these, thus boosting my progress.
Moving forward without confusion has shaped who I am today, and now, looking back, I truly believe I was who I am.

Gaining and losing, I've lingered in these things until now.

Now, I have regained my health, gained fame and fortune, and achieved my goals step by step. In the future, I will be able to further influence the health of my loved ones.

I am no longer an unknown nobody.

He is the 'godfather of Chinese science fiction'.

He himself possessed such a title.

Looking back, I realize I've gained so much—things that make me feel 'happy'.

Now, what he is pursuing is the seventh-generation champion title he can obtain in the next wave of major awards. Of course, Li Xuan himself feels that perhaps it is not just that.

When you've achieved a certain status in the Chinese film and television industry, it's time to 'take the crown'.

'Number One in China'

'Number One in the World'

When you reach the peak of your influence and ambition, you'll be facing figures like Zhang Yimou and James Cameron.

Unlike now, it wasn't an upset that happened under pressure.

Rather, it is truly, undeniably, standing in that position—and the resulting fulfillment.
These ambitions and a lack of confusion reside within one's heart.

There are plans for the future, and memories of films like "Interstellar," "The Wandering Earth," and "The Three-Body Problem" float into his mind—but these all require massive resources, especially special effects resources that money can't buy. So Li Xuan feels that he is still far from reaching the 'peak'.

Right now, I want to get involved with those things.
And a step back in commercial blockbusters
At that moment, Li Xuan recalled the suffering he had witnessed while filming "The Age of Awakening," and the trembling feeling it evoked in his heart.

Actually, there is a subject matter. It's a rather heavy subject matter.
A jumble of thoughts, themes, shooting, and plans for these choices.
There is still a lot to think about.
But none of that is for now, not for this very moment. Put those things behind you.

Feeling the soft warmth in his arms, Li Xuan knew for certain that he had gained a lot through his experience in the entertainment industry.

But the girl in front of me, her 'love' for me doesn't come from my own achievements. No matter what achievements I have made, whether I succeed or fail, it's all about Liu Yifei.

Her dedication and love, from the very first glance when she entered the Beijing Film Academy, were already an eternal bond.

Be consistent and unwavering.

The feeling of unchanging.

Just then, the phone rang, interrupting Li Xuan's thoughts.

"I need to take this call."

"Um"

"Hello, Chairman Wang, yes, that's fine."

"Wait a moment, we have guests coming soon." Li Xuan paused and said, "It's Mr. Wang from Huayi and Mr. Zhang Mouzi."

"Well, anyway, there's plenty of time in the future."

Liu Yifei blushed and gently tapped Li Xuan's nose.

There is ample time.

Liu Yifei said with a smile.

"I'll be waiting for you to stand on the highest viewing platform."

"Um"

Besides 'happiness', there is also a feeling of 'bliss'.
One type that Li Xuan really liked was happiness.
A black Audi A8L drove smoothly through the night in Beijing.

In the back seat, Wang Lei closed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knees.

He was still replaying the intense tremor in his mind when his assistant announced the box office figures for "Source Code" the following day.

Forty-five million.

Despite the overwhelming demand from "Avatar", it bucked the trend and rose.

This figure completely shattered his long-held belief in the logic of capital integration.

He believed that capital could integrate everything—channels, publicity, celebrities—and that as long as he held these resources firmly in his hands, he could control the market and produce one profitable product after another.

But Li Xuan showed him with a film that cost 30 million yuan, proving he was wrong.

There is something that capital cannot buy or integrate.

So he made that "small decision".

He wanted to see Li Xuan in person.

He wasn't trying to recruit them from a position of authority, nor was he negotiating as a capitalist... In fact, Wang Lei himself didn't even know what kind of attitude or stance he should adopt in the negotiations.

The car slowly drove into the entrance of Li Xuan's residential area and stopped in front of the security booth. This is the "Happiness Community" in Beiping, located in Chaoyang District. I heard that when Li Xuan bought this place, the price was only a little over 20,000 yuan. Now it has increased many times over. It is considered to be the place in Beiping with the highest increase in housing prices.

Just as the driver was about to speak with the security guard, Wang Lei opened his eyes.

Because he saw that there was another car parked in the other lane.

It was a very understated Phaeton, but he recognized the license plate number very well.

The car window slowly rolled down, revealing a weathered face, yet still with sharp, defined features.

Zhang Mouzi.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze for a second.

Wang Lei's expression was quite interesting.

Zhang Mouzi was also slightly taken aback, clearly not expecting to run into the CEO of Huayi here.

"Director Zhang, what a coincidence." Wang Lei broke the silence first, a smile typical of businessmen, the kind that was hard to tell if he was being genuine or not.

"Mr. Wang." Zhang Mouzi nodded in response, but his expression was much more indifferent. "You're here... to visit a friend?"

Both of them knew perfectly well that there was only one friend in this neighborhood who could simultaneously alarm both of them.

Wang Lei laughed heartily: "Yes, I've come to see a... very interesting young friend. Director Zhang, are you one too?"

"Hmm." Zhang Mouzi replied succinctly, not bothering to say another word.

The atmosphere instantly became a little awkward.

Once upon a time, they were close "comrades-in-arms".

Huayi Brothers invested in and directed several blockbuster films, ushering in the era of blockbuster films in Chinese cinema.

But later, they went their separate ways.

They separated because of interests.

Aside from some occasional business contacts, there isn't much interaction anymore.

Unexpectedly, we've run into each other again on this path today because of a young man.

The guard booth's railings rose, and the two cars, one after the other, drove off in the same direction, seemingly in perfect unison.

Inside the Phaeton, Zhang Yimou's driver glanced at the Audi following closely behind in the rearview mirror and asked in a low voice, "Director, is Mr. Wang from Huayi Brothers also going to see Li Xuan?"

"Otherwise what?" Zhang Mouzi leaned back in his chair, watching the streetlights rushing past the window.

The driver was puzzled: "But... isn't Huayi close to the Beijing entertainment circle? They even helped Zheng Long and his group to praise Li Xuan to death before..."

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Zhang Mouzi's lips.

“In the eyes of capital, there are no friends, only interests. I have known him for a while, so I know what kind of people they are.”

Zhang Mouzi closed his eyes.

"Li Xuan, this amazing young man, perhaps, in the future, he really will become my greatest enemy."

It's not just a sharp blade targeting the Beijing elite, but a real—major enemy.

……

Inside the Audi, Wang Lei was also pondering Zhang Yimou. This national strategist had always been arrogant and haughty.

His current stance is that he is no longer on good terms with the Beijing circle, and he has even started his own "Zhang circle".

"I didn't expect Li Xuan's talent to attract Zhang Mouzi's personal attention. It seems that my previous prediction was correct. Next, I will recruit Li Xuan, and I will consider the price I expect."

The night was unusually quiet. Two powerful figures in the Chinese film and television industry, whose mere presence could cause an earthquake, seemed to be waiting at the door, creating a subtly tense atmosphere.

They both saw what was in each other's eyes.

They all came in person.

This stemmed from the importance attached to Li Xuan.

How long?

There is no such person who is worth our personal visit.
Wang Lei straightened his suit collar, stepped forward, and rang the doorbell.

"Ding-dong-"

The crisp sound of a bell broke the momentary tranquility.

At this moment, Zhang Mouzi and Wang Lei arrived at Li Xuan's place.

Not long after, the doorbell rang.

The visitors were Wang Lei and Zhang Mouzi.

Two figures who are so influential in the Chinese film and television industry that a single stomp of their foot could cause an earthquake are now standing at Li Xuan's door, appearing unusually... down-to-earth.

"Director Li, I hope I haven't bothered you by coming uninvited."

Wang Lei wore a standard businessman's smile, but what lay beneath that smile was more complex than ever before.

It used to be Manager Wang who came.
This time, Chairman Wang came in person, and his tone was less arrogant and more like that of a peer.

Li Xuan could clearly feel that the attitude had become 'equal'.
Zhang Mouzi appeared much more easygoing. He looked around at the furnishings in the room and nodded.

"This place is nice, quiet."

Li Xuan led the two to sit on the sofa, in the spot where Han Ping had sat before.

"Mr. Wang, Director Zhang, please have some tea."

Three people, three cups of tea, and for a moment no one spoke first.

It was Zhang Mouzi who broke the silence first.

He didn't mention Avatar or its box office, but instead talked about Source Code.

"I watched that movie."

Zhang Mouzi's voice is deep and has a unique quality.

"very nice."

He only said those three words, but the weight they carried when he said them was completely different.

"Especially at the end, the soldier's sense of mission and the text message that transcends time and space were handled very well, with our own Chinese flavor in them."

He looked at Li Xuan.

"You're on the right track."

This is a kind of recognition from a senior, without any ulterior motives.

“Over the years, we have been learning from Hollywood, learning their techniques, learning their narrative patterns. The more we try to imitate them, the more we end up like the man from Handan who tried to walk in the same way but ended up losing our own things.”

“You’re different.” Zhang Mouzi put down his teacup. “You’re using their bottles to fill our own wine. The bottle may not look fancy, but the wine is mellow and has a strong aftereffect.”

He paused for a moment, then finally revealed his purpose.

"I'm here today to ask you if you'd be interested in working with me to create something bigger."

"My team and my resources are all open to you. Let's work together to make a movie that can truly compete internationally and stand up to them."

This is Zhang Quan's invitation.

An olive branch from China's top director.

This means that Li Xuan only needs to nod to instantly gain access to the country's top production resources and core network of connections.

This is an irresistible temptation for any young director.
Zhang Mouzi also looked at the young man in front of him seriously, and it was the first time he had ever seen him face to face.

When Zhang Mouzi learned of his achievements, his previous attitude of exploiting him completely changed.
Science fiction film.

He is an absolute rare resource in the industry. Li Xuan is currently the first person to have made a name for himself in domestic science fiction films—so calling him the godfather of domestic science fiction is not wrong.
We need to win him over.
This sharp knife must be used by me.
However, before Li Xuan could respond, Wang Lei next to him laughed.

"Director Zhang, that's a bit unfair of you."

Wang Lei spoke slowly, directly interrupting Zhang Mouzi.

"With Li Xuan's talent, you think you can just use such vague resources to ensnare him? That's not a worthwhile deal."

Zhang Mouzi frowned slightly and looked at Wang Lei.

Wang Lei ignored his dissatisfaction and turned to Li Xuan, his shrewdness on his smiling face no longer concealed.

“Li Xuan, I’m not here today to talk to you about art or sentiments. I’m here to talk to you about a business deal, a… high-stakes gamble.”

Li Xuan picked up the teacup, blew on it to cool it down, and said nothing, gesturing for him to continue.

“Your value, after the battle of ‘Source Code,’ can no longer be measured by a simple director’s contract. I also know that it will be extremely difficult for Huayi to sign you.”

Wang Lei leaned forward slightly.

"So, let's take a gamble."

"For the next movie, you decide the subject matter, you write the script, you choose the actors, and Huayi will fully cooperate. Fifty percent of Huayi's resources are at your disposal. At least, that's all the resources I can mobilize. You know, even if you have talent, if you're going down the science fiction path, a movie like 'Source Code' is still a bit unconventional. You still need more practical technology and resources. Han Ping can't give you these things, but I can. Huayi can give them."

Zhang Mouzi's expression changed when he heard this.

This is quite a gesture.
When he arrived, Zhang Mouzi had guessed that Wang Lei would have a great deal of influence over Li Xuan, but he didn't expect it to be this great!

Li Xuan was also slightly surprised.

"Oh"

“The bet is simple.” Wang Lei held up one finger. “If you lose this movie, whether it’s the box office or the reviews, and it doesn’t meet our expectations, you, Li Xuan, and your team will join Huayi Brothers and sign a ten-year contract.”

The living room was so quiet that the only sound was the kettle boiling water.

Zhang Mouzi thought Wang Lei had gone mad, but what he found even more unbelievable was yet to come.

"What if I win?"

"you win……"

Wang Lei's breathing became heavier as he stared intently at Li Xuan, enunciating each word clearly.

“I will transfer my five percent stake in Huayi Brothers to you free of charge.”

"boom!"

Something seemed to explode in Zhang Mouzi's mind.

He stared at Wang Lei in astonishment, hardly believing his ears.

Five percent of the equity!
What is that concept?
That means Li Xuan will directly become one of the major shareholders of Huayi, a company that almost went public, and the annual dividends alone will be a huge sum.

Wang Lei's boldness, or rather his gambling spirit, made Zhang Mouzi narrow his eyes in disbelief.

"They actually used the exact same price they used to win me over back then."

Does this put me and Li Xuan on the 'same plane'?
However, the words were not finished yet.

Li Xuan's face remained expressionless; he simply placed the teacup back on the table.

Wang Lei continued.

"and!"

"From the day you win, you will have the right of first refusal to purchase any shares of Huayi Brothers! As long as they are in your name."

"!!!"

(End of this chapter)