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

Chapter 396, Han Ping's Shock, the Advantage of Staying True to One's Original Aspirations
"That's quite a generous gesture."

“If the stakes weren’t high, we wouldn’t have let you accept this bet. The requirements for the bet are quite simple, aren’t they? If you can win an award, our investors’ profit margin is 30%, and after winning the award, you get the seventh generation champion title.”

Li Xuan was indeed somewhat surprised.

Li Xuan had heard about Huayi Brothers' situation before, as the previous betting incident involving "The Long Season" had caused some chain reactions.

For example, Huayi Brothers' IPO failed.

Even her little butterfly caused quite a stir.

Theoretically speaking.

Wang Lei must wish he could kill himself.

He actually proposed such a generous betting agreement.

interesting.

"As you know, Huayi, as a capital group, even with only 50% of the resources, possesses advantages that you currently cannot obtain. If you want to make some movies and use our actor resources, you will definitely achieve twice the result with half the effort. After winning, you may even become the master of this leading group."

Wang Lei looked intently at Li Xuan and said, "You'll be tempted, I promise."

"certainly."

That's what Li Xuande admitted.

This performance-based agreement is quite attractive.

"Aren't you afraid of regretting it?" Li Xuan looked at Wang Lei and said, "Losing would come at a great cost to you."

"If I lose under these circumstances, then what's wrong with the price I've paid?" Wang Lei said, squinting his eyes.

at this time.

Li Xuan nodded in agreement.

"Okay, that's the condition, but I have a question."

"what is the problem?"

"Whether I become the seventh-generation leader or not, will it have any direct impact on your interests?"

"That's not something you need to worry about. Anyway, these are the terms of the bet."

"Okay, I'll take the bet."

Wang Lei and Zhang Mouzi then left the residential area.

The two of them stood under the streetlight.

"Your trump card is beyond my expectations." Zhang Mouzi looked at Wang Lei, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Yes, it really surprised me. You know, because of the bet with Li Xuan last time, there's been a lot of dissatisfaction with you within the group. If you insist on going your own way this time, your fate won't be good."

Even the founder.

It's not impossible that they could be forced to leave.

After all, Wang Lei still belongs to the "Beijing circle".

Although he has the capital to be wealthy, there are still many ways to make him submit.

After all, he is above pure businessmen.

There is also the term "red-hat merchant" (a merchant with official connections to the government).

There's also the term "children of high-ranking officials".
"I know what price I will have to pay if I lose. I clearly know this price, and I thought it through before playing my trump card."

Wang Lei smiled at Zhang Mouzi and said, "What, are you afraid that your [Zhang Circle] will be weaker after we have Li Xuan?"

"Hmph, he poses no threat to me, but that might not be the case for the Beijing elite circle, or for people like you who have 'gone down the wrong path'," Zhang Mouzi chuckled.

Wang Lei neither confirmed nor denied it.

'Took the wrong path'.
Close your eyes, then open them.

This time, I won't lose.

Absolutely not.

"Something's fishy going on. Wang Lei, that entertainment industry Brahman who always talks about being from the bottom and outsiders, is probably up to no good."

After learning about the bet between Wang Lei and Li Xuan, Han Ping rushed over as well—his immediate thought was that Wang Lei was up to no good.

"But I have no reason to refuse, Mr. Han."

Li Xuan pondered for a moment.

Han Ping was speechless. Indeed, considering only this condition, from the perspective of the profit-loss ratio, it was indeed a great deal.

However, who knows if Wang Lei is harboring some bad intentions?

Han Ping knew that he and Wang Lei actually had a good relationship, but it was only a private one. Ultimately, he would always put himself in a superior position.

Because of his background and family connections, he naturally assumed that he was superior. This is a microcosm of how many people in Beijing's elite circles refer to those outside the circle as "peasants."
It's highly unlikely that someone like him would sincerely gamble with Li Xuan.
"Even if it's a bad idea, if the returns are high enough, it's worth taking the gamble. Mr. Han, you know that Huayi Brothers can fill the gaps in my life. You know, special effects and some actor resources are all handled by Huayi."

Li Xuan also pondered, considering that Huayi represented the entertainment industry resources and special effects resources—resources that would qualify him to actually shoot 'blockbusters'.

“I know, so I’m not here to stop you, just to remind you.”

"Um"

Han Ping also looked at Li Xuan; in truth, he was also a little dazed.

Back then, Huayi and Wang Lei were both in a position of complete power, wanting to eliminate and suppress Li Xuan. They were in a completely superior position, a superior position in the truest sense.

To recruit, to sign contracts.

Now, Huayi wants to acquire Li Xuan, and is even willing to gamble with the company itself.
The weight that the name Li Xuan represents is truly growing heavier.
"Alright, you've considered your own perspective; the profit-loss ratio is good."

Han Ping paused for a moment and then said, "Let's not talk about anything else for now. There's something I need to ask you to remember, and please don't be angry."

"what's up?"

"The Nebula Award and the Galaxy Award have rejected your nomination."

Nebula Award, Galaxy Award.

These two awards are the pinnacle of the science fiction community; they represent the highest honor a science fiction film can achieve.

The Source Code has made such a big splash in China, earning money and gaining a good reputation. Logically, wouldn't it be a sure thing to submit it for an award and get a nomination?
As a result, Nebula didn't even let them in the door.

They rejected it outright.

The reason is that it's not 'sci-fi' enough.

Shit!
The story of a demolition crew fighting natives in Avatar is sci-fi enough, isn't it?

Isn't this blatant disrespect and suppression? It's just the arrogance of those Westerners towards Chinese science fiction.

Han Ping was a little annoyed. When he came over, he was worried that Li Xuan was too young to handle this humiliation.

After all, the title of "Godfather of Science Fiction" is still very prestigious.

Li Xuan is young and impetuous; it's hard to guarantee he won't have other ideas.

About this question.

Li Xuan was stunned for a moment, then asked very calmly.

"Oh, is that all?"

Han Ping had prepared a whole host of comforting words, but they all got stuck in his throat.

That's it?

Can this be called "just this"?
"Aren't you angry?" Han Ping leaned closer, lowering his voice: "They're obviously messing with you! They've been raving about Avatar to the skies, but you didn't even get a nomination! Can you swallow this?"

Li Xuan laughed, not a sneer, nor a self-deprecating laugh, but simply because he found the whole thing rather amusing.

"Mr. Han, why would I be angry?"

Li Xuan leaned back on the sofa, shifting to a more comfortable position.

"It's their own business to host a banquet and set up a table, and they're free to invite whomever they want. I can't just stop living my life because I didn't receive an invitation from them, can I?"

Han Ping opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

That's the logic, but...

"To put it bluntly, their award is also a business," Li Xuan continued. "Avatar is their own child. They set the special effects and industry standards, so of course they have to praise it as much as possible."

"The power to interpret scriptures is in the hands of others."

Li Xuan spoke lightly, but he explained the intricacies of the matter perfectly.

Han Ping was stunned.

He realized that he had underestimated Li Xuan.

This young man has a much broader mind than he imagined.

Indeed, ultimately, the power to interpret scriptures lies in the hands of others.

"Then what's the point of me making movies?" Li Xuan spread his hands. "To get an award from them and come back to bring glory to my ancestors?"

"No."

"My movies are made for our audience. My business is to make the audience who buy tickets feel that their money is well spent and that they enjoy the show. As long as they recognize my talent, it's better than any Nebula Award or Galaxy Award."

Han Ping was completely speechless.

As he looked at Li Xuan, the anger and resentment in his heart gradually dissipated.

Yes.

They themselves don't care, so why are they so anxious?

Moreover, Li Xuan is right.

Instead of going to someone else's territory to compete, it's better to set your own rules and play your own game.

"Okay, I'm relieved that you think that way." Han Ping breathed a sigh of relief.

Foreign science fiction awards rejected it.

Domestic science fiction awards also refused—however, the Galaxy Awards did give Han Ping a reason that was somewhat acceptable.

Sorry, the Galaxy Awards do not accept works in soft science fiction.

This reason is more formal, and it even includes an apology.

Even though it was formal and relatively respectful, I still politely declined soft science fiction.
Han Ping also wanted to say that these science fiction and literary types were being a bit old-fashioned. With domestic science fiction so weak right now, couldn't they just open the door and promote Li Xuan first?
“Perfect timing.” Li Xuan changed the subject. “I was still figuring out which book to use to accept the bet that Wang Lei offered up. Now that’s perfect, it saves me from getting distracted.”

Han Ping immediately perked up.

"You have an idea? What will you film next? Sci-fi again?" He rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"Huayi has really gone all out this time. If you're still making sci-fi, the money will definitely be more than enough! As for special effects, that bastard Wang Lei does have the best team in the country. We can use them and have a real showdown with those Hollywood guys!"

In his view, you should get up wherever you fall.

Don't foreigners look down on Chinese science fiction?

Then let's make an even more awesome sci-fi movie and throw it right in their faces!
But Li Xuan shook his head.

"Not science fiction for now."

As for science fiction works, Li Xuan wanted to wait until he could acquire Huayi Brothers before considering them. He would only consider them when he could utilize 100% of Huayi's resources. After all, hard science fiction still requires strong special effects technology to support it; otherwise, no matter how elaborate the carving, it wouldn't amount to anything.

Even half of Huayi Brothers' special effects wouldn't be enough; they'd need to have special effects at least on par with "The Forbidden Kingdom."

Li Xuan stood up, took a thin folder from the study, walked back, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Han Ping.

"Mr. Han, please take a look at this first."

Han Ping was slightly curious.

Not science fiction?

What could it be?
Given Li Xuan's current fame and Huayi's resources, anyone would think that he could make a blockbuster film.

Therefore, for the next film to be bet with Huayi Brothers, it needs to meet the standard of having potential in both awards and box office performance.

A film that meets the standard of balancing commercial appeal and artistic merit, "Source Code" has certain advantages in terms of box office and awards.

If Li Xuan were to create another work of the same genre, it would be a relatively safe bet—the only question is whether he would be the seventh generation leader.

He picked up the folder out of curiosity.

The cover is very simple, just a few black words on white paper.

When Han Ping saw those words clearly, he froze.

Five large characters were printed on the cover.

"Dying to Survive".

This name doesn't sound like something out of a blockbuster movie at all.

It doesn't even sound like a movie title.

"This is... your next movie?"

"Mm." Li Xuan nodded.

"Use this... to gamble with Wang Lei?"

"Correct."

Han Ping looked at the notebook in his hand.

A small business owner selling Indian herbal oil health products, due to a lack of money, accidentally became a smuggling agent for Indian generic anti-cancer drugs.

A group of leukemia patients waiting for medicine to save their lives.

A police officer struggling between the law and human sentiment.

There were no spaceships, no time travel, and no earth-shattering explosions.

Yes, but only the lowest, most marginalized, and most struggling little people.

Han Ping slowly closed the folder and placed it on the coffee table with a soft sound.

He looked up at Li Xuan, his expression extremely complicated.

"Li Xuan, I admire your... vision."

Han Ping's voice was deep; he wasn't being sarcastic, but speaking from the heart.

Pointing the camera at these corners forgotten by mainstream society, at these ordinary people struggling on the brink of life and death, requires immense courage and compassion.

As a filmmaker, Han Ping deeply respects this choice.

"but……"

"Business is business."

Han Ping leaned forward slightly and tapped his finger on the coffee table.

"Don't forget what you signed with Wang Lei. It was a gamble! A gamble on Huayi's equity, a gamble on your freedom for the next ten years!"

"You're gambling with such a subject? A script that focuses on marginalized people and is permeated with a 'depressing' atmosphere throughout—tell me, where is its commercial advantage? Where will its box office come from?"

Han Ping's voice wasn't loud, but every word he uttered was delivered with great force.

"You won with 'Source Code,' a beautiful victory, but that was because you took an unconventional approach, winning through clever storytelling. This time is different! Wang Lei has staked half of Huayi Brothers' resources on you, wanting you to make a commercially successful blockbuster that can make money and win awards."

"This isn't confidence, it's playing with your future!"

"To reach that level, you'd need a work of the caliber of 'Hidden in the Dust,' but that won't win the bet."

Han Ping finished speaking in one breath, picked up his teacup and took a big gulp, his chest still heaving.

He felt that Li Xuan was blinded by the success of "Source Code" and forgot the harsh realities of the film market.

Although Han Ping initially expected Li Xuan to specialize in the arts, this time "Source Code" showed him more possibilities, giving Li Xuan more expectations and resources.

At the same time, the film also participated in a performance-based agreement.

This is also important.

Betting.

A ten-year bet!
Li Xuan remained silent, listening quietly without any change in expression.

After Han Ping finished speaking, he slowly began to speak.

"Mr. Han, you're absolutely right."

Han Ping was taken aback.

“From a business perspective, every word of your analysis is correct.” Li Xuan nodded. “This script, from its subject matter to its characters, is practically a box office poison.”

"Then why are you still..." Han Ping was even more puzzled.

"The primary driving force was the desire to film; it's my need for expression, as you know."

Li Xuan's voice was very soft.

My thoughts drifted back to a few months ago, to the green train I took on my way from Beijing to the set of "The Age of Awakening".

The carriage was filled with a mixture of sweat, instant noodles, and various other indescribable smells.

In the aisle, a middle-aged man squatted on the ground, holding a little girl who was so thin she looked unrecognizable.

The man was dressed reasonably well, but his eyes were empty, a numbness born from being completely drained by life.

He coaxed the child in his arms again and again in an almost inaudible voice: "Baby, be good, just bear with it a little longer. We'll be saved when we get to the capital. Daddy will find you the best doctor in the capital..."

The little girl didn't cry or make a fuss. She just stared at the fields rushing past the car window with her big eyes open, her eyes devoid of light.

Li Xuan was sitting not far from them at the time, and he heard the people around him talking.

"...Leukemia, there's no cure."

"...I heard there's an imported drug that costs tens of thousands a month, I can't afford it."

"...Going to the capital is useless; it's just something to look forward to."

The man ignored everyone's comments from beginning to end, just holding his whole world in his arms, squatting in the swaying carriage.

Li Xuan snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Han Ping in front of him.

"Mr. Han, what is my purpose in making movies?"

He asked himself the question and answered it.

"I want fame, I want fortune, I want to stand at the top, I want all of these."

"But if it's just for these things, I could easily copy 'Source Code' or make a more dazzling sci-fi film; that would be safer and would yield 'something similar'."

"But I'm a very impatient person. Even my previous work will become a stepping stone for my next one."

"I want to make science fiction films, but I want to focus my resources on making 'higher' science fiction films, like the hard-hitting, real science fiction films required by the Galaxy Awards, rather than feature films that simply use a concept."

Secondly, it focuses on marginalized figures.

"I've seen their eyes. That kind of despair—wanting to live but unable to afford to."

“Wang Lei, and those people in the Beijing circle, they are high and mighty, they think that movies are just a game of capital, and that the audience are puppets that can be analyzed by data and manipulated by publicity. They can’t see those people, or rather, they disdain to watch them.”

"So, I just want to film it for them to see. This is my advantage, my advantage as someone who has grown from a nobody to where I am today."

Li Xuan stood up and paced around the living room.

"I want to make a film about these marginalized people."

"It's impossible for me to forget my identity after gaining fame and fortune. I will always remember that I was an extra from Hengdian."

Han Ping was completely stunned.

Looking at Li Xuan in front of him, he suddenly felt that his previous analysis of business logic was so pale and laughable.

This reason convinced Han Ping.

He was somewhat ashamed, so he was persuaded.

She was still thinking about Wang Lei's arrogance.

In truth, aren't I just like that person?

Han Ping always considered himself a big shot.

But standing in front of Li Xuan, I unexpectedly felt that I was a little short. I really did have that feeling.

"Mr. Han."

Li Xuan stopped and turned around.

"I'm going to use this to beat Huayi and win the seventh-generation champion title."

"I want everyone to understand that a truly great movie is not about how expensive the special effects are or how big the scenes are."

"But it can tell a story that touches people's hearts."

(End of this chapter)