Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 289 Inviting Gong Li

Wang Jinghua came to meet Cao Jian today, thinking it was to sign contracts for Li Bingbing and Liu Wei.

I never expected that this man would want to poach me?
The entertainment industry in mainland China has been booming in the past two years. She has already established certain connections and networks in mainland China and plans to establish her own film and television brokerage company this year to start making it bigger and stronger.

At this point, Boss Cao proposed a collaboration, and refusing would definitely be a loss of face.

But if I agree, I'm somewhat unwilling.

While she was pondering, she happened to see the information on eight outstanding girls in her hand, and she hesitated again.

These eight girls are all very talented. If I were to become their manager, my reputation in the industry might be even greater.

In that case, we should first listen to the conditions offered by the other party.

After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Mr. Cao, if we cooperate, what will my position be in the company?"

"Manager of the brokerage department."

Cao Jian naturally couldn't let this woman's position be too high. Although he was confident that he could control her, who could guarantee that there wouldn't be any unforeseen circumstances?

"this."

Wang Jinghua was indeed dissatisfied with this position.

I have many artists under my management and resources, and you're just giving me the position of department manager?
At this moment, Cao Jian said calmly, "Add 5% of the company's shares, and the annual salary will be at least 100,000."

"5% 100,000"

Upon hearing this number, Wang Jinghua began to lose her composure.

You should know that the average salary in China these days is only five or six hundred yuan. I've been working as an artist agent for years, and I only make tens of thousands of yuan a year.

This is already considered very high nationwide, considering that actors' salaries are only one or two thousand yuan per episode.

But joining Cao Jian's company, this man's strength needs no further explanation; he is renowned both in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

His decision to establish a film and television company is definitely promising. With 5% of the shares, the annual dividends from the company will certainly not be a small amount.

And an annual salary of 100,000
Just as I was hesitating, Cao Jian continued, "The company I founded, besides my own funds, also has 10% of TVB's shares. You understand the significance of that."

TVB

Now, Wang Jinghua finally understood the significance of a 5% stake.

TVB is a behemoth. With this company as a shareholder, its influence will definitely be enormous. Coupled with Mr. Cao's influence, its future is limitless.

She immediately agreed, "Okay, I promise you."

"Hehe, then I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation."

Cao Jian extended his hand and shook hands with the woman. He then changed the subject and said with a smile, "However, I have one request: you are not allowed to use the company's artists for public relations, and you must sign a ten-year contract."

"what?"

Wang Jinghua was stunned for a moment.

This request is a bit difficult to fulfill.

A ten-year contract isn't a big deal, but why would directors and producers in the entertainment industry give you resources these days? It's all about good public relations.

If you don't allow celebrity PR, how can you get more resources?

Cao Jian said calmly, "My company is one where others have to be subservient to us!"

"Awesome! Amazing!"

Although Boss Cao's tone was very calm, Wang Jinghua was immediately intimidated by the imposing manner of Cao Jian's words.

Is this man's charm and strength?
It seems that cooperating with him was the right decision.

Actually, I don't want to be at the mercy of others, but I have no choice.

Now that I have Boss Cao, I might finally be able to hold my head high in the industry.
After reaching a cooperation agreement with Wang Jinghua, Cao Jian immediately instructed Chen Hong to return to Yanjing to work with Wang Jinghua on the film and television company.

Cao Jian plans to make Chen Hong the manager of the company's film and television department, so that she can become a producer in his place in the future.

After finishing his work at the company, he went to the audition venue, glanced at the screen, and then handed everything over to Qiong Yao before going to find Fan Bingbing.

"Brother, I miss you so much."

As soon as they entered the room, Fan Bingbing pounced on them.

"What do you want me to do?"

Cao Jian asked the question knowingly, but his hand had already begun to climb the peak.

“You’re bad.”

Although Fan Bingbing was shy, she offered her lips.

This girl has potential if trained properly.
Cao Jian is living a happy life, but news about the casting of "My Fair Princess" is still brewing.

After this news was released, reporters from many newspapers flocked to the scene, hoping to capitalize on the media attention. Many of the eliminated actors, in interviews, also stated that the casting process for the production was rigged and completely unfair.

The following day, many newspapers also began to report the news, directly pushing the "Princess Pearl" production team into the spotlight.

Although Qiong Yao knew that Cao Jian had a solution, she was still somewhat worried.

She has contacted Liu Xuehua and asked her to clarify to reporters that she did not get the role after the casting is finalized.

But now things have gotten a bit out of hand, is it enough for Liu Xuehua to speak out alone?

She really hoped Cao Jian would say something; with Director Cao's influence, one sentence from him would be worth a hundred sentences from others.

But Cao Jian has been hanging out with those two vixens, Fan Bingbing and Zhang Baizhi, for the past two days, and hasn't done anything productive.

Two days later, Chen Hong returned from Hong Kong, and Cao Jian finally calmed down a bit.

Meanwhile, the auditions for "Princess Pearl" were also coming to an end.

The main supporting roles in the drama have been basically finalized, with only the two female leads yet to be confirmed.

Since neither of the two female leads has been cast, the media has made a big deal out of it, saying that the female lead has probably already been decided and the audition is just a gimmick, and so on.

Many people in the mainland entertainment industry also wanted to see Cao Jian make a fool of himself.

I think the renowned director Cao's reputation in mainland China is going to collapse this time.

At that very moment, Lin Xinru and Jia Jingwen also quietly arrived in Yanjing to prepare for their costume fitting photos.

However, Cao Jian did not come forward to accept any interviews from reporters. Instead, he was having dinner with Chen Kaige. Also present at the table was Gong Li, who had met Cao Jian before and even worked with him on "Flirting Scholar".

"Sister Gong Li, it's been a long time. You've become more and more beautiful."

Flattery will get you everywhere. When Cao Jian met Gong Li, it wasn't to flatter her, but rather because he thought this woman was not only more beautiful, but also more and more feminine.

"Director Cao is getting more and more handsome. I heard you've become a famous director now. Congratulations!"

Gong Li was very enthusiastic when she saw Cao Jian again.

I used to think Cao Jian was talented and handsome, but now I see he's also rich.

"Haha, my purpose in becoming a director is to work with actresses like Gong Li. This is the driving force behind my continuous efforts."

Cao Jian flattered the woman again, and did so quite skillfully.

Seeing the two of them being so enthusiastic, Chen Kaige, who felt somewhat neglected, felt both upset and helpless.

Who told Cao Jian to be younger and more capable than him?

It's true that women love young, handsome men.

It's no exaggeration to say that Gong Li is now a top-tier movie star in China.

He has won numerous awards, both domestic and international.

The two chatted about the state of Hong Kong and international cinema, finding themselves increasingly compatible. Chen Kaige tried to interject several times, but couldn't get a word in edgewise.

"If I had known, I would never have asked Gong Li to come along."

Since the filming of "Temptress Moon", Director Chen had been interested in this woman who possessed both beauty and acting skills.

For this reason, he did not hesitate to break up with his girlfriend Ni Ping, whom he had been dating for several years and who was already engaged to him.

He tried everything to woo her—gifts, meals, every trick in the book—but Gong Li just didn't show him any interest.

Now that the woman he likes is chatting so happily with Cao Jian, he really regrets bringing Gong Li to the banquet.

However, Director Cao still had to curry favor with him, since the Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony would begin after the Lunar New Year.

"Director Cao, I feel that the development of Hong Kong films has reached a bottleneck. If someone from the mainland steps up and makes a truly commercial film, it might lead to the rise of mainland films."

Gong Li elegantly sipped her wine and shared her views on mainland Chinese films.

"Sister Gong Li, are you reminding me to make a commercial film in the country?"

Cao Jian said with a smile, "Actually, I already have such a plan, but I'm too busy right now. I haven't won any decent awards yet, so I plan to talk about making commercial films next year or the year after."

He had always had the idea of ​​making commercial films in China.

Signing Zhang Ziyi is also a step in preparation for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Although he doesn't particularly like Zhang Ziyi and has seen her photos taken on the beach, her acting skills are undeniable. If no other actress can replace Zhang Ziyi as "Yu Jiaolong," then she is the only option.

"With Director Cao's talent, winning an award shouldn't be difficult. Your film 'Comrades: Almost a Love Story' was very well made and has a great chance at this year's Hong Kong Film Awards."

"Lend your auspicious words."

Cao Jian does want to win an award this year, but he has other goals today.

He picked up his glass, took a small sip, savored the rich flavor, and said with a smile, "I'm planning to make another art film this year, and I'd like to invite you to be the female lead. I wonder if Sister Gong Li would be willing to do me that?"

(End of this chapter)