I'm just trying to ride the wave of popularity!

Chapter 230 The King Returns!
3:00 AM on October 8th.

It's drizzling in Shanghai.

The office lights of [Starlight Cinema] are as bright as day.

The latest box office figures are on the desk of boss Deng Shufu.

Since its premiere on April 15, The Lord of the Rings, a globally anticipated Hollywood epic fantasy blockbuster, has not disappointed at the box office.

The film grossed 3.1 million RMB in China, setting a new record, and its global box office surpassed an astonishing 5.8 million USD, becoming a new milestone in the fantasy film genre!
Meanwhile, another domestic film, *The Lord of the Rings: The Two Rings*, grossed over 1.07 million RMB in China, becoming not only China's first film with a "racing" theme, but also generating a media frenzy in China...

But what truly shocked Deng Shufu was the bolded text at the bottom of the report: "[The film's occupancy rate exceeded 110% for 15 consecutive days. Although the average revenue per screen was only one-third of that of 'The Lord of the Rings,' the total profit per screen, including various peripheral toys and beverages, was about 0.1 times higher than that of 'The Lord of the Rings.']"

The rain outside the window is getting heavier and heavier.

Without IMAX theaters, without prime-time slots, and even with half of the copies being pirated and then legalized overnight with handwritten serial numbers, this grassroots film, with a budget less than a fraction of Hollywood productions, managed to carve out a path to success despite being blocked by the five major film studios…

"Boss, Tianyu Media and three other Chinese film companies have issued an ultimatum!"

"They demanded that we sign a 'strategic' blockade agreement..."

"If, after signing the agreement, the four companies are willing to increase their profit margins for all the films they release next, and raise our future box office revenue share to be on par with the three major cinema chains..."

"Furthermore, this will also apply to future Hollywood film revenue sharing; the contract will be indefinite..."

"Besides that, they promised to forgive all our previous secret collaborations with Zhou Yang, and they could even coordinate to have the capital behind the three major cinema chains invest in us and help us rise to prominence without interfering with our sovereignty..."

"The prerequisite is that we withdraw from the [Independent Cinema Alliance]..."

"..."

The pattering rain outside the window echoed in Deng Shufu's ears.

Deng Shufu lit a cigarette, squinted, and scanned the documents his secretary handed him.

Apart from [Washington Brothers], all the other cinema chains contacted them immediately today, and promptly presented them with their film plans for the following year of 2004, as well as their Hollywood film release plans, demonstrating their sincere commitment...

Chen Kai's new movie "Extreme" from Tianyu Media is so prominently featured on the list that it reminds Deng Shufu of the nationwide sensation "Farewell My Concubine" from the late 90s.

Besides this film, a long list of films by renowned Chinese directors are set to be released in the second half of the year, all of which are directed by famous directors from the fifth generation who have previously created box office records...

Watching one movie after another, I turned my attention to another Hollywood film after another…

Deng Shufu closed his eyes slightly, suddenly feeling a sense of irony.

If Zhou Yang hadn't appeared and broken the blockade and shackles, how could those high and mighty Chinese film companies and the three major cinema chains in China have compromised, and how could they have shown such a "sincere" and friendly attitude towards these small cinema chains?
"Also, just now, I heard that Tianyu Media and Huasheng Brothers have respectively acquired the rights to the Japanese tokusatsu films 'Ultraman' and 'Ultraman.' Merchandise companies all over the country are eager to participate. They've also promised that once the films are released, they can share the purchased rights, meaning they can give us a portion of the profits..."

"At the same time, investors have also indicated that they are willing to consider investing if you agree..."

"Isn't this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you?"

After the secretary finished speaking, Deng Shufu still showed no emotion and fell silent.

He vaguely remembered that over the past two years, President Li had been going around negotiating terms and revenue sharing with five cinemas for the future of [Starlight Cinemas]. He even spent every day at banquets with various investors, hoping that they would see their potential and invest in their cinema chain, thus creating a miracle of becoming one of the three major cinema chains in China...

However, with the rise of China's three major cinema chains, all the big capital is waiting for these three chains to go public, or at least for the top-ranked chains. They have no interest in small and medium-sized cinema chains like theirs at all...

After a long silence, Deng Shufu stubbed out his cigarette.

Immediately afterwards, to the secretary's shock, he crumpled up all the documents handed over by the four major film companies and threw them into the trash can.

"Those who carry firewood for the masses should not be left to freeze to death in the wind and snow! Since we've already placed our bets, we should go all the way!"

"But……"

“Tell them that they can come and talk if they want to cooperate, but the premise is that we start from the same starting line. We will not ban Zhou Yang's future films, and we will not withdraw from the Independent Cinema Alliance! What kind of people are they to ban and shut down films whenever they want?”

"But what if Zhou Yang can't hold on... Right now, the power in Chinese cinema is entirely controlled by these five major cinema chains, we..."

"That's precisely why we must never bow our heads!"

Li Shufu closed his eyes: "I don't care what others do, even if they withdraw completely, ban all our Hollywood and Chinese film sources, and only cooperate with Zhou Yang, I will not back down! At worst, I'll change careers!"

"Can……"

"The more they act like this, the more it shows they're afraid! They already know they can't control Zhou Yang right now, and they know even more that Zhou Yang is about to be seated at the table!"

Li Shufu took a deep breath and squinted his eyes!

....................................

"The theaters are no longer listening to us!"

"Of the 14 cinema chains in the [Cinema Alliance], 5 have expressed interest in cooperation, but they need some time to consider it..."

"Of the other nine, apart from Zhou Yang's three cinema chains, the other six have a very clear attitude: they have only one demand, that is, they want our movies too, and they want Zhou Yang's movies too! They just want to make money equally!"

"..."

early morning.

【Tianyu】

Film department.

Zeng Qiang, who was in charge of coordinating cinema chains and was also the head of the copyright department, received a phone call.

Upon receiving the call, Zeng Qiang's expression changed slightly!
The box office performance of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Rings" made him realize a feeling of being out of control.

Before leaving Huaxia while Xu Haibo was overseas, he also talked to him and expressed his concerns about the future.

So during this period, Zhou Yang has been running around among various film companies, hoping to unite with the other five major film companies and three major cinema chains again, even if it means giving up some profits, just to suppress Zhou Yang. After all, if they don't suppress him now, there will be no hope at all!

This guy is about to come up and grab the food. There's only so much food on this plate to begin with, and if another person comes to eat, isn't that ridiculous?
The communication went smoothly. Except for Liu Jinghua of Huasheng Brothers, who hesitated, the other three major cinema chains and film companies all agreed to give up a portion of their profits to the small and medium-sized cinema chains.

When he received the promise and excitedly contacted the theater owners in the so-called "Independent Theater Alliance," revealing their companies' upcoming film plans and profits...

The one-sided scenario I had imagined did not materialize!

instead……

The result was beyond his expectations!

Those small cinemas that were once timid and submissive have suddenly become bolder and have openly rebelled!
"Those damned guys!"

"Oh shit!"

"His appetite is bigger than the sky!"

"That damn Liu Jinghua, what the hell is he thinking? He's not really going to cooperate with Zhou Yang, is he?!"

After seeing the feedback from these cinemas, Zeng Qiang gritted his teeth in anger.

Immediately afterwards, he dialed the number for [Huashang Brothers].

"Mr. Liu, what time is it!"

"Zhou Yang is about to sit down and eat!"

"Don't you know yet, huh!"

"..."

........................

【Huashang Brothers】

Liu Jinghua stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, silently gazing into the distance.

A light drizzle fell in the distance, shrouding the entire city of Yanjing in a hazy mist. She listened to Zeng Qiang's almost roaring voice on the other end of the phone, but did not respond immediately.

On the desk next to him lay the final box office report for "The Lord of the Rings": 3.1 million RMB. A number that should have been a cause for celebration with champagne, it now evoked particularly complex feelings in him.

"Mr. Liu! Did you hear what I said?" Zeng Qiang's voice pierced through the receiver, growing increasingly agitated: "Those opportunists in the cinema alliance are all raising prices on the spot. They think they have a chance to compete with us, and they've already started to take advantage of us!"

She remained silent, instead turning her gaze to another report on "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Rings" on the table. This film, which she had once considered a "knock-off," had somehow managed to carve out a path to success despite being besieged by the five major studios...

Moreover, according to her latest information, at this very moment, Zhou Yang is at the Hollywood company [Paimon] discussing a collaboration...

The specifics of the collaboration are unclear, but through Catherine's connections, I've already met Mark from Paimon's side.

Although Mark is not a core executive at Paimon, his position within the company is not low, and he wields considerable influence in the market…

"Mr. Liu?"

"I'm listening," she finally spoke, her voice slightly hoarse. At this moment, she stood before the most difficult choice.

The sound of papers turning over came from the other end of the phone, sounding quite shocked: "I just received news that negotiations for the distribution rights of Paimon's 'Disaster' have been temporarily suspended! President Xu said he met Zhou Yang at Paimon's headquarters. I don't know how this guy got in touch with Mark Wilson... The situation is getting worse and worse for us. At this time, we need to unite!"

The rain suddenly intensified, pattering against the glass.

Liu Jinghua's expression remained unchanged: "Give me some time to think about it..."

"There's no time to lose. You guys need to take the lead. You're currently the highest-valued entertainment company in China, and you're the ones who will suffer the most direct and indirect losses!"

"Mr. Liu, as long as your company announces that every step from now on will be in sync with our [Tianyu], then we can definitely crush this guy! Mr. Xu said that we'll work together to take down Hollywood's 'Disaster,' and then we'll collaborate on all our films... crush the other companies, and then we'll eat the rest of the pie ourselves!"

"Of course, the first thing is to kill Zhou Yang. He's a wolf. If we don't give it to him, he'll come and snatch it as long as he's alive!"

"..."

After listening, Liu Jinghua remained silent for a long time before shaking his head: "I'll give you an answer tomorrow afternoon!"

"it is good!"

After hanging up the phone, Liu Jinghua sat silently in her chair, lost in thought.

If they can truly suppress Zhou Yang this time, that's fine. But if they fail to completely shut him down, then...

Not only will it waste their resources, but it will also make them a laughing stock!
She once dreamed of monopolizing the entire Chinese film industry in the future...

However, the reactions from relevant departments these days have made her feel increasingly uneasy.

While seemingly not helping any company, they actually appear to be secretly watching this farce unfold...

"hold on!"

After much deliberation, Liu Jinghua made a decision.

"At least, wait until Zhou Yang comes back from Hollywood!"

..............................

The whole day of May 8th.

Liu Jinghua has not made any promises to Tianyu Media and has been waiting all along.

A series of messages from Hollywood made her vaguely realize that Zhou Yang's return this time might involve big moves!
During this time, she heard some news...

Under the lure of capital, some cinema owners in Zhou Yang's "Cinema Alliance" signed a "strategic blockade agreement" and announced their withdrawal from the "Alliance." There were a total of three cinema chains involved.

In other cinemas, the die-hard faction, led by Deng Shufu, insisted on cooperating with Zhou Yang, slamming their fists on the table in the meeting room and roaring, "If we back down today, we'll lose all our say tomorrow! We can't back down any further!"

What seemed like a dramatic "ban" turned out to be a farce, ending in such a hasty manner.

Liu Jinghua received many phone calls, some of which contained accusations, but she did not say anything or refute them.

Instead, he continued to wait in the office for news from Zhou Yang!
Until the early morning of May 9th!
"Mr. Liu, breaking news."

The sound of the secretary entering the door startled her slightly, and she instinctively stood up.

“Speak!” she said, staring at her secretary.

"Zhou Yang has confirmed his arrival at the Capital Airport at 10:00 AM tomorrow. It seems Paimon has added a new clause to the 'Disaster' movie, confirming a non-exclusivity clause in the distribution agreement." The secretary's voice suddenly became urgent: "This means that any company that acquires the rights to 'Disaster' cannot prevent Zhou Yang's theaters from showing the film!"

Liu Jinghua was slightly startled, then stared intently at the information coming from the front lines.

After confirming the information, her pupils contracted sharply!

"besides……"

"What else?"

"Twilight director Catherine Smith has publicly stated that she will give priority to collaborating with Zhou Yang on the film's distribution rights!"

boom!
Liu Jinghua trembled all over!
It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in my ears, making the documents on my desk tremble.

She thought she was prepared for any storm!

But this thunderbolt came so suddenly and unexpectedly...

It shook her very soul!
"And there's more!" The secretary's voice trembled, and she stopped abruptly, as if she had seen something even more shocking!
"Say it all at once!"

"..."

..........................................

In the lounge of a villa in Shanghai.

Lin Guodong was awakened by a series of urgent sounds.

At first, he was confused and somewhat irritable.

But when I heard what was on the other end of the phone...

Upon hearing the news that "Zhou Yang is back," he immediately came to his senses!
Then...

When he heard another, even more explosive piece of news!

He suddenly rushed out of the room!

"quick!"

"Prepare it for me right now!"

"Go to the airport!"

"I need to see President Zhou!"

"quick!"

"50 million! 50 million! I want to sign President Zhou! Quick! If President Zhou agrees, I'll add another 10 million! Sign him!"

"..."

My phone vibrated!
The text message wasn't long.

but……

The information was earth-shattering!
Zhou Yang has reached a cooperation agreement with Paimon Pictures. Paimon has acquired the global distribution rights to his self-written and directed low-budget horror film, *Twilight Saw*, and may also receive a box office revenue sharing agreement!

(4,000 words, 11000 delivered today, can I ask for votes?)

(End of this chapter)