It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 228 Treat each other as equals, be respectful without being negligent, remain humble and modest, and cooperate for mutual benefit!

A brand-new Rolls-Royce with a yellow license plate was surrounded by five Maybachs, lined up in a row outside the airport, making quite a grand entrance!
In other words, the front of the car doesn't have a strobe light. If it did, unsuspecting people might mistake it for a high-ranking official from some country.

"Just picking someone up from the airport? Why all this fuss?" Lu Rui was a little unaccustomed to it.

The main reason was that he originally wanted to travel discreetly and didn't expect to make such a big fuss.

This is, after all, someone else's territory, and there are quite a few people who secretly harbor hostility towards him. Being too flamboyant could easily bring trouble upon himself.

"Of course, this was specially instructed by Chairman Yang. Given your status, your travels should not be too simple."

Huo Wenxi explained softly from the side.

In Yang Shoucheng's eyes, Lu Rui's trip to Hong Kong as a "VIP" of Yinghuang must not be taken lightly; it must be grand and eye-catching!

Of course, there was a hidden agenda behind this move.

Firstly, it was to give Lü Rui face and demonstrate the importance attached to him.

Secondly, it was to "show off" to its competitors and make everyone see Yinghuang's expansion momentum in the mainland market.

More importantly, this event will further solidify the cooperative relationship between Yinghuang and Ruishijie, binding the two parties even closer together.

A simple airport pick-up effort easily achieved a "kill three birds with one stone" strategy.

The old foxes who have climbed up from the bottom are all cunning and shrewd; every move they make is full of hidden meaning.

After a moment's thought, Lü Rui roughly guessed Yang Shoucheng's idea, but didn't say anything more.

When faced with an unfamiliar environment, the best approach is to remain calm and observe the changes, and to adapt to any situation by staying put.

Our ancestors' advice is always right!
……

Hong Kong Island has never lacked legendary stories.

Although the film and entertainment industry is no longer as glorious as it once was, the foundation it has built up over the decades remains.

And Asia's notorious paparazzi army makes it impossible to hide any movement here.

Lu Rui had only been standing at the airport entrance for a few minutes when, with his keen intuition, he noticed that there were many camera lenses flashing in the shadows.

Clearly, he was being targeted.

The moment he bent down and sat in the Rolls-Royce, the paparazzi stopped trying to hide and started snapping photos, the light almost hitting his face.

Fortunately, the doors of several Maybachs opened simultaneously in the next second.

A group of burly men in black suits and sunglasses quickly surrounded the paparazzi, keeping them firmly outside the safety line.

"Director Lü, don't mind it. This kind of scene is very common here." Huo Wenxi helped Lü Rui sit in the back seat, adjusting his seat as she instructed the driver, "Let's go back to the hotel first."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you," Lü Rui replied politely.

"Director Lü, you're too kind. It's our honor that you've come to Hong Kong..."

Huo Wenxi's hospitality skills were truly professional; her words were both appropriate and warm.

In addition, her well-tailored suit paired with eye-catching high-heeled stockings exudes a mature and sophisticated aura.

People who know how to maintain appropriate boundaries and connect with others can easily make guests feel valued and at home.

If there's any minor flaw, it's that her Mandarin still has a bit of a Hong Kong accent, so you sometimes need to listen to it twice to understand it completely.

The car drove smoothly toward the Peninsula Hotel.

However, the news of Lü Rui's arrival in Hong Kong spread throughout the city even faster than a car.

Before he even arrived at the hotel, headlines from several major entertainment news outlets had already appeared:
"Renowned mainland director Lü Rui appeared in Hong Kong, where he was personally picked up by Yinghuang Huo Wenxi at the airport, and a fleet of top-of-the-line Rolls-Royces attracted a crowd!"

"Lu Rui's trip is suspected to be a visit to the set of 'New World,' further proving the cooperation between Yinghuang and Ruishijie."

"The 'Deep Integration' Between Yinghuang and Ruishijie: From Resource Exchange to Market Win-Win, What Secrets Lie Behind It? Follow **Newspaper to Uncover the Inside Story and Find the Truth!"

As expected, the news of Lu Rui being received in a high-profile manner by Yinghuang, as reported by paparazzi, quickly became a hot topic in Hong Kong's entertainment industry.

Ordinary netizens weren't too bothered by it.

It's just that a director from mainland China came; it's not some earth-shattering secret.

In comparison, Hong Kong netizens seem to prefer reading about the scandals involving Nicholas Tse, Pak-Chi Cheung, and Edison Chen.

If some kind of "scandal" were to break out, that would be even better.

However, in the eyes of some people in Hong Kong's film and television industry, Lu Rui's arrival in Hong Kong was like a thorn in their side, making them feel a sense of "great shame and disgrace".

"That old bastard Yang Shoucheng is getting more and more out of line!"

In a private club, someone was watching the news, his tone full of dissatisfaction.

"He's just a mainlander, why the high-profile treatment? Wouldn't a regular van have been enough? Isn't this just embarrassing for Hong Kong filmmakers?" someone chimed in, their face full of disdain.

Some people were indignant and spoke with a hint of hostility: "That's right, when you come to our turf, even the biggest stars have to behave themselves! Dragons have to coil up, and tigers have to lie low!"

Another man, his body embroidered with dragons and tigers and his face fierce, angrily slammed his hand on the table: "Damn it, so arrogant! Should I call a few of my brothers..."

"If you want to die, don't drag us down with you!" Someone suddenly interrupted him, their voice laced with warning. "What time is it now? We've already returned to normal, don't you understand? Hung Hing has become 'Red Star' now, have you forgotten the 'East Is Red' song you sang that night?"

You must love your country! Love the Party! Love the people, don't you understand? And you dare to take action? Do you think you have too many heads? Want to try losing one or two and see what happens?

"..."

After hearing his words, the group of people who had been indignant just moments before fell silent.

Inside the club, only the rustling sound of newspapers turning could be heard, but the air was thick with even more resentment and unwillingness.

Times have changed, and the "glory of Hong Kong cinema" that they were so proud of is no longer a source of absolute power.

……

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the Peninsula Hotel, which is known as the "Far East Noblewoman".

Lu Rui looked up.

This building, which has withstood a century of wind and rain and spanned two eras, stands quietly. Its off-white exterior exudes elegance in the twilight, yet it adds a touch of complexity to his expression.

The 155 years of special history on Hong Kong Island have left too many marks on this land, and have also spawned too many clueless and mentally ill bastards.

"Chairman Yang specifically instructed me to let you rest well tonight, and I will pick you up from the hotel at 10 am tomorrow to visit the film set."

Don't worry, I've already spoken to the hotel, and no one will come up to disturb us tonight. It's very quiet and safe here..."

Huo Wenxi accompanied him into the hotel lobby, leading the way and making detailed arrangements.

They accompanied me throughout the entire process, from check-in to being taken to my room, attending to every detail.

"Thank you for your hard work, Director Huo." Lü Rui accepted the room key.

"You flatter me, this is my duty."

Huo Wenxi smiled and nodded, then turned and left without saying anything more.

She secretly breathed a sigh of relief the moment the door closed.

Before coming, Yang Shoucheng specifically instructed that all of Lü Rui's needs should be met as much as possible.

In other words, even if the other party makes some unreasonable demands, she has to find a way to meet them.

Therefore, she had already prepared a solution in her mind, even thought of how to politely decline, and had even arranged for a replacement...

Unexpectedly, throughout the entire process, Lü Rui behaved appropriately and did not make any unreasonable demands.

"This Director Lü seems to possess a maturity far beyond his years, and he is exceptionally cautious in his words and actions..."

Once in the car on the return trip, Huo Wenxi dialed Yang Shoucheng's number and gave him a detailed account of the entire process from picking her up at the airport to checking her in.

“He is indeed different from other investors in mainland China.” Yang Shoucheng’s voice on the other end of the phone was filled with agreement.

Over the years, Yinghuang has collaborated with almost all mainland companies, including Huayi Brothers, Bona Film Group, and China Film Group, so he has met all sorts of people.

Some were deliberately obsequious, some were arrogant, some got along peacefully, and some harbored ulterior motives and schemes...

The only person he couldn't quite understand was Lü Rui, a young man who had been working hard since he was twelve and had struggled for over fifty years.

Despite his young age, he always exudes a mature and steady air about him, which is quite strange.

"So what should we do next?" Huo Wenxi wanted to hear his specific instructions.

After a moment of contemplation, Yang Shoucheng slowly uttered sixteen words: "Treat each other as equals, be respectful without being negligent, keep a low profile, and cooperate for mutual benefit."

These sixteen characters represent both his definition of the cooperation between the two parties and his explanation to Huo Wenxi.

When dealing with a partner like Lü Rui, one must neither lose Yinghuang's dignity nor neglect the other party, and one must also keep one's own intentions hidden in order to achieve a win-win situation for both parties.

Huo Wenxi silently memorized these sixteen words of wisdom.

After hanging up the phone, she looked at the Hong Kong night view flashing past the car window, and her feelings for Lü Rui grew even stronger.

...in the hotel room.

Lu Rui first called Lu Yang to briefly tell him that he had arrived in Hong Kong Island, and then went to the bathroom to take a shower.

He changed into loose pajamas, lay down on the bed, and habitually reached for his laptop.

As usual, scrolling through recent news before bed has become his unique habit.

July flew by, and it's already the end of the month. Summer vacation is almost over.

However, the film market's popularity has not cooled down over time.

Following the end of its theatrical run, "Dragon Tiger Gate" took over and landed in domestic theaters.

This kung fu film, produced/distributed by Bona Film Group, directed by Yip Wai-shun, and starring Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, and Yu Wen-le, is adapted from Wong Yuk-long's comic of the same name, "Dragon Tiger Gate" (originally titled "Little Rascal").

The story mainly tells the tale of Wang Xiaohu and Wang Xiaolong, half-brothers from the Dragon Tiger Clan, and Shi Heilong, a martial arts-loving youth, who become entangled with the leader of the Rakshasa Cult, the Fire Cloud Evil God, and resolve to cultivate diligently in order to fight the Fire Cloud Evil God to the death.

Before its release, the film garnered much anticipation from audiences thanks to its "spectacular action scenes" promotion.

However, to everyone's surprise, the movie flopped after its release.

On its opening day, the film grossed over 10 million yuan, but was ridiculed by audiences across the internet for its idiotic plot!
The media coverage wasn't wrong; the action sequences in the film were indeed very elaborate, with a strong visual impact from the punches and kicks.

The fact that no one warned us beforehand meant the plot's logic was completely shattered, leaving many viewers feeling utterly cheated...

Meanwhile, in the mainland market, following Pacific Rim, news suddenly broke of another Sino-US co-production project.

With an investment exceeding 5 million yuan, a Sino-US co-production, and the male lead rumored to be played by a kung fu superstar…

When these news broke, they instantly attracted a frenzy of media attention!
Right now, the headline on the portal website prominently features a photo of the Wang brothers, Zhongjun and Zhonglei, having dinner with director Rob Minkoff, Chen Nanfu, and Yuan Heping.

The photo shows the five people chatting happily, and there are several documents on the table that appear to be scripts.

This scene immediately sparked much discussion within the industry, with netizens offering endless speculations...

Lu Rui glanced at the photo and immediately understood.

This is clearly a teaser deliberately released by Huayi to generate buzz for the subsequent project approval.

Before the project "The Banquet" was approved, Huayi Brothers used almost the same tactic, deliberately "revealing flaws" in public and using media exposure to spark discussion.

Otherwise, if it were a private collaboration, how could they possibly have a meal in the lobby and not even be able to book a private room?
"Why all this pretense? If you want to promote something, just announce it officially. Why resort to this charade that only makes things more obvious..."

Lu Rui muttered a complaint under his breath, then stopped paying attention. He casually closed his laptop and placed it on the bedside table, adjusted his pillow, and closed his eyes to start adjusting to the time difference.

However, what he didn't know was that Wang Zhonglei, far away in the mainland, was having a terrible time!
The Forbidden Kingdom is clearly a project led by Huayi Brothers, but now it is plagued by internal disputes over casting and the exchange of benefits.

Director Minkoff initially recognized Liu Yifei's popularity, looks, and charisma, and strongly recommended her for the lead role.

But everyone in the industry knows that she only accepts roles in Lü Rui's films now; she won't touch any other projects, no matter how much hype they receive.

After she was eliminated, the number of remaining actresses to choose from was extremely limited.

Fan Bingbing was unwilling to renew her contract with Huayi Brothers, so she was naturally not qualified to get a role.

Huo Siyan had just finished filming "Apple" and was actively asking for a chance, but Wang Zhonglei suppressed her request.

When running a talent agency, the key is to "spread the love evenly." You can't just pile all the resources on one person, or the other artists will complain.

Huo Siyan thus temporarily lost favor.

Zhou Xun was busy filming other movies, and with "The Banquet" about to be released, she needed to focus on promotion, so resources couldn't be allocated to her.

Moreover, Wang Zhonglei wanted to recruit more people from outside to expand the company's artist lineup, so he naturally couldn't give her, an artist who was already signed.

After going around in circles, she set her sights on Zhao Yanzi, wanting to invite her to join the project and play a role.

After the phone call, the other party didn't directly refuse, but said they needed to understand the project first before deciding whether to cooperate.

Wang Zhonglei thought it would be a protracted battle, but to his surprise, Zhao Yanzi readily agreed after understanding the situation.

The problem now is that she doesn't want to play the second female lead, "The White-Haired Witch," and insists on playing the first female lead, "Golden Swallow."

"It's only natural for Yanzi to play 'Yanzi,' right? Besides, I'm pretty good at action scenes, so I'm sure I can do a good job..."

This was Zhao Yanzi's reasoning, and she spoke with great confidence.

She is willing to cooperate with Huayi Brothers and even consider signing an agency agreement with them. Her core goal is to use Huayi Brothers' resources to transition into the directing industry.

Little did she know that her words had put Wang Zhonglei in a dilemma.

He had previously promised to give the role of "Golden Swallow" to Li Bingbing, as a way of making up for the previous shortcomings in resource allocation.

But now, Zhao Yanzi suddenly wants to steal the role.

This is so fucked up!

If I agree to their conditions, wouldn't I become a bastard who "turns his back on his friends after he's done with them"?

While that's indeed his personal style, if he actually did that, Li Bingbing might throw a tantrum, and if that led to contract termination or rumors circulating in the industry, the trouble would only be bigger...

"Ugh."

With a long sigh, Wang Zhonglei fell into deep thought.

He's now obsessed with finding a way to satisfy both sides.

But just then, the cell phone on the table suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, picked up his phone, and quickly pressed the answer button: "Hello? Bro? What's up?"

"You've been in contact with Zhao Yanzi lately, right? How's it going?" Wang Zhongjun's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"It's not going too smoothly. She insists on playing the lead role, but I already promised 'Golden Swallow' to Li Bingbing..." Wang Zhonglei briefly explained the current predicament.

But to his surprise, the next second, Wang Zhongjun made a decision: "Then let Zhao Yanzi play the female lead, 'Golden Swallow.' As for Li Bingbing, we can just compensate her with some other resources."

For example, securing her some high-quality endorsements, or a leading role in a future movie, etc.

"what???"

Wang Zhonglei was somewhat bewildered.

After all, his brother had never interfered with the casting of actors in film and television projects before, at most he would just offer some suggestions, so why did he suddenly make the decision this time?
"This is also Chairman Ma's idea," Wang Zhongjun added.

"Chairman Ma? Which Chairman Ma?" Wang Zhonglei didn't react.

"Ma Yun of Alibaba is currently the number one shareholder of Huayi Brothers."

"what?!"

Wang Zhonglei was even more stunned, and he almost dropped his phone.

It's just a movie casting call, why is Ma Yun being dragged into this?

Could it be that Zhao Yanzi has had some contact with that person?

Seriously? Are you kidding me? How could an actress like her possibly marry into such a high-ranking family?

Could there be some hidden secret he doesn't know about?
……

The following morning, Lü Rui woke up at nine o'clock.

After washing up and getting ready, at 10:00 AM sharp, he boarded the car to the set of "New World".

“Currently, there aren’t many co-productions between mainland China and Hong Kong in the Hong Kong film market. Most of them are still led by Hong Kong film and television teams, with mainland actors coming over to participate…”

Huo Wenxi knew that Lu Rui enjoyed listening to news about Hong Kong film and television, so she kept talking about topics that interested him.

Are there many investors from mainland China?

"Not many, mainly investors with strong financial resources, such as China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, and Bona Film Group."

Lu Rui raised an eyebrow, not too surprised.

In the past two years, he has gained a deeper understanding of the Hong Kong film and television market, and then discovered that this industry is really getting more and more outrageous.

Large investors are fine, but small companies can really get ripped off!

Because some directors are simply obsessed with money!

A cheap plastic prop, costing only a few dozen yuan, is being offered for thousands of yuan.

It's no exaggeration to say that the same movie, if filmed in Hong Kong, might only cost a few million.

But if you exchange that for money in mainland China, it would be worth at least tens of millions, or even over a hundred million!

Fortunately, Ruishijie has established partners like Yinghuang, so while some problems cannot be completely eliminated, at least they won't be scammed without knowing why.

In Lü Rui's view, Yinghuang is undoubtedly a very reliable partner.

At least he could be sure that Yang Shoucheng would never dare to cheat him, unless Yinghuang never wanted to do business in the mainland market again...

(End of this chapter)