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

Chapter 70: On the Self-Cultivation of Top-Tier Green Tea! Alluring without being overwhelming.
With the share auction concluded, the Hong Kong representatives were asked to leave the company one by one.

Huo Wenxi got into the van and immediately called her boss, who was far away at headquarters, to explain the situation in detail.

"Chairman Yang, there's a problem. The best terms we offered are just the starting price in the eyes of mainland capital..."

After listening, Yang Shoucheng remained silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly: "Never mind, let's find another opportunity next time. You can go and see Jiang Wen on your way and finalize his project."

There are still too few suitable channels to open up the mainland market.

However, although Lü Rui's side is not doing well for the time being, at least there is Jiang Wen.

Yang Shoucheng remained relatively calm.

At this point, the others became somewhat annoyed.

They traveled a long way but gained nothing and were even outmaneuvered by mainland capital.

Wrong!

It was like swallowing a bitter pill!
However, while feeling frustrated, they also truly witnessed the "extravagance" of mainland capital.

If all this hot money could be drawn back to Hong Kong, why would Hong Kong films have no way to survive?

After communicating over the phone, everyone became even more determined.

Heading north!

Make money!

……

Inside the Ruishijie office, after seeing off the numerous disappointed capital representatives, Lü Rui immediately moved on to negotiating the details of the contract.

Both China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group are easy to negotiate with.

The former, backed by state-owned enterprises, can ensure compliance in foreign cooperation and safeguard projects amidst complex international terms.

The latter, as a local power in Shanghai's film and television industry, assured that filming "The Prestige" in Shanghai would be smooth sailing.

As for the small number of scenes in Hengdian, Lü Rui was confident that his connections would be more than enough to handle it.

"Director Lü, I'll head back to the company to plan my work now." Ren Zhonglun closed the document and stood up to take his leave.

"it is good."

Lu Rui nodded in farewell, and then saw Wang Changtian and Dong Ping off one by one.

Once only a few people remained in the office, he turned to Ye Ning: "The payments from Wanda..."

"Don't worry, Director Lü, I'll arrange the remittance today." Ye Ning put the contract into the leather folder, her smile sincere. "I hope to have a long-term cooperation with Director Lü, and I look forward to your continued support in the future."

"of course."

Lü Rui readily agreed.

Wanda's ambition to leverage its real estate business to expand into cinema chains is beginning to emerge, and it is destined to become one of the industry giants in the future.

Such a generous and promising partner is certainly not to be missed.

After Ye Ning left, only Wang Zhonglei and Wang Jinghua remained in the room.

The two men wore smug smiles, as if they had already tasted the sweetness of their collaboration.

After signing the papers, Wang Zhonglei immediately extended a warm invitation: "Director Lü, would you like to go take a look at the office building now? The location will satisfy you. I was originally planning to move Huayi's brokerage department there."

"I'll contact Mr. Wang after I finish my work," Lu Rui said without any politeness.

He got all of this by exchanging resources, so he figured he might as well use it.

Of course, I still have to pay the rent myself, and I can't rip Wang Zhonglei off too badly, otherwise this guy might take advantage of the situation.

Maintaining an appropriate distance is crucial to both fully utilizing resources and being able to gracefully exit any potential future controversies.

"Director Lü, when do the auditions start?" Wang Jinghua asked curiously from the side.

Lu Rui fell into deep thought.

The opening ceremony of the 57th Cannes Film Festival is the day after tomorrow, and there's not enough time.

After a moment, he said, "I will send out the audition requirements first, collect actor information from various agencies, and start the formal auditions as soon as I return from Cannes."

"Okay, Director Lü, please keep an eye on the artists from our Taihe Agency this time."

Wang Jinghua spoke with confidence.

However, Wang Zhonglei's expression darkened slightly.

He has always regarded Taihe Agency as Huayi Brothers' "own son," but Wang Jinghua insists on repeatedly emphasizing her independent status.

This subtle struggle over the boundaries of power stirred a sense of dissatisfaction within him, but he could only suppress his emotions and maintain a facade of harmony for the time being.

However, estrangement inevitably emerged...

After seeing Wang Zhonglei and Wang Jinghua off, Lü Rui roughly tallied up his spoils.

Excluding the additional conditions of resource exchange, Ruishijie earned 1060 million RMB from the premium alone.

That's almost 15% of the total share!

Of the 30% share exclusively held by Ruishijie, his personal directorial fee accounts for 10%.

Based on this calculation, less than 400 million yuan needs to be transferred from the company account to firmly hold onto this 30% stake.

"Tsk? They're already making money before the movie even premieres?"

Lu Rui lay back in his office chair, in a great mood.

He then sealed the documents and contracts in a safe and immediately called Gu Changwei.

The latter was free recently, and upon hearing that the project was officially confirmed, he immediately said that he could join the team at any time.

"Then we'll have to rely on Director Gu for the rest of the filming."

"No trouble at all, haha."

After hanging up the phone, Lü Rui called Zhao Peng over and instructed him to spread the casting requirements for "The Prestige" and collect actor resumes.

At the same time, Gu Changwei had just hung up the phone when Zhang Jingchu approached him. "Mr. Gu, could you help me get a role in Director Lü's new movie?"

Gu Changwei was taken aback, and his face showed difficulty.

This kind of debt of gratitude is the most troublesome, and repaying it is very complicated.

He wanted to refuse, but Zhang Jingchu hugged his arm and shook it gently, whining sweetly, "Teacher Gu, please, just a cameo role is fine, I'm not greedy."

Taking a step back to advance can be effective.

Gu Changwei finally nodded: "Okay, I'll ask around for you later."

Zhang Jingchu's expression brightened, but the next second she lowered her eyelashes, her voice carrying just the right amount of grievance: "If my sister-in-law minds... then forget it, I don't want to cause you any trouble."

On the Self-Cultivation of Top-Grade Green Tea!

Zhang Jingchu has a deep understanding of this principle.

Gu Changwei's ears burned; he hated it most when people said he was afraid of his wife.

"Ignore her, she can't control me!"

"That's good."

Zhang Jingchu's lips curved into a faint smile.

……

After finishing his work in the morning, Lü Rui contacted Wang Zhonglei that afternoon to go and see the office area in the office building he mentioned.

The specific location is inside Fenglian Plaza, No. 18 Chaowai Street, Chaoyang District.

This is a commercial office building that was completed and opened in June 1997. It is located in the Jianwai-Chaoyangmen-Guomao Center business district and consists of a shopping mall and office buildings.

"It's only 100 meters from the subway station, 24 kilometers from Beijing Capital International Airport, just a half-hour drive away, and only 6 minutes from Tiananmen Square. It's absolutely in the city center..."

Wang Zhonglei had transformed into a real estate salesman, enthusiastically introducing the product to Lü Rui.

"The 300-square-meter space is large enough to accommodate more than 50 people, and it has a large conference room, office area, and administrative and logistics area."

This used to be the office area of ​​a securities company. The original owner was not doing a good job and urgently needed to sublet it, so I took it over. The desks, chairs and equipment can still be used.

The monthly rent isn't expensive, around 6 yuan. And if you think it's too small later, the adjacent floor can be combined…”

After looking around, Lü Rui nodded with satisfaction: "It's really good."

The seven-year-old building is well-maintained, and the partitions left by the previous owner can be easily modified to suit the needs of film and television companies.

"This is it." He immediately made the decision.

"Haha, I'm glad you're satisfied." Wang Zhonglei grinned. "I'll take you to the property management office for the handover. I'll transfer it to your name first, and I'll cover the rent for the remaining three years. We can find a renovation company to fix it up later."

"it is good."

Lü Rui plans to start making preparations immediately after returning from Cannes.

We'll need to find a manager then...

"The school's management department is quite good; we could ask a senior student who has already graduated to join us."

After completing all the formalities, it was already dark outside.

Wang Zhonglei then offered to treat everyone to dinner, and unable to refuse his hospitality, Lü Rui had no choice but to go to the restaurant with him.

As expected, the moment the door to the private room was opened, a rich scent of perfume mingled with bursts of laughter.

"Director Lü, how have you been?"

Fan Bingbing, dressed in a black business suit, stood up to greet him. The tailored waistline accentuated her figure, and her eyes sparkled like spring water, making her look like a vixen.

Ok?
Vixen?
Lu Rui's eyes suddenly lit up as he stared at her, looking her up and down.

Fan Bingbing felt a shiver run through her as she was stared at. She instinctively straightened her back and wondered to herself, "Does this young director like this kind of sophisticated, career-woman style?"

There were quite a few women dressed in different styles in the private room. They couldn't hide their envy as they watched Lü Rui staring intently at Fan Bingbing.

If they had known earlier that this person liked this style, they could have done it too!

"Bingbing, what are you standing there for? Quickly invite Director Lü to take a seat." Wang Zhonglei gave her a wink, signaling her to make sure she entertained this man well tonight.

Unexpectedly, Lü Rui suddenly spoke up: "Could you give me a charming but not lewd expression and gesture?"

Charming without being vulgar?
Although Fan Bingbing didn't quite understand what this person was trying to do, she obediently did as she was told.

After adjusting herself, she slowly twirled her hair with her fingertips, and when she looked up, the corners of her eyes were slightly upturned, and her almond-shaped eyes were veiled with a thin mist.

The curve of her lips was a half-smile, like a peony in spring, glistening with morning dew, about to bloom, exuding a subtle, sweet allure.

After thinking for a moment, she bent her knees slightly and leaned against the chair, her red-soled high heels, which could increase attack speed, slipped down, revealing half of her fair and slender ankles.

"Director Lü, is this alright?"

“Not bad.” Lu Rui nodded in satisfaction. That posture was indeed quite charming. “There’s a role in my new film that would be perfect for you. You can come and audition.”

Fan Bingbing's eyes suddenly lit up: "Thank you, Director Lü!"

Upon seeing this, Wang Zhonglei burst into laughter: "This meal is such a perfect timing! I never expected that it would even help Director Lü get a role. Congratulations! Come on, let's have a drink together."

He was overjoyed; he was finally settled on the boat, and all his efforts had been worthwhile.

The banquet ended a little over an hour later.

Before the event ended, Fan Bingbing offered to see him off, but Lü Rui politely declined again.

When he gets back, he still needs to contact everyone on the "The Pursuit of Happyness" crew to see who is willing to go to Cannes with him. He's very busy.

Beauty?

Can this thing be more important than one's career?

joke!

Of course, the most crucial point is that some women are okay to touch, but others require a proper distance; getting too involved will definitely lead to endless trouble...

(End of this chapter)