Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 309 I Don’t Owe You Anything
"Chairman Wang, what brings you here?" Chen Shouzhe treated Vice Chairman Wang much better, considering him his benefactor and savior.

"There's a mission here. Ren Zhonglun went to China Film Group and somehow ended up talking to Chairman La. Now he's sent me to ask you about the project." Vice Chairman Wang knew Chen Shouzhe's personality and didn't hesitate to betray Ren Zhonglun.

It was Ren Zhonglun who sowed discord and created trouble for you.

Anyway, it's better to die than to die, so he didn't hesitate to push Ren Zhonglun into the pit he dug and bury him.

Chen Shouzhe immediately understood that Ren Zhonglun was trying to cause him trouble. When his persistent harassment failed, he actually dragged La Dong into it and had Zhongying come to find him.

Compared to Ren Zhonglun, China Film Group is a more difficult problem to solve; that ambitious and short-sighted Director La will hold a grudge.

He wasn't included in The Mermaid, he wasn't included in Journey to the West, and even after learning about Infernal Affairs, he complained to Chan Sau-cheung for not letting him get involved in the film.

He initially thought it was just a normal collaboration, but after "Infernal Affairs" came out, he became envious. The benefits for him to participate in such a project are obvious.

The repeated loss of Chen Shouzhe's projects has drawn considerable criticism within the group. Now that there's a patriotic film project, if he loses it again, it will be difficult to explain.

“Ren Zhonglun’s actions…” Chen Shouzhe didn’t care whether Chairman Wang was in front of him or not, and directly called Ren Zhonglun out of respect. Wasn’t this just asking for trouble for him?

In the future, our cooperation with Shanghai Film Group will not only be about avoiding it, but we should also teach them a lesson.

He now has the power to make things difficult for Shanghai Film Group. With the largest cinema chain in the country at his disposal, he can easily bully Shanghai Film Group.

Even when a film is released in Shanghai, the timing of the release clashes with Chen Shou's. Given Chen Shou's current influence in the film market, clashing with his release schedule would be disastrous, as evidenced by Feng Xiaogang's case.

Vice Chairman Wang pretended not to hear, smiled, and said, "What's going on with the movie? Can China Film Group get involved?"

"I have no intention of giving China Film Group a share." Chen Shou took a deep breath and said, a little angry. He felt disgusted by Ren Zhonglun's despicable behavior.

Ren Zhonglun probably never expected that he would be betrayed by Vice Chairman Wang and sold out.

Vice Chairman Wang knew that Chen Shouzhe would not be friendly to Ren Zhonglun in the future, and might even make things difficult for him.

"I didn't plan to. Okay, I'll go back and talk to Chairman La." Vice Chairman Wang nodded without saying anything. He was just there to deliver a message, and there was no need for him to use his personal connections to get involved.

"No, since we're already here, I should definitely treat you to a meal. We're at the restaurant now, let's go." Chen Shou took Vice Chairman Wang's hand, and the two went downstairs side by side to a nice restaurant nearby.

"What's the deal with that movie? It's nothing, I was just asking. I don't get involved in the investment. I'll just tell them there's no investment when I get back," Vice Chairman Wang said while eating.

"Actually, it wasn't a Golden Shield film. Golden Shield was just the matchmaker; it was Haiyi that approached me," Chen Shou said.

"Haiyi?" Vice Chairman Wang was somewhat surprised, as if he had thought of something.

"Is it a naval theme?"

"Mm." Chen Shou nodded.

"I see. Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy is the Army, Operation Northern Myanmar is the Special Police, and Sky Hunter is the Air Force. That leaves only the Navy. It's indeed best to find you, as the Air Force's influence is relatively limited." Vice Chairman Wang nodded and said.

While eating, Chen Shou was already making plans. He knew that Director La would definitely not let go, since it was very important to him. In addition, with Ren Zhonglun stirring things up, given his greedy nature, he would definitely put pressure on him.

"We won't give China Film Group a share," Chen Shouzhe said.

The words were unequivocal; Chen Shou was determined not to give China Film Group any share and might actually be going to turn against them.

Vice Chairman Wang didn't say anything. He wouldn't use all his personal connections on China Film Group. The previous cooperation was mutually beneficial. The current China Film Group is not the same as the one during Han Sanping's time. Chen Shouzhe is also not the same person he was back then. He is much stronger than Huayi now.

Back at China Film Group, Chairman La immediately met with Vice Chairman Wang and asked, "What did Chen Shou say over there?"

"The film was spearheaded by Haiyi, with Chen Shou in charge of production," said Vice Chairman Wang.

"Haiyi? Could it be a naval-themed film?" Director La's eyes lit up immediately. What a great project! It meant the navy was involved, and with Chen Shouzhe's production capabilities, the film's quality and box office success were guaranteed. "What about the share? Did you get it?" Director La asked.

"No," Vice Chairman Wang shook his head.

Upon hearing this, La Dong's face immediately fell, and he frowned, saying, "You won't give it to me?"

"He didn't say he would give it to me."

"I'll call him and ask."

As he spoke, Chairman La sat down on the sofa. Vice Chairman Wang understood his meaning and got up to leave the office.

"Ugh."

He sighed at the door and returned to his office.

Chen Shouzhe heard his phone ring and saw the name on the screen, then immediately hung up.

It rang again, then hung up again, but I just wouldn't answer.

Meanwhile, La Dong's expression grew increasingly grim as he made the call. Chen Shou deliberately ignored his calls, clearly knowing his purpose.

"Go and protect the film industry."

Since that's the case, he should go there in person; a mainstream commercial film deserves his personal visit.

The film studio is not far from China Film Group; it took less than half an hour to get to the entrance.

Having arrived at the door, Chen Shouzhe naturally couldn't ignore them. However, neither of them smiled when they met, making both sides cautious.

"Is Director Chen that busy?" La Dong asked with a forced smile.

"Yes, the company has many projects right now, so we are indeed very busy. Is there anything you need, Mr. La?" Chen Shou nodded and asked.

"Can't you come and sit for a while if there's nothing wrong?" Mr. La said with a smile.

"This is your first time visiting Shouzhe Film Studio. We've never seen you here before," Chen Shouzhe said with a smile, his tone clearly sarcastic.

How could Director La possibly understand? Upon closer inspection, it seemed to be true. This was his first time visiting Shouzhe Film Industry. In all the years he had been in office, this was the first time he had come to Chen Shouzhe's company to see him. Before, they had always met at China Film Group.

"This isn't because I'm busy with official duties, China Film Group..."

"Yes, I'm very busy right now. The company has several films in production at the same time, and several more are about to be released. Mr. La, is there anything else? If not, I have work to do later, so I won't be able to see you."

Upon hearing Chen Shou's order to leave, the secretary beside Director La felt her heart leap into her throat.

Few directors in China dare to speak to Director La like that. He's used to being domineering at China Film Group, but considering Chen Shouzhe's identity—he's not just a director—he feels even more confident.

La Dong gave Chen Shou a deep look and said, "Then I'll get straight to the point. I heard that Haiyi is looking to collaborate with you on a mainstream commercial film. Can China Film Group share some of the profits?"

"No."

Chen Shou was straightforward, looking the other person in the eye.

"Is there absolutely nothing left?" Director La took a deep breath. "China Film Group and Shou Zhe Film Industry have been cooperating for so many years..."

“Yes, we’ve been cooperating for so many years, I don’t owe China Film Group anything. If China Film Group wants a share, they should go to Golden Shield and Haiyi. I don’t have any shares left,” Chen Shou interrupted.

(End of this chapter)