Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 322 Everyone has a temper when things fall apart in public.

"Director Chen, how much of 'The Wandering Earth' is planned to be allocated to Shanghai Film Studio?" Ren Zhonglun asked with a smile while eating. "10% for the first film, we can't skimp on the second one."

When Chen Shou heard Ren Zhonglun's words, he smiled on the surface, but in his heart he was cursing him for being shameless.

"Besides, the script has only just been submitted," Chen Shou said with a smile.

"No need, all the producers are here now, it's easy to discuss," Ren Zhonglun said with a smile.

“Actually, the investment is already sufficient,” Chen Shou said calmly.

Ren Zhonglun's smile vanished, while La Dong's face revealed a faint smile. He hadn't even spoken yet, and you've just walked right into the line of fire.

"Director Chen, the first film went so well together, there's no reason to exclude Shanghai Film Studio from the second one," Ren Zhonglun said, clearly surprised and somewhat angry.

After all, if you invested in the first film, you should always leave some share for the second film. That's an unspoken rule. I supported your first film, so if the first film makes money, you should leave some for the second film. If you make money in the first film and then abandon people in the second film, you're likely to offend them.

“We really don’t lack funds. Besides, Shanghai Film Group is a state-owned enterprise. The responsibility of state-owned enterprises is not to support small and medium-sized enterprises. Shouzhe Film Industry no longer needs the support of state-owned enterprises. Chairman Ren, why don’t you invest in other companies?” Chen Shouzhe said with a smile.

Ren Zhonglun's expression was cold at this moment, and it was clear that he was very unhappy inside.

Chen Shouzhe acted as if he hadn't seen anything and continued eating his food. The others were either eating their food or pretending not to hear.

"Director Chen, there's no need to be so ruthless," Ren Zhonglun said with a smile.

"It's not me who's being unreasonable. We have to go through the first and fifteenth of the month. Once the first day is over, we'll definitely have to go through the fifteenth. Chairman Ren, you must know that, right? You've done plenty of things to kick someone when they're down." Chen Shou put down his chopsticks and sneered. He was also angry.

Ren Zhonglun's composure completely crumbled, and he broke off all pretense of civility. He never expected Chen Shouzhe to openly defy him in front of so many people.

Originally, I wanted to take advantage of the presence of so many people to have a proper talk with Chen Shouzhe about the share, at least to get a verbal agreement, but I didn't expect Chen Shouzhe to be so direct.

What does this mean? It means you do the first day of the month, and I'll do the fifteenth.

After falling out with China Film Group, they want to fall out with Shanghai Film Group as well.

"What has Shanghai Film Studio done to offend Director Chen?" Ren Zhonglun roared, staring intently at Chen Shouzhe, completely disregarding the hundreds of people present.

Chen Shouzhe didn't say anything, glanced at the cheerful La Dong, and continued to pick up food.

Ren Zhonglun immediately understood. He told La Dong about the "Operation Red Sea" incident. Chen Shouzhe's meaning was crystal clear: You tricked me, and you still want to continue the cooperation?

They didn't even give you Operation Red Sea, and you still want The Wandering Earth?

"Director Chen, I apologize. I was being presumptuous." Ren Zhonglun was quite composed, gentle and easygoing. He quickly regained his composure and raised his wine glass.

Everyone else raised their glasses, except for Chen Shouzhe and La Dong.

La Dong also hates Ren Zhonglun, feeling that it was because of him that they lost so much, and now they don't even have a share of The Wandering Earth 2.

Neither of them picked up their glasses, and Ren Zhonglun didn't care. As the organizer, he couldn't just walk away, or it would have a big impact on him if word got out.

The Shanghai Film Studio was thriving under his leadership, but he never expected that Chen Shou would hold a grudge against him for telling La Dong about the Honghai operation.

Of course, he couldn't do anything to Chen Shouzhe, after all, Shanghai Film Studio belonged to the state, not to Ren Zhonglun.

The conversation among those present suddenly quieted down considerably. Zhuo Li, sitting nearby, was too far away to hear what was happening. However, everyone else was chatting and laughing, making this side quite quiet. Yang Shoucheng smiled but said nothing, Wang Changtian remained silent, Han Sanping remained composed, Zhou Xingxing had no desire to participate in the competition among the giants, and Guo Fan, not expecting his announcement of good news to provoke such a confrontation, somewhat regretted announcing the news on stage.

After eating and drinking their fill, some people started socializing, while others had other things to do and left first.

Chen Shouzhe earned so much, he naturally couldn't just leave. After the banquet, many people came looking for him. Guo Fan lowered his head and came to Chen Shouzhe's side.

"Director Chen, I..."

"This is none of your business. It's a problem that will happen sooner or later. It's better to resolve it once and for all. You're being too kind to them. Do you really think I owe them something? I owe the country, not them." Chen Shou waved his hand.

It's normal for state-owned enterprises to support small and medium-sized enterprises; that's their duty. Unfortunately, what have China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group been doing all these years? They haven't provided any support, but they do try to get involved in every major project. They've long been criticized by many in the industry for being desperate for money, using state funds to boost their own performance.

The problem is that most of the time, people lose money investing in others, but when they make money with Chen Shouzhe, they expect Chen Shouzhe to be grateful to them. What a pipe dream.

It's better to cut ties cleanly now. Anyway, I have the strength now and other allies. I should cut ties with those who need to be cut off. As for their underhanded tricks in the future, if they dare to do it, Chen Shou will dare to complain to Tong Gan.

After the celebration banquet, Yang Shoucheng, Huo Wenxi, and his beloved godson Xie Tingfeng came to the horse farm the next day.

I brought a lot of gifts, including a wild ginseng from Northeast China, the kind that looks very expensive.

"Mr. Yang, you don't need to bring any gifts next time. I'm already very happy that you can come," Chen Shou said.

"It's just a small gift, nothing compared to Director Chen's support for Emperor Entertainment." Yang Shoucheng kept a low profile. Yesterday, he had personally witnessed how Chen Shouzhe confronted Ren Zhonglun. The head of Shanghai Film Group was rendered speechless by Chen Shouzhe. He was very grateful that he had maintained a relationship with Chen Shouzhe, and now projects kept coming in.

"You're too kind. It's not about mentoring me; it's Emperor Entertainment that's helping me. I'll need to rely on Emperor Entertainment more in the future," Chen Shou said, waving his hand.

After exchanging pleasantries, Yang Shoucheng asked him about the purpose of his visit.

"Director Chen, Ah Xing's new movie..."

"He's still writing the script, isn't he? It's his own script," Chen Shouzhe said.

"Ah, it's his script?" Yang Shoucheng had something else to say but didn't. If it was Stephen Chow's script, then why would he want to collaborate with Chen Shoucheng?

“Yes, it’s his script. I won’t be writing the script this time,” Chen Shou nodded.

"Will he collaborate with Director Chen after he finishes writing the script?" Huo Wenxi asked curiously.

Many people want to collaborate with Stephen Chow, so why insist on Chen Shouzhe? Stephen Chow is a greedy person; as long as someone is willing to pay him more money, he will collaborate with him.

Chen Shouzhe is not the kind of person who would indulge him, so that's why Zhou Xingxing is so eager to cooperate with Chen Shouzhe, and Chen Shouzhe is in charge of it.

There's something inexplicably awkward about it, especially with Stephen Chow.

“His script is an adaptation of Journey to the West, so I need to approve it before it can be filmed,” Chen Shouzhe said.

The two of them then understood that although it wasn't Chen Shouzhe's script, it used his IP, so they needed Chen Shouzhe's approval. Otherwise, if the film was completed, Chen Shouzhe would sue them to death and they would never be able to have it released. If they forced it to be released, they might have to pay Chen Shouzhe a large sum of money.

"Putting aside his script, The Wandering Earth won't leave any slots for Emperor Entertainment."

"This……"

Yang Shoucheng and Huo Wenxi were both dumbfounded. Why did they call them here if they weren't given any quota?
(End of this chapter)