Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 164: A Battle of Acting Skills with Cyber ​​Daji
Chen Xiu and Meng Ziyi stayed at home for three days and both had a very enjoyable time.

Due to work requirements and other matters, Chen Xiu also returned to Datang Film Industry.

As he sat in his office reviewing projects that would begin next year, he heard a series of knocks on the door—one urgent and two gentle.

"Please come in."

Chen Xiu glanced at the time and confirmed that the person she had arranged to meet had arrived.

His work assistant walked in and, after glancing at Chen Xiu, said, "Mr. Chen, a director named Guo Fan has booked your time."

"Yes, just let him come in."

Chen Xiuchao's assistant smiled slightly, got up from his chair, and went to the refrigerator in the office.

Not long after, there was another knock on the office door. This time, before Chen Xiu could speak, the person outside pushed the door open and entered.

The person who walked in from outside walked with a somewhat restrained gait, and his face was very clean, unlike the unshaven man Chen Xiu remembered.

A light flashed in his eyes when he saw Chen Xiu.

This light is like a luxury goods reseller spotting a big fish – the goods have arrived!

Pretending not to notice the unusual look in the other person's eyes, Chen Xiu took the initiative to greet him, "Director Guo, would you like something to drink?"

"Um, Mr. Chen, hello... I'll just have a Coke."

Guo Fan pursed his lips, suppressing his excitement—his desire to talk to Chen Xiu about dreams and to beg for alms.

He knew that the person he was talking to at this moment was not the kind of person who would act impulsively, but a shrewd, intelligent, and insightful upstart.

For this type of person, you need to take the sincere approach and showcase the grand future of the big project you have in your hands to impress them.

Guo Fan silently repeated the four words "Do not be impatient" to himself.

However, when Chen Xiu came over with a can of Coke and handed it to him, Guo Fan still slipped his hand.

"Bang!"

The sound of the cola bottle hitting the wooden floor echoed throughout the office.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Chen, I didn't hold it properly just now."

Guo Fan calmly apologized, then reached out to pick up the Coke from the ground.

Just as he was about to open the Coke, take a sip, and calm down, Chen Xiu suddenly pressed down on the Coke can.

Guo Fan looked up in confusion, and Chen Xiu explained to him, "What happens when a carbonated drink is shaken violently and dropped on the ground?"

"Oh~, Booth!"

Guo Fan gestured an explosion reaction, but his smile looked somewhat awkward.

Even though he told himself many times to stay calm and take things slowly, he still couldn't help but feel nervous when he saw Chen Xiu.

This tension did not stem from awe of Guo Fan's Chen Xiu's wealth.

Instead, he wanted something from Chen Xiu; he hoped to gain Chen Xiu's support to start his project.

People subconsciously become cautious once they have something to ask of or expect from others.

Chen Xiu didn't point out Guo Fan's embarrassment; he simply placed the Coke can on the coffee table and spun it around in the same direction many times.

"Centrifugal force can cause the bubbles to overflow, or tapping the surface of the aluminum can a few times can also stabilize the bubbles. As a guest, you should not be startled."

Chen Xiu watched as Guo Fan completed the can-spinning action, then used his index finger to open the cola bottle cap, and sure enough, it didn't burst.

"Here, here you go."

"Thank you."

Guo Fan took the Coke and took a small sip.

The stimulating taste, combined with the cool, sweet flavor, did indeed calm him down considerably.

Chen Xiu saw through her intentions but didn't say anything, instead asking, "Did Chen Sicheng tell you why I invited you here?"

"I told you, Director Chen said you have a youth film project and want to collaborate with me..."

Guo Fan put down his cola, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he pondered.

After completing his studies at Paramount, he was selected by China Film Group to direct "The Wandering Earth." The reason for his selection was simply that no one responded to the invitations sent by China Film Group to overseas science fiction directors.

Guo Fan, however, took this opportunity very seriously and devoted the entire previous year to the pre-production of the film.

Strictly speaking, he wouldn't have time to take on any youth film projects right now.

However, Guo Fan still came despite the invitation extended by Chen Xiu through Chen Sicheng, because he wanted to try to persuade Chen Xiu to "change her mind" and give up youth films in favor of science fiction!

Thinking of this, a glimmer of faith began to shine in Guo Fan's eyes.

"Mr. Chen, have you considered the youth film genre? In the past year, it has been gradually losing its market share."

Chen Xiu looked at him, feigning ignorance: "What do you mean?"

"Films like 'So Young,' 'The Left Ear,' and my film 'My Old Classmate' did perform well at the box office, but their critical reception was relatively poor, and moviegoers' enthusiasm for youth films is rapidly declining."

Having laid the groundwork, Guo Fan made the final statement: "Frankly speaking, I think investing in youth films now carries more risk than reward."

"So, which direction do you favor more?" Chen Xiu encouraged. He had invited Guo Fan over today to talk in person specifically because of "The Wandering Earth," and the so-called youth film was just an excuse.

Based on the way this cyber-Daji acts, Chen Xiu was certain that he had become someone she could beg for alms from.

Even if he guessed everything, he could only pretend not to know and let Guo Fan drive things forward, then naturally obtain the "Wandering Earth" project.

The reason it's so complicated is mainly because Guo Fan's experience as a director is too poor, and not many people are optimistic about the "Wandering Earth" project.

If Chen Xiu had immediately announced his intention to invest heavily, it might have caused Guo Fan and his China Film Group to overthink things, leading to unnecessary trouble.

But if he could just change his approach and let Guo Fan "convince" him, he could enjoy the pleasure of begging for alms, and he could also more easily get investment for "The Wandering Earth," which would be the best of both worlds.

Guo Fan naturally wouldn't know what Chen Xiu was thinking.

He felt that the negotiation process went very smoothly. He hadn't spent much effort to divert Chen Xiu's attention from the youth film, and then he even brought up a topic of conversation.

Thinking of this, Guo Fan suddenly made an unexpected move.

He reached out and grabbed Chen Xiu's sleeve, saying in a certain and confident tone, "President Chen, I think the future of Chinese cinema lies in the industrialization of film. If we're talking about a specific genre, it's science fiction!"

Looking at Cyber ​​Daji, who was excitedly grabbing him and putting on an acting show with him.

Chen Xiu felt inexplicably familiar with the scene before her.

However, he didn't think about it in detail, and just said according to the script in his mind: "Science fiction films don't have a suitable environment to survive in China."

"Mr. Chen, I feel like I've seen that sentence somewhere before, not heard it, but seen it. I'm pretty sure of it."

Guo Fan frowned slightly as he pondered, as if this sentence was of particular importance to him.

Seeing this, Chen Xiu suppressed her lip and explained, "The original text should be a line from 'The Three-Body Problem.' I've read the novel and remembered it."

"You've read 'The Three-Body Problem' too!"

Guo Fan looked at Chen Xiu with delight, feeling even more confident.

"That's right! If Director Guo is optimistic about the future of science fiction films, he must be very familiar with Liu Cixin's novels, right?"

"It's more than just familiarity; the project I'm currently working on is an adaptation of Liu Cixin's short story!"

With these words, the performance, featuring the two dramatic performers, finally reached its main theme.

Chen Xiu's face showed just the right amount of surprise and confusion: "Are you working on filming 'The Three-Body Problem'?"

"No, the rights to 'The Three-Body Problem' were bought by someone else... China Film Group bought the rights to Liu Cixin's other novels in 12, and then launched the 'Wandering Earth' project in 14. I was confirmed as the director last year."

"So you're filming 'The Wandering Earth'."

Chen Xiu looked at Guo Fan as if she had suddenly realized something, but then doubt returned to her face.

"Since you already have a project, why did you come here today?"

"Mr. Chen, I don't mean to waste your time."

Guo Fan hurriedly clarified, then a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes: "Mainly, there is still a shortfall in the production costs of 'The Wandering Earth' that China Film Group is preparing, so I am still trying to secure investment."

Chen Xiu nodded in understanding, and then relayed the rest of the message to Guo Fan.

"Are you trying to get investment from me?"

"Correct!"

"Since you're already here, tell us about the movie."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Chen."

Guo Fan responded loudly, and then began to recount what he had actually prepared before coming here today.

“Last summer, I visited Weta Workshop in New Zealand, the company that did the special effects for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’. I met Peter Jackson and talked to him about a lot of issues related to movie special effects.”

"The conclusion was that if domestic special effects companies had been used to complete the special effects shots for 'The Wandering Earth,' the production cost could have been halved; $5000 million could have achieved the effect of a film costing hundreds of millions..."

Guo Fan didn't talk about the story or filming, but instead focused on the film's cost control and production quality.

To put it simply, it's about how to get the effect of spending 1 yuan as if it were 2 yuan.

These are the topics that investors want to hear.

Chen Xiu waited for him to finish speaking, then sat down and thought for a long time before giving her own answer.

"Please organize the project's detailed plan and specifications; I need to take a closer look."

"Ok, no problem!"

Guo Fan agreed readily, a relaxed smile appearing on his face.

Although Chen Xiu did not give a clear answer, he had already expressed his intention to invest, and for the first negotiation, this attitude was sufficient.

After discussing "The Wandering Earth," the two, who weren't very familiar with each other, didn't try to force a conversation.

Guo Fan took his leave, and Chen Xiu rose to see him off; everything seemed so harmonious.

However, as Guo Fan walked out of Datang Film Studio, he couldn't help but wonder why today's trip had gone so smoothly.
In the past, when he went to beg for alms, he would talk himself hoarse and become completely exhausted.

It's truly baffling; in the end, Guo Fan simply attributed it all to his affinity with Chen Xiu...

(End of this chapter)