The Rise of Chinese Entertainment in 2008

"I will definitely give President Han face, but does President Han think there is any point in taking the short film offline now?" Gu Ning said.

Han Sanpin sighed, "At least it can ease the tension a bit. If things really get too tense, it won't do you any good."

Lu Chuan's father is a famous screenwriter with a very high status in several screenwriter-related associations.

He has some influence over the script review process, and it would be too easy to use connections to get Gu Ning's script approved.

It's so easy to find fault with a script.

"I understand Mr. Han's good intentions, but even if I back down now, the other party will still hold a grudge against me. Rather than that, I might as well vent my anger first," Gu Ning said in a relaxed tone.

He naturally knew Lu Chuan's father's status in the industry, but in most things in the world, relationships are one thing, but interests are the most important.

No matter how powerful Lu Chuan's father was, he couldn't completely control whether a script would pass censorship.

As long as he can bring benefits to people, investors will take care of these things.

Lu Chuan also revised the script many times when filming this movie.

It is clear that although his father was influential, he was actually not that great.

Gu Ning was actually quite curious about what kind of thing he would end up making if he hadn't changed the script.

"Ugh."

President Han sighed, "Young people are just too impetuous!"

"What you're saying, Mr. Han, is quite something. If you weren't so spirited, what kind of young person would you be?" Gu Ning said with a smile.

In fact, having lived two lives, one should consider the gains and losses even more when making decisions.

But Gu Ning had experienced too much of this in her previous life, and she didn't want to bother with it, much less feel resentful.

If you can't make it in this industry, you can always stockpile scripts and buy some stocks; you can still live a comfortable life.

You can feel resentful after being reborn, but it absolutely cannot be because of money.

Most importantly, the pie is only so big; if you take too much, it will definitely affect the interests of others.

If we don't establish our authority, everyone will treat him like a pushover.

While this approach wouldn't prevent everyone from daring to offend him, after this incident, some nobody dared not cross him anymore.

"It's good that you know what's going on."

Han Sanpin said, "I didn't agree to anything; I just asked around. By the way, how's the movie going?"

"It'll be soon, we'll wrap up filming in about two weeks," Gu Ning said.

After hearing this, Han Sanpin asked a few more questions before hanging up the phone.

Gu Ning didn't take this matter to heart at all. This was nothing compared to what he had to do with his other methods.

…………

Han Sanpin hung up the phone and shook his head.

He still admires Gu Ning. He thinks that the big directors in China are really not good at making commercial films, and they rely more on their fame to attract people.

Although Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige's movies did well at the box office, their plots and reviews were terrible.

What if the audience stops buying into this kind of reputation over time?

China needs directors who can make good commercial films.

Regardless of Gu Ning's directing abilities, the scripts he produces are indeed quite good.

If the plot is good, even if the director's skills are a little lacking, it doesn't matter.

Therefore, he did not want Gu Ning to offend someone and affect his own future.

The script issue is only one aspect; offending the capital behind it means that Gu Ning's future films will inevitably be criticized upon release.

However, he sensed the determination in Gu Ning's tone and hesitated for a moment before giving up on trying to persuade her.

After thinking for a moment, Han Sanpin made a phone call and told the other party that he had no way to help.

…………

"Dad, you said he refused?"

Lu Chuan received a call from her father and was somewhat incredulous.

In his view, he had already asked his father to intervene and ask someone to ask Han Sanpin to mediate, which was already a sign that he had given in to Gu Ning.

I thought Gu Ning would know when to stop, but I didn't expect her to refuse.

"Young people, who haven't yet encountered setbacks, are full of vigor and high spirits, so it's normal for them not to know when to advance or retreat."

Mr. Lu sneered, "With that kind of temper, he's bound to suffer some consequences in the future."

"I see."

Lu Chuan snapped out of her daze and sneered, "Speaking of which, I should thank him. His actions not only didn't affect the box office, but actually increased it significantly compared to yesterday!"

"That's good. Don't worry about this. I'll find a chance to avenge you later. Just don't say anything carelessly in front of the media," Mr. Lu instructed.

"Um."

Lu Chuan nodded, chatted with her father for a few words, and then hung up the phone.

…………

"Old Gu, this isn't right."

Liu Sanxi said urgently, "The short film was released yesterday, and the box office not only wasn't affected, it actually increased!"

"What's the rush?"

Gu Ning didn't care about this. If most people were criticizing a movie, most viewers might be influenced and not watch it.

But if there's a lot of criticism, many people will want to go and see just how bad it is.

Some people even view it with the mentality that they are the only sober one in a world of drunks.

"It's not that I'm in a hurry."

Liu Sanxi said, "We were just trying to vent our anger, but we ended up helping him boost his box office. It feels a bit..."

He didn't know how to describe that feeling for a moment.

"You're doing this..."

Gu Ning explained her arrangements and instructed, "Remember, be discreet!"

"Are you telling the truth?"

Liu Sanxi exclaimed in surprise, "Although I saw it online, I thought it was just nonsense."

"Why don't you just look it up and find out?"

Gu Ning sneered, "If we really want to investigate this kind of thing, it's not difficult."

He was referring to the fact that Lu Chuan's film was invested in by Xiao Ri Zi Company.

This matter was only brought to light several years later.

Although the investment was only 1.5 million US dollars, it's still a biased approach to making a war-themed movie with money meant for a meager living.

No matter how Lu Chuan explained it, no one would believe her.

"I see."

Liu Sanxi said excitedly, "If this is true, then he can just wait to be nailed to the pillar of shame."

Gu Ning didn't take Liu Sanxi's words seriously, even though when the news broke in her previous life, the movie had been off the screens for several years and the hype had long since died down.

Revealing this now, when the hype is at its peak, will generate even more public attention.

However, it is also very difficult to completely destroy it.

Just as Gu Ning was about to put her phone away after ending the call, another call came in.

Upon seeing the note, Gu Ning's lips curled up into a smile. She answered the call and held the phone to her ear.

After the call connected, Gu Ning didn't speak, and neither did the other person.

However, Gu Ning could vaguely hear breathing sounds coming from the receiver.

Why aren't you saying anything?

Are you alright?

Liu Yifei hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Gu Ning didn't answer, but instead asked, "Why haven't you replied to my calls and texts lately?"

"I've been quite busy lately," Liu Yifei said.

Gu Ning asked, "So you mean you're free now?"

"I heard you had a conflict with someone and was worried that it would affect the film, so I called to ask."

Liu Yifei said, "It seems my worries were unnecessary. I have something to do, so I'll hang up now."

Although she and Shu Chang often talked on the phone, they both tacitly avoided mentioning Gu Ning.

She learned about the conflict between Gu Ning and Lu Chuan from her mother.

Liu Xiaoli saw the news online and worried that the film's release would be affected.

Although Liu Yifei only played a minor supporting role, this was her only recent work.

"etc!"