Huayu09: Starting with Hijacking Xiao Shenyang

"Brother Cheng Long, it's better to be lucky than early. Shall we come inside and discuss the 'Twelve Zodiacs' project?"

Wang Zhonglei suggested.

"No rush, no rush. We'll discuss it together when that person from Hong Kong arrives. I need to read through the script in the next few days."

Cheng Long waved his hand.

He hadn't done the budget yet, so he had no idea what to expect.

There are only so many slots available, so we need to carefully consider who gets them and who doesn't.

"Alright, we'll discuss it later. Old Jiang, it's getting late, let's call it a day. I'll make arrangements for tonight."

"No problem, bro, I'm getting another free meal."

"Hahaha…"

Several bigwigs left the film crew arm in arm.

"Set crew, put the props away. We'll need them again tomorrow. Have someone keep an eye on them. Producer Ma, have you finalized Uncle Wen's shooting schedule? The scenes at the jelly shop must be filmed by tomorrow. Also, Liu Zi's tombstone..."

With Jiang Wen gone, Chen Mo was left to clean up the mess.

"Sigh... Director Chen, thanks to you, I've roughly calculated that we've saved more than 600 million since filming started."

Marco practically worshipped Chen Mo.

"The most enjoyable thing is Benshan Media's business, and Uncle Wen's business is my business. It's all what I should do."

People must have a grateful heart.

Before Chen Mo became famous, Jiang Wen also helped him with all sorts of things.

"Director Chen, Cai Yinong is here, and she brought two artists with her."

The staff ran over to report to the supervisor.

"Two? Isn't there only one Liu Shishi?"

Chen Mo countered with a question.

"And there's Hu Ge."

"understood."

Shortly after, the three entered the film set.

To everyone's surprise, Chen Mo was sitting in the director's chair directing the staff to record the equipment.

"Sis, I read the news. Isn't 'Let the Bullets Fly' a movie directed by Jiang Wen?"

Hu Ge asked in confusion.

"Benshan Media is the second largest producer, and it seems that Director Chen helped revise the script for 'Let the Bullets Fly.' As for why Director Chen was able to sit in Director Jiang Wen's director's chair, I don't know. Go over and say hello. You are all the same age, so you should have a lot in common."

"Sis, if I remember correctly, Director Chen isn't even 19 yet, right? I'm already 27, and Shi Shi is 22. We're still filming TV dramas, while he's already the highest-grossing director in China, and his debut film won Best Screenplay at Cannes. What common ground could we possibly have?"

"Don't be discouraged. You'll have your chance to be on the big screen someday. Let's go."

Cai Yinong really didn't mean to mock her own artists. Compared to other peers, Hu Ge and Liu Shishi are already very outstanding. It's a pity that the other person is Chen Mo.

There's also Liu Yifei, who rose to fame at the age of fourteen with "The Story of a Noble Family" and was known as the "Nation's Fairy".

Ugh…

They're all monsters.

Comparing yourself to others will only lead to ruin, and comparing goods will only make you want to throw them away.

"Director Chen, Yifei, Sister Liu, and who is this?"

Cai Yinong looked at Ma Lijuan, whose face was completely unfamiliar.

"Is this President Cai, Ma Lijuan, Xiao Mo's teacher's wife?"

Ma Lijuan introduced herself.

Although there had been some friction before, now that the friction has been resolved, she has no reason to make things difficult for the other party.

"Oh, so you're the boss's wife from Benshan Media. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner."

Cai Yinong quickly extended her palm.

The two shook hands but didn't discuss anything else.

"Director Chen, this is Liu Shishi. The matter of her being tied up with Yifei has nothing to do with her. It was mainly the company's decision, which was indeed too eager for quick success. As the boss, I sincerely apologize to you on behalf of our artists."

Cai Yinong didn't try to shift the blame; she openly admitted that it was her own problem.

Liu Shishi kept her head down, not daring to look Liu Yifei in the eye.

The same was true in the original timeline; Sister Xia always avoided Lao Liu, and when participating in activities, she tried to avoid contact as much as possible.

On the few occasions they appeared together, she was always outshone.

It gives off a bit of a "fake Monkey King" vibe.

Chen Mo didn't say anything, but glanced at Lao Liu.

"Just don't tie me up in the future, there's really no need for you to come all this way in person."

Liu Yifei said softly.

"Our Yifei is the kindest! How about we have dinner together tonight? I've already made reservations."

Cai Yinong extended a warm invitation.

"No need, we have a dinner appointment tonight, Chairman Han and Brother Cheng Long will be there, it wouldn't be good to stand them up."

Liu Xiaoli continued.

Hedong in thirty years and Hexi in thirty years.

Finally, I've let out all the pent-up anger. Mr. Cai, you can continue working in the TV drama industry. From now on, our Xixi will only be filming on the big screen and will be in contact with top-tier big shots.

Liu Xiaoli may be aloof, but she's not someone anyone can bully. She couldn't get justice before, but now she has to vent her anger.

"Brother Cheng Long is here too? He quite admires Hu Ge. Why don't we join him?"

Cai Yinong is taking advantage of people's kindness.

"Sure, we're all in the same industry."

Liu Xiaoli did not refuse, but she gave Chen Mo a wink.

A restaurant.

Zhao Benshan, Jiang Wen, Han Shanping, Cheng Long, Da Wang and Xiao Wang, and others had already started drinking.

There were several tables of food nearby, reserved for the film crew.

"Xiao Mo, why did it take you so long to get here?"

Jiang Wen was a little drunk; his tongue was stiff.

"Don't you know why I only just arrived, Uncle Wen?"

Chen Mo rolled his eyes.

"Hahaha... Xiao Mo, you're my lucky star!"

Jiang Wen burst into laughter.

"Sigh, I've been envying Benshan and Lao Jiang for N days now. Xiao Mo, why don't you come and be my director? 'Chinese Zodiac' is Uncle Long's last big action movie, and he wants to put his whole heart into it."

Jackie Chan extended another invitation.

This time it was much more sincere than the last. After reading the script, I couldn't help but sigh like Jiang Wen: he understands our film better than we do.

"I…"

Chen Mo looked at Liu Yifei beside him.

The meaning is clear: Lao Liu wants me to be him, so I'll be him.

"Oh my, Xiao Mo is henpecked."

"That's why people say the two of them can be master and apprentice; there's a lineage between them."

"Get lost, I've never been afraid of my wife since I was a kid."

"Benshan, Teacher Ma is behind you."

"Where?"

Zhao Benshan was startled; his performance was highly theatrical.

"Hahaha…"

The old men burst into laughter again.

Ma Lijuan and Liu Xiaoli also covered their mouths and chuckled.

"Everyone, please sit down. Mr. Cai, Mr. Hu, and Mr. Liu, don't be shy. They're talking about their important matters, and we'll talk about ours."

Ma Lijuan gestured for everyone to take their seats.

"cough…"

Liu Xiaoli glanced at Chen Mo again.

"Old Liu, let's go to that table and talk about the female lead in 'Chinese Zodiac'."

Chen Mo calmly took Liu Yifei's hand and walked to the main table.

"The Twelve Zodiacs, a new script that Xiao Mo wrote for Jackie Chan, with Xixi as the female lead."

Liu Xiaoli offered a seemingly casual explanation.

It's really just showing off.

Back then, we only had money but no resources. We acted in a few TV series with Tang Ren, and you guys dragged him down with you. Now the tables have turned, and our Qianqian has plenty of resources.

Moreover, it's on the big screen, a big production, and released globally.

"I just overheard Brother Jackie Chan saying that he wants to hire our Xiao Mo as a director. He's really going to rely on us, offering his manpower, money, and story."

Sister Liu wanted to show off.

Sister Ma has to lend a hand.

"Who wouldn't say so? Did Teacher Zhao and Chen Mo mention the total budget?"

Liu Xiaoli was still not satisfied.

"I overheard Xiao Mo mention it. If we film it according to his script, it would cost at least two or three hundred million. Our two families should be able to get a 25% investment share."

Ma Lijuan wasn't exaggerating; she really did get this information out of Chen Mo.

"A huge project worth two or three hundred million! How much is Sisi's salary? Have you heard anything about it, little sister?"

Liu Xiaoli asked again.

"I heard from Xiao Mo that her salary for 'Project Gutenberg' was 150 million. Our daughter's performance was impeccable, and the box office results at home and abroad speak for themselves. It should be at least doubled, at least 300 million."

Ma Lijuan agreed.

"Based on this year's market conditions, it has already surpassed the two ice creams."

Liu Xiaoli said calmly.

Everyone was shocked by the salary.

Top actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry, such as Maggie Cheung and Gong Li, are highly sought after and rarely have a project that can persuade them to take on roles.

Below the two empresses is international movie star Zhang Ziyi.

The film's salary was 1500 million.

PS: This price was indeed the same before, but it has since dropped by half.

Secondly, there's Zhou Xun, the top actress in the Chinese entertainment industry.

The film salary is 400 million to 500 million.

Secondly, Zhao Yanzi.

The film's salary was 350 million.

Secondly, there's Xu Cainu and Shuang Bing.

The film's salary is around 200 million.

Liu Yifei's salary has risen to 300 million yuan, second only to Zhou Xun and Zhao Yanzi, placing her in the second tier of top celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry.

The 300 million yuan salary in 2009 was equivalent to the total income that Liu Shishi brought to Tang Ren after a year of hard work.