Huayu: From the Era of Ringtones to Becoming a Legend

Wu Ziming's status in the domestic directing industry needs no further explanation. He possesses solid skills, an excellent reputation, and a consistent box office appeal.

More importantly, as a top-tier television director, he has never made a movie.

If he can direct his directorial debut film this time, that alone could support a large portion of the box office!

However, precisely because of this, countless capital forces within the industry have tried to win them over, but all have been politely refused.

Today, Qianxing Media has a terrible reputation, and its public image has plummeted.

Even if Wu Ziming admires Lu Jiuge's talent, he may not be willing to get involved in this mess.

Moreover, the other party had already clearly rejected me once when we met not long ago.

But Lu Jiuge had no other choice.

His youth film featuring three female leads, which is deeply tied to the Elvis brand, has extremely heavy product placement.

Without a top-tier director to control the scale, it would most likely have turned into an awkward, stiff, and universally ridiculed extended version of a terrible film.

If the movie flops, the brand suffers a backlash, and the artists' reputations collapse, it will have a significant impact on Liu Yifei and the other two.

After hesitating for a while, Lu Jiuge took out her phone and dialed Wu Ziming's number.

"Beep...beep..."

After a few ringing tones, the call connected, and Wu Ziming's cheerful voice came through:

"Haha, Xiao Lu, you're such a busy person, it's rare that you still have time to call me!"

Lu Jiuge wasn't led astray and steered the conversation back to the main topic:

"Director Wu, please stop trying to whitewash me. Qianxing Entertainment is facing an unprecedented and enormous crisis!"

Hearing this, Wu Ziming knew that Lu Jiuge hadn't come to him to reminisce, so he put away his teasing and became serious:

"Xiao Lu, in the past year or so, you've certainly been incredibly popular in the entertainment industry, but your reputation has also been mixed!"

"Is there something you need from me today?"

After glancing at the script outline on the computer, Lu Jiuge went straight to the point:

"Director Wu, I have a movie script here prepared for the Spring Festival season. It's an ensemble piece with three female leads, and the structure, character design, and market appeal are all top-notch. I'd like to invite you to direct it!"

Wu Ziming chuckled:

"Mr. Lu, when we chatted last time, I mentioned that I didn't want to take any risks!"

Lu Jiuge doesn't beat around the bush:

"Director Wu, I'll offer you five million in salary."

Wu Ziming's expression remained unchanged, clearly indicating that he had not yet given his word.

Lu Jiuge, unhurried, delivered the most fatal blow:

"I wrote the script for this play myself."

Upon hearing Lu Jiuge personally write those words, Wu Ziming remained silent for two seconds.

He knew very well that the book written by this young man had an astonishingly high rate of becoming a bestseller.

A soft sigh came from the other end of the phone:

"I happen to be in Hengdian. I'll come to your company now and see the script in person."

"Okay, Director Wu, I'll wait for you at the company!"

"Okay, see you later!"

……

After hanging up the phone, Lu Jiuge sat back down at the head of the tea table, pondering what kind of words she should use later.

Less than half an hour later, there was a knock on the office door, and Wu Ziming walked in.

"Xiao Lu, in less than a year, your Qianxing Media has undergone a truly earth-shattering transformation!"

"You've rented all three buildings around here?"

Lu Jiuge stood up and gestured for Wu Ziming to sit down, answering as she brewed tea:

"It's not a rent!"

Lu Jiuge smiled and said:

"I asked about the price, thought it was reasonable, and bought it right away!"

"Bought it?"

Wu Ziming's expression changed drastically.

Acquiring three buildings and the land together—this move hardly seems like that of a company facing a crisis.

This is our confidence, our trump card, and our unyielding strength that can withstand even the fiercest storms.

Seeing Wu Ziming's shock, Lu Jiuge didn't boast. Instead, she changed the subject and pushed the laptop in front of him:

"Director Wu, this is the detailed outline of my script. Take a look and see if you're interested in making money together!"

"When the movie makes money, in addition to your five million yuan salary, I'll give you 10% of the profits. Thank you for your support, Director Wu!"

When faced with self-interest, no one can resist the temptation.

Wu Ziming was no exception; after listening to Lu Jiuge's words, he lowered his head and began to read attentively.

The office fell silent again, with only the sound of a mouse clicking.

Lu Jiuge did not disturb them and sat quietly to the side.

ten minutes.

twenty minutes.

Half an hour passed.

Wu Ziming slowly raised his head, his eyes no longer showing the initial casualness, but instead filled with an uncontrollable shock and admiration.

"Wow...what a great ensemble cast of three female leads, a perfect teen idol drama!"

"Director Wu, do you think this script, paired with three talented actresses—Liu Yifei, Tang Yan, and Ren Suxi—will be a hit?"

Seeing Wu Ziming's expression, Lu Jiuge knew he was already interested and pressed him for more information.

"They're popular, and they're very good at fighting!"

In response, Wu Ziming abruptly changed the subject:

"However, with so many GG scenes inserted into your script, is this a commissioned production? Or is it for your own brand?"

"Director Wu, for this film, we have a deep partnership with the Avis brand. They invested 1.2 million yuan as a sponsorship fee, asking for nothing in return!"

"puff!"

Upon hearing Lu Jiuge's words, Wu Ziming spat out the tea he had just drunk:

"So, by that calculation, your movie was practically made with zero budget?"

Lu Jiuge smiled faintly:

"Avis's 1.2 million yuan title sponsorship covers the vast majority of production costs. However, the condition is that Liu Yifei must sign a ten-year long-term endorsement contract with Avis."

Wu Ziming gave him a deep look.

By using a single film, you can secure top-tier celebrities and brand funding, with others bearing the risks and you reaping the profits.

That's a very shrewd plan.

"A sure-fire way to make money."

He gave a deep and serious evaluation.

Seeing that the atmosphere had been set enough, Lu Jiuge seized the opportunity to ask again:

"Director Wu, how about it? Are you interested in giving Qianxing Media the experience of directing your first film?"

Wu Ziming looked at the young man in front of him, who was only in his early twenties.

Despite experiencing great ups and downs and being in dire straits, he still maintained sharp eyes, clear thinking, and proceeded step by step with caution.

If it were anyone else, and the company had fallen into such a predicament, they would have panicked and done whatever they wanted, either groveling to the capitalists or just finding any director to fill in.

But Lu Jiuge didn't.

He was willing to withstand the pressure to invite the right people to the table.

Such composure and such vision are rare in the industry.

Wu Ziming thought for a while, then suddenly laughed:

"Xiao Lu, did you deliberately call me here because you knew I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of this script?"

Lu Jiuge understood.

Wu Ziming was giving himself a way out.

She was clearly moved by the script, but she insisted on pretending that he had predicted it.

While inwardly complaining, Lu Jiuge maintained a respectful demeanor on the surface:

"Director Wu is joking. I really need someone like you to steer the ship!"

"If this movie were directed by any other director, it would easily turn into a terrible promotional video! But if Director Wu directs it, it's guaranteed to be a top-tier commercial blockbuster!"

Wu Ziming let out a long breath, looked at Lu Jiuge, his eyes no longer showing any probing, only determination.

"I can handle this script."

He stood up and extended his hand to Lu Jiuge:

"I'll take the five million yuan fee."

"Your script, my direction."

"Let's make a three-female-lead epic that will be remembered throughout the entire Spring Festival film season."

Lu Jiuge reached out and shook hands with Wu Ziming:

"That's great, Director Wu! With you in charge of this film, I feel much more confident!"

Sitting down again, Wu Ziming switched roles and immediately got into character, asking:

"Xiao Lu, when do you plan to start filming? This movie is going to be released during the Spring Festival, which means we only have three months at most!"

"We don't have much time to waste!"

Lu Jiuge was very satisfied with Wu Ziming's professional attitude:

"Director Wu, filming can begin anytime. Funding is fully in place, and the lead actors are all our own people; there's no need to adjust schedules!"

"Now, it all depends on when your team can get here!"

Wu Ziming thought for a moment, then held up two fingers:

"Filming can begin in just two days, and the location will be Hengdian World Studios, making team setup much easier!"