Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Of course, Yang Che wasn't always at ease. Ever since he entered the mainland territory, specifically Shenzhen's Luohu Station, it was as if some switch had been flipped in the dark.

First, Liu Chang called, saying that everything in the studio and warehouse had been moved to the already furnished courtyard house, and ten computers had been assembled. They were going to start working today, and the first thing they would do was a beauty contest between Zhao and Fan.

This was a plan Yang Che had already devised. The point wasn't who was prettier, that was just for attracting attention and generating controversy. The key was to secretly release stills of Fan Bingbing from "My Sassy Girl," then create a new image for her, and by comparing her to Zhao, to overshadow Lin, thus subtly rising to the top.

Having been exposed to countless retouched photos and stills of celebrities in later generations, Yang Che deeply understands that what truly makes a female celebrity beautiful in a photo is not how beautiful her features are, but the sense of story conveyed by her face. With a sense of story, the aesthetic appeal increases several times over.

For example, in "Swordsman II", Qingxia tilts her head back and drinks wine in the water;

For example, in "Malèna: The Legend of Kekexili", Monica Bellucci lights a cigarette;

For example, in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", after Dong Zhuo died, Cheng Hong sat in the carriage and lifted the curtain.

For example, Sophie Marceau's crossed arms and smile in "La Boum";

For example, Zhu Ying winks in "A Chinese Odyssey";

For example, Jennifer Connelly dancing in "Once Upon a Time in America";

For example, Wang Fei in "Chungking Express";

.......

Yang Che repeatedly reminded Liu Chang to be natural before ending the call.

Then he received a call from Yu Wenhao, who said he had made up his mind and wanted to create a navigation website.

Yang Che wondered if he had led Yu Wenhao astray.

"Aren't there plenty of navigation websites these days?"

Yu Wenhao said excitedly, "Brother Che, this is different. We're also making a mobile version. Do you remember that Siemens guy that Gao Yuanyuan filmed? It's all about mobile internet. I got the idea after watching the finished film."

Yang Che actually thought about it. Even if the WAP version couldn't be developed, the PC version of the navigation website would still be valuable. In five years, the return would definitely be ten thousand times.

He then said, "Then you do it. In the early stages, invest heavily in GG to expand your market share, and I'll give you your commission in advance."

After a few seconds of silence, Yu Wenhao said, "Brother Che, I didn't call you about money. I wanted to tell you that I want to work for you."

Whether you say Yu Wenhao has developed Stockholm syndrome from Yang Che's teachings, or whether he genuinely finds working with Yang Che enjoyable, after much deliberation, he still decides to follow Brother Che. Brother Che says he'll do it.

Yang Che hesitated for a few seconds: "When do you plan to resign?"

Yu Wenhao smiled and said, "I've already resigned."

Yang Che paused for a few seconds before saying, "Then go register a company, you'll be the legal representative, and the name will be Gugu Gaga Network Technology Co., Ltd. We'll discuss the rest in detail when I return to Beijing the day after tomorrow."

Even after the call ended, Yang Che was still deeply moved. Although he could understand that Yu Wenhao's desire to follow him was multifaceted, complex, and perhaps temporary, he was still moved nonetheless.

However, his emotions didn't last long before he received a call from Wu Hongliang, the assistant to the vice president of China Film Group. Seeing the caller's name, Yang Che roughly guessed what it was about.

really.

"Boss Yang, what's the situation with Lu Chuan?"

Yang Che chuckled as he recounted his less than one-minute phone call with Lu Chuan, including the profanities they exchanged.

Wu Hongliang remained silent for a long time: "This is indeed an idiot," then whispered, "Well, her mother asked someone to find President Han, saying she wanted to see if they could support the young director and buy the copyright to the studio."

Yang Che immediately burst out laughing.

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Don't laugh, don't... hahaha."

Wu Hongliang laughed along, and the two of them laughed like lunatics for a while before they started talking again.

Just a few days ago, Lu Chuan had asked Master Han to look at the script for "Looking for a Gun." He said that he had been at the Beijing Film Academy for three years and felt lost, like he had lost his gun, which is why he wrote the script for "Looking for a Gun."

"Is that really what they said?"

"Really, I was there..."

The two people on the phone were silent for a while, both admiring Han Sanping's magnanimity.

Han Sanping finally told Lu Chuan to revise the script again, and that investment would have to wait, since Beijing Film Studio was short of money and China Film Group was still undergoing restructuring.

Then Lu Chuan called Yang Che to "demand the copyright," and was subsequently scolded until she cried and had to call her parents.

"Mr. Han didn't say anything, he just asked me to make a call to you."

Yang Che paused for a moment and then smiled, "Brother Wu, please reply to him for me: Tell him to give up on that idea and stop talking to me about it. I'm going to film it anyway. If anyone tries to retaliate against me because of this, feel free to do so."

Wu Hongliang clicked his tongue: "You're overthinking it. Who are you? The number one person to export copyrights overseas."

The two then exchanged a few words and hung up the phone.

The phone call did affect Yang Che's mood somewhat, but he didn't regret it. If it could rid the Chinese film industry of a piece of shit, then he would have done a great service.

Well... Jiang Wen said in an interview during the promotion of "The Missing Gun": "I respect the title of director or his true value, but many directors are neither good nor bad in the eyes of others. If you take them elsewhere, people will immediately see that they are nothing. I have indeed found many people who, once exposed to the light of day, are nothing at all, just rubbish, nothing at all."

So, Yang Che was right to say Taro was poop, but he didn't say he was dog poop.

So Yang Che quickly adjusted his mood, and the vehicle arrived in Changping, Dongguan. He heard an announcement and got out to complete the immigration procedures...

After getting back on the bus, I received a call from Fan Xiaotian, who said that "Spring Bright Pigsy" had finished its trial broadcast on Tianjin Cable TV Channel 2.

"With an average viewership rating of 26%, I'm starting to regret going through with the trial run, haha."

Yang Che raised an eyebrow: "Does the TV station not accept betting agreements?"

Fan Xiaotian paused, his tone somewhat strained: "The quality of the series and the pilot episode ratings speak for themselves. How could they possibly agree to a bet? They agreed before, but now they're saying it doesn't comply with the procedures."

Yang Che understood Fan Xiaotian's unspoken meaning: it was simply that since Yang Che's plan hadn't been used, it was inappropriate for him to still want a 25% stake. However, Fan Xiaotian wasn't a good businessman and didn't know how to bring it up.

But now, why would Yang Che care about that extra 5% profit?

However, he feigned ignorance: "Has any TV station made an offer?"

"Yes, Heilongjiang TV wants to broadcast it exclusively, at 15 yuan per episode. Audiences in Northeast China like mythological dramas."

Yang Che did the math, scoffed, and said, "Dream on."

Even if you sell it to four companies at this price, it would only be 60 per episode. The return on investment... tsk tsk, not very interesting.