Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Of course, the first film also features Lin Mu and Song Xiaofei. Since we're following Hollywood's rules, we can't treat them differently.

With that, Yang Che's mission in the United States was complete: he united the team, discussed ideas and personnel assignments for the second film, and found a suitable "godfather" for "Saw".

The reason for signing a contract with Lionsgate's owner, Frank Gustave, is simply because that's their standard procedure.

So Yang Che and Wu Shixian flew to New York and met Frank Gustave, who was making a fortune in the stock market. They talked for one minute about the necessity of the 55% profit sharing and two minutes about East Asian culture, and then signed the contract, because the big boss only had three minutes to meet with Yang Che.

As Yang Che left the office, he inexplicably thought of a movie from later years called "The Lychee of Chang'an". He was the lychee envoy in the movie "Saw", and the movie was about the nine lychees served on the table.

Of course, there are also various kinds of fresh fruit on the table, and all sorts of "fruit messengers" outside the office.

People in New York seem to have gone mad; upon closer inspection, it seems the whole of America has descended into madness.

Yang Che really wanted to take a trip to Wall Street, so he dragged Wu Shixian along.

After getting into the taxi, Yang Che pointed to the Motorola stock ticker hanging on the rearview mirror and asked, feigning ignorance, "Hey, Bro, what's that?"

The black driver with dreadlocks grinned widely: "Stocks, you know? Stock ticker receivers, right now every American is making money."

Yang Che and Wu Shixian exchanged a glance.

In the past few days, they not only talked about movies with a group of American independent filmmakers, but also about stocks, and witnessed the madness firsthand. Unlike the feeling they got from reading articles online in their previous life, this madness was overwhelming.

Even when you go to the supermarket to buy a bottle of water, you can see middle-aged women shouting into their phones to order Yahoo stocks.

On the plane to New York, I met a retired teacher couple from Salt Lake City who had mortgaged all their savings and their house, investing all $60 in stock of a pet food website.

Nowadays on Wall Street, you can just make up any internet concept, and as long as an analyst is willing to endorse it, it can be valued and listed.

An internet company called Cigar Club was valued at $1.2 million based solely on its concept, even though it didn't have any physical stores. One analyst wrote in a report, "Cigars are the social currency of the internet age."

This is not an exaggeration. What is exaggerated is that an internet company with only one online dice game went public on January 1, 2000. As the first company to go public in the millennium, its market value on the first day exceeded that of General Motors.

.........

These incredible events have led to a $2.5 trillion increase in Nasdaq's total market capitalization over the past two years, equivalent to an extra $9000 for every American.

So when my black friend said that every American is making money, it's not an exaggeration. Basically, anyone who buys internet stocks makes money.

Yahoo's Jerry Yang is now the richest person in the Chinese-speaking world...

Upon arriving at the destination, Yang Che touched the golden bull's testicles and was satisfied; he had simply wanted to experience the atmosphere of the place.

Wu Shixian said, "Although I don't understand stocks, I feel the bullish trend is about to break down. Brother Che, be careful!"

Yang Che shook his head, but pointed to the people in suits on the street: "Yeah, even you, who don't understand, think this is ridiculous. Do you think these smartest people in the world understand?"

"Of course they understand, but they all think that they are the lucky ones who will escape unscathed because they are smart enough."

Yang Che gave a thumbs up: "That's a profound statement. Sigh, I think I'll definitely be one of the lucky ones, it's just a pity I don't have any money right now. Alright, let's go."

"No, you came all this way just to touch cow balls?"

Yang Che said seriously, "That's right."

Wu Shixian nodded, not understanding, but accepting.

We're all artists; everyone has their moments of eccentricity.

The two then went to the airport, but did not travel together.

Yang Che flew to Los Angeles alone and then to Port City on January 7th, while Wu Shixian naturally flew to Salt Lake City. He had to wait for the closing ceremony of Sundance on the 15th, not only for the award but also to continue promoting "Saw". Most importantly, things were urgent, as his girlfriend was still in Park City.

With plenty of time before boarding, the two chatted and smoked outside the terminal.

Wu Shixian smoked Marlboro, while Yang Che, with a cigar in his mouth, looked like a nouveau riche.

I've been so bored these past few days, and this box of Montecristo was a gift from Mark from Lionsgate.

"I haven't told you yet, but I've had a conversation with Gong Beibi these past few days and we've come up with a story."

"Heavy breathing, I thought you meant you were having a baby."

Wu Shixian remained silent for a long time, then patted Yang Che's shoulder with pity: "Brother Che, you've worked hard. Actually, I think Michelle is pretty good-looking, not bad-looking at all, and her butt is big enough..."

Yang Che was furious: "Get out! Get out! Get out!"

Wu Shixian chuckled several times before beginning to tell the story of a female driver seeking revenge.

Yang Che raised an eyebrow: "Where have I heard this story before?"

Wu Shixian looked completely bewildered: "No way, this story came about in a casual chat between Gong Beibi and me. I haven't told anyone else yet, and I haven't even written the script."

Yang Che was still puzzled: "Really?"

"Yes, where have you heard of it?"

Yang Che shook his head: "I don't know. Have you ever had that feeling that you've experienced this scene before, and you can even predict what will happen next?"

Wu Shixian looked worried and scratched his head: "Brother Che, how about I go to Los Angeles with you?"

"Let's not talk about chickens, let's be civilized. Damn it, don't look at me like that, I'm not crazy."

"Well, I've heard that this is called memory misalignment and predictive illusion, and it happens when you're under a lot of psychological stress."

Yang Che opened his mouth, exhaled a puff of smoke, and changed the subject: "The story is good, it's a very short film."

"Yeah, just for fun. I'll make it after I get the prize money for 'My Sassy Girl'."

Yang Che stroked his chin: "You're neglecting your studies. You're about to become a Hollywood director. Give me this story. I'm a graduate student. Even if I don't attend classes, I still have to hand in some assignments."

Wu Shih-hsien's true colors were revealed: "Fine, if you want to make it, then make it. But then invest in 'Waiting Alone' for me."

Yang Che laughed: "Okay, I'll give you as much as you want. But it's a deal, the money is a loan to you, and you can pay me back when you get your share of the profits from 'Saw'."

"Damn, what if the dividends aren't enough?"

"Then consider the budget for 'Waiting Alone' a gift from me."

Wu Shixian raised both hands in a deep bow, his expression extremely exaggerated: "May Brother Che live forever, and rule the martial arts world!"

Yang Che had no time to pay attention to Wu Shixian; his attention was focused on a Chinese woman getting out of a taxi, and a beautiful one at that.