Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Yang Che racked his brains but couldn't understand the business logic here; perhaps there really wasn't any business logic at all.

So he nodded with great admiration: "I hope that one day Boss Jiang can open Broadway movie centers all over China."

Jiang Zhiqiang said earnestly, "I will work hard and hope to get Mr. Yang's help."

Yang Che looked completely bewildered: "I don't know how I can help Boss Jiang?"

"You are the most capable filmmaker I have ever met in all my years in the industry."

Yang Che was even more confused.

Jiang Zhiqiang chuckled: "I've chatted with Liu Chang, Yu Wenhao, Wu Shixian, and Wen Ziren. Whether it's 'My Sassy Girl' or 'Saw,' the preparation and filming time was so short, yet the completion rate was so high. This shows that you've thought through everything in the film, and you even know how to promote it. Xu Zhigong from Taiwan told me that it's a waste of talent for someone like me to make movies, haha."

Yang Che remained silent for a long time. He felt that although he meddled in everything, he hadn't really gotten involved much; all he'd done was cheat a little...

"I'm truly flattered by Boss Jiang's praise; they might be exaggerating a bit, haha. So, what exactly did Boss Jiang want to talk to me about?"

"Let's get to know each other formally. I hope we can become friends. Edko Films is willing to participate in any film you lead, whether it's funding or overseas distribution."

Also, regarding "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," I personally think Ang Lee did a great job and it has the potential to be a huge hit. I'd like to schedule a time to go see the post-production together. If you'd like to invest then, I can give up a percentage of my original investment.

Yang Che felt conflicted. He could sense Jiang Zhiqiang's sincerity, but having capital and knowledge of the future, how could he accept investment from others?

It was indeed very sincere. What Yang Che didn't know was that, in China, only Ang Lee and Zhang Yimou had ever received such a promise of film investment from Jiang Zhiqiang.

"If there are any related needs, I certainly won't hesitate to help. As for 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' since it's already in post-production, I won't participate. If there's a shortage of funds during filming, I can help resolve that. Although I don't have much money, I have a group of good brothers, haha."

Jiang Zhiqiang felt very frustrated. The sincerity he showed in trying to befriend Yang Che was not needed by Yang Che, and he received a reverse promise instead... He did not think Yang Che was joking. He could feel Yang Che's sincerity and the respect in his words and actions.

"Okay, let's keep in touch and cooperate. There's one more thing I'd like to discuss with you. If we're going to hold a celebration party for 'My Sassy Girl,' I'd like to hold it in Hong Kong, with all expenses covered by Edko Films."

Yang Che pondered for a moment and nodded: "Okay, I will try my best to invite film companies from Taiwan, as well as Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia."

Jiang Zhiqiang teased, "Okay, it would be best if you could invite Wang Fei. She booked a whole theater for her friends to watch a movie, and I should thank her too. Besides, since yesterday, the screenings and attendance of 'My Sassy Girl' have increased."

Yang Che gave a wry smile: "I can try to invite her, but there's really nothing between us. My girlfriend is coming to Hong Kong soon."

Jiang Zhiqiang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

"The paparazzi in Hong Kong are world-famous. How about we schedule the celebration banquet for January 22nd?"

"I have my postgraduate entrance exam that day, the 26th. How's that?"

Jiang Zhiqiang opened his mouth. The date, the 22nd, was one he had someone calculate... It seemed to be an auspicious day, the day of the mainland postgraduate entrance examination.

"Let me check the schedule. If everything is fine, then the 26th. I'll give you an answer tonight."

"OK."

The two then talked about the film market, policy trends, and their evaluation and characterization of domestic directors. Yes, that's certainly true; it was a bird's-eye view.

For a moment, I felt as if the only heroes in the world today were you, my lord and Cao Cao.

When Jiang Zhiqiang saw Yang Che off, he was quite reluctant to part with him, but unfortunately, Yang Che had a beautiful woman with him.

Yes, Yang Che didn't ask Jiang Zhiqiang to take him; there were plenty of taxis available.

This time, Yang Che was recognized by the taxi driver.

This reminded Yang Che of two female celebrities with remarkably similar names: Zhang Yuxi and Zhang Xinyu. Both rose to fame because of men's pendants and then smoothly entered the entertainment industry...

Of course, many more suddenly rose to stardom due to fabricated scandals.

Although Chan Kar-ying responded to the media yesterday, only major newspapers such as Oriental Daily and Ming Pao reported on it, but some say that this is because he is unwilling to admit it.

Many media outlets completely ignored Chen Jiaying and Yang Che's denials and continued to claim that Yang Che was Wang Fei's boyfriend, as if they were afraid of missing out on traffic.

In mainland China, the news spread from the internet to offline events, and first appeared on television.

Suddenly, Wang Weiqing's electronics store became bustling with activity. All the nearby shopkeepers rushed in to find out what was going on, after all, Wang Weiqing often boasted about his son...

"Sister Wang, I heard your Yang Che and Wang Fei are dating?"

Wang Weiqing looked bewildered: "Who is Wang Fei?"

The merchants immediately started talking all at once.

"Even Wang Fei doesn't know that singer."

"That singer who just got divorced this year."

"The one that sings 'Let's Meet in 1998'."

"Yang Che is really amazing! I like Wang Fei the most."

"Yes, you've made something of yourself."

"....."

Wang Weiqing had already realized what was happening. After inquiring, she learned from the television report that her son was living with Wang Fei, a divorced woman with a child, in Hong Kong. Her face immediately darkened.

What superstar status, what hundreds of millions in net worth? That's all bullshit.

"Get out! Get out! All of you, get out!"

"You're about to become a superstar..."

"roll!!!"

After kicking out his fellow shoppers who had come to watch the commotion, Wang Weiqing was so upset that he had no desire to stay in the shop any longer.

"Xiao Hong, watch the shop."

After giving the instructions, she rode her bicycle home and called her husband, Yang Yuanchao, on the way.

Xiao Hong blinked and thought to herself: Brother Che is really amazing!

Yang Yuanchao also found out, and at work, he and his wife were subjected to a barrage of questions from their colleagues... But he thought it was great; his son was really something, he even managed to win over Wang Fei.

Just as he was thinking about whether he could ask his son if he could bring him home for the New Year, his wife's phone call interrupted his daydream.

After listening to his wife's complaints, Yang Yuanchao said gently, "So what if I'm older? Aren't you two years older than me?"

"How can that be the same! My son is so handsome, she sings well but isn't good-looking, and she's already had children."

Yang Yuanchao really wanted to say: You're not good-looking either, but I still married you.

However, he knew that if he really said those words, it wouldn't just be a matter for his son anymore.

"Don't worry, let me call my son and ask him first."

"OK."

Just as Yang Che arrived at the hotel, he received a call from his father and heard his father's probing questions.

Yang Che asked in surprise, "You all knew?"

"The whole country knows! Really?"

Yang Yuanchao was quite excited.