Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Yang Che smiled and waved, then walked straight over to greet him, ignoring Liu Chang waving at him from the corner.

"Producer Yang".

What are you doing here?

Liu Lili felt even more embarrassed: "I just finished filming Director Meng's 'Star Making,' and went to the Sun Palace..."

She went to submit her resume and was chosen to play a minor role, but she still came because the producer was Yang Che, and she hoped to get more opportunities.

After listening, Yang Che said "Thank you, keep it up" before going to a corner booth. There he saw Wu Shixian, Liu Chang, Wu Yifeng, and Jia Jingwen. There were several newspapers on the table, and none of them looked too happy.

Jia Jingwen stood up somewhat flustered: "Brother Che, I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Wu Yifeng smiled calmly: "Mr. Yang, please don't misunderstand. Taiwanese media are always exaggerating; they always make things up for the sake of sales. I just don't understand why mainland media do the same."

Yang Che remained noncommittal, picked up a newspaper from the top, and said with a smile, "Let me see what's going on first. Lao Wu, Lao Liu, you two go about your business."

"it is good."

Wu Shixian responded and went to continue filming.

There were no announcements from Alyssa Chia during the day, but there were some tonight, and it's a major event.

He had already spoken with Liu Chang, and Liu Chang was adamant about replacing him. He didn't want to be replaced, but he was genuinely worried about being implicated. In the end, he just said to let Che Ge make the decision.

As the two got up and left, Jia Jingwen sat down, feeling wronged.

Yang Che glanced at it and thought, "Well, the Beijing News is really generous. They gave it half a page and the report is incredibly detailed. However, it only mentioned that the content cited Taiwanese media and that they had obtained authorization."

Besides Huang Jianqun and Ma Jingtao, whom Yang Che knew, there was also Huang Yigong, the director of "Four Daughters." It was said that Jia Jingwen volunteered for the role, and Huang Yigong treated her with great care on set, often using script discussions as an excuse to stay in her hotel room.

Finally, she said that the reason she came to the mainland to develop her career was because her reputation in Taiwan had been ruined.

Indeed, Yang Che was not mentioned at all, but "Waiting Alone" and Wu Shixian, the assistant director of "My Sassy Girl", were mentioned.

Yang Che looked at it for about ten seconds before putting it down.

"Speaking of which, I have to apologize to you. This newspaper has a grudge against me, and you've been dragged into this."

Wu Yifeng and Jia Jingwen exchanged a quick glance, then Jia Jingwen shook her head and lowered her head.

Yang Che felt a bit disgusted. It would be better to be more open and honest than to pretend like this. Indeed, it's better to admire beautiful women from afar.

Seeing that Jia Jingwen's image in his mind had greatly diminished, he laughed and said, "Tonight is Liu Rong's first appearance in a major scene, which is supposed to make the male lead fall in love at first sight. You can't be in this state. Go back to the hotel and rest later."

Jia Jingwen suddenly looked up, stared at him blankly, and then her eyes smiled into crescent moons.

"Yes, yes, I will definitely try my best."

Wu Yifeng felt relieved. She was truly terrified. This was her first artist, and if she were rejected, it would truly be a case of her entrepreneurial journey collapsing halfway through.

"Mr. Yang, I have an idea. Let's find a media outlet we know in mainland China to do an exclusive interview with Jingwen, talking about her story of dropping out of school to pay off debts. It's very inspiring, and that would divert public attention..."

Yang Che lost his patience: "I suggest we ignore all that and just focus on playing our part. The best way to handle this is to let it cool down. I'll also report this to the relevant leaders, OK?"

Although Yang Che's voice was gentle, Wu Yifeng could hear the unquestionable tone in his words, and she was quite displeased. However, she could only force a smile and say, "Mr. Yang is right. I was just worried."

Jia Jingwen nodded obediently: "Thank you, Brother Che."

Yang Che then smiled, picked up the newspapers below, and walked towards Wu Shixian.

They didn't talk about anything, because filming had just started, and Yang Che watched intently.

Xia Yu walked to the bar counter and, with a crisp snap, lightly tapped a bright blue Nokia 8210 onto the counter.

"Here, this is for you."

"What?"

"Call your mom right away and tell her you're not coming home tonight."

"You scoundrel!"

Another crisp sound rang out; it was Liu Lili slapping Xia Yu across the face—a real slap.

"Click, let's do it again, you there..."

Yang Che added: "Liu Lili."

Wu Shixian glanced at him: "Liu Lili, don't react so quickly. You slapped him because he didn't catch your eye, not because you're some kind of good girl. The cocktail in front of you is called 'Heart Signal,' adjust it."

"Okay, got it, Director."

Um... the "Heart Signal" drink is made up; it's just a martini, but I'll explain it later through Tu Yansong's words.

That shot wasn't just filmed by one guy; the bar was also a sponsor. They allowed us to film freely during the day, provided drinks, and even gave us a sponsorship fee of 50 yuan.

The reason the sponsorship fee is so high is because there's a bet involved, but it's not a bet on box office revenue, but rather on the product's failure to achieve its intended effect.

Of course, bars are super profitable now. The most popular bar in Beijing right now is owned by Jin Xing, yes, that Jin Xing. The bar is called Half Dream, and it's not far from here. The waiters are all tall and handsome guys, and the daily gross profit is over 5 yuan.

This "heart signal" is the shooting plan and GG plan designed by Yu Wenhao and Wu Shixian.

Once the movie is released, find a few "chickens" who don't look too sleazy to pose as respectable women, sit at a bar, put a "heart signal" in front of them, and casually arrange for a shill to spread the word online and in the entertainment circle. It would be a miracle if the movie didn't become a hit.

This is the only bar in all of China that sells the "Heart Signal" drink.

In Kung Fu Panda, Po's duck shop says, "The secret to the noodle soup is that there is no recipe," which illustrates this point.

Later, after the movie "Waiting Alone" was released, "Heart Signal" did become a hit. Coincidentally, Jin Xing's Half Dream Bar closed down, and the bar suddenly became the most popular bar in Sanlitun.

Then, the "heartbeat signal" spread throughout the country, and slowly, like the beverage bottles left on cars outside schools, it became a kind of conventional transaction signal.

Of course, that's a matter for the future.

Even Yang Che couldn't think that far ahead at this moment. He was explaining to Liu Chang privately why he still wanted to use Jia Jingwen:

"Old Liu, even if it's true, Jia Jingwen is the most promiscuous mistress. So what? Is the Beijing News targeting her? If they report on it, and we just replace her, what will people think of me? How will I ever be able to work again?"

Liu Chang opened his mouth: "Brother Che, I'm sorry, I apologize, I was biased..."