Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

After a few casual words, Yang Che was ushered to the office by the two brothers.

As soon as you walk in, you know this is the place that was just moved. Sure enough, there isn't even a smell of smoke in the house.

"President Dong is here too."

Dong Ping smiled and said, "Yes, we were all about to leave when we heard you were here, so we waited for you. You guys should talk about business first."

Yang Che nodded, then looked at Jiang Wen, who had a scruffy beard.

The so-called "business talk" was just handing over the script.

Yang Che pulled the original novel, the script, and an A2-sized traditional Chinese painting from the bag and handed them over. The painting was a still from the movie where Jiang Wen, handcuffed, gestures with his hand out, and then the shadow of a pistol appears on the wall.

The moment the meticulous brushwork painting was unveiled, it instantly attracted the attention of everyone present.

Jiang Wen couldn't help but grin.

"That's interesting, haha."

Don't assume women like this kind of thing; men are human too, just like everyone else.

In another timeline, Yang Che, in order to close a deal, painted a very imposing portrait of the client's big boss as a gift. The portrait then hung in the boss's office, in a very prominent place. Naturally, the deal was closed.

Yang Che pointed to the shadow in the painting and said very sincerely, "Director Jiang, go back and take a look at the script, and you'll know why I painted it this way."

Jiang Wen nodded politely: "Okay, I'll contact you after I finish reading it."

He was serious about reading it; he wasn't just going to flip through a few pages and then give up.

Yang Che clapped his hands, quite nonchalantly: "Alright, that's settled then. Bosses, farewell."

Wang Zhongjun clicked his tongue: "Is he insulting me? It's almost lunchtime."

Yang Che had already stood up and said apologetically, "It's not that I'm making excuses, but a bunch of people from the Beijing Film Studio are still waiting for me today to discuss the publicity and distribution of 'Waiting Alone'."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wen's lips curled up slightly, and then he coughed lightly.

The regret on Wang Zhongjun's face was unmistakable.

"Really? This is going to be another miracle."

Dong Ping was also quite disappointed, and could only follow the others to see Yang Che off. He quickly interjected, asking, "Mr. Yang, what were you thinking last month when you said 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' was going to be nominated for an Oscar?"

Yang Che's tone remained unchanged: "Americans are much more socially savvy than we Chinese. Don't look at me like that; just think I'm being mysterious."

Yang Che said this as he entered the elevator, waved, and left.

Upon seeing the elevator number change to 8, Wang Zhonglei couldn't help but remark, "What a show-off."

Wang Zhongjun's expression changed instantly.

However, everyone else acted as if they hadn't heard, including Jiang Wen, even though he despised Wang Zhonglei in his heart.

Wang Zhonglei came to his senses, his face turning pale. He tried to laugh to ease the awkwardness, but couldn't manage it.

People don't hate someone for no reason. Just like Yang Che hates Lu Chuan and Xu Jinglei... Wang Zhonglei hates Yang Che because Yang Che is too awesome. He can write scripts, write songs, manage movies, design the Olympic bid logo, and he even knows how to pick up girls. He's so hateful!

He's especially good at flirting with girls. Wang Zhonglei also really likes Fan Bingbing, but now that he's the boss of a company, he doesn't even dare to say a joke. How hateful!

Jiang Wen, however, felt even more favorably disposed toward Yang Che. It wasn't about showing off; it was simply that he didn't want to talk to idiots... He often had similar experiences.

The group then returned to the meeting room, intending to continue discussing "Devils on the Doorstep," but everyone inexplicably began to feel restless.

At this moment, another investor, Chen Weiming from Zhongbo Century, also arrived. His face was very long, and as soon as he entered the door, he said, "Don't call me to these kinds of meetings in the future. They're completely useless. I'll just consider the 8 million as a waste."

After saying that, he glanced at Jiang Wen with a lingering look, and prepared to turn and leave.

Jiang Wen clenched his fists, but eventually lowered his head slightly.

Er Yong felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart, and frowned involuntarily: "President Chen, is the movie poorly made?"

Chen Weiming narrowed his eyes: "Did I ever say the movie was bad from beginning to end? Damn it, come on, tell me, who exactly took 'Devils on the Doorstep' to Cannes? And tell me, as an investor, don't I have the right to conduct a financial audit of the film crew I invest in? Don't I? Damn it, what kind of logic is this? My investment exceeded the budget, and I can't even see how it exceeded the budget?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhonglei, Wang Zhongjun, and Dong Ping immediately looked up at the ceiling; these words were so comforting.

Jiang Wen lowered his head even further.

Er Yong didn't know what to say.

Chen Weiming scoffed, "I gave you, Jiang Wen, my absolute trust. I never interfered with the crew's work throughout the entire filming process. But what happened in the end? The sample footage I saw after the film was completed was still on videotape. I didn't even see a single film sample... Fine, consider the 800 million as my support for art. Do whatever you want with it."

After saying this, he waved his hand weakly, turned around and left.

The film was indeed well-made. His friend, the writer Acheng, said after watching it that it was "astoundingly good," while the film's composer, Cui Jian, said, "If Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige are masters, then Jiang Wen is a beast."

Everyone who saw the film said it was bad, but Chen Weiming is a businessman. He was the model child since childhood, a top student majoring in computer science at Xiamen University. After graduation, he went into trade and real estate, and he never lost money in any of the most complex business environments. Unexpectedly, he was ruined by a movie, and now he's the laughing stock among his classmates and friends, who say that Jiang Wen made a fool of him.

After that, Dong Ping left, and Jiang Wen, Er Yong, and Shu Ping also left.

Wang Zhongjun gave a wry smile: "Jiang Wen is indeed a great Buddha, but our temple is too small, so we won't worship him anymore."

Wang Zhonglei's lips twitched: "So this film is just going to be canceled like that?"

"What else can I do? Spend money to make another film? I'm tired. I'd rather use that energy to work on a new film."

"........."

As Jiang Wen drove home alone, he felt a sudden dizziness, and then he inexplicably thought of the painting Yang Che had made of him.

After returning to his apartment in the East Fourth Ring Road, he went straight to the bathroom, sat on the toilet, lit a cigarette, and started reading the script for "Looking for a Gun".

This lasted for two hours, as if it were tailor-made for me.

Ma San lost his gun, and Jiang Wen also lost his gun; they were both banned from using it.

No, it's not lost, it's gone.

After that, Jiang Wen kept thinking about it, even while eating. He felt that something was strange. Suddenly, he slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "These lines in the script are just like his style!"

Sandrine and six-year-old Jiang Yilang were startled.

"Jiang Wen, concentrate on your meal."

"Sorry, Sandrine, I met an awesome person today."

"Who is it?"

"Yang Che, that one, that one..."

Jiang Yilang clapped his hands: "Wang Fei's boyfriend!"