This director loves making friends.

"There's another art exhibition in the grove today."

Qin Keqing found an opportunity to test Zhang Min.

Zhang Min is returning to Hong Kong tomorrow. Qin Keqing has already used up all his points on Zhou Xingxing, and he is a little worried about Zhang Min, fearing that she might not take things seriously.

In all honesty, he was only "kindly" reminding Zhang Min of what happened in the grove of trees at Yuanmingyuan.

Qin Keqing really didn't mean anything by it.

Zhang Min hesitated for a moment, looking around before whispering, "I have some things to take care of. You go wait for me in the grove, and I'll take a taxi there in an hour."

After saying that, she walked away, pretending to be calm.

Qin Keqing, however, was becoming somewhat unsettled.

No, sister, that's really not what I meant. You actually meant that?

There is no art exhibition in the grove today.

Qin Keqing looked at the bare grove of trees, where Zhang Min was strolling. He wondered what there was to see in such a cold day.

When Zhang Min arrived, she didn't see the art exhibition, said nothing, and just wandered around inside.

"I don't know why, but I feel a long-lost sense of relaxation here."

Zhang Min tilted her head back, closed her eyes slightly, and stretched her hands upwards, as if trying to reach something, or perhaps just stretching.

"Isn't there a place in Hong Kong where you can relax?"

Qin Keqing was a little curious. Although this place was inside the Yuanmingyuan, such a small grove was nothing special. You could see many of these outside. Hong Kong must have groves with better environments than this.

"I don't know. I've been filming almost every day for the past few years. The pace of life there is very fast and oppressive, making it difficult to relax."

As Zhang Min spoke, she walked to Qin Keqing's side, hesitated slightly, and then took Qin Keqing's arm. "Let's go, take me to see other parts of the Old Summer Palace."

Qin Keqing took Zhang Min for a walk for more than half an hour. He could tell that Zhang Min was really relaxed. Even though her face was red from the cold, her smile was genuine.

It was already quite late when they left Yuanmingyuan. Zhang Min didn't mention going back. She still held Qin Keqing's arm, and the two of them tacitly returned to the small courtyard that Qin Keqing had rented.

That night, Zhang Min and Qin Keqing worked tirelessly for a long time, panting heavily.

After their tender moment, she talked a lot about the preparations for the new movie.

"I've already talked to Chen Jiashang. As long as Stephen Chow gives the script to Win's Entertainment, he'll recommend you immediately."

"it is good."

"After I go back to Hong Kong, I'll try to find a famous male actor to tie you to the script, so that Win's Entertainment won't kick you out."

"The script and director recommended by Stephen Chow, and the investment isn't large, would Win's Entertainment not give him face?"

"You don't understand Stephen Chow. I don't know why he helped you this time, but he might not be genuinely helping you. I'm afraid if Win's Entertainment gives him a heads-up and says they'll change the director, he'll stay silent."

Qin Keqing disagreed with Zhang Min's words.

He believed that since he had used 30 points to build a relationship with Stephen Chow, Stephen Chow would genuinely help him. Zhang Min's analysis was based on general circumstances, but this time it was clearly not a general situation.

However, Qin Keqing did not refute it, knowing that Zhang Min was doing this for his own good.

"What are your requirements for the male lead?" Zhang Min added.

Qin Keqing had already thought about this issue.

"Ideally, the actors or martial arts instructors should be trained in action films. I want the action scenes to be more realistic, the kind of fights that feel like every punch is landing."

Having acted for so many years, Zhang Min understands some of what Qin Keqing is saying.

"OK."

After a moment of silence, someone spoke first.

"One more time?"

"One more time!"

Zhang Min has returned to Hong Kong, and so has Stephen Chow.

However, the filming of "King of Beggars" is not yet finished, and there is still some finishing work to be done.

Perhaps because he had promised Zhang Min to recommend Qin Keqing, director Chen Jiashang was noticeably more enthusiastic towards Qin Keqing and even gave her the remaining unimportant scenes to film.

Although it was an unimportant role and a small part, it solidified Qin Keqing's status as an assistant director. No one could say that he was just a nominal assistant director who was "just getting by."

In the past, if Qin Keqing had been in charge of the filming, the staff in Hong Kong might not have cooperated so well. However, this time, no one caused trouble; they all cooperated actively with the filming.

The reason is simple: filming is almost over, and who wouldn't want to finish as soon as possible? Nobody wants to delay filming due to non-cooperation.

This is the same mentality as workers when they are about to leave work.

Qin Keqing originally thought that the script would take a month or even longer, but he received the definite news less than a week after filming for "King of Beggars" was completed.

Yong Sheng has approved the "Sweet Life" project and wants to talk to Qin Keqing, the person in charge of the project, as soon as possible.

To be honest, Qin Keqing was a little confused when she received this news.

Did Yong Sheng pass this project?

Project leader?

Why does that sound a little strange?

Not long after, Qin Keqing received a call from Zhang Min and learned what had happened.

In short, under Zhang Min's management, "A Sweet Life" was packaged into a project, and Stephen Chow and Chen Jia recommended this project to Win's Entertainment.

During this period, "packing" was popular in Hong Kong.

"Packaging" can be divided into two situations.

One type is where a film company proactively contacts a well-known director, offering a certain amount of money in exchange for persuading a big star to collaborate on a film.

As for how the director and stars split the money, the film company doesn't care; they only care about investing and seeing the finished film.

Just like director Wang Jing later revealed on a program, Golden Harvest gave him 800 million yuan in salary to make a movie with Stephen Chow. He had already chosen the subject matter, wanting to make a movie about young Bruce Lee, and Stephen Chow agreed.

He initially wanted to split the 800 million with Stephen Chow, and Stephen Chow initially agreed.

A few days later, Stephen Chow changed his mind and wanted a 60/40 split, with Stephen Chow taking 60%. After considering it, Wong Jing agreed.

A few days later, Stephen Chow changed his mind again and wanted to split the profits 70/70, with Chow taking 70%. Wong Jing said he would tolerate it for the sake of the movie.

A few days later, Stephen Chow wanted to split the profits 80/20... The two fell out, the project was canceled, and then Stephen Chow turned around and made "King of Beggars".

This was said by Wang Jing himself, on a major video platform. His words may not be entirely true, but they certainly aren't entirely false.

Another type of packaging involves the director or actor taking the initiative to organize a project, rather than the film company taking the initiative. Once the director, lead actors, and script are roughly confirmed, an investor or film company is found for the project.

Zhang Min proactively arranged this "package" for Qin Keqing, which included the director, male lead, and script—all bundled together.

Who is the male lead?

Qin Keqing knew that Zhang Min was doing this for her own good, since "packaging" could fetch a higher price and give her some control.

Under normal circumstances, if a film company invests in a project, they will pay the director and screenwriter a fixed salary, but forget about profit sharing, and the director will also be subject to the film company's control.

However, Qin Keqing was still a little unhappy.

The director was already tied to the project without even knowing who the male lead was. If the male lead is too assertive, there will inevitably be a lot of trouble.

He really wanted to question Zhang Min: Why did you choose your preferred male lead without consulting me?

But then I thought, he's a new director who hasn't directed a single film before, and he's from mainland China. It's not easy for Zhang Min to find a male actor willing to work with him.

Qin Keqing now wants to know who the male lead Zhang Min found is, and who could get Yong Sheng to approve the project so quickly.