This director loves making friends.

"Congratulations! I knew 'La Dolce Vita' would win an award."

Peng Jiesi raised her glass and gently clinked it against Qin Keqing's, the two glasses making a pleasant sound.

Qin Keqing took a small sip and asked with a smile, "How do you know you'll definitely win?"

"Of course it will win awards. So many media outlets are analyzing your film, and the festival program gave it a good rating."

Peng Jiesi smiled slyly before explaining, "I know some people in the Cannes Film Festival government. I asked them, and they said that 'A Bittersweet Life' is sure to win an award, otherwise so many media outlets wouldn't be analyzing your film."

Qin Keqing smiled; she didn't seem like a naive and innocent girl.

"Jessie, when are you going to Hong Kong? Don't forget to call me when you go, I'll treat you to something delicious."

"I'll go back to school in a while. I need to take care of some academic matters. Once I'm done, I'll go to Hong Kong. I haven't seen my parents and sister in a long time, and I miss them a lot."

Peng Jiesi clinked glasses with Qin Keqing again, "I'm still waiting for you to treat me to some delicious food, so don't back out later."

"Haha, it's settled then."

After the celebration party at Diamond Pictures, Qin Keqing declined invitations from ARP Film Company and EMI Pictures, and boarded a plane back to Hong Kong with Lin Guobin and Zhu Yin.

Yong Sheng called Qin Keqing to congratulate him and told him to come home early so they could discuss the release date of "Sweet Life".

The news that "A Bittersweet Life," "Farewell My Concubine," and "The Puppetmaster" won the Cannes Film Festival Award has already spread to mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

After receiving the news, the media in mainland China may need to consider how to report it, and the printing and typesetting processes will also take time.

But Hong Kong reacted much faster. Many media outlets and newspapers didn't wait for the Cannes press conference or any further news. Just confirming the award and what award it was was enough to write a lot of articles.

"Chinese-language films shine at Cannes, all made in Hong Kong."

This report is purely for attention. Farewell My Concubine and A Bittersweet Life both had Hong Kong investment and actors, but The Puppetmaster is a purely Taiwanese film.

"Hong Kong films have double good news! Two local films have won awards at the Cannes Film Festival."

This report classified "Farewell My Concubine" as a Hong Kong film, but when it came to the Hong Kong Film Awards nominations, it was said that "Farewell My Concubine" did not meet the requirements.

"Hong Kong films have won awards for the third time, with the entire audience standing and applauding Hong Kong's action choreography for three minutes. Hong Kong films have reached the pinnacle of Cannes."

"The Cannes Film Festival: 800 industry guests witness a new golden age for Hong Kong films."

"A triumphant performance on the Cannes red carpet! Two Hong Kong films win major awards, marking the most glorious moment for Hong Kong cinema."

After Qin Keqing returned to Hong Kong, he went to Win's Entertainment. On the table in the conference room, there were many newspapers with such headlines.

He also carefully looked through several pages. Interestingly, many newspapers only briefly mentioned "Farewell My Concubine," which won the Palme d'Or, while giving extensive coverage to "La Dolce Vita."

After thinking for a moment, Qin Keqing realized that "Farewell My Concubine" was a co-production, and the main creative team was mostly from mainland China.

In contrast, "A Bittersweet Life" is different.

Apart from the director, everyone involved in the production—from funding and actors to crew members—is from Hong Kong. You could even say this is a "pure" Hong Kong film.

Furthermore, since the movie hasn't been released yet, Win's Entertainment will definitely take this opportunity to promote it heavily, which has led to this result.

After Qin Keqing returned to Hong Kong, he spoke with Xie Fei by phone.

Xie Fei told him that "Farewell My Concubine" had historically won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. When the news of the award was sent back, because the film had not yet been released in mainland China, mainstream media mostly reported it as "the first Chinese-language film to win an award," without giving it a large-scale celebration.

Even some people in the cultural field held reservations and instead gave comprehensive coverage to "A Bittersweet Life".

Xie Fei laughed and told Qin Keqing, especially since Qin Keqing, the director, received the most media coverage.

Okay, Qin Keqing felt a little sorry for Chen Kaige. Let's just consider this the darkness before dawn for Chen Kaige, and a reminder for him not to forget his original aspirations.

"Ah Qing, you're here."

After Xiang Huasheng entered, he sat down opposite Qin Keqing. He adjusted his glasses and said, "The company is very satisfied with the success of 'A Sweet Life' and has decided to award the crew 200,000 yuan after the film's release. What do you think?"

"I think it's great. They'll definitely be very happy. I thank Mr. Xiang on their behalf."

Qin Keqing said with a smile that he deliberately misinterpreted the situation, saying that the 200,000 yuan was all a reward for the crew and actors, and that he wouldn't take the money himself.

This money is definitely too hot to handle.

Xiang Huasheng looked up at Qin Keqing, ignoring Qin Keqing's little thoughts, and continued, "Both Oriental Cinema Line and Xinbao Cinema Line have contacted Yong Sheng. Oriental Cinema Line can give the June 10th slot to 'Sweet Life'."

Xinbao promised to offer a slot on June 24th. Which slot do you think would be better?

The June 10th release date hasn't yet entered the summer movie season, but there aren't many competitive films available at this time, because competitive films will definitely choose the late June or July summer movie season.

The release date of June 24th is definitely much better than June 10th. It's already considered a good release date at the beginning of the summer movie season. The downside is that there will be a lot of competition, as many movies will be released at that time.

However, since the release date is already June 24th, why not choose early July?

Qin Keqing voiced this question.

"Early July? Ha, you really dare to dream."

After Xiang Huasheng finished speaking, he lit a cigarette with a "snap," took a puff, and then said, "Stephen Chow's 'Flirting Scholar' is already scheduled for release on July 1st. You want to schedule it for early July? Heh, I don't want to contradict myself."

He flicked the ash from his cigarette in the ashtray, then, without asking Qin Keqing's opinion, made the decision directly: "Let's set it for June 10th. Huang Baiming's Oriental Cinema Line is quite sincere this time."

He didn't really want to ask Qin Keqing's opinion; the real purpose of today's meeting was what he was after.

Xiang Huasheng took out an agreement, pushed it in front of Qin Keqing, and said with a smile, "Qing, let's just forget about the previous agreement. I can let bygones be bygones regarding the European and American copyrights. I also know that you sold the copyrights for $42.6, which is more than enough for you."

He tapped the agreement. "Sign this supplementary agreement. The company knows you're talented and won't treat you unfairly. After 'A Bittersweet Life' is released, Win's Entertainment can sign you to a ten-film contract at once. This is a treatment only Stephen Chow and Andy Lau get."

After saying this, he stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray.

"Ah Qing, you've been in Hong Kong for almost half a year now, so you should be aware of the chaotic state of the Hong Kong film industry. Once you sign a film contract with Win's Entertainment, I can guarantee your personal safety in Hong Kong. No one will dare to threaten you."

Qin Keqing was a little confused about whether the ten-film contract was a pie in the sky, a threat, or both.

But there's no rush. Xiang Huasheng also said that he would wait until "A Bittersweet Life" is released before signing the contract. It's estimated that he wants to decide on the contract based on the box office performance of "A Bittersweet Life".

Qin Keqing was certain that if "A Sweet Life" flopped, he would most likely not get the ten-film contract.

The key point is that for Qin Keqing, the ten contracts were neither attractive nor a "gift" to him. He didn't want to be tied to Yongsheng. The so-called ten contracts were actually a constraint.

"What kind of supplementary agreement is this?"

"Take it back and take a look, and you'll see. Once you sign this supplementary agreement, Yong Sheng will hold an award celebration banquet for 'A Sweet Life' and also organize a press conference for you. This will be very beneficial for you."

Xiang Huasheng never expected that Qin Keqing would refuse the supplementary agreement.

He felt that Win's Entertainment had been very generous, and these conditions would be excellent for any director in Hong Kong.