Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

After the dinner,

Zhuang Huai'an returned to the hotel, and as expected, Leo was already waiting for him there.

"An, are you satisfied with this result?"

"Of course I'm satisfied, Leo. You've made me money again."

The two entered the room, and Zhuang Huai'an personally made him a cup of coffee.

"No, no, no," Leo picked up his coffee, took a sip, and laughed, "bro, this is called a win-win situation."

Having already discussed previous transactions, both parties were well aware of each other's intentions, and Leo didn't try to mislead him, directly offering a price of 2000 million euros.

This price did not match the €2500 million price tag that Leo had previously mentioned for the Palme d'Or film, but Zhuang Huai'an still readily agreed.

Although he could use MGM's global distribution channels, it wasn't very ethical. After all, MK2 had done him a favor, and they were a local European power, so he would inevitably need to use their connections in the future.

He doesn't care about the three major awards anymore, but he can promote other people!

Don't stray from the right path; cooperation and mutual benefit are the key.

Meanwhile, people in China who had just received the news were also discussing the topic online.

"Great news! Director Zhuang has won the Palme d'Or!"

"Wow, that's awesome! Even Kai-ge only got half of this award, right?"

"What's so great about it? It's not even a Chinese-language film; the main actors are all foreigners."

"Upstairs idiot, doesn't this make Director Zhuang seem even more awesome? Among Chinese directors, only Wu Baige has managed to break into Hollywood, right? And Li An too?"

"Li An doesn't count; he's of Chinese descent."

"Tsk, a 20-year-old international director, winner of the three major European Film Awards and two Golden Horse Awards, and a director at MGM, a long-established Hollywood giant. If I had a life like that, I'd be willing to marry Yuanyuan and Bingbing!"

"Which Bingbing are you talking about upstairs?"

"Given my circumstances, can't I marry both of them?"

...

Although Chuang Huai-an's Palme d'Or this time wasn't for a Chinese-language film, surprisingly, people felt it brought more glory to the country.

In fact, it will take about 12 years for the Chinese people to gradually lose their mystique towards the three major awards and the Oscars. In the present, however, their prestige is still very high.

The second day on the Beijing Film Academy campus,

Zhang Huijun had just called the director of the logistics department to prepare banners when the director informed him that the campus was already covered with them.

Why would Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong entrust such a prestigious task to others?

"What's wrong?"

In the dean's office, Wang Hongwei, who had just arrived, looked at Zhang Huijun, who had a worried expression, as well as Xie Xiaojin, the head of the directing department, and Professor Tian Zhuangzhuang, and was a little puzzled. "You all don't seem very happy that Huai'an won the award?"

"What are you saying?" Xie Xiaojin stubbed out his cigarette. "Huai'an has brought honor to the school, so of course we're happy. We're just thinking about other things."

"What is it?"

Wang Hongwei went over and offered cigarettes to everyone, then lit one and took a satisfying puff. His protégé's reputation had been growing increasingly impressive lately, and even he, as her teacher, had benefited greatly from it. Xie Xiaojin was going to the neighboring Beijing Film Studio next year. Although Tian Zhuangzhuang would be taking over as the head of the directing department, once Old Tian stepped down, his own career prospects looked promising.

"That's how it is," Zhang Huijun continued, explaining, "Although Huai'an is only a sophomore, his achievements are beyond the reach of even the school's teachers. I was thinking, should we tell him in advance that our school is going to recommend him for graduate school? That way, the school can help him more."

Wang Hongwei understood what Zhang Huijun was saying. As expected of a leader, he said nice things, but wasn't he just trying to force his good apprentice into a relationship?

After all, once Zhuang Huai'an graduates, the Beijing Film Academy will... cough, won't have such a good opportunity to showcase its teaching achievements to the outside world.

After thinking for a moment, Old Wang still didn't offer an opinion, but instead asked, "This matter is worth discussing, so why do you all look so worried?"

"Old Tian disagrees."

Xie Xiaojin succinctly stated, "He is the next head of the directing department; if he doesn't agree, this matter won't go through."

Seeing Wang Hongwei looking at him with surprise, Tian Zhuangzhuang took a deep drag of his cigarette and said in a deep voice, "I disagree. The reason is simple: as his supervisor, I have nothing to teach him, and I don't have the face to do so."

Wang Hongwei secretly gave Tian Zhuangzhuang a thumbs up for his words; the old man was still quite tough.

After a long silence, Zhang Huijun suggested, "How about I call Huai'an and ask?"

"Then you bring it yourself!" Tian Zhuangzhuang said defiantly, leaving behind these words before getting up and leaving.

Seeing that Zhang Huijun's expression was not good, Xie Xiaojin gave Wang Hongwei a look, signaling him to go out first. Old Wang understood and left immediately.

"See, you're in a hurry again."

Xie Xiaojin poured him another cup of tea and advised, "We've known each other for decades. You know Zhuangzhuang's temper, don't you? A dozen years ago, if you dared to ask him to do something so shameless, he would have smashed the table for you."

All three were students in the same year, and Tian Zhuangzhuang came from a family of performers. As the core elder brother of the fifth generation, Zhang Huijun naturally knew what kind of temper he had.

"I'm doing this for the good of the school."

Zhang Huijun sighed, "Things are different now. When Huai'an first started out, he needed the help of Beijing Film Academy. Now he's established himself in Hollywood. As for me... sigh... I was just thinking that if he could stay at the school, Beijing Film Academy could also achieve more."

"You people in administration, you really do have a lot on your mind."

Xie Xiaojin made a sarcastic remark to his old friend and continued, "I suggest you don't make this call."

"Why?" Zhang Huijun asked.

"Old Tian is right. With Huai'an's current grades, Beijing Film Academy really can't teach him anything. Even if you bring in Teacher Xie or his mentor, it still won't work."

That's what he said, but Zhang Huijun still stubbornly insisted, "Those two are titans of the art. Even if they can't teach Huai'an anything, they can at least help him get a promotion."

"Do they even care?" Xie Xiaojin mocked.

Indeed, I don't care. Xie Lao and Situ Lao are very powerful, but to put it bluntly, they only have some influence in China. However, with Zhuang Huai'an's achievements of three major awards, two gold medals, and three silver medals, he has already made a name for himself in the domestic entertainment industry.

Now, Zhang Huijun was at a loss.

Xie Xiaojin couldn't bear to see his old friend looking so worried, so he advised, "Does Huai'an mean he's no longer a graduate of Beijing Film Academy? I think that kid is quite loyal. Not only does he always mention the school's name when he receives an award, but his company also partnered with the school to create an internship program."

I think you're just too calculating, wanting everything!

After saying this, Xie Xiaojin left without even looking at Zhang Huijun.

It can only be said that Lao Zhang has benefited too much from Zhuang Huai'an in the past two years, and now he is being a little too anxious about losing what he has gained.

Xie Xiaojin had no desire to get involved in such a thankless matter. Anyway, he would be the head of the Beijing Film Studio next door next year, so let the school continue to think about this.

It's fine to think about it, just don't try to scheme against it, otherwise a good favor could easily backfire.

...

the other side,

Just after Zhuang Huai'an replied to Liu Yifei's message, he received a message from his mentor Wang Hongwei, who briefly recounted what had just happened.

Tsk, Old Wang is still loyal to me.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and didn't take it to heart. If the Beijing Film Academy hadn't approved his exemption from classes and exams, he would have applied for graduation immediately.

Graduate school? What a load of rubbish!