Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

After the victory celebration banquet,

Kai couldn't wait to drag his young wife home.

"Brother Kai, the child is still here."

Seeing Chen Hong's shy expression, Kai felt a sudden ache in his lower back.

"Hong, you've misunderstood," Kai quickly explained, startled. "I wanted to go home and work on the script as soon as possible. We can't let Huai'an steal the spotlight when it comes to big productions."

"Oh, I thought..." Chen Hong's tone carried a hint of disappointment.

"You go to sleep first, I'm going to the study to look for inspiration."

Without making a sound, Kai broke free from his wife's hand and quickly went into the study.

The awkwardness of an older man marrying a younger woman is something many middle-aged people are forced to do...

the other side,

After seeing the two kings off, Feng Kuzi looked indignant. He hadn't gone to Zhuang Huai'an's victory celebration banquet, and his reason was simple: he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control his mouth.

No matter how resentful he was, he had to admit that Zhuang Huai'an, though young, had already established his power and was not someone a director of street comedies like him could afford to offend.

Feng Xiaogang has worked his way up by being humble and unassuming, and he has a knack for judging situations.

Since that's the case, let's just ignore it.

But the news brought by the two kings also made him very interested.

First there was Zhang Yimou's "Hero," and now Zhuang Huai'an has come up with something called "The Martian." I heard that Kai is also secretly colluding with China Film Group, preparing to... pull off a big one.

As one of the "Four Great Directors" in mainland China, I might as well have this ambition!

Feng Kuzi glanced subconsciously at Hamlet on the bookshelf, then shook his head. He looked at the completed script for Cellphone on the table and sighed.

Let's finish "Cellphone" first. We finally managed to get some information out of Cui Yongyuan, it would be a shame not to finish filming it.

Moreover, since this document wasn't prepared properly, he wasn't qualified to make demands of the two kings.

Meanwhile, the offices of major media outlets were brightly lit, with editors racking their brains to write all sorts of exaggerated reports, striving to grab tomorrow's headlines.

Many people couldn't sleep that night, but Zhuang Huai'an was definitely not among them.

...

The next day, just after reading the news collected by Du Hua, Zhuang Huai'an received a letter of good news from across the ocean.

"Huai'an, 'Lurking' is a smash hit again!! 1300 million in North American box office on its opening day!!!"

You can tell from Yang Chen's exclamation mark that he was very excited.

Zhuang Huai'an unconsciously fiddled with his hands, a slight smile curving his lips. Kirk, the bait has been laid, will you take the bait?

The Martian is inseparable from MGM, even if it's just by having it listed in the credits.

But would Zhuang Huai'an allow such a thing to happen?

MGM doesn't have much cash flow left, but Kirk does. He's the American gambling king, what a big name. He can easily spend tens of millions of dollars without a care in the world.

As he expected, he received an email from Kirk just two hours later.

"An, first of all, congratulations! With the Palme d'Or and the huge success of 'Insidious,' MGM's stock price has rebounded by 8 points, which means that your 2% stake is now worth over 100 million."

But arthouse and horror films alone are not enough to save MGM. Are you interested in taking a gamble with Hollywood?

Looking forward to your reply, Kirk.

Tsk, here it comes.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled nonchalantly, "The ancients were right: plant the parasol tree, and the phoenix will naturally come."

After lunch,

Zhang Lu came in to report that Han Sanping had brought Yu Dong to visit.

Well, here comes a great white shark with a little shrimp.

Zhuang Huai'an disliked Yu Dong, or more accurately, he disliked anyone who was cold-hearted and ungrateful, because you never know when such a person might stab you in the back.

Although he is invulnerable to swords and spears, he is still disgusting, isn't he?

Out of consideration for Han Sanping, Zhuang Huai'an still had to meet him, but he was determined that cooperation was out of the question.

"Brother Han, President Yu, welcome to our office." Zhuang Huai'an ushered the two men into his office and had them sit down.

"I have always admired Director Zhuang, but I was too embarrassed to visit you since I didn't have a proper title. Today, thanks to Chairman Han, I've come to 91 Company to learn from you."

Yu Dong's attitude was very humble, and that was true. If he hadn't been Han Sanping's subordinate, Zhuang Huai'an wouldn't have bothered with him.

To save face, Zhuang Huai'an shook hands with him and said with a forced smile, "Mr. Yu, you're too kind. Let's learn from each other."

Seeing that the two had become acquainted, Han Sanping smiled and said:

"Your news yesterday really shocked those people outside. Although China Film Group is the leading company, I'm still a little worried until the share is agreed upon."

Zhuang Huai'an joked, "Brother, are you worried they'll come and steal your market share?"

"Well, I'm not afraid, but we also need to be careful about the impact. China Film Group's main task is to expand its market size, not to compete with the people for profits."

Han Sanping said meaningfully, "Moreover, I understand the principle that many ants can kill an elephant."

Pshaw, you're just not settled in yet, that's why you're hesitant. Wait two years and see who dares to cause trouble for you.

Hollywood can only file a complaint against you at the WTO!

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and nodded, not knowing how to respond, and simply continued brewing his tea.

"Huai'an, we're practically family now."

Seeing that he remained silent, Han Sanping tried to appeal to his emotions, "Before those people react, tell me the truth, what percentage of this film are you planning to give to China Film Group?"

Zhuang Huai'an was about to give a perfunctory reply when Zhang Lu knocked on the door and came in.

"Boss, the receptionist called and said how many guests have arrived?"

Zhuang Huai'an smiled apologetically at Han Sanping and asked, "Who is it?"

"Boss Yang of Yinghuang, Chairman Dong of Huayi, Chairman Wang of Guangxian, the couple who own China Xinlong, and General Manager Wang of Huayi."

Good timing!

"Please ask them to sit in the reception room for a moment, I'll be right there."

"Okay, boss."

Unlike Zhuang Huai'an's inner joy, Han Sanping was furious. "I haven't even had a bite yet, and these bastards are already trying to steal my food!"

Old Han was indeed feeling a bit unwell. The day before the celebration party, when Zhuang Huai'an called to invite him, he only gave a general idea and didn't mention how much investment China Film Group would make.

To put it bluntly, he shamelessly came to our door this time. It's a big Sino-US co-production, and China Film Group only has a small share.

This is ridiculous!

As for the claim that Zhuang Huai'an's approval would be blocked if he didn't accept China Film Group's investment?

Han Sanping wouldn't dare to touch anything involving cultural exports, not even if he had ten lives!

When Zhang Yimou was making "Hero," Zhang Weiping directly rejected China Film Group's investment. Han Sanping also dared not block it and could only lie low for the time being. Later, "The Flowers of War" gave Zhang Weiping a hard time.

"Brother, Mr. Yu, shall we go together?"

"Fine." Han Sanping forced himself to stand up, suppressing his anger.

Fish Cave is now just a roadside stall; he does whatever the boss tells him to do.

The three walked into the reception room, where several people stood up to greet them. When they saw Han Sanping following Zhuang Huai'an with an unhappy expression, their hearts tightened.

Looks like things aren't going to be easy today.