Huayu: Just started as a stagehand, but the director's comeback system

"Chairman Han, I'll only set one date: the first day of the Lunar New Year, February 9th."

Jiang Huai looked at the detailed chart in his hand, which clearly marked all the big-name actors and movie genres.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, there is only one movie on this chart: Jasmine Flower, starring Zhang Ziyi, Jiang Wen, Lu Yi, and Liu Ye, who just won Best Actor at the Golden Rooster Awards.

The lineup is impressive. If it weren't for the Golden Rooster Awards, Jiang Huai would definitely have backed down. But today, he's determined to grab the biggest slice of the pie.

"Director Jiang, should we postpone it for two days? The lineup for Jasmine Blossom is really luxurious."

When Wang Changtian heard that Jiang Huai wanted to compete with Jasmine Women, he was somewhat reluctant. After all, The Beauty Inside was a film destined to be profitable, and if it couldn't beat Jasmine Women, its box office revenue might be much lower.

"Chairman Wang, you should ask Director Hou Yong of Jasmine Flower about this. He should avoid my sharp edge."

Jiang Huai saw that Wang Changtian was worried, but he still insisted on his own idea, even though his first movie had boosted the box office by labeling Zhang Ziyi, who had very few scenes, as the female lead.

But now Jiang Huai shows no mercy towards her, so if Zhang Ziyi has any complaints, she can only blame the ruthlessness of self-interest.

"I understand, Director Jiang. I have no other objections."

Seeing Jiang Huai's determination, Wang Changtian didn't say anything more. Discord between generals and commanders is a major taboo in military strategy. Since Jiang Huai was in charge of this movie, he naturally wouldn't let the two of them have a conflict.

After Wang Changtian agreed, Jiang Huai looked around again and, seeing that no one else objected, began the second topic.

"Now that everyone has no problem with the release date, let me talk about the additional publicity expenses. I estimate that we will need another ten million for publicity and distribution."

After filming wrapped on "Beauty Inside," only about five million yuan remained in the promotional budget, which was definitely not enough for the promotional effect Jianghuai wanted.

Jianghuai wants the entire month of January and February; in any city with a movie theater, everyone must know that The Beauty Inside is about to be released.

"Wanda can add another five million in this regard."

The person in charge from Wanda this time was not Chairman Bao, who had previously spoken with Jianghuai. It is said that the other party has recently had health problems.

However, Wanda's policy remains unchanged: as long as there is a return, the necessary expenses should not be spared.

"China Film Group will subsidize it with three million."

"Then the remaining two million rays will be used to make up the difference."

Marketing and distribution expenses do not count towards box office revenue sharing; they are deducted first from the film company's revenue sharing.

The Beauty Inside was scheduled to be released on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the day with the highest viewership of the year. The three companies had no doubt that they would still make a profit after deducting the 10 million yuan.

After the two most important things were done, all that was left in the meeting room was for everyone to flatter each other.

On one hand, they say Wanda is thriving; on the other hand, they say Director Jiang is the leader of six generations of directors.

Anyway, bragging isn't illegal, and everyone has a bright future.

Han Sanping even praised Huang Bo, who had been standing behind Jiang Huai without saying a word, saying he had a promising future.

The joyful atmosphere ended when Han Sanping went out to arrange his schedule, and Jiang Huai and the others did not linger there any longer.

The news that "Beauty Inside" was scheduled for release on the first day of the Lunar New Year spread quickly within the industry. Almost as soon as Han Sanping made the announcement, several other films scheduled for release around the Lunar New Year period received the news.

Therefore, Jiang Huai had just left the dinner with Wanda and Enlight Media when he received a call from Zhang Ziyi.

"Has Sister Yi returned to China? Do you need me to pick her up at the airport?"

Jiang Huai was genuinely surprised to receive a call from the other party. Zhang Ziyi should still be in the United States filming Memoirs of a Geisha, and she also went public with her relationship with Kenneth Fok in August.

Although the two had no prior relationship, they had at least been in contact before, and Jiang Huai felt that they should at least avoid suspicion.

"I heard my brother's new movie is about to be released, so I came to check on it."

Although Zhang Ziyi has recently focused on Hollywood, China remains her core market, which is why she is very keen on the upcoming film "Jasmine Women".

After learning that Jianghuai's new film was going to compete against Jasmine Blossom, she naturally came to gather intelligence.

"It's definitely not as good as your Jasmine Flower, Sister Yi. When your Jasmine Flower is released, I'll have all my staff rent out a theater to see it."

"Then I'll thank you here, little brother. We'll talk again later."

Zhang Ziyi is currently in the United States and doesn't pay much attention to domestic news. Even though she heard that Jianghuai has been getting a lot of attention lately, she didn't care too much.

Hearing Jiang Huai's humble words, she naturally felt relieved. Moreover, the female lead of his new movie was a complete newcomer, and she couldn't compare to him.

Thinking of this, Zhang Ziyi immediately called Hou Yong, the director of "Jasmine Women," and told him not to worry.

"Sister Yi, I'm so sorry."

To sober up, Jiang Huai did not leave with Huang Bo in the car, but instead wandered alone on the streets of the capital in the dark.

As he kicked the empty can on the ground, Jiang Huai's smile, which had just faded, reappeared.

If he hadn't known that Zhang Ziyi was no saint either, Jiang Huai wouldn't have been so humble in order to avoid any accidents before the movie's release.

After walking for a while, the smell of alcohol on Jiang Huai had almost completely disappeared. As soon as he entered the residential area, he saw Tong Liya waiting for him downstairs.

"Brother Huai, you're back."

Upon seeing Jiang Huai, Tong Liya immediately ran into his arms.

"You miss me that much after only a few days?"

Jiang Huai embraced Tong Liya, who was completely buried in his chest, and after letting her hug his neck tightly, he let her hang on him as they entered the elevator.

"Yeah, I just miss you so much."

Tong Liya hadn't seen Jiang Huai for a whole week, and Jiang Huai was busy with various work commitments, so the two didn't even have much time to talk on the phone.

Even though it wasn't a long time, Tong Liya, who was deeply in love, had already understood the meaning of "absence makes the heart grow fonder."

She had finally managed to see Jiang Huai today, and she didn't want to leave him for even a moment longer.

"Have you been waiting long? Are you cold?"

"No, I just arrived recently."

Feeling Tong Liya nestled in his arms like a kitten, Jiang Huai felt that it was nice to have someone like her waiting for him at home.

Jiang Huai had previously heard Ning Hao complain to him about Xing Aina's controlling nature, and he agreed with that before. But now that he's dating Tong Liya, who has a similar personality, he has a different feeling.

Now he's not only physically used to the other person's presence, but he's also mentally accustomed to it.

"Stay here for a while, I'll go cook."

After putting Tong Liya on the sofa, Jiang Huai heard a rumbling sound coming from her stomach.

I went to China Film Group this morning, and I don't know how long she's been there.

However, since he hadn't eaten much earlier, the two of them were having dinner together at home.

"Then I'll help you wash the vegetables."

Jiang Huai's family originally only had one apron, but Tong Liya specially bought a smaller women's apron.

Although she couldn't cook, she liked to stay by Jiang Huai's side.