Inside the private room, the white mist from the three cups of hot tea had mostly dissipated, and the surface of the tea was cool, reflecting the dim glow of the hanging lamp.
Outside the window, a cold wind beat against the glass, and the distant honking of cars on Xitu Cheng Road could be faintly heard, low and somewhat restless.
Wu Chen and Mu Deyuan chuckled softly at Zhang Zemin's words.
"Ahem! How about this…" Zhang Zemin cleared his throat slightly.
Wu Chen understood; he was about to announce his final decision.
Seeing this, Mu Deyuan put down his teacup.
"Wu Chen, you call me uncle, and as your uncle, I can't be stingy. I'll buy this GG, a flat price of 150,000!"
Wu Chen's heart swelled with joy, knowing that the deal was about eighty or ninety percent done, but he kept a poker face.
"However, your movie has to give me something substantial. My money doesn't just grow on trees; it's not for throwing around."
Wu Chen nodded, "Uncle Zhang, you name your conditions, and I'll listen!"
Zhang Zemin leaned forward, his tone becoming serious:
"First, there must be no less than five pairs of women's shoe samples, and at least one sample draft must be included. I don't care how many seconds the screen time is in the movie, but it absolutely cannot be a fleeting glimpse.
Second, the film must be completed. I don't care about its release, but if it's not made, you have to refund the money.
Third, after the movie is out, you have to cut a GG version for me. I'll use the DVD at my stall. If you can agree to these three terms, I'll invest 150,000!"
As Wu Chen listened to the conditions, he felt much more relaxed.
Once he received the money, he would certainly deliver. These conditions were not harsh; they were within normal limits.
As for the condition that women's shoe samples must appear in the movie, putting everything else aside, it was already written in the script, and there were even close-up shots of feet.
The feet are one of the most sexually appealing parts of the body.
In Freud's "The Interpretation of Dreams," feet and shoes symbolize sex, which is why foot close-ups can easily evoke sexual desire.
Moreover, Chinese people have had a cultural tradition of "foot fetish" since ancient times.
In his previous life, Wu Chen had even specifically studied Quentin Tarantino's foot shots; he was an expert in this area.
"Don't worry, Uncle Zhang, this 150,000 will absolutely be worth more than its price. The GG version will surely make customers flock to your stall!" Wu Chen patted his chest and guaranteed, his eyes full of confidence.
At this moment, confidence was the best guarantee to reassure the client, and he had to be even more confident than the client.
Mu Deyuan listened from the side, a slight smile playing on his lips.
This was a success!
"Alright, it's settled then. We'll sign the agreement shortly, and I can have someone transfer the 150,000 today." Zhang Zemin stood up, took a pack of Ruan Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket, flicked it gently, and offered it, "Director Mu, care for one?"
"Good cigarette!" Mu Deyuan chuckled, also borrowing a light.
"Uncle Zhang, I don't smoke!" Wu Chen chuckled as he politely declined.
"Open the window, so you don't inhale secondhand smoke."
Zhang Zemin was also a considerate person, and Wu Chen noticed all of this.
During their discussion, Zhang Zemin hadn't offered cigarettes first or smoked while talking. The moment they finished, he quickly fostered a closer relationship, while also considering others' feelings.
It must be said that every successful person has their reasons for success.
This negotiation was enjoyable for both parties, and they didn't disperse until after 1 PM.
Mu Deyuan had a class in the afternoon and left first, while Wu Chen walked him a few extra steps.
"Wu Chen, do you know what my highest planned budget was when I came here?" Zhang Zemin suddenly stopped, lit another cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, and slowly said.
"Eighty or a hundred thousand, I suppose!" Wu Chen fell into a brief contemplation, finally guessing a number.
In his initial estimation, getting 100,000 would have already been quite good, after all, this wasn't a true GG in the same sense as Feng Xiaogang's "Sorry Baby"; it was far from that.
This was also why he didn't specifically seek out brand collaborations.
Because he couldn't offer such conditions, and they wouldn't likely accept his method of collaboration.
Zhang Zemin was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly chuckled softly: "You're truly a talent, kid, you guessed so accurately!"
Wu Chen smiled slightly, saying nothing more.
"I'm a gambler, your dad probably mentioned it to you... In over a decade in business, I've gambled many times, lost some and won some."
As Zhang Zemin spoke, his gaze focused and then unfocused, as if recalling something, then he gently shook his head, "But I have a principle: I never gamble on things; I gamble on people."
"People?" Wu Chen was slightly surprised; he indeed didn't know such detailed matters, as Old Wu wasn't that familiar with Zhang Zemin yet.
"I'm investing this 150,000 not because I believe your movie is so great, but because I believe you are capable of getting things done.
Don't let me lose this gamble!"
Zhang Zemin finally smiled and patted Wu Chen's shoulder, then waved his hand casually. The owner of these light brown crocodile leather shoes seemed to be leaving the capital, stepping on the fallen leaves on the sidewalk, the "tap-tap" sound crisp.
"Alright, no need to see me off further. I'll await your good news."
"Thank you, Uncle Zhang!"
The December sun slanted down, pale as a thin sheet of paper, casting little warmth on the road.
Wu Chen watched the back of the black coat disappear into the crowd.
Xitu Cheng Road was not deserted in the afternoon. Several students wrapped in down jackets hurried past, buns in their mouths, steam dissipating into the air.
Wu Chen rubbed his hands, looked up at the end of Xitu Cheng Road, and faintly heard the low hum of traffic from the direction of the North Third Ring Road. Car roofs reflected light in the sunshine, like a long, thin silver ribbon.
The outline of Jimen Bridge in the distance was vaguely visible, and the construction of Metro Line 10 beneath the bridge continued to clank incessantly, dust flying, like a busy construction site.
"Time to get busy with my own matters!"
Wu Chen grinned, pulled down his sweater one last time, and walked back to school against the cold wind.
First stop, Director Mu's office.
"I guessed you'd come, have a seat." Mu Deyuan smiled, gesturing, "How is it, feeling good?"
"I still have to thank you, teacher, for your help. Without you, this wouldn't have gone so smoothly. Not to mention, just getting the project approved by the school would have been a huge problem." Wu Chen expressed his sincere gratitude.
The joy of success should first be shared with benefactors, family, and old acquaintances, not new ones.
When sharing, the focus should not be on one's own joy, but on the benefactor's help, the family's support, and the old acquaintances' past kindness.
This is both social etiquette and a sense of gratitude.
"You, ah, you..." Mu Deyuan tapped his finger in the air, a wide smile on his face.
Although he didn't expect much in return from Wu Chen and acted from a desire to cherish talent, he was very pleased with Wu Chen's attitude.
"I didn't help the wrong person!" Mu Deyuan secretly sighed.
He had seen all sorts of people over the decades. Some people, you help them ninety-nine times, but if you fail to help them just once, it's all your fault.
Some people only need help once, and they remain grateful for a lifetime!
"Let's get back to the project share. Once this is settled, the remaining preparations can begin..." Mu Deyuan brought the conversation back on topic.