Chapter 112: Bowing for Five Pecks of Rice
Last year's New Year Film Season, with five films competing, has concluded.
"painted skin" undeniably claimed the top spot with its overwhelming box office and excellent reputation.
"riding alone for thousands of miles," which ended its run today, only grossed 29.00 million at the box office, but it was still higher than "perhaps love's" 18.00 million.
"crazy stone," however, surprisingly managed to rake in 49.00 million at the box office despite being sandwiched between other New Year Film Season releases, which genuinely surprised those in Hong Kong.
But the most unexpected, by far, was today's dark horse, "lost in thailand."
Since its first-day box office results were released,
Xu Zheng already had the label of "member of the 100 million club" stamped on him.
Orange Sky Entertainment, Huayi Brothers, Shanghai Film Group, and Enlight Media all extended olive branches to Xu Zheng.
When Xu Zheng's phone couldn't be reached, they called Chen Hong.
Chen Hong had just hung up with Wang Zhonglei of Huayi Brothers, letting out a long sigh, feeling a kind of happy trouble.
Xu Zheng sat in the living room, leaning back on the sofa, silently pondering his future path.
Orange Sky Entertainment wanted to sign him, offering the most generous terms.
But he didn't need to sign with any company right now.
If he just started his own company, those who wanted to invest would surely come knocking.
If he really wanted to sign with someone, he believed that if he approached Director Li, Director Li would definitely offer generous terms to welcome his addition.
But Director Li hadn't mentioned it; it seemed their previous gentleman's agreement, Director Li had foreseen that he would eventually go solo.
The phone rang again, Xu Zheng saw it was an unknown number and hung up.
A moment later, Chen Hong's phone lit up again.
The number was the same, Xu Zheng scoffed: "You answer it."
Chen Hong sat down next to her husband and answered the call.
The other party stated her name and purpose, and Chen Hong politely declined on behalf of her husband.
It was another invitation to dinner, from an unknown company.
The other party didn't seem to mind, and then made another request, asking Xu Zheng to film a music video for their company's artist.
Xu Zheng heard clearly from the side.
Although the woman's voice on the phone was pleasant, what she said was quite insulting.
Shoot a music video? Was she out of her mind?
Chen Hong unhesitatingly refused on behalf of her husband.
The other party still didn't seem surprised.
But the price she subsequently quoted made Chen Hong unable to refuse, and even Xu Zheng wavered.
They all say not to bow for five pecks of rice, but what about fifty pecks, or five hundred pecks?
After hanging up the phone,
Chen Hong asked doubtfully: "What's the background of this Starlight Splendor?"
Xu Zheng frowned: "It seems it was only established last year. I heard the founder's surname is Lu, and the company doesn't seem to have any notable works yet."
"So, should we accept the invitation tomorrow?"
The woman on the phone, seeing that Chen Hong no longer rushed to refuse after hearing the price for filming the music video, extended another invitation.
Their boss was hosting a dinner for Xu Zheng and his wife tomorrow night at the Beijing Hotel.
"Let's go and see," Xu Zheng also wanted to see who this Boss Lu of Starlight Splendor really was.
Of course, the most important reason was that the price offered was truly hard to refuse.
Filming a music video wouldn't take long, it could be done in a day or two.
The music video for Hong Kong singer Wang Lihong that was making waves online a while ago.
It was said that Sony invested heavily in it, but the so-called heavy investment was only a few hundred thousand yuan.
Of course, for a music video, it was indeed a huge sum.
So the price the woman offered today could only be described as super huge.
Heroes are not judged by their origins; if Gu Changwei could be supported by his wife for several years, what was this to him?
Xu Zheng immediately went online to check Starlight's information, and found that there was surprisingly little information.
Xu Zheng became even more interested in this Boss Lu.
The woman, who had received Chen Hong's reply, immediately called her boss back.
"Boss, it's set. Tomorrow night at seven, Beijing Hotel."
"Mm!"
After hanging up, Boss Lu smiled at the expectant round-faced girl, Jing Tian, in front of her.
"Tian Tian, don't worry, with Director Xu Zheng, who is about to join the 100 million club, filming your music video, it won't be any worse than those famous directors."
Boss Lu said with a confident smile. Xu Zheng valued the money, and she needed his fame; they were simply getting what they needed.
"Thank you, Uncle Lu."
"We're all family, no need to thank me. It's just a shame, if Director Li could have filmed it, that would have been even better."
Jing Tian knew that the company's agent had contacted Rongchen Film and Television before, but it seemed they were directly rejected, with no room for negotiation.
Yang Siwei was not Xu Zheng; someone actually wanted to use money to tempt her boss.
She even suspected that person was missing a screw in her head, so she hadn't even mentioned it to Li Chen.
Xu Zheng was beaming, but he hadn't forgotten who he was.
Without Director Li's script and appreciation, he wouldn't be where he was today.
Xu Zheng and Chen Hong originally planned to invite Li Chen for dinner at their home.
But when they called, Li Chen was already on his way to the airport.
Miss Liu was driving the silver-gray Porsche GT she had snatched, and Li Chen, sitting beside her, hung up Xu Zheng's call.
Miss Liu smiled happily: "Thanks to Director Li, my brief appearance in "lost in thailand" has brought me two more endorsements for women's clothing."
"Drive slowly on your way back. I told you not to see me off, but you insisted."
"When you get to Sanxia, please say hello to my aunt and uncle for me."
Li Chen laughed: "Say hello for what? My parents know who you are?"
Miss Liu glared at Li Chen: "That's true, Director Li has a basket full of rumored girlfriends, who would know me?"
Li Chen smiled: "It's not hard for my parents to know you. We can video call on the 30th, and you can introduce yourself to the elders then."
"Really?" Miss Liu said with a smile.
At the airport.
"I'm leaving?"
Miss Liu turned her head and softly hummed in affirmation.
Li Chen reached out and put his arm around Miss Liu's neck, and the two said goodbye with a long, passionate French kiss.
A day later, "fearless" was also released nationwide.
Its first-day box office was less than 8.00 million.
Meanwhile, "lost in thailand" had already surpassed 60.00 million in box office in three days.
It had a very high chance of becoming the third film, after "painted skin" and "Hero," to gross over 100 million in its first week.
Insiders in the industry lamented that starting this year, the New Year Film Season would be a battle of heroes.
The New Year Film Season would no longer be dominated by Feng Xiaogang.
Sina Entertainment News
"Wong Jing, director of 'Savage Secret Manual,' came to Nanjing and, when discussing mainland actress Zhang Ziyi, he nonchalantly stated: 'Zhang Ziyi is nothing more than cheap labor in Hollywood.'"
"I will definitely not go to Hollywood. I'm not interested in Hollywood. Hollywood just hires cheap labor, inviting whoever can make some money. Now Liu Weiqiang has also gone, but I have no such plans."
"Among mainland actors, Zhang Ziyi can be considered the most recognized by Hollywood. She was just invited to appear in the Hollywood film 'memoirs of a geisha,' which makes many actresses aspiring for international development envious."
It was rare to have free Time to spend with his parents all year.
During the day, the family went out to sea on a yacht, and in the evening, Li Chen screened resumes for "the thieves" while surfing the internet.
Topping Sina Entertainment's headlines were Oscar nomination predictions and Wong Jing's attack on Zhang Ziyi.
This Wong Jing, though known as the King of Bad Films, could also be called the King of Commercial Films during the golden age of Hong Kong cinema in the 1990s.
He did indeed make many successful films.
But Li Chen disliked how these Hong Kong filmmakers always used disparaging mainland filmmakers to promote their own films.
First, there was Chen Kexin disparaging "painted skin" and "The Promise," and now this fat man jumped out.
It was nothing more than a publicity stunt for "Savage Secret Manual" to attract attention.
Otherwise, given the current decline of Hong Kong films, "Savage Secret Manual" would flop completely, and even with Cecilia Cheung starring, no one would watch it.
Zhang Ziyi was also quite even-tempered; she wasn't afraid to get into a fight with any actress, but she became speechless when facing a director.
Although Li Chen also didn't like Zhang Ziyi, he disliked Wong Jing even more.
At least Zhang Ziyi had just received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress.
You, Wang Pangzi, said this and that, saying that Zhang Ziyi was only getting Hollywood's fifth-tier, lowest-tier salary.
Completely incomparable to Chow Yun-fat.
Although it was true, saying it at your "Savage Secret Manual" promotional press conference, what were you thinking, did you take everyone for fools?
Li Chen started writing his third blog post on his blog.
"Congratulations to Miss Zhang Ziyi on her Golden Globe Best Actress nomination."
"Low pay does exist, but it has nothing to do with the individual; it's determined by the market share of Chinese-language films in Hollywood, or rather, in the global market."
"Even Mr. Chow Yun-fat didn't get a five million dollar salary as soon as he went to Hollywood."
"Personally, I still admire and support Chinese actors venturing into Hollywood. Chiyou Films will also gradually establish a foothold in Hollywood, providing a bridge and support for Chinese actors."
As soon as Li Chen's blog post was published, it immediately shot to the top of Sina's headlines.
"Li Chen posts in support of Zhang Ziyi, slapping Wong Jing in the face."
The eye-catching title didn't bother Li Chen, because that's exactly what he thought, and what he did.
Yang Siwei found it strange that Zhang Ziyi was calling her so late.
"Invite my boss to dinner? My boss isn't in Beijing!" Yang Siwei wondered.
"Sister Ziyi, is there something you can tell me?"
"Director Li isn't in Beijing? Oh, that's right, it's New Year's, Director Li must have gone to Haikou, right?" Zhang Ziyi said with a smile.
Yang Siwei smiled and didn't reply.
"Then Siwei, please thank Director Li for me. When Director Li returns to Beijing, I'll thank him in person."
"Sister Ziyi, what are you saying? I don't understand a single word?"
"You'll understand if you look at Director Li's blog."
"Ah? My boss posted again? Well, I'm not talking anymore, I'm going to look right now."
Zhang Ziyi, who had hung up, sent another text message to Li Chen.
"Thank you, Director Li, for speaking out. I hope to star in Director Li's film in the future. Salary is negotiable. Ziyi."
Li Chen replied: Keep it up, there will be opportunities to collaborate.
Yang Siwei opened her laptop and saw that her boss's blog was as lively as an annual meeting, with various artists and netizens reporting in.
Well, boss, can you please give me a heads-up every Time you go on a rant? You're putting me in a very passive position!
"Director Li, I can work for zero pay..."
"Director Li, I can even pay you..."
"That fat guy promoting his 'Savage Secret Manual' even has to disparage Zhang Ziyi and elevate Chow Yun-fat, what the hell!"
"I remember in 'Conman in Vegas,' when that fat guy starred himself, didn't he start out in Hong Kong, and then didn't he go to Hollywood?"
"Upstairs, he went to Hollywood to film American 'action' movies!"
"These two-faced Hong Kong filmmakers are all the same. They still think it's the 90s, the era when Hong Kong films ruled. Look at 'painted skin,' from the lead actors to the directing team, besides Louis Koo, it's all mainland filmmakers. Wake up."
"Chen Hong was right, since you're coming to the mainland to eat, please eat gracefully. Don't curse while begging for milk!"
At the same Time, Wong Jing also saw the comments online.
The fat on his face swelled even more.
Why did he jump out again? All he wanted was to increase the attention for "Savage Secret Manual."
But he didn't dare provoke Li Chen; even his big boss, Xiang Huaqiang, was eager to collaborate with him.
According to his boss, they had met Li Chen in Beijing a while ago and had reached a preliminary cooperation intention.
This year, there would be a co-production between Rongchen Film and Television and China Star, and he would most likely still be the director.
"Boss, can you call me before you post? Zhang Ziyi's acceptance speech-like gratitude caught me off guard!" Yang Siwei said with a smile.
"Siwei, as the head of publicity, you must be prepared to deal with emergencies at any Time! Call you? Are you the boss, or am I the boss?"
"Alright, I was wrong, boss. I shouldn't argue with you. I'm going to find Yifei!"
"Director Li's temper, he doesn't tolerate anyone," Chen Hong said with a smile.
"Who makes Director Li so qualified? His box office dominates, his awards are like swordsman, and most importantly, none of his allies are duds," Xu Zheng also said with a smile.
"Do you think Director Li would laugh at you for stooping so low if he saw you filming a music video?" Chen Hong said, covering her mouth with a laugh.
"Let him laugh. If Director Li laughs, then so be it. One day, besides Director Li, no one will dare to laugh at us," Xu Zheng was very open-minded.
It was one day before New Year's Eve, and Xu Zheng, who was in the limelight, made headlines again.
Someone broke the news:
"'lost in thailand' Director Xu Zheng 'neglects his proper duties,' teaming up with golden music producer Zhang Yadong to film a music video for newcomer Jing Tian."
Countless netizens wondered if Xu Zheng was crazy, and were even more curious about who this Jing Tian was, to be able to get Zhang Yadong and Xu Zheng to team up for a music video.
Unfortunately, despite the reporters' efforts, they only knew that this eighteen-year-old newcomer was from Beijing Dance Academy and was another star pupil of Zhang Ziyi's former homeroom teacher!
She was also the only artist under Starlight Splendor, which was established less than two years ago.
Netizens became even more curious, gossiping and speculating wildly.
Li Chen wasn't surprised; Big Tian Tian had finally made her debut.
Compared to Big Tian Tian, no one would dare to call themselves a "resource hog."
Of course, because of his existence, Miss Liu was an exception.
It was said that Big Tian Tian was the little girl who presented flowers to President Clinton when he visited China back then.
Her background was probably not much weaker than granite.
Li Chen just found it amusing; he didn't expect that with Ning Hao still unknown, Starlight Splendor would quickly make a move and secure Xu Zheng to create buzz for Big Tian Tian.
Her foresight was indeed sharp!
Her methods were also superb; a small music video, yet it encompassed the hottest and most popular insiders of the moment.
Zhang Yadong, Xu Zheng, Zhang Ziyi! Impressive!