Chapter 19: One Hundred Million in Sight
Around 6 PM, Yang Siwei drove the company's Volkswagen Phaeton with license plate Jing A2425 to the school to pick up Li Chen.
In the car, Yang Siwei smiled and said, “Director Li, don't keep me in suspense. Who are we meeting today?”
Li Chen looked straight ahead: “Wang Jinghua and Wang Zhonglei from Huayi Brothers.”
Yang Siwei turned her head, glanced at Li Chen, and then focused on driving: “Director Li found me a mentor in Wang Jinghua, Hua Jie?”
Li Chen nodded, implicitly confirming it.
“They are inviting me today, and I will mention to Wang Jinghua that I want you to follow her for this year.”
“You should learn from her well. Wang Jinghua became the top agent in Beijing, so she must have her outstanding qualities.”
Yang Siwei said with a grin, “Director Li, don't worry, I'm a top student from the Communication University after all.”
When they arrived at the agreed-upon private restaurant, the other party was already there.
Wang Zhonglei stood up with a smile, with Wang Jinghua half a step behind him.
“Director Li is here.”
Wang Zhonglei extended his hand.
“President Wang, Director Wang.”
Wang Jinghua also extended her hand, smiling as she greeted him: “Director Li.”
Li Chen then stepped aside slightly and introduced the two: “This is the artist director of my company, Yang Siwei.”
“I hope Director Wang will take good care of her in the future.”
Wang Zhonglei's expression was a bit unnatural, and he felt a little disdainful.
Yang Siwei smiled and stepped forward, generously extending her hand and saying,
“President Wang, Hua Jie, I am Yang Siwei. Please take good care of me in the future.”
Wang Jinghua's heart stirred, and she agreed with a smile.
The group took their seats, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then got down to business.
Wang Zhonglei smiled and said, “Director Li's company also plans to sign artists in the future?”
Li Chen said, “I do have that intention, which is why I want Siwei to learn from a senior like Director Wang.”
Wang Jinghua smiled and said, “What senior? Director Li, you're too kind. I just started a few years earlier.”
Li Chen was noncommittal: “Director Wang's standing and reputation in the industry are second to none.”
“Siwei is a newcomer, and she still has a lot to learn.”
“Siwei, aren't you going to toast Director Wang and President Wang?”
Yang Siwei was very astute and sweet-tongued, calling her “Hua Jie” very familiarly.
Wang Zhonglei felt even more uncomfortable.
Li Chen noticed Wang Zhonglei's change.
He then added, “My company doesn't plan to get involved in artist management within the next year or two. Film is my main business.”
“Even if we do develop artists in the future, the focus will only be on nurturing new talent.”
Wang Zhonglei smiled and said, “Hua Jie, then you should mentor Little Yang more in the future.”
Wang Jinghua reacted quickly: “Since President Wang and Director Li have spoken, there's nothing more to say.”
“The little sister speaks nicely, and I like her too.”
Yang Siwei was very good at handling things, immediately standing up and toasting Wang Jinghua again, saying, “Thank you, Hua Jie.”
Li Chen nodded with satisfaction. They were all smart people; a hint was enough.
Since the other party was giving him face, Li Chen also didn't hold back.
The group chatted for a few moments, then Li Chen changed the subject: “Huayi Brothers is a large company with many excellent artists.”
“This year, my company still has two films to be approved, so I'll need President Wang and Director Wang's strong support then.”
Wang Zhonglei and Wang Jinghua were startled, not expecting the other party to be so ambitious.
One “shoplifters” was just getting started, and then two more projects were to be approved? Could he handle it?
Both of them were full of questions.
Wang Zhonglei smiled and said, “Director Li, you're too kind.”
“Whether it's funding or artists, as long as Director Li needs anything, just say the word.”
Li Chen smiled and said, “Funding is fine, but artists cannot do without the support of a large company like Huayi Brothers.”
Noticing their doubts,
Li Chen explained, “These next two projects may not necessarily be directed by me.”
“You'll know in the second half of the year; for now, I ask you both to keep it confidential.”
Wang Zhonglei and Wang Jinghua both nodded in agreement: “Of course, Director Li, rest assured.”
Wang Jinghua raised her glass: “I toast Director Li. I hope Director Li will take good care of us in the future.”
Wang Jinghua had over a hundred artists under her, a situation of too many wolves and too little meat.
To her, Li Chen represented a high-quality upstream resource, where the supply and demand relationship was severely imbalanced.
Li Chen politely said, “Not at all, we're just helping each other succeed.”
Wang Zhonglei also raised his glass: “Director Li, I hope our two sides can cooperate for a long time and happily.”
On the way back, Wang Zhonglei said, “Hua Jie, you should mentor that Little Yang well.”
“In a few months, let her gain some experience by following Li Xue.”
Wang Jinghua understood Wang Zhonglei's plan; Li Xue and Li Bingbing were the direct descendants of Huayi Brothers.
Wang Jinghua didn't say much, just nodded in agreement.
Li Chen and Yang Siwei both had drinks, so they found a designated driver.
Yang Siwei had held it in all evening, but now that there were no outsiders, she spoke.
“Director Li, why do I feel like there's something strange between President Wang and Hua Jie?”
Li Chen smiled and said, “What's so strange about that?”
“Don't get involved in the issues between Wang Zhonglei and Wang Jinghua. When you go, just learn from Wang Jinghua.”
Wang Zhonglei returned home and called Wang Zhongjun.
“Big Brother, we can't let our guard down with Wang Jinghua, otherwise, when we part ways, it will have too great an impact on us.”
“Sigh, we should have transferred all artist contracts to the company's name at the beginning, even if it cost more money…”
On the third day, “Stone”'s box office continued to rise, closing at 11.25 million.
On the fourth day, 11.42 million.
On the fifth day, 11.55 million.
On the sixth day, 11.02 million.
On the seventh day, 10.35 million.
In its first week of release, “Stone”'s box office closed at 73.63 million, astonishing many industry insiders.
The cost of “Stone,” plus the later added promotional and distribution costs, was estimated to be around five or six million.
At this rate, “Stone”'s box office breaking 100 million was a sure thing.
This was too profitable!
Han Sanping's call came in, his tone so sour it could make teeth ache.
Li Chen had been rather unenthusiastic about the meeting with Yu Dong that day, doing it purely to give Han Sanping face.
“The few films China Film Group Corporation invested in combined didn't make as much as your one film! You're too much of an animal, kid.”
“Hey, hey, hey, Han Dong, you can't curse people like that.”
“You're an industry bigwig, after all. Even if my film ‘Stone’ crosses 100 million at the box office, it's just that, right?”
“Starting this year, I'm putting it out there: more and more filmmakers will enter the 100-million-yuan box office club.”
Han Sanping said, “That's true.”
“Oh, and don't be late for the Premiers of ‘Zhang Sicheng’ and ‘new police story’ then.”
Li Chen considered it for a moment before saying, “Han Dong, I'll go to one.”
“‘shoplifters’ will definitely have started filming by then, and I don't want to be distracted.”
“You know how important ‘shoplifters’ is to me.”
Han Sanping paused: “Alright, there's one more thing.”
“Don't take the invitations from the Directors' Guild and the Screenwriters' Guild lightly.”
“You have a name now; don't let people talk behind your back.”
Li Chen said, “Han Dong, these associations and such, let's just forget about them. I never intended to join them from the start.”
“Maybe when I'm seventy or eighty, I'll go there to retire, but right now, I don't want to limit myself.”
Han Sanping sighed: “You're really a stubborn kid. Forget it, you'll understand when you suffer a loss…”
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