Chapter 39: It's Up to You
Liu Xiaoli couldn't miss the sweet look on Liu Yifei's face when she returned home.
Her eyes were filled with spring, and a smile played on her lips, radiating an air of success.
As someone who had been through it all, how could Liu Xiaoli not see that her daughter was truly in love?
Hoping her daughter wouldn't be like herself, Liu Xiaoli silently blessed her daughter.
Before going to bed that night, Miss Liu held her cell phone and sent a message to a certain someone.
"While this girl is not in the capital, you must behave yourself."
"You're not allowed to not send me messages, not allowed to not call me, not allowed to not miss me."
Li Chen looked at the many 'not allowed' messages from Miss Liu, and for a moment, his heart was filled with tender emotions.
"So many 'not allowed's, that's so hard... If I manage to do them all, will there be a reward?"
"What kind of reward do you want?" Miss Liu held her cell phone, her face flushed, and her heart rate quickened slightly.
There was no one else in the room, but she was still nervous.
Li Chen laughed and replied: "The director doesn't call 'cut', so the actor isn't allowed to stop, for example, the scenes that weren't finished today!"
Miss Liu looked at the message, recalled the scene from earlier today, and covered her face in embarrassment.
After a long while, she replied: "It's up to you."
Li Chen burst out laughing: "What Miss Liu doesn't allow, I will absolutely not do. What Miss Liu asks for, I will complete unconditionally."
The next day, Miss Liu set off for Yandang Mountain.
Two days later, Yang Shoucheng called.
The Southeast Asian and European film distributors he invited would arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow.
Yang Shoucheng asked him whether to sell the copyright outright or to introduce a distribution and box office revenue sharing model.
The other party handled the social etiquette very well.
Although he had said he wouldn't interfere at all,
the other party still personally made a call.
Li Chen still said the same thing: everything would be decided by Emperor Entertainment Group.
Yang Shoucheng was an excellent businessman.
He would definitely be able to distinguish which method would maximize new world's profits.
After hanging up the phone, Yang Shoucheng was full of confidence.
The promotional slogan for new world was to directly challenge infernal affairs.
Starting this year, infernal affairs had been gradually released in various European and American countries, receiving rave reviews.
So, those overseas film distributors were very interested.
Especially Warner Brothers, who had bought the remake rights for infernal affairs.
They wanted to see if this new world could truly rival infernal affairs.
The next day, the nearly two-hour finished cut of new world had the film distributors watching in the audience nodding frequently.
CJ from South Korea, Toho from Japan, GSC from Malaysia.
And Warner Brothers from Hollywood were all interested in distributing or buying out new world.
Receiving Yang Shoucheng's call, Li Chen was a little surprised.
"You said Warner Brothers, Paramount, and CJ want to buy the remake rights for new world?"
Yang Shoucheng laughed: "That's right, Warner Brothers and Paramount bid for the remake rights of infernal affairs last year."
"In the end, several companies bid, and Warner Brothers acquired the remake rights for infernal affairs for 1.75 million US dollars."
"This year, these two companies have simultaneously taken an interest in new world."
"The remake rights are in your hands, so I'll have them contact you directly."
"I understand, Yang Dong."
"Director Li, aren't you going to ask about the transaction status of new world?" Yang Shoucheng asked with a smile.
Li Chen also smiled: "Judging by Yang Dong's tone, it should be good. Let's talk when we meet."
Yang Shoucheng hung up the phone.
He looked up at Huo Wenxi, who was standing in front of him: "Just tell me the result."
Huo Wenxi placed a prepared document in front of Yang Shoucheng.
"Yang Dong, Director Li's information has been thoroughly investigated."
"Before entering university, he earned his first pot of gold by writing two novels in high school."
"After entering university, he directed three films within two years."
"With a total box office of 150 million, his net worth does not exceed 50 million."
Huo Wenxi recited Li Chen's entire family history as fluently as if she were reciting a textbook.
Yang Shoucheng nodded: "Interesting. No wonder he could spend 150 million to buy Jinxiu Mingzun at such a young age."
"Without some real strength, he wouldn't be so unconcerned about new world's profits."
Huo Wenxi said: "So, should we continue investigating, Yang Dong?"
Yang Shoucheng laughed: "Investigate what? If we didn't find anything this time, will we find something if we investigate again?"
"Not being able to be fully investigated is what qualifies him to be my partner, Yang Shoucheng!"
Huo Wenxi thought for a moment, then relaxed.
Indeed, whether it was her own boss or other bigwigs in Hong Kong,
no one's net worth was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Perhaps at this moment, her boss truly regarded Director Li as a long-term partner.
And not just a promising potential stock in the film industry.
Li Chen hung up the phone and didn't take the matter seriously, deciding to wait until they came to him.
It was a small matter; he would sell it to whoever offered the highest price.
Li Chen had no intention of using this as leverage to negotiate with these Hollywood giants.
Li Chen estimated that Warner Brothers probably didn't want a film that could compete with their remake of infernal affairs to be remade first.
Paramount, on the other hand, was the opposite.
The popularity of infernal affairs in Europe and America this year showed them the market potential of this type of film.
Perhaps they regretted not spending more money to acquire the remake rights for infernal affairs last year.
This time, it was a good opportunity to acquire new world.
If they could release it before Warner Brothers' remake of infernal affairs, they would gain a first-mover advantage in the market.
Han Sanping's call came in.
"Han Dong?"
"You boy, you really are something, always making a splash everywhere."
"What do you mean, Han Dong?"
"Come over tomorrow, I'll introduce you to someone." Han Sanping didn't explain anything.
Li Chen was a bit puzzled.
The next day, when he arrived at China Film Group Corporation, the people Han Sanping said he would introduce were actually two foreigners.
Li Chen had thought it would be another well-connected individual with a condescending attitude, like Chang Hong.
He watched the two foreigners stand up from the sofa.
Han Sanping stood up and said: "This is Richard Fox, Executive Vice President of Warner Brothers."
Li Chen understood, but still found it strange.
It was such a big deal that even Han Sanping got involved.
"Li, you are even younger than I imagined, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Li Chen felt uncomfortable listening to the broken Chinese.
After they were introduced, Han Sanping went straight to the point: "Give the remake rights for that new world to Warner Brothers."
Li Chen glanced at Han Sanping, not immediately agreeing.
Whether it was given to Warner Brothers or Paramount, it wasn't important to Li Chen.
The problem was that Han Sanping didn't explain anything, which made Li Chen a little unhappy.
The Chinese spoken by the person next to Richard Fox was better than his.
He said with a smile: "Director Li, the story of new world is excellent, and we at Warner Brothers are very sincere."
"Last year, infernal affairs sold for 1.75 million US dollars. For new world, we are offering 2 million US dollars."
What did this mean? What kind of setup was Han Sanping orchestrating today?
Li Chen looked at the two foreigners as if they were idiots.
He said, amused: "2 million US dollars, that's indeed a lot!"
The two foreigners smiled, while Han Sanping remained silent.
"Today, for Han Dong's sake, 2 million it is."
The foreigners didn't catch the hidden meaning in Li Chen's words, but Han Sanping did.
After seeing off the two foreigners who had arrived with enthusiasm and left satisfied,
Han Sanping and Li Chen returned to the office.
Only then did Han Sanping mention: "Next month, China Film Group Corporation, Warner Brothers, and Hengdian World Studios will jointly invest in and establish China Film Warner Hengdian Film and Television Co., Ltd."
"The new company's main business will include investment, production, distribution, and promotion of Chinese films and television films."
"I will be the general manager, and Yang Dong will be the chairman. Do you understand?"
Li Chen suddenly realized, no wonder Warner Brothers had sought out Han Sanping.
With Han Sanping's involvement, this was indeed a trivial matter. Even foreigners knew how to use connections!
Li Chen laughed: "You should have said so earlier, Han Dong."
"If I had known, we wouldn't even have needed to meet."
"Warner Brothers still has foresight, seeing the huge potential of the Chinese film market and building a good relationship with China Film Group Corporation in advance."
Li Chen praised.
Han Sanping said irritably: "Are you really so dense? Isn't painted skin going to be released globally?"
Li Chen immediately became alert, gave a thumbs up, and laughed: "I get it, I get it! Oh, Han Dong is truly far-sighted and sees ahead."
"Get lost, stop flattering me!" Han Sanping cursed with a smile.
"By the way, what's going on with you and Chang Hong?" Han Sanping's tone shifted as he asked.
Li Chen laughed: "What could be going on? At most, this Brother Chang you introduced looks down on my small-time, makeshift crew."
He had tried to investigate Chang Hong's background but found nothing, so he gave up.
Li Chen guessed that this person's identity might be similar to that of Jing Tian.
The less he could find out, the more it indicated a powerful background.
Han Sanping shook his head: "Forget it, I'm too lazy to bother with your affairs."
By the time Paramount's people found him, the rights to new world had already been sold to CJ of South Korea and Warner Brothers of Hollywood.
The two sides politely exchanged contact information.
Thank you, everyone, the first round of recommendations has passed.