Chapter 82 Red Envelope
Upon entering the Political Consultative Conference Auditorium, many celebrities and artists had already arrived.
Han Sanping was also there.
He was surrounded by several people, like stars orbiting the moon.
Seeing Li Chen enter, Han Sanping frowned slightly: He himself had already arrived, and this kid was only just showing up.
Li Chen and the crew went over together to greet Han Sanping.
Li Xuejian and Lu Zhong exchanged pleasantries with Han Sanping.
Huang Xiaoming and Zhao Wei, who were by Han Sanping's side, actively engaged Li Chen in conversation.
"Director Li, I haven't had a chance to congratulate you on winning the Golden Palm yet. It's not too late now, is it?" Zhao Wei said with a smile.
"Thank you."
Li Chen's indifference made Zhao Wei a bit uncomfortable. She glanced at Huang Xiaoming beside her.
Didn't you say Director Li was easy to get along with?
Huang Xiaoming subtly said, "Director Li, congratulations. Today, we can finally unveil the mystery of this shoplifters."
"I can't wait. Haha."
Seeing Zhao Wei, Li Chen suddenly remembered that she would also be Teacher Tian's student in the future.
Damn, that's disgusting. She better not try to buy the copyright for so young from him by claiming a fellow student relationship.
He wouldn't buy into that.
"You've been doing well recently. I heard Director Feng's the banquet has finalized its cast. I should congratulate you too," Li Chen said with a smile.
"Thank you. I'll need Director Li's continued support in the future."
After a few polite exchanges, Huang Xiaoming and Zhao Wei tactfully moved away.
Yang Siwei was now completely at ease in such situations.
She was adept at socializing with these celebrities and artists.
Li Chen glanced over; Yang Siwei was already chatting with Wang Jinghua.
Andy Lau and Tony Leung Ka-fai were also nearby.
It seemed Tony Leung Ka-fai would still follow Wang Jinghua when she left Huayi Brothers.
"How come you're late every time?" Han Sanping said displeasedly.
"Han Dong, how was I supposed to know you'd arrive so early?" Li Chen said with a smile.
"Yang Dong will also be here later, as well as people from Shanghai Film Group. Don't get confused," Han Sanping hinted.
"Don't worry, Han Dong. For now, China Film Group Corporation is enough as Rongchen Film and Television's state-owned enterprise partner," Li Chen understood clearly.
He had met Ren Zhonglun from Shanghai Film Group at Zhang Side's Premiere last time.
At that time, Han Sanping had introduced Li Chen and Ren Zhonglun as if they were all on the same team.
Gradually, the guests invited by Han Sanping arrived one after another.
Li Shaohong and Li Xiaowan also came with Chen Kun.
Watching Li Shaohong and Li Xiaowan walk in together.
Li Chen guessed they probably wouldn't bring up Yang Mi.
After all, Yang Mi could be described as completely unknown at the moment.
Only after The Return of the Condor Heroes aired next year would she truly begin to make a name for herself.
"Li Chen, thank you for what you did that day," Li Shaohong said with a smile.
"I didn't do anything, no need to be polite, President Li," Li Chen said indifferently.
Li Shaohong smiled and didn't say more, turning to go to the side.
Li Xiaowan seemed to have more to say.
"The company has decided to terminate its contract with Yang Mi. Director Li shouldn't be signing with her, right?" Li Xiaowan joked.
Yang Mi's contract termination was not supposed to be a big deal.
Rong Xingda wouldn't demand an exorbitant termination fee.
After all, the company hadn't wasted much resources on Yang Mi.
After communicating with Yang Mi, since there was no room for negotiation.
She and Li Shaohong discussed it, and decided the company would initiate the termination.
To minimize the impact.
But the premise was that Li Chen's Rongchen Film and Television could not sign Yang Mi.
Otherwise, this matter would definitely escalate, and even be hyped up by the media.
At that point, the impact on Rong Xingda would be difficult to estimate.
"President Li, contract terminations and signings are normal commercial activities for a company."
"I think there's no need to mix other factors into it."
"I made it very clear when I called you that day."
"I'll say it again, the Yang Mi of that time was not qualified to discuss these things with me."
"But times change, and no one can say what will happen in the future."
"I'm going to socialize with Han Dong. President Li, see you later."
Seeing Li Chen walk away, Li Xiaowan and Li Shaohong, who was not far away, exchanged glances, shaking their heads slightly in disappointment.
However, Li Chen was actually already giving this matter some thought.
After Li Xiaowan's hint, Li Chen understood that if this matter wasn't handled well.
It could set a very bad precedent.
If not handled properly, many artists from various companies might emulate Yang Mi.
They would all terminate their contracts with their companies and then switch to Rongchen Film and Television.
And some film and television companies might also poach talent even more unscrupulously.
For example, Huayi Brothers; it was rumored that Huayi Brothers was interested in Zhang Jingchu from Rong Xingda.
This was like the 'catfish effect' and 'Domino effect'.
If Li Chen really signed Yang Mi, a series of chain reactions would cause a major aftershock within Rong Xingda.
Li Chen was well aware that almost all the artists who left Rong Xingda in later generations became famous.
Whether it was Chen Kun and Zhou Xun, whose contracts expired and were not renewed.
Or Zhang Jingchu, who was poached.
As well as Jiang Mengjie and Yang Yang, who went directly to court.
This was indeed a problem. If not handled properly, it would definitely not be good for Rongchen Film and Television's reputation in the industry.
The Premiere was still ongoing. The Poet and his wife also had to come out of politeness.
Li Chen wasn't like the Poet, putting on airs. As guests, he naturally greeted them with a smile.
Chen Hong felt a bit better, while the Poet still maintained an air of disdain.
At 6:30 PM, Yang Dong made his grand entrance as the finale.
Han Sanping didn't waste much time with words; everything would be discussed after the Premiere.
At Li Chen's table, any one of the people present was a big shot in the industry whose mere presence could shake things up.
President Bao of Wanda Cinema Line, the president of the Film Association, two top executives from China Film Group Corporation, Old Wang from Enlight Media, Zhang Yimou, and the Poet.
"Li Chen, well done," Zhang Yimou said with a smile.
"Director Zhang, you flatter me," Li Chen replied with a smile.
"Lao Tian has a successor."
Tian Zhuangzhuang smiled and said nothing.
Soon, the movie began to play.
After watching the movie, everyone understood that this shoplifters deserved its Golden Palm.
Although some plots were debatable, such as teaching children to steal and not reporting buried bodies.
But purely in terms of the script, even if you made these old fellows thirty or forty years younger, they wouldn't have been able to come up with it.
The seemingly continuous coincidences were supported by tightly woven logic.
No wonder the outside world now rumored Li Chen to be the top screenwriter in China.
Applause erupted as Han Sanping, Li Chen, and the main cast of the crew walked onto the stage.
The host first questioned Han Sanping.
"Han Dong, we've all seen this shoplifters. The story is wonderful."
"The shining points of humanity are also revealed one by one at the end. Can you tell us its transaction price at Cannes now?"
"The media friends and guests present, as well as the vast number of netizens, are already eager to know."
The host smiled and asked a question everyone was very concerned about.
Han Sanping smiled triumphantly, exchanged glances with Li Chen, and smiled back.
Taking the microphone handed by the host, he said loudly with a smile.
"Yes."
"This shoplifters has set a new record for Chinese films going overseas."
"With a transaction price of 49 million US dollars, it is the most profitable Chinese film since the establishment of China Film Group Corporation."
The audience was immediately stunned by this figure, erupting in an uproar.
Nearly 400 million RMB, this figure was terrifying.
After paying the necessary taxes, these 400 million were genuinely split between the two production companies.
This profit truly made all the film and television company executives envious.
They worked hard for a year, invested in several films, and might even lose everything.
Even if they made a profit, it was rare to have a net profit of over 100 million.
Han Sanping was very satisfied with the exclamations from the audience.
He then took the opportunity to say, "Our China Film Group Corporation will continue to spare no effort in supporting Chinese films going overseas."
"We hope that the next film to break the overseas transaction price of shoplifters won't keep us waiting too long."
"Thank you for your answer, Han Dong. We also sincerely hope that our Chinese film industry will get better and better," the host said with a smile.
"Next, I would like to ask Teacher Li Xuejian, who was crowned in Cannes."
Han Sanping handed the microphone to Li Xuejian.
The host's eyes darted, and he smiled, "Teacher Li Xuejian."
"Judging by your expression, did you also just learn about the transaction price of shoplifters?"
"Uh, yes, I did," Li Xuejian said with a smile.
"Then do you regret asking for too little in terms of remuneration?"
The guests in the audience burst into laughter, all looking at Li Chen and Li Xuejian.
Han Sanping also laughed.
Li Xuejian glanced at Li Chen, who smiled and nodded slightly.
Li Xuejian smiled, "Yes, it was too little."
Everyone in the audience applauded and laughed.
But Li Xuejian's tone changed, and he smiled, "However, Li Chen has already given me a red envelope."
"It's not a bit less than the remuneration!"
The audience burst into laughter again. They hadn't expected Li Xuejian to joke with everyone.
It seemed that red envelope was indeed quite substantial.
Huang Xiaoming was the first to applaud, and Yang Siwei egged him on, "Director Li is generous!"
The host also smiled, "Teacher Li Xuejian, could you reveal the specific amount?"
The audience was becoming increasingly fond of this host.
He asked all the questions everyone cared about.
Li Xuejian smiled and replied with two words: "Confidential."
The host had a flash of inspiration and approached Guan Xiaotong, the youngest.
"Xiao Tong, how much was your red envelope?"
Guan Xiaotong, who was not yet eight years old, immediately blushed.
"I, I don't know either, but I know that Dad bought a new Audi car..."
"Mom was very happy and said, said that Brother Li Chen is much more generous than Dad..."
Haha.
The applause and laughter from the audience merged into one, and Li Chen also smiled.
The host also smiled, "Alright, I'm starting to think about changing careers."
"Director Li, next time there's such a good opportunity, I also have a daughter."
Huang Xiaoming, who was sitting with Yang Siwei, clapped and asked with a laugh.
"Siwei, a boss like Director Li is rare in the industry. You're lucky."
Yang Siwei beamed with pride and laughed, "That's right, my boss's attitude of treating money like dirt is simply awesome."
"Of course, he's still a bit short compared to Brother Xiao Ming, haha."
All the main actors were teased by the host in turn.
When it finally came to Li Chen.
The host asked a question that was difficult for Li Chen to answer.
"Director Li, twelve years ago, Director Chen won the first Golden Palm for a Chinese person."
"Twelve years later, you once again won the Golden Palm."
"Regarding this, do you have anything you want to say to Director Chen?"
At Li Chen's table, Chen Kaige had maintained a graceful fifteen-degree upward curve at the corner of his mouth.
However, at this moment, it gradually flattened.
Chen Hong remained graceful and poised.
She seemed completely indifferent to the question.
She just unconsciously glanced at her husband out of the corner of her eye.
...
Everyone turned their gaze to the two Golden Palm directors, especially Li Chen.
Li Chen chuckled, "Yes!"
Everyone on and off the stage, and the media present, immediately became very interested.
Li Chen and Chen Kaige exchanged glances. Chen Kaige was already expressionless.
Li Chen calmly smiled, "Director Chen, this woman doesn't look like a good person, ah."
Haha.
The audience immediately burst into thunderous applause. Li Chen's Tianjin accent was so well-done and flavorful.
What was most remarkable was that he both humorously defused the host's challenge and subtly retaliated.
The corners of Chen Kaige's mouth curved again, and he uncharacteristically joined the applause.
The female host smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed.