Chapter 83: Unbelievable Wang Zhaojun
Li Chen playfully poked fun at the host on stage.
The host also knew when to quit while he was ahead.
A grand Premiere concluded with Yang Dong of China Film Group Corporation giving a summary speech and looking to the future.
Sina provided full coverage of the Premiere.
All three major portals published live reports from the Premiere.
"shoplifters Premiere Concludes Successfully, The Golden Palm director Lives Up to His Name."
"49 million US dollars, shoplifters Sets a Record for Chinese Films Going Overseas, It is the Most Profitable Film Investment in China Film Group Corporation's History."
"Director Zhang Yimou stated that Li Chen's scriptwriting ability is beyond doubt, and shoplifters is well-deserved."
"Director Li Generously Gives Red Envelopes to the Cast and Crew."
"8-year-old child star Guan Xiaotong's Innocent Remark: 'My Dad Got a New Audi Car.'"
"June 18th, shoplifters is Not to Be Missed."
Every time Rongchen Film and Television made headlines,
Netizens were always full of envy, jealousy, and hatred.
"An Audi costs at least twenty-something thousand, right? Good heavens, I'd have to work for three years without eating or drinking!"
"I'd have to work for ten years."
"49 million US dollars, last year the total domestic box office barely exceeded 1.5 billion."
"Director Li's shoplifters accounts for 30%, it's simply insane!"
"Upstairs, that's just the transaction price. If it's imported, there's also box office sharing later, you're calculating too early!"
Li Shaohong and Li Xiaowan were still discussing Yang Mi on their way back.
Now, that girl was determined to terminate her contract.
From Li Chen's vague attitude today, it was very likely that both parties had already reached an agreement.
Li Shaohong was furious.
She used to have a good impression of Li Chen, but now it had all changed.
Yang Mi was Li Xiaowan's pick, Li Shaohong didn't pay much attention to her.
Compared to other artists in the company, Yang Mi didn't have many advantages.
In her opinion, precisely because she started as a child star, she had acted in too many plays.
She acted without thinking, her performances were formulaic: happy meant 'hahaha,' and sad meant 'wa wa wa.'
So, all the company's resources, apart from Chen Kun and Zhou Xun,
Would definitely be prioritized for veterans like Zeng Li and Xu Jingyao, who came from professional training.
Only then would it be Yang Mi's turn as a newcomer.
In fact, as long as it wasn't one of the major companies signing Yang Mi, Li Shaohong wouldn't bother with these matters.
To be realistic, once the company terminated its contract with Yang Mi, it probably wouldn't even cause a ripple in the industry.
But now, any news related to Rongchen Film and Television,
Even the most obscure newcomer would become a headline eagerly reported by the media.
Wasn't that Tang Yan exactly like that?
Li Shaohong rubbed her forehead, a little headache.
"Xiaowan, Zhou Xun still hasn't agreed to renew her contract?"
Li Xiaowan nodded, also feeling agitated, with all the troubles piling up.
Zhou Xun and Zhang Jingchu were one thing, but Yang Mi was someone she had personally signed to the company.
And now she was also jumping out to disgust the two 'sisters.'
She was truly unfilial!
"Forget it, no need to wait any longer, we'll unilaterally announce the termination of the contract."
"Try to let things cool down."
"A newcomer isn't worth our trouble."
"As for what Li Chen does, we can't interfere."
"If Rongchen Film and Television really signs her, I'll have to ask Lao Tian how he teaches his students."
After the Premiere, as soon as Li Chen and Yang Siwei got into the car, President Bao of Wanda called.
President Bao was truly shocked by the transaction price of shoplifters.
Who wouldn't be impressed by such profitability?
A great director like Li Chen, who can both carry the box office and win awards,
And is also the CEO of a powerful company,
Is exactly the kind of partner Wanda hopes to have a long-term collaboration with.
Ever since Wang Jianlin, the big boss, defied all objections and ventured into the film and television industry,
Wanda never intended to only operate in the downstream sector of the industry chain, such as cinemas.
Comprehensive development was their ultimate goal.
On the phone, President Bao didn't say much.
He only said that shoplifters was brilliant, and Wanda would certainly not be stingy with its screening arrangements.
How could Li Chen not sense the other party's goodwill? They agreed to keep in regular contact.
Before hanging up, President Bao added one more thing.
"Director Li's strength is evident to all, and he certainly doesn't lack funds."
"I'll just add that if Director Li has any new projects, Wanda can purchase shares at a premium."
"As long as Director Li speaks, Wanda will never bargain!"
Even Li Chen sighed, thinking, 'As expected of Wang Jianlin's Wanda.'
This ambition was far more ruthless than Emperor Entertainment Group's initial offer of 10 million for "Stone."
"I've noted President Bao's words. We'll have an opportunity to collaborate."
"By then, President Bao, don't complain if I ask for too much."
"Haha, no problem," President Bao laughed heartily.
After hanging up the phone, President Bao was in a cheerful mood.
As long as they had a good start, they weren't afraid of not bearing fruit.
As soon as Li Chen hung up the phone, Ren Zhonglun from Shanghai Film Group called.
Ren Zhonglun went straight to the point.
"Director Li, next time you have a project, you can consider Shanghai Film Group; China doesn't only have China Film Group Corporation."
"Although Shanghai Film Group doesn't have import rights, its overseas strength is not necessarily worse than China Film Group Corporation's."
Li Chen had a bit of a headache; just now at the Premiere,
Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun seemed to be at odds.
Several times, Ren Zhonglun wanted to talk to Li Chen alone, but Han Sanping was always by his side, 'never leaving.'
This made Li Chen feel uncomfortable caught between the two.
"President Ren, Shanghai Film Group's strength is beyond doubt, I'm well aware of it."
Li Chen didn't say much; the more he said, the more likely he was to make a mistake.
Ren Zhonglun was still very capable.
Although he was a bit cautious, compared to Han Sanping, both had their own merits.
Last year, Ren Zhonglun's idea of establishing an industry chain and placing stable profit projects at the highest point was very forward-looking.
This was all thanks to the market research he had conducted since taking over Shanghai Film Group,
Especially his on-site inspection in Hollywood.
Li Chen sometimes even worried for Han Sanping.
If it weren't for his film shoplifters giving him a boost this year,
China Film Group Corporation's profits really couldn't beat Shanghai Film Group's.
By 2008, Shanghai Film Group's profits were directly twenty times that of China Film Group Corporation.
But this year, shoplifters directly dampened Shanghai Film Group's enthusiasm too much.
No wonder Ren Zhonglun was so upset!
After hanging up the phone, Ren Zhonglun sat in the car and muttered to himself,
"That Han Sanping, his luck is truly incredible! He's found another treasure!"
He thought of his Shanghai Film Group, lacking great directors like Chen Kaige and Feng Xiaogang.
Just when a Li Chen finally emerged, Han Sanping got the advantage of being close to the source!
Yang Siwei, seeing that her boss's calls finally quieted down, silently sighed, "Men are not easy either!"
Li Chen looked as if he had seen a ghost: "Siwei, you finally sound like a woman."
Three days later, shoplifters was released in cinemas nationwide.
Yang Mi also successfully regained her freedom.
After leaving Rongxinda, Yang Mi felt a weight lifted off her shoulders.
Although the termination fee was considerable, she believed she would definitely earn back hundreds or thousands of termination fees in the future.
The prerequisite was to first join Rongchen Film and Television.
Arriving at Jinxiu Mingzun, Yang Mi secretly cheered herself on.
"Now, her senior won't say she's not qualified to discuss a contract, right?"
Yang Mi had pondered for a long time before deciphering the meaning behind her senior's phrase, 'she's not qualified.'
This further solidified her resolve to terminate her contract with Rongxinda.
Upon seeing Yang Siwei, Yang Mi greeted her proactively.
"Director Yang, I'm Yang Mi. I've always followed your blog."
Yang Siwei smiled, "Many people follow me, I really hadn't noticed you."
"Let's go, the boss has already arrived."
The two got into the elevator.
Yang Siwei smiled, "You look even prettier, I didn't notice it when I visited the set of 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' last time."
"Such a good figure, tsk tsk, these legs are so fair, slender, and straight."
Yang Siwei scrutinized Yang Mi from head to toe, her tone like a hooligan.
"I've never dared to wear skirts."
Yang Mi affectionately linked arms with Yang Siwei and smiled, "Your skin is very fair too, no worse than mine."
"Just call me Siwei, we haven't known each other for just a day," Yang Siwei smiled.
"Hmm, Siwei, will my senior not sign me later?" Yang Mi asked pitifully and anxiously.
"I'm not sure about that, the boss acts unpredictably."
"Even I have only recently been subtly influenced with a trace of the boss's style, haha."
Yang Siwei didn't treat Yang Mi as an outsider at all.
Because she was most likely going to be her second artist.
But no matter how she looked at it, apart from her good figure, she had no advantages compared to Tang Yan and Fan Bingbing.
When the boss discussed it with her earlier, she finally understood the whole story.
She also gained a clearer understanding of Yang Mi's ambition and decisiveness.
In her opinion, there was nothing wrong with that.
People strive for higher goals, and not many people so young can see things so clearly.
Yang Mi was one, Fan Bingbing was another.
Upon entering the boss's office,
Yang Mi greeted him proactively.
Li Chen glanced at Yang Mi.
At this time, Yang Mi's fashion sense was on par with Miss Liu's.
Thinking of Tang Yan, her style back then was also hard to describe.
High-waisted brown canvas shoes paired with light blue denim shorts, topped with a white fitted tank top.
Her good figure was, however, fully revealed.
Fortunately, the company's styling team was professional.
"Have a seat, don't be shy," Li Chen said.
The assistant came in with coffee and then left.
"Thank you, Senior."
"You said on the phone just now that you've already terminated your contract with Rongxinda, and all the procedures are done?"
"Yes, Senior, I guarantee there won't be any problems."
Yang Siwei smiled, "Mi Mi, do you know that President Li of Rongxinda has already hinted to the boss?"
"He doesn't want the boss to sign you."
"Ah?" Yang Mi felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar when Yang Siwei said that.
She was truly in a desperate situation now.
Without Rongchen Film and Television, even a deity descending from heaven couldn't save her.
"Senior?" Yang Mi's pitiful expression made even Yang Siwei feel sympathy.
Li Chen said, "I really can't sign you today."
Yang Mi froze, but Yang Siwei, as an outsider, saw things clearly.
She nudged Yang Mi, "What's the hurry? Let the boss finish talking."
Yang Mi came back to her senses, "Senior, please continue."
Li Chen nodded and chuckled, "Now is indeed not the best time."
"If I sign with you, it won't benefit either of us."
"As the saying goes, don't hit a person in the face. You just terminated your contract with Rongxinda, and I sign with you right away."
"That would be clearly telling others that I don't care about Rongxinda."
Yang Mi understood and said excitedly, "I understand, Senior."
"It's okay, waiting for half a year or a year is fine."
"It's good that you understand, but even though we can't sign a contract now, it doesn't prevent the company from finding resources for you."
Li Chen added.
"Senior, are you saying, 'mend the plank road in the open, cross the Chencang in secret'?" Yang Mi asked, overjoyed.
Yang Siwei was also amused, "Mi Mi, that idiom is well used."
Li Chen also smiled.
"It's not that exaggerated."
"You prepare a resume yourself and give it to Yang Siwei, highlighting your acting experience in 'Emperor Ming of Tang.'"
Yang Mi was stunned, saying in disbelief, "Senior, you, you want to help me compete for Wang Zhaojun?"
"What, you don't dare to imagine or don't dare to act?" Li Chen smiled.
"No, no, no, Senior, I just, I just find it a little unbelievable." Yang Mi quickly shook her head to deny.
Yang Siwei was also somewhat incredulous and reminded him.
"Boss, I heard that Double Bing and Gao Yuanyuan are both competing for the role of Wang Zhaojun."
"And it seems very likely to be Fan Bingbing."
Li Chen didn't answer, continuing, "Just do as I say."
"If you are lucky enough to be chosen, don't mention the company, understand?"
Yang Mi understood, "Understood, Senior. After filming Wang Zhaojun, the company can then sign me naturally."
"That way, Senior will have an easier time."
It must be said that Yang Mi's reaction was quite quick.
She immediately understood the reasoning behind it.
