Chapter 103: It's That Young Master Shen Again

  "Monarch, in the current Chinese film market, historical war films or modern police films are more popular. The movies our company invests in cannot be niche products and must cater to the audience's taste to sell well. In the past few days, I have contacted several screenwriters from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, among whom a script written by one of our mainland screenwriters seems more suitable."

  Chu Zi Feng asked: "Tell me, what's the script about?"

  "The script is set against the backdrop of the Qin and Han dynasties, describing the Chu-Han contention for hegemony, but deviating from real history. After all, something too close to reality would be already known to audiences, and if it were filmed according to history, audiences wouldn't find it very interesting either. What this script describes is not Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, but a nameless small soldier under Liu Bang's command transforming into a hero."

  Zhang Jiali told Chu Zifeng the content of the script, and Chu Zifeng thought it was more feasible. So he asked: "Then who do you plan to find to direct, and which actors?"

  "As for the director, I've already thought it through. We'll find a natural fit and get the best one. Zhang Yimou - we can offer him double his original asking price to have him on board."

  "Zhang Yimou? He is indeed a great director, you can arrange these things, don't ask me again. What about the actors? Who do you plan to find for the male and female leads?"

  "The male lead is naturally looking for the most popular one at present, with a heroic image of Donnie Yen. His previous films, whether it's "Ip Man" or "Once Upon a Time in Shanghai", have been well-received by audiences. If he were to take on the role of the male lead, it would be more helpful for our film. As for the female lead, I plan to find a new actress from mainland China, named Han Yu. She was the winner of last year's Golden Rooster Award for Best Newcomer. Coincidentally, I received news that Han Yu arrived in Beijing yesterday, so I invited her to meet with us tonight on behalf of our company, and also discussed with her agent about having her play the female lead. Her agent seemed very willing, and said they would definitely attend tonight."

  Chu Zi Feng thought for a moment, and regarding those movie matters he didn't understand, said: "Alright, I'll first take a look at her temperament to see if she can play the female lead. If not, then we'll change to someone else. Also, when she comes later, no matter what she or her agent requests, you decide, don't ask for my opinion, I'm just an onlooker."

  Zhang Jiali naturally understood that Chu Zi was unwilling to expose his identity and said: "Please rest assured, I know what to do."

  The door of the private room was pushed open by a waiter at this time, and a woman in casual clothes walked in from outside with a girl wearing a white skirt and a pair of large sunglasses.

  This young woman is quite ordinary, nothing good-looking, but that girl, just take her glasses for example, others can tell at a glance that she's a star. The waiter who led them in couldn't help but steal several glances at the girl, but due to work, he didn't dare ask anything.

  "Miss Han, welcome, welcome!"

  Zhang Jiali returned to his identity as the CEO of Wang Dynasty Group, stood up and shook hands with the two women, but the girl seemed very shy, standing behind the young woman all the time.

  Originally, such a thing did not need the president Zhang Jialiang to come out, but after all, this was the first plan for the Wang Dynasty Group to enter the film and television industry. Zhang Jialiang didn't want any accidents to happen, nor did he want Chu Zifeng to think that he was useless, so he personally met with Han You.

  Han You's economic man was very polite in the face of Zhang Jiali, saying: "I didn't expect our Xiao You to have such a big face, and actually asked General Manager Zhang to take the trouble to come out in person."

  "Haha, Miss Ma is right, we are doing business, 'integrity' is the most important thing. If I didn't come personally to discuss with Miss Ma and Miss Han, it would seem that our company doesn't take this movie seriously at all."

  "Alright, alright. Director Zhang, with the current strength of your Wang Dynasty Group in the country, we naturally feel at ease, otherwise, our Xiao You wouldn't have agreed to come either."

  Miss Ma said, immediately stepped aside and said: "Xiao You, let's talk about the cooperation plan with Director Zhang first."

  Han You didn't say a word, just slightly nodded and then looked at Chu Zifeng and Hong Yi in the private room. In this situation, even the president appeared, and other people, from an outsider's perspective, were naturally all under Zhang Jialiang's command.

  "Director Zhang, thank you very much for considering me to play the female lead. However, before we discuss further, I must clarify a few things. Otherwise, if any situation arises later on, I won't be responsible."

  Chu Zi thought to himself with a smile, this cold and proud person doesn't seem like someone who is good at internal affairs after all. It seems she's just timid, so he needs to clarify some of his own issues first.

  Zhang Jiali said: "Miss Han has any requirements, just mention them."

  "That's good. Director Zhang, you also know that I've only been in the industry for a short time, just five years, and thanks to the audience's liking, I was able to win an award last year, but I myself am aware of my own abilities, playing the female lead would be a huge pressure on me, so I hope that during filming, my agent will always be by my side."

  "It's only natural for Miss Ma to be by Miss Han's side at any time."

  "Also, I don't shoot nude scenes, this point..."

  "Miss Han, don't worry, our script doesn't have those things. This is just a movie about small characters becoming big heroes, so most of it is still about war."

  "In that case, I'm at ease."

  Han You finished stating her requirements, and Zhang Jia Liang basically agreed, so the female lead was temporarily settled.

  Zhang Jiali gave Chu Zifeng a clever glance. Originally, Chu Zifeng was not very satisfied with Han You, because she had too small of an appetite and it was hard for her to play the role of a magnanimous person. However, after hearing Han You's request, Chu Zifeng changed his mind.

  In the eyes of the world, the entertainment industry has never been a clean place. Since the nude photo scandal a few years ago, people's psychology has become even stronger. Most female artists in the industry are willing to sacrifice everything to climb up, but now this cold and proud woman dares to make such a request to Zhang Jialiang, which shows that she is different from other female artists. Otherwise, as a newcomer, how could she get the role of the female lead, which is something many female artists dream of? How could she make such an unreasonable demand before even signing a contract?

  Chu Zi nodded slightly, and at this moment, Hong Yi had also taken out a contract and handed it to Zhang Jiali.

  "Miss Han, if there's nothing else, take a look at the pay. If you're satisfied, we can sign the contract now."

  Han You picked up the contract and took a look, and was surprised to find that her salary was one or two times higher than those of first-line female stars. She asked: "Director Zhang, is this contract correct? Why is my salary so high?"

  "Haha, don't worry Miss Han, the contract will definitely be no problem because this is our company's first invested film, so naturally the pay is one or two times higher than other investors. It's not just you, but also all the other actors, directors and staff are treated the same."

  Miss Ma is also very satisfied with this contract and does not worry about any problems with the contract, because she believes in Wang Chao Group, not Zhang Jialiang. It's said that behind Wang Chao Group is actually Tenglong Group, just based on this point, who dares not to trust them?

  Just as Han You was about to sign the contract, suddenly, the door of the private room was pushed open again. This time, however, it wasn't a waiter who came in first, but two young men, both under thirty.

  "Xiao You, I didn't expect you were here, it was hard to find you."

  Upon seeing the newcomer, Miss Ma's expression changed instantly. She stood up and asked: "Shen Lang, how did you end up in Yanjing?"

  What a coincidence! This person is familiar to Chu Zi Feng. No, it's more accurate to say that they've met before, during Xiao Jing's blind date last time.

  But isn't this Mr. Shen from Shanghai? He's been on a blind date with Xiao Jing for so many days, why is he still in Beijing?

  "Ma Jie, you're being really unreasonable. Xiao You's contract with our company hasn't even expired yet, and now you're having her sign with another company? Isn't that a bit out of line? Luckily I found out about it, otherwise our company would have lost big time."

  So it turns out that this Han You is an artist under Shanghai Qinglian Entertainment Company, no wonder Shen Gongzi would come over, he's here to cause trouble.

  "Shen Gongzi, stop wasting words with these people, you take them away first, I'll handle the rest."

  The young man who came in with Shen Lang was very arrogant and had a somewhat disheveled appearance.

  Hong Yizheng stepped forward and pointed at Shen Lang and the other person, saying: "You two, what are you doing? Don't you see whose territory you're standing on?"

  Don't joke around, this KTV is East Gang's territory. Now the big boss of East Gang is handling business here, and you guys dare to come and poach people? You're not even looking for death in a proper way!

  "Good heavens, I've only been away for a few days and yet someone like you has emerged in the capital. You NND, if you know what's good for you, get out of my sight, otherwise, I'll make sure you disappear from the capital forever."

  "Haha, what a big tone! Kid, do you know who you're talking to?"

  "Of course, we've long since figured out your true nature, people from the Wang Dynasty Group. But what's it to you? The Qinglian of Shen Gongzi's family is the largest entertainment company in East China. You actually dare to poach our people and speak to me like this? Today, let's see whose territory Yanjing really is."

  Miss Ma saw this scene and was a little scared, saying: "Shen Lang, Xiao You's contract with Qinglian will expire next month. You should also know that Xiao You didn't renew the contract because she was afraid of you. Now I represent Xiao You to formally tell you that we are going to sign a contract with Wang Chao Group. If you have any opinions, go and tell us."

  Shen Lang said, "Ma Lan, don't think that just because you have the Wang Chao Group backing you up, you can ignore my Qing Lian's existence. I'm telling you, this appointment today, you won't be able to sign it. Now immediately follow me back to Shanghai, or bear the consequences yourself."

  As soon as Hong saw the two young men being so arrogant, he immediately took out his mobile phone to find someone to deal with them, but was stopped by Zhang Jia Liang. Now they are discussing formal business, if you bring up the underworld, won't that directly scare away Han You?

  Before Zhang Jia Liang could speak, Chu Zi Feng who was sitting on the sofa laughed and said: "If they don't go back to Shanghai with you, then what will happen, Shen Gongzi?"

  Now that Chu Zi Feng has spoken up, Zhang Jia Liang and Hong Yi naturally have to step aside.

  Shen Lang and his friends looked at the young man who was speaking, Shen Lang's face suddenly changed, saying: "How is it you!"

  "Why can't it be me? Shen Gongzi, I advise you to hurry back to Shanghai, Beijing is a very dangerous place. If you dare to rob someone by force, this face will be lost even more than last time."