Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 37 The Deeper Waters Beneath Huayi Brothers' Celebration Banquet

After leaving the luxurious hotel, Gao Yan asked Zhang Jun, "Boss, are we really going to cooperate with this Boss Wang?"

"If he's willing to fund my film production, why wouldn't I?"

Zhang Jun said, "In the film industry, as long as the investment issue is resolved, everything is negotiable."

Besides, Boss Wang is clearly a man with dreams; we should help him achieve them!

"So, boss, how do you plan to fulfill his martial arts dream?" Gao Yan asked.

"A dark martial arts story that shatters Boss Wang's martial arts dreams!"

Zhang Jun smiled mysteriously: "It all depends on whether Boss Wang is interested in investing. A coal mine owner shouldn't have a problem coming up with a budget of tens of millions, right?"

The martial arts story that Zhang Jun was going to give to Boss Wang was actually not really a martial arts story.

It's labeled as a martial arts story, but it's actually about court struggles, political conspiracies, and the clash of individual destinies in a great era.

Zhang Jun personally liked the style of this film, and was particularly impressed by one line in the film.

"This person is my dearest friend, my brother!"

"...You'll have to pay more!"

That's right, it's "Brotherhood of Blades," a unique period action film that carries the name of martial arts.

Zhang Jun had been thinking about what to film, picking and choosing in his mind. Now, Boss Wang had delivered himself to his doorstep; with his investment, Zhang Jun no longer needed to hesitate.

It just so happens that we are currently in the era of period dramas, and every director is developing period dramas in an attempt to replicate the success of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

Zhang Jun felt he should participate too, otherwise his time travel would have been for nothing...

Not long after, Zhang Jun attended the celebration party for "A World Without Thieves." Perhaps due to the butterfly effect of Zhang Jun's time travel, the film's box office has now reached 1.3 million yuan.

Feng Dapao was extremely smug, thinking he was invincible.

Many stars under Huayi Brothers rushed to curry favor with him, hoping to leave a good impression on Feng Xiaogang and thus have a better chance of getting roles in his new movies.

Zhang Jun came alone; Gao Yan was, after all, his assistant, and not really suitable to be his female companion.

However, Zhang Jun's arrival was still met with a courteous welcome from Boss Wang: "Welcome, Director Zhang. I'm so glad you could come."

Zhang Jun shook hands with President Wang: "How could I dare not come at the kind invitation of the two Presidents Wang? I apologize for the intrusion."

"Not at all, not at all..."

Mr. Wang was very enthusiastic and began introducing Zhang Jun to the people within Huayi Brothers. Zhang Jun had met Wang Jinghua before, and he had also met Feng Xiaogang once at the College Student Film Festival.

Feng Dapao still remembered Zhang Jun, the incredibly young director. At this moment, he was a little drunk and put his arm around Zhang Jun's shoulder, facing the crowd.

"I first met him at the college student film festival, and I thought this young man had a bright future."

Now you see, hasn't he achieved something?

Those around immediately echoed, praising Feng Dapao's foresight and also complimenting Zhang Jun.

Zhang Jun subtly distanced himself to avoid being suffocated by Feng Dapao's alcohol fumes.

At the same time, he politely replied, "Not at all! I still have a lot to learn from Director Feng. Director Feng is a role model for us young directors!"

Perhaps it was Zhang Jun's status as a top student from Tsinghua University, or perhaps it was the fact that Zhang Jun's films were both box office and critical successes; in any case, his praise made Feng Dapao very satisfied.

The way he looked at the people around him seemed to say: Even a director like Zhang Jun is trying to curry favor with me, so why aren't you trying to please me?

After a series of social engagements, Zhang Jun finally got some rest.

At this moment, Mr. Wang's secretary came over and said, "Director Zhang, Mr. Wang would like to invite you to the lounge for a talk."

"Okay." Zhang Jun nodded and followed his secretary to a lounge.

Both CEO Wang and CEO Xiao Wang were in the lounge, along with Zhuang Yucheng, the head of Huayi Brothers' film and television business.

Boss Wang remained enthusiastic: "Director Zhang, how was the atmosphere at today's celebration banquet?"

"very nice!"

Zhang Jun nodded and said, "Huayi Brothers truly lives up to its reputation as the leading private entertainment company. It has so many talented people under its wing that I'm overwhelmed."

Xiao Wang was rather impatient: "Director Zhang, we brothers invited you here to ask if you're interested in joining Huayi Brothers."

Zhuang Yucheng, who was standing next to him, added, "In film production, apart from China Film Group, Huayi Brothers is the strongest in mainland China."

"If Director Zhang is willing to join, I guarantee you can have as much investment as you want, and you can hire any actors you want."

The CEO added another layer of leverage: "Our Huayi Brothers is planning to go public, and Director Zhang can become a shareholder of Huayi at that time."

Being your own boss is better than working for someone else.

Zhang Junyi had long guessed Huayi Brothers' purpose. Huayi Brothers' terms were indeed good, and their strategy of giving directors and stars a small share of the company in exchange for their unwavering loyalty was quite wise.

However, Zhang Jun came from the future, and he knew that Huayi Brothers was a very complex and unpredictable place, and he couldn't control it.

Besides, what the two Mr. Wangs said sounded nice, but that's not actually the case at all. If you actually listen to them, you'll be sold out without even knowing why.

Therefore, Zhang Jun declined the invitation.

"I appreciate Huayi Brothers' high regard for me, but whether or not I join is not up to me."

I have reached an agreement with Mr. Ye's company, Chengxin Real Estate Group, and the three films will be produced by his company.

If Huayi Brothers wants to invest, I don't think Mr. Ye will refuse, but if they want to poach me, I'm afraid Mr. Ye won't agree.

Ye Bingcheng is a good shield, and it's no secret that Guanzhi Pictures is a company founded by Ye Bingcheng.

Mr. Wang also knew that this was a company Ye Bingcheng had opened for his daughter.

Zhang Jun and Ye Bingcheng's daughter have a very close relationship, and there are rumors that the two were actually a couple in school.

Clearly, being the son-in-law of a real estate company owner is much more attractive than being a minority shareholder in Huayi Brothers.

Zhang Jun roughly knew what Boss Wang was thinking, and he deliberately wanted Boss Wang to think that way so that he would back down.

As expected, the king finally understood the key point and stopped insisting.

"That would be a real shame. But Director Zhang, when you have a new film project, don't forget about the artists under Huayi Brothers."

"Of course, of course."

Zhang Jun laughed, "I was worried that Huayi Brothers would treasure it and not let me use it!"

Mr. Wang said, "Director Zhang, feel free to use them. We can use them tonight. Just let me know which one you like."

Xiao Wang still refused to give up, which was already an indication that Zhang Jun could make any move he wanted, using a honey trap.

"Thank you, but I still prefer to do it myself!" Zhang Jun said, indicating that he would not accept being forced.

After Zhang Jun left, the younger brother, Mr. Wang, asked the older brother anxiously, "Brother, are we just going to let him go like that?"

"What can we do if we don't let them go?"

Mr. Wang helplessly shrugged: "Isn't it much better for someone to want to be Ye Bingcheng's son-in-law than for us to be minor shareholders in Huayi Brothers?"

Zhuang Yucheng said, "Indeed, if it were me, I wouldn't give up the greater good for the lesser one. If I could become Ye Bingcheng's son-in-law, I wouldn't have come to Huayi Brothers."

At this moment, Boss Wang came up with a wicked idea: "How about we do this: have one of our artists seduce him and then leave evidence?"

They'll find a gossip reporter to publish it, ruining his relationship with Ye Bingcheng's daughter. Ye Bingcheng will definitely not agree to his daughter being with Zhang Jun, who is having an affair.

As a result, Zhang Jun had no choice but to leave and come to Huayi Brothers.

Upon hearing this idea, the king frowned: "Isn't this inappropriate? What will people think of us if they find out we did it?"

"Oh well, it's too late to worry about that now."

Mr. Wang patted his chest and assured him, "I'll find someone to handle this; I guarantee there won't be any problems."

The King and Zhuang Yucheng remained silent, which was considered tacit approval.