Chapter 23: The Heroine

Watching "Da Mi Mi" (Yang Mi) lean in with such aggressive pressure, Zhang Qianjun suddenly understood how she had managed to win her 300-million-yuan net profit valuation adjustment mechanism (VAM) agreement over three years; she truly never let a single opportunity slip by. It was a pity, though, that she was merely weaving a wedding dress for someone else.

"Senior sister, would you mind introducing the lady beside you?"

Just as the atmosphere turned tense and suggestive, Zhang Qianjun suddenly interjected with this question.

Yang Mi had no choice but to sit back in her original seat.

"This is my manager, Zhao Ruoyao."

Ah, so it wasn't Zeng Jia, the one who played Yang Mi like a fiddle, but rather the "second boss" who sucked the lifeblood out of her.

"Ms. Zhao, nice to meet you."

Zhao Ruoyao hurriedly responded, "Mr. Zhang, hello."

It wasn't that Zhao Ruoyao lacked social graces, but she genuinely didn't know how to address Zhang Qianjun. Using his full name felt too formal, and calling him "Qianjun" felt too intimate, so she defaulted to the entertainment industry standard of calling him "Teacher."

"Don't call me Teacher. I don't deserve the title, and I don't like this industry habit of calling anything and everything a 'teacher'."

Having said that, Zhang Qianjun ignored Zhao Ruoyao’s changing expression and looked directly at Yang Mi.

"I’ve looked at the list of films pre-scheduled for 2012. You have 14 titles waiting to be released. Do you have time to film another movie? I don't allow actors to juggle multiple sets here."

Upon hearing this, Yang Mi immediately thought of a woman she despised. Even so, she kept her expression in check and smiled.

"Junior brother, those issues can all be resolved. I generally don't ask for leave. If there’s a real emergency, I’m sure you’ll be flexible. We’re all family; Teacher Xiang even taught our class back in the day."

"Senior sister, when you speak, why do you keep lifting your chin like that?"

A thought instantly flashed through Yang Mi's mind: *Is this guy out of his mind?* But years of industry experience allowed her to maintain her composure.

"Oh, did I? I didn't notice."

"Senior sister, what is it about this film project that attracts you? Because from where I stand, you certainly don't lack work. In fact, you take on so many roles that I wonder—don't you ever need a break?"

This time, Yang Mi let a bit of her true self show.

"In this industry, who complains about having too much work? The busier you are, the more popular you become. A career is the only thing that's real in this business."

Zhang Qianjun nodded slightly.

"A career brings fame and fortune, and the entertainment industry chases fame and fortune. Fame and fortune are indeed the most real things here. But, senior sister, your career and fortune are your own. What does casting you in my film bring to me?"

Yang Mi thought she understood. Men, young or old, were all the same.

"We’ll be playing opposite each other in the same production. We’ll be in constant contact. After spending so much time together, wouldn't we get to know each other more deeply? I think we could become very close friends."

*Huh? That's it?* Zhang Qianjun had expected her to offer media resources for promotion, or help expedite a release permit, or provide some other advantage to accelerate his project or increase overall profit. And her answer was that they would become "close friends"?

Thinking this, Zhang Qianjun decided to take his leave. Continuing this awkward conversation would be a waste of time.

"Sister Mi, I think it’s difficult for our interests to align at the moment. What you can offer and what I want are too far apart. However, I agree with your point: in this industry, only one’s own career and fame matter. Thank you for your interest in my film. Perhaps we can collaborate another time."

With that, Zhang Qianjun stood up and left. With his long strides, he was out of the private room in three steps and gone.

"Hey, junior brother, wait—"

Yang Mi had only managed three words before Zhang Qianjun vanished from her sight.

Zhao Ruoyao stepped out to check, then returned to the room.

"He's gone. I saw him get into a car from the second-floor window."

She sat down next to Yang Mi.

"Mi, we don't need this one project. I’ve always felt there’s something not quite right about this Zhang fellow. It felt like he was dissatisfied the moment we walked in. After I told him I was your manager, I could feel his undisguised disgust. He didn't even look me in the eye."

Yang Mi sat there, her expression unreadable, seemingly pondering why things had turned out this way.

"Mi, let's go. We have a schedule to keep."

Zhao Ruoyao checked the time, reminding her.

"I should have come alone," Yang Mi said, staring at the empty tabletop.

Ignoring Zhao Ruoyao's puzzled look, she continued, "He was willing to come because of our teacher from school, so he came alone. He was dissatisfied because I brought you. In his eyes, bringing a manager means talking business. And when it comes to business, I have nothing he wants, so he didn't want to sit there for a single extra minute."

Zhao Ruoyao felt like cursing internally. Was this failure her fault now?

"When he does his next film, I'll ask him out myself. I'll get him," Yang Mi said with absolute confidence.

Zhao Ruoyao thought to herself: *I'm just afraid you won't get the lead role and will end up giving yourself away for nothing.*

***

Back at his company, Zhang Qianjun saw Lu Yang.

"What did 'Liu Tianxian' (Crystal Liu) say?"

"Her attitude has softened a bit, but she's still hesitating. There's a big-budget project from Enlight Media and Changchun Film Group—130 million yuan for *The Assassins*, starring Chow Yun-fat and Alec Su. I heard they even hired a Japanese actor for the male lead."

Zhang Qianjun thought, *What kind of movie is that? Why don't I have any memory of it? It must be a money-loser.* If it were a hit with 400 million in box office, it would be in the top ten for the year and the top five domestically, but he had no recollection of it. And the moment he heard Chow Yun-fat was in it, he was sure it was a trashy, money-losing disaster.

"Where is she now?"

"She was at the Xiangshan Film Base, but the production should be heading to Hengdian now."

"For *The Four*, right?"

"Yes."

"Do you have her personal phone number?"

Lu Yang looked slightly awkward. "Only her manager's."

"That's her mother, right? Give it to me. I'll make a call."

*Beep, beep, beep.* The call went through. Liu Xiaoli, taking a break on set, saw the caller ID and thought, *This Director Lu is really persistent; he just called this morning and now he's calling again.*

"Hello, Director Lu. Our Xixi still wants to consider it."

"Is this Ms. Liu Xiaoli? I’m Zhang Qianjun, the producer of *Brotherhood of Blades*."

*Hmm? Zhang Qianjun.* The name sounded familiar. Was that the name of the male lead Lu Yang mentioned? Liu Xiaoli thought as she spoke, "Hello, Producer Zhang."

"Ms. Liu, I’ve heard about your concerns from Director Lu. I won't comment on *The Assassins* behind their backs, but if Xixi joins *Brotherhood of Blades*, it will definitely be the highest-grossing film of her career."

"Oh? That’s a bold statement for such a young man. Do you know what the highest box office for Xixi's films is?"

By now, Liu Xiaoli remembered who Zhang Qianjun was. Wasn't he the lead in *Better Days*? Out of a need to analyze competing films, she and Xixi had actually gone to see it. She had to admit, the young man was a good actor—tall and handsome—but that was a different matter from joining his production.

"170 million for *The Forbidden Kingdom*. That’s the domestic record. Let’s not even talk about global box office; everyone knows how that works. Auntie Liu, you’ve won the 'Five-One Project' award yourself. Do you really think that nowadays, as long as there’s a so-called big Hong Kong or Taiwanese star, audiences will pay for it?

"Auntie, times have changed. Anyone who doesn't actively embrace the mainland will be swept into the trash heap."

Liu Xiaoli was slightly moved, but she didn't change her mind.

"But even if times have changed, isn't a god descending from the mountain still better than someone climbing up?"

Zhang Qianjun scoffed.

"A god descending from the mountain? Who? Chow Yun-fat? What was his last film to cross 100 million? Director Zhang's *Curse of the Golden Flower*? Without Director Zhang, has he had a single solo-lead film cross 100 million since 2000?

"Don't mention *Let the Bullets Fly*; everyone knows that's Jiang Wen's work.

"And who else? Alec Su? Does he have any box office track record? Or are you relying on that little Japanese guy... what's his name?"

"His name is Yuma Yamoto," Liu Xiaoli corrected.

"Doesn't matter, nobody cares anyway. Those so-called Hong Kong and Taiwan stars just happened to be in a good era. If the mainland doesn't support them, they're nothing.

"Auntie, this is the good era for the mainland. Or rather, the best era for mainland cinema since the founding of the country. The center of film might be Beijing, it might be the Yangtze Delta, but it will never go back to Hong Kong or Taiwan, and it certainly won't fall to the Pearl River Delta.

"Besides, I see how you manage Xixi’s career—you don't want to entrust your life and fate to others. If you want independence, you can't just be an actor forever."

Hearing this, Liu Xiaoli finally showed some interest.

"Then tell me, how do you manage not to entrust it to others?"

"It's simple. Either become the spokesperson for domestic or foreign capital, shielded by massive investment, or become the capital yourself."

Liu Xiaoli couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity.

"You call that simple? Where does your confidence come from?"

Zhang Qianjun dropped his smile and said calmly, word for word,

"My confidence comes from my success. It comes from the fact that I crushed Xixi’s *A Chinese Ghost Story* to take the April box office crown, and the fact that my first film netted 50 million in profit!

"Since she’s going to be a 'vase' (eye candy) anyway, would you rather have Xixi be a vase in a decaying mud pit, or see her bloom on land full of hope and vitality? I think as a mother, you can figure that out."

But Liu Xiaoli’s focus was on the previous sentence.

"You made 50 million from *Better Days*? How is that possible?"

Zhang Qianjun chuckled.

"You can look it up; why would I lie to you? How about it? Join me, and I’ll teach you how to set up deals and become the capital."

Liu Xiaoli was finally tempted.

"I need to discuss this with Xixi."

"Auntie, I usually go to bed at ten. After ten, please don't contact me."

"Producer Zhang, has anyone ever told you that you are very arrogant?"

"I'm sure they have. But as long as I can create value for everyone, they’ll call me humble and modest. As long as I continue to succeed, everyone will praise me for being gentle and upright. Do you want to learn? Tell me you're in before ten."

With that, Zhang Qianjun hung up the phone.

Listening to the dial tone, Liu Xiaoli hesitated, but she made a call.

"President Wang? I’d like to ask for your help in finding out some information."

***

"Cut! Very good. That's a wrap for today."

Liu Tianxian, still in costume, was about to go remove her makeup when she saw her mother walk over and stop her.

"Xixi, I have something to talk to you about."

"Mom, I haven't taken off my makeup yet."

"It won't take long."

In the dressing room, Liu Tianxian looked at her mother in surprise.

"So, just one phone call, and you changed your mind? Didn't you just say *The Assassins* was a big production with big stars?"

Liu Xiaoli felt a bit embarrassed, but she said, "I asked an acquaintance to check. Even if he didn't make 50 million from *Better Days*, he definitely made 40 million. Xixi, it was his very first film."

Liu Tianxian pondered for a moment.

"What's his number?"