Chapter 47 Resource Exchange and New Acting Offers

After spending a few days of round-the-clock intimacy, both Zhang Qianjun and Ye Qing realized that the Chinese New Year was right around the corner. They tidied up and prepared to head home.

Zhang Qianjun had his assistant book a first-class ticket for Ye Qing. Habitually, he wanted to see her off at the airport, but she stopped him.

"It's not appropriate for you to see me off. I am not your girlfriend."

Zhang Qianjun did not know what kind of expression was on his face at that moment, but he figured it must have been quite ugly.

Returning home and seeing his lovely parents, Zhang Qianjun felt as though he had returned to a warm harbor.

Over the past year, Zhang Qianjun had completely transformed into the envy of other parents—the quintessential "someone else's child."

He had bought his family a large new apartment, purchased new cars for both of his parents respectively, and made substantial donations to the Women's Federation, the Disabled Persons' Federation, and Project Hope.

Seeing his father's and mother's faces beaming with happy smiles every day, he instantly felt that all his obsequious, simping behavior over the past year had become vastly more meaningful.

Mentioning his past as a utter simping devotee, a thought suddenly crossed his mind, prompting him to dial Chen Xiao's number.

After exchanging New Year greetings, he asked Chen Xiao for Yu Yatou's contact information and entrusted him to give Yu Yatou a heads-up in advance.

Once Chen Xiao gave a positive confirmation, Zhang Qianjun dialed the number directly.

"Hello, Director Yu, I am Zhang Qianjun. Happy New Year!"

"Hello, Qianjun, Happy New Year! How did a big movie star like you end up reaching out to a minor screenwriter like me?"

"Director Yu, you are being far too modest. If even the top screenwriter in the country considers herself a minor screenwriter, how are the rest of us supposed to survive?"

"Qianjun, you mustn't talk nonsense like that; I certainly can't shoulder such a title. Xiao Chen told me you want to collaborate with me? This really comes as a huge surprise."

"I'll be straight with you: I want a role from you. Isn't *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer* starting production next month? I'd like to ask you for a favor—give the role of Dongfang Bubai to Kan Qingzi."

Yu Yatou on the other end of the line was somewhat taken aback. How did this guy know about this?

"Qianjun, Xiao Chen told me you are an exceptionally straightforward person, but you are being way too direct. You've caught me completely unprepared. The casting for Dongfang Bubai has already been finalized. This..."

Ignoring Yu Yatou's diplomatic pretexts, Zhang Qianjun pressed on, "Director Yu, like I said, you are being too modest. Everyone comes to watch your dramas for your sake; who cares whether it's Chen Qiaoen or Kan Qingzi? Roles exist to serve the plot."

Hearing this, Yu Yatou burst into laughter instantly, though she still put up a pretense. "Oh, Qianjun, you can't put it that way. The female lead is still very important, plus Kan Qingzi's star power..."

Zhang Qianjun interrupted her directly. "Director Yu, Kan Qingzi starred as the female lead in *So Young*, which is guaranteed to be released before July this year. By the time the TV series airs, she will be the female lead of a movie that grossed 500 million at the box office. Her star power is more than enough to play the leading lady. Besides, aren't all your female leads made famous by you? Whether she currently has star power doesn't really matter."

Yu Yatou laughed again upon hearing this, but she was still hesitant. "Qianjun, if you were saying you'd play the male lead, then you could bring whoever you want for the female lead. But just pushing in a female lead like this makes it hard for me to explain things to the company."

Knowing what she meant, Zhang Qianjun replied, "Director Yu, if you have a suitable script in the next few years, I'll play the male lead. That's my promise. If you feel uneasy about it, let's sign a contract right now."

"Signing a contract isn't necessary. I know a thing or two about you—when Zhang Qianjun gives his word, he follows through. That's well-known in the industry. But why a few years from now?"

"Because the current budgets for TV dramas probably can't afford me. Following the convention of doubling a movie star's salary when they transition to television, which crew would be willing to pay me 100 million?"

Yu Yatou clicked her tongue in secret upon hearing this. So the rumors that Zhang Qianjun's movie salary was 50 million yuan were actually true. It was simply outrageous—he had commanded that kind of paycheck after just two films.

After exchanging a few more polite pleasantries with Yu Yatou and wishing her a Happy New Year once again, Zhang Qianjun hung up and dialed the number for Kan Qingzi's manager, Li Jing.

"Sister Jing, it's Zhang Qianjun. Wishing you an early Happy New Year. I've found a gig for Qingzi: she joins the crew in February, playing the female lead in Yu Zheng's new drama, *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*."

"No, not Ren Yingying. Dongfang Bubai. Yes, the female lead of Yu Zheng's version of Dongfang Bubai."

"You're saying it clashes with the scheduling for *Radiant Times*? Drop that one. Has she developed an addiction to playing villainous second female leads?"

"Contact Yu Zheng's company today and sign the contract."

"I don't want to hear about any difficulties; that's your problem. Contact them and get this settled today, or else I'm giving the role to someone else."

"That's it. Right now. Immediately."

Listening to the busy tone of the hung-up call, Li Jing was so angry she wanted to curse. He was treating her like an underling! Yet, considering her own wallet, she still picked up the phone and called the company.

Days off always fly by in a flash, and before you knew it, it was time to get back to work. On this particular day, while Zhang Qianjun was at home pondering which movie to shoot next, he received an unexpected call.

"President Zhang, hello, I am Yu Dong from Bona Film Group. Happy New Year! Please forgive me for this abrupt intrusion."

"Director Yu, you are far too polite. You are a true senior in the industry, and your legends are everywhere at China Film Group. Just call me Qianjun. What can I do for you?"

"I have a new movie that I feel is a great fit for you. I'd like to invite you to meet and chat in person."

"I am honored by your high regard. Coincidentally, I'm heading back to Beijing tomorrow, and I will come to pay my respects in person. Director Yu, what kind of movie is it roughly?"

Yu Dong paused for a moment before answering, "It's a story about men fighting."

Returning to the empty, spacious mansion in Beijing, Zhang Qianjun suddenly felt a wave of restlessness. For some inexplicable reason, he didn't want to stay here anymore.

He made a quick call to his assistant, telling her to pack up his belongings, and drove straight back to his one-bedroom apartment near the university.

The next day, Zhang Qianjun kept his appointment punctually and arrived at Bona Film Group.

Yu Dong greeted him with exceptional warmth. After a brief period of casual conversation, they moved straight to the main business.

"Qianjun, this time we are planning to make a movie about cage fighting. I know you were a sanda athlete in high school—how much do you know about MMA?"

Zhang Qianjun replied casually, "MMA? I'm quite familiar with it. Mixed Martial Arts. I used to watch it a lot. Pride in District 11 back in the early days, and the UFC in America now—they are the top-tier events in MMA."

Hearing him say this, Yu Dong felt reassured. "Qianjun, this time we're preparing to make an MMA fighting film, and we'd like to invite you to play the male lead. The director is Dante Lam, who has collaborated with Bona many times. This is the rough outline of the script; please take a quick look."

Zhang Qianjun took the script and flipped through it rapidly, immediately understanding the situation. This was *Unbeatable*, the film starring Nick Cheung and Eddie Peng.

"Director Lam? I know him. *The Beast Stalker* and *The Stool Pigeon*—I've seen them both. He directs cop and gangster action films quite well. However, Director Yu, I feel there are a few things I need to make clear with you first."

"First, I never play second fiddle. When I do a movie, I must be the top-billed lead. Of course, if you're asking me to make a friendly cameo in some film, as long as you ask, I'll definitely give you the face."

"Second, I am very expensive. Are you sure you want to cast me?"

Yu Dong burst into laughter upon hearing this. "People told me before that you were very direct, but seeing it today, I think they were actually understating it."

"I can afford Jet Li; Bona has never been afraid of expensive actors."

"I won't beat around the bush with you either. The movie budget is 150 million, and your salary will be 25 million after tax plus a 20 percent share of the investment profits."

"Let's have a casual lunch at noon, and meet Director Lam in the afternoon. He needs to determine the shooting schedule based on your physical condition."

Zhang Qianjun thought to himself: *Oh, wow, he's basically finalized everything for me right there.* But since the other party was showing such sincerity, it would be impolite to refuse.

"Director Yu, I look forward to your guidance moving forward. As for my physical condition, you can rest easy. Give me a week to prepare, and I can step into the ring and fight in the 85-kilogram division right away."