Chapter 67: New Film Offer and Chen Sicheng's Visit

After recording his appearance on *A Date with Lu Yu*, Zhang Qianjun thanked the host and various staff members. He brought all the flowers and gifts sent by his fans back to the company.

Along the way, Zhang Qianjun browsed through the film offers that had recently arrived.

"《The Personal Tailor》? Is this a project by Enlight Media?"

Chen Xiaoyu nodded and replied, "Well, Bona Film Group is also co-investing in it."

Zhang Qianjun recalled it for a moment, but felt no particular impression.

"Do these people think that because *So Young* box office was high, if they get me to star in a youth film, the box office will be just as high? Reject it."

Chen Xiaoyu took the synopsis, drew a cross on it, and muttered, "I suppose they also mean to use you to promote their company's own female star."

Zhang Qianjun took the script back and glanced at it again.

"Ni Ni? Isn't she with Huayi Brothers? Never mind, this film isn't suitable."

With that, he looked at the next one: *Forever Young*.

"Wasn't this film greenlit and started shooting last year? Why are they still coming to me now?"

Chen Xiaoyu shrugged. "Word has it that it's been a bit of a difficult birth. They finish shooting, then reshoot; they modify and shoot again. The segment they finished filming early this year has to be reshot again at the end of the year."

Zhang Qianjun shook his head directly. "This won't do. Taking over someone else's half-baked mess never brings any good luck. Besides, this is a commemorative film for Tsinghua University's centenary. By then, they might even expect a cameo appearance as a favor. It's not worth it."

Next up was *The Final Master*. Zhang Qianjun chuckled out of sheer exasperation.

"Xiaoyu, did you tell these people just how expensive my salary is? Can this film afford my price?"

Chen Xiaoyu smiled awkwardly. "Boss, most of the film offers you currently receive hope that while you star in them, you will also invest. In fact, they hope your investment will far exceed your acting fee, given that you yourself said your salary is too damn high."

Damn it, he had raised his asking price so high that others couldn't keep up.

Zhang Qianjun thought to himself silently; this was getting awkward.

Flipping further down: *Beijing Love Story*. Wasn't this the television drama that Big Mizi shot? After glancing at the plot introduction for a few moments, Zhang Qianjun pushed it aside.

"Xiaoyu, reject all multi-segment ensemble movies like this from now on, unless they are state-backed commemorative projects."

Just as he was about to flip to the next one, he suddenly remembered Chen Sicheng's signature work, *Detective Chinatown*. He hadn't thought about shooting this previously.

However, too much time had passed, and he had only seen it once. Moreover, the plot was somewhat complex; he simply couldn't remember the characters and details.

He only remembered a few gags from it. Forget about the script; trying to write it out as a cohesive story was sheer delusion.

He could consider using Director Chen, the "King of Oil," as a handy tool.

Thinking of this, his gaze fell upon another document on the desk. This one was obviously different from the rest—it was a manga printed on A4 paper.

"This one?" Zhang Qianjun asked with some confusion.

"Boss, this is my personal pet project. This manga is extremely popular online, adapted from the author's own real-life experiences. Currently, the author's cancer has relapsed, and they hope to adapt the manga into a movie. When I saw it, I felt it was completely different from ordinary anti-cancer films—both joyful and inspiring. Boss, you really should consider this one."

Zhang Qianjun looked at the title on the cover: *Go Away, Mr. Tumor!*

Then he glanced into his assistant's hopeful, expectant eyes.

"You contact Li Kai and Liu Chang. The three of you study this together, then go to the hospital to visit the author, and come back and give me a conclusion."

A smile bloomed across Chen Xiaoyu's face.

"Alright, alright, thank you, boss! I just knew you were the best!"

With that, he even came over to give Zhang Qianjun a hug before turning to leave.

"Come back, there's still business!"

Zhang Qianjun looked at his somewhat embarrassed assistant.

"Set up a meeting with Chen Sicheng, the director of *Beijing Love Story*, and Xu Haofeng, the director of *The Final Master*. I'm a bit interested in the two of them. I'll look over the remaining scripts and let you know if anything catches my eye."

Soon, Zhang Qianjun received feedback. Xu Haofeng was in Hong Kong working on the post-production for *The Grandmaster*, so a meeting wasn't possible for the time being. However, Chen Sicheng indicated that tomorrow afternoon would work, and offered to visit in person.

Zhang Qianjun had no objections, so the next afternoon, he met this flamboyant figure of Chinese entertainment.

Long bangs swept to the right side, dark skin, wearing a white shirt with a black floral pattern, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black knee-length shorts paired with white sneakers.

He actually looked alright, quite a bit younger than his actual age.

But the moment he opened his mouth and smiled, that greasy aura of "I know I'm handsome and I still want to act cool" became utterly unstoppable. In Zhang Qianjun's view, lumping Huang Xiaoming together with him as one of the "Four Greasy Men of Entertainment" was an insult to Huang.

At least Huang Xiaoming really was still very handsome.

"Hello, President Zhang. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, but I lacked the opportunity. Today, my wish has finally been fulfilled."

Chen Sicheng took the initiative to reach out with a smile on his face.

"Hello, Director Chen. Please, have a seat."

Zhang Qianjun also reached out and shook his hand.

"President Zhang, are you interested in starring in the film version of *Beijing Love Story*?"

Chen Sicheng was a man of action; as soon as he sat down, he cut straight to the chase.

Zhang Qianjun slowly shook his head.

"I'm not interested in *Beijing Love Story*. Or rather, I'm not interested in multi-protagonist ensemble dramas or character-driven group pieces."

Chen Sicheng paused in surprise. "Then you..."

Zhang Qianjun also jumped straight to the point.

"I heard you have a suspense script? I'm a bit curious. Can you tell me about it?"

Chen Sicheng felt a sliver of doubt. With nothing but empty words, what if he shared his creative idea and someone else snatched it away? Such things were far from uncommon in the industry.

Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Qianjun spoke directly:

"Is it a story about overseas Chinese solving a crime, combining both comedy and suspense?"

With that, he pulled out a film registration certificate document.

"Earlier this year, my girlfriend and I played a little suspense game. I had some sudden inspiration, so I went and registered a project. Director Chen, take a look. Since we've been kindred spirits in thought for a long time, do you think we might have some common language?"

Chen Sicheng took the document and flipped through it quickly. The more he read, the more solemn his expression became, and the uglier his complexion turned.

His heart churned as if struck by towering waves.

*'Someone must have leaked my manuscript!'*

Although there were certain differences from the plot he had envisioned—the characters and details varied quite a bit, and the male protagonist Yan Liang had even changed from a police academy student to a young man expelled from the police force for a momentary lapse in judgment—the other male protagonist, Tang Ren, and the main plotline were almost identical, right down to the O. Henry-style twist ending at the finish, though it still left creative room for sequels and a Yan Liang prequel.

Yet Chen Sicheng was certain: this was his *Detective Chinatown*!

Damn it, what was this guy trying to pull? Suppressing his rising anger, Chen Sicheng looked up at the man across from him.

"Director Chen, what are your thoughts? Why do I feel like you look a bit angry? Don't get me wrong, like I said, Sicheng-xiong and I have been kindred spirits for a long time. You gave a great performance in *Spring Fever*. I invited you here because I want to collaborate."

Chen Sicheng finally spoke up.

"How do you want to collaborate?"

Zhang Qianjun shrugged.

"Do you even need to ask? I'll provide the funds and the personnel, and you'll be the director."

Seeing Chen Sicheng sit in sullen silence, Zhang Qianjun found it somewhat amusing.

"Aren't you a director yourself? What's wrong? You don't want to direct such a suitable script? Or do you not want my money? Is my money somehow different from the money of other investors?"

Chen Sicheng calmed his emotions, thinking to himself that this fellow was truly shamelessly brazen.

"President Zhang, how do you plan to set up this production?"

Zhang Qianjun chuckled lightly.

"President Yu of Bona backed me up once before, and I have to honor that favor. As for China Film Group, although certain individuals have had minor frictions with me, other comrades still look after me very well, and I can't turn down their support. As for Enlight and Wanda, I'm a bit disappointed. Last time, I merely asked for a modest actor's fee of one hundred million, and these two actually shrank back—and after Enlight was previously talking big about doing a share swap with me, too. It's so heartbreaking. That's pretty much it, I suppose. Are there any other production and distribution companies domestically?"

Listening to this, Chen Sicheng clicked his tongue inwardly. This fellow was truly as wild and arrogant as the rumors claimed. Damn it, that smug expression really made people want to punch him!

However, looking at the bulging muscles on the other man's half-sleeved arms and the throbbing veins at his elbows, Chen Sicheng instantly stamped out that notion.

"President Zhang, what about the copyright?"

Zhang Qianjun wore a look of astonishment.

"The copyright naturally belongs to the company. Is there even any question about that? Rest assured, I'll pay your directorial fee at the very top of your market rate."

Chen Sicheng cursed inwardly once again, half-tempted to turn around and walk out.

Yet looking at the black-and-white permit on paper, he finally persuaded himself. At the very least, Zhang Qianjun guaranteed box office returns. Once he became a major director, everything could be renegotiated.

"What is the budgeted cost of this film? I request to convert my directorial fee into investment shares."

Zhang Qianjun nodded slightly.

"Very well. As for the budget—leaving aside profit-sharing, my acting fee in cash alone is one hundred million, so the total cost has to be at least two hundred million, right?"

"The female lead of the movie has to be my girlfriend."

This time, Zhang Qianjun hesitated slightly. Could Reba handle this role? He imagined it for a moment, but felt it still lacked a certain something.

"If you insist, that's fine. But are you sure? Staying in the same crew with your girlfriend for a long time isn't necessarily an interesting experience. Besides, as far as I know, you don't just have one woman."

Chen Sicheng's pupils constricted. Did this guy investigate me?

"President Zhang, don't you think you're being too overbearing in how you do things?"

Zhang Qianjun showed an expression of confusion.

"Overbearing? Not really. Haven't I been discussing this cooperation with you properly, and agreed to all the demands you raised? I'm alright at grasping the general direction, but I'm not good with details, which is why I want to collaborate with you. I think this is a win-win situation. Besides,"

Zhang Qianjun suddenly stared expressionlessly at Chen Sicheng,

"this is just how we manufacturing bosses do things."