Global Film Emperor

Chapter 198 Cooperation again
"Alright, Brother Liu, you should find a place to rest for a while. I estimate it will be a few hours before you come down again. I'll call you then."

"Okay, then I'll wait for your news."

Liu Bin nodded, glancing at Lu Ze with some concern. After all, Lu Ze had been in the dark room for so long, and his face was unnaturally pale. His body was also bloated, having lost more than 60 pounds in just two months, which had indeed caused considerable damage to his health.

Liu Bin hasn't been working these days. He just receives the basic salary that Qian Shijia pays him and runs a small business with his wife. Every few days, he goes to Lu Ze's house to check on the renovation progress. Even now, the workers still think Liu Bin is the homeowner.

The reason Lu Ze came to the company today was to sign a new film contract with Zhuang Yu. It is estimated that in another ten days to half a month, Lu Ze will be going to join the film crew again.

The company hasn't changed at all. Every now and then, some trainees can't stand the hardships of being a trainee and the seemingly endless wait for their debut, so they leave either alone or in groups.

Then talent scouts will recruit newcomers from all over the country, such as art schools, regular high schools, or even those picked up on the street. The new kids will carry big bags and small packages into Qian Shijia and begin to pursue their dreams.

When Lu Ze walked into the company wearing a baseball cap, he found that the receptionist had changed again. Xiao Ke, who had given Lu Ze the slimming tea, had also resigned and left. Lu Ze understood this, after all, in terms of appearance, figure, and even education, Qian Shijia's receptionists were all very good. It was probably a bit of a waste for these girls to have such assets and use them as company receptionists.

The new receptionist didn't recognize Lu Ze at first glance. When she did, she quickly apologized. This young lady's emotional intelligence and perception are clearly inferior to Xiao Mei and Xiao Ke's, so she probably won't last long.

"Lu Ze, how are you feeling?"

Gao Wanzhi came out of the corridor carrying documents. She knew that Lu Ze had taken on a new role and that President Hu had agreed. She couldn't quite understand Lu Ze's thinking, but she chose to remain silent.

"It's fine, no problem. Sister Gao, where are you going?"

"Oh, I need to go to Tiancheng to discuss something. I'm running out of time, I have to go now."

"Okay, you go ahead with your work."

After Gao Wanzhi left, Lu Ze went up to the second floor and arrived at President Hu's office. He had already received news that President Hu wanted to see him.

Hu Zhiguang's secretary has remained unchanged. Lu Ze has been with Qian Shijia for three and a half years, and apart from having a more fashionable hairstyle, the secretary hasn't changed much. She smiled at Lu Ze, got up, and knocked on President Hu's door.

"Please come in."

The sound of King of Glory no longer came from the room, which surprised Lu Ze quite a bit. After all, Hu Zhiguang was a well-known gaming addict among the company's senior executives, and it was quite unusual for him to be doing serious work in the office now.

Hu Zhiguang is aging very quickly. Half of his hair has already turned white. In fact, when he visited Lu Ze last month, his hair wasn't this white yet. Clearly, the new General Manager Li has put a lot of pressure on him.

"Sit down. Sigh. How are you feeling?"

Putting down his pen, Hu Zhiguang stared at Lu Ze for a long time before sighing, leaning back in his chair, and resting his hands on the armrests. He looked utterly exhausted. It made sense, considering that the company was now being seized by a group sent by the corporation, and the top leader he had personally supported had fallen ill.

Aside from the group featuring Xue Xue and Ye Meiqi, which has gained some fame, Qian Shijia doesn't have any other notable artists.

Qian Shijia has been established for more than four years. Apart from the profits it has received from Lu Ze, it has been losing money in other areas, resulting in an overall financial deficit. The money it has earned from Lu Ze is still a drop in the bucket on the overall financial statements, and it still has to rely on the group's financial support. How could such a powerful figure who once dominated the business world tolerate this?

"I'm fine. Mr. Hu, you should be the one taking better care of your health."

"Forget it. Let's not talk about this anymore. I've given my permission to film, and I agree to it for the company's benefit. I'll also support our private relationship. But you and I should both be prepared."

"I understand, and I'm mentally prepared."

"Alright, I won't say anything more. Don't put so much pressure on yourself, otherwise unexpected situations are more likely to occur. Just focus on filming, and leave the rest to the company."

The two talked for a good half hour before Lu Ze got up to leave. Although Lu Ze was considered one of Hu Zhiguang's people, he didn't ask Hu about the new General Manager Li. As an artist, no matter how good your relationship with your boss is, you can't talk about the company's business or internal struggles. Lu Ze knew what he was responsible for, what he could and couldn't say.

Just as he stepped out of Hu Zhiyong's office, he happened to run into General Manager Li, whose office was right next to Hu Zhiguang's. This man's full name was Li Shanjun, the eldest grandson of Li Zhenghong. He was 42 years old this year and the son of Li Zhenghong's second son.

More than a decade ago, Lee Sun-kyun founded a talent agency under Rongchuang, but the domestic entertainment industry had not yet taken off at that time. After working in the entertainment industry for several years without making any money, he returned to work for the group's real estate company. The person who took over the talent agency was an incompetent person, and the business failed after another two years.

It must be said that Lee Sun-kyun is a capable and shrewd person. There are actually very few spoiled brats among the scions of large families. The higher education he received from childhood is something that ordinary people can't even imagine. How could he be so reckless? He's only a bit fun during his rebellious teenage years. Once he's over adolescence and finishes his studies, he takes off.

He chatted with Lu Ze for a while, without discussing company operations. Both of them understood that now was not the time to talk about this issue, but it shouldn't be too far off.

The biggest difference between Lee Sun-kyun and Ho Chi-kwang might be that Lee Sun-kyun is more straightforward than Ho Chi-kwang. Ho Chi-kwang's style of handling things is more tactful, while Lee Sun-kyun is more assertive. Both are seasoned businessmen, so it's hard to say who is stronger or weaker. They simply have their own characteristics.

After exchanging a few words with Lee Sun-kyun, Lu Ze took his leave and went downstairs. He pushed open the door to Shen Jinghan's office and saw Shen Jinghan talking on the phone with the newly signed group. He then sat down and waited quietly.

Shen Jinghan is indeed a top-notch agent. His connections and skills are unmatched by ordinary agents. In such a short time, he has made two of the company's veteran trainees and three girls who joined the company popular. I heard that they were even invited to perform at Hunan TV's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. In less than a year, he has achieved such success, which is quite impressive.

In contrast, Lu Ze is sought after by various cultural and artistic galas, but he is always invited as a guest. It's not worth mentioning Lu Ze's singing ability; if he were to sing a song on stage, netizens would probably ridicule him for his "masterpiece."

After hanging up the phone, the office landline rang again. It was the receptionist calling to inform them that Zhuang Yu had arrived. Lu Ze got up and went out with Shen Jinghan to greet him. Even without Lu Ze's connection, Qian Shijia should still show respect to a Golden Rooster Award-winning Best New Director.

When Lu Ze met Zhuang Yu, Zhuang Yu was really shocked. After all, just two months ago he was as fat as a ball, how could he have become like this now? Moreover, his complexion was frighteningly bad, and his dark circles were so heavy that Zhuang Yu didn't even recognize him.

"Not Lu Ze?"

"it's me."

"What happened to you? Are you sure you have stomach problems and fatty liver? Did you even go to the hospital for a checkup? You look like this, you won't even need makeup in post-production for your new film."

After much persuasion, the topic was finally dropped, but even so, Zhuang Yu kept glancing at Lu Ze's face with worry in her eyes, though the reasons for her worry were varied.

The small talk was over, but the main purpose of today was to sign the contract. Zhuang Yu brought a professional lawyer from Tiancheng. After all, even brothers need to keep clear accounts. Contracts have legal effect, and no one dares to be careless about them.

But since this was the second time they were working together, both sides came with sincerity. It wasn't like a commercial contract where they would engage in heated debates and tear the roof off. They simply went through the contract clause by clause.

This contract is not much different from the original contract for "Mr. Tree" except for slight modifications to the remuneration and the obligations that Lu Ze should abide by.

As for their salaries, Lu Ze is no longer the small-time actor he used to be, and Zhuang Yu is no longer the small-time director who sold houses to make movies. Their salaries have naturally risen to the level that Lu Ze should be entitled to now.

Nine million.

Lu Ze is just one step away from making it big. His salary for one film can easily exceed ten million yuan. Perhaps once "The Boss" is released, it will be fine, provided that the film doesn't turn out badly.

Lu Ze picked up the pen and, without hesitation, signed his name on the contract.

From this moment forward, Lu Ze and Zhuang Yu will collaborate again, and Lu Ze is now part of Zhuang Yu's production team.

"."

(End of this chapter)