Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 101 The Promise and the New Drama

On the plane, after clinking glasses with Wu Yuchen, Wang Zuxian remarked:
"Wu Yuchen, you really are the youngest director I've ever met!"

"Aren't there any directors in Hong Kong and Taiwan who are younger than me?" Wu Yuchen couldn't help but ask.

Wang Zuxian shook her head: "When I worked with Jackie Chan before, he said that he was already unprecedented in Hong Kong Island to become a director at the age of 24, and it would probably be difficult for anyone to surpass him in the future. The next time I see him, I will tell him that I met a director in mainland China who is not even 20 years old!"

Wu Yuchen laughed and asked, "Is it that movie 'The Fearless Hyena'? I remember Jackie Chan dressed up in women's clothes in it, and the way he walked with lipstick on and his hips swaying was absolutely hilarious!"

Wang Zuxian nodded and said with a smile, "I haven't watched much of his show, but when we worked together on 'City Hunter,' his Chun-Li tight-fitting miniskirt outfit made the whole crew unable to contain themselves!"

As the saying goes, there are only two kinds of cross-dressing: zero times and infinite times. Jackie Chan has dressed as a woman many times in movies, creating some eye-catching looks, which are certainly quite funny.

After laughing for a while, Wu Yuchen still humbly said, "We still can't compare. Cheng Long achieved everything on his own. I can't do without the help from the school and my classmates!"

Under Wang Zuxian's persistent questioning, Wu Yuchen recounted the process of preparing to film "Car 44".

After hearing this, Wang Zuxian admired Wu Yuchen even more. After all, winning the Berlin Golden Bear for a short film through crowdfunding was nothing short of legendary.
She couldn't help but praise:
"You're already amazing! You even won a major award at the Tokyo International Film Festival!"
To be honest, when I first read the script and asked around, I almost didn't want to come after learning how young you were. I thought, "Is it a mistake to have such a young director?" It wasn't until I watched your film "We Two" that I finally decided to call you.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen finally understood that there was such a thing. It seems that winning the prize really does make a difference, otherwise Wang Zuxian probably wouldn't have paid any attention to him this time.

"Director Wu, are you planning to go somewhere else to win an award this time, so I can get some of the credit too?" Wang Zuxian said with a smile to Wu Yuchen.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen smiled slightly embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, Sister Xiaoxian, I made this movie with the goal of making money at the box office, and it's basically impossible for me to win any awards."

Wu Yuchen didn't intend to fool Wang Zuxian in this regard. After all, the filming was already done, and people would be able to see the effect when the film was released.

"Make money at the box office? But can this type of movie really make money at the box office?" Wang Zuxian was a little doubtful, because similar melodramatic movies, especially some old-fashioned ones, have long been outdated in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"Little Fairy, you don't know this. In 90, there was a movie from Taiwan called 'Mom, Love Me Again' that was introduced to the mainland. It attracted more than 2 million viewers and caused a huge sensation!"

"200 million?!" Wang Zuxian exclaimed in surprise. The total population of Taiwan and Hong Kong is only 30 million, so 200 million moviegoers was simply unimaginable to her.

Wu Yuchen nodded: "There are a lot of people from mainland China. Back then, movie tickets only cost a few cents, and the movies were shown in various places for half a year."

"If that's the case, then even if movie tickets only cost a few dollars now, wouldn't your movies be making billions at the box office? I've never heard of that before," Wang Zuxian asked in surprise.

Wu Yuchen shook his head:
"That's not how it's calculated. In 1979, the mainland once saw a peak of 293 billion moviegoers. But the distribution model at that time could reach rural areas, and ordinary people didn't have to pay for a movie; the commune would cover the cost. In 1990, there were still 162 billion moviegoers nationwide. Now, although ticket prices have increased more than tenfold, the annual number of moviegoers is probably only one or two percent of what it used to be."

Wang Zuxian nodded, though she didn't quite understand why the price had dropped so quickly.

However, Wu Yuchen said with a smile, "Sister Xiaoxian, although we may not have that many viewers, I think with you here this time, 40 million in box office revenue is definitely not a problem, and I'd even dare to aim for 50 million!"

"If I could have fifty million, I'd be your leading lady for free next time!"

Wang Zuxian smiled, taking it as Wu Yuchen saying some auspicious words. Of all the films she's made in her career, her highest-grossing film to date is "God of Gamblers," which grossed 3600 million HKD and was the highest-grossing film in Hong Kong that year.

"I've got your words in mind, so you can't go back on your word later!" Wu Yuchen immediately clapped his hands and said with a smile.

He was telling the truth. With Joey Wong in the cast, "My Brothers and Sisters" has a huge publicity boost, which could really add ten million to the box office. If it does well, fifty million is no joke.

Wang Zuxian replied to Wu Yuchen, "Okay, but I won't accept the role if your script doesn't satisfy me, and please don't ask me to play any more tragic roles~"

"Haha, no way! I'll ask you to act in a comedy then! Do you know which of your performances I like the most?"

"What?" Wang Zuxian asked curiously.

Wu Yuchen deliberately used a high-pitched voice, pointed at her with his right hand in a delicate, orchid-like gesture, and imitated a sharp, sarcastic female voice as he spoke:
Why are you staring at him like that? You're not allowed to like him!

He's already engaged to me, and even if you don't care, he won't like you!

I don't care if you're leering at him or he's leering at you, he's already mine, and he's only allowed to leering at me!
If you want to see something, just look at me!

When Wang Zuxian heard these words coming from Wu Yuchen's mouth, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

This is one of the classic lines spoken by the junior sister played by Wang Zuxian in the movie "The Eagle Shooting Heroes".

Speaking of "The Eagle Shooting Heroes," one cannot help but mention Wong Kar-wai and his "Ashes of Time." Originally, "Ashes of Time" was planned to be made into two parts, and the actors in the crew all signed contracts for both films.

The crew started filming in early September 1992, aiming for the Spring Festival release. However, as is typical of Wong Kar-wai, the production team made numerous revisions and dragged things out. After two or three months of filming, the crew had spent a fortune, but hadn't even produced a single decent scene.

Taiwanese film boss Tsai Sung-lin sent someone with a gun to the set to keep an eye on Wong Kar-wai, which terrified him so much that he had to call on his friend Lau Chun-wai to save the day. They managed to film "East Meets West" in three weeks.

The actors, pent-up frustration from filming "Ashes of Time," were given free rein and allowed to express themselves fully at director Jeffrey Lau's request. For example, Joey Wong, who played the jealous, sharp-tongued junior sister, wrote all her own witty lines!

This also shows that Joey Wong truly has a talent for comedy. She is naturally funny when she acts in comedies, and she handles exaggerated costumes, props, and lines with ease.

"I'm really impressed by you. If you're not afraid I'll write some sarcastic lines, then I'll act in it!" Wang Zuxian was still laughing heartily.

"It's a deal!" Wu Yuchen and he agreed with a smile.

After returning to Beijing, Wu Yuchen parted ways with Wang Zuxian and then rushed back to the Beijing Film Studio without stopping.

Upon seeing Wu Yuchen, Han Sanping immediately greeted him with a smile, patting him on the shoulder and saying:
"Director Wu, you've worked so hard! With you and Wang Zuxian teaming up this time, I have very high hopes for the box office of our movie!"

"We couldn't have done this without the support of Director Han and our Beijing Film Studio. Wang Zuxian's joining us this time was truly a pleasant surprise!"

"Director Wu, do you have any ideas about the release date of our film?" Han Sanping asked after sitting down.

Wu Yuchen thought for a moment and said, "Director Han, it would be best to choose a release date with a holiday. The Spring Festival is definitely too late, but May Day, summer vacation, or National Day would be fine."

“Okay, then let’s tentatively schedule it for the summer season. ‘My Brothers and Sisters’ is definitely a key project for our Beijing Film Studio this year, and we will definitely give it our all.” Wu Yuchen then reminded him, “Director Han, the soundtrack for this film is very important. The music plays a direct role in whether it’s tear-jerking or not.”

"Don't worry, I'll handle everything. I guarantee I'll get you the results you want!"

With Wang Zuxian joining the cast, "My Brothers and Sisters" has risen in Han Sanping's mind and is now a top priority.

Then he smiled and said to Wu Yuchen, "Director Wu, you should go back and rest first. There's no rush to edit the film. You can come back when you're well-rested. There's plenty of time."

"Thank you for your concern, Director Han. I will respectfully accept your offer and come again in a couple of days!"

Wu Yuchen really didn't want to stay here any longer, not because he disliked anything, but because he had something to do. The Beijing Film Academy had been on holiday for half a month, and Jiang Qinqin hadn't left, waiting for him to return. He had to hurry over and spend a day or two with her.

Night, in the hotel, Wu Yuchen held Jiang Qinqin in his arms and shook her ear, saying:
"My dear Qinqin, can you feel how much I miss you?"

Jiang Qinqin nodded, her fair neck glistening with sweat.

A moment later, Jiang Qinqin leaned lazily against Wu Yuchen's chest and asked:

"Didn't you say you were going to write a script for me?"

"I haven't even had a chance to start writing yet~"

"Hmph, I knew you were just trying to fool me~" Jiang Qinqin gently bit him.

Wu Yuchen ruffled her hair, then pointed to his own head and said, "No way, it's all in here!"

“Then tell me about it~” Jiang Qinqin said sweetly.

Wu Yuchen patted her butt: "I told you but you didn't believe me. I'm going to punish you properly later!"

However, Wu Yuchen still cleared his throat and said, "The story takes place twenty years ago, and the female protagonist..."

As Wu Yuchen narrated, Jiang Qinqin gradually became engrossed in the story. After a while, when she saw Wu Yuchen stop, she couldn't help but pat him and ask, "Why did you stop? What happened next?"

Wu Yuchen smirked and said, "Didn't you just say you didn't believe me and that I was just trying to fool you?"

Seeing Wu Yuchen's expression, Jiang Qinqin immediately cooperated by shaking his arm and pleading, "Good brother, I was wrong, please forgive me~"

But her alluring eyes clearly revealed a look of feigned reluctance.

Wu Yuchen grinned maliciously: "If apologies were enough, what would we need the police for? You won't learn this lesson without a profound and unforgettable experience!"

After saying that, he picked up Jiang Qinqin with both hands and walked towards the bathroom.

……

Two days later, Wu Yuchen personally drove Jiang Qinqin home. This time, he didn't let her take a train or bus; he bought her a plane ticket back. Trains these days weren't like the high-speed rail of later generations, and you might even encounter pickpockets if you weren't watching your luggage. He didn't want Jiang Qinqin to have a difficult journey.

When Wu Yuchen returned home, Wu Jianping and Zhou Shulan thought he had just finished filming and returned home, so Zhou Shulan specially prepared a table full of dishes.

At the dinner table, Zhou Shulan praised, "Chenchen, your film 'Us Two' is really good. It made all my colleagues at work cry!"

Zhou Shulan has been enjoying immense success at the hospital for the past six months. First, her novel "Bright Sword" was published, prompting everyone to praise her husband's talent. Although she explained that it was a collaborative work between her son and husband, everyone still assumed that Wu Jianping was the primary author. Regardless, it certainly boosted her reputation significantly.

Then her son's film "We Two" won a major award at the Tokyo International Film Festival and was featured in the newspapers. She collected several copies of those newspapers and took them to her workplace, which drew another round of envy and praise.

Moreover, praising her son made her happier than praising Wu Jianping, and she even walked with a brisk pace.

Wu Yuchen laughed and said, "Mom, if you cried while watching 'We Two,' then you'll definitely cry through a whole pack of tissues when my movie 'My Brothers and Sisters' is released!"

After all, "My Brothers and Sisters" is specifically designed to evoke emotions.

Zhou Shulan became even more excited upon hearing this: "Really? Then I'll have to invite them all to the cinema to watch it!"

Speaking of "We Two", Director Gu was very proactive and found China Film Group in just two days. However, it was not released on a large scale, but only in Beijing, because their movie channel did not care about the box office at all.

The real channel for the broadcast of "We Two" was the movie channel itself. It really lived up to their joke. As required by the leaders, it had to be broadcast every two weeks. We had to show off our award-winning movie.
By now, I don't know how many people across the country have already seen "We Two"!

This exposure effect is truly unmatched by a theatrical release, and Zhou Xun is the biggest beneficiary. At the same time, Wu Yuchen has naturally come into the view of many interested people.

Knowing his mother's personality, Wu Yuchen simply smiled and asked Wu Jianping:
"Dad, how's the new novel coming along?"

Wu Jianping swallowed the food in his mouth, then smiled and said, "It was written last month. Our unit is taking it very seriously this time. Proofreading and everything else have been completed. You can take a look at it later. If there are no problems, it can be considered the final draft."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen immediately shoveled the rice from his bowl into his mouth and then went to read Wu Jianping's new novel.

Wu Yuchen commissioned Wu Jianping to write "Bright Sword" partly to make money from it, and partly to stockpile the copyrights for making TV series.

He naturally wanted his film and television company to operate on two fronts simultaneously. While the domestic film market had indeed been sluggish in recent years, the television drama market had been steadily growing and booming every year; it would be a real shame to miss out on it!
"Bright Sword" is very good, extremely good, but precisely because it's so good, Wu Yuchen is a little reluctant to film it now. His company has never produced a TV series before, and is virtually unknown in the industry. Their first TV series, without market testing, wouldn't be taken seriously and wouldn't fetch a high price.

Therefore, Wu Yuchen later gave Wu Jianping another story, which was also a military theme that he was good at. He asked Wu Jianping to write a novel first, and then adapt it into a TV series, which would be the company's first TV series.

Wu Yuchen held the revised manuscript in his hands, glanced at the cover, and saw that it read:

"The Passionate Years".

(End of this chapter)