Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 159 The Shanghai Film Studio That Came to Our Door
2500 million in 3 days.

Upon hearing this number, Wu Yuchen's spirits lifted. This was even higher than last year's "My Brothers and Sisters," proving that his reputation and influence as a director had surpassed that of Wang Xianxian!
However, Wu Yuchen quickly calmed down. After all, he had already made $5000 million at the box office in the US on his opening weekend. In terms of the amount alone, it wasn't enough to make him overly excited.

Furthermore, Wu Yuchen calculated that the 25 million yuan box office gross of "If Love Has a Destiny" in its first three days was still far behind that of "Hero." In its previous life, when "Hero" was released in 2002, it grossed 51 million yuan in three days; now, "If Love Has a Destiny" hasn't even reached half of "Hero's" box office!

It's not surprising, really. After all, "Hero" had a star-studded cast, including Jet Li, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung, while "The Classic" had a completely blank cast. Moreover, it was only 98, and the dissemination of information on the internet was far less advanced than in 2002, so the publicity was not as extensive as that for "Hero".

Wu Yuchen smiled and said, "Director Han, we only have 25 million now, which is still quite a distance from breaking 100 million. We can't let our guard down on the publicity!"

"Haha, Director Wu, don't worry about that. We've prepared enough copies for distribution this time. As for publicity, that'll have to be up to you, Director Wu!"

Han Sanping is in a good mood right now. With 25 million yuan in box office revenue in three days, it seems very likely to break 100 million yuan. Moreover, "If Love Has a Destiny" and "Titanic" are both romance films, and judging from the audience's reviews, many say that the love between the male and female leads in "If Love Has a Destiny" is in no way inferior to that of Jack and Rose.

At a time like this, it's truly remarkable that a film has emerged that can rival "Titanic" in terms of critical acclaim! At the very least, it has helped Chinese films regain some ground in terms of momentum!

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen had a smile on his face. Jiang Qinqin, who had overheard his conversation with Han Sanping, asked excitedly, "Is it really 2500 million?"

Wu Yuchen nodded: "Not that accurate, but not by much."

The statistics in China are rather rough, and the data cannot be as real-time and accurate as those in the United States.

Jiang Qinqin immediately exclaimed happily, "I heard that Titanic's box office in its first three days was only a little over 20 million. Do you think we might..."

Wu Yuchen reached out and gently stroked her nose: "Will it surpass the box office of 'Titanic'? What are you thinking?!"

Jiang Qinqin pouted and said, "Why can't we think about it? It's over twenty million yuan, what if..."

Looking at her like this, Wu Yuchen wondered if she really wanted to compete with "Titanic" in terms of stamina. What movie could compare?

"You've seen 'Titanic' with me before, have you? Do you really think their high production cost was wasted? Do our movies have that kind of grand scale and meticulous production?"

Wu Yuchen rubbed Jiang Qinqin's head and continued:

"The box office success of 'Titanic' wasn't solely due to its romantic storyline. Let me just say this: once pirated copies came out, the experience of watching 'If Love Has a Destiny' at home wasn't much different from watching it in the theater. But 'Titanic' was different. That's why so many people went to the theater to watch it repeatedly."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qinqin immediately understood. She had been caught up in the excitement of the 2500 million yuan box office success and had even fantasized that her film, in which she played the lead role, would surpass "Titanic" and reach the pinnacle of Chinese cinema. But before she could even begin to dream, Wu Yuchen had ruthlessly shattered her illusions.

"Ugh, you're so annoying. Can't you let me daydream for a few days?" Jiang Qinqin patted Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen gently patted her bottom: "Silly girl, with a billionaire leading lady right in front of you, what are you still daydreaming about!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qinqin immediately realized that even if she couldn't surpass "Titanic," she could still become a leading lady with a box office exceeding 100 million yuan, something that no one had been able to achieve for many years!

Jiang Qinqin immediately beamed with joy again and pulled Wu Yuchen to walk out.

"What are you doing?" Wu Yuchen asked, puzzled.

"Go do some publicity!"

Jiang Qinqin is now full of motivation and is determined to fight for her role as a leading lady worth hundreds of millions of yuan.

……

"Waaaaah, it's so beautiful, so touching!"

"Yeah, the plot is really touching, the male and female leads are all good-looking, and the music is so beautiful! I wonder if they sell cassette tapes; I want to buy them and listen to them a hundred times!"

At the movie theater entrance, listening to the conversation of several girls who came out, Li Jian was so happy he practically grinned from ear to ear. This wasn't the first audience member he'd heard say that; in the half-day he'd been there, at least one in three of these people who came out had mentioned the theme song he sang.

Hearing so many positive reviews and feedback made Li Jian determined to make the decision.

The next day, Li Jian knocked on the department head's office. The head, seeing that it was a new employee who had just come in, raised his eyelids and asked, "Li, is there something you need?"

Li Jian stepped forward and handed over a letter.

The director was a little confused. He took the letter, opened it, and saw: a resignation letter!
This startled him for a moment, then he looked Li Jian up and down: "Xiao Li, I remember you interned here for a year, and just finished your internship and were promoted to a full-time position, right? You resigned?"

Their optoelectronics division is a legitimate, officially recognized, and powerful organization.

Li Jian nodded: "Director, I don't think I'm very suitable for this job."

The director, recalling Li Jian's status as a graduate of Tsinghua University, thought to himself that people from prestigious universities were indeed arrogant, and wasn't surprised. He nodded and said, "Alright, if you've really thought it through, we won't stop you. Are you planning to go abroad?"

Based on his understanding of Tsinghua University students, he knew that about half of them went abroad to study, but the answer he heard was unexpected.

"No, Director, I plan to make music."

"What? Making music? Aren't you studying electrical engineering?" The director was genuinely surprised upon hearing this.

"Yes, but singing and music have always been my interests, and I still want to do something I enjoy."

The director was now quite agitated: "Li Jian, have you thought this through? Making music isn't easy, especially since you're an amateur. Don't act impulsively!"

Hearing the director's concern for him, Li Jian smiled and said, "Director, don't worry, this is a decision I've thought through carefully."

Seeing his stubbornness, the director shook his head: "Sigh, young man, you Tsinghua University graduates are too arrogant. You'll know the gap between dreams and reality once you try it yourself! But you're from Tsinghua, so even if you fail, it won't be difficult for you to find a job again..."

Hearing the director about to continue nagging, Li Jian couldn't help but say, "Director, don't worry, I've already released a song and can support myself."

"You've released a song?" The director was slightly surprised.

Yes, "The Classic".

"Isn't 'The Classic' Wu Yuchen's newly released movie?" the director asked curiously.

"Director, I sang the theme song inside," Li Jian said with a faint smile.

A moment later, watching Li Jian's departing figure, the director sighed again, "Hey, the students at Tsinghua University are really something else!"

……

After resting for two days, Wu Yuchen, along with Jiang Qinqin and Wu Yanzu, headed south again, first visiting Tianjin for two days, and then flying directly to Shanghai. On the first night of their promotional trip in Shanghai, Wu Yuchen and the others were invited to a private room in a large hotel.

At this moment, a middle-aged man of about 50 years old saw Wu Yuchen enter and stood up with a smile to greet him:

"Welcome, welcome! I've long heard that a remarkable young talent has emerged in our Chinese film industry, but I've never had the chance to meet him. Today, I'm so glad to finally meet Director Wu!"

Upon seeing the visitor, even Wu Yuchen had to greet him respectfully: "President Zhu, you flatter me too much. I should be the one taking the initiative to visit you. 'The Herdsman' and 'Wreath at the Foot of the Mountain' are both timeless masterpieces!"

The man before me is named Zhu Yongde, once hailed as China's foremost cinematographer, a towering figure in the Chinese film and television industry. However, at this moment, he also holds another identity: former director of the Shanghai Film Studio, and current CEO of the Shanghai Film Group.

For decades after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Shanghai Film Studio (Shanghai Film Studio) actually held a significant advantage over the Beijing Film Studio (Beijing Film Studio). Located in Shanghai, Shanghai Film Studio's film industry, inherited from the Republican era, possessed a much stronger foundation than Beijing Film Studio. Furthermore, Shanghai Film Studio was known for its innovation, producing masterpieces such as *Romance on Lushan Mountain* (the first kiss in Chinese film history), *Garland Under the Mountain* (the first war film), *My Memories of Old Beijing*, and *Hibiscus Town*. Xie Jin, who was once considered China's foremost director, also worked for Shanghai Film Studio.

The Shanghai Film Group was one of the first in China to undergo restructuring, having merged several studios, including Shanghai Film Studio and Shanghai Animation Film Studio, into the group in 96.

To be honest, the Shanghai Film Group is now far stronger than the Beijing Film Studio. However, Han Sanping is no pushover. A few months later, he merged the Beijing Film Studio and several other studios into the new China Film Group, which holds the power to import films and has always been one step ahead of the Shanghai Film Group.

Zhu Yongde, dressed in a suit and tie, had the refined and sophisticated style of an old-fashioned Shanghainese, a stark contrast to Han Sanping, who usually wore cloth shoes and dressed simply.

Zhu Yongde waved his hand with a smile: "Outdated, outdated. I can't compare to you young people now. From now on, we'll have to rely on Director Wu and the others!"

Then he gave a thumbs up and said, "Director Wu, if two of your blockbusters had grossed over $100 million in the US, back in our day, you would have been considered a national hero!"

The two exchanged compliments as they sat down in the private room. Wu Yuchen had some guesses about why President Zhu had specifically invited him.

At the dinner table, Zhu Yongdala chatted with Wu Yuchen about many interesting anecdotes from the past few decades of Chinese cinema, naturally including a mention of the glorious history of their Shanghai Film Studio.

After the meal, Zhu Yongde smiled at Wu Yuchen and said, "Director Wu, I've seen your film 'If Love Has a Destiny,' and it's well-made! Not only is it well-made, but it's also very popular with audiences. The feedback from the citizens of Shanghai is quite positive."

Wu Yuchen wasn't surprised by this. People in Shanghai have always pursued a bourgeois lifestyle and romance, and movies like "If Love Has a Destiny" are just right for their taste.

However, Zhu Yongde changed the subject: "But Director Wu, if we, Shanghai Film Group, were to handle the distribution for you, I can't guarantee other places, but the box office in Shanghai could be 30% higher than it is now, and in the Yangtze River Delta region, it could be 15% higher!"

No matter how much of a top photographer or artist Lao Zhu was before, once he took the position of CEO, he naturally had to consider the company's development.

In the past two years, Wu Yuchen has been the highest-grossing director in China. Last year, his film "My Brothers and Sisters" was the number one box office hit in China, and this year's "If Love Has a Destiny" is also a box office success.

Old Zhu knew that Wu Yuchen had his own company, so it was unlikely that he could be recruited. But he couldn't let Beijing Film Studio always benefit while Shanghai Film Studio got nothing.

Having benefited from Xie Jin's success, Shanghai Film Group is acutely aware of the advantages that having the name of a great director brings to the company.

In any case, Shanghai Film Studio wants to be on good terms with directors like Wu Yuchen, and it would be best if they could participate in the investment of his next film. Even if they can't surpass Beijing Film Studio, they can't fall behind!

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen thought to himself, "As expected, the real show is about to begin!"
Shanghai has always been a major box office market for Chinese films, arguably the largest. The Yangtze River Delta region is also one of the most economically developed areas in China, resulting in substantial combined box office revenue. Shanghai Film Group, with its advantageous location, is practically a local powerhouse in this region.

To be honest, if it were just Beijing Film Studio alone, it really couldn't beat Shanghai Film Studio. But Wu Yuchen knew that the new China Film Group was about to be established. Wasn't the reason he had cultivated a good relationship with Han Sanping for this? He couldn't be wavering now.

"Mr. Zhu, I have indeed long admired Shanghai Film Studio. But as you know, I come from Beijing Film Studio, and my previous films were only able to be made smoothly thanks to the help provided by Beijing Film Studio and Beijing Film Studio..."

Old Zhu interrupted Wu Yuchen directly, patting his chest and guaranteeing:
"Director Wu, no matter what difficulties you encounter in the future filming, or what conditions you make, what Beijing Film Studio can do, Shanghai Film Studio can also do. What Lao Han can promise you, I, Zhu Yongde, can also give, and definitely better than them!"

Wu Yuchen gave a wry smile and gently shook his head at Old Zhu, saying, "Mr. Zhu, could you allow me to consider this matter?"

Zhu Yongde sighed inwardly, feeling regretful that Wu Yuchen wasn't from the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Over the past decade or so, the Shanghai Theatre Academy had really fallen far behind the two in Beijing!
Then Zhu Yongde's tone softened, and he advised:

"Director Wu, you're no longer a small-time director; you're practically one of the leading figures in Chinese cinema. There's no need to be so narrow-minded. You should think about things from a higher perspective—whatever's best for your own film and for Chinese cinema as a whole. No matter what you choose, do you think Shanghai Film Studio or Beijing Film Studio will make things difficult for you?"

Although he knew that Lao Zhu's words were still meant to help Shanghai Film Group, they did make Wu Yuchen realize that he was no longer a nobody. He could be on friendly terms with Han Sanping, and was a guest of honor of the Shanghai Film Group's CEO. People like Feng Xiaogang treated him with utmost respect, and he wouldn't be happy if he didn't call him Xiaogang...

However, he has progressed too quickly in the past two years, so much so that he hasn't had a clear understanding of his own position.

Actually, he doesn't really care much about the box office revenue of domestic films; in terms of making money, it's far less than making US dollars in Hollywood.

He repeatedly allocated quotas to Beijing Film Studio, mainly to cultivate a good relationship with Han Sanping, and so far the results have been quite good. Shanghai Film Studio has always been one of the top studios in China, and even if it doesn't become as powerful as China Film Group in the future, it will still be an important force worth befriending.

In China, it's all about interpersonal relationships and cultivating a wide network of friends; he was well aware of this principle.

Wu Yuchen picked up a cup of tea and clinked it against Lao Zhu's: "Mr. Zhu, thank you for your guidance! I will seriously consider your suggestion when I get back."

"Haha, it's hardly any advice. I'm just a bit older and have more experience to share!" Old Zhu didn't put on any airs of seniority in front of Wu Yuchen at all, making Wu Yuchen feel very comfortable.

Back in his room that evening, Wu Yuchen was about to make a phone call when he suddenly felt Jiang Qinqin wrap her arms around his neck. Looking down, he saw Jiang Qinqin's eyes filled with adoration and tenderness.

"Honey, you're amazing!"

Wu Yuchen raised an eyebrow, then hugged her slender waist and gently pinched it, teasingly saying:

"Whether I'm amazing or not, you've experienced it for yourself~"

Jiang Qinqin spat at him, then continued, "This is the CEO of Shanghai Film Studio! He's been saying nice things about you!"

Although Jiang Qinqin knew Wu Yuchen was capable before, she was always surrounded by classmates or small fry like Fan Bingbing who fawned over him. Seeing someone of Zhu Yongde's stature chatting and laughing with Wu Yuchen, so eager to curry favor and win him over, was a first for her. At this point, she realized that the circle Wu Yuchen was in was far superior to hers!

Wu Yuchen also understood what Jiang Qinqin meant, and thought to himself, "You haven't seen the scene of me and Han Sanping calling each other brothers yet!"

Seeing Jiang Qinqin's rosy cheeks and radiant beauty, Wu Yuchen naturally forgot about making the phone call and picked up her soft, delicate body, rolling onto the bed.

……

The morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and fell onto the bed.

Wu Yuchen stretched by the bedside, then turned to look at Jiang Qinqin, who was covered by a thin blanket. The blanket revealed her shapely figure, and her rounded, jade-like legs were crystal clear and flawless. The upturned corners of her mouth showed that she was having a sweet dream, as if she was still reliving the experience of last night.

Wu Yuchen was still full of energy, but thinking of how Jiang Qinqin begged for mercy last night, he let her go this time. He figured she wouldn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky.

Not wanting to disturb Jiang Qinqin, Wu Yuchen took his phone outside and made a call.

(End of this chapter)