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Chapter 63 What's with this guy's seclusion? (First Update)
It seems that Zhou Yang has really gone into seclusion.

and……

It was completely closed.

Since August 10th, the phone has been completely switched off, and the [Xuanshi Entertainment] company has been locked up tight, with the building empty and deserted...

Zhang Muxue, the owner of Feihe Cinema, knew nothing about these people except that they had gone to make a movie.

It was as if he disappeared from public view overnight, losing contact with everyone.

Not only was Zhou Yang's phone unreachable, but the phones of the crew members she had introduced to Zhou Yang were also switched off. In fact, it wasn't just them who were switched off; their classmates who were related to them, had connections with them, or had relatively close relationships in the film industry also disappeared overnight.

From snippets of conversation from bystanders, it seems that these people all followed Zhou Yang into the film crew.

Moreover, it seems that Zhou Yang took many people with him this time, even Zhang Shun, the security guard from Yan Ying Academy.

As for where the film crew was or what they were filming, no one knew.

He went into seclusion, completely and thoroughly.

……

Although Zhou Yang seems to have truly "gone into seclusion," but...

She receives a text message almost every day indicating a transfer from Zhou Yang's account.

8月10日，【您尾号8842账户于8月10日，收到来自用户周阳的汇款1200元……】

8月11日，【您尾号8842账户于8月11日，收到来自用户周阳的汇款900元……】

8月12日，【您尾号8842账户于8月12日，收到来自用户周阳的汇款1000元……】

……

8 month 15 day.

In the apartment next to Yanying Academy.

An Xiaoshi, who was looking at all the bills from the past two years for "Love Ferris Wheel," felt her phone vibrate slightly.

She took out her phone and glanced at it.

[Your account ending in 8842 received a remittance of 1300 yuan from user Zhou Yang on August 15th...]

Immediately afterwards, she saw the remittance text message from Zhou Yang again.

"He could have avoided sending the money..."

"Anyway, there's no contract..."

"Anyway, he won't bear any legal responsibility..."

"Why are there such foolish people in this world?"

"..."

After reading the text message, An Xiaoshi was slightly stunned. After a moment, a complex emotion that was hard to describe welled up in her heart.

In fact, she and Zhou Yang did not sign a revenue-sharing contract for "Sun Wukong vs. Superman 2" in a real sense.

In fact, after the role of Zhou Yang in "Love Ferris Wheel" was snatched away, she never even considered asking Zhou Yang to return the 15,000 yuan; she only considered it compensation...

In fact, Zhou Yang could have easily ignored everything without feeling guilty...

however……

Zhou Yang would transfer money to her account almost every day.

Sometimes it's 700 yuan, sometimes it's 1000 yuan, and the most I've ever received is 1200 yuan...

Although the amounts in each transaction were not equal, the profits were distributed on time every day. An Xiaoshi did a simple calculation and realized that she had already received nearly 3 yuan from the profits from the movie "Sun Wukong vs. Superman 2," which far exceeded the 1.5 yuan she had given to Zhou Yang...

Zhou Yang, who seems like a conman, actually keeps his verbal agreement even without a contract. Meanwhile, Zheng Yichen, the senior student who seems kind and willing to help him realize his film dreams, is actually...

She glanced at the series of contracts and documents related to "Love Ferris Wheel" on the table and smiled bitterly.

"Yes, there are so many fools in this world."

She put down the documents and silently walked to the window.

A gust of wind blew by, ruffling her long, flowing hair, and her beautiful face was filled with self-mockery.

She gazed silently into the distance.

Just then, her lawyer called.

“Our team has carefully reviewed the investment agreement. We can file a lawsuit, but the chances of winning are not high…”

"You need to be prepared for a protracted battle."

"I just checked the contracts from 01 to this year."

"The movie 'Love Ferris Wheel' has some unique aspects. The project and process are all complete, and the accounts are clear. It cannot be simply classified as fraud. At most, it can be considered as a project overspending..."

"In the entertainment industry, it's not uncommon for movies to go over budget during filming..."

"..."

On the phone, the lawyer was very fair and serious.

After hanging up the phone, she remained silent for a long time.

At that moment, she suddenly understood why Zheng Yichen, her senior who she had never interacted with before, had suddenly become so proactive in promoting the two fledgling girls after learning that she and Zhang Jingya would invest a total of 200 million yuan in the "Love Ferris Wheel" project. He had been busy pulling strings and securing various resources in the entertainment industry to help her form a production team.

Just then, she saw another text message on her phone.

[I just heard about you. You lost 200 million, didn't you? I told you before that the entertainment industry is complicated, and making movies isn't that simple. Just go home and behave yourself. My family is planning to invest in the retail industry. Come over and learn some management skills. We'll hand over the retail business to you from now on...]

I had just finished reading the text message and was about to reply when the phone rang.

The call wasn't from family members, but from Zhang Jingya.

"Xiaoshi, after I invested 200,000, 'Love Ferris Wheel' somehow got 1 million in funding. Now our investment has been diluted. What you said before was right, I might be stuck with it!"

"What are you going to do?"

"I don't know what to do now, I can only hold on until the movie is released... I heard that this kind of thing is not uncommon in the entertainment industry. Director Li Zhengtao, who made 'Qin,' originally had a budget of 10 million, but as filming progressed, the budget exceeded 20 million. The investors were scared, but fortunately the film was of good quality, and after the movie was released, the investors made some money..."

"It might not be too late to stop now..." "Xiaoshi, I can't stop now..."

"So, what did you mean by calling...?"

"Can you please not sue yet? First, the other party's contract is exactly as you described, very meticulously crafted, and we wouldn't be able to win. Second, we've invested so much money and want to recoup our investment through the film's release. Otherwise, we might not only fail to get our money back but also get embroiled in legal disputes, which would affect the film's release. In that case, none of us would benefit..."

"..."

An Xiaoshi was stunned when she heard the voice on the phone.

It seems hard to believe that these are the words of my best friend.

She wanted to say something, but ultimately chose to remain silent.

In the end, I stayed alone in the room for a long time, and scenes from the past two years unconsciously surfaced in my mind...

In the end, she felt a mix of emotions, which gradually turned into a deep sense of disappointment.

"Let me think about it..."

"Please, Xiaoshi, don't act rashly. Making a scene won't do us any good. Besides, maybe we really can make it to the Golden Horse Awards with this movie?"

"It wasn't us... I've already withdrawn."

"You really……"

"Ah."

"OK then……"

After a moment of silence, the call was finally disconnected.

An Xiaoshi looked at the phone.

Finally, she closed her eyes.

....................................

In August, the sun is scorching.

After Zhou Yang of [Xuan Shi Entertainment] still hadn't returned, the reporters who had been squatting at the door looking for news gradually dispersed.

As time went by, Zhou Yang, who had caused quite a stir, gradually disappeared from the public eye.

After the hype surrounding "Monkey King vs. Superman 2" faded, its sales began to decline.

In August, news about the 60th Venice International Film Festival began to dominate the Chinese film industry.

【第60届威尼斯国际电影节】日程规划是2003年8月27日至9月6日在意大利威尼斯举办……

About ten films from mainland China participated in the festival, including works by renowned sixth-generation directors such as Li Zhengtao, Zhang Limou, and Ma Xiaogang.

The festival features three films from Taiwan and four from Hong Kong, all directed by well-known directors from 2003, making for an exceptionally impressive lineup.

The large number of directors applying has naturally excited countless film fans in the Chinese film industry, who are hoping to break the Venice International Film Festival's zero-breakthrough record this year...

However, around August 17th, the dreams of mainland directors to win major awards overseas were shattered overnight.

Ten films were submitted, but none were nominated for the main competition. Instead, one film each from Taiwan and Hong Kong was nominated, but not for the main competition.

……

Almost all the movie fans at [Movie House] are discussing this.

Many movie fans inevitably felt a sense of disappointment deep down.

Since joining the WTO, China's various industries have become integrated with the world. A large number of Chinese people yearn for their country's works to go global, be recognized, and win applause.

Some even lamented, "When will our mainland films be able to step onto such a grand international stage and win an award, even if it's just a minor one?"

Amidst sighs, Zhou Yang's "Sun Wukong vs. Superman 2" was suddenly brought up again for criticism...

The reason why mainland Chinese films are so bad is entirely due to a lack of ambition. It's a disgrace that such terrible films as "Sun Wukong vs. Superman 2" can be released in theaters and even make a profit!

A film critic named Sun Yizheng launched a tirade against "Sun Wukong vs. Superman 2" on the website "Movie House," even reporting it to relevant departments and strongly suggesting that they ban the film.

however……

Sun Yizheng's comment had barely gained some traction when it was drowned out by another comment!
This post is...

[The Longest Nite: Reboot] is set to premiere on August 20th!

[Six cinemas including Feihe Cinema, Mengtian Cinema, and Dashijie Cinema will host the nationwide premiere!]

【…】

........................

"Wait, Mr. Zhou, is your movie finished filming?"

"Filming is finished!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"The premiere is the day after tomorrow?"

"Yes, you're welcome to come and support us!"

"..."

8 month 19 day.

Yang Bo, the administrator of [Movie Home], noticed a surge in website traffic, and then suddenly saw the message "[Tales of the Distant Ones: Reboot]"...

He was stunned!

Immediately afterwards, I called Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang, whose phone had been switched off, finally got through!

On the phone, Zhou Yang sounded very enthusiastic.

(End of this chapter)