The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 40 You don't want to offend China Film Group, do you?
"Could it be that something happened between us?"

Shen Shandeng asked in confusion.

He didn't recall having any connection with Chen Hao.

Chen Hao was caught off guard. This younger brother was too wild and aggressive, but she reacted quickly.

"Keep pretending. Didn't Fan Bingbing join your project? Don't you know about my feud with her?"

"Hey, I thought it was no big deal."

Shen Shandeng breathed a sigh of relief and took a bite of food with a clear conscience.

Chen Hao: "?"

"Do you know that the reason I left Orange Sky is because of her?"

When Fan Bingbing was short of funds for her first album released by Warner Music last year, Wu Kebo unconditionally sponsored her with 100 million yuan.

Furthermore, the film "Apple," which garnered Fan Bingbing's first nomination for Best Actress at the Berlin Film Festival, was initially invested in by Orange Sky Entertainment.

The first press conference was organized by Orange Sky, but later, due to various reasons, the investor was changed to Polybona.

Wu Kebo also privately invested in Apple Daily, with the aim of supporting Fan Bingbing.

In addition to the unconditional payment of one million yuan, Wu Kebo also promised Fan Bingbing that if she signed with Orange Sky Entertainment, they would spend 300 million yuan to create a new album for her and promise to make three movies for her to star in every year.

Wu Kebo's frequent attempts to curry favor with Fan Bingbing were unacceptable to Chen Hao.

Orange Sky Entertainment was originally established for her; she and Wu Kebo were actually a couple.

Although both denied the rumors, Chen Hao's rise to fame was inseparable from Wu Kebo's behind-the-scenes support.

The TV series "Pink Lady" that made Chen Hao famous was invested in by Wu Kebo, and his endorsement of NEC mobile phones was also because Wu Kebo was the chief consultant of NEC mobile phones in China. NEC also invested 5000 million yuan in Orange Sky.

Therefore, at Orange Sky Entertainment, Chen Hao enjoys the treatment of a "boss's wife".

"It's not just Fan Bingbing, is it?"

Shen Shandeng was good at speaking: "Wu Kebo and Jiang Yiyan are also quite ambiguous. Jiang Yiyan is now being heavily promoted by Orange Sky, and there are also Orange Sky's Seven Princesses."

"I don't see any sincerity in your willingness to cooperate," Chen Hao said angrily.

This is like stabbing her in the heart.

She had repeatedly threatened to break up with Wu Kebo to stop him from having affairs, but the situation did not change. Unable to bear it any longer, Chen Hao broke up with him two months ago.

Furthermore, some of the conditions that Orange Sky promised Chen Hao were not fully fulfilled, Wu Kebo was not as capable as imagined, and NEC Mobile, which had a close relationship with Wu Kebo, withdrew from the Chinese market last year.

Moreover, the fact that the other party and the Japanese had a more than simple business relationship made Chen Hao uneasy.

Shen Shandeng dismissed Chen Hao's veiled threat: "You are a capable person. By retreating to advance, Fan Bingbing will never join Orange Sky."

Chen Hao laughed and said, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Shen Shandeng stared straight at her: "I admire girls who dare to fight, and my dear sister is the kind of girl I admire."

"There is no real conflict between you and Fan Bingbing. In the end, it's just that Wu Kebo is a womanizer, juggling multiple relationships, always wanting more than he has."

Shen Shandeng tried his best to persuade them.

Commercial films have their own set of rules, and star power is the first impression a film gives to the audience.

If possible, Shen Shandeng would love to invite Zhou Xun and Li Bingbing to play "Su Xiaoxiao," but that's impossible; a top actress can't be a supporting actress to another top actress.

Chen Hao is a better choice than Sun Li. She has higher profile, and "Pink Lady" made her a true "heartthrob".

If it were the female lead role, the relationship between the two would be reversed, but since she's only the third female lead and still supporting Fan Bingbing, Chen Hao has to put in more effort.

As long as it benefits the film, Shen Shandeng doesn't mind being humble.

Chen Hao avoided his intense gaze: "Speak properly."

Shen Shandeng spoke frankly: "The Grand Eunuch is a purely commercial film, aiming for box office success. My idea is to cultivate our local stars. Your performances and presentation abilities far surpass those of Hong Kong and Taiwan stars, but you lack an opportunity to prove yourselves."

"For me, this is my opportunity. The audience doesn't know how good you are, so if I film you well, I'll benefit."

"Stocks are called bottom fishing, and I'm just bottom fishing for you guys, picking up a huge bargain."

"What do you mean, 'copying your bottom line'?" Chen Hao muttered under his breath, then asked curiously, "How much do you think the box office will be?"

Shen Shandeng remained cautious, conservatively estimating: "At least 100 million."

"What?" Chen Hao almost spat out his tea.

One hundred million?

Are you teasing her?
What does this mean? In China, apart from the three major directors, no one can earn over 100 million yuan, not even directors in Hong Kong.

Shen Shandeng said, "We all have passion and ability. Wu Jing joined the project without pay, serving as action director, assistant director, and assistant producer, and even invested his own savings. Do you think he's stupid?"

"Fan Bingbing, Chen Kun, and Huang Xiaoming all took pay cuts. Let me put it this way, their combined salary is less than one million. Are they all stupid?"

"This project has the full support of China Film Group. This is not an exaggeration; it is genuine full support. My statement 'a weak country has no art' caused a lot of controversy, but I was not affected at all. Why? Because China Film Group stood up for me."

"To put it bluntly, I am the tiger general chosen by Director Han to drive the upgrading of the film industry!"

When you go out, your identity is given by yourself.

A target of 100 million is set too low.

The drama "The Eunuch" is targeting "Paper Clip" and has already won in terms of release schedule.

While a celebrity's star power may not be the kind of "charisma" recognized by the media, it is no longer a weakness.

In addition to the plot, there is also the groundbreaking concept of martial arts realms and the materialization of martial arts.

The project "Du Gong" has won big.

One hundred million is a very conservative estimate.

"This industry is too complicated. I'm already considering leaving it." Chen Hao was somewhat tempted. This project was indeed good, and she and Wu Kebo had fallen out, so she needed to consider her future.

But she still had concerns, showing some signs of fatigue: "And if I were to act in it, I would be on par with Fan Bingbing in name, and I don't want to be inferior to her."

Shen Shandeng fully understood: "Leave this to me. You are also the lead actor. This time, we are working to vindicate mainland actors. Whether it's Wu Jing, Chen Kun, Huang Xiaoming, or Fan Bingbing, everyone is moving towards this goal."

"You're too good with words."

Chen Hao really seems like a sunny, confident, and capable young man, and also a rising director.

Much better than Woodbo.

Meeting Chen Hao's gaze, Shen Shandeng's heart tightened.

But for the sake of the film, he had to play along and give Chen Hao a little something in return.

The twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month.

The film crew was on holiday, and Shen Shandeng went home for the Lunar New Year.

The most famous segment from this year's Spring Festival Gala was "Planning," the one about the rooster being the fighter jet among roosters.

Shen Shandeng made phone calls to wish people a Happy New Year and received many calls as well, doing much better than in his previous life.

He also sent a text message to Fan Bingbing.

Fan Bingbing is currently in Germany, attending the closing ceremony of the Berlin Film Festival.

Early in the morning of the second day of the Lunar New Year.

It was 11 p.m. in Berlin, which was 6 a.m. in China when Shen Shandeng received a cross-border call from Fan Bingbing.

He played cards until midnight yesterday and only slept for a few hours, but he was still polite and subconsciously wished everyone a Happy New Year.

"I'm not happy at all. I thought we were friends."

Fan Bingbing was seething with anger.

"Why is there news that Chen Hao has joined 'The Eunuch'? Is it true? I am in the most difficult time right now. My friend is stabbing me in the back."

Chen Hao's outburst completely shattered the possibility of Fan Bingbing joining Chengtian, further damaging her already controversial image. Fan Bingbing hated him to death.

Being questioned so early in the morning, Shen Shandeng was furious. Even if his considerations were flawed, was Fan Bingbing completely without fault?
"What do you mean by this? Are you trying to withdraw from the project?"

"Then you need to think this through. We've signed a contract, and the 'The Eunuch' project is a key project for China Film Group. It's followed by a super-production worth over 100 million yuan. I originally thought you were quite suitable to be the female lead."

"I was personally selected by Director Han as the director, and this project is also a major pilot project that Director Han has high hopes for."

"Do you want to be the one to ruin this great situation? You don't want to offend China Film Group, do you?"

Fan Bingbing was so angry that she couldn't speak.

Before signing the contract, Shen Shandeng's attitude was so good that she thought he was a close friend and that they could cooperate more in the future. Now that he has changed his attitude, her self-esteem has been hurt.

Another career slump, and the Spring Festival in a foreign land, caused Fan Bingbing's rational and emotional defenses to crumble, and she broke down in tears.

"Waaaaah, what kind of man are you?"

She hung up the phone while crying.

Shen Shandeng also felt something was amiss. He looked at the news on Sohu's portal and saw that "Apple" had won nothing, while "Tuya's Marriage" had won the Golden Bear Award.

"Mom and Dad, I have to go back early."

My parents were heartbroken when I left home in the second year of junior high school.

It was late at night, and there weren't many people in the airport arrival hall.

Fan Bingbing, along with her assistant, Tong Dawei (the lead actor of "Apple"), director Li Yu, and the head of Bona Film Group's distribution team, returned from Berlin exhausted.

The journey involved flying and transferring, taking almost twenty hours.

Fan Bingbing was in even worse condition; she had a bit of a cold and was wearing sunglasses.

"Director Li," Shen Shandeng greeted the others first.

"Director Shen, what's going on?" Bona's distribution manager recognized Shen Shandeng and asked in confusion.

Shen Shandeng said, "I'll talk to Sister Bingbing about the movie."

"I'm not your sister." Fan Bingbing was initially surprised to see Shen Shandeng, but then her face hardened. "What a coincidence, where are you flying to during the Chinese New Year?"

Li Yu and Tong Dawei were exhausted and had no interest in dealing with the couple. They said a simple goodbye and left in Bona's car.

Shen Shandeng took Fan Bingbing and the others to the nearest hotel and ordered some late-night snacks.

"Eat something, take a nap, and adjust your time difference."

"I heard from people that the crew calls you 'Little Stingy.' Are you really that stingy? Was that car you were driving just now rented?" Fan Bingbing sat comfortably on the sofa, eating noodles and teasingly.

Shen Shandeng's expression froze.

Fan Bingbing chuckled: "No, it really is rented. Was it really necessary? You're so stingy!"

Shen Shandeng didn't speak, but simply held up two fingers.

Fan Bingbing immediately softened her tone and her legs went weak: "My head hurts."

　Tomorrow, speed up the plot to an unbelievable pace.

　　I'm asking for monthly votes for these two chapters, totaling 6,000 words. It would be a waste not to vote at the end of the month.

　　Here's another piece of good news: I've read 2,000 words! I've returned to the level I was at before rewriting it. That wasn't easy. I'm awesome, haha.

　　Many thanks to the loyal readers! Thank you all!

　　My editor just asked me if I wanted to release the book tomorrow, the 1st. It was a bit sudden. Strictly speaking, I've already written over 20 words, but after rewriting, it seems like less. However, I still agreed. I'll write a post-release message later to share my thoughts.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)