Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: My Childhood Sweetheart is Boss Yang

The little fox is gone, taking with it the soft, fragrant warmth of the bed, and the lively, chattering energy of the courtyard house.

Gu Heng stood at the door, watching the nanny van speed away, feeling a little empty inside.

As a result, Gu Heng had just returned to the courtyard and was planning to take a nap.

There was a knock on the door.

Gu Heng thought the girl had forgotten something and returned, but when he opened the door...

Ho!

Two large Buddha statues stood at the entrance.

Leading the group was Jiang Wen, the "friends with benefits" he had met last year while setting off firecrackers. Next to him was a bespectacled, refined man, Ma Ke, a top producer in the industry.

That's a bit outrageous.

The year wasn't even over yet, and instead of staying home with their wives, these two gentlemen came to wish Gu Heng, who was still a "junior," a Happy New Year.

If this gets out, everyone in the industry, young and old, will laugh their heads off.

You should know that Jiang Wen is notoriously arrogant. He's the kind of guy who can point his finger at a reporter and yell at them. It's always others who have to pay homage to him; there's no way he'd take the initiative to visit someone.

It's definitely a scam!

"Director Jiang, Mr. Ma, what rare guests!"

Although he had some doubts in his heart, Gu Heng's face was all smiles as he turned and welcomed the two of them in.

Last New Year's Eve, Jiang Wen only glanced at it from the doorway, but this time, as he entered the courtyard, his eyes were full of admiration.

"You've got some skills with this yard, kid." Jiang Wen said, looking it over with his hands behind his back.

"Hey, I'm just messing around for some peace and quiet."

Gu Heng led the two to the main hall and took out his treasured Da Hong Pao tea to brew.

After a few rounds of tea and a few casual conversations, Jiang Wen, being the straightforward person he is, couldn't hold back any longer.

"Brother Gu, I won't beat around the bush today." Jiang Wen put down his teacup. "I'm out of money."

Ma Ke, who had been silent the whole time, also had a wry smile on his face, clearly having been thoroughly tormented by this famous director.

Upon hearing this, Gu Heng realized what was happening.

So they came here to beg for alms.

Logically speaking, Jiang Wen's comeback to film "The Sun Also Rises" was highly anticipated, and Emperor Entertainment's boss, Mr. Yang, is known for his generosity, so how could he be short of money?

Actually, this matter has been widely circulated in the industry. Jiang Wen is a bottomless pit when it comes to filming.

Film was being burned like it was free, a single shot could be reshot dozens of times, and hundreds of people in the crew were just wasting their time. Even if you had a mine, you couldn't afford to keep burning film like that.

Just as we were about to enter the later stages, the funding chain broke.

Originally, Jiang Wen, being the stubborn mule, intended to pay for the hole himself, but his younger brother Jiang Wu gave him a suggestion.

"Bro, why don't you go find my junior from elementary school? You might just get lucky!"

Jiang Wu was from the class of '90 at Beijing Film Academy, while Gu Heng was from the class of '05. Although the difference in their roles was quite large, calling each other "junior" was still a proper way to address each other.

And so, this whole thing happened.

Gu Heng held his teacup, not in a hurry to speak, but his mind was racing.

He knew about the film "The Sun Also Rises".

This is a typical example of Jiang Wen's self-indulgent style, with a high degree of artistic merit, probably three or four stories high.

But as for its commercial aspects... that's a trap.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t vote.

Jiang Wen's main reason for seeking funding this time was actually for the music. This guy is ruthless; he went straight to Japan to find Joe Hisaishi.

Who is Joe Hisaishi? He's the composer for Hayao Miyazaki and Takeshi Kitano!

This old man is quite expensive; he gives locals a friendly price, but charges foreigners in US dollars. I heard the music fee this time is several million, and it has to be settled in US dollars.

In his previous life, Jiang Wen had to pay for this himself, and it wasn't even included in the film's budget.

But Gu Heng wasn't concerned with whether the movie would make money.

By voting for "The Sun," Jiang Wen became one of his "own people."

Once they're on our side, how could the later "Let the Bullets Fly" possibly escape?

That's what it truly means to earn money while standing tall!

As for the rumors circulating that this film caused Emperor Entertainment's boss, Yang Shoucheng, to run out of funds.

That was just a joke that people made up later to boast about Jiang Wen's ability to spend money.

The Emperor Group is involved in both real estate and casinos now.

With annual revenue exceeding one billion Hong Kong dollars and a net worth of several billion, would they really cut off their business for a mere twenty million?

This amount of money is nothing to Gu Heng.

The stock market is like an ATM for him now. Just take a stroll in and you can get out not only ten million, but even a hundred million.

Having figured things out, Gu Heng slammed his teacup on the table in a rather unrestrained manner.

"Director Jiang has already spoken, so we have to give him face! It's just post-production, right? I'll cover the cost!"

Jiang Wen and Ma Ke were both stunned for a moment.

"Brother, aren't you afraid of losing money?" Jiang Wen couldn't help but ask.

"Loss? How could investing in Jiang Wen possibly result in a loss?" Gu Heng grinned, holding up one finger. "Fifteen million, is that enough?"

"Wow!"

Jiang Wen slapped his thigh. "Great! I knew it was the men from Beijing Film Academy who got things done efficiently! They're much better than those scheming bastards!"

What?

Am I, Jiang Wen, from the Central Academy of Drama?

I don't care, I'm a student at Beijing Film Academy now!

Once the business was over, the atmosphere instantly shifted from business negotiations to friendly banter.

Gu Heng specially asked Wang Gang to prepare some good dishes and open two bottles of fine wine.

After a few rounds of drinks, Jiang Wen started talking non-stop.

Taking advantage of his drunken state, Gu Heng intentionally or unintentionally steered the conversation toward the still-unreleased film "Let the Bullets Fly".

"Director Jiang, I really like Mr. Ma Shitu's 'The Story of the Thief of the Official'. The spirit of bandits fighting against tyrants is so strong. If it were filmed, it would be really exciting."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wen's eyes widened instantly, and he even forgot to gnaw on the duck leg in his hand.

"Holy crap! A kindred spirit!"

Jiang Wen grabbed Gu Heng's hand, his eyes burning with the eagerness of someone looking at their beloved daughter-in-law. "Brother, you've read that book too? Let me tell you, I already have the picture in my head. We have to film it like this..."

"Yes, yes, yes! It also needs to have that kind of dark humor, like the county magistrate taking office, he has to be an official who bought his position..." Gu Heng followed up on the suggestion.

The two chatted away, their words flying everywhere, as if they had known each other for a long time.

The two of them got really into their conversation, but it was a real hardship for Ma Ke, who was sitting next to them.

Ma Ke held his wine glass, looking at the two crazy men in front of him, and felt like he was being stared at by a blazing sun.

No, Lao Jiang, we're the real best buddies!

What happened to our promise to spend our whole lives together?

How come this kid has stolen your soul with just a few words?

Ma Ke angrily downed the wine in his glass, cursing inwardly: This Gu Heng is not only rich, but his tongue is also blessed, isn't it?

This meal took several hours to finish.

After seeing off Jiang Wen, who looked satisfied and walked with a swagger, and Ma Ke, who looked resentful, Gu Heng stood at the gate. A gust of cold wind sobered him up halfway.

But he didn't feel tired at all; on the contrary, he felt like every cell in his body was cheering.

This is Jiang Wen!

Spending 15 million today was totally worth it! It's much more exciting than making money in the stock market.

Taking a nap after waking up?

Sleep my ass!

How can someone his age sleep?

Gu Heng rolled up his sleeves, his eyes gleaming.

"Wang Gang! Get the car ready! We're going to the company!"

"Let's keep playing the music and dancing!"