noveltune Chapter 44, "No One to Rely On in Old Age," is submitted for review.
Chapter 44, "No One to Rely On in Old Age," is submitted for review.
Fan Binbin has been promoting the movie "Cellphone" these past few days, and today his promotional schedule came to an end, so he hurriedly returned to Beijing.
While at the company, Fu Yibai received a call from the vixen, whose charming voice on the phone was filled with longing.
When Fu Yibai drove back to the apartment that evening, Fan Binbin was already home.
She had removed her makeup and was wearing a soft, off-white cashmere cardigan. Her long hair was loosely tied up, and she was barefoot, curled up on the sofa watching TV.
Hearing the door open, she turned her head, her eyes instantly lighting up with a smile, as if she had shed all the stage glamour and was left with only the softness of home.
"You're back?"
She got up to greet him and naturally took Fu Yibai's coat.
Have you eaten yet?
The auntie made some soup and kept it warm on the stove.
"I ate at the company."
Fu Yibai put his arm around her waist and lowered his head to sniff her hair.
"How's the publicity campaign going?"
"worn out."
Fan Binbin leaned into his arms, her voice muffled.
"Flying to two cities in one day, my face was stiff from smiling so much. Director Feng has such high standards, every interview requires me to praise 'Cellphone' to the skies..."
As she spoke, she suddenly looked up, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.
"Sister Hua talked to me today. Although she didn't say it explicitly, she was trying to find out what I was up to..."
Has Huayi contacted you?
Fu Yibai put his arm around her and led her to sit down on the sofa. He calmly recounted the contents of the phone call he had made earlier that day.
Upon hearing this, Fan Binbin's face paled slightly, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her cardigan.
"Then... what should we do? Will it affect you?"
"There will definitely be an impact, but it's manageable."
Fu Yibai held her hand and gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb.
"The key is that your attitude cannot waver."
From now until the release of "Cellphone", you need to cooperate with Huayi Brothers' publicity efforts more than ever before, and you absolutely cannot let them find any grounds for 'unprofessionalism'.
I maintain a good relationship with Sister Hua in private, but when it comes to future plans, I always leave it vague.
He paused, then asked, "Has the tax matter been resolved?"
"Um."
Fan Binbin nodded, buried her face in the crook of his neck, and said in a muffled voice, with a hint of coquetry and heartache.
"I'm almost broke... I'll really have to rely on you to support me from now on, Boss Fu."
Fu Yibai chuckled softly, his fingers running through her soft hair, stroking the back of her neck with a soothing gesture.
"Don't worry, following me will only make you earn more and sleep more soundly."
What does the word "sleep" mean in this context?
Fan Binbin raised his head, his eyes sparkling. The worry he had just felt was replaced by cunning as he traced circles on Fan Binbin's chest with his fingertips.
"you guess?"
Fu Yibai grabbed her mischievous hand, picked her up, and carried her to the bedroom.
"I guess... it's a verb."
Fan Binbin wrapped her arms around his neck, her red lips close to his ear, her breath sweet as orchids.
This night was not particularly intense; it was more like a tranquil harbor where people huddled together for warmth before a storm.
Fan Binbin was exceptionally proactive and docile, as if she wanted to bind them together more tightly in this way, and also put the possible storms they might face in the future behind her.
A day later, Fu Yibai brought the finished film of "No Country for Old Men" to China Film Group.
Han Shanping still needs to put in some effort to get this film approved.
Because the film was intended for the Berlin Film Festival, Fu Yibai didn't want to make any changes due to censorship issues.
This is already the best final product after the system was improved.
November 30, 2003, Beijing, small screening room of China Film Group.
The flickering light on the screen reflected the faces of the few people in the audience.
Han Shanping sat in the center of the first row, leaning forward with his hands clasped on his knees, a posture he had maintained for a long time.
The lights came on.
Han Shanping let out a long breath and turned to look at Fu Yibai sitting next to him.
"Yi Bai."
Han Shanping spoke slowly, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Your film..."
That was too much force.
Fu Yibai remained calm, awaiting the next part.
Han Shanping thought for a moment, then stood up.
"Come on, let's go back to the office and talk about submitting it for review."
In Han Shanping's office, Han Shanping picked up his teacup and took a small sip.
"Yi Bai, what are your plans for the future? When will you start filming a new movie?"
Instead of directly addressing the issue of submitting "No Country for Old Men" for review, Han Shanping inquired about Fu Yibai's new film plans.
Fu Yibai wasn't a greenhorn; having been in this industry for so many years, how could he not understand the meaning behind Han Shanping's words?
"The Lunar New Year is just around the corner, so there are no plans for new films at the moment."
However, I'm working on a script and plan to start filming next year after I return from Berlin.
"Oh? It's an award-contending film?"
Han Shanping asked in a calm tone.
"No, this time it's a pure commercial film."
Han Shanping's eyes lit up as soon as he heard it was a commercial film.
Commercial films are great. To promote the development of the domestic film market, we need big-budget commercial films.
"Big production?"
Upon hearing about the big production, Fu Yibai's lips twitched subtly.
He knew that Han Shanping liked to produce big-budget productions.
But in today's market, big productions don't make money.
"A medium-budget production, set in a city, with a budget of approximately ten million."
Of that ten million, five million was Fu Yibai's script and directing fee.
If Fu Yibai wanted to control it, seven million yuan would be enough.
The office was filled with the aroma of tea.
"Mr. Han, the new project is called 'Love is Not Blind', an urban romantic comedy with low cost and short production cycle."
Filming will begin as soon as I return from abroad.
If China Film Group is interested, I can offer them a 45% investment stake.
Fu Yibai was so generous in giving up 45% of the share in order to win over Han Shanping.
Huayi has been operating in this industry for so many years, and now that they have fallen out with them, the other party is very likely to do something underhanded in the censorship of "No Country for Old Men".
If Han Shanping is brought onto his team to protect the film, there will be plenty of ways for him to compete with Huayi Brothers after he returns from winning the Berlin Film Festival award.
Han Shanping tapped his fingers lightly on the mahogany desk, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.
He knew Fu Yibai's capabilities all too well.
"Black Coal, Thin Ice" won an award, and "Caught in the Web" grossed over 100 million yuan. The two films are very different in genre and subject matter, but both have achieved success.
This proves that Fu Yibai not only has an artistic eye, but also a precise market judgment.
A "pure commercial film" with a budget of ten million and a clear goal of making money.
Given Fu Yibai's current reputation and momentum, coupled with the support of China Film Group's distribution, the box office prospects are very likely to be another pleasant surprise.
More importantly, given the nature of this project and its share, it's practically handing a lucrative opportunity to China Film Group.
The price was simply to help "No Country for Old Men" pass censorship.
This isn't a request; it's clearly a tacit agreement.
A smile appeared on Han Shanping's face—a smile of complete control and a result that exceeded his expectations.
"No Country for Old Men is a good film, but it's too 'real' and too 'heavy'."
The reviewers might have some different opinions.
However, since the goal is to compete in Berlin and bring glory to Chinese cinema, we should still support some of its artistic expressions.
He put down his teacup, leaned back in the wide chair, and relaxed.
"Okay, we'll send you the version of the film you requested."
If there are any problems, China Film Group will communicate with them.
After all, it is also our responsibility to showcase the diversity of society and embody the spirit of artistic exploration.
"Thank you for your support, Mr. Han."
Fu Yibai nodded slightly, a moderate smile appearing on his face.
The deal is done.
Han Shanping obtained a new project that was guaranteed to make a profit and could solidify his political achievements.
Fu Yibai cleared the last potential domestic obstacle for his work, which was aiming for the highest honor at the Berlin Film Festival, preserving the integrity and sharpness of the work.
As for the 45% profit from "Love is Not Blind," it was a necessary cost for him and a bond that maintained his close relationship with China Film Group.