My capital is quite large.

Chapter 187 The Absurd Open Selection

In the spring of 2013, the domestic film market experienced a frenzy.

The low-budget comedy "Lost in Thailand," fully funded by Haofeng Film & Television and directed and starring Xu Zheng, has seen its box office soar to over one billion yuan in just over two months since its release, like a rocket!

This is the first Chinese-language film in Chinese film history to break the 1 billion yuan box office mark!

The overwhelming media coverage elevated Xu Zheng, a bald man who was originally only known for his roles in TV dramas, to the status of "China's No. 1 Commercial Director"!

Jinling, Haofeng Group Headquarters Building.

Xu Zheng, basking in the glow of being a "billion-dollar director," walked into the film and television department's meeting room with a briefcase in hand and a beaming smile.

This time, he stood taller than ever before.

After all, this comedy, which cost only 30 million yuan to make, earned Haofeng Films a net profit of more than 300 million yuan after deducting theater revenue sharing, taxes, and marketing expenses!

"Director Han, is General Manager Li in the company today?"

Xu Zheng's eyes revealed an undisguised ambition. "This movie has been a great success. As the director, I have to report the results to President Li in person and properly thank him for his guidance."

Sitting opposite Xu Zheng, Old Han looked at Xu Zheng's high-spirited appearance and naturally knew what he was up to.

The huge success of "Lost in Thailand" meant that Xu Zheng, as both the director and lead actor, received a substantial reward of over 30 million yuan. However, compared to the net profit of over 300 million yuan, this was clearly a drop in the ocean.

This bald guy felt he had grown powerful enough and wanted to negotiate with the boss.

Sure enough, before Lao Han could speak, Xu Zheng rubbed his hands together and tentatively revealed his trump card:

"Director Han, actually, the main reason I came here today is to discuss with General Manager Li the development of the 'Lost in..."

"I was thinking... could we buy back the rights to this IP's derivative works and filming from the company? For the next sequel, I'm thinking of setting up my own studio and funding it myself..."

This is like crossing the river and then burning the bridge, trying to start their own business!

Upon hearing these words, Old Han's polite smile faded somewhat.

He picked up his teacup, his tone revealing a condescending indifference:

"Director Xu, I will pass on your kind words to President Li."

"However, you probably won't be able to see President Li today."

Xu Zheng paused for a moment, his smile stiffening slightly: "Mr. Li's schedule is packed today? That's alright, I can wait here! Until Mr. Li finishes his meeting..."

"It's not fully booked."

Old Han interrupted him, "President Li isn't in Nanjing at all; he's in Hong Kong on business trips."

"Furthermore, before he left, President Li specifically instructed that we should not disturb his vacation unless absolutely necessary. Director Xu, if I may be frank, this 'small matter' of yours really doesn't warrant me bothering the boss."

A small matter?!

Xu Zheng's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he heard this!

I'm the director who just broke the record in Chinese film history and actually helped your Haofeng earn more than 300 million yuan in cash!

You call this "a trivial matter"?!

Xu Zheng opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but seeing Lao Han's ambiguous smile, he realized what was going on.

Yes.

A profit of 300 million is an enormous fortune in the eyes of traditional film and television companies, enough to make the entire company treat him like an ancestor.

But where am I? This is Haofeng Group!

Their net profit last year, as publicly disclosed in their financial report, exceeded seven billion!

His 300 million yuan, at most, probably doesn't even account for five percent of Haofeng's annual profit!

Moreover, the revenue sharing cycle for movies is lengthy, taking at least six months. To Li Feng, whose monthly overseas game revenue is in the tens of millions of dollars, this fraction of a dollar is truly a trivial matter!

"I understand... I was presumptuous."

Xu Zheng's straightened back hunched over again.

Old Han felt he had given the man a good talking-to and didn't want to make things too tense, since the bald man did have some talent.

"Director Xu, don't be discouraged." Old Han smiled and offered a sweet treat, "President Li will be returning to Jinling at the end of the month. At that time, the company will hold a celebration banquet for you for 'Lost in Thailand.' President Li will definitely attend. Then, if you have any thoughts, just mention them to President Li at the banquet."

……

After leaving Haofeng Building, Xu Zheng, looking like a wilted eggplant, boarded a plane back to Yanjing.

Although he received a promise to see Boss Li at the celebration banquet at the end of the month, he was filled with anxiety.

Back home in Yanjing, Taohong looked at her husband with a worried expression and was puzzled.

"What's wrong, Lao Xu? You, a director with a billion-dollar box office, went to Nanjing to pay your respects, why do you look like you've lost your soul?"

Xu Zheng sighed and recounted in detail how he had been turned away by Lao Han and his desire to buy back the IP.

"Honey, do you think I'm playing with fire?"

Xu Zheng felt increasingly frightened as he thought about it. "Buying back the IP and filming it myself, at best it's a business collaboration; at worst, it means I'm breaking away from Haofeng and starting my own business!"

"Although I'm not a contracted artist with Haofeng, if Boss Li thinks I'm ungrateful and treacherous, he might take it seriously..."

"Given Haofeng's current status, blacklisting a director like me would be as easy as crushing an ant!"

Hearing her husband's concerns, Tao Hong, who had also been working in the industry for many years, rolled her eyes dismissively.

"Hey! I didn't think it was a big deal!"

While munching on sunflower seeds, Tao Hong gave Xu Zheng some "divine guidance":

"No matter how powerful and influential Boss Li is, he's still a man!"

"Men, when it comes to business over drinks, as long as you keep them happy, what can't you get done? Find a pretty, obedient woman, send her to his bed at the celebration banquet, whisper some sweet nothings in his ear, and then IP licensing is just a matter of a word from Boss Li, isn't it?"

"If all else fails..." Tao Hong puffed out her chest half-jokingly, "This old lady is still quite attractive. For the sake of your career, how about I personally step in?"

"puff--!"

Xu Zheng spat out the mouthful of tea he had just drunk, waving his hands in shock: "You? Stop messing around, ancestor!"

"What do you take Boss Li for?! With his position, what kind of job hasn't he taken?!"

Xu Zheng shook his head repeatedly, rejecting this absurd suggestion:

"Besides! Everyone in the industry knows Boss Li is a germaphobe. Someone like you... cough cough, you know what I mean. Where am I supposed to find him a stunning beauty who meets his standards?"

Upon hearing this, his wife wasn't angry at all. Instead, her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "Are you stupid?! You're a billionaire director now!"

"If those famous actresses aren't clean, go to film school! Go to drama school! They're full of fresh-faced aspiring stars!"

The more his wife talked, the more reliable the idea seemed to her, and she leaned closer to offer Xu Zheng some advice:

"If you're a freshman and still don't feel secure, go pick one from the affiliated high schools of major art colleges! Those girls who haven't even graduated yet, what do they know about the world of fame and fortune? You throw out the bait of a leading role, and they can mold you however they want, right?"

"There's still more than two weeks until the celebration banquet, there's plenty of time!"

A word to wake up the dreamer!

Xu Zheng's eyes lit up, and the gloomy mood from before vanished!

That's right! I'm a billionaire director now! As long as I announce that I'm casting, all the art students in China will line up to let me pick them!

"Great idea! Let's do it!"

Xu Zheng got up, took out his phone, and dialed his assistant's number.

"Hey! Immediately release a statement in the name of my studio!"

"Take me, Xu Zheng, for example. I'm currently preparing a brand new big-screen movie! It's a youth campus film!"

The assistant on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, then said, "Director Xu? A youth film? We don't even have a script!"

"Just say the script is still in the confidential polishing stage! Let's hold open auditions first!"

Xu Zheng's voice was urgent: "Make the conditions clear! Only new girls aged 16 to 19 with no acting experience! They must be pure, natural, and without makeup!"

"Make a big fuss! Conduct a thorough screening at the affiliated high schools of Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, and Shanghai Theatre Academy!"

After hanging up the phone, Xu Zheng let out a long sigh of relief.

In order to squeeze some money out of Boss Li, he had no choice but to engage in this pimping business in this absurd entertainment industry.