Huayu: Don't force me to be a master

Chapter 128 Coincidentally, Me Too

Qian Lang didn't care about how "Cellphone" turned out.

All he knew was that YS was not someone to be trifled with now.

Choi Yong-won is YS's star performer, and the station can't just stand by and watch their own face be smeared.

He estimated that it would be good enough if the movie could even be released.

Changing the release date, deleting plot points, or changing the film title—any one of these could be a huge blow to Huayi Brothers.

He didn't care what Wang Zhonglei or Feng Xiaogang thought.

He only cared about one thing: how Nightclub could survive.

The morning sunlight streamed in through the window and fell on the desk.

Qian Lang leaned back in his chair, twirling a pen in his hand, with several cigarette butts piled up in the ashtray in front of him.

Ning Hao sat on the sofa opposite him, with several sheets of printed paper spread out in front of him, covered with dense writing.

The two had been talking for over an hour, discussing everything from marketing budgets and poster design to trailer editing and preview screenings.

"I'll contact the universities."

As Ning Hao spoke, he drew a line on the paper.

"I know a few teachers at the Central Academy of Drama, and I also have connections at the Beijing Film Academy. I'll ask around the student unions at Peking University and Tsinghua University."

"Um."

Qian Lang put down his pen, picked up the water glass on the table, and took a sip.

"Let Dong Xuan handle the preview screenings. She has connections in universities, and Baixiang Charity just gained some goodwill; the students recognize her."

Ning Hao nodded, then asked:

"What about the forum?"

"I'll arrange the posts."

Qian Lang said,

"Tianya, Xici, and Sina are all working together. The content direction is the same—'low-budget comedy, stories of young people.' Don't be afraid of being called shabby; shabby is better than nobody knowing about it."

The two discussed the details and finalized the list of schools for the first batch of preview screenings:

Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Film Academy.

One session per school, scheduled for early December.

Qian Lang wrote it down in his notebook and then closed his pen.

"Alright, get back to work. You'll have to work hard from now on."

"What are you saying? I've been going crazy without you around."

"Haha, okay, now it's your turn to shine."

"I'm leaving. Call me if you need anything."

Ning Hao hurriedly left the office.

Qian Lang had many other things to do, and then the female demons from the Spider Cave came in one by one.

Of course, they're all here to sign documents.

Dong Xuan arrived in the evening.

Qian Lang was looking at documents in her office. The door wasn't locked, so she just pushed it open and came in.

She was wearing a white down jacket, her hair was tied in a ponytail, she wasn't wearing makeup, and her nose was red from the cold.

She smiled when she saw Qian Lang.

"Senior brother."

"Why are you here?"

Qian Lang put down the documents.

I miss you.

Dong Xuan took off her down jacket, threw it on the sofa, and then pounced on him, clinging to him.

Qian Lang was knocked backward by her bump, but he steadied himself and patted her on the back.

"Get down, it's so heavy."

"No."

Dong Xuan buried her face in the crook of his neck and said in a muffled voice,

"You've been in the US for so long, and you haven't called me even once."

"I'm busy, and the time difference is wrong too."

"What are you busy with?"

Qian Lang thought for a moment and said:

"Making a movie, you know that."

"Hmph, you just don't miss me, you heartless scoundrel. Senior brother, can I go lock the office door?"

"Hey, you're not off work yet."

"whee!"

As Dong Xuan spoke, she got off Qian Lang, and the group went to the office door and locked it from the inside.

When she turned around, her eyes were already slits.

Qian Lang stared at the ceiling.

It feels like the kidneys are protesting.

......

That's all! Nothing else.

Dong Xuan spoke while lying in Qian Lang's arms.

After the passion subsided, she recounted the events of the month to Qian Lang.

These are all very ordinary things: forums, Baixiang (a famous Chinese e-commerce platform), Master Kong (a popular Chinese instant noodle brand)...

Qian Lang listened and occasionally responded with a word of agreement.

He now thinks women are even more formidable than the Yamaguchi-gumi in New York.

He was afraid that Dong Xuan's twisted waist just now would cripple him.

"Senior, should I start making movies or TV shows?"

Dong Xuan asked softly.

Qian Lang thought for a moment.

"Well, once the movie is released in nightclubs, I'll probably start thinking about my next film. I'll see if it's suitable then."

"Hehe, it's okay if it doesn't work out, you can try again."

"suitable!"

"Hahaha!"

Dong Xuan laughed so hard her hands trembled.

Qian Lang rolled his eyes.

-----------------

The following morning, Qian Lang went to China Film Group.

Han Sanping's office is on the twelfth floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the East Third Ring Road, where traffic flows like ants crawling below.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on the desk and making the Coke can reflect light.

Han Sanping was sitting behind her desk when she saw Qian Lang come in. She didn't get up or say anything, she just stared at him as if she had seen a ghost.

Qian Lang pulled up a chair and sat down, greeting him with a smile:

"President Han."

Han Sanping stared at him for several seconds before speaking:

"You're back?"

"I'm back."

"How's it going in the US?"

"It's alright."

Han Sanping did not respond.

He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

Once, twice, three times.

"You know something's happened with 'Cellphone'?"

Qian Lang picked up the Coke on the table and took a sip:

"What's wrong?"

"Cui Yongyuan went to Huayi Brothers and slammed his fist on the table with Feng Xiaogang."

Han Sanping's voice was neither hurried nor slow.

"Feng Xiaogang was in the wrong and didn't say a single harsh word. Now someone from above has spoken up, and this movie needs to be reviewed. The release date has been postponed, and they say the plot needs to be changed."

Qian Lang didn't say anything and continued drinking his cola.

Han Sanping narrowed her eyes as she watched his movements.

"Others may not know who the beneficiaries of this matter are, but I know perfectly well."

He paused.

"Qian Lang, tell me the truth, did you pass the message to Cui Yongyuan?"

Qian Lang put down his cola and looked at him:

"Mr. Han, what did you say? I don't understand."

Han Sanping did not answer.

He leaned back in his chair, tapped the armrest a few more times, and then laughed.

It wasn't a genuine laugh; it was the kind of laugh that said, "You're ruthless, kid."

"You're a wicked person."

He said.

Qian Lang also laughed:

"Mr. Han, you flatter me."

"That's not an overstatement."

Han Sanping sat up straight and stared at him.

"Something evil is something evil. You just returned to the country, and this happened there. Do you think I'd believe you if you said it had nothing to do with you?"

Qian Lang didn't respond.

Han Sanping didn't press the matter further.

He waved his hand:

"Let's not talk about that. How's your 'Paranormal Activity' coming along?"

"Filming is finished. Zhang Ying is overseeing post-production in the US, and Lionsgate has already made contact."

"Just keep the share issue in mind."

Han Sanping nodded, then changed the subject.

What are your thoughts on the screening schedule for "Nightclub"?

Qian Lang leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment:

"Mr. Han, you decide what to do."

Han Sanping stared at him for two seconds:

"You're telling me to figure it out?"

"Yes. You're an expert, I trust you."

Don't give me that.

Han Sanping cursed, but a smile played on her lips.

"You already knew what was going on, but you just wouldn't say it, making me play the bad guy."

Qian Lang laughed:

"Mr. Han, really, no. I just feel that you know more about scheduling than I do. You decide how to schedule it, and that's how we'll schedule it."

Han Sanping shook her head, picked up the pen on the table, wrote a few lines on a piece of paper, and then pushed it over.

There were a few numbers on the paper. Qian Lang glanced at them—30%.

Han Sanping said:

"The screening rate is probably no less than this number."

Han Sanping was also at a loss.

It's highly likely that "Cell Phone" will be difficult to get screen time now, so it doesn't matter who gets the screenings.

The main thing is that he's a little scared.

Qian Lang's methods are a bit too wicked.

Just as Huayi was about to compete with Qian Lang, "Cellphone" ran into trouble.

He didn't want to die without knowing why; he wanted to move up in rank.

Qian Lang pushed the paper back:

"Mr. Han, I've said it, you decide what to do."

"Alright, alright, stop pretending."

Han Sanping put the paper away and leaned back in her chair.

He felt a little mentally exhausted.

Working with this kind of person is far too risky.

Huayi Brothers invested tens of millions of yuan in "Cell Phone," and now, things might be in trouble with Huayi's cash flow.

Han Sanping stroked her chin, lost in thought.

Qian Lang didn't say anything, but stared blankly at the Coke can.

"Qian Lang, Huayi's financial chain may be in trouble."

Han Sanping said.

"No way!"

Qian Lang was a little surprised.

Is it possible for such a large company like Huayi to fail over something as small as this?

Han Sanping shook her head.

"What I mean is, its next project will be affected."

"The next project?"

"Yes, its first project was originally called 'A World Without Thieves.' Feng Xiaogang had already finished the script and everything. Huayi originally planned to launch it after 'Cellphone' recouped its losses!"

Han Sanping tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table.

It made a clattering sound.

Qian Lang frowned.

He didn't expect that the script for "A World Without Thieves" was already finished.

That's a bit of a shame.

and many more.

He looked at Han Sanping.

Why is this bandit leader telling him this?

"Mr. Han, who are Feng Xiaogang and Huayi?"

"A cooperative relationship!"

Qian Lang swallowed hard.

He understood a little.

Han Sanping wants him to intercept the deal.

But isn't that giving him too much credit?

"A World Without Thieves" is quite a large-scale production.

However, he could potentially draw his family into the situation.

But what is Han Sanping's motive?

Okay, he got it.

Qian Lang rolled his eyes at Han Sanping and said.

"Mr. Han, that's a bit underhanded. You're trying to send me to test the waters."

He understood everything.

Han Sanping coveted the "A World Without Thieves" project, but she didn't want to offend Huayi Brothers.

He wanted him to take the lead.

Han Sanping smiled.

Do you care?

Qian Lang smiled too.

Old fox.

However, he really didn't care, because he had already formed a grudge against Huayi.

Having too much debt means you have nothing to worry about!

"Then I look forward to meeting Director Feng."

Qian Lang shook his head as he spoke.

"Okay, wait for my message. Let's go grab a bite at the cafeteria."

This time, Qian Lang did not refuse.

He found chatting with Han Sanping quite interesting.

That old guy's farts are all in a roundabout way.

Moreover, the food at China Film Group is really good.

After leaving China Film Group, Qian Lang returned to his company and continued working!

For the next few days, he was like a wound-up machine.

During the day, she signs documents, attends meetings, and answers phone calls at the company. When she gets home at night, she still has to watch the edited clips sent by Ning Hao.

The forum posts have already started to generate buzz, with Tianya, Xici, and Sina all working together.

The title was all pre-arranged—"The Most Anticipated Low-Budget Comedy of This Year's Lunar New Year Film Season"

No big stars, but great stories.

Nightclub: A Street Scene in a Supermarket

There weren't many replies, but the money was flowing in without a rush.

The hype is artificial; we need to wait until after the preview screenings before making a real push.

Ning Hao's side also acted quickly.

The teachers at Beijing Film Academy agreed to lend us a lecture hall, and the time was set for 12 p.m. on December 5th.

Yang Lei volunteered to go to the scene, and Qian Lang thought about it and agreed.

She graduated from the Beijing Film Academy, so returning to her alma mater felt naturally familiar.

December 5th, 6:30 PM.

At the Beijing Film Academy, on the third floor of the teaching building, there is a lecture hall that can seat two hundred people.

The projection screen has been pulled down, and the sound equipment has been tested.

Ning Hao stood at the door, holding several CDs in his hand. When he saw Qian Lang walking over, he went to greet him.

"Brother Lang, everything is ready."

How many people came?

Ning Hao glanced into the classroom:

"Around 150, and people are still going in. The student union is helping with the promotion, and most of the people coming are students from the directing and acting departments."

Qian Lang nodded and walked into the classroom.

Yang Lei had arrived and was sitting in the first row, wearing a white sweater, with her hair down and no makeup.

Upon seeing Qian Lang, she smiled, a hint of mockery in her expression.

Qian Lang had a bad feeling.

At seven o'clock sharp, the lights went out.

The first scene of "Nightclub" appears on the screen—a supermarket shelf, dim lighting, and a young man in work clothes leaning against the checkout counter, yawning.

The classroom fell silent, with only the sounds of the movie filling the air.

Qian Lang sat in the last row, watching the screen.

He had watched this movie countless times, but each time he watched it, he had a different feeling.

Ning Hao's cinematic language is rough, but it has a certain charm.

Those long takes, handheld shooting, and fast-paced editing have a raw, vigorous energy, like freshly steamed buns.

Halfway through, someone laughed.

It wasn't a polite laugh; it was an uncontrollable laugh.

The first laugh came when Li Junwei shoved a mop into a customer's face, causing the classroom to erupt in laughter.

Then came the second, the third, and the laughter grew more and more frequent.

Qian Lang leaned back in his chair, a smile playing on his lips.

The movie ended, and the lights came on.

Ning Hao stood up, walked to the front, and held a microphone in his hand.

"Thank you everyone for attending the preview screening of 'Nightclub'."

I am Ning Hao. This movie didn't have a high budget, and the actors weren't very famous, but we put a lot of effort into it.

We hope that after reading this, everyone can go to the forum and say a few good words for us.

Ning Hao then bowed.

"Senior, that's a great shot."

"Senior, how about taking the junior to the movie?"

"Senior, do you have a girlfriend?"

Then the entire lecture hall became lively.

Before the crowd had left, Qian Lang sneaked out from the back.

It was dark and windy outside, a perfect opportunity to slip away.

He had only taken a few steps when a voice came from behind him.

Where are you headed?

He turned his head and saw Yang Lei looking at him with a smile.

pill!

He really couldn't take it anymore these past few days.

These women really don't treat him like a human being, especially Dong Xuan, who's obsessed with love and doesn't care about the occasion.

He really couldn't take it anymore.

So when he saw Yang Lei, he was ready to run away.

Unexpectedly, this woman had been waiting for him all along.

"Um, I'm going to the restroom."

Qian Lang said somewhat awkwardly.

Yang Lei was still smiling, but her eyes were already glazed over.

"What a coincidence, me too."