novelraw Chapter 26 Black Cat White Cat
Chapter 26 Black Cat White Cat
Han Sanping's office at China Film Group.
"I heard you angered Director Tian so much the other day that he chased you down two floors?" Han Sanping sat behind his desk, looking at Lin Yu nestled on the sofa, his expression somewhat indescribable.
From their first meeting, Han Sanping sensed something was off about this kid. After all, who in their right mind would think of using political correctness to obtain copyrights?
But I have to say, this trick really works.
However, this trick is indeed quite effective. In the past, when negotiating copyrights, it always took years of haggling, and in the end, you might even get ripped off.
After using Lin Yu's method, it only took one month from initial contact to signing the contract, not including the time wasted in the early stages of probing.
You know, these foreign human rights organizations actually do things when they get paid.
The money was transferred at night, the door was blocked early the next morning, and the contract was signed at noon on the third day. The other party even took the initiative to lower the price, afraid of being a step too slow.
This approach opened up entirely new avenues for China Film's copyright negotiation team.
Every time Han Sanping holds a meeting, he sees the people in the copyright department with their eyes shining, wishing they could apply this approach to all projects.
The ancients were right to say, "Learn the superior techniques of the barbarians to subdue them."
"Hey, Uncle Han, how old are you? Do you still believe these kinds of rumors?" Lin Yu shook his head, his face righteous and awe-inspiring. "I don't believe rumors, and I don't spread rumors."
Han Sanping raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
"Teacher Tian is quite old, and her legs aren't very strong," Lin Yu paused, "she only managed to climb one floor."
Han Sanping's lips twitched. He thought to himself, what's the difference between refuting the rumors and not? He opened his mouth, but swallowed back the words he was about to say and changed the subject.
"Is the film still short of investment?" Han Sanping asked casually. "The news has spread recently, and many people have asked me to inquire about it."
"What else is needed?" Lin Yu leaned back on the sofa. "You've already read the script. With that kind of scene, how much money could it cost? I'm not one of those money launderers."
"The Wang brothers from Huayi Brothers want to get involved," Han Sanping said, squinting at Lin Yu's reaction. "Let me be their mediator."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yu's expression turned somewhat amused: "Huayi Brothers? Ha."
The amount of information conveyed in that "heh" piqued Han Sanping's interest. He got up, walked to the sofa, sat down, and casually picked up the cigarettes Lin Yu had placed on the coffee table, taking one out and lighting it.
"I know you want to leverage Huayi Brothers and your film industry reforms to complement each other," Lin Yu turned to look at Han Sanping, "but I advise you to switch companies. These two brothers are not up to the task."
Han Sanping was stunned for a moment.
At that time, Huayi Brothers was the absolute leader among private film and television companies in China, enjoying its heyday. But from Lin Yu's words, Han Sanping heard a deep disdain for the creator of this film and television empire.
If someone else had said these words, Han Sanping might have thought this young man was arrogant and ignorant.
But coming from this person, it's worth thinking about.
"We have no connection whatsoever, so why should we provoke them?" Lin Yu picked up his teacup from the coffee table, took a slow sip, and said, "These two brothers are obsessed with real estate, but they don't even consider whether the intellectual property they have can support them."
He put down his teacup, his tone carrying a strange undertone: "Film companies don't focus on creating content; they're always thinking about land speculation and capital operations. I'm afraid their ambitions are too high, but their capabilities are too fragile."
Han Sanping remained silent for a moment, then gently tapped the ash off his cigarette between his fingers.
He had been watching Huayi Brothers' moves over the past two years closely: acquiring land, building film studios, and engaging in capital operations. The two brothers' ambitions were indeed obvious.
It's a pity that they have such a big appetite, but their lives aren't necessarily tough enough.
"You've got a good eye," Han Sanping said, exhaling a puff of smoke and shaking his head with a wry smile. "It's a pity that there aren't many people in the country who can be helped in the last two years."
He paused, flicked his cigarette ash, and said with a hint of helplessness, "It's like choosing the best among the worst. We can't let China Film Group do the show all by itself, can we? The market needs competition, but it also needs someone to share the risks."
"Uncle Han, you can think about this yourself. I won't interfere." Lin Yu waved his hand, then changed the subject, "Let's get down to business. How's the copyright? I've got the script, actors, and location all set. All that's left is to apply for the filming permit."
At the mention of copyright, Han Sanping's expression became somewhat complicated, as if he wanted to laugh but didn't know whether he should: "You got the copyright, but where did you get all these underhanded tricks from?"
"Hey, Uncle Han, you're not quite right," Lin Yu said, squinting at Han Sanping. "Someone once said, 'It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice, it's a good cat.' Uncle Han, you wouldn't disagree with that, would you?"
That look, that tone, that starting gesture...
Han Sanping's heart skipped a beat, and the hairs on his body stood on end. This kid was up to something again!
"Of course I agree with that," Han Sanping subconsciously raised his hand to wipe his forehead. Although he hadn't sweated yet, he felt he was about to. "Don't jump to conclusions."
"Oh," Lin Yu drawled, crossing his arms over his legs, leaning forward, and staring at Han Sanping with a scrutinizing gaze, asking slowly and deliberately, "Then, Uncle Han, tell me, are you a black cat... or a white cat?"
What the hell!
This time, Han Sanping was truly sweating profusely.
Why is there a second challenge? This is a trap!
"Uncle Han, why are you so nervous? Wipe your sweat." Lin Yu suddenly laughed. "The copyright has been negotiated. Give me the authorization letter, and I'll go apply for a filming permit."
Han Sanping finally breathed a long sigh of relief and raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
If someone else made this kind of joke to him, he would just laugh it off.
But the things this guy has done in the past two months, which seem to have appeared out of nowhere, all indicate that this guy has a very powerful background.
Most importantly, no matter how Han Sanping investigated, Lin Yu's background and resume were clean and innocent, which was the most terrifying thing.
"Your Uncle Han has a weak heart and can't handle this kind of shock." Han Sanping picked up a thick file folder from the table and handed it over. "When do you plan to start filming? I have to attend the opening ceremony."
"Let's wait for the filming permit to come through." Lin Yu took the file bag, weighed it in his hand, and said, "What, Mr. Han actually took a liking to my little project? I heard you didn't even go when '1942' started filming recently."
"You kid, how can this be the same?" Han Sanping shook his head irritably. "How about we have China Film Group submit the materials? That would be faster."
Lin Yu took the file folder and glanced at Han Sanping with some surprise: "How fast can it be?"
"It will take at least 25 working days," Han Sanping calculated. "The main problem is the 10-working-day public notice period, which can't be cut back on."
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Uncle Han." Lin Yu smiled and handed the file bag back. "This time, I'll show you what real work efficiency is."