Chapter 37: New Script and Signing Ning Hao

It was past ten o'clock when he arrived at the company; looking at the brand-new office space before him, Wei Jin nodded with satisfaction.

In mid-December, Chen Zhiming had already submitted a report to Wei Jin to upgrade the studio into the Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company.

The original office could no longer satisfy the company's development, nor did it match Wei Jin's status; taking advantage of the film's successful release, he simply purchased two floors of office space for a total price of less than 50 million.

Over the past six months, funds had been arriving one after another; the ringtone business continued to provide the company with over 80 million in blood transfusions, though this had basically reached its limit, as the December returns had already dropped to 10 million—there was no help for it, as no song could stay a massive hit forever.

In addition, the novels and Huang Bai's commercial performances also brought in several million in profit, which was basically enough to maintain the company's expenses.

Over the past six months, Wei Jin had successively bought properties in various places in Beijing and Shanghai, spending over 20 million; money was being made too quickly, and he didn't know what else to buy, so he also invested in some television dramas, though Wei Jin didn't count on them to make money.

After the incident with *Chinese Paladin*, Wei Jin discovered that television stations in this day and age had not yet found a very good profit model and were reluctant to spend money to buy dramas; it was difficult for large-investment projects to make money through selling dramas alone.

Having figured this out, Wei Jin planned to slow down the development pace of television dramas; the company already had *Lurking* this year, so arranging one more drama in the second half of the year would be enough.

He immediately opened his computer and circled a name in a list—*My Love from the Star*.

The reason he chose this script was that the current domestic modern idol dramas were truly cringeworthy, all featuring the same "Shamate" (non-mainstream) styling.

Wei Jin intended to build this drama into a benchmark for domestic urban idol dramas, while also being able to export it in reverse to Japan and South Korea.

Wei Jin clearly remembered that in his past life, once this drama was released, it quickly became the local ratings champion in South Korea, causing a sensation, and the two leads became famous all over Asia; the drama's ability to boost people's careers was extremely strong.

After eating lunch at the company, Wei Jin was just about to leave when he received a call from Ning Hao, who wanted to meet him; Wei Jin simply told Ning Hao to come directly to the company.

Since returning from Berlin, the relationship between the two could be considered quite close; when *Those Years* was released previously, Ning Hao had also come to show his support, though he didn't know what this was about.

Half an hour later, Ning Hao arrived at Wei Jin's office, accompanied by Huang Bai.

"How did you two end up together, and coming over here together?"

Wei Jin was quite familiar with both of them, so he spoke quite casually.

"It's like this, I have a script in my hands that I've been polishing for a long time, and I think it's ready to start; well, your company has always had the intention of investing externally, so I came today to let you take a look at the script."

Ning Hao immediately began to explain; in fact, he had also been stimulated by Wei Jin.

Ning Hao was born in 1977, older than Wei Jin, and had debuted earlier than Wei Jin; as early as 2001, he had won Best Director at the Student Film Festival, and watching this junior win awards and break 100 million at the box office, it would be a lie to say he wasn't envious.

"As for Huang Bai, he took a liking to this script and wants to act in it, so we just came to find you together."

"Old Wei, let me tell you, this script is really interesting, I'm serious."

Seeing that Ning Hao was speaking somewhat tactfully, Huang Bai spoke up to praise the script directly.

Wei Jin realized it must be the script for *Crazy Stone*; in his past life, Wei Jin had also seen this film, and it was indeed well-made.

He flipped through the script handed over by Ning Hao, and since the plot content was more or less the same as what he had seen, he made up his mind.

"What is the project budget?"

"Four million is enough."

Ning Hao had actually already looked for quite a few investors and only came to Wei Jin because he had no other choice; it wasn't that his relationship with Wei Jin wasn't good, but precisely because the relationship was good that he didn't want to beg Wei Jin.

Because in this day and age, nine out of ten films lose money; although Ning Hao believed in his own creativity and ability, before a film is released, no one knows if the audience will buy it or if it can be profitable; as a friend, Ning Hao had to be responsible to others.

"Is 4 million too little?"

Wei Jin was a bit surprised; one had to know that the production cost of his *Those Years* was 10 million, and even then, Han Sanping still complained that the investment was too small.

"How about this, I'll give you 6 million; make the budget a bit more generous, and the final film will turn out better too."

"How about that, Old Ning? I told you Old Wei is very generous to his friends, yet you were still acting all coy."

Seeing that Wei Jin decided to invest, Huang Bai laughed and teased Ning Hao. "Wei Jin, thank you; I won't say anything else, if it loses money, I'll work for you in the future."

Ning Hao was the type of person who had a lot of chivalry; seeing that Wei Jin invested everything without a second thought and even added more, he was also moved.

"That won't be necessary; investment is investment, it's normal to make or lose money, don't put yourself under pressure."

Wei Jin offered a word of comfort, then immediately called the legal department to finalize the investment contract.

After the contract was signed, the three began to chat idly; with a funny guy like Huang Bai around, the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious. "By the way, Senior Brother, do you plan to keep working alone like this? Every time you have a project, you go around looking for investment?"

The meaning behind Wei Jin's words was already quite obvious; he wanted to recruit Ning Hao.

"What else can I do? I can't stand the lack of freedom that comes with being tied to a company."

What Ning Hao said was not wrong; the current Feng Dapao and Zhang Yimou were the type of directors tied to companies, and while they didn't have to worry about film investment, they were indeed not very free in their creative work.

"Then how about this, listen to my proposal and see if you can accept it; let's agree first, whether you accept it or not, it won't affect our cooperation this time, nor will it affect our relationship."

Wei Jin first made things clear, not wanting Ning Hao to feel that he was using a favor to demand a return.

"First, the company promises absolutely no interference in your creative work; second, the company will not demand a production quota from you; third, for your future projects, as long as they pass the company's script review, the company has the right of first refusal for investment."

"You only need to follow the company's arrangements during the gaps when you don't have projects; of course, the projects the company arranges for you will all come with commissions."

The conditions Wei Jin offered were definitely sincere; in order to find a tool for making films, Wei Jin had also put in the effort.

Upon hearing this, Ning Hao pondered for a while and then agreed.

Calling the legal department again to sign the cooperation agreement, Ning Hao officially became a signed director of the Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company.

After the few of them finished their business, seeing that it was still early, they called Chen Zhiming, and the four of them started playing mahjong.

Wei Jin was a veteran mahjong fan in his past life, the type who was both bad at it and loved to play; after getting familiar with the others, he also promoted mahjong, so the company specifically set up a mahjong room.

As the four played mahjong, they also began to chat.

"Zhou Xingxing is truly fierce." It was Ning Hao who said this.

*Kung Fu Hustle* had been released for less than a month, and the box office had exceeded 150 million, with hopes of becoming the annual box office champion for 2004.

In addition, *A World Without Thieves* had officially finished its run, with the box office stopping at 97 million; in the original timeline, the final box office was 120 million, so one could only say that Feng Dapao was out of luck.

"It's normal; the film is indeed well-made, and the special effects are good too; the Comedy King is truly no joke."

Wei Jin was completely calm, treating it with a normal heart.

"President Wei, it's a pity you didn't go to the Golden Horse Awards this time."

The 2004 Golden Horse Awards were held on December 4th; as *Buried* was an award-winning film at the Berlin International Film Festival, it certainly had the qualifications to be nominated, and the Golden Horse Awards organizing committee had also sent an invitation to Wei Jin.

Helplessly, Wei Jin's new film was being released, so he could only regretfully be absent; otherwise, he might very well have won the Best New Director award, which was why Chen Zhiming felt it was a great pity.

"It's nothing; to be honest, I don't even look down on the Best New Director award; next time I go, I'll bring back a major award one way or another."

"."

As a newbie author writing a book for the first time, I humbly beg for your collections, follows, catch-up reads, and recommendations. Thank you all. As a newbie author writing a book for the first time, I humbly beg for your collections, follows, catch-up reads, and recommendations. Thank you all.

(End of this chapter)