Chapter 202

Negotiations hit a stalemate; Fan Xiaopang didn't want to give up any benefits, while Chen Zhixi wanted her share.

Because Chen Zhixi had heard from Fang Hong that this TV drama, once filmed and aired, would become wildly popular, sweeping across all of Asia like a storm.

If it really were like that, anyone would be tempted.

She also held shares in Jade Rabbit.

"Miss Fan, Jade Rabbit is confident enough to turn this TV drama into a blockbuster, and it's precisely because you'll rise to a higher level that we say this—not without basis."

"If we didn't have that confidence, Jade Rabbit wouldn't ask you to give up half. Put it this way: after the drama is finished, even if you split the profits, you won't earn less than what you made before."

Fang Hong spoke up.

Fan Xiaopang looked at him: "I starred in a TV drama, my fame went up—doesn't that mean I should earn more? Otherwise, why would I act in films and TV at all? Isn't it to solidify my current position and climb even higher?"

This woman could talk well; Fang Hong smiled.

"Alright, let's not argue anymore. If this TV drama brings you over two hundred million in revenue, we split it; if not, Jade Rabbit won't take a single cent from you. Agree or not—just say yes or no, and we won't waste time."

Chen Zhixi also turned her gaze toward Fan Xiaopang.

"Since the Principal is so straightforward, I agree." Fan Xiaopang didn't hesitate.

Two hundred million—her current annual income barely broke one hundred million; this was double her present yearly earnings.

And a TV drama only takes two or three months to film.

If what they said was true, and it brought her an extra two hundred million in income, she'd become insanely famous, and her other hidden earnings would be incalculable.

Fan Xiaopang was smart; she instantly figured out the math.

"Miss Fan, you're a straightforward person." Fang Hong leaned forward and extended his hand.

"Principal, you're a straightforward person too."

Fan Xiaopang shook his hand and added, "How about we go have dinner?"

"I won't go. You and Director Chen go." Fang Hong waved him off.

Unless necessary, he didn't attend ordinary dinners.

"The version of you I heard is different." Fan Xiaopang smiled.

"What version of you did you hear?" Fang Hong asked casually.

"Rude, arrogant, conceited." Fan Xiaopang didn't mind saying it—she guessed he'd probably heard it himself.

"And what do you see now?" Fang Hong asked again.

"I see the real Principal." Fan Xiaopang laughed.

Meaning everyone else's stories were lies—the one standing before her was the truth.

Actually, she found the Principal quite composed and decisive; at such a young age, he was nothing like the rumors.

The matter was settled. What followed was for Chen Zhixi and Fan Xiaopang to sign the agreement and find a director.

There were many TV directors, and many suitable for idol dramas—so long as the story was clear and well-told.

Time passed quickly; the second week's seven-day North American box office for The Conjuring reached $41.8 million.

Up $300,000 from the first week, it still held the top spot in North American box office rankings.

With this North American performance, plus box office earnings from other regions worldwide, the global total exceeded $120 million.

The box office success of The Conjuring, combined with the earlier success of Annabelle, officially established The Conjuring Series IP.

Its commercial value shone brightly.

Future films in the series would carry less risk of loss—they looked profitable.

Fang Hong checked Jade Rabbit's accounts in the United States, reviewing non-theatrical revenues: DVDs, pay-TV, merchandise.

Three films: Annabelle, The Purge, The Gallows.

Annabelle earned the most—$10.63 million—because it was released earliest, and its DVDs, pay-TV, and merchandise sales started earlier too.

This was ongoing income, accumulated over nearly seven or eight months—not a lump-sum payment.

The other two: The Purge brought in a few million; The Gallows earned little—only tens of thousands.

Non-theatrical revenue differed from box office: box office showed immediate earnings, but pay-TV and DVDs required continuous sales; you only knew your profit after monthly settlements.

It was normal for some regions to settle every six months.

So this money had remained untouched, held in the Hua Guo Company's account as a fund pool for investing in the next film.

This money came slowly; profits were higher in the first three years, then gradually declined.

The more films you made, the more copyright income you earned. Right now, there were still too few films—you had to keep producing to create a cycle.

DVDs weren't what they used to be; back then, streaming wasn't developed, but now streaming was growing rapidly.

Previously, Fang Hong had paid out of his own pocket because returns were too slow, and he'd also invested in Split and The Gallows, plus wasted money on random expenses.

The $9 million investment for The Purge: Anarchy would be drawn from The Conjuring's box office. After all, buying Tesla stock had a six-month horizon—it wouldn't be spent all at once; The Purge: Anarchy's production to release cycle would also take about six months.

Once Split was released, and The Conjuring's ongoing non-theatrical royalties trickled in, not only would the deficit be covered, but there'd be plenty left over to invest in the next project.

The Conjuring was far hotter than Annabelle, and it even gave Annabelle a secondary boost.

After all, they were both part of The Conjuring Series.

It was late February; the day was bright and sunny.

Fang Hong finished arranging company matters and arrived at the Xiangshan, Ningbo set of The Four Great Constables.

By Shizi River, crew members were scattered everywhere; it was a break in filming. Liu Tianxian, dressed in ancient costume, played stone-skipping with Deng Chao by the riverbank, while several assistants held umbrellas over them.

Liu Tianxian picked up a small stone, tilted her body, and flung the stone hard.

The stone "whoosh-whoosh-whoosh" skipped across the water several times.

"Hehehe!" Liu Tianxian clapped her hands and burst into laughter.

"Amazing, amazing!"

Deng Chao complimented her, gesturing wildly and acting silly.

In the middle of the lake, tourists were still out boating, watching the two of them as if they were lunatics.

"Hey, Fang Hong, what are you doing? You've been on the phone since you got here." Liu Tianxian grabbed his arm and pulled him over to play together.

"You think I'm as free as you? I'm making hundreds of millions every minute." Fang Hong held his phone and pushed her away.

"Let you brag."

Liu Tianxian kicked him right on the butt.

The kick sent him stumbling forward, nearly falling.

Fang Hong dusted off his butt and continued the call: "What did Cai Yirong go to the company for?"

"What else could she be doing? Of course she's looking for you. You've held up her film crew for a whole month. Now she's desperate, lying down in the company and refusing to leave, with lots of employees watching. If you had left a day later, you could have seen it." Chen Zhixi said.

Fang Hong found the image a little hard to picture.

A middle-aged woman, sprawled on the floor throwing a tantrum in the company, letting everyone passing by watch, with no shame left.

Clearly she was truly desperate.

Daily losses, the film's schedule, the pre-booked release date — she had to be anxious.

"You can't even handle something this small? Have the security guards carry her out!" Fang Hong was utterly cold-blooded.

"It's not that I can't handle it, but it's time to settle it. You keeping her hanging like this isn't a solution either." Chen Zhixi tried to reason with him.

Dragging it out like this had no meaning anymore. Since the person had come, just negotiate and settle it.

She had a point.

"Alright then, I'll listen to General Manager Chen. Have her come find me at Xiangshan, but make it quick — I'll be leaving soon!" Fang Hong hung up the phone.

Let Cai Yirong run back and forth, wear that old woman down.

"Boss Fang, done with your call? Come on, you throw one too — let's see how good you are." Liu Tianxian pulled Fang Hong to the lakeside, in high spirits.

She picked up a small pebble from the ground and handed it to him.

Fang Hong took the pebble and tossed it at the water, skipping it several times.

"How about that?" Fang Hong said.

"Just a little worse than me. Watch mine."

Liu Tianxian said this, picked up a small pebble, then threw it hard. The pebble went "whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh," skipping across the water many times.

"Wow!"

Seeing her performance was extraordinary, she immediately clapped her hands in delight, bouncing around like a little girl.

"Miss Liu is really amazing, I bow down in total admiration." Fang Hong cupped his fist in mock flattery, looking comical.

Deng Chao watched with a smile. He didn't quite dare to joke around in front of the Principal, feeling a certain distance.

It was as if this person didn't really enjoy socializing with people.

Now very few people dared to joke around in front of Fang Hong. Among those who had once been in the same class as Fang Hong, fighting side by side, only Yu Xian still dared to talk nonsense and brag in front of him.

Of course, Liu Tianxian was the exception — no matter how high Fang Hong's status rose, she seemed to be able to get along with him naturally, without any change.

The two of them were so familiar with each other that they had gone beyond friendship and into love.

The group laughed and played by the lake, Liu Tianxian's loud "giggle giggle giggle" laughter ringing out from time to time.

It carried far, and the boating tourists all turned to look.

(End of Chapter)