Chapter 333: Knowing Others, Not Knowing Oneself

The sudden massive success of "The Partners" shattered everyone's expectations, and after that, no one could stop it.

Furious, Manager Wang hired two female celebrities that night to vent his frustration—he's quite a playboy.

It's only natural that "The Partners" achieved such box office success, since there was no competition.

Are you seriously comparing it to movies like "Evaporated," "Broke and Happy," "Star Dad," or "The Wolf and the Lamb's Love Story"? I've never even heard of them.

Nobody realized "Iron Man 3" would flop so badly—if they had, they'd have saved this prime slot for a truly great film.

Damn, I don't know whether to call Yutu lucky or ruthless—how the hell did they manage to move this mountain?

They were all desperate to avoid it!

Many people don't know about the hidden struggles beneath the surface—even if they guessed, what could they possibly do? Nothing at all.

All they can do is stay silent, keep their mouths shut, and just know inside.

The failure of "Iron Man 3" to release surprised the industry—even Zhang Songwen breathed a sigh of relief.

Actors like Jing Tian and Deng Chao also felt proud!

After all, this film's box office success counts as their signature work and adds luster to their reputations.

Jing Tian rose to fame as a result and was delighted; at an event, she told reporters: "I'm honored to have been part of this film's creation."

"The character you played isn't exactly positive—it doesn't match your public image," the reporter said.

"That doesn't matter—I'm an actress; I'm willing to try any role," Jing Tian replied sweetly.

"Will you be collaborating with Yutu again in the future?" the reporter asked.

"I hope so," Jing Tian said.

This film is her highest-grossing and best-reviewed movie, with a Douban score of 7.8.

It's 0.2 points higher than the original version; directed by Wen Muye, it's more thoughtful than Chen Kexin's version—he understands mainland audiences better.

Not only Jing Tian, but Zhang Songwen became even more popular, his acting once again receiving widespread recognition.

"Zhang Songwen's acting is phenomenal!"

"Zhang Songwen's performance is deeply moving, radiating a unique charm that draws you in."

"A great film—definitely worth watching. I've always loved Zhang Songwen's acting."

「. 」

Such praise is everywhere on social media—he's not incapable; he just needs awards to prove it.

Only awards can truly validate how good he is.

Without awards, no matter how much people praise him, one phrase—"zero major awards"—can instantly shut him down.

Like people say about Cheng Kun: they all say he's a great actor, but one mention of "zero major awards" leaves them speechless—how come, after decades, he still hasn't won anything?

Ten years was an accident? Twenty years is still an accident?

So no matter how much you praise him, nothing beats actually winning awards—Liu Tianxian has been tirelessly proving herself.

Awards are one of those proofs!

On May 2, "The Partners"' box office dropped to 55.28 million RMB, surpassing 300 million total.

From now on, tracking this film's box office is meaningless—it's already out of control, destined for huge success; we just wait to see how high it climbs.

During this May Day holiday, Liu Tianxian didn't return home—she's still filming "The Tethered Love."

People working on films don't get holidays; once shooting starts, they must finish before taking a break—sometimes for months.

Fang Hong originally planned to visit the set, but a phone call stopped him—it was from the secretary of Wang Zong, the boss of Wanda, inviting him to meet.

Fang Hong couldn't refuse—this man's status is far beyond someone like Zeng Maojun.

They met at a traditional, elegantly decorated teahouse.

The two sat facing each other, while a young woman in a qipao poured tea for them.

The tea's fragrance lingered gently, creating a classical, serene atmosphere.

Boss Wang exuded the aura of a powerful figure—calm, confident, and composed. He asked: "Do you usually drink tea, Xiao Fang?"

"My girlfriend bought me some, but I'm lazy and have no one to brew it for me, so I just drink whatever's handy—water's fine," Fang Hong replied casually.

He was already guessing why Boss Wang wanted to meet him.

"You're straightforward—avoiding trouble, not even complaining when your girlfriend buys you things. You keep everything bottled up inside," Boss Wang analyzed.

"I didn't even know I had so many good qualities," Fang Hong joked, puffing himself up.

"Hahaha—people always know others better than themselves," Boss Wang laughed. Although it sounded like a joke, he was really sizing Fang Hong up, trying to understand what kind of person he was.

Fang Hong fell silent, realizing the old man was analyzing him—say too much, and he'd expose all his secrets.

After all, lying too often leaves a guilty conscience.

This man isn't some fool like Zeng Maojun—he wouldn't have invited Fang Hong unless he'd thoroughly researched him and had a specific purpose.

A quiet silence fell between them until the tea server finished pouring, signaled to them, then bowed and quietly exited, closing the door.

"Try this premium pre-Qing Longjing tea—it's excellent," Boss Wang gestured.

Fang Hong picked up his cup and took a sip.

"How is it?" Boss Wang asked.

"Sorry, Boss Wang, I'm just a common man—I can't tell the difference, but it tastes good," Fang Hong said.

Boss Wang smiled and got straight to the point: "The Zhong family is yours, isn't it?"

"Do you really think I could remotely control a Hollywood company with annual revenues of hundreds of millions of dollars after not setting foot in the U. S. for years? Who would be that loyal?" Fang Hong had his answer ready.

This old man was cunning—he'd been so pleasant, then suddenly cut to the chase.

Boss Wang nodded, his sharp eyes fixed on Fang Hong: "Then how do you explain why the Zhong family could partner with Yutu to build a digital film base? Surely they're not coming here to shoot movies—our production capabilities can't match Hollywood's."

The digital film base is easy to trace—just check which companies are involved in the project; Zhong Family participated as a foreign investor.

"I won't hide anything from you: the money was given to me, but I couldn't bring it in. My condition for stepping away was that I wouldn't take any money—Zhong Family funded the film base's construction on Yutu's behalf," Fang Hong said, completely unfazed.

Money from outside wanting to come in has to shed a layer of skin first.

"Heh heh, you've really woven that excuse seamlessly." Lao Wang Zong laughed, then said: "If I hadn't done my homework, would I have come to find you?"

"I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe it, there's nothing I can do." Fang Hong simply wouldn't admit it, afraid the other man would blow up at him.

"Let's be straight. We cooperate — I put up the money, you bring the project. I have the world's largest theater chain, you have production capability. We team up in Hollywood, build one big entertainment company. Forget pulling the Zhong family up to the first tier, second tier is still doable. Name your price." Lao Wang Zong was very straightforward — straight to money.

"Your offer is tempting, but you're really thinking too highly of me. I can't make this call, it's not up to me. You can go find the person in charge." Fang Hong still wouldn't admit it.

That first-tier, second-tier stuff held no appeal for him at all. Overseas production, distribution, the whole industry chain — he had no interest.

He only wanted to establish himself domestically, build up the domestic industry. He didn't want to stir things up internationally with Lao Wang — destined to fail, a mess of feathers.

"Then you should know the person in charge of the Zhong family. Please act as a middleman and introduce us." Lao Wang Zong didn't care whether what he said was true or false.

The man wouldn't admit it, and he had no way to force him — unless he applied heavy pressure, but that would violate the rules of business.

He could get this big not by crushing others into submission; the moment you fall from power, everyone comes to stomp on you.

Right now Wanda Cinema's domestic market share is number one, and it's already expanding internationally — buying up terminal theater chains all over the world.

It just acquired North America's second-largest theater chain, AMC Yingyuan Company, which also has 358 theaters in Ouzhou. You could say Wanda is the world's largest theater chain company.

But just having the terminal end isn't enough — it also needs control over upstream film production. In other words, from production to distribution to screening, the whole industry chain connected.

Because of this, there was once talk that Wanda was going to acquire Paramount, and Alibaba was also competing.

So coveting the Zhong family is understandable — after all, the Zhong family has ties to the Principal, and getting them would be much more convenient.

Lao Wang's heart isn't hard to understand: he wants to use his own strength to change the global entertainment landscape and give Chinese entertainment a place in the world.

The ideal is beautiful; reality is gaunt!

"You can just set up a meeting yourself. I remember General Manager Zeng has a phone number." Fang Hong didn't want to get involved — he just wanted the conflict not to erupt.

Yu Xian had called Ceng Maojun before, so there should be a number.

"We've tried to set up meetings a few times, but couldn't get one. Hard to pin down. So please act as a middleman — it won't take much of your time." Lao Wang Zong said it again.

This made it hard for Fang Hong to refuse — Lao Wang Zong's face still had to be given.

"Fine, I'll try to set it up, but I don't know if he has the time, or if he'll give me face. I can only do my best — wait for my word." Fang Hong said.

"I have plenty of patience. Let me give you one piece of advice: in life and in business, keep your word. Don't break it." Lao Wang Zong's tone carried a faint threat.

He knew this man didn't play much by the rules, didn't have many bottom lines in how he did things.

This made it hard for Fang Hong to brush him off. If he didn't keep his word, didn't play by the rules, the other man could also not keep his word, not play by the rules.

Dealing with a big shot like this is completely different from dealing with small-timers like Huayi or Bona — those two would just charge in however they pleased.

Rules? Strategy? Don't exist!

(End of chapter)