Chapter 552: The Person on One's Heart

The guests in the audience seats whispered back and forth, a constant "buzz buzz buzz" of murmuring.

The Principal had Universal put up two million dollars to buy the film's rights, which was quite surprising—Chinese-language films are very hard to sell overseas these days, because, of course, there's nothing much to appreciate; foreigners only want to see your suffering.

Watching your suffering gives them a special sense of achievement—so that's all China is.

And "Song of the Phoenix" is a very traditional film; if you're not Chinese, it's hard to understand the traditional customs inside—blowing the suona horn, blowing the trumpet—foreigners can't understand what you mean.

Besides, it's not some film that won an international grand prize; for foreigners there's no spectacle, no plot. Getting this price is basically giving face to the Principal.

As for Universal, they're the sucker here.

You can only say the Principal is awesome—being able to push this through. Looks like the Principal's influence can't be underestimated; he's more powerful than they imagined.

And the livestream audience excitedly cheered for the Principal one after another. They all sympathize with the weak; seeing the weak being helped gives them a great sense of comfort, a feeling of justice!

"Thank you, Principal, I-I-" Wu Yanyan didn't know what to say for a moment, so moved she was about to drop to her knees.

Along with her, the old mother beside her was also about to kneel.

"Hey, no, no, you can't." Fang Hong came to his senses and immediately stepped forward to hold both of them by the shoulders.

They were both older than him, and at such an age too—kneeling to him, he really couldn't bear it.

"You've solved such a big problem for us, I don't even know how to repay you, I can only-" Wu Yanyan's voice choked, and she started to kneel again as she spoke.

Not only did he solve the film's distribution problem, he even sold the rights overseas. This didn't just solve her financial problem, it also resolved her father's regret.

Such a great kindness, truly impossible to repay.

"I only acted as a middleman, I didn't do anything. If you kneel to me, I really can't bear it." Fang Hong held her steady as he spoke.

Hearing this, the old lady beside her wept even harder—there's still more good people than bad in this world.

Some sentimental guests or viewers, seeing this touching scene, also couldn't help but shed tears, wiping at their eyes.

The livestream chat was filled with constant "wu wu wu" sounds.

"So touching, the Principal is so good. I used to curse him—my fault, I repent."

"Me too, I had a huge misunderstanding of the Principal!"

"Actually, looking at the Principal's reputation, it seems he never did anything bad—we all wronged him."

"Right right right, from now on I'm a fan of the Principal."

"I even cursed him for stealing Liu Tianxian away. I won't curse him anymore—Liu Tianxian needs a good person like this."

"."

This round won Fang Hong countless fans. His reputation used to be very bad; he had only done something quite ordinary for himself, yet people decided he was a good person.

It's normal—Fang Hong never did anything bad before, it's just that people kept cursing him. And since he, like Liu Tianxian, never talked back, the cursing eventually formed a fixed impression, and people thought he was very bad.

"You've helped us so much, I don't even know how to be grateful." Wu Yanyan said gratefully.

"No need for gratitude—the film was well made, it has nothing to do with me." Fang Hong deflected.

Some things are very difficult for others, but for him they're extremely simple—a single sentence can solve it. It's just a matter of level.

For example, this matter—others couldn't find distribution, had no funds for promotion and release, but he solved it with one sentence.

As for that two million dollars, it's basically money earned for them. People who persist in art should be allowed to make money; this also serves as a kind of banner.

Those fifth-generation directors must certainly have some goodwill toward him.

At least the problems they couldn't solve, Fang Hong solved. Though this goodwill is worth nothing in the face of profit, it at least lets him have a voice.

At least when they think of collaborating, they'll think of the Principal, believing the Principal is honest and won't screw them over—that's enough.

"Oh my god, your man is just—forcing it on me." Donna tilted her head back and held her forehead.

She had never even discussed with Fang Hong about buying this film called "Song of the Phoenix," and hadn't even mentioned the matter.

Anyway, it was a last-minute decision, forcibly pushed onto her.

"This film is still very good. If you buy it back, you'll slowly recoup your costs." Liu Tianxian said with a polite smile.

There was one seat between the two of them; the middle one had originally been where Fang Hong sat, now it was empty.

"I won't recoup the costs, very hard to recoup. I've been taken in by Fang's trick." Donna looked helpless—she shouldn't have come. Not only losing money, but having it forced on her.

"Oh, just consider it a good deed. When you're free some other day, let Fang Hong treat you to a meal." Liu Tianxian said.

"One meal won't do—doesn't he need to treat me to a few more?" Donna joked; she probably hadn't taken it to heart.

This bit of money meant nothing to her; she was only complaining just now.

"Sure, two meals then." Liu Tianxian smiled, watching the good-hearted side of the man on stage, deeply moved inside.

This man is just like that—tough on his lips, but softer inside than anyone. He says he doesn't donate, but secretly donates a lot; he says he doesn't help, but actually helps many people.

He never says anything with his mouth, but his actions never stop.

"Clap clap clap!" She tilted her head slightly, a warm smile on her face as she clapped.

Everyone else at the scene was also applauding, sending that mother-daughter pair off the stage. At this moment, the Principal, in their eyes, seemed to be glowing.

No other reason—just because the Principal did a good deed that others wouldn't do, this matter alone is enough to be talked about with relish.

After that mother-daughter pair left the stage, the last grand prize had also been awarded.

"Next, please invite Director Zhang Hongsen to the stage to give us the closing speech." Cui Yongyuan said into the microphone.

Zhang Hongsen straightened his suit and went up the stage, his image upright, took a microphone and faced all the audience present.

"When the youth are strong, China is strong; when young film talents are strong, Chinese cinema is strong. When we see these young talents—interdisciplinary, cross-field talents—embracing a spirit of reverence for their profession, and also embracing a spirit of breaking through the rules,"

Zhang Hongsen spoke with passionate eloquence on stage, grand narrative.

Fang Hong had long since left the stage and returned to his seat. Beside him, Liu Tianxian kept staring at him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Fang Hong touched his own face.

"Your face is glowing, with radiance shining, sparkly sparkly." Liu Tianxian was being playful, her wrist nimbly blooming above his head like something.

Fang Hong leaned in and said: "So? Your husband didn't disappoint you, did he?"

"How could I be disappointed? You've always been my role model." Liu Tianxian smiled coquettishly.

Fang Hong put his arm around her shoulder and whispered in her ear, "I won't be a good person, nor a bad person — I'll just be the one in your heart."

"Hahaha!" Liu Tianxian was amused by the sweet talk and gave his chest a coquettish pat.

Isn't that just saying to be a kind person like her? That's pretty nice.

Their intimate gesture drew a glance from the people behind them, who then turned their eyes back to the stage — they were long used to it, though some looked on with envy.

The camera didn't catch the two of them, so the livestream audience didn't see what they were doing; only the people around them could.

"Fang, you just suddenly shoved a big one on me — that's hard for me to handle!" Donna patted Fang Hong's arm, signaling him to stop being so affectionate.

"Hard to handle? What's so hard about it? Your next animated film, your next Fifty Shades of Grey — the money you're putting up, these two projects combined, isn't that just a drop in the bucket for you?" Fang Hong spread his hands, his posture completely different from Liu Tianxian's just now.

Just now Liu Tianxian had been rather gentle; Fang Hong was a bit more assertive.

"Can you guarantee your next animated film will make money?" Donna asked, looking at him seriously.

Fifty Shades of Grey goes without saying — that's definitely going to make money.

"How would I dare guarantee that? You wouldn't dare guarantee it either no matter who you asked. I can only say the odds of making money are very high, I won't let you lose out," Fang Hong said.

Jade Rabbit's next animated film is Inside Out, scheduled for release next year, '15. Over its five years, Jade Rabbit Animation hasn't had just one animated film project — there have been many, with continuous investment.

After all, with a team of over a thousand people, you can't have them all working on just one project — that would be a complete waste of resources.

Actually, an animated film can be done by just a few dozen people; it just takes longer. When Jade Rabbit Animation first started, it was simply a process of accumulation.

Of course, the animation projects are still receiving continuous investment, never stopped — it's just that now that they're making money, they can invest even more.

"I see! I trust you." Donna pondered.

Since he could say it like that, it proved he had some confidence — after all, the Principal had never lost.

"You're right to trust me. Oh, one more thing to tell you — for Gravity, you'll need to put in some effort and help me handle the global publicity and distribution. When the time comes, it'll be a worldwide simultaneous release; we won't bother with different time zones," Fang Hong said.

Hearing that the film she was starring in was being discussed, Liu Tianxian propped her chin on one hand and pricked up her ears to listen carefully, looking rather adorably silly.

"A Chinese-language film you directed yourself?" Donna asked.

"Yes, one I directed — a Chinese-language film," Fang Hong said firmly.

"Alright then, let me take a look at the film first." Donna still wanted to see the film — Chinese-language films don't usually do well overseas, and she was afraid of getting stuck with a flop.

"See, there you go not trusting me again. Would I screw you over? Of the Chinese-language films you've distributed, did I ever make you lose money?" Fang Hong said.

"You just screwed me over a moment ago," Donna said.

She meant that just now he hadn't even discussed it with her before shoving the film on her.

"That's a separate matter. That was me asking you for a favor — we're talking about publicity and distribution for Gravity, this is a collaboration," Fang Hong said without the slightest blush.

"Fine, I'll head back to the United States. Just send it to me and I'll take a look. I have to see what it's about before I can arrange the Propaganda Department work in a targeted way," Donna agreed.

"Pleasure doing business." Fang Hong extended his hand.

Donna readily took his hand, and the two shook. As long as it was a film directed by Fang Hong, she still had quite a bit of confidence in him.

His previous films had all achieved good box office results.

As the two chatted, after Zhang Hongsen finished his speech on stage, he then invited important members of the organizing committee and members of the judging panel to come up on stage.

They stood in two rows, waving to the audience.

"Thank you to all the guests and all the audience for attending this Macau Film Festival awards ceremony. We'll see you again next year!"

With that, the Macau Film Festival officially came to an end.

The gala had lasted about three hours, ending around 11 PM.

The on-site audience and guests gradually left — some called out noisily to go eat and drink, some went out alone to gamble a bit, some rushed to catch late-night flights home.

Of course there was also a banquet, held in a large banquet hall, inviting only the shortlisted award winners and some important celebrities and dignitaries.

Most people weren't invited.

There were too many people to invite — it wasn't realistic to arrange a meal for every single person.

Liu Tianxian naturally went along as well, and their table was full of big shots — Macau officials, as well as Zhang Hongsen, Donna, Gong Huang, Chen Daoming, Li Xuejian, and others.

Other people were at other tables, free to eat and drink as they pleased — the cameras were off anyway.

In a luxurious, high-end grand banquet hall, at a large round table, everyone raised cups and toasted one another, quite a lively scene.

"Principal, this film festival was run well — really well." Gong Huang raised his glass.

"Thank you for the praise. There's still room for improvement."

Fang Hong raised his glass and added, "This is also thanks to the full support of Director Cui, Tan Sijiang, and the others."

"Oh, we didn't do anything — we just gave you enough freedom." Director Cui waved his hand, not taking credit for it.

"Then let's drink a toast, and hope next year will be even better." Fang Hong raised his glass, and everyone at the table raised theirs and clinked with him.

Drinking was of course casual — if you didn't want to drink, drink less; if you wanted to drink, drink more.

Liu Tianxian naturally downed hers in one go, very bold and unrestrained, and still managed to look completely at ease, generous and poised, able to greet every single person well.

"Teacher Chen, I toast you — I hope I'll have the chance to learn from you and work with you in the future." Liu Tianxian held her glass.

"Collaboration is fine, but I can't really teach you anything. If you want to learn from someone, you'd be better off learning from Gong Huang." Chen Daoming also knew his own style was too strong for ordinary people to pick up.

"I'll learn from both." Liu Tianxian and Chen Daoming had a drink.

"Actually, you have a lot of potential — you just haven't acted in enough. If you had more roles, more practice, you'd be fine." Gong Huang raised his glass.

That was true — Liu Tianxian simply hadn't acted in enough. Since her debut, she had only been in a handful of films and TV shows.

Those actors with great skill had all been forged through dozens or even hundreds of roles. Gong Huang alone had acted in over thirty.

Liu Tianwang had less natural talent, and his acting today was also the result of having acted in hundreds of productions.

Liu Tianxian nodded in agreement, then went around toasting everyone else — truly a tremendous capacity. She just wanted these people to continue supporting her man's work in the future.

"Drink a little less." Fang Hong noticed her face was flushed.

"I'm fine — I'm happy today." Liu Tianxian said softly.

Then Fang Hong didn't say anything more. After all, they weren't going back to Beijing to do anything, and the hotel was nearby — very convenient.

As they continued chatting and drinking at the table, Fang Hong turned to Donna: "By the way, which films did you pick? Let me see."

He was referring to the booklet listing the nominated films.

The business was settled, the meal was finished, the wine was drunk—someone had to bleed a little here; otherwise, how could you just keep making money without spending any?

Donna knew it would be this way, and she pulled out the booklet.

Fang Hong took it, flipped it open, and saw that the films marked for purchase had checkmarks beside them.

There were "Heart Maze," "Midnight Taxi," "Silent Witness," plus one more: "Song of the Phoenix."

Aside from "Song of the Phoenix," all the rest were thrillers—this genre has a fixed overseas audience and rarely loses money.

If you won't buy tragic films, you can only buy thrillers.

Fang Hong picked up his pen and circled a few more: "The Golden Age," "Xiu Chun Dao"—he'd make some profit too.

Seven films total—that was enough. On their first awards ceremony, they'd sold seven, adding another heavy stroke to their export tally.

"You're asking me to bleed heavily!" Donna groaned.

"It's just a couple million. Warner's that guy—Zha what's-his-name—gave me a painting worth millions. Don't be so stingy." Fang Hong handed the booklet back to her.

Each film cost a few hundred thousand dollars at most; seven films capped out at just a couple million.

"Really? He gave you a painting worth millions?" Donna didn't believe it—she assumed the unit was dollars; was that old man really that generous?

"True. If you don't believe me, ask my wife." Fang Hong pointed to Liu Tianxian.

"It's true. The painting was appraised—it's worth a million. It's hanging in our home. If you have time, I'll take you to see it." Liu Tianxian leaned forward, resting on Fang Hong's lap, slightly tipsy.

In truth, the painting's million-dollar value was in RMB—the two had deliberately confused the currency.

(End of Chapter)