Chapter 620

The office fell silent for a moment; Liu Tianxian wanted to say something to help but clenched her lips shut.

That one sentence left everyone speechless.

Chen Zhixi showed no expression—this matter couldn't be settled without some benefit.

If the Principal wants to target them, it's unclear whether they'd lose money, but making a profit would be extremely difficult: a 450-million cost requires a 1.4-billion box office to break even.

This doesn't even account for the cost of time.

In today's box office market, only two domestic films have crossed one billion—Gravity and Big Hero 6.

Those two are it; everything else is Hollywood: Fast and Furious 7, The Avengers 2, Jurassic World.

So Monster Hunt is under tremendous pressure.

Goodbye Mr. Loser, Overheard in Hong Kong, Mojin: The Lost Legend, The Pancake Hero—all haven't been released yet.

In truth, according to the previous life, the domestic film market's box office explosion happens in the second half of the year.

Jiang Zhiqiang also anticipated the Principal would be hard to deal with, but he didn't expect him to be this difficult—one sentence left him utterly speechless.

Why should I let you off? Who are you?

This remark was deeply humiliating; luckily, the other party isn't in Hong Kong—if he were, he'd be beaten to death or crippled.

"Principal, if you say it like that, you're bringing emotion into this." He meant to resolve the issue.

He didn't want things to get ugly for everyone.

"I'm not someone who stirs up trouble, nor do I intend to compete with you. When The Monkey King Returns was released, I never belittled you—we each promoted our own films, and box office results depended on each side's ability. But you engaged in malicious competition right before release, as if it were my fault." Fang Hong said.

Monster Hunt will be released the next day.

"Then what do you want?" Jiang Zhiqiang urged him to state his terms.

"It's simple—you treat me how you want, I'll treat you the same way." Fang Hong spoke indifferently.

That means exposing their cam version—release it the moment the film comes out. After all, this movie has just premiered; if the cam version surfaces, it'll still hurt badly.

Most audiences, if they can find resources online, won't bother going to the theater.

Don't underestimate the intelligence of some viewers—they can find pirated copies of adult films and pirated AAA games; finding movie resources is no problem.

Of course, mainstream platforms would never host it—it's not exactly a respectable thing.

Jiang Zhiqiang was deeply troubled; the Principal was truly impossible to reason with. He sighed: "Can't we discuss this further? Let's just let this go."

"What's there to discuss? You've already done it—the damage is done." Fang Hong said.

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Tianxian tapped his arm: "Don't be so rigid—leave some room for negotiation."

She couldn't hold back—she kept wanting to strike back at others.

Since it was speakerphone, Jiang Zhiqiang on the other end had heard too; Liu Tianxian was still better, but the Principal was clearly in a "you did me, I'll do you" stance.

Plainly put—he was strong, and he was going to strike back.

"How can we negotiate now? It's already happened—do you expect me to do nothing and go bankrupt?" Fang Hong spread his hands.

Once the cam version surfaces, The Monkey King Returns' box office will definitely be affected, though the extent remains unclear.

Because this kind of cam version only appears on pirated websites—not on regular public platforms.

"Is there no other way? There's no need to be this aggressive—let's find a feasible solution," Liu Tianxian still softened.

After all, they knew each other—this would make future meetings awkward.

"Then tell me how you want to handle it—I'll listen to you."

Fang Hong said helplessly, then added: "But I'll say this upfront—I won't just let it go. My company has thousands of people who need to eat, plus partners—this isn't just my personal loss. If it were only my interest, I wouldn't pursue it."

This preemptively blocked Liu Tianxian's idea of smoothing things over with "let's just forget it."

He made it clear this wasn't just his personal matter—it was the concern of most people.

"If we don't take action, our partners' interests will suffer, everyone will see it, and no one will want to cooperate with us in the future," Chen Zhixi chimed in.

More and more people are making films now; many in the film industry come to us for cooperation because they see our strength.

If even we get bullied, others won't approach Yutu—simple: you don't have the strength to let them make money.

It's just that real—no one cares about character or morality, only strength.

Da Peng's The Pancake Hero, Xing Ye's The Mermaid, The Monkey King Returns—all these projects came to us, and even Xu Guangtou and others came—was it because they thought the Principal was handsome?

Even if Fang Hong copied everything, he couldn't copy the Four Great Classical Novels, nor could he copy others' ideas and unique traits.

Xing Ye is a director with unmistakable characteristics.

This left Liu Tianxian in a bind; she spoke into the phone: "General Manager Jiang, is there any way to offer some compensation?"

"I have nothing the Principal doesn't have, and the Principal has things I don't—how can I give you money? I'm the one who needs to take out a loan," Jiang Zhiqiang said helplessly.

What did he even have? Just this one company.

"Of course we wouldn't ask for your money," Liu Tianxian blurted out—how could they ask for money from someone who'd already lost everything? That would be inhuman.

Fang Hong leaned close to her ear and whispered: "He has theaters—ask him about those."

Liu Tianxian glanced at the man—he was already fixated on his theaters. How could she even bring it up? It was no different from outright robbery.

She hesitated, then said: "General Manager Jiang, are your theaters for sale?"

Hearing this, Fang Hong stared at Liu Tianxian's profile—he'd intended to cooperate with Jiang Zhiqiang, not take his theaters.

But since it was said, let it be.

Anle's theaters are all in first- and second-tier cities, all high-end, perfectly filling some gaps—though there aren't many.

"Tianxian, you're putting me in a tough spot—I only have eight theaters in Neidi, the rest are franchises. If you buy them, it means I'd have to exit entirely." Jiang Zhiqiang grimaced—this girl was even harsher than the Principal; she opened her mouth and demanded his theaters.

But he didn't realize Liu Tianxian had misunderstood.

If the theaters were sold to Yutu, the brand would vanish, and the franchises would disband—Anle would effectively exit Neidi, leaving no trace.

Just like Golden Harvest once did!

Chen Zhixi smiled faintly—Liu Tianxian was too honest. He only had a few theaters—he'd keep them as an asset; why would he sell unless he was going bankrupt?

"Even one or two won't do?" Liu Tianxian asked tentatively.

She thought she might as well give this man some satisfaction—just settle with one or two.

"Do you really think just one or two will work?" Jiang Zhiqiang countered.

Liu Tianxian didn't know if it would work, so she looked at Fang Hong.

Fang Hong said nothing, just smiled at her, his smile oddly amused.

"What are you laughing at? Will it work or not?" Liu Tianxian hit him lightly, her tone serious.

"Why would I want just one or two cinemas? I mean a joint operation between two parties," Fang Hong stated outright, no longer teasing her.

Anle had only eight cinemas, but with franchises, it totaled over a dozen—still very attractive.

"You should've said so earlier."

Liu Tianxian glared at him; he'd spoken so vaguely she'd thought he wanted to take over their cinemas.

She asked Jiang Zhiqiang: "What do you think?"

"Joint operation isn't out of the question, but you must invest—your share cannot exceed 20%," Jiang Zhiqiang firmly secured Yutu's decision-making power.

Of course, the signs wouldn't change—they'd keep the Broadway and Palace branding.

Anle's cinemas would be branded as Broadway and Palace.

"That's too little!" Fang Hong said.

"I only hold 70%. Another 20% is in my family's hands, and 5% to 10% is with strategic investors," Jiang Zhiqiang was candid—no need for obfuscation.

The Principal could find out about this if he wanted to.

And if the Principal joined, he could help ease some financial pressure, and film sources wouldn't be a problem—it was still viable.

In other words, their family effectively held 90%, while the rest belonged to real estate developers.

These shares were held by Sun Hung Kai Properties, while China Resources Land and Swire Properties each held varying percentages.

But their shares were tied to individual cinemas—for example, Sun Hung Kai's Shanghai IAPM Palace Cinema held 40%, yet its overall share was minimal.

The model was: Anle provided the brand and operations team; real estate developers provided the property.

If Fang Hong wanted in, Jiang Zhiqiang would have to cede part of his shares—and that would cost money.

"I don't need much—just a small stake, and the reputation of being a joint operator is enough."

Fang Hong knew he couldn't control Anle's cinemas—they weren't like Bona; Anle was fundamentally a family company.

Just having the name of a joint operator would give him future protection—if others tried to block him, he'd still be free to operate. Nothing else was needed.

He couldn't buy all the cinemas—many were partnered with local governments and real estate firms.

Liu Tianxian exhaled in relief; the conflict was finally being resolved.

"Alright, let's discuss the partnership later. What about the bootleg issue?" Jiang Zhiqiang left it unsaid—the implication was clear.

"That's still not enough. You still need to do me a favor," Fang Hong said.

"What do you want from him now?" Liu Tianxian looked at him.

"I'm not taking anything from him—I want him to help me with something," Fang Hong explained.

"Principal, say what you need—I'll do my best," Jiang Zhiqiang had heard.

Fang Hong asked: "How well do you know Wu Kebo?"

"We're acquaintances, no deep connection," Jiang Zhiqiang said.

Hearing this, Fang Hong said: "I'd like you to act as a mediator and persuade him—I want to acquire Orange Sky Golden Harvest's cinemas."

Wu Kebo was the General Manager of Orange Sky Golden Harvest; Fang Hong had previously tried to buy Orange Sky Golden Harvest's cinemas—the former Golden Harvest cinemas.

They'd originally planned to sell them, but negotiations had stalled, with Dadi also competing.

Jiang Zhiqiang had wide connections and could speak to him.

"Alright, I'll keep you posted—but I can't guarantee anything," Jiang Zhiqiang agreed.

(End of Chapter)