Chapter 731

Don't keep hiding in the grass! Go out and fight him.

She'd finished what she loved to do in just an hour or so, and now Liu Tianxian was lying on a soft bed, scrolling through her phone playing Honor of Kings.

Fang Hong was beside her, gesturing wildly as he gave orders.

Liu Tianxian's eyes darted around, her fingers flew over the screen, as if overwhelmed, muttering to herself while playing.

"Oh no, how did that guy just one-shot me?!"

"No way, I'm going to kill him back, I'm going to kill him."

"Why is this guy so useless—he ran off without saving me!"

Her voice was soft, and though she occasionally snapped, her intense little expression made her seem endearing, not annoying.

Fang Hong kept shouting orders beside her: "Don't back down, fight him, fight him!"

"Oh no, I died again—you told me to go fight him!" Liu Tianxian slapped him.

"You're so weak," Fang Hong said.

"Who are you calling weak? If you hadn't ordered me to go, would I have died?" Liu Tianxian, furious, pinched his arm.

Fang Hong gasped, "Ow!" and rubbed his pinched arm—it still hurt.

The mobile game screen shifted from gray to color. Liu Tianxian picked up her phone again and resumed playing with full focus—she was always serious about whatever she did.

As she played, Liu Tianxian kept muttering to herself unconsciously; Fang Hong kept giving chaotic orders beside her.

"Ah! Why is this guy chasing me nonstop?!"

"Don't keep running—you're at full health, why run? Turn around and strike back!"

"How did he just rush over so fast?!"

"Go! Everyone else is attacking, and you're still farming minions—did the minions ever wrong you?!"

"What do I do if I can't beat him?!"

"Just fight! Since I can't escape anyway, I might as well die!"

As the "Defeat" screen popped up, Liu Tianxian deflated like a punctured balloon—she'd lost again. How many times had she lost now?

Fang Hong, seeing her mood sour, breathed as lightly as possible, afraid of provoking her again.

It was because he'd been babbling too much earlier.

"You're breathing too loudly—you're distracting me!" Liu Tianxian tossed her phone aside and suddenly leapt up.

She grabbed his throat and shoved him onto the bed, then straddled him, slapping his face with her other hand:

"I told you to strike back! I told you to go! I told you to fight! It's because you kept yammering beside me that I lost!"

Each time she spoke, she slapped his face once.

Fang Hong wasn't hit hard—he felt no real force; she still knew her limits.

"You're blaming me for this?! My orders were all correct—you're just weak," Fang Hong insisted.

"I'm weak? You actually say I'm weak!" Liu Tianxian slapped him several more times.

She was still wearing that red silk dress, revealing glimpses of her figure; since she was straddling him, every movement risked exposing more.

But it was just the two of them—husband and wife, nothing unusual.

After scolding Fang Hong, Liu Tianxian took a deep breath, "Phew," and finally calmed down—her mood improved.

She ran her fingers through her messy hair and looked at him: "Did I hurt you?"

"As long as it makes my wife happy, even if it hurts, it doesn't hurt," Fang Hong replied instantly.

"Oh?" Liu Tianxian stroked his face and smiled. "You've learned to flatter now, huh?"

"That's not flattery—it's the truth," Fang Hong said, still lying flat, gazing up at her.

"Good, good—I love hearing that!" Liu Tianxian was just about to stand up.

But Fang Hong pinned her down on her smooth thigh and slid his hand up under her skirt: "Don't move."

"What are you doing?" Liu Tianxian's face flushed.

"Let's do a little 'turnaround strike,'" Fang Hong said with a suggestive smile.

"You think about this a lot, don't you?" Liu Tianxian's hand slid down.

"You say that? I'm still young—I haven't hit any decline in physical function yet. I'm strong, vigorous—I naturally do it often, and every time it's powerful," Fang Hong said.

"Gigglegigglegiggle—good, good."

Liu Tianxian laughed, felt the strength under her hand, then added: "But wait a bit—Lao Zha should be at work now. Let's call him first."

It was past midnight—Los Angeles would be around nine in the evening, perfect timing.

"Alright," Fang Hong patted her butt, signaling her to get off.

Liu Tianxian pulled her legs in and sat beside him.

Fang Hong picked up his phone from the bedside and dialed Lao Zha in the United States, then held the phone up.

The call connected quickly; Lao Zha's voice came through: "Hey! Principal."

"Hello, Mr. Zha, long time no see! How have you been?" Fang Hong said—Liu Tianxian translated.

"Very well! But I wonder why you're calling so early—are you planning a new project with us?" Lao Zha said eagerly.

"We have plenty of projects—but there's one thing I need to tell you: Hua Yi previously invested with you guys," Liu Tianxian adjusted her posture, one arm around Fang Hong's shoulder, leaning closer.

Right in front of them was the phone, held up by Fang Hong.

"That matter…" Lao Zha fell silent—he didn't want to give it back.

It had been dragged out so long; they'd spent a lot on legal fees and effort. Now the Principal just wanted it back with two words—it didn't feel worth it.

And the Principal had collaborated with them on so few projects—besides The Conjuring Universe, which was supposed to be a joint project, they'd hardly worked together at all.

So Fang Hong's relationship with them was weaker than Donna's.

"Mr. Zha, this matter has been dragged on too long, but you can't use it either, can you? In the end, it still has to be returned," Liu Tianxian continued, following Fang Hong's instructions.

"They might not get all the money either—we can withhold part of it under the pretext of investment losses, just to avoid a net loss," said Lao Zha.

This money was originally an investment; if the investment failed, losses are normal—there's nothing wrong with that.

"But why go to such lengths? If you do this, your films will never enter the Chinese market again." There was a hint of threat in her words, softly phrased.

If you do this, Warner's films won't be allowed into the domestic market again. Given China's circumstances, blocking a Hollywood company's imports is easy enough.

It's just about stirring up ideological issues.

American films—no matter what, you can always find something to criticize, then amplify it.

Later, Marvel films couldn't enter because of this issue. Of course, Disney is a repeat offender, always adding unnecessary stuff—it's not worth pitying.

"Principal, I've worked with you for so long, and now you treat me like this for your enemies—I'm heartbroken! Don't forget, I did all this for you!" Lao Zha lamented.

"You're overstating it, you're overstating it. I just want harmony to bring prosperity. There's an old Chinese saying: 'When grudges beget grudges, when will it end?' We know each other well—why make things unpleasant?"

Besides, we've already made peace with Huayi. Fighting back and forth is pointless now."

Fang Hong spouted one moral principle after another.

It left Liu Tianxian struggling to respond—idioms and proverbs were the hardest to translate.

But with Liu Tianxian's intelligence, she still managed to translate it, enough for the other side to understand the meaning.

"This can't be settled peacefully. I helped you out. If you want to withhold one or two hundred million and return three or five hundred million, fine—but return it all? Who compensates us for our losses?" Lao Zha wanted benefits.

Fang Hong knew it wouldn't be easy to get it back. If it were Donna, it might be easier—but Donna would never have done something like this back then.

Those with good professional ethics are close to you; those without are not—and that's just how complicated it is.

You definitely can't ask someone with professional ethics.

Liu Tianxian and Fang Hong exchanged glances, silently asking what he should do.

Fang Hong whispered a few words into Liu Tianxian's ear.

"Mr. Zha, how about this: we invest in this movie, *Aquaman*. You return Huayi's money to Huayi," said Liu Tianxian. Fang Hong's idea sounded ideal.

"Our movie doesn't even exist yet—just an intention. You want to invest already?" Lao Zha thought the Principal had a good idea.

"No problem. Whether we lose or profit, we accept it," said Liu Tianxian brazenly.

"Principal, you're underestimating us. This is the DC Universe—how could we possibly lose?" Lao Zha clearly had his own calculations—he knew this film wouldn't easily lose money.

This movie was meant to compete with Marvel, so Huayi was never intended to join.

"Then tell us how you want it done—state your condition," Fang Hong said, forcing the other side to speak first and see what they wanted.

If the condition was too high, they'd just give up and let the Huayi brothers figure it out themselves.

"Our film still needs a director. We need the Principal's help," said Lao Zha.

Liu Tianxian leaned close and whispered: "Not bad. Your reputation's so strong now—even Warner wants you to direct a film. And it's the DC Universe!"

"Of course! Look who your husband is! I haven't won any prestigious awards, but I'm the uncrowned king!" Fang Hong tossed his hair, looking extremely proud.

"Pfft!"

Liu Tianxian slapped his face and added: "So will you accept? You go direct their film—this whole thing might get resolved."

"I don't direct Hollywood films. Their movies aren't under my control," Fang Hong waved off.

Liu Tianxian understood and replied: "You're putting me in a tough spot—your husband can't direct your Hollywood films."

She declined. Hollywood films operate under the producer system—you must obey the producer. Put simply, if Fang Hong went over, he'd be constrained—even lose editing rights.

With his personality, he'd definitely argue with them. When had he ever listened to others?

It's not enough to be powerful in your own country—you think your status as boss means others must follow your way? You're only powerful at home; overseas, no one recognizes you.

Countless Hong Kong directors went over and had to follow Hollywood's rules: if you made money, you were great; if you lost, get out!

Even *The Forbidden Kingdom*, starring Fang Long and Li Lianjie as two major stars—knowing the plot was ridiculous, they still had to shoot it Hollywood's way.

"You misunderstood. We're not asking him to direct. We have no such intention. We just want the Principal to help us communicate with Yu Xian and get him to direct *Aquaman*," said Lao Zha, revealing his true plan.

"Oh, so that's it. Hehe," Liu Tianxian realized the misunderstanding and couldn't help laughing.

She'd just been overthinking—she'd assumed they wanted her husband to direct. But Yu Xian's reputation in Hollywood was far stronger and far more authoritative than her husband's.

After all, he'd never lost money—every film he made made money, and he'd won the Oscar. He truly had the credentials.

She glanced at the man beside her—he had a tense, unhappy expression, completely lacking the earlier pride.

"It's fine. They have no taste—you're still the uncrowned king," Liu Tianxian chuckled, hugging him tighter.

"Really? You think so?" Fang Hong asked.

"Yes!" Liu Tianxian nuzzled his cheek affectionately and added: "Will you accept?"

"Definitely not yet. Why agree so easily? First ask if they'll return the six hundred million if we get Yu Xian to direct," said Fang Hong.

"Mr. Zha, if we help you bring Yu Xian to direct, will you return the six hundred million?" Liu Tianxian asked bluntly.

"That can be considered," said Lao Zha.

Bringing Yu Xian on board would add tremendous value—it could offset the losses from their prolonged wrangling with Huayi.

And if this one succeeded, they could make a second.

In Hollywood's eyes, Yu Xian was a young master director with immense value.

Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian discussed it. Liu Tianxian said: "If we get Yu Xian to direct, Zhong Family must get a share too. After all, Yu Xian is Zhong Family's director—if you borrow him to shoot, our film can't be made."

"Principal, you're being heartless! I helped you, and now you're bargaining over borrowing a director? That's disappointing. Just now you were talking about harmonious development!" Lao Zha didn't want the Principal's money—he'd have to give something back.

"Alright, we'll talk to Yu Xian. We don't know if he'll agree. We'll let you know," Liu Tianxian smiled.

There was nothing more to discuss: the six hundred million could be recovered—but only if Yu Xian directed the film.

As for the *Aquaman* project itself, forget it—they wouldn't let Zhong Family participate. And honestly, why would Fang Hong ever be invited to any of Warner's projects?

Why would Warner ever offer Fang Hong a good project?

They hung up. Liu Tianxian asked: "What now? Should we call Yu Xian and tell him?"

"Call him. See if he'll take it," said Fang Hong.

Yu Xian's filming ability was sufficient to shoot a big special effects film like Aquaman — after all, he had already produced over a dozen films under his hand.

Although they were all horror and erotic films, that experience and standard were there.

Liu Tianxian called Yu Xian directly, which was much simpler — no need to speak English, just Chinese would do.

"Hello, General Manager Yu, Director Yu, how are you!" Liu Tianxian was much more at ease talking to him!

"Who is it!" The voice on the other end was languid, as if he hadn't woken up.

"It's me, Liu Tianxian. It's already this hour, and you still haven't gotten up!" Liu Tianxian couldn't help but say.

"Oh, what time is it?" Yu Xian said.

"It's already ten o'clock, bro." Liu Tianxian raised her voice.

"Only ten o'clock? Which young person gets up this early?" Yu Xian said casually.

"You make it sound as if all young people have chaotic schedules." Liu Tianxian said, then added: "You'd better wake up properly, we've landed you a big order."

"What big order?" Yu Xian's tone was still the same.

"Let me tell you, Warner has a film in the DC Universe called Aquaman, and they want you to direct it." Liu Tianxian said.

"What?!" Yu Xian's voice on the other end instantly sobered up. The commotion was so loud that there seemed to be a woman's voice asking "What's wrong" — in Chinese.

He must have been sleeping with some woman.

"Is this true?" Yu Xian asked.

"It's true. Fang Hong and I have already negotiated with the other side. We just haven't discussed your fee with you yet, but given this film's massive investment, your pay shouldn't be short."

After Liu Tianxian finished speaking, she asked Fang Hong beside her: "How much did they invest in this film again?"

"Should be around 160 million USD, over 1.1 billion 【RMB】, absolutely an A-grade production." Fang Hong knew a bit about it.

"You heard that, right!" Liu Tianxian said.

"I heard, I heard, I'll take it." Yu Xian was quite excited.

Mainly because he had grown numb shooting trashy horror and erotic films, and now he could finally shoot a proper film. Before it had been for the money, but now shooting a DC Universe blockbuster for someone else wouldn't shortchange the pay either.

After all, it was a commercial film — the investment in this one film alone was worth several of his previous ones combined.

(End of chapter)