Chapter 732: One Hand Covers the Sky

Yu Xian actually longed to make normal films; very few normal directors are willing to keep making niche horror and erotic films.

But previously, Fang Hong needed large sums of money, and coupled with Yu Xian's yellow-skinned Chinese identity making it hard for him to get by over there, he could never do exactly as he wished.

This time, Fang Hong didn't stop him from making a big-budget film; everyone has their own pursuits, and you can't block others' paths just to serve your own.

Besides, making big-budget films doesn't hinder continuing to make family films—it just means making them slower and fewer.

Only by making big-budget, commercial films can one realize one's own value; all that artsy nonsense, get lost—Lao Mouzi has finally figured it out.

"Then fine, do you want to negotiate the salary with Warner yourself, or should we do it for you?" Liu Tianxian said.

"You negotiate for me—have the Principal handle it; he's better at being shameless in this area," Yu Xian said.

"Who are you calling shameless?" Fang Hong said.

"Sorry, I accidentally spoke the truth," Yu Xian joked.

Liu Tianxian laughed "giggle-giggle-giggle."

"Wait till I get to Los Angeles—I'll settle accounts with you," Fang Hong said, his voice thick with threat.

"You're coming to the United States?" Yu Xian asked, surprised.

"Yes, The Martian is going to compete for the Oscar—we definitely have to go over," Liu Tianxian said.

"Then come early and spend the New Year with me!" Yu Xian perked up.

"That won't work," Liu Tianxian said.

The Oscars open at the end of February; New Year is at the end of January—how could we go spend New Year with Yu Xian?

"Alright then, leave this to you," Yu Xian said, his tone tinged with disappointment.

"You should find a girlfriend soon—let her keep you company," Liu Tianxian said, then hung up the phone.

She heard his disappointment, but they had their own family, their own loved ones.

Over there, Yu Xian, bare-chested, hugged Guo Biting, looking thoughtful.

"What's wrong, baby?" Guo Biting, petite and adorable, asked.

"Warner wants me to make a film—DC Universe, A-grade production," Yu Xian pinched her tiny nose.

"Wow! You're amazing—is it Superman?" Guo Biting also got excited, propping herself up slightly.

"No, something else," Yu Xian said.

"Can I get a role? Just a supporting part, no need to be the lead," Guo Biting gazed at him with hopeful eyes.

"I don't know yet—it's only an initial idea, not finalized. If there's a suitable role, I'll definitely arrange it for you," Yu Xian promised.

"Baby, you're so good," Guo Biting's delicate body clung tightly to him.

Yu Xian stroked her head, then pulled out a Huazi, lit it, and quietly took a drag, exhaling a plume of smoke.

Huazi can be bought in the United States.

He took a few puffs, then held the cigarette to Guo Biting's lips: "Try a puff."

"I don't smoke," Guo Biting said.

"It's fine—just one puff," Yu Xian said.

Guo Biting couldn't refuse; she parted her red lips, took the cigarette tip, and sucked hard—immediately coughing "cough-cough..." as if choking.

"Hahaha!"

Yu Xian laughed loudly, leaning close to her ear with a teasing tone: "Is it the smoke's taste, or mine?"

"You're such a bad boy," Guo Biting's cheeks flushed red.

"Come on, try my taste again," Yu Xian pushed her head down.

Guo Biting slid her body lower.

Over there, Liu Tianxian asked: "Should we call Lao Zha and tell him it's done?"

"Don't call yet—if you call too fast, they'll think we handled it too easily. Wait a few days—make them think we had trouble!" Fang Hong said.

"That's true," Liu Tianxian nodded.

As she was momentarily distracted, Fang Hong yanked up the blanket and suddenly smothered her beneath it.

"Ahh! You're going to kill me!" Liu Tianxian's voice muffled and dazed.

"."

The next day, the two brothers from Huayi came to the company again—this time Liu Tianxian came along, sitting on the sofa reading a book.

"Tianxian's here too!" Da Wangzong walked in.

"Yes, he's working, so I came to keep him company," Liu Tianxian said.

"Tianxian really is the model of a virtuous wife and devoted mother—the Principal is so lucky to have married you," Da Wangzong's old face twisted into a grin that looked quite unpleasant.

Liu Tianxian smiled but said nothing.

"Principal, this is something I specially brought for you—West Lake Longjing tea," Da Wangzong placed a canister of tea on the table.

If you're going to wear them down with soft pressure, you need to show some sincerity.

"Your matter has been settled—the Warner CEO has agreed to return your money," Fang Hong said calmly.

"Really?!" Da Wangzong exclaimed, astonished, glancing at his brother—both eyes wide with surprise.

"Yes, but it will take some time—I'll confirm the repayment date with them, then you can proceed with the withdrawal of investment," Fang Hong said.

Investment withdrawal is a normal procedure.

Hearing this, Da Wangzong was delighted, clasping his hands together: "Thank you, Principal! Thank you, Principal!"

Xiao Wangzong also clasped his hands together in gratitude.

They hadn't been able to resolve this for so long—but the Principal stepped in and solved it instantly; clearly, he hadn't even made a phone call before.

"Don't mention it—it's just a small thing, nothing to me," Fang Hong waved his hand, speaking casually, a bit performative.

Liu Tianxian smiled—this man was truly something: he'd negotiated for so long and sold Yu Xian out, yet now he pretended it was effortless and acted so nonchalant.

But there was no need to let these two brothers know— the more relaxed he appeared, the more they would admire him and feel the vast gap in strength.

After all, Huayi had struggled with this for nearly a year without resolving it.

"Yes, yes, my brother and I said the same thing— we can only ask the Principal for help, and only the Principal can assist us," Big Wang General Manager flattered.

"Asking and begging sounds too harsh—we're all friends, no need for such words. Since this matter is settled, just manage it well going forward; don't overreach, or you'll pull something important." Fang Hong casually gave them a lesson.

"To be honest, if we get this money, we still have to pay off debts— the debt pressure is enormous, especially the Principal's debt." Big Wang General Manager sighed.

He wondered whether the Principal's debt could be postponed.

"Debts must be repaid—that's natural law. If you don't repay your debts, you're no better than an animal, right?" Fang Hong's words meant: don't even think of dodging.

"Yes, yes."

Big Wang General Manager nodded, his face troubled, and negotiated: "Could you possibly postpone the debt from Yutu? Once we earn money, we'll pay you back."

He finally revealed his goal: first ask for money, second postpone the debt.

"That's hard to arrange! We agreed originally that repayment must happen this year—no pushing it past the New Year." Fang Hong shook his head.

"We really have no other choice—all sides are under pressure," Big Wang General Manager said, distressed.

"I see," Fang Hong mused.

Both Wang General Managers looked at him hopefully, waiting for the Principal to soften.

"If you delay repayment, you'll have to pay late fees." Fang Hong said.

"Principal, this—" Big Wang General Manager's face twisted in discomfort.

They couldn't even repay the principal—now they had to pay penalty interest too? That was too harsh. He'd just said they were friends.

"Principal, look at how good our relationship is," Small Wang General Manager chimed in at the right moment, leaving the rest unsaid—the implication was clear.

"Relationship is relationship, business is business—they can't be mixed. You call Jack Ma 'Dad'—did Dad ever give you any leeway? Didn't he?" Fang Hong spread his hands.

Big and Small Wang General Managers lowered their heads—Jack Ma cared even more about money than the Principal.

Everything about being uninterested in money was fake—no one in this world was uninterested in money; even the United States superpower was desperate for cash.

How much more so for individuals and corporations?

"But since you called us friends, I'm not that heartless," Fang Hong added.

"Principal, speak—we're listening," Big Wang General Manager regained hope.

"You two have a project with Xing Ye and Xu Laoguai called the Demon Subduing Chapter—let Yutu join in as interest." Fang Hong demanded outright.

Since the copyright for the Demon Subduing Chapter had always been with Huayi, Xing Ye needed to cooperate with Huayi to film it.

But both sides knew this partnership wouldn't last—it was their final film together—so neither cared to make it well; they were just here to milk the audience.

Since they were milking the audience, let Yutu take a share too—Xing Ye's reaction to this news was unknown.

Big Wang General Manager waved his hand, generously saying: "Principal, if you wanted this project, you should've said so earlier—not just joining in, I'd hand it over to you outright."

This caught Fang Hong off guard—he hadn't expected these two brothers to be so cooperative.

He glanced at Liu Tianxian; she merely smiled.

"Alright, I'll consider postponing the debt," Fang Hong didn't commit fully, fearing unforeseen changes.

"Thank you, Principal. And please also help us with the Warner repayment issue," Big Wang General Manager lowered his posture—he needed their help.

This was still only verbal, not yet executed.

Fang Hong waved them off, signaling they could leave—there was nothing more to say; if they kept talking, they'd offer to give Huayi to him.

That company was drowning in debt—what would he even do with it?

After the two brothers left, Liu Tianxian said: "Didn't you feel like you'd crushed them?"

"I didn't expect these two brothers to be so cooperative—they just handed over a profitable project like it was nothing. Now I feel awkward asking them to repay." Fang Hong said.

"Maybe they're truly afraid of you. Besides, if you wanted it, just telling them was already giving them face—if you didn't get it, you'd just take it by force, and they'd fear you even more," Liu Tianxian said, clenching her fist.

"Am I really that bad?" Fang Hong looked at her.

"Who knows? To others, you might very well be that bad," Liu Tianxian said.

"Then what about in your eyes?" Fang Hong asked.

"In my eyes, you're definitely good—a good person," Liu Tianxian laughed.

As the two talked, Big and Small Wang met with Xing Ye to discuss the Demon Subduing Chapter's allocation; Xu Laoguai was also present.

In a luxury room, the four sat facing each other as Big and Small Wang explained that the Principal wanted to join the Demon Subduing Chapter project.

"Wait, General Manager, what does this have to do with the Principal?" Xing Ye was stunned—he'd just argued with the Principal over profit shares, and now the Principal was inserting himself into his film project.

He couldn't escape the Principal's grasp—everywhere he turned, the Principal was there.

"It has nothing to do with him, but the Principal wants a share—we have to give it to him. That's the rule. You can object, but it won't change anything," Big Wang General Manager didn't care what he thought.

After all, this was their only collaboration—there'd be no future opportunities.

But the Principal remained the one who could dominate this circle.

Xu Laoguai didn't care—he had no grudge against the Principal.

"General Managers, you're completely ignoring my feelings—I'm one of the project's stakeholders," Xing Ye was unhappy.

Giving the Principal a share meant less profit for him—he still had strong confidence in his film, given the last one earned over three billion yuan.

And this one was an IP Movie—it was guaranteed profit.

"So what if you're a stakeholder? Telling you is already giving you face—do you really want the Principal to come and seize your project?" Small Wang General Manager slammed the table—his words echoed Liu Tianxian's.

How clueless could he be about his own status and identity? Who was the Principal? Someone who could stand toe-to-toe with Wanda, Alibaba, and Tencent.

He's not even taking it by force—that's already generous. How could he not know who the real big and small kings of this circle were?

This left Xing Ye stunned—he now understood: if the Principal wanted it, he had to hand it over willingly, before the Principal came to take it.

In truth, Fang Hong never intended to seize this worthless project—he'd merely thought of it on a whim, wanting Huayi to pay some interest, since he'd gone through so much trouble.

He'd put in effort to handle this—he deserved something in return. He hadn't expected to fluster Xing Ye so badly.

But it's only normal—these days in the film industry, no one fears the Principal more; even the Fashion Group has been brought to heel by him, let alone some lowly director.

"That's way too tyrannical."

Before Xing Ye could finish, Xu Laoguai slapped his arm, shaking his head slightly to signal him to stop.

If you keep talking like this, nothing will become something—after all, it's just about earning less money; what's the big deal?

It's no good offending one person, then another; offending the Principal is like offending a whole crowd.

"Xing Ye, how can you not understand? Can't you grasp a little social grace? Your films make money, but how many investors are willing to back you now?"

"You've alienated all the capital in Hong Kong, and now you're offending us film investors too—soon no one will want to play with you anymore."

Xiao Wang couldn't help but want to tell him off.

Everyone else they invest in—no one has problems, no arguments, no rifts.

It's only Xing Ye who causes conflict with every investor.

Put it this way: Xing Ye has completely offended Huayi, Guangxian, Yutu—all the major studios.

BoNa hasn't collaborated with him, but they're close with Hong Kong's film people, so naturally they won't hire Xing Ye to direct.

Choice is like this: pick one, and you can't pick the other.

"Fine, you say what you want." Xing Ye stopped talking—he'd already lost all face; these people didn't treat him as anything at all.

"Think carefully for yourself—without the Principal, this film won't get made," said General Manager Da.

Xing Ye was despondent—the Principal truly held all power, and one word had taken away his share.

But what Huayi did next was even more cunning: they sold their share to Wanda, Jinyi, Hengdian, and other theater chains.

After all, the combination of Xing Ye and Xu Laoguai was still quite formidable.

A few days later, Fang Hong and Liu Tianxian called Lao Zha again—Yu Xian agreed to direct Aquaman, but the salary needed negotiation.

"Eight million dollars! Firm price!" Lao Zha said outright.

"Yu Xian is at least an A-level director—this offer is too low. Ten million dollars. Not a cent less," Fang Hong stated directly.

"Okok, ten million dollars." Lao Zha probably deliberately lowballed it, waiting for them to counter.

"We also need a bonus: 5% of net profits, plus 3% of global derivative income after production!" Fang Hong demanded a long-term income stream for Yu Xian.

(End of Chapter)