Chapter 141: The Cannes Aftermath

In the blink of an eye, Fan Fan Binbing had been back from Cannes for a month.

In this month, she had gained 3 jin. Mostly because she had nothing to do; she was bored.

The contract termination negotiations with Poly Huayi had reached a critical stage, and their attitude was no longer as tough as it had been at the beginning, so naturally, she wouldn't show her face to provoke them.

Walking into the main entrance of Chen Nuo's studio, Fan Fan Binbing didn't look at all like someone who hadn't earned a penny in a month. She greeted the pretty receptionist, He Yuan, with high spirits: "Xiao Yuan, is Director Qi in?"

He Yuan stood up and said with a smile: "He is, he's currently discussing matters with someone. Sister Bingbing, let me go tell Director Qi for you."

Fan Fan Binbing had become familiar with everyone at Chen Nuo's studio during this time, so she waved her hand and said: "No need to trouble yourself, I'll go over myself."

"Alright then. Sister Bingbing, you look really beautiful today."

Fan Fan Binbing smiled charmingly: "Your mouth is so sweet, I'll buy you a bag tomorrow. Alright, I'm heading over now."

Walking outside the office of the Artist Management Department manager, Fan Fan Binbing saw through the glass that Qi Yuntian was indeed discussing matters with someone.

Qi Yuntian also saw her and beckoned for her to come in.

After Fan Fan Binbing walked in, she saw a man in his 30s sitting on the sofa. He wasn't ugly, but his head looked like a potato, which gave him a rather comical appearance.

"Bingbing, come, let me introduce you, this is Director Ning Hao."

When Fan Fan Binbing entered the room, Ning Hao was truly stunned.

Fan Fan Binbing could be said to be the hottest female star in the country during this period, and her popularity had remained high.

The reason was a single photo.

It was that photo where she stood in the middle wearing a sea-blue floor-length dress, with Chen Nuo on her left and Leonardo DiCaprio on her right.

Ever since it was sent back to the country, it had been a hot topic in the domestic entertainment industry for many days in a row, and it had even gone viral online.

In current China, you might not know Linghu, and you might not know Jack from Titanic.

But if you say you don't know either of them, then you must have never been online, you don't have a television at home, and you don't even have friends around you who can watch TV online.

In that photo, Fan Fan Binbing stood so grandly between these two men, and with the backdrop of the Cannes Film Festival Palace, her status was truly off the charts.

Originally, this photo only circulated among those who cared about the entertainment industry, until one day, it was photoshopped by a moderator of a Baidu PS forum.

This moderator was a girl, and she was quite good-looking. She replaced Fan Fan Binbing in the middle with herself and uploaded it to Baidu Tieba with the title: "A photo of me and the most handsome men from the East and West."

It went viral instantly!

Even the moderator herself, who just wanted to play a prank, didn't expect that her post would actually get over a thousand pages of replies and remain at the top of the forum for several weeks without ever falling off.

From that day on, this photo of the three of them changed its meaning. It became a meme and was spread everywhere.

It first went viral from the forum to Sina blogs, then to Renren, alumni networks, and other social platforms. Countless people were using this photo to play with memes and create new ones.

Under these circumstances, Fan Fan Binbing's popularity was suddenly raised by several levels again.

For Ning Hao, in this month, the name Fan Fan Binbing was like thunder to his ears. He didn't know how many peers wanted to get in touch with her to see if they could discuss some cooperation.

But she was in the middle of a contract dispute with Poly Huayi and couldn't take on anyone's film.

As a young director, although Ning Hao had directed two decent films before, he could only be considered a newcomer in the film and television industry.

Caught off guard by meeting one of the hottest actresses in the current entertainment industry, he actually had a feeling of being lucky in this life for a moment.

He hurriedly stood up: "Miss Bingbing, hello, my name is Ning Hao."

Fan Fan Binbing might put on airs elsewhere, but here, she wouldn't.

She revealed a perfectly appropriate smile, reached out her hand, and said: "Director Ning Hao, hello, I am Fan Fan Binbing."

Ning Hao was truly flattered and only dared to shake half of her palm: "Hello, hello."

Qi Yuntian said: "Bingbing, sit here and listen for a bit."

Fan Fan Binbing nodded: "Okay."

Qi Yuntian then turned to Ning Hao and said: "Director Ning, please continue."

After Ning Hao sat down, he calmed his mood.

He had actually not expected this meeting today at all.

Having hit walls everywhere, he only learned from relevant friends that Chen Nuo's studio seemed quite willing to support domestic films, so he sent an email some time ago with his shooting plan and script attached.

As a result, he didn't expect there to actually be a response.

Even up to now, there was still a good chance.

Otherwise, why would they introduce Fan Fan Binbing to him?

Ning Hao gathered his spirits and continued to introduce: "Originally, we had already negotiated with the Asian Star Project sponsored by Hong Kong's Liu Dehua at the end of last year. As a result, I didn't expect that at the end of February, they changed their minds and decided not to invest. I inquired about it, and it was because the assistant director of 'Perhaps Love', Director Liu Wenjing, submitted a plan to them. They took a fancy to it, and as a result, they took my spot."

Ning Hao sighed as he spoke: "After that, I also met many investors, but after talking back and forth, there was no follow-up. This time, coming to your company was because a friend of mine is an acquaintance of Director Li Yang. He heard Director Li Yang say some things about you and advised me to try, so I came."

After listening, Qi Yuntian thought for a while and said: "Director Ning, you know that our studio has actually never invested in any films externally. The purpose of our founding is actually just to facilitate our boss in taking on films. And you also know that Chen Nuo is currently filming in the United States, so it's not very convenient to get in touch."

Ning Hao's heart sank. He didn't know how many times he had heard similar words in the past six months. The next sentence should be, "We'll cooperate if there's a chance next time."

But he didn't expect that Manager Qi, who was excessively handsome and looked more like an artist than many artists, suddenly changed the subject and said: "However, a few days ago, when I was in contact with our boss, he suddenly mentioned your film. He is quite interested and wants me to talk to you again. If our two sides can reach a consensus, it's not impossible to cooperate."

When Fan Fan Binbing entered the door earlier, Ning Hao was just stunned, but now hearing Qi Yuntian, all the hair on his body stood up, and his brain was buzzing.

He sat up straight, and a thought popped into his head. He said incredulously: "Manager Qi, you mean... Chen Nuo wants to act in my film?"

Qi Yuntian shook his head: "That's not it, because of scheduling, he definitely can't participate. But investment is possible."

Ning Hao was a little disappointed when he heard the first half, but when he heard the end, his eyes widened instantly: "Really?"

Qi Yuntian chuckled: "You mentioned 6 million in your plan, right?"

Ning Hao's heart was pounding. His dream of many years was within reach.

Only those who have experienced it will understand how intense that feeling of anxiety is.

Hearing Qi Yuntian, he was afraid of a false joy, so he immediately said: "Actually, I calculated it before. As for the money, if you think it's too much, it can be appropriately reduced. It's just that if it's reduced too much, I'm afraid it will affect the final quality of the film."

Qi Yuntian said: "6 million is indeed a bit too much. If around 4 million is okay, we will continue to talk."

Ning Hao had been running around for so long and had long been battered by repeated setbacks. Let alone 4 million, he felt that even if the other party said 3 million, he would agree immediately.

At this moment, Ning Hao and Qi Yuntian hit it off, while Fan Fan Binbing watched with shimmering eyes from the side.

At first, she looked down on a new director like Ning Hao and listened listlessly, but when she heard Qi Yuntian mention that Chen Nuo was quite interested in this film, she instantly perked up.

After listening to Ning Hao and Qi Yuntian discuss for a while, she found a gap and asked: "Director Ning, is your film still missing actors for any roles? Do you think I'm okay?"

Hearing that Fan Fan Binbing wanted to play a role in his film, Ning Hao was truly begging for it. With her current topicality and popularity, it would definitely be beneficial and harmless to the film's future promotion.

Besides, his current film was originally an ensemble film. Even if there was no role suitable for Fan Fan Binbing in the script, it would be too easy to add a role or change a role by then.

Let alone one Fan Fan Binbing, even if Fan Fan Binbing and Chen Nuo came together, he, Ning Hao, would definitely have no problem at all.

Ning Hao wiped the saliva that was about to flow from the corner of his mouth and said: "If Miss Fan can participate, then I would definitely be begging for it. It's just that I don't know if it's convenient for you?"

Fan Fan Binbing knew that she was particularly convenient right now, with no film contracts on her, as long as she handled the contract termination.

But she couldn't say this herself, so she cast her gaze toward Qi Yuntian.

Qi Yuntian turned the fountain pen in his hand thoughtfully and didn't speak for a while.

In fact, he didn't communicate much with Chen Nuo on the phone. At the beginning, he just said that after Li Yang returned to China, he spoke well of their studio to many people, which led to many directors coming to them recently, wanting to cooperate with them.

At that time, he mentioned the names of a few people.

He didn't expect that when he heard the name Ning Hao, Chen Nuo, for some reason, suddenly seemed quite interested.

After hearing him talk a little about the script, he said this film could be invested in.

Since the boss had spoken, Qi Yuntian naturally made an appointment with Ning Hao to talk. Because there was indeed some money in the studio's account, and the 4 million salary for "My Blueberry Nights" hadn't been touched, it could just be used for this.

And besides investment, Qi Yuntian also considered other things.

Letting Fan Fan Binbing come in to listen was to prepare for her to participate.

Because if it was really negotiated, this would be the first film their studio invested in, and he would try every means to ensure it became an instant hit.

Fan Fan Binbing's current popularity was so high, it would be unreasonable not to take advantage of it.

Also, he had read the script and knew that Ning Hao's film was about the stories of a group of little people.

Qi Yuntian felt that letting Fan Fan Binbing star in such a low-budget film was definitely a good thing.

Fan Fan Binbing's current image was too detached from reality. This was also the main reason why she had so many scandals from haters.

If she could change her image of being too high and mighty and not grounded at all by starring in such a comedy film about little people, it should be able to improve the public's impression of her.

This was exactly getting what each needed, killing two birds with one stone.

The only concern was Poly Huayi. But there was no need to say that here.

After thinking clearly, Qi Yuntian nodded and said: "Bingbing's schedule is available now. Our contract termination with Poly Huayi has reached the final stage, and it is estimated that it can be completely resolved next month. By then, it should be no problem to catch up with your start date."

·

After coming out of Chen Nuo's studio, Ning Hao felt that every step under his feet seemed to be stepping on the clouds. His brain was a bit dazed, as if in a dream. In just one morning, he not only got the investment but also pulled in the hottest popular female star in the country to star in his film.

The key was that from this moment on, he could uprightly tell anyone that his film had Chen Nuo endorsing it behind him.

After the Cannes Film Festival, although Chen Nuo didn't win the Best Actor award, his status in the domestic film and television industry actually rose instead of falling, especially because of that earth-shattering kiss from Emma Stone, his popularity remained high.

The key was that this popularity was different from Fan Fan Binbing's. Fan Fan Binbing was riding on popularity, while Chen Nuo himself was generating it.

Among the new generation of male actors, there was truly a feeling of being unrivaled for a time.

And from his debut until now, although Chen Nuo hadn't filmed many movies or TV shows, he hadn't missed a single shot.

Chen Nuo was willing to put money into his film, what did this mean?

As soon as Ning Hao went out, he picked up his phone and called the friend who passed the news: "Gao Ge, I've finished talking, I just came out."

The voice on the other side of the phone was a bit expectant: "How did it go? Is there any hope?"

Ning Hao said: "Gao Ge, it went very well, the investment is basically settled."

Gao Ge's voice instantly became high-pitched: "Really?"

Ning Hao said very sincerely: "Gao Ge, this time, little brother owes it all to your blessing. I won't say much else, in the future, if you need any help, just give an order, through wind and rain, if I, Ning Hao, shirk, then I'm not a person."

"Haha." Gao Ge sounded quite happy too, "Tell me in detail, how exactly did it turn out?"

Except for the final profit-sharing ratio, which was a trade secret and wasn't mentioned, Ning Hao said everything, including that Fan Fan Binbing was also preparing to join the crew.

Gao Ge listened for a long time, remaining silent halfway through. After listening, his voice became very calm, and no feeling of happiness could be heard: "4 million. I thought it was the same as Hong Kong, at most 3 million."

Ning Hao was also a little happy and said: "Yeah, I didn't expect it either, so I didn't bargain. 4 million is 4 million, it's better than 3 million."

Gao Ge seemed a bit worried and said: "How come there's Fan Fan Binbing... Haozi, with this little money, can you afford her? Fan Fan Binbing is very hot recently. She is in a contract dispute with Poly Huayi, and all commercial performances have been pushed back. Now, some merchants are offering up to 800,000 to invite her to appear. If you want to invite her to film, don't even think about it without a few million in salary."

Ning Hao said honestly: "Fan Fan Binbing is also an artist at Chen Nuo's studio. She just said that she is helping out of friendship this time, and just giving her 10,000 yuan for travel expenses is fine."

There was silence on the other side of the phone.

After a long while, Gao Ge said in a somewhat dry tone: "Hehe, then congratulations to you, Haozi. It seems you are really going to drive a Land Rover this time."

The news that Chen Nuo invested millions in a low-budget film spread to the ears of some interested people within a few days.

This included the big Wang and little Wang of Poly Huayi.

Wang Zonglei was chatting about things in Wang Zongjun's office at the time.

Suddenly, Wang Zongjun received a call, and after some "uh-huhs," he revealed a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Wang Zonglei rarely saw Wang Zongjun reveal this expression, so he asked curiously: "Brother, what's wrong?"

Wang Zongjun chuckled: "Haven't you been asking how to deal with Chen Nuo? Now there's a chance, he actually started investing in films."

Wang Zonglei shouted: "Damn, really?"

Wang Zongjun chuckled: "Really, the news just came in. Remember there was a director named Ning Hao who came to us, wanting us to invest in his new film, remember?"

Wang Zonglei said in surprise: "Remember, Chen Nuo invested in him?"

Wang Zongjun said: "That's right. I even remember the name of the film, called 'Thief Among Thieves'. The investment department even asked me, saying it was imitating the style of Guy Ritchie's 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels', and they requested a minimum investment of 3 million, which I rejected."

Wang Zonglei agreed: "Brother, you did the right thing. After 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon', who in the country isn't filming big costume blockbusters? From 'Hero' to 'The Promise', including 'The Banquet' we just finished filming, this is the way to make money. This kind of film has a total investment of only 3 million, which isn't even enough to invite a superstar, which audience would pay for it? Chen Nuo and the others invested in this?"

Wang Zongjun nodded and smiled: "That's right, and I heard they are also preparing to call that traitor Fan Fan Binbing to play a role in it."

Wang Zonglei's face changed instantly, and he said angrily: "Fan Fan Binbing? They dare to let her take on a film? Her contract is still in our hands, isn't he afraid we'll go to her for the salary?"

Wang Zongjun chuckled: "What salary? I heard Fan Fan Binbing only charges 10,000 yuan, are you going to ask for it?"

Wang Zonglei gritted his teeth: "Fuck her, this cheap bitch, she is clearly playing us on purpose."

Wang Zongjun played with the jade beads in his hand, pondered for a while, and said: "I think there's no need to drag out the contract termination, let it go."

Wang Zonglei said: "Brother, why? Didn't we agree to drag that bitch to death? Now their lawyer says they will give us at most 7 million in breach of contract fees, the reason being that the bitch Fan Fan Binbing's total income last year was 15 million, and we only got 7 million. According to this ratio, they only need to compensate us for the profits for the remaining time of the contract, how can we agree to this?"

Wang Zongjun said coldly: "What if we don't agree? Drag it to next year, and we won't have a penny."

"But she..."

Wang Zongjun interrupted expressionlessly: "What about her? Look at Fan Fan Binbing's current popularity, how many merchants are crying and shouting for her. If you really let her keep it up and wait until next year to make a comeback after the contract is terminated, do you believe her commercial performance price can reach seven figures? By then, maybe in a month, she will have earned back all the money for the past half year."

"If we let go now, we can still collect 7 million in breach of contract fees. By then, we will have lost both the wife and the army!"

Wang Zonglei was so angry that his face turned red, gritting his teeth, and said with resentment: "Chen Nuo, Fan Fan Binbing, these two dogs, don't let me catch a chance, otherwise I will definitely finish them off."

Wang Zongjun chuckled: "Isn't the chance here now?"

Wang Zonglei was stunned for a moment and said: "Brother, what do you mean?"

"I mean, let's start with this film, let that wet-behind-the-ears kid Chen Nuo wake up, let him know that China is not France, nor is it the United States, and it's not his turn to stir up trouble." Wang Zongjun lit a cigar, took a puff, and exhaled a faint smoke ring.

Wang Zonglei clenched his fists and said: "Brother, tell me, what should we do?"

Wang Zongjun sneered: "Actually, the total investment of this 'Thief Among Thieves' is only a few million, which won't hurt his bones, but this is a finger he stretched out. If we don't cut it off and make him feel the pain of ten fingers connected to the heart, we would really be sorry for the 7 million in breach of contract fees he paid us. Zonglei, I'm going to adjust the release time of 'The Banquet', I want to release it at the same time as their film!"

Wang Zonglei was taken aback. 'The Banquet' was a blockbuster that Poly Huayi invested in cooperation with Emperor Motion Pictures this year. Wang Zongjun personally found the script and let Feng Xiaogang be the director. The film was full of stars, and the total investment reached 130 million.

Compared to 'The Banquet', that 'Thief Among Thieves' really wasn't worth a fart.

Wang Zonglei hesitated: "Brother, wouldn't that be too exaggerated? If we really want to compete with them, wouldn't 'A Battle of Wits' be enough?"

Wang Zongjun shook his head: "Zonglei, you still don't understand what I'm saying. I want to make him feel the pain in his heart, which means not only do I want their film to lose a lot of money... but more importantly, what? I want to knock off Chen Nuo's halo!"

Wang Zongjun stood up from his chair, pacing in the office while smoking a cigar, "During this time, I have been studying Chen Nuo as a person. I'm thinking, why does our huge Poly Huayi feel like we have nowhere to start against a mere actor."

Wang Zongjun walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looked at the high-rise buildings outside, and said coldly: "The result of my thinking is that the hardest thing to deal with about this person is the halo on him. Since his debut, he hasn't encountered any setbacks, which simply gives the outside world a feeling of being invincible. Therefore, there are many people who don't like him, but no one is willing to be the first to stand up. And if we want to deal with him, we must first remove the halo on his head!"

Wang Zonglei listened intently and couldn't help nodding: "Yes, if everyone knows that he is actually nothing, then surely it won't just be our Poly Huayi that wants to bite him to death."

Wang Zongjun turned around and smiled: "You're right. So we often say that the higher a person stands, the heavier they will fall when they fall, and they might even be smashed to pieces. Chen Nuo has been debuting for more than a year, and he has really taken all the limelight in our circle. The number of people who don't like him can be said to be countless. What we need to do is fire the first shot. This shot, I am aiming at 'Thief Among Thieves'."

"The reason I'm using 'The Banquet' to compete with him is to ensure nothing goes wrong."

"As long as he loses his halo, he has plenty of black material on him. Didn't I hear that when he was in high school, he was expelled from school for messing around with many women? And, some time ago, wasn't it rumored that he had a girlfriend in Hong Kong? And that Emma Stone, hehe, similar handles are simply countless."

"By then, we will hype these scandals together with Fan Fan Binbing, let everyone know that this man is not as simple as everyone thinks, and let his image completely collapse. After that, the paparazzi in the country will naturally bite him to death."

Wang Zonglei carefully thought about his big brother's moves.

That's right, with the cast of 'The Banquet', combining the power of Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, Wu Yanzu, and Zhou Xun, they could slap that 'Thief Among Thieves' to death with one palm.

Then, link by link, from small to big, pull Chen Nuo off the altar and make him a stray dog that everyone shouts to beat.

Every step was calculated for the human heart.

The more he thought about it, the more exquisite he felt, and he couldn't help but praise: "Brother, you are really amazing. By then, when the wall falls, everyone pushes it. As long as Chen Nuo falls, that cheap bitch Fan Fan Binbing, if she wants to continue to mix in the country, won't she have to come back and beg us?"

Wang Zongjun was also a bit proud and smiled: "That's right. So, let's let Fan Fan Binbing go, let her act, let her get on this boat. Didn't she take a photo with Chen Nuo and Leonardo DiCaprio? Maybe this is God's will, let them sink to the bottom of the sea just like the Titanic."

The two brothers looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.

……

……

Ever since signing the contract with Chen Nuo's studio, Ning Hao's life had undergone earth-shaking changes.

Chen Nuo's studio remitted the money to the regulatory account the next day and sent an accountant over at the same time. They seemed quite at ease with him and didn't do any further financial checks.

At the same time, they really did what they said at the beginning: except for investing money, they didn't care about anything else.

Except for letting Fan Fan Binbing come in to add luster to the film, everything else, whether it was casting, site selection, or how to shoot, was all left to Ning Hao to be responsible for himself.

Ning Hao truly felt a sense of "a scholar dies for his bosom friend" because of this.

With the blessing of the two words "Chen Nuo", before the film even started shooting, China Film Group came to the door to prepare for the domestic distribution of this film, and even Media Asia in Hong Kong heard the news and began to contact him.

His subsequent casting work also went extremely smoothly.

After more than half a month of casting, the final list, if Chen Nuo saw it, he would probably sigh that the butterfly effect had indeed occurred.

Sun Honglei, who suddenly had no time to participate, pushed away other film contracts this time.

Together with Fan Fan Binbing, he played the protagonist Bao Shihong and his wife in the film, replacing the positions of Guo Tao and Luo Lan. Moreover, Sun Honglei knew that the cost here was tight, so he referred to Fan Fan Binbing and took a salary of 10,000 yuan.

Among the other candidates, the trio of Dao Ge remained the same three, and the future Best Actor Huang Bo also caught this express train to success.

But the international thief originally played by Lian Jin was replaced this time by Chen Nuo's film academy teacher, Huang Lei.

Like Xu Zheng, Huang Lei actively applied to participate with 0 salary. Ning Hao was overjoyed by this big shot who said he was coming to support his own student.

Because Huang Lei's image and temperament not only matched the international thief in his script extremely well, but his fame was also countless times greater than the Lian Jin he had originally taken a fancy to.

Plus Wang Xun, who was still running errands in the play...

The future "Go Fighting!" men's group, four out of the six people actually arrived.

I don't know how this combination, which set a viewership record later, plus Xu Zheng and Fan Fan Binbing, will perform on the big screen, and what the box office record will be.

In short, this crew, tentatively named "Thief Among Thieves", officially started shooting in Shancheng in July!

(End of chapter)