Chapter 115: The moonlight tonight is truly beautiful

After finalizing the copyright sale, Wu Yuchen and Pete let go of each other's hands and immediately asked:

"Mr. Pete, regarding the filming of *Frequency*, I think we can talk about it in detail."

Pete smiled upon hearing this and said:

"Wu, your script has passed our internal greenlight committee. Thanks to your two consecutive films, *Comet* and *Run Luo La Run*, the committee believes that you are very good at filming this type of space-time theme film, so they decided to invest in *Frequency*, with 25 million in production funds.

As for your personal director's fee and script fee, they add up to a total of 2 million, which is already much better than the treatment for a newcomer director in Hollywood."

Pete was full of confidence and didn't even ask if the other party was willing or not; no one could refuse an invitation from Hollywood.

Wu Yuchen pondered for a moment.

25 million in funds?

This treatment is about the same as John Woo's back then. John Woo's first film in Hollywood was *Hard Target*, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the investment was between 25-30 million.

This film's North American box office was only 30 million, but it broke even relying on overseas box office, and then made a profit in the video tape market, allowing John Woo to barely gain a foothold in Hollywood.

The situation now is just like this. Even if he filmed the blockbuster *Run Luo La Run*, he hasn't filmed a Hollywood film, so to Hollywood, he is still half a newcomer. It is impossible to give him a large amount of production funds right away; he must rely on this opportunity to prove himself.

And Wu Yuchen just happened to value this opportunity. No matter what, this time it can be considered that he was invited over by the other party.

As for the director's fee plus script fee of 2 million, he didn't have much doubt about that. An ordinary Hollywood newcomer director only gets a fee of 200,000 or 300,000, so his is considered mid-range.

Thinking of this, he said to Pete: "I accept the fee and script fee, but I must guarantee my rights as a director. The script cannot be cut on a large scale, and I hope to participate in the final cut."

"Hey, Wu, you are the director and screenwriter. Of course, you have great power in the crew. You can participate in casting; this is our sincerity to you. But we cannot guarantee you the final cut. You can participate in editing, but you only have the right to suggest. At the same time, we will equip the crew with a very experienced producer to be your partner."

Pete saw that Wu Yuchen didn't speak and continued:

"Wu, since we are willing to invest in *Frequency*, our common goal is to film a good and box-office-selling film, isn't it? No one will create trouble for no reason."

Wu Yuchen actually understood in his heart that for something like the final cut, even a top-tier director like Ridley Scott cannot guarantee it. He was just trying to ask, and sure enough, it was like this.

However, *Frequency* itself is a very neat Hollywood commercial story. Just as the other party said, everyone is going for money, so they won't deliberately mess with you.

Thinking of this, Wu Yuchen asked again:

"Pete, can I ask who the producer I'm partnering with this time is? If the other party is a racist..."

After all, Hollywood is a producer-centered system, and he is still an outsider. This producer's power in the crew is greater than his as a director. If he doesn't get along with the producer, then don't film; the crew might even fall apart.

"No, no, Wu, you are overthinking it. The producer is Jeff Franklin. As far as I know, he doesn't have any racial discrimination problems."

Wu Yuchen listened carefully to Pete's introduction of Franklin and slowly set his heart at ease.

Jeff Franklin, a veteran producer who started as a screenwriter, is 50 years old this year, white, values family...

"Wu, I've told you everything I know. Regarding the specific matters of the project, you need to communicate with Franklin separately." After Pete finished speaking, he left Wu Yuchen with contact information.

……

After sending these two away, Wu Yuchen let out a long breath, digesting the transaction that had just taken place.

First is *Run Luo La Run*. The 15 million just now, plus the 8 million in video tape, disc, and other copyright fees from Europe, 1.5 million for script adaptation rights, and the 5 million for screening rights from a month ago.

Adding this up, he has 29.5 million in hand. If you add the 1 million share given to him after breaking 40 million, that's 30.5 million. It can be said that he has achieved financial freedom in one fell swoop.

Regarding the European box office of *Run Luo La Run*, it looks like it won't break 100 million like in the previous life. It would be good to have 60 or 70 million, and he would be content to get an extra 2 or 3 million.

Wu Yuchen couldn't help but feel emotional in his heart that the film market is really feast or famine.

He now understands why Harvey valued Tarantino so much. A *Pulp Fiction* could bring nearly 100 million in revenue to Miramax.

Although Wu Yuchen is still quite far from the nearly 100 million in revenue Harvey got from *Pulp Fiction*, he is already very satisfied with having 30 million. Even among Chinese films of later generations, very few have sold so much in overseas copyrights.

That is *Hero*, where the North American copyright alone sold for 25 million US dollars. The total global copyright amount was not disclosed, but it certainly wasn't less than 40 million.

As for *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* with a box office of 200 million US dollars, although it is a Chinese-language film, in terms of investment, it is actually American, invested by Sony, and what was earned was also theirs.

*Hero* can be considered to have benefited from the martial arts trend brought about by *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, while his *Run Luo La Run* was able to sell so much because it was fought out at the European box office.

Last year, Wu Yuchen sold the copyrights to 3 works. *Car 44* totaled 420,000, *Together* 1.2 million US dollars, and *Comet* totaled just over 3 million for global copyrights plus adaptation rights. And when it came to *Run Luo La Run*, it increased tenfold at once, which couldn't help but give him a sense of unreality.

However, it will be very difficult for him to have such results again when filming Chinese-language films in the future, because its style is too special—avant-garde, novel, internationalized. As long as they are young people, they can empathize, which is something the vast majority of films find difficult to do.

Wu Yuchen also thought about how he originally wanted to rely on investing in Yahoo to earn enough money by '99 to invest in Tencent's angel round, but now Yahoo's stock is still dormant, and he has already earned enough from one film, which also made him sigh.

He hasn't thought about how to spend such a large sum of money. Buy a house? Hoard land? Invest in his own special effects company?

Wu Yuchen shook his head, let's calm his mind first. It is possible to pay the taxes on last year's income. Domestic regulations state that film copyright income is paid according to a 20% copyright tax, which is about 900,000 US dollars. In this day and age, this is a huge sum of money domestically, but compared to the income from *Run Luo La Run*, it is nothing. It will be heartbreaking when it comes to paying taxes next year.

……

"What? You are going to Hollywood to film a movie?" Hou Keming was almost choked by his tea when he heard Wu Yuchen's words.

Seeing Wu Yuchen wanted to come over and pat his back, he waved his hand, signaling him to speak quickly.

"Yes, Sony Columbia took a fancy to my script and invited me over to film a movie. I think the opportunity is rare, so I plan to give it a try."

Hou Keming hurriedly put down his teacup: "What exactly is going on? Tell me quickly!"

Wu Yuchen told him about the news that *Run Luo La Run* had a very good response after its release in Europe, which attracted Hollywood's attention. Except for not saying how much money the copyright was sold for, there was nothing else that couldn't be said.

This news couldn't be hidden either; it is estimated that the European box office will soon spread back to the country and then be reported by some media.

Hou Keming nodded and then asked: "Then that romance film you mentioned before..."

"Isn't there still three months until summer vacation? I just thought I'd go to Hollywood to see the situation first."

Everything that needed to be prepared for *The Classic* has already been arranged, and even the theme song has already been started. Wu Yuchen is not worried.

"Yes, the opportunity is indeed rare. Hollywood is the world's film center after all!"

Hou Keming sighed and said: "Go ahead with peace of mind. Going to Hollywood to learn advanced film production experience is good for both you personally and our Chinese films!"

Now Hou Keming has clearly regarded Wu Yuchen as one of the future hopes of China.

……

Zeng Li walked with her long legs and rushed back to the dormitory in a hurry. Class was about to start, but she forgot to take her things.

As soon as she pushed open the dormitory door, Zeng Li saw that there was still someone in the dormitory. After looking carefully, joy couldn't help but appear on her face: "Sister Ting, you're back!"

Mei Ting was stunned after seeing Zeng Li, and then smiled at her: "Li."

Zeng Li hurriedly walked to Mei Ting and asked with concern: "Sister Ting, they said you fell out with the school..."

Mei Ting picked up a letter from the table and handed it to Zeng Li: "Li, it's good that you're back. Then help me give this letter to Teacher Chang. I won't go to see her."

"Sister Ting, are you going to..." Zeng Li was a bit confused and a bit surprised. She guessed something in her heart but didn't dare to be sure.

"If they don't let me attend, then I won't attend." Mei Ting said lightly.

Confirming the conjecture in her heart, Zeng Li couldn't help but reluctantly hold Mei Ting's hand: "Sister Ting, are you really leaving? Is there no other way?"

"I have already signed the contract with the crew outside, so I can't take care of so much. The crew won't wait for me alone."

"Didn't you retire from the army for the sake of exams and school? What a pity. Do your parents know? Can't you ask them to come and solve it?"

Mei Ting shook her head upon hearing this:

"I make my own decisions about my own affairs. There is nothing to regret. I retired from the army and took the college entrance exam at that time to film better, but what I learned in school is also different from what I thought. And Li, opportunities don't wait for people. You haven't really entered the entertainment industry yet, so you don't know how rare good opportunities are."

Speaking of this, Mei Ting looked at Zeng Li and couldn't help but say some sincere words to her before parting:

"Li, do you know that all the girls in our class envy you? Including me. You have a big director boyfriend. As long as you want to act, you won't lack opportunities, and you can study in school with peace of mind. But I can't. If this opportunity is gone, I might never encounter it again!"

Zeng Li was stunned upon hearing this, but she didn't know what to say at this time.

Subsequently, Mei Ting softened her tone:

"Li, I didn't say this to blame you for anything. It's just that everyone's encounters and karmic connections are different, and you don't necessarily have to walk the same path. The profession of an actor is relatively special. It doesn't look at diplomas. This diploma doesn't mean much to me anymore."

After Mei Ting finished speaking, she was just about to let Zeng Li hurry to class, only to hear Zeng Li lower her head and say softly:

"Sister Ting, actually... he is really not my boyfriend."

Mei Ting looked at Zeng Li. She had said this before, but everyone didn't particularly believe it.

Mei Ting has always been the big sister role among their girls. At this time, Zeng Li faced Mei Ting who was about to leave and couldn't help but reveal her inner voice: "He has a girlfriend, and she is from Beijing Film Academy."

Mei Ting was stunned for a moment, looked at Zeng Li carefully, and saw that her expression didn't look like she was faking it. She suddenly realized in her heart, no wonder Zeng Li kept emphasizing that Wu Yuchen was not her boyfriend.

Mei Ting pulled Zeng Li to sit on the edge of the bed and then asked: "Then do you like him?"

Zeng Li nodded.

"Then that's it. What does it matter if he has a girlfriend? Just snatch him over, isn't that it? Are you struggling just for this?"

Zeng Li was stunned for a moment, then stammered: "But, but..."

Mei Ting saw that she couldn't say anything, so she said:

"I don't know what happened between you two, but I see that he also likes you, and you also like him, so there is nothing to struggle with. Someone like him must have a group of women fighting for him. If you don't have this courage, or can't accept this reality, then just break it off early. If you want to be with him, then go and snatch him over. If you don't even try, you will regret it later."

Mei Ting saw Zeng Li biting her lip and not speaking, so she sighed and said:

"Li, I won't talk about your feelings. Just from a practical point of view, with a big director like Wu Yuchen supporting you, your starting point is much higher than anyone in our class."

Then Mei Ting changed the subject and asked: "Do you know that Ziyi has a boyfriend?"

"Ah? Ziyi has a boyfriend?!" Zeng Li was surprised.

Mei Ting nodded: "He is also a celebrity, the singer Gao Feng, the one who sang *Big China*. I bumped into him once when he came to school to find Ziyi before."

"Then, then why have I never heard her mention it?"

"Don't look at Ziyi as usually boisterous; she is very strong-willed in her heart. You have a big director boyfriend like Wu Yuchen, and both of you are dating boyfriends outside of school. How can she compare if she says it out?"

"But, aren't matters of the heart one's own business? How can they be compared?"

"Just because you don't have the intention to compare doesn't mean others don't. Be careful!"

Mei Ting said as she patted Zeng Li's hand.

……

After Zeng Li came out of the office, she felt a bit uncomfortable in her heart. Just now she gave Mei Ting's letter to Teacher Chang Li. Teacher Chang didn't say a word after reading it, but her face was very haggard.

Subsequently, she remembered the conversation with Mei Ting today, which also made her mood very complicated. Just at this time, the pager rang.

In the park, Wu Yuchen accompanied Zeng Li for a walk, listening to her pour out everything about Mei Ting. He thought to himself that Mei Ting still embarked on the path of dropping out of school just like in the previous life.

"Are you reluctant to let her go?"

Zeng Li nodded: "Before in school, when we first started arranging homework and had things we couldn't do, Mei Ting helped us. She took good care of us."

Wu Yuchen smiled: "I am quite optimistic about Mei Ting's development. She has a good foundation, and she has this drive."

Then he turned his head and said:

"If you really want to maintain a good relationship with her, then don't be left behind by her. Two friends are both in the entertainment industry. One becomes a big star in the future, and the other is just an ordinary third-tier artist. Then it is highly probable that they will not become good friends again. Changes in status will bring changes in feelings, and it will be very difficult to communicate as equally as when they were classmates."

"Is the entertainment industry all like this?"

"Other industries are the same, it's just that the entertainment industry is a vanity fair, so it will be more obvious."

Zeng Li nodded upon hearing this. In fact, she used to study opera and had stayed in an opera troupe, so she could more or less understand how big the difference is between a star and an ordinary opera singer.

At this time, Wu Yuchen said: "By the way, Li, I came to find you today to tell you that I am going to America soon."

Zeng Li's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. In this day and age, saying you are going to America mostly means going abroad to study or immigrating, the kind where you go for at least a few years.

Zeng Li couldn't help but feel a bit panicked in her heart. Having just experienced Mei Ting's departure, now Wu Yuchen also said he was leaving. The uncomfortable emotions that were originally difficult to bear all surged into her heart, and she unconsciously grabbed Wu Yuchen's arm tightly.

Wu Yuchen was grabbed by Zeng Li and turned to look at her, only to see that tears had already appeared in her eyes. Then she threw herself into his arms and hugged him, sobbing: "I don't want you to leave..."

This caught Wu Yuchen off guard. In fact, since last year, although he came to find Zeng Li from time to time and often talked to her on the phone, the two of them had always maintained boundaries, and they hadn't even really held hands.

Wu Yuchen didn't know why Zeng Li suddenly threw herself into his arms and cried, but he was overjoyed in his heart at this moment. It seems the boundaries have been broken?

Wu Yuchen immediately hugged her and patted her back gently: "What's wrong? Li, don't be sad. If there's anything, let's talk about it slowly."

"Why is everyone leaving... Sister Ting is dropping out, and now you are going abroad..."

Wu Yuchen reacted for a moment before realizing that it seemed Zeng Li had misunderstood, but he didn't explain immediately, just hugged the other party tightly and didn't speak.

After a while, Zeng Li's sobbing subsided, and then she asked again: "When are you leaving? How long are you going for?"

"Just these few days. As for how long I'm going for..." Wu Yuchen asked with a smile.

Zeng Li only realized that she might have misunderstood when she heard Wu Yuchen ask this:

"You, why are you going to America?"

"Hehe, a script I submitted was taken a fancy to, and Hollywood invited me over to film!"

"You're not going to study abroad?"

"Why? Do you really want me to run over there to study abroad?"

Zeng Li breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and couldn't help but pat Wu Yuchen: "Why didn't you make it clear just now?"

Wu Yuchen hugged her waist and said with a smile: "You didn't give me a chance to make it clear~"

Zeng Li's face turned red upon hearing this, and she wanted to get out of Wu Yuchen's arms, but found that he was hugging her tightly.

"I'm not the kind of person you can just enter and exit as you please~" Wu Yuchen lowered his head and said with a soft smile.

Zeng Li didn't move at this time, just lying in Wu Yuchen's arms: "Then what do you want?"

Wu Yuchen just lowered his head, gently lifted her face, and then looked directly into her eyes.

Zeng Li suddenly started to have a racing heartbeat at this moment, feeling flustered by Wu Yuchen's burning gaze, and her eyes unconsciously dodged to both sides.

Wu Yuchen pressed his forehead against Zeng Li's forehead and said with a smile: "Li, you are really beautiful!"

After finishing, he leaned down and captured a pair of soft lips.

Zeng Li's eyes couldn't help but widen, and she shook her body slightly without breaking free. Feeling the other party's burning breath, she couldn't help but indulge in it, and then wrapped her arms around Wu Yuchen's neck.

The moonlight tonight is truly beautiful. ===== CHAPTER 116 =====