Chapter 136

Time had unknowingly entered November, and the leaves on the trees had turned yellow. Recently, a cold wave hit, and Beijing suddenly cooled down significantly. Many people on the street couldn't react in time, and those who didn't wear thick clothes were shivering, exhaling and rubbing their hands back and forth.

Wu Yuchen, who had a car, didn't have this trouble. He hadn't filmed any movies recently, and his life was quite comfortable. He would go to the company to stroll around, brew a pot of tea and write scripts there, and when he had nothing to do, he would go to school to check in for class. Now the teachers at school turned a blind eye to whether he attended class or not, as long as he could get a grade in the end.

*Eternal Lovers* was scheduled to be broadcast in the middle of this month by CCTV, and promotion had already begun. The form of promotion these days is very simple. In fact, it mainly involved calling the main creators of their crew to do an interview, which was the kind of question-and-answer session, and then editing out part of the content to broadcast.

However, Wu Yuchen wouldn't be able to see the first broadcast of *Eternal Lovers*. He had already booked his flight and would fly to America in half a month to cooperate with the promotion of *Frequency*. He only paid a little attention to *Eternal Lovers*, while *Frequency* was his first film in Hollywood, so this was clearly his focus.

After Wu Yuchen heard the knock on the office door, he shouted "please come in" and saw Cai Yinong and Kang Honglei enter together.

Seeing them come together, it must be something important, so he asked with a smile: "Is there anything?"

Cai Yinong pointed to the script in Kang Honglei's hand: "Wu Dao, you haven't come for the past two days. The company received a good script, and Director Kang clapped his hands in admiration after reading it, so we both wanted to come and ask for your opinion today."

"Oh? Movie or TV series?"

"TV series."

Since Wu Yuchen's *My Brothers and Sisters* was a huge success, movie scripts had been coming in one after another. And with the popularity of *Burning Years*, TV scripts naturally followed. But to tell the truth, the quality was basically worrying. At first, Wu Yuchen would take a look, but later he felt it was a waste of time, so he directly let the people below look at them, and if they found a good one, they would come to find him.

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this and said: "Since it can make Director Kang clap his hands in admiration, then I must take a good look."

Kang Honglei smiled and handed over the thick stack of scripts in his hand. Wu Yuchen glanced at it and couldn't help but be surprised: "So thick? The full version?"

Cai Yinong nodded: "Yes, the full version. Maybe they are really sincere and want us to film it."

Usually, even if a TV series submits a script, they won't submit the entire script. They will make a story outline and then send over a few episodes. If interested, both sides will continue to discuss in detail. If the entire script is sent, there is a great risk of being plagiarized. Never have too high expectations for the morality of people in the circle. There are shameless people everywhere.

Moreover, this is an era of wild growth. If it's plagiarized and filmed and becomes popular, the original author can't do anything. It's very troublesome to collect evidence to sue in court, it might take several years to get a result, and even if you win the lawsuit, the compensation is pitifully low.

But now the other party really sent the full script over, which was beyond Wu Yuchen's expectations. Is it really that sincere? Or is it just trust in him, a great director? This couldn't help but arouse his interest.

Wu Yuchen took this thick stack of scripts and looked at the cover. His heart couldn't help but shake, only to see it written on it: *The Grand Mansion Gate*.

He hurriedly opened it: Bai family, Baicaotang, Bai Jingqi...

It can't be wrong, it's the *The Grand Mansion Gate* in his impression!

It's no wonder Kang Honglei clapped his hands in admiration. After all, this is *The Grand Mansion Gate*, an absolute classic!

But Wu Yuchen was both surprised and puzzled. How could *The Grand Mansion Gate* be sent to their company?

Could it be sent by Guo Baochang? But it shouldn't be. If Guo Baochang sent it to him, he should have contacted him through an acquaintance, how could he just throw it to the company without even saying hello to him?

Many people haven't heard of Guo Baochang. He is from the 1959 directing department of Tao Jingying Academy. He can be said to be a veteran director with great seniority and the original author of *The Grand Mansion Gate*. He is relatively low-key, but has a high status in the circle. The fifth-generation directors led by Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou have all been cultivated by him.

Audiences who have watched *The Grand Mansion Gate* in their past lives can see a group of big names making cameo appearances: Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Tian Zhuangzhuang, Jiang Wen, Li Xuejian, Ning Jing, He Qun, etc. This group of people coming to make cameos is simply not something that can be invited with money.

Therefore, Wu Yuchen felt that even if Guo Baochang wanted to find him to raise investment, he should have contacted him through Tao Jingying Academy.

Wu Yuchen immediately asked Cai Yinong: "Who sent this script? What's going on?"

Seeing Wu Yuchen's strange expression, Cai Yinong explained:

"It's a film and television company. They said they watched our *Burning Years* and felt it was filmed very well, so they wanted to find our Miracle Film and Television to jointly film this *The Grand Mansion Gate*, and also wanted to invite Wu Dao to be the director or producer yourself."

Wu Yuchen frowned directly after listening.

Something is wrong, something is very wrong. Invite him to be the director or producer?

As far as he knows, *The Grand Mansion Gate* is Guo Baochang's life's work, but how come Cai Yinong didn't mention Guo Baochang's name at all? Guo Baochang definitely couldn't let others film *The Grand Mansion Gate*. Even Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou couldn't!

"Wu Dao, is there a problem with this script?" Kang Honglei couldn't help but ask.

Wu Yuchen nodded, then explained what he thought in his heart, and then said:

"I have to inquire about this script. There should be something going on inside."

Kang Honglei nodded upon hearing this. He was delighted to see this script and wanted to film it very much. Now, although he was a bit disappointed, after knowing that this was the life's work of an old predecessor, he understood.

After he and Cai Yinong retreated, Wu Yuchen thought for a moment and directly dialed his class teacher Xie Xiaojing's phone:

"Hello, Wu Yuchen, are you asking for leave again?"

Xie Xiaojing's words on the other side of the phone choked Wu Yuchen.

"Uh, Teacher Xie, didn't I tell you this? I'm going to America in half a month. I'm your student, can't I find you to communicate feelings when I have nothing to do?"

Xie Xiaojing laughed: "I'm not a woman, what feelings are you communicating with me by calling me? Alright, just say what you have to say."

He had long since stopped treating Wu Yuchen as a student, and the two of them often spoke very casually.

Wu Yuchen didn't beat around the bush and said directly:

"Teacher Xie, I want to inquire about Director Guo Baochang's contact information from you, the senior Guo Baochang from our Tao Jingying Academy."

Xie Xiaojing on the other side of the phone immediately asked:

"You are looking for Bao Ye? Is there anyone contacting you? Is it about *The Grand Mansion Gate*?"

Wu Yuchen secretly thought "as expected" upon hearing this. Xie Xiaojing's words clearly meant there was something going on.

"Right, Teacher Xie, how did you know? I saw the script of *The Grand Mansion Gate* at the company today, and it's the full version! They said a film and television company wants to find me to jointly film..."

"Those grandsons! Wu Yuchen, you must not take this matter! This matter can't be explained clearly on the phone. Since it involves you, you'd better come to me quickly."

"Okay, Teacher Xie, I'll come immediately."

Wu Yuchen hung up the phone and immediately drove back to Tao Jingying Academy. As a result, just as he arrived at Xie Xiaojing's office, he found Tian Zhuangzhuang there too.

Seeing Wu Yuchen arrive, Tian Zhuangzhuang said: "Wu Yuchen, since it has found you, then you should come with us. Take you to visit Bao Ye, and I'll tell you about the matter on the way."

Wu Yuchen's car engine hadn't cooled down yet, so he loaded Xie Xiaojing and Tian Zhuangzhuang and headed to a hospital. On the way, the two also told Wu Yuchen the ins and outs of the matter.

After Guo Baochang created *The Grand Mansion Gate*, he finally found a film and television company willing to invest, and brought Chen Baoguo to film it. As a result, after filming only two episodes, the investor directly found Guo Baochang, bluntly saying you don't need to film, and took out a loophole in the contract, requiring Guo Baochang to pay 3 million in liquidated damages.

It turned out that this company took a fancy to the script of *The Grand Mansion Gate* and Chen Baoguo, but didn't want Guo Baochang to be the director at all, and set a trap in the contract from the beginning.

Guo Baochang was furious after listening. It was clearly a script he created himself, why couldn't he participate in the filming, and instead had to pay liquidated damages? Is there any justice?

But they held the contract, and even the script he painstakingly created didn't belong to him. This made him so angry that he fell ill and was hospitalized.

Wu Yuchen also frowned deeply. He knew that there were all kinds of chaos in the entertainment industry in the 90s, but it was rare to see such an ugly way of eating. They blacked out the script and wanted people to pay 3 million in reverse!

Which old director of Guo Baochang's generation had ever encountered such a thing? Naturally, they didn't guard against it at all, and they fell into the trap all at once.

Wu Yuchen couldn't help but ask: "What's the situation with the *The Grand Mansion Gate* crew now?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang said: "Chen Baoguo is righteous, directly striking. He told the investor that as long as it's not Bao Ye as the director, he absolutely won't act."

"They have sent scripts to several directors now, and Zhang Yimou also received it. He also hurriedly called to ask us what was going on. Only then did we all know that Bao Ye had encountered such a thing!" Xie Xiaojing sighed.

Soon, several people had arrived at the hospital. After arriving at a ward, Wu Yuchen found that there were already quite a few people standing in the ward.

Zhang Yimou and Jiang Wen had both come, and even Chen Kaige, who was filming *The Emperor and the Assassin*, had put down the work in his hands and rushed over!

Wu Yuchen couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The influence of this Guo Baochang is really awesome!

In the two years since he was reborn, this was the first time he had seen these great directors of Chinese-language films gathered together. And now they were squeezed into such a small ward, standing quietly.

And at this time, Guo Baochang on the hospital bed was holding Chen Baoguo beside him, saying sadly:

"Baoguo, it's me who let you down! Now it's causing you to be unable to film!"

Chen Baoguo held Guo Baochang's hand tightly: "Bao Ye, what are you saying? Even if I don't film for five or ten years, sell my own house, I can't act for these grandsons!"

The investor originally wanted to force Chen Baoguo to continue filming. Chen Baoguo firmly refused, but the contract signed by both parties stipulated that Chen Baoguo could not film other plays during the filming of *The Grand Mansion Gate*, otherwise he would have to pay liquidated damages. That is to say, now that *The Grand Mansion Gate* is delayed for one day, Chen Baoguo is also unable to take on other plays for one day, which is equivalent to cutting off his source of income.

"Baoguo, good job!" Tian Zhuangzhuang shouted after hearing this.

After speaking, Tian Zhuangzhuang and Xie Xiaojing took Wu Yuchen to the hospital bed: "Bao Ye, we are here to see you."

Xie Xiaojing introduced Wu Yuchen to Guo Baochang: "Bao Ye, this is my student Wu Yuchen. I brought him to see you."

Wu Yuchen also immediately greeted Guo Baochang respectfully.

Guo Baochang naturally had heard of Wu Yuchen's name. He forced a smile:

"Little Wu, hello. I have watched your movies. Our Tao Jingying Academy has successors! Xiaojing, you and Zhuangzhuang filmed *Red Elephant* together back then. I was greatly shocked after watching it. Now that you can still cultivate such good students in school, our Chinese films will get better and better in the future!"

"Bao Ye, take good care of your body, everything will get better." Tian Zhuangzhuang said comfortingly.

Guo Baochang nodded first, then shook his head, his face sad:

"I wrote the first draft of *The Grand Mansion Gate* at 16. At that time, I hated my background and shaped my father into a complete exploiter. My mother scolded me and burned my manuscript.

After entering the film academy, I wrote the second draft of *The Grand Mansion Gate*, but encountered changes and had to hand over the manuscript.

Later, I was labeled and underwent labor reform. During my time on the farm, the past events woke me up from my dreams every night. I knew that *The Grand Mansion Gate* was no longer just a creation, but my mission. I secretly recorded it on pieces of idle paper. Unfortunately, when the great inspection came, I had to painfully burn them with my own hands.

After those years passed, everything was getting better. After starting a family and establishing a career, I picked up my pen again to write *The Grand Mansion Gate*. It's just a pity..."

He didn't continue, but those who were familiar with him knew that this time he divorced his ex-wife, and his ex-wife was furious and burned the *The Grand Mansion Gate* he created.

Guo Baochang was already choked with sobs when he said this:

"I know that because of my attitude towards my father when I was young, my mother still hated me until she died, which also made me regret for life. Every year I have to kneel down and repent, but I still want to record their stories, their lives!"

"I don't know, what's wrong with this world now? Or is this really God's punishment for me, is it my mother's punishment, destined to make me unable to film *The Grand Mansion Gate* in this life?!"

After speaking, Guo Baochang couldn't help but howl and cry again. This scene was truly heartbreaking for those who heard it, and tearful for those who saw it. No one in the room could speak, and everyone felt very uncomfortable.

Guo Baochang used half his life's effort to create *The Grand Mansion Gate*, not once or twice, but five times!

But every time it was full of twists and turns, and now this fifth time has fallen into this situation. Everyone is a peer, who can not feel compassion?