Chapter 307: Only the Obedient Are Good Brothers

Zhang Weiping was stunned for a moment, then immediately grabbed the old master's hand, revealing great joy:

"Pregnant? That's great! This is a big happy event!

Congratulations, Mouzi! You're going to be a father again!"

Hearing this, the old master also chuckled.

Zhang Weiping hugged the old master and asked: "Mouzi, I don't know if the baby in your wife's belly is a boy or a girl. Do you want a boy, or do you want a girl?"

The old master had clearly thought about this question too, and said with a smile: "If it's a boy, I'll name him Zhang Yiding; if it's a girl, I'll name him Zhang Yijiao."

Zhang Weiping punched the old master's chest: "Hey, looks like you want a boy~"

The old master now had two children. His eldest daughter was born to his ex-wife and was already 20. His eldest son was born to Chen Ting in 2001, named Zhang Yinan, and was only 2 years old now.

Listen to the names he wanted to give his children: if it were a boy, he'd be called Zhang Yiding. If you put that together with his eldest son's name, wouldn't it be 'Nan Ding' 【Male Heir】? His traditional, farmer-like emphasis on male heirs was already quite obvious.

Therefore, Zhang Weiping also followed along and said: "Yiding is good. When the time comes, add another son to your Zhang family to branch out and flourish, making it even more prosperous!"

The old master nodded with a smile again, without saying a word.

Then Zhang Weiping chatted with the old master for a long while until he stopped, and only then did the old master open his mouth: "Weiping, look, Chen Ting is pregnant now, and I'm not at home, and she doesn't have a source of income..."

Speaking of this, the old master paused, but still said it: "The money from before..."

He didn't say the rest; he couldn't quite bring himself to say it. At the same time, he believed Zhang Weiping had already understood what he meant.

Zhang Weiping naturally understood what the old master meant—asking him for money, the salary he had been dragging his feet on paying.

Since 2000, the old master had basically not received any money from Zhang Weiping.

According to the official investigation into his situation during the 'excess birth' incident later, in 2000, the old master's annual family income was only 2,760 yuan, which was his basic salary from the Yuexi Film Studio.

Such a big director, with an annual family income of 2,760 yuan—do you dare believe it?

But the old master had lived like that, stubbornly keeping his head down and never asking Zhang Weiping for it. If it weren't for the fact that his wife Chen Ting was pregnant this time, and it was an 'excess birth' second child, he wouldn't have been able to open his mouth. The old master was just that kind of honest person who valued brotherly affection, cared about face, and would rather suffer himself than make a sound.

When filming *Hero* before, the investors led by Bill Kong had invested 30 million USD. The old master's salary wasn't low; although it wasn't disclosed, it definitely had to be in the millions. But this money didn't reach his hands at all; it was all at the New Pictures company.

Hearing the old master mention money, Zhang Weiping's face immediately showed bitterness, and he said to the old master in a very difficult manner: "Mouzi, it's not that your big brother doesn't want to give you this money, it's just that our company is really struggling to make ends meet right now!"

Actually, based on Zhang Weiping's understanding of the old master, the moment the old master said his wife was pregnant, he knew this would happen. But he kept beating around the bush and wouldn't bring it up to him. He also knew the old master had thin skin and just didn't want him to open his mouth.

But now that the old master had said it, he had already prepared his excuse:

"Look, last time *Hero* earned so much, a bunch of people in the country thought we made a fortune, but only you and I know that we just earned a shout; the real money was all earned by Bill Kong and those investors."

"So, this time for *House of Flying Daggers*, we must participate in the investment ourselves. Now, all the money from New Pictures has been poured into this film, and I really can't take it out for the moment!"

Zhang Weiping spread his hands, looking very troubled. But then he hugged the old master again, looking solemn:

"How about this, Mouzi, I'll call your sister-in-law right now and have her take out 50,000 yuan to send to your wife! And if your wife is missing anything, I'll have your sister-in-law prepare it all. For this period, just let your sister-in-law go and accompany your wife and take good care of her!"

The old master hurriedly waved his hand: "No need, no need. Chen Ting is only 3 months along now; she's fine on her own, and there are people at home."

"Hi, Mouzi, what's there to be formal about with your brother? I can't take out a large sum right now, but you must take this 50,000 yuan first, otherwise, you're looking down on your brother!"

Zhang Weiping firmly grasped the old master's hands, his eyes looking at him unquestioningly.

Only then did the old master nod.

Only then did Zhang Weiping smile: "That's more like it! Between us, who's who? We're closer than real brothers! If you have anything, just open your mouth to me. If I can do it, I will; if I can't, I'll risk my life to do it for you!"

Hearing this, the old master also held Zhang Weiping's hand and nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, Weiping!"

Zhang Weiping originally thought it was about enough, but he didn't expect the old master to speak again the next moment:

"Weiping, this time I originally didn't want to open my mouth. If it were just having a child, the family could scrape some together, and it wouldn't let the mother and child go hungry. But now the country advocates family planning. This isn't my first, so I have to pay a fine."

The old master paused for a moment, then looked at Zhang Weiping and said: "I, Zhang Yimou, can be poor, but I must live uprightly and cannot take the lead in violating national policy!"

Zhang Weiping looked at Zhang Yimou's eyes and was really stunned for a moment. He was thinking in his heart, did this Mouzi have a hidden meaning, secretly mocking him? Or was this old guy just using this opportunity to force him to pay back the money?

But Zhang Weiping's inner thoughts didn't delay his facial expression at all. He looked quite touched at this moment, then patted the old master's shoulder, gave a thumbs up, and said:

"Mouzi, you said that well! Really good! I, Zhang Weiping, am truly proud to have a brother like you! Truly proud!"

Then Zhang Weiping widened his eyes, looked at the old master with a solemn oath, and patted his chest to guarantee:

"Mouzi, don't worry about this matter. Everything is on me; I will handle it for you properly!"

The old master hesitated: "This..."

Zhang Weiping immediately asked back: "Why, don't you believe your big brother?"

The old master hurriedly waved his hand: "No, Weiping, this is my private matter after all, and the excess birth is also..."

Zhang Weiping directly interrupted him loudly: "What private matter, private matter? Are you still treating me as a brother? Your business is my business!"

Zhang Weiping patted the old master's hand: "Besides, we agreed back then that you are responsible for creation, and I am responsible for helping you handle chores and escorting you! Haven't we been living like this for the past few years? Has your big brother ever broken his word?"

The old master shook his head: "Big brother, you've done well. That's not what I meant. I just thought that my and Chen Ting's business would be too much trouble for you to handle. I'll have Chen Ting pay the fine, and then everything will..."

Zhang Weiping stood up directly and shook off the old master's hand, putting on an angry look: "Mouzi, if you still call me big brother, then I must handle this matter!"

Once Zhang Weiping said this, the old master was speechless, then hurriedly grabbed Zhang Weiping: "Weiping, you are definitely my big brother!"

Only then did Zhang Weiping's expression soften, and he said to the old master: "That's more like it! Don't worry, leave this matter to your big brother to handle."

Then he explained: "Isn't your wife only 3 months along? That means she won't give birth until March or April next year. Once our film is filmed, we can take it to sell the copyright. Once there's income, I'll go and pay your fine for you immediately!"

"So, the most important thing now is that you have to film this movie well!"

Hearing this, the old master also nodded.

After Zhang Weiping left, the old master also sighed. He also knew that the company was having difficulties because all the money was bet on *House of Flying Daggers*. If it weren't for the excess birth, he really didn't plan to open his mouth to ask for this money.

As for whether Zhang Weiping would lie to him, the old master didn't want to believe it. Even though more than one person had told him that Zhang Weiping was suspicious before, after working together for so many years, he didn't believe that a brother who had taken care of him, cared about him, and supported him in every way for 8 years like a day would lie to him!

On the other side, after Zhang Weiping returned to his room, the fat on his face drooped down, and his face became gloomy.

Everyone always uses their own thoughts to speculate about others, so he had been thinking back just now whether the old master was using this excuse today to ask him for money.

He had been put off this time, but what about next time? What if he had another child next time? He would definitely continue to open his mouth to ask him for it.

And this wasn't the most important thing. Over the past many years, the old master had been very obedient to him and never asked about money, leaving it entirely to him to manage. But today, the old master had tried to resist his decision several times and mentioned money. To him, Zhang Weiping, this was not a good signal!

What did he, Zhang Weiping, take a liking to in the old master back then? Besides his outstanding film talent, wasn't it because he was easy to control?

To achieve this goal, he and his wife had put in a lot of effort back then, even breaking up Gong Li from the old master's side. How could he tolerate the old master escaping his control?

Zhang Weiping paced back and forth in the room, thinking of countermeasures. Then he picked up his mobile phone and called his wife:

"Hello, Mouzi's wife, Chen Ting is pregnant. Take out 50,000 yuan and send it to her today. Also, spend more time with her during this period, visit her more often, deepen your relationship with her, and it's even better to live at their house to accompany her. Make her moved; anyway, you must make her completely open her heart to you."

"Weiping, I've had contact with this Chen Ting before, and her brain isn't that simple. I don't think it will necessarily work..."

Zhang Weiping frowned and continued: "Try again. Pregnancy is the most vulnerable time for a woman; this is a good opportunity. Put in more effort, and maybe it will work. If it really doesn't work, then do the same as before—design it so they divorce!"

"I understand this old guy too well; he values face more than anything. Chen Ting is about to give birth to his second child, and he has been hiding it from the outside world, not to mention not getting a marriage certificate, and letting Chen Ting follow him without a name or status. Do you think Chen Ting won't have complaints in her heart?"

"And standing between them is his eldest daughter. He is still hiding it from his daughter now, pretending to be a good father in front of her, hehe!"

"Just find the right opportunity for these messy things in their family, and operate it well; it won't be difficult to make them separate!"

"Okay, Weiping, then I'll go over now."

After Zhang Weiping hung up the phone, he still felt it wasn't enough, pondering that he must think of another way to make the old master feel a sense of crisis, and he must cut off his trust in everyone outside. By then, he would step in to save him, making him only able to trust him!

As for the setbacks encountered by the *House of Flying Daggers* crew, Wu Yuchen didn't care at all. Now *Pirates of the Caribbean* had begun to enter the final stage of filming, and his energy was invested in that.

However, at this time, Wu Yuchen received a phone call from China: "Wu Dao, can you make it back this December?"

Wu Yuchen thought for a moment: "December? I can only say I'll try my best. Is there something going on over there?"

If everything went according to the current plan, it should be able to wrap up by the end of November. But he didn't dare say whether the subsequent filming could go smoothly. After all, with such a large crew, an accident could delay the filming schedule, such as a lead actor getting injured...

So Wu Yuchen didn't dare give a definite answer. And even if filming was finished, he was still responsible for post-production. If there wasn't anything very necessary, he didn't want to waste time and energy going back and forth.

He wanted to complete the post-production of *Pirates of the Caribbean 2* before the end of the year so he could rush home to spend a peaceful New Year.

"Wu Dao, it's like this. You have been shortlisted for this year's 'China's Top Ten Outstanding Youth', and you are a hot candidate. It is very likely that you will win the award. The award ceremony may be held in December. We hope you can attend."

Hearing the title 'China's Top Ten Outstanding Youth', Wu Yuchen also knew its weight. It should be considered an activity that the official authorities attach great importance to, and big leaders would be present.

Wu Yuchen continued to ask: "Can you confirm the specific time?"

"Wu Dao, we cannot give a specific time for the time being because it needs to be arranged according to the leader's schedule. However, generally speaking, it is held at the end of December or early January. As for the award winners, it will generally be announced at the end of November!"

Hearing this, Wu Yuchen roughly understood the time point, thought for a moment, and said: "In that case, I should be able to make it back to China. If the specific time is set, please notify me again."

"Okay, okay, it would be great if you could come back! We will definitely notify you as soon as possible!"

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen smiled. Top Ten Outstanding Youth, huh! He didn't expect he could also mix into this kind of honor.

Although this status had a greater bonus for his journey, it didn't seem to have any substantial help for him as a director, but it sounded good!

And he estimated that when he told his parents the news, they would definitely be overjoyed! ===== CHAPTER 308 =====