Chapter 1043: Big Commotion; Notification; No More Ties!

Keywords: Minnesota, Minneapolis, business tycoon, face-blind, unaware of wife's beauty, Kakarot hairstyle.

On the 5th, news across major domestic sectors—finance, economics, legal, internet, film and entertainment—was flooded and dominated by the same blockbuster information from overseas. The entire internet was in an uproar, exploding with discussion.

Not only that, but the Chinese filmmakers at the Venice International Film Festival were also in a state of chaos and heated discussion after seeing the overseas reports.

Was it a setup? A honey trap? Tsk tsk tsk, for a top-tier business tycoon, how could he be so careless? Does he have no vigilance or defensive instincts? What time is it now? We are in the middle of a trade war!

Of course, ordinary netizens and the public certainly couldn't consider things that deeply; everyone just saw the salacious gossip about a business leader getting into trouble, sighing that the woman's figure was truly amazing—no wonder he got trapped.

"The stock price on the Nasdaq is definitely going to plummet. I estimate it will drop at least ten points within today alone, and the market value will likely shrink by at least 5 billion USD."

Wang Changtian held a black beer in front of him, and the tone of his sigh clearly revealed a sense of heartache.

"Hiss~~, truly, truly an expensive one-night stand!" Dong Ping joked with a sigh.

"Don't discuss these things in public. If a lady happens to walk by, you'll be losing face abroad," Ning Hao glanced at Dong Ping and reminded him speechlessly.

"Good fellow, you really came to the Venice International Film Festival to compete, and our big director Ning has rarely turned into a gentleman? Then I suggest you take off your big gold chain first, hahaha." Following Xu Zheng's teasing, a group of big men burst into laughter.

Before Ning Hao could retort, suddenly, a harsh vibrating sound rang out. The people at the surrounding tables on the beach all fell silent.

Because everyone subconsciously thought of something, all eyes were fixed on the big director Ning, who was already so excited his hands were shaking;

He was on the phone, looking like a sycophantic lackey, nodding and bowing, "Yes, I understand, the crew of *The Father* will not be absent, thank you..."

"Ning Hao, you got it?!" Dong Ping's eyes lit up, quite excited.

"Although I knew this result early on, seeing you receive the call from the organizing committee with my own eyes, I am still very moved," Wang Changtian smacked his lips and sighed.

"Congratulations, your own film work can finally achieve something at an A-list film festival." Xu Zheng said words of congratulation with a smile on his face, but in his heart, he couldn't help but feel sour.

"Ning Hao, you can do it, I'm optimistic about you." At another table nearby, Ren Zhonglun raised his beer toward them.

"Everyone, stop it quickly!" Ning Hao wanted to laugh but didn't dare to; he was almost crying. It was just the final step; don't open the champagne yet. If there's some small accident at the end, ah, phew phew phew...

"Look at you, so cautious, you don't look like that Ning Hao at all." In the distance, Jia Zhangke, wearing sunglasses, also shouted.

"Everyone rest here first, I have to go back now. I need to notify the other actors in the crew and our big screenwriter. Farewell." After laughing and cupping his hands, Ning Hao turned and slipped away, leaving behind a chorus of mockery and teasing.

At the same time, Cao Baoping, who had just come out of the film screening area, also received a call from the organizing committee.

Even though he was already 50 years old and had won awards at A-list festivals, he still couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart at this moment.

Not long after, he took out his phone and began calling all the leads of *She Kills* who were in Venice one by one.

In the hotel, Lin Nan had just woken up. He glanced at the time; it was already past 11 AM.

For the past week, he had been driven crazy with work, and last night he worked overtime to finalize all the awards for the main competition section.

It was precisely because of this that he was able to sleep naturally until he woke up this morning.

"Oh ho! Although face-blind, he can distinguish between a curvy figure and a flat chest."

Looking at the gossip news popping up on his phone, Lin Nan couldn't help but laugh. But he also felt a bit of emotion; this was the first industrial tycoon to get into trouble during the trade war.

"Crystal Pictures, it definitely has to be sold!" After laughing and finishing the big news from outside, Lin Nan couldn't help but think of his own affairs again, muttering to himself.

"Awake? Hurry up and wash up, we're going out for lunch." At this moment, Liu Yifei returned from outside.

Seeing Lin Nan sitting on the sofa in his boxers, scrolling through his phone, Liu immediately urged him with a giggle.

She had come up to wake Lin Nan; finally, there was a day when Lin Nan slept like a lazy pig and was despised by her.

"Hey hey, don't film." Seeing Liu Yifei take out her phone and point it at him with ill intent, Lin Nan immediately reached out to block the lens.

"Hehe..."

The atmosphere of the Venice International Film Festival suddenly rose from noon, all because the organizing committee's calls had gone out. Many filmmakers got the news, and film distributors also began to place their bets.

"Dad, the copyright for *Shadow* can't be negotiated up. If it were in the competition section, even if it were in the Orizzonti section of the competition, I estimate the price could be higher, much higher." Zhang Mo handed a stack of quotation documents to Zhang Yimou, her tone carrying obvious regret.

The big director Zhang didn't speak; after taking them, he only glanced at the first page hurriedly before handing it to Zhang Zhao, who was already eager to try nearby.

The latter was not polite either and immediately began to read carefully; a moment later, he laughed and flattered him:

"It still has to be you, Director Zhang. A Chinese-style martial arts film, even if it only made it into the non-competition section, can still easily sell overseas copyrights for tens of millions of dollars!"

Facing Zhang Zhao's flattery for the Nth time, Zhang Yimou no longer had the smile he had when he first joined LeEco; at this moment, he was full of impatience, "Then let's go with this price?"

"Okay, then I'll trouble Director Zhang to go with the company people to sign the contract. Let's close the deal early and collect the money early.

Director Zhang, don't worry, after receiving the total payment, LeEco will immediately transfer your share to your studio account." Zhang Zhao nodded and echoed.

"I think you're mistaken, President Zhang." Zhang Mo interrupted Zhang Zhao's words expressionlessly.

Looking at Zhang Yimou at this time, he had already drooped his eyelids, as if his soul had wandered away... leaving the rest of the matters to his daughter.

Sure enough, Zhang Zhao instantly lost his smile, looked up at Zhang Mo, and asked with a frown: "What does Director Zhang mean by this?"

"The funds for the overseas copyright must first pass through the Zhang Yimou Film Studio. After all the overseas copyright funds are collected, we will then transfer LeEco's share to your account according to the previous contract.

As for whether the share belonging to you will be seized by the court, that is not within our consideration. In short, given your various bad behaviors in the past, we will not agree to let the copyright fees go directly into your account." Zhang Mo's tone was firm, with no room for negotiation.

Regarding this, Zhang Zhao was truly a bit helpless. Because the contract for *Shadow* indeed only mentioned the sharing of profits and did not explicitly specify issues such as which account the overseas copyright fees should go through first.

"Director Zhang, is it necessary to be like this?" Zhang Zhao looked at Zhang Yimou.

Hearing this, the latter didn't pretend anymore, looked directly at Zhang Zhao, and asked back:

"If you don't have any other intentions, why bother arguing with us about this small issue? If it goes through my studio's account first, will it make you lose a penny of your share?"

One sentence directly rendered Zhang Zhao speechless. Did he and the company have other intentions? Hehe, how could they not.

Seeing Zhang Zhao's face change and him unable to speak, the big director Zhang immediately understood; his daughter had really guessed it right!

"Alright, don't say anything else, just do as we mean. After *Shadow*, we will have no more ties, and it's best not to deal with each other in the future." The big director Zhang said coldly and picked up the teacup on the table.

... ===== CHAPTER 1044 =====