Chapter 506: The Return of the Prodigal

In early July, just as Li Ye was preparing to leave school, Director Xiong from the Chang'an Film Studio suddenly arrived at Jingda to find him.

"Oh my, thank goodness I arrived in time. If I had been one day later, we would have missed each other. It's all my fault, all my fault. I've been absolutely swamped these past two months, running all over the country."

Director Xiong was clearly suffering from the heat. He grabbed the open front of his shirt to fan himself, but the sweat on his face still streamed down his neck, soaking his white undershirt.

Li Ye fetched him a cup and poured him a glass of cool boiled water.

"I say, Brother Xiong, you really should complain to the studio. Ever since our movie was released, you've been out on the road for nearly two months, haven't you? Why not have someone else take over so you can get some rest?"

Ever since the release of *The Lone Army of the Homeland*, Director Xiong had been out coordinating and handling all sorts of trivial matters. When he saw Li Ye last month, he had complained about "passing his own door without entering," full of exhaustion and grievances.

But today, Director Xiong wasn't complaining. Instead, he chuckled softly and said, "Have someone else take over? There's actually a whole crowd of people lining up who want to replace me. Hmph, they wish!"

"Brother Li Ye, was it easy for us to plant the trees and water them these past two years? Now that it's time to harvest the fruit, I'm not bragging to you, but if they don't give me a Deputy Director position by the end of this year, there's no justice in the world."

Fine! Li Ye had been too hasty. From the initial preparation to the filming and release, *The Lone Army of the Homeland* had taken over two years. Now that the box office had exploded, it was time for everyone to enjoy the fruits of their labor and be rewarded for their contributions.

"By the way, Brother Li Ye, there are two more things."

Because the story of Li Ye selling the copyright for *Flying Wind* three times had been spread far and wide by many people, the Chang'an Film Studio had originally proposed a request to share a portion of the overseas box office.

Director Xiong said candidly, "It's just these past few days! Overseas audiences have written many letters to the studio, all saying that our movie has been very well-received locally. Several countries' film festivals have sent us invitations to exhibit."

"The overseas box office data that Mr. Pei sent us is also truly astonishing."

But this time, it was a whole truckload, and it wasn't just local specialties; there were also many bottles of white liquor, canned goods, malted milk extract, and Li Ye even saw dozens of cases of Pengcheng Red Bull.

"Overseas profit sharing? Should we study it?"

Li Ye was somewhat surprised.

Director Xiong laughed, "That's fine. I'll have someone unload it for you right away. Besides, there's a little token of appreciation meant just for you. I'll have the truck deliver it directly to your home later."

In the past, Director Xiong would send some local specialties to the Lone Army Literature Society every quarter, just a few baskets' worth.

Li Ye said it wasn't necessary, but in reality, he wasn't being polite at all. Over the years, Director Xiong had helped him procure quite a few good things, all through proper channels with invoices; only a fool would refuse.

After all, no matter how well it sells in the mainland, it's still RMB. Mr. Pei invested so much foreign currency, and he needs the overseas box office to recoup his capital.

If this stuff were labeled as bribery, it would reach the standard of "a huge amount."

*The Lone Army of the Homeland* was decided at the very beginning of filming to be released simultaneously in the mainland and overseas, so there was definitely overseas box office revenue.

"Hey, brother, you're a smart man, so I won't hide it from you."

Director Xiong picked up the glass of water Li Ye had poured for him, gulped it down, and then said, "This time, the studio sent me to visit the capital and brought a batch of gifts for your literature society."

"But the timing is unfortunate, as it coincides with the school holidays. Do you want me to unload it at the school now, or should I find a place to store it and bring it over next semester?"

"So the studio keeps urging me to ask: can we study that overseas profit-sharing we agreed upon?"

Li Ye thought for a moment and said, "Let's just store it at the school. There are still a few students from the literature society who haven't left, and besides, there are still teachers on duty at the school."

"Brother Xiong, don't always be so polite. We haven't just known each other for a day or two."

Li Ye swallowed his saliva, "Brother Xiong, is this what you call visiting gifts?"

However, when Li Ye and Director Xiong walked out of the dormitory building, they saw a fully loaded 130 truck.

It wasn't that Li Ye was making a fuss over nothing, but there were simply too many gifts.

The mainland didn't have overseas distribution channels at the time, so the Chang'an Film Studio actually didn't hold much hope; they were just taking a shot in the dark.

Li Ye couldn't help but ask, "Brother Xiong, tell me the truth. Did you come to find me today because there's something going on?"

But what surprised the Chang'an Film Studio was that Mr. Pei agreed to share 10% of the profits with them, making people exclaim, "Mr. Pei is generous!"

But today, Director Xiong suddenly said something about "studying it." Could it be that some people's greed was insatiable, and they thought 10% was too little?

Actually, Mr. Pei is a standard businessman and isn't particularly generous; the generous one is Li Ye.

But no matter how generous Li Ye is, he can't indulge certain people's bad habits!

So Li Ye said with a faint smile, "Why? Does someone in your studio think 10% is too little?"

"No, no, no, Brother Li, you've misunderstood," Director Xiong said hurriedly. "It's not that we think it's too little; it's that we're afraid if it's too much, they won't honor the agreement."

"It was originally agreed that the accounts would be settled at the end of June, but it's already early July and there's been no movement. I originally wanted to find Mr. Huo Huo Renqiang to sound him out, but he's been on vacation these past few days."

"So I was thinking of asking you, brother, to help me ask: when will the remittance arrive?"

Li Ye was stunned for several seconds before laughing, "Brother Xiong, you can formally inquire with the Hong Kong side about this kind of thing! If Huo Huo Renqiang is on vacation, there should be others on duty, right?"

Director Xiong sighed, "It's really embarrassing to ask them directly! A few days ago, our studio held a big meeting, and everyone said Mr. Pei is righteous, having poured over ten million US dollars of investment into Chang'an City..."

"I won't hide it from you, brother. Two years ago, when our Chang'an Film Studio met with the Beijing, Shanghai, August First, and Jilin film studios, they all looked down their noses at us, and we could only roll up our sleeves... sigh."

"But now, go ask around: who dares to look down on our Chang'an Film Studio? From now on, there won't be just the Big Four film studios in the mainland; there will be the Big Five."

Director Xiong said a lot, but the theme was one thing—because of Mr. Pei, our Chang'an Film Studio could finally hold its head high.

In the eighties, the mainland's film and television industry was not very developed. With only so much funding and the capacity to shoot only a few movies a year, everyone's life was tight.

But the Chang'an Film Studio suddenly had a big foreign investor, and its strength grew significantly overnight.

"Sigh, I won't hide it from you, brother. In just these two months, our studio has already earned more than the previous ten years combined. We didn't even invest much money in this movie!"

"Mr. Pei has shown us such great kindness, and now we have to urge him for the overseas money. I really can't bring myself to say it!"

"And..."

Director Xiong looked at Li Ye and whispered, "I'll tell you the truth, brother. The other studios are all eyeing Mr. Pei! If we are even slightly tactless, then in the future..."

Looking at the hesitant Director Xiong, Li Ye seemed to see those small suppliers who would supply big enterprises decades later.

Clearly, they were the rightful creditors, but they could only accompany others with a smile and watch their expressions, even speaking about asking for money in a soft, cautious voice, terrified of offending the financier and being replaced as a supplier.

Does the Chang'an Film Studio not want that 10% overseas profit share now?

No, that's not it. Mainland filmmakers still have a very straight backbone at this moment!

They are afraid that their peers will poach Mr. Pei, this big financier, which is why they want to sound out the situation through Li Ye without damaging the harmony.

*The Lone Army of the Homeland* opened up the landscape for the Chang'an Film Studio, and they hope for a second and third installment.

And the other film studios must have the same idea. Who knows how many preferential conditions they have already promised? Otherwise, why would the Hong Kong side, which always does things by the rules, suddenly postpone the agreed-upon overseas profit sharing?

"Brother Xiong, I'll help you ask about this later, but I think that no matter who we cooperate with in the future, we must keep our own backbones straight."

"Oh my, I knew you were a good friend, brother. This matter really needs you to handle it."

Director Xiong happily wrapped his arm around Li Ye's shoulder, but clearly, he didn't take Li Ye's words to heart.

That's true, the status of a film investor is already very special, not to mention someone as righteous as Mr. Pei.

Two hours later, Li Ye transferred the call to A-Qiang.

"Is this Mr. Huo?"

On the other end of the line, it was quiet for a full five seconds before A-Qiang's voice sounded, filled with trepidation.

"I am Huo Huo Renqiang. Are you Mr. Li?"

"I am Li Ye. A-Qiang, what's wrong with you? Why do you sound like that?"

Boss, isn't it because I'm scared by you? Why are you calling me "Mr. Huo" so formally? In a gangster movie, this is the rhythm of getting killed off!