Chapter 507

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

"Oh my, thank goodness I got here in time—if I'd come a day later, we'd have missed it all, it's all my fault, my fault! I've been running all over the country these past two months!"

Director Xiong was clearly sweltering; he gripped the front of his open shirt like a fan, but sweat still streamed down his neck, soaking his white undershirt.

Li Ye brought him a cup and poured him a glass of chilled boiled water.

"Brother Xiong, you ought to complain to the studio! Since our movie came out, you've been traveling nonstop for nearly two months—can't they send someone else to give you a break?"

Since the release of "Wandering Soldiers of the Homeland," Director Xiong had been dealing with countless trivial matters on the road; when Li Ye last saw him last month, he had already complained about "passing his own door without entering," exhausted and full of grievances.

But today, Director Xiong didn't complain—he let out a low chuckle and said, "Replace me? There's a whole line of people eager to take my place, hah, they wish!"

"Li Ye brother, didn't we sweat and toil for two years planting trees and watering them? Now it's time to reap the harvest. I'm not bragging, but if I don't get promoted to deputy studio head by year-end, it'd be an injustice!"

Fair enough—Li Ye had been hasty. "Wandering Soldiers of the Homeland" had taken over two years from pre-production to release, and now with the box office exploding, it was time for everyone to enjoy the fruits and be rewarded for their efforts.

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

Because Li Ye's "Northern Wind Soaring" had sold its rights three times, rumors had spread widely, so Chang'an Film Studio had initially requested a share of the overseas box office revenue.

Director Xiong said frankly, "Just these past few days, overseas audiences have sent us many letters saying our film has been received extremely well locally—film festivals in several countries have invited us to screen."

"Mr. Pei has also sent us astonishing overseas box office figures."

And this time it was a whole truckload—not just souvenirs, but also plenty of baijiu, canned goods, malt milk powder, and Li Ye even spotted dozens of crates of Pengcheng Red Bull.

"Overseas profit-sharing? Let's study it?"

Li Ye was taken aback.

Director Xiong smiled and said, "Alright, I'll have my men unload it right away. Also, there's a little personal gift meant just for you—I'll have the truck deliver it straight to your home."

In the past, Director Xiong had sent the Wangxiang Gujun Literature Society seasonal local specialties—just a few baskets at a time.

Li Ye said politely that no thanks were needed, but in truth he took everything without hesitation; over the years, Director Xiong had slipped him plenty of good things—legitimate, invoice-backed goods. To refuse would be foolish.

After all, even if the domestic box office did well, it was still RMB—Mr. Pei had invested so much foreign currency and needed overseas revenue to recoup.

If this were labeled bribery, the amount alone would qualify as "huge sum."

"Wandering Soldiers of the Homeland" had always been planned for simultaneous domestic and overseas release, so overseas box office was guaranteed.

"Hey, brother, you're smart—I won't hide anything from you."

Director Xiong picked up the glass of water Li Ye had poured, gulped it down, then said: "This trip to Beijing, the studio sent you folks a batch of gifts."

"But it's bad timing—school's on break. Should I unload it here on campus now, or find somewhere to store it until next semester?"

So the studio keeps pressing me to ask: what about that overseas profit-sharing we agreed on—can we look into it?"

Li Ye thought for a moment and said, "Leave it on campus—the literature society still has a few students here, and there are still faculty on duty."

"Brother Xiong, don't always be so formal—we've known each other for years."

Li Ye swallowed hard: "Brother Xiong, this is the 'visit gift' you mentioned?"

But when Li Ye and Director Xiong stepped out of the dorm building, they saw a fully loaded 130 cargo truck.

It wasn't that Li Ye was overreacting—the gifts were simply too many.

Since there were no overseas promotional channels in mainland China at the time, Chang'an Film Studio had originally had low expectations—just hoping for a lucky shot.

Li Ye couldn't help asking: "Brother Xiong, to be honest, did you come here today for something specific?"

But to Chang'an Film Studio's surprise, Mr. Pei agreed to give them ten percent of the profits, prompting widespread praise: "Mr. Pei is generous!"

But now, suddenly, Director Xiong was saying "let's study it"—did that mean someone was greedy and thought ten percent was too little?

In truth, Mr. Pei was a typical businessman—not particularly generous; the generous one was Li Ye.

But even if Li Ye was generous, he couldn't indulge the bad habits of others!

So Li Ye smiled faintly and said, "So, someone in your studio thinks ten percent is too little?"

"No no no, Brother Li, you've misunderstood," Director Xiong hurried to say. "It's not that it's too little—it's that we're afraid it's too much and they won't acknowledge it."

"We were supposed to settle accounts by the end of June, but it's already early July and still nothing. I wanted to ask Mr. Huo Huo Renqiang for some insight, but he's on vacation."

"So I thought—I'd ask you to help inquire: when will the payment be wired?"

Li Ye stared for several seconds, then laughed: "Brother Xiong, you can formally ask the Hong Kong side! If Mr. Huo is on vacation, surely someone else is on duty?"

Director Xiong sighed: "It's just… embarrassing to ask directly. A few days ago, our studio held a meeting—everyone said Mr. Pei is righteous, having invested over ten million U. S. dollars in Chang'an."

"To be honest, brother, two years ago, whenever we met the film studios in Beijing, Shanghai, Bayi, and Jilin, they'd look down their noses at us, and we'd just roll up our sleeves and sigh."

"But now, ask anyone—dare anyone look down on Chang'an Film Studio? From now on, the mainland film industry won't be the Big Four—it'll be the Big Five."

Director Xiong spoke at length, but the point was simple: because of Mr. Pei, Chang'an Film Studio had finally lifted its head.

In the 1980s, mainland China's film industry was underdeveloped—limited budgets, few films produced annually, everyone lived tight.

But suddenly, Chang'an Film Studio had a wealthy foreign investor and became powerful overnight.

"To be honest, brother, in just these past two months, we've earned more than we did in the last ten years—this film cost us almost nothing!"

"Mr. Pei has done us such a great favor—how can we now go and pressure him for overseas money? It's just too hard to bring up!"

"And…"

Director Xiong glanced at Li Ye and whispered, "I'll tell you the truth, brother—the other studios are all eyeing Mr. Pei. If we're not careful, what happens next?"

Watching hesitant, stammering Director Xiong, Li Ye saw the image of small suppliers decades later, serving giant corporations.

They were the rightful creditors, yet they had to smile, watch their words, speak softly and carefully—terrified of offending the golden client and getting replaced.

Did Chang'an Film Studio not want that ten percent overseas profit-sharing?

No—they still had their spines straight in the mainland film industry.

They feared other studios would lure Mr. Pei away, so they wanted to use Li Ye to quietly probe the waters without causing offense.

"Wandering Soldiers of the Homeland" had opened Chang'an Film Studio's horizons—they hoped for a second, even a third film.

Other studios surely felt the same—perhaps they'd already offered Mr. Pei even better terms, otherwise why would Hong Kong, always so rule-bound, suddenly delay the agreed-upon overseas profit-sharing?

"Brother Xiong, I'll ask about this for you right away—but I think, no matter who you partner with, you must always keep your own spine straight."

"Oh, I knew you were a true friend—this task really needs you to handle it!"

Director Xiong happily slung his arm around Li Ye's shoulder, but clearly hadn't taken Li Ye's words to heart.

After all, film investors held a uniquely special status—especially someone as righteous as Mr. Pei.

Two hours later, Li Ye finally reached Ah Qiang on the phone.

"Is this Mr. Huo?"

On the other end, silence stretched for five full seconds before Ah Qiang's voice, tense and hesitant, finally spoke.

"This is Huo Huo Renqiang. Are you Mr. Li?"

"I'm Li Ye. Ah Qiang, what's wrong? Why are you sounding like this?"

Boss, aren't you the one who scared me? Why are you calling me "Mr. Huo"? In a gangster movie, that's the cue for a bullet to the head!