Chapter 589: Dear Zhou, You Are My Dad

Those inside the industry who haven't seen it with their own eyes find it hard to imagine a singer from China could enjoy such immense popularity in America without making small talk, currying favor, or bowing to cater to American publicity.

Zhang Ziyi was one of them.

She had accompanied Zhang Yimou and Jet Li abroad this time to discuss the American release of "Hero," and she clearly saw how Zhang Yimou, a director of supreme status domestically, had directly lost his halo of being surrounded by thousands in America.

Jet Li could indeed take a seat at the table with imposing authority, but as far as she knew, the Jet Li of the past had also suffered the humiliating history of his salary dropping from 1 million US dollars to 500,000 when he first ventured into Hollywood.

Moreover, in terms of the level of importance Americans placed on him, Jet Li was obviously not comparable to Zhou Yi.

The Warner executives went without saying; Luo Bote Iger, the top executive currently riding the highest wave at Disney; Steve Jobs, the creator of the miracle of American paid online music media and the helmsman of Apple; these two prominent representatives of big capital had both personally appeared at the airport to welcome Zhou Yi.

The group was even chatting and laughing; this was simply unprecedented.

"Spike's popularity in America is just like this; he has walked a path completely different from ours." Jet Li, who had long since grown accustomed to this, smiled and took a sip of wine: "He has never suffered."

That arrogant attitude would have been uncomfortable for him or Cheng Long to adopt, but for Zhou Yi, it happened to be just right.

Achieving success in youth is, in all times and places, a beautiful thing.

"Spike! Why did it take a few months to come to America? I love your predictions; you are simply a god! You won the bet against everyone regarding 'Pirates of the Caribbean'!"

"Well, perhaps you can just treat me as a god."

Zhou Yi, who had turned the scene into a fan meeting, wrote his name with dragon-like strokes on the man's shirt, raised his hand, slightly pulled down his sunglasses, and joked: "I wouldn't mind."

The global box office of "Pirates of the Caribbean" was already heading toward 700 million US dollars; it could almost be said that initially, only Zhou Yi in the entire industry had predicted this situation—

Or rather, he was the only one who dared to say it publicly.

This was also the reason why Disney executive Luo Bote Iger appeared at the airport.

This ambitious man, aiming for the position of Disney's helmsman, urgently needed the support of powerful allies, whether in the boardroom or in the public opinion arena. And Zhou Yi was the public opinion ally he had chosen.

As for Jobs, he was purely here to discuss business; the explosion of the Apple Music Store and the iPod had made Jobs taste the sweetness.

Although currently Apple not only earned not a single cent from Zhou Yi but also had to subsidize him with bonus incentives every month according to the tiered contract, this did not prevent Apple from making huge profits through other singers' song libraries.

On September 16 this year, Apple launched the new 15-inch PowerBook G4 laptop.

Previously, Apple had specifically invited Yao Ming, the Chinese Great Wall who was highly popular in America, to endorse the 12-inch PowerBook G4. And for this newly launched 15-inch model, Jobs still wanted to find Zhou Yi.

There was no way; after cooperating once, he was truly craving the commercial monetization ability Zhou Yi possessed.

His fans could spend money, and his fame was top-tier globally.

"Spike, I heard you came to America this time to shoot an MV; do you need our help? You know, Disney has considerable expertise in set construction."

"Of course. I am criticizing and condemning the United States' war behavior in Iraq; I need your help."

After some pleasantries, facing the olive branch extended by Luo Bote Iger, Zhou Yi smiled and accepted it without hesitation, while also presenting his stance.

Everyone had no objections whatsoever.

"Dear Zhou, you really surprise me; I didn't expect you to have such a compassionate side..."

The American executives at Warner had no intention of opposing; instead, they fawned over Zhou Yi's decision to criticize and condemn the United States—all for the sake of performance; there was no shame in it.

As for talking about condemning the pressure on America, who cared?

As long as you, Zhou Yi, as a foreigner, had the courage to do it, they would dare to follow.

The Black Eyed Peas were already cursing in the album they released in June this year; they even cursed the CIA as terrorists in the song "Where Is The Love," yet the album still sold massively, becoming a hit all over America.

Even taking ten thousand steps back, didn't Madonna also ride the wave of war hype?

Although this American old lady, upon whom countless Americans pinned their hopes, ultimately failed to defend the national gate and was topped by Zhou Yi.

The Warner executives, who were about to be sold, behaved with unparalleled humility and cooperation.

There was no other way; if Zhou Yi reneged, the acquisition amount for their Warner would have to be reduced by a large portion.

Chinese songs?

Chinese songs are fine too; continuing to curse in English songs later is also okay; anyway, as long as you, Zhou Yi, are happy, that is what matters most.

This harmonious atmosphere and attitude directly shocked Fan Bingbin for a hundred years.

In her cognition, this was somewhat like turning heaven and earth upside down.

She had only ever heard of the domestic entertainment circle currying favor with foreigners; how did it reverse with Zhou Yi—did he become the foreigners' father?

Upon confirming that Zhou Yi still needed to shoot scenes in Iraq, Warner joined forces with Disney and Apple to form a security and lobbying team, making full safety preparations for Zhou Yi.

Facing Zhou Yi's various requests, Warner never said a single "NO" throughout the process.

Don't ask; if you ask, it is just to fulfill filial piety for dad!

The visuals for the war series of songs on side A of "Gui Cang" were directly enriched to an unparalleled degree.

Although it was merely shooting an MV, Fan Bingbin felt as if she were filming a major Sino-American co-production. After a few days, she almost got lost in the meticulous service of capitalism.

If she hadn't seen those ruins upon flying to Iraq, she might have truly gotten lost.

What shape is the hope in the eyes of children;

Whether they wake up to bread for breakfast and then drink a bowl of hot soup.

What shape is the hope in the eyes of children;

Whether there is a swing in the yard to swing on and candy in their pockets.

These were the four lyrics from Zhou Yi's "War's End" that struck her heart the most; paired with that cruel and real reality, she for the first time personally experienced what it truly meant for Zhou Yi to write this song—

"We were not born into a peaceful world, but are just lucky to live in a peaceful country."

This was the message Zhou Yi wrote on a separate page at the very end of the "Gui Cang" lyric booklet.

"I now understand why it is said that once musicians get serious, their charm is infinite."

After Ning Hao called "Cut," Fan Bingbin, wearing a military uniform, jumped off the military vehicle, patted the body of the car, and said: "But this one is not as good to drive as the ones Jiang Wen found for us domestically."

"Nonsense; Jiang Wen, those were specially customized for him by me; I kept them to give him a surprise in Hong Kong. After being used in Shanghai and the Imperial City, they were all taken to Hong Kong to be lent to the Cheng Long film crew."

Facing Fan Bingbin's intentional flattery and praise, Zhou Yi glanced at her, chuckled lightly, and said: "Do you really not plan to stay and play in America for a few more days? Zhang Ziyi, Tao Zhe, and the others have arranged a dinner gathering."

"I would like to, but who can help it that I still have a drama to shoot? Not everyone can be like you, able to be held in the palms of Americans as a father."

Fan Bingbin, wearing a military uniform, sighed; the look of slight sorrow mixed with her spirited demeanor was captured by Zhou Yi holding a camera—

"Don't say it; with this pose, you actually suit this kind of uniform quite well."

……………………

"War Ruins! Zhou Yi Films on the Battlefield!"

"Love Amidst War? Suspected Leak of Zhou Yi's New Album Theme!"

"Kung Fu Fighting? Zhou Yi's New Song MV Suspected to Contain Kung Fu Elements!"

"……"

While Zhou Yi plunged into a workaholic mode abroad, the domestic media chasing him were far from idle, speculating on the type of his new album; even the words he said while visiting Sun Yanzi on the set of "Kung Fu" to amuse her had been chewed over and over again.

Meanwhile, Wang Lihong, who had launched the promotion for his "Unbelievable" album, also released his own song about world peace on the radio—"You and Me."