Chapter 1526
It's Too Late
Zhang Yuan looked at the caller ID on his phone and remained silent for a moment.
The call came from Wanda.
Since the less-than-pleasant dinner last time, I haven't had any private conversations with the other party outside of company-level communications.
You're treating me like a beggar on my knees, what's the point of even talking?
Let's handle this strictly as official business.
Call now...
It was that same Mr. Zeng calling again.
The other party will be one of the key figures at Wanda Pictures in the future.
After thinking about it, I answered the call anyway.
"It's been a long time since we last talked. How have you been?"
"Not much, just enough to make a living," Zhang Yuan replied modestly.
"If you're just looking to make a living, then come work for me."
"Are you free to grab a bite to eat?"
"Of course! Just give the word, and I'll be there in a minute!"
He said nice things, and soon prepared to leave to go to the place where they had eaten last time.
I suddenly remembered and called Bai Bing to ask if she wanted to join me.
After all, she was the one who accompanied me last time, so we're quite familiar with each other.
"I'm not in Beijing, maybe next time."
"I'll treat you to dinner next time."
The other party spoke gently, as always.
He didn't think much of it and agreed.
You can't expect them to be on call 24/7, just waiting for you.
There's no reason why; everyone has their own life to live.
Besides, I have many "choices".
"Of course I'm free!"
"That's perfect, I just got back from Hengdian last week."
He called Nazha, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
I heard that we're going out to eat and broadening her horizons, and this girl is thrilled.
She just returned from filming "Xuan-Yuan Sword" at Sugar Man.
The filming wasn't finished yet, but her scenes were already over.
She gained some online popularity with her bare-faced military training photos, but she really became famous and well-known after the broadcast of "Xuan-Yuan Sword: Scar of Sky".
Some people are born stars. Their faces and figures are like paintings when placed in front of the camera, and they are the most handsome people when they stand in a crowd.
There's no way around it, this industry relies too much on modeling.
Some people say that all girls in XJ look like this, and there are so many of them on the street... So why hasn't a second one appeared?
There are certainly people who look similar, but their head-to-body ratio and facial features are definitely far inferior to hers.
Bringing a beautiful woman along to dinner is a way to show off your abilities, just like wearing a limited-edition watch.
Speaking of which, in recent years, especially after Renren (a Chinese social networking site) became popular, the so-called "campus goddess" has become particularly popular.
First there was the Milk Tea Girl, now there's Nezha, and later there's Chen Duling—all of them have been dubbed "campus goddesses."
At the same time, literature about youthful pain was also very popular.
I took a car to the neighborhood near Beijing Film Academy to pick up XJ.
This girl was quite enthusiastic; she squeezed next to him as soon as she got on the bus.
Zhang Yuan glanced at it, then leaned closer to smell it.
Seeing him peek over, the other person offered their face to him.
She thought he wanted to kiss her.
Actually, he was just smelling her perfume and looking at her makeup.
The cosmetics and perfumes they use are obviously not very good, and their clothes are all from ordinary brands.
Youth is youth, but going to a dinner party like this is a bit inappropriate.
"Boss Cai hasn't paid you your salary?"
"I've received most of it, but I still have to pay my credit card bills and rent, so I don't have much money left," the honest man replied.
"Brother Long, let's change our route and go to Wangfujing first."
I left myself some extra time, so I quickly went to the mall.
I changed her into a brand-name outfit from head to toe.
From earrings, necklaces, and watches to dresses, high heels, lipsticks, perfumes, sunglasses, and scarves.
It took more than ten hours to get a complete outfit ready.
This girl was terrified.
Her family is well-off, but I've never seen them spend money like this.
It would be good if I could make her happy, but the most important thing is that if I dressed plainly when I went out with her, I would lose face.
Even the little sister who eats with you is doing so poorly, who would believe you have any ability?
"You're not thinking of keeping me as a sugar daddy, are you? Hehehe..."
After XJ got a "complete makeover," she got into the car, grinning foolishly as she looked herself over.
Gently stroke the metallic texture of the watch with your fingers, and raise your wrist to smell the scent of a fine perfume.
These words left Zhang Yuan completely bewildered.
Being kept as a sugar daddy/sugar baby...
This kind of sugar daddy arrangement isn't expensive at all, considering the cost.
But he still gave instructions.
"Seeing you happy makes me happy too."
"Don't worry too much about the price of these things, just consider them a gift from me... When is your birthday?"
"You don't even know my birthday, you're so naughty."
"It's already over."
"Then consider it a belated birthday present for you."
"Remember to drink less and talk less when you eat later. Don't eat too much of your favorite food. Tell me afterwards and I'll bring you back."
"I'm not stupid, I won't overeat..." The girl looked very smart: "I need to control my weight."
"And what about after dinner?" she asked, biting her lip and giggling.
"It depends. Can you swim?" Zhang Yuan asked.
"Of course, I can."
"I'm not asking if you can swim, I'm asking if your body is suited for swimming?" Zhang Yuan felt exhausted.
If you were smarter, you would understand immediately; explaining it to her would be too much trouble.
"They're asking if you're on your period and if it's safe for you to go swimming."
"No, I'm in my safe period these days," the girl replied quite honestly.
After hearing her answer, Zhang Yuan thought to himself, "Do you not understand, or do you understand too much?"
That straight shot caught me completely off guard.
I don't know if the other party is genuinely talking about their health condition or sending out an "invitation."
Let's eat first, then we'll look at it.
Zhang Yuan felt more at ease having her with him.
Because with her intelligence, she shouldn't have spread what was said at the dinner party... the key is that she couldn't remember it.
Moreover, it's not easy to glean anything from between the lines.
Zhang Yuan wasn't afraid that she would be bribed by her rivals.
Of course, it wouldn't be a problem if they actually bribed him.
He wanted to challenge his weakness.
Upon arrival, I greeted the other party.
Mr. Zeng glanced at the girl and looked on with envy.
You're quite the ladies' man! The last one was beautiful enough, but this time you've got a real pro!
"This young lady doesn't seem to be from around here?" the other person asked after sitting down.
"She came from Xinjiang and is a freshman at Beijing Film Academy."
"Oh...national unity," the other person said with a sidelong smile.
During the meal, Naza did indeed eat very little, just as she had said.
Aside from occasionally covering their mouths and giggling during conversations, they didn't talk much.
Zhang Yuan always felt that being with her was more relaxing than being with Bai Bing.
"I invited you to dinner today because I wanted to have a chat."
“You mentioned last time that you wanted to cooperate long-term, and I went back and thought about it.”
"I think your company is quite capable and worth considering."
"That's because you think highly of me," Zhang Yuan said, but inwardly he sneered.
You've remembered me now?
The timing is quite coincidental.
As my colleagues all know, my relationship with the foreigner is almost finalized.
You're never around to do anything, but you're quick to show up when it comes to banquets.
"I heard you've been having good talks with Legendary Pictures lately."
"No, they want to cooperate with Huayi."
"Hehe, don't play dumb. Everyone knows Huayi got tricked and exposed." The other person looked like they had just watched a good show and were very satisfied.
"As the victor, you can laugh out loud; you don't have to be so reserved."
"What is it?" Naza turned her head and looked at him with her bright, watery eyes.
"I'll tell you later," Zhang Yuan said evasively, not intending to tell her.
"You seem to know a lot about this; it looks like you've done a lot of research."
"Yes, that's why I came to find you."
Mr. Zeng generously lit a cigarette and tossed one to him.
"Didn't you say you wanted to cooperate before? I think now is the right time."
What did I say... Zhang Yuan thought to himself, I guessed right away.
The other party means they want to get involved!
Good guy!
I spent a lot of time and effort getting to know the foreigner, and he said he wanted to join us too.
Furthermore, the other party has ambitious plans and wants to interfere in the joint venture.
They casually indicated that Wanda has money and can contribute funds.
Where did they go all this time?
I asked you for help before, but you refused.
At that time, he was even prepared to take a small share himself and let Wanda take the large share.
As long as we can be tied to the cinema chain, giving up some profits is no problem.
But times have changed!
late!
Pregnant in October and giving birth once.
You weren't there to help me during my postpartum period, you weren't there to register my child's birth, and you weren't there to raise the child.
Now that I've graduated from university, I'm going to start an internship and earn some money.
You're jumping out and saying the child is yours?
No way!
The only difference between what you're doing and robbery is that it sounds better.
Zhang Yuan immediately made up his mind.
disagree!
If it were a few years earlier, I wouldn't have bothered.
Now I have the ability to refuse.
"I'm currently in talks with Legendary Pictures about starting a joint venture."
"My plan is to register in Shanghai, since the financial environment there is more open."
Most of the shareholders are in Hong Kong, while he is in Beijing, so he plans to open the joint venture in Shanghai to facilitate industrial layout.
Eggs should not be put in the same basket.
"So I've been running back and forth a lot lately, I'm quite busy."
"How about we discuss our collaboration after I'm done with this busy period?"
Let's talk after I've finished dealing with the foreigner.
The other person's expression changed after hearing this; they seemed unhappy, but they didn't react immediately.
Even listed film and television companies don't dare to stand up to us. You've got some guts, kid!
So you're saying you have no intention of cooperating?
"Of course there are. There are many areas where we can cooperate. I'll treat you to a meal later."
"Okay." The other party simply replied with a single word.
The arrogant attitude of a senior executive of a large corporation.
"Beautiful lady, see you later?"
"Bye-Bye."
After finishing the meal, Naza smiled and waved goodbye to the other party.
After getting into the car, Zhang Yuan gestured to drive towards the large courtyard house.
If you say you're going swimming, you have to go.
"What do you think of Mr. Zeng, who is sitting in the main seat today?" Zhang Yuan asked intentionally.
"They were very nice, very polite, and very kind," Naza replied, slightly tipsy.
Zhang Yuan was certain; she wasn't faking it, she was genuinely naive.
If it were someone smarter, they would have noticed that something was wrong.
"But I'm not as good as you, I'm far inferior to you." She chuckled and leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder.
Okay, staying here has its advantages.
Although he's a bit slow, he's not a bad person, and it's quite easy to get along with him.
As a person, especially a woman, you can be stupid or bad, but you can't be both stupid and bad.
The stupid are loved, the bad are adored, but the stupid and bad are universally disliked.
XJ's behavior reminded him of a line from the TV series "Empresses in the Palace".
Although Consort Qi was foolish, she was truly beautiful.
She's just too thin; Zhang Yuan is worried she won't look good in a swimsuit.
But this girl had drunk quite a bit, and when she saw that no one was around, she stripped naked and went into the water.
At this point, whether you're thin or not doesn't matter.
Just be resistant to damage.
On the other hand, the person from Wanda was naturally very unhappy.
The reason for his dissatisfaction was not only that Zhang Yuan had rejected him.
It made him feel like he was "defending his superior" and lost face.
Another point is that someone approached you for cooperation a long time ago, but you refused.
It wouldn't sound good if the company asked.
It makes it easy for internal competitors to find fault with it.
Mr. Zeng was thinking, "Our cinema chain is willing to cooperate with you, and you still don't know how to appreciate it?"
Especially since I personally invited you to dinner, and even put on airs!
As the end of the industry chain, if we cinemas want to mess with you, it's not like we can just do whatever we want.
Even if you're doing well now, I can make you feel terrible in no time.
Mr. Zeng even suspected that Zhang Yuan might have drunk too much.
He was still hooked because there were pretty girls around.
That's so disrespectful.
Thinking it over, it seems I'll have to increase the intensity for you.
We've had more than one or two production companies that have thrown tantrums at us, and in the end, none of them were willing to back down.
After all, those who disagreed are dead! (End of Chapter)