Chapter 1533
Sauerkraut
After Jia Shikai finished his business, Zhang Yuan told him to go elsewhere and enjoy the scenery of Siam.
Let him go wherever he wants, just don't stay near me.
I need to have a more shameless vacation with Siamese girls.
It's a rare few days off, so I should relax properly.
Davika imagined making money in China in the future, and she became more proactive and cheerful in her play.
I don't know if it's a characteristic of Siamese people, but this woman has a particularly thin waist.
With the same hip circumference, her waist circumference can be a size smaller than that of a typical Chinese woman.
Furthermore, the waist and abdomen have clear lines on the front and sides, not a flat, gaunt shape.
The only downside is that her bust size is a bit small.
But no one in this world is perfect.
Just like a man who is handsome, rich, and faithful is an impossible triangle, very few people can achieve it.
That's already pretty amazing.
Zhang Yuan could imagine how many men would become her dream girl after his intervention.
Thai is good.
I need to learn Thai.
However, Zhang Yuan also discovered during their interactions that this girl's ambitions were greater than he had imagined.
During conversations, he would often ask about his trip to Hollywood to make movies.
It seems like they're praising themselves, constantly saying things like, "You're so amazing, you're truly worthy of your reputation."
They would subtly hint that they also wanted to travel to Europe and America.
Zhang Yuan took a closer look at her appearance; she wasn't the type whose face would completely collapse after she turned 30.
If you take good care of yourself, you can still look good even in your 40s.
Why the rush?
He also didn't want to spend too many resources on the other party.
After hearing what he said, the girl obediently said that she would listen to him.
But what they really think is another matter.
There has been a response to the matter that Teacher Ma Jingwu helped him make.
When the Beijing Film Academy heard that it was he who requested to study there, they were naturally very happy to accept.
The executives of the performing arts department even held a special meeting.
Some teachers disagreed, feeling that since we are a formal university, it would be best to recruit recent graduates.
This kind of argument is usually put forward by older teachers.
Whether it's a genuine belief in teaching and nurturing students, or simply a desire to uphold the dignity of teachers.
After all, he came to class.
He's won the Hundred Flowers Award and the Tokyo International Film Festival Best Actor award, so who taught whom?
This is similar to Guo Degang attending a crosstalk training class organized by the China Quyi Artists Association.
Who really has the final say?
I'll listen to you, but what if I don't understand after listening?
Besides, why should I listen to you? I earn as much as you earn.
If I don't listen, the teacher won't be happy.
Older teachers are unhappy, but management and younger teachers are very happy!
The management's thinking was simple: he was a "renowned alumnus" from the start.
It's not easy for us to train someone here, and we don't even want someone who's offered to us?
Moreover, the universities themselves know that the world is not like it was in earlier years, when each graduating class could produce several well-known actors.
These days, it's considered extremely lucky if even one student from each cohort succeeds; the success rate is rapidly declining.
There are two reasons for this situation.
The quality of the teaching staff has declined significantly. Veteran teachers like Ma Jingwu are truly highly skilled, with top-notch theoretical and practical abilities.
However, most of the new teachers were those who couldn't get roles in plays outside the school, had decent grades in humanities subjects, or had some connections, so they stayed on to teach.
If you can make a name for yourself and earn a lot of money outside, who would live on a fixed salary?
Moreover, performing art forms like this relies heavily on talent and luck.
If you make Zhang Ziyi a teacher, she won't be able to teach anyone.
Because if you follow her methods, you're doomed.
Another point is that resources in the entertainment industry are rapidly becoming stagnant.
There were too many students and not enough resources. In the past, students didn't even need to graduate; film crews would come to the school looking for them to act in movies.
Getting into the Beijing Film Academy or the Central Academy of Drama means you've stepped into the entertainment industry.
But now?
……
In the end, they came up with a suitable solution for him.
He's a graduate student in acting, so he can ask for leave to come; I know he's usually too busy.
But you must take the exam.
Zhang Yuan added another point: he wanted to be recommended for postgraduate studies and switch to another behind-the-scenes major, so that it would be easier for him to move up in the administrative level in the future.
The other party said they would look into it further and meet with him at the school when he returned to China.
Things went very smoothly, and he was quite satisfied. He celebrated with the Siamese girl again.
After Jia Shikai returned to China, the publicity and promotion of "The Last Supper" also began.
Numerous posts have appeared online criticizing the work for its distorted values and the director's warped view of history.
We are proceeding according to the points he mentioned.
And they also had helpers.
Ma Weidu mentioned this incident in an interview while discussing his museum.
They also said that since our country has unearthed armor artifacts from the Chu-Han period, why do we need to go to an island nation to study these?
He was a well-known connoisseur in Beijing. In the early years, Hong Kong celebrities and wealthy people would seek him out when they came to Beijing to buy antiques.
Li Ka-shing also bought things from him.
Read as a collector, write as a speculator.
No matter how much money he makes, he still has a lot of authority in the field of antique research, and he is also a figure in the imperial circle.
So Ryutaro didn't look too good.
Those who hang out with Wang Shuo are all reckless and unruly; when they get angry, they'll curse anyone, regardless of whether you're one of them or not.
This can be considered an assist.
"Boss, everything that needed to be done has been done." Jia Shikai called him after making the arrangements.
"Well, I see it."
"This one……"
Seeing the other party hesitate, he spoke with a relaxed expression.
"Just say what you have to say."
"The revelations about 'The Last Supper' had a mediocre effect."
Just like I told you before... Jia Shikai kept half of what he meant to say to himself, not daring to say it out loud.
Because Director Lu has a powerful background, this kind of thing can't be brought down by him.
"So what suggestions do you have?" Zhang Yuan asked with a smile.
"I think if you really hate him, it's best to start with his private scandals and damage his public image by focusing on his character and morality."
"This will be more effective."
"Then, his connections at higher levels came to talk to me," Zhang Yuan continued.
"You need to understand one thing: treating a work of art and treating a person are two different things."
"For a work, it means pointing out the actual problems that exist."
"Your method might work, but ultimately it's just spreading rumors."
The biggest advantage of Ryutaro is that his private life is considered decent by industry standards.
"It's not that I don't want you to do it, but it depends on who you are."
When it's business-to-business, that's called "technical exchange".
In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second.
It's not a big deal if Han Han curses Lu Taro's father.
But if you directly spread rumors about him, things change.
When playing in public, you must not cross the line, especially in front of the public.
Even if things fall apart offstage, we still have to maintain the reputation of the industry; otherwise, we're ruining everyone's livelihood.
If the audience thinks the industry is completely ruined, they won't give you any more work.
Even if it rots, I can't let it rot in my hands.
Zhang Yuan knew that Jia Shikai was capable, but he lacked a sense of propriety and principles.
This is related to individual nature.
"Let's leave it at that."
Jia Shikai thought to himself, "Wouldn't all that effort have been for nothing?"
And this wasn't the only thing that was a waste of time. "Ip Man has already started its re-release, and I received the theater reports from the company."
"The number of screenings is less than 10%, and it is still declining rapidly."
"The box office on the first day was 160 million, and like the number of screenings, it is also declining rapidly."
Jia Shikai estimated that the final box office would only be a few million, and the audience would be those who didn't have time to see it when it was released or die-hard fans of the work.
This group is small in number.
It would be good if it could make a few million at the box office.
Taking into account the costs of re-releases, how much profit can be made in the end?
It's good enough if they don't lose money.
Zhang Yuan maintained his smiling demeanor.
"It's alright, I'll just give it a try, I'll make whatever I can."
"But……"
"I'm telling you to just say what you mean."
Jia Shikai clicked his tongue a few times, thinking to himself that the problem wasn't just that it was a waste of time.
Moreover, these two things combined gave the other party a "handle" to use against them.
"Lu Chuan posted on Weibo..."
He mumbled something.
"Are there still some fools who don't know their own death?" Zhang Yuan said casually.
"I gonna go see."
"Then I won't bother you any longer." Jia Shikai was afraid that his boss would be upset after reading this, so he quickly hung up the phone.
Zhang Yuan has been focusing on physical communication lately and hasn't been online much.
I glanced at Weibo and found Lu Chuan's account.
"Serving up a plate of expired pickled cabbage serves no purpose other than making people nauseous and polluting the environment."
"Are you talking about me?" Zhang Yuan scratched his head, showing no sign of anger.
They said his re-released film was like expired sauerkraut.
That means it used to be just a serving of sauerkraut.
Quite arrogant, looking down on kung fu action movies.
However, that's how these guys are; they're arrogant and conceited.
"It's all good news." Zhang Yuan wasn't angry at all; in fact, he was quite pleased.
If someone in the know saw this, they would surely assume he was the victim.
Why are you so happy when people are insulting you?
He guessed that it wasn't just because his conflict with Ryutaro had a long history.
Now, he's also quite at odds with his personal photographer, Cao Yuhao.
So, the enemies have joined forces.
This is what is meant by birds of a feather flocking together.
Those who oppose me are all grouped together; it's safe to say they're birds of a feather.
Those low-key and cultured people, how could they not want to mess with me?
They're all just half-baked charlatans.
Zhang Yuan also looked down on them.
He glanced at his phone calendar and muttered to himself, stroking his chin.
"almost."
……
Meanwhile, a few days later, Wanda Cinemas held a meeting.
After the meeting, Young Master Wang chatted with that General Manager Zeng.
"I met Zhang Yuan once in Siam before."
"Pretty arrogant, huh?" As always, Si Cong sat with his head drooping and leaning back in his chair, completely lacking in proper posture.
They speak to me without any politeness, without lowering their stance, and even dare to speak to me as equals. What is this if not arrogance?
That's how he is.
"That's why we didn't schedule any screenings for him this time," Mr. Zeng replied.
This person understood that he was nominally the CEO of a cinema chain.
In reality, he was just a fleeting county magistrate, while the other was the permanent Lord Huang.
Old Wang said he wanted his son to come and gain experience and learn.
If you treat him like a newcomer and train him, you're a fool.
President Zeng still needs to ponder the young master Wang's words and analyze whether there was any implication from Old Wang.
"Then let's not queue anymore."
"People who can't even apologize are meaningless."
"But he has a good relationship with Boss Lu," President Zeng added.
"Oh..." Now the young master of the Wang family also put away his casual attitude.
They are shareholders of Wanda Group, and they have powerful backers.
"Let's see."
“From now on, we’ll lower the priority of his roles so he’ll know who he can rely on for a living.”
“You’re right,” President Zeng agreed.
"Anyway, even if this re-released movie doesn't make money, it won't have a big impact. It'll teach the other party a lesson without ruining things."
"We'll talk about it later if anything comes up."
"I believe things will be much easier to negotiate," Mr. Zeng said confidently.
"Alright, I'm off then." Young Master Wang stood up.
"Going home to play video games."
For him, women are not as interesting as games.
Because women need to spend money, and games can make him money.
"The company's computers and network are garbage, like crap." He added as he left.
Mr. Zeng could only smile.
Just as Si Cong arrived at the door, the president's assistant was walking in and almost bumped into him.
"You..." He wanted to curse, but then he thought that she was the boss's secretary after all, and he had to give her face.
He suppressed his emotions, knowing that he would treat people differently depending on their status.
"Why are you so flustered? Be careful."
"I'm sorry, I'm in a bit of a rush."
"What's the rush?"
“This…” The secretary glanced in the direction of President Zeng.
The young master was displeased; I had to read his expression before speaking to him.
He believed that the company was his family's property, but the secretary was only responsible for the source of power.
Just like when Emperor Yongzheng ordered his men to remove their armor, the soldiers only listened to Nian Gengyao.
Of course, Consort Hua looks better without her armor.
"Speak up if you have something to say. Everything in the company is public."
"Okay, Mr. Zeng, we just received the information." The female secretary nodded vigorously.
"Starting yesterday, other cinema chains have significantly increased the number of screenings of the film 'Ip Man'."
"Huh?" X2
Both President Zeng and Si Cong spoke up with suspicion.
"what reason?"
"I don't know."
"How could you not know? You're all just good-for-nothings!" Young Master Wang couldn't help but curse.
"I'll go check right away."
"Hurry up." President Zeng waved his hand.
Si Cong thought about it and realized something was wrong.
He gave up on the idea of going home to play League of Legends and sat down again.
The occurrence of this unusual event made him afraid to leave.
We need to figure out what's going on.
While investigating, Mr. Zeng was also busy, calling friends in other cinema chains to inquire about matters.
There were no obstacles; the first call was the answer.
"What, you still don't know?"
The other party was very surprised.
After hearing this, Mr. Zeng's expression turned rather unpleasant.
"What exactly happened?" Si Cong asked.
Mr. Zeng typed a few keys, brought up a webpage, and turned the screen to show it to him. (End of Chapter)