Chapter 1694
Godson
When Zhang Yuan heard that Jam Hsiao wanted to terminate his contract, he was filled with confusion.
what happened?
"What did they say?"
"It was this singer Xiao's manager who called me to tell me that he wanted to terminate the contract." Huang Xiaomao's tone was no longer polite.
He also found it strange.
"No specific reason was given."
Zhang Yuan was not happy.
Let's talk things out.
Is it dissatisfaction with the revenue sharing, or dissatisfaction with the performance arrangements?
Is the address wrong, the ticketing system wrong, or the equipment wrong?
There has to be some explanation.
What you said before seemed reasonable, but then it all came out of nowhere.
He had to rush to work and didn't have time to investigate further.
"Alright then, you go and do something else."
"I'll ask someone about this."
Huang Xiaomao was so happy, I didn't want to get involved in such troublesome matters.
Zhang Yuan then called Jia Shikai.
"Call Jam Hsiao's manager, you don't need to ask anything."
"I told her or her artists to call me personally after their lunch break or evening rest, and I want to hear them tell me in person what caused them to not want to work together."
Jia Shikai sensed that his boss was a little unhappy, so he quickly went to carry out the order.
He then went to the Beijing Sports University, where China Film Group borrowed their gymnasium for filming.
They found students from a sports school to act as extras.
China Film Group was also cunning. They used the promise of meeting celebrities like Zhang Yuan as bait, and only gave each student a boxed lunch plus 30 yuan to attract thousands of people.
College students are worth less than extras.
After listening, Zhang Yuan thought to himself, "Does this just foreshadow the future of these students?"
Don't be fooled by the fact that they're college students; they don't even earn as much as extras...
It's a bit harsh, but that's the truth.
Because Zhang Yuan's company is like that too, recent college graduates don't earn as much as the prop master in the film crew who only has a primary school education.
In this society, it's still better to have a professional skill to make a living.
College students really don't know anything except taking exams.
I can't even tell the difference between duck legs and goose legs...
He messed up his hair, put on small-framed gold-rimmed glasses, and wore a dark striped polo shirt and light-colored leather shoes.
When Zhang Yuan looked in the full-length mirror, he looked exactly like a middle-aged, elderly entrepreneur.
"I didn't expect that even you couldn't handle this kind of makeup and styling." Deng Chao was wearing a suit and looked much more fashionable than him.
"You'll know exactly what kind of clothes you shouldn't wear when you reach middle age."
Tong Dawei nodded repeatedly from the side.
He was going to play a rustic, unsophisticated character, and Lao Yu even used that as a unique feature.
Just like Baoqiang, he turned what others saw as his shortcomings into his own unique characteristics.
The film crew started shooting and began rehearsing their positions.
He jogged from the lounge into the gymnasium, with "The Internationale" playing in the background.
Chen Kexin played the recording on set only to create atmosphere and enhance the actors' immersion; in reality, all the recordings will be dubbed in post-production.
At this point, Chen Dongqing and his two companions had become idols for the students, who cheered and waited for their speeches.
This is the Bodhisattva who guides us to North America!
The actual shooting results are excellent.
The students cheered enthusiastically as soon as they saw them arrive, perfectly matching the needs of the lively atmosphere.
"Thank you all very much for coming."
"I am very grateful for everyone's help; it touched me deeply."
After a day of filming, Zhang Yuan took the microphone and thanked everyone in public.
"I will remember everyone, every single one of you, and this day."
This was met with another round of enthusiastic cheers.
Deng Chao thought to himself that being a boss is different; they are indeed good at motivating people.
I got back into the RV to remove my makeup and head home.
The people surrounding the car were all students; they needed to sign their names.
Just signing the papers took another hour.
It was almost 9 o'clock when I got home, and I hadn't eaten yet.
"Brother Zhang Yuan, the phone."
The assistant handed him the phone.
It was Sister Lin, Jam Hsiao's manager, calling.
Actually, the call came earlier, but Zhang Yuan didn't answer it right away because he was busy and wanted to let it go for a while.
"Go get me some Master Kong braised beef noodles." Zhang Yuan took the phone and told his assistant to make him some instant noodles.
The dinners of business leaders are often simple and unpretentious.
"Hello, Mr. Lin." He greeted him very politely.
But before, they always called her Miss Lin or Sister Lin.
The other party also noticed that the way they addressed each other was now clearly more distant.
"I'm also quite tired. I just finished working, so I'll be frank."
"First of all, if you have any complaints about the cooperation, you should at least explain them in detail, instead of just dismissing me with a single sentence."
"This makes me very dissatisfied."
He first stated his position.
What level are you in?
Are you taking my politeness for granted?
I'm going public now. If even small fry like you dare to talk back to me, what's the point of me even going public?
I was already feeling uneasy and annoyed when I heard the rumor that Cheng Hao was going home for a blind date, the truth of which I didn't know.
There are even punching bags delivered to your door.
"You'd better give me a clear explanation now, or you'll get yourself into trouble."
After hearing his words, Sister Lin swallowed hard.
She knew Zhang Yuan would be unhappy, but she didn't expect his displeasure to be like this.
He immediately offered a few words of reassurance.
You know what, the Taiwanese accent can be quite gentle sometimes.
He then recounted his experience with a sense of helplessness.
The incident stemmed from a performance at the end of last year.
That day, Li Lianjie held an event for his One Foundation, inviting a large group of celebrities to attend and renting a very large venue.
Many business people also attended the event.
Old Li didn't send Zhang Yuan an invitation.
It wasn't that Li Lianjie looked down on him, but rather that Old Li was very considerate.
Because the wall facing China is also there!
Xiang's family members were also present, and they were the main guests.
The day Li Lianjie chose was Xiang Huaqiang's birthday.
And it's his 66th birthday!
It's like doing two things in one day: advertising and celebrating for your own foundation, and also celebrating the birthday of Xiang Huaqiang.
Just think how good Old Li is at making money.
Xiang Huashen had protected him back then, and Old Li always remembered that kindness.
He's like a knife cutting tofu – smooth on both sides, offending no one.
This performance also resulted in an invitation for Jam Hsiao to sing.
As a result, due to the weather... he always had a weather problem.
This person was late.
He arrived more than an hour late, which delayed his performance considerably.
Upon arrival, Sister Lin, being a good person, quickly led him to greet Xiang Huaqiang and Mrs. Xiang.
It was his birthday, and he was in a good mood, so Xiang Huaqiang didn't take it seriously and just said, "Never mind."
But Mrs. Xiang, standing to the side, was not happy. Her eyes narrowed on her chubby face as she stared intently at her husband.
When Xiang Huaqiang discovered his wife's behavior, he was also a little annoyed.
It's my birthday, what's with that expression on your face?
As a result, Mrs. Xiang's question left him completely dumbfounded.
"What is your relationship with this guy?" Why is Mrs. Xiang angry?
Look at Jam Hsiao's photos, then look at the photos of the Xiang Huaqiang wall, and you'll see the difference when you put them side by side!
It's even more like a biological child than the one to the left!
Mrs. Xiang suspects that her husband is having an affair and has a son with another woman behind her back.
Today is my 66th birthday, and I specially invited him to perform, intending for him to acknowledge his ancestry in front of me!
Xiang Huaqiang almost couldn't stand up.
Holy crap, I had to suffer this unexpected disaster on my birthday.
He, as Mrs. Xiang's husband, knows best how shrewd and capable she is.
He has a daughter with his ex-wife Betty Ting Pei, who was Bruce Lee's woman.
After the divorce, he was raised by Mrs. Xiang for many years.
Strangely enough, when they were children, Ding Pei wore the belt to the left.
It's like a hostage exchange; I have no idea what kind of deal is going on behind the scenes.
This is the daughter of Ding Pei, who later accused Xiang Tai of burning her with cigarette butts when she was a child.
It's unclear whether it was intentional or accidental.
Anyway, this woman is ruthless and very cunning.
Xiang Huaqiang quickly explained that he absolutely did not know the other person and that it was the first time they had met.
After being calmed down, Mrs. Xiang stopped having a fit of anger on the spot.
Sister Lin was very considerate. Since her own family was late, she made Jam Hsiao apologize to the Xiang Huaqiang family on stage. In addition, she added one more song when they had originally agreed to sing two songs.
The birthday celebrant felt proud and was happy.
Mrs. Xiang still hadn't let it go, and after he stepped down from the stage, she had someone bring him over for questioning.
Ask him carefully about his background, parents, and experiences to make sure he has no relation to your husband.
I almost believed it even when I turned left.
Do I have another brother?
After asking, I found out that she was a native of Taiwan, and I didn't know her before.
Mrs. Xiang was finally relieved.
The older generation, especially people from Hong Kong and Taiwan, are particularly superstitious.
Mrs. Xiang said that you are so sensible, and you look like my husband. You even sang for him on his birthday. We are destined to be together.
Jam Hsiao isn't stupid either; he latched onto Sister Lin's coattails as soon as he debuted and climbed his way up.
Upon hearing the other party's tone, he immediately knelt down on the ground.
He's already accepted a godmother!
The Xiang family has a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) style and likes to adopt son
It's not a waste to accept it; there are connections within the industry.
Mrs. Xiang smiled and helped him up. Her husband's birthday celebration had turned into a farce, but he had gained a godson, which made her even happier.
He immediately introduced himself as having a godson in the entertainment industry named Huang Xiaoming.
Brother Xiaoming is just relatively kind, but he's actually quite shrewd.
Back then, Shi Xue was one of the eight beauties, and later she clung to the coattails of the two kings.
After leaving Huayi, he recognized Mrs. Xiang as his godmother and Sammo Hung as his godfather.
He's even sworn brothers with Zhang Yuan.
Especially from Yang Tianbao's perspective, they were close family friends.
He's my godson. If he needs you for filming or other activities in the future, you'll have to come, right?
Let's work together to make money, shall we?
Not long after, Xiao Jingteng was personally brought to Lin Dajie's house by her, bringing gifts to formally become her godmother.
The kind of thing where you burn yellow paper, chop up a pig's head, and offer fragrant tea.
Having a powerful figure spanning mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong as a god-relative makes this business a sure thing.
After the ceremony, Xiang Tai patted his chest proudly.
"If you ever have any problems in mainland China, I'll help you sort them out."
"No matter what happens or who you encounter, you don't need to be afraid."
"There's nothing we can't handle."
Their family seems to have forgotten the time when Xiang Huashen was slapped across the face by Jia Dai.
"We'll also help you with your future performances."
That gets to the heart of the matter. We're all in this together, so we need to make money together.
Here's where the question comes in.
Sister Lin explained that we already have a partner and have signed a contract.
Upon hearing the question, Mrs. Xiang's face was full of fierce features and her eyebrows stood on end!
"Absolutely not!"
"We can't work with that kind of bastard!"
"Otherwise, you won't be my godson, and I won't acknowledge you!"
That's just her temperament. She's as fat as a ball, and when she gets all puffed up, she looks like a pufferfish.
They can't afford to offend them; they know the Xiang family's character—they're people of the underworld.
Taiwanese people have a different understanding of the underworld than mainlanders, and they are closer to gangs.
Having no other choice, they called Zhang Yuan to inform him that the cooperation was being cancelled.
Zhang Yuan smiled after hearing this.
I laughed in exasperation.
"I have a question."
"Please go ahead," Sister Lin said politely.
"What's your motivation for choosing to terminate your contract with me and cooperate with the Xiang family?" Zhang Yuan relaxed his tone slightly.
"Well... after all, she's my godmother, and we know you're understanding and can comprehend this situation."
"Oh." Zhang Yuan nodded. "So you mean, good people have to be held at gunpoint?"
"What kind of bullshit logic is this?"
"Please don't worry, we are really sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"For this matter."
“No, no, no,” Zhang Yuan interrupted. “You should apologize for your stupidity and for wasting my time because of it.”
"Have you ever thought about this?" Zhang Yuan said with a sneer.
"Since Mrs. Xiang hates me so much."
"Since she's so capable and works in the underworld..."
"Then why am I not only alive and well, but also doing better and better?"
Zhang Yuan was stumped by her question and couldn't answer it.
There is only one answer.
"That means they can't do anything about me, they have absolutely no way to deal with me."
"You think it's incredibly powerful, but to me it's nothing but bullshit."
Zhang Yuan did not hold back his disdain.
If you could kill me, you would have done it already.
They still can't kill it.
Just like the Americans, if they could suppress the Chinese, they would have done it long ago.
He hasn't done it not because he's kind-hearted, but because he can't do it.
I'm still in the Qi Refining stage, and even their family can't handle me.
I'm already at the half-step Nascent Soul stage, what can they do to me?
"Hehehe, I actually want to cooperate with someone who can't even understand such a simple principle."
"I'm pretty funny too."
"Alright, let's follow the procedure. If you want to terminate the contract, you'll have to pay the penalty."
"Ask your boyfriend's godmother if she's willing to pay for it."
"I won't make things difficult for you, and you shouldn't make things difficult for me either."
After saying that, he casually said goodbye and hung up the phone.
I don't have time right now; I need to concentrate my efforts on important matters.
We must not cause any conflict that could affect our IPO plans.
Zhang Yuan was thinking of Han Xin and Liu Bang.
To accomplish great things, one must remain calm and composed.
No rush, let's take our time. (End of Chapter)