Chapter 17: No Matter How Small the Stone, It Fears Madness
On May 1st, the first day box office for "cold mountain," starring Nicole Kidman, was released: 2.89 million RMB.
At the same time, two Hong Kong films, "New Police Story" and "Self-Amusement," were released on the same day as "crazy stone."
The box office for "Men in Black" had already dropped to 450,000 RMB.
When Li Chen arrived at the company, Yang Siwei was already there.
After the company's legal team and Yang Siwei signed the contract, Li Chen extended his hand and smiled, "Welcome."
"Thank you, Director Li. Oh no, I should call you President Li now."
"Haha, it's all the same. Please wait a moment."
Li Chen opened the door, walked to the doorway, clapped his hands twice, and summoned the other employees of the company.
"Let me introduce everyone to Yang Siwei, the company's Artist Director. If I'm not in the company and you need something, just find her."
Yang Siwei showed no stage fright, stepped forward, and smiled, "Hello everyone, I'm Yang Siwei. It's a pleasure to work with you all."
"Hello, Director Yang, I'm Li Ke from legal."
"I'm Zhao Yuanyuan from finance."
Back in the office.
Li Chen smiled, "Within a year, the company does not plan to sign any artists."
"You'll have plenty of time to learn and adapt. In a couple of days, I'll find an experienced agent to mentor you."
"After a year, the company will expand, and you will serve as the Artist Director, responsible for artist signings, planning, and public relations."
"My expectation for you is not to be the second Wang Jinghua in Beijing, but the first Yang Siwei in Chinese entertainment!"
The first Yang Siwei in Chinese entertainment!
Yang Siwei repeated it to herself, feeling as if some restless genes were stirring within her.
She stood up like a soldier taking an oath, excitedly saying, "President Li, don't worry, I will give it my all!"
Li Chen smiled, waved his hand, and told her to sit down, "Just call me Director Li."
Yang Siwei also smiled, "Director Li, may I ask who you plan to have mentor me?"
Li Chen shook his head, "Don't ask, you'll know when the time comes."
Around noon, Li Chen's cell phone kept beeping.
Liu Yifei sent an MMS message with two movie tickets for "Stone."
Around 8 PM, Han Sanping called, his voice full of vigor.
"You've got some skills, kid. If nothing goes wrong, your film, 'Stone,' is going to make a fortune again."
Li Chen thought to himself, with over 16 million RMB from embedded advertising, how could it not make money?
Although it was a small fry compared to last year's "cell phone," "Stone" had the advantage of low cost.
"Then I'll take that as a good omen, Chairman Han, haha."
Han Sanping's tone shifted, "Sigh, I say, next time, go for something big, don't always mess around with small projects."
Li Chen secretly thought, if it's small-scale, it's harder for you to meddle.
Otherwise, the optics would be too bad, and you, old man, wouldn't be able to save face.
"Chairman Han, I also want to be like others and produce a project worth hundreds of millions, but don't I have to take it slow?"
"Without a couple of successful films to make a name for myself, if I were to ask you for investment, saying I want to do something big..."
"You'd be crazy not to kick me out!"
Han Sanping laughed heartily over the phone, "That's true. I hope next year's "shoplifters" can also bring a surprise."
Li Chen did not speak.
As soon as he hung up, another call came in.
"Chairman Wang?"
"Director Li, I watched the movie, sigh..."
"Was it not good, Chairman Wang?"
"It's not that it wasn't good, it's just that seeing such a high return on investment project, and Enlight Media can't get involved, it's just frustrating!"
"There's a lot of embedded advertising in the movie, Director Li must have made a lot, right?"
"I heard your 'Stone' only cost four or five million, sigh, I'm envious."
Li Chen smiled, "Chairman Wang is indeed an expert, but you don't need to be envious. Enlight Media's advantage isn't in films."
"But when it comes to distribution and marketing, I'm afraid no one can compare to Chairman Wang's Enlight Media."
"Every foot has its length, every inch has its shortness, as they say."
Wang Changtian smiled, "Director Li really knows how to talk. By the way, will the distribution and marketing for 'shoplifters' be handled by Enlight Media?"
Li Chen was momentarily stunned, "I'm sorry, Chairman Wang, the distribution and marketing have already been given to China Film Group Corporation."
Wang Changtian's tone remained unchanged, "Oh, I forgot China Film Group Corporation is also a co-producer."
"But next time Director Li has a project, please consider Enlight Media, even if it's at a premium, it doesn't matter, as long as we have a share."
Li Chen smiled, "I see Chairman Wang's sincerity, and I believe we will have opportunities to cooperate in the future."
After hanging up, Li Chen originally intended to turn off his cell phone and sleep, planning to check the box office tomorrow morning.
However, a QQ message popped up again.
"Although it's not my favorite style, the cinema was filled with laughter, and even Mom seemed to be silent this time."
Li Chen didn't know what she meant. What could Liu Xiaoli's silence indicate?
"Are you implying that Liu Ayi used to have some complaints about me?"
Liu Yifei, wearing bunny ears, curled her legs and leaned against the bed.
Her face flushed, and she secretly thought to herself how stupid she was; her words were full of loopholes.
Liu Yifei tossed and turned, not knowing how to reply.
Li Chen, lying on his bed, also tossed and turned, unable to sleep, feeling restless all over.
Didn't he decide not to consider romantic relationships for now?
So why, after a few casual words with the Celestial Maiden, did he feel like he was about to contradict himself?
Was it the Celestial Maiden's charm, or his own weak resolve? Probably both.
Li Chen agonized for a long time, then drifted off to sleep in a daze.
On May 2nd, early in the morning, the dormitory door rattled loudly, startling Li Chen awake.
"Director Li, open the door quickly!"
The voice sounded like Huang Bo.
Li Chen groggily opened the door, and Huang Bo excitedly laughed, "Haha, Director Li, it exploded, it exploded, it's going to explode!"
Li Chen became fully awake, his eyes wide, "How much?"
Huang Bo laughed heartily, "Director Li, the first day box office is 8.79 million RMB!"
Li Chen also laughed loudly, "Good, I'll give everyone red envelopes later."
Li Chen said as he opened his laptop.
Huang Bo was even happier, "Director Li, why are you still opening your computer?"
Li Chen ignored Huang Bo, staring at the computer and saying, "I'm looking at the film reviews. Word-of-mouth is the most important thing. The first day's box office is just a good start."
"If the word-of-mouth isn't good, it'll collapse later!"
Huang Bo was stunned. Comments from online users had already appeared yesterday afternoon, and most of them said it was good.
"Old Huang, the online reviews for you are very high. I said from the beginning that if you played this role well, you would definitely shine. Wasn't I right?"
"Haha, Director Li, I've never doubted anything you've said."
Li Chen smiled and shook his head. This Old Huang really knows how to talk.
Online comments were overwhelmingly positive.
"I'll top your lung!"
"You really went all out to pick up girls!" Haha, I'm dying of laughter.
"Although we're not married, we have true feelings! If married people aren't even managed, is there still any law?"
"This is a qualified comedy."
"Now this is comedy! What kind of thing was that 'cell phone'?
"cold mountain"'s box office yesterday saw a slight decrease: 2.42 million RMB.
The other two Hong Kong films completely flopped on their first day, with a combined total of only 1.35 million RMB.
On May 1st, "crazy stone" stood out as the sole success.
The media's evaluation style instantly changed.
"Director Li Chen turned decay into magic; his second low-budget comedy is still a huge hit, with a first-day box office of 8.79 million RMB, far leading the May Day holiday releases."
"No matter how small the stone, it fears madness; no matter how high cold mountain, it's still a stone."
"The film is full of embedded advertising, crudely made, the entire movie is just a hodgepodge."
Li Chen automatically ignored the last comment.
Closing his laptop, Li Chen had a clear idea, and smiled, "Quanjude tonight. Don't call anyone else, just invite Xu Zheng. Everyone else has families."
Huang Bo smiled, "Okay."
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