Guan Zhizhi was speechless. "Has anyone ever told you you have a thick skin? I've never met anyone who can scold themselves before."
Xie Sui poured her tea. "People like to deceive themselves. I'm just more clear-headed. In this world, those without thick skin can't survive. Miss Guan, you're not here to discuss my character, are you?"
Guan Zhizhi smiled. "I'm not that idle. I'm here to cooperate with you."
"Welcome, welcome, it's my honor, a thousand welcomes."
Guan Zhizhi: "You haven't even asked what we're cooperating on?"
"As long as Miss Guan graces me with her presence, it's always me who benefits. I can't possibly lose."
Guan Zhizhi: "..."
"Just kidding. What do you need me to do, Miss Guan?"
Last time, Guan Zhizhi had given him a hundred million yuan as thanks for saving her life. Xie Sui had accepted the money and felt obligated to help if he could.
"I'm not doing too well lately and want to film a movie with me as the lead to shift public attention. Aren't you starting a film company? I'll play the lead for you."
Xie Sui was very surprised. "It can't be that serious. Even if Miss Guan is in trouble, there should be plenty of people willing to invite you to film. You coming to my newly opened company is really a compromise."
"Just tell me if you want it or not."
"I want it, I want it. If Miss Guan gives me this face, I definitely have to accept. How about a martial arts action film?"
"An action film? What kind of action?"
Guan Zhizhi's eyes looked strange. Xie Sui didn't think much of it. "Just kung fu, with exciting fight scenes, punching to the flesh, like Bruce Lee. It'll have national vendettas, love, and family. You'll definitely like it once you see it."
"Alright, I'll wait for your script. It's settled then. Happy cooperation."
"Happy cooperation."
Xie Sui shook hands with her and personally saw her out. The employees outside were excitedly watching Guan Zhizhi, a big star.
"Anyone want an autograph? Go ahead and ask for one. I'll make the decision. Miss Guan, won't you be generous and give my employees some benefits?"
"Alright, I can give you this face."
The employees all got their autographs. Too bad they couldn't take photos, but it was already great.
The boss is so good. They'll give their all for the boss.
After Guan Zhizhi left, Xie Sui instructed Ah Hua, "Find out what trouble Miss Guan is in."
Xie Sui found it unusual that she approached him for cooperation so suddenly. This woman was very proud, and had the right to be. His current status was not yet on par with hers.
Soon, Ah Hua found out. "Miss Guan first approached Mr. Lin of Jiaye Film and Television, but it seems the discussion was not pleasant. Miss Guan's clothes were a bit disheveled when she left."
There was a lot of information in that. Xie Sui said, "Miss Guan hasn't fallen yet. Is that Mr. Lin so bold?"
Ah Hua was also gossipy. "It's called kicking someone when they're down. And there's Mr. Xu. I heard he also rejected Miss Guan. She was very wronged."
Xie Sui: "This is the consequence of relying on men."
The concept of "female leads" didn't exist yet. It was only when the internet entered every household that women would truly awaken.
Ah Hua: "Not relying on men, relying on yourself?"
"Of course. Mountains may crumble. Ah Hua, there will be more and more strong women in the future. Never underestimate women, or you'll suffer for it."
Xie Sui went back to review his schedule. It was time to go home and see his wife. Even the strongest women are very vulnerable during pregnancy and childbirth and need their husbands' companionship.
Secretary Yao came in. "Mr. Xie, here is your itinerary for the next three days."
"Cancel unnecessary interviews and meetings. I plan to return to the mainland."
Secretary Yao's eyes flashed. "You're going back? When?"
Xie Sui looked up at him. Yao Qiguang immediately said, "So I can arrange your schedule."
There was a hint of guilt-tripping. Xie Sui's expression remained unchanged. "The day after tomorrow."
"Alright, I'll arrange it."
Xie Sui watched him leave, then picked up the phone and instructed Ah Hua, "Have someone keep an eye on Secretary Yao."
Who sent this person?
Xie Sui shook his head. Did they all think he was easy to bully? They're already planting spies. Did he look that stupid? Sudan Novel Network
The phone rang. It was Inspector Liang. "Mr. Xie, the reward money is ready. When do you have time to come to the bureau to complete the procedures?"
"I'll come this afternoon. Thank you for your hard work, Inspector Liang."
"You're welcome."
As soon as Xie Sui hung up, Lin Nan knocked and entered. "Mr. Xie, I've poached two screenwriters you were looking for. Can you see them now?"
"Perfect, bring them in."
Two well-dressed young men wearing glasses looked like scholars, exuding an academic aura.
Xie Sui was very enthusiastic. "Sit down. Tell me what scripts you've written, where you graduated from, and if you have a portfolio. Let me see."
One of them, named Wu Yu, took out a stack of papers. "This is the culmination of my three years of work. Mr. Xie, please take a look."
"Alright."
Xie Sui read one page and put it down. He said, "Yours isn't quite right. It's too artistic. I'm not saying it's bad, but it's not suitable for market demand..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Yu stood up agitatedly. "Do you understand art? You dismiss my work after looking at just a little bit. You nouveau riche will never understand the greatness of art."
Xie Sui scratched his head. "Your name is quite fitting, Wu Yu (meaning speechless). I know you creatives are very proud, thinking your work is unique, destined to be timeless, and recorded in history, but you just haven't met someone who appreciates it."
"Having confidence is good, but blind confidence is arrogance. I'm a businessman. I only care about the commercial value your work brings me. Art is irrelevant to me."
"If you feel I've insulted you, I apologize. You can try elsewhere. Ah Nan, see him out."
"Mr. Wu, please."
Wu Yu wanted to say something, but Xie Sui was no longer looking at him. Angrily, he turned and left.
The other one looked a bit awkward. His work was only a dozen pages of drafts. He put it down and said, "My name is Chen Yi. I just graduated. This is something I wrote casually. Please take a look. It's probably not very good, but I can revise it. Works are created step by step. It's mainly about the framework and the underlying themes. That's how I understand it."
Xie Sui looked for a while and suddenly laughed. Chen Yi looked crestfallen, thinking it was over, and he probably wouldn't be hired.
"This is good! The creativity is very novel, and the characters are very distinct. You're a very thoughtful young man."
Chen Yi's eyes lit up. "You like my work?"
"It's alright. This can't really be called a work yet, just a general story outline. You need to revise it carefully and ponder the wording."
Xie Sui felt his work was a bit simplistic, but simplistic stories were exactly what would become popular later on. If you wrote like a history book, who would understand?
Works should be close to the people and accepted by the masses.
"Mr. Xie, so what's your opinion..."
"You can stay. It's a three-month probation period. I have high hopes for you, but there's still a lot of room for improvement."
Chen Yi was delighted. "That's great! I'm just glad to be accepted. I just graduated and was almost out of food. I studied screenwriting out of passion, but I realized passion doesn't pay the bills after graduation."
"Who says it can't? The darkest hour is just before dawn. Once you get through it, you'll see the light. I'll tell you a story outline. You go and write it out, and then show it to me."
Xie Sui had promised Guan Zhizhi a lead role and now wanted to film "Fong Sai Yuk." The character of Thirteen Aunt could be introduced to the audience early.
There were several "Fong Sai Yuk" movies, all of which were blockbusters. Xie Sui had watched them many times before and had a deep impression.
"Young and Dangerous" was also in preparation and could be started at the same time. Film production cycles were fast, and audiences at the time were not as picky. As long as the plot was good, they wouldn't quibble over minor details. A film could be made in three months.
Some worked day and night and could release a film in a month. Actors at this time were truly dedicated and there were no divas like in later generations, making it easy for directors.
Xie Sui handed Chen Yi over to Stephen Chow. After a few days, Stephen Chow clearly had dark circles under his eyes, looking depleted from his usual fresh-faced self.
"What's wrong? You look so haggard?"
Stephen Chow said with a mournful look, "Mr. Xie, I'm an actor. You're treating me like a workhorse, asking me to do everything. I'm practically the general manager of the company."
Xie Sui felt apologetic. "Is that so? You've worked hard. I only trust you, so I want you to do things. You can hire a few assistants or even a general manager."
Stephen Chow: "That's up to you to arrange. It has to be someone you trust, Mr. Xie. I feel like you're treating this company like a game, not taking it seriously at all."
Xie Sui chuckled dryly. "Alright, I'll come and take a look myself today. How can it be a game? This is a business that will make a lot of money in the future, a very important part of my business empire. I take it very seriously, it's not a game."
Stephen Chow's expression brightened slightly. That was more like it.
This was Xie Sui's first visit to his own entertainment company. The large characters "Dream Entertainment" were very striking. "Not bad, this is quite good."
The company already had hundreds of employees. When Xie Sui entered, he saw some people fooling around, others chatting, and some fiddling with equipment. They looked like a scattered mess, and he couldn't help but frown.
Stephen Chow called out loudly, "Everyone come over. Mr. Xie is here, the boss is here."
Everyone smiled and came forward to greet him. "Hello, Mr. Xie."
"What are you all busy with?"
"We haven't started working yet. We're waiting for assignments, Mr. Xie, please instruct us."
Xie Sui glanced at Stephen Chow. He said, "The script hasn't been finalized yet, so everyone is temporarily idle."
"Alright, it's my fault. You can disperse for now. I'll give you further instructions later."
They really needed a general manager. Stephen Chow was still young. Directing would be ten years later. He would only consider directing after acting well, and he wasn't from a formal acting background.
At this time, most actors in film and television were not from formal training. They acted based on what felt right, which often gave their performances more character.
Money was easy to make, but finding talent was difficult. Xie Sui was moving too fast and overextended himself.
His plan to go home had to be postponed. He needed to sort out the entertainment company first. Running a company that paid salaries every day was not something that could be sustained even with vast wealth.