Chapter 1021: Straight Talk

Zhou Xingxing was a very complex person. When it came to movies, he was a genius. But when it came to business, his shrewdness was somewhat annoying.

Yet undeniably, Zhou Xingxing was an excellent actor, director, and even producer.

Therefore, his understanding of this script was clearer than anyone else's.

Lin Darong and his team selected scripts from a professional perspective, but Zhou Xingxing relied on his talent for film and his grasp of audience psychology.

More importantly, Zhou Xingxing had always harbored a kung fu dream.

"This script of yours..."

Looking at Zhao Fusheng, Zhou Xingxing was speechless for a long time.

Zhao Fusheng chuckled: "Consider it tailor-made for you."

Since the other party had already read the script, there was no need to hide anything, so he told the truth.

Zhou Xingxing nodded. He could naturally see that the entire film, including the dialogue and characters, matched his style. Even some details were well handled by Zhao Fusheng.

Good!

That was Zhou Xingxing's only evaluation of this script at that moment. He knew he couldn't miss this film.

Looking up at Zhao Fusheng, Zhou Xingxing revealed a sincere smile and said earnestly, "To be honest, this is the first time I've encountered a script that resonates so deeply with me."

"Is that so?" Zhao Fusheng smiled, knowing he was already halfway to success.

In fact, he was well aware that as long as Zhou Xingxing read the script, he wouldn't be able to refuse.

As a good actor and director, unless Zhou Xingxing had lost his mind, he could see that this film was destined to be a box office hit. Under such circumstances, refusing Zhao Fusheng would mean he had water in his brain.

"Yes, to be honest, I really like this script. It's been a long time since I've come across such a suitable one." Zhou Xingxing nodded, not hiding his fondness for the script at all.

Zhao Fusheng smiled. For him, this was undoubtedly good news. Since Zhou Xingxing liked it, they could continue the discussion.

"For this script, you must be the director, and you must be the lead actor. You can choose the cast freely, and the shooting schedule is up to you." Zhao Fusheng said calmly, looking at Zhou Xingxing.

Zhou Xingxing was taken aback, then laughed: "With such good conditions, there must be other requirements, right?"

He wasn't stupid. If the man had come in person just to deliver a script, it seemed completely unnecessary.

In other words, Zhao Fusheng must have some conditions that ordinary people wouldn't dare to agree to.

"Of course." Zhao Fusheng didn't beat around the bush. Originally, this was something that would only be mentioned during negotiations between Bai Jie and Lin Darong, but even he hadn't expected Zhou Xingxing to give Zhang Guorong so much face by waiting for him personally. So he decided to bring it up directly.

"What conditions?" Zhou Xingxing asked Zhao Fusheng.

"Very simple. I want high box office revenue." Zhao Fusheng said calmly.

"Box office?" Zhou Xingxing frowned. Clearly, Zhao Fusheng's words left him half-understanding and somewhat confused.

"You are the director and the lead actor. So I won't pay you a single cent in salary, but you can convert your compensation into an investment share." Zhao Fusheng said flatly.

The film's budget was not low. Zhao Fusheng had allocated a full ten million US dollars in investment, which was basically most of the funds that Future Films could mobilize.

"I took a look. The investment budget is ten million US dollars?" Zhou Xingxing nodded and asked.

"Yes." Zhao Fusheng nodded: "If you think it's not enough, we can increase it."

Although Zhou Xingxing was not one to waste investment, Zhao Fusheng also knew that to make a kung fu film feel like a blockbuster, one had to be willing to spend money.

In later generations, even an ordinary film would have an investment of hundreds of millions, yet the results—well, Zhao Fusheng couldn't be bothered to watch them.

Comparatively, Zhao Fusheng preferred Zhou Xingxing's style.

At the very least, he was serious about making films.

Of course, that didn't mean Zhao Fusheng would tolerate him spending money recklessly. After all, it was his own money. Zhao Fusheng would never allow the situation where a son sells his father's land without feeling the pinch.

"How much box office do you expect?" Zhou Xingxing didn't ask about his share of the box office revenue but instead focused on Zhao Fusheng's expectations.

His principle had always been to eat according to one's ability.

If Zhao Fusheng's demands exceeded his capabilities, Zhou Xingxing would not agree, no matter how much he liked the script.

"In Hong Kong, no less than fifty million. In the mainland, no less than one hundred million." Zhao Fusheng calmly uttered words that almost made Zhou Xingxing jump.

"Are you joking?" Zhou Xingxing stared at Zhao Fusheng in disbelief. He felt that if this man hadn't been introduced by Zhang Guorong, and if the success of 'Infernal Affairs' hadn't preceded him, he might have thought he was dealing with a madman.

"Chixin" is a term from Hong Kong, meaning a lunatic or a psychopath.

In Zhou Xingxing's view, Zhao Fusheng's current behavior was no different from that of a madman.

Fifty million Hong Kong dollars plus a mainland box office exceeding one hundred million—in other words, Zhao Fusheng's global box office expectations for this film were at least over fifty million US dollars.

Although he was very conceited, Zhou Xingxing felt he was not yet crazy enough to lose sight of the difference between reality and dreams.

"What, Brother Xing, you lack confidence in yourself?" Zhao Fusheng smiled. "Or do you think this script isn't good enough?"

The time and content all matched history. Zhao Fusheng didn't believe that with Zhou Xingxing's box office appeal, this film would fare any worse than it had in history.

Zhou Xingxing gave a bitter smile. It was the first time he felt a bit worried because someone had such confidence in him.

In fact, by this point in the conversation, both of them were well aware that cooperation was inevitable; the only issue was the specific details.

...

...

Regarding the issue of remuneration, Zhao Fusheng didn't discuss it much with Zhou Xingxing. On one hand, he wasn't a professional and didn't know how to set a price for Zhou Xingxing; on the other hand, since box office sharing was involved, the remuneration was a matter worth careful study.

In fact, it was common in the filmmaking process for top stars or directors to invest their remuneration as a share of the profits. This was also one way to reduce upfront investment.

To put it bluntly, it was a matter of profit distribution.

If you want the horse to run, you can't stop it from eating grass. To make someone give their all for your film, you have to offer tangible benefits.

Why did a certain director surnamed Wu abandon the 'A Better Tomorrow' series and insist on storming Hollywood?

Talking about ideals was nonsense. To put it bluntly, wasn't it because although 'A Better Tomorrow' was a success, he, as the director, hadn't made much money? In fact, when filming the second installment, he didn't even get a red envelope.

Outwardly, he claimed creative differences, but in reality, it all boiled down to the stinginess of a certain producer surnamed Xu.

When making a film, if you offer someone a high salary, they'll think you're a fool. But if you convert it into a share of the box office, they'll feel you have great confidence in the film, and the meaning is naturally different.

Of course, this was also a way to reduce financial pressure and spread risk.

After all, an actor working for his own pocket feels different from one hired to perform.

...

...

Soon, the two ended their conversation, and Zhou Xingxing personally hosted a banquet for Zhao Fusheng and the others.

This gesture flattered Bai Jie and the others, and even Zhao Fusheng was quite surprised.

Of course, he was surprised because, as far as Zhao Fusheng knew, Zhou Xingxing was not the type to casually treat people to dinner. Even if he was acting as a host out of respect for Leslie Cheung, it seemed he could have invited only Zhao Fusheng. Why did he also include Bai Jie and the others?

It couldn't be helped. Away from the movies and back in real life, Zhou Xingxing was not the comedy king; he was a thorough businessman.

Zhao Fusheng remembered reading a report saying Zhou Xingxing had a keen eye for investment.

That very year, Zhou Xingxing would purchase a residence in the Tai Ping Shan area for 320 million Hong Kong dollars. The plot covered over 4,000 square meters and was converted by Zhou Xingxing into four three-story independent buildings.

Then, three of those four buildings were sold for 350 million, 300 million, and 800 million respectively, while the remaining one was kept for his own use.

Even Zhao Fusheng himself had to admit he was no match for such investment skills.

It was precisely because of this memory that Zhao Fusheng always maintained a sense of caution toward Zhou Xingxing.

It wasn't that he didn't trust him, but rather that this man was too shrewd—he turned life into business.

Admittedly, that was a way of life, but Zhao Fusheng could never agree with it.

In his view, if living to the end meant ending up like Zhou Xingxing—old friends turning into enemies, even former lovers facing off in court, and only being able to laugh freely in movies—then that was truly exhausting.

The banquet naturally ended with both host and guests delighted. After everyone dispersed and returned to the hotel, Bai Jie came straight to Zhao Fusheng's room.

"Something up?"

Zhao Fusheng was a bit surprised, because Bai Jie was not alone; her assistant was with her.

After posting the assistant at the door, Bai Jie said to Zhao Fusheng, "The people from Xinghui have been probing our side."

"Oh?" Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow and then smiled. "What's up? What does Xinghui want?"

"They probably want to get a sense of our situation and also find out why we chose to cooperate with Xinghui," Bai Jie said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng nodded with satisfaction. So that's why Zhou Xingxing had personally hosted the banquet—it turned out that meal was meant to probe the strength of Future Films.

This was consistent with his modus operandi.

"Let him be," Zhao Fusheng said after a moment's thought, smiling. "The dish is already on the table. Once he tastes it, how could he bear to leave?"

Bai Jie was taken aback, then also smiled, looking at Zhao Fusheng with admiration.