Chapter 1445: The Tycoon and the Little Director

Ning Hao had imagined countless times that one day he would achieve fame and success, becoming a super director admired by millions, making all those who looked down on him kneel before him and call him daddy.

But he had never imagined that one day he would be singled out by a super-rich tycoon.

"Director Ning, this is our contract. Please take a look."

In the meeting room of Future Film, Ye Jing smiled, glanced at Ning Hao and his wife Xing Na, and handed over the contract in his hand.

Although he didn't know why Zhao Fusheng valued this young director who had only made one commercial film, even offering a one-billion penalty clause for him, since Zhao Fusheng thought highly of him, Ye Jing had no reason not to.

Moreover, Ye Jing had seen the clips of "Crazy Stone" himself, and they were indeed good, proving that Ning Hao was a talented young director. Bringing such talent into the company would naturally be a win.

As for the ten-year contract with a requirement of at least one film per year, those were all negotiable.

Ning Hao handed the contract to Xing Na for her to review, but he looked at Ye Jing and asked with a puzzled expression, "President Ye, if I may be blunt, why did your company suddenly think of signing me?"

He really hadn't expected to be suddenly valued by Future Film.

You see, although Future Film had launched the New Star Director Plan, people in the industry knew that in the past year, while Future Film seemed to have increased investment in film projects, in reality, the company's standards had become higher and higher.

Simply put, Future Film was no longer eager to sign actors and artists. Some artists previously signed had chosen not to renew their contracts upon expiration.

Rumors outside suggested that Future Film intended to focus on film investment.

But Ning Hao hadn't expected Ye Jing to call him personally to sign him.

Although the contract term was long, the conditions were too generous—it was practically the treatment reserved for a major director.

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch. Ning Hao understood that it must be because the other party saw the potential of "Crazy Stone," but he still couldn't understand: was one film really enough to make Ye Jing decide to sign him?

After all, in the entertainment industry, there were plenty of directors who were flashes in the pan, and talented people were everywhere. He was a newcomer who had switched careers halfway—was Future Film worth investing in him like this?

Facing Ning Hao's doubts, Ye Jing smiled slightly and explained, "To be honest, although I've seen 'Crazy Stone' and think you're very talented, I hadn't considered signing you."

"Then was it Teacher Jiang Wen's recommendation?"

Ning Hao was startled and then asked instinctively.

Because in his impression, Jiang Wen seemed to have a good relationship with Future Film's top management. After watching "Crazy Stone" that day, Jiang Wen had specifically come over to encourage him. Perhaps it was Jiang Wen who suggested it to Ye Jing.

Hearing Ning Hao's question, Ye Jing laughed, thought for a moment, and nodded: "It can be considered Jiang Wen's suggestion, but not to me."

"What do you mean?"

Ning Hao was completely confused by Ye Jing. He didn't understand what Ye Jing meant by saying it was Jiang Wen's suggestion but not to him. Did that mean Jiang Wen had gone through someone else to pass the message to Ye Jing?

That couldn't be!

He might not know much else, but being in the entertainment industry, Ning Hao was well-informed enough to know that among Future Film's artists, Jiang Wen and Yu Feihong held the most special status. They were good friends with Ye Jing and also close friends with Zhao Fusheng, the chairman of Future Group, Future Film's parent company.

Especially Yu Feihong, who was said to be like a sister to Zhao Fusheng.

Although Jiang Wen and Zhao Fusheng were quite different in age, their relationship was very close, and it was said that their wives were college classmates.

Wait!

Ning Hao was suddenly stunned. He had a bold guess—could it be...

Seeing Ning Hao's expression change, Ye Jing nodded and no longer concealed the truth, saying calmly, "This matter wasn't decided by me; it was the chairman himself who called."

The chairman he referred to was naturally Zhao Fusheng!

Ning Hao was completely dumbfounded, and even Xing Na, who was reading the contract, was stunned.

"Chairman Zhao of Future Group?"

Xing Na blurted out to Ye Jing. She really hadn't expected that her husband would be favored by a tycoon.

"Yes."

Ye Jing nodded and said to Xing Na and Ning Hao, "Jiang Wen visited the chairman yesterday and mentioned your new film. He liked it very much and strongly recommended you to the chairman. The chairman had seen your earlier film 'Incense' and decided to sign you."

Then he smiled and said, "Director Ning, I hope you won't disappoint the chairman and Teacher Jiang Wen."

At that moment, Ning Hao was completely dazed.

The reasoning was simple. For example, people often envy and hate the rich—that's the so-called resentment against the wealthy. But the question is, how many people have you seen who resent the two 'Daddy Ma' or 'Superman Li'?

Resentment against the rich also depends on the target.

If someone around you suddenly becomes rich, winning five million, people might envy them. But once their wealth exceeds your imagination, the so-called resentment against the rich basically doesn't exist in the logic of normal people.

After all, for someone worth a few hundred thousand, the number of a few billion is completely beyond comprehension.

Unless one is insane, who would be willing to become an enemy of a billionaire?

It's better to be friends, isn't it?

Why could Ma Xiaoyun convince a bunch of celebrities to star in that nonsensical action film? In the end, it's because he was so rich that no one wanted to offend him. Everyone thought even forming a good connection would be beneficial, so they naturally cooperated fully.

Ning Hao now had the same mentality. After listening to Ye Jing's words, he felt flattered and overwhelmed.

Yes, flattered and overwhelmed.

After all, the gap between his status and that man's was just too vast.

It was like a new actor playing an extra in his first role, when suddenly a movie star walks over, pats him on the shoulder, and says, 'Kid, I have high hopes for you; you'll succeed in the future!'

Holy shit!

What kind of feeling would that be?

"So, have you made up your mind?" Ye Jing seemed to understand Ning Hao's feelings. After he had calmed down a bit, he asked with a smile, "If there's no problem, let's sign the contract."

"Yes, yes, yes, no problem."

Ning Hao exchanged a glance with his wife. Xing Na nodded, indicating there were no legal issues with the contract, and he hurriedly said to Ye Jing.

Only a fool wouldn't sign. He was just a new director, and now he had the opportunity to join the Future Group. He'd have to be crazy to refuse.

As they say, 'A big tree gives good shade.' The Future Group was such a tree; you couldn't find one even with a lantern.

After all, people in the entertainment industry either seek fame or fortune. Even if Ning Hao truly loved film, he also hoped for a more comfortable life.

Clearly, the Future Group could satisfy every entertainment insider's desires.

After all, the company had an unimaginable abundance of resources, both in advertising and other areas.

Especially in advertising endorsements—who didn't know that Future Advertising was renowned in the northern region and even nationwide? Not to mention that the Future Group was reportedly developing a new cooperation model, allowing its celebrity artists to participate in the company's investment projects.

That was real money; only a fool wouldn't want to earn it.

Just then, Ye Jing's phone rang. He glanced down at it, then answered with a smile.

"Hey, yeah, I'm here." Ye Jing laughed into the phone. "I'm in the middle of discussing the contract with Director Ning Hao. You're coming over? Sure, we'll wait for you."

With that, he hung up and said to Ning Hao, "The chairman is on his way over and wants to have a talk with you."

Huh?

Ning Hao was completely dumbfounded, staring at Ye Jing with his mouth agape. He felt like he was dreaming.

…

…

As it turned out, Ning Hao wasn't dreaming.

Because half an hour later, he met Zhao Fusheng in the general manager's office of Future Films.

Zhao Fusheng, without any sense of having taken over someone else's turf, simply kicked Ye Jing out and stayed in the office chatting with Ning Hao.

Of course, Ye Jing wasn't really kicked out; he went to discuss a series of post-signing matters with Xing Na.

"So, were you startled?"

Zhao Fusheng looked at Ning Hao and said with a smile.

Ning Hao was still green at this point, far from the worldly-wise man he would later become. He blushed a little but still nodded: "When President Ye said you specifically wanted to sign me, I was startled."

"Don't be nervous."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand with a smile: "We're signing you because you have the ability worth signing. Old Jiang—uh, Jiang Wen—thinks highly of you and has been recommending you to me. Though I haven't seen your new film, I've watched your earlier 'Incense,' and it's very good."

Ning Hao quickly said, "Thank you for your appreciation, Chairman."

He naturally had to express gratitude for Jiang Wen's recommendation, but at this moment, Ning Hao knew exactly how to speak.

Zhao Fusheng laughed.

This was a smart man.

He had initially worried that Ning Hao might have the stubborn temperament of some new directors, but now it seemed he had overthought it. This guy was clearly an old hand, no wonder he could later churn out high-grossing commercial films while also making something like 'No Man's Land.'

A director like this was undoubtedly an investor's favorite. After all, investors care about profit margins, and Ning Hao was certainly a satisfying director.