RPAGF Chapter 43: Post Wave Pictures
Chapter 43: Post Wave Pictures
The news of Liu Yifei falling into the water spread much faster than Liu Yu had expected.
The next morning, while he was still waiting for his flight at Chengdu Airport, his phone was bombarded with messages.
Zhang Jizhong's side has also responded.
During his layover in Chengdu, Liu Yu came across a news article: "Zhang Jizhong responds to Liu Yifei falling into the water: It was an accident, the crew will strengthen security measures."
The news report said that Zhang Dahuzi received a call from a reporter from Sina Entertainment during a break in the film crew's preparations for reshooting the scene the next morning, and gave a brief response to the matter.
"There was indeed a slight accident, but the actors were not injured. We are now preparing to reshoot. Security measures for the crew will be further strengthened in the future. Thank you to the media and fans for your concern for the crew."
After reading the news, Liu Yu muttered to himself: "You're quite the smooth talker; you've managed to absolve yourself of all responsibility with just one word: 'accident.'"
That's the rule in this circle: when something goes wrong, first stabilize the situation, apologize if necessary, and make necessary corrections. As for whether or not they will actually make corrections later, that's a matter for the future.
Upon arriving at Changsha Huanghua Airport, Liu Jianhui picked him up by car.
Zhang Yan was sitting in the passenger seat. Liu Yu got in the car, and before he could even fasten his seatbelt, Zhang Yan turned around and asked, "The internet says you jumped into the water to save someone?"
Liu Yu thought to himself, "The news spread way too fast."
"Hmm, just a minor accident, it's nothing."
"What do you mean 'nothing'? I saw the video. The water was so fast. Weren't you afraid of being swept away after jumping in?" Zhang Yan's tone was reproachful, but the worry in her eyes was undisguised.
"Mom, I was in the army, and I'm a good swimmer."
"Even if you're a good swimmer, you can't be this reckless." Zhang Yan paused, her voice lowering. "Your dad saw the news and didn't sleep well all night."
Liu Yu glanced at Liu Jianhui in the rearview mirror.
His father didn't say anything, his hands gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his expression exactly the same as usual, showing no emotion whatsoever.
"Dad, I'm really okay."
Liu Jianhui hummed in response, without turning his head.
"Your mom made some soup, come back and drink it."
That's what Liu Jianhui's style of concern is like: he won't say you did something wrong, nor will he say you did something right.
Liu Yu chuckled in the back seat. Zhang Yan heard him, turned around, and glared at him.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I wasn't laughing at anything, I just felt so good to be home."
.....
Zhang Yan bought her new home in Changsha this year; it's next to the Broadcasting Station in Golden Eagle City.
Liu Yu took a shower, changed his clothes, and sat on the balcony, staring blankly at Malanshan.
It wasn't too cold in Changsha at the end of October, and Zhang Yan was busy in the kitchen.
Dinner is served at 6:30 p.m.
Zhang Yan stewed a pot of corn and pork rib soup and stir-fried a few home-style dishes, all of which Liu Yu liked to eat.
Liu Jianhui sat across the table, making slurping noises as he drank his soup.
Liu Yu ate with his head down, occasionally glancing up at his parents, thinking to himself: If only life could always be like this.
After finishing their meal, Liu Yu helped Zhang Yan clear the table and then went back to his room to call Yan Danchen.
She said on the phone that she wasn't filming today and was resting at a guesthouse, and would continue filming tomorrow.
She said Huang Xiaoming's back injury flared up again, and he went for physiotherapy in the afternoon. She didn't know if he could film tomorrow.
She said Liu Yifei was in good spirits today, and that she had told her in the morning, "Sister Danchen, I want to thank Brother Liu Yu."
Liu Yu paused for a moment when he heard the words "Brother Liu Yu".
She used to call him Director Liu, when did she start calling him brother?
"What did you say?"
Yan Danchen smiled and said, "I suggest you tell him yourself."
After hanging up the phone, Liu Yu lay on the bed and browsed the computer for a while.
As I was scrolling, my phone vibrated again.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number, a BJ number.
He answered the phone, and a voice came from the other end, "Director Liu, this is Liu Yifei."
Liu Yu sat up. "How did you get my number?"
"Sister Danchen gave it to me." Her voice sounded crisper than usual, as if she was deliberately trying to appear relaxed. "Director Liu, my mother wants to invite you to dinner to thank you for saving me yesterday."
Liu Yu leaned against the headboard and smiled.
"Why would you suddenly invite me to dinner? It's a small thing; anyone would do the same."
"This is no small matter." Liu Yifei's voice suddenly became serious, lacking the feigned ease from before. "My mother said that if you hadn't pulled me back, I would have been swept away by the water. The area under that waterfall is full of rocks; falling in would definitely have..."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, and Liu Yu could hear her breathing.
"Girl," Liu Yu said softly, "you're lucky. There was a rock that blocked your fall, otherwise I might not have been able to find you. So you don't need to thank me, thank that rock."
Liu Yifei paused for a moment on the other end of the phone, then laughed.
"There's such a saying?" Her laughter was soft, as if something had tickled her funny bone, and she couldn't help but laugh.
"Yes, I invented it."
"Director Liu, you're really funny. My mom says you're a good person." Her tone became serious.
Upon hearing the word "good person," Liu Yu suddenly recalled something Yan Danchen had once said: "Your biggest flaw is that you're too good to people."
"Okay, let's talk about dinner later. We'll go back to Beijing after you finish filming."
"Okay. Director Liu, thank you."
"Don't thank me, you've said that three times tonight."
.....
The next morning, Liu Yu received a call from Zhong Lifang.
Chung Li-fang is the head of his North American post-90s generation group. She was introduced to him in 2002 by her sister, Liu Min. They had both studied in the UK and knew each other in the Chinese community.
When Liu Min mentioned that her younger brother wanted to start a film company, she agreed without hesitation.
Liu Yu had spoken to her on the phone once and found that this woman was clear-headed and efficient; if it weren't for the disunity within the Dog Brother family in his past life, Xiao Ma Bengteng wouldn't have died so quickly.
Chung Li-fang had been in charge of Post Wave Investment and Post Wave Pictures' North American affairs, and just returned from the US branch this September.
She spent almost a year in Los Angeles, registering a few script outlines and handling investment matters.
Liu Yu's purpose in sending her to the United States was very clear: to buy at rock-bottom prices.
"Boss, two things." Zhong Lifang's voice carried the competence of a professional woman. "First, the script for 'Soldiers Sortie' has been completed jointly by the company's screenwriting team and Director Kang's team. Director Kang said that casting can begin, and he asked if you have any suggestions."
Liu Yu thought for a moment. "I only have one suggestion: for the role of Old A, I recommend Luo Jin. The rest is up to you."
"Luo Jin? The one who acted in your 'Hearing Girl'?"
"Yes. He's from the Beijing Film Academy, has solid acting skills, and is a reliable person. Have Director Kang take a look at his profile; if he's suitable, we'll use him, but we won't force it."
"Okay. Second thing, the proceeds from the European Championship have arrived."
Liu Yu felt a slight tightening in his chest. He had told Zhong Lifang about the 2004 European Cup before she went to the United States: Greece, the champion, a big bet.
"How many?"
"you guess."
"I won't guess, you tell me."
"Including principal and interest, the total is... 520 million RMB."
Liu Yu didn't speak. He leaned back in the chair on the balcony, looking at Window of the World in the distance.
China Film Group's annual profit may not even reach that amount, let alone other private enterprises.
"You've worked hard on the European Championship," Liu Yu said calmly. "How about North America? Have you secured the adaptation rights for 'Twilight' yet?"
"We got it. Stephanie Meyer negotiated three times, and she finally relented in the last round. The price isn't too high: $200,000 for the entire series plus a 5% share of the net profit. By today's Hollywood standards, that's a steal."
Zhong Lifang's tone carried a hint of doubt, "Boss, I have to be honest with you; this book isn't selling very well in the US right now. Are you sure it'll be a hit?"
Liu Yu smiled and said, "Sister Zhong, making films and television dramas is like gambling."
"Okay. Also, I've had someone keep an eye on those novels on Qidian.com that you asked me to keep an eye on. None of them show any signs of becoming popular yet, but I'll continue to follow up."
"No rush. Keep an eye on it first, and buy it as soon as it becomes popular."