Agreed terms

  (Collect and recommend, new book is struggling, urgently need support from all book friends.)

  The Pearl River Delta is one of the most prosperous international metropolises in the world and also the birthplace of Chinese-language films.

  In the 1980s and 1990s, Hong Kong films dominated the Asian film market, earning it the nickname "Hollywood of the East".

  On this land, countless superstars were born, such as Li Xiaolong, Zhou Runfa, Zhou Xingchi, Liu Dehua, Leung Chiu Wai and Cheng Long, it can be said that eighty percent of the biggest stars in the Chinese entertainment circle are gathered on this island.

  At Xiangjiang International Airport, Ye Sumang and An Lao got off the plane together. This was also Ye Sumang's first time setting foot on this land. Thinking that so many excellent domestic films and Chinese-language filmmakers were born here, he couldn't help but feel a little excited.

  "Su Mang, you can stop here, wait until you're done with your business and then contact me." At the airport entrance, Old An waved his hand and said with a smile.

  "Alright, Master, this is the hotel's address. I've already booked a room for you. Just report your name and you can go in." Ye Su Mang didn't insist, as Old An was the local boss in Xiangjiang.

  He didn't need to be polite with his own apprentice, so the old man readily took the paper slip with the hotel address and got into the taxi, disappearing from Ye Sumang's sight.

  Gazing at the sky's gentle drizzle, Ye Sumang slowly exhaled a breath of air, pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

  "Hello, I am Ye Sumang, and I have an appointment with Mr. Liu Dehua. May I ask when can we arrange a meeting time?"

  "Hello Mr. Ye! General Manager Liu has already instructed that whenever you arrive, you can come directly to the company."

  After hanging up the phone, Ye Sumang called another taxi and went straight to Liu Dehua's film company.

  Because Liu Dehua was the male lead that Ye Sumang had been eyeing for a long time, Ye Sumang had already sent the movie outline to Liu Dehua through the internet not long ago and at the same time extended an invitation to perform. After reading the outline, the other party was also very interested, which is why there was this meeting between the two parties.

  Liu Dehua's company didn't have its own building and, like Ye Sumang's Tianxia Film, rented space in an office building. When Ye Sumang gave his name to the receptionist at the front desk, she couldn't help but let out a cry of surprise.

  She really didn't expect that the director, who was personally instructed by her boss to receive warmly, would be such a young boy, and he looked so handsome. At first, she thought it was some kid who wanted to be a star coming for an interview.

  "Hello, Mr. Ye! General Manager Liu is already waiting for you at the coffee shop, I'll take you there now." Realizing she was a bit flustered, the receptionist quickly stood up, her face red as she led Ye Sumang to the coffee shop.

  In the coffee shop of the film company, Ye Sumang met Liu Dehua for the first time. Unlike what she had imagined, this big star didn't have any airs about him in his daily life. After seeing Ye Sumang, he even made a small joke.

  "Mr. Ye's arrival is really inopportune, coinciding with the rare bad weather of Xiangjiang." Liu Tianwang said with a smile after warmly hugging Ye Sumang.

  Many employees of Liu Dehua's company nearby saw this scene and their eyes widened, guessing the boy's identity.

  Some say he is the son of a large enterprise, some say he is the second generation of a mainland official's family, but no one can guess that Ye Sumang is a director, all because his age is really too young.

  "I think this weather is not bad, I prefer rainy days." Ye Sumang shrugged his shoulders and gazed out the window at the fine rain, looking like he was savoring it. Because he really did love rainy days, the air was fresh, the temperature was cool, and it was very suitable for thinking.

  Two people sat down, and the waiter quickly brought up two cups of coffee, and quietly glanced at Ye Sumang with a burning gaze in his eyes. Ye Sumang did not notice the waiter's small movement, as he was handing over the detailed script to Liu Dehua at this time.

  When it comes to work, Andy Lau also puts on a serious face and carefully reads the script.

  This made Ye Sumang discover Liu Tianwang's second advantage, that is, his serious working attitude.

  Even though Ye Su Meng had already given him the movie's outline, when the script was handed to his hands, Liu De Hua still carefully read it word by word, and it took a long time before he would turn over a page.

  Facing Liu Dehua's scrutinizing gaze, Ye Sumang looked calm and composed, slowly picking up his coffee to take a sip, waiting for the outcome across from him.

  "Not bad, it's quite interesting." After a long time, Liu Dehua finally closed the script and said with satisfaction.

  He has his own expertise in selecting scripts after years of experience in the film industry, and this "A World Without Thieves" is an excellent script in his eyes. What's rare is that this script combines commerce and art perfectly, having both selling points and depth, which is really hard to come by.

  "Now that we have Liu Dehua's answer, can't we discuss the cooperation?" Ye Sumang asked seriously with a solemn expression.

  "En, of course." Liu Dehua nodded slowly.

  When it comes to cooperation, the first thing to consider is Liu Dehua's schedule. As the Asian superstar, Liu Dehua's movie appointments are continuous. Even now that he has become a boss and his work focus has gradually shifted to managing the company, he still needs to star in many excellent movies every year.

  But what makes Ye Su Meng feel lucky is that Liu Dehua, due to the film company just starting out, has not given himself much burden this year. Currently, there is only one movie "Infernal Affairs 3" in production, which has been discussed for a long time and will be finished soon. By the time "Heavenly King" officially starts filming, his schedule will also be cleared up.

  Another thing that needs to be negotiated is Andy Lau's salary.

  Because of the huge success of a movie at the end of last year, Andy Lau's already high salary has been raised again. His current asking price is 8 million yuan, which is the highest among all Chinese male actors.

  Although Ye Su Mang had the money and was confident, he wouldn't be foolish enough to spend 8 million to invite this superstar. After some discussion, both sides compromised, and Andy Lau finally announced his joining of "A Better Tomorrow" with a price tag of 7 million.

  After signing a draft agreement, Ye Sumang declined Liu Dehua's invitation to have dinner together and returned directly to the hotel to ask An Lao about the situation on his side.

  "You little stinker, now that I've made my move, what's there to worry about? Everything is settled. Tomorrow morning, he'll pack his bags and head to the mainland with us!" An Lao said with a smile, revealing the good news. Although it took some effort today, An Lao finally convinced his old friend, who agreed to return to the mainland with him to direct Ye Su Mang's new play.

  "I knew it, Master An, you're a sure thing! Success is guaranteed!" Ye Sumang's face lit up with joy and he couldn't stop praising him. Although his words were slightly flattering, An Lao was delighted and couldn't hide the smug look on his face. He felt that today's hard work had all been worth it.

  The next morning, Ye Sumang finally saw the big thief in front of the airport gate.

  The old man with one hand missing was named Li Ziqiang. After seeing Ye Sumang, his expression was very cold and he hastily greeted him before walking alone towards the ticket gate.

  "Don't misunderstand, this old friend is like that to everyone, and it's the same attitude towards me." An Lao explained in a low voice, fearing that Ye Su would have any misunderstanding.

  Ye Sumang smiled, and there was no dissatisfaction in his expression. Although he was initially surprised by the old man's attitude, he soon let it go. Anyway, it wasn't like he had to be friends with that thief king, as long as this thief king could wholeheartedly contribute to his movie, even if he was a bit cold towards him, what did it matter?

  When Ye Su Mang's plane landed in Beijing, the news of Liu De Hua joining Ye Su Mang's new play also appeared on various entertainment pages of the media. This director who had just created a ratings miracle was now turning his attention to the film industry once again, and all eyes were immediately focused on him.