Chapter 48: I Want to Start a Company

  Fists can't solve problems.

  Yifeng understood this principle very early on.

  When signing the copyright transfer and floating dividend agreement with Shi Men Film, Yi Feiyang understood that this play no longer belonged to himself, and what he got was 24 million.

  But now, the other side is making a sequel with the copyright, and I can only watch helplessly, which is quite ridiculous.

  The United States is a country that attaches great importance to copyright, unlike Hong Kong, where piracy and following the trend are rampant... As long as you have the copyright of a movie in your hands, you can continuously shoot sequels one after another, such as "Spider-Man", "Superman" and "Thor".

  Now, without the permission of Lionsgate, the original copyright owner cannot casually shoot "The Witch" series. The original unlucky eggs Dennis and Edyado have turned over under the support of Lionsgate. It seems that they must avenge their past shame and regain their lost honor. But what about Yi Feiyang? What can he do? Can only stare blankly at others shooting sequels, and then be criticized by public opinion, saying that he is not a director or screenwriter at all, but just a second-hand dealer and a swindler?

  No way! Absolutely not!

  In a way, Yi Feiyang is a utilitarian, but he also values his own honor.

  It's not easy to win the honor, it can't be taken away by others. Those two unlucky ones want to rely on their own luck to rise to fame? Well, I'll just pull them down!

  But they have the support of Lion's Gate Films, what do you have?

  No company, no backing for you.

  No company, you can only fight alone, and suffer alone.

  Without a company, you can't create your own brand; no matter how good the film is, it's just helping others make their wedding dress.

  For the first time, Yi Feiyang had the idea of starting his own company.

  But starting a company needs money, that damn dividend distribution, still need to wait another two or three months, and also the high-interest loan from Lao Gao...

  Damn it, usury!

  Yi Feiyang was suddenly startled, almost forgetting about this matter. He still owed 4 million yuan in usury to the camel's grandfather, and roughly calculating it, it was about due.

  Money, money, and more money!

  Yi Feiyang began to regret why he had to act like a big shot earlier. It would have been better if he had just borrowed some from that Gusta guy first.

  As the saying goes, one would rather die with dignity than live in shame!

  Just as Yi Feiyang was worried about the money, his own rented small movie theater brought good news, with 38 small movie theaters earning a total box office revenue of over 7 million.

  Yi Feiyang had previously rented out over 30 small movie theaters to screen "Blair Witch", and with the help of Fat Jack and Rabbit Bill, box office sales continued to rise, eventually earning around $7 million. Although this couldn't compare to Lionsgate's promotional efforts for "The Witch", which broke $200 million at the box office, it still made Yi Feiyang happy.

  More than 700,000! It's a lifesaving amount of money!

  Yi Feiyang almost cried with joy.

  They say God is blind, but look, good people will eventually be rewarded. Otherwise, the three-month deadline has passed, and I really don't know how to repay the high-interest loan from Tangren Street's camel grandfather.

  After solving the urgent matter, Yi Feiyang directly took 400,000 and ran to Chinatown.

  Still Chinatown, still that sparrow house, still bustling with people.

  That long-haired kid was still leaning against the wall with his head tilted, smoking and sizing up the surroundings of the birdhouse.

  Unlike before, this time when Long Mao saw Yi Fei Yang, he didn't ignore him with a poker face. Instead, he bowed and smiled obsequiously, "Ah, isn't that Brother Fei Yang? You've come to see Old Man Tuo today, please come in! Would you like a cigarette? Oh, you don't smoke? This brand of cigarettes doesn't suit your refined taste... Hehe, just by looking at you, I can tell you've made another fortune. If there's anything I can help with in the future, please take care of me, little brother. Thank you first!"

  Chang Mao patted the horse's buttocks while flattering and leading Yi Feiyang to the Sparrow Pavilion warehouse.

  Three long and one short, the code remains unchanged.

  The iron gate opened and he poked his head out.

  "Who is it?!"

  Chang Mao threw a long-haired bomb over, "Didn't you see it was Fei Yang Ge? If you see Master Tu, report quickly!"

  That guy is obviously Yi Feiyang, an old acquaintance. He's been here twice and Master Camel almost takes him as a lucky charm.

  "No need for a password," said Camels' Brother. "As long as Feiyang Ge is here, just go on in!" The iron gate swung open.

  Yi Feiyang was somewhat puzzled, what's wrong with these guys, being so polite.

  In fact, although the long-haired group of people are not learned or skilled, they also like to listen to some gossip news, especially since Yi Feiyang made such a big splash in Hollywood recently, it's hard not to become famous even if you don't want to.

  So in the eyes of Zhang Ma and others, Yi Feiyang is no longer Yi Feiyang, but a lucky boy who brings wealth, a golden doll in their hands!

  The God of Wealth has arrived at your doorstep, how can you not welcome him?!

  ……

  The warehouse is still spacious and bright.

  Camel's old man didn't eat egg fried rice this time, nor did he drink eight-treasure porridge, but was eating tangerines.

  "Ayong, come try some! This was brought over from Hong Kong through a connection, you can't buy it in the US."

  Camel threw over an orange, Yifei Yang caught it and took a big bite, saying: "Refreshing!"

  "Right, I didn't cheat you, did I? Hong Kong oranges are really refreshing to eat!" Camels smiled at Yi Feiyang, and also at the official bag full of banknotes in Yi Feiyang's hand.

  Yi Feiyang ate a few mouthfuls of tangerine, then threw the briefcase to Lao San, "4 million, count it!"

  Camel didn't think he would be so straightforward and not pretend anymore, opened the document bag, took a deep sniff, "Ah, this is the smell of US dollars! Haha, you still know my personality, I like cash, don't like checks!"

  One bundle after another, a total of forty bundles of crisp and green US dollars, dazzling to the eyes.

  "Hmm, not bad, Ayang, I didn't misjudge you, you really keep your word!" Camel Grandpa smiled benevolently, then took out 10,000 yuan and threw it directly to the long-haired guide and his entourage. "Take it and spend it, today Camel Grandpa is in a good mood!"

  "Thank you, camel!"

  "Long live Chairman Mao!"

  ……

  "Hurray! Even if we have to thank him, we should thank this Mr. Yi more! Look, in just three months, he's helped me earn back 200,000! Pu You Am, even opening a brothel isn't as enjoyable as this!"

  "Speaking of which, A Yan, you've made a big deal this time, using 2 million to cheat out 200 million. I heard the idiot who sold you the copyright is about to cry himself to death! Tsk tsk, 200 million, that's a lot of money! I reckon even my warehouse can't hold it all... You're really too amazing, how did you do it?" Camels' old man couldn't help but gossip.

  Yi Feiyang smiled, "I'd like to declare in advance that those 200 million are box office earnings, not my personal income! And you've already said those two are foolish, do they need a reason to be deceived?"

  Camel's face froze for a moment, then his old face bloomed like a chrysanthemum, radiant and resplendent. "Ah, you little scoundrel, still playing humble with me... Those two hundred million may not be yours, but you must have gained quite some benefits. Come on, tell me about it, let Old Camel rejoice for you?"

  Yi Feiyang took a look around and still didn't see any chairs, so he habitually tried to move his butt onto the table.

  In the past, Lao San would have been furious, but this time he took out a tissue with a benevolent smile and wiped it clean before letting Yi Feiyang's butt move up. "Hurry up and say it, I can't wait!"

  Looking at Lao Jia's anxious face like an old prostitute, Yi Feiyang couldn't help but laugh.

  "Don't laugh, tell me, how much did you make this time? One million? Two million? Could it be three million?"

  "Not many, just around 200 million!"

  "Hmmph!" Camels' grandfather let out a loud, cold snort.

  "Two thousand... million?" Camel's father took a deep breath, "What you said... is all true?"

  Yi Feiyang nodded slightly.

  Camel's breathing quickened, "Is making movies really so profitable?"

  "It depends on how it's handled."

  "Ayan, is there something you want to say but don't know if you should?"

  "Camel, you and I are family, to be exact, we are both Chinese, what can't be said?"

  "Ayan, I think you're a genius." It took Old Camel half a day to squeeze out such a sentence.

  "Thank you for your compliment."

  "It's not flattery, I'm telling the truth." Camels don't know how to start the conversation below.

  Yi Feiyang had seen through his thoughts early on and suddenly said very seriously, "Camel Grandfather, I also have some things I want to say to you."

  "Oh? What's on your mind, just say it!" Yi Feiyang suddenly became serious from being cheerful and chatty, making Lao Ye somewhat curious.

  Yi Feiyang thought for a moment and said seriously: "Camel brother, are we of the same clan and ancestry?"

  "Of course we are! We all have black eyes and black hair, descendants of the dragon!"

  "So we Chinese people who crossed the ocean and came to America, what was it all for?"

  "What for?" Camel Xiang thought for a moment, "Everyone is trying to live a better life. Otherwise, who would want to leave their hometown?"

  "That's right! But look, how many Chinese people who come to America are living a happy life? How many have achieved their dreams? Most of them are huddled in restaurants washing dishes, or working odd jobs on the black market, being bullied by whites and blacks, being looked down upon by Vietnamese and Koreans... I don't want to be that kind of Chinese person, I want to stand up straight and be a real person, tell these people, tell the Americans, that Chinese people have backbone!"

  "Ayan, I understand what you're saying. At first, I had the same thoughts as you and hoped to stand up straight, but look at me now - I'm old, my back is hunched, and I still have to hide here and guard against sneak attacks. It's a miserable life!"

  Yi Feiyang took a deep breath, "Since you've said it to this extent, I won't hide anything either. A casino can't be open forever, and in the end, it's all just a scam! If you want to walk out of this warehouse with your head held high, you'll have to do something meaningful!"

  Camel sighed, "You say it's easy, what can people like us do?"

  Yi Feiyang smiled and said confidently: "Come help me! To be exact, help me make a movie!"

  "Help you?" Camel's father was taken aback. "But I don't understand movies!"

  "You don't need to understand, now I just want to set up a film company as soon as possible."

  "In that case, I won't be of much help either."

  "No, you can help..."

  "Oh, why?"

  "Because this company will be established in Chinatown!"

  I've had a severe cold these past few days and have been on an IV drip, so updates have been scarce. Sorry to everyone!