"Alright, for someone in your situation, we normally wouldn't sell. However, since you were introduced by Teacher Zhao and are good friends with Fangfang, we'll give you a firm price: two million." Factory Director Xu was being bold.
Selling it would be his achievement. He'd ask an exorbitant price to see how much this young man could afford.
From Factory Director Xu's perspective, only the rich and foolish would do such a thing.
This man was so handsome; he'd never heard that Hao Fangfang liked this sort of thing.
Thinking of the relationship between Hao Fangfang and Teacher Zhao, Factory Director Xu sighed again, "This is an initial quote. The specific price can be negotiated, but the room for me to go lower is limited."
He needed to make things clear first to avoid backing himself into a corner.
Old Zhao, who composed music, was the treasure of Xi Ying. He had to give Old Zhao face. When he'd asked Old Zhao for favors before, he'd never been refused.
However, this wasn't something he could decide on his own.
The copyright for "A Chinese Odyssey" was clear. Xi Ying and the Hong Kong film company's debut were the only copyright holders left.
As it turned out, the debut film wasn't an instant hit, resulting in a huge loss for the first installment.
The Hong Kong company had no choice but to declare bankruptcy in sorrow, dying before it could achieve anything, regretting not meeting success sooner.
Hearing the price, Zhang Tianxing immediately shook his head. He didn't have much money on him; he thought he had about a million in his card.
"Factory Director Xu, give me a realistic price. Keep your two million and look at it slowly. How dare you quote such a price for two films from five years ago!"
Sensing Zhang Tianxing's dissatisfaction, Factory Director Xu pondered for a moment and finally made a decisive statement, "How about this: fifty thousand per film, one million for both. Then the copyright for 'A Chinese Odyssey' is yours."
Hearing this, Zhang Tianxing nodded with satisfaction, "Done. It will be at the price Factory Director Xu mentioned."
The mission was a success, and the trip was worthwhile. One million for the copyright of "A Chinese Odyssey" was a relatively ideal price.
Both parties were happy with this transaction. Xi Ying Factory sold the copyrights for two films from five years ago for one million. This was no small sum. Some of the top ten box office films last year had copyrights worth only hundreds of thousands.
Factory Director Xu never expected that Zhang Tianxing wouldn't haggle much and would simply produce the money.
He slapped himself, "You had such a narrow view, didn't set a high price, and missed a great opportunity."
"It seems this Zhang Tianxing is purely rich and foolish, spending a million on two incomprehensible films. Fortunately, he's not my son; otherwise, I'd beat him to death with a stick."
"Factory Director Xu, your methods are truly high. You can sell the copyright of trash films from five years ago at a high price. This shows everyone why you are Factory Director Xu, and others are just office runners. Abilities differ, and so do job positions."
As Hao Fangfang escorted Zhang Tianxing out, he said, "If you have money you can't spend, think more about the poor children in the mountains. Some of them don't even have many clothes. I hope you'll think more about those suffering in hardship when you have money."
Hao Fangfang's words struck Zhang Tianxing's heart like a great bell.
What had happened to him lately? He was solely focused on making money. Fortunately, he met Hao Fangfang, who helped him break free from the cycle of wealth.
Money is a good thing, but there are many important things in life. One cannot live solely for money.
Making money is only a part of life, not its focus.
Zhang Tianxing looked at Hao Fangfang, "I really owe you this time; otherwise, I wouldn't know who to turn to for this matter."
"The customer is God. Even if Xi Ying is a state-owned enterprise, the customer is still God. Furthermore, if Stephen Chow knew you were spending a million for his 'A Chinese Odyssey,' he'd be very happy."
"I'm returning to Shengjing. I have a variety show to record next. I find myself so busy, with no time for myself. I'm either filming or on my way to filming."
Zhang Tianxing gave Hao Fangfang a thumbs-up, "Precisely because of this, you film so hard that people can see you. People will recognize your efforts."
Hao Fangfang heard this and smiled, a very happy smile. "I know. We're all travelers on this journey. The starlight will not fail those who travel."
After Zhang Tianxing returned, he met Guo Jiajia. Guo Jiajia saw Zhang Tianxing in a good mood. "You've handled your business, and you look very happy."
Zhang Tianxing nodded, "It's done. I spent a million buying the copyright for two films."
"Are you crazy? Copyright for what films?"
"'A Chinese Odyssey.'"
Guo Jiajia was speechless. "That's a film from five years ago. Did your brain get flooded? In the last two years, the box office champions have all been action blockbusters or sci-fi blockbusters. You've thrown your money away on this five-year-old relic."
Zhang Tianxing remained noncommittal. It was useless to say anything now; let the facts prove it.
No amount of words could be effective. Seeing Zhang Tianxing remain silent, Guo Jiajia realized, "You're not just working on this project, are you? If that's the case, you'll definitely lose the bet. Your chances of winning are zero. If you win, I'll do whatever you ask, no matter what."
"Okay, I'll remember your words. To be honest, I'm a stubborn person." Zhang Tianxing teased with a smile.
It was delivered to his doorstep; why not take it?
Everything was ready except for the final push. It seemed he had to write another essay, but this time it would be about the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
"I want this sky to no longer cover my eyes. I want this land to no longer be a turbid place. I want this starry sky to no longer be filled with darkness."
"What's the use of this iron staff? When everything is already destined, can we become Sun Wukong?"
To change a predestined life, to change history, would undoubtedly be an extremely difficult thing.
It was just five hundred years short of time. Everything was right, except for the time. Therefore, none of this would happen again.
"We all live like dogs."
Guo Jiajia inadvertently saw the article Zhang Tianxing had written and was instantly amazed.
"Your proposal is written so well! I've never seen such moving copy. And is this from the original film? I don't recall it."
Zhang Tianxing smiled. What had he gone through all the trouble for? It was for people like them, to bring them back into the cinemas.
How could an old film be quickly screened? By finding enough audience members, the cinemas would naturally show it.
If Zhang Tianxing had begged from door to door, the result would have been the same; the cinemas wouldn't have paid him any attention.
Furthermore, "A Chinese Odyssey" was a film from five years ago, and it was even rated the worst film of the year.
Therefore, the re-release of "A Chinese Odyssey" was a difficult challenge. Only by solving these problems could Zhang Tianxing's investment have any hope.