Chapter 33

"‘Hui Ming’ TV adaptation rights!" Wu Cheng smiled and said, "Actually, if Uncle Six really doesn’t want Mr. Zou to benefit, helping me for free would be the right thing to do."

"Do you think I would do a losing business?" Shao Dahan smiled and said.

Wu Cheng smiled bitterly and said, "I also know that no one would do something that doesn’t benefit them. So, is Uncle Six satisfied?"

"‘Hui Ming’ does have the potential for adaptation, but just the adaptation rights are not essential to me. TVB is not short of scripts, and Ah Zhi should understand."

Shao Dahan looked at Zhao Yazhi, who had been silent beside him, and smiled.

"What if I give TVB another program idea?" Wu Cheng smiled confidently and said, "If TVB doesn’t want it, I believe ATV would be very willing to accept it."

"Program idea, tell me more!"

"The program is called ‘Artistic Life,’ and it can also be called ‘Asian Celebrity Interviews’!" Wu Cheng smiled and said, "We can invite current celebrities or former celebrities for interviews. Of course, the topics can be about their paths to success or their daily lives... In fact, many people are very interested in the ordinary lives of celebrities."

Shao Dahan looked at Wu Cheng seriously, showing no emotion on the surface, but secretly, he had already listed Wu Cheng as the most threatening dangerous person.

This kind of person is best to be a friend!

It’s not that Shao Dahan was afraid of Wu Cheng, but he felt that Wu Cheng, as a friend, was a thousand times better than as an enemy. If they really had a falling out and Wu Cheng went to the competition, it would be an unimaginable threat to TVB.

Not only did he have ideas, but at such a young age, he dared to think and act. Now, still in the early stages of his business, if he really took off, he would be a very strong opponent.

This point, Shao Dahan saw more clearly than Zou Wenhui.

The revamp of the Urban Entertainment News, Shao Dahan knew from Wu Mingquan, was Wu Cheng’s idea; the publication of the supplement, Shao Dahan also knew was Wu Cheng’s idea; even Zhao Yazhi and the young girl Zhong Chuhong’s overnight fame, was still Wu Cheng’s idea; now starting a film company, the ideas and scripts were all his; and the promotion of the film, it seemed, was also his idea...

Everything was planned by him, and even Shao Dahan felt that Wu Cheng’s development of the Urban Entertainment News and the promotion of Zhao Yazhi were all for his film.

Of course, this thought was fleeting. If it were true, this young man would be too extraordinary. What was he doing at his age?

Shao Dahan thought about it and felt that this young man was a rare genius. He even had the idea of forming an alliance with Wu Cheng. But this thought was also fleeting.

It was clear that Wu Cheng cared a lot about Zhao Yazhi beside him, otherwise, he wouldn’t have brought her along to meet him. Zhao Yazhi still had a contract with TVB, so bringing her along was a matter of politeness and also a form of protection for her.

At his age, what couldn’t he see!

Thinking about how this young man, at such a young age, had endless means, he felt that this young man had a bright future. The idea of rejecting him gradually faded.

After returning home, Wu Cheng couldn’t keep up the act under Zhao Yazhi’s serious expression and had to confess that he had sought help from his uncle.

However, to reduce his ‘guilt,’ Wu Cheng explained the situation with the Ye family.

Seeing Wu Cheng’s sincere attitude, Zhao Yazhi no longer dwelled on it.

...

When Shao Dahan decided to air the trailer for ‘Five Lucky Stars,’ many at TVB initially opposed it. Since Shao Dahan had not yet taken control of TVB, it took a lot of effort to persuade them. If it weren’t for the program idea and the TV adaptation rights of ‘Hui Ming’ from Wu Cheng, he probably wouldn’t have been able to persuade them.

Back home, Shao Dahan’s close friend Fang Yihua curiously asked, "Since you see the potential in Wu Cheng, why not simply invest in his company? I think the Golden Harvest side must have the same idea! If they get there first..."

Shao Dahan smiled and shook his head, "You don’t understand Wu Cheng. This young man has many ideas, acts with flexibility, plans far ahead, and has very sharp means. Saying he can ‘turn the clouds with one hand and the rain with the other’ is not an exaggeration. Do you think such a young man can be easily controlled? If Zou Wenhui had the ability, he wouldn’t have signed a periodic screening contract but would have taken over ‘East Dragon International’ long ago."

Pausing, he continued, "Moreover, his uncle is Wu Mingquan. Although Wu Mingquan is not a big figure, he has some connections. If I, Shao Dahan, were to ignore the face and forcibly control his nephew’s company, it would be too ugly."

...

When TVB aired the trailer for ‘Five Lucky Stars,’ Zou Wenhui’s opinion of Wu Cheng rose even higher. He secretly marveled at Wu Cheng’s ability to persuade TVB to help him, his enemy, make money. He was also curious about what Wu Cheng had to pay for it.

For ordinary people, the trailer for ‘Five Lucky Stars’ was thrilling.

The first ten seconds showed Wu Cheng and Deng Lijun playing a duet, the middle minute and a bit showed various funny scenes and action sequences from the Five Lucky Stars. The action scenes, without a doubt, were eye-opening compared to the old-style action films, which were just routine fight scenes. The action scenes in ‘Five Lucky Stars’ were absolutely stunning and eye-opening.

Zhao Yazhi’s scenes were only about four to five seconds, and the last few seconds showed Cheng Long wearing roller skates chasing a car, leading to a chain collision...

The entire two-minute trailer completely aroused the viewing desire of most of the audience. Many people began to inquire about the film’s release date.

"Didn’t you see clearly? It’s scheduled for the second day of the second lunar month, which is the third day of the first lunar month, at the Golden Harvest theaters."

"Such a good film, it’s perfect to watch with the family. The action scenes got me so excited! And the car chase scene is absolutely the best in Hong Kong. Hollywood action blockbusters are probably just like this."

"Then you’d better hurry and book your tickets, or you might not get them. Oh, by the way, you can book by phone. The phone number is on the trailer."

"You can book by phone? That’s a relief!"

"Relief? Ha, I suggest you do it early! Otherwise, you might have to wait until the fourth or fifth day, or even the sixth day..."

"Really?"

"How can it not be? On my way here, I saw at least a dozen families thinking about booking by phone. Think about it, at least three tickets per family, some even ten tickets. This is just our neighborhood. Think about how many people are in Hong Kong?"

"I’d better hurry!"

...

Scenes like this were playing out all over Hong Kong. At the Golden Harvest theaters, they were swamped with work. When Zou Wenhui got the news, he was extremely regretful. The second day of the second lunar month was a Monday, and the first week’s box office would definitely be the highest. Wu Cheng had taken 60% of the first week’s box office.

Every day, Hong Jinbao and others were laughing with joy.

Hong Jinbao once again recognized Wu Cheng’s skills in promotion. He had been worried about the film’s promotion, but now it was clear that it wasn’t a problem at all!

When Wu Cheng came to his house, Hong Jinbao pulled him into the study and said seriously, "Ah Cheng, what did you pay to get TVB to air our trailer? This money must be counted as part of the promotion costs."

Wu Cheng smiled and sighed, "It was a cost, but not as high as you think. I just gave TVB the TV adaptation rights for ‘Hui Ming’ and another program idea. It wasn’t much."

Hong Jinbao shook his head, "It may not seem like much, but I know your ideas are priceless. And if it weren’t valuable, why would TVB make peace with Mr. Zou? That’s impossible!"

Wu Cheng smiled, "Why not? Remember, we signed a periodic screening contract with Zou Wenhui, and the first week’s box office is mostly ours. The more we promote the film, the less Zou Wenhui and his team earn. It’s a definite. Why wouldn’t they do something that makes them lose out, especially when it also gives them a chance to make Zou Wenhui uncomfortable?"

Hong Jinbao was speechless, this could be possible!?

After a long pause, Hong Jinbao came to his senses and patted Wu Cheng’s shoulder, saying seriously, "Ah Cheng, I’ll focus on making good films. With you in charge of the company, I’m very reassured."

Wu Cheng smiled, "I’m a bit lazy. I can handle the big picture, but if you want me to handle specific tasks, forget it! But don’t worry, I’ll take care of the company. I’ll delegate where I can and won’t let go where I shouldn’t. Let’s prepare to dominate the Hong Kong entertainment industry!"

Seeing Wu Cheng’s confident demeanor, Hong Jinbao smiled, more out of a bitter smile. He didn’t have Wu Cheng’s ambition. He didn’t want to dominate Hong Kong; just having a place would be enough.

After leaving Hong Jinbao’s house, Wu Cheng went to the mall to buy some New Year’s goods and then visited the Zhong family.

The Zhong family, except for Zhong’s father, were all at home, doing a thorough cleaning to welcome the new year. When they saw Wu Cheng arrive, Zhong Chuhong’s face showed a fleeting look of joy.