Chapter 90

Wu Cheng smiled and said, "Money, we definitely don't have that much, and the funds in the company can't be touched. But, we don't have it, the bank does!"

Cen Jianxun frowned and said, "Boss, the prospects you mentioned, I am quite optimistic about, but... I'm worried that if we're not careful and things fall apart... You know, the biggest fear in this kind of industry chain is insufficient foot traffic. And with the theater as the foundation, the requirements for the films we screen are very high. Who can guarantee that all our films will be big hits? If not, the larger the industry expands, the more the company will lose!"

Wu Cheng nodded and said, "Your concerns are not without reason! However, there's no need to worry too much. We can start with a few pilot projects in some bustling areas!"

Cen Jianxun nodded, and Wu Cheng asked, "Has there been any movement from Golden Harvest recently? I hope they're not planning to block our 'Drunken One' again!"

Huang Jinbao laughed and said, "Golden Harvest has prepared a film called 'Shaolin Gate,' directed by Wu Yusen. At the beginning of the year, Wu Yusen directed 'The Peony Pavilion,' which sold quite well, but when compared to our 'Five Lucky Stars,' it fell short. This time, the lead actor of 'Shaolin Gate' is Wang Yu, who is said to have a significant status in Taiwan."

Cen Jianxun nodded and said, "This film is a joint production with a North American film company, apparently 20th Century Fox. As for Shaw Brothers, they are using a modern action film called 'Gangster's Son,' with a lead actor who is not very famous!"

Wu Cheng nodded, having heard of 'Shaolin Gate' before, as the main actors were Cheng Long and Huang Jinbao, though he hadn't seen it. However, for 'Gangster's Son,' he had no real impression.

Therefore, Wu Cheng wasn't too worried!

Moreover, Cheng Long's breakout films were 'Snake in the Eagle's Shadow' and 'Drunken Master,' not 'Shaolin Gate,' which shows that this film wasn't very popular.

Wu Cheng breathed a slight sigh of relief and smiled, "In Hong Kong, Shaw Brothers is the largest of the three major theater chains, followed by Golden Harvest, and our Feilong Theater Chain is the smallest, but not by much compared to Golden Harvest. And I believe the quality of 'Drunken One' is better than those two, so we will definitely win this battle!"

Pausing, he looked at Huang Jinbao and said with a smile, "Sanmao, how's the preparation for your 'Defeat' going? When can we start filming?"

"The company's script department has already completed the dialogue, and we can start filming at any time!" Huang Jinbao smiled and said, "Even some of the sets can be reused from 'Drunken One'... The budget is around 1.5 million."

Using the leftover sets from 'Drunken One' still required 1.5 million, indicating that Huang Jinbao was planning a grand production. Of course, this also had to do with the significant increase in their salaries.

However, their contracts were managed by Tiancheng Talent Agency, and the salaries proposed by Tiancheng had been tested by the market, so Wu Cheng wasn't worried about them overreporting.

"Then let's wait until 'Drunken One' is released before we start filming!"

...

"Shao Cheng, the women in Japan are quite charming, aren't they! I hear you're so happy you don't want to leave!"

When Wu Cheng and the others came down from upstairs, Leslie Cheung smiled and teased.

Wu Cheng rolled his eyes and said, "What I did in Japan, you wouldn't know? I don't believe the media in Hong Kong hasn't smeared me!"

Wu Shulan, standing beside Leslie Cheung, laughed and said, "Uncle Xiao, if you say that, it really hurts my feelings. Our 'Urban Entertainment News' hasn't smeared you, not even a bad word about the two aunts. This makes it hard for me!"

Wu Shulan's mention of the "two aunts" made everyone laugh.

They gradually realized that the relationship between Wu Cheng and Deng Lijun, Lin Qingxia, and Zhao Yaqi was indeed not simple. At the same time, the men admired Wu Cheng's abilities, not just in making money but also in pursuing women!

The women chatting with Miki and the others blushed when they heard Wu Shulan's words but didn't refute them. Of course, refuting at this moment would only make things worse.

"Yingying, why are you unhappy?"

Zhou Xiaomin, sitting by the piano, saw Lan Jieying pouting at Wu Cheng and asked curiously, "Are you afraid of Brother Cheng too?"

Lan Jieying glanced at the chubby girl beside her, shook her head, and said, "Not at all, Brother Cheng is the kindest to me! By the way, aren't you his student? Why don't you call him 'teacher'?"

Zhou Xiaomin pouted and said, "I won't call him teacher, he's the worst, always pinching my cheeks. My cheeks are already fat, and if he pinches them more, they'll get even fatter!"

"Then why do you call him Brother Cheng?"

"He's older than me!"

"..."

...

"Jiehong, you have so many rivals! What a headache!"

May Ruyan and Joey Wong were whispering in a corner, watching Deng Lijun, Lin Qingxia, and Zhao Yaqi chatting and laughing with everyone, and sighed.

Actually, she was also sighing to herself. There were too many girls around Wu Cheng, so many that she felt helpless and didn't know what to do!

Although her age was similar to Lan Jieying's, she was more mature and had developed earlier, only a little shorter than Joey Wong, and they got along well.

Lan Jieying, although thirteen years old, was still like a little girl, especially in the past year, being spoiled by Wu Cheng, she had become even more adorable.

However, Lan Jieying was also starting to develop, and in a year or two, she would catch up. Girls usually develop during this period, much earlier than boys. If it weren't for the benefits brought by time travel, Wu Cheng would still be a child.

Joey Wong glanced at her and giggled, "May, don't tell me you don't like that bad boy! I can see the difference in your eyes when you look at him!"

"Jiehong, you're joking, I just feel grateful to Brother Cheng!"

Joey Wong giggled and shook her head, "Avoiding it won't help, if you like him, you like him! Of course, if you can't stand his womanizing, it's best to cut the ties now and get out early. A short pain is better than a long one, isn't it?"

"But what about you? Why don't you give up?"

Joey Wong sighed helplessly, "I can't! Every time I try to cut ties and find another boy, I always compare them to him, and the result is always..." She shrugged and spread her hands, "You know, no boy can compare to him!"

"But at least other boys won't be as womanizing as him!"

"Ha! Do you really believe that?" Joey Wong sneered, "Men are all womanizers, it's just that the temptation isn't enough or they don't have the ability. At least that bad boy is openly womanizing, so you know how many rivals you have. An exposed enemy is safer than a hidden one, right?"

"You... what kind of logic is this!?"

"Joey's logic!"

"..."

...

Zheng Shaqiu and Deng Lijun were chatting when they heard Wu Shulan's words and saw Deng Lijun blushing. He couldn't help but shake his head and smile, and finally asked in disbelief, "Lijun, you and Cheng, are you really... together? What about Yaqi..."

After working with Zhao Yaqi, he knew that the relationship between Wu Cheng and Zhao Yaqi was very complex, deeper than just a "sibling" relationship.

Deng Lijun glared at him and said, "Qiu, don't ask about this, okay? Some things are hard to explain. I never thought I would fall for a boy so much younger than me, but feelings can't be controlled."

Zheng Shaqiu smiled bitterly and said, "Alright! I won't ask, as long as you don't feel wronged!"

Deng Lijun giggled and said, "I will feel wronged, but compared to that, the time I spend with him is more joyful and comfortable. That feeling is something I've never experienced with anyone else. You're not a girl, so it's hard for you to understand!"

Zheng Shaqiu laughed, "Thank goodness I'm not a girl, otherwise I'd be in trouble too! Cheng is so excellent, it's normal for girls to be attracted to him."

Deng Lijun smiled and then asked softly, "What about you? I heard you're dating Fatty Sister. Have you made up your mind?"

Zheng Shaqiu was slightly taken aback and laughed, "Who told you that? We're just good friends!"

"Really just good friends?" Deng Lijun raised an eyebrow.

"Why so many questions?" Zheng Shaqiu laughed, "Let's drink!"

Deng Lijun clinked glasses with him and smiled, "Although I like Fatty Sister too, some people think you two aren't a good match!"

"Someone? Who?" Zheng Shaqiu's brows furrowed slightly, not liking others discussing their relationship, as it was a matter between two people.

"Actually, I think what he said makes sense!" Deng Lijun shook her head and sighed, "If you two really get together, the outcome won't be good for you, because you're too handsome!"

"What kind of logic is that? Is being handsome a crime?" Zheng Shaqiu laughed, but felt annoyed, thinking the person was meddling.

Deng Lijun giggled, "I asked him the same question, and he said being handsome is a crime, and he feels guilty about it!"

"Who is so narcissistic?"

Zheng Shaqiu laughed, but had a hunch who it might be.

...