Chapter 73

In Santa Monica, at the headquarters of Cheyenne Enterprises, Ye Wei looked at the three-story small office building and strode in.

Although it was a small production company, it had all the necessary departments and the vitality of a new company that had been in business for over three years, largely unaffected by the poor performance of several films in the past.

After entering, Ye Wei was led by a receptionist to the production meeting room on the second floor. He was the earliest to arrive, with half an hour left before the meeting at 9:00.

The meeting room was spacious and bright, with a long conference table in the center. A large LCD TV hung on the front wall, with a DVD player and other equipment below. Posters of movies produced by Cheyenne Enterprises, such as "Perfect Thief" and "Hart's War," adorned the walls, featuring a large number of Willis.

"Hey, wait!" Ye Wei called out to the receptionist who was about to leave, smiled, and asked, "Do you know who will be attending the meeting today?"

The receptionist, unsure of who he was and what the meeting was about, was even more puzzled by his question. She apologized, "I only know that Mr. Willis and someone from Focus Films will be coming."

"OK, thanks." Ye Wei nodded, confirming it was a three-party meeting.

With time to spare, he checked the items he had brought in his suitcase: the DVD and all the original documents of "Dance of the Angels," his recent school report cards, a "genius certificate" from the old principal, some status files from the Dream Chasers Company, the script of "Little Miss Sunshine" and his own production analysis, the original script and the remade script of "The Wedding Date." He hadn't expected the meeting to come so soon, and the remade version wasn't ready in time, so he had to make do with what he had, along with other items for unexpected needs...

He also reviewed his persuasion strategy. The meeting table might be full of people, but the final decision, whether a "YES" or a "NO," would still come from Willis!

In film production, status and power are crucial. When disputes arise, democratic voting is not an option. Everyone can disagree, but the final say belongs to the most influential person.

Therefore, the strategy was to "catch the king first"! Persuade Willis, counter the negative influence of others on him, and strengthen his resolve. Then the deal would be sealed!

Gradually, the time approached 9:00, but no big shots had arrived. For industry bigwigs, being late is the norm, with some stars having a 100% "lateness rate."

It was no surprise that the two representatives from Focus Films arrived earlier than Willis and his team: Robert Harmon and Gale Wilson!

The head of production and the manager of Focus Films, both dressed in suits, with styled hair and perfumed to mask any body odor, each carrying a briefcase, wearing smiles and trying to appear refined. With sunglasses, they could have played in "Men in Black," the despicable version!

Two damn despicable little men! Ye Wei cursed in his heart, not moving from his chair, just lazily glancing at them and saying, "When we successfully traded last year, I never thought we'd meet here again, did you? You never thought Mr. Willis would be interested in 'Little Miss Sunshine.'"

"Ha ha." Gale was still pretending to be a good guy, sitting down and saying, "Wei, you've really done some amazing things."

Harmon, however, maintained a bad cop demeanor, saying coldly, "We're not here to argue."

Save it! Ye Wei snorted but, mindful of Willis's "That's good," clearly advising him not to act rashly, as everyone had achieved satisfactory benefits.

He spoke calmly, "You know what you've done, no need to put on this act. It won't fool a three-year-old, got it? If you really want to put aside grudges and benefit each other, be honest, you two bitches."

Harmon and Gale's faces immediately changed, their eyes flashing with anger. This kid really didn't know his place!

"Kid, feel your conscience. Was the offer we gave you bad?" Gale lightly tapped the conference table, his voice heavy, "800,000 for the buyback, and if you agree now, 1 million! Plus the title of assistant producer, what more do you want? A hundred million?"

"A hundred million won't make me sell, and tearing it up won't make me sell." Ye Wei only responded with this, ignoring them further.

They didn't stop, especially Gale, who grew more agitated, clearly provoking, "We've seen your short film. For a middle schooler, it's indeed good, but what does that mean? Film isn't a short film. You can't be naive enough to think a 15-year-old kid can make a good film. I'm telling you, you're crazy! Absolutely crazy!"

Ye Wei suppressed the urge to speak, don't fall for it, this is their despicable strategy! Before Willis and the others arrive, they try to anger him, making him lose his composure, lowering his persuasion skills, and even causing him to lose control and attack someone, which would ruin the meeting.

Then he'd have to cry and beg them to buy the script for 100,000, but they'd only offer 60,000... Dream on!

To distract himself, Ye Wei took out his phone and texted Lily: "I'm in the meeting room, the big shots haven't arrived yet, I'm nervous."

Lily, who seemed to be waiting, replied quickly: "Wei, as long as you perform to your best, no one can stop you! I believe you can do it, good luck!"

"Yes, no one can!" Ye Wei looked at the phone screen and smiled, making Gale, who was spitting out words, pause. Ye Wei shrugged, "Go on." He looked back at his phone; Lily would be boarding her flight this morning and would see her in the afternoon, it had been almost two weeks.

Lily seemed to think the same and sent another text: "No matter the outcome, let's go out for a big dinner tonight!"

"Great! Which restaurant, Santa Monica or West Hollywood?" Ye Wei replied.

"I just got back from New York, shouldn't you treat me?"

"OK, if it's successful, Santa Monica, if it fails... I won't fail!"

As Ye Wei chatted with Lily, he also read the messages from his other friends, feeling energized by their encouragement and support. Come on, VIY! Everyone is waiting for your dream to come true!

After a while, at 9:15, the meeting room door finally opened, and the big shots arrived!

"You came early, thank you for waiting." Willis walked in front, slightly raising his nasolabial folds, with a faint smile, followed by a team of five or six people.

Ye Wei immediately put away his phone, stood up, and greeted them with a smile, "Gentlemen, it's great to see you."

"Mr. Willis." The two from Focus Films also stood up, smiling and showing respect.

At that moment, everyone introduced themselves, and Ye Wei learned who his opponents or allies were.

Richard Lowitt, a middle-aged white man with round glasses, a top agent from CAA, with a kind face and gentle eyes, looking like a high school teacher.

At the same time, Lowitt, shaking hands with Ye Wei, was genuinely surprised. A complete teenager, he had caused such a big stir? That short film, this meeting, shouldn't have happened. The more he thought about it, the more incredible the whole situation seemed.

Ye Wei noticed the subtle expression and mentally marked Lowitt with an X, an opponent.

Arnold Rifkin, a tall, long-faced middle-aged white man, slightly balding, with a broad chin, looking like a middle-aged housewife's lover. Willis's old friend and partner at Cheyenne Enterprises. He was smiling, but his handshake lacked enthusiasm, almost as if "I don't believe you" was written on his bald forehead.

Ye Wei marked him with another X, an opponent.

Next were three people from the marketing department, the production development department, and a secretary, none of them big shots, so their attitudes were neutral.

However, there was one more big shot, Paul Bloch!

Seeing him, Ye Wei was taken aback. This bald, overweight, elderly white man was the co-chair of the famous American PR firm "Rogers & Cowan," Willis's PR spokesperson, and the spokesperson for many stars like John Travolta, Sylvester Stallone, the Beckhams, and more, managing their public image, resolving crises, speaking for them, and even making decisions, with significant influence.

"Ha ha, hello young man." Bloch, like a kind old Eastern monk, was wearing loose white Tang-style clothing, with a benevolent appearance that made it hard to read his thoughts.

I didn't expect him to be here, this meeting is quite grand... Although I can't tell which camp Bloch is in, what's his intention?

As Ye Wei took his seat, he quickly analyzed the situation. PR concerns? That makes sense. If Willis joins a film directed by a teenager, how will the public react? Not everyone has seen "Dance of the Angels" and trusts him...

He felt a bit nervous, realizing his preparation lacked consideration for PR. He couldn't let this old monk stump him...

In a moment, everyone took their seats. Ye Wei sat at the lower end of the conference table, with Willis's team on his right and the Focus team on his left, with Willis at the head. The meeting began!

To his surprise, Bloch was the first to speak.

His fat face smiled as he said, "I believe everyone is clear on the situation here. Wei, you hope to produce and direct this project. Have you considered how the media and the public will react to this? What impact will it have on Bruce's image?"

Everyone's eyes were on Ye Wei, who maintained a confident smile, though he was breaking out in a cold sweat.