Chapter 28: Ten Times the Profit? A Mere Trifle! The Return of Ye Quanzhen

I would never fall for you!

Still, aside from that sharp tongue of his, he’s quite handsome. Everything else about him seems pretty decent, too. Oh, goodness! What am I thinking?

Gao Yuanyuan fled the swimming pool, but her mind seemed to remain firmly under the control of that guy, Ma Xun. She couldn't help but think of him. In fact, after running back to the women's changing area and taking a shower, she realized she had left something behind. When she returned, she found that Ma Xun had already started swimming on his own.

He—he really knew how to swim. He was doing the freestyle. Although Gao Yuanyuan didn't know much about swimming, she could tell he looked graceful in the water. Ma Xun moved with fluid, relaxed ease; even his arms barely made a splash when they entered the water. He looked like he was moving slowly, but in reality, he was quite fast. He was overtaking the elderly swimmers one by one. And the kicker was... his physique was truly impressive.

Oh, stop it! Why am I even noticing his body?

So, Gao Yuanyuan really was running away. Yet, whenever she thought of how awful Ma Xun could be, she couldn't help but dwell on his good qualities. He had given her both a television series and a film right after signing her. In the domestic entertainment industry, that was already top-tier treatment. Gao Yuanyuan had a clear sense of herself; she was just a girl from a vocational high school. Yet now, she had already acted in a TV series and would soon be filming a movie. Although neither role was a lead, it was a world of difference compared to before.

Besides, playing a supporting role was the right thing to do. Gao Yuanyuan knew she lacked acting experience—much like her swimming skills. Look at Sister Hao Lei; she was poised and confident in front of the camera. She was the one who deserved to be the lead.

Ah, why did every thought keep circling back to Ma Xun’s virtues? No, she had to focus on his flaws. As she tried to think of them, she remembered that bottle of Chanel No. 5. But hadn’t she been the one to reject it in the first place? He could give it to whoever he wanted. Thinking this way, Ma Xun didn't seem to be doing anything wrong. Moreover, he had written the touching, intimate bond between the two sisters in *Hear Me*. He couldn't be a bad person. At the very least, he must have a gentle heart. Gao Yuanyuan refused to believe a villain could write such a warm story.

What was going on? She was thinking about how good he was again. This, this... Gao Yuanyuan was just a blossoming young girl. She didn't realize that the prime of one's youth is the peak season for having a "lovestruck brain."

...

Ma Xun’s words were a reminder to Gao Yuanyuan, but in truth, they were also a reminder to himself. Right now, all I want is to make money! But he had to admit, the high-school-aged Gao Yuanyuan was green and alluring—the kind of existence that, if a boy saw her, would fill his dreams at night. Fortunately, Ma Xun was past that stage. His career was his current priority.

Once the plot details for *Hear Me* were confirmed, Ma Xun planned to hand it all over to Sister Hong to manage. Filming couldn't start until *Seventeen-Year-Olds Don't Cry* wrapped up, so there was still time. Sister Hong shouldn't have any trouble. Meanwhile, Ma Xun had his own business to attend to. He had already reminded Sun Donghai what their real focus should be.

...

Walking out of the CCTV building, Sun Donghai was still in a state of shock. "Buddy, isn't that a bit too ruthless? One million per film? For one year?"

Ma Xun replied with ease, "If you think it's not good, go back in and tell the director yourself."

"Hey, look at you, how could I think it's not good? Hehe..."

Sun Donghai was all smiles. He was just shocked, not incapable of recognizing a good deal. They had just visited CCTV again, this time to discuss the copyright matters for Hong Kong films. There had been a change in plans: Auntie didn't need to come along. She could busy herself with *Seventeen-Year-Olds Don't Cry*; they could handle this themselves. Sun Donghai was the type to kick away the ladder once he’d climbed the wall, but he couldn't be blamed for being ruthless. They already had the necessary connections, and besides, it was Channel 6 that had called them first this time. Clearly, *A Chinese Odyssey* had given them a taste of success.

But Ma Xun had doubled the price! One million per film per year! Sun Donghai was still stunned. Of course, they had brought five Hong Kong films this time: *Fist of Legend*, *Kung Fu Cult Master*, *Fong Sai-yuk*, *Sixty Million Dollar Man*, and *Forbidden City Cop*. Three starring Jet Li, two starring Stephen Chow. According to Ma Xun, every one of these was a classic, popular not only in Hong Kong but also extremely hot overseas. *Fist of Legend*, for instance, had a massive fanbase in the West. In short... keep bluffing, keep the bluff going!

As for the effect, Sun Donghai saw the leaders at Channel 6 nodding repeatedly. However, they hadn't made a final decision on the spot, which made Sun Donghai anxious. "Brother, I know we should raise the price, but aren't you worried they won't sign with us?" He was afraid of taking too big a step and tripping.

Ma Xun replied, "Let me ask you, was *A Chinese Odyssey* a success?"

"Of course."

"Then shouldn't we take advantage of this success to make a killing?"

"But I'm worried. On one hand, what if they don't sign? On the other, if they do sign, what if these films don't perform well?"

Ma Xun laughed. "Not sign? The movie channel has just started; if they don't sign these, what will they air? The same old films?"

Right! And the next question?

Ma Xun continued, "If these don't perform well, we'll just lower the price for the next batch."

There would be a next time? True, the movie channel was still short on content. No wonder Ma Xun had gobbled up so many copyrights at once. Thinking about it, the total cost for these five films was less than 500,000 yuan. Turning around and selling them for 5 million—that was a tenfold profit! Holy cow! "Brother! You're a genius!"

Sun Donghai had finally figured it out. Ma Xun smiled without a word. This was a piece of cake.

In reality, Ma Xun’s asking price wasn't excessive. He knew the standards for copyright acquisition that the movie channel would establish later: between 1.4 million and 4 million. But those were prices set later, and they required long-term rights, starting at 20 years and going up to 50. That was the industry’s public quote. Many films that flopped at the box office were just waiting for CCTV-6 to buy them.

But they were different! Everything was just starting and in the experimental phase. By today's standards, they were the trailblazers of reform! Since *A Chinese Odyssey* was such a success, they had to seize the opportunity to make money. As for future changes, Ma Xun didn't mind signing another long-term copyright deal in a year. Essentially, the rights to one film could be sold twice! Hmm... better not tell Sun Donghai that yet. Look at how happy he was.

Making a tenfold profit was enough to make him giddy. In truth, copyright pricing was very flexible. While CCTV-6 would eventually set standards, there were none at the moment. Ma Xun remembered one film that was quite a pity: *Not One Less*. Whenever people mentioned it later, they would proudly talk about how popular it was in Japan and how high the box office was. But the truth was quite disheartening. The film had actually failed at the box office, selling very few prints. It did go to Japan, but they only paid 60,000 RMB for it. The later box office success had nothing to do with the producers.

That couldn't be blamed on the producers, though. Calling them short-sighted would be an injustice; they were truly at their wits' end and desperate to earn whatever they could. Comparing it to later times, many films with budgets over 100 million would flop at the box office and could only be bought by CCTV-6 to recoup some costs. But *Not One Less* only cost a million to make, so it was actually quite similar.

The film industry was pure high risk, but it was also, naturally, high reward. If a film hit, you could truly rake in the cash. And now, Ma Xun had seized the opportunity. High risk had nothing to do with him; he would only enjoy the high rewards. A tenfold profit? A piece of cake!

The two of them exited CCTV and were planning to find a place to grab a drink when a red car appeared before them.

"I have something to do..."

"Don't say it, just go." Sun Donghai didn't even let Ma Xun finish; this scene was all too familiar. He was off to "make a match" again!

...

"I heard you bought a small courtyard."

"Want to see it? You're welcome to."

"I want to, but I don't dare."

"Why?"

"I'm afraid if I go in, I won't be able to come out."

"Wait, am I really that unbearable in your heart?"

"Ha... just kidding. Actually, I want to buy a small courtyard, too."

"That's a good thing. I can help."

The one driving was Yeh Chuan-chen. She wasn't just driving; she was joking. Ma Xun didn't mind. He just wasn't sure if her psychological issues were better.

"Want to try?"

"Now?"

Yeh Chuan-chen was startled, but Ma Xun’s hand had already reached her temple. His fingers and the back of his hand gently caressed her delicate cheek. She was driving, and she nearly lost her grip on the steering wheel. Ma Xun, that rascal, decided to play a joke. His large hand slid down, brushing past her distinct collarbone. If he went any further...

"Stop! That's enough!"

With that exclamation, the car came to a halt. Ma Xun smiled and said, "It seems your condition has worsened."

Yeh Chuan-chen's pretty face flushed. In truth, she felt she was much better than before. "Who goes around doing that while someone is driving!"

She had scolded him, but Ma Xun felt a bit wronged. After all, in the future, there were plenty of bizarre traffic tickets for things like that. Oh well, no use dwelling on it.

"Did you gain anything?"

"Aunt Qiong Yao is planning to film *My Fair Princess* this time. The directors are Liu Lilli and her apprentice Shen Yi..."

Wait, why did this start differently than in his memory? Oh, right, there was gossip! This show actually had plenty of drama starting from the casting phase!