Back to 80: My Literary Life

"It's not a lot indeed."

"How about we invest less, 90 million RMB." Song Tangtang expressed his opinion: "In this way, we can also ensure the normal operation of other projects of the company."

"That's only more than 10 million US dollars, which is only a few percent. Don't think Jeff is scaring you. If you want to make this film well, you have to spend so much money. Let's do this."

Fang Minghua pondered for a moment and said: "A few days ago, I sent an email to Demi. Ashley Press has about 40 million US dollars in cash on its account. I asked her to lend your company 25 million, and you can pay another 5 or 6 million US dollars. That's enough."

"It's not good to borrow so much from Ashley Press, right?" Song Tangtang hesitated.

"What's wrong with having my own company?" Fang Minghua said with a smile, "I'm just transferring money from one hand to the other, but Shengshi Film and Television Company has to pay interest to Ashley Press at the local interest rate when borrowing money. The rules of economic dealings cannot be broken."

"Okay, I'll go find Demi when I return to San Francisco. Tell her in advance." Song Tangtang replied.

"Okay, is everything okay? I'll take a nap." Fang Minghua yawned.

"Look at the time, don't forget to call the two kids to school!"

"Don't worry, I'll worry about it, bye!" Fang Minghua hung up the phone, turned over and fell asleep again.

As a result, he slept until eight o'clock. If it weren't for the nanny Xiaoqin worrying about waking up the two children, he would be late again today.

As for Song Tangtang, after hanging up the phone, she sat on the sofa and immediately regained her calm look.

A few minutes later, Jeff walked in.

"Ms. Song, are you done with the call?"

"Yes, Mr. Jeff, if the budget is only 90 million US dollars, our Shengshi Film and Television will still invest one-third of it as agreed at the beginning, which is 30 million US dollars."

Jeff was a little surprised when he heard it. He looked at Song Tangtang: "Ms. Song, although your company is known as the largest private film company in China, as far as we know, it can't be compared with several major film companies in Hollywood. The scale and assets are not even as good as those state-owned film studios in your country. So, I doubt whether you can come up with 30 million US dollars!"

"Mr. Jeff, you are right. Our Shengshi Film and Television really can't come up with 30 million US dollars at once." Song Tangtang looked at Jeff and suddenly smiled:

"But I have a rich husband. His company in the United States is willing to lend us money! Don't forget, Ashley Press, which published the book "Harry Potter", is my husband's."

Jeff was stunned.

The sudden smile of this seemingly indifferent oriental woman just now made his brain crash a little.

Oh my God.

She looks so good when she smiles!

Jeff was stunned for a moment, but he quickly came to his senses.

The other party was not one of those women in the bar.

He smiled: "Indeed, Mr. Minghua is not only a great writer, but also a shrewd businessman, that's OK!"

Of course, these negotiations between the two were just preliminary intentions. There are still a lot of issues that need to be negotiated by both parties. The Chinese side will send a team to negotiate with Warner Bros. on specific issues as soon as possible, and strive to start filming as soon as possible.

"Ms. Song." Jeff finally said: "Please tell Mr. Minghua to come to the United States as soon as possible to sign the copyright adaptation agreement, and also the script - we will ask Mr. Tony Gilroy, an excellent screenwriter in our country, to personally adapt it, but at the same time we also respect the author Mr. Minghua's ideas, so we also want to hear Mr. Minghua's opinions on the script."

"Okay."

Song Tangtang did not stay in Burbank for long. He took a train to Los Angeles the next morning and then took a flight back to San Francisco.

At the Hollywood Amanola Hotel in Burbank, Song Tangtang called Fang Minghua on the hotel phone at night and told him the whole process in detail.

"It's done, Tangtang, you can come back now." Fang Minghua smiled on the phone.

"Why are you in such a hurry? At least I should wait until Lili is out of confinement before I leave, right?" Song Tangtang replied, and then said excitedly: "Also, Minghua, I plan to let Wu Tianmin lead the team and select elite soldiers to negotiate with Warner Brothers in the United States!"

"Where is Zhang Yimou? Has his "If You Want to Talk" been filmed?" Fang Minghua asked.

"It has been filmed, and the sample film has been sent to the Film Bureau for review. I guess there will be no problem." Song Tangtang replied.

"Then let him come together. It's good to get involved early."

"Okay, there's one more thing." Song Tangtang said.

"What's the matter?"

"I want to find a local lawyer from the United States to participate in this negotiation. Which law firm did you find when you bought Ashley Press last time? I forgot the name."

"Meng Wenda Law Firm, go back to San Francisco and ask Lili, she has detailed information. In this case, I suggest you go to Zhang Qing Accounting Firm again - I found them for accounting when I acquired Ashley Press. The accounting systems in the United States and China are not exactly the same. Find a local accounting firm for consultation to avoid you from being at a disadvantage."

"Well, you reminded me of this. I plan to sign a contract with these two firms. From the initial negotiation and signing of the contract to the final box office sharing, the legal and accounting matters of this film will be mainly handled by them." Song Tangtang said.

"Yes, that's good! Leave professional matters to professional people! Tell Meng Dawen and Zhang Qing to send their most capable officers to assist you! As for the agency fee, we are not short of money!"

"Oh, husband, you have such a loud tone." Song Tangtang said with a sweet smile.

On the other end of the phone, Fang Minghua laughed:

"A loud mouth? No matter who has hundreds of millions of dollars in assets, he will have a loud mouth! Money is a man's courage!"

"Vulgar, very vulgar! He is still a literary young man."

"Haha, a literary young man? I am now a middle-aged literary man, an old man."

The couple joked for a while before hanging up the phone.

After Song Tangtang returned to San Francisco, he immediately called Wu Tianmin in China to inform him of the details of his visit to Los Angeles to negotiate with Warner Bros., and asked him to immediately select personnel, go through the procedures for overseas passports and visas, and rush to Los Angeles as soon as possible.

In San Francisco, Song Tangtang went to the publishing house to meet Demi again and explained her intention. Demi had already received an email from Fang Minghua.

As the president of Ashley Press, he is actually the CEO. Of course, he must obey the boss's orders. He immediately stated that 25 million US dollars was in the publisher's account and could be used at any time.

At the same time, Song Tangtang met with Meng Dawen and Zhang Qing respectively to explain his requirements, and the two bosses agreed immediately.

Big benefactor

I heard Professor Li Li reveal that there is not only one Harry Potter film to be written, but there will be several more to come, so shouldn’t there also be several movies to be made?

Doesn’t the contract between the two parties also last for several years?

Everything is in full swing.

Fang Minghua also started applying for a visa to go abroad.

He really wanted to see Li Li and her daughter, and that cute little baby.

I just heard from Song Tangtang that Li Li’s mother Zhou Xuemei would stay in San Francisco for at least half a year, mainly to take care of her daughter and grandson.

Then when you arrive in San Francisco, how will you get along with Zhou Xuemei?

Fang Minghua always felt a little guilty.