Top Dupe CH 049 Gu Xiaowei VS Jiang Yinchuan Part 2
Even if you have a competitive streak, choosing someone like Bo Wenyuan as your rival seems pretty unambitious.
"Alright, let's go out for a run..."
At that moment, the doorbell rang again.
Luo Yu was a bit annoyed.
Wasn't that trash Bo Wenyuan already kicked out? How dare he come back?
Did he leave something behind?
Suppressing his irritation, Luo Yu opened the door, ready to sidestep in case Bo Wenyuan made another dramatic entrance, but it turned out to be Jiang Yinchuan!
"Jiang... Yinchuan, what are you doing here?"
Jiang Yinchuan was also taken aback because he could sense that Luo Yu’s mood wasn’t great when the door opened.
"I came to discuss a collaboration with you," Jiang Yinchuan said, holding up a file folder.
Luo Yu's heart skipped a beat. He had thought he would need to rebuild his friendship, but seeing Jiang Yinchuan come personally to discuss cooperation, Luo Yu was even more convinced that no matter how many times they started over, they would always appreciate each other.
"I have a friend over. If you don't mind, come in and have seat," Luo Yu said.
Jiang Yinchuan showed a playful expression. "A friend?"
"Yes, a trusted friend."
"Then... I’ll come in."
Luo Yu opened the shoe cabinet. Since guests were rare at his place, Gu Xiaowei had taken the only pair of men’s slippers. The remaining pair was a pink one left by Sister Cui.
"Let’s skip changing shoes," Luo Yu said.
"Alright. Besides, your living room isn’t large, and my shoes aren’t dirty," Jiang Yinchuan agreed readily.
As he entered and saw Gu Xiaowei sitting on the sofa in the living room, he was first surprised, then seemed to understand.
"Teacher Gu, it’s surprising yet not surprising to see you here." Jiang Yinchuan smiled and sat down next to Gu Xiaowei.
"What do you mean by surprising and not surprising?" Gu Xiaowei asked in return.
"Remember the dinner Gao He arranged, wanting you and Director Lin to help out He Mu?"
"Yes," Gu Xiaowei nodded.
"At that time, you defended Luo Yu. I guessed you must have known each other for a long time. I was surprised because it’s rare to see Gu Xiaowei visiting someone’s home. But not surprised because naturally, someone you defended would be a friend," Jiang Yinchuan said with a smile.
Gu Xiaowei’s expression softened slightly. "President Jiang has a good memory."
Luo Yu looked at Jiang Yinchuan and then at Gu Xiaowei. Since they seemed to have no grudges, he felt reassured and went to the kitchen to make tea.
"Please wait a moment while I brew some tea. President Jiang, I don’t have Longjing tea, only Pu’er. Is that alright?" Luo Yu’s voice came from the kitchen.
Jiang Yinchuan called out, "Since that dinner, I’ve stopped drinking Longjing and switched to Pu’er."
Luo Yu couldn’t help but laugh. "Alright then."
Jiang Yinchuan took off his gray coat and placed it on the sofa. Glancing at Gu Xiaowei, who was wearing a simple sweater rolled up at the sleeves, it seemed he might have been washing dishes earlier.
"Teacher Gu and Luo Yu seem to have a good relationship. The last person to wash dishes at his place was me."
"Washing dishes?" Gu Xiaowei frowned.
For some reason, seeing the actor known for turning down Honghe Film and Television frown made Jiang Yinchuan feel a sense of accomplishment.
"Yes, we had hotpot. Luo Yu drank two cans of beer and got drunk, so I ended up cleaning up the pots and pans."
"Is that so," Gu Xiaowei’s voice lowered several degrees.
Luo Yu peeked out of the kitchen to see the two of them. Jiang Yinchuan was smiling, and Gu Xiaowei’s voice was calm and polite. It seemed that even if they weren’t having a pleasant conversation, they were at least treating each other with respect.
But somehow, despite the harmonious atmosphere, it felt like there was an undercurrent of tension.
Gu Xiaowei looked directly into Jiang Yinchuan’s eyes. "President Jiang, you came here to try to sign Luo Yu to your new company, right?"
Jiang Yinchuan knew that Gu Xiaowei’s company, Xinghan Films, had also extended an olive branch to Luo Yu. With Gu Xiaowei being at Luo Yu’s home, it was hard to say whether or not Gu Xiaowei had persuaded Luo Yu to join Xinghan.
But Jiang Yinchuan preferred straightforwardness. Luo Yu had his own opinions, and the fact that he hadn’t signed with Xinghan Films yet indicated that he didn’t find it suitable.
"Yes. Compared to Xinghan Films, I think my advantages are quite significant," Jiang Yinchuan said directly.
Luo Yu came out, put down the teapot and cups, and sat down with a smile. "Oh, President Jiang’s company has just been established, yet you boldly think your advantages surpass those of Xinghan Films?"
Jiang Yinchuan, with a graceful demeanor, handed a file folder to Luo Yu and said, “This is the contract drafted by me and my lawyer. You can review the terms with Sister Cui. I originally intended to have dinner with you and Sister Cui to discuss it in detail, but I feared someone might get ahead, so I rushed over with the contract. Of course, if Teacher Gu helps you review it, I don’t mind him knowing the favorable terms I’m offering.”
In other words, Xinghan Films can’t compare.
Luo Yu was taken aback. Was Jiang Yinchuan treating Gu Xiaowei as a competitor? He really didn’t know how to explain this misunderstanding.
Although Jiang Yinchuan said, “Let Teacher Gu help you review,” contracts are confidential. Gu Xiaowei still stood up and said, “You have an important contract to discuss today, so I’ll head back first.”
Rationality and professionalism told Luo Yu he should see Gu Xiaowei off, but in that instant, Luo Yu grabbed his wrist.
“It’s okay.”
“What’s okay?” Gu Xiaowei looked into Luo Yu’s eyes.
“You’re one of the few people I trust. Even if Sister Cui and I discuss the contract with President Jiang alone, I’ll still need someone to consult on the contract terms. Lawyers can provide legal and compliance opinions, but only insiders understand how the terms affect artists. In the end, I can only turn to you.”
Gu Xiaowei nodded and sat back down, “President Jiang, are you sure you don’t mind?”
Jiang Yinchuan replied, “Of course I don’t mind. I plan to work with Teacher Gu in the future, so letting you understand my sincerity will facilitate our cooperation.”
As Luo Yu opened the file folder, he half-jokingly asked, “So, President Jiang, what are your advantages?”
Jiang Yinchuan chuckled, “I suddenly feel like I’m in an interview, and with two interviewers.”
Gu Xiaowei, getting into the spirit, lifted his chin and said, “President Jiang, tell us about your advantages.”
Jiang Yinchuan, being a CEO, wasn’t any less imposing than Gu Xiaowei. He leaned back, immediately assuming a domineering posture.
“First, although my company is newly established, we have substantial capital. While we may not be as glamorous as Honghe Film and Television on the surface, we have the capability to independently manage large IPs.”
Luo Yu already knew this from his previous life.
“Second, my company hasn’t signed any highly popular or experienced actors. If I wanted to compete, I could easily bring Xie Chang out of Honghe Film and Television, but I chose Luo Yu first. Because I appreciate and believe in him, I’ll strive to provide him with the best opportunities. If Luo Yu signs with us, he will be the face of the company. As for the specific terms, Luo Yu can review the contract. This is something that Teacher Gu won’t be able to secure for Luo Yu at Xinghan Films.”
Luo Yu nodded and carefully examined the contract.
“So what’s the third point?” Gu Xiaowei asked, looking into Jiang Yinchuan’s eyes.
“Third, if he agrees to sign, then Luo Yu will be a valuable ally of Yinchuan Film and Culture. I promise to give him five percent of the shares. This way, he won’t have to worry about me being ungrateful like Bo Wenyuan.” Jiang Yinchuan shrugged.
Luo Yu was surprised. Jiang Yinchuan was offering him equity?
“It seems President Jiang is determined to sign Luo Yu,” Gu Xiaowei’s expression softened significantly.
“So, Teacher Gu, what do you think? Are my terms better or Xinghan Film’s?” Jiang Yinchuan asked with a smile.
Luo Yu read through the contract from start to finish. The five percent equity was genuine, and many terms were quite flexible. Given Luo Yu’s current situation, with “Counterattack” and “Storm” yet to air and the industry still observing his future development, the terms offered by Jiang Yinchuan were the best and most sincere.
“President Jiang missed one point,” Luo Yu said with a smile.
“What point?”
“I trust your integrity.”
Jiang Yinchuan was taken aback, then laughed while covering his forehead, “Among everyone in the entertainment industry, you’re the only one who says my integrity is trustworthy.”
“Indeed, better than Bo Wenyuan,” Gu Xiaowei nodded.
Jiang Yinchuan waved his hand, “Stop, stop. No comparisons with Bo Wenyuan.”
“Yes, comparing him to a dog is unfair to dogs,” Gu Xiaowei said.
Luo Yu and Jiang Yinchuan were stunned, staring at Gu Xiaowei. Was this really the cultured Teacher Gu speaking?
“President Jiang, you know Director Sheng Yunlan is preparing ‘Beast and Rose,’ right?” Gu Xiaowei asked.
“Of course, I know. Director Sheng is with Honghe Film and Television, and we have a good relationship.”
“Will your company be involved in the investment?” Gu Xiaowei asked again.
“Yes, and overseas distribution is my strong suit. If they don’t turn to me, who will they turn to?” Jiang Yinchuan paused and smiled meaningfully, “It seems Luo Yu is interested in a role in this movie.”
“President Jiang, would you like to guess which role? It’ll help see if you and Luo Yu have any mutual understanding,” Gu Xiaowei said.
Luo Yu scratched his cheek, suddenly feeling like Gu Xiaowei was a father evaluating a potential son-in-law.
“With Luo Yu’s abilities, he could handle the role of the Painter of Death Lu Pingfeng. But I think…” Jiang Yinchuan lightly tapped his chin, looking at Luo Yu with meaning, “You’re more suited for the forensic assistant Wen Yuchi. This role seems straightforward—the image of a redeemer. But the more straightforward the role, the more you can uncover aspects others might miss.”
Gu Xiaowei’s eyebrows lifted slightly, “Then please, President Jiang, show your sincerity.”
“You want me to help Luo Yu secure that role?” Jiang Yinchuan asked.
For Jiang Yinchuan, it wasn’t impossible to put on a show of power to secure the role, but since Sheng Yunlan had decided on auditions, insisting on this would show disrespect to Sheng Yunlan.
“No, just secure an audition, for fair competition,” Gu Xiaowei said.
Jiang Yinchuan’s furrowed brows relaxed, “That suits me. If Luo Yu secures the role through auditions, it will be more favorable for his industry reputation.”
With that, Jiang Yinchuan extended his hand to Luo Yu, “If I secure you an audition, you’ll have to help me build a reputation in this industry.”
“Once I make a promise, I can’t go back on it,” Luo Yu replied with a smile.
Jiang Yinchuan didn’t linger, finishing his tea and leaving.
Luo Yu and Gu Xiaowei saw him to the door. As Jiang Yinchuan waited for the elevator, Gu Xiaowei said, “I forgot to mention, Bo Wenyuan came today and made quite a scene.”
Luo Yu opened his mouth in surprise. Why did Gu Xiaowei tell Jiang Yinchuan everything?