Chapter 285: Mockery
Wu Yue’s cousin let out a deep sigh of relief when he heard that Director Steve was willing to accept Gu Shuangbo. He then asked, “Director, we still haven’t seen the complete script. Do you know when the script will be finished? We’re really eager to start shooting.”
A flash of unease crossed Director Steve’s eyes as he replied, “There’s no rush for the script. You should know my rule. A lot of the time, I write the script as I shoot. Once the contract is signed, you’ll receive at least half of the script the day before we start filming.”
Wu Yue’s cousin had done some research on Director Steve, and he knew that the internationally renowned director had worked on many films where the script was written as the shooting progressed. He didn’t doubt Steve’s words and couldn’t imagine that Steve had any ulterior motives.
Both sides had their own agendas, but in the shortest time possible, the contract was signed. Director Steve was pleased to have lured them in, and Gu Shuangbo was overjoyed at the thought of working with a top-tier director.
Almost the same day the contract was signed, Gu Shuangbo’s manager announced the news on Weibo. Fans, upon receiving the news, were overjoyed.
Some bold fans even went so far as to mock Song Zhi Bai’s fans, saying that Song Zhi Bai had never worked with an international top director and therefore couldn’t be considered a true top-tier star.
Of course, Song Zhi Bai’s fans exploded with anger. However, his manager had anticipated this and immediately stepped in to calm the fans, quickly defusing the situation. The fans’ anger gradually died down.
Meanwhile, Xu Youyou, who had been watching the drama unfold, suddenly saw a flicker on her system interface.
[Host, you have unclaimed rewards.]
Xu Youyou’s eyes lit up. “There are more rewards? What have I missed?”
The system interface immediately displayed “Script 2/3.”
Xu Youyou remembered that two years ago, when she found Ou Yang Ou Yang, the system had given her a task reward of three specially tailored scripts.
The first script was a short drama, which has since become a classic that’s mentioned in every round-up of classic short dramas. With countless domestic and international remakes, it is conservatively estimated to have brought Xu Youyou at least ten billion in pure profit.
This kind of short drama is considered the pinnacle of short dramas both domestically and internationally, and it’s likely to be a one-of-a-kind case.
Thanks to this drama, Song Zhi Bai became well-known to the public. Historically, short dramas were considered lesser works, but even now, when people look back on Song Zhi Bai’s career, this short drama still holds a prominent place.
The second script was Song Zhi Bai’s first television drama, a martial arts drama, which helped him rise to the top tier of stars.
Now, the third script, a film script, was something Xu Youyou had spent half a day reading. After finishing, she was left in awe.
The potential of this script was enormous.
Such a script, once released, would definitely attract attention. Even though the entertainment industry doesn’t respect screenwriters as much nowadays, truly great scripts may miss the first buyer, but they won’t be ignored forever. After all, there are still people in the industry with a good eye for quality.
She called Ou Yang Ou Yang. “It seems like you’re on vacation right now. Do you have any plans for work once you’re back?”
Ou Yang Ou Yang was traveling in Inner Mongolia, and upon hearing this, he immediately asked, “Boss, don’t worry, I won’t rest too long. I’ll be back in no more than two months.”
Xu Youyou replied, “I’m not asking you to return to shoot a film, but I have a great script. I’ve already applied for a patent, and I’ll send it to you shortly. If you think it’s suitable, you can direct it. If not, I’ll find someone else in the industry.”
Ou Yang Ou Yang immediately responded, “Boss, if you’re picking the script, it must be amazing.”
Although he said this, his enthusiasm for the project wasn’t very strong. After all, he was already thinking about transitioning from television to film. Xu Youyou had previously sent him scripts for TV dramas, so he assumed this was another one.
When Xu Youyou sent him the film script, Ou Yang Ou Yang only took five minutes to read it before sitting up straight. By the time he finished reading, his fingers were almost leaving traces on his phone’s keyboard, afraid that if he delayed even a second, Xu Youyou would give the script to someone else.
“Boss, boss, I’ve been with you since the company was founded. With such a huge opportunity, you have to think of me!” Ou Yang Ou Yang said urgently.
Xu Youyou couldn’t help but laugh on the other end of the phone. “Look at you, so anxious.”
Ou Yang Ou Yang was still trying to prove his worth. “Boss, even though I don’t have film experience, you can trust me. Every task you’ve given me, haven’t I completed it well?”
Xu Youyou had already planned to give him the script, so she said, “Don’t worry. I didn’t give this script to anyone else. After reading it, I sent it straight to you. From start to finish, you’ve always been my first choice.”
Ou Yang Ou Yang felt a warmth in his heart. “Boss, I… I really don’t know how to thank you.”
Great directors and great scripts always complement each other.
After reading the entire script, Ou Yang Ou Yang couldn’t find a single part that needed cutting. The last time he encountered a script like this was the martial arts film that launched Song Zhi Bai’s career, and the time before that was the short drama.
Looking at the script’s author name, which was listed as “Anonymous,” Ou Yang Ou Yang felt a rare sense of reassurance.
Just like countless times before, he asked, “Boss, this Anonymous person is incredibly talented. Every script they write, whether it’s a short drama, TV series, or film, becomes a classic. I really want to meet them. Can you give me a chance to thank them personally?”
Xu Youyou, naturally aware that the system’s products are always top-notch, understood Ou Yang Ou Yang’s feelings and could only helplessly reply, “This person prefers to stay out of the spotlight and doesn’t like interacting with others. This movie might be their last work.”
Ou Yang Ou Yang immediately replied, “Boss, I’ll finish my vacation and head back to Shanghai tomorrow. It might take some time to prepare for the movie, and the investment may not be small…”
Xu Youyou laughed. “I trust you to handle it. Don’t worry about the money. If it takes longer to prepare, that’s fine. What’s important is that it has to be a classic.”
After hanging up, Xu Youyou sent the script to Song Zhi Bai. It was then that she truly understood the weight of the words “tailor-made.” This script was not only tailor-made for Song Zhi Bai as the male lead but also for Ou Yang Ou Yang as the director.
However, just as the new film announcement was made, Gu Shuangbo’s fans immediately mocked it:
“I thought Song Zhi Bai was going to announce working with some big director or production? After all these years at the top, he’s still working with a director from his own company? Does no one else in the industry want to work with him?”
