Chapter 0956: Smiling to Your Face, Cursing Behind Your Back

Zhao Fusheng liked a saying: "Baby doesn't like it when others criticize me; if you criticize me, I'll curse you."

So for those who had offended him, Zhao Fusheng indicated that he was a very vengeful man.

By the same token, Zheng Yao was a woman, and women are vengeful.

Thus, some people were doomed.

CCTV's charity gala for combating SARS was scheduled to air on May 15th, but as of May 13th, Ma Dajun found that no one had notified him to participate.

The same treatment was given to all artists of Huayi Brothers经纪公司.

Ma Dajun had Bona as his backing. Although Yu Dong couldn't bother his top boss, Master Han, over this matter, he could still call Zheng Yao to arrange a meeting.

"President Zheng, sorry to disturb you."

Although he was the boss of a distribution company, Yu Dong spoke very politely. He was the kind of person who would greet even peddlers with a smile, making them feel at home.

It would be hard for such a person not to succeed.

"President Yu, you're a rare guest." Zheng Yao smiled as she looked at Yu Dong. Although they had no prior interaction, she was no stranger to his name.

The top figure in private film distribution, Master Han's trusted aide, and recently officially entering the film production industry while poaching Ma Dajun from Huayi—one incident after another proved that this seemingly smiling Buddha, General Manager Yu, was no pushover.

Then again, without some skill, he wouldn't have reached his current position.

Zheng Yao sized up Yu Dong, and Yu Dong did the same to her.

In fact, this was their first meeting. Although there had been some friction with Future Films before, Yu Dong didn't know much about Future Advertising, the parent company of Future Films.

He only knew from materials that the company had risen quickly. Zheng Yao, the beautiful boss, had been an ordinary counselor at Ninghai Normal University three years ago, but three years later, she had become a prominent figure in the northern advertising circle.

Most importantly, Future Advertising's rise had no so-called big backers; it relied purely on that mysterious gold-medal planner, who continuously secured advertising contracts from major manufacturers.

They even landed the Mercedes-Benz car advertisement.

Without exaggeration, Zheng Yao and Future Advertising had become legends in the entire advertising circle.

With the same mindset, both appeared all smiles, but inwardly, they were extremely cautious of each other.

"I wouldn't come to your place without a reason. Today, I do have a favor to ask." Yu Dong didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point with Zheng Yao: "President Zheng, you won't refuse me, will you?"

Zheng Yao laughed: "President Yu, you're indeed straightforward. Tell me, what is it?"

She neither agreed nor refused, which made Yu Dong hesitate.

After all, he knew his request was somewhat unreasonable.

"It's like this: I heard your company is planning a charity gala for CCTV to combat the SARS epidemic. Is there anything Bona can do?" Yu Dong looked at Zheng Yao and smiled.

Regardless, as the boss, he had to step up.

Zheng Yao sneered inwardly, hemmed and hawed, then said to Yu Dong: "President Yu, you're too kind. Our company is just following CCTV's instructions. If there's anything we need your help with, we'll definitely ask."

Hearing this, Yu Dong almost cursed under his breath.

He thought, 'I'd be damned if I believed you!'

He wasn't stupid. Ma Dajun and he had teamed up to screw Jiang Wen over, only to find out later that Future Films was involved. Although the box office of *Cell Phone* surpassed *The Missing Gun*, the grudge remained.

Given Bona's position in the industry and Yu Dong's personal status, he didn't need to care about Future Films' reaction. Everyone made a living in this circle by their own abilities; if you had the guts, blacklist me.

But the problem was, this time even Yu Dong couldn't bear it.

If it were just entertainment or film industry matters, Yu Dong wouldn't care. He had Master Han as his backing—a big tree providing shade. He didn't need to worry about offending anyone. Even if he did, as long as it wasn't too outrageous, everyone would still compete through commercial means.

The most obvious example was Huayi. The Wang brothers knew Ma Dajun was poached by him, but they could only sigh helplessly, unable to do anything.

Unless the matter went beyond the entertainment circle.

Just like this time, the SARS epidemic weighed on the hearts of the higher-ups. Everyone knew the top priority was to stabilize public sentiment, and that was the purpose of this charity gala.

But if the entire Bona organization hasn't gotten involved, what will the higher-ups think?

Is it that you, Yu Dong, can't gauge their intentions, or that Bona doesn't take CCTV and the higher-ups seriously?

Yu Dong could afford to ignore future advertising and Zheng Yao, the strong woman, but he couldn't afford to ignore CCTV's reaction or the feelings of the higher-ups.

In the end, Third Master Han only appreciated him.

If the day ever came when a top leader gave the order to take down Bona, Yu Dong knew well that Third Master Han wouldn't gamble with his own political future.

People in officialdom are inherently the most ruthless, because they know clearly that if an official isn't ruthless enough, in the end, they'll be devoured until not even a bone is left.

So now, Yu Dong understood clearly that even if Zheng Yao proposed certain conditions, he would have to grit his teeth and accept them.

When under someone else's roof, one has to bow one's head.

"President Zheng, you're too kind. Everyone at Bona takes this SARS relief gala very seriously. If there's anything we can help with, just say the word." Yu Dong smiled as he looked at Zheng Yao. "As you know, Bona has some say in film distribution."

Even though film distribution had nothing to do with the relief gala, Yu Dong still brought it up.

The reason was simple: he was waiting for Zheng Yao to state her terms.

Zheng Yao sneered inwardly, but she admired Zhao Fusheng's plan even more. No wonder he had planned it that way—he had known all along that once they controlled the planning of this relief gala, someone would come knocking.

With that thought, she chuckled. "President Yu, your sense of righteousness is admirable. But as you know, I don't handle film affairs. If there's an opportunity for cooperation later, I'll have our company's President Bai contact you. As for the relief gala, if I recall correctly, your company doesn't have any artists, does it?"

"Alright, alright." Yu Dong breathed a sigh of relief. He knew Zheng Yao was a smart woman and must have understood his meaning. He smiled. "It's true our company doesn't have any famous actors right now, but I myself, along with several vice presidents and behind-the-scenes staff, are willing to attend the gala."

"Oh, oh, oh, look at my memory—I forgot to send President Yu an invitation. Sorry, sorry." Zheng Yao slapped her forehead, putting on an apologetic expression.

Yu Dong naturally exchanged pleasantries, saying he understood that President Zheng had been very busy lately.

The meeting between the two ended in a harmonious atmosphere.

After seeing Yu Dong off, Zheng Yao called Zhao Fusheng and recounted the whole story, finally laughing, "You were right; that Yu guy really came knocking."

Zhao Fusheng smiled. "It's normal. Yu Dong is a businessman; he knows when to bow his head and when to be tough. Believe me, if Future Films approaches Bona for distribution of its next two or three projects, Bona will definitely give strong support."

"And after that?" Zheng Yao hesitated but still asked.

"After that?" Zhao Fusheng sneered. "After that, they won't cooperate with us unless we can guarantee the film's quality is exceptional."

Businessmen value profit; there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. Zhao Fusheng understood this well, and he believed Yu Dong did too.

Hearing Zhao Fusheng's words, Zheng Yao nodded. "In that case, I'll send him the invitation."

Zhao Fusheng nodded. "Huayi will probably come to you soon too. But remember, don't negotiate with Wang Jinghua; have Wang Zhonglei or Wang Zhongjun approach you."

"I know, don't worry." Zheng Yao readily agreed upon hearing Zhao Fusheng's instructions.

She also knew about the conflict between Zhao Fusheng and Wang Jinghua, and whether for public or private reasons, she stood firmly with Zhao Fusheng.

Hanging up the phone, a smile crept onto Zhao Fusheng's lips. The grand drama he had painstakingly orchestrated was finally slowly unfolding. He was eager to see Wang Jinghua's expression at this moment.

…

…

Wang Jinghua's expression was very grim!

Anyone in her position would probably feel no better than she did.

For a large-scale relief gala that would capture the nation's attention, not a single artist from Huayi had received an invitation. This news made it hard for her mood to improve.

Even the Wang brothers' expressions were frighteningly gloomy.

"What's going on? Why doesn't Huayi have a single person at CCTV's relief gala?" Wang Zhongjun sat at the head of the table, saying coldly. "Everyone's talking about this performance. I'm not asking whether Huayi has anyone who can sing—I'm just asking, why don't Huayi Brothers' artists have even one invitation?"

"Well, President Wang, the fault is mine. I probably didn't communicate well with CCTV." Seeing no one else speak, Wang Jinghua gritted her teeth and stood up.

"Sister Hua, you don't need to explain. We know who's to blame. The problem now is how to solve this. Surely a relief gala with artists even from Hong Kong can't go without Huayi's people? What will people in the industry think? What will the audience think?" Wang Zhonglei waved his hand, speaking seriously.

But inwardly, he was already laughing so hard his stomach hurt.