I Treat You as My Sister, But You Want to be My Wife?!
Chapter 178 - Hope to Cooperate Again_1

Chapter 178: Chapter 178 - Hope to Cooperate Again_1

Xu Zheng looked at the screenplay for a while and was stunned.

The screenplay was very similar to the one Shen Dong had sent him.

The story was the same, and the protagonist was also named Chen Yong.

However, the screenplay Shen Dong had sent was much more polished.

What Wen Muye had was a rough draft of "I’m Not a Pharmacist".

After reading the screenplay, Xu Zheng gave a wry smile, "There’s been a clash, Wen Muye has been busy for nothing."

He felt somewhat sorry for Wen Muye.

"I Am Not a Pharmacist" had already been submitted for project approval, and Wen Muye’s film definitely couldn’t be made now.

Shaking his head, Xu Zheng took out his phone and dialed Wen Muye’s number.

"Xiao Wen, that script you sent me, I’ve just read it, you can’t make this movie," Xu Zheng said.

"Why?" Wen Muye was somewhat confused, not understanding what Xu Zheng meant.

Why couldn’t it be made?

You could say my script isn’t good, or that the theme of my script isn’t appealing, but you can’t say it can’t be made.

There’s no rule now that says movies of this genre can’t be made.

"Xiao Wen, the thing is, the movie I’m directing and starring in is just like your script; we’ve already applied for approval. There’s been a collision, you just finished the first draft, it definitely can’t be made now," Xu Zheng explained.

"What!" Wen Muye was completely dumbfounded.

It had taken him five months to write this first draft. During that time, he’d consulted a great deal of material and sought many people involved.

He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep while writing this screenplay and had lost nearly ten pounds.

And now, Xu Zheng was telling him that there’d been a clash, that Xu Zheng was making a movie with almost the same story.

Was fate playing tricks on him?

Had his past few months been wasted?

"Xiao Wen, don’t be disheartened. With your talent, I believe you’ll definitely be able to write an even better script in the future," Xu Zheng encouraged.

It had to be said, Xu Zheng’s character was quite commendable, still encouraging Wen Muye at this time.

"Director Xu, who’s the screenwriter for this movie you’ve taken on?" Wen Muye asked.

He wanted to know who, like him, wanted to bring Chen Yong’s story to the big screen.

He and the other had minds that thought alike and he wanted to meet them.

"This person isn’t a professional screenwriter, and you wouldn’t know him even if I told you," Xu Zheng said with a laugh.

"Director Xu, it’s fine, I just want to know the name," Wen Muye said.

"Alright, his name is Shen Dong," Xu Zheng revealed the name but didn’t give away any other information about Shen Dong.

"Shen Dong... could it be the Shen Dong who invested in ’The Battle Tiger’?" Wen Muye exclaimed in surprise.

"Heh, that’s him," Xu Zheng said with a laugh.

"It’s really him!"

Wen Muye could hardly believe it.

Shen Dong had even called him, inviting him to direct a movie; could it be that it was this movie?

"Alright, Xiao Wen, I’m busy now, goodbye." Xu Zheng hung up the phone.

Wen Muye, however, scrolled through his call history, found Shen Dong’s number, and dialed it.

Soon, the call connected.

"Hello, Mr. Shen," Wen Muye said.

"You are..." Shen Dong didn’t remember Wen Muye’s number, and without a contact name, he didn’t realize it was Wen Muye calling.

"Mr. Shen, hello, I am Wen Muye," Wen Muye quickly introduced himself.

"Director Wen, what can I do for you?" Shen Dong asked.

"Mr. Shen, you called me last time because you wanted to invite me to direct a movie, right? Is it the movie that Xu is about to shoot?" Wen Muye said.

"Yes, but it’s a pity you didn’t have the time," Shen Dong replied with a smile.

"I have time now; I admit I was preoccupied with something else, but now I’ve finished all that. I’m willing to direct the movie," Wen Muye said.

"I’m sorry, Director Wen, but Xu Zheng has already been chosen as the director for that film. If there’s a script that suits you in the future, I will contact you again," Shen Dong said, still smiling.

"Mr. Shen, what I was busy with was writing a screenplay, which is about the same story you want to shoot for your movie. I have a deep understanding of the characters and have thoroughly researched the story. I believe I am the best candidate for the director of this film. Please let me take on the role," Wen Muye didn’t want to miss such an opportunity.

He could have been the director of his own screenplay.

But since Shen Dong came up with the screenplay first, he had no choice but to ask Shen Dong for a chance to direct.

Although he knew Shen Dong had already hired Xu Zheng, he still wanted to try; what if it worked out?

"Director Wen, as I said, Xu Zheng has already been appointed as the director, and it’s not possible to change that now," Shen Dong stated.

"Mr. Shen, I only need one-fifth of Xu’s directorial fee. What do you think?" Wen Muye persisted.

"Director Wen, it’s not about the money. A man must be trustworthy. Since I’ve already hired Xu Zheng to direct, I can’t break the agreement. How would Xu Zheng view me? How would others see me? How could I work with anyone in the future? Let’s cooperate some other time, goodbye."

Shen Dong hung up the phone.

Indeed, hiring Wen Muye as the director would have been the best choice.

After all, the system had indicated that it was Wen Muye who had made "I Am Not a Pharmacist" a success.

But, since Wen Muye had initially refused, there was nothing to be done.

He believed that with Xu Zheng’s directorial skills, the result would not be inferior to what Wen Muye would have produced, and it could even be better.

Especially since Xu Zheng was originally the main actor.

Moreover, it was evident that Xu Zheng genuinely liked the movie.

Besides, he had given Xu Zheng a ten percent investment quota in the movie; Xu Zheng would definitely put his heart into making it.

Considering these factors, Shen Dong wasn’t worried in the least that Xu Zheng wouldn’t do a good job.

On the other end of the line, Wen Muye’s face looked terrible.

"What should I do? What now?"

"I can’t miss this opportunity."

"Right, Xu Zheng said the movie is in the pre-production phase. If I manage to get my movie into production and approved before theirs, then it will work out."

Wen Muye was anxious, but his eyes suddenly lit up, and he immediately contacted Penguin Film Industry.

While writing the screenplay, he had been looking for investors and had approached Penguin Film Industry.

With deep pockets, Penguin Film Industry showed great interest and agreed to invest.

They even told him to finish the screenplay quickly, as money was no object.

...

Not long after Shen Dong had hung up with Wen Muye, he received a call from a director at Penguin Film Industry.

They expressed a desire for a share of the investment in "I Am Not a Pharmacist."

With the immense conglomerate Penguin Group backing it, Penguin Film Industry was destined to be a heavyweight player in the movie industry from the start.

Shen Dong was very pleased that Penguin Film Industry wanted a share of "I Am Not a Pharmacist."

The more heavy-hitting film companies that invested, the smoother the shooting would be and the more guaranteed the box office.

However, after some discussion, the two parties did not come to an agreement.

Because Penguin Film Industry asked for half the investment on the spot.

Since he himself held half the investment share, giving half to Penguin Film Industry would leave no portion for others.

Unless he himself chose to give up some of his share.

But this was his film; concessions were out of the question.

Penguin Film Industry, relying on its substantial power, wanted as much as it wished and was unwilling to settle for less.

Shen Dong didn’t indulge them, and flatly rejected the offer.

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