Chapter 113: Xinle Film and Television Company

Chapter 113: Xinle Film and Television Company

Among the younger generation of directors, none attracted more attention than Zhang Le; he was the most renowned and, naturally, the one with the greatest achievements.

At just twenty-four or twenty-five, there were few directors capable of independently taking the helm.

“Nightclub” was Tang Xiao’s second work, yet his reputation had already grown considerably. This fame, however, was not due to the popularity of his films but rather because of his close friendship with Zhang Le and Feng Lei.

Zhang Le gradually stepped out from the shadow of fame gained through Yang Xin’er by demonstrating his own talent, but Tang Xiao was still troubled by this. His situation was even more unfortunate. When Zhang Le achieved something, it would never be attributed to Yang Xin’er.

However, Tang Xiao’s two works were often overlooked because their screenwriter and producer was Zhang Le, causing many to ignore Tang Xiao’s efforts and credit Zhang Le instead.

Did Tang Xiao have talent? Of course. As someone who had studied abroad, he possessed both talent and ability—it was just that he wasn’t as dazzling as Zhang Le, who seemed to have an unfair advantage.

Zhang Le was fully aware of this, so he decided not to write the script for "Charlotte's Troubles" as he had done before. Instead, he let Tang Xiao write it himself. After Tang Xiao finished, Zhang Le would offer some opinions and suggestions, not even planning to attach his name to it.

Tang Xiao understood Zhang Le’s intentions and did not refuse. Among Zhang Le, Feng Lei, and himself, they never held back. When relationships reach a certain depth, politeness becomes insincere and harms their bond.

Just as Feng Lei had once helped Zhang Le, Zhang Le did not refuse. Besides, Tang Xiao was not one to reap the rewards of others’ labor without effort.

Feng Lei was gradually stepping out from his father’s shadow and gaining recognition. When people mentioned him, they no longer thought of him as the son of Feng Yuan but rather for his own film works.

This was the norm in the entertainment industry: whether singer, actor, or director, one needed a signature work to stand out.

“Nightclub” was not a “three-no” production—no obscure director, no name cast, no budget. Its release date was well-chosen, avoiding blockbusters. It wasn’t a unique standout but faced no serious competition either. Its screening rate was good, and both box office and reviews were favorable. Though some complained about product placements, it couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of devoted fans.

Nowadays, comedy films were the most welcomed, as society had become too oppressive.

The success of “Nightclub” surprised many when Zhang Le spent a hefty sum acquiring a nearly bankrupt special effects company. He invested heavily in importing equipment and technology from the United States and even poached talented special effects technicians back to China with generous offers.

Special effects were rarely used in Chinese films, which was why many domestic special effects companies had gone bankrupt—special effects were expensive. Given the investment scale typical in Chinese films, it was simply unaffordable.

For large-budget films, if they couldn’t be released overseas, relying solely on the still rapidly developing domestic market was too risky. But as the domestic market matured, the use of special effects in films became a norm.

Zhang Le was clearly aiming to stay ahead. Yet this move carried enormous risk.

Within the industry, the news caused quite a stir, but it barely registered among the general public.

Xinle Film Studio’s profits over the past two years made many domestic film companies envious. Several films produced and shot by them had not lost money; rather, they earned substantial profits. Zhang Le’s “Crazy Stone” and “Flirting Scholar” were well-known, and although the low-budget “Nightclub” was not as wildly successful as “Crazy Stone,” it still drew envy from many film companies.

This was one reason why Zhang Le acquired the special effects company and invested so heavily—he had the means.

With Xinle Film Studio’s rapid growth, continuing as a studio was clearly limiting. Transforming into a film and television company was inevitable.

Zhang Le had little opinion on this; he rarely involved himself in company management. Yang Xin’er, however, invested more effort and even poached talent from other film companies.

After “Nightclub” ran for a month, it grossed over 200 million yuan, becoming another typical example of a small-budget film beating the odds after “Crazy Stone.” This marked the end of Xinle Film Studio’s chapter.

With Zhang Le’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” set to release, Xinle Film and Television Company would officially debut its name. They would no longer rely on others; the company would establish its own distribution department, making this film their first self-produced and self-distributed release.

The company’s reorganization was completed just as New Year’s Eve arrived.

Entertainers, especially singers, were busiest during this period, with countless commercial performances. But this had little to do with Zhang Le or Yang Xin’er—they no longer needed to earn money through such means.

More importantly, they no longer had to be sent running around by the company, used merely as money-making tools.

Watching the Spring Festival Gala on New Year’s Eve had long become a tradition for families across China.

“Little brother, are you coming back for the Lantern Festival this year?” Zhang Huan asked his father. He had been busy with the resort project and hadn’t had time to inquire. Now, with New Year’s Eve free of tasks, he finally asked.

“He called earlier and said he’d be spending Lantern Festival in Yanjing,” Zhang Yongli replied.

“Why not come over to Xin’er’s place?” Zhang Huan said, glancing at his wife Lin Yun’s belly and the baby she carried. “Will he be back this year? His nephew is already a few months old, and the uncle hasn’t even met him yet.”

“Probably,” Zhang Yongli nodded, pulling out a cigarette but then looking at his infant grandson and restraining himself before putting it away. “Besides, he and Xin’er are flying back tomorrow.”

“I say, old man, since Xiao Le and Xin’er are coming back, why not discuss letting the families meet? They’ve been together so long, yet the families have never met. Doesn’t that seem odd?” Yu Guihua suddenly spoke.

“We really don’t know much about Xin’er’s family. Apart from knowing she’s from Yanjing, Xiao Le never mentions anything. Whenever we ask, he changes the subject,” Zhang Huan agreed.

“Xin’er’s family should be well-off, right? There are rumors online that she has a strong background,” Lin Yun smiled.

“Can you trust online rumors? But no matter how strong the background, she’s still a daughter-in-law of the Zhang family. Xiao Le’s doing pretty well now,” Yu Guihua said.

“All right, all right! We’ll find out when they come back,” Zhang Yongli said. “Watch the TV, watch the TV! Who knows when Xiao Le and Xin’er will appear.”

Fewer young people now stayed in front of the TV to watch the Spring Festival Gala. Yet Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er’s appearance drew many young viewers, bringing back some of the festive atmosphere to many households.

Yang Xin’er appeared first, dressed in a red qipao that was festive yet elegant, gracefully revealing her alluring figure without a trace of impropriety.

The Spring Festival Gala’s musical performances were always tight on time, with brief introductions. On the screen appeared the title of the song Yang Xin’er was about to sing: “Come Home Often.” The credits for lyrics and composition unmistakably bore one name: Zhang Le.

“Find some free time, find some moments to take the child and come home often. Bring a smile, bring your wishes, accompany your loved ones, come home often. Mom has prepared some scolding, Dad has arranged a big meal. Share life’s troubles with Mom, talk about work with Dad. Come home often, come home often...”