Chinese entertainment: What's wrong with actresses wanting to improve?

Chapter 42 Clash

On November 25, the atmosphere in Fu Yibai's office was quiet.

The winter sun shines through the blinds outside the window, casting stripes of light and dark on the polished floor.

Zhao Qi and Lin Wei sat opposite each other at the desk, their expressions solemn.

"Mr. Fu, Ms. Fan's situation is more complicated than we expected."

Zhao Qi spoke first, pushing a well-organized document in front of Fu Yibai.

"First, there's the issue of timing."

On December 17, "Cell Phone," co-produced by Huayi Brothers, China Film Group, and Columbia Pictures, was released nationwide.

Ms. Fan plays Wu Yue in the film, an important female character.

The film has entered its intensive promotional period, and she is an indispensable part of that promotion.

Fu Yibai frowned slightly and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

He certainly remembered Feng Xiaogang's blockbuster of the year, "Cellphone," which had achieved great box office success and generated a lot of buzz.

Fan Binbin won the Best Actress award at the Hundred Flowers Awards for her role as Wu Yue, which was an important recognition of her acting skills in her early career.

Terminating the contract at this critical juncture...

"If we propose to terminate the contract now, it could even be a matter of information being leaked."

Lin Wei replied, her tone serious.

"Huayi can sue Ms. Fan for breach of contract, as it affects the film's promotion and box office performance."

This would not only completely sever ties with Huayi Brothers, but also offend China Film Group and Columbia Pictures.

China Film Group and we just had a great collaboration, and then there's President Han...

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Fu Yibai nodded.

This is indeed a tricky problem.

At the same time, offending domestic private giants, "national teams," and Hollywood big studios is something Morningstar Media doesn't have the capital for, nor is it necessary.

"Therefore, the termination of the contract must be postponed until after the release of 'Cell Phone,' or at least until the box office results are settled."

"That's one point."

Zhao Qi turned to the next page of the document, her expression somewhat complicated.

"Secondly, when we were reviewing Ms. Fan's agency contract and related finances with Huayi, we found some... irregularities."

The main focus is on taxation. Several large sums of endorsement income and commercial activity fees were handled in a rather "flexible" manner, raising clear suspicions of tax avoidance. If investigated further, this could constitute tax evasion.

Fu Yibai's eyes narrowed.

He only knew that Fan Binbin would suffer a major setback due to tax issues in later generations, but he never expected that the root cause had been sown so early.

As one of the most successful companies in the industry, Huayi Brothers does indeed employ some "shady tactics" in handling the finances of its artists.

This is both a weakness and a ticking time bomb.

"Is the amount large?" he asked.

"From a preliminary look, the amount involved in Ms. Fan's personal matters, including both compensation and fines, is not a small sum."

But for Huayi as a whole, this is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

Zhao Qi answered cautiously.

"We only conducted an external investigation and do not have specific evidence, but judging from Huayi's usual approach to handling such matters, this situation should not be an isolated case."

Fu Yibai leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.

The office was quiet for a moment, with only the slight sound of the air conditioner blowing air.

Tax issues are absolutely off-limits.

This is a red line; whoever crosses it dies.

Not only should Fan Binbin stay away, but Chenxi Media must also absolutely not get involved.

Conversely, if this hidden danger can be properly dealt with and eliminated, it might become a tacit bargaining chip when negotiating with Huayi.

"Is Fan Binbin aware of this matter?"

Fu Yibai asked.

"I may not know all the details, but I roughly know that some operations are 'not quite the same'."

Lin Wei answered.

"She didn't really care about these things before; the company and Sister Hua handled them."

"She must understand, and it must be dealt with immediately."

Fu Yibai's tone was decisive.

"It was not handled in the way that Huayi does, but rather in a completely legal and compliant manner."

Find the most reliable financial and legal counsel to proactively pay all possible taxes and late fees in Fan Binbin's personal name, without worrying about the cost.

"We need to act quickly, but discreetly. We absolutely cannot alert the tax authorities, and even more importantly, we cannot let Huayi find out that we are investigating this."

Zhao Qi immediately understood.

"Understood.

We will arrange for someone we absolutely trust to help Ms. Fan clarify all her historical accounts under the guise of "tax self-audit and optimization," and to make up for any outstanding amounts.

"Can."

Fu Yibai nodded.

"This is the highest priority; you oversee it personally."

"As for the termination date."

Fu Yibai continued to make arrangements.

"Let's postpone it for now, until after the New Year."

By then, "Cellphone" will have finished its theatrical run, and some things can be resolved peacefully if possible.

Inside the meeting room, Fu Yibai's decision relieved both Zhao Qi and Lin Wei.

Postponing the termination of the contract and handling tax issues discreetly is currently the safest option.

After they finished their report, the two left together.

On the evening of November 28, Fu Yibai and Wang Peng were reviewing the final cut of "No Country for Old Men" at the company when Liu Yan gently knocked on the door and came in, her expression somewhat grave.

"Mr. Fu, Mr. Wang Zhongjun is calling your office landline directly."

Fu Yibai frowned slightly.

It was unusual for Wang Zhongjun to call his office directly instead of making an appointment through his assistant.

"You keep an eye on things, I'm going to take this call."

After saying that, Fu Yibai left the screening room.

Back in the office, the phone connected, and Wang Zhongjun's voice came through, lacking his usual smooth and friendly manner, carrying a suppressed coldness.

"Director Fu, are you busy?"

"Mr. Wang, is there something you need?"

Fu Yibai spoke calmly.

"There's something I wanted to confirm with Director Fu."

Wang Zhongjun paused.

"I heard that Director Fu's Chenxi Media has recently been in contact with artists from our Huayi?"

"Isn't that reaching a little too far?"

really.

Fu Yibai's mind raced. The other party must have already obtained some clues, otherwise they wouldn't have launched such a direct attack.

He remained expressionless.

"What makes you say that, Mr. Wang?"

Talent mobility is normal in the industry. Chenxi is indeed building a team and is contacting actors whose contracts have expired or friends who have a clear intention to seek new development.

"I wonder which one Mr. Wang is referring to?"

"Let's not beat around the bush, Director Fu."

Wang Zhongjun's voice turned somber.

"Binbin still has a long-term contract with Huayi, and she is crucial to the development of Huayi."

Regardless of the rumors circulating outside, or the sweet talk some people have given her, Huayi will never easily let go of its core artists.

Director Fu is a smart man; he should know that forcing things won't work. Poaching someone's core assets breaks the rules, and it will be difficult to see them in the industry afterward.

This is a blatant warning.

Fu Yibai chuckled lightly, his tone still steady, but with a hint of sharpness.

"Mr. Wang, the rules are set by everyone, but people have the right to make their own choices."

Artists are not assets; they are individuals with independent will.

Where she wants to develop her career ultimately depends on where she can find a better platform and more respect.

If Huayi truly considers her a "core asset," then they should be thinking about how to retain her talent, rather than threatening her with contracts.

As for whether we can meet again...

He drew out his words slightly.

"The market is so big, everyone has to rely on their own abilities to make a living."

Chenxi Media only wants to focus on creating good content and signing suitable actors; it has no intention of making enemies with anyone.

But if anyone thinks we're easy to bully, they'd better think twice.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. Wang Zhongjun was clearly not expected Fu Yibai to be so tough, and he was not intimidated at all by the accusation of "breaking the rules".

"Director Fu is young and impetuous, I can understand that."

When Wang Zhongjun spoke again, his tone was colder.

"But some things can't be accomplished with just enthusiasm."

Huayi has been in the industry for so many years, and Director Fu may not be very familiar with its connections, resources, and methods.

Is it worth jeopardizing a promising career for an artist?

I advised Director Fu to think twice and back down now; it would save face for everyone.