230: Job-hopping saga! Zhao Fan: As long as... then let's see who dares to talk about me behind my back.

For the next period of time, the box office performance of 'crazy stone' remained very impressive.

It was also quite outstanding among the recently released films.

But it was slightly regrettable that it ultimately failed to reach the height of 'summer fall'.

Its single-day box office also did not achieve the astonishing figure of over 100 million.

Of course, this was in comparison to Da Xu Culture's first film, 'summers melancholy'.

If only compared to films released during the same period, 'Stone' was definitely a genuine dark horse.

Because one point cannot be ignored: the investment for 'Stone' was only five million.

Its cost was only one-tenth of 'summer fall'.

For such a low-budget movie to break into the top three in box office among films released during the same period, it had already stunned many filmmakers.

At the same time, a young man named 'Zhao Fan' also entered the sights of many people in the film industry.

Yes!

This Zhao Fan was the director of 'crazy stone'.

As a newcomer, being able to produce a masterpiece like 'Stone' with a box office of four or five hundred million quickly made him famous in the industry.

As socializing increased, various temptations followed.

At first, Zhao Fan could still maintain his original intention.

He felt that his ability to film 'Stone' was due to good luck, and mainly because the script provided by Director Xu was amazing; he had only followed the steps to shoot it.

But as more and more people praised him, Zhao Fan's mindset gradually changed.

Yes!

A good script is indeed an important factor for a movie's success, but is the Director truly insignificant?

There are so many good scripts in the film industry, so why are there so few directors who manage to make them hits?

Moreover, the effects produced by different directors using the same script are completely different?

Once his thoughts reached this point, Zhao Fan began to rightfully enjoy the praise of others.

And as the 'corrosion' deepened further, he gradually became dissatisfied with the treatment offered by Great Xu.

He was a famous Director who helped produce a movie with over four hundred million in box office, shouldn't he be given at least a ten-million annual salary?

At the very least, he should be given a ten percent share of the box office revenue.

A one-million bonus?

Is this how you dismiss a beggar?

"Director Zhao, I feel like we are old friends today. To be honest, our company is currently lacking a powerful Director. If Director Zhao can jump ship and join us, I definitely won't treat you unfairly!"

During a social engagement, the boss of a company extended an olive branch to Zhao Fan.

In fact, it wasn't the first time he had been offered an olive branch, but the company boss opposite him was the one with the highest standing.

After the person secretly whispered a number in his ear, Zhao Fan's eyes lost focus..."President Xu, are you busy right now? I have a situation here that I need to report to you!"

Xu Lu had just finished dealing with matters on the set when he received a call from Director Tang of Da Xu Culture. Her tone was anxious, clearly indicating she had encountered something difficult.

Xu Lu immediately said:

"What is it? Tell me!"

"President Xu, here's the situation: Zhao Fan just requested to terminate his contract with Da Xu Culture. He... he said that he has made so many contributions to Da Xu Culture, yet we are so stingy towards him..."

Tang Siqiao was quite agitated; clearly, Zhao Fan's words had infuriated her.

Tang Siqiao was very clear on how 'Stone' was filmed.

In the beginning, Director Xu provided the complete script, and the Producer on Great Xu's side handled the other trivial matters.

Zhao Fan, as the Director, merely completed the shooting content in a satisfactory manner.

Yet now, according to him, this movie 'Stone', which achieved a box office of over four hundred million, could not have been filmed without Zhao Fan!

"President Xu, if only we had given him a stricter contract earlier. Now, even if he wants to terminate it, he doesn't have to pay much. This is too infuriating!"

Tang Siqiao said glumly.

Xu Lu smiled and said:

"It's fine. If he wants to terminate the contract, let him. People coming and going in a company is normal. If Zhao Fan wants to leave, don't stop him; just let him go... And the same goes for everyone else."

Compared to Tang Siqiao's indignation, Xu Lu himself actually didn't feel too angry.

It is obvious whose loss it is when a Director who thinks his wings are fully grown leaves Da Xu Culture.

Da Xu Culture is not lacking Directors now; if one leaves, they can just hire another.

Hearing Xu Lu say this, Tang Siqiao agreed.

But she still complained:

"President Xu, you are just too generous. How could Zhao Fan have become famous overnight if not for the support of Da Xu Culture?

Now he complains that he received too little. If you ask me, someone outside must have poached him, and claiming he received too little is just this guy trying to shift the blame!"

The news that the newly famous Zhao Fan wanted to terminate his contract with Da Xu Culture quickly caused a stir within the company.

Everyone unanimously agreed that Zhao Fan was a guy who abandoned righteousness for profit.

It was only because the person hadn't dared to show up at the company since proposing the termination, otherwise, he would probably have been scorned into complete shame:

"He has no conscience! If Director Xu hadn't given him a good script, how could this Zhao guy be where he is today?"

"Exactly, this guy can't possibly think the success of 'Stone' was all his ability, that's hilarious."

"Just wait. Once he leaves Da Xu Culture, I predict this Zhao Fan will quickly reveal his true colors. His limited skill level can't support a major production at all."

"That's right, anyone with eyes can see that 'Stone' exploding in popularity was entirely due to President Xu's script.

Everyone had suggested earlier that President Xu should direct 'Stone' himself, but unfortunately, President Xu went off to film 'kung fu'."

...Zhao Fan's sudden departure from Da Xu Culture clearly had more than just this impact; people in the industry quickly learned the news.

For a time, some lamented, others scoffed.

Some felt that Da Xu Culture suffered a great loss this time, failing to keep a major Director who could produce a blockbuster film.

Others felt that this Director named Zhao Fan was foolish for choosing to leave the place where he achieved fame and success.

But all in all, Zhao Fan still arrived at his new employer.

What made him slightly surprised yet uneasy was that his new employer quickly arranged a script for him.

As a Director, having a script to film is not inherently unsettling, but if the script's name is 'kung fu legend', even Zhao Fan felt a moment of guilt.

President Xu, his former employer, was filming 'kung fu'. If he filmed 'kung fu legend', any fool would know this was a targeted move.

Furthermore, Zhao Fan was a little intimidated by President Xu's directing skill.

Fortunately, the new employer—the boss who poached him—quickly gave him a series of mental boosts.

This helped Zhao Fan regain his confidence, and after he finished reading the script called 'kung fu legend', his confidence grew even stronger.

Because he found the script to be genuinely good, perhaps even... far surpassing Da Xu Culture's 'kung fu'?

That's right, Zhao Fan had actually read the 'kung fu' script, which is why he could make this comparison.

At this point, Zhao Fan, who had been slightly uneasy, instantly felt justified:

"As long as the box office for my 'kung fu legend' is higher than 'kung fu', we'll see who still dares to talk behind my back then!"