Chapter 62: What a small world, Director Chen.

"What? You didn't secure the copyright? How do you guys handle things? You recommended this work to me, and now you tell me the copyright wasn't acquired?" Director Chen, the renowned poet-turned-director, said, half-laughing in exasperation when he received the call.

However, New Classics Media had their own grievances.

Weren't there plenty of works they had recommended to Director Chen back then?

Besides, Director Chen hadn't talked like that initially; he hadn't cared at all, right?

But who could argue with him being a major director?

"It's like this, Director Chen. The adaptation rights for *Death on the Internet* were bought by Grand Century Pictures. We approached the company, but they are completely unwilling to sell. They probably want to produce it themselves," said Cao Huayi of New Classics Media.

"We can cooperate, then. Didn't you tell them I'm the one who wants to direct this movie?" Director Chen said dismissively.

He figured that if the other party knew he had taken a fancy to the project, even if they were initially reluctant to sell, they would undoubtedly come running eagerly to seek a collaboration.

Who was he? He was the prestigious Director Chen! Among all domestic companies, who could possibly refuse a chance to collaborate with him?

Moreover, as for this Grand Century Pictures, he had never even heard of it. It certainly couldn't be a major company. Could such a small company really turn down an opportunity like pie falling from the sky?

That's right; in his view, since he had taken an interest in their project and didn't mind cooperating, it was precisely like pie falling from the sky for such a small company.

Actually, his reasoning wasn't entirely wrong.

If it were any other small film company, upon hearing such news, they would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to collaborate without a second thought.

Initially, New Classics Media had thought the same way.

Why were they bending over backward to find projects that interested Old Chen? Wasn't it precisely because they wanted to collaborate with Director Chen?

If even New Classics Media felt that way, it went without saying for a newly established small company.

Yet, the outcome went completely against their expectations.

In fact, after learning the reason, Cao Huayi was inwardly cursing Director Chen for spouting nonsense and making empty threats over nothing.

However, he certainly couldn't tell Director Chen that. Instead, he coughed twice and said, "Ahem, this company belongs to Chen Mo, the director who made the internet movie *Mr. Vampire*."

Upon hearing this, Director Chen instantly felt a bit out of sorts.

Mainly because he recalled the names of both the movie and the director immediately.

What was this? Enemies meeting on a narrow road?

He was a rather stubborn and proud person. To be honest, even though *Mr. Vampire* seemed to have been shot quite decently, he still looked down on it.

Not to mention, back then, the other party had used that kind of tactic to hitchhike for publicity.

Yet he truly was very interested in the work *Death on the Internet*, and he had numerous ideas for it. He even had a preferred choice for the lead actor. If he were to just give up like that, he would genuinely feel unreconciled.

The more Director Chen thought about it, the more irritated he became. Of course he wasn't short of projects, but what he lacked were projects that could catch his eye.

How did that saying go?

What you cannot get is always stirring up trouble—that described Director Chen at this exact moment.

Originally, he might have only had a mild interest, thinking it looked decent without feeling it was an absolute must-direct. But now, it had genuinely turned into an urge that he had to acquire it no matter what.

Only, he and Chen Mo had never met, and they could even be considered to have a slight grudge previously.

As for Chen Mo? He didn't care much about the matter. Unlike Teng Huatao—Chen Mo had only met Teng Huatao to stick a needle into Wen Zhang—there was no need for him to sell the copyright to Director Chen.

The filming of *Love Is Not Blind* was nearing its end.

However, Chen Mo had to pause production because Ning Hao's *Crazy Stone* was about to be released.

As an investor, Chen Mo naturally had to go and show his support.

Galloping Horse Film was responsible for the film's distribution and was preparing to hold a premiere.

To be honest, compared to others, the premiere of *Crazy Stone* was somewhat modest.

Most of the people attending to show support came out of regard for Galloping Horse Film.

Of course, the protagonist Ning Hao had finally reached the end of his hardships; his experiences in this lifetime were indeed quite extraordinary.

The two were old acquaintances. After a brief chat, Ning Hao had to go and greet other guests.

As Chen Mo was exchanging pleasantries with Ning Hao and Li Mingzheng, a staff member hurriedly walked over and said, "Director Ning, Chairman Li, Director Chen has arrived!"

"What? Why is he here?" Both Li Ming and Ning Hao were startled.

"Did Chairman Li invite him?" Ning Hao asked in surprise.

"No, the company has never collaborated with him, and we didn't send him an invitation. Regardless, let's go out and welcome him," Li Ming shook his head. Although he was baffled, he immediately showed the proper respect to the prestigious director.

Chen Mo was quite surprised as well, though he hadn't given it much thought.

Soon, a group of people went to the entrance to welcome Director Chen.

"Ha ha, I came uninvited! Pardon the intrusion!" Director Chen said with a smile, arm-in-arm with Chen Hong.

"Not at all, not at all. We didn't expect you to come, Director Chen. It's truly an honor!" Ning Hao said excitedly.

"Director Chen!"

"Director Chen!"

Everyone greeted him one after another.

Li Ming and Ning Hao escorted Director Chen and his wife inside.

They were seated in the front row. Whether by coincidence or not, they were separated from Chen Mo by only a few seats.

To everyone's surprise, Director Chen actually swapped seats with someone nearby, ending up sitting right next to Chen Mo.

Even if Chen Mo were a fool, he would have guessed something by this point.

It was just that Chen Mo hadn't expected Director Chen to care so much about *Search* (the novel's adapted title), even going so far as to make an uninvited appearance at the premiere.

"Director Young Chen, *Mr. Vampire* was well made!" Director Chen suddenly turned his head and said to Chen Mo.

"Thank you for the praise, Director Chen. It was just a small-scale attempt," Chen Mo replied.

"You hold the copyright to *Death on the Internet*?" Director Chen transitioned directly to the topic.

"Yes. Something happened to me a while back, so I could really empathize. Just as I happened to see the novel, I acquired it," Chen Mo said with a smile.

Chen Mo's words left Director Chen momentarily silenced.

Since he had come, he naturally had done some research and knew that Chen Mo had indeed been subjected to online cyberbullying earlier. Of course, his experience wasn't the same kind of cyberbullying depicted in *Search*.

Even so, the explanation made complete sense.

"Are you planning to direct it yourself?" Director Chen asked with a frown.

"Yes! Is there a problem?" Chen Mo retorted.

"Realistic-themed films aren't easy to make. Jumping straight from internet movies to theatrical features, and diving right into a realistic theme—that's too big a leap," Director Chen shook his head.

Just then, the premiere officially began, leaving Director Chen with no more room to say anything further.

"How about this? We can communicate when we have time. I'm also very interested in this work," Director Chen added shortly after.

"Alright!" Chen Mo nodded.

While selling it was out of the question, there was no need to make things unnecessarily hostile.