Li Chen’s promise at the Shanghai Theatre Academy that he would definitely sign a student from their institution in the future was what made the students cheer.
However, regarding the casting for “so young,” which the Shanghai Theatre Academy students eagerly anticipated,
Li Chen simply told them to check Rongchen Film and Television’s official website in the next two days.
After saying that, Li Chen even deliberately glanced at Jiang Shuying in the crowd.
Jiang Shuying, sitting not far from the stage, squeezed in with her roommates, smiled brightly and didn't notice.
Li Chen thought that the role of the school beauty might truly be none other than Jiang Shuying.
Among girls in their early twenties who could truly be called a school beauty, Li Chen had only seen two and a half so far.
Of course, Miss Liu was excluded; she could already be elected president of the beauty association.
One of them was Jiang Shuying, right in front of him.
The other was Jing Tian, the round-faced girl who was with Lu Zheng that day.
Both possessed a bright and elegant temperament.
For their age group, their advantages were significant.
Liu Shishi from the Beijing Dance Academy had already debuted.
However, the drama she starred in, “Moon Shadow Wind Lotus,” really didn't show the temperament of the Tang Dynasty poet immortal of later generations.
The 'half' was Qiu Ya, whom he met during a roadshow at the Central Academy of Drama a while ago.
That is, the school beauty in “charlotte troubles.”
Although she was only a sophomore now, the Central Academy of Drama had completely opened up.
They turned a blind eye to freshmen and sophomores taking on acting roles.
He heard that Qiu Ya’s classmate, Tong Liya, was also chosen by Er Dongsheng.
She was about to star in the TV series “New Endless Love,” but at this time, Tong Liya was thinner and darker compared to Qiu Ya.
This didn't match the school beauty temperament Li Chen needed.
After leaving the Shanghai Theatre Academy campus, everyone simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief as soon as they got into the car.
Shen Teng smiled like a sunflower: “Director Li, Yifei’s popularity is too explosive; we were all isolated by the fans.”
“Those who didn’t know would probably think we were all movie fans too.”
Indeed, Liu Yifei’s fans completely treated Shen Teng and the others as mere passersby.
“Who says it isn’t so? Even your popularity, Li Chen, is slightly inferior,” Xue Xiaolu joked.
The people in the car couldn't help but smile, and Liu Yifei’s face flushed slightly as she looked at Li Chen with a smile.
Actually, how could it be “slightly inferior”? The gap was huge, okay?
Li Chen didn't mind, glancing at the smiling Miss Liu, and said with a laugh.
“Sister Lu, you don’t need to save face for me. I know my place and won’t compare myself to her.”
“She’s currently one of the new generation’s four top actresses in the hearts of the vast number of netizens; there’s no comparison!”
Some time ago, the four top actresses selected by netizens
Unexpectedly excluded three veterans: Xu Jinglei, Zhao Wei, and Zhang Ziyi.
Only Zhou Xun was retained.
The three who replaced them were Wan Renmi, Huang Shengyi, and Liu Yifei.
Wan Renmi goes without saying; Li Chen felt she deserved it.
But for Huang Shengyi to also be selected, Li Chen could only sigh at Stephen Chow’s powerful star-making ability and say nothing more.
A mute girl, with just a few tears,
Created an invincible pure screen image, deeply capturing the hearts of a large number of netizens.
But they would soon know if she was truly pure.
He heard that the new Star Girl had already fainted several times under Stephen Chow’s harsh devil training program.
She also had to run 10,000 meters every day, learn various body postures, and her diet was strictly controlled in all aspects.
Stephen Chow had already issued a strict order.
Except for the impressive 35D on her chest, which couldn't be reduced, all other areas must be slimmed down!
As for Miss Liu, although her roles in several ancient costume dramas were repeatedly criticized as pale, it did not affect the love of college students and netizens for her.
Her two red carpet appearances were even more stunning.
In addition, Yang Siwei’s all-round, multi-channel, parallel effort to create a ‘white moonlight’ image spread like a virus on the internet.
A thousand people have a thousand Hamlets in their hearts.
A generation has only one white moonlight in their hearts.
Is it the celestial Wang Yuyan?
Is it the pure and sweet Zhao Ling'er?
Is it the white-clad Little Dragon Girl?
Or Shen Jiayi, from “those years” we chased together?
These discussion threads, through Yang Siwei’s operation, quickly fermented on major forums and tieba.
Liu Yifei’s popularity was almost off the charts.
Her blog followers also surged upwards.
Leaving other blog celebrities like Xu Jinglei and Li Bingbing far behind.
These two updated their blogs more frequently than they ate.
Especially Li Bingbing, her spirit of writing blogs day and night moved a large number of netizens.
Beijing
Today, Lu Zheng had an appointment to meet Xu Zheng, the newly appointed director of the “Two Hundred Million Club,” at the Chang'an Club.
Xu Zheng had a vague guess about the purpose of Mr. Lu’s visit, but he wasn’t entirely sure.
He had been fortunate enough to visit the Chang'an Club once before, thanks to Director Li.
The founder of this club was the only female billionaire who “ate Tang Sanzang’s flesh.”
Its member representatives included the famous Li Chaoren from Hong Kong.
And the grandfather of Zhang Ziyi’s Hong Kong tycoon boyfriend.
With his current net worth, even if he lost everything, he couldn't join the club.
Xu Zheng made a phone call, and someone came down to pick him up.
Last time, Director Li brought him to the ‘Sanyuan’ private room.
This time, Lu Zheng was waiting for him in the ‘Yipin’ private room.
Yipin, Yipin, Xu Zheng silently repeated in his heart.
Could it be that Mr. Lu behind him was truly a first-rank official?
“Director Xu, you’re here, please have a seat quickly.”
Lu Zheng stood up, and Jing Tian, beside him, smiled sweetly and greeted, “Director Xu.”
“Tian Tian.”
“Mr. Lu, you’ve set up such a grand display today, and honestly, I’m feeling a bit anxious,” Xu Zheng said with a laugh.
“Hahaha, what grand display is this? Does Director Xu have any dietary restrictions?”
Xu Zheng said no, and Lu Zheng then instructed the waiter to proceed as usual.
Xu Zheng smiled: “Mr. Lu, just say what you need to say, why go to all this trouble?”
“Director Xu is indeed straightforward. First, take a look at this script, what do you think?”
Lu Zheng took a document bag from Jing Tian’s hand.
Xu Zheng took it, understanding in his heart. He had thought they were after Director Li’s plays.
It turned out they had already prepared to produce and sell their own, and had their eyes on him.
That was fine; as long as the script was good, he could take it.
But after reading the script, Xu Zheng really couldn’t bear to dampen the confident Mr. Lu’s spirits.
What kind of rubbish was this? “anaconda horror”!
Xu Zheng glanced at it and thought it was “Anaconda.”
Jing Tian watched Director Xu with some apprehension.
Xu Zheng finished reading it in a few moments, secretly thinking how easy it was to trick these laymen out of their money.
This crappy script, even a roadside comic book was better than this.
He didn’t know how much this big spender, Mr. Lu, had paid.
Aside from borrowing the words “anaconda” from “Anaconda,” it was completely a fake.
Xu Zheng closed the script and placed it on the table.
He deliberated over his words: “Mr. Lu, forgive my bluntness, but the script is a bit thin. It’s clear it was specifically tailored for Tian Tian.”
Lu Zheng felt a slight displeasure in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged.
He still smiled and said: “Hehe, compared to Director Li, it’s certainly a bit lacking.”
“But I think it’s acceptable. If I wanted to invite Director Xu to direct, what would Director Xu think?”
Xu Zheng didn't even consider it and laughed: “Mr. Lu, I appreciate your kindness, but I want to rest for a while recently.”
Xu Zheng politely declined. He had just managed to break into the “Two Hundred Million Club” and didn't want to be a flash in the pan.
How could this “anaconda horror” even compare to Director Li’s script?
Director Li’s script fee, for buying a script like “anaconda horror,” could probably fill ten private rooms at the Chang'an Club.
Even if the script was weak, what's more, with a newcomer like Tian Tian as the female lead.
He couldn't imagine how terrible it would turn out.
Lu Zheng remained full of confidence: “Director Xu, don’t be in a hurry to refuse me. Listen to my conditions before making a decision.”
“Besides Tian Tian being the female lead, I will not interfere with any other actors; Director Xu will have full authority.”
“As for Director Xu’s directing fee, I’ll offer this amount.”
Lu Zheng held up one hand.
“If Director Xu is not satisfied, we can still discuss it!”
Xu Zheng secretly chuckled. Five million was indeed not low, but it underestimated him too much.
Zhang Yimou’s income for the entire past year, as reported by Forbes, was only about this amount.
Although many people felt it was unfair to Zhang Yimou, the bulk of the profit went to his partner, Zhang Weiping.
Zhang Weiping ate the meat, and Zhang Yimou drank the soup.
Only Zhang Yimou could tolerate it! Any other big director of equal stature would have thrown a tantrum and cursed long ago.
Director Li’s script fee had already risen to over twenty million.
Director Zhang was still earning a worker’s salary while doing the most expensive job.
Both were top directors in China, yet their treatment was vastly different.
“It’s not about the money, Mr. Lu.”
He had made it so clear, yet the other party still didn’t understand.
No ambitious big director would film a script like this; doing so would ruin their reputation.
Jing Tian was a bit disappointed, her small face instantly falling.
Lu Zheng saw that Xu Zheng truly didn’t want to take the job, then chuckled: “Since that’s the case, I won’t force you. When Director Xu wants to work in the future, we can collaborate again.”
“Okay, no problem.” Xu Zheng readily agreed.
In the future, if he lacked investment, he could indeed consider Mr. Lu.
No filmmaker dislikes such investors, who are similar to coal bosses.
“Except for the female lead, I don’t care about anything else. If you need money, come to me. Don’t bother me with other trivial matters.”
Soon, the waiter began to serve the dishes.
This single meal cost at least several years of an average worker’s salary in Beijing.
But those who could enter the Chang'an Club had a minimum net worth of fifty million, so they didn't care about such expenses.
“By the way, Director Xu, you’re familiar with Director Li. For the female lead of his ‘so young,’ do you think our Tian Tian would be suitable?”
Lu Zheng mentioned it seemingly casually, and Jing Tian’s eyes lit up again.
This was something her Uncle Lu had arranged in advance.
If Director Xu was unwilling to direct “anaconda horror,” he wouldn't be forced.
If Director Xu could help her get the lead role in “so young,” that would be even better.
This “anaconda horror” could be left unfilmed.
Xu Zheng glanced at Mr. Lu opposite him, thinking that the other party had indeed taken out double insurance.
Unfortunately, double insurance wasn't always reliable.
“Mr. Lu, I can’t interfere with Director Li’s casting. Recommending Tian Tian for an audition might be fine.”
“But to influence Director Li’s choice, I don’t have that much weight.”
Lu Zheng thought it through: “Director Xu, we are acquaintances after all. Can’t you think of a way, just a little hint?”
Looking at Mr. Lu, who seemed to have plenty of money, Xu Zheng smiled: “Mr. Lu, since we are acquaintances, I’ll be direct: Director Li doesn’t lack money.”
“You must have heard about his company’s profits last year, so I don’t need to say more, do I?”
“And I’m not afraid of you laughing, but the last time I came to this club was thanks to Director Li.”
“Haha, alright then, I’ll leave Tian Tian’s audition to Director Xu.” Lu Zheng raised his glass and said with a smile.
“I’ll do my best.”
At the same time, Li An and his assistant also met Liu’s Mother and Liu Yifei’s agent.
As Li Chen expected.
As soon as Liu’s Mother heard about nude scenes, explicit passionate scenes, and that her daughter would have to perform them herself, she immediately changed her expression and shook her head like a rattle drum.
What a joke! Both the Liu and An families were prominent figures.
If her daughter filmed an R-rated movie, how could they face anyone?
Liu’s Mother truly suspected that Li An’s head had been squeezed by a door.
“You don’t need to say anything more, Director Li, please find someone else,” Liu’s Mother said angrily, standing up to leave.
“Ms. Liu, wait, let me explain.”
“No need to say anything, there’s nothing to discuss.”
The agent smiled bitterly, only able to clean up Liu’s Mother’s mess: “I’m sorry, Director Li, Yifei’s mother has this temperament, please bear with her.”
Li An waved his hand and said with a gentle smile: “It’s no trouble. I’ll talk to Ms. Liu another day.”
The agent was stunned. Talk again?
Li An’s personality was rather introverted; in a word, he had a devil in his heart, causing chaos in the world.
Just like his film “Hulk.”
Beneath his calm exterior lay an unknown destructive power.
Unfortunately, this time he was destined to crash and burn, because he encountered Liu Xiaoli, who only grew stronger when challenged.
Her fierce temperament could be seen from how she once threatened to die to win custody of her daughter.
The gentle Li An tried to overcome hardness with softness, but Liu Xiaoli was impervious to water and fire, invulnerable to swords and spears.
Even after three visits, he couldn't move Liu Xiaoli one bit. Of course, that's a story for later.
After Liu’s Mother left, she called Li Chen.
She told Li Chen her decision.
Li Chen had long anticipated this outcome.
However, Li Chen didn’t expect Li An to be so persistent that he also called him.
After a few pleasantries, he mentioned that he and Zhang Yimou and others had sat down, but Li Chen wasn't in Beijing.
He didn't mention Liu Yifei’s matter, only saying that in a few days he would go to Taiwan to promote “those years,” and would bring Liu Yifei along to sit down together then.
Li Chen didn’t refuse. After hanging up, Li Chen sneered in his heart.
If it was just to sit and chat, then fine. But if his intention wasn't in the wine, and he wanted to discuss “lust, caution” with him, then there was nothing to talk about.
He wouldn't think that as a filmmaker, he could understand the principle of dedicating oneself to art, would he?
If he thought that, then he was greatly mistaken.
Li Chen had indeed guessed correctly; Li An did harbor a glimmer of hope.
Unfortunately, Li Chen and he had different upbringings; deep down, Li Chen was a very traditional Chinese person.
He wouldn't even allow Miss Liu to film a kissing scene, let alone an explicit passionate scene.
In the middle of the month, Li Chen and his entourage set off for Taiwan for promotion.
Zhang Yimou had also received his appointment letter as the chief director of the Olympics yesterday, officially taking up his post as the Imperial Advisor.
Li Chen also called Zhang Yimou to congratulate him.
On the day they arrived in Taiwan, Li An called him, inviting him to meet, and specifically asked him to bring Miss Liu.
He also joked on the phone that an old friend happened to be in Taiwan, and they could all sit down together.
Li Chen couldn't guess who it was, but he didn't expect that at the private club they were meeting at,
Li An’s old friend turned out to be Wu Yusen.
Moreover, both of them had female companions.
Next to Wu Yusen was the famous Taiwanese model with a baby voice.
Uh, no, she couldn't be called a young model now.
If she was over thirty, calling her a young model would be an insult.
Li Chen suddenly realized that Wu Yusen was probably in Taiwan to find Xiao Qiao.
The woman in front of him was the Xiao Qiao he had decided on.
And Li An had brought his wife.
The four people in the room saw Li Chen and his companion enter and all stood up to greet them with smiles.
Liu Yifei took off her mask.
She greeted Li An, Wu Yusen, and their two female companions with a sweet smile.
“Director Li, I’m Lin Zhiling. Director Li can just call me Zhiling.”
“Miss Lin.” Li Chen thought to himself, this voice indeed greatly stimulated a man’s hormones.
