Chapter 145 Xiao Fan Finally Cries
Li Chen arrived on the set of father's love is like a mountain 2.
The main actors stood up, smiling and greeting Li Chen.
Huang Bo leaned closer and said mysteriously, "Director Li, did you really make up the box office for Yifei?"
Li Chen glanced at him: "Focus on filming, and worry less about trivial matters."
Huang Bo laughed: "Come on, everyone is curious."
Li Chen looked at the other main actors.
Aside from Fan Bingbing and Zuo Xiaoqing, whose eyes held a hint of inquiry.
The other three were not as Huang Bo had described.
"Aren't you her 'classmate'? Go ask her yourself later."
Huang Bo, finding no interesting response, shut up.
He thought to himself: "Yifei tells Director Li everything, even such small matters!"
"Congratulations, Director Li, on the soaring ratings for "crossing the guandong". We've watched every episode these past two days," Chen Shu said with a smile.
"Indeed, it's another rare and excellent work," Chen Baoguo commented.
Li Chen smiled: "Alright, you all don't need to flatter me. I merely provided the funding; the actual creation and filming were done by Donghua's people."
"That still requires Director Li's discerning eye," Zuo Xiaoqing said with a smile.
"Xiaoqing is right. When it comes to investment and judging people, I truly admire you," Andy Lau said earnestly.
This was his honest opinion; in terms of fan numbers, he was eight streets ahead of Li Chen.
But when it came to investment vision and net worth, Li Chen could probably be eighty streets ahead of him.
Li Chen stopped chatting with the actors.
Today's scene was a confrontation between Chen Baoguo and Andy Lau.
Everything was ready.
"Action"
Chen Baoguo stood in the witness box.
He wore a well-tailored silver-grey suit, exuding composure and confidence.
Andy Lau, with a somber face, stepped forward and paced two steps.
His eyes, like a GPS, precisely locked onto Chen Baoguo's face.
"As a successful man, since your wife passed away six years ago, there must have been many single women in society trying to get your attention?"
Chen Baoguo smiled, completely disregarding the solemnity of the courtroom.
"There were many even before my wife passed away!"
The extras in the audience burst into laughter.
The camera shifted to Fan Bingbing in the defendant's box.
Fan Bingbing rolled her eyes, pouted, and looked quite helpless.
Andy Lau composed himself and continued, "Then which women have you actively pursued?"
Chen Baoguo still told jokes with a straight face: "In my memory, it was always women who actively pursued me."
The courtroom immediately erupted in another round of laughter, the solemn and quiet atmosphere completely gone.
A tit-for-tat cat and mouse game turned into a talk show with Lin Tai, played by Chen Baoguo, delivering two lines.
This was precisely the effect Li Chen wanted to achieve.
"Cut! It's good!"
"Teacher Baoguo's expression was perfectly nuanced. I was worried earlier that Teacher Baoguo wouldn't easily convey this sense of contrast."
Chen Baoguo smiled easily: "That's because Director Li's character positioning was so clearly explained during the script reading, allowing me to grasp the character's traits in a short time."
"I used to watch Teacher Baoguo's dramas, and they were all serious. Today I discovered that Teacher Baoguo can also act in comedies," Chen Shu said with a smile.
Over the next few days, filming progressed smoothly.
Until two days before the closing of the Shanghai International Film Festival, father's love is like a mountain 2 finally wrapped up.
Zhou Xun and Yang Siwei also arrived in Shanghai on the same day.
Zhou Xun was also attending the Shanghai International Film Festival.
Today was the last scene.
"Action"
The camera slowly zoomed in on the greeting card, the message gradually becoming clear.
"He exchanged his life for your freedom, not for you to live in hiding, but for you to be reborn!"
Fan Bingbing recalled all her past experiences, crying uncontrollably with tears streaming down her face.
She stood alone, bare-legged and barefoot in the rain, filled with regret, and in that moment, she had a sudden realization.
Allowing the heavy rain to beat down on her, Fan Bingbing slowly opened her arms and looked up at the night sky.
In this moment, she was truly 'reborn'.
"Cut!"
The staff quickly came forward with a blanket to drape over Fan Bingbing.
However, it was June, so Fan Bingbing waved her hand: "I'm fine."
Her gaze, however, turned to Li Chen.
Li Chen smiled: "I declare, it's a wrap!"
Fan Bingbing finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Xiao Fan finally learned to cry!" Li Chen joked with a smile.
The actors present couldn't help but laugh.
Fan Bingbing glanced at Li Chen with a charming look, her heart filled with joy.
Yang Siwei, standing nearby, thought to herself, "Xiao Fan's look at the boss isn't right; there's a story here! No, I need to have a talk with Xiao Fan."
Fan Bingbing was smiling at Li Chen when Yang Siwei's imposing figure blocked her entire view.
Fan Bingbing's smile froze.
Yang Siwei laughed: "Boss, what do you mean by that?"
Andy Lau explained: "Siwei, you don't know, Bingbing's crying scenes have never passed on the first take; this is the first time."
Fan Bingbing wasn't shy, joking, "After filming this drama, I've almost mastered crying, it's been very beneficial."
Li Chen waved his hand and said, "Alright, everyone, pack up. There's a wrap-up press conference this afternoon."
"But remember, no revealing the plot, otherwise don't expect me to give out red envelopes!"
Huang Bo burst out laughing, "Don't worry, Director Li, this is 'hush money'!"
Leaving the set, they returned to their rooms.
Fan Bingbing had just taken a shower when the doorbell rang.
Opening the door, she saw it was Yang Siwei.
Fan Bingbing, wiping her hair, casually said, "Why are you here?"
Yang Siwei entered, looking at Fan Bingbing, hinting, "I'm here to see if some people are hiding something from me."
Fan Bingbing paused, then quickly returned to normal: "What are you talking about? What do I have to hide from you?"
Yang Siwei sneered: "Xiao Fan, don't try to fool me, and don't play any tricks with me. I treat you as a friend, so don't you dare treat me like a fool."
Fan Bingbing smiled and said, "Are you crazy? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Yang Siwei scoffed: "I was the one who built the bridge for you to get into the crew. Don't burn the bridge after crossing it and make things difficult for me with Yifei."
"You're a smart person; you must understand what I'm saying."
Fan Bingbing felt a surge of anger and really wanted to retort to Yang Siwei.
But she quickly controlled her emotions, smiling confidently: "Siwei, I can promise you not to provoke Chen Ge."
"But if Chen Ge can't control himself and provokes me, then you can't blame me."
Yang Siwei's anger flared. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't worry about her boss being interested.
But with Xiao Fan's conditions, there truly aren't many men who could resist.
"I'll say one last thing: if you really get involved with my boss, our friendship is over."
Yang Siwei left the room after dropping that statement.
Fan Bingbing sat on the bed alone, lost in thought.
She also didn't know how to handle that situation if it ever arose.
But if it truly happened as she said, and Chen Ge actively pursued her.
Then she would most likely not refuse, because she simply couldn't refuse.
Li Chen fulfilled all her aspirations for a partner.
He was wealthy and talented, and also held a large number of scarce resources.
As for his looks, men don't rely on their faces to make a living; as long as they look decent, that's enough.
The wrap-up press conference that afternoon was held in another multi-functional screening room at the Grand Hyatt.
No less than a hundred media outlets were present.
Before the press conference even began, a piece of news suddenly broke online.
Yang Siwei got wind of it immediately and rushed to Li Chen's room.
Upon entering, she went straight to the point without a word.
"Boss, someone is trying to ride on Yifei's popularity again. I'm afraid the gossip media won't let you off the hook at the press conference later."
"Sit down and talk. Who is it? Not Song Da Zui again, is it?"
Li Chen turned and sat on the sofa, unconcerned.
Yang Siwei sat down and shook her head: "It's not him this time. Someone leaked that Yifei greatly admires the piano skills of someone named Lang Lang."
"It was also said that someone was entrusted to propose marriage, stating that she was willing to be Lang Lang's girlfriend."
"But I just called Yifei to confirm, and she doesn't even know who Lang Lang is."
Yang Siwei was speechless after saying this; indeed, people fear fame just as pigs fear getting fat.
Yifei's current popularity meant everyone wanted to latch on, and she didn't know what their intentions were.
When this news broke, she didn't believe it at all. She knew what kind of person Yifei was.
This kind of reverse proposal simply didn't fit Yifei's usual style.
If the pianist were her already successful boss, she might have thought it possible.
After Yang Siwei finished speaking, Li Chen was also stunned; indeed, the course of history was surging forward.
All sorts of monsters and demons were jumping out.
Suppressing one Song Da Zui, another pair of living treasures, a father and son, jumped out.
Li Chen got up and opened his computer, with Yang Siwei following behind him.
The internet was bustling with activity now, and many people were enjoying Li Chen's misfortune.
He had just shown off his affection at Beijing Film Academy, and then immediately afterward, it was reported that his girlfriend was practically throwing herself at someone else.
It was truly interesting, and aside from Liu Yifei's fans, no one believed it.
But the internet never lacked haters who would maliciously speculate about people.
"The big director's face is being slapped, 'snap snap snap', someone's single finger is a hundred million. I wonder what Li Chen's psychological shadow area is right now."
"Why don't you, Li Chen, also go play the piano? It's still not too late."
"Wang Yuyan's piano skills are so high, naturally she wants to find someone even higher."
Yang Siwei, standing behind Li Chen, turned green.
She couldn't help but sigh: The combined popularity of the boss and Yifei is like a pair of butterfly wings; even a slight flap can cause a tornado.
"Boss, should I respond?"
Li Chen sneered: "No need. Since there's a press conference later, the media will definitely ask. I, her current boyfriend, am not a coward."
Yang Siwei nodded. Just then, her phone rang again.
She walked to the side and answered the call, and after a few seconds, she said in surprise: "What? I understand, that's all for now."
Hanging up the phone, Yang Siwei quickly said: "Boss, the pianist's parent has responded to reporters, stating that it is indeed true."
"And also said, and also said..."
Yang Siwei didn't know if she should say it.
Li Chen said impatiently, "What else did he say? Stop being so hesitant!"
"He also said his son doesn't have time for romance and hopes to find a royal descendant as his daughter-in-law in the future."
This statement disgusted Li Chen.
Li Chen nodded: "Alright, I understand. Go prepare for the press conference. You don't need to worry about this, and don't ask Xixi about it again."
Besides Li Chen, Liu's Mother was also disgusted.
Liu Yifei, the person involved, was still cute and didn't want to bother with it.
The elegant Liu's Mother also wanted to curse this time.
As parents, who doesn't see their children as the most perfect?
Why do you have to put down my daughter when you talk about how excellent your son is? That's too despicable.
Media reporters contacted Liu Yifei and Li Chen one after another.
However, Liu Yifei didn't want to bother, not even calling Li Chen.
She had a truly big heart, as if she guessed Li Chen wouldn't believe it.
At the afternoon's wrap-up press conference, among the hundreds of media outlets present, there were indeed many gossip reporters.
The main actors took their seats, with Li Chen sitting at the very end.
As soon as the press conference began, a gossip media outlet, lacking decorum, directly questioned Li Chen.
"Director Li, is the online rumor true? Did Liu Yifei ever pursue Lang Lang?"
The host interrupted the entertainment reporter's question: "Reporter friend, today is the wrap-up press conference for father's love is like a mountain 2."
"Let's stick to questions related to the movie. Next question."
Many entertainment reporters started to jeer: "Director Li, please respond."
Li Chen chuckled: "If you really want me to respond, then distinguish between what's important and what's secondary. We can talk after the press conference."
"If you don't want to ask about the movie, then this press conference might as well not happen."
Several lead actors, including the media present, understood Li Chen's implied meaning and anger.
They thought to themselves that there was a good show to watch, and a Sina reporter was the first to get to the point.
"I would like to ask Mr. Andy Lau, what are your box office expectations for father's love is like a mountain 2?"
Everyone laughed out loud, knowing that Andy Lau was dubbed a box office poison.
Andy Lau smiled and leaned into the microphone: "You're being too unfriendly. Although you all call me box office poison, with Director Li, the box office antidote, keeping me in check, I can't really exert my toxicity, can I?"
"Hahahaha" The media and the movie fans present applauded Andy Lau's quick wit.
A Sohu reporter then said, "I'd like to ask Miss Fan Bingbing, this is your first time working with Director Li. How do you feel?"
Fan Bingbing turned her head, smiled at Li Chen, and said charmingly, "Let's not talk about it! Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes."
The media was amused, and the main actors understood Fan Bingbing's meaning. Yang Siwei also smiled nearby.
The media continued to ask with a smile: "Did Director Li bully you on set!"
Li Chen quickly waved his hand to interrupt: "Hey, you can't say that indiscriminately. I'll answer this question for you."
"Bingbing's role in the drama was almost entirely crying scenes, that's why she said just thinking about it brings tears to her eyes. Don't go fabricating a fourth rumored girlfriend for me!"
The atmosphere on site became even more lively. Chen Baoguo also stated: "I really enjoyed filming this drama. Director Li's script lives up to its reputation, and I believe it will definitely not disappoint the audience when it's released."
The entertainment reporters, with their minds set on it, finally saw the press conference nearing its end.
The same gossip reporter who had asked questions earlier stood up again and said, "Director Li, seeing how cooperative we've been, please respond."
Andy Lau, sitting next to Li Chen, also smiled and said, "Yes, Director Li, please respond. I'm also very curious; this doesn't seem like something Yifei would do."
Andy Lau's emotional intelligence was high in that he always did favors for others and never caused trouble.
He knew that Li Chen was going to respond to the reporters and take the opportunity to state his own position.
Li Chen nodded: "Alright, you all don't need to contact Yifei anymore; I'll respond on her behalf."
Cameras were all pointed at Li Chen.
"Who is Lang Lang? Neither Yifei nor I know him. Playing the piano and fluffing cotton are not much different."
The media burst into laughter, how talented! It's not often you see someone so disgustingly clever, equating playing the piano with fluffing cotton.
But then Li Chen immediately added another sentence to redeem himself.
"There is no distinction between noble and humble work, and no age difference in being shameless!"
Yang Siwei laughed heartily, being the first to applaud her boss. There was nothing wrong with that statement!
As soon as Li Chen uttered these words, the various media outlets seemed to be injected with adrenaline, each one incredibly excited.
It was clear who he was calling shameless; Director Li truly dared to speak his mind.
Li Chen did it on purpose, so that when Miss Liu clarified the matter on a show in the future.
She wouldn't be criticized for saying, 'To me, there's no difference between someone who plays the piano and someone who fluffs cotton.'
The update time will be changed to 8 PM in the future. I will take leave in advance if something comes up.
