Chapter 111: Stars Fill the Sky, No Moon in Sight
"Can't you and Lu Chuan just settle down?" Han Sanping called directly after the Premiere ended.
"Han Dong, you make it sound like I'm the one causing trouble. Since you brought it up, I'll be frank with you."
"He and I are not on the same path. In the future, please don't try to set us up."
"You little brat, how can you be so ungrateful! Lu Chuan's father has extensive connections in the Writers' Association and several other associations."
"You're a stubborn one, still refusing to join any association. Getting along with Lu Chuan wouldn't hurt you!" Han Sanping was furious.
He was trying to help Li Chen out of good intentions, but this brat wasn't appreciative.
"Ha, so that's what you were planning all along."
"Then what did you think I was doing, pulling Lu Chuan to sit with you for no reason?"
"Alright, I misunderstood you. But you don't have to worry about this anymore in the future."
"I appreciate your good intentions, Han Dong. I'll say it again, he and I are not on the same path. Don't bother."
Han Sanping sighed, "Even if you can't stand him, there's no need to clash every time you meet! Think about it yourself."
If you were to ask who Lu Chuan disliked the most right now, Li Chen would definitely be number one.
He had experienced the full spectrum of human emotions in one evening.
Not only did the several general managers at his table fawn over Li Chen, but the stream of beautiful women coming to toast him was also endless.
Yet, hardly anyone paid him any attention!
Even if they did, it was just a perfunctory nod!
Even Guangtou Xu, who had just started to make a name for himself, was like a popular commodity being fought over all evening.
It was truly a sign of declining moral standards and a change in human values!
First Zhang Yimou, then Chen Kaige, did it mean that making commercial films was the only way out?
The more Lu Chuan thought about it, the more irritated he became, and he could only vent his anger on the woman beneath him!
"lost in thailand Ignites New Year's Comedy Bomb!"
"The New Year's comedy film 'lost on journey: lost in thailand,' produced by Rongchen Film and Television, held its Premiere in Beijing yesterday. Director and stars Xu Zheng, Wang Baoqiang, Huang Bo, and Tao Hong attended."
"The scene was star-studded, with continuous laughter from guests, media, and fans."
"Xu Zheng revealed that Liu Yifei's cameo was the film's surprise, and Liu Jialing's performance was the film's Easter egg."
"Xu Zheng frankly admitted that he is still new to directing and doesn't compare himself to Feng Xiaogang."
"Wang Baoqiang, on the other hand, revealed that he was particularly excited when acting the scene where he massaged Liu Jialing."
"In the film, Liu Jialing plays Wang Baoqiang's idol as herself, and Wang Baoqiang even has a scene where he pours essential oil to massage Liu Jialing."
"When asked about his feelings, Wang Baoqiang was a bit shy: 'I was very excited. I carried the dreams of so many men to complete that scene. But massaging her was easier than massaging Huang Bo. When I massaged Huang Bo, I broke out in a sweat, using all the strength I had from selling scallion pancakes and kneading dough in the film.'"
Li Chen was hosting a dinner at home today, and the ingredients were already prepared, with the servants bustling about.
Liu Yifei had also returned; after the New Year, she would continue to promote the return of the condor heroes in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The first few girls to arrive, along with Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin, were observing Li Chen's villa.
Seeing a brand new silver-grey Porsche parked in the garage, Zhu Yawen looked as if she had been spellbound.
"This can't be the Porsche Carrera GT that just came out last year, can it?"
"Old Zhu, you're probably not mistaken."
The other girls didn't react much.
Zhu Yawen exclaimed, "Comparing people just makes you angry. Look at Director Li's garage, it's worth several of my houses."
"Comparing cars is even more impossible. One of his car wheels could buy two or three of mine!"
Yang Mi covered her mouth and chuckled, "Xiao Zhu, don't be envious. I remember Senior Brother used to have a black maserati, too. Why isn't it here?"
Yang Siwei smiled at Liu Yifei, who was smiling but silent, and said with an air of composure, "Mi Mi, ask Yifei. Maybe she'll know where it went."
The others looked at Liu Yifei, who was pursing her lips and smiling.
They immediately understood. Luo Jin laughed, "Yifei, take this Porsche too!"
"Exactly, Xixi, if you drive it, I'll be your full-time driver." Zhu Yawen also urged.
Miss Liu smiled, "Why should I drive it away? Everything parked here is mine!"
"Hahahaha," everyone burst into laughter.
"Xixi is right!"
"Exactly, no problem!"
"What are you talking about? Why are you laughing so happily?" Li Chen said as he came out, having changed his clothes.
Yang Siwei immediately said, "Boss, I'm afraid your Porsche has been eyed by the proprietress again."
Liu Yifei immediately stepped forward, linking arms with Li Chen, and smiled, "How about it, Director Li, are you willing to part with it?"
"You're such a bandit. I haven't even driven it once since I bought it! Alright, I'll give you the key later!"
Liu Yifei proudly raised her chin at the others!
As they were talking, Li Chen's phone rang.
Cao Guowei? There were no outsiders, so Li Chen answered directly.
"General Manager Cao? Isn't it a bit early to wish me a Happy New Year?" Li Chen joked.
"It's not early! I'm calling you to wish me a Happy New Year." Cao Guowei replied with a laugh.
"Haha, alright, then I'll wish General Manager Cao a Happy New Year in advance."
Yang Mi quietly asked Yang Siwei, "Who is it?"
Miss Liu answered for Yang Siwei, "General Manager Cao from Sina."
After speaking, Liu Yifei seemed to remember something, and her brows furrowed slightly.
Yang Mi nodded, thinking to herself: Indeed, people in certain circles befriend people in those circles. Senior Brother's circle is full of important figures.
After a few pleasantries, Cao Guowei finally said, "Let's get down to business. This year, we've organized an event where stars wish Sina netizens a Happy New Year."
"My subordinates contacted Siwei, and Siwei declined on your behalf. So, I had to personally invite you."
Li Chen glanced at Yang Siwei, who probably guessed what it was about and nodded.
Indeed, people from Sina had contacted her.
They hoped that the artists from Rongchen Film and Television, as well as Li Chen, could film a short video, using Sina's platform to wish the vast number of netizens a Happy New Year.
She could certainly make decisions for Tang Yan and Yang Mi, but she had politely declined for Li Chen.
"Alright, since you're rarely asking, what more can I say?"
"Then it's settled. Oh, and have Yifei and Zhou Xun film one too. I won't have my subordinates call them one by one." Cao Guowei said with a laugh.
"No problem, General Manager Cao. I'll agree on behalf of Li Chen." Miss Liu said in a clear voice.
After speaking, she provocatively glared at Li Chen.
Cao Guowei laughed heartily, "Good, Yifei, you have the potential to be a good housekeeper."
Li Chen shook his head helplessly, and Yang Siwei and the others all laughed.
Cao Guowei continued, "Your moves are getting bigger and bigger."
"You have a stake in Gu Yongkeng's Heyi.com, don't you?"
Li Chen took the phone and walked aside. These matters were not suitable for Yang Siwei and the others to know for now.
Li Chen was not surprised that Cao Guowei could find out about these things, after all, Gu Yongkeng and he were in the same circle before and were also competitors.
"Yes, I invested some."
Cao Guowei admired Li Chen even more. After hanging up the phone, he fell into deep thought.
Li Chen was more than ten years younger than him, but his actions were undeniably grand.
In contrast, he himself, at the age of forty, was still deeply embroiled in the chaos of Sina.
His old classmate Enlight Media was also thriving, so where was his own path?
"Siwei, did people from Sina contact you before?"
"Yes, their star New Year's greetings event is quite big. Li An and Zhang Yimou also participated."
"However, I thought you, boss, don't like to join in the fun, so I declined on your behalf at the time. I did agree for Mi Mi and Tangtang, though."
"Hmm, you did the right thing, but since General Manager Cao called personally, I can't really refuse."
"Alright, since everyone is here today, let's all represent the company and film this New Year's video."
"No problem, boss. Your home has beautiful scenery, so I'll make sure everyone looks beautiful when I film them." Yang Siwei said with a smile.
"You don't need to film. You also need to be on camera. Although you're not an artist, you're still a star! We'll borrow Zhou Xun's boyfriend later."
"That's right, Siwei's blog has quite a high click-through rate."
"The boss is still thoughtful. Sister Xun's boyfriend is indeed a professional."
"Tomorrow is the company's annual meeting. We can bask in Sister Xun's glory and have him style Mi Mi and Tangtang." Yang Siwei said with a smile.
"I'm so looking forward to tomorrow's annual meeting. I'll get to see my idol!" Yang Mi said, her eyes sparkling.
Liu Yifei asked curiously, "Who's your idol?"
"Nicholas Tse!"
Liu Yifei said, "Oh," sounding somewhat dismissive.
The others had similar reactions.
In the evening, Miss Liu said that Liu's Mother had something to discuss with him.
Li Chen thought it was about Liu's Mother having come to terms with the nationality issue.
However, Miss Liu indicated that it was not.
"Then what is it? You haven't gotten pregnant, have you? Is Auntie going to settle accounts with me?" Li Chen joked.
"What's pregnant?" Miss Liu hadn't reacted yet and asked innocently.
"Nothing, I was just guessing. What is it exactly? Can't you explain it clearly, Xixi?"
"Oh, do you remember when Sina Blog was in internal testing, you told me to open an account too?"
"Yes, I remember. Not just you, Yang Siwei and I also opened accounts, wasn't it to support Cao Guowei?"
"I listened to you. After opening it, I would share some cat and dog pictures and thoughts on life on my blog whenever I had time."
"I know all that. The click-through rate is quite high. You seem to be the first female artist whose blog click-through rate exceeded ten million. Can you get to the point, Xixi?" Li Chen said with a smile.
"Why are you in such a hurry! Now, advertisers are coming to me, valuing my blog's click-through rate, wanting to discuss cooperation."
"That's a good thing, how come you seem a bit troubled?"
"Oh, no, it's not that. The problem is, now mom and people from my company think that the advertisers on my blog should talk to my company."
"But Sina believes that since they provide the blog platform, the advertisements on the blog should belong to the website, because the website has invested a lot of manpower and financial resources to serve the blog."
Li Chen understood. This was similar to the advertisements on Sina Weibo in later years.
"So, because of my relationship with General Manager Cao, you're in a difficult position, right?"
Miss Liu nodded.
Li Chen pulled the girl into his arms and took a deep breath of the faint fragrance from her neck.
"No need to be troubled. General Manager Cao and I are both reasonable people. Business is business, and private matters are private. He called today, and didn't he not mention this?"
"You just need to talk to Sina about this. In business, you strive for your maximum benefit, and Sina does the same."
"In this world, besides you making things a bit difficult for me, there's nothing else worth troubling me over." Li Chen said softly.
Miss Liu shed a burden from her heart and smiled sweetly.
"Hmm!" She snuggled even harder into her boyfriend's arms.
"Xixi, snuggle all you want, but don't touch me randomly. If you keep touching me, I'll touch you back!" Li Chen teased.
"Hmph!" Miss Liu's face was flushed. Just as she was starting to feel touched, Li Chen ruined it.
Li Chen looked at Miss Liu's delicate and pretty face and couldn't help but lean down to kiss her.
He hadn't even savored the taste when he heard a clear throat clear.
The two quickly separated, Miss Liu's face flushed with shyness: "Mom..."
Li Chen scratched the back of his neck, his old face turning red: "Auntie, when did you arrive? Ha, tonight's moon is a bit round!"
Miss Liu couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Tonight, the sky was full of stars, with no moon in sight, so where could it be round!
"A while ago," Liu Xiaoli's expression was unreadable.
She had overheard their conversation just now and didn't expect Li Chen to be so good at sweet-talking.
Even she felt a little touched. In this world, the only one who could make him troubled was her daughter.
With such sweet words, a daughter at this age would surely surrender and let him do as he pleased.
“Li Chen, was what you just said really from your heart?”
“Auntie, heaven sees what people do. I would never lie to Xixi!” Li Chen said seriously.
Miss Liu was no longer shy; she actively clung to Li Chen, supporting him with her actions.
The next day, Rongchen Film and Television's annual meeting was held at the Workers' Stadium.
The number of reporters waiting at the scene was no less than that of a grand fashion week.
Around 5 PM, celebrities from the three regions began to arrive one after another.
Harlem Yu, Nicholas Tse, Huo Wenxi, the Twins, Zhang Liangying, F.I.R., and so on.
Liu Yifei and Liu's Mother came with Shu Chang, while Zhu Yawen brought a few classmates.
His classmates were all sharp people, and Zhu Yawen bringing people along made them all very curious.
Upon questioning, Zhu Yawen shamelessly admitted the fact that he was about to sign with Rongchen Film and Television.
“Yawen, was it Yifei who helped you connect?”
Zhu Yawen glanced at her warily: “Definitely not, I begged Director Li for it.”
“Really?” Jiang Yiyan sneered.
The other classmates were all curious.
“The rumors outside about Liu Yifei and Director Li, they wouldn't be true, would they? Yawen, you're close to Liu Yifei, so is it or isn't it?”
“Yeah, Zhu Yawen, tell us.”
“And Luo Jin, Tangtang is your girlfriend, I don't believe you don't know.”
Luo Jin didn't even look at Zhu Yawen, laughing: “I'm curious too. Why don't you guys act like paparazzi, go stake out, and when you get solid evidence someday, I won't be curious anymore.”
“Old Luo is right, I also want to know if Xixi and Director Li have something going on.”
Jiang Yiyan was mad with jealousy. Being beautiful was one thing, being younger than her was nothing.
But why did all the good things, all the good men, belong to her?
Wasn't it just because of a pretty face!
The annual dinner officially began.
Sitting in the front were the heads of various departments of Rongchen Film and Television, as well as the invited celebrity artists.
Liu Yan was taking on a big role for the first time. Facing five or six thousand people below, it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous.
Moreover, she had just been scared by another Golden Palm not long ago, and she had been having nightmares these past few days!
“Wow, I'm so nervous. It's an honor to host Rongchen Film and Television's annual meeting tonight. I'm your host, Liu Yan.”
“First, let's invite Director Li, the head of Rongchen Film and Television, to speak to everyone.”
Applause immediately erupted.
Li Chen, in a black casual suit, slowly walked onto the stage and took the microphone from Liu Yan's hand.
Below, Yang Siwei and a few others, Liu Yifei and Liu's Mother, and the Shu Chang sisters were at one table.
Liu Yan bowed and smiled, greeting: “Director Li.”
Li Chen saw her nervousness and nodded: “Relax, it's not a big gala. It's okay to make mistakes.”
“Thank you, Director Li, I understand.” Li Chen's words indeed made Liu Yan feel much more relaxed.
Li Chen cleared his throat and said: “What should I say? Actually, you all definitely don't want to hear me talk nonsense, because tonight you're definitely not here for me.”
“Some people are here for Nicholas Tse, some are here for F.I.R., and of course, most people are definitely here for tonight's raffle, right?”
As Li Chen spoke, the screen immediately showed the celebrity artists present tonight.
The employees roared with laughter.
Everyone below cheered.
“Boss, a wise man!”
“Director Li, come down quickly.”
“We don't want to hear you speak.”
“What you say definitely isn't as good as what you sing!”
Yang Siwei leaned into Liu Yifei's ear and laughed: “Yifei, if the boss wasn't in the film and television industry, he'd still be a great host.”
Liu Yifei also smiled and nodded repeatedly: “He's only good with his mouth, so when I'm with him, I always use my hands, not my mouth!”
Yang Siwei held back her laughter and continued to probe Liu Yifei: “So, you're saying the boss is a punching bag at home every day?”
“It's not that bad, I still have to give your boss some face.”
Li Chen raised his hand, and the audience quieted down considerably.
“Alright, I won't talk nonsense anymore. I'll just say one thing, which is the theme of our annual meeting.”
“Ride the wind and break the waves, set sail!”
“Everyone, keep up the good work next year!”
As Li Chen left the stage, the annual meeting officially began.
There were definitely many reporters mixed in, but Li Chen didn't delve into it.
After the party, Liu Yan didn't expect to receive a red envelope, a full ten thousand.
Liu Yan absolutely refused to accept it.
Yang Siwei laughed: “Take it. As my boss would say, everyone gets a share, no one is left out.”
There was nothing wrong with that. Tonight's employee raffle, the lowest consolation prize was a 500-yuan supermarket gift card.
“No, no, no, this is my job. If our Wang Dong knew, I really wouldn't be able to explain myself,” Liu Yan hurriedly declined.
“Wang Dong and the boss's relationship means they wouldn't care about these small matters. Just take it.” With that, Yang Siwei tossed the red envelope to Liu Yan.
Liu Yan nervously called Li Xiaoping, the company's deputy general manager, and told her about the red envelope.
Unexpectedly, Li Xiaoping laughed and replied: “If she gives it to you, just take it. As Wang Dong says, Director Li is so poor he only has money left!”
Liu Yan couldn't quite describe her feelings. She numbly returned to the two-bedroom apartment she rented with Xie Nan.
It wasn't that she hadn't seen money before; the successive blows her family had suffered made her understand the importance of money more than anyone.
It was just that tonight's money had come too easily.
After Xie Nan heard Liu Yan's 'encounter', she immediately cursed: “If you think you can't handle such a good thing, I'll go next time!”
The grand scene of Rongchen Film and Television's third-anniversary annual meeting was exposed by the media that very night.
The lineup was comparable to the Spring Festival Gala.
super girl Zhang Liangying, popular idol Nicholas Tse, the Twins, Taiwan band F.I.R., Fairy Sister Liu Yifei...
What made people most envious was Rongchen Film and Television's employee raffle segment.
The ID numbers flashing on the big screen were comparable to the Mark Six lottery draw.
The grand prize was a million-dollar property, truly inhumanly extravagant!
Netizens were all filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
“Arrogant! I've never seen an annual meeting prize that gives away a house!”
“Director Li is generous, who the hell wouldn't love a boss like that!”
“Super Diamond Bachelor! Sisters, work hard, take down Director Li, and you'll secure your meal ticket for the rest of your life!”
“The rest of your life? It's enough for eight generations of your ancestors.”
“I've decided to apply to Rongchen Film and Television tomorrow, starting as Director Li's personal assistant!”
Yang Siwei's blog was also flooded.
“Siwei, does Director Li have a girlfriend? Do you think I have a chance?”
“I want to ask too. Actually, it doesn't matter if he does, I can wait.”
“A boyfriend is fine too!”
“Old Zhu, get lost, a boyfriend wouldn't be your turn!”
Yang Siwei couldn't stop laughing. These people were all doing it on purpose.
They clearly knew the boss and Yifei were together, yet they still came to mess with her.
Miss Liu said angrily: “Director Li, should I start as your personal assistant first?”
“Xixi, why are you so boring too?”
Major film and television companies in the industry also held annual meetings, but compared to Rongchen Film and Television, reporters were too lazy to report on them.
Xue Xiaolu came to find Li Chen. The teaser trailer and theme song for 'those years' were edited.
She was even more invested in this 'those years' than Li Chen.
She often pulled Yang Siwei aside to discuss the Premiere method and promotional plan.
The posters had already appeared in prominent positions in major cinemas.
Under a clear sky, several young people sat together on a rooftop by the sea, creating a very atmospheric scene.
“Li Chen, I listened to the theme song for 'those years', and I underestimated you. It's really good. I think as soon as it's released, it will definitely make it to the top of various music charts,” Xue Xiaolu laughed.
“I think so too, Sister Lu,” Li Chen said shamelessly.
“But don't release it too early. Release it in March. By then, with the hot broadcast of Little Dragon Girl, the box office for our 'those years' will definitely not be low,” Li Chen said confidently.
Xue Xiaolu hadn't considered this point and laughed: “You're still more thoughtful. I completely forgot about Yifei's 'the return of the condor heroes'.”
With the release of 'lost in thailand', Liu Yifei's 'the return of the condor heroes' also released its trailer.
Xu Zheng was nervous. Whether he could soar to great heights depended on this moment today.
The couple also bought two tickets early to go to the cinema.
Seeing that the cinema was full before the movie even started, the two, wearing masks and hats, smiled at each other.
A 100% occupancy rate, a glimpse of which revealed the whole picture; other cinemas should be similar.
Now, it depended on word-of-mouth.
“Holy cow, is that woman Liu Yifei?”
Liu Yifei's line, “There are two 2Bs in the elevator,” made everyone in the cinema burst into laughter.
It was just so satisfying to hear a beautiful woman swear.
By the time the movie ended, Xu Zheng's heart finally settled.
The almost continuous laughter in the cinema gave 'lost in thailand' a perfect score.
In the afternoon, reviews on Douban and online came out.
“Finally, a real New Year comedy film!”
“Stop pretending to be artistic, I just like this kind of vulgarity.”
“As long as the path is right, flaws don't matter.”
“Liu Yifei's 2B line is too awesome! She's using the movie to directly clap back at those 2Bs online who spread rumors about her being an intersex person!”
The vast majority of comments were positive, with only a few negative ones complaining about the movie lacking depth.
Of course, there were also bizarre complaints about Enlight Media deploying 'laughter guides' in cinemas.
Li Chen had never heard that term before either.
He couldn't help but admire these people's creativity.
Chen Kaige and Chen Hong were heading to Japan again, preparing for the Premiere of 'The Promise' to be held there the day after tomorrow.
However, this time, besides the two Japanese actors,
The other few, Nicholas Tse, Cecilia Cheung, and Liu Ye, all backed out.
Chen Hong, under the gaze of reporters, was clearly forcing a smile, and Director Chen's smile was not much better than crying.
After dealing with the reporters and getting on the plane, the couple both sighed simultaneously.
There was already a disagreement between them about whether to sue Hu Ge.
Indeed, as Li Chen said, suing wouldn't salvage the box office or reputation.
Instead, it would make Chen Kaige seem petty, and even if they won the lawsuit, Hu Ge would be penniless.
“Hong, why don't we just drop it?” Chen Kaige's voice had lost its confidence.
He was truly hit hard by 'The Promise'!
“Drop what! Once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back! Things have reached this point, there must be an explanation!”
At the same time, Jet Li's 'fearless' was also making its final sprint for its nationwide release the day after tomorrow.
The next day, no one expected 'lost in thailand's' first-day box office to be ridiculously high.
18.5 million!
Second only to 'painted skin' and 'The Promise'!
My back aches and my eyes are blurry from typing, I need to rest. I'm getting old, I truly admire those young people who write ten thousand words a day. But I've noticed something interesting, those who write about Chinese entertainment always portray the male lead as a handsome man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. As if seducing women in the entertainment industry relies on looks. Whenever I see these kids, I always want to laugh, they're too naive. The entertainment industry doesn't care about looks; the husbands of beautiful women are usually beasts. Why? Because beasts rely on strength, not looks. Those who rely on looks are effeminate. Gigi Lai, Tong Lei, Michelle Reis, Chen Hong, Chen Hao, female celebrities are truly face-blind, because there are too many handsome men in the entertainment industry, but there are only a few capital bigwigs. If you can jump out, you're in a wealthy family. If you can't, no matter how capable you are, you're just an actress in the eyes of the wealthy.