Chapter 139 It Will Be Yours Sooner or Later
With the popularity of "those years," Liu Yifei's film fees and endorsement fees have also risen.
A Chevrolet endorsement fee of 5 million and a current box office bonus of 240 million.
No one doubts that Liu Yifei's status will quickly rise to the ranks of a top-tier star in a short period.
The reason is self-evident: Li Chen alone is enough.
At the same time, the combined power of the original novel's fan base and the fans of the popular actress once again impressed investors in the industry.
The last time was the little heavenly king's "initial d" from Taiwan, but this time it was a mainland actress, Liu Yifei, who ranked first in blog followers.
Yang Siwei has also been quite exhausted lately.
She had to monitor online reviews, guide public opinion, and attend various dinner parties with a bunch of celebrity friends.
After all, they worked hard to promote "those years" for her back then.
After more than half a month, Yang Siwei not only didn't lose any weight, but she also needed to buy new clothes, an XXL.
"The modern historical epic 'Crossing the Guandong,' invested by China Film Group Corporation and Rongchen Film and Television, received its TV series broadcast license yesterday."
"'Crossing the Guandong' will premiere on CCTV-1 during prime time on June 15th."
"Ning Hao's directed 'ip man' has completed all post-production and has been submitted to the General Administration for review."
"'parents love' and 'the age of steel' (starring Ding Yongdai), both produced by Donghua Noon Sunshine, have also recently wrapped up filming."
"Wu Yusen confirmed that Lin Zhiling will play Xiao Qiao and act as a couple with Chow Yun-fat."
"Ruby Lin plays a blind woman, and a kissing scene with Wallace Huo took seven hours to shoot."
"'mulan' will finalize its cast in June, and Stanley Tong denied inviting Zhang Ziyi."
"Related personnel revealed that Stanley Tong has taken a liking to Liu Yifei, and his rumored girlfriend Ruby Lin protested: 'He never even asked me!'"
Yang Siwei quickly scanned various entertainment news online.
The last piece of news made Yang Siwei's eyes widen suddenly.
"mulan"? Yifei?
When did this happen? How come Yifei never mentioned it?
Yang Siwei dared not delay; even the smallest matter concerning Yifei was a big deal.
She didn't want to hear her boss say, "How do you handle things!" again.
It was too chilling!
Yang Siwei stood up and walked quickly towards her boss's office.
In Li Chen's office, a man and a woman were both feeling a bit emotional.
Liu Yifei's face was flushed, and her lips felt numb.
She felt Li Chen's large hand becoming increasingly restless.
From bottom to top, it slowly slipped into her white T-shirt.
Liu Yifei pushed Li Chen away forcefully, her heart pounding, her breathing quickening: "Someone's coming!"
Li Chen smiled and wiped his lips, looking like a satisfied philanderer.
"This is my office; no one will barge in without my permission."
Li Chen leaned in again, wrapped his arms around Miss Liu's waist, and pulled her closer.
Miss Liu placed her hands on Li Chen's chest, stopping him from taking further advantage: "Alright, alright, stop messing around. We can talk about it tonight when we get back."
"Talk about what?" Li Chen deliberately teased the person in his arms.
As the two were flirting, a knock sounded at the door.
Liu Yifei quickly pushed Li Chen away and tidied her slightly disheveled hair.
"Come in!"
As soon as Yang Siwei entered, she saw Yifei's flushed face.
The boss's eyes were cold.
Yang Siwei shivered: "Boss, maybe I'll come back later. You and Yifei go ahead and be busy!"
With that, she turned to leave!
Liu Yifei angrily punched Li Chen.
She quickly stepped forward to stop Yang Siwei: "Busy with what? We were just chatting. You two talk about work; I'll leave first."
Li Chen walked to the sofa, sat down, and poured himself a cup of tea.
"No, no, Yifei, I'm actually looking for you," Yang Siwei quickly said.
Li Chen glanced at Yang Siwei: "What is it? Sit down and talk."
Liu Yifei took Yang Siwei's arm, and the two sat opposite Li Chen.
"What do you need me for? Tell me," Liu Yifei said with a smile.
"Did Stanley Tong contact your Red Star House?"
Liu Yifei was completely unaware, shaking her head: "No, who told you that?"
Yang Siwei reacted quickly: "Then I understand. It's probably Stanley Tong trying to create hype by leveraging your current popularity."
Li Chen retorted: "Online gossip?"
Yang Siwei nodded: "Boss, Stanley Tong came out to deny the rumors about Zhang Ziyi that have been circulating for a while."
"Someone revealed that he has taken a liking to Yifei to play mulan."
Liu Yifei's heart stirred, and the joy on her face was undisguised.
Recently, Red Star House had received many film offers, all of which Li Chen had rejected.
Half of them were youth films.
Stanley Tong's "mulan" had been hyped for several months, so she naturally paid attention.
Not only did she pay attention, but she also thought about it.
However, it was Zhang Ziyi who had been rumored to be cast.
Compared to Zhang Ziyi, she knew her place.
She didn't expect such a turn of events now; even if it was just gossip, it made her heart leap with joy.
Liu Yifei turned to look at Li Chen.
"Don't look at me like that! You want to act in 'mulan'?" Li Chen said with a smile.
Liu Yifei nodded pitifully.
Yang Siwei secretly smiled, Yifei's acting skills, as long as she was facing the boss.
She could be a queen or a girl, ever-changing, just to get a hold of the boss.
Li Chen chuckled: "Don't act with me; you're using all your acting skills on me, it's useless!"
"Besides, didn't Siwei say that Stanley Tong is just creating hype? He hasn't even contacted your Red Star House, so why are you getting so excited?"
Liu Yifei got up, walked around the tea table, sat next to Li Chen, and shook his arm, pouting: "Help me think of a way!"
Yang Siwei turned her head away, unable to bear looking at the boss.
She estimated that the boss would most likely surrender.
"How will you repay me then?" Li Chen kept a straight face, suppressing a smile.
Liu Yifei whispered something in his ear, and Li Chen's eyes lit up: "Really?"
"Are you going to help or not!" Miss Liu's expression changed instantly.
"If sugar-coated bullets don't work, then it's coercion and intimidation! Alright, since I'm a sucker for it, I'll help!" Li Chen said with a smile.
Yang Siwei sighed inwardly, if there was one person in this world who could get a hold of her boss, it was no one else but Yifei.
Yang Siwei turned her head and said seriously: "Boss, should I contact Stanley Tong?"
"No need, you don't need to worry about this. Xixi, don't dwell on this either. I promise you, as long as 'mulan' starts filming in the future, the female lead will definitely be you."
Li Chen suddenly became serious, which surprised both Liu Yifei and Yang Siwei.
Yang Siwei's mind worked quickly: "Boss, do you mean that 'mulan' still has some twists and turns?"
Li Chen didn't directly answer Yang Siwei, only saying: "Besides 'mulan,' are there any other news related to Stanley Tong recently?"
Yang Siwei thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes, it's called 'Diary,' I think, and it's related to the Nanjing Massacre."
"They say they're inviting Chow Yun-fat, Maggie Cheung, and Andy Lau to star."
As soon as Yang Siwei finished speaking, she immediately reacted.
"Boss, do you mean that he himself is not confident about 'mulan,' which is why he's targeting a new project?"
Li Chen turned to Miss Liu and said: "Before the copyright issues of 'mulan' are clarified, Stanley Tong is just playing an empty fort strategy."
"If it were truly decided, wouldn't he look for his rumored girlfriend?"
Liu Yifei and Yang Siwei suddenly understood; so that's how it was.
Liu Yifei's joy was for nothing.
Li Chen squeezed her hand tightly: "What's with that expression? Didn't I promise you? This 'mulan' will be filmed sooner or later, and it will be yours sooner or later!"
Liu Yifei's heart rejoiced; how could she have forgotten what Li Chen had just said?
Yang Siwei smiled: "Oh, by the way, Boss, there's one more thing. Will 'those years' participate in this year's Hundred Flowers and Golden Horse Awards?"
"They've already sent us invitations. If it were in the past, I would have definitely rejected them."
"But since you participated in the Hong Kong Film Awards this year, how could the Hundred Flowers and Golden Horse Awards let you go?"
Li Chen turned to see Miss Liu's expectant eyes and smiled: "You want to go?"
Miss Liu pouted: "Of course I want to go! I'm not like you; you've won the Golden Palm and Silver Lion, but I'm still empty-handed!"
Yang Siwei interrupted her: "Yifei, isn't it my boss who's empty-handed? It seems that the Golden Palm and Silver Lion are both with you!"
Li Chen burst out laughing, and Liu Yifei said angrily: "Don't interrupt!"
Both of them stared at Li Chen, who considered it for a moment and nodded: "If you want to go, then let's go."
"The Hundred Flowers Awards this year has added a Best Newcomer Award, and for the first time, it has included online voting and phone voting."
"For you, it's a perfect alignment of timing, location, and human relations."
If the Hundred Flowers doesn't give you Best Newcomer this time, then let it play by itself from now on!
"I'm not going to the Golden Horse Awards."
Liu Yifei asked, puzzled, "Why aren't you going to the Golden Horse Awards?"
Li Chen playfully poked her nose and smiled, "The Hundred Flowers is voted by the audience, but the Golden Horse Awards isn't. What if those people give me Best Newcomer or Best Actor? What would you do?"
Yang Siwei exclaimed, "Boss, you've spoiled Yifei to the heavens."
Liu Yifei's heart was filled with sweetness, and her eyes were full of Li Chen's reflection.
Yang Siwei cried out that she couldn't take it anymore and quickly got up to leave.
"Siwei, go out and have the assistant find Director Wu. I have something to discuss with him."
Liu Yifei heard this and said, "You have something to talk about with Director Wu, so I'll head back first. I have to shoot an endorsement tomorrow, it's so annoying!"
Li Chen got up to see Miss Liu out.
Which employee in the company didn't know that Liu Yifei was the big boss's girlfriend now?
They all greeted her eagerly.
"Yifei, come to the company often," the front desk lady said with a smile as she sent Liu Yifei into the elevator.
"Don't worry, even if you don't say it, I'll come often," Liu Yifei said with a smile.
Wu Bin received a call from the boss's assistant and immediately came over.
He entered the door and sat opposite Li Chen, who poured him a cup of tea.
"Director Li, this is the selection list for the three dramas: 'father's love is like a mountain 2,' 'genius gunner,' and 'so young.' Please take a look."
Li Chen had entrusted Wu Bin with the auditions for several company dramas these past two days.
Wu Bin, along with several assistant directors from the company's director team and Yang Siwei, formed the casting director team.
Starting from the fifteenth, auditions were simultaneously held for the three dramas, excluding 'painted skin 2' and 'china partner.'
Li Chen picked up the list and scanned it.
For his own 'father's love is like a mountain 2,' the role of the daughter was surprisingly given to Fan Bingbing.
He recalled that although Fan Bingbing had problems later, her dramas were not completely removed from all platforms, so choosing her seemed fine.
The lawyer's role for Yu Nan was set for Chen Shu.
This person had just finished filming "new shanghai bund" with Huang Xiaoming, playing Fang Yanyun, which was also acceptable.
Li Chen briefly looked at 'genius gunner' and 'so young.'
As long as there weren't any actors who would cause trouble in the future, it was fine.
"I have no objections. Let Siwei announce it to the public," Li Chen said decisively.
He had to be present to oversee the casting of 'painted skin 2' and couldn't let Wu Ershan make the decisions.
"Alright, my 'china partner' will also start casting as soon as possible. If there's nothing else, I'll head out, Director Li," Wu Bin said.
"Don't rush, I didn't call you here for this matter."
Wu Bin, who had just gotten up to leave, sat back down. He had thought Li Chen called him only about the casting.
"These past two days, you'll travel to Hong Kong Island and meet with General Manager Zhen of TVB to express Rongchen Film and Television's intentions."
Wu Bin asked, puzzled, "What intentions, Director Li?"
"Acquisition—TVB!" Li Chen said, word by word.
Wu Bin's hand, holding the teacup, trembled, and a few drops of tea spilled out.
"Acquire... TVB?" Wu Bin exclaimed in surprise!
"What, is it strange?" Li Chen asked with a smile.
Wu Bin came back to his senses, swallowed, steadied himself, and quickly shook his head, "No, no, Director Li."
"It's just that, to acquire TVB, does Rongchen Film and Television have the financial strength in its current situation?"
He had also paid attention to the recent Hong Kong Island media reports about TVB.
The founder, Shao Yifu, was in poor health, and none of his children intended to inherit TVB.
This led to the possibility of TVB, which had been on air for 39 years, changing hands.
However, news from the Hong Kong Island investment banking sector indicated that although Shao Yifu and relevant parties intended to sell their shares.
The asking price was considerable, totaling nearly 10 billion yuan!
Even if Director Li had a solid family background, he probably wouldn't be able to afford it.
Li Chen said with a chuckle, "Who told you we're the only ones?"
"You go first to make contact and express our intentions. We are already strategic partners."
"And this matter isn't something that can be achieved overnight; good things take time."
"If necessary, I'd also like to meet with Shao Yifu."
Wu Bin's eyes were somewhat solemn, and he felt increasingly unable to understand this young boss.
His moves were getting bigger and bigger.
If Rongchen Film and Television truly acquired TVB, it would undoubtedly be like adding wings to a tiger for Rongchen Film and Television.
TVB's three major characteristics were famous throughout the country.
Star training classes, golden producers, and top actors and actresses.
It was also one of the three television giants in Hong Kong Island.
Every year, it provided free television entertainment programs to 2.05 million households in Hong Kong Island.
It was the television station that produced the most Chinese-language programs globally.
The dramas it produced were sold in over thirty countries and regions overseas.
Both its distribution strength and content production were top-notch in Asia.
"I understand, Director Li. I will depart for Hong Kong Island tomorrow."
Li Chen nodded and smiled, "Director Wu, be more confident. In front of Rongchen Film and Television, TVB is just an old and declining entity."
Wu Bin smiled, "I understand. With Director Li's words, I'll go there and put on a grand show, and I will never disgrace Rongchen Film and Television."
Li Chen nodded slightly.
He had considered acquiring TVB for a long time.
Many excellent dramas either couldn't pass censorship in the mainland or were drastically altered.
The most direct example was Zhao Liying's 'the story of ming lan'; the original novel was brilliant.
Unfortunately, the TV script was completely changed to an unbearable extent.
Although the ratings were extremely high, it couldn't be denied that the forced whitewashing of several villain characters led to a terrible ending.
There were many competitors interested in TVB.
Such as CCTV, Li Chaoren and his son, Malaysian tycoons, and so on.
But Li Chen also didn't plan to fight alone.
Wu Bin left Li Chen's office and had just entered his own office.
Yang Siwei knocked and came in.
"Director Wu, what about Xiao Fan's role?" Yang Siwei asked with a smile.
During Fan Bingbing's audition, she had asked for a favor for Fan Bingbing.
Originally, Fan Bingbing also had a certain level of acting skill and fame.
The assistant directors and Director Wu naturally wouldn't refuse her, so they confirmed Fan Bingbing.
"Don't worry, Director Li didn't say anything, so he probably understands," Wu Bin said with a smile.
"Perfect, this is the casting list for the three dramas. Director Li wants you to announce it to the public."
Yang Siwei took it with a smile, thanked him, and left.
Fan Bingbing, who had just returned to her hotel from the 'haunted mansion' set, received a text message from Yang Siwei.
"I've secured the role for you. Come with your agent tomorrow to sign the contract and pick up the script."
"Perform well. My boss on set won't care if you're Fan Bingbing or Li Bingbing!"
The exhausted Fan Bingbing immediately revived with full energy, quickly calling her agent.
Wang Zhonglei of Huayi Brothers also learned the news immediately.
Xiao Fan's matter was resolved, but Bingbing's 'painted skin 2' was still unsettled.
Wang Zhonglei's brows furrowed again; he couldn't ignore either side.
Although 'father's love is like a mountain 2' was something Xiao Fan fought for herself, the outside world wouldn't see it that way.
If gossip media reported on it, it was hard to guarantee that the Bingbing sisters wouldn't be upset again.
In fact, they were already upset.
In Li Xue's office, Li Bingbing didn't hide anything in front of her sister.
Li Bingbing's makeup was exquisite, and her long hair was tied up in a bun.
At first glance, it was impossible to tell that she was over thirty.
Sitting on the sofa opposite Li Xue, she held a cup of coffee and sighed softly, "Xue'er, you said Director Wang put in so much effort, but can he ultimately keep Xiao Fan?"
Li Xue snorted coldly, "It's futile! Sister, let's wait and see. If Director Wang makes people feel disheartened, a tree dies when it's moved, but a person lives when they move. There'll be nothing to miss about Huayi Brothers then."
Li Bingbing smiled helplessly, "Why do you think Director Li wants to completely overhaul 'painted skin 2'? Siwei said Louis Koo probably won't be used, which also made me question it."
"I don't believe it's as simple as Siwei says, just that Director Li wants to promote new talent."
Li Xue scoffed, stood up from her boss's chair, and sat down on the sofa next to her sister.
"Of course not. Blame it on us being Huayi Brothers' people. Just open your eyes and watch, sister."
"Sooner or later, Huayi Brothers and Rongchen Film and Television will clash. How can one mountain accommodate two tigers?"