Chapter 143: 'Discussing the Script'
The acquisition battle for TVB was not something that could be completed in ten days, half a month, or by just one or two people.
With the registration of Handang Private Equity Fund, Rongchen Film and Television's intention to acquire TVB was made clear to the public.
The remaining three companies all tried to create an advantageous acquisition atmosphere through various means.
In the chairman's office of China Film Group Corporation, a phone call was quite unusual.
"Director Wang, rest assured, we will spare no effort to support Li Chen."
"Old Yang, it's been a long time since I've seen such a young person. Don't have any ideological burdens; the General Administration will treat everyone equally."
"Thank you, Director Wang, I understand."
After hanging up the phone, the head of China Film Group Corporation let out a sigh of relief.
Even the General Administration was alarmed. What did 'treating everyone equally' mean?
It meant there would be no favoritism; this was to liberate his thinking!
"Xiao Chen, tell Sanping to come to my office," the head of China Film Group Corporation picked up the phone and instructed.
A moment later, Han Sanping appeared before him.
"Sanping, I just finished a call with Director Wang."
Han Sanping asked, "What did Director Wang say, Yang Dong?"
Yang Dong chuckled, "Director Wang told us to 'cherish' talent."
Han Sanping pondered for a moment and then understood.
It seemed Li Chen's actions this time had caught the attention of the higher-ups.
The top brass must be happy to see both sides acquire TVB.
If successful, it would be for the best, and a successful acquisition by an inland private enterprise also aligned with the wishes of the higher-ups.
Han Sanping sneered, "That kid, Li Chen! Yang Dong, let's not tell him about this, otherwise, he'll become even more reckless in the future."
Yang Dong laughed heartily, "Young people! How can they not have rough edges? Besides, I think some of his words aren't baseless."
"For example, his reason for not investing in red cliff, Sanping, you need to pay attention. Wu Yusen's return to develop here, besides our market getting better and better..."
"The consecutive box office failures of two films, which made Hollywood investors lose confidence in him, is the main issue."
Han Sanping understood in his heart that Yang Dong was hinting at him.
"Yang Dong is right. I've already found new investors for red cliff, and our China Film Group Corporation only holds a small portion."
Yang Dong nodded, "It's good that you're aware. This year, for you, don't seek merit, just avoid mistakes!"
"Thank you for the guidance, Yang Dong."
Leaving the office, Han Sanping chuckled and shook his head, muttering to himself, "If it were in the past, that kid would have gotten an imperial sword."
The kid who Han Sanping said had already gotten an imperial sword was currently kissing his girlfriend goodbye at the airport.
Liu Yifei drove him to the airport; the father's love is like a mountain 2 crew was departing for Shanghai.
In the sports car, the two kissed passionately, making Li Chen wish he could swallow Miss Liu whole.
After finally separating, Miss Liu, with a neat ponytail and wearing a cream-colored spaghetti strap dress, had rosy cheeks and misty eyes.
"When you go to Shanghai, call me on time every night at nine! Did you hear me!"
Li Chen pulled her into his arms, "I heard you. In a little over a month, the thieves will also start filming, and you and I will graduate. You should make time to study the script more."
Miss Liu obediently hummed in agreement.
"Sometimes, an actor's unintentional action can become a classic. In the thieves, you have a scene where you light a cigarette and smoke. Although it's not a long scene, it's a challenge for you."
Miss Liu sat up, her gaze clear, "What do you mean?"
Li Chen smiled, "Your image on screen and television has always been ethereal, pure, and unparalleled, a positive image."
"This time, you're an undercover thief. Breaking through limitations and broadening your acting range is a necessary path for every actor."
Miss Liu listened carefully, biting her lip and nodding seriously.
Li Chen cupped her face and kissed her, "Don't worry, I'll help you."
Miss Liu pushed Li Chen's head away and said proudly, "Who needs your help! I can do it without you! Hmph!"
Li Chen burst into laughter, and the two of them lingered for more than ten minutes.
Li Chen, with two assistants, entered the airport.
The filming location was chosen to be Shanghai instead of Tianjin, because Li Chen believed that in 2006, the most urban cities were undoubtedly Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
And Ren Zhonglun had invited him to attend the Shanghai International Film Festival, with Andy Lau and Fan Bingbing also on the invitation list.
So, Li Chen simply chose Shanghai as the filming location.
Filming was mainly concentrated in three places: Grand Hyatt Jin Mao, Centennial Mansion, and the Yangtze River Bridge.
After getting off the plane, Li Chen went straight to Grand Hyatt Jin Mao and arranged to meet Ren Zhonglun the next day.
Li Chen stayed in a Grand Club Suite, with all services and facilities available, and the hotel provided a meeting room.
Li Chen asked his assistant to gather all the main actors in the meeting room; several main actors had arrived a day earlier than Li Chen.
On the last day of May, the father's love is like a mountain 2 crew gathered in Shanghai.
Andy Lau, Chen Baoguo, Fan Bingbing, and Huang Bo entered the meeting room, their gazes at Li Chen different from usual.
The group greeted Li Chen one after another, with Andy Lau and Chen Baoguo sitting on either side of Li Chen.
Seeing their unnatural expressions, Li Chen smiled, "What? You all don't recognize me? Didn't we just see each other a few days ago?"
Andy Lau was very familiar with Li Chen and joked, "Don't talk about them; even though we're so close, I only truly got to know you these past two days."
"4.5 billion, the gap is really huge! Unlike me, I go bankrupt every now and then."
Huang Bo laughed, "Hua Ge, when it comes to net worth, all of our net worth combined isn't as thick as Director Li's single finger."
Li Chen looked at Huang Bo with a playful smile.
Huang Bo immediately changed his tune, "However, when it comes to fans, Director Li can't even hold a candle to Hua Ge."
Fan Bingbing's heart rippled, and she sighed pitifully, "But I can't compare to Director Li in either aspect. What do you think I should do, Bo Ge?"
The atmosphere became lively, and the main actors gradually opened up.
Li Chen's actions a few days ago had been too significant, so much so that they, as actors, felt a misconception that they were not from the same world.
"It's okay, Mengmeng, Dad is here. Anything Director Li has, Dad can give you," Chen Baoguo immediately got into character.
The meeting room immediately erupted in laughter.
Fan Bingbing couldn't stop smiling.
Chen Shu also said, "Mengmeng, CEO Lin (Lin Tai) is no worse than Director Li. We don't compare anything else; when it comes to having a powerful dad, no one can beat you."
The clever remarks flowed, and Fan Bingbing immediately became the target of everyone's teasing.
Zuo Xiaoqing glanced at Fan Bingbing, smiling but saying nothing, secretly thinking that the other party's appearance was indeed that of a standard beauty.
She wondered if Director Li chose Fan Bingbing for her 'person' or her 'popularity'!
Great directors were one more uninhibited than the next, and Li Chen was now famous at a young age.
Perhaps with just a flick of his finger, how many women wouldn't succumb?
Others didn't know, but she herself had no confidence; unfortunately, Director Li never seemed to have that kind of intention towards her.
Li Chen smiled, "Alright, seeing that everyone is getting into character quickly, I don't have much else to say. I'm hosting tonight; consider it a wrap party."
The next day, father's love is like a mountain 2 quietly began filming in the multi-function hall of the Grand Hyatt Hotel.
The crew arrived in Shanghai in advance and transformed a multi-function hall capable of holding 750 people into a courtroom scene.
The outdoor scenes would be shot elsewhere later.
It wasn't until filming began that the media learned about father's love is like a mountain 2, and the secrecy was remarkably well-maintained.
The media flocked to the Grand Hyatt, but the hotel blocked them.
This was also one of the reasons Li Chen chose this world's tallest five-star hotel as the filming location.
"those years box office settles at 275 million, all three different genre films produced by Rongchen Film and Television surpass Hero in box office."
"Liu Yifei lands high-end jewelry endorsement, Sony once again extends an olive branch to Liu Yifei."
"father's love is like a mountain 2 quietly begins filming in Shanghai today."
"Scarlett surpasses Jolie, topping the 'FHM' list of the world's 100 sexiest women."
"Zhang Ziyi ranks 86th, surpassing Tom Cruise's girlfriend Katie Holmes and King Kong actress Naomi Watts."
Zhang Ziyi's inclusion made her highly sought after in Cannes, and also brought more buyers' favor to the banquet.
father's love is like a mountain 2 set.
During the lunch break, several main actors sat around Li Chen, eating.
Huang Bo savored the poached chicken supplied by the hotel's Yue Zhen Xuan, smacking his lips, "If all film crews' meals could compare to Director Li's, what more could one ask for!"
Li Chen didn't respond to Huang Bo's life reflections.
"Hey, Director Li, what do you think is the basis for that online 'Top 100 Sexiest Women in the World' poll?" Zuo Xiaoqing suddenly asked.
Compared to Fan Bingbing, perhaps she didn't have an advantage.
But compared to International Zhang, she was confident that besides her status, she was no worse in terms of figure or feminine charm.
Women's competitive psychology was everywhere; even Chen Shu put down his chopsticks, elegantly wiped his lips, and waited to see how Li Chen would answer.
Andy Lau, Huang Bo, and Chen Baoguo found it difficult to comment.
In fact, everyone knew the answer in their hearts.
Fan Bingbing also watched Li Chen with great interest.
Her enchanting eyes sparkled, like a beautiful snake flicking its tongue.
When it came to sexiness, she could leave International Zhang far behind.
Zuo Xiaoqing and Li Chen were quite familiar, so she spoke without much reservation.
Li Chen wiped his mouth with a tissue, glanced at Zuo Xiaoqing, "If you were the lead in memoirs of a geisha, you could also make the list."
This single sentence made Huang Bo lower his head, his shoulders trembling.
Zuo Xiaoqing smiled, "Does Director Li mean I'm sexier than International Zhang?"
There was a hint of teasing in that remark, and Fan Bingbing, who loved to stir up trouble, was sitting nearby.
"Director Li, if I played the role in memoirs of a geisha, where would I rank?" Fan Bingbing asked seductively.
Li Chen wouldn't fall for her trick; the Fan Bingbing before him, dressed in a prison uniform with a pale face, made it hard to associate her with the word 'sexy'.
"Are you two deliberately digging a pit for me with such offensive words? Hua Ge's emotional intelligence is famously high; let Hua Ge answer you two."
Andy Lau quickly put down his chopsticks, "Hey, hey, hey, don't drag me into this."
Li Chen straightened his face, "Old Huang, why don't you tell us? I see you're smiling quite happily."
Huang Bo immediately stopped smiling, "Where was I smiling, Director Li? You must have seen wrong."
Zuo Xiaoqing and Fan Bingbing exchanged glances; seeing that Li Chen didn't want to answer, they didn't press further.
In the afternoon, filming continued.
This scene was Fan Bingbing's first time in court.
Makeup and lighting were being prepared.
Everything was ready, and the script supervisor gave Li Chen an OK gesture.
“Action”
Fan Bingbing entered with handcuffs, and the eyes of all the extras and lead actors turned to her.
The camera zoomed in.
“Cut!”
Everyone on set was confused and looked at Li Chen.
Li Chen looked at Fan Bingbing: “No, for this scene, I don’t want pitiful! I still want fear!”
“It’s your first time in court, wearing a prisoner’s uniform, handcuffed, with so many strangers’ strange gazes on you. Aren’t you scared?”
“Pity is how others feel about you, not how you define yourself! Again!”
When Li Chen spoke, the set fell silent. Fan Bingbing felt a bit of pressure: “I understand, Director Li, let’s do it again.”
Li Chen nodded: “You can improvise. Do you have any natural small movements when you’re usually scared, like shrinking or shrugging your shoulders? Be natural, natural!”
This scene took five takes to pass.
Li Chen planned to finish the court scenes within a week. At the same time, two other assistant directors were also shooting other scene parts.
This was equivalent to three lines progressing simultaneously. The scenes at the parking lot incident site did not require Andy Lau and Chen Shu’s participation.
This filming model also made the lead actors feel quite novel. They thought it was Director Li’s graduation project, probably because he was in a hurry.
For five consecutive days, the lead actors had a blast filming.
By this point, everyone could already predict that this film would most likely be another blockbuster with over 100 million at the box office.
Even the lead actors felt so tense and thrilling while filming.
What kind of emotions would the audience feel? No one could guess the ending until the very last moment.
The court scenes were halfway through filming. Today was Andy Lau and Fan Bingbing’s opposing scene.
In recent days, the lead actors had been tormented quite a bit by Li Chen. Everyone had more or less some issues.
Chen Baoguo had the fewest NGs, and Fan Bingbing had the most.
Everything was ready.
“Action”
Andy Lau, in a prosecutor’s uniform, with his hair meticulously combed in a 3-7 split, exuded a cold aura and sharp eyes, slowly walking in while staring at Fan Bingbing, who stood in the defendant’s dock.
The camera zoomed in for a close-up of Fan Bingbing, her face looking tired, eyelids drooping, dodging Andy Lau’s piercing gaze.
“Defendant Lin Mengmeng, on the night of the incident, did you drive your red Cayenne into the scene?”
“Yes.”
“After parking, did you meet the victim, Yang Dan, and then bring her into your car?”
“Yes.”
“Immediately after your car started, she got out and argued with you, pointing at you!”
Andy Lau’s momentum gradually increased, and as his grew, Fan Bingbing’s responses became softer and softer.
“Then you drove into her!” Andy Lau suddenly emphasized his tone, all his spirit concentrated in his eyes, staring intently at Fan Bingbing.
Fan Bingbing shook her head hesitantly, her eyes unfocused: “I was drunk at the time; my mind wasn’t clear.”
Andy Lau continued to intensify his presence: “You had been drinking, but your mind must have been very clear. Otherwise, how could you have soberly reversed and parked! How could you have soberly driven into someone!”
“Cut! That’s a take!”
Hearing Director Li call “take,” Fan Bingbing felt like her whole body had collapsed, afraid of being cut by Director Li again.
Andy Lau exclaimed with satisfaction: “Director Li, wearing this uniform, I feel full of energy.”
On set, Andy Lau was very respectful, addressing Li Chen as Director Li, just like everyone else.
Li Chen also rarely smiled: “Hua Ge, this is called uniform temptation!”
Fan Bingbing was drenched in sweat. She returned to her hotel room and quickly took a shower.
Lying on the bed, Fan Bingbing had an idea that made her restless like a demon.
Then, as if possessed, she sat in front of the vanity mirror and started applying makeup.
In Li Chen’s suite, after just taking a shower, he was on time for his nightly essential, a video call with Miss Liu.
“Did you miss me?” Miss Liu asked with a smile.
“What a silly question! As soon as I’m off set, my mind is full of you!”
Miss Liu beamed, but her joy lasted less than two seconds.
She then saw Li Chen add with a smile: “Full of your fragrant body, and your charming moans…”
Miss Liu’s face instantly turned red, and she gave Li Chen a deadly glare: “Pervert!”
Li Chen chuckled: “I’m only a pervert for you!”
As the two exchanged sweet nothings, the doorbell rang.
“Wait a moment, someone’s here. Don’t hang up.”
“Okay, go quickly.”
Li Chen, wearing a bathrobe, peered through the peephole: “Fan Bingbing? What’s she doing here?”
Li Chen opened the door to see Fan Bingbing with her hands behind her back, sporting a short, ear-length haircut.
She wore a black hollow-out silk long-sleeved top, slim-fit light blue jeans, and white high-heeled sandals, appearing fresh and clean.
Li Chen leaned against the door, not letting her in, and just smiled: “What? Something wrong?”
Fan Bingbing took out the script from behind her back, looking innocent and pitiful.
“There are a few parts in the script that I just can’t quite grasp, Chen Ge. Could you personally guide me a bit, so I don’t get NG’d by you every day? I’m almost becoming an introvert.”
If Li Chen didn’t understand what Fan Bingbing meant after that, he would have lived his two lives in vain.
She wasn’t calling him Director Li anymore, but Chen Ge.
He had encountered this situation in his previous life too.
But at that time, he was like a ghost possessed, foolishly acting worse than a beast!
He ended up chatting with the person in the room for an hour, and nothing happened.
In this life, he wasn’t foolish, but the outcome was still no different.
“Three thousand weak waters, I take but one sip.” With Miss Liu, his chances of cheating were lower than a high-speed train.
Fan Bingbing and Fan Wei, besides their names being different, were no different to him.
“Discussing the script, huh? Okay, go wait for me at the coffee shop on the eighty-seventh floor. I’ll change and be right there.”
Fan Bingbing was stunned, caught off guard, and before she could speak, the door had already closed automatically.
Fan Bingbing’s self-confidence was severely shaken. After a few seconds of hesitation, she walked towards the elevator with a slight frown.
A door not far away also quietly closed.
Zuo Xiaoqing, holding a script in one hand, gently caressed her chest as she leaned against the door.
She felt lucky that Fan Bingbing had gone first; otherwise, she would probably be the one getting the cold shoulder.
She hadn’t expected Director Li to be somewhat different.
“Discussing the script,” he could actually resist discussing it in the room and even proactively suggested going to the 87th-floor coffee shop, in plain sight.
It was as if he was afraid of not having witnesses! A cat that doesn’t steal fish? She didn’t believe it!
Turning back to her computer, facing Miss Liu’s casual question: “Who was that?”
Li Chen didn’t hide it: “Fan Bingbing, she wants to discuss the script with me.”
Miss Liu’s expression was playful, her gaze piercing through the screen onto Li Chen’s face as if it were tangible.
Her tone was unfriendly: “Discuss the script? Then why didn’t you invite her in? Didn’t you discuss it for a whole day during the read-through?”
These words sounded aggressive, with a hint of menace.
Li Chen immediately focused his eyes inward, then his heart, then his nose: “I told her to wait at the coffee shop. There are more people there, so the ‘script’ will be easier to explain clearly.”
Miss Liu gave a soft huff: “Good for you for knowing better! Is ten minutes enough?”
“Ten minutes?”
“What, too much?”
“Not too much! Just ten minutes! Okay, I’m going. I’ll get rid of her in ten minutes.”
Liu Yifei pouted angrily.
After ending the video call, Liu Yifei lay on the bed and picked up a book, but she couldn’t focus on it.
Her mind was filled with the words “discuss the script.”
Logically, her boyfriend’s actions left her with no fault to find, but she just felt uncomfortable.
She kicked the duvet a few times with her small feet, as if the duvet in front of her was Li Chen.
She then picked up the photo of her and Li Chen on Hollywood Beach from the bedside table.
Poking Li Chen’s face in the photo, she puffed out her cheeks and muttered to herself.
“If you dare to misbehave, I’ll turn you into my kitten. I mean it, hmph!”
When Fan Bingbing arrived at the coffee shop on the eighty-seventh floor, many people recognized the controversial superstar.
However, people who could afford to stay at the Grand Hyatt generally had higher quality than those irrational fans.
Two or three scattered individuals came up to Fan Bingbing for photos and autographs.
Fan Bingbing politely declined the photos and sat alone by the window, overlooking the night view.
The brilliant lights of the Bund and the shimmering neon were all within her sight.
By the time Li Chen arrived, Fan Bingbing had already adjusted her mindset, her smile appropriate.
Li Chen walked over and sat down. Fan Bingbing smiled: “I didn’t know what Chen Ge liked, so I took the liberty of ordering a cappuccino.”
Li Chen raised an eyebrow and glanced at Fan Bingbing.
He wondered if Fan Bingbing was intentional or unintentional.
She shouldn’t be unaware of the secret meaning of cappuccino, should she?
“I still prefer Americano.”
Fan Bingbing’s expression stiffened, but she instantly covered her embarrassment with a smile: “Then I’ll ask the waiter to change it for you.”
“No need, we’re not here for coffee anyway.”
Fan Bingbing’s expression was slightly unnatural, and she habitually reached to smooth her long hair.
Then she remembered that because of this film, she had already cut it into an ear-length bob.
However, she was secretly wondering: “The secret meaning of Americano is purity. By saying that, is he implying that he always prefers the type like Liu Yifei, unlike herself…”
“Chen Ge, do you look down on me from the bottom of your heart?”
Fan Bingbing, holding the coffee cup with both hands, took a small sip and suddenly bit her lip as she spoke.
Li Chen chuckled: “You’re really interesting! A lead actor asking the director if he looks down on her.”
Fan Bingbing gave a relaxed smile: “You’re right, I’m just being paranoid.”
Li Chen didn’t have time to chat idly with Fan Bingbing: “Aren’t we supposed to discuss the script? I don’t have much time, let’s start.”
Fan Bingbing was stunned again. Having been in the industry for ten years, she had seen countless types of men.
She had never seen a man like Li Chen.
Few of the men she had met before wanted to talk seriously with her.
Yet, this mysterious young man, one year her junior, couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning the script.
Was he truly different? Or was he playing hard to get?