Chapter 144: Blossoming in Many Places
Although Fan Bingbing couldn't fathom Li Chen's thoughts, she didn't rush things.
She had absolute confidence in her appearance.
But when she thought of the man's conditions in all aspects, she felt a little less confident.
However, at least it was a good start.
Wasn't the transition from Director Li to Chen Ge a qualitative leap?
They chatted for less than ten minutes before Li Chen stood up to leave.
Fan Bingbing's mind raced, recalling his earlier gesture of keeping her out.
She smiled and said, "Chen Ge, why are you in such a hurry? Did Yifei come for a surprise inspection?"
Li Chen followed her lead, saying, "Pretty much. My biggest weakness is being afraid of my wife!"
Fan Bingbing covered her mouth and chuckled, "I don't believe it, and no one else would either."
The two exited the elevator and returned to their respective rooms.
After entering his room, Li Chen raised his hand to check his watch; it had been less than ten minutes.
Meanwhile, Liu Yifei, far away at home, was counting down for Li Chen.
In another minute, if Li Chen wasn't online, she would call his assistant.
Seeing Li Chen's QQ avatar prompt a video request, Liu Yifei's lips curved upwards.
She tossed the pillow in her arms, jumped off the bed, and waited a few seconds before answering.
"Finished discussing the script, Director Li?"
Li Chen smiled and said, "So sour. I can smell the vinegar through the screen."
"Who has time to be jealous of you? I haven't finished my graduation thesis yet, so I can't be bothered with you."
"Oh, right, can you help me look at it? I have no confidence at all," Liu Yifei said softly.
She was one of the busiest students in their 2002 Acting Department, having spent very little time at school over the past four years.
She had only met Department Head Wang Jinsong a few times.
With the graduation defense just a few days away, it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous.
"Send it over, and Director Li will go through it for you, ensuring it's foolproof."
Liu Yifei laughed, "You only know how to brag. I don't even know if I can trust you."
While chatting and laughing, Liu Yifei sent the thesis over.
Li Chen opened it and saw the title was quite grand: "A Brief Discussion on the Creativity of Actors."
This tone sounded more like an Acting Department teacher, even with 'brief discussion' in the title.
Li Chen quickly scanned it, maintaining a serious expression, and nodded, "Very good. The writing matches the person, just one word."
Liu Yifei smiled charmingly, "What word?"
"Beautiful!" Li Chen still maintained a solemn expression.
This made Liu Yifei's heart as sweet as honey: "You're just trying to fool me; that's clearly two words! What is it really like? Don't be perfunctory with me."
The two had acted in countless scenes in those years.
Liu Yifei believed that when her boyfriend got serious, she couldn't tell if he was acting with her or not.
Li Chen quickly denied, "I'm telling the truth, how could I be perfunctory with you?"
"Relax, Xixi. If I say you're fine, then you're definitely fine."
"Besides, the graduation defense is just a formality. You have so many representative works; the school won't make things difficult for you."
Liu Yifei's mood lightened, "You talk as if you've been through it."
Li Chen mused inwardly, 'Indeed, I have.'
"Oh, right, you're talking so eloquently, where's your thesis? Send it over for me to see."
Li Chen laughed, "Mine isn't finished yet."
In fact, Li Chen's was already finished, but he was afraid of discouraging Miss Liu if he compared their theses.
Li Chen's thesis contained too much data from Chinese and foreign film history.
It wasn't the same style as the grand, empty theses of Miss Liu's Acting Department.
The two exchanged a few more sweet words, and Li Chen promised her that they would go to the defense together.
The next day, the premiere and press conference for "crossing the guandong" were held at the Meidiya Center in Beijing.
In addition to all the main creators, several important figures from the government also attended.
It was unprecedented!
Leaders from the ministry, the bureau, and relevant officials from Lu Province also made an appearance.
Wu Bin represented Rongchen Film and Television, Han Sanping represented China Film Group Corporation, and Hou Hongliang, the boss of Daylight Entertainment, was naturally present.
Media reports were flying everywhere.
The big fuss made by "crossing the guandong" drew attention from the film and television industry.
Especially Zhouyi and Tangren Media in the TV industry, who felt incredibly uneasy.
Things were about to change.
In an office on the B tower of Jinhua Building in Hong Kong, a husband and wife had gloomy faces.
They even wondered if Rongchen Film and Television was targeting them.
After Zhang Jin, one of Zhouyi's three treasures, left Zhouyi, he inexplicably became the male lead of ip man.
Originally, movies and TV were separate, and even if Rongchen Film and Television made good movies, Zhouyi wouldn't be envious; they all kept to their own business.
But Rongchen Film and Television's ambition didn't stop there.
First, it independently established Donghua Noon Sunshine.
Then came the large-scale project of "crossing the guandong" with an investment of over 30 million, and recently, it led the establishment of a 4.5 billion investment fund to acquire TVB.
This was clearly not a small-time operation.
Guan Yu doesn't open his eyes, but when he does, he kills.
Jiang Xue and Zhou Yi believed that Tangren Media, like them, must also be trembling.
"It's still unknown if 'crossing the guandong' can carry the ratings, so there's no need for us to scare ourselves," Zhou Yi comforted himself.
"Don't deceive yourself at this point! Hou Hongliang has Rongchen Film and Television standing behind him."
"If 'crossing the guandong' doesn't work out, there's 'Crossing the West,' 'Crossing the North,' and even 'Crossing the South.' They don't lack funds, talent, or connections!"
"We're not facing a novice with no foundation; we're facing a capital behemoth that wants to acquire TVB!"
Zhou Yi's face was grim; his wife's words made him feel like a grandson, unable to retort a single word.
Jiang Xue, however, didn't stop.
"The future landscape won't be us and Tangren Media competing for dominance anymore; a three-way split is also impossible."
"Sooner or later, Donghua Noon Sunshine will dominate. Just you watch!"
Jiang Xue rubbed her temples, a headache throbbing.
She saw the future landscape more clearly than anyone, yet she was powerless.
Hadn't Tangren Media already shown signs of submission?
How their popular young actor Hu Ge got into so young, she could guess a thing or two without even investigating.
It was likely that Rongchen Film and Television's new actors would inevitably appear in Tangren Media's next drama.
And they definitely wouldn't be minor roles.
Li Chen's father's love is like a mountain 2 was progressing quickly.
A week had passed since Fan Bingbing's late-night script discussion, and although Fan Bingbing hadn't come again afterward.
She believed that her relationship with Li Chen had indeed taken a big step forward.
It had reached a point where occasional jokes were harmless.
Today's scene was a plot twist.
Fan Bingbing stood behind Li Chen, her eyes flitting between the camera and Li Chen, her mind in a mess.
"Action."
Chen Shu (Lawyer Zhou Li): You just said you were very grateful to Lin Tai, right?
Huang Bo (Lin Tai's driver): Yes.
"You're lying again. Gratitude is just an appearance. In reality, you hate her, you hate her to the core!"
"Cut!"
A single 'cut' pulled Fan Bingbing, who was behind Li Chen, back to reality, her face inexplicably flushed.
Chen Shu was slightly uneasy: "Director Li, is something wrong?"
Li Chen nodded: "The lines are too flat. They don't convey the calm, composed, yet firm and gentle nature of a female lawyer."
"At this moment, the driver is a trapped beast in your eyes. Your lines need to fully embody confidence and rhythm."
"You are the hunter, and he is merely your prey in the palm of your hand!"
"The style you portray is precisely the opposite of the prosecutor played by Tong Tao. If he is a sharp, exposed treasured saber."
"Then you are a treasured sword with the cold frost of a winter moon, capable of taking lives even when its edge is hidden."
"Take a five-minute break, then we'll do it again."
Chen Shu pursed her lips and nodded, then sat aside by herself to find her feeling.
Chen Baoguo stepped forward and smiled, "Even if Director Li weren't a director, he would definitely be outstanding as a teacher."
Li Chen laughed, "Teacher Baoguo, you flatter me. I don't want to be a teacher. Being a director is enough to be hated."
"I'm afraid many people, after filming with me, secretly curse me for being unfeeling."
Huang Bo immediately interjected, "Let me state, I never have."
Fan Bingbing quickly raised her hand and smiled, "I wouldn't dare. I'm just a small actress."
Li Chen scoffed, "You wouldn't dare? I'm afraid you're the one who curses me the most in this play."
"But curse all you want, if it's an NG, I still have to NG you."
Andy Lau and Huang Bo both laughed, and Fan Bingbing was also able to take a joke.
She didn't mind at all, as she was the youngest and had the most NGs.
"This humble woman is wronged. As long as Chen Ge has a role for me in his next play, I wouldn't complain even if I NG until dawn," Fan Bingbing teased.
NG until dawn—that phrase sounded so strange. Li Chen stopped joking.
Filming had to continue.
On June 14th, Li Chen returned to Beijing to attend his graduation defense.
Liu Yifei was without makeup today, with her long hair draped over her shoulders and a white T-shirt.
It gave Li Chen a sense of a girl next door growing up.
Li Chen drove her to school, but Miss Liu hesitated to get out of the car.
Li Chen took her hand and smiled, "What's wrong? Nervous?"
Miss Liu nodded silently, her hands were cold.
Li Chen smiled slightly, reached out and put his arm around her neck, then leaned in and kissed her.
About half a minute later, Miss Liu pushed him away, her face flushed.
"Still nervous? If you're nervous, we can continue!"
"Get lost! Who wants to continue with you? You can continue in the car by yourself." With that, Miss Liu tossed her head and got out of the car, smiling.
Li Chen also got out of the car and openly took Miss Liu's hand.
Miss Liu struggled a few times but couldn't break free.
"What are you doing? So many students at school are watching!" Miss Liu chided.
"Let them watch. If they weren't watching, I wouldn't even hold your hand! It's rare to have a chance to show off our affection, so I have to seize it tightly."
"Crazy!" Miss Liu laughed and cursed, but she was still very pleased.
The students at the school rarely saw Li Chen and Liu Yifei appear together.
And they were holding hands, not at all afraid of making others sick with envy.
A few bold boys walked past the two, laughing and jeering, "Liu Yifei, the box office for those years didn't surpass painted skin."
Liu Yifei turned her head and teased Li Chen, "Did you hear that, Director Li? Don't let go!"
Li Chen's domineering aura leaked out as he said to those students, "I'll make up for the difference for her."
The female students covered their mouths and chuckled, while the male students burst into laughter.
They gave thumbs up and chattered, "Director Li is generous!"
"It's a good thing the difference isn't much!"
Liu Yifei completely relaxed, shook Li Chen's hand, and smiled so broadly her mouth couldn't close: "How can you brag so much!"
Li Chen smiled, "Not nervous now, are you?"
Liu Yifei was startled: "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"What do you mean on purpose? I wasn't bragging. Don't you want a birthday present? I'll give you everything at once, no less, only more!"
Liu Yifei exclaimed, then quickly said, "What are you going to buy now? I was just joking with you that day. You've already given me so many things, don't buy anymore."
"Having you with me is better than any gift."
Li Chen couldn't help but tease her, "Oh, oh, oh, my Miss Liu can also say sweet words now. Then this money must be spent even more! Isn't making money just for spending it?"
"Spending it on you is better than letting it pile up and gather dust in the bank!"
The two chatted and laughed all the way to the thesis defense classroom.
All of Liu Yifei's classmates were there, many of whom Li Chen didn't know.
But while he didn't know others, no one didn't know him.
One by one, they all stood up and greeted Li Chen.
Seeing Li Chen accompanying Liu Yifei, the female classmates had various expressions.
Some were openly envious, while others appeared indifferent; in short, they were all good actors.
Only Zhu Yawen, Luo Jin, and Jiang Yiyan, a few classmates familiar with Liu Yifei, were unconcerned.
Zhu Yawen and Luo Jin smiled and stepped forward to jokingly say, "Yifei, Director Li, can you two give us a break?"
Li Chen didn't pay attention to Zhu and Luo.
Seeing several teachers in the classroom, including Miss Liu's homeroom teacher Wang Jinsong, Li Chen didn't want to disturb them, so he proactively spoke to Miss Liu: "Relax, I'm going to Teacher Tian's side."
Miss Liu nodded, watching Li Chen leave.
Zhu Yawen sighed, "I really want to go see Director Li's graduation defense. The scene there must be much more exciting than ours."
"It's only exciting because of Director Li; otherwise, the Director Department only has a few people, and all of them combined don't have as much fame as Director Li alone," Luo Jin added.
Li Chen's thesis topic was "On How to Narrow the Gap Between Chinese and American Cinema," which covered several aspects.
It listed comparative data from the past decade for several major global film markets, including North America, Europe, and the Mainland.
It also discussed how Chinese-language films could utilize the golden decade to narrow the gap and enhance competitiveness.
It also mentioned the pros and cons of a series of measures taken by the authorities and the reform of the film festival's judging mechanism.
The teachers on the stage, including Department Head Tian Zhuangzhuang, were all speechless after listening.
"That concludes my thesis. Please, teachers, ask your questions," Li Chen said the last sentence.
He put down the laser pointer in his hand and organized the PPT directory.
"Teacher Tian, why don't you ask?" Wang Hongwei passed the buck to Tian Zhuangzhuang.
The other teachers were the same; this top student from the Director Department still had the same sharp rhetoric as always.
He dared to speak about anything. This thesis contained both subtle praise for some reform measures by China Film Group Corporation.
It also directly pointed out some inaction by various associations and how they should be improved.
The sharp commentary in the thesis on the past selection results of the Golden Rooster Awards also made the teachers on stage break out in cold sweat.
"The Best Actor and Actress at film festivals should not absurdly feature the bizarre phenomenon of being unknown before being elected and remaining unknown after being elected."
Tian Zhuangzhuang said expressionlessly, "Since you have nothing to ask, then next!"
The teachers were all stunned. Not a single question?
"What, do you have questions? If you have questions, just ask."
They all muttered to themselves, how could they ask?
With so much data in the thesis, they might not even be clear about it.
If they asked and were challenged by the student, would they still have their dignity as teachers?
They found it even harder to ask overly sensitive questions.
After a long silence, no one asked.
Tian Zhuangzhuang waved his hand, "Next."
With that, he got up and gave Li Chen a look.
Li Chen understood and followed Tian Zhuangzhuang out of the classroom.
The gossip about Liu Yifei and Li Chen made entertainment headlines in less than two hours.
"Liu Yifei and Li Chen hold hands on Beijing Film Academy campus for graduation defense."
"Li Chen openly states he will personally cover Liu Yifei's three hundred million box office, finally winning over the beauty."
Li Chen and Liu Yifei only learned about this when Yang Siwei called.
"What is all this writing about? Look, it's all your fault," Liu Yifei put her cell phone in front of Li Chen.
Li Chen saw the message and burst out laughing, "They're not wrong, are they? Isn't it finally winning over the beauty!"
"Isn't that right, Miss Liu?"
"You big idiot! Drive your car!"
The gossip of netizens was terrifying; all of Li Chen's past actions were dug up.
"In 2004, visited 'Chinese Paladin'; in 2005, visited 'The Return of the Condor Heroes'; in 2005, Liu Yifei's coming-of-age ceremony, Li Chen was never absent."
There were also pictures below as evidence.
The general public then realized that Li Chen had been harboring ill intentions towards Liu Yifei for a long time.
Netizens said all sorts of things.
"Flowers always favor dung; a good cabbage has been rooted up by a pig again."
"Wolfish ambition, Little Dragon Girl needs to keep her eyes open, besides Guo Er, everyone else covets your body!"
"Liu Yifei, learn from Chen Hong, don't gamble your youth on tomorrow."
Li Chen's scalp tingled, while Miss Liu watched the public's condemnation of Li Chen, finding it incredibly amusing.
"Director Li, if you try any tricks in the future, I won't even need to act; netizens will get revenge for me."
Just as Li Chen was about to retort to Miss Liu, Gu Yongkeng called.
It turned out that Heyi was changing its name to Youku.
Gu Yongkeng had already mentioned it to him when they met at the Chang'an Club last time.
Originally, Gu Yongkeng wanted to leverage Li Chen's fame and publicly reveal Li Chen's shareholder status.
But Li Chen rejected it.
The next day, "crossing the guandong" premiered.
Its viewership ratings immediately surpassed "the legend of the white snake," which had aired last month.
Two days later, it broke the viewership record of another of Li Youbing's works, "bright sword."
It reached an astonishing 12.85%, unequivocally becoming the viewership champion of the first half of the year.
Online reviews were overwhelmingly positive.
"This is what a quality domestic drama should be! Thirty million wasn't wasted!"
"Li Chen wasn't bragging; this momentum indeed aims to set an industry benchmark."
Hou Hongliang's voice on the phone was even louder!
"Hahaha, Li Chen, our efforts of over a year weren't in vain! CCTV just contacted me; the second round of broadcasts will still be on CCTV-8."
"Three satellite TV stations and five local channels have also called the company, willing to acquire it at a high price!"
Li Chen, who had just landed in Shanghai, was also happy: "Congratulations, Old Hou, Donghua Noon Sunshine's first step is firmly established!"
At the same time, Liu Yifei also called excitedly, her graduation thesis had won first place.