Chapter 154: Thank You for Your Shamelessness
After posting on his blog, Li Chen casually returned to his meal.
Zhu Yawen chuckled without a word.
Luo Jin and Tang Yan also had their lips curled into smiles.
The group smiled without speaking, which piqued Liu's Mother's curiosity.
Especially when she saw her daughter's undisguised joy.
Liu's Mother put down her chopsticks, smoothed her hair at her temples.
She elegantly said, "Li Chen, what did you post? Look how happy this silly girl is."
Shu Chang scurried around Li Chen and Liu Yifei.
She sat next to Liu's Mother and said with a grin, "Auntie, my Chen Ge said he liked Yifei as early as 2002."
"Well, well, his intentions are really deep. Judging by Yifei's expression, she probably didn't even know."
Shu Chang looked at her best friend across the table and smiled as she spoke.
Liu Yifei couldn't help but be curious, and the others also looked at her.
It seemed they were just as curious as she was.
She tugged on Li Chen's arm and asked crisply, "Is that true, Director Li?"
Li Chen wiped his mouth, chuckled, and seeing that everyone, including Liu's Mother, was eager to know.
He stopped playing coy, turned to Miss Liu, and asked, "Do you remember what you wore for your enrollment report that year?"
Miss Liu frowned and thought for a few seconds, then looked at Liu's Mother.
Liu's Mother said amusingly, "Why are you looking at me? I've forgotten what I wore, how would I remember what you wore?"
Miss Liu shook her head honestly; it had been four or five years, she couldn't possibly remember.
Li Chen recalled the past and laughed, "I remember!"
"Blue jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black baseball cap."
"President Chen drove you and Auntie in his Mercedes."
"I was smitten at that moment, thinking this girl was truly beautiful."
Liu Yifei listened with a smile in her eyes, her heart filled with sweetness.
"Why didn't I see you?"
"Perhaps too many people were looking at you!"
The others listened with slight smiles.
"The boss has been secretly in love with Yifei for so long?" Tang Yan asked, surprised.
"Boss, I didn't realize you could endure so much! You were smitten at the start of school."
"You persevered for two years, accumulating enough capital before daring to appear before Auntie and Yifei!"
Li Chen glared at Yang Siwei, who covered her face with her hand to avoid his gaze.
Li Chen then looked at Liu's Mother and smiled, "But when I turned and saw Auntie, I immediately understood why this girl was so beautiful."
"With Auntie's temperament, when I looked at Yifei next to her, I suddenly felt like she was just... okay."
"Hahaha."
The young people at the table burst into laughter.
Li Chen's flattery towards his mother-in-law was truly smooth!
Even Liu's Mother couldn't help but smile, pointing at Li Chen with a look of helpless reproach.
Only Miss Liu kept hitting Li Chen, saying, "What do you mean 'just okay'! Explain yourself, you flatterer!"
Li Chen quickly pleaded for mercy, "I'm just kidding. You and Auntie are from the same lineage. Praising Auntie is praising you, isn't it?"
Liu Yifei thought about it and realized it was true; losing to her mother didn't seem so bad.
Luo Jin slapped Zhu Yawen, who was giggling foolishly, "Old Zhu, learn from Director Li. No wonder you're still single!"
Zhu Yawen immediately closed his mouth.
Liu Yifei smiled playfully, "Xiao Zhu, you also need to work harder. Look at Jin Ge."
Zhu Yawen retorted, "Why would I look at Old Luo? If I'm going to learn, I'll learn from Director Li!"
At this, everyone looked at him with disdain.
His agent, Yang Siwei, was even more blunt, "Learn from the boss? How much capital do you have!"
This time, Zhu Yawen was completely silenced and buried his head in his porridge.
Everyone burst into laughter.
After breakfast, Li Chen and Miss Liu didn't bother with how the internet was discussing things.
Yang Siwei took the artists back to China.
The preview trailers for "father's love is like a mountain 2," "so young," and the recently approved "genius gunner" have been released.
She still needed to manage the subsequent promotions.
Concept posters for "china partner" and "painted skin 2" have also been released.
Yesterday, she mentioned to her boss whether to raise movie ticket prices.
As expected, her boss was still her boss.
Perhaps money, to her boss, was just a vague number now.
His words, "We are not like Zhang Weiping. Raising the price by five yuan would invite a lot of criticism, and only a little over one yuan would end up in our pockets. It's not worth it."
Left her speechless.
This was the second time Zhang Weiping had raised the minimum ticket price.
Of course, the cinemas had no problem with it; as long as you, Zhang Dapao, didn't demand a higher revenue share, you could raise the minimum ticket price as much as you wanted.
The filming of "the thieves" was still ongoing.
Tim came specifically to pick up Li Chen and Liu Yifei.
In the car, Tim didn't avoid Liu Yifei, "Boss, New Line's 'the golden compass' will start filming next month."
Tim's tone was still a bit hesitant.
Old Shaye had staked his entire fortune.
He gathered all the shareholders of New Line, took a desperate stance, and raised 180 million US dollars.
He vowed to create another blockbuster comparable to "the lord of the rings" to reverse New Line's decline in recent years.
He brought in a host of big names, led by Nicole Kidman, and a super-star cast composed of "the lord of the rings" crew.
Everyone was optimistic about New Line's project, including Tim.
But only his boss wasn't.
"Tim, as a professional manager, just do your part."
Tim's expression became serious, "I understand, boss."
Although Tim said so, he still had a question mark in his heart.
However, since the big boss had decided, and it wasn't his money, it was fine to spend it.
Liu Yifei asked curiously, "What kind of riddle are you two playing?"
Li Chen didn't speak. Tim smiled and explained, "The boss is going to throw money around. Perhaps in the near future, you, boss's wife, will host birthday parties with a different status!"
Liu Yifei looked at Li Chen, and seeing that he didn't want to talk, she didn't press further.
As long as Li Chen was good to her, that was enough.
This time in Hollywood, Li Chen, following local customs, held a grand birthday party for her.
Last night, he also gave her 60% of the shares in a go-kart racing track in Shunyi District, Beijing.
She had no idea when he had done all these things.
This gesture was significant; he knew she liked driving but was also lazy.
So she didn't have to worry about the management at all.
She was only responsible for receiving dividends and driving whenever she wanted.
Today's scene in "the thieves" was Liu Yifei's character, Julie, apprehending Wei Hong at the airport.
This was Liu Yifei's second action scene in "the thieves."
The first was the fight scene with Charlize Theron during the wiretapping in Macau, where they met on a narrow road.
This scene didn't require physical contact, only light and agile movements, and a smooth, continuous shooting action.
Li Xue played the role of Wei Hong, the big boss.
Although she wasn't tall, she managed to portray a sense of dominance and cold ruthlessness.
During Li Chen's absence from China, he finally left some space for other filmmakers.
Shanghai Film Group invested in the entertainment blockbuster "The 601st Phone Call," inviting Cecilia Cheung, the popular star of "Love of the Wind," to play a supporting role for super girl's Zhou Bichang.
With Zhang Guoli directing and pledging his salary, the preview results were decent.
Sixty cinemas grossed one million at the box office.
Unfortunately, it peaked at its debut, and subsequent box office never exceeded one million.
After two weeks of release, the box office was stuck at just over six million, slowly inching forward.
Ren Zhonglun and Han Sanping were quite supportive of him.
Even though it had already been abandoned by various private cinema chains.
However, the cinema chains under China Film Group Corporation and Shanghai Film Group still promised to screen it until mid-September.
This film was Zhang Guoli's second film as director after a thirteen-year hiatus.
Before its release, he had declared that if "The Phone Call" failed, he would no longer make films.
Liu Yifei looked at the online news and said with regret, "He's really pitiful. If it were Jane Zhang, would it be better?"
Li Chen shook his head, quite amused.
"What are you laughing at? What's so funny about watching a 'Variety' show!"
Li Chen put down the publication in his hand, "Yifei, when people in the entertainment industry speak, just listen; don't be so naive as to believe everything they say!"
Miss Liu smiled, walked to Li Chen, sat next to him, and linked her arm through his, "They're already decades old, how could what they say to the media be false?"
"There are plenty of people in the entertainment industry who lie with their eyes open to the media, and I am no exception."
"Using a super girl as the protagonist itself has a problem with positioning. Think about who the audience for super girl is, do they have purchasing power?"
"In the future, more and more people will make movies, but only a few truly understand film."
Liu Yifei thought for a moment; it seemed true.
Li Chen once said that her two cousins were big fans of super girl.
But her two cousins were only in junior high!
"You seem to really dislike Zhang Guoli." Miss Liu frowned.
It must be said that a woman's intuition can sometimes be terrifying.
Miss Liu could often judge Li Chen's preferences for a person with surprising accuracy, just by feeling.
The Venice Film Festival opened on the day of Miss Liu's birthday, with Scarlett Johansson's "The Black Dahlia" as the opening film.
Scarlett Johansson had also invited Li Chen to attend the Venice Premiere of "The Black Dahlia."
Li Chen was unable to get away due to the filming of "the thieves," but Scarlett Johansson didn't mind at all.
She even said that her "The Black Dahlia" was the opening film and Li Chen's "father's love is like a mountain 2" was the closing film.
One at the beginning and one at the end, echoing each other, she would definitely go to support Li Chen's "father's love is like a mountain 2."
Some women's sex appeal has nothing to do with height; despite her petite figure, Scarlett Johansson still topped the list of the world's 100 sexiest actresses, surpassing Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron.
Moreover, she was in her early twenties, the best age.
Han Sanping had already taken the "ip man" crew to Venice ahead of time.
Feng Xiaogang's "the banquet," thanks to Zhang Ziyi, was very popular in Venice.
Especially when Markel, that old lecher, knelt before Zhang Ziyi in front of the world's media.
His cry of 'Empress' not only made Zhang Ziyi the center of attention.
It also gave "the banquet" a sensational GG.
Fortunately, Li Chen had a backup plan.
Otherwise, this Venice Film Festival would truly have been stolen by Xiao Gang Pao and Zhang Ziyi.
Ning Hao kept urging Li Chen that he couldn't miss the Venice promotional event for "ip man."
Miss Liu's Golden Swallow role was settled; Jackie Chan had given him his word.
He said Minkoff was very satisfied with Miss Liu, and it seemed Minkoff himself or a relative was a fan of Little Dragon Girl.
Jackie Chan was also promoting "rob-b-hood" in China.
He revealed to domestic movie fans that his new film with Jet Li, "The Monkey King," was now ready in all aspects, only lacking a title.
As soon as the news was announced, it immediately caused domestic film and television companies to stir.
On September 5th, "the thieves" successfully wrapped up filming.
Richard from Warner, Tim from Panda, and Li Chen held a wrap-up press conference in Hollywood.
From the very first day of filming, Warner was in full swing.
They had already released concept posters for "the thieves" in advance.
During filming, they continuously reported on behind-the-scenes footage to Hollywood media and television stations.
After the filming of "the thieves" concluded.
Zhang Hanyu and others returned to China; he was scheduled to film "assembly" in October. Upon parting, he also expressed his gratitude to Li Chen.
"the thieves" was his first Hollywood blockbuster, and he was the male lead.
"assembly" was his first domestic blockbuster, and it was also his first time playing the male lead.
Good things seemed to be happening to him one after another.
His gratitude to Li Chen was inexpressible; he felt that "the thieves" had brought him good luck.
After seeing them off, Li Chen accompanied Miss Liu to watch "Miami Vice," which hadn't yet been released in China.
It seemed unlikely to be released anytime soon, at least not without cutting several of Gong Li's passionate scenes.
"Miami Vice," which cost 250 million US dollars, had been released in the United States for a month.
However, the box office was only 63 million, a third short of the projected 100 million.
It was bound to lose money.
The two walked out of the cinema hand in hand, Miss Liu still muttering, "It wasn't good, not as good as Jackie Chan's 'Rush Hour.'"
That was indeed true; Li Chen also thought so.
Gong Li's few passionate scenes weren't very impressive either.
Playing the woman of a gang boss, her aura was certainly there, but precisely because of this.
It made Gong Li seem more like the gang boss, while the blond male lead resembled a delicate woman.
In the car, Miss Liu suddenly fell silent.
Li Chen held her hand and squeezed it, "What are you thinking about?"
Miss Liu pursed her lips and smiled, "I was thinking, it seems Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, these two mainland actresses who ventured into Hollywood."
"Their box office performances haven't been ideal. I wonder if I will be the same in the future?"
Li Chen patted her hand, pulling her into his arms, "You're learning to plan ahead, that's good. But you're worrying needlessly, fretting over nothing."
Miss Liu lifted her head and smiled, "What do you mean? Are you that optimistic about me?"
Li Chen said earnestly, "Nonsense! If I wasn't optimistic about you, wouldn't that mean I'm not optimistic about myself? And look who your boyfriend is?"
"Can Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi compare to that?"
Miss Liu poked Li Chen's forehead with her finger and said with a laugh, "Shameless!"
Li Chen laughed heartily, "If I had any shame, our mother would have crushed me in the first round. How else could I be here, lively and hugging you, like this!"
Miss Liu couldn't help but let out a giggle.
Every time she bickered with Li Chen, he always managed to follow her words.
He would twist and turn, coming up with seemingly specious arguments.
But upon closer examination, they often contained a grain of truth, leaving her speechless.
She thought back to how her mother used to guard against Li Chen like a wolf; if he had been thinner-skinned, they might truly have missed their chance.
Miss Liu wrapped her arms around Li Chen's neck, her eyes, bright as stars, fixed on him.
Without caring if the driver could hear, she whispered into Li Chen's ear, word by word, "Thank you for your shamelessness! I really like it!"
"Woo..."
This is my first time writing a book. I haven't missed a single day for over three months, and my body can't take it anymore. The main reason is my eyes; they can't stand it, constantly tearing up, I'm almost squinting. Otherwise, I could definitely guarantee 6,000 words a day. My minimum guarantee is no breaks, no abandoning the project. As for extra chapters, it depends on my condition. I pushed too hard in the first month... I was running on pure willpower, and once that energy dissipates, I can't reconnect.