Chapter 156: International Fan Comes into Being
At the end of the Red Carpet.
Stood Markel, the Chairman of the Venice Film Festival.
From afar, Markel, who was well-versed in Chinese culture, saw Fan Bingbing in a bright yellow dragon robe.
Markel smiled.
As the cast and crew of "father's love is like a mountain 2" approached.
Markel extended his arms, laughed, and went forward to give Li Chen a big hug.
Then, looking at Fan Bingbing in her dragon robe, he commented with a smile, "Li Chen, how is it that the leading lady of your films always amazes me when she comes to Venice?"
"Seeing Miss Fan, I feel like kneeling again."
Li Chen laughed, "Markel, don't just talk the talk."
"Zhang Ziyi is an empress, and she wore a phoenix robe."
"Our Miss Fan is wearing a dragon robe."
"In our China, from ancient times to the present, only the female emperor Wu Zetian dared to wear a dragon robe."
"Even an empress would have to kneel when seeing her!"
As soon as Li Chen said this, Fan Bingbing's eyes sparkled, her body trembled slightly, and she stared intently at Li Chen.
Markel, on the other hand, burst into laughter and, without another word, immediately knelt before Fan Bingbing.
Fan Bingbing was caught off guard and let out a startled laugh.
She quickly stepped aside, and Andy Lau, Chen Baoguo, and Chen Shu were also all smiles.
Media from various countries on both sides of the Red Carpet pressed their camera shutters, capturing the famous scene of this astonishing kneeling.
No, it should be the second kneeling.
The first kneeling was a few days ago at the Premiere of "the banquet" when Zhang Ziyi walked onto the Red Carpet.
Li Chen didn't expect Markel to actually kneel, so he quickly stepped forward to help him up and said with a smile, "I was just joking."
Markel stood up with a smile, extending his right hand to Fan Bingbing, "I wasn't joking, let's go, Your Majesty."
Fan Bingbing smiled and gently placed her fair, slender left hand on Markel's hand, "Thank you."
The group entered the grand theater, which was already filled with moviegoers.
In the front row were several familiar faces: Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi, Wang Zhonglei, and Xiao Gang Pao, among others.
Zhang Ziyi's smile was a bit unnatural, especially when she saw Markel humbly leading Fan Bingbing into the venue.
It was exactly the same as when she made her appearance a few days ago.
The main creators walked onto the stage.
Media reporters from various countries began to ask questions.
A reporter from an Italian national television station spoke first: "Director Li Chen, this is your second time in Venice (English)."
"Compared to your first time, you've brought three works this time."
"And I hear that the actresses' gowns for all three works were uniformly provided by your company."
"And each one was unforgettable, were you doing it on purpose?"
Many media outlets in the audience chuckled.
Most European and American actresses in Venice this time chose black and dark-colored dresses, and several of them were identical.
Only the Asian actresses, each wearing different, colorful outfits, stood out.
Especially the actresses from the three films produced by Rongchen Film and Television.
Each one was brilliant.
Li Chen took the microphone handed to him by the host: "You're right, I did it on purpose."
"Whether it was the 'ip man' crew the day before yesterday, the 'genius gunner' crew yesterday, or our 'father's love is like a mountain 2' crew today."
"The gowns of the actresses were all custom-made by our Chinese designer, Lawrence Xu."
"Whether it's the design, craftsmanship, or materials, they are completely on par with the masterpieces of top designers from any international luxury brand."
"Especially the one Miss Fan is wearing today, its full name is 'Oriental Auspicious Clouds Gown.'"
"Also called the Dragon Robe! I hope to use the Venice Red Carpet platform to showcase the elegance of Chinese actresses to the world."
"Next time I come to Venice, in addition to bringing more works, I will also bring more new Chinese actors."
"Finally, I still want to thank Mr. Markel, the Chairman of Venice, for his kind invitation."
After Li Chen finished speaking, there was a round of applause.
Feng Xiaogang, sitting in the audience, sneered into Wang Zhonglei's ear, "He talks as if Chinese cinema can't do without him!"
Although Wang Zhonglei thought the same thing, he was much more astute than Xiao Gang Pao and continued to smile and applaud.
A Sina reporter immediately followed up: "Mr. Markel, we just saw you kneel before Miss Fan again. Did something interesting happen in between?"
Markel laughed heartily: "I was too excited when I saw Miss Fan Bingbing."
"I told Li Chen that I almost knelt again."
"Then Li Chen told me that Miss Zhang Ziyi is an empress, and she wore a phoenix robe."
"And Miss Fan Bingbing wore a dragon robe, which only a female emperor dares to wear."
"You knelt before an empress, do you dare not kneel before a female emperor?"
The media and guests in the audience burst into laughter and applauded.
Markel shrugged his shoulders: "So I had no choice but to kneel again."
The reporter then asked Fan Bingbing: "Bingbing, how does it feel to wear this dragon robe?"
Fan Bingbing took the microphone and smiled: "To be honest, before walking the Red Carpet, I took a dose of bear's gall and leopard's courage to have the nerve to walk out."
"Not everyone dares to wear a dragon robe; if you're not careful, you could lose your head."
"Before going on the Red Carpet, I told Director Li, I said: Director Li, if I get cursed to death, you absolutely must catch me."
"Then Director Li laughed and told Hua Ge that today he and Hua Ge would be my bright left and right envoys."
"They would push me to the top of Guangming Ding in one fell swoop!"
"I immediately felt confident. In fact, I really like this dress."
"Because the pattern of this dress contains so much of our Chinese culture."
"I feel deeply honored to be able to showcase our Chinese culture on the Venice stage."
"I want to thank the designer of this dress: Mr. Lawrence Xu, and our director, Director Li."
"I hope to come to Venice again next time, and once again wear a dress rich in Chinese culture."
Li Chen nodded secretly; Fan Bingbing's words had a profound meaning and echoed his own earlier statement.
Zhang Ziyi's expression below the stage became even more unnatural, while the media generously applauded Fan Bingbing.
Afterward, the reporter asked a few more questions to the other main actors.
Once the main actors left the stage, the movie began to play.
Sitting next to Fan Bingbing was Wang Zhonglei.
Wang Zhonglei smiled and leaned close to Fan Bingbing's ear: "You look truly beautiful today, Xiao Fan. After the Premiere, join me for dinner."
Fan Bingbing's heart stirred, but her expression remained unchanged: "No problem, President Wang."
After nearly two hours of film screening, the venue erupted in thunderous applause. The plot twisted and turned, with no one knowing the ending until the very last moment.
Local movie fans, media professionals, and domestic and international reporters who came to watch the film were all nodding frequently and discussing animatedly.
The most discussed words were 'dragon robe' and 'dragon back wall'.
The legend of the dragon back wall happened to echo Fan Bingbing's dragon robe today.
The Dragon King's daughter wears a dragon robe!
This was Li Chen's backup plan; he absolutely couldn't let Xiao Gang Pao and Zhang Ziyi steal the limelight.
Li Chen fully entrusted the dealings with film distributors to the increasingly mature Yang Siwei.
Li Chen, Andy Lau, Han Sanping, and Markel stood together, chatting and laughing.
Han Sanping's laughter came from the bottom of his heart.
This time, "ip man" and "father's love is like a mountain 2" would definitely be two highly profitable films again.
Just by looking at the enthusiasm of the film distributors surrounding Yang Siwei, one could tell.
After the Premiere, Fan Bingbing returned to her hotel and changed into a refreshing casual outfit.
Only then did she appear in the hotel's coffee shop.
Wang Zhonglei had already arrived. Seeing Fan Bingbing approach, he stood up and, like a gentleman, pulled out a chair for her.
Fan Bingbing smiled slightly: "Thank you."
Wang Zhonglei seemed very happy.
He looked at Fan Bingbing and smiled more sincerely than anyone: "Xiao Fan, the company has decided that next year will still focus on you."
"The company will spare no resources to help you go international."
"To become a Chinese actress no less than Zhang Ziyi and even surpassing Gong Li."
"You also need to work hard!"
Fan Bingbing's heart was as clear as a mirror: "Why is President Wang suddenly talking about this? What about Bingbing Jie (Sister Bingbing)? What are you planning to do?"
Wang Zhonglei laughed heartily, telling a blatant lie without any awkwardness.
"There's always a priority in a company. Since the company has decided to promote you vigorously."
"Top resources will definitely be prioritized for you."
"Besides, Huayi Brothers is such a big company, can't it accommodate both of you Bingbings?"
If these words had been spoken ten years ago, when Fan Bingbing had just debuted.
She would have absolutely believed it, but after ten years of struggle and hard work.
She had long since become refined and shrewd.
Moreover, the person sitting opposite her was young President Wang.
Fan Bingbing smoothed her temples: "Thank you for your praise, President Wang."
Neither of them mentioned the word 'contract renewal'.
Wang Zhonglei offered an empty promise.
Fan Bingbing neither agreed nor refused.
She was currently taking a wait-and-see approach, like riding a donkey and watching a play.
She could choose between Huayi Brothers and Rongchen Film and Television.
Relatively speaking, Huayi Brothers needed her more, while she needed Rongchen Film and Television, or rather, Chen Ge himself, more.
Among the three parties, only Rongchen Film and Television had no desires and thus was strong.
After parting with Wang Zhonglei, Fan Bingbing returned to her room.
Sitting in front of the dressing table, she looked at her beautiful reflection in the mirror, lost in thought.
After a long while, she finally went into the bathroom to take a shower.
Lying in the spacious bathtub.
Fan Bingbing raised her left leg; her calf was fair and rounded, her thigh full and plump.
Then she stretched out her slender, long left arm.
Then she looked down at the full, perky curves of her chest.
Fan Bingbing was full of confidence.
After a moment of thought, she couldn't resist picking up the cell phone next to the bathtub and dialing out.
Li Chen was about to go to sleep when Fan Bingbing's call came in.
Li Chen wondered what Fan Bingbing wanted to say, calling so late.
"Hello."
The call connected, and Fan Bingbing was silent for a few seconds, not speaking.
"Xiao Fan."
"Chen Ge, President Wang just talked to me about renewing my contract."
Li Chen did not respond to her.
Fan Bingbing was silent for a few seconds again, then said: "Chen Ge, do you think I should renew my contract with Huayi Brothers?"
Li Chen smiled: "Everyone's path must be chosen by themselves."
"What others choose for you may not necessarily be suitable for you."
Another brief silence.
This time, Li Chen broke the silence himself: "Get some rest, Xiao Fan."
The call was hung up. Fan Bingbing lay in the bathtub, holding the phone.
She stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.
After a long while, she felt a fire burning inside her body.
And a devil raging, making her feel as if countless ants were scratching at her heart.
Fan Bingbing suddenly stood up, water droplets dripping from her skin.
Her curvaceous figure was revealed without reservation.
She quickly wiped her body and wet short hair a few times.
She left her room in her pajamas.
As if possessed, she arrived at Li Chen's room door.
Impulsively, she pressed the doorbell.
Li Chen's heart stirred, and he secretly wondered if it could be Fan Bingbing.
When he walked to the door and looked through the peephole.
He met Fan Bingbing's burning eyes.
Li Chen knew that if he opened the door tonight.
He and Miss Liu would have no future.
Gently shaking his head, Li Chen returned to his bedroom.
He didn't consider himself a saint; only Liu Xiahui could remain unmoved by beauty.
What he could do was simple: not open the door and guard his heart.
Fan Bingbing pressed the doorbell again.
Still no one came to open it, and there was no response, but she was certain Chen Ge was inside.
In an instant, Fan Bingbing understood everything.
Her heart was enveloped by a Hu Ge sense of loss.
She walked back to her room like a withered piece of wood.
This was the first time she had failed with a man.
Liu Yifei was the white moonlight in the hearts of thousands of movie fans.
But wasn't Chen Ge also the Tang Sanzang meat in the hearts of thousands of actresses?
Perhaps she would never have a chance with him in this lifetime.
But sometimes, the more unattainable something is, the more one desires it.
That night, Fan Bingbing suffered from insomnia.
Li Chen lay in bed and fell asleep shortly after.
In his dream, he dreamed that he was forcibly pushed by Fan Xiaopang.
Subconsciously, he clearly wanted to struggle, but his body honestly enjoyed Fan Xiaopang's one-stop service.
But suddenly, the face of Fan Xiaopang, who was riding on him, turned into Miss Liu.
An enraged Miss Liu.
As expected, she kept her word, and with a swift move, she performed surgery on him.
From then on, he became Miss Liu's cat.
This dream was too real; it scared him awake, his neck and forehead covered in sweat.
Fortunately, it was just a dream. Li Chen looked down; it was still there, still there!
The next day, the grand occasion of the "father's love is like a mountain 2" Premiere was reported.
Li Chen's speech and Fan Bingbing's bold statement appeared together in major Italian newspapers and domestic portals.
Italian media even used the title 'Markel Bows to the Empress, Then to the Female Emperor,' combining Zhang Ziyi's and Fan Bingbing's Red Carpet photos.
This would surely make Zhang Ziyi furious enough to spit blood.
With the two photos side-by-side, even a blind person could see that Fan Bingbing completely outshone her in terms of figure, skin tone, and appearance.
Domestic netizens were even more openly teasing.
"International Zhang was unseated by 'International Fan'!"
"International Zhang, without her wealthy young master, is now being ridden over by Jin Suo, how pathetic!"
"Li Chen is awesome! Huayi Brothers supported Zhang Ziyi's bad reputation, and Li Chen used Huayi Brothers' Fan Bingbing to slap Huayi Brothers in the face. What a resounding slap!"
The title 'International Fan' was unexpected by Li Chen, but thinking about it, it was normal. The dragon robe was brought early, so why couldn't the title come into being as well?
Several stars from Rongchen Film and Television shone brightly in Venice.
Making netizens cheer enthusiastically.
There was a sense of pride, much like when the national football team broke out of Asia and went to the World Cup back in the day.
This time, it was several actresses led by Li Chen.
With overwhelming advantage, they crushed European and American actresses on the Red Carpet, bringing honor to the Chinese people.
What made countless netizens even more excited was.
Jia Zhangke's "still life" won the Golden Lion award in one fell swoop.
It was truly a double harvest of Red Carpet and awards.
And the several films exhibited, judging from the reporters' reports, were also quite popular with overseas film distributors.
However, the specific transaction prices would probably only be known at the domestic Premiere.
At the Red Carpet closing ceremony, Fan Bingbing once again became the focus of attention in a blue fairy dress.
On the return flight.
Fan Bingbing and Li Chen were separated by an aisle.
Neither of them mentioned what happened the night before.
Li Chen also didn't ask her if she would renew her contract with Huayi Brothers.
This made Fan Bingbing feel even more disappointed.
Upon returning to Beijing, Li Chen immediately rushed to the snow region to visit the "painted skin 2" crew.
Li Chen didn't notify anyone in the crew; he just appeared abruptly among them.
It wasn't until Yang Mi saw Li Chen's face.
She was immediately startled.
Wu Ershan's face turned ugly: "Cut! What are you doing, Yang Mi?"
Yang Mi then reacted: "Uh, sorry, Director Wu. Senior, senior is here."
Wu Ershan turned around and only then realized that Li Chen had entered the crew at some unknown time.
Wu Ershan quickly stood up: "When did you arrive, Director Li? You didn't even call, I would have sent someone to pick you up."
Zhou Xun, Zeng Li, and Hu Ge also gathered around.
It was already September.
Presumably, Hu Ge's car accident should no longer happen.
Li Chen smiled: "Just arrived. I'm not a child, I don't need someone to pick me up. How's the filming going? Don't mind me, you all continue."
Wu Ershan scratched his head and smiled: "It should be wrapped up in about another week."
Li Chen nodded: "You've worked hard. How's Mi Mi's performance?"
Yang Mi was a bit anxious; she couldn't remember how many times she had been NG'd.
Wu Ershan was always unsatisfied with a crying scene, always saying that her crying had no emotion whatsoever in it.
Except for the tears being real, everything else was fake!
It truly made her want to cry but have no tears!