Chapter 181: The Unwoken Dream of a Rich Family
The next day, two of the top three headlines on Sina Entertainment were related to Rongchen Film and Television.
"ip man's first-week box office was 72.5 million, double that of fearless, which was released during the same period last year."
"Industry insiders commented that Rongchen Film and Television has formed a brand effect through years of accumulating good reputation."
"For Rongchen Film and Television, a box office exceeding 100 million has become commonplace and routine."
"Liu Yifei's witty remarks at the online gala led netizens to jokingly call it 'husband sings, wife follows'."
Although ip man completely surpassed Jet Li's fearless at the domestic box office,
it couldn't compare to Jet Li's appeal in North America.
However, it easily crushed curse of the golden flower.
Today's headlines were neither Rongchen Film and Television nor Liu Yifei.
Instead, they focused on Zhang Ziyi, who was studying at the Juilliard School in New York.
At the NBA court stands in New York, a prime location for official scandal announcements,
Zhang Ziyi's new mysterious boyfriend finally surfaced.
Previous speculations about her boyfriend's identity were like fake news from the Spring Festival Gala, with a new version every day.
From a third-rate French actor to a neighbor of US President Bush,
to the current most reliable claim: Vivi Nevo, one of Time Warner's largest shareholders.
The two's passionate kiss on the sidelines of the court, as if no one else was around, also made netizens exclaim that International Zhang was truly uninhibited.
In the following days, photos of Zhang Ziyi actively showing affection and intimately kissing the foreign man
also sparked a vigorous patriotic debate on the domestic internet.
Ever since Zhang Ziyi's transnational romance was exposed,
several domestic websites set up discussion forums for Zhang Ziyi's new relationship.
It was as if super girl was campaigning for votes back then.
Some netizens claimed that Zhang Ziyi openly finding a foreign boyfriend was a betrayal of Chinese men.
They even elevated the matter to the realm of patriotism.
In a survey by a certain portal website, 60% of netizens disagreed with Zhang Ziyi finding a foreign boyfriend.
The reason given was that Zhang Ziyi dating a foreigner was no longer a matter of her personal preference, but rather a matter of national dignity.
Other netizens believed that Zhang Ziyi has always been unable to escape Gong Li's shadow.
While Gong Li was frequently hyped by the media for curse of the golden flower, she was ignored.
The timely exposure of her new relationship and photos of her studying in the US
was, firstly, to warm up for a new film, and secondly, to prove her charm.
Zhang Ziyi's supporters, however, believed that a Chinese person falling in love with a foreigner had nothing to do with patriotism.
Moreover, Zhang Ziyi has always had clear goals and has been working hard towards them.
This is not something that can be achieved merely by climbing the social ladder.
She works very hard, and she has not shamed the Chinese people, but rather has earned a place in the international film scene.
Zhang Ziyi's brother, Zhang Zinan, even dismissed his sister's new relationship with the line, "How can you believe things on the internet?"
The pros and cons argued endlessly, and busybodies ran to Li Chen's blog to ask for his opinion.
Even Miss Liu called, her voice somewhat schadenfreude-filled.
"Director Li, what do you think? My fans want me to ask for your answer."
Li Chen secretly cursed, "I'm not detective dee!"
Why do people always ask for my opinion on everything?
Should I find another detective dee to solve it for you!
"Xixi, if you have nothing to do, wash the coal in the fireplace at home. Come ask me after you've washed it white."
Miss Liu laughed heartily on the phone: "Why don't you go wash it? If you can't wash it white, don't come back!"
Li Chen, who was quietly filming pieta in Hong Kong, hung up Miss Liu's boring call.
Deng Chao, sitting next to Li Chen, put down his chopsticks and exchanged glances with Maggie Cheung.
Both had heard Liu Yifei's teasing on the phone.
Maggie Cheung didn't care about such things and continued eating.
Deng Chao chuckled: "Director Li, do you know you have a nickname now?"
Li Chen looked up and glanced at Deng Chao: "What?"
Deng Chao suppressed a smile and said seriously: "The Encyclopedia of the Entertainment Industry!"
Li Chen said amusedly: "Who gave me that name? Why don't I know?"
Seeing that Li Chen wasn't angry, Deng Chao also laughed: "This is what we artists call you privately. Who told you that your predictions always come true and never miss?"
Li Chen didn't want to elaborate on this matter: "After we finish this scene today, you go and meet up with Director Wu."
Deng Chao's expression became serious: "No problem, Director Li."
Maggie Cheung also had a set of GG to shoot for an international brand in the next few days.
Deng Chao needed to promote china partner, so the crew temporarily stopped work for a few days.
Although Li Chen didn't reply to netizens, Miss Liu used his blog with great ease.
"Love knows no boundaries."
These six short words expressed Li Chen's stance on his behalf.
Netizens who supported Zhang Ziyi and her fans praised Li Chen, saying he was still the same Li Chen.
But many also found Li Chen disgusting.
"Is Xiao Li Zi eating from his bowl while looking at the pot? Is Liu Yifei not enough?"
"Is he still thinking about International Zhang? Should he add 'I wish you happiness' too!"
"How come whenever International Zhang has an issue, you jump out to protect her?"
"Back then, you spoke up for International Zhang against Wang Jing and ignored Chow Yun-fat."
"Now you see her in someone else's arms and you're jealous?"
Liu Yifei, the instigator, was very depressed.
She never imagined that by simply speaking a fair word,
she would end up shooting herself in the foot.
Facing the netizens who came to cause trouble on her blog, Liu Yifei quickly replied on her own blog.
"I support him. Love is inherently borderless. He and I hope everyone can find their own happiness!"
Liu Yifei was having a blast directing and acting, leaving the group of artists at Rongchen Film and Television bewildered.
The Rongchen Film and Television QQ group kept flashing.
"Senior actually replied. This isn't like Senior's style. He hasn't replied to my messages for the past two days."
"Mi Mi, you're too naive. Director Li's blog password was set by Xixi!"
"Xiao Zhu is right. Yifei has spoken for the boss more than once. I even asked the boss privately, 'What if Yifei messes things up?'"
"What did Director Li say?" Zhou Xun rarely popped up.
"The boss said, 'If she messes things up, isn't there still me? Otherwise, what's the point of having him as a man!'"
"Haha, Senior is really... I'm speechless! Sister Xun, don't be late tomorrow."
"Don't worry, Sister just finished shooting the GG. I plan not to eat anything until tomorrow, saving my stomach to fight the rich."
"There's a surprise tomorrow. You'll have another little partner." Yang Siwei popped up.
"I know, the Young Emperor! We don't care anyway, we're girls. Xiao Zhu, you need to work harder. Our company's top male artist might be replaced!"
"With my relationship with Xixi, who am I afraid of!"
"Alright, you're awesome, Xiao Zhu!"
The next day, Li Chen returned to the company and held a meeting in Conference Room 1.
Yang Siwei and Wu Bin sat on the two sides closest to the head of the table.
Next to Yang Siwei sat Tang Yan, Yang Mi, and Zhu Yawen in order.
Next to Wu Bin sat Zhou Xun.
Yang Mi asked curiously: "Director Wu, what is Senior going to talk about in today's meeting?"
Wu Bin chuckled, keeping them in suspense: "You'll know in a moment."
As the two were talking, Li Chen pushed the door open and came in, accompanied by Deng Chao.
Everyone stood up, seemingly not surprised.
Li Chen pressed his hands down: "Sit down, I don't need to introduce Deng Chao, do I?"
"Familiar!"
"Brother Chao."
"Brother Chao!"
Deng Chao clasped his hands and bowed, smiling: "No, Sister Xun, just call me Xiao Dengzi. I can't bear that 'Brother Chao'."
Zhou Xun also laughed heartily, then whispered: "Xiao Dengzi, Xiao Li Zi."
This made the other artists laugh out loud.
However, seeing the boss's inscrutable expression, they stifled their laughter.
Zhou Xun immediately reacted and quickly apologized with a smile: "Director Li, it slipped out. You know, I always call you Director Li!"
Zhou Xun's expression was as sincere as could be, and an actress's acting skills are hard to distinguish as genuine or fake.
Li Chen gave Zhou Xun a meaningful look: "It's alright, Sister Xun. I can't control what you call me privately."
After they sat down, Li Chen said directly: "From now on, we're all family. Deng Chao's contract at Oriental Pearl still has six months left."
"He found Siwei himself, you just need to know that."