Chapter 24: My Birthday Is Coming Up Again
Liu Yifei let out a giggle, then angrily raised her fist in protest, complaining, “How do you know may love isn’t good?”
Li Chen didn’t explain, and Liu Xiaoli also looked a bit displeased.
Liu Yifei glared at Li Chen, who smiled and said, “Auntie, don’t overthink it, I was just speaking casually.”
“After all, I started out as a screenwriter myself.”
Liu Xiaoli nodded in thanks.
They agreed with Liu Xiaoli to sign the contract once they returned to Beijing, and for now, not to announce it publicly.
Back at the hotel, Liu Xiaoli unexpectedly told Liu Yifei to go back to her room first.
She still had some film-related questions to ask Li Chen.
Liu Yifei clung to Liu Xiaoli’s arm, whining and refusing to leave, until Liu Xiaoli practically forced her back to the hotel.
Li Chen wasn’t stupid; it was clear they were trying to get Liu Yifei to leave.
Once Liu Yifei was out of earshot, Liu Xiaoli said, “Li Chen, Auntie speaks frankly, so please don’t take it to heart.”
Li Chen already knew what she was going to say.
Li Chen smiled and said, “It’s fine, Auntie, I can probably guess what you want to say.”
A look of doubt flashed across Liu Xiaoli’s face.
Li Chen said casually, “Auntie, don’t worry. I know you value Yifei more than anything.”
“She and I are just friends right now, and I have no plans to look for a girlfriend in the short term.”
“We’re both still young, and no one knows if we’ll meet someone better in the future.”
“Don’t you agree, Auntie?”
Liu Xiaoli felt a slight prick and smiled somewhat unnaturally, “I’m relieved to hear you think that way.”
“Yifei is still young; I don’t want her to start dating too early.”
Li Chen completely understood; it was a mother hen protecting her chick.
Liu Xiaoli then changed the subject, saying, “But I also don’t object to normal friendly interactions between you two.”
“As a mother, I also don’t want Yifei’s world to always only have me.”
As soon as he returned to his room, he saw a text message from Liu Yifei.
“Don’t mind anything my mom said to you.”
Li Chen thought, indeed, a daughter knows her mother best; it seemed he wasn’t the first to be lectured.
Li Chen replied, “What nonsense are you talking about? Auntie and I were just having some academic discussions.”
Liu Yifei felt a warmth in her heart, smiling as she typed her reply: “Academic discussions? Really?”
“Mom is from the literary world, and you’re from the film industry. What could you possibly discuss?”
“Are you suggesting Mom teach you how to do a split? Haha.”
Li Chen replied, “The culmination of art is interconnected. Who told you that people from the film industry can’t dabble in the literary world?”
“I insist on crossing over and trying it out. If you don’t believe me, just wait and see.”
Liu Yifei didn’t reply for a while, and Li Chen guessed that Liu Xiaoli had returned.
Sure enough, after Li Chen finished showering, the text message finally arrived.
“Mom just got back. Alright, I’ll wait and see ‘Director Li’s’ crossover performance.”
“By the way, I really liked my birthday present. Keep it up!”
“Friendly reminder ~_~ it seems my birthday is coming up again soon.”
Li Chen shook his head and chuckled, not replying again.
After Liu Xiaoli finished showering, she sat on the sofa, carefully observing her daughter.
Liu Yifei felt a bit uncomfortable, stubbornly saying, “Mom, why are you looking at me like that?”
Liu Xiaoli’s expression softened: “Xixi, Mom needs to make something clear to you.”
“Before you turn eighteen, you are not allowed to date.”
“After eighteen, Mom won’t object to you making friends, but you can’t hide it from Mom.”
Liu Yifei couldn’t withstand Liu Xiaoli’s intense gaze, turning her head and muttering, “What are you talking about, Mom?”
“Li Chen and I are just friends, nothing more.”
Liu Yifei added in her heart: At least there’s nothing now, I’m not lying to you, Mom.
Liu Xiaoli didn’t dwell on these things with her daughter.
She only said, “A woman’s life can take wrong turns, but she must never choose the wrong person.”
Liu Yifei knew who her mother was thinking of again.
Liu Yifei, feeling warm, slid off the sofa with bare feet.
She scurried two steps to Liu Xiaoli’s side, curling up in her embrace.
Liu Xiaoli gently held her daughter, as if holding her entire world.
The next day, as expected, photos of him with the Chinese Paladin crew were released.
“The Chinese Paladin crew is nearing completion, and Director Li Chen visits the set.”
“Tangren Media’s boss, Cai Yinong, had a pleasant conversation with Director Li Chen, suggesting a potential collaboration between the two parties.”
Lately, the rumors of Zhou Gongzi and Li Daqi’s romance had been rampant in the industry.
Bearded Zhang wouldn’t let such a good opportunity pass, and suddenly the casting for Little Dragon Girl once again involved Zhou Gongzi.
Liu Yifei also lacked confidence, as in terms of acting skills and popularity, those few were no less than her.
The forums were in an uproar, with fans cheering for their idols.
Li Chen, however, confidently called Little Dragon Girl.
“Don’t worry, for Little Dragon Girl, there’s no second choice besides you.”
Liu Yifei’s mood instantly brightened.
“You always say nice things, but I believe you, hehe.”
Liu Yifei didn’t know why, but Li Chen always gave people an extraordinary sense of confidence.
It seemed that whatever he said would come true.
Apart from Zhou Gongzi’s romance and the Little Dragon Girl casting controversy in May.
The hottest news was undoubtedly the Premiere of house of flying daggers on July 10th, to be held at the Beijing Workers’ Stadium.
At that time, six national sub-venues would also be set up, accommodating nearly 30,000 people.
Zhang Yimou was turning the Premiere into a large-scale concert.
No need to think, it must have been Zhang Weiping’s idea.
The invitation was sent to the company, and Yang Siwei asked him if he wanted to go.
Li Chen didn’t want to join the excitement; the saying “Yi Mou, Er Li” would definitely be brought up then.
He didn’t want to be crushed by Zhang Dapao and Zhang Yimou.
Li Chen told Yang Siwei to go on his behalf.
Yang Siwei also mentioned that a person named Pang Hong, a representative from Ningxia Film Studio, had visited the company several times.
He hoped Director Li could spare some time to meet him; it seemed Ningxia Film Studio was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Li Chen couldn’t recall this person and only said they would discuss it after returning to Beijing.
Kung Fu, originally scheduled for the summer, was also rescheduled for the New Year Film Season.
The outside world widely speculated that Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu was ambushed by Zhang Yimou’s house of flying daggers.
Tian Qiwu flatly denied it, stating that the reason for the schedule adjustment was definitely not because Xing Ye was afraid of Zhang Yimou.
Stephen Chow, breaking from his usual low profile, was now promoting his film philosophy in national universities, including the three major institutions.
Who said Stephen Chow had no brains? Isn’t this overt strategy, covert maneuver precisely for promoting Kung Fu?
Lu Chuan’s cocosilili was scheduled for National Day; this film was considered Lu Chuan’s shining moment.
It was said that when the film wrapped up earlier this year, there were over a hundred crew members.
Because they couldn’t endure the harsh environment of the plateau, only thirty people were left at the end.
It truly was a life-threatening effort to create a shining moment.
The Golden Horse Awards Organizing Committee from Taiwan sent him an invitation.
They hoped Stone could participate in this year’s Golden Horse Awards competition.
Li Chen agreed, but also replied that he might not have time to attend in person.
Stone’s box office ultimately settled at 110 million.
Li Chen’s ability to turn a small investment into such a large profit made his industry peers incredibly envious.
Wang Changtian jokingly remarked that Enlight Media’s annual profit couldn’t even match the profit of one of his films.
His words were filled with envy.
Li Chen didn’t pay attention to any of that; he was now pouring all his energy into this film, shoplifters.
Whether he could soar to great heights depended on this shoplifters.
For this, after all the main creative personnel were in place, Li Chen specifically held a script discussion meeting.
He conducted one-on-one explanations for each character and actor.
He strived to express what he wanted: every member of the shoplifters buried their scars in the dirt, but kept their bonds and love in their hearts.
Please collect and follow, everyone.