Chapter 37: Flexing Muscles in Front of the Mother-in-Law
In early November, Hou Hongliang and his group arrived in Beijing.
Li Chen hosted a welcoming banquet for Hou Hongliang and his team at the Kempinski Hotel.
At the banquet, everyone was in high spirits.
However, when it came to their first project, everyone had different opinions.
Some said that their first work should be a historical drama, something profound and grand, like hanwu the great.
Others suggested a martial arts drama, which has a large audience.
Still others proposed a family ethics drama that is close to real life, citing this year's hit "Chinese-Style Divorce."
Everyone offered their opinions, but there was no conclusion.
Hou Hongliang's thoughts turned, and he smiled, saying, "Why don't we hear Director Li's opinion?"
Hou Hongliang thought, as the investor, Li Chen.
If he set the tone, then surely everyone else would have nothing to say.
Unexpectedly, Hou Hongliang passed the buck to him.
Li Chen smiled, "I think what everyone said is correct; the script is what's important."
It was as if he had said nothing at all; everyone knew the importance of a script.
Li Chen pondered for a moment, then remembered a drama and instantly made up his mind.
In his previous life, it seemed a deputy director from the General Administration initiated this project after attending an interview program in Shandong.
Now, he would play the role of the initiator.
Li Chen smiled, "How about we still choose history?"
Screenwriter Sun Jianye asked, "History? Is that ancient history or modern history?"
The few who had just suggested historical themes all smiled.
Li Chen rubbed his chin and pondered, "I have a suggestion; everyone, please listen and tell me what you think."
Hou Hongliang laughed, "Say whatever you want. You're the big boss. If you don't have the right to speak, who does?"
Everyone else laughed.
Li Chen nodded, no longer being polite.
"Most of you are from Shandong, with a few from Beijing, Tianjin, and the Northeast."
"Why can't we use the modern-day crossing the Guandong by Shandong people as a blueprint to film a modern historical epic?"
"Crossing the Guandong?" Before anyone else could speak, screenwriter Gao Mantang exclaimed in surprise.
"Director Li, those words touched my heart. My ancestors were among those who crossed the Guandong back then."
"I grew up listening to stories of crossing the Guandong. Honestly, I've always had a wish."
"That is to write these stories. But alas!"
Gao Mantang didn't finish his sentence, but Li Chen understood his meaning.
For such a historical epic, just the preliminary material preparation.
The old places to visit, the elderly to interview, and the data to collect could not be completed in a day or two.
It required massive financial support; otherwise, the script might break the capital chain before it was even started.
Everyone else felt the same way and fell silent for a moment.
Hou Hongliang laughed, "What do you all think of Li Chen's suggestion? Don't worry about the funds; that's Li Chen's concern!"
Li Chen smiled, "Old Hou is right. As long as everyone thinks it's feasible, then let's do it."
"The preliminary preparation time can be a bit longer; good things come to those who wait."
"You don't have to worry about funds. To speak boldly, any problem that can be solved with money isn't a problem."
"Perhaps by the time the script is finished next year, our office building will also be ready for occupancy, and then we can announce this project at the same time."
Everyone laughed, feeling the bewilderment of the newly rich, and hadn't yet fully transitioned into their respective roles.
After the banquet, Li Chen mentioned to Hou Hongliang that it would be much more convenient to involve CCTV in such a large-scale historical production.
In fact, even without Li Chen's suggestion, Hou Hongliang had planned to do so.
The next day, Li Chen went to check on the preliminary preparation progress for painted skin.
For the special effects of this painted skin, Li Chen hired Sony, and all other teams were top-notch in the industry.
Compared to Chen Jiashang's Hong Kong team at the time, they were superior in both professionalism and strength.
The promotions for no thief and Kung Fu were in full swing, and the preparations for painted skin were also proceeding in an orderly manner.
Taking a rare break from his busy schedule, Li Chen had moved out of school and into his new home.
Rumors of a scandal between Fan Bingbing and Wang Xuebing circulated online, but few believed them.
Li Bingbing also had rumors of a romance with the Sea King Zhu Xiaotian, and the buzz temporarily overshadowed Fan Xiaopang's gossip.
Li Chen looked at these online gossips and truly admired the noses of these paparazzi.
What was lacking now was merely solid proof.
A somewhat inconspicuous message in a corner caught his eye.
In 2002, Song Da Zui bought the Porsche that Lai Changxing gave to Yang Meiren for over 900,000 yuan.
Not long ago, a businessman and Poet named Liu Xingda bought it for 500,000 yuan and gave it to Yang Meiren again.
Media reported that Song Da Zui and Liu Xingda were actually biological brothers.
Li Chen sighed, thinking, 'Indeed, like attracts like.'
Seeing this, Li Chen couldn't help but think of Miss Liu, who was returning to Beijing today.
The day before yesterday, Miss Liu mentioned on the cell phone that the Condor Heroes crew was disbanding on the spot today.
Some personnel would directly go to Yandang Mountain to prepare for the next stage of filming.
That meant she was practically saying: 'I'm returning to Beijing the day after tomorrow. Are you coming to pick me up?'
"Are you coming to pick me up tomorrow?"
Miss Liu, wearing a casual purple hairband, removed the face mask she was wearing and smiled.
"Yes, I'm afraid someone will curse me behind my back if I don't."
"At least you're sensible..." Miss Liu muttered.
The next day, in the Condor Heroes crew.
"Yifei, what's making you so happy? Even the corners of your eyes are smiling?" Huang Xiaoming said casually.
Liu Yifei brushed him off, "No, I'm just a little impatient to go to Yandang Mountain soon."
Huang Xiaoming saw that she didn't want to talk and didn't press the issue.
He secretly guessed that Sony might have given a reply.
A few days ago, people from Sony came with Chen Jingfei to visit Liu Yifei on the set of Condor Heroes; everyone saw it.
Liu Yifei also didn't hide from Huang Xiaoming her intention to enter the music industry.
That evening, after the plane landed, Liu Xiaoli and Miss Liu left the airport and got into a black Audi by the roadside.
The moment the car door opened, Huang Xiaoming, who was not far away, saw the unfamiliar yet familiar man in the driver's seat.
As expected.
"Li Chen, thank you for your trouble, coming to pick us up." Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei sat in the back, smiling.
Li Chen didn't turn around, focusing on driving: "Don't be so polite, Auntie. I had nothing to do today, so I was just idling."
Through the rearview mirror, Li Chen saw Miss Liu's eyes flicker slightly.
Nothing to do? Just idling?
Li Chen ignored her and drove calmly.
After dropping the mother and daughter at home, Liu Xiaoli got out of the car and said, "You've worked hard, Li Chen. It's too late, so I won't keep you."
With Liu Xiaoli present, Liu Yifei didn't say much, only, "Drive carefully on the way. Send me a message when you get to school."
Li Chen smiled, waved, and left.
Liu Yifei finished tidying up and showering; it was almost eleven o'clock. She saw Li Chen's message on her cell phone: 'I'm home.'
The time displayed 21:05. Liu Yifei didn't think much of it.
She called him directly.
Li Chen's voice sounded a bit groggy.
Liu Yifei didn't care about him and said brightly, "Are you asleep?"
Li Chen shook his head, clearing up a bit: "Dragon Girl, I'm not like you, who can sleep anywhere, anytime, with just a rope."
Liu Yifei chuckled, "Did you go home or back to school?"
Li Chen patiently said, "Didn't I send you a message saying I'm home?"
Liu Yifei nodded, "Alright, I'll come to your house tomorrow to see what it looks like."
In Liu Yifei's opinion, Li Chen's house certainly couldn't compare to her own villa.
She was mainly curious about the place where he lived.
Li Chen closed his eyes and put the cell phone aside: "Whatever you want, Dragon Girl. Anything else?"
Doo-doo-doo, the cell phone was already busy.
Hanging up just like that, it truly was the style of the Little Dragon Girl. Li Chen wrapped himself in his quilt, covered his head, and went back to sleep.
Early the next morning, Li Chen hadn't even gotten out of bed when his cell phone rang.
"Still sleeping, you big lazy bum, get up." Miss Liu's voice on the cell phone sounded like a blaring loudspeaker.
Li Chen instantly became alert.
"Where is your home address? I'm about to leave."
Li Chen sat up: "Are you really coming?"
"What? Not welcome? Then forget it!"
Li Chen gave a wry smile, "Is that little mouth borrowed, chattering away? Wait for me to pick you up!"
"What? Hello... How dare he hang up on me!" Liu Yifei said angrily to herself.
Liu Xiaoli saw her daughter muttering and smiled, "What's wrong? He doesn't welcome you?"
"He wouldn't dare! He said he's coming to pick me up." Liu Yifei said proudly.
Liu Yifei thought she would have to wait for over an hour, since Li Chen wasn't even up yet and was so far away.
Unexpectedly, in less than fifteen minutes, the cell phone rang.
"I'm at your doorstep. Are you coming out or should I come in?"
"What?"
Liu Xiaoli saw her daughter's surprised look and turned to ask, "What's wrong?"
Liu Yifei held the cell phone, still not quite understanding: "He, he said he's at the door."
After saying that, she didn't even put on a coat, and ran out, opening the door with a clatter.
At the main entrance, Liu Yifei saw Li Chen, holding a leash of a pure black, large Labrador, grinning and watching the dogs argue at the gate.
The Labrador and her two small dogs barked incessantly, but the Labrador clearly had the upper hand in terms of presence.
Li Chen, that annoying person, just stood by, ignoring them, letting the Labrador act smugly with its owner's backing.
"Good morning, Miss Liu." Li Chen greeted her with a smile.
Liu Yifei opened the door: "You, where did you come from? Whose dog is that?"
Li Chen said amusedly, "What kind of question is that? I was just pulled out of bed by someone. Where else would I come from?"
"Do you even need to ask whose dog it is? Don't you see whose hand the leash is in?"
"Quick, tell me, what's going on exactly?" Unable to win with words, Miss Liu resorted to physical action.
"Let go, let go, it hurts!"
"Tell me!"
"I'll tell you, I'll tell you, just let go first."
Miss Liu released her tender white hand from Li Chen's waist.
Li Chen shook his head exasperatedly, "Whose moves did you learn?"
"Stop talking nonsense, hurry up and tell me."
Li Chen said helplessly, "What's there to say? I just bought a house. What's the big deal?"
"You bought a house here?" Miss Liu said happily.
Entering the door, Miss Liu smiled very happily: "Mom, Li Chen bought a house here."
Liu Xiaoli was startled; houses here were not cheap.
"When did you buy it, Li Chen? Why have I never heard you mention it?" Liu Xiaoli asked.
Li Chen smiled and said, "It's like this, Auntie. Last time I came over, I felt the environment here was quite good."
"The housing prices were also moderate, plus I'm optimistic about housing prices in Beijing."
"So I bought one to live in myself, and also bought a few small units within the Second Ring Road as an investment."
"In the future, if I don't live in them, they can also serve as employee benefits for the company."
Liu Xiaoli frowned, moderate housing prices? A few small units? Employee benefits?
Liu Xiaoli's face had already turned from cloudy to overcast.
Still asking for continuous reading, and I don't know if the first round of recommendations has passed.
So nervous, I can't even describe it.