Chapter 41: The Guest Overpowers the Host
Li Chen and Wang Changtian clinked glasses, and Han Sanping also took his seat.
The two greeted Han Sanping.
Between the three of them sat a man around fifty years old.
Li Chen hadn't seen him before, but he figured anyone sitting next to Han Sanping couldn't be a nobody.
On Han Sanping's other side sat Liu Ruoying.
After settling down, the fifty-something-year-old man and Wang Changtian seemed to know each other.
Wang Changtian called him President Bao.
Wang Changtian didn't ignore Li Chen and took the initiative to introduce them.
“Let me introduce you, this is President Bao of Wanda.”
Li Chen's heart stirred; President Bao was the first general manager of Wanda Cinema Line.
It seemed Wanda Cinema Line had already been approved for establishment.
Big Boss Wang was probably about to enter the market.
Li Chen shook hands with him and exchanged contact information.
The other party was very discreet and didn't say much in such an occasion.
Soon after, the Premiere officially began, starting with a charity auction.
The atmosphere on site was lively.
When it came to the second item, Li Bingbing went on stage.
The host suddenly came up with a gimmick.
Bidding 5,000 yuan to dance a Latin dance with Li Bingbing.
Li Chen and Wang Changtian both laughed out loud.
There was certainly no shortage of people to play along.
The most surprising thing was that the 'young man' who came up was actually the father of another Fan Xiaopang.
Li Chen was a little incredulous: “Brother, this person is definitely older than you, right?”
“Aren't you stating the obvious!” Wang Changtian said grumpily.
“This, this is too young, isn't it? I'd even believe they were siblings.”
The father of the fashionista Fan Xiaopang was even more fashionable than Fan Xiaopang.
Dressed in a white suit, his good looks would still be impressive in later generations.
After the Latin dance, the real item for auction turned out to be the leather pants Andy Lau wore in a world without thieves.
Everyone was very supportive, bidding against each other.
Li Chen also chimed in with a bid of fifty thousand yuan.
But soon, Andy Lau himself bid sixty thousand.
Immediately after, Wang Zhonglei bid sixty-eight thousand.
Wow, he wasn't actually there.
Li Chen found it hard to imagine Andy Lau, at forty-four, having no idol burden at all.
He was lively and energetic, like a young man in his early twenties.
The auction didn't end until Xiao Gang Pao sold his own computer.
At the end, Xiao Gang Pao concluded: May there be no piracy in a world without thieves.
Indeed, a world without thieves was just a gimmick; this sentence was the true meaning.
Then came the movie Premiere, and after the movie ended, the media began their interviews.
Wang Changtian smiled beside him and said, “Brother, are you ready for what to say?”
His film 'Stone' was currently the second-highest-grossing film of the year, and he was one of only two directors to have a film gross over 100 million yuan.
Li Chen knew he couldn't avoid it and said nonchalantly, “When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth.”
Sure enough, when asked about Xiao Gang Pao and the lead actors' expectations for the box office.
The reporter turned the attention to him.
“Director Li Chen is also here today. Director Li Chen, what do you think of no thief and Kung Fu? You are one of the only two directors in the country with a film grossing over 100 million yuan.”
Li Chen found it amusing; there was no way he would flatter Xiao Gang Pao.
But he also couldn't be too disrespectful, as it was their Premiere today.
Li Chen played a trick and smiled, “Undoubtedly, no thief will definitely gross over 100 million yuan at the box office.”
Xiao Gang Pao's face showed a slight curve.
However, the reporter wasn't going to let him off easily.
“Then, compared to Kung Fu, which one do you favor more?”
Everyone's gaze turned to Li Chen.
Li Chen was well-prepared and calmly smiled, “Mr. Andy Lau once said.”
“Director Stephen Chow has never lost all these years. Losing to him wouldn't be a bad thing.”
“I think this statement is very objective!”
As soon as these words were spoken, the media immediately became excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood, and the scene erupted in an uproar.
Li Xue quietly sighed, “Siwei, your Director Li really has character!”
Yang Siwei couldn't help but laugh, “The boss truly lives up to his name!”
Wang Changtian's mouth curved into a smile.
Han Sanping glanced at Li Chen.
Li Chen wasn't sure if he was mistaken, but he felt Han Sanping's eyes showed more encouragement than surprise.
Everyone present secretly clicked their tongues, thinking, Director Li really dares to speak his mind.
Wang Zhonglei's smile remained unchanged, but what he was thinking internally was unknown.
Andy Lau had said that casually in an interview, but you, you're making a definitive statement in front of the media!
Andy Lau still maintained his smile.
He did say that, and he didn't think he was wrong.
Xiao Gang Pao's face lengthened.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, he retorted with a straight face.
“Then, Director Li, what do you think of no thief compared to Stone?”
Li Chen secretly cursed Xiao Gang Pao for his malicious intent.
The crowd and media on site erupted.
This was a showdown between two great directors!
Li Chen did not disappoint.
He smiled gracefully, “The New Year Film Season is Director Feng's home turf. Losing to Director Feng wouldn't be a bad thing!”
Li Chen returned Andy Lau's words to Xiao Gang Pao verbatim.
Wang Changtian, not giving face at all, led the applause.
Others followed suit, clapping.
Xiao Gang Pao's face was as black as coal.
“Brother, you're something else!” Wang Changtian laughed.
The Premiere ended, and everyone dispersed.
“He's so arrogant!”
“He made two movies and thinks he's a big shot?”
Xiao Gang Pao grumbled, though he also acknowledged Stephen Chow's box office appeal.
But who did Li Chen think he was, what right did he have to dictate things here?
Wang Zhonglei's expression was also not good.
Andy Lau and Liu Ruoying had already left, leaving only Huayi Brothers' creative team in the auditorium.
Both Li Bingbing and Fan Xiaopang dared not speak; such a clash between great directors was not for them to interject.
In fact, Fan Xiaopang secretly admired Director Li Chen.
In such an occasion, daring to speak the truth, even if it was unpalatable truth.
Without some strength and confidence, Huayi Brothers would probably teach him a lesson tomorrow.
Li Bingbing, on the other hand, remained silent.
Although she was the lead actress of no thief and a Huayi Brothers person, she was also the lead actress of painted skin.
Wang Zhonglei walked to the side, picked up his phone, and called Li Chen.
Li Chen and Yang Siwei sat in the car, smiling, “I guess President Wang is calling to 'demand an explanation'!”
Yang Siwei laughed, “What's there to be afraid of? The boss dared to stand firm in person, so he wouldn't show weakness over the phone, would he?”
“You are truly naive! You might as well change your name to Yang Tianzhen (Yang Naive) in the future.”
“Think carefully, who is the production company for Kung Fu?”
Li Chen shook his head and cursed with a smile.
Yang Siwei was stunned; it seemed Huayi Brothers was the production company for both films.
From this perspective, the boss's show of strength today was still drumming up momentum for Huayi Brothers.
Li Chen ignored Yang Siwei and answered the phone.
“Director Li, your remarks today were too inconsiderate, weren't they?” Wang Zhonglei's tone was somewhat annoyed.
“Is President Wang going to teach me how to speak?” Li Chen didn't give him any face either.
What nonsense, what's with the act!
You're all old foxes who've become cunning; don't try to fool me!
Yang Siwei sat next to Li Chen, secretly giving him a thumbs-up!
Wang Zhonglei also realized his tone was inappropriate.
The other party was not only a great director but also the big boss of Rongchen Film and Television.
The two Li Bingbing and Fan Xiaopang in the distance noticed the change in President Wang's expression.
“I'm not trying to teach Director Li how to speak, it's just that Director Li was my invited guest today, and as the saying goes, the guest should not overpower the host.”
Li Chen found it amusing: “President Wang, I don't like beating around the bush. The media asked me, and I answered truthfully.”
“Does President Wang think what I said isn't true?”
“Besides, didn't your Director Feng also regain face from me in the end?”
The two parted on bad terms, each hanging up the phone.
“He has no self-awareness, thinking everyone has to humor him!” Li Chen said grumpily.
Yang Siwei secretly stuck out her tongue, it was the first time she heard her boss swear, and the first time she saw her boss confront someone.
And he confronted the CEO of a big company like Huayi Brothers; it was too exciting.
If this gossip got out, it would definitely be the front-page headline of the entertainment sections of major portals tomorrow!
She was indeed a bit naive, but her boss was of similar age.
How could he be so extraordinary! Yang Siwei secretly muttered to herself.
Wang Zhonglei's face was unpleasant, clearly indicating he hadn't gotten what he wanted.
The two Li Bingbing and Baoqiang dared not utter a sound.
Xiao Gang Pao, however, was fearless: “What? Is he still being ungrateful?”
Wang Zhonglei was annoyed: “That's enough from you, everyone go back and rest early. We still have to go to Hong Kong tomorrow, and no one is to respond to this matter.”
Wang Zhonglei was helpless; he had enough worries recently and didn't want to add more to his plate.
Besides, ultimately, Huayi Brothers was the production company for both films.
His call was largely out of consideration for Xiao Gang Pao's reputation.
One Wang Jinghua was enough to bother him; Wang Jinghua's absence tonight was the best proof.
Although what Li Chen said tonight was unpleasant, he couldn't refute it either.
no thief and Kung Fu were competing.
Unless he had drunk fake alcohol, he wouldn't say that no thief could surpass Kung Fu.