Chapter 58: Even If Not Yet Eighteen, Still Eighteen
Li Chen went to China Film Group Corporation to meet Han Sanping.
As expected, Chang Hong had faced setbacks, and the special effects company had not yet been established.
Half of the investors were scared away as soon as they heard Chang Hong's budget.
Li Chen finally understood why Han Sanping had called him today.
"Stop, stop, Han Dong! I am an entrepreneur, not a philanthropist," Li Chen said, annoyed.
He wasn't some wealthy landlord for Han Dong to exploit.
Han Sanping sighed, "Actually, Chang Hong's idea is good."
"The domestic market is indeed a blank slate when it comes to special effects right now."
Han Sanping was about to say more.
Li Chen gave a wry smile, "Han Dong, it's not that I don't want to help."
"It's that I can't; time doesn't wait for me!"
"If we force the company open now, is there a market in China?"
"You should persuade Chang Hong to wait a few more years!"
Han Sanping also knew that Li Chen was right; the domestic market was still very small.
Big-budget films were even scarcer.
For the special effects needed, the 'five-mao' special effects available domestically were sufficient.
Li Chen's refusal was also within Han Sanping's expectations.
Moving past that topic.
Han Sanping then said, "Why don't you just leave with me?"
Li Chen chuckled, "Forget it, Director Chen's halo is too dazzling, I'm afraid I'll be blinded!"
Originally, Li Chen had planned to depart for Cannes with Han Sanping.
But he was truly deterred by Han Sanping's bold pronouncements to the media in recent days.
Perhaps Han Sanping wasn't optimistic about shoplifters, but overly so about The Promise!
Although shoplifters had been nominated for the main competition unit, Han Sanping had never really thought Li Chen could win an award.
But The Promise was different.
Han Sanping, in a media interview, stated directly that The Promise was the largest and most anticipated film investment by China Film Group Corporation in recent years.
He claimed it could confidently stand against Hollywood, personally believing it even surpassed farewell my concubine.
Therefore, he would personally lead a super luxurious team, including Director Chen Kaige and his wife, and other key creators, to Cannes.
This trip was sure to achieve great success.
Seeing this lineup, Li Chen decisively decided to take the shoplifters crew and depart early.
Miss Liu returned to Beijing today; the return of the condor heroes wrapped up yesterday.
Li Chen, fully geared with a mask and dark sunglasses, went to pick her up at the airport.
Miss Liu and he were both the brightest stars under the spotlight now.
They were the center of attention wherever they went, especially Miss Liu.
The drama Chinese Paladin alone made her popularity and buzz surpass that of the current four little dan actresses.
After picking up the mother and daughter who had fought their way through the crowd, Li Chen sped away from the airport.
"Li Chen, you've troubled us again," Liu Xiaoli said politely.
Before Li Chen could reply, Miss Liu, wearing a black hoodie, chuckled.
"Mom, you can even recognize Li Chen like this?"
Li Chen took off his sunglasses and mask, glaring at Miss Liu in the rearview mirror.
Liu Xiaoli also playfully tapped her daughter's forehead.
Indeed, without the hairstyle, it would have been hard to recognize who the driver was.
Li Chen smiled, "Don't be so polite, Auntie. I just came from the company, so it was on my way."
Miss Liu pursed her lips, laughing at Li Chen's clumsy excuse.
In the rearview mirror, the eighteen-year-old Miss Liu's beauty truly made the old driver's heart bloom like breakup buddies.
Li Chen thought to himself, among the many actresses in China.
Purely in terms of looks, perhaps only Fan Xiaopang could contend with the eighteen-year-old Miss Liu.
As for the others, they were truly reduced to ashes in a flash.
He dropped off the mother and daughter before nightfall.
Miss Liu greeted Liu Xiaoli and then went home with Li Chen.
Before leaving, Liu Xiaoli said meaningfully, "Li Chen, Old Chen is planning an adult ceremony for Xixi. If you have time, please come."
Li Chen felt a bit puzzled by Liu Xiaoli's gaze, as if she had a hidden meaning.
Li Chen smiled and agreed, then left with Miss Liu.
Walking along the road, with the afterglow of the sun spilling through the trees, Li Chen felt a sense of contentment: "How do I feel like you've become even prettier?"
Miss Liu was pleased to hear this and turned her head, "When was I not pretty?"
Li Chen smiled, "You've always been beautiful."
"It's just that I feel you've lost the ethereal quality of Wang Yuyan, shed the childishness of Zhao Ling'er, and the coldness of Xiaolongnü."
"Hmm, there's a feeling of a sudden heartbeat!" Li Chen pinched his chin, seriously scrutinizing the girl.
Miss Liu became even happier. She saw that they were already far from home.
So she boldly slipped one hand through Li Chen's arm.
Clinging to him, she said a bit fiercely, "Say it again, I like to hear it!"
Li Chen felt a little nervous, too. If Liu Xiaoli saw this, he wouldn't be able to explain himself, yet he couldn't bear to push away the fragrant Miss Liu.
With birds singing, flowers blooming, and a beauty by his side.
Li Chen, this straight-laced science guy, sighed, "I really hope your coming-of-age ceremony comes quickly."
Miss Liu smiled, "Why?"
Li Chen chuckled, "That way, Auntie won't be able to use the excuse that Xixi is still young to refuse me!"
Miss Liu became interested, "When was that? How come I don't know?"
Li Chen laughed, "It was a year ago, not a big deal, and besides, I didn't think Auntie was wrong."
Miss Liu proudly lifted her head, her dark eyes rolling, and chuckled, "Then you'll have to work hard."
"The people who like this young lady can line up from my doorstep to Chang'an Avenue. Does Director Li still have confidence?"
Li Chen's courage surged, and he teased, "Even against thousands, I shall go forth!"
Miss Liu hadn't quite understood what he meant.
Li Chen's cell phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was Yang Shoucheng.
Miss Liu quietly listened for a long time without speaking.
It seemed they were discussing a collaboration.
After he hung up, Miss Liu casually asked, "Are you going to cooperate with Emperor Entertainment Group?"
Li Chen didn't hide it from her, nodding, "Some scripts can't be filmed in the mainland, but they're fine in Hong Kong."
"For now, Emperor Entertainment Group is still a compatible partner."
Miss Liu wasn't concerned with these matters, and the two soon arrived at Li Chen's home.
Miss Liu busied herself checking upstairs and downstairs, finding no suspicious traces.
Li Chen sat on the spacious circular sofa in the living room, hands clasped behind his head.
Looking at Miss Liu's upturned lips, he couldn't help but laugh, "Well? Did you find any suspicious characters?"
Miss Liu darted to his side like the wind, picked up a cushion, and said happily, "You passed!"
Li Chen looked surprised, feigning, "That's it? No reward?"
Miss Liu turned her head and playfully glared at Li Chen.
Li Chen turned his right cheek, shamelessly pointing and smiling, "Don't forget someone owes me a consolation prize..."
Before he could finish, his face was forcefully turned by Miss Liu.
The next second, Li Chen felt his lips touch something like soft cotton candy.
Miss Liu suddenly stood up, directly tackling the caught-off-guard Li Chen onto the sofa.
He widened his eyes, disbelievingly looking at Miss Liu, who had her eyes closed.
Feeling her innocent and clumsy kissing technique.
Li Chen's heart raced, having completely forgotten his promise to Liu Xiaoli.
He was completely deceiving himself; Miss Liu was already eighteen, and even if not yet eighteen, it counted as eighteen.
His hands, suspended in mid-air, slowly rested on Miss Liu's waist.
He gently and enticingly savored the girl's fragrance.
It wasn't until both of them were a little breathless that they reluctantly separated.
Miss Liu's cheeks were flushed, like blooming peach blossoms, captivating to the eye.
Li Chen's heart pounded. He licked his lips, savoring the aftertaste.
"Miss, have you rested enough? I can still take it, please continue."
Miss Liu burst out laughing, "Shameless! I'm ignoring you, I'm going home now."
With that, she got up, disregarding Li Chen, and left with a fragrant breeze.
Watching Miss Liu flee in a panic.
Li Chen, thoroughly satisfied, muttered to himself, "What a charming little vixen, but I like it!"
Family, please keep reading, thank you (*°▽°*) = 3