Chapter 86: He Who Wears the Crown, Bears the Crown's Weight
After the excitement, Yang Mi immediately called Yang Siwei.
When the call connected, Yang Siwei lazily said, “Hello?”
Hearing her voice, Yang Mi knew she was still asleep. Could it be…?
“Siwei, are you still asleep?” Yang Mi asked softly.
“I’m not still asleep, I just fell asleep and you woke me up…”
Yang Siwei replied groggily.
“Ah, you didn’t sleep at all last night?” Yang Mi asked, surprised.
There was no response from the other end of the phone, and after a moment, soft snoring could be heard.
Yang Mi was speechless. It seemed she had slept soundly last night.
Siwei had been fighting all night.
These ‘righteous armies’ online must all be Siwei’s handiwork, right?
Yang Mi was so glad about her choice at this moment.
Netizens online were cursing one after another.
They didn’t care if it was a CCTV production or not.
“Are the producers blind? My sister Zhiruo’s smile isn’t as beautiful as that tender beef square?”
“Damn it, if you say there’s no shady business, I won’t believe you even if you beat me to death!”
“What’s so surprising about this? Back when Wang Yuyan and Little Dragon Girl were cast, weren’t all the candidates more famous than Liu Yifei? What was the final result?”
“The entertainment industry never lacks pretty faces. Without connections or ability, it’s useless.”
“So Zhou Zhiruo is clean? Being the third party and then being cheated on herself, she’s not even as good as my Jin Suo!”
The online fan wars were raging.
From initially targeting the producers and Yang Mi,
It slowly shifted to a clash between Shuang Bing and Gao Yuanyuan’s fans.
On the other side, in the Huayi Brothers General Manager’s office.
Wang Zhonglei angrily smashed a crystal glass to the ground.
“How do you do things?”
“You’re an old hand, yet you only reacted after being buried!”
Li Xue subconsciously dodged the broken glass shards and did not argue.
This time, the opponent was clearly well-prepared, and it was obvious to anyone with eyes.
It definitely wouldn’t be a small company.
Even if Wang Jinghua had been in charge, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.
“President Wang, I’m not defending myself, but this style, method, and efficiency…”
“I believe you can also see that it definitely wouldn’t be a newcomer.”
Wang Zhonglei forced himself to calm down. Li Xue was right.
Newcomers don’t react this quickly, nor do they strike with such precision and ruthlessness!
“Who do you think it is?” Wang Zhonglei asked with a grim face.
Li Xue frowned and remained silent for a long time.
“What? Just say whatever you’re thinking, don’t hide anything from me.”
“I feel like the style of this opponent is a bit like Yang Siwei.”
“Yang Siwei? Are you saying that Li Chen is the person behind this Yang Mi?” Wang Zhonglei asked, surprised.
He had never thought of it that way.
But upon closer thought, if it was Rongchen Film and Television, then everything made sense.
Yang Siwei was a promising talent in marketing, and she had Li Chen backing her up.
The lawsuit that scared those two brothers into immediately backing down last time was the most direct proof.
Wang Zhonglei paced back and forth in his office.
After a while, he stopped.
“Never mind all that for now. Since this girl named Yang Mi has terminated her contract with Rongxingda,”
“Then go and approach her. It’s best to sign her directly.”
“If she’s already taken, find out who it is!”
Wang Zhonglei’s mind worked quickly.
Since the casting of Wang Zhaojun was already a foregone conclusion, why not make the best of a bad situation and sign Yang Mi directly?
This was also a good option.
Li Xue was not surprised by Wang Zhonglei’s decision; this was his character after all.
At the same time, Wang Zhonglei also instructed Li Jun, the head of Huayi Brothers Film and Television Company, to publicly announce the final cast of the banquet.
This was to clear Huayi Brothers’ name, showing that Huayi Brothers was still Huayi Brothers.
China Economic Net, Southern Weekly, Sina Entertainment, Sohu, NetEase, and other media websites successively published news about the banquet.
Since Feng Xiaogang announced news of the banquet at the Shanghai International Film Festival in mid-June,
This ‘palace feast’, rumored to have an investment of 130 million, had finally come out of its casting ‘mystery’ after more than a month.
Huayi Brothers’ press releases were flying everywhere, and headlines filled the internet.
“‘the banquet’ ‘Guest’ Massive Cast Assembled.”
“Zhang Ziyi Leads the Palace Feast.”
“Two Big Dan Actresses Compete on the Same Stage.”
“Chinese Version of Hamlet.”
All sorts of attention-grabbing headlines were overwhelming, seemingly showcasing Huayi Brothers’ unparalleled confidence and strength.
At this point, whether International Zhang would join was settled.
Zhang Ziyi had recently accepted an invitation from the Oscar committee to become the youngest Chinese judge for the Oscar.
Her popularity was truly unmatched at the time.
Wang Zhonglei, president of Huayi Brothers, was radiant and full of confidence when interviewed by the media.
“We believe in Zhang Ziyi’s box office appeal internationally.”
“At the Cannes Chinese Film Night, I extended an invitation to her.”
“The script for the banquet, the first draft was completed by Taiwan screenwriter Qiu Gangjian, and then revised by the screenwriter of Towards the Republic.”
“Currently, Xiaogang is doing the final polish on the script.”
“In addition, the competition between Zhang Ziyi and Zhou Xun on the same stage broke the precedent that the ‘four little dan actresses’ had never collaborated before.”
“Huayi Brothers has truly put in a lot of effort for this film.”
Some netizens online were sharp-eyed.
They commented one after another that Huayi Brothers couldn’t sit still.
They wanted to show off their muscles with the banquet.
But compared to Rongchen Film and Television, they still couldn’t catch up.
In a meeting room at Huayi Brothers.
The Big and Little Wangs and Xiao Gang Pao all had grim faces.
Why did everything have to be linked to Rongchen Film and Television?
“What do these people know! They don’t know a damn thing, they just know how to praise the high and step on the low.”
“My one the banquet has an investment of 130 million, how can that lost in thailand or Father’s Love is Like a Mountain compare!”
Xiao Gang Pao cursed loudly, without any restraint.
But he also didn’t have the nerve to mention shoplifters, which only had a 20 million investment.
Big Wang didn’t bother with Xiao Gang Pao’s thoughtless angry words.
What did he mean by praising the high and stepping on the low? Where was Huayi Brothers low?
He only said to his younger brother, “How are the talks with them going?”
Little Wang’s face was not good, and he shook his head slightly: “These people are determined to follow Wang Jinghua, but Fan Bingbing has confirmed she’s staying.”
Big Wang nodded, all within expectation.
“Instruct the company’s artists not to comment on this matter privately, and especially not to accept media interviews.”
“You also need to handle the public relations for the media.”
“I refuse to believe that without Wang Jinghua, Huayi Brothers can’t operate!”
Yang Siwei called Yang Mi back after she woke up.
Yang Mi quickly answered.
Yang Mi told her that Tangren, Hairun Media, and Huayi Brothers had all called her, wanting to arrange a meeting.
The implication was that they wanted to sign her.
Yang Siwei laughed, “Isn’t that normal?”
“Don’t worry about these things. If you want to meet, then meet them.”
“Don’t worry about anything else, just focus on playing Wang Zhaojun well. I’ll visit you on set then.”
“Then what should I say when I meet them?” Yang Mi was speechless.
Since she had decided to sign with Rongchen Film and Television, why meet with other companies?
Isn’t that just messing with people?
Yang Siwei laughed, “Go meet them. Not only should you meet them, but you should also meet me…”
Yang Mi seemed to have caught on: “You, you mean…?”
After hanging up, Yang Siwei’s mind shifted, and she called her subordinates.
The next day, someone on the internet broke the news.
“Multiple film and television companies intend to sign Yang Mi, the actress playing Wang Zhaojun.”
“According to industry insiders, Huayi Brothers, Rongchen Film and Television, Tangren, Hairun Media, and Orange Sky Entertainment have all begun to contact Yang Mi.”
Netizens watching the excitement online were not afraid of stirring up trouble.
“Who exactly is this girl? How can she make these companies all extend olive branches?”
“I just want to know who will be the final winner, and who is the man behind Yang Mi!”
“I think if this girl chooses Rongchen Film and Television, then no problem, a normal person would choose that.”
“But if she chooses Huayi Brothers, then I have to suspect if that Little President Wang has set his sights on a new talent again.”
“After all, the mandarin duck swimming photos and hotel kissing photos from the first half of the year are still vivid in memory.”
“With a new love Yang Mi, he abandoned his old loves Shuang Bing, so Shuang Bing’s respective ‘official announcements’ of their relationships would be reasonable…”
It must be said that netizens’ imaginations were indeed quite wild.
This wave of innuendo included the Huayi Brothers boss and two of their leading dan actresses.
Another crystal glass in Wang Zhonglei’s office finally joined its predecessor, becoming a pair of ill-fated lovers, shattered on the floor.
Shuang Bing and Li Xue were both in the office.
Wang Zhonglei was furious: “Bastards! Shameless!”
Shuang Bing looked at each other without speaking.
But both saw frustration in each other’s eyes.
Losing to a newcomer with no previous background, and then having old photos brought up by netizens for ridicule.
It truly made them lose face.
In addition, this casting of Wang Zhaojun had a greater impact on Huayi Brothers.
Wang Jinghua’s matter was only a few days away.
If the company couldn’t even sign a newcomer like Yang Mi this time,
Then morale would probably collapse!
Li Xue stepped forward and said, “President Wang, Yang Mi seems to have found a new agency.”
“Although she didn’t say it explicitly, I can feel it.”
Wang Zhonglei suppressed his anger: “Rongchen Film and Television is also contacting her?”
Li Xue nodded and said, “Yes, I contacted Yang Siwei, and Rongchen Film and Television indeed intends to sign Yang Mi.”
Fan Bingbing thought to herself: It seems Siwei was acting with me that day, so that’s how it is…
Understanding this, Fan Bingbing felt even more upset.
When Li Chen saw these messages, he was not surprised that film and television companies were contacting Yang Mi.
He was just a little curious as to why Rongchen Film and Television was also involved, so he immediately called Yang Siwei over.
“You released the news online?” Li Chen asked.
“Boss, you have keen insight. It was indeed this humble girl.”
Yang Siwei giggled, very pleased with her strategy of ‘muddying the waters’.
Li Chen nodded and smiled, “Siwei, your year-end bonus can have a zero added to it. You did a good job.”
Yang Siwei was instantly overjoyed: “Ah, Boss, you’re not joking.”
“Then consider it a joke,” Li Chen said with a smile.
“No, no, no, what kind of person are you, Boss? Your word is gold, how could you go back on it?”
Yang Siwei immediately flattered him.
Li Chen ignored her and said again, “Since it has come to this, there’s no need to wait for the filming of Wang Zhaojun to finish.”
“Let this matter ferment for a few more days, then it will be logical to sign Yang Mi directly.”
“But we need to do good public relations. I don’t want to see negative news about the company.”
Yang Siwei thought for a moment and understood.
Strike while the iron is hot, and make an official announcement to set the record straight.
No one would know if Yang Mi had already made arrangements with the boss.
“I understand, Boss. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything.”
The media wanted to interview Li Shaohong, but Li Shaohong did not want to respond much to the matter.
She only let Li Xiaowan represent the company in responding to Yang Mi’s contract termination.
“The termination was a unanimous decision after mutual consultation.”
“Yang Mi also bore the termination fee. Neither party owes the other anything!”
Li Shaohong finally understood the trick Rongchen Film and Television was playing.
This move of deception had fooled everyone.
Aside from the company and Yang Mi, who were in the know,
The outside world probably couldn’t say anything negative about Li Chen’s Rongchen Film and Television.
Anyway, Yang Mi was no longer associated with Rongxingda.
The other companies that wanted to sign her would have to rely on their own abilities.
In the end, Yang Mi choosing Rongchen Film and Television seemed to be a natural progression.
Li Shaohong was somewhat dismissive; she had no regard for Yang Mi.
She truly couldn’t understand what Li Chen saw in this girl!
Just three days later, the battle for Yang Mi ended before it even reached its climax.
Yang Siwei, representing Rongchen Film and Television, announced to the public.
“Rongchen Film and Television, after comprehensive consideration, has decided to sign Yang Mi.”
“Currently, both parties have reached an intention to sign a contract.”
“Yang Mi will be Rongchen Film and Television’s second signed artist.”
As soon as the news broke, the industry and the internet immediately exploded.
“No wonder she had the confidence to terminate her contract with Rongxingda; so that’s the answer!”
“If it were me, I’d also choose Rongchen Film and Television. This girl has ambition and courage!”
“No wonder Director Li sent the long-legged ticket seller, Tang Yan, to Hong Kong to film some father's love is like a mountain.”
“It seems she was abandoned by her sugar daddy, and Father Li has a new favorite. It truly is father's love is like a mountain!”
“Young people, it’s normal to admire beauty in their youth! I wonder how long this Yang Mi can stay fresh in Director Li’s arms.”
The online comments became increasingly unseemly, portraying Li Chen as a lecherous pervert.
However, at this moment, the ‘Father Li,’ who had a rare moment of leisure, did indeed have a fairy-like little enchantress lying in his arms.
The two had just returned from the cinema; mr. and mrs. smith was about to finish its run.
Miss Liu insisted on going to see it.
Li Chen accompanied his girlfriend on the last showing.
On the way back, Miss Liu kept exclaiming how beautiful Angelina Jolie was.
She wondered when she could be like her, and so on…
Li Chen didn’t respond to her; it was too difficult…
But…
Having the two of them appear in the same movie might still be possible…
…
“Father Li, I want grapes,” Liu Yifei said playfully, opening her mouth as she lay in Li Chen’s arms.
Li Chen, like a long-term laborer, was dizzy from peeling grape skins.
His laptop lay beside him, and all the online comments fell into Miss Liu’s eyes.
The little enchantress in his arms lay comfortably on his lap, refusing to get up.
His legs were numb. Li Chen, teased by Miss Liu, felt a surge of anger and said fiercely.
“Grapes aren’t as delicious as you. Father Li wants to eat you.”
“Awooo!”
Miss Liu was suddenly ‘attacked’.
Caught off guard, but in an instant, she had a passionate response.
The two broke through the barrier of lips and teeth, intertwining. Miss Liu wrapped her arms around her boyfriend’s neck, allowing him to take liberties.
Having had his fill, Li Chen still seemed to want more, wiping his mouth.
Miss Liu’s pretty face was flushed like a sunset.
Her chiding and shy expression was like Nala, the lioness in love from The Lion King.
“Hmph, I want grapes.”
Li Chen laughed, “Alright, I’ll peel them for you. Forget grapes, even if you wanted to eat me, I wouldn’t say no.”
“Why are you such a hooligan? What would outsiders think if they knew The Golden Palm director was like this?”
Miss Liu playfully punched her boyfriend’s chest, feigning anger.
“Oh, I’m only a hooligan with you,” Li Chen chuckled.
The two were completely engrossed in each other, unaffected by the online comments.
However, on the other side, Yang Siwei was already breaking out in a cold sweat, worried her bonus might lose a couple of zeros!
Yang Mi also called immediately.
“Siwei, are the online comments okay? Should I come out and respond?”
“My phone is about to explode!” Yang Mi said, annoyed.
Nothing was going on between her and her senior, yet it was being spread as if everything was.
She admired her senior, but it had nothing to do with love.
“Wait for my call. I’m busy right now, I’ll call you back later.” Yang Siwei said quickly and hung up.
Then she called Wang Changtian.
Wang Changtian and Cao Guowei also had a rare moment of free time.
They had arranged to play golf.
On the way to the golf course, Wang Changtian was in the car and even called Li Chen.
He asked Li Chen if he wanted to go, but Li Chen, of course, wouldn’t abandon his private time with Miss Liu to accompany two middle-aged uncles.
He would be leaving for Hollywood in a few days, and then he still had to go to Venice.
By the time he returned, it would be mid-September, so he had to spend quality time with Miss Liu.
Wang Changtian had just hung up when Yang Siwei’s call came in.
“Wang Dong, this is Siwei.”
After hanging up, Wang Changtian joked to Cao Guowei, “Like master, like man.”
“This little Yang is just like Li Chen, a little fox.”
“She was clearly asking me for help, but by the end, it was as if she was helping me.”
Cao Guowei chuckled, “Forget it, what the young lady said isn’t wrong.”
“Giving the exclusive report to your Entertainment Live, if that’s not helping you, who is it helping?”
Cao Guowei had heard the gist and understood what it was about.
It turned out Yang Siwei hoped to leverage the influence of Enlight Media’s Entertainment Live program.
To publicly respond to the hot topic involving Yang Mi.
Both Cao Guowei and Wang Changtian admired Yang Siwei, knowing how to utilize resources to maximize profits.
On that day, the most influential entertainment program in the country, Entertainment Live, exclusively interviewed Rongchen Film and Television’s publicity director, Yang Siwei.
“Director Yang, regarding netizens’ comments that Rongchen Film and Television poached talent and that Director Li has a new favorite, how do you respond?”
Yang Siwei was already accustomed to facing cameras and microphones.
She sat upright, smiling.
“Actually, I didn’t intend to respond to these, because Director Li doesn’t care what others think of him.”
“But Yang Mi and Tang Yan are still newcomers, and I am their agent, so I cannot remain indifferent to malicious slander.”
“At the Premiere of a world without thieves last time.”
“Director Li actually responded jokingly to the media friends about his rumored relationship with Tang Yan.”
The host of Entertainment Live laughed, “I know, Director Li responded at the time that he didn’t mind being a rumored boyfriend, right?”
Yang Siwei smiled, “Exactly.”
“Today, I will officially respond on behalf of Rongchen Film and Television once more, and this will be the last time.”
“Rongchen Film and Television disdains poaching others; it has never done so before and will not in the future.”
“Furthermore, Rongchen Film and Television is not afraid of slanderous rumors.”
“Director Li is not afraid, and neither are the artists under him, nor am I!”
“Rongchen Film and Television’s corporate culture has eight characters: ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.’”
“We only do what we believe is right.”
At the same time Yang Siwei was interviewed by Entertainment Live.
Sina Entertainment also exclusively connected with Yang Mi, regarding her termination of contract with Rongxingda and signing with Rongchen Film and Television.
Yang Mi responded candidly.
“I am very grateful to Aunt Wan (Li Xiaowan) for signing me with Rongxingda.”
“For three years, Aunt Wan has also taken good care of me.”
“But the contract termination was a mutual decision made after careful consideration and negotiation with the company. There’s nothing to explain.”
“As Aunt Wan said, I also paid the liquidated damages. It’s a commercial transaction; no one owes anyone anything.”
“As for signing with Rongchen Film and Television, which newcomer wouldn’t want to? Of course, I wanted to too.”
“But to say that Rongchen Film and Television can influence the casting of Wang Zhaojun, produced by CCTV and China Central Television, that’s going too far.”
Yang Siwei and Yang Mi’s unified responses helped cool down the situation.
The ‘netizens’’ comments gradually returned to normal.
Yang Siwei breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that her boss was still composed.
He hadn’t called her once throughout the whole ordeal.
As she was muttering, her phone rang.
Yang Siwei thought it was her boss, but when she picked it up, it was her.
Fan Bingbing invited her for a spa, and she thought it was probably time to relax.
These past few days, because of Yang Mi’s matter, she hadn’t dared to let her guard down for a moment.
Fan Bingbing picked up Yang Siwei in a black Mercedes.
As soon as she got in the car, Fan Bingbing, wearing dark sunglasses, said irritably, “I thought you wouldn’t dare to see me!”
Yang Siwei sat in the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and laughed, “Why wouldn’t I dare? I wish someone would invite me for a spa every day.”
Fan Bingbing didn’t even look at Yang Siwei, starting the car as she said, “Are we friends?”
“Yes,” Yang Siwei said.
“Since we are, why are you still playing these games with me?” Fan Bingbing said, a little annoyed.
Yang Siwei, however, wasn’t angry and laughed, “Sister, precisely because we are friends, you should understand a friend’s difficulties even more.”
Fan Bingbing fell silent.
Yang Siwei continued, “You and I have a good personal relationship, but you are with Huayi Brothers. How could I tell you everything?”
“What can be said, you don’t need to ask.”
“What can’t be said, it’s useless even if you ask.”
Fan Bingbing sighed softly, “So, when I went for the audition that day, you already knew this would be the result.”
Yang Siwei didn’t reply, which was an implicit acknowledgment.
“Is Director Li interested in that girl?” Fan Bingbing suddenly asked.
Yang Siwei was immediately amused and glanced at Fan Bingbing as if she were an idiot.
“I think my boss looks at you with more interest!”
Fan Bingbing turned her head and rolled her eyes at Yang Siwei.
Yang Siwei laughed, “I’m serious. Otherwise, why would my boss agree to let you audition?”
“Moreover, I even sounded out my boss for you.”
Fan Bingbing asked, “What do you mean?”
“Why are you playing dumb? Your contract with Huayi Brothers still has a year left. I don’t believe you plan to stay with Huayi Brothers forever,” Yang Siwei said.
Fan Bingbing suddenly slammed on the brakes by the roadside, startling Yang Siwei.
“Are you crazy!” Yang Siwei said irritably.
“What did Director Li say?” Fan Bingbing ignored Yang Siwei’s complaints.
Yang Siwei rolled her eyes at Fan Bingbing, “I forgot!”
Fan Bingbing laughed, “Are you going to tell me or not?”
As she spoke, she reached out to tickle Yang Siwei, who couldn’t stand it and pleaded, “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you.”
“Hurry up and say it.”
“The boss didn’t say it directly, but I can feel that he has no objections,” Yang Siwei said with a smile.
Fan Bingbing’s mood instantly brightened.
With Yang Siwei’s words, she now had a clear path.
If Huayi Brothers truly became unbearable, Rongchen Film and Television was indeed the best choice.
She believed that with her conditions, she would quickly rise to the position of Rongchen’s top actress.
Even walking the red carpet and receiving awards at the three major European film festivals wouldn’t be a pipe dream.
Yang Siwei waved her finger in front of a dazed Fan Bingbing, “What? Are you stunned?”
Fan Bingbing snapped back to reality and laughed, “You’re the one who’s stunned!”
“Today, I’m happy, sis. After the spa, it’s a full package of eating, drinking, and entertainment. I’m paying.”
“How generous!”
“Of course!”
“But still far from my boss.”
Fan Bingbing laughed, “How can I compare to Director Li? His little finger is thicker than my waist!”
Fan Bingbing suddenly chuckled mischievously, “You know, if I also made a fuss about terminating my contract with Huayi Brothers and then signed with you, what would happen?”
Yang Siwei also laughed, “Then you’d probably end up with nothing.”
“Because the boss never promised to definitely sign you.”
“If he knew I tipped you off to terminate your contract with Huayi Brothers, nine times out of ten, even I would have to pack my bags and leave.”
Fan Bingbing laughed unladylike, “Then you better treat me well. We’re in this together now.”
seven swords had been released for two weeks, with a box office of only 55 million, which, compared to its 140 million investment, was a complete loss.
The Star Girl was still crying daily, enumerating Starlight’s oppression and unfairness towards her.
This year, the Star Girl had two highly talked-about and ‘courageous’ incidents.
One was publicly criticizing Stephen Chow, who made her famous, with the line, ‘His indifference made my heart cold,’ which successfully made her ‘stand out.’
Those who didn’t know might have thought she was starring in a Qiong Yao drama.
The second was playing a couple with Song Gou in a movie.
And now, while criticizing Stephen Chow, she also didn’t forget to start promoting that movie where she passionately kissed Song Gou, Heaven.