Chapter 92: Eighteen Years Old, Meeting a Kindred Spirit
The awards ceremony was still ongoing.
Everyone stood up and applauded the petite and agile Chinese actress.
Outside, Yang Siwei and Han Sanping, who were watching the live broadcast, also burst into joyous laughter.
"Han Dong, how is my boss a lucky general?"
"He's practically an uncrowned king!"
"Haha... well said, Little Yang!" Han Sanping also rarely dropped his guard and laughed heartily.
"One film makes an actor."
"Now Li Chen's movies will probably be seen as a 'list of gods' by all domestic artists!"
"Why aren't you going up to accept the award, Xun Ge? Why are you crying?" Li Chen said with a smile.
Li Chen was also happy in his heart, and he stepped forward, opening his arms.
Zhou Xun, dressed in a white evening gown, gave Li Chen a fierce hug.
She wiped away her tears before going on stage.
After she received the trophy from A-cheng, the applause from the audience gradually stopped.
Zhou Xun held the trophy, couldn't help but shed tears again, then wiped them away vigorously, cleaning her face.
"Thank you, Director Li. I want to explain something."
"When I initially rejected Director Li's invitation, I believed I wasn't a fox spirit and couldn't play one, it wasn't me acting like a big shot."
The guests at the scene and the reporters watching the live broadcast all burst into laughter; this was all good material!
"Thank you, Director Li, for bringing me to Venice."
"Thank you, Venice, for giving me my first major award. I will always remember you!"
Li Chen smiled, then froze.
How did Zhou Xun's words sound a bit like a response to his earlier 'I will remember you for a lifetime'?
Everyone held their breath for the upcoming Jury Special Award.
Because as long as the Jury Special Award wasn't Li An,
Then the Golden Lion would definitely not escape Li An's grasp.
Sure enough, the Jury Special Award went to "Mary."
At this, the Chinese people, whether the actors and directors inside the venue or the reporters and movie fans outside,
Completely erupted!
Those unaware of the inside story thought they were cheering for "Mary."
Only insiders understood that they were cheering for Li An, and elated for the Chinese people!
The Venice Film Festival successfully drew to a close.
Li An, who won the Golden Lion, and the "Mary" crew from the jury would then attend a gala dinner hosted by the organizing committee.
Li Chen, the painted skin crew, and Han Sanping returned to the hotel for a celebration banquet.
As soon as they left the venue, the painted skin crew was mobbed by reporters.
Li Chen was delighted, and he uncharacteristically answered every question from the reporters.
"Director Li, what do you have to say to our vast Sina netizens about winning the Silver Lion this time?"
"I'm very happy to have won the Silver Lion, but I'm even happier that Zhou Xun won an award."
"Xue Jian and Zhou Xun are both excellent Chinese actors, and winning an award is well-deserved."
"Director Li, can you disclose the transaction price of painted skin this time?"
"When painted skin premieres, let Han Dong announce it."
Li Chen and Han Sanping exchanged glances and smiled.
"Director Li..."
"Alright, esteemed media friends, you've all worked hard tonight. Director Li has specially arranged a banquet for everyone to reward you all."
"If you have any questions, just ask me." Yang Siwei stepped forward and said with a smile.
The reporters were still waiting to ask more questions, but Li Chen had already squeezed through the crowd and got into the car.
The most crucial part, the scandal with Liu Yifei, hadn't even been asked yet!
Who had time to attend a banquet? They had to rush to finish their articles!
With such great news, no media outlet or website wanted to fall behind.
At this time, it was past three in the morning in China.
In her dream, Liu Yifei saw Li Chen holding the Silver Lion director's trophy.
He even held the trophy and teased in front of her mother: "Sister Xiaoli, didn't you say your daughter only acts in films by great directors?"
"My Golden Palm plus Silver Lion, isn't it comparable to that Silver Bear from Taiwan?"
"Now I'm qualified to invite your daughter to act?"
Her mother's eyes were blazing with anger.
Her boyfriend, however, held her without a care, looking arrogant as if he had both the world and the beauty.
Liu Yifei woke up laughing.
Opening her eyes, light streamed in through the gaps in the curtains.
Liu Yifei quickly sat up, brushed her long hair back with both hands, and picked up her cell phone to check it.
This time, although there were no screams, she found herself wanting to laugh more and more as she read.
It turned out that it wasn't a dream; her boyfriend really had won the Silver Lion.
But thinking of how her boyfriend in the dream called her mother "Sister Xiaoli," and that smug look on his face,
Liu Yifei couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Putting on her slippers, she opened the door and ran, thumping, to Liu Xiaoli's room.
Liu Xiaoli hadn't woken up yet when her daughter shook her awake.
"Mom, Li Chen won the Silver Lion, he won the Silver Lion..."
"Again, he won an award again?" Liu Xiaoli also sat up, glancing at the clock on the wall; it was not yet six.
Liu Yifei nodded repeatedly: "Mhm, mhm, not only did Li Chen win the Silver Lion, but the lead actress of painted skin, Zhou Xun, also won Best Actress..."
Was Liu Xiaoli happy? Of course she was.
But she thought one layer deeper than her daughter.
One Best Actor, one Best Actress, both from Li Chen's film.
It was conceivable that from now on, artists in the industry would probably flock to Li Chen's films or Li Chen himself!
In the world of fame and fortune, who doesn't want to be the most dazzling star on the red carpet? Who doesn't want to stand on the awards stage of the three major European film festivals and become an internationally renowned actor?
Especially those flamboyant female artists who have already risen to first-tier status in the entertainment industry!
Thinking of this, and seeing her daughter's appearance, only knowing joy,
Liu Xiaoli immediately lost interest.
"Xixi, do you know what you'll have to face in the future?" Liu Xiaoli sighed inwardly.
When Li Chen returns, she'll have to have a good talk with him.
She still didn't trust Li Chen, and even less so this deep and complex entertainment industry.
Back in her room, Liu Yifei didn't notice Liu Xiaoli's thoughts at all.
She just missed her boyfriend, knowing he wouldn't be back for another half a month.
She checked the text messages Li Chen had sent her on her cell phone and learned that her boyfriend was returning to Los Angeles today.
"Why don't I..." Liu Yifei had a bold idea.
She was already eighteen, an adult.
As soon as this idea surfaced, it grew wildly.
The more Liu Yifei thought about it, the more excited she became. Taking advantage of the moment Liu Xiaoli went downstairs,
Liu Yifei stealthily crept into Liu Xiaoli's room.
She secretly took out her passport and other documents.
After breakfast, Liu Yifei greeted Liu Xiaoli: "Mom, I'm going to find Changchang. I won't be back for lunch."
Liu Xiaoli didn't think much of it, just reminded her to come home early that evening.
Liu Yifei responded and then left.
After getting in the car, the two assistants dropped Liu Yifei off at Shu Chang's house, then Liu Yifei sent them away.
"You called me early in the morning, telling me to skip class and wait for you at home. What's up?"
"I already know your Director Li won the Silver Lion, so you don't need to say it again."
The two girls sat cross-legged on the sofa, eating snacks, Shu Chang said with a smile.
"Changchang, are we good sisters?" Liu Yifei asked with a smile.
"No!" Shu Chang shook her head and replied with a laugh.
"Hmph!"
Liu Yifei made a gesture to hit her, and Shu Chang quickly dodged backward, pleading: "Alright, alright, yes, yes, yes."
Only then did Liu Yifei stop.
Shu Chang said: "What exactly is it? When you ask like that, I have a bad feeling."
Liu Yifei chuckled, then explained her intentions.
Shu Chang was so shocked that she couldn't close her mouth for a long time, then shook her head like a rattle drum.
"No, absolutely not. You want me to cover for you."
"How can I explain it to Auntie? Auntie will tear me apart! No, you can forget about it."
Liu Yifei put on her shoes, stood up, and said with a smile without looking back: "I don't care, I've already bought the plane ticket. Whether you help or not is up to you."
"Xixi, don't be impulsive! What will I do if you leave?" Shu Chang said, collapsing.
"You can turn off your cell phone!" Liu Yifei left a remark and had already left the house.
Around six in the afternoon, Liu Xiaoli called her daughter, but it was off!
She called the two assistants: No one was at Shu Chang's house, and they didn't know where the two had gone.
Then she called Shu Chang.
Shu Chang, who had returned to school, didn't dare to turn off her cell phone, so she could only pretend to be clueless.
"Auntie, Xixi and I met briefly and then she left. She also asked me what I wanted for my birthday present..."
Learning that her daughter had left early in the morning, Liu Xiaoli found it even stranger. Had she gone back to school for classes?
But there was no need to hide it from the assistants.
After much thought, Liu Xiaoli's heart jumped. This naughty girl wouldn't...?
She hurriedly rushed back to her room to check, and sure enough, all of her daughter's documents were gone.
Now, she didn't need to think; she knew where she had gone.
Liu Xiaoli sat on the bed, feeling lost, as if she had lost her most precious possession.
After a while, she looked at her watch. Her daughter should still be flying at this moment.
She quickly picked up the phone and called Li Chen.
Li Chen was also in the sky at this moment; how could he answer the call?
Having no other choice, Liu Xiaoli called her assistant and asked them to book the fastest flight to Los Angeles.
It was past three in the afternoon, local time in Los Angeles, when Li Chen and Yang Siwei landed.
Han Sanping took the painted skin crew back to China, while Li Chen brought Yang Siwei to Los Angeles.
To let Yang Siwei learn about Hollywood's marketing model.
When they parted in the morning, Han Sanping had even grumbled a few words to him.
Every time he won an award, Li Chen always had something that prevented him from returning to China.
All these troublesome opportunities to show off were dumped on China Film Group Corporation.
Everyone present at the time wanted to laugh but didn't dare.
Anyone could tell that Han Sanping's words were insincere.
Who didn't know that Han Dong wished he had more of these opportunities to show off?
Li Chen was too lazy to expose him; the domestic media and reporters from major websites were already standing by, fully prepared.
On this day, the entertainment industry was entirely discussing Li Chen, Zhou Xun, and Li An.
Websites were filled with joyous news about the great success of Chinese people in Venice.
Various headlines filled every corner of major websites.
"2005 is not only the centennial of Chinese cinema but also the inaugural year of Chinese cinema."
"Best Actor, Best Actress, Golden Palm, a great harvest for mainland filmmakers."
"Following Gong Li, another mainland Venice Film Festival Best Actress, Zhou Xun."
"The leader of Chinese filmmakers, The Golden Palm director Li Chen, sounds the horn for Chinese cinema to go global."
This time, none of the big directors or film company bosses in the industry came out to sing a different tune.
Even another The Golden Palm director, when asked by reporters, could only insincerely utter three words: "Congratulations to him."
The morning began with another barrage of phone calls.
The most excited person was Wang Changtian, because painted skin sold for an astronomical price.
Enlight Media was the producer, although it only held a 20% share.
But this profit was equivalent to several years of Enlight Media's net profit.
Beijing Film Academy's official website also published a prominent headline.
"Warmly congratulating Li Chen, a senior student in our school's Director Department, for winning a Silver Lion after receiving the Golden Palm."
Tian Zhuangzhuang also called him, telling him to be sure to bring the Silver Lion back this time.
The school had issued a strict order; Li Chen had managed to gloss over the Golden Palm last time.
The school didn't even have a group photo.
What could Li Chen say? He had given the item away, and he had no face to ask for it back.
As soon as he exited the airport passage, Yang Siwei tugged on Li Chen's arm.
"Boss, boss."
"What's wrong? What's with all the pulling and tugging?"
"No, that girl over there wearing a baseball cap and dark sunglasses, why does she look a bit like Yifei? Quick, take a look, am I seeing things?"
Li Chen turned his head, took a look, and froze. He said quietly, "You're not seeing things; she doesn't just look like her, it is Yifei!"
Yang Siwei immediately called out excitedly and waved, "Yifei!"
Li Chen frowned, truly unsure if he was more surprised than happy, or happier than surprised, at this moment.
He walked up to the girl, ignoring the smile on her face.
"You snuck out?"
Liu Yifei paused, not expecting her boyfriend to look like this, and nodded nervously, tacitly admitting it.
Li Chen felt his question was pointless; the absence of assistants and bodyguards clearly indicated the situation.
Seeing the girl's travel-worn appearance, with no luggage, just a bag on her back, standing alone in front of him.
He couldn't bring himself to get angry with her anymore.
"Are you hungry?"
After a dozen hours on a plane, how could she not be hungry?
The girl nodded piteously.
"I'll take you to get something to eat first, and then we'll settle accounts later," Li Chen said with a smile.
The girl's face also broke into a smile, like snow on a pear tree.
She stepped forward and held her boyfriend's arm: "I came all this way across the ocean to find you, and you still have that expression."
Yang Siwei stepped forward, holding Liu Yifei, and smiled, "Boss is worried sick. You're too bold, coming alone. Does Auntie know?"
Li Chen scoffed, "If Auntie knew, would she let her come here all by herself?"
"My Miss Liu, this is the last time. Next time you come out alone..."
"I'll package you up and send you back!"
After Li Chen finished speaking, he couldn't help but laugh himself.
Miss Liu also laughed, "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you."
As Li Chen spoke, he picked up his cell phone and turned it on. As soon as it powered up, he saw a missed call notification from Liu Xiaoli.
He quickly called back, but no one answered.
"What, Mom didn't answer your call? I just sent her a message, and she didn't reply either," Liu Yifei said with a smile.
She didn't dare to call Liu Xiaoli, so she sent a message.
"She didn't not answer, her phone was off!" Li Chen said, puzzled.
Considering Miss Liu had sent a text message to Liu's Mother, he decided to leave it for now.
After walking a few steps, Tim came to greet them.
He had seen the intimate way the girl and his boss were acting from a distance, and he already had a guess.
"Boss, welcome back to Los Angeles."
"Tim, let me introduce you, Liu Yifei, my girlfriend, and also your boss's wife!"
"Hello, boss's wife, I'm Tim."
Liu Yifei blushed and gave Li Chen an annoyed glance, then shook hands with Tim, saying, "Hello, Tim, just call me Yifei. Your Chinese is very good."
"Alright, Yifei, you're truly beautiful. When I was waiting for the boss just now, I was thinking, this Asian girl is so beautiful, and she must be a perfect match for my boss."
"Alright, Tim, stop flattering. Your boss's wife is still hungry; she couldn't get used to the food on the plane," Li Chen interrupted Tim.
Tim immediately stopped talking nonsense: "Follow me, boss."
Yang Siwei finally had a chance to interject, saying with a bitter face, "Boss, aren't you going to introduce me?"
Li Chen walked and smiled, "Compared to Xixi's stomach, you're not important!"
Tim smiled, "You're Yang Siwei, I know you. I've been following the reports from Venice these past two days."
They got into the extended Rolls-Royce, and the group headed towards the Peninsula Hotel.
Yang Siwei secretly clicked her tongue, not expecting her boss to have completely different styles in Hollywood and mainland China.
But thinking about it, it made sense; in Hollywood, image was more important for the boss.
This extended Rolls-Royce probably had to be custom-ordered.
The interior was luxurious, with a wine rack and a TV, everything imaginable.
Even with a dozen people, it wouldn't feel crowded.
"Boss, every time I go out with you, I have a feeling."
Li Chen didn't respond to Yang Siwei.
Liu Yifei was very close with Yang Siwei and smiled, "What feeling?"
"The world is so big, but I am so small," Yang Siwei said with a mournful face.
Although Liu Yifei grew up in America, this was her first time riding in such a luxurious car.
However, she didn't care about these things as deeply as Yang Siwei did.
She just felt that her boyfriend was a bit extravagant.
Tim explained for his boss, "Boss's wife, Miss Yang, you don't understand."
"Hollywood is full of rich people and big stars. In your words, 'showmanship' is very important."
"Since Chiyou Films wants to establish itself in Hollywood, these superficial things are indispensable."
"To give a simple example."
"When you're in Hollywood, girls definitely like shopping, especially at some luxury stores."
"But remember, once you go in, never ask for the price. There are only two outcomes: buying it or not liking it."
"If you ask for the price, you will definitely be looked down upon."
Li Chen held Miss Liu's soft hand and smiled, "Tim is right, but not entirely."
"You don't need to listen to what he says; follow your heart, and I'll back you up on everything."
Miss Liu smiled sweetly, not taking this small interlude seriously.
But a few days later, Li Chen's actions left both her and Yang Siwei dumbfounded.
Upon arriving at the Peninsula Hotel, they had a meal with Miss Liu.
Then the two returned to their room.
Andy Lau had already arrived and had met Li Chen earlier.
Miss Liu and Andy Lau even took a photo together.
Back in the suite, as soon as the door closed.
The young man and woman could no longer endure the pain of separation.
They kissed passionately, Li Chen greedily invading Miss Liu's cheeks and full lips.
"Mm-hmm... Mm-hmm... I, let's go to the bed..." Miss Liu murmured dreamily, like in a trance.
They kissed until they were breathless before their lips parted.
Li Chen's breathing was ragged. At this moment, he only wanted to be a beast, rather than worse than a beast.
Because before him was Miss Liu, the Fairy Sister, the pure white moonlight in the eyes of so many.
Clothes slipped away, the milky white pure cotton underwear and the moon-white lace bra formed a visually striking picture.
Coupled with the flawless skin of the jade-like beauty before him, subtly flushed, it was simply like a deadly poison, taking his breath away.
At this moment, Li Chen felt his adrenal glands going on strike, his mouth parched.
Miss Liu had already shyly closed her eyes, nervously yet expectantly preparing to welcome the most important moment of her life.
As for the agreement with Liu Xiaoli, to hell with it.
In Li Chen's eyes and heart at this moment, there was only the person before him.
A young man and woman, from this moment on, became tightly intertwined.
The dazzling lights outside the Peninsula Hotel were witnesses.
This year, Miss Liu was eighteen, and Li Chen was twenty-two.
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