Chapter 157: First Passion Scene

Last year, to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the Cannes Film Festival invited 35 renowned directors and 25 actors from around the world to each film a 3-minute short, which were then synthesized into a single film.

This film was called *To Each His Own Cinema* and would be released in France in 2007 as a tribute to Cannes.

They had originally planned to invite Chen Nuo as well.

But he was filming *Batman 2* at the time, the timing didn't work out, and in the end, the Cannes officials added one more director.

For directors from Asia, Cannes invited Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Tsai Ming-liang, Wong Kar-wai, and Takeshi Kitano.

This gathering was originally initiated by Takeshi Kitano.

The old man was only 60 years old this year and had very vigorous energy.

In 2006, he wrote, directed, and starred in a film called *Glory to the Filmmaker! *, which was a self-analytical piece. He didn't have high hopes for the mainland, but he was prepared to go to Hong Kong to see if there were any opportunities for release.

It just so happened that Wong Kar-wai had won the Palme d'Or, which could be considered an honor for Asian cinema, so the old man, coming west this time, thought he would congratulate him in person.

After getting in touch with Wong Kar-wai, the old man had a sudden whim, saying that since he was already in Hong Kong, why not trouble Director Wong to ask if Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Director Tsai Ming-liang—also Chinese directors—were free.

Everyone's shorts were in the same film, which could be considered a collaboration, so why not get together and have a meal.

Wong Kar-wai, having successfully won the Cannes Palme d'Or with *My Blueberry Nights*, was at the height of his satisfaction, and now that he had a gap in his schedule, he really went to contact them.

Come to think of it, when Wong Kar-wai sent out invitations in the name of Takeshi Kitano, who wouldn't come?

Except for Tsai Ming-liang, who couldn't make it due to matters at home, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige both readily agreed.

So they arranged to meet in Hong Kong in mid-March after the Spring Festival.

However, it was a bit unreasonable for just these old men to chat together.

To put it bluntly, there were no lackeys to pour tea and hand out cigarettes.

Thus, Wong Kar-wai suggested that each director could bring one actor.

He would also call Li Cangdong and Bong Joon-ho from Korea, and they could just hold a big gathering of Asian directors.

And don't hold it in Hong Kong; go to his hometown, Shanghai.

March 20th, by the Shanghai Bund, on the banks of the Huangpu River.

Three countries' directors drinking tea and chatting together, reciting poetry and enjoying the moon, discussing ancient and modern cinema, and talking about East Asian art—wouldn't that be wonderful?

So it was decided.

Then Wong Kar-wai gave Chen Nuo a call and told him about it. Chen Nuo was the actor he called.

Chen Nuo didn't know if Tony Leung's social anxiety had flared up, which was why Director Wong called him.

But he had been thinking about the casting for *The Message* for the past few days, and upon hearing the name Takeshi Kitano, he had a sudden whim.

After all, gossip hype, while useful, certainly had diminishing returns. Besides that, it was best to find some other gimmicks.

If it were other Japanese national treasure-level actors, like Ken Takakura or someone, he wouldn't have had this thought.

Ask him to play a Japanese devil? Don't even think about it. Absolutely impossible.

But Takeshi Kitano, coming from a stand-up comedy background, was always doing all sorts of things; when he was young, he had gotten drunk and streaked on a TV show. He had also caused a car accident by speeding on a motorcycle, which left half his face paralyzed—he truly couldn't be judged by conventional standards.

Perhaps, it was feasible?

March 10, 2007, the 22nd day of the first lunar month.

Laishui County.

Before going to Shanghai, Chen Nuo came to this long-lost small town.

He had once spent a sleepless night here, crying bitterly, and performed as the angry dumb man.

Now, Zhang Yi had chosen this place as the filming location for his new film, which also allowed him to revisit the old scenery.

Qi Yuntian was driving, looking left and right.

Chen Nuo asked him what he was looking at, and he said lightly: "Looking at the place where the legend began."

When passing a hotel, Chen Nuo pointed it out to him. Meaning, this was where the legend slept.

Qi Yuntian was dumbfounded: "You guys stayed in this kind of ghost place back then?"

Chen Nuo actually found it quite strange too.

Back then, he didn't feel this hotel was that bad; he just felt that sleeping in the same room as Zhang Yi, the snoring was too loud.

But looking back now, seeing that pitch-black stairwell and the dirty sign, Chen Nuo suddenly had the feeling of being abused by that guy Zhang Yi.

Alright, not abuse, after all, at that time, who the hell knew there would be today?

A broken director with a fledgling team, finding a kid who knew nothing and had never filmed a movie, shooting casually for a month, and then going to Berlin to win Best Actor?

Chen Nuo's feelings weren't deep at the time, but now that he had been mixing in the film circle for longer and longer, he himself felt it was a miracle.

The famous director Zhang Yi naturally wouldn't take people to stay in a guesthouse without even half a star anymore.

The entire crew stayed at the best hotel in Laishui County, the Laishui Hotel. Although he didn't know who rated it, it did indeed have a three-star plaque hanging outside.

When Chen Nuo arrived, he was truly startled.

Not because Zhang Yi and Li Yu had led a dark mass of people to welcome him at the hotel entrance, but because Zhang Yi, this guy, was actually using the original cast of *The Zhang Yaba Man's House*.

Cinematographer Xu Jun, lighting technician He Yang, and that makeup artist and crew member Ah Mei who sprinkled dirt on him every day.

As soon as Chen Nuo got out of the car, he heard Xu Jun's long-lost loud voice shouting: "Chen Laoshi, do you still recognize us?"

Chen Nuo immediately smiled: "Brother Xu, if you call me Chen Laoshi again, I'm going to get back in the car and go back."

Xu Jun laughed heartily, looking around: "How about it, I said it, I'm very accurate at judging people. Anyone might act like a big shot, but Chen Nuo definitely won't. Just because he still sends us mass text messages during the New Year!"

*Cough. *

Chen Nuo felt that if he sent text messages, he sent text messages; why did he have to say it was a mass text? How awkward.

But obviously, no one else felt there was anything wrong, and they all surrounded him at once.

He Yang was still his usual boisterous self: "Nuozi, you look even more handsome with your hair cut. I saw photos of you online earlier and noticed you'd put on a little weight—did you go to America and eat steak every single day?"

The 20-something Hebei girl Ah Mei still played the role of teasing him, and she teased even harder: "You talk too much; if you can't speak, just shut your mouth!"

Chen Nuo was a bit surprised; this tone sounded a bit unusual, and sure enough, Zhang Yi immediately explained: "Ah Mei and Yang Zi, these two, got their marriage certificate behind our backs; it happened last August."

Chen Nuo immediately shouted with dissatisfaction: "Holy shit, this can be done behind people's backs? Was the wedding held yet?"

He Yang chuckled, his face glowing: "Not yet, we're planning to hold it after filming this movie, in the second half of the year. Will you come then, Nuozi?"

Chen Nuo chuckled: "You'd like it if I didn't come, right? Even if I come, I'm a relative of the bride, let me tell you. Wanting to take our Ah Mei away simply like that, no way. When the time comes, I'll teach Ah Mei a couple of tricks, and you'll know the power of our Shu Road Mountain."

Ah Mei laughed until her eyes couldn't be seen, her round face like a ripe red apple: "Nuozi, it wasn't in vain that I was your follower every day back then, doing your styling."

Chen Nuo laughed heartily: "I haven't forgotten Sister Mei's kindness for a single day. Hey, it's been so long, let's not stand here, let's go; tonight, barbecue by the Laishui River, my treat."

That night, Chen Nuo got dead drunk, and in a daze, he saw a woman with big eyes, drunker than he was.

Early the next morning, Chen Nuo was woken up by a series of urgent knocks on the door.

Damn, why did he have a sense of déjà vu?

But this time, the big bed room was much better than before; the windows were bright and clean, and he wouldn't hear "creaking" sounds when he turned over.

Three-star, well-deserved.

Walking over to open the door, it was Qi Yuntian, looking both funny and serious.

Chen Nuo yawned and asked: "What time is it, brother? They were all so drunk last night; are they planning to start work now?"

Qi Yuntian smiled and said: "Start work? I think they're about to break up."

Chen Nuo was shocked: "What's going on?"

Nothing much, just that the female lead had a breakdown, didn't want to film, wanted to leave, and was even willing to pay the breach of contract fee.

When Chen Nuo walked over, he was still three rooms away when he heard a woman speaking loudly with a heavy crying tone.

"I really can't take it anymore, Sister Yu. I had nightmares every day when I went home for the New Year. Coming here this time, I thought I could still persist."

"But when I got up this morning, as soon as I thought about going to film, I was scared; I wanted to jump off the building."

"I know doing this is self-destruction, and I know you've sacrificed a lot, but I really can't do it anymore. I'm sorry to Director Zhang, and I'm sorry to you and Brother Li, sorry to everyone in the crew."

They must have been warned, as this floor was clearly occupied by crew members, but not a single person came out to watch the excitement.

Only Zhang Yi was standing at the door smoking.

Chen Nuo walked over with Qi Yuntian and asked: "Where is Brother Tian?"

Zhang Yi frowned deeply and took a heavy drag on his cigarette, as if he wanted to fill his lungs with nicotine.

Amidst the smoke, he sighed and said: "Just had an argument with Yuanyuan, and I persuaded her to leave."

Chen Nuo tilted his head and looked inside: "Is Sister Yu inside now? Where is her agent?"

Zhang Yi took another drag: "They're there too, but they can't persuade her."

Chen Nuo sighed: "How did it get to this point?"

Zhang Yi said: "Have you ever had a feeling? That you once reached a peak, and you know how wonderful the scenery is on that peak, so you really want to go up and see it again."

"But you find that maybe you're wearing the wrong shoes, or maybe your climbing tools aren't handy. In short, you find that no matter how hard you try, you can never climb up again."

"Then you start complaining about heaven and others, looking at everything with dissatisfaction, but in the end, you find that it wasn't the shoes or the climbing stick that were the problem; it was just that your ability was the problem, and you actually couldn't climb that mountain at all."

"You climbed up by luck last time because you met a Sun Wukong who carried you up on his somersault cloud." Chen Nuo smiled and said: "Maybe that Sun Wukong was just an inflatable balloon Sun Wukong; if you hadn't inflated him, he wouldn't have flown that high."

Zhang Yi also twitched his face slightly, sighed again, and said: "Can you go to Shanghai this time and help me ask Wong Kar-wai or Takeshi Kitano if they've ever had this feeling, and how they got through it?"

Chen Nuo asked in surprise: "How did you know I was going to Shanghai?"

Zhang Yi smiled helplessly: "It's spread all over the circle now; everyone says this is the Mount Hua Sword Debate of the film circle."

Chen Nuo and Qi Yuntian looked at each other. Alright, the two of them had been busy building the crew recently and really didn't know how it was spreading in the circle.

Chen Nuo said: "Alright, I'll help you ask when I go over this time."

Zhang Yi was truly an optimist; the female lead was about to run away, crying inside, and he was still in the mood for gossip.

"It's said that for your gathering this time, one director can only bring one actor. Who set that rule?"

Chen Nuo said: "Seems like Wong Kar-wai. Why?"

"Nothing, many people want to get involved, but they have no way in. Some even came to me, asking me to ask you, saying if you could add a spot, they'd be willing to pay 3 million."

Chen Nuo really didn't know this thing was so awesome: "3 million, really or fake?"

Zhang Yi said: "Really, what's fake about this? Is 3 million a lot? I heard Zhang Yimou called Jiang Wen, Ang Lee called his new film's heroine, Tang something, Bong Joon-ho called Song Kang-ho, Li Cangdong called Jeon Do-yeon... only Chen Kaige and Takeshi Kitano don't know yet."

"Plus Wong Kar-wai and you... if someone could mix in and have a meal, chat, and play on the Shanghai Bund, wouldn't they instantly become popular all over China, Japan, and Korea? 3 million, heh, counts for shit."

Chen Nuo gasped: "Ang Lee is coming too this time?"

"Yeah. Didn't Wong Kar-wai call him?"

"Shit..." Chen Nuo clearly remembered Wong Kar-wai saying Tsai Ming-liang.

Ang Lee bringing his new film's heroine, heh, wasn't this clearly going to do promotion?

Chen Nuo was now a producer, and he felt he had pierced through the sinister intentions of the "Light of Taiwan" in actively participating in the meeting.

However, wasn't he the same? He had no face to talk about others.

It must have been hearing the movement at the door, a woman around 40 years old wearing black-rimmed glasses walked out of Gao Yuanyuan's room.

She pulled the door over, leaving only a crack, lowered her voice, and said: "Mr. Chen, hello, I'm Yuanyuan's agent, my name is Jin Ling. I have a presumptuous request; could you... trouble you to go in and persuade Yuanyuan a couple of words?"

Huh?

Chen Nuo couldn't help but look at Zhang Yi; it seemed like a déjà vu plot again.

Seeing Chen Nuo was a bit reluctant, Jin Ling sighed and said sincerely: "Actually... Yuanyuan has always liked your work. This time, I can't persuade her. So, could you please trouble yourself to go and talk to her; perhaps... it will work."

Chen Nuo was a bit speechless; he and Gao Yuanyuan really had no relationship, just ten minutes of contact when auditioning.

If she was really a fan or something, why didn't he see it at that time?

At this time, Zhang Yi suddenly put his hand on Chen Nuo's shoulder and said in a deep voice: "Nuozi, no matter how you fly, take your brother to fly one more time this time, okay? Just this once, I'll definitely remember it for a lifetime."

Damn, going to coax a woman again.

Zhang Yi and he could be considered family friends, the kind who visited each other during the New Year. Looking at him, he was almost about to kneel down; what else could he say?

But Chen Nuo's alcohol tolerance was really poor; he was still hungover, hadn't slept enough, his head was still dizzy, and his tongue was still a bit twisted; he didn't know how to persuade her for a moment.

Biting the bullet and walking into the room, he saw Li Yu squatting by the end of the bed, whispering something.

Gao Yuanyuan was sitting on the bed, burying her head, her long hair covering her face, a bit like Sadako, without showing any expression.

Seeing him come in, Li Yu looked relieved and said to Gao Yuanyuan: "Yuanyuan, Chen Nuo is here; listen to what he has to say." After finishing, she gave Chen Nuo a wink and walked out lightly.

*Click. *

Alright, she even closed the door.

Afraid that nothing would happen between a lone man and woman, right?

Chen Nuo was truly a bit dizzy, and he didn't stand on ceremony, sitting down on the bed next to Gao Yuanyuan.

Gao Yuanyuan's body trembled.

Chen Nuo supported himself with both hands, leaning back, and spoke lazily.

This scumbag, he changed his routine this time.

He didn't say a few witty remarks to liven up the atmosphere like he did when coaxing Ni Ni, and then comfort her softly.

Dealing with 27-year-old Gao Yuanyuan, the first sentence had no intention of comfort at all; he actually started talking about work, simply knowing where it hurt and poking it.

"Hey, Gao Yuanyuan, what is this Zhang Yi film about? I haven't even seen the script until now. This time you called me to guest star, to tell you the truth, I don't know if I'm playing your son or your husband."

Perhaps Chen Nuo's tone was too normal and natural, forcing Gao Yuanyuan to respond.

She was silent for a moment and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "Playing the person who rapes me."

"Holy shit, what the hell are you saying???"

Although Chen Nuo was trying to find a way to persuade her, he wasn't lying; Zhang Yi really hadn't sent him the script to read.

Hearing Gao Yuanyuan say this, his body bounced up, sitting straight, dumbfounded: "Rape who? You?"

He didn't know which part of this sentence hit Gao Yuanyuan's funny bone; this girl actually had a hint of laughter in her voice and said a soft "Mm."

Chen Nuo discovered that ever since playing the Joker, he seemed to have been stuck with villains; he was about to play a Japanese devil in *The Message*, and now he had to play a damn rapist.

"Zhang Yi, this dog thing, is really not a human." Chen Nuo muttered, "When auditioning, he let me play your husband, but it turned out to be playing me. Making me run over excitedly. It actually wants me to play a rapist; after acting, at least half of the fans will run away, and the commercial value will be directly hit hard. In the future, when people see me, they will point at my nose and say it's me, it's this guy who raped Gao Yuanyuan, everyone beat him to death. What should I do?"

Gao Yuanyuan's funny bone seemed to be quite low; after Chen Scumbag finished his stand-up comedy, looking from the side, he saw her expression had eased a lot, pursing her lips as if trying to hold back laughter.

Chen Nuo sighed: "If you want to laugh, laugh; I'm not Zhang Yi, I won't persuade you, if I were you I'd run away too, damn, about to be raped, still not running?"

Gao Yuanyuan frowned, seemingly not wanting to laugh, but the corners of her mouth were indeed raised, her beautiful and generous face both angry and happy, very vivid: "It's not real... don't be so exaggerated."

Chen Nuo looked surprised: "Not real? If it's not real, then what are we acting? I'm not acting anymore!"

Gao Yuanyuan looked angry and amused: "What nonsense are you talking about! How could it... be real."

"How could it not!"

Chen Nuo looked like she hadn't seen the world: "Let me tell you, this time..."

After listening, Gao Yuanyuan covered her mouth in shock: "Really or fake? That's..."

Chen Nuo shrugged: "Just rumors, I don't know if it's true or fake, you'll see when the time comes. Sigh, so, filming movies is sometimes really hard; if you really want to perform a good play, if you don't pay something, it's impossible. So, don't be sad or upset. Sometimes everyone is the same."

Gao Yuanyuan was stunned for a while and suddenly asked: "Are you the same?"

Chen Nuo nodded: "Definitely."

Gao Yuanyuan shook her head, not believing: "You're not, the people in the crew said that you had no one to teach you at the beginning, and you were born to act. Almost every time it was one take, not like me."

As she spoke, tears fell again.

Alright, now Chen Nuo knew where the root was.

It wasn't just Zhang Yi, but the whole crew, his old acquaintances, who were all putting pressure on Gao Yuanyuan together.

No wonder she had been in the entertainment industry for so long, filmed so many movies, and even filmed an art film that was shortlisted for the Cannes Palme d'Or, but she still collapsed.

After all, no matter how strong and mature, she was still a woman.

It looked like Gao Yuanyuan had lost all confidence; even if he had a silver tongue, it should be useless.

Chen Nuo shrugged, feeling he had tried his best. Just as he was about to say goodbye, he heard Gao Yuanyuan say: "Can you act with me once?"

Chen Nuo didn't understand: "Act what?"

Gao Yuanyuan said: "Just act this play, I want to see how big the gap between me and you really is."

Looking at her expectant and slightly unconvinced little eyes, Chen Nuo thought about it; it seemed like this was also a way to vent.

At least every time he finished acting, didn't he also feel refreshed and clear?

Then he would play with her.

"Alright, since you want to so much, I'll satisfy you."

The man's voice suddenly became sarcastic; when Gao Yuanyuan heard it, she didn't know what was happening, but the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

She turned her head in surprise and saw a pair of hot, burning eyes.

Gao Yuanyuan subconsciously wanted to scream, but her mouth was covered, and she was pressed onto the bed.

The man's strength was so great; one hand controlled her hands, and the other hand covered her mouth tightly.

At the same time, before she could react, her lower body was clamped by the man's legs, unable to move.

This was the effect of Chen Nuo's weight loss and fitness over the past few months.

His weight hadn't dropped, but he looked as thin as he was at the beginning; the reason was that the muscles and strength on his body had been trained.

Gao Yuanyuan knew Chen Nuo was acting, but under this unreasonable oppression, as a woman, even if her reason knew, her body would still be out of control; this could be said to be a physiological instinct.

Especially when Chen Nuo pursed his upper lip, he looked like a lion pouncing on an antelope, baring its fangs, ready to bite.

Gao Yuanyuan's mind went blank, struggling, struggling with all her strength.

It seemed a bit loose.

But the next moment, the man pressed his body directly onto her.

It's over.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 158 =====