Chapter 273: Meeting

The gym at the Regent Beijing hotel in Jingcheng is not exactly a place where one is left entirely alone.

Besides the Nolan brothers, there was another foreigner working out inside.

However, Chen Nuo had not slept all night.

Even though he had drunk a bellyful of Pu-erh tea, it had done nothing to refresh his mind or sharpen his senses.

His head felt a bit dizzy, his eyes were extremely bloodshot, and his entire being was in a state of high agitation.

He was like a gambler who had lost everything and was desperate to turn his fortunes around at the table,

and also like a starving tiger that had just spotted a two-legged beast appearing before it.

After hearing Nolan's joke, he said earnestly: "Christopher, Jonathan. I am not crazy. I am very clear-headed. This is a decision I have made after careful consideration."

Jonathan Nolan frowned and asked: "And Chris? Does he know about this?"

"Chris has already gone to the bank."

"My God, what is wrong with you two? Although I also think our script is brilliant, even though I love it to death, I would absolutely never do this."

Jonathan Nolan looked at Chen Nuo and said: "Chen, as a friend, I advise you, I don't think this is a wise move. Just as Christopher said earlier, the China Film Group giving up on the investment has nothing to do with you, and none of us will blame you for it. You absolutely do not need to make such a reckless decision just because of that damn embarrassment."

Chen Nuo shook his head and said: "No, no, no, you are wrong, Jonathan. I am not making this decision with the mindset of atoning for my sins."

"This is over a hundred million US dollars."

"I do feel apologetic toward you both. But to be honest, that bit of apology is only worth a few first-class plane tickets back to England, and nothing more."

Once he finished speaking, both Nolans laughed.

Jonathan smiled and said: "I think you at least still have to drive us to the airport."

Christopher Nolan followed up with a laugh: "Perhaps you should also help us carry our luggage."

After laughing for a while, Chen Nuo said again: "Really, this is entirely a business decision. So I hope, Christopher, that you can also consider this issue from a business perspective."

Christopher Nolan chuckled: "Chen, I don't know where you get your confidence from. Do you know that the people at Warner say there is a 99% chance this movie will lose money?"

"I know."

"Then you should also know that in history, no science fiction mystery movie has ever sold hundreds of millions at the box office."

"Of course."

"Yet you still want to stake your entire fortune on it."

"Yes."

"Can you give me a reason?"

"The reason is, I think the people at Warner are idiots. They don't know that some people are born to create miracles."

Whether flattery is effective really depends on who is doing the flattering.

When an Oscar-winning Best Supporting Actor and Chinese superstar like Mr. Chen says something like that, even if the Englishmen are serious and stiff, they cannot help but smile.

Nolan smiled and asked: "Are you talking about me, or are you talking about Jonathan?"

Chen Nuo said with a serious face: "I am talking about both of you, and I am also talking about myself."

Christopher Nolan fell silent, looked at him for a while, and suddenly turned to Jonathan Nolan: "Why is what he says so convincing?"

Jonathan stroked his chin and mused: "Maybe because he is telling the truth?"

"Hahaha." "Haha."

The group laughed together again.

After the laughter died down, Christopher Nolan took a deep breath, looked at Chen Nuo, and said: "Okay. Let me state one thing first. Chen, I don't mind investment from anyone, but on the condition that they won't point fingers on set, and won't interfere with my decisions at any time."

Fuck!

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

At this moment, Chen Nuo wanted to jump up and shout, but in the end, he just smiled: "Regarding this point, we can stipulate it in the contract. You can ask to write down a hundred details, and I will absolutely not refute a single word."

Christopher Nolan laughed again: "Chen, I really don't understand why you are so persistent. Like Jonathan, although I love this script—it's a fantasy that Jonathan and I have had since we were kids—I really want to make it into a movie. But can it make money 100%? I really cannot guarantee it at all. Are you sure you won't regret it?"

Chen Nuo said: "I won't."

Yes, he won't.

The decision has already been made.

He is not Han Han Sanping; he does not have the habit of going back on his word.

Whether this bet is big or small, whether it makes or loses money, he is prepared to bear the consequences.

Chen Nuo's inner feelings were complex and inexplicable; he felt a sense of relief at having his wish granted, while simultaneously feeling the tension of going all-in.

However, whether there was a bottomless abyss or a minefield ahead, he would move forward without hesitation.

Nolan shrugged and said: "Alright, Chen, before the three of us sign the contract, I think you can withdraw your decision at any time. And I advise you to do so."

Chen Nuo smiled calmly and said: "Unless I am truly crazy."

After looking at him for a while longer, Nolan suddenly turned to Jonathan and said: "I like the way he is now, crazy yet rational. It's contradictory, but also charming. He is indeed the best candidate to play Dom, don't you think?"

Jonathan Nolan shrugged: "From the moment I wrote the first word, I told you, Christopher. Dom is Chen, and Chen is Dom. When I first met him in Hong Kong, I knew he was a rational madman."

The Chen Nuo of his past life had seen Inception, but only once.

Because for him, this movie was...

Ahem.

It wasn't that he couldn't understand it, it was... he didn't quite understand it.

Therefore, he didn't remember the specific details of the movie well, only that the special effects were great, the plot was awesome, and it was a very successful commercial film.

So, as he listened to them talk about some "Dom," he had no idea who these two were talking about.

"Excuse me, which character are you talking about exactly?"

The two Nolans looked at each other and laughed together.

They laughed so much that Chen Nuo was completely baffled, and could only laugh along foolishly...

But soon, he couldn't laugh anymore.

Chen Nuo went down to the hotel's underground parking garage and got into the car Qi Yuntian had brought to pick him up.

Qi Yuntian looked at the thick book he was clutching to his chest and asked in astonishment: "Chen Zong, have you decided to study for a postgraduate degree?"

Study for a postgraduate degree, my foot.

Chen Nuo was not in the mood for jokes and sighed heavily.

With this massive English script and an even larger plot analysis, if he really wanted to understand it, Chen Nuo felt it might be harder than studying for a postgraduate degree.

For someone like him who didn't like reading, it would really be better to go work somewhere else for four months.

Previously, after confirming the intentions of both sides, he had returned to the hotel suite with the Nolan brothers.

Christopher Nolan had taken two book-like items out of a box and handed them to him.

One was an ultra-thick script with red pages and large print.

And the other was an ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra-thick analysis of the script.

Nolan said that the requirement for him this time was to study these two books thoroughly before filming began.

It included the male lead's character background, story background, emotional experiences, and—most importantly—detailed analyses of the plot and settings in Inception.

He had to read them earnestly, until he became the third person in the world who knew Inception inside and out.

While Chen Nuo was dumbfounded, he was also a little moved.

Because Christopher Nolan had personally handed him the script to take away without signing any contracts or even writing a single non-disclosure agreement.

This was not only a heavy trust, but it also indicated one thing: his shares in this film were set in stone.

Just as Christopher Nolan said during their final farewell: "I am already looking forward to this movie, Chen. I really want to see the expressions on the faces of the Oscar judges when they see the two of us appear on their nomination list once again."

The implication was that he had decided to tie his fate to him in this film.

Then what did Warner count for?

When the complete combination of The Dark Knight was assembled,

if they told Warner Brothers to kneel, would they dare to stand?

Likewise, since things had reached this point, some things really should be set in motion.

Chen Nuo got into the car, sighed, and said: "Let's go, let's head back. Next, it's time for us to go begging for food everywhere."

Chen Nuo started begging for food!!!

The first to know this news was the Bank of China, Yayuncun Branch, where Qi Yuntian went.

When the loan manager who received Qi Yuntian scrambled into the branch president's office, his voice was trembling: "President Zhang, Chen Nuo, Chen Nuo wants to apply for a loan from us. His agent just came and said he wants to use real estate as collateral!"

That 50-something, chubby President Zhang had been playing Spider Solitaire on his computer and was initially dissatisfied with his subordinate's sudden intrusion, but as soon as he heard a familiar name in the words, he froze for a moment.

He picked at his ear and asked: "Who did you say?"

The loan business manager's face flushed red as he repeated: "Chen Nuo!"

President Zhang asked again in disbelief: "Which Chen Nuo? Is it *that* Chen Nuo?"

The manager nodded fiercely: "Yes, it is that Chen Nuo!"

President Zhang stood up abruptly, but accidentally kicked the power cord, causing the computer to shut down instantly, and the solitaire game he was about to finish had to be restarted.

But President Zhang didn't even glance at it.

Impossible.

This was his first reaction.

President Zhang felt he had been unlucky his whole life.

Over 50, having achieved nothing, with no hope of promotion, and what was even more desperate was that there were no beautiful female subordinates in this damn place.

As a result, he could only hole up in this tiny office all day playing solitaire, without even a dealer.

How could a gold brick suddenly fall and land right in front of him?

"What's going on? Tell me from beginning to end."

After listening to the manager's report.

President Zhang took a deep breath first, letting his rapidly pounding heart calm down a little.

He had left for work in a hurry today and hadn't brought his emergency heart medication. If he were to die at a time like this, he felt he certainly wouldn't be content to be reincarnated; he would one hundred percent turn into a vengeful spirit.

"So he asked if we could provide on-site service, right? How did you answer?"

The manager said immediately, "I said yes."

"Then did he give you the address?"

"He did, Ziyu Villa."

Upon hearing this, President Zhang immediately slammed his fist down hard.

That's right, that's it.

Although his rank wasn't high, as an old hand who had been at the branch for over ten years, he was still somewhat well-informed about the happenings in the one-acre-three-fen of land around the Asian Games Village.

What's more, the news of Chen Nuo buying a king-tier villa at Ziyu Villa had been spreading like wildfire in certain circles a while ago.

As far as he knew, if it weren't for Chen Nuo specifically asking them to keep it quiet, the developer and property management company of Ziyu Villa would probably have bought ten loudspeaker trucks to parade around Jingcheng.

But even so, how could paper wrap up fire?

Through intentional or unintentional spreading, almost everyone who should know, knew: a certain super big star had settled down in Ziyu Villa!

After Gong Li bought a villa in Li Jing Garden in '92, it set a legendary record of selling 60 units in 4 hours for Li Jing Garden.

As far as President Zhang knew, the day after the news of Chen Nuo moving into Ziyu Villa broke, it was no less impressive.

Among the surrounding second-hand housing agencies, the listing price for villas in Ziyu Villa returned to the high point of early 2007 overnight, meaning it rose by 20,000 per square meter.

This made all the owners of Ziyu Villa want to send a longevity plaque to the family that sold the villa to Chen Nuo.

A true Bodhisattva who saves the suffering.

Not only that, within a week, all second-hand listings for Ziyu Villa were swept clean. The final result was that no one was selling anymore.

The prices quoted by second-hand agents when calling owners to ask if they wanted to sell were also becoming more exaggerated by the day.

The friend who told President Zhang about this, when speaking of it, even a big boss with a net worth of hundreds of millions couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, saying it was crazy, just crazy.

At the time, he even joked, "Old Zhang, you're now in a position to get the first moon. If one day Chen Nuo comes to your bank to deposit money or something, you must remember to get me an autograph; my daughter likes him so much."

Never thought, never thought! Damn it, he actually really came!

"Did you ask clearly how much he plans to borrow?" President Zhang asked again.

The manager said: "Quite a lot, he said he hopes the more the better!"

Upon hearing this, President Zhang felt like an old man wanting to show off his youthful vigor, looking up to the sky and roaring with heroic spirit.

He became increasingly certain that his life, Old Zhang's, had begun to turn around.

Although it was a bit late, it was still salvageable.

The manager suddenly looked a bit worried and said: "We have never handled such a large personal loan before. This risk, President Zhang, don't you think it's a bit too high? Should I call them and ask them to process it in the name of a company instead, how about that?"

After the manager finished speaking, he felt he had fulfilled his duty and shared the burden for his leader, looking up with expectation, ready to receive some praise.

Instead, he saw a pair of indifferent eyes.

The manager froze, feeling a chill run through his entire body.

President Zhang looked at the loan manager of his own branch with eyes that saw all things as straw dogs, and said faintly: "Stop talking this nonsense. You're not young anymore, you should use your brain. Now get out, call them and set a time, the sooner the better. As long as they are free, we can do it 24 hours a day."

"Do, you, un, der, stand?"

In the end, the time President Zhang took five subordinates to Ziyu Villa for on-site service was nine o'clock the next morning.

Although before coming, everyone at the Bank of China Asian Games Village branch, including the well-informed people in the entire Jingcheng banking circle, knew that Chen Nuo had come to their bank for a loan.

Including the few people who came with President Zhang this time, they were all heroes who had fought their way out of thousands of troops and horses.

In the short half-day that the news spread, the little branch really showed off its various connections.

Many employees who usually didn't show their true colors brought out backers, each one harder than the last.

In the end, among the five people following behind President Zhang, the one with the softest backer had a paternal aunt who was a vice president at the Jingcheng branch.

As for the loan manager who had previously received Qi Yuntian, he didn't know which corner he had been squeezed into long ago.

Hearing the name Chen Nuo, and knowing in their hearts it was Chen Nuo,

But when that man appeared at the door of that villa,

And smiled at everyone,

The granddaughter of a certain leader at the People's Bank, who had the hardest backer, was the first to lose her composure.

The 20-something-year-old girl, although still wearing professional attire,

Had eyes that seemed to be veiled in a layer of extremely casual mist, and she said in a tone similar to the soft dialect of Wu: "It really is Chen Nuo~"

The young man with a medium backer also took a deep breath and muttered: "Joker."

The one with the softest backer didn't dare to speak, because they weren't qualified!

Never mind these young girls and boys, even President Zhang was a bit excited.

Last night, he received I don't know how many calls, from the instructions of superiors, to the banter of peers, to the various greetings of former subordinates,

If it weren't for the fact that he, Old Zhang, was near retirement age and didn't care about anyone or fear anyone, the person coming to take charge today might not have been him.

From afar, President Zhang revealed a smile and said loudly: "Oh, no need, no need, we will knock on the door ourselves when we arrive. Mr. Chen, please come inside, it's windy here, be careful not to catch a cold."

"No, President, hello, everyone, please come in."

Chen Nuo greeted them very politely and welcomed the people from the bank into his little nest.

They didn't go inside the house, but sat down at that rectangular dining table in the courtyard surrounded by walls.

On the left side of the dining table was a flower trellis full of roses, on the right was a murmuring little stream winding away, and there were various exotic flowers and plants planted, competing for beauty in this spring day.

They sat down, basking in the warm morning sun; the wind was blocked by the wall, and only the fragrant air permeated their noses.

Chen Nuo sat to the side with a smile, the shadow of the roses cast on his face, and his handsome agent began to serve tea to everyone.

The tea was top-quality Pu'er, with a fragrant scent that made one want to get drunk.

If President Zhang hadn't taken the documents from Chen Nuo's hand and noticed no one was paying attention to him, so he had to cough lightly,

The other young people really didn't know how much longer they would be intoxicated.

This was simply a scene that would only appear in a dream.

Finally, when the few people finished reviewing the documents submitted by Chen Nuo, President Zhang asked directly: "Little Chen, we can actually handle these two properties in Shanghai, including your contract for Twilight, plus these few endorsements of yours..."

President Zhang suppressed the surging emotions in his heart.

So Chen Nuo earned so much money filming Twilight?

So there really is such a thing as a '99-year contract in this world?

So he not only has Ziyu Villa but also the Huangpujiang?

Then what else is there to say!? Then what else is there to talk about!

President Zhang felt that there were certainly not no clients of higher quality than this person in the world,

But it was certainly not someone he could come into contact with.

President Zhang said with a sincere face: "Mr. Chen. I think you don't need to look for other banks anymore, our branch will take care of it all for you. The number you want, we will definitely try our best to satisfy you. How about it?"

Chen Nuo hesitated: "Hmm, that would be best, of course. But, this money, wouldn't it be too much?"

President Zhang laughed and said: "Regarding this point, Mr. Chen, you don't need to worry."

"We are a bank."

At this moment, even though Chen Zong owned the Ziyu courtyard and the Huangpujiang small western-style house, he couldn't help but be shaken by President Zhang's might and dominance.

However, no matter how amazing a bank is, it couldn't satisfy his funding demand of nearly 600 million.

No matter how high the limit President Zhang and the others gave him, there would be a limit, just as he had calculated before; there was still a gap of at least 80 million that he needed to find another way to solve.

For the next few days, he and Qi Yuntian were busy looking for advertisers who were relatively suitable for him and not too 'that kind' from the vast number of advertising invitations.

However, after picking and choosing, only three were selected. One watch, one down jacket, and one milk tea.

Speaking of milk tea, Chen Nuo thought of Zhou Dong.

At this time, his Youlemei milk tea was at its peak, and every day on TV it was his "You are my Youlemei."

But why had there been no movement on the MV he went to film on a whim, and why hadn't it been released? It was strange.

However, the reason this milk tea brand was looking for him was obvious: they wanted to put him in the ring to compete with Zhou Dong.

An endorsement fee of 20 million a year was not ungenerous in the country, and it could also solve his urgent needs.

Chen Nuo was actually quite satisfied.

This day, after confirming the few advertisers and letting Qi Yuntian go to negotiate, it was already 8 o'clock in the evening, dark, when Chen Nuo returned to Ziyu Villa.

Qi Yuntian dropped him off at the entrance and stepped on the gas, slipping away quickly.

Originally, Chen Nuo wanted to give him a few words of advice, telling him not to be so damn serious and to settle this matter as soon as possible.

Nolan had already given him the news, Warner had nodded in agreement, and it might be during this time that the three parties would gather again to sign the formal contract.

He didn't want it to be his turn to pay, only for him to spread his hands and say "I'm so sorry."

But since Qi Yuntian slipped away so fast, that could only be understood.

Opening the door and walking into the courtyard, before reaching the entrance, Chen Nuo was stunned.

Because the villa was brightly lit, and through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor, he could see a woman with a slender figure wearing an apron, placing a dish on the table.

At this moment, how could Chen Nuo not understand? It was one hundred percent the key Qi Yuntian gave her.

No wonder he ran so fast just now.

He opened the door and walked in.

Hearing the movement, the woman flicked her long hair and turned her head to look; her large, charming eyes, under the light of the crystal chandelier, were as bright and beautiful as the Weiming Lake in spring.

In other words, it was something most Chinese people dream of, yet can never obtain.

"Why are you here?" Chen Nuo asked with a smile.

Fan Fan Fan Binbing raised her eyebrows, "I heard from Qi Da that you've been in a bad mood lately. What's wrong, Chen Zong? Is something the matter?"

Chen Nuo didn't answer; he shook his head with a smile, walked over, looked at the two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and the soup on the table, and couldn't help but laugh, "Miss Fan, you actually have this skill?"

Fan Fan Fan Binbing chuckled, "I've been running around outside for the past two years, and sometimes when I get home, I just want to eat some home-cooked food, so I learned a few dishes when I had free time."

"And you learned Sichuan cuisine?"

"Ah, Sichuan cuisine is appetizing, you know."

But don't you avoid spicy food?

Chen Nuo didn't say these words out loud.

Just as this meal, in the end, didn't get eaten before it went cold.

Afterwards, Chen Nuo discovered that having a large house also had the benefits of a large house.

It really allowed for the development of almost endless ways to play.

It was a pity that it was still March and the weather was a bit cold; if it were summer...

Thinking about those outdoor shameful plays in the current situation, with high walls and deep courtyards and no drones, Chen Nuo couldn't help but exert a bit more force.

Fan Fan Fan Binbing had definitely been holding back terribly during this period.

Indeed, counting the time, the last time seemed to be last year?

No wonder she was so moist.

And no wonder the entire room echoed with her soul-stirring cries.

Especially when she wore red high heels, with her back to him, legs spread, and hips raised, letting the black lace and silk stockings form a sharp contrast with her snow-white skin.

Then she turned around, hooked her fingers at him with hazy eyes and said, "Brother, come quickly, Feifei can't wait anymore~"

My god!

Who could still remember the food on the table!?

This was the dish that really made one drool, alright!

However, at 9:30 PM, Chen Nuo still ate every last bit of the twice-cooked pork, shredded pork with young ginger, baby bok choy, and tomato egg soup that little Fan had spent nearly two hours preparing.

Not only did it restore his physical strength, but it also made Fan Fan Fan Binbing's eyes crinkle with a smile.

"Is it delicious?"

"Delicious."

"Am I delicious or is the food delicious?"

"Hmm, I forgot, let me taste what you taste like again."

"Hee hee hee, do you want the taste of Xixi or the taste of Yuan Shanshan?"

"I don't want either, I want the taste of Fan Fan Binbing."

"Can you handle the icy Fan Fan Binbing?"

"Do you know what friction-induced fire is?"

That night, Chen Nuo was truly energized; for the first time in history, he went three rounds, completely conquering Fan Fan Fan Binbing.

What icy coldness?

In the end, she was burning hot all over, drenched in a pool of sweat, her hair dampened by the sweat and messily covering her face, and she didn't even have the strength to brush it away.

"You... how are you so powerful now?" Every word in this sentence from Fan Fan Fan Binbing, if squeezed slightly, would drip with water.

Chen Nuo looked at Fan Fan Fan Binbing, who was sprawled on the floor with her jade-like body, unable to lift a single finger.

While panting, he thought to himself,

Damn it, what on earth was that medicine?

Where exactly did Yang Ying get it from?

Give me another bottle, and no matter how deep the grudge, I can wipe the slate clean with you, brother.

This night, Chen Nuo indulged himself completely, and the pent-up frustration in his heart over the past few days loosened slightly.

Waking up the next morning, there was no one by his pillow, only a few long strands of hair and a lingering faint fragrance, showing that the scene last night was not a spring dream, but a real beauty.

No, it was more than that.

When Chen Nuo saw that golden card, he was stunned for a moment.

He picked up the paper under the card and opened it to look.

Written on it in not-so-pretty handwriting was: "Don't be unhappy anymore. If you don't want to take commercials, then don't. Big sister has money; I don't want you telling others that you are my Xiangpiaopiao. There are 50 million in the card, and the password is 19860228."

PS:

Got up at 7 o'clock and wrote until now.

I'm satisfied with it.

Are you satisfied?

(End of chapter)