Chapter 54: Wang Jiawei

Driving into them was impossible.

Following that, during the days Chen Nuo spent in Shanghai, the media was everywhere, finding every opportunity to get a scoop. He couldn't go anywhere except the set and the hotel.

But Chen Kexin was very happy.

He was a commercial director to begin with. Compared to the methods in Hong Kong, the hype here in the mainland was still at an elementary stage for him. For example, for *Perhaps Love* this time, he took a small bit-part role and put it up for auction online, saying that Chinese people all over the world could participate, and the highest bidder would get it, with the money donated to a charity foundation.

Now he had a feeling of a windfall from heaven.

Initially, choosing the role of Monty across the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong had taken a long time and a lot of money, yet they had ended up choosing such an unknown young actor. The crew had initially had quite a few complaints, feeling that this young man wasn't as suitable as that someone-or-other from the Korean side, and that his status didn't match up with Takeshi Kaneshiro or Jacky Cheung. However, by now, all those people had shut their mouths.

And President Liu, who had been under great pressure initially, now carried the air of a talent scout wherever he went, opening and closing his mouth with: "When we were auditioning, as soon as I saw Nuo-zai turn his head, I knew this young man had spirit and potential, and was someone we could use. He's a newcomer, after all; if we don't give them more opportunities, how will they ever make it? But, I didn't expect Nuo-zai to be recognized internationally so quickly. Haha, hahaha... It seems those foreign judges have some vision after all."

Under these circumstances, Chen Kexin adopted a "turn a blind eye" attitude toward the reporters who were hounding Chen Nuo every day. As long as they didn't affect his filming, they could go ahead and catch Chen Nuo if they wanted. In any case, whenever they published a report, they would always mention his film.

Chen Nuo filmed in Shanghai for a total of five days, during which he also celebrated his 19th birthday.

That day, Chen Bi and Pan Chengrong both called him, and Chen Kexin also arranged a birthday cake on set, having everyone sing "Happy Birthday" together, creating a very warm atmosphere. That night, when Chen Nuo returned to the hotel and opened the door, he saw Xia Yehe, who was dressed only in pink ribbons, having decorated herself as a birthday gift.

Xia Yehe said that after Chen Nuo and the others left, her stepmother was like a different person, fussing over her all day long, and the various issues they had been arguing about were instantly dropped.

Xia Yehe left the next day; she still had to go back to her hometown. Her posture was slightly uncomfortable when she left.

Chen Nuo finished the reshoots three days after she left. When he was leaving, Chen Kexin gave Qi Yuntian a bank card.

Ten minutes after these two country bumpkins got the card, they couldn't help but find a bank to check it.

Qi Yuntian counted the zeros on the screen like a simpleton, then wore a serious expression, as if there weren't 200,000 inside, but 200,000 bombs.

"This won't do. Don't go back to Xichuan this time. Come with me to Jingcheng, and let's get the studio opened first. This money needs to be accounted for properly, and taxes need to be paid. We absolutely cannot be immoral artists who evade taxes."

Well, in order not to be banned, Chen Nuo had no choice but to change his plans temporarily and board a plane to Jingcheng.

March 7, 2005, the day before International Women's Day. Wang Jinghua, the top agent in the mainland, led dozens of her top-tier artists to leave Huayi collectively and jump ship to Cheng Tian, shaking the entire mainland entertainment industry. It was also on this day that a makeshift outfit called "Chen Nuo Performing Arts Studio" hung its sign in an office building near the Film Academy.

Compared to the former, which involved almost half the entertainment industry in a grand spectacle, the latter's hanging ceremony only had eight people participating: Zhang Yi, Li Xiaotian, Qi Yuntian, Li Er, Qi Yifei, Chen Bi and Pan Chengrong who had come specially from Xichuan, and Chen Nuo.

Zhang Yi, that guy, finally decided to return from Germany. He didn't just come back himself; he also brought back Chen Nuo's Silver Bear trophy. And this became the first trophy displayed in Chen Nuo's studio.

Zhang Yi and Li Xiaotian stayed for an hour before leaving. They were very busy now; interviews and meetings of all kinds never stopped. Moreover, just as Chen Kexin had said, *The Mute* actually had a possibility of being released domestically. For this reason, Zhang Yi had to make significant cuts. Zhang Yi said that being able to release it was already a pleasant surprise, so he'd just cut it. So, with several things piling up, he was truly too busy to even touch the ground.

"If this film really is released domestically, you'll really have to learn from those celebrities and wear a mask on the street." After Zhang Yi and the others left, only Qi Yuntian and Chen Nuo's two families were left chatting in the office. Qi Yuntian and Chen Nuo were both only children, and their only sons were finally grown up and starting their own businesses. Li Er and Qi Yifei had specifically swapped classes with others to free up a day, and Chen Bi went without saying—Chen Bi had put in a lot of effort running around to get this studio opened in just a few days.

It was Qi Yuntian who said this, wearing a mischievous smile. "Get used to it quickly, otherwise, if you're seen out on a date, it'll be a scandal~"

As soon as Pan Chengrong heard this, she got excited and turned her head to shout: "Chen Nuo! Are you dating again?"

Chen Nuo glared at Qi Yuntian. "No."

Qi Yuntian held back his laughter and explained: "Auntie, I'm joking. Chen Nuo is very honest; it's just that his conditions are too good and his standards are too high, so it might be hard for him to find a girlfriend in the future."

Pan Chengrong said very modestly: "Chen Nuo's conditions can only be considered average. Our family is just doing okay in that countryside in Xichuan; in Jingcheng, it really counts for nothing. As long as the girl has good character and can manage a household, his father and I actually have no objections."

Li Er said: "Chen Nuo is still young. I think dating is a bit too early, and it won't do him any good for his future development. However, I don't approve of him doing what some celebrities in the industry do—hiding their marriages or relationships. If he really meets someone he likes in the future, he might as well admit it openly; there's nothing wrong with that."

Pan Chengrong nodded: "Teacher Li is right. That's what we think too. If he really has to hide it when he gets married and has children in the future, that would be too exhausting to live; there's no need. Acting in films—if someone asks him to act, he goes; if no one asks, he comes back to learn business with his father. It doesn't matter."

Chen Bi coughed and said: "Since he has chosen this path, he must walk it well. Don't be half-hearted."

Pan Chengrong shot him a glance and said softly: "I'm just saying, what if he dates, gets married, and has children in the future, and no one asks him to act in films? I'm just saying 'what if,' can't you understand?"

Chen Bi said: "How could I not understand? I was just saying it casually. By the way, Teacher Li, Chen Nuo being able to rank first in his professional scores this time is really thanks to your careful guidance."

Li Er said: "This matter actually relied on Chen Nuo himself; I didn't do much."

As they were chatting, Hearing Qi Yuntian phone suddenly rang. After he went out to answer it and was just about to say something upon returning, the phone rang again, and he went out once more.

After returning this time, Qi Yifei smiled and said: "The studio just opened today, and there's already a call. I said it before: everything must be done properly. Only by being steady, very steady, can you grow big and strong."

Li Er rolled her eyes at him and asked Qi Yuntian: "Who called?"

Qi Yuntian sighed and said: "I've only been back for a few days, and I might have to go to Shanghai again. It was a call from Director Chen Kexin, saying there's a Hong Kong director named Wang Jiawei who wants to meet Chen Nuo. It was a bit noisy on the phone, and Director Chen didn't say much, just told us to go over as soon as possible. Recently, there have been a lot of these small directors coming to our door, but I couldn't reject Director Chen's face. Come to think of it, this studio was backed by him, so I had no choice but to agree."

"Wang Jiawei?" Li Er murmured. "This name... hmm, and there was another call? Who was that?"

"I pushed that one away." Qi Yuntian nodded at Chen Nuo. "They wanted you to act as some Yang Guo, and they're starting filming in the first half of the year. I knew without thinking that you wouldn't be interested."

Chen Nuo nodded and said: "Of course, college entrance exam is the priority. Then we'll go to Shanghai tomorrow, and then I'll go back to Xichuan. Let's go, let's go eat first..."

"Wait, wait. Chen Nuo, wait a second." Li Er held her forehead, looking a bit headache-stricken. "The pace you two are setting is a bit fast; let me catch my breath first. First of all, Xiao Tian, I'm asking you: is it Wang Jiawei, or Wong Kar-wai?"

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 55 =====