Chapter 171: Li An's Worry

This Golden Horse Awards, due to the participation of Wu Yuchen and *Run Luo La Run*, attracted special attention from the mainland. Many media and newspapers were waiting for news from the Golden Horse Awards.

In a newspaper office, a young man ran over with a fax: "Editor-in-chief, the results are out!"

The circle of people waiting here heard this and immediately surrounded him:

"Did he win an award?"

"Who is Best Film?"

The editor-in-chief grabbed the fax and saw that *Run Luo La Run* won three big awards: Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Editing, and couldn't help but reveal a smile.

Several people on the side who saw the results also said one after another:

"As expected of Wu Dao, Best Director and Best Actress!"

"It's a pity he didn't get Best Film, sigh!"

At this time, the editor-in-chief waved his hand: "Don't sigh. This result is not bad. How could it be like *In the Heat of the Sun* sweeping everything every time?"

In '96, *In the Heat of the Sun* basically swept the Golden Horse except for not winning Best Actress.

"You all get moving. After writing the manuscript and typesetting, send it to the printing factory." The editor-in-chief urged.

At this time, someone asked hesitantly: "Editor-in-chief, what about this *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*?"

This time *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* won Best Film and Best Actor. It was said that the gold content was fuller than *Run Luo La Run*.

The editor-in-chief glanced at him: "What about it? Don't mention it! Didn't you see Chen Chong was directly banned from filming for 3 years? This is different from *Run Luo La Run*!"

Although *Run Luo La Run* was also banned, its sensitivity level was small compared to *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*. *Run Luo La Run* was at most a problematic girl with confused values, while *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* went straight to the special period.

Therefore, although *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* won the Golden Horse Best Film this time, the editor-in-chief simply chose not to mention it. And many newspapers' choices were similar to his, choosing to mention *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* in passing or not mentioning it at all, focusing on *Run Luo La Run* and Wu Yuchen.

"*Run Luo La Run* wins Golden Horse Best Director, Golden Horse Best Actress!"

"Wu Yuchen wins Golden Horse Best Director, Li Xiaoran crowned Golden Horse Best Actress!"

In the *My Fair Princess 2* crew, Jiang Qinqin, who was strongly persuaded by Qiongyao and Hunan TV to join, looked at the words Li Xiaoran and Golden Horse Best Actress on the newspaper at this time, full of envy in her heart. Although she had become a famous big star in the country, she hadn't won any award recognition yet!

Fan Bingbing on the side looked at the news on the newspaper, and her mood was also very complicated.

The news that *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* won the Golden Horse Best Film, this newspaper still mentioned it. And last year, Chen Chong had come to find her to play the female lead. At first, she was especially happy, but after learning there were nude scenes, she rejected Chen Chong after discussing it with her family.

But now, she didn't expect *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* to actually win the Golden Horse Best Film. If she had acted in it at the beginning, wouldn't she be the female lead of the Golden Horse Best Film? That status would be directly different, becoming a film star!

Fan Bingbing sighed in her heart, and then had to comfort herself that it wasn't Best Actress anyway, and it wasn't worth it to become famous by stripping for this. Moreover, didn't she see that this newspaper didn't mention the film *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl* much? Thinking of this, Fan Bingbing felt much better.

It wasn't just Jiang Qinqin and Fan Bingbing. There were quite a few compatriots from Wanwan in the *My Fair Princess* crew, and at this time, they were also discussing the Golden Horse Awards that had just ended. They were actually a bit sour in their hearts. Because in this Golden Horse Awards, the awards with the most gold content—Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress—were all bagged by the two films from the mainland, *Run Luo La Run* and *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*, without any trace of their Wanwan locals at all.

When they were filming *My Fair Princess*, they looked down on the backwardness of various filming conditions in the mainland in their hearts, but they had to watch the Golden Horse Awards hosted at their own door being dominated by mainland films.

On the side, Zhou Jie had some waves in his heart after hearing this news. Although he became popular relying on *My Fair Princess*, this kind of drama wasn't the drama he liked to act in. He still had a certain artistic pursuit. At this time, he thought of Cai Zong of Miracle Film and Television who had contacted him before, saying that their company wrote a script with the theme of Bao Qingtian solving cases, and asked if he was interested after filming *My Fair Princess 2*.

Just because Miracle Film and Television had Wu Yuchen, and he could have more contact with Wu Yuchen, Zhou Jie also planned to fight for this Bao Qingtian drama!

By the time Wu Yuchen brought Li Xiaoran back to Beijing, the newspapers were already full of news related to their Golden Horse.

This time Wu Yuchen came back and specially visited Han Sanping once. After all, the film *Run Luo La Run* also had Han Sanping's help at the beginning, hanging the signs of Beijing Film Studio and Sil-Metropole Organisation.

"A trip worth it!" Han Sanping laughed loudly after seeing Wu Yuchen.

"It couldn't be separated from the help of Beijing Film Studio!"

After the two sat down, Han Sanping specially mentioned *Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl*: "Brother Wu, it's best not to consider this kind of theme. The examples of Chen Chong and Tian Zhuangzhuang are all there."

Wu Yuchen also nodded: "Rest assured, I know what's important in this regard."

Just as Wu Yuchen and Han Sanping were chatting, a knock on the door sounded outside. Wu Yuchen saw the person coming, wasn't this Feng Xiaogang?

"Third Master, I came to ask about the film distribution..."

Feng Xiaogang pushed the door open with his waist half-bowed, then saw Wu Yuchen and immediately offered a smile: "Yo, Wu Dao, congratulations, congratulations! You have once again gained face for our mainland on the side of our Wanwan compatriots!"

Wu Yuchen stood up and smiled: "Feng Dao, you are too polite!"

Last time during the New Year, Feng Xiaogang went to their house to visit him, but Wu Yuchen's parents heard him call others "Xiao Gang," and after entering the room, they criticized and educated him well.

Wu Yuchen also admitted that his mentality was a bit floating at that time, too reckless. Although the small steel cannon's posture was indeed low, and although he was indeed a bit stinky later, he hadn't done anything yet, so he couldn't look down on him. The films he shot were also good, and the respect he deserved should be given.

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen said: "Feng Dao, if you have something to chat with Factory Director Han, then I won't delay the two of you~"

Feng Xiaogang immediately said: "No, no, it was me who disturbed you. This isn't a big deal, the distribution of the new film, it's fine."

Wu Yuchen's heart moved when he heard this, and he asked: "Feng Dao, is your new film going to be released?"

"Yes, *Be There or Be Square*. I saw that your *Ditto* was so popular, Wu Dao, so I wanted to follow the trend and shoot a romance film. But I don't have your skill, so I can only shoot some vulgar people and vulgar things~" Feng Xiaogang laughed.

Wu Yuchen knew this guy was flattering him when he heard this. *Be There or Be Square* was a romance theme, it was true, but it was mostly following the romance trend of *Titanic*. After his *Ditto* was released, *Be There or Be Square* had already started filming.

Wu Yuchen said with a smile: "Feng Dao, since that's the case, I'll help you promote it when I see reporters in two days~"

The film *Be There or Be Square* was really good, starring Ge You and Xu Fan. In terms of film language, it was much more mature than *The Dream Factory*. It contained true philosophy in plainness. The early Feng Xiaogang was also quite talented.

Feng Xiaogang immediately clasped his hands together when he heard this: "Then I really thank you, Wu Dao!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and said goodbye to Han Sanping. He didn't break his promise, mentioning *Be There or Be Square* to reporters and expressing his appreciation, saying he would see the audience in the cinema. After Feng Xiaogang saw the relevant reports, he brought things to visit and thank him again.

This time, it wasn't just Li Xiaoran who came back with Wu Yuchen from Wanwan. Traveling together was also Li An, who was naturally for *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*.

Not long after, Li An came to the door. Wu Yuchen saw his frowning look, offered him a cup of tea, and couldn't help but ask: "Li Dao, what kind of trouble did you encounter?"

Li An sighed and shook his head: "In terms of actors, it's not going well..."

He picked up the teacup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and then told Wu Yuchen truthfully: "After I modified the script according to what you said, Wu Dao, I wanted to find Chow Yun-fat to play Li Mubai. His image and acting skills are both suitable..."

Wu Yuchen nodded when he heard this: "Brother Fat indeed has that scholarly temperament, his acting skills are also good, and he has a few works in Hollywood, so he is indeed a suitable candidate. Could it be that Brother Fat is unwilling?"

"It's not that he is unwilling, he can't set it." Li An sighed.

"Can't set it?" Wu Yuchen asked suspiciously.

"Chow Yun-fat is currently in contact with a big project, *Anna and the King*. I wonder if you have heard of it, Wu Dao?"

"Is it that biography *Anna and the King of Siam*?"

"Yes, that's the one. In 1956, Fox shot a musical film based on this called *The King and I*. The response was very good, with an investment of 4 million and a box office of 21.3 million, and it was nominated for 9 Oscars, winning 5 big awards.

This time I heard that Fox is going to spend 80 or 90 million to restart this project and rush for the Oscars again. The female lead invited Jodie Foster, and Chow Yun-fat is currently the most favorable competitor for the male lead. He can't set the time at all now, everything must be based on *Anna and the King*, and it is impossible to join the crew and follow the training."

After Wu Yuchen heard this, he understood. He still knew Chow Yun-fat's resume. The film *Anna and the King* was the best opportunity Chow Yun-fat had encountered after entering Hollywood, a 92 million big-budget production. And the King of Siam, that is, the King of Thailand, was a yellow-skinned person. This time, without the competition of white people and black people, he stood out and finally got the role as he wished.

It's just that the final box office of this film was 113 million, and the Oscars only nominated one award for costume design and art direction. It could be said that it was neither acclaimed nor popular, a miserable defeat. The female lead Jodie Foster had a deep foundation, but Brother Fat was miserable. After this film, the situation he faced was that he couldn't stay in Hollywood, basically having to run back to Hong Kong Island in a dejected manner. But the situation turned around, and *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* saved him.

In his past life, Li An also waited for several months for Chow Yun-fat. Chow Yun-fat finished filming *Anna and the King* in June over there, then agreed to *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, flew back to the mainland immediately, joined the crew, and started filming directly, basically considered unprepared.

Wu Yuchen recalled this process and said to Li An: "Li Dao, I estimate that in a short time, Brother Fat is impossible to agree. Are you planning to keep waiting for him, or..."

Li An was also scratching his head in worry. Before, he found Li Lianjie who resigned from the role, and this time finding Chow Yun-fat wasn't going well either. On one side was a 90 million Hollywood big production, on the other side was his 15 million Oriental small martial arts film. Anyone knew who to prioritize. Chow Yun-fat wasn't a fool, so he definitely couldn't delay *Anna and the King* because of *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*.

Li An thought for a moment and said: "Wu Dao, I still want to wait first. After the *Anna and the King* crew sets the filming plan, I will see if it's too late. If possible, I still want to try my best to fight for Chow Yun-fat to act. If not, I will make a second plan."

Wu Yuchen nodded when he heard this and didn't argue. Chow Yun-fat's performance in his past life was indeed very good. Wu Yuchen didn't intend to cause extra trouble and interfere with Li An's judgment.

Subsequently, Li An said again: "Not only Li Mubai, the Jade Fox side is also not going well. When I was at the Golden Horse Awards, I went to contact Shu Qi, wanting her to play Jade Fox, but she considered it for a while and didn't agree. I just called, and she said her schedule was already full, and she had no time to follow the crew for training. Sigh..."

Wu Yuchen wasn't surprised when he heard this. The contract Shu Qi signed when she shot Category III films in the early days was very harsh, and the money she earned was very little. Now that she had won awards at the Hong Kong Film Awards and Golden Horse Awards one after another, and finally entered the mainstream, she must want to earn more money to improve the lives of herself and her family first. Letting her spend a few months training and another half a year filming was equivalent to spending a whole year on a film with an uncertain future. The cost-performance ratio was too low, and it was human nature for her to give up this opportunity.

However, sometimes fate is like this. To be honest, if Shu Qi really acted as Jade Fox, then when the Oscars were added, she would really be blown to the sky, and perhaps her next few relationships could all hold her head high in front of the man's parents.

However, there was no "if" in this kind of thing. Since they were not relatives or friends, he, Wu Yuchen, didn't have any desire to help others:

"Li Dao, if it doesn't work, pick an amateur, open a sea selection, and you spend a few months training them yourself."

Li An nodded: "I think so too, but I still want to ask Wu Dao first, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

Hearing Li An say this, the figure of Zhang Ziyi immediately appeared in Wu Yuchen's mind. Regardless of anything else, International Zhang's Jade Fox was really well-acted.

"Li Dao, there are recommended candidates, but they may not be suitable. You still have to judge for yourself when the time comes."

Wu Yuchen planned to ask a few women around him. If they were interested in Jade Fox, he naturally wouldn't be stingy to recommend them. Anyway, the opportunity was given to them, whether they could fight for it depended on their own ability. Even if they failed, they wouldn't be too regretful in the future.

As for Zhang Ziyi, Wu Yuchen didn't plan to recommend her personally. Once involved in any relationship, this girl was particularly good at climbing up the pole. If Wu Yuchen recommended her today, he was really afraid that she would run over to recommend herself for a pillow in two days. Moreover, Old Mouzi would also likely recommend her to Li An, so he didn't need to worry about it.

Here, Wu Yuchen told Li An about the Jade Fox role for Li Xiaoran. She was quite interested and wanted to try. Wu Yuchen naturally wouldn't stop her and pushed her over. However, Wu Yuchen estimated that she probably had no chance, otherwise Li An wouldn't have even mentioned inviting her along the way.

As for Jiang Qinqin, she was still in the *My Fair Princess 2* crew, so it was useless to tell her.

On December 25th, Christmas, it was also the day *Be There or Be Square* was released. Wu Yuchen took Zeng Li into the cinema and contributed two movie tickets to the small steel cannon.

Zeng Li hugged Wu Yuchen's arm, rested her head on his shoulder, and watched Ge You and Xu Fan finally "be there or be square" and walk together on the movie screen, couldn't help but reveal a smile: "Really good!"

This was also the pleasing part of the small steel cannon's early films. Whether it was *The Dream Factory* or *Be There or Be Square*, they all had a big reunion ending, making the audience feel comfortable, without having to feel stifled, without having to feel like a fishbone in the throat. If this were placed on other directors in this day and age, they would have to split the male and female leads, let them grow old alone, leave regrets in the audience's hearts, and call it incomplete beauty to increase the depth of the film.

Wu Yuchen kissed Zeng Li on the forehead: "Let's always be there or be square~"

After coming out of the cinema, the two people whose emotions were stirred after watching the film naturally couldn't avoid finding a place to pour out their hearts to each other.

After the passion, Wu Yuchen hugged Zeng Li and asked: "Lizi, does your Teacher Chang still stop you now?"

Zeng Li smiled and shook her head: "No, and can't stop it. You don't know, just look at how Liu Ye is showing off after returning to the class now. How many in the class can endure it? Everyone now wants to go out and take plays to find opportunities. If Teacher Chang stops it again, it's really going to rebel."

Liu Ye, this kid, had his confidence greatly increased after acting in Wu Yuchen's *Ditto* last year. This year, after *Ditto* was released, the box office exploded, so naturally, he floated up immediately. It happened that at this time, he also followed *Postmen in the Mountains* to participate in the Tokyo International Film Festival, came back holding the Jin Qilin Award again, and then in the Golden Rooster in November, *Postmen in the Mountains* won another Golden Rooster Best Film.

Just the continuous experiences in the second half of this year made Liu Ye feel like he was floating on the clouds, never coming down at all. Box office and awards were smashed onto him one after another. How could he not show off?

Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head when he heard this, and then asked again: "Lizi, how are you and Zhang Ziyi now?"

"Quite good. We met Wang Fei when we were shopping before, and she even ran up to help me ask for an autograph~"

In his past life, the two women had some friction because of the casting of *The Road Home* this year, but this time it didn't happen at all. Because when Old Mouzi came to cast, Zeng Li was still filming in the *The Grand Mansion Gate* crew, and he still chose Zhang Ziyi.

Wu Yuchen thought for a moment and still said: "Lizi, you know Director Li An, right? He is preparing to shoot *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*. There is a role of Jade Fox. If you are interested, I can recommend you to try." ===== CHAPTER 172 =====