Chapter 61: A Small Gathering, Casual Chat

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen were eating fruit in the garden at Liu Yifei's home.

"Changchang, you've gained weight recently."

Zhu Yawen teased.

"Where?"

Shu Chang said this while looking herself up and down, then hurried into the house.

Before long, Shu Chang returned looking fierce, glaring at Zhu Yawen with her big eyes.

"I've actually lost half a jin."

"Haha, you really believe that mouth of his?" Lin Nan laughed.

"Don't tease her anymore."

Liu Yifei pulled at the clawing and pouncing Shu Chang and said to Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen.

"Little Zhu, did you really leave Huayi with Wang Jinghua? Did you say which company you're going to?"

Liu Yifei pacified Shu Chang and asked Zhu Yawen.

"Waiting for Sister Hua's news, it'll be soon."

Zhu Yawen replied.

"Huayi has looked for my mother several times recently."

Lin Nan knew about this; Huayi had been making big moves lately, frequently sending invitations to various artists.

Just the artists they had voluntarily revealed they wanted to sign included Liu Yifei, Zhou Xun, and others; they were either popular artists or big-name actors.

This kind of behavior truly attracted a great deal of attention, especially the fans' focus on Huayi wanting to sign Liu Yifei.

"I assume your mother still hasn't agreed."

Lin Nan looked at Liu Yifei.

"Mm."

Liu Yifei nodded with a smile.

One has to admit that Mother Liu's style of not releasing the hawk until she sees the rabbit is quite effective at times.

"There are a few films that were submitted, just like the ones I acted in before. After what you said last time, Mom isn't considering those anymore."

Last time, Lin Nan said that the two films Liu Yifei acted in couldn't compare to the influence of her television dramas, and Mother Liu had taken it to heart.

"So what is your mother's standard for selection now?"

"Big directors, big productions, or films starring big names."

Liu Yifei said.

"There's one sitting right in front of you."

Shu Chang said unexpectedly.

Lin Nan smiled awkwardly, "Do I look like I have a film in preparation during this period?"

"Then you'd better hurry up."

Zhu Yawen speared a piece of watermelon and said.

Looking at Liu Yifei's expectant gaze, Lin Nan promised.

"Don't worry, I might not have one here for the moment, but I can go to other film crews to find one for you."

"Really?"

Liu Yifei asked in surprise; Lin Nan had never made such a promise before.

"Really."

Zhu Yawen gave Lin Nan a look that was half-smile, clearly having thought of something.

The production of Liu Yifei's album songs had been underway for some time; it was said that several had already been finalized, with both Chinese and Japanese songs, as Sony was professional in this regard.

"Which company's people is your mother going to see today?"

Mother Liu had just greeted them and left; looking at her attire, it seemed like official business. In terms of temperament, Liu Yifei really couldn't compare to Mother Liu.

"It's Boss Cai; she also wants to sign me. After we collaborated on 'Chinese Paladin' before, she often said she wanted to sign me, and these days she's started bringing it up again."

It seemed the news from Huayi had spurred her on.

"Tang Ren is, after all, built on television dramas; they can't help you in terms of film. Your mother is probably just going over for a chat."

"Boss Cai said she could introduce film crews from Hong Kong to me, which is why Mom agreed to go see her."

"Then wait for your mother to come back and ask her."

"Yifei, are you really going back to school for classes after the semester starts?"

Zhu Yawen asked; he had found it strange when he heard the news before, as Liu Yifei had barely spent any time at school over the past three years.

"Then I'll go to the Film Academy to hang out with you when I'm free."

Shu Chang said to Liu Yifei.

"That's the plan. I can't go through four years without having properly attended classes, right? Lin Nan also suggested I stay at school for a while, at least for one semester."

Lin Nan nodded, "I did say that. If it weren't for your fame, how would the teachers in the acting department agree to you being so detached from school? There must be plenty of people gossiping now."

Over these three years, one could barely see a shadow of Liu Yifei in the 2002 undergraduate acting class; even when she returned to school, it was a hurried trip, and she left quickly.

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen had seen Liu Yifei outside of school much more often than at school.

"I know."

The tone of Liu Yifei's voice was a bit low when she said this; she just didn't care about the gossip, but she wasn't stupid and couldn't feel it. She could sense the vague feeling of alienation and exclusion from those classmates.

Zhu Yawen had come over today purely to hide and find some peace.

Young Master Wang had tried to win him over several times, but in the end, he decided to leave with Wang Jinghua.

Currently, Wang Jinghua had already moved out of the Huayi talent agency, and a large number of artists had left with her. To make a clean break, Wang Jinghua had given up that half of the equity.

Under Huayi, there were still many of their own agents and artists who were busily filling the vacancies left by Wang Jinghua's group.

For those artists who decided to leave, Huayi was also rapidly reclaiming the resources that could be recovered, such as announcements, endorsements, or film contracts.

"The impact on me isn't too big right now, but until Sister Hua and Huayi make a complete cut, there might be fewer announcements. It's the same for all of us who left, because we might have to bicker with Huayi, and many clients don't want the trouble."

After finishing with Zhu Yawen's affairs, they started chatting about recent gossip.

Just like ordinary people eating melons, those in the industry also gossiped.

Regarding the Huang Shengyi matter, everyone could see that she was the one who breached the contract first, the villain who filed the complaint first, and the one who returned kindness with ingratitude. But the other party had a plan and premeditation, firmly controlling the initiative of public opinion.

Added to that, Zhou Xingchi's nemesis, Mrs. Xiang, came out to stir things up and fan the flames, leaving Xinghui completely at the forefront of public opinion. It was likely difficult to wash away the preconceived image of a villain.

"I didn't expect her to be so ruthless. After all, he was someone who had helped her; she didn't leave any room for maneuver at all," Shu Chang said.

"Those days when the '01 class was taking graduation photos, Linzi and I saw the person behind the scenes..."

Zhu Yawen had the expression of someone about to spill the beans.

Shu Chang was truly intrigued, "Tell me, tell me."

"He looks old, and his face shape is a bit like a shoehorn..."

Zhu Yawen started chattering away.

During this time, it was this Young Master Yang who had been shouting the most for Huang Shengyi; if it wasn't him, who else could it be?

"Haha, there's no one like you when it comes to describing people."

The two girls were amused by Zhu Yawen.

"If you don't believe me, ask Lin Nan; he saw it too at the time."

Zhu Yawen pulled Lin Nan out to testify.

"Don't listen to him; it's not that exaggerated. He just looks... indescribable."

Lin Nan joked.

"You said that, but it's the same as saying nothing."

"Let's just say he's ugly in a recognizable way. Pay attention to the recent media reports; the man speaking up for her is the one."

Lin Nan said to Shu Chang.

"Then I'll have to take a look."

With Mother Liu away, Liu Yifei made a food delivery call before mealtime.

"You're not even going to ask me what I want to eat?"

Zhu Yawen watched as Liu Yifei rattled off a string of dish names, several of which were Lin Nan's favorites.

"You can just eat whatever he eats; I'm too lazy to ask you."

Liu Yifei said very casually.

"Is it that unfair?"

Zhu Yawen looked at Lin Nan.

Shrugging his shoulders, Lin Nan indicated that was just how it was, and Shu Chang was also winking from the side.

"Fine, as long as you guys are happy."

Zhu Yawen leaned back, crossed his arms, and prepared to eat whatever came.

About half an hour later, the restaurant delivered the food. They were two young girls, summer workers, who were very excited to see the four of them.

"Wow, so sumptuous."

Zhu Yawen was very diligent in opening the food boxes one by one.

"Enough for you two boys to eat."

Liu Yifei knew Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen's appetites, so she had ordered just the right amount.

"Attentive!"

Lin Nan and Zhu Yawen gave a thumbs up.

"That's right." Liu Yifei revealed a smug smile.

During the meal, the group heard Liu Yifei say that Wang Jinghua had also approached Liu's mother recently, wanting to secure Liu Yifei's management contract, and it was right on the heels of Huayi.

"We were just chatting at home at the time. Sister Hua said I have a great foundation and could develop toward the international stage in the future, just like Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi..."

"If Zhang Yimou said that, it would be one thing, but she wouldn't actually claim she could cultivate you like that, would she?"

Lin Nan laughed; Wang Jinghua really dared to bluff.

"That is what Sister Hua said."

Liu Yifei nodded; she saw the amusement in Lin Nan's eyes.

"Auntie refused quite decisively, right?"

"You guessed it again." Liu Yifei glared at him.

"The point is the tone was too big. Although Auntie isn't a professional agent, she certainly knows that the level of someone like Gong Li isn't something you can just 'cultivate' into existence. Besides, where would she get the resources? Could she find you a Zhang Yimou?"

Zhu Yawen felt a bit awkward.

"Don't be so direct. Sister Hua is still very capable, it's just that the international path might indeed be a bit of an exaggeration..."

"Of course, it's just that she really wants to sign Qianqian and values her, which is why she would bluff like that."

Lin Nan took care to consider Zhu Yawen's feelings.

Liu Yifei loved the profession of acting, loved to perform, and longed even more to become an actress like Gong Li. Everyone present knew this, so Wang Jinghua's rhetoric was very targeted.

"Gong Li, honestly, I like her too."

Lin Nan said suddenly, attracting the gazes of the three.

"I'm talking about the films she acts in. In our Directing Department, we often analyze films, and the actress everyone likes most is her—her under Director Zhang Yimou's lens. Qianqian, if you want to become an actress like her, you have a very, very long road to walk."

Lin Nan glanced at Liu Yifei, leaving one thought unsaid: in all likelihood, you will never reach her level.

Liu Yifei's expression was solemn, as if she were thinking about something, and finally, she said earnestly, "I will work hard, just like Teacher Gong Li."

As she spoke, she clenched her fist.

Lin Nan admired her courage and confidence.

"Linzi, you should work hard too." Zhu Yawen said with malicious intent.

"What about me?" Lin Nan was surprised.

"To become a Best Actress like Gong Li, don't you need a director like Zhang Yimou to support you? You tell me, right?" Zhu Yawen said.

That made a lot of sense; Lin Nan had no way to refute it.

He saw Liu Yifei staring fixedly at Lin Nan, "You said you would invite me to be the female lead in your film; you can't go back on your word."

Lin Nan glanced at Zhu Yawen; he had actually been led into a trap by this guy.

"Of course, how could I forget."

Liu Yifei smiled like a flower, looking satisfied.

In the afternoon, Liu's mother returned. It looked like the chips Cai Yinong offered hadn't moved her.

What good resources could there be over in Hong Kong? Most were just leftovers, and even if there were good resources, they would certainly be kept for their own people; how could they possibly be given to Tang Ren?

Besides, Tang Ren's connections could only reach the fringes; they were still far from the core of the Hong Kong film and television circle. Otherwise, why would they have been stuck spinning their wheels in television dramas all these years?