Chapter 361: I Am Not That Kind of Person

Cao Yang’s so-called gathering of fellow countrymen was actually just the few people present: Cheng Long, Zhang Jingchu, and Sun Mingming, another mainland actor in *Rush Hour 3*.

Calling Sun Mingming an actor is perhaps less accurate than calling him a basketball player; at 2.36 meters tall, he is truly a giant.

With Cheng Long and Zhang Jingchu walking beside him, they looked like they only reached his waist, which was quite a comical sight.

It is said that last month he just signed with the Monterrey Regia team in the Mexican league after leaving the American IBL.

It sounds like his career situation isn't going too well.

So, is he trying to transition into acting?

With that height, being an actor is very difficult; don't even think about lead roles, he can only be a character actor.

When Zhang Jingchu arrived, she had changed into another outfit.

A silver-white low-cut short skirt, the low-cut design revealing collarbone hollows deep enough to raise small goldfish, paired with the two shallow dimples when she smiled—it was truly... awkward.

With your naturally artistic look, you should be following a pure and innocent path; why on earth do you insist on leaning toward the sexy side?

Is it because the director of *Huayao Bride*, Zhang Jiarui, who made you famous, likes it, or is it because the Xiangjiang film circle you’ve been trying to mingle in likes it?

No wonder your resources were so good and your momentum so strong at the start, only to end up almost forgotten; you never figured out your own positioning from the very beginning.

Don't give me that talk about being blacklisted by the circle of directors' wives before you faded away.

The circle of directors' wives doesn't have that much power, and besides, they have plenty of conflicts among themselves—for instance, Jiang Wenli doesn't get along with Xu Fan, and so on; it’s not that easy for these wives to completely blacklist someone.

Going from "Little Zhang Ziyi" and "Artistic Goddess" to fading away like that is inseparable from her own self-positioning and emotional intelligence.

As is customary, one never leaves a post-premiere reception full.

Cao Yang had originally intended to treat the three of them to a meal, but since it was a restaurant recommended by Cheng Long and he was clearly very familiar with the owner, the bill was ultimately put on his tab.

It turned into Cheng Long treating them.

After the meal, the group went to Cheng Long’s villa in Los Angeles; in the end, they didn't go to Cao Yang’s place for the screening.

In truth, Cao Yang was just being polite; if they had really gone to his place to screen it, and the film source leaked online, it would have been hard to explain.

What if the film producers wanted to stir up hype and make a big deal out of it?

Some things must be guarded against.

Don't think there’s no piracy in the US; the situation with film piracy here is just as rampant, and there are plenty of pirated resources online.

Cheng Long is very sensible; as an old hand in the industry, although he sometimes seems like a bigmouth, you’d lose if you actually believed it. Someone with low emotional intelligence could never have reached his level.

He must have considered this as well, and naturally, he didn't want to cause Cao Yang any unnecessary trouble—that would have been a grave offense—so he chose to go to his own home in Los Angeles.

This was a luxury mansion located in Beverly Hills, complete with a swimming pool, gym, home theater, and everything else; it was very valuable.

"Big Brother, I’ve always heard you had a villa in Beverly Hills, but I never expected it to be this big and luxurious."

Ever since she entered, Zhang Jingchu had been looking around, overwhelmed, her envy plain to see.

Cao Yang looked at Zhang Jingchu with some curiosity; isn't there a rumor that any actress who appears in a Big Brother Cheng movie has to sleep with him?

Did he not bring you here to have some fun?

Or is it that Big Brother Cheng doesn't have the power to designate actresses for Hollywood films, and it’s only after returning home to shoot movies that he has full control over the crew, thus giving rise to that rumor?

Cheng Long laughed heartily, shaking his head as he said, "How big is this house of mine? It’s only a little over 7,000 square feet... Oh, the mainland is used to square meters; converted, it’s barely 700 square meters.

You don't know about Director Cao’s house in Arcadia; that’s what you call big, I heard it’s 1,800 square meters..."

"Alright, the house here is just a place to stay, convenient for working here. When the focus of work shifts back to the country in the future, there will be no need to keep this place."

Cao Yang interrupted Cheng Long, smiling as he spoke.

Cheng Long was stunned for only a few seconds, then laughed heartily and said, "Director Cao is right; the house here is just a temporary residence. Big or small, luxurious or not, it’s all just a short-term stay.

Let’s go, Director Cao is very busy here, and we’ve already taken up so much of his time today; let’s hurry and let Director Cao watch the movie."

Sun Mingming wasn't close to Cao Yang, and in fact, he wasn't close to Cheng Long or Zhang Jingchu either. He was only able to come along today because of his identity as a Chinese person, so he rarely said anything, just smiling and echoing the others.

His agent had reminded him beforehand to make sure to get on good terms with Cao Yang and Cheng Long, which would be beneficial for his future development in the film and television industry.

Unfortunately, he wasn't a smooth talker and didn't know what to say.

During the movie, whether intentional or not, Cheng Long smilingly had Zhang Jingchu and Cao Yang sit together, while he sat with Sun Mingming.

This arrangement made Cao Yang pause for a moment.

He couldn't help but reflect inwardly: has my reputation really gotten so bad that even the supposedly lecherous Big Brother Cheng is trying to "push" women onto me?

Cao Yang quickly reviewed everything from start to finish and then let out a sigh of relief.

In the domestic entertainment industry, he already considered himself a very upright director with excellent character.

For the many actresses who offered themselves to him, he had rejected those he didn't intend to promote or couldn't make promises to; that already required great willpower.

Besides, apart from those few steady girlfriends, he rarely messed around domestically.

Hmm, it’s certain: this fellow Cheng Long is projecting his own mindset and dirty thoughts onto me. Am I really such a shallow and lecherous person?

Sigh, these people have all misunderstood me.

I am the lotus from the Beijing Film Academy that remains unstained by the mud.

To be honest, the plot of *Rush Hour 3*, apart from the Eiffel Tower jumping scene, didn't have many thrilling moments.

Yet Zhang Jingchu beside him acted as if she didn't know the plot; during the fight scenes that Cao Yang found mediocre, she actually "screamed" in fright and took the opportunity to hug Cao Yang’s arm...

Cao Yang originally wanted to belittle Zhang Jingchu in his heart, but after thinking about it, it seemed every actress was like this with him; at least Zhang Jingchu found an excuse, while many actresses were too lazy to even find one.

Fine, the first element of an actor’s success is to put aside one's face... once you become famous, whether you can maintain it for a long time depends on your emotional intelligence.

As for that thing called capital, as long as you are famous, there will naturally be plenty of capital willing to cooperate with you.

How should one describe *Rush Hour 3*? The plot has no new ideas; it’s the same old routine—Cheng Long’s signature fight scenes, the old black guy’s trash talk, comfortable jazz music, and beautiful women to feast the eyes on.

The key is, if you’re going to use the same old plot, you have to let your biggest selling point, Cheng Long, fight; unfortunately, Cheng Long is old, and it’s obvious they are toning down the fight scenes.

Yet in the movie, he becomes all righteous and holy, and it’s sickeningly saintly; it feels like it lacks a sense of satisfaction...

Hey, Zhang Jingchu, don't go too far; it’s just jumping off a building, I don't believe you don't know the plot, why do you have to be so jumpy and use your not-so-broad chest to embrace my arm?

After the movie finished, before the lights came on, Zhang Jingchu deliberately hugged Cao Yang’s arm tightly again and whispered, "I'm sorry, Director Cao, the plot just now was too thrilling, thank you."

Afterward, she let go of Cao Yang’s arm, acting as if nothing had happened.

After the lights came on, Zhang Jingchu and Sun Mingming found an excuse to leave; they naturally knew Cheng Long’s purpose for seeking out Cao Yang, so they left space for the two to talk.

"Director Cao..." Cheng Long called out.

Cao Yang understood what he wanted to ask, but didn't rush to say anything, instead joking, "Regarding the mainland release, why does it feel like you’re more anxious than New Line?"

Cheng Long hesitated for a moment, spread his hands, and explained with a bitter smile:

"I get 15 million and 15% of the profits for this movie, and Chris gets 20 million and 20% of the box office share. It looks like he has the higher cut, but I also obtained the distribution rights for the film in China, so..."

Once he said that, Cao Yang understood.

No wonder Cheng Long was so concerned about the film’s mainland release; it turns out he holds the distribution rights for China.

With his fame and influence, as long as this movie is released in the mainland, it will likely have a box office of over 100 million, and his share won't be small.

Who would turn their back on money?

That’s why he’s more anxious than the producer, New Line.

Cao Yang thought about the film’s content; with such a simple plot, there wasn't much to think about, the situation was clear at a glance.

"The biggest problem with your movie is that you specifically emphasize that the Triad the protagonist is fighting is the largest and oldest criminal syndicate in the world!"

"And you emphasize that it’s Chinese."

Cao Yang deliberately emphasized "largest and oldest criminal syndicate in the world" to ensure Cheng Long realized the root of the problem.

Cheng Long certainly knew this; he had asked many people, and everyone said in unison that it involved "insulting China," though as for how it "insulted China," they couldn't explain it clearly.

Of course, the official explanation is that there are already enough blockbusters this summer, such as *Spider-Man 3* and *Transformers*, and *Rush Hour 3* lacks competitiveness and there are no slots left.

"Can I change it? I’ll cut those lines... Director Cao, as long as you can help me pass the censorship, I will provide..."

Cao Yang shook his head and raised a hand to stop Cheng Long from continuing, which made Cheng Long’s heart sink.

A very authoritative person in the mainland had told him that it would be difficult for *Rush Hour 3* to be released in the mainland and advised him to make other plans.

Which meant: don't hold out hope.

However, at Cheng Long’s repeated pleading, the other party sighed and told him that currently, the only person in the country with the ability to get this movie released might be Cao Yang.

Cheng Long hadn't integrated into the mainland yet, so he didn't quite understand why Cao Yang could do these things; in his mind, it was probably because of Cao Yang’s world-class influence.

Regardless of the reason, begging Cao Yang was the right move.

Cao Yang glanced at Cheng Long; Xiangjiang people are shrewd in other respects, but their sensitivity to politics... well, it’s very low.

Do you think this movie is just as simple as being banned from release in the mainland?

It’s just a small warning.

Sigh, looking at his blank expression, he definitely still can't figure out the key to the problem.

"Let me ask you, what year is next year?"

"Next year?"

Cheng Long was confused; what year is next year?

This year is 2007, it seems to be the Year of the Pig, so next year is the Year of the Rat? Yes, that’s right, next year is the Year of the Rat.

"Next year is the Year of the Rat."

Cheng Long answered with certainty.

Damn!

Forget it, it’s pointless to speak in riddles with him; before he integrates into the mainland, he certainly won't understand these things, so I’ll just say it directly.

"Next year is the Jingcheng Olympics, a critical moment for the country to showcase itself to the world.

You, a superstar with immense international influence, made a movie saying the Triad is the largest and oldest criminal syndicate in the world, and that they are Chinese.

Although this is just a movie, just a fabrication, do you think anyone will believe it?"

Cao Yang looked at Cheng Long, who had fallen into deep thought; at any other time, it wouldn't have mattered, but the key is that you chose the timing too well.

The country is desperately trying to show its best side, yet you are "secretly" slapping it in the face from behind?

Don't think no one will believe this kind of thing; in this world, there are still a great many people who are particularly easy to hoodwink. As long as they are guided a little, they will believe it deeply and become entrenched in that belief.

That is why Hollywood has always acted as the vanguard of American cultural invasion; using this method to exert a subtle influence is truly too easy.

It is only because you have no prior record and are considered someone who actively aligns with us that we know you perhaps didn't think that much into it. If it were anyone else acting like this on the eve of the Olympics, it wouldn't just be a simple matter of a warning.

Cheng Long is just not sensitive to this matter right now, but he is no fool; he understood immediately.

He stood up and said solemnly to Cao Yang:

"Director Cao, thank you for the reminder. I made a mistake, but please believe me, this was absolutely an unintentional oversight on my part. I didn't think it through at the time, and I didn't consider so much. I know what I should do now."

Afterwards, he spoke as if to himself, yet also as if he were speaking for Cao Yang to hear.

"From now on, apart from the promotion stipulated by the contracts here in North America, I will not go anywhere else to promote the film. The prints for North America have already been sent out, so there is no way to change them.

However, for the prints in other parts of the world that haven't been sent out yet, I will ask New Line to cut those key parts out."

Cao Yang said nothing. Although Cheng Long's sensitivity to politics is not yet high, he is still smart enough and looks at the long term; his success is no accident.

Hmm, at least he is much better than that other kung fu superstar, who actually accepted a film that insults the Ancestral Dragon.

Cheng Long stopped mentioning the film and said, "Director Cao, thank you especially for your guidance today. Why don't you stay here? Although my place isn't as big as your villa, there are still quite a few empty rooms."

Then, he added in a low voice, "Miss Zhang Jingchu is a good actress. My collaboration with her was very pleasant. Although we had quite a few scenes together, it was limited strictly to filming."

Cao Yang looked at Cheng Long with some surprise. You bastard, why are you telling me these things?

Where did you get the idea that I don't like to share with others... No, I almost got led into your trap. Laozi is not the kind of person you imagine!

Don't think of me as being the same as you; you are wronging me to death.

So infuriating.

Look at that smirk of yours. Are you... hmm, you must be looking down on my *The Fault in Our Stars*, thinking that an art film of mine isn't worthy of competing with your *Rush Hour 3*.

That's right, that must be it.

Just you wait. Once it's released, you'll see that the series of wish-granting activities organized for *The Fault in Our Stars* isn't just aimed at the Oscars.

Do you believe that *The Fault in Our Stars*, with its 10 million investment, can go toe-to-toe with your 140 million investment *Rush Hour 3*?

Laughing, still laughing.

Laozi is not a lecher, damn it.

(End of chapter)