Chapter 127: Seduction Failed

The *Whiplash* crew's itinerary in Taiwan was not long.

After running through Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung, and Kaohsiung, they would return, marking the end of the roadshow across the two shores and three regions.

The first day's roadshow location was set at the Warner Village Cinemas in Ximending, Taipei.

This was a popular gathering spot for Taipei's youth, with dense foot traffic, which was beneficial for the film's publicity and momentum.

Taiwan was Zhou Jielun's home turf; before the premiere event even began, the cinema entrance was already packed to the point of being impenetrable.

The arrival of one minor Taiwanese celebrity after another only intensified the lively atmosphere at the scene.

"Hou Dao, welcome!"

Boss Lu, looking composed and unhurried, watched Jiang Zhiqiang and the Taiwanese distributor invite one celebrity after another, until he finally saw a film artist.

Hou Xiaoxian.

"Hello, Director Lu. I am very much looking forward to your film!"

The usually stern Taiwanese director tried his best to appear gentle, which made Lu Kuan inexplicably feel that his temperament was somewhat similar to Old Tian's.

The two men were indeed very similar: both paranoid and inclusive.

Hou Xiaoxian was the leading figure of the Taiwanese film scene—perhaps one could even drop the "one of."

In the 1990s, he served as the producer for Zhang Yimou's *Raise the Red Lantern*.

This paranoid filmmaker strongly suggested that Zhang Yimou shoot the film as a long scroll of life in a large family, like *Dream of the Red Chamber*.

Zhang Yimou did not listen, instead moving the team to the Wang Fu in Jin Ling, Shanxi, and using his own highly distinctive composition and color symbols to showcase the repression of feudal women.

The paranoid Hou Xiaoxian said nothing and turned back to Taiwan.

Zhang Yimou ultimately gained recognition from the international film scene through his own creative approach, with *Raise the Red Lantern* winning the Venice Silver Lion and an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.

After *Hero* was released in 2002, Zhang Yimou brought the crew to Taiwan for promotion, and this Hou Dao once again took the initiative to stand on stage for him.

A malicious reporter from the green media asked: "You and Director Zhang Yimou had differences in creative philosophy, so why are you still supporting him so strongly?"

This question was actually intended to stir up trouble and create unpleasantness in cross-strait cultural exchanges.

Hou Xiaoxian, stern as ever, replied: "Because Chinese-language cinema needs *Hero* and Zhang Yimou, and when he is here, Zhang Yimou also needs me."

Later, when Old Mouzi filmed *Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles*, which he disliked very much, Hou Xiaoxian told the media bluntly:

"Zhang Yimou's brush has gone bald; he can never go back."

A paranoid yet inclusive director—that is exactly what he was.

The premiere event soon began. Lu Kuan was not familiar with many of the faces in the audience, so Zhou Jielun's manager, Da Ni, whispered introductions to him.

"The one wearing the purple silk scarf is Chai Yinong, and beside her is her artist group, F4."

"In the next seat is the godfather of variety shows, Wang Weizhong, and beside him is his artist Xu Xiyuan; the younger sister next to her is..."

Da Ni couldn't quite recognize her, but Boss Lu could.

That's Lin Yueru!

An Yixuan had not debuted long ago at this time, and her breakout work, *The Outsiders*, wouldn't air for another two years; she was likely just tagging along for the event.

It was the usual appearance and speeches by the creators, followed by some interaction between Zhou Jielun and the fans on site, and then they entered the screening segment.

The audience had long heard of the extraordinary nature of this Golden Lion Award-winning work, and combined with the impressive box office figures from before, they were all engrossed in watching.

After 120 minutes, Hou Xiaoxian took the lead in standing up to applaud, followed by the various celebrities and the audience on site.

Lu Kuan, Zhou Jielun, and the others, who were already extremely familiar with the process and this result, returned to the stage to thank everyone for their support.

Afterward, the distributor arranged a talk salon for the two of them following the premiere.

There were three sofas, occupied by Lu Kuan, Jiang Zhiqiang, and Hou Xiaoxian.

At this time, the latter was the chairman of the Taiwan Film Association.

Boss Lu still respected such a pure filmmaker, so he took the initiative to invite him to sit and expressed his respect for his senior just right.

Hou Xiaoxian smiled, exchanged pleasantries in return, and then got to the point.

"Director Lu, I saw the balance between art and commerce in the film, and I saw the ambition of a young director. This is very rare."

"I have a question: with your control over lens language and narrative rhythm, this film could have been a profound art-house film. Why did you choose to do it this way?"

Hou Xiaoxian's words were already quite subtle.

He was an art-house director, and he held a negative attitude toward Lu Kuan's approach of deliberately creating dramatic conflict and distorting the structure to cater to the Hollywood commercial film structure.

This was also the mainstream thought in the film culture and film criticism culture of Taiwan and the mainland today.

Lu Kuan could refute the disdain and misinterpretation of commercial films by a bunch of old pedants at the Beijing Film Academy opening ceremony, but he had no intention of debating Hou Xiaoxian on such an occasion.

He was here for a roadshow, here to sell the film; what would it matter if he won the debate?

Although Hou Xiaoxian was a film senior and his *A City of Sadness* had won the Venice Golden Lion, his films were never box-office hits.

"Hou Dao, I do not oppose the auteur theory of film, nor do I oppose rooting some humanity and philosophical reflection in a film, or reflecting some social reality."

"But I must be responsible to the investors who put up the money, and to the audience who spent money to buy tickets. Therefore, as long as it is a film released in theaters, the first standard for my evaluation is word-of-mouth."

"Whether the audience likes to watch it, whether they will curse me after buying a ticket, whether they will regret it—this should be a very important guide for my current creation."

Taiwan had long been the base camp for entertainment, and idol dramas originated here.

The audience had just enjoyed the film, and hearing Lu Kuan speak so satisfyingly, they all cheered loudly.

"Good! Well said!"

"Who would go watch something we can't understand!"

"Exactly!"

Hou Xiaoxian smiled and said nothing, turning to chat about other topics.

Xu Xiyuan in the audience nudged her little sister with her elbow.

"This is the young director you like? He's quite handsome!"

An Yixuan was a bit shy: "Don't talk nonsense! I just admire his talent, that's all!"

"I've already begged my father to come forward and invite him to dinner. I heard his company's *Chinese Paladin* has started auditions, and I want to try out."

Xu Xiyuan was stunned upon hearing this.

She had just become the queen of idol dramas because of *Meteor Garden*, which was popular all over Asia; it wasn't that she was particularly jealous of a novel theme like *Chinese Paladin*.

It was just that she had worked so hard for so long to get all this, while a rich young lady could get a dinner and a role from a Golden Lion Award-winning director with just one phone call.

Outside the play, "Shancai" once again felt the disparity in life and class.

An Yixuan could barely be considered a "princess of the underworld."

An's father operated military textile and security businesses, and his company was responsible for the security work of the Taipei 101 building.

Her grandmother was a major landowner in the East District of Taipei, known as "Mother Wu of the East District," who could eat her fill just by collecting rent while lying down.

Her aunt was the "Number One Sister" of the tea street on Section 4 of Zhongxiao East Road in Taipei, with a famous reputation.

The pampered daughter was very rebellious and, despite her family's opposition, plunged headfirst into the entertainment industry.

Xu Xiyuan was only here tonight to accompany the godmother of Taiwanese agents, Chai Yinong, to the event to show support, and also to get to know this young director from the mainland.

An Yixuan was her best friend, and because she worshipped Lu Kuan, she insisted on pestering her to come along, hence this trip.

Big S had always been quick-witted, and she quietly gave her little sister an idea.

"Xuanxuan, no need to wait for your dad to come forward. If you want, I can get you in touch tonight."

An Yixuan, ignoring her shyness, asked in surprise: "Really? How?"

Xu Xiyuan pursed her lips toward Cai Yilin and Liu Genghong in the front row.

"See that? One is Zhou Jielun's rumored girlfriend, the other is a good friend. When it ends later, I'll tell Jolin let's all go out to play."

"Zhou Jielun will definitely have to play the host. By then, we'll have three men and three women—how about KTV?"

An Yixuan was so excited her pretty face turned red: "Great! I'll call my dad right now and have him save us the biggest private room and serve the most expensive wine!"

Twenty-six-year-old Xu Xiyuan pursed her lips and said nothing.

Lu Kuan and Hou Xiaoxian were having a dialogue between artists on stage, and the fans in the audience listened with great interest.

Including An Yixuan and Xu Xiyuan.

The idol filter in the former's eyes became even heavier, and she admired Boss Lu's talent even more.

After hearing the audience in the back row discuss the staggering box office figures of *Whiplash* in the mainland and Hong Kong, Xu Xiyuan calculated the director's net worth in her heart.

What? It sold for millions of dollars in Venice?

She was dazed by these numbers when suddenly the boss beside her called her in a low voice.

"Xiyuan, come with me for a moment."

Wang Weizhong took his artist to a corner backstage, looking at the idol drama queen he had cultivated single-handedly.

"Xiyuan, I contacted Director Jiang from Hong Kong yesterday. He said this Director Lu will have a new film starting production before the new year, and it's also aimed at winning awards."

Xu Xiyuan was a bit confused.

"Godfather, you mean..."

"Xiyuan, your popularity is not low now, but the highest place in the entertainment industry is still there."

The godfather of variety shows, who single-handedly created phenomenal programs like *Kangxi Lai Le*, pointed to the shining screen in the distance.

Xu Xiyuan's eyes instantly became eager.

"Godfather, then what should I do?!"

"I will greet Director Jiang, but according to him, this Director Lu is very impersonal at work. You have to strive for it yourself."

Xu Xiyuan was a bit surprised: "Me?"

"I don't care about your romance with Lan Zhenglong, but it cannot affect your work. Also!"

"You have to have an eye for picking a boyfriend. In terms of talent, appearance, and net worth, which one of those is not stronger than him?"

Wang Weizhong had always been very caring toward these two sisters, but seeing Xu Xiyuan still acting like an ignorant little girl, his words became a bit sharper.

"Xiyuan, a woman's most beautiful years are these few. You have to seize the opportunity; don't be stupid."

Xu Xiyuan nodded with some grievance; she knew what her godfather was talking about.

In 1998, Xu Xiyuan fell for Koo Jun-yup, who came to Taiwan to perform, and even foolishly got a "Nine" tattooed on her ankle.

"Nine" sounds the same as "Koo" in Korean.

After being dumped, her heart was like dead ashes; her current boyfriend was the Taiwanese actor Lan Zhenglong, whom she met while filming, and she specifically went to get it washed off for him.

A total lunatic.

Wang Weizhong saw her looking worried and finally gave a faint hint.

"Rumor has it that this young Director Lu is young and romantic, and his life is quite colorful. Xiyuan, you decide for yourself."

After the premiere ended, the audience was still unwilling to leave, screaming and calling for popular stars like Zhou Jielun and F4.

Xu Xiyuan carried out her intentions very well, instigating Cai Yilin to pull Zhou Jielun and the others straight to the KTV.

"Hi, hello everyone!"

Boss Lu held his wine glass and, under Zhou Jielun's introduction, greeted the beauties one by one.

He had already met Liu Genghong at Zhou Jielun's house in the afternoon, and the three of them had even played a game of basketball.

Cai Yilin had not officially confirmed her relationship with Zhou Jielun, but anyone with eyes could see their intimacy.

A group of entertainment industry figures, not to mention singers like Zhou Jielun, Cai Yilin, and Liu Genghong, naturally had little interest in singing.

"Jielun, let's play Liar's Dice!"

"Sure, does Li Xiaolu know how?"

Boss Lu probably guessed what they were talking about and pretended to be ignorant: "Tell me the rules."

"If it's a one-on-one, it's five dice together. 1 is the wild card if no one calls it."

"12345 is a straight, which is 0..."

Lu Kuan frowned as he listened to Zhou Jielun talk excitedly for a long time.

Damn! It's just bluffing.

It's just that it added things like "picking" and "splitting." Boss Lu had encountered this in Guangdong in his previous life; it was probably a specialty of the Greater Bay Area.

Xu Xiyuan said softly: "Jielun, we girls don't know how to drink. Let's split into teams!"

An Yixuan looked at her best friend gratefully.

Good job! Great assist!

Liu Genghong laughed: "Look at Jielun's mouth curling up. Alright, you and Jolin are a team."

Zhou Jielun couldn't refuse: "How about this, Li Xiaolu and Yixuan are a group; you two are about the same age."

Xu Xiyuan opened her mouth to say something, but seeing the stars in An Yixuan's eyes, she didn't say it.

She remembered Wang Weizhong's heartfelt words.

The six people in three teams soon started excitedly shouting "Open! Open! Open!"

Accompanied by Boss Lu's subtly arrogant "Next!", the private room was filled with a happy atmosphere.

Boss Lu looked at the two pairs of competitors in front of him, composed and unhurried; this is too weak.

He couldn't even get a kick out of bluffing them.

Sigh, still need a little sister; otherwise, it's no fun to play.

There was a little sister, but she was an underworld heiress, looking at him with misty eyes, feeling that this person was good everywhere!

That "Open!" full of pressure.

The breezy "Next!"

The domineering "Who else!?"

Xu Xiyuan drank until her face was flushed; she had been secretly observing Lu Kuan, looking for an opportunity to create contact.

"Oh my! Director Lu, you are too amazing; we are no match for you!"

"Not playing anymore, not playing anymore! Let's rest for a while. Jielun, sing us a song!"

Xu Xiyuan got up naturally and moved a seat, pretending to get water and tissues, and sat down beside Boss Lu.

The air in the small KTV room wasn't circulating well, and a faint fragrance came from Xu Xiyuan.

Not heavy, not light, with a hint of lemon and mint in the tail notes; it was quite refreshing.

What is this lunatic beauty trying to do?

Speaking in a delicate voice, it's quite pleasant to hear; if she were screaming...

An Yixuan was the most sober of the three ladies, having avoided a lot of alcohol by being in a group with Lu Kuan.

"Sister Xiyuan, are you okay? Your face is so red."

"I'm a bit dizzy. Xuanxuan, can you help me get some ice water?"

"Oh, okay!"

Boss Lu watched coldly as An Yixuan left ignorantly, and before he could react, Xu Xiyuan fell onto him.

"Oh! Sorry, sorry, Director Lu!"

She pretended to struggle to prop herself up, "accidentally" resting her right hand on the root of Boss Lu's thigh, pulling away as soon as she touched it.

The lights in the room were dim, and everyone else was happily singing and dancing; no one noticed this little world in the corner.

Lu Kuan's trousers were quite slim-fitting, and after being propped up by her hand, they pulled tight; she looked down and suddenly saw an indescribable outline.

Xu Xiyuan pretended to be flustered and sat up, recalling the hot breath Lu Kuan had just exhaled, as well as the faint smell of tobacco on him.

She only felt that the T-shirt on her body was binding her too tightly and too hotly; she wished she could take a can of ice beer and stick it to her face.

Boss Lu thought to himself, her skills are not shallow; I'm afraid I'll have to put in some effort today.

He crossed his legs naturally to suppress it: "Xiyuan, girls should still consume less cold things. Can you drink ice water today?"

Xu Xiyuan was a bit puzzled as to why he was so calm, clearly the hard touch between her palms had not yet dissipated.

She paused for a few seconds before smiling gently: "I can drink it. It's still very hot in Taipei in October; it's just right to relieve the heat!"

Boss Lu gave a noncommittal "Oh."

Fine, as long as you can drink ice.

Xu Xiyuan's heart was pounding; although she was no longer a virgin, this was the first time she had been so open about playing the "tea art."

It's quite exciting!

Especially after Wang Weizhong's guidance, she looked at this young, talented, and wealthy director in front of her and made up her mind completely.

Godfather was right; a woman's most beautiful age is just these few years. If you don't save up some capital for yourself, can you still shoot idol dramas until you're thirty?!

She didn't even think about An Yixuan, who had just been sent away.

"Die best friend, not me." Where could a lunatic beauty care about so much?

"Jielun, Sister Jolin, where are Director Lu and Xiyuan?"

"Oh, Xiyuan was very dizzy, so Geng Hong and Li Xiaolu took her back."

An Yixuan, who came running back holding ice water, muttered something she didn't know, and collapsed on the sofa in disappointment.

Regent Taipei Hotel.

"Dizzy" Xu Xiyuan "woke up" on the big bed, stealing a glance at Lu Kuan, who had just finished showering and was reading the newspaper in a bathrobe.

"I! You! How am I here?"

Boss Lu had a cigarette in his mouth, wearing slippers and crossing his legs.

"You drank too much. I couldn't wake you up just now, so I had to send you to the hotel first."

Xu Xiyuan said with feigned anger: "Director Lu! I am also a girl. Don't you think it's very inappropriate to bring me here so late?"

"Rest assured, Liu Genghong drove the car. I also opened a room for you next door. If you are sober, you can go over first."

Of course, she was pretending to be dizzy just now, but Lu Kuan had been very proper when holding her into the car and upstairs, without any overstepping behavior.

What she had anticipated was that as long as a little finger was touched, she would suddenly "wake up"!

First pretend to be pitiful, then rebuke Lu Kuan for being lewd, and then either threaten him or half-push, half-accept, and this good deed would be done.

Xu Xiyuan was speechless. Are you really a gentleman!?

The actress wrapped the quilt tightly, looking like she was about to cry, even though her clothes were still neatly in place.

"Sorry... sorry, Director Lu. I was too scared just now. I didn't mean to blame you."

As she spoke, she seemed to move herself, wiping her smooth face with the back of her hand while sobbing.

Boss Lu put the traditional Chinese newspaper that was tiring his eyes back on the small table, placing his hands on the armrests of the chair.

He lit a cigarette, and his bright, hairy legs made Xu Xiyuan feel genuinely shy.

Bringing her to the room and not making a single move—what exactly does this mean?

Even if there was some hint while she was "unconscious," she could have been half-pushed, half-accepted. How is this supposed to start a war?

It's not like she could really recommend her pillow openly, right?

That would be too...

"What's that tattoo?"

Lu Kuan caught a glimpse of a black mark on her ankle.

Xu Xiyuan hurriedly retracted her foot into the quilt: "No... it's, it's something I got when I was young. I was ignorant then."

Boss Lu commented on her performance and Dong Jie's, both of whom were on par when it came to pretending to be pure girls.

The "White Lotus" had skin as white as snow, fresh and smooth.

The Taiwanese girl spoke more delicately, and her figure was more perky, like a weak willow in the wind, too fragile to hold.

They were all "green tea," just with different flavors.

Boss Lu's patience ran out: "Alright, tell me your purpose."

He suddenly felt that this scene was familiar. Thinking carefully, there was a similar conversation on the day Fan Bingbing raided him.

Somewhat similar to "State your dream!"

Entertainment industry dream-maker Boss Lu is online for a limited time!

Xu Xiyuan didn't expect him to have no foreplay at all and talk about the deal so bluntly.

She had some self-knowledge and didn't think about rashly seducing him or developing into a boyfriend and girlfriend.

In front of him, she was not much different from being naked, and she probably wasn't enough for him to play with one hand.

"Director Lu, I was thinking, if there is a suitable film, if possible..."

Lu Kuan frowned. TV dramas and such didn't matter. With Xu Xiyuan's current popularity, playing a role that fits her image wasn't difficult.

But films were a bit of a stretch. He wasn't going to go to great lengths to find a good script for a consumable.

He exhaled a puff of smoke, looking at Xu Xiyuan, who was looking forward to it with a miserable face, feeling a bit uninterested.

Low quality, lots of trouble. Don't eat a bite randomly and then get stuck like Wang Xiaofei.

Chicken ribs, no fun.

"Xiyuan, I really don't have a role that is too suitable for you here for the time being."

"I see it's getting late today. How about you go rest first, and we'll contact each other later, okay?"

Boss Lu's words left Xu Xiyuan sitting on the bed, neither up nor down.

Listen to yourself—is this human language?

You want to play but don't want to pay?

What kind of director are you? You're a beast!

She threw off the quilt, got out of bed, and slammed the door as she left, wanting to give this shameless mainland director a shock of integrity.

Once outside, she thought of the instructions from her agent and godfather...

She was already twenty-six. How many more years could she act in idol dramas?

Just *Meteor Garden 2*, which was currently filming, already had no much response in the media.

In the elevator, she took out her makeup mirror and looked at her face, which she considered beautiful, and a sense of hatred grew for no reason!

Why do you look down on me!?

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 128 =====