Chapter 185

Lu Kuan was about to give them a few comments when A-Fei suddenly walked over with his phone.

"Boss, a call from Tang Mu Cruise."

"Director Yuen, you take them through the martial arts scenes first."

"You go ahead, leave it to me."

Boss Lu gave a few more instructions to the Butian Butian Yinghua staff. It didn't matter if he wasn't there; he could just look at the digital photography results later.

"Hello? Tang Mu, you're looking for me."

"Lu, the press conference the other day was very successful. Quite a few distributors have already come knocking. I think we don't need to wait for the film festival."

As mentioned earlier, the biggest source of funding for 'Exotic Realm' was obtaining advance funds from distribution companies through pre-sales to be used for filming.

Relying on his personal reputation, Lu Kuan had already obtained nearly 10 million US dollars in pre-sale funds from Emperor and China Film.

But the North American and European markets didn't recognize him.

Generally speaking, such transactions are placed at film festivals, taking the opportunity of the European Big Three to hold a promotion conference at the film festival and release a sample reel.

Then get all the pre-sales from around the world to supplement the filming funds.

But the nearest Venice Film Festival also ended at the beginning of the month, and the next one would have to wait for Berlin in Germany—the time was too far away.

Fortunately, Lu Kuan had made a name for himself at two European film festivals, and producer Tang Mu Cruise was also a Hollywood celebrity, so quite a few North American distributors had already come knocking.

"Harvey and Disney?"

"That's right. Harvey should have already called you, right?"

Lu Kuan was a bit suspicious. Harvey had indeed called him and mentioned distributing 'Exotic Realm', but he hadn't committed.

In Europe, he could fool Harvey, but in Hollywood, that was his home turf.

Based solely on his current power and connections, Harvey would definitely win.

If he and the financier Disney pulled some tricks, wouldn't it be too easy for him to break them?

He was even starting to doubt Tang Mu Cruise's attitude now; it seemed a bit ambiguous, didn't it?

"How about this, Tang Mu: I'll decide on the female lead the day after tomorrow. After they finish training, I'll take half a month to shoot a pre-sale reel."

"At that time, you invite interested distributors to watch it together, and we'll talk about distribution."

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now."

Putting down the phone, the naturally suspicious Boss Lu inexplicably felt a sense of vigilance.

But in any case, he had to select the female lead and shoot a good trailer for pre-sales first. If this pack of Hollywood wolves really had any tricks, he would just have to deal with them as they came.

The second day of auditions also ended successfully. The actresses all politely said goodbye to Yuen Woo-ping's team and Lu Kuan before leaving.

Zhang Zhang Baizhi lingered for a while under the pretext of taking off her equipment. Seeing that most people had left, she tidied up the stray hair on her forehead and strolled toward Lu Kuan.

Her performance today was poor, and her dialogue yesterday was slightly inferior to Zhou Xun and Zhang Zhang Ziyi's. She was thinking of getting closer to Lu Kuan.

"Director, could I trouble you with something?"

Lu Kuan turned his head. Zhang Zhang Baizhi was still wearing the bun from the afternoon audition, her face pretty, her beautiful eyes glistening.

Her round head was on par with Little Liu's.

"Hmm?"

"Tomorrow is the final day for full-makeup acting. There are some parts of the script I don't understand, and I'd like to ask for your advice."

Boss Lu's expression was strange.

Why do people say the Hong Kong and Taiwan entertainment circles are twenty years ahead of the mainland? Look at how progressive they all are.

Jia Jia Jingwen had already tasted a lethal dose yesterday; it seems this Hong Kong beauty doesn't want to be left behind either?

"Sure, come on in."

Zhong Zhong Xintong, who was coming out of the dressing room, originally wanted to call Zhang Zhang Baizhi back to the hotel, but she saw the two of them walking toward the office, laughing and talking.

Zhang Zhang Baizhi would cover her mouth and chuckle from time to time, lightly patting Lu Kuan's forearm, looking shy and coquettish.

She raised her eyebrows helplessly.

Nothing to be surprised about, I'd better leave first.

Zhong Zhong Xintong held her phone, replying to a text message, complaining to her sister Cai Cai Zhuoyan that this time was the most tiring audition of her life.

"Ah Jiao, where's Zhang Baizhi?"

Zhong Zhong Xintong looked up and saw Xie Xie Tingfeng waiting by the steps at some point, wearing a black leather motorcycle jacket and taking off his sunglasses.

Her brain stalled for a moment. She couldn't very well say your girlfriend Zhang Baizhi is busy squeezing juice, right?

"Xie Tingfeng, you... why aren't you going up?"

"Oh, I was afraid of disturbing your auditions."

Xie Xie Tingfeng certainly didn't want to go up. He hoped never to see that person again in his life; it was heartbreaking to look at.

It's like a poor kid you always looked down on, when you are forty years old, destitute, and delivering takeout to an expensive villa, you ring the doorbell, and his head pops out again.

Maybe he doesn't even recognize you anymore, loudly scolding you for being almost late!

Making you feel the disparity in life.

This is how Xie Xie Tingfeng felt looking at Lu Kuan now.

Even the boss, Li Li Shoucheng, had specifically replaced the person in charge of the Beiping branch for him. What else did he have to fight him with?

It's just that his heart was truly stifled.

Zhong Zhong Xintong thought of a hundred excuses in her head, only hoping that if this Lu Kuan was really being squeezed for juice, he'd better be a quick shooter, lest Xie Xie Tingfeng catch them in the act.

She knew even better than Xie Xie Tingfeng how much Li Li Shoucheng valued Lu Kuan; this was also information obtained from Huo Huo Wenxi's requirements.

Huo Huo Wenxi even hinted that she should get on good terms with Director Lu. Did she need to spell out what that meant?

A second-generation like Xie Xie Tingfeng had a naturally perverse temper. If he really saw any clues in a moment, he would inevitably start a fight with Lu Kuan.

This Director Lu didn't look like someone who would let things go either. If he ended up angering Li Li Shoucheng, she and Huo Huo Wenxi would probably be implicated too.

Xie Xie Tingfeng waved his hand in front of her eyes and smiled: "Jiao? What are you daydreaming about? Where's Zhang Baizhi?"

"Godfather, you'd better contact Lu Kuan later. I saw her with that Zhang Zhang Baizhi from Hong Kong... talking about things."

Zhong Zhong Xintong hadn't had time to explain when Jia Jia Jingwen walked out while on the phone, talking to Wu Dun on the other end about pulling strings.

They bumped into them head-on.

The scene instantly became awkward...

"Xie Tingfeng, Ah Jiao, chatting, huh? I'll go first."

Zhong Zhong Xintong just wanted to look at Xie Xie Tingfeng's expression, but the Hong Kong teen idol had already pushed her aside in a rage and ran toward the elevator.

Third floor of the Inquiry Realm, President's office.

"Ouch, be gentle!"

"No, I didn't use any force!"

"Ah! Sss!"

Xie Xie Tingfeng had just reached the door when he heard the crisp cries, then kicked the door open without hesitation.

Lu Kuan was leaning over, doing something to the girl's long, slender neck.

The girl had her hair in a bun—it was clearly the look of Zhang Zhang Baizhi after returning to her residence yesterday!

"Damn you, Lu Kuan!"

Xie Xie Tingfeng's eyes were splitting with rage. He roared, threw his sunglasses heavily at his back, and flew into a kick.

This was the first time in his life Boss Lu had been successfully ambushed. Plus, having been squeezed dry by Fan Bingbing these past few days, he lost his balance and fell flat on his face!

"Damn! Are you an idiot?"

Lu Kuan came to his senses. He was more than ten centimeters taller than Xie Xie Tingfeng, and he turned around with a pouncing move!

Learned from A-Fei!

In a fight, the one who fears death will lose to the one who doesn't. Lu Kuan had a slight advantage in size, but he couldn't withstand Xie Xie Tingfeng, who thought he had been cuckolded and was acting like a mad dog.

The two wrestled on the ground, Xie Xie Tingfeng's fists raining down on Lu Kuan.

"Let you mess with Zhang Baizhi! Let you mess with Zhang Baizhi!"

Xie Xie Tingfeng threw his second punch, but before he could extend his hand again, he felt himself being pulled away by a great force.

It was A-Fei.

Boss Lu then rose and kicked, emboldened by his henchman!

This flash of lightning lasted less than ten seconds. Liu Liu Yifei came to her senses and grabbed Lu Kuan tightly.

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting, you two!"

Xie Xie Tingfeng opened his eyes in horror, looking at this bun!

You!!!

You're not Zhang Baizhi!?

Rapid footsteps came from the corridor. Zhang Zhang Baizhi and Zhong Zhong Xintong, looking like stray dogs, had just rushed over and saw this ridiculous scene.

"Xie Tingfeng! What are you doing!"

"I... I thought you and Lu Kuan..."

Zhang Zhang Baizhi understood instantly. Seeing him talking nonsense in front of so many people, she couldn't take it and threw her bag heavily at his face.

The metal buckle hit the bridge of his nose, making Xie Xie Tingfeng scream.

He had no face to apologize to Lu Kuan, and he couldn't care about the shame, so he scrambled up and chased after her!

Boss Lu hadn't had time to kick him a few more times to get revenge before this loser, who thought he had been cuckolded, fled.

"A-Fei! Where were you just now!"

Boss Lu was furious. Where was his Little Mian Mian Zhenghe? Why did he disappear at the critical moment?

A-Fei was bitter and couldn't speak.

"Boss, just now Director Yuen wanted me to show him some moves, saying he wanted to study the techniques of the underground boxing market, so I..."

Liu Liu Yifei said dissatisfiedly: "Don't blame others, you're the one attracting bees and butterflies!"

Boss Lu pointed to the Band-Aid in his hand: "I was truly wronged this time!"

"You were the one who said your neck was scratched by the wire today and asked me to put a Band-Aid on it. This is completely an unprovoked disaster for me!"

Liu Liu Yifei sneered and said nothing.

Just after the audition ended, she wanted to find Lu Kuan to ask about 'Kung Fu'. Before she even entered the door, she heard Zhang Zhang Baizhi laughing and talking inside.

If she hadn't been quick-witted and found an excuse to interrupt this dog, with his character, wouldn't he have been caught in the act by Xie Xie Tingfeng by now?

Liu Liu Yifei sneered and exposed him: "The turmoil with Xu Xu Xiyuan and Dong Jie has just subsided, and you, Boss Lu, want to have a 'Three Attacks on the White Bone Demon' now, right?"

"Nonsense! I absolutely do not admit it!"

Boss Lu was so angry he turned his back and gave A-Fei a look.

"Boss, you're injured, you need to go to the hospital immediately!"

"Fine, fine, fine, I'll go myself. You take Little Liu home, that's it."

Liu Liu Yifei looked at him fleeing in panic and rolled her eyes in disdain.

Truly worrying!

Liu Liu Xiaoli watched a car drive into the villa. Why was it Lu Kuan's car?

"A-Fei, you're taking Qianqian back?"

"Ah, yes, I'm leaving, Auntie Liu."

"Stay for dinner?"

"No, no."

In the car, A-Fei could feel Liu Liu Yifei's anger rising. This was a martial artist who grew up in the underground boxing market sensing murderous intent...

Liu Liu Xiaoli led her daughter into the house.

"Qianqian, how was it today?"

"Very good, I'm number one!"

"That's great! Why isn't Yang Siwei with you?"

Liu Liu Yifei took a sip of water: "She wants to apply for early graduation and went back to school to pull some strings."

Liu Liu Xiaoli understood, and then she brought up the matter of 'Kung Fu'.

"Did you talk to Lu Kuan today? What did he suggest?"

Liu Liu Yifei frowned, remembering the dog-eat-dog scene in the office...

Mom, you really know how to pick the sore spot.

"Didn't ask, I won't ask him. I'll wait until tomorrow's audition results come out to decide!"

"Hey, Tian Tian Qiwen called again. I have to give him an answer today. This is what I'm thinking."

"'Exotic Realm' is good, but it's too good—the competition is too fierce and the requirements are too high. Since Zhou Zhou Xingchi thinks you're suitable for 'Kung Fu', how about...?"

Liu Liu Yifei was resolute: "In any case, I won't sign with Starry Night. If he's still willing to let me act even then, that's fine, but everything will wait until after the audition tomorrow."

She always felt she still had a chance; at the very least, the martial arts instructor Yuen Woo-ping today thought highly of her.

Liu Liu Xiaoli was helpless. Ever since being influenced by Lu Kuan, her daughter had become more mature day by day.

It's good to be good, but now she's too opinionated and doesn't listen to anyone, at most discussing things with Yang Yang Siwei.

While 'Exotic Realm' was in the final stage of casting the female lead, the other 'Kung Fu' crew was the same.

And the situation was even more complicated.

Zhou Zhou Xingchi favored Liu Liu Yifei, but she refused to sign a contract with Starry Night;

Tian Tian Qiwen, entrusted by Professor Wu, wanted Huang Huang Shengyi to play the role, but since Liu Liu Yifei hadn't explicitly refused, they had to wait.

'Kung Fu' crew at Chedun Film and Television City.

Tian Tian Qiwen had been sitting in the room with him for an entire afternoon, flipping back and forth through Liu Liu Yifei and Huang Huang Shengyi's audition materials, still unable to make a decision.

"It's said that it would be better for that Liu Liu Yifei to act in this movie, but she's unwilling to sign an agency contract, and the kissing scenes have to be faked—it's a bit tricky."

"Little Huang is okay, but I always feel she's a bit worse than that little girl."

Suddenly, another assistant director, Liu Yu, knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Liu Yu was a representative from Yanda Huayi, but the words Wang Wang Xiaolei had just asked him to relay were truly hard to say.

"Director."

Zhou Zhou Xingchi turned his head in confusion, looking at his hesitant expression and smiling: "Liu Yu, what kind of relationship do we have? If you have something hard to say, just say it!"

Liu Yu steeled himself: "Wang Wang Xiaolei from Yanda Huayi, that's the second boss, told me that if this role isn't given to Huang Huang Shengyi, they might consider withdrawing their investment."

Zhou Zhou Xingchi froze for a moment, but he didn't show the expected rage.

He just smiled contemptuously: "These people are really something; they have the guts to say anything."

Tian Tian Qiwen looked at his tone and thought, "This is bad. How did Yanda Huayi suddenly get involved?"

What was Huang Huang Shengyi thinking? Finding a pig teammate to give the other side an assist!

Zhou Zhou Xingchi had previously fallen out with Columbia because they interfered with the script, and the latter threatened to withdraw investment, so he just took his people back to Hong Kong.

Did this Wang Wang Xiaolei really think he had that much weight?

Zhou Zhou Xingchi no longer had a reason to hesitate and announced in front of Liu Yu: "Alright, the female lead will be Little Liu."

Tian Tian Qiwen sighed secretly, wanting to make a final struggle: "Then what about Liu Liu Yifei signing the contract?"

"Shoot the movie first, then talk about it slowly."

"Yes, Director."

In the office at 18 Chaoyangmen Outer Street, Beiping, Wang Dajun was reprimanding his younger brother with an angry face.

"What are you doing? I asked you to talk to Liu Liu Xiaoli about signing the contract, how did you offend Zhou Zhou Xingchi?"

Wang Wang Xiaolei still had a playful expression, not taking his brother's anger seriously.

"Oh, I was just scaring Tianji. I don't believe that if we withdraw our investment now, he'll be able to find another backer. There are only a few days left until filming starts."

"Scaring? What's your status? He is Zhou Zhou Xingchi's confidant. What you say represents Yanda Huayi! Can you just talk nonsense?"

Wang Dajun got angry just looking at him and wanted to kick his brother out after two sentences.

He was just causing trouble for himself, especially by provoking that Lu Kuan. Otherwise, could the situation be this awkward now?

Wang Wang Xiaolei saw he was truly angry and offered a few words of self-reproach to appease him.

But his goal had been achieved; he didn't believe that Zhou Zhou Xingchi, with the arrow already on the bow, would dare to break the pot and just flip the table and quit.

"Hello? Mr. Tian, okay, I understand. Please let the director decide for himself. As long as it's for the good of the film, we at Yanda Huayi support it."

Wang Dajun hung up the phone with a livid face, looking unkindly at his brother, who was sitting in a sloppy posture.

"Look at the good deed you've done? Not only did they use Liu Liu Yifei, but they also specifically had Tian Tian Qiwen call me to ask if I wanted to withdraw investment!"

Wang Wang Xiaolei felt as if this slap had landed directly on his face, jumping up from the sofa like a spring.

"What? How dare he! These Hong Kong directors are too arrogant!"

Wang Dajun looked at his brother, who still didn't get it, and said hatefully: "If you cause any more trouble, don't be a producer anymore!"

Seven o'clock in the evening, Changping Huabin Golf, Lu Kuan's residence.

"Sister Mani, you're really being that polite? Bringing two beauties along."

Huo Huo Wenxi was wearing an office-style suit, her slender, straight legs pressed tightly together as she sat on the sofa in the living room.

"Mr. Lu, I'm truly sorry. Xie Tingfeng was too reckless today. You weren't hurt, were you?"

Boss Lu lit a cigarette leisurely: "Where's Xie Xie Tingfeng? I didn't kick him a few times, so he shouldn't be unable to walk to apologize, right?"

"Director Lu, Xie Tingfeng... he's a bit inconvenienced, please forgive him."

Zhang Zhang Baizhi's voice was a bit hoarse; it was already like sandpaper, and it sounded like she had been crying again.

She had naturally been lectured by Boss Xiang and Mrs. Xiang, who knew the inside story.

They had finally managed to win a Hollywood movie audition opportunity for her through Mei Mei Yanfang, only for her to delay work because of petty romance.

In this day and age, besides Jackie Chan, who can stand firm in Hollywood with kung fu films and get a fixed salary of 10 million US dollars as a Chinese person?

Even Chow Yun-fat squeezed his head in and didn't get in.

And you, Zhang Zhang Baizhi, are wasting such a precious opportunity?

That's Tang Mu Cruise's movie! It's collaborating with Leonardo!

Lu Kuan sneered: "Inconvenienced? If you're inconvenienced, you can go back!"

"Miss Huo, I don't have much of an appetite today, so I won't keep you for dinner."

"A-Fei, see them out."

"Yes, Boss."

Huo Huo Wenxi was full of bitterness. She had gone through all kinds of hardships to build a relationship with him and facilitate the first transaction between the two families.

It was destroyed so easily by Xie Xie Tingfeng.

The three of them stood at the villa entrance, and the driver drove the car over.

Zhong Zhong Xintong sat in the back row, looking ashamed, fearing that she would be implicated this time.

Zhang Zhang Baizhi could already foresee how furious Mrs. Xiang would be. She opened the car door in a trance.

Huo Huo Wenxi suddenly stretched out her fair arm to block her.

"Zhang Baizhi, are you leaving too?"

Zhang Zhang Baizhi looked at her in horror: "Sister Mani, you... what do you mean?"

Huo Huo Wenxi said earnestly: "Xie Tingfeng caused trouble. On the surface, Chairman Li will call Director Lu to intercede."

"But you are his girlfriend. I think it's necessary for you to stay and talk to Director Lu again. What do you think?"

Zhang Zhang Baizhi was speechless: "I! How can I..."

Huo Huo Wenxi didn't respond to her again, and the speeding business car left behind choking exhaust fumes.

"Sister Mani, thank you!"

Zhong Zhong Xintong thanked this big sister sincerely.

If it weren't for her using words to coax and force Zhang Zhang Baizhi to stay today, maybe it would be her going upstairs now.

She and Chen Chen Guanxi were still in the heat of love. Even if Lu Kuan was a famous director across the mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, she didn't want to just sell herself like that.

"Thank me?"

Huo Huo Wenxi smiled helplessly.

"If there's a next time, maybe you and Ah Sa will have to be sent in together."

Zhong Zhong Xintong immediately fell silent.

Zhang Zhang Baizhi watched Huo Huo Wenxi and Zhong Zhong Xintong leave in the Emperor Group Beiping branch's business car, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

This scene seemed to take her back to when she was 9 years old, back to the broken family at that time. Her divorced parents also parted ways like this, leaving her behind.

Later, she followed her divorced mother to Australia, going to school while working part-time—nanny, waitress, lawn mower...

The lack of family warmth made her suffer from the poison of society.

At 15, Liu Liu Yifei was protected by her family in New York, having just returned to China to enter the entertainment industry, and in this life, she met Lu Kuan.

At 15, Zhang Zhang Baizhi in Melbourne had already started smoking, drinking, and getting tattoos, but she still felt she was a "good girl."

Standing at the crossroads of fate, this "good girl" gritted her teeth, turned around, and walked into the villa.

(End of chapter)