Chapter 237: A Different Kind of Vase

Liu Yifei felt a moment of excitement, then quickly calmed down, reaching for her phone under Yang Siwei's gaze.

"Wait!"

"What is it?"

Yang Siwei looked confident: "What's the rush? Wait for him to call a few more times."

It was 8:00 PM Beijing time, and Liu Yifei had just finished dinner.

9:00 PM.

10:00 PM.

The phone never rang again.

A depressed Little Liu wanted to find someone to vent to, but her confident "dog-headed strategist" had already left.

She picked up her phone several times, wanting to call back, but put it down again in frustration.

Huang Rong, you must hold back!

At 10:00 PM Beijing time, on the other side of the globe in Vancouver's Chinatown, the *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* crew was just preparing to start work.

Today, his old friend Leonardo had come to visit the set.

The pre-arranged reporters swarmed in, and the set-visit marketing began.

After the standard platitudes like "I'm very sorry we couldn't collaborate again" and "This will be another great film," Leo and Lu Kuan went to the trailer to smoke.

"Holy crap, did you just buy this? It's so luxurious inside, and it even has slide-outs?"

Leonardo boasted smugly: "*The Departed* was a huge hit, I rewarded myself. How is it?"

"This is a new model from a custom trailer company in Oregon. It just arrived, and I haven't even used it yet."

Boss Lu sneered: "Oh, so you drove it over specifically to show off?"

The phone in his pocket vibrated; it was a call from Long Danni.

He answered, spoke for only a few sentences before hanging up, then scrolled through his call logs.

There was only one record of an outgoing call that hadn't been answered.

What the hell is Little Liu up to?

Pubescent rebellion?

Boss Lu greeted Leonardo, walked off the trailer, and dialed Liu Yifei's number again.

"We learn to meow together, meow meow meow meow meow~~~"

Liu Yifei's voice rang out as her ringback tone, and Lu Kuan held the phone further away in disgust.

Almost 18 and still using such a childish ringback tone; nothing like his own.

His ringback tone was recorded by Huang Bo: "I've made money, I've made money, I don't know how to spend it. I buy a Nokia with my left hand, a Motorola with my right~~~"

In her boudoir, Liu Yifei listlessly ate two bites of the fruit platter her mother had just brought in, lying there like a corpse, staring at the ceiling.

Looking at this state of late-stage "love-brain," any frame of her could be posted on a crowdfunding site.

"17-year-old beautiful girl suffers from cerebral palsy, please donate, please help!"

In just two hours, her psychological state had undergone several shifts.

Don't be Guo Xiang, be Huang Rong?

Siwei is right!

Wait for him to call a few more times before answering?

Siwei is right!

The phone never rang again...

Yang Siwei, you dog, you've ruined me!!!

"Ding ding ding ding ding~~~"

Liu Yifei's core strength was astonishing; she did a kip-up, grabbed the phone, and a smug smile appeared on her lips.

Yang Siwei, you dog...

Siwei really is my female Zhuge Liang!

"Hello? What is it?"

"You haven't rested yet, Little Liu?"

Liu Yifei's pretty face was smiling, but her words were unusually cold: "I'm resting. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

"Let's chat for two bucks' worth, haha."

"Are you not feeling well lately? Why haven't you gone to record the song?"

"If I don't want to go, I don't go." Liu Yifei comfortably changed into a more relaxed position, gaining high emotional value from manipulating the "skinning" Lu.

Lu Kuan frowned speechlessly; the young lady's temper was acting up again.

What on earth was she angry about this time? He hadn't even been in the country lately.

"Who are you angry at?"

"I'm not angry."

"Oh, you're not angry? Why don't you go record the song tomorrow? Mengniu is still waiting."

"Not going, don't want to."

Boss Lu was going crazy: "Then you *are* angry!?"

"No, I'm fine?"

Liu Yifei chuckled inwardly; to deal with a miser, you have to hit his weak spot!

"Go film your movie, I'm going to sleep."

Beep beep beep beep beep...

Boss Lu listened to the dial tone with a constipated expression. As a "scumbag" character, how the hell did he end up in a pure romance script?

Does he have to go back to being eighteen and experience the "you draw, I guess" game between young lovers again?

A long essay?

"Are you angry?" "I'm not angry."

Holy crap, just thinking about it gives him a headache.

His mental age was mature, but he couldn't stop the Guo Xiang who was still in puberty from wanting to play!

Boss Lu wanted to get straight to the bed and have both the person and the wealth, but Liu Yifei was becoming less and less willing to settle.

Fan Bingbing wanted material value, Little Liu wanted emotional value; this was much harder to deal with than the former!

Where exactly was the problem?

He had been obsessed with filming his new movie lately, and he had been... pretty well-behaved, right?

The assistant director trotted over: "Director Lu, Designer Wang had the costumes sent over. Do you want to take a look?"

"Oh, Wang Daren, he..."

Boss Lu gave a start: "Wang Daren?"

Then he slapped his thigh hard: "Damn it, so that's where he gave the game away!"

"You take the clothes to the makeup room first; I'll be there in a bit."

"Yes, Director."

To hide his true relationship with Bingbing from Yanda Huayi and other forces, he had hidden to the side when Bingbing was taking group photos for *Vogue* to build momentum for herself.

He didn't expect the sharp-minded Little Liu to spot the "key point."

It seems he'll have to guard against her like he guards against a class enemy from now on.

Boss Lu sighed inwardly and walked toward Leonardo's luxury trailer.

Looking up at the new trailer with wood-grain trim on the exterior windows, it truly deserved to be the first choice for Hollywood stars: Anderson Mobile Estates.

Just looking at that last English word, you knew this Anderson trailer company was capable of turning a trailer into real estate.

Anderson was founded in 1995; Will Smith had a super-giant trailer with 22 wheels that was their masterpiece.

In its fully expanded form, the vehicle could use eight jacks to lift the entire thing, turning it into two stories.

When the four side automatic modules were fully opened, the total interior living space reached 120 square meters, costing Will Smith 2.5 million USD.

Lu Kuan stroked his chin, walked around the trailer, and took a few photos.

Cunning as he was, he already had a plan in mind.

He remembered that during the filming of *The Departed*, Liu Yifei had used his relatively plain trailer to change clothes; later, the vehicle was given to Emil and wasn't brought back to the country.

At the time, Liu Xiaoli had asked him about it; maybe...

Boss Lu opened his phone and sent Little Liu several MMS messages, all photos of the trailer.

"Actually, I never told you, but I already ordered an Anderson Traveler for you, which is the best trailer in North America right now."

"I originally wanted to give it to you for your birthday last month, but because the interior is all handmade, it takes more time."

"It's almost finished now; I estimate it will be delivered to Beijing soon after the paperwork is done."

First, borrow flowers to offer to the "female Bodhisattva" to solve the female Bodhisattva's problem.

This female Bodhisattva is currently a "wealth-attracting maiden," not to be offended lightly.

Boss Lu opened the door and got on the vehicle with ease; now he had to solve the "flower" problem.

"You finally came back. Martin Scorsese just called me, inviting you to dinner tonight."

Boss Lu looked around; hmm, brand new, some parts still had the plastic film on.

"Leo, I've run into a difficult situation."

"Huh?"

Leonardo was still thinking about which bar to take him to for a wild night; how did he suddenly start acting out a tragic drama?

"Sell me your trailer."

"What?"

Leonardo looked incredulous; he was planning to take his newly met girlfriend here for some "cloud and rain," and you're dreaming?

"No way, no way. I put a lot of thought into this trailer; the design inside is my life's work."

"No wonder. Just looking at this decor style, I knew you were someone who understands aesthetics."

Boss Lu started with a round of flattery, then sighed heavily: "Leo, I forgot Crystal's birthday. You understand."

Leo looked at him in surprise, then smiled and pointed his finger at Lu Kuan, a look of lecherous collusion.

"Lu, you really are a beast. Crystal isn't even an adult yet, right?"

Leonardo thought to himself that he at most played with young models, but you play even wilder; you have a human face but the heart of a beast!

"What are you thinking? I'm counting on her to make money for me. Name your price!"

Liu Yifei had been staying up late signing T-shirts lately; after being mentally satisfied, she relaxed and went to sleep.

By the time she saw those MMS photos, it was already the next morning.

"Xixi, eat breakfast quickly after you finish practicing."

Liu Xiaoli looked at her daughter at the door of the practice room with a smile, feeling the relief of "my daughter has finally grown up."

The female lead of the mainland historical box office champion, too amazing!

"You're in a very good mood today!"

Liu Yifei took the porridge bowl: "Am I? I'm in a good mood every day."

Yang Siwei, who had just entered the dining room: "Heh."

Young people have no depth; halfway through the meal, Liu Yifei couldn't help but take out her phone.

"Mom, Siwei, look, the birthday gift Lu Kuan gave me!"

Yang Siwei finally realized the reason for her good mood.

Followed by extreme speechlessness.

You'll never be Huang Rong in this lifetime; can something a month late really be called a birthday gift?

Liu Xiaoli didn't know the backstory, but she flipped through the photos again and again: "Really nice. It will be much more convenient for Xixi to change clothes when filming in the future."

She had already looked into domestic trailers, but none were very suitable.

"How much did it cost?"

"Don't know, it's being deducted from the labor fee for recording the theme song for *Super Girl*."

Yang Siwei said sarcastically: "Auntie Liu, they say he's a big boss; even as an ordinary person, he's a crafty one."

"He didn't even mention a bride price, and with one trailer, he's got both the house and the car sorted. Your daughter isn't easy to fool!"

Liu Yifei pretended to be angry: "What are you saying, Siwei? This is what I earned through my own labor!"

Liu Xiaoli understood what Yang Siwei meant, but she had no way to deal with it; a grown daughter is no longer under her mother's control.

"By the way, yesterday, Teacher Chen Bing from the Beijing Film Academy, who is also the director of your *Silver Years*, gave me the script."

"About this role of yours, hmm..."

Liu Xiaoli asked strangely: "Is there a problem? Isn't it just a guest appearance for a political task?"

Yang Siwei paused and said: "I just think it's a bit strange. The lead is actually a Korean, named Jang Na-ra."

"The general content is the experience of a Korean exchange student studying at the Beijing Film Academy."

"Xixi is a teacher in it, and the screen time doesn't look like a guest appearance."

She flipped through the character notes in the script: "Look, Huang Xiaoming and the others are also guest appearances; they don't have many lines, just show their faces and they're done."

"Xixi's screen time goes until the last episode. How is this a guest appearance?"

Liu Yifei didn't take it to heart: "Just stagger the schedule. We're going to Jiuzhaigou to join the crew next month."

"But Mom and I have met this Jang Na-ra. It's said she wants to join the Inquiry Realm."

Yang Siwei nodded: "She is now a signed artist of Yanda Huayi. The signing press conference was just held, and the scale was quite high."

"I heard from my old boss Lu Yao that recently, domestic film and television companies and agencies are all pushing their own 'little flowers,' and they are all aiming at you!"

Liu Yifei was torn between laughter and tears: "Me? Aiming at me for what? I haven't gotten in their way."

"How are you not in the way? Have you forgotten what Boss Lu said? There's only a palm-sized spot at the top of the pyramid."

"If they don't push you down, how can they climb up themselves?"

Liu Yifei took the script and flipped through a few pages: "Aren't we joining the crew in two days? Let's see how it goes. If it doesn't work, we'll give our opinions then."

Wang Jingsong usually took good care of her, and the young girl didn't want to disappoint her department head.

The storm stirred up by *The Departed* in the domestic entertainment industry gradually dissipated, but a "Korean Wave" was quietly approaching.

First, Jang Na-ra, who was officially signed by Yanda Huayi, was appointed as a cultural exchange ambassador by the embassy in Korea, serving as a bridge for cultural exchange between the two countries as an actress.

Then, the tribute drama *Silver Years*, co-produced by the Beijing Film Academy and Tianjin Satellite TV, officially started filming.

The drama would use the Beijing Film Academy campus as the main location, telling the life stories of an international exchange student studying in a foreign land.

This TV series would be released in 2005, the centenary of Chinese cinema and the 55th anniversary of the founding of the Beijing Film Academy.

From the interview reports sent back by reporters visiting the set, the cast already included powerful and popular artists like Chen Baoguo, Jiang Wenli, Huang Xiaoming, and Liu Yifei.

At the same time, Yanda Huayi-affiliated media were constantly marketing, placing Jang Na-ra, who had just arrived, alongside Liu Yifei in promotional articles to elevate the former's status.

They even arranged for extremely fanatical fans to visit the set every day, sending flowers and asking for autographs, creating the perception that Jang Na-ra was incredibly popular in the Eastern Great Power.

Just one week after filming started, Yanda Huayi's internet marketing offensive was reported to Boss Lu by Xu Bo of the Public Opinion Center. At this time, he had just arrived at Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport.

Lu Kuan clicked his tongue in wonder as he looked at the photos on his phone. These people really were persistent, trying to use Liu Yifei to elevate Jang Na-ra, right?

(Original *Silver Years* stills)

All the advertorials were paired with stills of the two in the same frame; Jang Na-ra was shot from carefully chosen angles, while Little Liu was shot casually to set off the former.

As for the copy, it mostly focused on "China-Korea popular little flowers competing in acting, Korean little diva suppresses mainland little flower," with all sorts of insinuations.

Boss Lu dialed Yang Siwei.

"Hello? Boss Lu."

"What have you been doing? You didn't even know you fell into someone else's trap?"

Yang Siwei already had her doubts; by the third day of filming, she had realized something was wrong.

They said it was a guest appearance, but the screen time was not small at all. Jang Na-ra had long lines and long takes, all sorts of impassioned, beautiful, and delicate performances.

Liu Yifei was constantly being upstaged and her character suppressed, acting awkwardly and aggrieved, with an image that was very unlikable.

"Boss Lu, I've been advising her for several days."

"But Xixi, considering the school's attitude, has been yielding to them, and I can't do anything about it!"

Boss Lu had the face of a capitalist, even though this was no longer his employee.

"Don't tell me you can't do anything."

"If the female lead of the mainland box office champion doesn't even give you the courage to fall out and make demands, then your career as an agent is over."

"By the way, Little Liu's car will be unloaded at the Tianjin port tomorrow and sent to you. I'll go take a look in a few days."

Boss Lu "overstepped his authority" and gave the chubby agent an ultimatum: "Before I arrive, solve this matter. Show me your methods!"

Yang Siwei was left speechless by the dial tone. She didn't feel the shock of being commanded by someone overstepping their authority.

She knew the complex relationship between Liu Yifei and her former boss better than anyone.

It was just that with such a difficult task placed in front of her, what exactly should she do...

September 28, 2004, Beijing Film Academy *Silver Years* crew studio.

"What do you mean by this? Where is Liu Yifei?"

Yang Siwei took several drafts of the script out of her bag with neither servility nor overbearingness and placed them in front of Director Chen Bing.

"These are the four versions of the script we received from the project initiation to the start of filming, up until yesterday."

"The promises made by the production side haven't been kept at all. So today, on behalf of the Liu Yifei Studio, I am formally notifying you: if the script problem isn't resolved quickly..."

"... and I am given a reasonable answer, and the obviously inappropriate details I've marked in the script are modified, Miss Liu Yifei will withdraw from filming."

Chen Bing rubbed his forehead helplessly. He was just a substitute; how could he be the one to decide this?

Li Liyuan, the female production manager sent by Yanda Huayi, clamored: "Isn't Liu Yifei's ego too big? She's just doing a favor for her alma mater; is it necessary to be so rigid and principled?"

"Even Jang Na-ra from Korea does everything herself, arriving at the set early every day and speaking softly to the staff. Is she the only special one?"

"Pfft, just a lucky little girl. If it weren't for Lu Kuan, who would... ah!"

Li Liyuan didn't finish her last sentence, which was easily misinterpreted. The sharp-tongued Yang Siwei, filled with rage, swung her handbag into her face.

"Watch your damn mouth! If you talk nonsense again, I'll tear your mouth off!"

Yang Siwei was a size larger than her opponent, and at only twenty-something, Li Liyuan probably really wasn't a match for her in a fight.

The sharp-featured Yanda Huayi production manager scolded sternly: "Are you crazy? You and your master are both no good! You crude thing!"

She retorted while hiding behind the camera.

It was almost time for filming to start, and other cast and crew members were entering the set one after another.

The sound of the two women arguing in the studio was very piercing, and the passing Beijing Film Academy students were all curious to watch the spectacle.

Chen Bing had to stand out to be the peacemaker: "Alright! Stop arguing. This matter should be reported to the school authorities; there's no result from making a scene here."

Jang Na-ra had actually arrived very early, watching the whole process with cold eyes from the side, then walked to a hidden spot and made a call to Wang Xiaolei.

In the afternoon, Beijing Film Academy President's office.

Zhang Huijun listened to Chen Bing's report with a splitting headache. A simple tribute film, he didn't know how it had become so tense.

The problem still lay with this Yanda Huayi producer, who had repeatedly represented Jang Na-ra's side in demanding script changes.

"What is Little Liu's own attitude?"

"She didn't come today; she should have handed this matter over to her agent, Yang Siwei."

Chen Bing smiled bitterly: "Her agent is really something. If I hadn't held her back, she would have beaten the shit out of that Li Liyuan."

"Quiet! You're already a department head, how can you still speak so crudely."

Chen Bing was a student he had taught, and their relationship was naturally closer than a normal superior-subordinate one.

This time, they hadn't been able to invite the currently popular Lu Kuan from their own school, so they had given this task, which could provide exposure, to him.

Who would have thought it would turn into a landmine.

"Both sides will be here in a while; you just tell the truth."

"This matter isn't that simple; don't draw fire onto yourself."

Chen Bing wondered: "I just heard Li Liyuan on the phone; they seem to have even invited Old Gu out to speak, saying they want to properly educate the students and juniors of the Beijing Film Academy."

"This Little Liu in a while..."

Zhang Huijun shook his head and smiled: "Do you think she's someone to be trifled with? Don't look at whose female lead she is."

"Without confidence, would Yang Siwei dare to throw her bag into the face of someone from Yanda Huayi?"

"Alright, you call and ask where they are. Let's try to solve the problem once and for all today."

Just past the agreed-upon two o'clock, Yang Siwei and Liu Yifei entered the room. The latter greeted Zhang Huijun and Chen Bing obediently.

Zhang Huijun looked at her with a smile: "Sit for a while first; your class teacher, Wang Laoshi, will be here soon too."

"Yes, President. Sorry for the trouble."

Chen Bing sighed inwardly with emotion. It was all caused by the fame and fortune-seeking of the entertainment industry; such a pure little girl had been dragged into it.

Less than two minutes later, the "living fossil" of the Beijing Film Academy, Old Gu, walked in with Wang Jingsong, who was bowing and scraping, followed by Jang Na-ra, Wang Jinhua, and Li Liyuan.

"Little Wang, you were also a young talent I recommended to stay and teach back then. How could you be so lax in the moral education of students?"

"Oh, a TV series celebrating the alma mater, and you're still haggling over whether your screen time is more or mine is less? Is that appropriate?"

"Don't ever be like Zhuangzhuang, bringing out a Lu Kuan who is arrogant because of his talent!"

Wang Jingsong supported him into the office like a grandson, cursing the virtuous old thief for being noisy in his heart.

Zhang Huijun didn't dare to be negligent; the old seniors in the system were all extremely troublesome existences.

You can't hit them, you can't scold them; the key is that you can't hide from them. Can you, Zhang Huijun, run away from the monk but not the temple?

At worst, I'll sit in your office every day and not leave. I, an old man, receive a State Council allowance, which is higher than your salary!

This person had already tried to smear Lu Kuan last time without success, but he insisted on using the banner of "for the good of the Beijing Film Academy," making it impossible for people to refuse his "good intentions."

As soon as Jang Na-ra entered the room, she saw Liu Yifei holding a teacup, her expression light and breezy, as if she didn't take this conflict seriously at all.

The first time she met her, she was lectured by Lu Kuan as "someone else's child," and Jang Na-ra wasn't very reconciled.

Yanda Huayi's strong support and the intervention of the powerful family descendant Zhou Jun gave her the strength and confidence to compete with Liu Yifei.

This was a market with 1.3 billion people. This time, she absolutely could not lose!

"Grandpa Gu, don't be angry, drink some tea!"

Jang Na-ra was actually very good at this; she didn't have any of the airs of a Korean little diva.

She smiled and helped Old Gu sit down, then squatted down to carefully make tea for him.

Very much the national temperament of the Great Han Republic of groveling and "serving the great."

"Good, good, good, good child. Your Chinese is really good."

"Yes, I have always admired China and Chinese culture. I started learning Chinese in college."

Liu Yifei looked at her demeanor, which didn't seem fake, and felt very strange.

Isn't this the novel vocabulary Lu Kuan popularized for her on Valentine's Day?

Green tea?

Pretending to respect teachers here, and even admiring Chinese culture.

Ever since Boss Lu opened a new door for her to understand the world, her perspective on things had been different.

Grasp the main contradiction, and you can see the essence through the phenomenon.

Old Gu glanced at Liu Yifei opposite the sofa with some dissatisfaction; from the moment he entered the door until now, she had only stood up once and hadn't greeted him at all.

Compared to Jang Na-ra, who was kneeling to pour tea for him, the difference was clear.

Logically, Little Liu wasn't a girl without social awareness; it was just because this old thing had bad-mouthed Lu Kuan before entering the door, and she wasn't very happy about it. 【248】 It looked like a mage or wizard from the enemy camp had come to add a buff; she couldn't be bothered to pretend. 【249】 Zhang Huijun and Chen Bing both greeted the "living fossil" of the Beijing Film Academy politely, and only then did they start talking about today's business. 【250】 "Old Gu, you are the consultant for this TV series, and the script content is all happening at the Beijing Film Academy, showing the style of our Beijing Film Academy people." 【251】 "Regarding the disagreement between the two sides on the script, what do you think?" 【252】 Comrade Old Gu was a person who could retreat unscathed during the ten years of turmoil; his way of speaking was naturally very skillful. 【253】 "Na-ra is a cultural exchange representative between China and Korea. This time, participating in this TV series with a Beijing Film Academy background, to put it bluntly, is to promote us and sing our praises." 【254】 "Otherwise, why would she leave high-paying movies, TV series, and concerts to act in *Silver Years*, which pays less than 11,000 per episode?" 【255】 Old Gu sighed heavily, and the wrinkles on his face seemed deeper. 【256】 "Huijun, I reminded you long ago that while students' abilities must be cultivated, moral education is also very important." 【257】 "Just like that Little Lu, Lu Kuan, right? That's right, the movie is filmed well, but I won't mention the problem of his commercial films being overly entertaining." 【258】 "Just speaking of him personally, a young man in his twenties, his private life is so undisciplined. Is this appropriate?" 【259】 "Those with talent but no virtue smear the public and national image even more than those with virtue but no talent. Huijun, you must be cautious!" 【260】 Liu Yifei sneered at him for relying on his age to sell his age, but she agreed with the criticism of the "washing machine's" undisciplined private life. 【261】 Must change it! 【262】 Zhang Huijun had already switched to "deaf mode," letting him output whatever he wanted. 【263】 Lu Kuan was already on the list of leaders at the Film Bureau, the SARFT, and the Central Propaganda Department. How did he smear the national image? 【264】 But he didn't need to ask back; if he angered this old thing again, he would just be inviting trouble for himself. 【265】 It's just that he didn't ask, but there were plenty of people to stand up for the "washing machine." 【266】 "How did Lu Kuan smear the Beijing Film Academy and the country?" 【267】 Old Gu raised his head in surprise, looking at the pure-looking Liu Yifei smiling at him, incredulous. 【268】 How dare you ask me back? 【269】 "You are Liu Yifei? How can you have no manners at all? Is this how you talk to a teacher?" 【270】 Wang Jingsong behind him was desperately winking at his student, but the little girl opposite him just ignored him! 【271】 "I learned a line." 【272】 "If a ruler treats his subjects like his hands and feet, then the subjects treat the ruler like their heart and belly; if a ruler treats his subjects like dirt and mustard, then the subjects treat the ruler like an enemy." 【273】 "This applies to the teacher-student relationship as well. You didn't respect a director student who made the Beijing Film Academy and Chinese culture famous in the West." 【274】 "How can you still demand that I respect you as you demand?" 【275】 Old Gu's face flushed red, and the cane in his hand knocked heavily on the ground! 【276】 "You're even pulling literary quotes on me! What kind of things did he film? I won't even mention the first movie smearing our teacher image." 【277】 "The second movie, *Shoplifters*, made Westerners think that our Chinese families are all criminal reformatories pieced together!" 【278】 "I haven't seen this *The Departed* yet, but it's said it also shows some fighting and killing, flesh and blood flying everywhere. Can this represent our culture, beliefs, and national style?" 【279】 He pointed at Liu Yifei: "Come, you tell me, can it?" 【280】 Whoa! This is a master of labeling; he must have shaved heads and ransacked homes back in the day, right? 【281】 Unfortunately, Little Liu was no longer the Little Liu of the past. 【282】 "Old Gu, you are a Party member, right?" 【283】 "Of course, I have 60 years of Party membership! I have dedicated my whole life to the country, the organization, and the cause of education!" 【284】 Liu Yifei still looked obedient and cute, but the words she said were piercing. 【285】 "That's good. Lu Kuan's achievements have also been on *Xinwen Lianbo*, and what did Leader Luo of the Central Propaganda Department say in the briefing?" 【286】 "He said, this is a milestone work that opened the precedent for Chinese cinema and Chinese culture to go global, and he hopes that all literary and art workers in the country will learn and summarize." 【287】 "Old Gu, you are a Party member. I don't need to mention the nature of *Xinwen Lianbo*, right? Why is your argument so different from the organization's?" 【288】 The little girl looked at Zhang Huijun and Wang Jingsong in confusion: "President Zhang, Wang Laoshi, who should I believe?" 【289】 Zhang Huijun had to pretend to be stern: "Yifei, pay attention to your sense of proportion. This is an old professor of our Beijing Film Academy!" 【290】 Wang Jingsong almost couldn't help laughing out loud; he had been so angry just now that he almost took off his underwear to pull a rubber band and snap it at him! 【291】 Jang Na-ra's Chinese was limited, and she was a bit confused. 【292】 Yang Siwei was already dumbfounded. Facing Liu Yifei's performance, she didn't know what to say. 【293】 Her own artist had been influenced by Lu Kuan and transformed into this state. 【294】 Facing Lu Kuan's enemy, she turned into Huang Rong, cunning as a fox! 【295】 Wang Jinhua looked at this scene with a mix of laughter and tears; it was her first time meeting Liu Yifei. 【296】 This is a "little flower" of the domestic entertainment industry? 【297】 She had brought no fewer than seventy or eighty artists in her life, and most of the female stars in the entertainment industry were mostly "vases." 【298】 Someone like Liu Yifei, if she didn't speak, she really looked like a "vase" of peerless beauty. 【299】 Once she started speaking, she was the type who would want to smash a vase into your face until you bled; her way of speaking and acting was too domineering. 【300】 A "vase" that would break into pieces with you at any time, is it still a vase? 【301】 It was a bit like the style of the young director who helped her rise. 【302】 However, Old Gu wasn't a pushover; he quickly skipped this topic that was unfavorable to him. 【303】 "In literature, there is no first place. I have no intention of arguing with a junior like you." 【304】 "But speaking of the matter itself, this *Silver Years* is no longer just our own business at the Beijing Film Academy." 【305】 "Na-ra is a cultural exchange ambassador between China and Korea, shouldering a heavy task. This TV series is an artistic work that combines the cultural and emotional exchanges of the two peoples, and it has great significance." 【306】 "As a consultant, I also sought the opinions of relevant departments before coming, especially the cultural propaganda department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." 【307】 "Huijun, Director Little Chen, I suggest maintaining the plot arrangement of the last version. Do not damage the overall situation of cultural exchange between the two countries because of personal reasons!" 【308】 You're using the Central Propaganda Department to block my mouth, right? I'm using the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suppress your momentum! 【309】 Little girl, when I was engaged in struggle, your father probably had just learned to walk! 【310】 Liu Yifei just wanted to speak but was preempted by Yang Siwei. 【311】 Some ugly words still had to be said by her, so that there would be room for maneuver. 【312】 "Then we will withdraw from filming. Please choose another actor for Yifei's role." 【313】 "When the contract was signed, we talked about liquidated damages. Our side will also pay you according to the contract. That's it." 【314】 The salary was just a symbolic amount, and the liquidated damages weren't much money; just treat it as spending money to buy some peace. 【315】 This was better than being a supporting role to elevate someone else. 【316】 "Bastard!" 【317】 Old Gu slapped the arm of the chair heavily: "Do you still have any organizational discipline! Are you, Liu Yifei, still a student of the acting department of the Beijing Film Academy?" 【318】 "You celebrate your mother's birthday, and just because you aren't given the seat of honor, you want to leave?" 【319】 "Is there such a reason in the world?" 【320】 Zhang Huijun sighed inwardly. Although this Old Gu was someone who liked to favor one side, his words were indeed sharp. 【321】 No wonder he could become a top-level "knife-pen official" relying on his pen back then. 【322】 Little Liu still had to find Lu Kuan to solve this matter. 【323】 Otherwise, the "living fossil" could just accept an interview and ruin her reputation. 【324】 Label her with the notoriety of being fickle, arrogant, and disrespectful to teachers. 【325】 The fault tolerance of a female actress's reputation was not as good as a director's; this would still have an impact on her future development. 【326】 Zhang Huijun decided to use a delaying tactic first: "Old Gu, and everyone, I think that's it for today." 【327】 "Yifei, you go back and organize the script modification opinions, and go to Chen Bing in a day or two to carefully go through them together." 【328】 "For the purpose of the overall situation, both sides should seek common ground while reserving differences, okay?" 【329】 Liu Yifei nodded obediently: "Okay, President." 【330】 Yang Siwei also felt this was the best way. As soon as she went out, she contacted her former boss. 【331】 Close the door! Release Lu Kuan! Bite these bastards to death! 【332】 Boss Lu didn't answer Yang Siwei's call; he was eating dry-fried beef noodles in a very ordinary Hong Kong tea restaurant. 【333】 In early 2003, he and the Zou Zhongheng couple met at the Lionsgate headquarters, and now nearly two years had passed. 【334】 As mentioned earlier, the theater chain was an indispensable link in Lu Kuan's film industry chain, and the acquisition of Wenjie Jiahe had an additional benefit: the hundreds of Hong Kong classics in the Wenjie Jiahe library. 【335】 This was the same logic as his arrangement for Liu Hong, who had already joined the company, to acquire copyrights at a low price; it was all in preparation for the future copyright war. 【336】 Accompanying Lu Kuan today was Zhong Lifang, Senior Vice President of the Inquiry Realm. 【337】 Because her ability was recognized in the distribution and marketing of *Love* and the sponsorship of Mengniu's *Super Girl*, she had been promoted. 【338】 Zhong Lifang looked at her boss, who was worth billions, eating heartily in a tea restaurant, and reported work to him with some amusement. 【339】 "Over the past fifteen months, we have launched two tender offers for Wenjie Jiahe and Mr. Raymond Chow on behalf of the Inquiry Realm." 【340】 "According to the current situation, Wenjie Jiahe's market value is only 25 million Hong Kong dollars, and the shares held by Raymond Chow himself do not exceed 5.5 million. This market value is undervalued." 【341】 "Boss, I think now is a suitable time to make a move." 【342】 Lu Kuan had been so hungry on the plane that his chest was touching his back; only after a whirlwind of eating did he feel some satiety. 【343】 "How did they counter-offer in the last quote?" 【344】 "We quoted 130 million, and Raymond Chow counter-offered 500 million." 【345】 Boss Lu smiled: "That's fine, as long as there's something to talk about. The only fear is that he would hold on tight and not let go." 【346】 Ask for a sky-high price and pay back on the ground; as long as he doesn't have an attitude of shutting the door, it's fine. 【347】 Wu Kebo of Cheng Tian spent 530 million Hong Kong dollars to completely control Wenjie Jiahe, but that was already in 2009. 【348】 Zhong Lifang nodded: "According to the report from the business consulting firm we hired, Raymond Chow is already nearly 80 years old, and he no longer has the time and energy to revive Wenjie Jiahe." 【349】 "More unfortunately, his daughter, Zou Zhongheng, seems to have mediocre ability. Several shareholders within Wenjie Jiahe are not optimistic about her, and the performance over the past two years has indeed been average." 【350】 "Since Zou Zhongheng took over, the stock price has fallen from 2.6 to a low of 1.8, and it wasn't until the beginning of this year, when they started building a cinema in Bao'an, Pengcheng, that there was some recovery." 【351】 Lu Kuan closed his eyes and pondered, thinking about the confidential information Li Shoucheng had revealed to him. 【352】 Raymond Chow was a filmmaker with a lot of sentiment; his shares could be sold, but it had to be to someone he approved of. 【353】 Because this was a brand he had spent his whole life building. 【354】 In addition to a satisfactory price, whether the successor could revive Wenjie Jiahe and not let this brand be shamed or decline was an important consideration. 【355】 Lu Kuan looked at his watch: "Let's go. It's exactly two o'clock when we arrive at his house. Let's see what this old gentleman can talk to us about." 【356】 41 Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong, this was the Zou family mansion covering more than 860 square meters, elegantly called "Qihe Xiaozhu." 【357】 An old butler who looked like he was already in his sixties welcomed them into the house: "Please, both of you." 【358】 Lu Kuan hadn't notified anyone about this trip. 【359】 First, he wanted to enter the village quietly and not fire a shot, fearing that those with intentions would see through his intention to contact Wenjie Jiahe. 【360】 Second, the film companies he was on good terms with, such as China Star and Emperor, had a tense relationship with Wenjie Jiahe; seeking connections through them would only be counterproductive. 【361】 It was better to be straightforward and have a heart-to-heart talk with this old filmmaker from the last century. 【362】 Just as Li Shoucheng said, as long as he could get his personal approval, not only his shares but also the shares of those old partners would not be a problem. 【363】 The two walked on the garden path, and the old butler remembered the eldest lady's reminder and quietly passed a word to the guests. 【364】 "Mr. Lu, Ms. Zhong, a guest from the mainland also came to see the master a few days ago, and he is also here today." 【365】 "Oh?" 【366】 Boss Lu raised his eyebrows: "Thank you, Butler Chen." 【367】 The old butler nodded and said nothing more. 【368】 The two stepped into a living room, and Raymond Chow's eyes lit up; he stood up to welcome them. 【369】 "Mr. Lu, long admired." 【370】 Boss Lu stepped forward to shake hands with him politely, but his eyes couldn't help but look at the elegant man in a suit on the sofa. 【371】 It was exactly Zhou Jun, who had sought to invest in the Inquiry Realm but failed, and had "turned love into hate." 【372】 (End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 238 =====

Seeing that they were clearly mages or sorcerers from the enemy camp here to add buffs, she couldn't be bothered to play along.

Zhang Huijun and Chen Bing both greeted the living fossil of the Beijing Film Academy politely before finally bringing up the real business of the day.

"Old Gu, you are the consultant for this TV series, and the script's content takes place entirely at the Beijing Film Academy, showcasing the spirit of us people from the academy."

"Regarding the disagreements between the two sides over the script, what is your take?"

Comrade Old Gu was a figure who had managed to emerge unscathed through the turbulent decade, so he naturally spoke with great tact.

"Nara is a representative for cultural exchange between China and South Korea. Participating in this TV series with a Beijing Film Academy background, to put it bluntly, is to promote us and sing our praises."

"Otherwise, why would she pass up high-paying movies, TV shows, and concerts to act in 'Silver Years' for less than 11,000 per episode?"

Old Gu let out a long sigh, the wrinkles on his face appearing even deeper.

"Huijun, I warned you long ago that while students' abilities must be cultivated, moral education is also very important."

"Take that little Lu, Lu Kuan, right? Sure, he films movies well enough, and I won't even mention the problem of his commercial films being overly entertainment-oriented."

"Just looking at him personally, a young man in his twenties with such an unrefined private life—is this appropriate?"

"Those with talent but no virtue smear the public and national image even more than those with virtue but no talent. Huijun, you must be cautious!"

Liu Yifei sneered in her heart at him for using his seniority to bully others, though she did agree with the criticism of the washing machine's unrefined private life.

It must be changed!

Zhang Huijun had already switched to "deaf ear" mode, letting him output whatever he wanted.

Lu Kuan was a name recognized by leaders at the Film Bureau, the SARFT, and the Publicity Department; how was he smearing the national image?

But there was no need for him to retort; if he angered this old thing further, he would only bring trouble upon himself.

However, just because he didn't ask didn't mean there weren't others willing to stand up for the washing machine.

"How has Lu Kuan smeared the Beijing Film Academy or the country?"

Old Gu looked up in surprise, seeing Liu Yifei, with her innocent face, smiling at him, unable to believe it.

How dare you retort to me?

"So you are Liu Yifei? How can you be so lacking in manners? Is this how you speak to your elders?"

Wang Jingsong behind him was frantically winking at his student, yet the young girl opposite him simply ignored him!

"I have learned a line of dialogue."

"'If a ruler treats his subjects like his own hands and feet, then the subjects will treat the ruler like their own heart and soul; if a ruler treats his subjects like dirt and weeds, then the subjects will treat the ruler like a mortal enemy.'"

"This applies just the same to the relationship between teacher and student. You have not respected a student director who has made the Beijing Film Academy and Chinese culture famous in the West."

"How can you then demand that I respect you as you demand?"

Old Gu's face flushed red, and he struck the ground heavily with his cane!

"You're even quoting classics at me! What kind of things does he film? I won't even mention how his first movie uglified the image of our teachers."

"His second movie, 'Shoplifters', makes it seem like Westerners think Chinese families are all just thrown-together reformatories for criminals!"

"I haven't seen this 'Exotic Land' yet, but it's said to be full of fighting and killing, with flesh and blood flying everywhere. Can this represent our culture, beliefs, and national spirit?"

He pointed a finger at Liu Yifei: "Come, you tell me, can it?"

Whoa! This is a master at slapping labels on people; he must have done plenty of head-shaving and home-raiding back in the day, right?

Unfortunately, little Liu is no longer the little Liu of the past.

"Old Gu, you are a Party member, right?"

"Of course, I have 60 years of Party membership! I have dedicated my whole life to the country, the organization, and the cause of education!"

Liu Yifei remained as well-behaved and cute as ever, but every word she spoke was piercing.

"That's good. Lu Kuan's achievements have also been featured on 'Xinwen Lianbo', and what did Leader Luo of the Publicity Department say in the briefing?"

"He said this is a work of milestone significance that pioneered the way for Chinese film and Chinese culture to go global, and he hopes all literary and art workers across the country will study and summarize it."

"Old Gu, you are a Party member; I don't need to mention the nature of 'Xinwen Lianbo', right? Why is your stance so different from the organization's?"

The young girl looked at Zhang Huijun and Wang Jingsong with a puzzled face: "Principal Zhang, Wang Laoshi, who do you think I should believe?"

Zhang Huijun had to pretend to put on a stern face: "Yifei, mind your tone. This is an old professor from our Beijing Film Academy!"

Wang Jingsong almost couldn't hold back his laughter; just a moment ago, he had been so angry he nearly pulled off his underwear to use as a slingshot to snap the guy!

Zhang Nara had limited understanding of Chinese and was a bit confused by what she heard.

Yang Siwei was already dumbfounded; facing Liu Yifei's performance, she didn't know what to say.

Her own female artist had been influenced by Lu Kuan and transformed into this state.

Facing Lu Kuan's enemy, she had turned into Huang Rong—cunning as a fox!

Wang Jinhua, meanwhile, watched this scene with a mix of amusement and frustration; it was her first time meeting Liu Yifei.

Is this a little flower of the domestic entertainment industry?

In her life, she had brought along no fewer than seventy or eighty artists, and most female stars in the entertainment circle were mostly just vases.

Someone like Liu Yifei, when not speaking, really did look like a stunningly beautiful vase.

But once she started speaking, she was the type who would rather smash a vase in your face until it bled; her way of speaking and acting was just too overbearing.

Is a vase that wants to shatter like jade with you at every turn still a vase?

It was more like the style of that young director who had helped her rise to prominence.

However, Old Gu was no pushover; he quickly skipped over this topic that was unfavorable to him.

"In literature, there is no first place; I have no intention of arguing this with a junior like you."

"But speaking of the matter at hand, this 'Silver Years' is no longer just a matter for our Beijing Film Academy alone."

"Nara is a cultural exchange ambassador between the two countries, shouldering a heavy task. This TV series is an artistic work that embodies the cultural and emotional exchange between the two peoples and holds major significance."

"As a consultant, I sought the opinions of relevant parties before coming, especially the cultural propaganda department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Huijun, Director Chen, I suggest we maintain the plot arrangement of the final version; do not damage the overall situation of cultural exchange between the two countries because of personal reasons!"

You're using the Publicity Department to block my mouth, are you? I'll use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to suppress your momentum!

You little brat, when I was engaging in struggle, your old man probably had just learned to walk!

Liu Yifei was just about to speak when Yang Siwei cut in first.

There were some harsh things that had to be said by her so that there would still be room for maneuver.

"Then we will withdraw from the filming. Please have your side choose another actress for Yifei's role."

"We discussed liquidated damages when signing the contract, and our side will compensate you according to the contract terms. Let's leave it at that."

The pay was only symbolic anyway, and the liquidated damages weren't much money; consider it money spent to buy some peace and quiet.

This was better than being a supporting role for others to boost their status.

"Outrageous!"

Old Gu slapped the arm of his chair heavily: "Do you still have any organizational discipline! Are you, Liu Yifei, still a student of the Beijing Film Academy's acting department?"

"You're celebrating your mother's birthday, and just because you weren't given the seat of honor, you want to flick your sleeves and leave?"

"Is there any such logic in the world?"

Zhang Huijun sighed inwardly; although this Old Gu was someone who liked to take sides, his words were truly sharp.

No wonder he could become a top-tier "knife-pen official" relying on his pen back then.

Little Liu still had to find Lu Kuan to resolve this matter.

Otherwise, if the living fossil went out and accepted any interview, he could ruin her reputation.

Labeling her with the infamy of being flighty, arrogant, and disrespectful to teachers.

The tolerance for error in a female actress's reputation was not as high as a director's; this would still have an impact on her future development.

Zhang Huijun decided to use a delaying tactic first: "Old Gu, and everyone, let's leave it at this for today."

"Yifei, you all go back and organize the script revision suggestions, and tomorrow or the day after, go to Chen Bing's place to go over them carefully again."

"With the goal of considering the overall situation, let both sides seek common ground while reserving differences, okay?"

Liu Yifei nodded obediently: "Okay, Principal."

Yang Siwei also felt this was the best way, and as soon as she went out, she contacted her former boss.

Open the door! Release Lu Kuan! Bite these bastards to death!

Boss Lu didn't answer Yang Siwei's call; he was eating dry-fried beef ho fun in a very ordinary Hong Kong tea restaurant.

At the beginning of 2003, he had met with Zou Zhongheng and her husband at Lionsgate headquarters, and now nearly two years had passed.

As mentioned earlier, theater chains were an indispensable link in Lu Kuan's film industry chain, and acquiring Wenjie Jiahe had an additional benefit: the hundreds of Hong Kong classics in Wenjie Jiahe's library.

This was the same logic as his arrangement for Liu Hong, who had already joined the company, to acquire copyrights at low prices; all were preparations for the future copyright war.

Accompanying Lu Kuan today was Zhong Lifang, Senior Vice President of Inquiry Realm.

Because her ability in the distribution and marketing of "Love" and the sponsorship of Mengniu's naming rights for "Super Girl" had been recognized, she had been promoted.

Zhong Lifang found it somewhat amusing to report work to her boss, who was worth billions but had found a tea restaurant to feast in, and she began her report.

"Over the past fifteen months, we have initiated two tender offers for Wenjie Jiahe and Mr. Zou Wenhuai on behalf of Inquiry Realm."

"According to the current situation, Wenjie Jiahe's market value is only 25 million Hong Kong dollars, and the shares held by Zou Wenhuai himself do not exceed 5.5 million. This market value is undervalued."

"Boss, I think now is a suitable time to make a move."

Lu Kuan had been so hungry on the plane that his chest was sticking to his back, and only after a whirlwind of eating did he feel some satiety.

"In the most recent offer, how did they counter-offer?"

"We offered 130 million, and Zou Wenhuai counter-offered 500 million."

Boss Lu laughed: "That's fine, as long as there's room to talk; I'd only be worried if he held on tight and wouldn't let go."

Asking for an exorbitant price and paying back on the spot—as long as he didn't have an attitude of shutting the door, it was fine.

In later years, Wu Kebo of Orange Sky spent 530 million Hong Kong dollars to completely control Wenjie Jiahe, but that was already a matter for 2009.

Zhong Lifang nodded: "According to the report from the business consulting firm we hired, Zou Wenhuai is already nearly 80 years old; he no longer has the time and energy to revive Wenjie Jiahe."

"More unfortunately, his daughter Zou Zhongheng also seems to have mediocre ability; several shareholders within Wenjie Jiahe do not favor her, and the performance over these two years has indeed been average."

"From the time Zou Zhongheng took over, the stock price fell from 2.6 to a low of 1.8, and it wasn't until the beginning of this year, when they started building a cinema in Bao'an, Pengcheng, that there was some recovery."

Lu Kuan closed his eyes in thought, thinking of the confidential information Li Shoucheng had revealed to him earlier.

Zou Wenhuai was a filmmaker with a lot of sentiment; his shares could be sold, but it had to be to someone he approved of.

Because this was a brand he had spent his whole life building.

Besides a satisfactory price, whether the acquirer could revive Wenjie Jiahe and not bring shame or decline to the brand was an important consideration.

Lu Kuan checked his watch: "Let's go, it's exactly two o'clock when we arrive at his house; let's see what this old gentleman can chat with us about."

41 Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong—this was the Zou family mansion, covering over 860 square meters, affectionately known as "Crane Abode."

An old butler who looked to be over sixty greeted them into the house: "Please, both of you."

Lu Kuan had not notified anyone about this trip.

First, he wanted to enter the village quietly without firing a shot, fearing that interested parties would see through his intentions of contacting Wenjie Jiahe.

Second, the film companies he was on good terms with, such as China Star and Emperor, had tense relations with Wenjie Jiahe, and seeking their help would only be counterproductive.

It was better to get straight to the point and have a heart-to-heart chat with this old filmmaker from the last century.

Just as Li Shoucheng said, as long as he could gain his personal approval, not only his own shares but also the shares of those old partners would not be a problem.

As the two walked along the garden path, the old butler remembered the eldest daughter's reminder and quietly passed a word to the guests.

"Mr. Lu, Ms. Zhong, a guest from the mainland also came to see the master a few days ago, and he is here today as well."

"Oh?"

Boss Lu raised his eyebrows: "Thank you, Butler Chen."

The old butler nodded and said nothing more.

As the two stepped into a living room, Zou Wenhuai's eyes lit up, and he stood up to welcome them.

"Mr. Lu, I've long admired you."

Boss Lu stepped forward to shake his hands politely, but his eyes couldn't help but look at the suave man in a suit on the sofa.

It was precisely Zhou Jun, who had sought to invest in Inquiry Realm but failed and had "turned love into hate."

(End of chapter)