[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta":3,"chapter-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-323":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Playboy of Huayu: How Did a Celestial Immortal Transform Me?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297949,4495,"Chapter 323: You Are a High-Level Pervert","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-323",323,"\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong? Why did Li An’s face turn red and then pale just now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu plopped down beside Zhou Xun: \"It's nothing, I just had a heated discussion with him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A heated discussion with you? That’s an interesting choice of words.\" Zhou Xun covered her mouth and chuckled; the Oscar ceremony was about to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In later years, Li An had indeed invited Liu Yifei to audition, talking to her three times, but she refused because there were too many nude scenes and she couldn't use a body double.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 2006 Oscars were relatively mediocre; they lacked the inherent suspense of Hollywood, lacked witty banter, and were becoming more and more like visual McDonald's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after having dinner with Harvey last night, everyone had predicted almost 80% of the winners correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only upset occurred in the Best Picture category, which even drew boos from some of the guests present!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What right did *Crash* have to snatch the golden statue from the hands of *Brokeback Mountain*?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they did give Li An a not-insignificant Best Director award as a consolation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching *Crash* producer Cathy Schulman go on stage to accept the award, Zhou Xun and Hu Jun, sitting in the audience, both felt a sense of injustice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, this is too much, isn't it? Even at this level, they still play the 'charity begins at home' game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu looked at Hu Jun and shook his head with a bitter smile: \"It’s not just for that reason; it’s also because of the film's subject matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you see the news in Los Angeles today? Over sixty thousand people protested the homosexual theme of *Brokeback Mountain*, opposing it winning any awards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A significant portion of Hollywood film funding comes from their neoconservatism, mostly from military-industrial complexes, and they are very much against such subject matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The representative figure of neoconservatism is the President from Texas, Bush, who attempts to maintain the traditional moral order of American society on social issues such as opposing same-sex marriage and supporting religious activities in schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His home base, Texas, is also a very conservative state in the U.S., where the social ethos emphasizes individualism, family values, and loyalty to the country and community.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As of 2006, homosexuality in Texas is considered a complete heresy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The awards ceremony ended quickly; the *Aftershock* crew won Best Visual Effects, so it wasn't a wasted trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan led the crew to exit in an orderly fashion, and a blonde beauty offered a few invitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Jun and Song Jia were curious but too embarrassed to crowd over and pry, while Zhou Xun had no such reservations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is all this written on here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu flipped through them one by one: \"This is an AIDS charity banquet, and there's also a charity dinner for African children organized by Black actors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one is anti-war, this one focuses on homosexuality—there are many, but you don't need to go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director smiled: \"They are all actors and social organizations enthusiastic about public welfare; it doesn't mean much. If you have the chance in the future, if you're going to go, go to this one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flashed an invitation with bright gold edges in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jia said in surprise: \"I know this one! It’s the Oscar Night hosted by *Vanity Fair*, right? I always hear about it; it must be so much fun!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan smiled; it was fun, but if a young mainland actress like her went in, she would likely just be played by others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wild parties of Hollywood Night are usually held in luxury villas in Beverly Hills, on priceless private yachts, or on the top floors of high-end hotels in Los Angeles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The villas have vast lawns, outdoor pools, and huge indoor spaces; phones are surrendered, no photography or video equipment is allowed, and these top-tier stars, usually glamorous in public, can indulge in wild revelry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the biggest social venue after the Hollywood awards ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition to film and television stars, major film companies, producers, music superstars, and business tycoons gather here, providing a space for guests to make private deals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Generally speaking, the collective sexual stimulation and extravagance of the West in the early 21st century mostly remained within this category, while neoconservatism at home held the upper hand and the mainstream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the threshold for pleasure among these top stars, celebrities, and wealthy merchants continued to rise, the sordid and filthy activities—such as the Lolita Island project, which is generally believed to have started in 2005, and the later scandals involving Diddy—revealed another level of filth and sin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mainland actress like Song Jia, who had just debuted not long ago, even if she got an admission ticket, would either be ignored in such a vanity fair or lose herself and be swallowed up without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After accepting interviews from several Asian media outlets, the *Aftershock* crew parted ways at the entrance of the Kodak Theatre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you make an appointment with Liu Yifei to eat hot pot in Chinatown? The driver will take you there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun asked in surprise: \"You're not going?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled: \"I have an appointment to discuss something with someone; I won't go if it gets too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking, Harvey's Cadillac DTS, the same model as Buffett's, pulled up. The window rolled down, and the Jewish white pig waved at him excitedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu! Get in!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun and the other two watched him drive away, feeling quite emotional after witnessing this world-class vanity fair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Jun rubbed his stubble: \"I've always heard that Director Lu is well-connected abroad, but it feels like he treats the Oscars like his own home, doesn't it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I recognize that man from just now. Wasn't it him who returned Chen Kaige's *The Promise*?\" It took Song Jia a long time to react; not many people in China were familiar with Harvey at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't until the \"China Film and Hollywood Cooperation\" forum at the 2010 Shanghai Film Festival, when Feng Xiaogang angrily denounced Harvey as a liar and exposed his usual tricks, that domestic film fans widely learned that such a person existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun spread her hands; she strongly suspected that Boss Lu was going to attend some salacious orgy, but she still had to smooth things over in front of these two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Hu, Song Jia, if Xixi asks later...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll just say Lu Kuan went to talk about a new movie with Li An.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Jun nodded honestly, understanding perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Jia wasn't a fool either, covering her mouth and giggling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Zhou Xun looked helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have sacrificed too much for this family of yours, plus one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director, who didn't know he had been misunderstood, promised Harvey they would leave the Kodak Theatre, and before long, they arrived at the Beverly Hills villa of Disney CEO Iger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iger had just slipped away from another reception in the villa and was on his way back; the butler of the mansion began showing him and Harvey around the property.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu, who had always been keen on real estate, became addicted and started asking Harvey about the prices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I bought this last year?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smoked: \"I just saw Jackie Chan's house; how big is that one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iger's old butler knew the details by heart: \"Jackie Chan's house is the former residence of Marilyn Monroe, about 700 square meters, and the current market price is around 30 million US dollars.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wow! Old Jackie is quite rich; he truly deserves to be the first Chinese actor to break into the 20-million-dollar club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey smiled: \"I know a wealth manager who specializes in managing assets for Hollywood stars, named Alan Stone. He should have quite a few properties on hand. If you're interested, I'll introduce you another day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, but I'm going back to China in a few days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave it to me. You just need to tell me your requirements, Lu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu shook his head and smiled: \"No, I have very high requirements for my living environment. As for the house...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to come and check the feng shui on-site.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jewish white pig's eyes widened instantly: \"Feng shui?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the literal translation of feng shui in North America; some also call it geomancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for a filmmaker like Harvey who had always been interested in Chinese culture, this term was not unfamiliar, but it was very mysterious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen old men in Chinatown with long beards, dressed like they were in a play, holding compasses and selling their services everywhere; it had a somewhat \"I don't know what it is, but it sounds powerful\" vibe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu nodded: \"Did you forget my identity? Feng shui is a required course for this religion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! My friend, how many more talents are you hiding from me!\" Harvey’s expression was exaggerated, the flesh on his face trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am desperate to invite you to be a guest at my home, Lu. Please, help me check the feng shui!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu exhaled a puff of smoke: \"Easy, easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was using this as an excuse to find an opportunity to further \"PUA\" the Jewish white pig.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can't talk about feelings with a guy like this; interest binding and mental conquest are the most direct methods. You have to tighten the thick rope binding him from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after this pool incident, a Hollywood \"black glove\" like Harvey seemed increasingly important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are many things he finds inconvenient to do, things he doesn't know the inside story or unspoken rules about, and things he can't say with his own Chinese face, but Harvey, the Jew bound by interests, is more than happy to do them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen, sorry to keep you waiting!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, Iger, who had returned from the Oscar Night, entered the room and smilingly invited the two to talk in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old butler, as instructed, brought a beautiful wooden cigar box and three wine glasses from the house, and another waiter began pouring the wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu, congratulations on *Aftershock* winning Best Visual Effects. I really can't believe that Chinese people have won Best Visual Effects for two consecutive years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu waved his hand: \"Not worth mentioning, just dared to spend the money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*The Forbidden Kingdom* and *Aftershock* spent a huge amount on special effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason was the production needs of the film, and the second was the introduction of technical talent and paying tuition fees; these detours were necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this day, Butian Pictures has already taken the lead in Asia; established companies like Technicolor, FatFace, and Centro Digital Pictures can no longer keep up with the former's pace of technological expansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technological monopoly within Asia has led to a surge in order volume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, the later *Curse of the Golden Flower* had its post-production handled by Hong Kong's Centro Digital Pictures, but in this life, Zhang Yimou naturally handed it to Butian Pictures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old butler skillfully used a cigar cutter to trim the cigar heads for the guests, then picked up a lighter and lit them one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the flames flickered, the aroma of the cigars dispersed, and the three of them puffed on their cigars and began to chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan said in a deep voice: \"Iger, the negotiations for the details of the North American distribution and Disney's slate deal are almost finished, including the late addition of Harvey's Miramax. I believe we will have a beautiful future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I agree.\" Iger clapped his hands: \"Compared to Fox and Dune Entertainment, as well as Paramount's bankrupt Melrose, I have more confidence in our three-party slate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distribution is backed by China, the world's number one blue ocean market, known as a diamond mine, and has Lu Kuan, the boss of the largest film and entertainment company in the mainland, controlling the situation and policies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He himself is also a top director, with the most intuitive and authoritative understanding of the artistry and profit prospects of films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walt Disney goes without saying; as one of the old \"Big Six,\" it has unique advantages in theater chain negotiations, derivative product development, and IP development, which the previous partner, Lionsgate, could not compare to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Harvey's Miramax, his role is reflected in all sorts of trivial details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Lu Kuan lamented that the mainland has its own way of doing things and its own social etiquette, the Western world is the same, and Harvey is the most suitable agent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is the person thanked most by Oscar winners in Hollywood history, and he can play a huge role in winning awards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evil-faced, ruthless, black-hearted, and without a bottom line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu, for the first film, do you have any ideas?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled: \"Actually, I've had a target for a long time, but it wasn't until I had a partner like Disney that it became convenient to implement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey and Iger both cast curious glances, hearing a long-lost comic book character from the mouth of this Eastern director—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Iron Man*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marvel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, exactly, Marvel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey shook his head: \"I've looked into this project; the prospects don't seem very good, and Marvel itself is scraping the bottom of the barrel, having barely managed to scrape together the funding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iger agreed: \"Marvel's Arad sought help from Disney the year before last; their capital chain is almost broken, and they've sold off just about all their superhero IP.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu took a sip of red wine with an expressionless face; what he wanted was for Marvel's capital chain to break!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was launching his strategic deployment in the North American film industry; if he avoided the heavy-asset, sunset-industry theater chains in terms of film distribution channels, seeking breakthroughs instead through Blockbuster and Netflix;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then in terms of content and IP, clearly Marvel, which was currently so weak it was nearly dying, was the perfect choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marvel filed for bankruptcy in 1998, and in order to save itself, it sold off almost all its most valuable comic book character IP to the six major Hollywood studios with time limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sony Pictures bought Spider-Man and its derivative characters, Venom, Carnage, the Sinister Six, and Morbius, etc.;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twentieth Century Fox bought the most valuable Fantastic Four and X-Men;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Universal bought the Hulk, which flopped after Li An directed it the year before last;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lionsgate, outside of the six majors, bought Thor, Captain America, and Man-Thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2005, Marvel was once again nearing bankruptcy, and CEO Arad decided to launch a final gamble, signing a $525 million, eight-year financing agreement with Merrill Lynch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As collateral, he packaged all of Marvel's remaining character IP and gave it to Merrill Lynch; it could be called a desperate, all-or-nothing move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the target of Marvel's all-or-nothing gamble was this film, \"Iron Man,\" which consumed their entire $140 million cash flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Iron Man,\" which exploded globally in 2008.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely because of this that Disney would formally acquire Marvel in 2009 and begin to gradually reclaim the superhero IP scattered outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet today, in 2006, the six major Hollywood studios had no awareness of or much interest in this gold mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disney was focused on animated films and theme parks, having just acquired the equity of Pixar from Jobs at the beginning of the year;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warner Bros. had its own DC Comics, including Superman, Wonder Woman, and The Flash, and had its own layout in the superhero field;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fox was busy with the \"Dune\" package;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Paramount was on a downward trajectory, nearly being acquired by Wanda in later years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Universal and Sony Columbia, they had always focused on the film and television resources they already held and had no strategy for cross-industry expansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added to the various copyrights Marvel had scattered abroad and its unstable operations, now was the best time for Boss Lu to make his move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strategy was simple: loot a burning house by acquiring Marvel, then invest in \"Iron Man\" through a package deal with Disney and Miramax, effectively lifting his own sedan chair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time \"Iron Man\" exploded in 2008, if other giants coveted this treasure trove of IP, they would find it was already in the hands of a Chinese man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Marvel's IP, there was so much that could be done in the hands of film capital and the Internet capital of Wenjie Holdings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that Harvey and Iger, at this moment, clearly weren't too keen on the first product of the package deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan coaxed them: \"Our package strategy can be more flexible; we don't necessarily have to lock in every small project according to a fixed investment share.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For instance, with this 'Iron Man,' Wenjie's capital pool can provide over 70% of the investment; you two only need to provide the necessary help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iger's expression cleared slightly; he didn't want the first film they collaborated on to end unpleasantly, after all, Disney had gained a lot from this News Corporation scandal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu, you are a very sincere collaborator and a gentleman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey didn't think much of this project from the bottom of his heart; he was fond of films with the style of \"Cold Mountain\" or \"Shakespeare in Love.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But based on his superstition regarding Boss Lu, the Jew pondered for a long while and said: \"Miramax will keep its original share, but I need to study this project carefully and take a look at Marvel's script and casting situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure, no problem.\" Boss Lu was noncommittal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were any other project, he would have swallowed it alone without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At most, he would bring along die-hard partners from the mainland and Xiangjiang like China Film Group or Emperor Group; he wouldn't be willing to share the profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that for \"Iron Man\" to achieve its later success in North America, it was impossible without pulling in a big company like Disney; relying solely on Harvey and Lionsgate, they wouldn't even be able to negotiate for 3,000 screens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, at this time, Hollywood's understanding of superhero films was mainly concentrated on a few characters like DC's Superman and Batman, and they generally underestimated the film potential of Marvel characters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, Marvel wouldn't have had to sell its blood to raise funds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moon hung in the middle of the sky; it was already nearly 10 o'clock when they left Beverly Hills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey was in a good mood; he was very satisfied that Miramax could occupy a place in the package deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What's more, he was collaborating with Lu Kuan, a director full of Eastern metaphysics; at the very least, he hadn't taken any big falls yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most recent Fox live-streaming incident, while seemingly dangerous, hadn't he passed through it safely?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even leveraged the situation to develop an ally at the level of Disney.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey, having just sat in the car, was already unable to contain his excitement: \"I've contacted a few parties with plenty of fun; Lu, tonight will be a sleepless night!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu waved his hand: \"Forget it, I've been too tired running promotions these past few days, I want to rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My God, listen to what you're saying! Is this still you?\" Harvey looked incredulous. \"My friend, what happened? Is there any place more suitable for a nap than a woman's belly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jewish white pig suddenly leaned in and whispered: \"Lu, if it's that kind of reason, don't worry, I have medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu had an expression like he was constipated, and it wasn't easy to explain anything to him: \"Someone is waiting for me at the hotel, please excuse me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey also looked constipated: \"What a pity! Such a pity, Quentin is filming \"Grindhouse\" in Austin and flew back specifically to find you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't you want to mock his sleazy foot-licking appearance anymore?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jewish white pig had the feeling of someone in a college dorm where everyone was slacking off, suddenly seeing a roommate studying by candlelight at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could you, Lu Kuan, turn over a new leaf? You've betrayed the revolution!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Times were different now; Boss Lu was still relatively cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially after his last conversation with Liu Laoshi, and with News Corporation, that potential enemy, still lurking and watching, he shouldn't dig a hole for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey saw that he really couldn't be persuaded: \"Alright, then let me send you back first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just called Alan, that asset agent; you can come and look at the house in Beverly Hills tomorrow if you have time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu was interested in this: \"Sure, see you tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harvey got into another car and instructed the driver to take him back to the Roosevelt Hotel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Boss Lu was still carrying out his strategy of \"openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang\" with Iger and Harvey, the hot pot dinner on Liu Yifei's side had just ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Jun and Song Jia thanked her for the hospitality and said goodbye; little Liu pulled Zhou Xun and didn't leave in a hurry, chatting with the owner of this Los Angeles flagship store of Little Sheep for a while before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xixi, why are you concerned about the business of a hot pot restaurant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I bought shares in Haidilao back home; have you been there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun was surprised: \"Haidilao? I've heard of it; there are quite a few stores in Beiping, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, there's the Beiao store and the Baizhifang store now; the Jinsong store is opening next month, and we're preparing to open the first branch in Modu by the end of the year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun nodded; it was very normal for actors to open shops and do business in this era; Na Ying, Ke Lan, and others had opened bars for many years, and she had been to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Xun, if you're interested, you can consider buying shares; I think, according to Lu Kuan's words, this catering company has quite a lot of money-making potential.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He knows too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei looked calm: \"Yeah, Lu Kuan lent me 30 million, and I invested it all, holding a 35% stake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Buying shares a year ago was just a whim; she thought that with Lu Kuan's vision, it wouldn't lose money, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the past year, Haidilao's development had become increasingly rapid, and it had widely attracted the attention of industry peers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In May 2006, in later years, over 200 people from the Yum! Brands regional manager meeting in the first half of the year collectively flocked to the Haidilao Beiao store to visit and learn; this event greatly increased Haidilao's popularity and influence in the catering industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl was also big-hearted; Haidilao had been in an expansion period for these past few years, and the dividends last year were negligible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She just had Yang Siwei verify the authenticity of the financial data with a registered accountant and then didn't worry about it anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today's trip was also to help them conduct a field investigation of the Little Sheep in Los Angeles' Chinatown to see if there was a possibility of it becoming the second Chinese hot pot brand to go overseas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, at this time, both the cultural industry and the catering industry emphasized \"blooming outside the wall while smelling sweet inside,\" which could be considered a marketing tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women strolled through Chinatown, and little Liu still felt a bit regretful: \"It's a pity about your performance in \"Tangshan\"; it's just that the subject matter doesn't suit the tastes of those Jewish white men in Hollywood, otherwise, there would at least be a chance for a nomination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun laughed: \"It's not that easy; even Zhang Ziyi's Hollywood film \"Memoirs of a Geisha\" didn't get a nomination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, it's really hard for Chinese actresses in Hollywood.\" Liu Yifei sighed: \"Fortunately, you still have \"Perhaps Love\" this year; the Hong Kong Film Awards in April should have a great chance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope so; this time I have to thank Director Lu; I really can learn a lot under him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If everything went smoothly, the domestic film scene in 2006 could almost be called the Year of Zhou Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hong Kong Film Awards in April, the Golden Horse Awards in December; in later years, she won the Best Actress crown for \"Perhaps Love.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this life, it wouldn't be difficult to win the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Awards and the Asian Film Critics Association awards with the 2006 New Year box office champion \"Tangshan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two passed by a Chinese handicraft shop; the owner recognized the two mainland actresses and smilingly requested a group photo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun gladly complied and asked the shopkeeper to help take a photo of her and the little girl: \"I'll post it on my blog when I get back; I'm usually too lazy to manage it, but today I met an old friend in a foreign land, so I have to celebrate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei smiled, then asked as if unintentionally: \"Did Lu Kuan go to talk about a movie with Li An? Why has it been so long, and there's not a single sound?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of acting skills did Zhou Xun have? How could she let her see any clues: \"Should be? I don't know the specifics either; anyway, he left with a group of directors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a pity that Liu Yifei could now switch at will between an innocent little rabbit and a cunning fox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Kuan's phone is out of battery and I can't get through; I have Li An's number, so I'll just ask him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coffee in Zhou Xun's hand spilled slightly; she turned her head and laughed naturally: \"I was busy slurping the latte foam just now; it burned my mouth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Xun, take it easy.\" The little girl smiled charmingly at her, her hand not stopping the dialing motion, her head lowered without looking at Zhou Xun's expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xixi!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The actress who would be crowned at the Hong Kong Film Awards in two months seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at Liu Yifei solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is something about Fan Bingbing that I find particularly strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a great \"besieging Wei to save Zhao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu had indeed \"self-soiled\" too much in the past, leading to his friends not having much confidence in his integrity...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei raised her eyebrows upon hearing this, covered the phone screen where she had randomly typed 1234567, and looked at Zhou Xun with great interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister Xun, tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun let out a long sigh, thinking that since this news had to be told to Lu Kuan anyway, it made no difference to tell Liu Yifei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they had little confidence in Master Lu's sexual integrity, these friends were quite confident in Little Liu's loyalty and kindness, especially after this Manhattan incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Before the new year, Huayi Society allocated shares, setting aside 18% in total to be distributed among core artists and directors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Feng Xiaogang got 5%, Zhang Jizhong 3%, and among the artists, I got 3%, the same as Huang Xiaoming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know how much Fan Bingbing has? She actually got 5%, the same as Feng Xiaogang, and it's said that her portion isn't even part of that 18%.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason Zhou Xun knew this \"rumor\" was because she had followed her established plan to ask the two Wangs for a larger share of equity and was refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't until Fan Bingbing was mentioned that Wang Xiaolei reluctantly provided this explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to wartime espionage regulations, she and Fan Bingbing naturally did not know about each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have guessed that Lu Kuan had arranged for Fan Bingbing to go undercover back in 2002? At that time, he had absolutely no conflict with Huayi Society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Liu asked in confusion: \"Then I have a question, on what grounds did Fan Bingbing get so many shares?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She is indeed the company's most profitable artist; the management commissions from various categories alone reached nearly 20 million last year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun felt a bit envious: \"The key is that she has excellent relationships with the two editors-in-chief of *Vogue* and *Harper's Bazaar*, Zhang Yu and Su Mang, and has almost monopolized the fashion resources within Huayi Society.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, even the two Wangs' confidantes like Huo Siyan and rising stars like Yang Mi are coaxing her every day, just for a taste of that fashion world 'Tang Monk meat'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei frowned and pondered: \"You mean...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xixi, I'll be blunt.\" Zhou Xun said solemnly: \"Everyone knows that Fan Bingbing has a relationship with Director Lu; he was indeed a bit of a playboy in the past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don't look at Huayi Society and the Wenjie Force as if they are at peace on the surface; last time Deng Wendi targeted you and Director Lu, do you really think those brothers didn't get involved at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As far as I know, Deng Wendi's joint venture in the mainland holds at least 7% of Huayi Society's shares, and she may increase her investment soon. This is the public result after our distribution plan was finalized; all core personnel know it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Liu was not sensitive about the relationship between Master Lu and Fan Bingbing that she mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was the first to know, and the one who felt it most deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mean, Fan Bingbing used the resources from her previous dealings with Lu Kuan to strengthen herself, then turned around to join forces with Huayi Society, standing on the side of Huayi Society and Deng Wendi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun nodded: \"I'm just guessing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, there isn't that much deep hatred or choosing sides in the entertainment industry, just like me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although I am an artist under Huayi Society, there's nothing to avoid about having a good relationship with Director Lu. I don't worry about what the two Wangs think; who doesn't have a few close friends?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Fan Bingbing got more shares than us, and there's also a newcomer named Chen Sicheng who actually got shares too. This person...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei realized with a start: \"Chen Sicheng? He has a conflict with Lu Kuan; we once caught him in the act trying to molest Tong Liya.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's such a thing?\" Zhou Xun looked stunned, then her brow furrowed even deeper: \"Then that makes sense!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Liu stared silently at Zhou Xun for a few seconds; both were struck by a sudden inspiration, seemingly sensing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young girl's phoenix eyes were chillingly cold, and she said through gritted teeth: \"That dog didn't leave some kind of leverage with Fan Bingbing, did he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that's why those two at Huayi Society gave her more shares than you ordinary core personnel, in exchange for stabbing Lu Kuan in the back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun spread her hands: \"In short, based on the current situation, that's how I'm speculating with a petty mind, also because of that pool photo incident you had earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei nodded indifferently, then suddenly felt something was wrong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remembered the sentence Master Lu said to her at the birthday banquet after turning off the microphone...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Her, I still have use for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is Fan Bingbing getting these shares because of Lu Kuan's manipulation, as part of some plan;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or did she get these shares because she betrayed his control, and might be acting against him at the instigation of Deng Wendi and the two Wangs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The huge information gap between Liu Yifei and the person involved left her unable to judge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Zhou Xun is one of their own; if she explains it clearly to the washing machine, he will have his own judgment, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her confidence in Lu Kuan kept her from worrying too much, but the name of that woman, Fan Bingbing, had indeed drawn a huge rift between the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this day, she didn't even have the heart to think carefully about who released that photo at the birthday banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Bingbing is possible, but isn't Huayi Society possible? Aren't other mainland entertainment companies possible?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She is Lu Kuan's cash cow; there are too many people who are jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xixi? What's wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing.\" Little Liu's cold demeanor faded, and she returned to her gentle and charming appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do we need to worry about Lu Kuan? You tell him, and he will naturally solve it himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With that brain of his, it's already good if he doesn't scheme against others. If Fan Bingbing isn't blinded by greed, she shouldn't make a wrong move.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun smiled and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things are not convenient to mention, but if Fan Bingbing really stabbed Lu Kuan in the back, wouldn't the only obstacle between you and him cease to exist?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone else might actually hope that Fan Bingbing acts against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After strolling for a while, Zhou Xun and Little Liu took a car back to the Roosevelt Hotel. Mia opened the door for them: \"Is that Mr. Lu over there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two women looked up in unison; it was indeed Master Lu, wearing a coat and smoking under a street lamp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu was patted on the back by Little Liu, turned around and smiled: \"Didn't you pack any food for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun smiled: \"Didn't you answer your phone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A-Fei isn't with me; the spare battery is in his car.\" Master Lu spread his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are too many things for the company to handle these past two days, not just domestically, but also in North America.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He is intensively pledging shares and coordinating cash flow to prepare for injecting capital into Paulson's COD short-selling fund.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that one only regrets having too little money when it's needed; now there are two expenditures of unknown amounts waiting to be fed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Netflix\u002FBlockbuster, and Marvel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter is not urgent; before *Iron Man* is greenlit for production or even released, few people will try to snatch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, Marvel wouldn't have been able to hold on when it first filed for bankruptcy in 1998, and it's unlikely it could have lasted until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the war between Netflix and Blockbuster is in full swing; he might enter the fray at any time, and cash is ammunition—it is truly vital!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little Liu had her mood dampened by the Fan Bingbing affair, and her tone was a bit cold: \"Why are you frowning? It's all bunched up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu smiled: \"Short on money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young girl frowned and took a few dollars left over from buying coffee out of her pocket: \"Take it, don't be polite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she looked at him suspiciously: \"You aren't trying to collect a debt from me in disguise, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun laughed: \"Probably not; our combined net worth probably doesn't even reach the single digits of his funding gap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly, Little Liu is being petty, making me sound like a miser.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu crushed the cigarette butt under his shoe: \"By the way, you two accompany me to Beverly Hills tomorrow to look at houses and give me your opinions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Buying a house again? Short on money and still buying a house?\" Little Liu glanced at him helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft! How much can buying a house cost?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll probably be coming to North America more often in the future; staying in hotels is inconvenient and has no privacy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it weren't for being tight on cash right now, I'd buy a private jet immediately; that would be even more convenient!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu is no longer an unfamiliar face in North America, so he should try to avoid another paparazzi incident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei brushed back her raven-black hair blown by the wind, pouting in disdain: \"Rich bumpkin, showing off!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Insulting me? Don't sit in it when the time comes then?\" Master Lu laid down the ugly truth first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young girl was already holding a grudge because of Fan Bingbing, so she naturally didn't hold back: \"Who wants to sit in your 'Washing Machine'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you're short on money, go paint; 15 million a piece, there are plenty of rich young ladies lining up to kiss your feet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun covered her mouth and giggled; she was at the *Harper's Bazaar* Charity Night, and the old joke about the 15 million was etched in her memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The future Best Actress in the VIP viewing seat was dying to take out her phone to record, so she could go back to bed at night and slowly eat the melon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu looked at her with a smile: \"Alright, aren't you a rich young lady too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about the portrait of the beauty in a qipao I painted for you last time? You owe me 45 million now, pay me back quickly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh!\" Zhou Xun chimed in with good intentions: \"So Xixi has modeled for you before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can this painting be borrowed for those of us who can't afford 15 million to appreciate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu continued to tease: \"My clumsy work isn't enough to express one ten-thousandth of Little Liu's true charm. Sister Xun, you can just look at her figure; it's worth at least 1.5 billion!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director pulled Zhou Xun along, and the two male and female wolves began to look the young girl up and down with a straight face, making jokes while commenting on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xixi's long legs are truly enviable; they reach my waist!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu smacked his lips: \"They are nice, the calves are slender and straight, the thighs are firm and powerful. The *Classic of Poetry* says 'the noble person is tall, wearing a brocade robe over her clothes'—it's probably like this, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It reminds me of Nie Xiaoqian in *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*: 'skin reflecting flowing clouds, feet like delicate bamboo shoots'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun listened and clicked her tongue in admiration, giving him a thumbs up: \"You are a high-class pervert.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei failed to be sarcastic and was teased instead; she felt her pretty face burning under Lu Kuan's intense gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young girl couldn't help but pull her coat tighter and stand with her arms crossed, then gave the washing machine a fierce glare before walking toward the hotel with a crimson face: \"Sister Xun, I'm going back first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun watched the young girl's maidenly charm with her jade cheeks and cherry lips, finding the young girl's shyness amusing: \"Go ahead, we'll chat for a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Liu Yifei walk away, Lu Kuan calmly turned to Zhou Xun: \"What did you say about Fan Bingbing in the message?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xun smiled, holding up two fingers to him: \"Get me a cigarette first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old smoker Master Lu chuckled, and the two huddled under the dim street lamp, puffing away...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",6469,"2026-06-20T06:05:19.268Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","43a475e07555642fbb6fd453ae70940eb1c53e98ff939c90ce022c6cff159ae0","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-324","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-322",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-cover.jpg"]