Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 185 Green Misunderstanding

Lu Kuan was about to give them some comments when A Fei suddenly came over with his cell phone.

"Boss, Tom Cruise's calling."

"Director Yuan, please take them through the martial arts scenes first."

"You're busy, leave it to me."

Boss Lu gave a few more instructions to the staff of Butian Films, telling them that it didn't matter if he wasn't present, as they could just look at the results of the digital photography later.

"Hello? Tom, you're looking for me."

"Lu, the press conference that day was very successful. Many film producers have already come to us. I don't think we need to wait until the film festival."

As mentioned earlier, the biggest source of funding for "Alien Land" was the pre-sales from the distribution company for filming.

Relying on his personal credibility, Lu Kuan has received nearly 1000 million US dollars in pre-sale funds from Eagle King and China Film.

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

Generally speaking, such a deal would be put on the film festival stage, and a promotion meeting would be held at the festival to release a sample film, taking advantage of the opportunity of the three major European film festivals.

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

But the most recent Venice Film Festival also ended at the beginning of the month, and the next one will have to wait until Berlin, Germany, which is too long.

Fortunately, Lu Kuan had gained some fame at two European Film Festivals, and the producer Tom Cruise was also a Hollywood celebrity, so many North American film producers had come to him.

"Harvey and Disney?"

"Yes, Harvey should have called you, right?"

Lu Kuan was a little suspicious. Harvey had indeed called him and mentioned the release of "Foreign Land", but he did not comment.

He can fool Xavi in ​​Europe, but in Hollywood, that's his home turf.

With his current power and connections, Harvey is sure to win.

If he plays some tricks with his financial sponsor Disney, it won't be easy for him to crack down on him.

He now even has some doubts about Tom Cruise's attitude, which seems a bit ambiguous?
"Let's put it this way, Tom. I'll decide on the female lead the day after tomorrow. After they finish their training, I'll use half a month to shoot a pre-release film."

"Then you can invite interested film producers to watch the film together, and we can talk about distribution."

"Okay, that's it for now."

After hanging up the phone, Boss Lu, who was suspicious by nature, inexplicably felt a sense of vigilance.

However, we still have to choose the heroine first, shoot the trailer and pre-sell it. If these Hollywood wolves really have any tricks, we can only deal with them as they come.

The auditions on the second day also ended successfully. The actresses politely said goodbye to Yuan Heping's team and Lu Kuan and left.

Zhang Baizhi hesitated for a while under the pretext of taking off his equipment. Seeing that most people had left, he tidied up his hair and walked slowly towards the road.

Her performance today was very poor, and her lines yesterday were slightly inferior to those of Zhou Xun, Zhang Ziyi and others. She was thinking of getting close to Lu Kuan.

"Director, can I trouble you for something?"

Lu Kuan turned around and saw Zhang Baizhi still wearing the bun hairstyle she had in the afternoon audition. She had a pretty face and sparkling eyes.

His round head is similar to Xiao Liu's.

"Ok?"

"Tomorrow is my last day on stage with makeup on. I don't understand something in the script, so I'd like to ask you for help."

Boss Lu looked strange.

It is said that the entertainment circles of Hong Kong and Taiwan are 20 years ahead of the domestic entertainment circles. Look at how much they are striving for progress.

Jia Jingwen had already tasted a lethal dose yesterday, and it seems that this beautiful girl from Hong Kong is not willing to be left behind?

"Okay, come on."

Gillian Chung came out of the dressing room and wanted to call Zhang Baizhi to go back to the hotel together, but she saw the two of them talking and laughing as they walked towards the office.

Zhang Baizhi would often cover his mouth and chuckle, and pat Lu Kuan's forearm, looking both angry and shy.

She raised an eyebrow helplessly.

I'm used to it. I'd better go first.

Gillian Chung was replying to text messages on her phone, complaining to her sister Cai Zhuoyen that this was the most tiring audition in her life.

"Ah Jiao, where's Bozhi?"

Gillian Chung looked up and saw Nicholas Tse waiting at the stairs, wearing a black motorcycle leather jacket and taking off his sunglasses.

Her mind was a little blank at this moment. She couldn't say that your girlfriend Bai Zhi was squeezing juice, right?
"Tingfeng, why...why don't you go up?"

"Oh, I'm afraid to disturb your audition."

Of course Nicholas Tse didn't want to go up. He wished he never saw that person again in his life. It was heartbreaking to see him.

It’s like the poor kid you’ve always looked down upon, when you’re forty years old, broke and working as a delivery boy in front of an expensive villa, rings the doorbell and sticks his head out again.

Maybe he doesn't recognize you anymore and is yelling at you for almost timing out!
Let you feel the disparity in life.

This is how Nicholas Tse feels now when he sees the road is wide.

Even the boss Li Shoucheng replaced the manager of the Peking branch specifically for him. What else could he have to fight with him?

But I feel really depressed.

Gillian Chung thought of a hundred excuses in her mind, and she just hoped that if Lu Kuan was really being squeezed, it would be best if there was a quick shooter to avoid being caught by Nicholas Tse.

She knew better than Nicholas Tse how much Li Shoucheng valued Lu Kuan, and this was also the information she got from Huo Wenxi's request.

Huo Wenxi even hinted to her to get along better with Director Lu. Do I need to elaborate on what this means?

Second-generation players like Nicholas Tse have naturally bad tempers. If he really figures out something, he will definitely start a fight with Lu Kuan.

This road director didn't seem like the type to settle things peacefully. In the end, he alarmed and angered Li Shoucheng, and he was afraid that he and Florence Hui would also be implicated.

Xie Nicholas Tse waved his hand in front of her eyes and said with a smile, "Jiao? What are you daydreaming about? Where's Bai Zhiren?"

"Godfather, please contact Lu Kuan later. I saw her talking to that Zhang Baizhi from Hong Kong..."

Before Gillian Chung could explain, Jia Jingwen walked out from the door while talking on the phone, and was talking to Wu Dun on the other end about taking the back door.

Just ran into them head on.

The scene suddenly became awkward...

"Tingfeng, Gillian, are you chatting? I'm leaving first."

Just as Gillian Chung was about to look at Nicholas Tse's expression, the young Hong Kong superstar pushed her away in anger and ran towards the elevator.

The third floor of Wenjie, the president’s office.

"Hey, be gentle!"

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

"Ah! Hiss!"

As soon as Nicholas Tse walked to the door, he heard a crisp shout and kicked the door open without hesitation.

Lu Kuan was leaning over the girl's slender neck, not knowing what he was doing.

The girl had her hair tied up in a bun, and it was clearly Zhang Baizhi's appearance when he returned to his residence after the audition yesterday!

"The road is wide!"

Nicholas Tse's eyes were bloodshot, and he roared as he slammed his sunglasses on his back and kicked him.

This was the first time in Boss Lu's life that he was successfully ambushed by someone. In addition, his waist was a little sore from being squeezed by soldiers these days. He lost his balance for a moment and fell flat on his face!
"Fuck! Are you stupid?"

Lu Kuan came to his senses. He was more than ten centimeters taller than Nicholas Tse. He turned around and pounced on him!

Learned it from Ah Fei!
When it comes to fighting, they will fight to the death. Lu Kuan has some advantages in size, but Nicholas Tse can't stand it and thinks he is being cheated on like a mad dog.

The two men were fighting on the ground, and Nicholas Tse's fists rained down on Lu Kuan.

"I'll let you do Bozhi! I'll let you do Bozhi!"

Nicholas Tse threw the second punch, but before he could stretch out his hand, he felt it was pulled away by a strong force.

Ah Fei is here.

Boss Lu then took advantage of the situation and stood up to kick!
This lightning-fast process took less than ten seconds before Concubine Liu Yi came to her senses and held on to Lu Kuan tightly.

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting!"

Nicholas Tse opened his eyes wide in horror as he looked at the girl with the bun!
you! ! !
You are not Bozhi! ?

There were quick footsteps in the corridor. Zhang Baizhi and Gillian Chung were as panicked as dogs that had lost their homes. As soon as they rushed over, they saw this ridiculous scene.

"Tingfeng! What are you doing!"

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

Zhang Baizhi understood instantly. Seeing him talking nonsense in front of so many people, he was so angry that he smashed the bag hard on his face.

The metal lock hit his nose bridge, causing Nicholas Tse to scream.

He was too embarrassed to apologize to Lu Kuan again, and didn't care about the embarrassment, so he got up and chased after her!

Before Boss Lu could kick him a few more times in revenge, the bastard who thought he was being raped ran away.

"A Fei! Where were you just now?"

Boss Lu was furious. Where is my Xiao Mian Zhenghe? Why did he disappear at the critical moment?
Ah Fei felt bitter and inexpressible.

"Boss, Director Yuan just asked me to show him some moves. He said he wanted to study the techniques of the underground boxing market, so I..."

Concubine Liu Yi said dissatisfiedly: "Don't blame others, you are the one who attracts the bees and butterflies!"

Boss Lu pointed with the Band-Aid in his hand: "I've been wronged this time!"

"You were the one who told me that the back of your neck was scratched by the wire today and asked me to put a Band-Aid on you. This was totally an accident for me!"

Concubine Liu Yi sneered and said nothing.

She had just finished the audition and wanted to find Lu Kuan to ask about "Kung Fu". Before she even entered the door, she heard Zhang Baizhi laughing inside.

If I hadn't cleverly found an excuse to interrupt this bastard, with his character, he would have been caught cheating by Nicholas Tse by now, right?

Concubine Liu Yi laughed coldly and exposed him: "The incident between Xu Xiyuan and Dong Jie has just subsided, and you, Boss Lu, still want to do another three-fighting White Bone Demon, right?"

"Nonsense! I won't admit it!"

Boss Lu was so angry that he turned his back and gave Ah Fei a look.

"Boss, you're injured, you need to go to the hospital right away!" "Okay, okay, I'll go by myself, you take Xiao Liu home, that's all."

Concubine Liu Yi rolled her eyes in disdain as she watched him flee.

It’s really worrying!
Liu Xiaoli watched a car drive into the villa. Why was it a car on the wide road?
"A Fei, are you sending Xixi back?"

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

"Stay for dinner?"

"No, no, no."

Ah Fei could sense Liu Yifei's rising anger in the car. This was the perception of murderous intent that a warrior who grew up in an underground boxing market could sense...

Liu Xiaoli brought her daughter into the house.

"Sissi, how are you today?"

"Great, I'm first!"

"Great! Why isn't Siwei with you?"

Liu Yifei took a sip of water and said, "She wants to apply for early graduation and has returned to school to find connections."

Liu Xiaoli understood and then started talking about "Kung Fu".

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

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

Mom, you really bring up things that are not related to the topic.

"No, I won't ask him. I'll decide after the audition results come out tomorrow!"

"Hey, Tian Qiwen called again. I have to reply to him today. That's what I think."

"'Alien Land' is good, but too good. The competition is too fierce and the requirements are too high. Since Zhou Xingchi thinks you are suitable for 'Kung Fu', what else?"

Liu Yifei said firmly: "In any case, I will not sign with Xinghui. If he is still willing to let me act, that's fine, but everything will be decided after the audition tomorrow."

She always felt that she still had a chance, at least today's martial arts instructor Yuan Heping was very optimistic about her.

Liu Xiaoli was helpless. Since her daughter was influenced by Lu Kuan, she became more mature day by day.

It’s okay to say it, but he is too opinionated now and won’t listen to anyone. At most, he will discuss it with Yang Siwei.

"Alien Land" is in the final stage of casting for the female lead, and the same is true for another crew of "Kung Fu."

And the situation is more complicated.

Zhou Xingchi liked Liu Yifei, but she refused to sign a contract with Xinghui;
Tian Qiwen was asked by Professor Wu to let Huang Shengyi play the role, but he had to wait until Liu Yifei explicitly refused.

The crew of "Kung Fu" at Chedun Film and Television City.

Tian Qiwen had been sitting with him in the room for the entire afternoon, looking over the audition materials of Liu Yifei and Huang Shengyi over and over again, but still hadn't made a decision.

"Originally, this drama would be better suited for Liu Yifei, but she's unwilling to sign an agency contract, and the kissing scene requires a camera, which is a bit tricky."

"Xiao Huang is okay, but I feel like she's a little less interesting than that little girl."

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

"Enter!"

Liu Yu is the representative of Huayi, but what Wang Xiaolei asked him to relay just now was really hard to say.

"director."

Zhou Xingchi turned around suspiciously, looked at his hesitant expression and said with a smile: "Liu Yu, what's our relationship now? If you have anything to say that's not easy to say, just say it first!"

Liu Yuyi stomped his foot in frustration: "Wang Xiaolei of Huayi, the second-in-command, told me that if the role is not given to Huang Shengyi, they may consider withdrawing their investment."

Zhou Xingchi was stunned for a moment, but he did not get as angry as one might imagine.

He just laughed contemptuously and said, "These people are really sharp. They have the guts to say anything."

Tian Qiwen looked at his tone and thought that something was wrong. How come Huayi was suddenly involved?

What was Huang Shengyi thinking? He found a stupid teammate and gave the opponent an assist!
Zhou Xingchi had a falling out with Columbia recently because Columbia interfered with the script. The latter threatened to withdraw investment, so he took his people back to Hong Kong.

Wang Xiaolei doesn't think he has much weight, right?
Zhou Xingchi no longer had any reason to hesitate and announced in front of Liu Yu: "Okay, Xiao Liu will be the heroine."

Tian Qiwen sighed secretly, and tried to make a final effort: "What about Concubine Liu Yi signing the contract?"

"Let's shoot the movie first and talk about it later."

"Yes, director."

In Huayi's office at No. 18 Chaoyangmenwai Street, Beijing, Wang Dajun scolded his brother angrily.

"What happened? I asked you to negotiate the contract with Liu Xiaoli, but how did you offend Zhou Xingchi?"

Wang Xiaolei still had a playful and angry expression on his face, and didn't take his brother's anger seriously.

"Oh, isn't it just to scare Tianji? I don't believe he can find another buyer if we withdraw our investment now. The production will start in just a few days."

"Breaking? Who are you? He's Zhou Xingchi's confidant, and what you're saying represents Huayi! How can you say such nonsense?"

Wang Dajun got angry just by looking at him and wanted to kick his brother out without saying a word.

He's always looking for trouble, especially provoking that Lu Kuan, otherwise the situation wouldn't be so embarrassing now!
Seeing that he was really angry, Wang Xiaolei blamed himself in a flattering way.

However, his goal had been achieved, and he didn't believe that Zhou Xingchi, who was ready to go all out, would dare to just turn the table and quit.

"Hello? Mr. Tian, ​​okay, I understand. Please let the director make the final decision. As long as it's for the good of the show, we at Huayi will support it."

Wang Dajun hung up the phone with a grim face and looked at his brother with a stern expression as he was sitting awkwardly.

"What a good thing you did? Not only did they hire Liu Yifei, they even asked Tian Qiwen to call me and ask if I wanted to withdraw my investment!"

Wang Xiaolei felt like the slap was hitting him directly in the face, and he jumped up from the sofa like a spring.

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

Wang Dajun looked at his brother who was still a little confused and said angrily, "If you make trouble again, you will quit your job as a producer!

7pm, Changping Huabin Golf, Lukuan Residence.

"Sister Mani, are you really that polite? You've brought two beauties with you."

Huo Wenxi was wearing an OL-style suit and sitting on the sofa in the living room with her straight legs tightly pressed together.

"Lu Sheng, I'm so sorry. Tingfeng was too reckless today. Are you okay?"

Boss Lu lit a cigarette leisurely. "Where's Nicholas Tse? I didn't kick him a lot, so he shouldn't be unable to walk and come to apologize, right?"

"Director Lu, Tingfeng...he's having some troubles, please forgive me."

Zhang Baizhi's voice was a little hoarse, and it sounded like sandpaper. It sounded like he had been crying again.

Naturally, she was taught a lesson by Boss Xiang and Mrs. Xiang, who knew the inside story.

You finally got the audition opportunity for a Hollywood movie that Mei Yanfang helped you with, but you ended up delaying your work because of a little love affair.

These days, in Hong Kong, only Fang Long can make a living in Hollywood with his kung fu movies and earn a fixed salary of 1000 million US dollars.

Even Zhou Runfa couldn't get in despite trying his best.

You, Zhang Baizhi, wasted such a precious opportunity?
That's a Tom Cruise movie! It's with Leonardo DiCaprio!
Lu Kuan sneered: "Inconvenient? If it's inconvenient, just go back!"

"Miss Huo, I don't have a good appetite today, so I won't keep you for dinner."

"A Fei, give it a go."

"Yes, boss."

Huo Wenxi was filled with bitterness. He had gone through great pains to establish a relationship with him and facilitate the first transaction between the two families.

It was ruined so easily by Nicholas Tse.

The three of them stood at the door of the villa and the driver drove over.

Gillian Chung sat in the back row with a sheepish look on her face, fearing that she would be implicated this time.

Zhang Baizhi could already anticipate how furious Xiang Tai would be, and she opened the car door in a daze.

Huo Wenxi suddenly stretched out his white forearm to block her.

"Baizhi, are you leaving too?"

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

Huo Wenxi said earnestly, "Tingfeng got into trouble, and Chairman Li will call Director Lu to discuss the matter."

"But you're his girlfriend. I think you need to stay and talk to Director Lu again. What do you think?"

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

Huo Wenxi did not respond to her again, and the business car sped away, leaving behind choking exhaust fumes.

"Mani, thank you!"

Gillian Chung expressed her sincere gratitude to this big sister.

If she hadn't coaxed and forced Zhang Baizhi to stay today, perhaps she would be the one going upstairs now.

She and Edison Chen are still in love, and even though Lu Kuan is a famous director well-known in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, she doesn't want to sell herself to him.

"Thank me?"

Huo Wenxi smiled helplessly.

"If it happens again, maybe you and Asa will be sent to jail together."

Gillian Chung suddenly became silent.

Zhang Baizhi felt mixed emotions as he watched Huo Wenxi and Gillian Chung leave in the Eagle King Beijing branch's business car.

This scene seemed to take her back to when she was 9 years old, when her family was broken and her divorced parents also parted ways and left her.

Later, she followed her divorced mother to Australia and worked part-time while attending school, as a nanny, waitress, and lawn mower.

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

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

At the age of 15, Zhang Baizhi had already started smoking, drinking and getting tattoos in Melbourne, but she still considered herself a good girl.

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

(End of this chapter)