Chapter 35: Few Lotuses in the Entertainment Industry

On November 1st, China Film Group Corporation, Rongchen Film and Television, and Enlight Media jointly announced.

The fantasy epic "painted skin," a global release with a 100 million investment from the three parties, has completed casting.

Filming is expected to begin in February next year.

"painted skin" will invite top Asian teams for its special effects, art direction, costume design, and martial arts choreography.

After the casting was announced, it immediately sparked heated discussions among netizens.

"First there was 'Hero' with 250 million, then 'The Promise' with 300 million. Are Zhang Yimou and Poet inflating the numbers? Big productions are getting easier and easier."

"Director Li's debut was just to disgust people."

"lost in thailand disgusted cell phone, and 'Crazy Stone' didn't even fear 'Kung Fu Hustle'."

"painted skin" has finally reached for 'Hero'!

"Upstairs, where did you put 'The Promise'?"

"The combination of two Best Actresses and a TVB Best Actor, wow, this lineup is exciting."

"Director Li isn't directing comedies anymore; he's making ghost films. Is he trying to scare people to death?"

"Upstairs, are the two holes below your eyebrows your nostrils?"

"With the Appearance of these lead actors playing ghosts, if you get scared to death, you deserve it!"

At the same time, Miss Yang Siwei, the artist director of Rongchen Film and Television, confirmed.

The lead actress of "painted skin," Miss Tang Yan, has signed with Rongchen Film and Television.

She will become the first artist under Rongchen Film and Television.

This news spread like a bombshell.

Tang Yan's name, riding on the popularity of "painted skin," instantly entered the public's view.

Many netizens still remembered the long-legged ticket seller from "lost on journey."

There were all sorts of comments online, and Tang Yan's information was doxxed in less than half an hour.

"A second-year student at Central Academy of Drama? I almost believed it!"

"Here's a joke about a background actor who became the female lead of a 100 million blockbuster."

"Finally, I'm sure this isn't a horror film; it really is a fantasy blockbuster!"

"Are unspoken rules in the entertainment industry strange? Poet and his whole family got roles in 'The Promise,' so why are you worrying about nothing!"

"If you were a big director, your dog would be the Howling Celestial Dog!"

Poet saw these comments and got furious: "Young people imitating others, how can anything be compared to 'The Promise'!"

Chen Hong softly said from the side: "Alright, Old Chen, when 'The Promise' is released next year, these people will know how ridiculous they are."

Seeing these comments, Tang Yan hurriedly called Yang Siwei.

Yang Siwei smiled happily: "Don't worry, Tangtang, this will save at least 500,000 in publicity fees."

"There's no need to clarify. Liu Yifei was rumored to be even worse, but she only got more popular."

"Look, Director Li hasn't said a word. You don't need to worry about these things; I'll handle any media interviews."

If Li Chen had heard Yang Siwei's words, he would have given her a thumbs-up.

This is just the beginning. When Jing Tian debuts, they will truly understand what it means to have an unfair advantage!

Tang Yan nervously hung up the cell phone. Many classmates and friends called to ask her what was going on.

Their tone always had a hint of sourness, and then the ending would abruptly change.

As if she had something going on with Director Li.

Tang Yan couldn't describe this feeling.

One false piece of news made the people around her change their attitude towards her.

Either envious, flattering, or distant.

In an office at Huayi Brothers.

Yang Siwei came to bid farewell to the sisters Li Xue and Li Bingbing.

"Siwei, this is a small token of my appreciation, take it."

Li Bingbing took out a small gift box with a Patek Philippe logo, which she had prepared earlier, from her drawer and handed it to Yang Siwei.

Yang Siwei glanced at it, shook her head, and smiled: "Sister Bingbing, this is too valuable."

Li Xue smiled from the side: "Don't be so polite, open it and see if you like it."

Li Bingbing directly opened it for Yang Siwei and, without explanation, took it out and put it on Yang Siwei's left wrist.

Yang Siwei recognized this Patek Philippe Twenty~4 series diamond-set women's watch.

It had just been released this year, and its price was more than half of her annual salary.

Li Xue smiled and said: "Don't be a stranger from now on. Come and go shopping with me when you're free."

The Return of the Condor Heroes film crew.

Liu Yifei was a bit out of sorts during filming today, and they had to reshoot several times.

Bearded Zhang was a little annoyed, his face not looking good.

During a break, Liu Xiaoli noticed her daughter's unusual behavior.

When only the mother and daughter were left, Liu Xiaoli softly said: "You've been out of it all day!"

"If you have questions, just call and ask directly. You're not like me at all!"

Liu Yifei stubbornly said: "What are you talking about, Mom?"

Liu Xiaoli rolled her eyes at her daughter: "You know what I'm talking about!"

"If Li Chen is really like what the internet says, then you two shouldn't associate with each other anymore."

Liu Xiaoli said sternly. The last time Li Chen bought an office building, she had hinted at her daughter.

Who would have thought her daughter didn't understand her meaning at all, and didn't even ask Li Chen where he got so much money.

She only cared about when he would visit the set!

Liu Yifei was startled, not expecting her mother to say such harsh words.

She quickly defended Li Chen: "Mom, Li Chen isn't that kind of person."

Liu Xiaoli sneered: "Whether he is or not, you ask him now, in front of me."

"Otherwise, you should cut ties with him as soon as possible."

"That way, it won't matter to us who he takes advantage of!"

Liu Yifei could tell that her mother was truly angry.

She quickly softened: "Okay, okay, I'll call, I'll call, I'll call right now."

The call connected, and Liu Yifei was thinking about how to ask.

Li Chen didn't expect Liu Yifei to actually call him directly about this.

He had a rather comical feeling of being checked on by his official girlfriend.

"Xixi, you're really interesting. You called specifically to ask about this?"

"I don't think I've done anything that would incur public outrage, so why are you all so worried about me?"

Li Chen had a helpless look on his face.

Miss Liu was very good at grasping the key points.

"All of you? Who else?"

Li Chen smiled: "Of course it's Luo Jin. He was so nervous when Tang Yan and I went for a meal that he wanted to come along."

"As if he was afraid I'd steal his love."

"That's not you..." Halfway through her sentence, Miss Liu suddenly realized.

She quickly changed her words: "You mean, that girl is Jin Ge's...?"

Li Chen teased: "You guessed that yourself. If Luo Jin asks, I won't admit that I said it."

Miss Liu immediately beamed: "Hmph, Luo Jin is really good at keeping secrets."

"I'll ask him later if he still considers me a friend!"

"Why do you know, but I don't? Who exactly is his classmate?"

Li Chen found it amusing in his heart. You probably want to confirm the relationship between those two, right?

Liu Xiaoli shook her head, smiled, and walked away.

Having confirmed that Li Chen was fine, she had no interest in listening to the whispered conversations of young lovers.

In the afternoon's dramatic scenes, Liu Yifei's performance was clearly a world apart from before.

Huang Xiaoming, who was acting opposite her, secretly wondered.

This clearly showed the emotional fluctuations only young lovers experience.

Could it really be as the rumors said? Huang Xiaoming was a little disbelieving.

Although he had seen that General Manager Chen visit the set, their relationship seemed more like father and daughter.

"Yifei, have you seen the news?"

"Our school's Director Li is now renowned across half the country. It's just a shame I haven't had a chance to meet him."

"You two should know each other, right? I remember he seemed to have visited the 'Chinese Paladin' film set."

Liu Yifei smiled and said: "Yes, I know him. When I go back to Beijing, I'll introduce you two."

Seeing Liu Yifei speak so casually, Huang Xiaoming's heart stirred, and he smiled: "Great, I'll host when the time comes."

Huang Xiaoming was a good person and took great care of her on set. Liu Yifei and he had excellent chemistry.

"Brother Xiao Ming, Yifei."

The two turned around, and Liu Yifei smiled without speaking.

Huang Xiaoming smiled and said: "Mi Mi, how are your preparations for the December art exam coming along?"

Yang Mi smiled confidently: "No problem at all. We'll be schoolmates next year."

"Big Brother and Big Sister, please take good care of me."

Huang Xiaoming laughed heartily: "No problem."

Liu Yifei also politely replied: "Okay."

"Yifei, are the rumors online about Director Li's company signing that Central Academy of Drama student true?"

"You know Director Li, do you have any inside information?"

Yang Mi was very familiar and didn't treat Liu Yifei as an outsider.

She knew that Liu Yifei and Director Li definitely knew each other.

After all, there was a photo of them together in the wrap-up picture for "Chinese Paladin."

Regarding that student from Central Academy of Drama, if what was circulating online was just a rumor.

She was still very envious.

Her starting point was already considered high; she was a child star, partnered with Xing Ye, acted in TV series, and signed with Rongxinda.

But compared to this student from Central Academy of Drama.

She felt a sense of disparity, like comparing the refined to the common.

The person's second film after debut was a 100 million blockbuster released globally.

Her co-stars were two Best Actresses, plus an idol and several award-winning TVB Best Actors.

When comparing resources, her backing, Rongxinda, made her feel insignificant.

Liu Yifei heard Yang Mi ask so abruptly. If it were anyone else, she wouldn't bother to explain.

But she didn't want others to misunderstand Li Chen.

So she said indifferently: "You said it's a rumor, so how could it be true?"

Huang Xiaoming, whose emotional intelligence was a cut above, clearly felt Liu Yifei's displeasure.

A bold guess formed in his mind.

Coupled with Liu Yifei's casual agreement to introduce him to Director Li just now.

And the subtle clues of Liu Yifei's unusually fluctuating emotions today.

Huang Xiaoming understood. He chuckled: "Mi Mi, although I'm not clear about Director Li's character."

"But in the two years since his debut, there have been no scandals."

"So these must all be baseless claims."

Huang Xiaoming was 100% disbelieving. For a big director to take advantage of a female artist.

Only a fool would sign her to his own company.

For the costume design of "painted skin," China Film Group Corporation stepped in and found the costume design team from "hanwu the great."

Li Chen didn't want the final period drama to look unprofessional, like those from Hong Kong teams in his previous life.

Donnie Yen's hairstyle looked like it had been chemically straightened, which was too unprofessional.

And he insisted on carrying a long saber, was it to highlight his height?

The lizard demon looked even more like it had used cheap hair wax and sported a slicked-back 'God of Gamblers' hairstyle, which was simply an eyesore.

As for Zhao Yanzi's terrifying scene of a human transforming into a demon, Li Chen actually laughed when he first saw it.

The director lacked backbone and let the actors have too much control.

Just a little powder on the face and a head of white hair could scare everyone into fleeing in terror, their livers and guts splitting?

Anyone who didn't know would think they were filming "The Bride with White Hair"!

It was also around 2008 when Cosplay wasn't prevalent. If you push it back another ten years.

It would probably be met with a comment like: "Holy crap, is this Xiao Yanzi cosplaying the White-Haired Demoness? That's so stupid."

Dazzling, seeking continued readership.

Thank heavens, thank earth, thank you for voting.