Chapter 40: I Don't Need a Circle

Entering December, no thief and Kung Fu both began to make their push.

Wang Zhonglei called personally early on.

He invited him to attend the no thief charity Premiere held on the 6th at the Political Consultative Conference Auditorium.

Li Bingbing and Baoqiang also called.

Coupled with the connection with Yang Siwei, Li Chen also found it difficult to decline.

The new world sample film had also passed censorship.

It was said to have caused quite a bit of controversy, with some believing the film's ending had a negative moral direction.

Emperor Entertainment Group scheduled new world for the 24th of next month.

It would directly follow Kung Fu after its run.

For the Golden Horse Awards Film Festival on the 4th, Li Chen had Yang Siwei go.

Andy Lau, with infernal affairs 3, narrowly beat Liang Chaowei to win his first Golden Horse Awards Best Actor award.

Li Chen's Stone received no awards, but luckily he had no intention of going in the first place.

That coquettish host, Lin Zhiling, 'embraced' Andy Lau with a differential striptease, completely confirming the saying that 'big breasts mean no brains.'

Didn't she consider Liang Chaowei's feelings at all?

On the day of the no thief Premiere, Li Chen and Yang Siwei went to the Political Consultative Conference Auditorium together.

As soon as Yang Siwei saw Li Chen, she smiled and said, "Boss, are we going to have to spend some money at tonight's Premiere?"

Li Chen nodded and said, "Li Bingbing gave you a Patek Philippe; you've also benefited greatly from her and her sister."

"When the time comes, you can make a gesture, and that will represent the company."

Yang Siwei smiled and flattered, "Boss is generous!"

Li Chen playfully scolded, "Generous my ass. Tonight's Premiere is bound to have reporters asking all sorts of questions."

"If I could have avoided it, I wouldn't have wanted to go at all."

By the time they arrived at the Political Consultative Conference Auditorium, it was almost six o'clock, and it was already dark.

The cold wind of December couldn't stop the enthusiasm of Andy Lau's fans.

Li Chen and Yang Siwei got out of the car, and both sides of the red carpet were packed with people.

Compared to the Hundred Flowers Film Festival in September, this Premiere felt more like a film festival.

Stars gathered; Huayi Brothers had quite the influence.

Celebrities spanning film, television, and music came to show their support like common vegetables.

"Boss, you have quite a few fans too." Yang Siwei heard someone calling 'Boss' and said with a grin.

Li Chen replied, "Those aren't my fans; they're just passersby!"

"Director Li, Director Li, stop for a photo."

Li Chen and Yang Siwei stopped and cooperated with the media for interviews.

After taking photos, it was inevitable to be bombarded with questions by the media.

Although Li Chen had gained fame in the industry, he was low-key and rarely appeared in front of the media.

Having finally caught this opportunity today, how could the media easily let go?

Countless microphones were shoved in front of Li Chen, and Yang Siwei secretly found it amusing.

Li Chen glared at her, and Yang Siwei immediately reined in her smile.

"Director Li, what is your response to the rumors circulating about your relationship with Tang Yan?"

"You said it yourself, they're rumors, so what do I have to respond to?"

"However, Rongchen Film and Television will continue to sign new artists in the future."

"As the boss, I don't mind being a rumored boyfriend a few more times."

The media burst into laughter. It was their first time having the opportunity to interview Li Chen.

They hadn't expected this usually low-key Director Li to be so humorous.

He not only responded to the rumors but also used the media to announce Rongchen Film and Television's future direction.

When this news broke, how many newcomers would lose sleep?

The media was about to press further.

Another group of people came from afar, and Li Chen heard fans screaming.

He and Yang Siwei quickly slipped away.

Looking back, it turned out to be her.

Back then, Zhao Min's smile on horseback had also captivated many born in the 80s.

However, time spares no one; now, this person looked somewhat worldly.

It was rumored that she had a good relationship with Miss Liu's manager behind the scenes, but it was unknown if it was true or false.

"Boss, what are you looking at?" Yang Siwei asked.

"Miss Qimeng is gone forever now." Li Chen smiled and said no more.

Li Chen and Yang Siwei entered the auditorium, which was already packed with people.

Li Xue seemed to be waiting specifically for the two of them.

As soon as they entered, Li Xue appeared beside them.

Yang Siwei smiled and said, "Sister Xue."

"Director Li, Siwei." Li Xue greeted them.

Li Chen nodded without speaking.

Li Xue pulled Yang Siwei and smiled, "Siwei, your seat is at that table, with me."

"You go first. I'll arrange Director Li, then I'll come over."

Yang Siwei smiled and said, "No problem, Boss, I'll go ahead then."

Li Chen nodded. The hierarchy in this circle was strict.

Although Yang Siwei came with Li Chen, they couldn't sit together.

Li Chen was led by Li Xue to a rectangular main table in the first row.

Along the way, they passed several round tables, and many people actively stood up to greet him.

There were both acquaintances and strangers.

Among them was Fan Xiaopang, but it was clear that Fan Xiaopang's attire tonight was very low-key.

She was a smart person, knowing that another Bingbing was the main character tonight.

At the front rectangular main table, Li Chen quickly scanned the room.

It was either the CEOs of film and television companies or A-list celebrities closely associated with Huayi Brothers.

Or it was that group of people from the Beijing Circle.

There were still a few empty seats in the middle, and Li Chen guessed that one of them definitely belonged to Han Sanping.

Sun Nan, with his mohawk haircut, was ostentatiously wearing gold-rimmed glasses and a suit.

The Yu Quan duo, Hu Haiquan, looked like a normal, healthy person.

Milk Tea, however, was dressed very casually.

Her brown short jacket over her body completely clashed with Andy Lau's black suit next to her.

Before Li Xue could speak, Wang Zhonglei had already seen Li Chen and stood up to greet him.

"Director Li, you're late," Wang Zhonglei said with a smile as he walked.

"Mr. Wang, I'm not the main character tonight. Coming early would be stealing the show," Li Chen also said with a smile.

He muttered inwardly, "Damn it, Han Sanye isn't even here yet, how can I be considered late!"

Li Xue smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, I'll leave Director Li to you."

Everyone at the table noticed Li Chen; they finally saw him in person.

This was the true thought of many people.

Wang Zhonglei gestured with his hand and smiled, "Director Li, let me introduce you to a few of the main actors of no thief."

The two walked towards the center of the rectangular table.

Andy Lau and the others all stood up.

Wang Zhonglei was about to speak.

Li Chen had already smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, there's no need for introductions."

"If I didn't recognize these people, wouldn't I be laughed at?"

Wang Zhonglei laughed heartily and said, "Indeed, even my wife is a fan of Hua Zai."

Li Chen proactively extended his hand and shook Andy Lau's, smiling as he said,

"My family's first VCD was Hua Ge's 'Sword and Laughter.' Today, I finally get to meet him in person."

Andy Lau humbly smiled and said, "Director Li, I should be the one saying that."

"lost in thailand and Stone are very interesting. I've wanted to meet Director Li for a long time, and today I finally have the chance."

"If there's a suitable role, Director Li can find me. The remuneration and everything else are negotiable."

Li Chen smiled and said, "Okay, if there's a suitable one, I'll definitely come to Hua Ge."

Then Li Chen and Milk Tea got to know each other; they weren't in the same circle, so a nodding acquaintance was fine.

When it came to Wang Baoqiang and Li Bingbing, Li Chen quickly passed over them: "There's no need to introduce these two, Mr. Wang."

Baoqiang was wearing a casual suit today, with only a single shirt underneath.

Quite thin, indeed worthy of someone who trained at Shaolin.

His physical fitness was beyond reproach.

Hearing Li Chen say this, Baoqiang chuckled, "Director Li is right. Sister Bingbing and I are both familiar with Director Li."

Wang Zhonglei then introduced Zhang Hanyu to him.

He was about to continue introducing that group of big shots from the Beijing Circle.

Li Chen was no longer interested; why bother flattering these people?

Li Chen smiled and said, "Mr. Wang, you should hurry and greet others. We're all in the film and television industry, who doesn't know who?"

"Look, Han Dong has arrived. Don't worry about me anymore."

Li Chen saw Han Sanping, in a black Zhongshan suit, walking in from afar.

He was accompanied by four or five people, including Lu Chuan, who was in high spirits after winning an award at the Golden Horse Awards.

Huayi Brothers, as the producer of cocosilili, also made a big splash.

Li Chen walked over and casually sat down next to Wang Changtian.

He nodded and greeted Xiao Gang Pao and the others.

"You always come early, old friend," Li Chen said with a smile.

"It's you who came late, little brother," Wang Changtian retorted.

"That's Han Dong's seat next to me, right? Where is he?" Li Chen sneered.

"You're right, little brother, you're indeed not the last one," Wang Changtian grunted.

Unless Han Dong was the producer, when did he ever come early?

Comparing yourself to Han Dong, you really think highly of yourself.

"I saw that Mr. Wang wanted to introduce you to 'his people,' but why do you look so reluctant?" Wang Changtian asked with a smile.

"Aren't you also aloof, ignoring those people?"

"What? Only you are allowed to have personality, but we young people aren't allowed to be individualistic?" Li Chen also said casually.

"Little brother, you and I get along. I just don't click with those people."

"Me too. I don't need a circle; a few like-minded friends are enough."

"Well said, let's toast to the word 'friends.'"

Still updating two chapters together at 0:00, next chapter in 5 minutes.

A book friend tipped, this request is not excessive at all.

Only two drafts left, this weekend I'll have to use all my strength to code.