Chapter 42: Rumored Boyfriend

Wang Changtian praised Li Chen endlessly over the phone.

He had long been displeased with the two brothers' practice of forming cliques and small circles.

But he still didn't expect Li Chen, a young rising star, to dare to openly criticize Huayi Brothers to their face.

The situation at the no thief Premiere appeared on major websites by nine o'clock that evening.

Miss Liu was the first to call.

"Director Li, you're quite popular today, aren't you? Who are you planning to be a rumored boyfriend for?"

Yang Siwei, listening with perked ears nearby, was overwhelmed with shock.

From the tone, it was a woman, and their relationship seemed very close.

When did the boss get involved with someone? Why didn't she know anything?

Li Chen didn't intend to hide it from Yang Siwei; she would find out sooner or later.

"It doesn't matter who I'm a rumored boyfriend for; what's important is a red heart facing the sun."

Miss Liu was happy and muttered, "I'm so envious that you all can go to film festivals and such large Premieres."

Li Chen laughed, "What's there to be envious of? Didn't you see how I was dragged through the mud tonight, almost trampled into the dirt by everyone?"

"Unless absolutely necessary, who would want to go to a Premiere to be a target!"

"It's better to act with Miss Liu…"

Miss Liu? Liu Yifei?

Yang Siwei thought of her immediately.

For no other reason than the boss seemed to have only interacted with her.

Good heavens, the boss really kept it under wraps!

She had even complained about Liu Yifei to Tangtang that day. If the boss found out, would she still have her job?

After hanging up, Yang Siwei confirmed, "Boss, is it that Fairy Sister?"

Li Chen said seriously, "What Fairy Sister! Don't talk nonsense!"

Yang Siwei was stunned. It wasn't her?

But Li Chen's very next sentence almost made her choke!

"It's Auntie!" Li Chen couldn't help but laugh.

Ptooey!

"Boss, you're too disgusting! At your age, you're still acting like Guo Er!" Yang Siwei complained helplessly.

However, she paid close attention. It seemed she needed to build a good relationship with this Dragon Girl in the future.

As expected.

The next day, the live recording of the no thief Premiere was placed on the entertainment headlines of major media outlets.

However, the main creative team of no thief had already collectively headed to Hong Kong.

They were preparing for the no thief Premiere in Causeway Bay on the 8th.

Li Chen once again became a topic of discussion.

Although Li Chen didn't appear often, whenever he did, he always managed to draw attention to himself.

Netizens' comments were overwhelmingly one-sided.

"Director Li is a straightforward person; what he said makes perfect sense."

"Feng Kuzi and Stephen Chow are competing; only a madman would stand with Feng Kuzi."

"Director Li's insinuation about Feng Kuzi is so obvious!"

"Looking forward to seeing painted skin in the New Year Film Season next year."

"The person upstairs has evil intentions, but I think so too."

"One is Xiao Gang Pao, the other is Xing Ye; they're in different leagues."

Li Chen ignored the online discussions.

shoplifters had completed all post-production.

Several school leaders, Director Department head Tian Zhuangzhuang, and Teacher Li knew about it immediately.

After watching the rough cut, Dean Zhang patted Li Chen's shoulder, encouraged him, and hoped he could be shortlisted for Cannes.

Afterward, Dean Zhang pulled Tian Zhuangzhuang and laughed, "Lao Tian, do you think Li Chen will be the second Lao Chen?"

Dean Zhang and Zhang Yimou were classmates and roommates in the Photography Department.

And Tian Zhuangzhuang and Poet were classmates in the Director Department.

They were all very familiar with each other.

Tian Zhuangzhuang's face was covered in wrinkles, making him seem about ten years older than Dean Zhang.

But in reality, Tian Zhuangzhuang was only four years older than Dean Zhang.

Tian Zhuangzhuang laughed, "Being shortlisted shouldn't be a problem."

"But as for winning an award, who can say for sure?"

Dean Zhang smiled, "You, you're playing Tai Chi with me again."

"You've probably had your eye on this promising talent for a long time, haven't you?"

"Ms. Lu and Xue Jian, one was the lead actress in your 'Blue Kite,' and the other is your cousin."

"Without your matchmaking, how could Li Chen have invited them?"

"How much effort you put in behind the scenes to get this script approved, do you think you can hide it from me?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang just smiled and didn't speak.

Dean Zhang continued to himself, "However, it's not good for young people to be too independent. I heard he hasn't even joined the Director's Association."

"You need to give him a hint about this."

"It's not about making him conform, but don't operate outside the system either."

Tian Zhuangzhuang knew that Zhang Huijun was doing it for Li Chen's good, so he nodded in agreement.

Li Chen took the rough cut for review and then went to China Film Group Corporation.

Han Sanping guaranteed that he would handle the rest.

Li Chen breathed a sigh of relief. He would know if it was shortlisted in April.

Li Chen estimated that being shortlisted shouldn't be difficult, but he wasn't sure if it could win an award.

Because he didn't know which other works would be shortlisted at the same time.

Although shoplifters won the Golden Palm in 2018.

But it was now 2004, the competitors were different, and the outcome was uncertain.

The promotion for new world also kicked off with great fanfare.

First, Emperor Entertainment Group announced that new world, scheduled for January 24th, had already achieved profitability through copyright buyouts.

There was no pressure to break even.

The countries that imported it included Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and European and American countries such as the UK, US, and France.

Furthermore, the remake rights for new world were still acquired by Warner Brothers from Director Li for 2 million US dollars.

Emperor Entertainment Group had notified Li Chen before making the announcement.

Li Chen, of course, had no objection. This kind of promotional method, which stepped on infernal affairs, could further boost new world's popularity.

After all, Warner only paid 1.75 million US dollars for the remake rights of infernal affairs.

new world was able to be imported by multiple parties.

This was also thanks to infernal affairs' widespread success in Europe and America this year.

Li Chen declined the Premiere for Kung Fu.

He had no particular friendship with Stephen Chow, and he didn't want to be too close to Wang Zhonglei.

However, this film, with a nameless male lead and a voiceless female lead.

Was destined to take the box office crown of 2004.

At the Premiere, it was said that the voiceless female lead sincerely thanked Stephen Chow.

But how sincere that gratitude was then.

It seemed equally ridiculous when she criticized Stephen Chow a year later.

The New Year Film Season became a dazzling display of no thief and Kung Fu, with all other films failing.

In its first week of release, Kung Fu's box office showed an unstoppable, crushing dominance.

At the same time, Li Chen was also incredibly busy.

Splendid Diamond had already been delivered.

Li Chen discussed it with Hou Hongliang, and they decided to announce the new company on January 1st.

They also announced the "crossing the guandong" project at the same time.

Some media outlets had already noticed the sign for "Donghua Noon Sunshine Co., Ltd." hanging on the Splendid Diamond building.

Yang Siwei, representing Rongchen Film and Television, also announced at the same time.

Donghua Noon Sunshine Co., Ltd., funded by Rongchen Film and Television, would officially begin operations on January 1st.

Donghua Noon Sunshine would uphold Rongchen Film and Television's consistent original intention of deeply cultivating the television drama field.

Its goal was to become a benchmark in the domestic television drama industry.

It would take on the responsibility of promoting traditional Chinese culture and meticulously create excellent productions.

Hou Hongliang, an outstanding producer, would serve as the chairman of the company.

Rongchen Film and Television would not interfere with the company's operations.

Rongchen Film and Television and Donghua Noon Sunshine would jointly hold a press conference on January 1st.

At that time, media friends would be invited to attend.

For a time, Li Chen once again made headlines in the entertainment sections of major portals.