Huayu: I'm reborn, but you still force me to be a scumbag?

Chapter 432 Like a dream
One hundred million dollars—in Chen Nuo's eyes, who had just rejected 12 billion dollars, it really was nothing.

You won't get rich, but you won't starve.

It would be better if Wendi Deng used her influence to arrange a luxurious lifestyle for him, which would be even more irresistible.

Moreover, would they really give him 100 million? Chen Nuo really didn't believe it.

He wasn't exactly a newcomer to Hollywood, and he knew how those film companies cheated actors.

This $100 million, if it were actually put into a contract, would probably be just like those "50,000 RMB monthly salary for technicians" signs posted outside many massage parlors in China. Upon inquiry, you'd find the base salary is 1000 RMB, with the remaining 49000 RMB being commission. And to actually earn that full 49000 RMB commission? Ha!

Chen Nuo didn't want to sell himself, so he acted as if he hadn't heard a word.

However, his reaction was somewhat intriguing to others.

At least Li Binbing found it quite unbelievable.

One hundred million US dollars, after hearing that, he laughed it off, then picked up the teapot and poured water for everyone. What does that mean?
Did you think it was a joke?

Or was Wendi Deng really just joking?

Li Bingbing was initially skeptical, but soon her skepticism turned into at least 80% belief.

Based on her understanding of Wendi Deng, this woman generally doesn't repeat the same joke twice.

After Chen Nuo finished refilling everyone's tea, Wendi Deng changed her expression and said seriously again, "Chen, Rupert is serious. His opinion is also 21st Century Fox's opinion. 21st Century Fox really wants to cooperate with you once, and is very sincere. If possible, I can have someone from Fox come directly to talk to you in person."

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Wendy, please convey my gratitude to Mr. Murdoch... Next time I'm making a movie, I'll definitely give Fox my first choice."

Wendi Deng said, "There's no need for a next one. Rupert is actually very interested in the new film you're currently preparing to shoot, and if possible, we'd be willing to invest and participate."

Upon hearing this, Li Binbing couldn't help but turn her head and glance at Zhou Xun beside her. Seeing that Zhou Xun was silently drinking tea with no unusual expression on her face, Li Binbing couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.

Did she know beforehand? Did Wendi Deng tell her, but only keep it from her? No way, Wendi is clearly closer to her; they just collaborated on Snow Flower and The Secret Fan not long ago. How could that be?

However, the mystery that I had been pondering for so long has finally been solved.

She suddenly realized what was going on.

So that's why all the trouble was about. Chen Nuo has a new movie, and Murdoch wanted to get involved, so he sent Wendi Deng as a lobbyist?
So, that $1 million salary might not be a joke, it might actually be real.

Holy shit.

Li Binbing felt her heart beating faster.

What movie is it? Why would Murdoch offer such generous terms? Is there any opportunity for him in this deal?

She immediately picked up her teacup and began to drink tea, just like Zhou Xun, but all her attention was focused on Chen Nuo's next reply.

As I was listening, I suddenly felt someone poke my arm.

She turned her head and saw Zhou Xun looking at her with a surprised expression.

Li Binbing was a little confused.

Zhou Xun asked in a low voice, "Are you alright?"

Li Binbing was a little confused. "What's wrong?"

Zhou Xun looked at her suspiciously and asked, "Aren't you hot from drinking so fast?"

"A?"

Li Binbing then came to her senses, feeling a burning sensation on her palate and tongue, with a lot of crumbs in her mouth.

The cup of hot water that Chen Nuo had just poured for tea was completely empty in her hand, leaving only a few tea leaves.

"It's okay...it's not hot." Li Bingbing forced a smile. "This tea is good." After saying that, she put the cup on the table. "I'm going to the restroom."

On her way to the restroom, Li Binbing was still caught up in what she had just heard.

Chen Nuo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Quentin Tarantino—so that's the combination! No wonder Wendi Deng made such a big fuss about it.

A universally acknowledged genius director, plus two young superstars from the East and West—what kind of sparks will fly between them? What kind of film will they create?
Not to mention the reaction of movie fans around the world.

Even now, just thinking about it makes her eager to see it for herself. So, if she could land a suitable role in it, how much would it help her acting career?
Why doesn't she feel the heat when she drinks boiling water? It's because even in her imagination, the sensation in her heart is hotter than boiling water.

As the ancients said, "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening."

Li Binbing felt that she was willing to do anything for this opportunity.

"It's not that there's no chance, it's definitely not that there's no chance. Think of a way, think of a way, there must be a way." Li Binbing silently chanted in her heart. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she turned her gaze to the slender figure leading the way for her.

……

When Li Binbing returned from the bathroom after rinsing her mouth and touching up her makeup, she overheard Wendi Deng and Chen Nuo talking about something else, mentioning a man named "James Pritzker".

Li Bingbing had seen this name on Weibo before and knew that he was a newly established director from the United States who had recently collaborated with Chen Nuo on an art film. However, after listening to Wendi Deng talk about this person, it seemed that things were not so simple.

In the past, she would have been very interested in these secrets and gossips of Western high society, but now, she was preoccupied with something else she had just learned from that XJ girl.

He listened absentmindedly, then suddenly turned his gaze to the backyard.

There, the Xinjiang beauty named Nazha indeed led a few people in through the back door and began setting up a stage by the pool.

She immediately found an opening and asked casually, "Xiao Nuo, are you planning to throw a party tonight?"

Chen Nuo paused for a moment, then looked at the pool, realized what she meant, and smiled, "Yes. Sister Bing, would you be interested in staying and playing with us?"

"Is it okay? I hope it won't bother you?" Li Bingbing asked, feigning reluctance.

Chen Nuo laughed and said, "No, they're all friends. Sister Wendi, Sister Xun, don't go, let's hang out together later. By the way, you'll never guess who came to America."

"Who?" Zhou Xun asked curiously.

Chen Nuo laughed and said, "Jiang Wen."

……

Well, speaking of which, Chen Nuo realized with some helplessness that the number of guests tonight would have to be increased by 3 again.

Come to think of it, how many times has this "+" been used?

All of this actually started because Quentin made him a phone call.

Over the phone, the eccentric director became emotional, vividly recounting the humiliation he suffered at 21st Century Fox. He emphasized that Fox refused to invest because they felt the film's subject matter and lead actors were too "unconventional," fearing they couldn't afford such high production costs. It was blatant disrespect.

But after Inception became a box office hit, Fox wanted to "re-evaluate" the project and try to revive it.

If they actually manage to eat it, where will their dignity go?
Therefore, no matter what conditions Wendi Deng offers him, he must absolutely not agree to them. Remember this well.

After Quentin finished speaking, he still felt uneasy and suggested that he talk to Wendi Deng face-to-face after he finished meeting with her.

This is where things began.

He had just finished talking to Quentin when he received a call from Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen said he was invited by Martin Scorsese to visit the United States and was in Los Angeles. He asked if Scorsese was free to meet up.

The two phone calls, one after the other, suddenly made Chen Nuo realize that Brother Jiang not only had known Martin since 1991 and had a long-standing friendship, but also seemed to be an old acquaintance of Quentin.

Quentin Tarantino had previously mentioned that after filming "Pulp Fiction," he went to China and Japan to research for "Kill Bill." He was hosted by China Film Group and visited the set of "The Emperor's Shadow," where he met Jiang Wen for the first time. They hit it off immediately, and Jiang Wen even taught him the phrase "awesome." They agreed to meet again in the United States, but after many years, they were unable to fulfill their wish, which was a great pity.

So, is that right?
When he asked Jiang Wen, Jiang Wen confirmed that it was true.

Chen Nuo immediately thought that it was rare to have an appointment for one or two events. He had only returned to LA to steal a moment from his busy schedule and also had to keep an eye on the developments in Silicon Valley. Since they were all old acquaintances, they might as well arrange to meet up.

When Quentin and Jiang Wen were spoken to, they both agreed. Since Martin Scorsese was with Jiang Wen, they naturally invited him along as well.

After securing invitations from Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, there was one person Chen Nuo felt he absolutely had to invite as well. This person was not only Scorsese's "go-to leading man," but also, like Chen Nuo, one of the stars in Tarantino's new film. Furthermore, Chen Nuo had a good relationship with him.

So Chen Nuo made another phone call.

Leonardo DiCaprio sounded quite happy on the phone and readily agreed, but then added that his good buddy was playing at home... Okay, then let's add Spider-Man too.

With Spider-Man added, Deadpool should probably be included too.

Ryan Reynolds has been insisting on talking to him about his emotional journey after the divorce, hoping to get emotional support and guidance—so let's just call him along.

And then, the snowball started rolling.

When Chen Nuo called Ryan, Reynolds was with Nolan, Keira Knightley, and Ellen Page, promoting the second wave of Inception.

As soon as he mentioned it on the phone, Ryan, that big mouth, started yelling. Then, he clearly heard Nolan ask from the side, "Really?"

At this point, Chen Nuo had no choice but to continue adding people.

Then soon, someone leaked the news, and the whole thing inexplicably turned into a rumor that the "Inception crew held a wrap party at his house."

As a result, his phone became quite lively.

The reason is simply that Christopher Nolan is too popular right now.

If you were to ask who the hottest director in Hollywood right now is, you wouldn't find anyone other than Christopher Nolan. He's even more popular than James Cameron and Steven Spielberg!
The consecutive blockbusters of "The Dark Knight" and "Inception" propelled a previously unknown Chinese actor to Hollywood stardom, cementing the British director's legendary status in the eyes of many Hollywood actors.

It's fair to say that at that time in Hollywood, no actor wouldn't want to build a relationship with him and seek opportunities to collaborate on their next film.

But this person is extremely difficult to meet; it can be said that he never participates in social activities except for promotional activities.

The news that he would be at the party spread like wildfire, attracting countless eyes like a beacon in the darkness. Many people who had only met Chen Nuo once called, asking if they could join him, making it impossible for him to refuse.

And so, what he had envisioned as a relaxed and enjoyable little gathering eventually turned into a big party through a series of "+1+2+3" events.

He was willing to bet that Wendi Deng knew about this 100% before she arrived.

Was Li Binbing asking a question he already knew the answer to? He wasn't sure. But Zhou Xun, he had originally planned to keep her there. Since that was the case, having a couple more uninvited guests wouldn't be a big problem.

After agreeing on the terms, he spent the afternoon chatting, swimming, and eating with the three ladies. Seeing that they were all a bit tired, he arranged three guest rooms for them to rest.

He then took a short nap on the sofa in the living room.

When Gulnazar called him, he woke up and saw that it was already evening outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the sunset was blood-red, and the poolside and living room were already decorated. Champagne tower, buffet area, floral backdrop, DJ booth, and even a red carpet had been laid out from the door to the poolside.

He yawned, and Gulnazar said, "Mr. Chen, a guest has arrived."

"Who?"

"I don't know. The security guard at the gate said it was a red Lamborghini."

A red Lamborghini.

Chen Nuo couldn't help but laugh.

Although the sun was about to set, it was still very hot outside. Chen Nuo didn't go out; he just stood under the eaves, smiling as he watched Quentin and his blonde companion.

"Hello~" Quentin chuckled and hugged him, patting each other on the back. Then, with a gentlemanly air, he extended his hand to introduce him: "This is Margot Robbie."

"Hello, Margot, it's nice to meet you."

"Me too, hello. Nice to meet you."

Margot Robbie suppressed her surging emotions.

During the cheek kiss, the 21-year-old blonde girl with beautiful legs, who had just come from Australia to Hollywood to make a living and lost her job after filming a canceled TV series, felt that everything was worth it.

She wasn't humiliated by that pervert for nothing; she finally stood here.

After Quentin Tarantino and Margot Robbie, it's Emma Stone and her new best friend, Jennifer Lawrence.

The two met earlier this year while filming the movie "The Help," and have been inseparable ever since. Chen Nuo has seen them attending various events together and vacationing in the Caribbean in numerous gossip magazines. It seems that Emma Stone, this unassuming big-eyed girl, possesses a unique charm that allows her to make friends wherever she goes.

Jennifer Lawrence had met him at this year's Oscars, but she was a little shy when they met again this time, unlike Emma Stone, who waved to him from afar and almost rushed over to kiss him.

After finishing posting, he laughed and said, "OMG, the paparazzi outside your house are absolutely insane."

"What's wrong? Are there many?"

"You do not know?"

"I don't know, I didn't go out. How many?"

“There are plenty, enough that all the Hollywood stars tonight can have sex without worry.” She finished speaking and winked at him suggestively.

"Hahahahaha."

Chen Nuo burst into laughter.

See, that's the charm of Emma Stone. Straightforward and humorous, who wouldn't like someone like that?
Next.

"Welcome, Jennifer."

"Thank you, Chen, thank you for inviting me."

"My pleasure."

Chen Nuo hugged his older cousin and said with a smile, "I heard you've taken on another new film."

“Yes, I’ll be on set right away.” Jennifer Lawrence chuckled. “How did you know?”

"Maybe it's because I've been concerned about you?" Chen Nuo winked at her.

“Really?” Jennifer laughed. “I thought you were smitten with those Japanese girls.”

"Oh, so you sound like you care about me?"

"hey-hey……"

"Hey!" Emma Stone called out from the side, feigning annoyance, "Are you two flirting in front of me?"

"Ha ha ha ha."

Two future Oscar-winning actresses have been arrested.

Chen Nuo watched the girls' retreating figures.

Soon, James Lawrence will become the youngest actress in history to win an Oscar for her role in "Silver Linings Playbook." And for Emma Stone, her era is not far off.

The next guest wasn't an Oscar-winning actor or actress, but the best director.

A classic Chevrolet drove in, and four people got out.

An elderly man wearing sunglasses, a Chinese man with a buzz cut, and their respective wives.

"Chen, long time no see!" Martin Scorsese and his wife walked over with big smiles.

Jiang Wenze and Zhou Yun didn't move, standing there looking his house up and down.

Chen Nuo ignored him and chatted with Martin Scorsese and his wife first.

The old man is almost 70 this year, but he's in great spirits. He just finished filming a fantasy 3D blockbuster called "Hugo" with Paramount, which will be released worldwide next month.

Like Inception, this film also used James Cameron's camera. In Paramount's promotion, it was touted as the second Inception and the third Avatar, ambitiously preparing to make history.

After exchanging pleasantries with Martin, Jiang Wen also came over.

The two did not hug like Americans do, and they didn't even shake hands.

Chen Nuo smiled and shook hands with Zhou Yun, saying, "Hello, sister-in-law."

Then Jiang Wen said, "No wonder you've been going to America all the time. Turns out you've been living in this kind of place. You're definitely a capitalist, a degenerate, and you've been blinded by the glitz and glamour of capitalism from the very beginning."

"That's you, Chen Nuo wouldn't do that."

Before Chen Nuo could speak, Zhou Yun interrupted.

Chen Nuo immediately laughed and said, "Sister-in-law is right. I am in Cao Ying but my heart is with Han. I live in a big capitalist house, but my heart is still with my good brothers in the proletariat."

"Who is it? Who's your good brother? Do I count? Well, if you put it that way, I'm waiting for you to transfer the money to me. It's $20 billion, you should at least give me a share."

"Yes, of course it counts. Just wait and see."

After exchanging a few jokes with Jiang Wen, Chen Nuo said, "Li Binbing and Zhou Xun are here today too."

"Huh?" Jiang Wen was a little surprised. "They're here too? Where?"

Chen Nuo looked up and said, "Probably sleeping."

……

……

Zhou Xun slept very soundly. When she woke up, she couldn't remember where she was for a moment. She felt like she had had many, many dreams, but she couldn't recall any of them.

She's always been like this since breaking up with Daqi. The man from her previous relationship was just an insignificant passerby.

Only the Great Qi, only the Great Qi, could she never forget.

After lying on the soft bed for a while, she seemed to regain her senses from all around her and regain her ability to hear and see.

Her first reaction was: How lively!

The sounds of music, conversation, laughter, and footsteps drifted in continuously. Various colored lights streamed in through the windows, filling the room with a surreal and fantastical atmosphere.

broken.

She suddenly remembered where she was.

Did you sleep for so long?
She immediately jumped out of bed, grabbed her bag from the bedside table, and rushed into the bathroom. A dozen minutes later, she had put on a passable makeup, quickly tidied her clothes, took a deep breath at the door, and then opened it.

As soon as the door opened, a cacophony of voices and faint footsteps rushed in, and before she could adjust, she froze.

A blonde woman was standing in the hallway. When she saw her open the door, she immediately asked as if she had been granted a pardon, "Could I use the restroom?"

"Ah, yes."

"Thank you!" the woman said, and rushed inside like a whirlwind.

Zhou Xun blinked, a little dazed, unsure whether she was awake or still dreaming.

This has been her usual state lately; sometimes she seems a little dazed.

For example now——

If it was a dream, my mind was actually quite clear.

To be realistic, the first thing she would encounter upon opening the door is Charlize Theron asking her to use the restroom?

That's just too absurd.

Zhou Xun thought for a moment and decided it was best not to wait there for the blonde woman to come out. If it was really a dream, she might never appear.

Let's take the initiative and find out what's going on.

She walked to the bottom of the stairs and slowly walked down. She stopped at the corner.

Ah, it feels more like a dream.

There weren't many people in the living room on the first floor. A golden chandelier hung down from the top, and the dim lighting in the hall made everyone's faces seem to be bathed in the unique glow of an old 20th-century film.

The people sitting or standing in the living room were all faces she had seen on posters and in movies, but now they had come to life on screen, standing there chatting, drinking, and laughing.

She saw Tom Hiddleston from "Thor" standing at the bottom of the stairs on the first floor, wearing a sharp dark blue suit, talking to Natalie Portman from "Black Swan." The two of them were laughing and shaking their heads.

She saw Jake Gyllenhaal from *Brokeback Mountain* and Cate Blanchett from *Elizabeth* talking quietly on a sofa not far away, looking very serious.

She saw Anne Hathaway from "The Princess Diaries," Tobey Maguire from "Spider-Man" with a lukewarm smile, and Ryan Reynolds from "Inception" together, chatting about something, and then they all burst into laughter.

She also saw Robert Downey Jr. from "Iron Man" wearing a bright red suit jacket, gesturing wildly with Rachel McAdams from "The Notebook," while Julianne Moore from "Far From the Madding Crowd" walked by arm in arm with Colin Firth from "The King's Speech."

And...and more.

Looking at these people, Zhou Xun slowly walked down to the first floor, took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray, and, not knowing where to go for a moment, stood in a corner, drinking and watching them.

In a daze, as if in a dream.

"Xun-ge'er, what are you doing here? I've been looking for you for ages." A voice interrupted her dazed state.

Turning her head, she saw a bright-eyed woman who looked somewhat familiar looking at her. After speaking, the woman grabbed her arm and said, "Come on, come on."

She found herself following the other person out of the hall and outside.

A cool breeze blew by, and Zhou Xun felt herself suddenly become more awake.

The pool shimmered with a deep blue light under the surrounding lights. Not far away, a large group of people had gathered around the poolside lounge chairs and parasols, and they seemed to be talking about something interesting when a burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

"Chen Nuo is telling them jokes."

Hearing a familiar name, Zhou Xun became more alert and asked curiously, "What joke?"

Li Bingbing chuckled and said, "Before I went to the bathroom, we were talking about the Golden Horse Awards last time. I don't know about now."

……

……

They're still talking about the Golden Horse Awards.

After all, Chen Nuo's experience at the Golden Horse Awards was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and there's no end to how much he can talk about it.

He wanted to speak at the scene, but out of respect for Ang Lee's past help, he didn't say anything. However, that doesn't mean he can't speak in a different place.

I was just chatting with Nolan about Inception's prospects at this year's Oscars. Nolan was clearly a little unsure and preoccupied, so to lighten the mood, he made a joke about it.

Surprisingly, it worked quite well. People like Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino, who were originally chatting and enjoying the breeze outside, all gathered around. More and more people came, and it seemed like they all really enjoyed listening to his stories about Taiwan.

"...Do you know how I felt back then?"

“What?” Keira Knightley asked.

Chen Nuo said mysteriously, "It's like opening the door, coming home, and seeing your wife lying with another man. You thought you were her only one, but it turns out you're just half of her. How pathetic. Leo, you have experience in this area, you should understand what I'm talking about, right?"

"Hahahahaha!"

The group immediately burst into laughter.

Little Li wasn't angry. He laughed and said, "No, no, I don't understand. Chen, I think you've got the wrong person. I don't have any experience in this area."

"Oh, yes, I've got the wrong person. I'm sorry, Leon, I promised you I wouldn't tell anyone."

"Hahaha……"

Seeing Chen Nuo's frustrated expression, even though she knew he was acting, he did act very well, making Zhou Xun laugh along with everyone else.

Amidst her laughter, she instantly forgot about Da Qi.

(End of this chapter)