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

Chapter 473 Dear Leo

January 24, 2012, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

99% of Chinese people will not travel far on this day.

But just past noon, the man left the house surrounded by a group of people.

After the luggage was loaded into the car, Chen Nuo turned around and smiled, "Alright, don't bother seeing us off anymore. It's cold outside, go home."

Pan Chengrong instructed, "Come back early after you're done, so we can celebrate the Lantern Festival together."

"Okay, I'll try my best." Chen Nuo nodded.

Li Er also chimed in, "It's okay if you don't get an Oscar nomination. You're just going to be a spectator anyway. You have a long life ahead of you, one or two more won't make a difference."

"know."

"Bon Voyage."

"Okay, thank you, Uncle Qi."

"Next time you come back, come with me to Vietnam."

"Hehe, we'll see."

After Chen Bicheng finished speaking, Cui Xueli spoke up: "Brother, I wish you a safe and pleasant journey."

Today she was wearing a beige cashmere coat and a navy blue scarf. Her features were exquisite, and her smile was gentle. Compared to four years ago, she looked much older and more mature. The somewhat naive girl from before had now become a graceful and elegant young woman.

The girl took two steps forward and opened her arms.

He opened his arms and gave her a hug.

He paused for a moment, then paused slightly, slightly taken aback.

……

What note did she pass you?

Once in the car, Qi Yuntian sat with him in the back.

Qi Da still won't accompany him to the United States this time; he'll just drop him off at the airport and drive back. But he won't have much free time either. Qi Yuntian is in charge of everything in Hong Kong, and after the New Year, he'll have to go there to distribute red envelopes to mark the start of the work year and then begin construction.

The two chatted for a while about their work in Hong Kong, after which Qi Yuntian asked a question out of curiosity.

Chen Nuo pulled a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket. On it was written in Chinese: "To Brother Chen Nuo," and next to it was a drawing of a cute cartoon girl with long hair.

The handwriting is neat and square, which is not bad. The painting is much better than the handwriting.

Although Choi Sulli is a terrible student, she does have a real talent for art. The girl probably thought she was being discreet by passing the note under the guise of a hug, but in reality, Chen Nuo guessed that only Pan Chengrong among those present couldn't see her little trick.

Aren't you going to watch?

"Let's look at that later. Let's continue talking about the casting."

"Okay, so what do you think, Ah Sa..."

"Ah Sa, what Ah Sa? What am I thinking?"

"Huh? No, Brother Nuo, I saw you chatting quite happily with her and her agent last night."

Chen Nuo said casually, "Yeah, two beautiful ladies. What's wrong with me being happy to chat with them?"

Qi Yuntian shook his head and said in a very low voice, "Lies..."

"What did you say? Speak louder?"

"I must say, Mr. Chen really knows how to separate public and private matters. Okay, let's continue..."

……

At 4 p.m., the Gulfstream GS450 that flew from the United States to pick up people took to the skies again after refueling and a short rest.

To express his gratitude, Chen Nuo made a special trip to the cockpit to thank the captain who had traveled around the world with him several times.

This Gulfstream GS450 belongs to a high-end private jet leasing company in the United States called Ivan Private Aviation. The aircraft is over ten years old, but that is still less than half the career length of the captain in front of us, Brian Douglas.

"Mr. Brian, you've been flying for over thirty years?" Chen Nuo asked in surprise.

The white captain, who was about fifty years old, nodded proudly: "It's been exactly thirty-one years and six months since I got my pilot's license at the age of twenty-two. But Mr. Chen, rest assured, I am still very young and full of energy."

“That’s a truly remarkable career, Mr. Brian, and I have the utmost respect for it,” Chen Nuo said sincerely.

Brian smiled, looking quite pleased: "Thank you, Mr. Chen. I've flown with many passengers, but I've rarely seen one as polite and respectful as you."

Chen Nuo smiled and waved his hand: "Thank you. I'm actually a bit suspicious, but now I trust you and your team completely. Alright, I won't keep you from continuing your flight. Although the weather looks good ahead, I'll be considerate and go back to the cabin."

Brian's expression softened, and he seemed to appreciate Brian's caution and sense of propriety even more. Brian offered, "Would you like to try the driver's seat? I can teach you the basics."

Chen Nuo laughed: "Thank you for your kindness, Brian, but I'm afraid if I get on, the plane will have to make an emergency landing. I'd better not cause any trouble. Okay, I'm going out now. Thank you again, and I wish you all the best for your flight."

"Don't mention it, Chen. It's my duty and my honor." Brian smiled, stood up, gave a slight bow, and then focused on checking his attire again.

After getting out of the cockpit, Chen Nuo whispered to Linghu beside him, "He doesn't seem like he'll fall asleep right now, but we still can't let our guard down. Check on him every few hours."

After saying that, she thought for a moment and added, "We can talk to him more later and see if his experiences are true or false. If they are, then we can get his personal contact information."

Linghu nodded: "Understood."

Chen Nuo returned to the cabin and saw that Gulnazar was already asleep on the blanket. The girl must have stayed up late last night and woken up very early today. She was lying slightly on her side, her cheek pressed against the edge of the blanket, her eyelashes fluttering gently, as if she had already drifted off to sleep.

He quietly sat back in his chair, pulling the porthole sunshade down halfway, revealing only a sliver of the flawless blue sky and the thick, snow-like clouds outside.

Using the ray of sunlight streaming in through the porthole, he took out the note that Choi Sulli had given him before she left, and unfolded it to read.

The words written on it were in neat, upright handwriting:

"elder brother.

Four years ago, Choi Sulli never dreamed that one day she would be able to call you by such a name.

Four years later, Choi Sulli couldn't imagine what she would have become four years ago if it weren't for you and her mother.

My gratitude to you, Mom, and Dad is deeper than the Yellow River and longer than the Great Wall. It was your meticulous care and concern that pulled me back from the abyss, transforming me from a girl who thought there was no hope in life into someone who wants to pursue her dreams.

Brother, I've made my decision.

Timid and cowardly, I finally made up my mind and took this step. Although I am still afraid every time I think about the future; in the darkest corner of my heart, there is still a Choi Sulli, curled up and trembling, trying to pull me back.

But I still insisted on making that choice.

Would you be happy for me?
Many nights now, I cry quietly, worried that I've embarrassed you, worried that you'll regret bringing me back from Korea, and that you'll think I'm a useless piece of trash.

I really studied very hard.

I've tried chemistry, physics, and biology, attempting to understand the future you've planned for me. But every time my report card comes out, I'm too ashamed to look you in the eye.

Please forgive me, brother.

I really tried my best, but I was never the kind of kid who could become a scientist.

So, I'm going to South Korea to embark on that path. If I want to become the Choi Sulli that you and Mom can be proud of, then this is the only way I can think of.

Because singing, dancing, and performing seem to be the only things I've been good at since I was a child.

This was the only path I never felt ashamed or inferior as your sister and mother's daughter. Not like now, constantly hiding under my mother's wings, shamefully enjoying everything that shouldn't belong to me…

Brother, when I first came to China, you told me that you hoped I would spend four years learning the four words: self-respect, self-love, self-reliance, and self-improvement.

Now I understand your deeper meaning. I won't let you down from now on.

I hope that one day I can stand in front of my mother and tell her that the Choi Sulli who was taken care of by her back then has grown up and can repay her kindness.

I also hope that one day I can stand on the stage of a concert with tens of thousands of people, stand tall, and proudly tell everyone: "Chen Nuo is my brother."

When the time comes, I hope you can applaud for me from the audience, okay?

I will always love you.
Pear.

PS:

Brother, please don't tell Mom after you finish reading this. I want to tell her myself.

The letter was quite long, filled on both sides, and it took Chen Nuo about five minutes to read it. He noticed a few watermarks on the last few lines.

He then folded the paper again, put it in his pocket, pulled down the porthole window to plunge the cabin into darkness, covered himself with a blanket, and fell into a deep sleep.

Finally, after a 14-hour flight, the GS450 refueled once in Anchorage, Alaska, and landed smoothly at Van Nuys Private Airport in Los Angeles at 10:36 p.m. Pacific Time on January 24.

This airport, located in the suburbs of Los Angeles and serving business and private flights, appears exceptionally tranquil under the lights at night.

Before disembarking, Chen Nuo went to the cockpit again to thank Brian and his co-pilot.

Over the past dozen or so hours, Linghu had figured out Brian's background—this captain really wasn't exaggerating. Decades of experience flying Gulfstream aircraft, not only did his total flight time look impressive, but he had also received the FAA Distinguished Pilot Medal and the Gulfstream Global Flight Safety Certification Medal. He was one of Ivan Air's top captains, and having him fly for him fully demonstrated how much Ivan Air valued this star VIP client.

In other words, once his custom-built GS650 is delivered, if Brian were to fly it, he would only need a short-term adaptation training to address the model differences, and he could seamlessly start working – a perfect scenario.

……

Unlike passengers on regular commercial flights who need to queue for immigration at the terminal, Chen Nuo saw a black Toyota Alphard with thick black tint parked on the tarmac not far away as soon as the plane landed and he stepped out of the cabin. Alison was leaning against the car door.

Seeing him come out, he smiled and waved his hand.

Beside the woman were two U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers dressed in dark suits and wearing identification badges.

Prior to this, they had received the documents submitted in advance by Ivan Company, so the process after disembarking was surprisingly quick. Two men in sunglasses took out a portable fingerprint scanner and had him press his fingerprint for a few seconds. They took his passport, flipped it open, glanced at it, and didn't even ask routine questions like "What are you doing in the United States?" They simply smiled and said, "Welcome back to the United States, Mr. Chen."

From exiting the cabin to completing all the formalities, it took less than ten minutes. This smooth experience of entering the United States is something most people would envy.

Chen Nuo opened the sliding door of the Alphard and got into the car. Allison followed and sat next to him. Gulnazar sat in the passenger seat, and Linghu took over the driver's seat. The car then smoothly drove out of Van Nuys Airport and merged into the highway leading to Beverly Hills.

Seeing that Allison looked well, Chen Nuo casually asked, "Did the surgery go smoothly?"

Allison smiled and nodded, "Yes, very well. The doctor said Zoe's recovery from surgery is even better than expected, and all her indicators are at their best. Thank you so much for letting her watch the Golden Globes; it was definitely the best decision I ever made."

Chen Nuo laughed and said, "Don't be so superstitious, Alison."

“No, no, no, this isn’t superstition, it’s experience,” Allison said earnestly. “There really are people in this world who are born with the ability to bring good luck to others. You are one of them.”

"Alright, let's get down to business." Chen Nuo adjusted his posture, and his tone became slightly more formal. "How's the Oscars going? What have you heard? What did Warner say? Do I have a chance this time?"

Allison shrugged and answered calmly, "I don't know."

Chen Nuo was taken aback: "What did you say?"

“I really don’t know,” she repeated.

Gulnazar, sitting in the passenger seat, couldn't help but burst out laughing. She immediately turned around and said seriously, "Sorry." Then she quickly turned back.

Allison continued, "Of course, Chen, if you want some encouragement, I could just read from a script and give you a bunch of high-sounding analyses, talking about who I've talked to and what positive signals I've received... but I don't want to use that to fool you. Chen, all the information is still pending, everything is uncertain. In tomorrow's nominations, you have a fifty percent chance of being shortlisted, and a fifty percent chance of not being selected."

Chen Nuo laughed and said, "In Chinese, there is a saying, 'like reading,' which means that after reading a chapter of a novel, it's as if you haven't read anything at all. I think I feel the same way now."

Allison laughed and said, "That's just how it is. Of the nominees for Best Actor at this year's Oscars, only two are a sure thing: one is Jean Dujardin for 'The Artist,' who has Harvey Weinstein's strong support and the halo of being a Cannes Best Actor winner. The other is George Clooney, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, so the Academy can't possibly not even give him a nomination."

“What about the remaining three spots?” Chen Nuo asked. “You, Demian Bichir, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, and Leonardo DiCaprio—all five of you are a possibility,” Allison said, then emphasized, “It’s 50 for each of you.”

……

……

Like hearing or seeing, it's an experience that makes your teeth itch.

But after listening to Allison's words, Chen Nuo could only admit that what she said did seem to be the reality of the present.

Why did he choose to stand on the stage of hosting the Golden Globes and focus on expanding international influence and public awareness, instead of continuing to use the racial discrimination issues implied in the previous media storm to put pressure on Academy members?

There are gains and losses in everything; it's impossible for someone to have all the good things in the world, right?

So, on the afternoon of the next day, January 25th, he could only turn on the TV, tune to channel ABC, and wait anxiously for the live broadcast to begin, awaiting his fate.

Fortunately, there was someone in the same situation as him who called to say he was going to come to his house to watch the live stream together. That way, if they both died, he wouldn't be too lonely.

“This is Katie, this is Lola, this is Jessica, and her sister Berry,” Leonardo DiCaprio introduced politely.

Although taken aback, Chen Nuo naturally couldn't keep a straight face when facing four sexy beauties. Instead, he smiled and said, "Hi, welcome to our home."

Hi, hello Chen.

"Your home is beautiful, it's an honor to be a guest."

"Hello, I like your decorating style; it's my type."

"Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Chen Nuo smiled and said, "Thank you, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Please come in."

After the group of stunningly beautiful women with different hair colors, all over 170cm tall and dressed fashionably, went inside, Chen Nuo pulled Xiao Li aside and said speechlessly, "What's going on? What are you doing bringing so many people here?"

Little Li asked in surprise, "What do you mean? Do you want to be alone with me?"

Chen Nuo was momentarily speechless.

He then realized that bringing four women to a friend's house was definitely considered ostentatious, even showing off, but for this person, it seemed to be normal practice.

After spending more time together, he also realized that two things were indispensable in Leonardo DiCaprio's life.

First is movies, second is women.

These are basically the only two forms of entertainment I have at home.

Chen Nuo had been to his luxurious private cinema; its film collection was so vast it was practically overflowing. The key point was that Leonardo DiCaprio had watched almost all of those thousands of videotapes and DVDs. In terms of film viewing experience, he couldn't even come close; probably only Quentin Tarantino could rival him.

Besides watching movies, his favorite thing to do is to participate in activities with all kinds of beautiful women; he's almost always surrounded by them. Bringing four beautiful women to his house? What's so surprising about that?

He sighed and said, "Never mind, forget I said anything."

As it turns out, Leonardo DiCaprio's habit of bringing beautiful women along was just that—a habit. While the women changed into sexy bikinis and went to play by the swimming pool outside Chen Nuo's house before sunset, he sat on the sofa in the living room with Chen Nuo, watching TV, and said with an unusually serious expression, "I don't think I deserve a nomination this time."

Chen Nuo asked in surprise, "Why?"

"Because those Motherfucker Academy members don't like me, and as far as I know, Warner Bros. has put all their energy into your Inception."

Chen Nuo handed him a glass of champagne that Gulnazar had just brought over and asked, "Are you sure?"

Leonardo DiCaprio, looking melancholic and tinged with sadness, said, "Yes, I'm sure. Ever since the Titanic, they haven't liked me..."

Chen Nuo interrupted, "Wait, that's not what I'm asking. I know that. I mean, did you really put all your PR efforts into 'Inception'? Where did you hear that? Insider information from Warner Bros."

"You!" Little Li glared at him angrily. "Where's your sympathy, Chen?!"

Chen Nuo shrugged and said, "It's something the whole world knows, I really can't fake it, sorry Leo."

Leonardo DiCaprio gritted his teeth and said angrily, "Yeah, everyone in the world knows that, so does that give you the right to be so mean? Is this how you treat your friends?"

"Alright, alright, I have no chance either, you know that. Even if what you said is true, Warner Bros. will only do PR for Best Picture or Best Director." Since they were all actors and knew each other a little, Chen Nuo didn't take the man's angry expression to heart at all, and said in a fake consolation, "I can't even get into the Golden Globes, let alone the Oscars. I think you at least have a better chance than me."

Sure enough, Leonardo DiCaprio instantly changed his expression, sighed again, put on a sad look, and said, "I hope so. But I really have no confidence."

Chen Nuo tilted his head, thinking to himself that this person was acting a bit strange today.

But they didn't think much of it. They clinked glasses with Leonardo DiCaprio, took a sip of champagne, and then both turned their attention to the television screen.

Even though just a few steps away through the glass wall were pairs of smooth, slender legs and undulating breasts and buttocks, they all unanimously ignored them.

At 5:30 p.m., the Oscar nomination ceremony began on time.

On the stage of the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in LA, in addition to Tom Sarrick, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, there was also Jennifer Lawrence, a young actress who had once visited Chen Nuo's home.

Without any unnecessary pleasantries, the two briefly introduced the schedule and voting mechanism for this year's Oscars before moving directly to the reading of the nominations.

The first award announced was Best Cinematography, followed by Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Art Direction, Best Original Score... and In almost every technical award category, you could hear the name "Inception".

Before the Best Actress award came up, Leonardo DiCaprio, who had been silent until then, finally couldn't hold back and said, "If you add the Best Picture and Best Director awards later, you've already surpassed Avatar."

Chen Nuo asked, "How many? Did you count them?"

Leonardo DiCaprio said, "That's eight now. Avatar only had nine nominations in total."

Chen Nuo nodded.

Next, Jennifer Lawrence read out the nominees for Best Actress.

Meryl Streep's "The Iron Lady" will compete for Best Actress at this year's Oscars alongside Michelle Williams' "My Week with Marilyn," Rooney Mara's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Viola Davis' "The Help," and Glenn Close's "Martha Marcy May Marlene."

"This is Glenn Close's sixth nomination," Leonardo DiCaprio said with a hint of sympathy, "but he hasn't won a single award."

Chen Nuo sighed and said, "Do you think she has a chance this time?"

"It's tough. Harvey is just too strong when it comes to awards, and Meryl Streep's performance this time was absolutely perfect, especially my favorite part..."

"Don't tell me, I didn't see it."

"Huh?" Little Li exclaimed in surprise, "You didn't see it? You're kidding, right?"

"I do not have."

"How is this possible, my God."

"Heh, what would you say if I said I've never even seen Gone with the Wind?"

"Impossible!" Leonardo DiCaprio exclaimed. "Then how exactly do you act...?"

"Shh." Chen Nuo gestured for her to shut up and turned up the TV volume a little.

He glanced back and saw that Allison was already standing by the back wall, while Gulnazar was sitting behind the bar, both looking very nervous.

On television, Tom Sarrick said, "Okay, next up are the nominees for Best Actor at this year's Oscars—it's an extremely competitive group, and we're fortunate to witness the performances of five of the most outstanding actors this year. Jennifer, it's your turn to announce."

Jennifer Lawrence smiled and said, "Okay."

"Why is she laughing? Why is she laughing?" Little Li muttered. "I'm pretty close to her, you know?"

Chen Nuo's palms were sweating at this point, and he said, "Shut up, I'm closer to her!"

Leonardo DiCaprio didn't refute, maintaining the same posture as Chen Nuo, holding his wine glass with both hands, as if trying to calm his burning blood with the help of the cold champagne.

The living room fell silent, save for the sounds of water from the poolside across the window and the faint whispers of women talking.

Jennifer Lawrence looked at the camera and said in her slightly hoarse voice, "The nominees for Best Actor at the 84th Academy Awards are—"

"George Clooney, The Descendants."

As soon as he finished speaking, Clooney's name and a video clip appeared on the LCD screen next to him.

"Jean Dujardin, The Artist".

Chen Nuo couldn't help but glance back at Allison—she had been right. These two were a sure thing; they had already secured two nominations.

Then, the sound from the television didn't stop. It continued:
"Leonardo DiCaprio, Hoover."

What?! Chen Nuo turned his head sharply, hardly believing his ears.

"Huh?!" Leonardo DiCaprio's expression shifted from surprise to stunned silence, before he suddenly jumped up, pumped his fist, and shouted with ecstatic joy, "HOLY SHIT! My two million dollars definitely paid off!"

Two million?
Chen Nuo was startled and turned to look at him.

Leonardo DiCaprio was so excited he was practically dancing around, talking at lightning speed: "Didn't I tell you? I actually hired a private PR team. Don't be so surprised, my friend. You know Warner Bros. doesn't really care about me, I have to rely on myself... Hahahaha!"

“Gary Oldman, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” Jennifer Lawrence read on television.

Leonardo DiCaprio said with a smug look on his face, "You see, that's how the world is. You always have to put in some effort to reap the rewards, right?!"

Chen Nuo felt a mix of emotions.

Damn it, this guy actually made some sneaky moves.
No wonder something felt off before; damn it, it was all an act.

mean!

"Hahahahaha." Little Li looked at his expression and continued to laugh, feeling like his face was about to rot from laughing so hard.

But the next second—

"Nuo Chen, *Inception*." Jennifer Lawrence announced with a smile and a light tone, "Congratulations."

The laughter stopped abruptly.

"Ahhhhhhh!!!!" That was Gulnazar's scream coming from the other side of the living room.

Allison also exclaimed "Wow!" in surprise.

Chen Nuo felt a buzzing in his ears.

He slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the television screen.

At that moment, next to Jennifer Lawrence, who was wearing a long red dress, the television screen that had been displaying the nominations summarized the five Best Actor nominations she had just read out.

correct.

He heard it right.

Jennifer Lawrence was absolutely right.

One name, one movie; five people, five movies—it was all clearly written on the television screen there.

George Clooney, *The Descendants*

“Jean-Jacques Dujardin, The Artist”

Leonardo DiCaprio, *Hoover*

“Gary Oldman, *Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy*”

"Nuo Chen, Inception"

Chen Nuo glanced at the name in the bottom right corner twice, then calmed himself down, suppressing the urge to smile, and turned to say with a serious expression, "It seems that sometimes you can reap small rewards without putting in any effort, right, dear Leo?"

(End of this chapter)