Huayu: When the director changed his major

When Cheng Xi asked him a question, Wen Ziren hesitated for a moment.

He glanced at White, then said:

"It's no secret that Hollywood knows I'm currently preparing for The Conjuring 2."

"The Conjuring 2? I really liked the first one, watched it several times, it was very well made, but..."

James Wan initially thought Cheng Xi was just being polite, saying he had seen the movie, and wore a faint, reserved smile.

But when Cheng Xi uttered the word "but," Wen Ziren frowned.

Judging from what the young man in front of me said, there was still a minor flaw in it.

"Oh? Cheng, you're a professional too. I'd like to hear your opinion?"

Cheng Xi has watched both parts of "The Conjuring," and even watched the first part twice.

I read a lot of reviews on Douban and Zhihu back then, and now that I have more experience with film and my aesthetic sense has improved, I can certainly find a lot of problems.

But Cheng Xi didn't say that directly to Wen Ziren.

It's just an indirect way of saying which aspect I might focus on if I were to direct the second part.

This can be considered as giving both sides a way out.

After all, if you start nitpicking at such a good movie on your first viewing, it's bound to end badly.

Cheng Xi's emotional intelligence isn't that low.

Wen Ziren, on the other hand, became more and more surprised as he listened.

They gradually forgot about Cheng Xi's impolite remarks just now.

He focused intently on talking to Cheng Xi, even taking on a somewhat inquisitive tone.

This caused White and Zhu Zhu, who were standing next to Cheng Xi, to look at him with surprise.

Because in their minds, especially in White's mind, James Wan's status far surpasses that of this Eastern director.

Their abilities go without saying.

James Wan is only 40 years old, but he already has extensive experience directing commercial films.

Moreover, each film has caused quite a stir and generated a lot of discussion.

Their earning power is top-notch.

Hollywood has plenty of directors who can make good movies and tell good stories.

But very few companies can offer such an amazing return on investment.

Many in Hollywood believe that James Wan will be the next rising star in the world of directing.

Moreover, White subconsciously believed that Chinese films, apart from some Hong Kong kung fu movies and Jackie Chan films, were limited to those.

The other films and directors were really unremarkable.

Ang Lee is good, but like James Wan, he is only of Chinese descent.

Therefore, he always thought of Cheng Xi as a Chinese director who simply came to the United States to make movies.

If he hadn't received money from Cheng Xi and hadn't been introduced by Zhu Zhu, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to act as a go-between for him.

Cheng Xi and Wen Ziren then had a very congenial conversation.

Cheng Xi even inquired indirectly about DC Comics' "Aquaman".

They took the opportunity to test whether James Wan was currently involved in the project.

This film was released at the end of 18, and Cheng Xi remembers the release date very clearly.

It was even released earlier than in the United States.

I watched it twice in the theater. The first time I watched it in regular 3D, I wasn't satisfied, so I watched it again in 3D IMAX.

After watching it, I was thoroughly entertained.

However, films with such large-scale special effects usually require at least one or two years of preparation, so it's estimated that the project should have been approved in 2016.

Judging from James Wan's current reaction, it seems that the manuscript has not yet been found by him.

The two hit it off, and in the end, Wen Ziren took the initiative to ask for Cheng Xi's contact information.

We agreed to talk in detail next time we have time.

After James Wan left, White said with a smile:

“Cheng, it’s rare to see James talk about movies with such enthusiasm. You must have a very deep understanding of movies.”

"Mr. White, could I ask you for another favor? If I'd like to acquire the film and television adaptation rights to some DC Comics, do you have any suggestions?"

"What? The adaptation rights to DC Comics, Cheng? Are you planning to orientalize the comics and make a movie?"

"Pretty much. I read DC comics when I was younger, and there were a few that I really liked, so I'm considering adapting them."

White looked troubled and said:

“DC Comics is now a subsidiary of Warner Bros., and we have a partnership with them. However, Warner Bros. rarely sells film and television rights and prefers to develop their own content. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a Chinese director buying the rights to DC Comics.”

DC comics are generally filled with a lot of gore and violence, and pure heroism, which, in White's opinion, is not suitable for Eastern culture.

Moreover, in White's view, this young man had little say in front of Warner Bros., one of the eight major Hollywood studios.

Even his billion-dollar directorial career has little influence in Hollywood.

"It's okay, can you try to contact them for me? You know I'm not familiar with Hollywood."

"Okay, Cheng, I'll try to contact them for you, but I can't guarantee the outcome."

After Wen Ziren left, White continued to introduce Cheng Xi to some of the guests at the banquet.

People were clearly not very interested in this young director from China.

And White didn't go around telling everyone that he was a director worth billions.

But when chatting with Cheng Xi, I maintained basic politeness.

The content mostly revolves around Jackie Chan or personal opinions on Hollywood movies.

Two or three people had already come up and, after only a few words, asked if they knew Jackie Chan when they heard that I was a Chinese director.

This shows Jackie Chan's influence abroad.

Just as the group was chatting casually, a noise came from the doorway, and everyone looked over.

A tall, blonde woman, about 1.8 meters tall, wearing sunglasses, appeared to be arriving on the wind with her flowing skirt.

She took off her sunglasses as she entered the banquet hall.

The two guests next to her immediately said "excuse me" and went to the blonde woman.

White: "She's arrived."

The "she" that White was referring to was, of course, the person Cheng Xi wanted to see tonight—Taylor Swift.

This is what Chinese people call "Moldy".

Her signature blonde waves, bright red lips, and curvaceous figure.

This allowed Cheng Xi to fully understand what a "foreign woman" is.

Even Cheng Xi's gaze was unconsciously controlled for a few seconds.

"Director Cheng likes this too?"

Hearing Zhu Zhu ask him this question in Mandarin, he couldn't help but come back to his senses and smiled.

"It's not that I'm into it, but little boys always like to snatch other people's toys. Do you know why?"

"Because you're naughty?"

"No, because I've never played it before."

Zhu Zhu chuckled and gave Cheng Xi a flirtatious look.

"You mean, I'm a new toy too?"

"Maybe I'm your new toy."

After Cheng Xi finished speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled.

Both are advanced players, so their interactions are straightforward and pleasant.

If you said that to Dilraba, they would definitely find it hard to accept.

But Zhu Zhu said that maybe the two of them could be even more passionate that night.

Just like the red wine evening gown she's wearing tonight.

Cheng Xi really wanted to see what was being worn underneath, or if she wasn't wearing anything at all.

"But this new toy might not be so easy to use."

Zhu Zhu is right, after all, this isn't their home turf.

And he's already a prominent figure in the United States.

The constant stream of guests approaching her to chat was a testament to her popularity. Meanwhile, on her side, besides her liaison, White, and the leading lady, Zhu Zhu, there was no one else.

In the world of fame and fortune in New York and Hollywood, I feel like a nobody right now.

"Yes, she still needs to be tested."

Hearing Cheng Xi's confident words, Zhu Zhu's eyes lit up.

Cheng Xi is truly charming at this moment.

In this setting, I haven't been intimidated at all since I came in.

I maintain my confident attitude no matter who I'm chatting with.

This perfectly illustrates what it means to be neither humble nor arrogant.

It's worth noting that even though Zhu Zhu has been in Hollywood for quite some time, she couldn't achieve this.

She was genuinely curious about how Cheng Xi managed to maintain such an ethereal, "gentle breeze caressing the mountain" demeanor.

Moreover, based on her woman's sensitive intuition, she knew that Cheng Xi was not pretending.

It's not that they're lacking confidence, but rather that they're genuinely confident.

But no matter what Cheng Xi said, it couldn't change the fact that his side was deserted while his side was thriving.

Even Zhu Zhu couldn't help but sigh:
"In the United States, it's always the white people who are in the brightest spotlight, while other races are just supporting characters."

Cheng Xi sensed a desolate feeling in his voice.

This may explain why Zhu Zhu later began to focus on developing her career in China.

No matter how good or beautiful it is, it's all just an illusion; this is ultimately not my homeland.

You can tell just by looking at the treatment Li Binbin and others receive.

Even Smith could treat Cheng Xi like this; the arrogance of white people is completely unbridled.

"It's alright, China will be revived, and I believe the world will rise in the East and fall in the West in the future!"

The banquet proceeded as scheduled.

To be honest, parties in the US are really boring; it's basically just two or three people chatting and changing partners.

Once Taylor Swift was left alone, White quickly brought Cheng Xi and Zhu Zhu over to say hello.

“Swiftie, Mr. Braun, it’s been a long time.”

"It's been a long time."

"Long time no see. And who are these two?"

Judging from Taylor Swift's smile, she and White are quite familiar with each other.

Meanwhile, Braun, who was standing next to him, asked about Cheng Xi and Zhu Zhu.

"Let me introduce you to two friends. This is Ms. Zhu Zhu, and this is Mr. Cheng, a director from China."

Taylor Swift nodded politely to the two of them and extended her hand to greet them.

Cheng Xi gave him a light handshake, and then they parted.

The soft, smooth feeling on my fingers lingered.

Braun simply nodded, looking at the two of them with a scrutinizing gaze.

White first exchanged a few pleasantries with Taylor Swift, and then formally explained the purpose of his visit.

"The license for 'Welcome to New York'? What type of film does Mr. Cheng direct?"

When Cheng Xi asked about it, he briefly explained the general plot of "Detective Chinatown 2", and then why and where it was used.

Finally, White added:
"Mr. Cheng's first film grossed $3 million, and the total box office of the films he has directed has reached $15 billion."

Taylor Swift was initially indifferent, but after hearing what White said, she became a little interested.

He originally thought that Cheng Xi in front of him was just an ordinary Chinese director.

And given his young age, it's likely to be an art film or something similar.

But I never expected him to be a director from the billion-dollar club.

This is a remarkable achievement even in Hollywood.

"Wow, this really surprises me. Are Chinese movies really that popular at the box office?"

"Yes, it will be even higher than Hollywood in the future."

Upon hearing this, Braun was visibly taken aback, then burst into laughter.

It was as if they had heard a joke.

"So Chinese people can be this humorous too."

"If Chinese films can surpass Hollywood, will we all lose our jobs?"

Upon hearing this, Taylor Swift instantly lost all the goodwill she had just managed to build up.

She doesn't like flashy people.

To say that someone is even better than Hollywood is obviously just bragging to save face in front of her.

There are too many men like that.

So she said listlessly:

"Mr. Cheng, regarding the cooperation, why don't you discuss it in detail with my agent, Braun? I have to take my leave now."

"If Ms. Taylor Swift leaves now, she might miss an opportunity. Actually, I came here today to invite you to sing a song. I wonder if you would be interested?"

Taylor Swift frowned upon hearing this. Was this yet another person asking her to write a song?

This is the first time the two have met. If I don't write a song for you, I'll miss the opportunity.

This made her feel that the person was very impolite.

Braun: "A song? A movie theme song? I'm sorry, Mr. Cheng, Taylor Swift isn't very good at writing movie soundtracks or anything like that."

Cheng Xi wasn't angry at their disdain; she simply smiled faintly and said:
“I think Mr. Braun has misunderstood. I didn’t ask Taylor Swift to sing a song; rather, I wrote a song and wanted to invite her to sing it.”

Cheng Xi certainly wouldn't ask for help promoting the movie right away, as that would hardly achieve her goal.

They don't lack money.

Its global reputation far surpasses that of its predecessors.

Therefore, you can only offer the other party what they need before everything else can be discussed.

Hearing Cheng Xi's words, Taylor Swift became even more puzzled.

"Mr. Cheng, did I hear you correctly? Aren't you the director?"

White, standing nearby, also looked surprised and asked:
"Cheng, you can compose music too?"

Before Cheng Xi could answer, Zhu Zhu interrupted:

"Cheng is not only a director, but also a music composer, writer, and screenwriter. He is an all-around genius."

Cheng Xi: Thank you, Zhu Zhu, my best wingman.

Things that flaunt one's status are naturally more authoritative when introduced by someone else.

If someone is just talking to themselves, their credibility will be severely damaged.

Braun: "Genius? Excuse my boldness, but may I ask how old you are, Mr. Cheng? As far as I know, Chinese people don't have the gene for pop music."

After all, there are too many people with various titles these days; someone who can write a few catchy pop songs can call themselves a creator.

There are too many people who write a few swear words and then call themselves authors.

Moreover, Cheng Xi is so young, it's normal for people to have doubts.

Cheng Xi felt no sense of being doubted; instead, she felt a surge of pleasure at the distrustful expressions on Braun and Taylor Swift's faces.

Isn't this skepticism a form of praise?

So Cheng Xi didn't answer directly, but instead asked the waiter to bring paper and pen.

In front of everyone, he started writing with a pen at the bar.

Taylor Swift and White widened their eyes, realizing what Cheng Xi was about to do.

Cheng Xi wrote a few lines, and when he had a moment, he reached for a glass of champagne and slowly savored it.

Seeing their thoughtful expressions, a thought popped into everyone's mind:
"Was it composed live?"

Taylor Swift, who was about to leave, couldn't help but stop in her tracks out of curiosity.

He turned around and sat down next to Cheng Xi.

She had to admit that this young Chinese man had caught her attention.

But what about the quality of the song?
Don't disappoint me! (End of Chapter)