Huayu: When the director changed his major

White paused for a moment when he heard about the bet.

He was just speaking up for Cheng Xi and Zhu Zhu, but he definitely wouldn't be willing to put his own money into it.

In his view, it was impossible for "Detective Chinatown 2" to reach $5 million at the box office.

He originally thought that Cheng Xi's purpose was to get to know Taylor Swift and then obtain the song license for "Welcome to New York".

Taylor Swift can also get a licensing fee, so both parties are happy.

As the middleman, I can profit from both sides.

White is particularly optimistic about the young director Cheng Xi.

The key point is that he's very generous with money.

As his contact person, I've been running around doing errands these past few days, and I'm making more money than if I were Mr. Ten percent.

But he really didn't expect Cheng Xi to do this, actually wanting to invite Taylor Swift to sing his song.

When he said that, I felt a chill run down my spine.

After all, he wasn't particularly familiar with Taylor Swift or Braun.

All he could think about now was how well Cheng Xi's song turned out.

As long as it's not utterly awful and you can actually sing it, you should at least feign some flattery first.

I hope everyone will let it go out of consideration for him.

After all, Cheng Xi's reputation is now his own reputation.

Wen Ziren arrived at this time and, after listening to a few words, understood the situation.

During his brief conversation with Cheng Xi, he clearly noticed something different about this young man.

Although very polite, they only spoke as if they were their own peers, and even seemed to have a sense of superiority.

This is a feeling I haven't had in a long time.

Moreover, he's just a Chinese director.

As someone of Chinese descent, I'm unsure whether to offer support or simply address the issue at hand.

But he also wanted to know whether this person was truly skilled or just seeking fame.

After all, he didn't know much about the Chinese film industry and hadn't heard of such a person in China.

Zhu Zhu, at this point, was too lazy to argue with Braun.

She understood the white men's usual arrogance, and now only good work could shut them up.

So she put aside her somewhat resentful expression and couldn't help but look at the piece of music Cheng Xi had written.

Although Cheng Xi's sheet music is flamboyant and unrestrained, she has at least released an album and won the Most Popular Potential Singer of the Year award in mainland China.

So it's understandable.

"This piece seems more suited to the piano?"

As she frequently glanced at the sheet music and Cheng Xi's serious profile, more and more people joined the discussion around her.

Clearly, they've made this a fun part of their recent social interactions.

Braun is prepared to tell his friends about this amusing incident for days after he has embarrassed the young Chinese man.

To satisfy their sense of racial superiority.

Meanwhile, Cheng Xi, who was at the center of the storm, had almost finished composing the music.

Taylor Swift sat next to her and couldn't help but hum a few lines.

She had initially just been watching for fun, but her expression gradually became serious.

"This seems... kind of interesting?"

However, due to the angle, some parts were not clearly visible.

At this moment, she was already intrigued by the piece of music and wanted to take the paper from Cheng Xi's hand to see what those key notes were.

So after Cheng Xi finished writing and stopped, I asked him directly:
"Cheng, what's the name of this song?"

"The name doesn't matter, what matters is the melody."

Well, Cheng Xi immediately started pretending.

However, he still added playfully:
"Actually, I just haven't decided yet."

This immediately made both Zhu Zhu and Taylor Swift, two beautiful women, laugh.

Taylor Swift: "Cheng, you are different from the Chinese people I remember."

What is your impression of Chinese people?

"Relatively introverted." "Your impression is correct; I am indeed a very introverted person."

“You are not, and you have a confident humor that I have never seen in Chinese people.”

Cheng Xi couldn't tell whether it was a compliment or a hurtful remark.

After the group attack, they even praised me individually.

Forget it, I doubt she's had much contact with many Chinese people.

While the two were chatting, the people around them were also laughing and joking.

Seeing that Cheng Xi had stopped, Braun walked leisurely through the crowd, carrying a glass of red wine.

"Well, dear Cheng, is your masterpiece finished yet?"

Cheng Xi didn't respond to the question, but instead asked in return:
"Braun, let's not talk about the music yet, how about we talk about a bet?"

Although Cheng Xi was writing a song, she also heard Braun's disdainful tone towards China.

Damn white Americans.

Don't think I'll be polite to you.

"Oh? You want to accept the bet I just made with Mr. White? You're very brave, Cheng. But excessive bravery becomes recklessness."

Braun laughed easily and glanced at the surrounding crowd, as if to say that some fools had come to give him money.

“Well then, Mr. Braun, since you proposed the bet, I will decide the stakes.”

“My demands aren’t high. Given your income, let’s bet $200 million. Ms. Taylor Swift can vouch for us. After all, if it’s too much, I’ll have to question your ability to pay it off.”

Cheng Xi's words, a combination of rebuttal and attack, made Braun blush with embarrassment.

When did people with yellow skin start looking down on white people?

They even said they doubted my ability to fulfill my promises.

Although 200 million was a bit of a financial strain for him, it would be foolish to refuse money that was given away for free.

Moreover, the fact that it was given to him by this impolite young man made him even happier.

Without a second thought, Braun burst into loud laughter:
"No problem, Cheng. I hope you will keep your promise. Everyone here is our witness."

“Of course.”

"No problem."

The people around them nodded in agreement.

In their eyes, this was an absolute victory, and they all envied Braun's luck.

I've run into such a blindly confident sucker.

Cheng Xi ignored the group of white people surrounding Braun and instead turned to Taylor Swift to ask:

Taylor Swift, what do you think?

“Mr. Braun is just my agent. I have no intention or right to interfere with his personal behavior, but I believe he is a man of his word, and I hope you are too.”

This statement, by its very nature, implies acceptance.

After the group discussed some details, the bet was made in the presence of Mr. White, and Cheng Xi was not afraid that Braun would go back on his word.

It would be even better if he didn't follow the rules; he has plenty of ways to deal with that kind of person.

And it will absolutely ruin his reputation in Hollywood.

At this point, Braun was also quite pleased with himself and had no intention of letting Cheng Xi go, so he said with a mocking tone:
"Cheng, how about it? Let me take a look at the song you have."

"Why bother watching? Just listen."

As soon as he said that, everyone started to make a fuss.

This young Chinese man seems quite confident.

But Braun still dismissively said:

"Oh, I'll say it again, you're very brave, Cheng."

Cheng Xi ignored the arrogant Braun, simply picked up the sheet music and handed it to Zhu Zhu, who was wearing a sexy burgundy dress beside her.

With the gentlest smile and words, he asked softly:
"I know you can play the piano. Could you play a piece for me tonight?"

Zhu Zhu smiled radiantly at Cheng Xi.

Before she could even speak, Taylor Swift's voice rang out from beside her:
"Cheng, actually, I can play a song for you too."

(End of this chapter)