Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 290 Collect some interest
Cao Jian doesn't particularly like the film "2046," feeling it's somewhat of a pointless lament.

But that's just Wang Jiawei's style.

But after this film, Gong Li never made a better movie.

Perhaps because of her appearance, she managed to seduce Chen Hong, causing Chen Kaige to set his sights on Gong Li. This woman also didn't know the wealthy man named Huang.

Since that's the case, Cao Jian plans to snatch Gong Li away.

Who told you, Director Chen, to let Ni Ping down?

Upon hearing Director Cao's invitation, Gong Li agreed without hesitation, saying, "No problem, then I won't take on any other scripts for a while."

Cao Jian laughed and said, "Sister Gong Li didn't even ask what kind of film it was before she agreed?"

"I trust Director Cao's films. Is it really necessary to ask?"

"Sister Gong Li really knows how to talk."

The more Cao Jian looked at this woman, the more lustful he became.

Gong Li is now like a perfectly ripe peach, definitely sweet and juicy.

Seeing that the two were starting to flirt, Chen Kaige couldn't help but interject again, "Director Cao, how are you going to deal with the negative news about your audition these past few days? Should I put in a good word for you with a newspaper you're familiar with?"

He said this only to interrupt the two of them. If Cao Jian was willing to talk about this topic, it would be a good opportunity for him to show off his connections in various fields.

But just when the two were having a good chat, Director Chen suddenly said something that really spoiled the mood.

Gong Li didn't like this director to begin with. You abandoned Ni Ping, and now you're still bothering me. It's so annoying.

She's chatting so happily with Cao Jian now, deliberately trying to make Chen Kaige back down.

Seeing that the other party still seemed to want to show off, Gong Li's eyes lit up and she smiled, "Director Cao, we've almost finished eating. Why don't you take me home?"

"I send you."

Although Chen Kaige is a famous director, he is just like any ordinary person when it comes to pursuing women.

Especially pursuing women like Gong Li.

"Thank you, Director Chen, but no need."

As expected, Gong Li immediately rejected Chen Kaige's offer.

After saying that, she deliberately pretended to have drunk a bit too much, and left the private room with Cao Jian's arm around his.

"I"

Chen Kaige, who was left alone, is really angry.

If it were any other child actor, they would definitely throw themselves into your arms if you just waved.

But when facing Gong Li, no matter how much he tried to be nice to her, it was all in vain. Now, Director Cao has interfered in his plans.

But then I thought, if the two of them got together, wouldn't I be considered the matchmaker?
This can be considered as making friends with Cao Jian, a bigwig in Hong Kong.

However, this connection is somewhat awkward to maintain.

Outside the private room, Cao Jian saw that this woman's acting skills were superb, and he knew that Director Chen's pursuit of Gong Li was definitely hopeless.

Since you're using me as a shield, I'll charge you some interest.

Once outside, he put his arm around Gong Li's slender waist; even through her clothes, he could still feel how delicate she was.

"Director Cao, you..."

Being embraced like this by a man several years younger than herself, Gong Li instinctively wanted to break free from Cao Jian's grasp, not wanting such intimacy.

Cao Jian deliberately whispered, "Sister Gong Li, there are people watching from behind."

As she spoke, she hugged him even tighter.

Gong Li was also afraid that Chen Kaige was really behind her, so she had no choice but to let Cao Jian hug her.

Once inside the elevator, she said, "Thank you, Director Cao. I can go back by myself in a bit, no need to trouble you."

"How can that be? I still have to listen to what Sister Gong Li said. Since I promised to give it to you, how can I give up halfway?"

"You're such a big director, how could I, a mere actor, dare to let you send me a gift?"

"I'd love to. I want to spend more time with you. You're a beautiful sight to behold."

"Is this how you usually lie to girls?"

"I wonder if I can win over Gong Li."

"There are so many pretty girls out there, you'd better not try anything with me."

Gong Li was quite confident in her appearance, and when she heard Cao Jian say this, she knew that this man, who was five or six years older than her, also had ulterior motives towards her.

"Your charm is unmatched by any young girl."

As the two were talking, the elevator arrived at the garage, where Cao Jian's car was already waiting.

Gong Li glanced at the brand-new Mercedes-Benz W14, hesitated for a moment, and then got in.

However, after getting into the car, she maintained a safe distance from Cao Jian before asking, "Director Cao, what's the name of the film you invited me to make, and what's the plot?"

Cao Jian explained, "This film tells the story of a man named Zhou Muyun and his romantic relationships with four different women."

"2046" is actually closely related to another film by Wong Kar-wai, "In the Mood for Love".

But aside from the lighting and cinematography, the story of "In the Mood for Love" is empty and vague, and the plot is awkward and contrived, making it not good at all.

In contrast, Cao Jian prefers "2046," and it was precisely because of this film that he was so enamored with Wang Fei's beautiful singing voice back then. Now that he's making "2046," he only needs to weave the incredibly simple plot of "In the Mood for Love" into the film and give it a brief explanation.

"Director Cao, this story is quite interesting."

After Cao Jian finished telling his story, Gong Li couldn't help but admire this legendary genius even more.

Although this man is young, his talent is in no way inferior to Zhang Yimou's, as can be seen from the film "Comrades: Almost a Love Story".

Zhang Yimou can only direct, but this man in front of me can not only direct, but also write screenplays, sing theme songs, and act.

He's really handsome.

If he pursues me, can I resist him?
After chatting about the plot for a while, the car arrived at the entrance of the residential area where Gong Li lived.

Seeing the woman about to get out of the car, Cao Jian smiled and said, "Sister Gong Li, since we're already at your doorstep, won't you invite me up for a seat and a drink of water?"

"It's too late today, I'll visit you next time."

Gong Li was well aware of men's tactics; if she agreed to Cao Jian's request, the man might not leave that night.

"But you're using me as a shield today, so at least give me some benefits."

Cao Jian was naturally not satisfied with just casually putting his arm around her waist; he wanted more.

"what do you want?"

Gong Li felt a little embarrassed when she realized that the other party had seen through her intentions.

"I want."

As Cao Jian spoke, he suddenly grinned mischievously, and with lightning speed, kissed Gong Li on the cheek.

"Director Cao, you..."

Gong Li was a little stunned by the sudden kiss.

This young director is incredibly fast, and he's so bold in his pursuit of women—he just kissed her without warning!

"You took advantage of me, so it's not unreasonable for me to charge some interest, is it?"

Cao Jian chuckled and said, "After the New Year, filming for '2046' will begin. I'll be waiting for you in Hong Kong. Goodnight, Gong Li, you smell so good."

"Good night."

Gong Li murmured goodbye to Cao Jian. After getting out of the car, she watched the car drive away, touched the spot where she had been kissed, and felt a flutter in her heart.
"Back then, I admired Director Zhang for not doing anything to you because you had a boyfriend."

In the car, Cao Jian looked through the window at Gong Huang, who was still standing by the roadside in a daze, and thought to himself with a smile, "Now that you're single, why should I be polite?"

The next day, the production team of "My Fair Princess" finally announced that all the actors had been confirmed.

Meanwhile, renowned actress Liu Xuehua told reporters that she wanted to play the role of the Empress in "Princess Pearl," but was rejected by producer Cao Jian.

The news caused an uproar among reporters.

Liu Xuehua and Qiong Yao had a very good relationship, and she was also the first generation of Qiong Yao actresses. How could she be rejected?
Immediately, many people began to wonder whether the rumors of behind-the-scenes manipulation actually existed.

If such a thing exists, why was Liu Xuehua rejected?
That's impossible. Why should a girl like Fan Bingbing be given such an important role without even having to audition?

Just as everyone was speculating, producer Cao Jian suddenly announced that the "Princess Pearl" production team would be taking costume photos of the main actors in the garden of Prince Gong's Mansion, and hoped that reporters would witness it.

As soon as the news broke, the entire Prince Gong's Mansion was surrounded by hundreds of reporters.

They all accepted it and wondered what kind of main actors Director Cao had chosen, and whether there was any behind-the-scenes hype involved.

On the day of the shoot, Cao Jian, unusually, granted an interview to reporters.

"Director Cao, what do you have to say about the newspaper reports that you used underhanded tactics to promote your actors?"

"Back when director Wang Fulin was preparing for 'Dream of the Red Chamber' and 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' actors recommended by friends were cast as long as they were deemed suitable. Could this be considered behind-the-scenes manipulation?"

When faced with reporters' questions, Cao Jian directly invoked the words of an industry veteran, saying, "When we cast actors for this drama, we mainly look at how similar they are to the characters in the script. Some people say we are engaging in behind-the-scenes hype, so today we'll show everyone whether it's true or not."

"Director Cao is so confident?"

"Of course, our drama will be a phenomenon."

"Phenomenon-level?"

The reporters were somewhat incredulous when they heard this.

One reporter even said, "Director Cao, you just mentioned the TV series 'Three Kingdoms.' Even Director Wang didn't dare to call it a phenomenon back then. What makes you say that?"

"Just based on the script outline of this drama, which I wrote."

Cao Jian left after uttering those words, then looked at the stunned reporters and walked away with an air of nonchalance.

Young female reporter: "He's so handsome."

Male reporter: "Damn, Director Cao is way too confident! He wrote the script outline, so he thinks this is going to be a phenomenal show?"

Female reporter: "Director Cao is just confident."

Male reporter: "Aren't you overconfident?"

Female reporter: "Anyway, he looked so handsome just now."

Male reporter: "I need to write down what Director Cao just said. If I put it in tomorrow's newspaper, it will definitely generate a lot of buzz."

Everyone: "Let's take a look at the character stills for this drama first."

Amidst the murmur of the crowd, a voice blared from the loudspeaker in the garden: "Please welcome Liu Hong, the fourth female lead from 'My Fair Princess'!"

(End of this chapter)