It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 185 A $4500 Million Mansion! Even Greater Ambitions Are Rising! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Beverly Hills, west of Los Angeles.

As the car drove through the gate, the scenery along the way instantly changed.

Unlike the old and messy exterior, the roads inside the resort are lined with meticulously trimmed olive trees.

The branches and leaves cast dappled shadows in the sunlight, and occasionally a few bougainvillea bushes in full bloom peeked out from behind the wrought iron fence, making the milky white villa exterior even more elegant.

Looking into the distance, one can see rows of manor-style mansions hidden in the lush greenery.

Luxury cars occasionally drive by slowly, their wheels rolling over the smooth asphalt road, even the sound exuding a sense of composure.

The air is filled with the scent of grass and gardenias, and the sound of the wind rustling through the treetops is softer than anywhere else... No wonder this place has become a gathering place for Hollywood celebrities. Every detail exudes exquisite and private luxury.

Looking out the window, Lü Rui suddenly remembered the scene from his last visit here.

Back then, he had to hitch a ride with Harvey and rely on Harvey's influence to get into the core residential area.

He still remembers clearly the security guard's scrutinizing gaze and the tedious registration process.

But this time was different. He had plenty of money and his goal was very clear—to buy his own house!

The car stopped at the entrance to the core area, and he handed over the appointment documents he had prepared in advance.

After the security guard checked his identity, he politely nodded and let him pass without asking any further questions or giving him any strange looks.

The wheels started moving again, and Lü Rui leaned back in his seat, a sense of peace and exhilaration welling up inside him.

Previously, it was about "borrowing someone else's light"; now it's about "establishing one's own reputation." From needing to rely on others to enter this place, one can now openly and legitimately purchase property for oneself...

After all this hard work, I've finally made a real mark!
He looked up at a detached villa with a private garden not far away, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Soon, I will have my own place here.

"Lv, welcome to the upscale Beverly Hills neighborhood!"

As soon as the car came to a stop, Gwyneth Stewart from the Bashe real estate agency team quickly walked up to us in her elegant high heels.

She wore a perfectly warm smile, and when she reached out to shake hands with Lü Rui, her posture was respectful.

In any country, big clients who can afford to buy luxury homes are considered "masters" by real estate agents!
These clients are even more important than God, since God wouldn't pay them a commission.

“Hello, Ms. Stewart.” Lu Rui extended his hand to shake hers.

He had been communicating with this female agent online for several months and was well aware of the strength of the Bashe team.

They have focused on Beverly Hills apartments and townhouses for over 10 years, are familiar with 117 apartment communities in the area, have received numerous positive reviews online, and can provide accurate property details and the latest listings.

The other party was very professional and patient, and always responded to his various questions in great detail.

It was this professionalism and patience that ultimately led Lü Rui to choose to collaborate with her.

“Lv, let’s not rush to look at houses. Let me show you around and let you get familiar with the area.”

Gwyneth didn't rush to sell, but instead led Lu Rui deeper into the community.

After walking more than two hundred meters, she pointed to a low-key yet impressive building in the distance and said, "You'll definitely recognize that; it's the location of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences..."

Lü Rui looked in the direction she was pointing.

The academy doesn't occupy a large area, about the size of two standard football fields.

But it is the organizer of the Oscars, with a total of more than 6000 members, representing half of Hollywood.

It's just that people don't usually work here; this place serves more as a symbol of honor and a venue for events.

At the same time, this place is also known as: "Hollywood's backyard!"

The two of them continued forward.

Gwyneth quickly pointed to the other side: "That's the Beverly Hilton Hotel. If you don't want to cook in the morning, just give them a call and the hotel will send someone with a thermal food cart to your door."

From French breakfast to Chinese congee, whatever you want to eat can be customized—this is an exclusive perk for Beverly Hills residents.

Upon hearing this, only two words came to Lü Rui's mind: Noble!
This treatment is seriously top-notch! It's even better than the Zunjie S800 that Yu Dazui introduced!

The two continued walking along the gentle slope towards the top of the mountain.

The higher you go, the wider the view becomes. The lush greenery of the mountains filters out the hustle and bustle of downtown Los Angeles, and even the air is filled with a faint fragrance of grass and trees.

Gwyneth continued with a bright smile: "Many people say Los Angeles is chaotic, but in fact, safety here is directly linked to social class."

Beverly Hills is the most exclusive and affluent area in Los Angeles. It's home to industry tycoons like yourself and Hollywood stars, and its security is on par with a private security team.

There's a 24-hour armed guard post at the community entrance, and hidden surveillance cameras every 50 meters inside. Even cleaning and maintenance personnel need to swipe three layers of identification cards to enter the core area, so there's absolutely no need to worry about privacy leaks.

She pointed to a lush green area not far away: "That's the community's private golf course, an 18-hole standard course that can be booked anytime and played anytime, and it even has private instructors."

Next to it are heated tennis and basketball courts, both equipped with Olympic-level facilities.

Further up, there's a private helipad. If you want to take a helicopter to the airport, just give them your notice half an hour in advance; you don't need to compete with other flights.

“Not to mention the educational resources,” Gwyneth said with pride. “There’s Beverly Prep School in the community, covering all stages from kindergarten to high school, with all the teachers having Ivy League backgrounds, and even the school buses are custom-made Lincoln Navigators.”

If you have children, the housekeeper can pick them up directly from school after class, so you don't have to worry about anything.

As Lü Rui listened, he felt that even the words "Shangri-La" were insufficient to describe the environment here!

This is no ordinary residential area; it's as if "luxury" and "convenience" have been etched into every single detail.

It's no exaggeration to say that from security to lifestyle, from leisure to education, every aspect precisely caters to the needs of the elite!
Just as the two were walking along the mountain road, a black Cadillac suddenly drove up from the front.

Lu Rui subconsciously moved to the side of the road, but unexpectedly, the car slowly stopped beside him.

After the car window was rolled down, two familiar faces appeared.

It's Harvey Weinstein and Quentin Tarantino.

"Lv? What are you doing here?"

Harvey's gaze swept between Lü Rui and Gwyneth, who was dressed in a business suit beside him, and his eyes instantly became complicated, with a hint of inquiry.

"Come and see the house." Lu Rui said bluntly, then nodded to Quentin and greeted him.

"Oh? So you're going to be my neighbor?" Harvey forced a smile onto his chubby face, his tone carrying a hint of deliberate familiarity.

"Perhaps," Lü Rui replied with a smile, but inwardly he thought to himself:

My buddy's going to buy a detached house on the mountaintop, unlike you, who only lives in a townhouse at the foot of the mountain.

He only found out later that the "multi-million dollar villa" Harvey had promised to give him was actually worth less than $1000 million.

Although it is considered a high-end residence, it is only at the lower-middle level of Beverly Hills.

Moreover, the privacy of a townhouse is far inferior to that of the $4000 million detached villa he is currently eyeing.

"Good luck to you then."

I wish you all the best.

After exchanging a few brief pleasantries, Lü Rui turned and continued walking towards the mountaintop.

Harvey didn't say anything more, rolled up the car window, and drove the car towards the outside of the villa.

But as soon as the car window closed, the forced smile on his face vanished instantly, and his face turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

Quentin, sitting to the side, noticed this and asked curiously, "What's wrong? You seem unhappy?"

"Unhappy? I'm furious!" Harvey said in a gloomy tone. "Now it seems I was definitely fooled by that yellow-skinned brat!"

Last year, he specially invited Lü Rui to Beverly Hills, warmly courting him and promising to give him a villa worth millions, all in order to finalize the cooperation.

However, after discussing several projects, they still couldn't reach an agreement.

Until Ruixing Pictures was established, Lü Rui successively reached project cooperation with Warner, but he couldn't even get involved.

The other party even sent an intern lawyer who didn't understand the business to deal with him, which made him furious time and time again.

Now look what's happened! The other party has made a fortune from "Paranormal Activity" and is now buying a villa in Beverly Hills!
This clearly shows they didn't take his "goodwill" seriously, and cooperation between the two sides is completely hopeless.

The thought that all the time and enthusiasm he had invested had gone down the drain made Harvey feel a tightness in his chest, and he couldn't help but curse, "That damn guy!"

“Harvey, I advise you not to mess with him,” Quentin reminded him at the right moment. “He’s now a partner of Lionsgate, Warner, and Sony Columbia, and I heard he’s going to work with 20th Century Fox next.”

If you clash with him, you'll likely suffer losses dealing with his partners.

These words were like a bucket of cold water, making Harvey feel even more aggrieved.

When they first met, Lu Rui was just a newbie with few resources. How did he become a hot commodity that several Hollywood giants were vying for after only a few years?
Trying to take him down now is harder than climbing to heaven!

Thinking of this, Harvey leaned back in his chair, his face growing increasingly grim, and the atmosphere in the carriage darkened as well.

While he was still feeling stifled in the car, Lu Rui had already followed Gwyneth to a villa on the mountaintop.

As far as the eye can see, white Mediterranean-style buildings are hidden behind rows of palm trees, with off-white stone walls and dark blue glazed tiles.

Pushing open the ornate wrought iron gate, you'll find a courtyard paved with light gray stone slabs, flanked by neatly trimmed shrubs.

In the middle, the fountain pool was bubbling with water mist, and the sunlight shone on the water's surface, refracting into tiny golden glimmers.

"Lv, this is the villa you had your eye on before. It was completed in June 2005, and the property rights are clear..."

As Gwyneth led him inside, she explained, "The house has two floors above ground and one floor below ground, with a total area of ​​about 1500 square meters. It also has a 5000-square-meter private garden, a separate swimming pool, and a tennis court..."

Pushing open the heavy solid wood door, a living room with a 5-meter-high ceiling immediately comes into view.

The light beige marble floor is so shiny it reflects light, and two Impressionist oil paintings hang on the walls. In the center of the living room sits a custom-made Italian leather sofa, paired with a walnut coffee table.

The floor lamp in the corner emitted a warm yellow light, making the whole space both luxurious and cozy.

"The living room connects to the open-plan kitchen and dining room. The kitchen features a full set of built-in appliances from Müller, Germany, including a refrigerator and wine cabinet. The dining room can accommodate 20 people at the same time, and the crystal chandelier is a custom-made Swarovski from Austria..."

Gwyneth introduced him as she led him upstairs.

The second floor contains several bedroom suites.

The master bedroom is 80 square meters in size and has its own bathroom and walk-in closet.

The bathroom features a double jacuzzi and a steam sauna, while the walk-in closet boasts adjustable lighting and a smart storage system. "The other bedrooms are also suites, each with its own bathroom and balcony, ensuring complete privacy for family or guests..."

Upon reaching the basement level, the layout there immediately caught Lü Rui's eye.

The private cinema can accommodate 20 people, and the audio-visual equipment is the same as that used in Hollywood post-production studios.

Next to it is a temperature-controlled wine cellar that can store 5000 bottles of red wine.

There is also a gym, which is fully equipped with treadmills, dumbbells and other equipment.

The floor-to-ceiling windows overlook a private swimming pool, and you can enjoy the courtyard view while exercising.

"In addition to the swimming pool and tennis court, there is also an open space in the garden. If you like, you can add a private helipad or turn it into a garden party area later."

Gwyneth stood on the terrace, pointing to the view in the distance, "You can see the Los Angeles skyline from here, and the night view is especially beautiful."

The entire villa has a 24-hour intelligent security system, and there's also a private security booth at the entrance, so you can have complete peace of mind while staying here.

Lu Rui walked around the villa.

From the lighting in the living room to the layout of the bedroom, from the underground cinema to the view of the courtyard, every detail met his needs.

It offers ample space while also ensuring privacy and comfort.

With a price tag of up to $4500 million, this configuration is absolutely worth it!

He turned around and nodded to Gwyneth with satisfaction: "This is it. Please expedite the follow-up procedures."

Gwyneth felt an instant surge of joy!
The deal is done!

But she only dared to let her smile grow a little brighter, while her attitude became even more enthusiastic:
"Lv, although there's no room for negotiation on the $45 million house price, our Bashe team has secured an exclusive benefit for you: a full-service concierge package for five years, which is worth a staggering $5 million!"

She quickly explained the services in detail: "You have a dedicated butler who takes care of your daily life, from customized breakfasts to laundry and care. If you want to book a Michelin-starred chef to cook at your home or arrange for a private doctor to conduct regular check-ups, the butler can handle it all."

Our professional gardening team takes care of all the maintenance needs, from pool water quality and lawn mowing to flower care, so you don't have to worry about a thing.

There is also a 24-hour security team. In addition to the existing security in the community, there will be two personal security guards in the villa so that you can go out with them.

In addition, we provide two deep cleanings and equipment checks per year to ensure all appliances and security systems are in optimal condition.

Lu Rui nodded slightly: "Okay, let's go with this plan."

In fact, he had already anticipated this.

After all, men always have clear goals and consider prices when buying houses, cars, clothes, etc.

He came today with the intention of "checking in immediately," and these additional services will save him the trouble of handling things afterwards.

Gwyneth was exceptionally efficient; that very afternoon, she arrived with her lawyer and title specialist to verify the documents and complete the transfer procedures.

From signing the purchase contract to completing the property registration, the entire process took just over an hour, which is incredibly efficient.

By the time all the formalities were completed, night had fallen.

Lu Rui took the wine glass handed to him by the butler and walked to the villa's terrace.

A gentle evening breeze blew, and in the distance, the neon lights of downtown Los Angeles merged into a dazzling sea of ​​lights.

Outside the courtyard, the private pool reflects the starlight of the night sky, creating a tranquil and luxurious atmosphere.

He gently swirled the wine in his glass, watching the liquid sway within, and a sense of contentment welled up within him.

After struggling for so long, I finally have my own house in a foreign country, which is a dream come true!
"When I have more free time in the future, I can bring my parents over so they can enjoy life too," he murmured softly, his voice full of pride.

Of course, the journey forward will not stop because of this.

The mansion is there, but the top-of-the-line luxury cars, private jets, private yachts, private wineries, and private islands are still not all there.

Strictly speaking, his assets have only just crossed the "A10" mark, and he is still a long way from "A11" or even becoming a top conglomerate!

Having been given a second chance at life, his ambitions extend far beyond this!
……

When Chinese people move into a new house, they have a tradition of "burning the bottom of the pot," mainly for the sake of a lively and auspicious occasion.

So the first thing Lü Rui did after waking up the next morning was to call the Hilton Hotel and ask them to prepare lunch according to the standards of a private banquet, with fresh ingredients and a mix of Chinese and Western dishes.

Around noon, Peter Griffin, Jason Blum, Zack Snyder, and James Wan arrived at the villa one after another.

As soon as they pushed open the villa gate, the group was amazed by the scenery in the courtyard and exclaimed in admiration.

The fountain pool shimmered in the sunlight, palm trees cast deep shadows, and in the distance, white tablecloths were already laid out on the terrace, where the champagne tower sparkled...

This scene is simply a lifelong dream for a man who is working hard to build his career!
Jason strode into the living room first, and looking at the high ceiling and the oil paintings on the walls, he couldn't help but reach out and touch the leather sofa.
"My God, Lv, this house is outrageous! It's at least ten times bigger than my apartment!"

Zach walked straight to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the distant Los Angeles skyline, and said with a sigh, "The night view from here must be even more amazing..."

James Wan curiously strolled around the courtyard, and when he returned, his eyes lit up: "I love that pool and garden!"

Peter was relatively more composed, but looking at the table laden with Boston lobster, Wagyu beef steak, truffle pasta, and chilled Burgundy wine, he couldn't help but sigh softly, "When will I be able to buy a villa in Beverly Hills?"

Lü Rui smiled, picked up a wine glass, and handed it to each of them: "Believe me, this is not a dream. You will definitely be able to enjoy this kind of life in the future."

He was not just making empty promises.

As soon as the clinking of glasses ended, he went straight to talking about the projects: "The collaboration between 300 and Life of Pi has been finalized, with budgets of $150 million and $200 million respectively."

"Wen, I've decided to put you in charge of *Life of Pi*; Zack, *300* is yours. What do you say?"

As soon as he finished speaking, James Wan and Zack Snyder were both stunned, their eyes widening instantly!

James Wan is alright, after all, he just finished filming "I Am Legend," a $1.5 million production. Although he is excited to take on another big production, he is somewhat confident.

In contrast, Zack panicked immediately, his hand unconsciously tightening around his wine glass, and he stammered:
“Lv, I… I only made 'Paranormal Activity' with a budget of $200 million, and now I have to manage a $1.5 million project, I’m scared…”

Lu Rui smiled and patted him on the shoulder, his tone reassuring: "Don't worry, I will serve as the supervisor and producer of these two projects, keeping a close eye on the progress and controlling the details. I won't let you bear the pressure alone."

These words were like a reassuring pill, instantly putting Zack at ease. The panic on his face was replaced by ecstasy, and even his voice rose a few decibels:

"Lv, don't worry, I will definitely do my best! I will never let you down! From storyboarding to casting, I will start preparing now and make sure it goes according to your requirements!"

He clenched his fists, unable to hide his excitement.

Directing a project worth hundreds of millions of dollars is a highlight of any director's career!
Lu Rui smiled and turned to Wen Ziren, asking, "Is everything alright on your end?"

“Of course not!” Wen Ziren’s eyes gleamed.

A $2 million project! Just thinking about it is awesome!
He couldn't wait to get his team working on the script and get to work right now.

In fact, Lü Rui originally planned to do the "Life of Pi" project himself.

But after thinking about it carefully, I realized that my identity wasn't quite right for me.

Based on my past life memories, this film has the potential to win an Oscar.

However, his identity as a Chinese director is clearly less advantageous than James Wan's Chinese heritage.

Lee's ability to win awards in his previous life was inseparable from his years of business dealings in Hollywood and his green card.

In contrast, Lü Rui's qualifications are still too shallow.

Moreover, he also has two other projects on hand, "Dying to Survive" and "Pacific Rim," so he doesn't have time to film them.

Therefore, handing it over to James Wan is the most suitable option.

Peter and Jason watched from the side and laughed along.

The fact that Ruixing Pictures has been able to secure a series of major projects, and that Lü Rui is willing to give his team members opportunities for growth, means that the company's future development is far more promising than they imagined!

The two were filled with excitement at the thought of having the chance to live in a villa in Beverly Hills in the future.

This expectation didn't last long.

The following morning, before Lu Rui prepared to return to China, he gave them a new opportunity.

Inside the Ruixing Film Studio office, he officially announced the start of preparations for "Twilight".

"Including the $850 million copyright fee, the total investment for the first Twilight movie is estimated at $3850 million, of which $3000 million is for production costs."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jason's eyes lit up instantly!
"Paranormal Activity" has already given him a taste of high returns on low budgets. This time, with a production cost of 3000 million and independently operated by Ruixing, if it succeeds, the profits will only be greater!
But Peter frowned: "Lv, if we push forward three projects at the same time, we might not have enough funds in our account."

Lü Rui naturally understood his concerns.

The budget for "300" was $150 million, but Warner Bros. only contributed 55%, or $82.5 million.

This amount of money is just enough to make the movie, do post-production, and send it to theaters.

Although Ruixing could get a 45% share without paying any money by manipulating the accounts, it didn't have much money left over.

For "Life of Pi", Fox contributed 40%, or $8000 million.

Since Ruixing Pictures wants a 60% share, it has to pay an additional 4000 million to make up for the 1.2 million USD production cost.

As for the previously calculated profit of $1.1 million, it will only be added to the profit after the movie is successful; it won't be available in the account yet.

“Isn’t there also ‘I Am Legend’?” Lu Rui reminded him. “The revenue sharing after that movie’s theatrical run will be directly invested in the post-production of ‘Twilight’.”

As for the initial preparations, it won't actually cost much; we can just temporarily divert funds from the accounts of the other two projects.

Peter suddenly realized, and couldn't help but give Lv Rui a thumbs up, suppressing a laugh as he said, "Lv, you've squeezed every last drop of resources out of Warner and Fox, you even have to rely on them for cash flow."

"Haha, when it comes to doing business, you have to make the best use of your resources."

Lu Rui smiled, then turned to Jason and instructed, "You will work with Peter on the Twilight project. The publicity should start from the preparation stage. I will send you the specific plan later."

“Okay!” Jason nodded immediately.

Lu Rui added, "Also, the overseas distribution of 'Paranormal Activity' will be handled by Sony. They will bundle this horror film with 'The Pursuit of Happyness' for distribution, using a revenue-sharing model. You just need to follow up and coordinate."

"Ok!"

Jason nodded again, but felt inexplicably dazed.

He clearly remembered that independent production companies and the Big Six Hollywood studios had always disliked each other.

But how come when it comes to Lü Rui, he can get along so well with the Six Greats?
Isn't this contrast a bit too bizarre?
(End of this chapter)