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

Chapter 60 A very perverted story!

"Director Lü, 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' has grossed over 70 million in eight days, and its box office of 100 million is just around the corner. What are your thoughts at this moment?"

"First of all, I would like to thank the two lead actors, Leslie Cheung and Anita Mui, for their hard work. I would also like to thank the audience for being willing to pay for this movie. The fact that everyone enjoys the film is the meaning of my making movies."

"What do you think about the fact that 'Cell Phone' was released at the same time and only grossed 4000 million yuan in half a month, far less than 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'?"
"I hope Director Feng will continue his efforts..."

Ok?
The reporters, having failed to elicit a heated response, quickly lost interest.

"Director Lü," the Sina reporter changed the question, "how do you evaluate the fact that Feng Xiaogang previously issued you a box office challenge, but it ended in a crushing defeat?"

"Is there still such a thing?"

Lu Rui feigned surprise.

"You don't know?"

Lu Rui shook his head: "I'm sorry, ever since 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' started filming, all I've been thinking about is how to surpass 'Hero,' so I haven't paid much attention to other films released around the same time."

That was incredibly arrogant! The reporters were very satisfied!

The charm of journalism lies in the fact that while there isn't a single lie published, it's not the truth either.

Its main selling point is its subtle and nuanced writing style, showcasing both literary and martial skills.
For example, at this moment, several reporters holding sketchbooks immediately began to write furiously.

[Lü Rui claims he never cared about Feng Xiaogang's box office challenge and has always looked down on him.]

[Lü Rui stated that "Cellphone" is not worthy of being compared to "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".]

[Feng Xiaogang suffers another defeat in the box office battle, a humiliating blow; his title as the 'New Year's film box office champion' should have been relinquished long ago.]

Seeing the group of reporters squatting in front of him, their pens flying across the page, scribbling a string of words completely inconsistent with the facts of the interview, Lü Rui couldn't hide his astonishment: "Don't you guys ever hide anything when you write your articles?"

He recalled reading a popular science article that said the three essential elements of news are timeliness, authenticity, and accuracy.

How did it become selective interpretation, misinterpretation, and the creation of conflict when it came into the hands of these people?

"Oh, sorry."

The reporters, however, were not embarrassed at all. They calmly set up their sketchbooks and continued writing with their backs to him.

"..."

Lü Rui didn't bother to argue about it.

There are some things he really can't say in public, after all, it would seem petty to openly criticize.

But how the media reports it is none of his business.
As for what Feng Xiaogang might think, he doesn't care. Anyway, the two sides have long disliked each other.

After this interview, there's still the wrap-up press conference for "Hitch" to take care of.

The reporters then surrounded Zhao Peng again, trying to find "explosive" stories.

"During filming, as the producer, did Jiang Wen...?" The NetEase reporter seemed unsure how to continue the question.

It seems inappropriate to keep mentioning "The Missing Gun," as it feels like rubbing salt into Lu Chuan's wounds.

But when it comes to producer Jiang Wen, it's impossible to avoid mentioning him.

Perhaps even Lu Chuan himself did not expect that because of the movie "Looking for a Gun", he would be forever nailed to the pillar of shame.

What's even more infuriating is that if subsequent films fail to surpass "The Missing Gun," this humiliation will be magnified infinitely!
"I feel very lucky to have met Brother Rui and Director Jiang as my mentors, who helped me grow quickly... Now I only hope that my efforts can be recognized by them, and that I can continue to learn from them. This is the greatest honor of my life!"

Zhao Peng delivered another high-EQ speech, presenting himself with a very proper attitude.

That's Jiang Wen!

Having him as the producer is like having a miraculous blessing from their ancestors!
cry?
He would never cry and whine like Lu Chuan.

Such a lucky thing is being made to look like one's body has been ruined, isn't that a bit off?
Jiang, who was not far away, nodded repeatedly, his face full of satisfaction. He patted Lü Rui on the shoulder and said, "This kid is much more eloquent than Lu Chuan. It wasn't a waste of time to teach him."

I can only repay this kindness by doing my best...

Hearing these words warms the heart.

Unlike Lu Chuan, who immediately says "I love Jiang Wen!"
I love you so much!

"This kid's got a sharp tongue," Lü Rui chuckled, then changed the subject, "Director Jiang, filming's wrapped up here, we're heading back to the capital. What about you? Want to come back with us? Or..."

There were quite a few people in the film crew, so Lü Rui decided to splurge and charter a plane to bring them all back.

"I'm not going back yet. I need to see Dong Ping. There's a new project, and I need to go see what's going on."

New project?
Lu Rui was slightly taken aback and asked curiously, "Is it the 'Letter from an Unknown Woman' that you mentioned before?"

"Yes, Xu Jinglei's project, a very perverted story."

"abnormal?"

“I personally feel it’s a bit perverted,” Jiang Wen said first, before explaining, “The girl has been infatuated with the male protagonist since childhood. They meet three times after she becomes an adult, and she doesn’t hesitate to become his lover. She even gives birth to his child alone and raises him silently, but she has never confessed her feelings. What else could this be but a psychological perversion?”

Isn't this just a sasaeng fan (obsessive fan who stalks their loved ones)?

Lu Rui muttered to himself, then echoed, "It really is quite perverted."

He suddenly thought of Liu Dehua's group of fans.

This person probably has the most "sasaeng fans" in the industry right now. Some even secretly hide under the bed to take pictures. It's as perverted as it gets!
Fortunately, Liu Dehua didn't do anything inappropriate in the room, otherwise his lifelong reputation would have been completely ruined.

If you want to survive in this industry, maintaining a clean and honest personal life is absolutely essential.

Fame, status, and prestige are like protective armor.

Only by standing high enough can you have the confidence to say "no" to unreasonable demands!
"Sissi is still too young to film kissing scenes. We can only accept using camera tricks or a body double."

Inside Cai Yinong's office in Tangren, Liu Xiaoli is advocating for her daughter's interests.

Thanks to the immense popularity of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and the soaring box office of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," she is now very confident.

With their daughter currently enjoying a triple win in popularity, buzz, and box office success, it's the perfect time to negotiate terms.

Moreover, Tangren is now begging her daughter to play the lead role. If not now, when?

"Not even a kiss on the cheek?" Cai Yinong's temples throbbed.

Why are they adding more and more conditions?

So what if the TV series he starred in became a huge hit and the movie is a blockbuster, with the box office about to break 100 million? What's so great about that...? Okay, that's pretty impressive, actually.

If it weren't for Liu Yifei's current popularity and fame, she would have already slammed her fist on the table.

Being an actor and not being allowed to film kissing scenes? Isn't that a joke?

But then she thought again, and realized she really couldn't bear to give up this "cash cow," so she had to swallow her dissatisfaction.

"No way." Liu Xiaoli was very firm. She didn't care about all that nonsense. For her daughter, she was willing to be a bad person and be scolded.

Who knows what kind of person that actor is? What if he takes advantage of her? She absolutely doesn't want to take those risks.

"Okay." Cai Yinong just wanted to finalize this matter; she didn't care about such trivial things.

If we don't want to kiss, we don't have to. We can just use someone else's seat.

Another half hour passed, and after confirming that all the details were in order, the mother and daughter signed the contract in the presence of their lawyer.
"call!"

Cai Yinong breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to Liu Yifei and said softly, "Qianqian, remember to adjust your mindset when you get back, read through the script. Filming will start on the 8th of next month, which is the 18th day of the first lunar month, in Hengdian, understand?"

Although they ultimately failed to sign Liu Yifei to Tangren Media, Cai Yinong wasn't too disappointed.

With this girl's current popularity, it will definitely be a great benefit to "The Legend of Sword and Fairy 1"!
"Ok."

Liu Yifei nodded obediently, put away the script, and went out with her mother.

After getting into the car, Liu Xiaoli finally breathed a sigh of relief. "We've finally reached an agreement. Next, we'll go back to Wuhan to see your grandmother, and then head straight to Hengdian after the New Year."

“No, we can’t!” Liu Yifei suddenly said. “We still have to go back to the capital. We can’t go to Grandma’s house now.”

Why go back to the capital?

"My senior messaged me saying he's going to throw a celebration party and wants me to attend."

"Look at my memory!" Liu Xiaoli exclaimed suddenly, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has broken 100 million at the box office, we really should celebrate."

As she spoke, she turned to him and added, "You must thank Director Lü properly this time. If it weren't for him guiding you in making the movie, our negotiations with Tangren would never have gone so smoothly."

Liu Yifei chuckled and said, "I know, I'll toast my senior then."

Liu Xiaoli, unusually, did not object: "Of course, Director Lü has really been very good to you. Speaking of which, you are quite lucky. You're so naive and simple-minded. It's just an exam, but you've managed to make such connections."

"Hmph, that's right. I'm quite clever. I waited downstairs for him for several hours before I finally had the chance to recommend myself..."

……

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's January 9th, which is the 1th day of the twelfth lunar month.

The Beijing Film Academy officially began its winter break, and Lü Rui successfully passed all his exams.

In contrast, Zhao Peng suffered a series of misfortunes, failing multiple courses and forced to prepare for make-up exams with a gloomy expression.

"Haha, you better study hard and try to finish your exams before the new year. I'm going to the editing room now."

After comforting the tearful Zhao Peng, Lü Rui headed straight to the editing room to continue working on the follow-up editing of "The Pursuit of Happyness".

The deadline for submissions to the Cannes Film Festival is mid-March, and he needs to complete post-production and submit the film before then.

There's no rest this winter break.

"Jingle Bell--"

As soon as I stepped into the editing room, my phone rang suddenly.

Lu Rui took it out and saw that it was a call from Han Sanping.

"Hello, Mr. Han?"

"Go online and you're on the front page again."

Headlines?

With these questions in mind, Lü Rui opened his notebook and logged onto the portal website.

At a glance…

Wow! This really is headline news!

"Warmest congratulations! The Secret Life of Walter Mitty has officially surpassed 100 million yuan in total box office revenue after 14 days of release!"

"Following Zhang Yimou, the second director of a commercially successful film with a box office of over 100 million yuan has emerged: Lü Rui, a senior student in the Directing Department of Beijing Film Academy, class of 2000!"

"His commercial debut was a great success, and his art-house films won the Silver Bear and Silver Lion awards. The landscape of the mainland film and television industry has undergone new changes, and Lü Rui has successfully become one of the four major directors of Chinese-language films! Leading a new trend in the film industry!"

It has both awards and box office success.

From that moment on, Lü Rui's status in the mainland director circle rose instantly, and he could now stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige.

In contrast, Feng Xiaogang's "Cellphone" failed to break 5000 million yuan at the box office and received no awards at the three major European film festivals.

The difference is immediately apparent when the two are compared!
In the newly compiled list of "Four Great Directors in the Chinese Entertainment Industry" by the media, he was mercilessly ranked last.

【Ding! 】

The system reward notification sounded at the appropriate time.

[Congratulations, host, on successfully completing six processes for "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty": filming wrap-up, post-production editing, special effects production, submission for censorship, sale of rights, and theatrical distribution, and securing a release date.]

[S-level talent: Screenwriting and adaptation skills for action/sci-fi/war/fantasy/adventure/disaster genres, officially released.]

A deluge of professional knowledge flooded into my mind.
Lu Rui put aside the editing work of "The Pursuit of Happyness" and prepared to first enjoy the system rewards.

Meanwhile, Feng Xiaogang, who had disappeared for half a month, could no longer sit still.

During this period, the media has been trying to highlight Lü Rui by putting him down and using him as a foil.

In particular, the Chongqing Business Daily, which had been reprimanded by the film crew for secretly filming the location of "House of Flying Daggers," openly mocked him for "losing his talent"!
This immediately hit his sore spot!

He's the father of the Lunar New Year film season! How could he possibly have run out of ideas?

So, taking advantage of the press conference announcing the cast of "A World Without Thieves," he once again expressed his dissatisfaction:
"It's just a marketing ploy using the male and female leads' retirement from the entertainment industry. What's so great about it? A truly good movie relies on a solid story core and a deep integration of commerce and humanity, not just an empty shell piled up with special effects shots."

This time, I will prove myself with "A World Without Thieves"—I can make not only low-budget comedies, but also high-budget dramas, and I can earn a box office of 100 million yuan! Don't underestimate me…

(End of this chapter)