The only sun in Huayu

Chapter 111 Inviting someone to dinner and accepting them as a dog! (44)

Tian Lili's dark face turned even darker.

On the contrary, the afternoon sun made Yu Jianhong look even more radiant.

He slowly and methodically brewed the tea.

"Director Tian, ​​what a rare guest! Try this. Shan Deng just had someone send over some Jin Jun Mei tea. It's been really popular these past two years. They say it's the best of the best among Zhengshan Xiaozhong teas, but I can't tell the difference. What a pity."

Yu Jianhong pushed a cup of tea over, her tone carrying an unintentional air of boasting.

Tian Lili felt aggrieved, but she forced a smile onto her dark face.

He took the teacup, but had no interest in tasting it. He took a quick sip and put it down.

"Good tea. Director Yu, you've really taken on a good student. Now he's reaping both fame and fortune, and even our Beijing Film Academy is proud of him."

"Hey, the kids are doing their best, we teachers are just there to offer encouragement from the sidelines."

Yu Jianhong waved his hand: "Speaking of which, Director Tian didn't come here today just to taste my coarse tea, did he?"

Tian Lili took a deep breath, knowing that beating around the bush was useless, so she simply got straight to the point: "Old Yu, let's not beat around the bush. I'm here on someone's behalf. I'd like to ask you to do me a favor and make a connection to invite your esteemed student, director Shen Shandeng, out for a casual meal."

"Oh?" Yu Jianhong asked shrewdly, "Who has such influence that they could get your Director Tian to act as an intermediary? And what kind of dinner party is it that has to come all the way to me?"

"They're all old friends in the industry." Seeing his attitude, Tian Lili's tone became a bit somber, but there was nothing she could do, since he had a disciple who had broken box office records.

“Marco Müller from Venice, you know him, he’s my old friend and one of the driving forces behind the participation of ‘The Creation’ in the festival. And there’s also that Hong Kong producer, Mr. Chiang Chi-keung.”

"They hoped to have an open and honest discussion over a meal about some of the artistic differences regarding 'The Creation of Evil.' We're all cultured people, what can't we talk about over a meal?"

"It's better than it is now. Well, making a big fuss like this doesn't look good for anyone."

Upon hearing this, the polite smile on Yu Jianhong's face faded.

He picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, and remained silent for a long while.

The only sound in the office was the faint sloshing of the tea.

Tian Lili's face turned bright red, feeling humiliated all over, but she pretended not to understand Yu Jianhong's meaning.

After a long while, Yu Jianhong finally spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of helplessness and an undisguised aloofness.

“Director Tian, ​​it’s not that I don’t want to help. You know Shandeng, he’s a stubborn and opinionated kid. He’s currently busy with the follow-up publicity for ‘The Eunuch’ and that ‘cinematic universe’ project. It’s a huge undertaking, and he’s overwhelmed.”

"As his teacher, I only want to give him less trouble. How could I possibly interfere with his career? What he's doing isn't just for himself, but also part of our country's film development strategy."

“My apprentice, at such a young age, already has a heavy burden on his shoulders.”

Tian Lili said in a low voice, "Art, art is still very important."

Yu Jianhong glanced at Tian Lili, secretly pleased. "You old rascal, you're not so arrogant anymore."

"In these kinds of artistic debates, both sides have their own reasons, and it's not appropriate for a young person like him to get involved."

"Besides, if they really want to talk, why don't they just contact Shandeng's company directly? Why bother having us two old guys act as messengers in the middle?"

These words, though seemingly gentle, were actually quite forceful, effectively blocking most of the way out.

The meaning is clear: Shen Shandeng's status is different now than before, and he is not someone that anyone can invite at will.

Moreover, since we know this water is muddy, why wade into it?

Tian Lili's face darkened even more.

He knew all too well that this was a frustrating situation!

But Mark Müller personally called from overseas, his words earnest.

Jiang Zhiqiang's voice was almost breaking with tears.

With public opinion now overwhelming, "The Creation of Evil" and its backers are on the brink of disaster. Shen Shandeng's silence is more destructive than any attack.

Unable to find a way to directly communicate with Shen Shandeng, they could only hope that their mentor, Yu Jianhong, could exert influence.

Her friend's predicament was right before her eyes, and even though she was being slighted and humiliated, Tian Lili was helpless.

He gritted his teeth and unusually lowered his stance.

"Old Yu, that's not how it works. Mr. Muller is, after all, the artistic director of an international film festival, and he still has a say in the Big Three."

He also expressed that he greatly admires Director Shen's talent and that they might collaborate on international awards in the future.

"This meal can be seen as an opportunity to turn hostility into friendship, which will only benefit Shanden's future international strategy. Consider it a gesture of respect to me and Mr. Muller?"

He brought up international awards and Mark Müller's reputation to increase the stakes.

Upon hearing this, Yu Jianhong was quite shocked, then asked with a smile, "Old Tian, ​​what do you mean by that? What was my apprentice's saying again? 'A weak country has no art.' I saw you were quite opposed to it before, what about now?"

Yu Jianhong was beaming with satisfaction, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

Look at this disciple!
You were right again!

Tian Lili's face turned from red to purple; he certainly knew what Marco Müller meant.

If Shen Shandeng were willing to be lenient, tickets to the Venice Film Festival and other international film festivals would be much easier to obtain.

Art, truly art!
It's no different from buying and selling at a vegetable market!
“Sigh.” Yu Jianhong sighed, feigning helplessness. “Shandeng is clearer than anyone else. What he wants is probably not this at all.”

Based on his understanding of Shen Shandeng, the promise of international awards seemed rather empty talk.

“Director Tian, ​​I understand your difficulties. But as his teacher, I can only pass on the message; I can't make the decision.”

"You know this too. He is the fourth director to enter the 100 million yuan club, the only one born in the 1980s, and even the first director from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s generations. His film is breaking film history records and is still Chairman Han's prized possession."

“He’s not just my student. If he were, you wouldn’t have come. I don’t have that much influence.”

"How about this, I'll pass on the message for you. But whether you go, when you go, and how you discuss it are all decisions that Shan Deng should make himself. Is that alright?"

This was the biggest concession Yu Jianhong could make, but it was equivalent to agreeing to nothing at all.

Tian Lili felt frustrated, but she knew the truth. The reason why people went to such lengths to ask him for help was ultimately because of his status and position at the Beijing Film Academy. And the reason he sought out Yu Jianhong was because Yu Jianhong was Shen Shandeng's mentor.

Whether you acknowledge it or not, Shen Shandeng wields considerable influence today.

This is the box office result, but it was also achieved through painstaking efforts. It destroyed "The Sin," causing the producer to wail and cry, and forcing the director to go back to his hometown.

Tian Lili could only force a smile: "Then, I'll have to trouble Director Yu. Please make sure to convey Mr. Muller's sincerity."

"sure."

Yu Jianhong smiled and got up to see the guest off, making a very polite gesture.

After seeing Tian Lili off, Yu Jianhong closed the door, and the smile on her face instantly vanished.

"Inviting me to dinner? That's more like a trap. You think you can get something for nothing, just a hollow title to make my apprentice agree? Dream on."

He picked up his phone, thought for a moment, and then dialed Shen Shandeng's number.

at the same time.

In a high-end residential community in Shunyi District.

Shen Shandeng and Da Mimi were visiting Huang Li and Sun Li's home.

Da Mimi and Huang Li inquired about the details of the house.

"Duoduo is so cute."

Shen Shandeng teased the child.

Sun Li held her daughter, wearing a close-fitting cashmere sweater that accentuated her slender figure. Her eyes held a hint of melancholy and charm as her gaze lingered on Shen Shandeng.

Sun Li expressed some weariness with her current life: "I think my past screen career was pretty good. I'm considering whether I can make a comeback if a good opportunity arises."

Shen Shandeng just smiled and said, "Sister Li, a woman's greatest career is to manage her home well. Teacher Huang is out there pursuing art, how can he manage without a virtuous wife at home? Look at Mimi, all she does now is busy doing nothing. I have to teach her a lesson, so that she can be like you, Sister Li, and stay at home to take care of her husband and children."

These words made Sun Li blush slightly.

Shen Shandeng was also helpless; what a strange constitution this was.

“Yes, Mimi, Director Shen is so good, we should cherish him.” Huang Li, who was watching this side, nodded repeatedly in agreement.

The way he looked at Shen Shandeng was now more eager and ingratiating.

With her back to Huang Li, Sun Li looked somewhat excited, sensing a thrill.

Fortunately, as an actor, he controlled his emotions very well.

Shen Shandeng shook his head. "Teacher Huang, you used to have a rather foul mouth. How did you become so sweet?"

"Please stay for dinner," Huang Li said, genuinely wanting to build a good relationship.

Breaking 300 million in three weeks!
Results that are genuine and accurate!
what is this?
This is what connections are all about, and the most elite connections at that.

All the unpleasantness of the past was a misunderstanding.

Sun Li said, "Your teacher Huang cooks so well, he even praised you several times in recent interviews."

Shen Shandeng politely declined, saying, "Thank you, thank you. But we still need to look at houses today."

Hearing this, Huang Li was very happy, as this meant that past grievances had been settled. He asked curiously, "You're really good at making money. The box office figures for this movie haven't come in yet, have they? How much will it be?"

"Not much, tens of millions, I'm currently on loan."

Shen Shandeng came out with Da Mimi: "Teacher Huang, Sister Li, please don't see us off."

"Let me deliver it again," Huang Li insisted.

As soon as Shen Shandeng stepped out of the building, Yu Jianhong called. He waved to the group and said, "Sorry."

Walking to the side, Shen Shandeng answered the phone and listened as his teacher relayed Tian Lili's invitation to dinner. When he heard the name Marco Müller, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"Oh? Mr. Muller is here too? With Jiang Zhiqiang accompanying him?"

Shen Shandeng said, "Okay, teacher. You can tell Director Tian that I'll eat this meal. Just arrange the time and place with me."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Li, who happened to be nearby, overheard a few words and stared in astonishment, utterly shocked.

Is Director Tian the same Director of the Directing Department, Tian Lili? Did she also submit an application?

Jiang Zhiqiang is probably the producer of "The Creation," so is Marco Müller the artistic director of the Venice Film Festival?

Huang Li gasped, then advised, "Shandeng, are you going to the trap set by 'Creating Evil'? They're clearly setting a trap; they have no good intentions!"

"The Feast at Hongmen? That depends on who is Xiang Yu and who is Liu Bang."

Shen Shandeng, adopting a boss-like demeanor, patted Huang Li on the shoulder and lectured him, "Teacher Huang, sometimes, meals aren't for negotiations, but to let them see clearly who has the right to sit at the table and share the meat."

Sun Li was shocked; Shen Shandeng's level of understanding completely overwhelmed Huang Li.

Huang Li was stunned by the domineering tone in those words and hadn't reacted yet.

Shen Shandeng had already led Da Mimi towards the parking space.

In the car.

Da Mimi nestled in Shen Shandeng's arms, still somewhat puzzled: "Are you really going? Is that Mark Müller really that good?"

Shen Shandeng looked down at her and said calmly, "Impressive? Maybe. They're the kind of sinologists that exist in every era, also called China experts, who used to be missionaries. But on our turf, dragons have to coil up and tigers have to lie low."

Shen Shandeng's tone carried a hint of mockery and ridicule.

"They're not inviting me to dinner; they're trying to 'take me in as their dog.' Too bad, I'd like to too."

Da Mimi suddenly raised her head, her beautiful eyes wide open.

Speechless with astonishment at the sheer amount of information and arrogance contained in that statement.

(End of this chapter)