The only sun in Huayu

Inside a private room of an elegantly decorated private restaurant.

Sitting opposite him was Zhao Benshan, the "uncrowned king" of the arts and culture scene in Northeast China.

"Thank you, Teacher Zhao."

Shen Shandeng raised his glass and said, "Thank you, Teacher Zhao, for all the convenience and support you have provided during this roadshow."

Zhao Benshan waved his hand, his smile carrying the straightforwardness and open-mindedness characteristic of Northeasterners: "Director Shen, you're too kind! You're young and promising, and the films you make are loved by the people. That's the greatest skill."

"Come visit anytime you have time. We've got plenty of drinks in this corner, nothing else!"

He took a sip of his drink and said, half-jokingly and half-seriously, "When are you going to write a script for Old Zhao so I can make a cameo appearance on your big screen?"

Everyone at the table laughed, taking it as a joke from their master.

Shen Shandeng nodded and said, "Teacher Zhao, there will definitely be a role in the future that I can't do without you."

Zhao Benshan was slightly taken aback, but didn't take it seriously.

Although he saw certainty in Shen Shandeng's eyes, he was a seasoned veteran and laughed it off, changing the subject.

In fact, Shen Shandeng was serious.

Getting up close to Zhao Benshan, one can sense the air of a ruthless and powerful figure, as well as the resilience of someone who has climbed his way up from humble beginnings to the top.

A name resounded in his mind: Liu Bang.

This is the perfect actor to play Emperor Gaozu of Han!
Zhao Benshan embodies everything: the wisdom of the common people, the courage to use people, the ruthlessness and mercilessness at crucial moments, and even the seemingly down-to-earth yet formidable roguishness that comes with success.

They are much closer to the truth of history than the pretentious emperor actors.

In Shen Shandeng's mind, Xiang Yu wasn't even worthy of carrying Liu Bang's shoes!
As for Zhao Benshan's acting skills?

This is even less of a problem.

The banquet dispersed.

Without pausing, Shen Shandeng immediately led his core team to the airport and flew to Shanghai overnight to prepare for the next round of publicity.

In first class.

Seeing the slight fatigue between his brows, Chen Hao couldn't help but feel sorry for him and said, "The box office is already so good, why work so hard? It's okay to rest for a day."

Shen Shandeng closed his eyes and rubbed his temples: "Next week, 'Red Cliff Part 1' will be released. John Woo, Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, this lineup is a box office bomb."

"At that time, all the theaters will give it the best screenings. Even if 'Lost in Thailand' is doing well, it will be greatly squeezed out by the third week."

"We must make the most of every single box office opening before that happens, without wasting a single drop."

He outwardly expressed disdain for "Red Cliff," but inwardly he held it in high regard.

In this era, the "Hong Kong big-name directors + so-called international superstars" model has a huge appeal to the market and theater managers.

Moreover, with the 08 Olympics just around the corner, the entire nation needs to create an open, inclusive, and prosperous atmosphere.

Films like "Red Cliff," which are "co-productions between China and foreign countries and feature a star-studded cast," will, to some extent, receive a certain amount of intangible support.

The success of "Lost in Thailand" is precisely because it resonated with this national sentiment.

As a reborn individual, Shen Shandeng understands the historical context better than anyone else.

If joining the WTO was a dividing line, then the 08 Olympics was another, more profound watershed.

This is not only a sporting event, but also the ultimate stage for China to showcase its amazing organizational capabilities, cohesion, and recovery strength to the world after experiencing hardships such as snowstorms and earthquakes.

This is a declaration of force in peacetime, a silent proclamation.

Following the Olympics, the global financial crisis erupted, setting the stage for the rise of the East and the decline of the West.

The once-prosperous middle class shrank rapidly, the good-looking young people lost all hope, and the EU's development essentially stagnated.

Deep in the subconscious of the Chinese people, there is a desire to move beyond grief and face the future.

Shen Shandeng's heart was as cold and clear as a mirror.

Embrace this forward-looking force, which is to follow the general trend of national development and thus gain the broadest public support.

The success of "Lost in Thailand" is a response to this deep-seated social psychology.

As I said before, China is so big that its development can change the world.

For an individual, changing China can change the world. Those who fail to see this and blindly pursue external recognition are putting the cart before the horse.

The plane landed at Hongqiao Airport in the evening.

At the film crew's hotel, after meeting up with Xu Zheng, Wang Baoqiang, and others who had arrived earlier, Shen Shandeng quickly arranged the follow-up promotional activities and celebration banquet in several box office strongholds in the south.

The goal is to ignite one last spark before the arrival of "Red Cliff".

Everything was arranged by then it was past nine o'clock at night.

Shen Shandeng did not return to his own room, but instead swiped the swipe to open Fan Bingbing's suite door.

Fan Bingbing, who had just removed her makeup, saw him and her eyes lit up with surprise. She sent her assistant away and excitedly rushed over.

Shen Shandeng tossed a newly received preliminary box office figure onto the sofa and said, "Saturday, 35 million for a single day. It broke the 30 million mark."

The simple numbers caused Fan Bingbing's breathing to quicken instantly, and her face shone with a dazzling light.

"Give me."

She called out to Shen Shandeng, but Shen Shandeng just looked at her indifferently.

Fan Bingbing's eyes flickered, her pretty face flushed, as if she remembered something, and she took out a beautifully packaged velvet box from her luggage.

She presented it to him like a precious treasure.

Upon opening it, what was inside was not jewelry, but an exquisitely designed necklace, even possessing a touch of artistry.

"Owner."

Her voice was sweet and seductive, with a hint of probing and allure.

Shen Shandeng leaned back on the sofa, his gaze calm and unwavering, and commanded, "Put it on yourself."

Fan Bingbing gave him a reproachful look, seemingly both shy and pleased, but without any hesitation, she obediently lowered her head.

She fastened the leather choker to her fair and slender neck.

The black leather created a stunning contrast with her alluring face.

Play room.

Fan Bingbing was slightly out of breath, and seemingly casually mentioned, "By the way, Mr. Marco Müller from Venice sent a message through someone saying that Ma Youde is difficult to communicate with and hopes to have a direct conversation with you."

The words are not finished yet.

Shen Shandeng looked down at her: "What? Still obsessed with that trophy? Do you think that's the temple of art, the place you should be?"

"No, that's not it." Fan Bingbing noticed the anger in his tone and quickly denied it.

"It seems the lesson learned last time wasn't profound enough."

Shen Shandeng said, "You need to always remember whose people you are."

"I have a very short temper."

Punishment, merciless punishment.

Despite the slight pain and immense psychological impact, Fan Bingbing kept begging for mercy, but her eyes gradually became more intoxicated.

Only this absolute submission could confirm her connection with him and completely distinguish her from the other women who were vying to get close to him.

She is not one of them.

She was the only one with a collar.

Inside the hotel suite, the air was warm and languid, like the feeling after a rainstorm.

Fan Bingbing curled up beside Shen Shandeng like a cat, her fingertips unconsciously drawing circles on his chest, her eyes overflowing with adoration and infatuation.

"Now even the most stubborn opponents are kneeling on the ground and singing 'Conquer' for you."

Her voice was slightly hoarse, from when she had just shouted herself hoarse.

"Oh?" Shen Shandeng asked lazily with his eyes closed.

Fan Bingbing propped herself up slightly, which caused a slight movement that made her hiss softly.

She presented her treasure once more, reaching for a thick scrapbook from the bedside table. (End of Chapter)