Huayu: A Commercial Director

Chapter 39 Confrontation
The script for the comedy action film *Kung Fu Hustle*, primarily controlled by Star Overseas Ltd. and produced by Emperor Motion Pictures, Shou Zhe Pictures, Bona Film Group, and Wanda Pictures, has passed review. Stephen Chow will direct and star in the film, and casting officially commenced today.

Upon seeing this news, the entertainment industry began to take action. Those companies all knew the inside story: Chen had set up a scheme without spending a penny, with others spending money on him and filming for him, while he could just lie back and wait for the box office revenue sharing.

Countless companies drool over him, wanting to be like him, and countless screenwriters regard Chen Shouzhe as their idol.

Unfortunately, they didn't have the ability. Chen Shouzhe's comedy, plus Stephen Chow's comedy, was a guarantee. As for Bona and Wanda, no one mocked them. On the contrary, the Lok family and Hua Yi regretted their previous actions. They thought they could suppress them, but now it seems that there was a traitor among them.

"Little brother, are there any roles suitable for me?"

Chen Shouzhe had just finished his work and was about to leave for the horse farm when the phone rang.

"Hey Auntie, stop pretending," Chen Shou said, rolling his eyes.

"Little brat, I told you not to call me that." Zhou Xun said on the other end of the phone. Because of their collaboration on "Painted Skin" and their relationship with Yu Qian, the two got along quite well, so joking around was normal.

"I can't participate in the casting for Kung Fu, so don't contact me."

"real or fake?"

"Have you ever seen Stephen Chow's movies? Who can interfere with his casting? I can't interfere. If you want a role, go find an audition yourself."

"Then can you give me a hint, is there a role that would suit me?"

"Ah Zhen Bar"

"Ah Zhen? The female lead?"

"So... right?"

"Okay, I'll go ask."

Quite a few people called, but Chen Shou declined their invitations one by one and drove back to the horse farm.

"What is Master doing?" Chen Shou asked.

“Every time you make a movie, the busiest person isn’t you, it’s your master. There are just too many people looking for him,” the master’s wife said in a low voice.

"Haha, that's great, Master likes making friends." Chen Shou laughed.

"All he does is make friends all day long, he doesn't care about us at all," the teacher's wife sighed.

“How could that be?” Chen Shou said.

"Of course he would! I'm pregnant, and he doesn't even know."

"Huh? Really?" Chen Shou was startled and jumped up.

"Can I still lie to you?"

"Then I need to have a good talk with my master."

Chen Shou ran over to Yu Qian, who was on the phone, and snatched the phone away.

"What are you doing?" Yu Qian glared at him and scolded him, took the phone back, chatted for a few words, and then hung up.

“Master, you should take care of the family when you have time,” Chen Shou said.

"It's none of your business. Just mind your own business," Yu Qian said irritably.

"My master's wife is pregnant."

"Your master's wife... wait, what did you say?"

"My master's wife is pregnant."

Chen Shouzhe saw a figure flash by, and then Yu Qian, who was holding his wife.

Having grown up at home, my master's wife was just like my mother. However, my master preferred making friends and rarely cared about his family.

Thinking about it, I feel indignant on behalf of my master's wife. She was only eighteen or nineteen when she came of age and started following my master. It's hard to believe that my master is so much younger than her.

He wasn't in a hurry; he had a long life ahead of him. A face involuntarily surfaced in his mind—sweet as honey.

Chen Shou, who was diligent in his studies, was able to eat the delicious meals prepared by his master every day. He also went to the Beijing Film Academy for classes. Ten days later, a news story shocked the mainland entertainment industry.

"The casting for the comedy action film 'Kung Fu,' directed and starring Stephen Chow and written by Chen Shouzhe, is complete. The cast includes: Stephen Chow, Yang Mi, Liang Xiaolong, Yuan Hua, Yuan Qiu, Chen Guokun, and Lin Zicong..."

The casting announcement is a normal one. Most of the actors are from Hong Kong, which is understandable. Moreover, the vast majority of them are actors from Star Overseas.

The problem lies with the female lead.

In keeping with Stephen Chow's consistent style, the leading actresses are mostly non-celebrity actresses, and they also have to join Star Overseas. Although the first two "Star Girls" had gone through lawsuits and left in a very unseemly manner, it is undeniable that Stephen Chow is good at promoting people, and the leading actress position is coveted by countless female artists.

However, the entire film and television industry did not expect that when all the actresses thought it would fall into the hands of a newcomer, it would actually be Yang Mi who got it.

For a time, the entire entertainment industry across the country was focused on Yang Mi, and even Hong Kong media wanted to interview Stephen Chow about why he chose Yang Mi.

The mainland film and television industry was even more peculiar, as they were even more aware of Yang Mi's situation.

Although no one explicitly said he was being blacklisted, everyone tacitly understood that Yang Mi was already on the blacklist within Mrs. Chen's circle.

The sudden appearance of the female lead definitely indicates the involvement of a powerful figure behind the scenes. This is a blatant act of defiance against Director Chen; where does that leave his reputation?

Inside a mansion in Kyoto, a still-attractive woman placed a plate of fruit in front of a man in his fifties or sixties who was writing a script.

"I made some inquiries, and it turns out it was Emperor Entertainment that put it in there," Chen Hong said softly.

"Hong Kong entertainment circle? Forget it, he's just an actor." Director Chen waved his hand and said.

“Although it was Emperor Entertainment that put her in, I also found out that she actually has a good relationship with Guo Degang, who is Chen Shouzhe’s godfather,” Chen Hong continued.

"You mean... Chen Shou put the person in there?" Director Chen stopped writing and looked up.

“Most likely,” Chen Hong said.

"He's on a roll right now."

"Should we ask him?"

Do you think he cares about you, or about me?

"Are we just going to let this go like this?"

"What else can we do? It's a small matter, there's no need to get into a conflict with him. The co-production film will be released in a month or two, do you think the higher-ups will let him get into trouble?"

"Ok."

Chen Hong nodded reluctantly.

Everyone was watching to see what Director Chen and his wife would do, but they found that there was nothing at all.

Yang Mi actually entered Stephen Chow's movie unscathed?
Some of the young actresses who were originally competing with her were dumbfounded. Last year, Yang Mi's huge success took away a lot of their resources. They thought that after being blacklisted by Madam Chen, they would not be able to enter the big screen circle and would lose their status.

Well, they've come back strong, and now they've landed a major project with a big director.

They were the ones who suffered the most, watching helplessly as Yang Mi returned, unable to do anything about it.

"Who exactly helped her? How did they have the power to use her despite the pressure from Madam Chen?"

"Emperor Entertainment Group in Hong Kong?"

"Even the Emperor wouldn't dare. There's no need to offend Director Chen because of Yang Mi."

"I heard that Yang Mi and Guo Degang are very close."

"You mean..."

"It's almost certain; someone at the Beijing Film Academy saw Yang Mi go to see Chen Shouzhe."

"Tsk tsk, no wonder, only he can disrespect Madam Chen."

"It's true that Director Chen is a big shot in the Beijing film circle, and his allies are no less impressive. They've both made it into American circles. Besides, one is involved in networking, and the other in capital. China Film Group is very protective of Chen."

"No wonder Madam Chen didn't come out and say anything."

"Great directors fight without drawing blood."

"Yang Mi should have paid a price as well."

"They're all young people, what price could there be?"

"I should have gone too."

"I knew you'd think that way. And you're right, young, handsome, and rich. Who would want to go and serve those old guys when they can find someone like that?"

"What should I do? I'm starting to envy Yang Mi now."

There was a lot of gossip in the circle. No one dared to come to Chen Shouzhe's place or make fun of him. Everyone knew better than to say anything, because if they angered Chen Shouzhe, these young people would have to save face.

As for Yang Mi, she was at a party today, and many people looked at her along the way, their eyes filled with envy.
Yang Mi had known this would happen, so she walked confidently on the stage, enjoying the envious glances from those around her.

"Aside from a little pain, it doesn't seem to be any bad," Yang Mi muttered with a smile on her face on the stage.

"Mimi, what are you saying?" asked the female celebrity standing next to her.

"No, it's nothing," Yang Mi said, shaking his head.

"I'm so envious of you! You actually got to act in Stephen Chow's movie, and you're the female lead!" the female celebrity said with a hint of jealousy.

"I never expected to be chosen by Director Zhou," Yang Mi replied with a smile.

People around you are scoffing. Were you chosen? You're just weak-kneed.

If they had known it would turn out like this, they would have gone too. What loss could they have suffered?

By bringing back a blacklisted female artist, people in the film and television industry have finally witnessed the hidden power that Chen Shouzhe possesses.

(End of this chapter)