Rebirth 02, the Celestial Being Told Me to Stop Pretending

"But since you've already asked, Lao Zhang... fine, I'll do a cameo. But let me make it clear first, you have to finish filming my scenes in one go, my crew can't wait."

"No problem, no problem," Zhang Da Huzi nodded repeatedly.

"However, I'm warning you beforehand." Lu Chen paused, "For Yi Fei's scene, keep the level of nudity to a minimum. Ideally, don't show her shoulders at all, and use camera tricks for the rest if possible."

He regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth; he had been meddling a bit too much.

"Of course, I was just mentioning it." Lu Chen picked up his teacup and took a sip. The Tieguanyin tea had gone cold, and a bitter taste was rising. "Director Zhang, it's your project, you make the decision."

"I know, I know." Zhang the Bearded Man grinned. "I'll do it your way."

Liu Yifei watched him with a smile. Her eyes held gratitude and sweetness.

Lu Chen didn't dare to meet the other person's gaze. He stared at the few tea leaves in the teacup, looking at them again and again.

Liu Xiaoli held her teacup, remaining silent. She looked at Lu Chen with a complex expression, then glanced at her daughter.

Lu Chen was really going all out for this daughter.

Liu Yifei was looking down at the script, but Liu Xiaoli still noticed the slight upturn of her daughter's lips.

She sighed inwardly.

It’s over.

After leaving the teahouse, Liu Yifei pulled Lu Chen to walk towards the back.

"Aren't you afraid of being criticized for playing Zhen Zhibing?"

"Let them criticize. Can I really trust anyone else to play the Dragon Knight role?"

It took Liu Yifei a moment to understand the meaning of "Dragon Knight," and her face immediately turned a little red.

"Why are you talking so nonsensically? What dragon knight? It's disgusting." After saying that, she lightly kicked Lu Chen with her toe.

"It's so annoying to hear someone say that."

"You deserve a beating because you spoiled me."

Even though Liu Yifei is very mature, she is still just a seventeen-year-old girl at this time.

After being teased by Lu Chen, she finally couldn't resist. She left Lu Chen behind and ran ahead to find her mother.

Lu Chen caught up with the three people ahead. "Aunt Liu, Yifei, why don't you go back first? Director Zhang and I will talk some more."

After the mother and daughter left, Lu Chen got straight to the point: "Director Zhang, the extras in Jin Yong dramas are a problem; there are too many to manage. I'm worried that the actresses will be taken advantage of by the extras. You'll have to think of a solution to this."

Although Lu Chen said he was worried about the actresses, both of them knew who he was referring to.

Lu Chen clearly remembered a play from his past life.

After Xiaolongnu, played by Liu Yifei, defeats Jinlun Fawang, she is thrown into the sky by the Beggars' Sect disciples in celebration.

Unexpectedly, just as Liu Yifei was about to fall, a lewd hand secretly placed on her chest.

Even more outrageous is that a scene that should have lasted less than a minute was stretched to more than an hour because the extras didn't cooperate.

After filming this scene, Liu Yifei's hair was not only messy, but her costume was also torn.

However, in order not to affect the filming schedule, Liu Yifei silently endured it.

"What do you want to do?"

"First, extras who have physical contact with Yifei will be screened in advance, and those with a criminal record will not be accepted. Second, at least two staff members will be on-site to supervise."

Zhang the Bearded Man looked at Lu Chen's raised finger. "Your finger is even thinner than mine, the director's."

"I hope Director Zhang can understand my intentions. I can't let anyone bully Xiao Liu." Lu Chen's eyes were sharp as he said this.

"Okay." Zhang Da Huzi stood up. "I'll have the production manager arrange it when I get back."

"Thanks, Director Zhang."

"You're welcome." Zhang Da Huzi glanced at Lu Chen again.

Lu Chen didn't speak.

Zhang Da Huzi didn't ask any more questions.

Only after getting into his own van did he jokingly remark, "This kid is even more attentive than I was when I was courting my wife."

The driver was completely confused.

Before he even arrived at the company, Lu Chen received a call from Han Shangping.

"Xiao Lu, are you free? Lao Wang is next to me, let's have dinner together tonight."

"President Han is looking for me, so I have to be available."

Actually, you don't need to go to Lu Chen to know what it's about; it's nothing more than film investors wanting a piece of the pie.

Everyone tasted success with the previous film, "Stone," and now that Lu Chen Films has reportedly approved four more films, they've jumped on the bandwagon.

The social environment in China is the same everywhere. If you want to do everything yourself, you won't go far, especially in the entertainment industry.

We arranged to have dinner at a private restaurant on the East Third Ring Road.

The place was settled by Han Shangping. There was no sign at the entrance, only a red lacquered wooden door, which was inconspicuous.

Pushing open the door reveals a hidden paradise.

Behind the door is a narrow bluestone path, with wall lamps embedded in the walls on both sides.

Passing through the passageway, you'll find a small courtyard with artificial hills, flowing water, and exotic flowers and plants, creating a very elegant atmosphere.

Han Shangping booked the room furthest inside.

The furnishings are simple and elegant, with a round table, a few armchairs, and a landscape painting on the wall.

Han Shangping and Wang Changtian have arrived.

Old Han was still dressed the same way, in cloth shoes and a Zhongshan suit.

"Little Lu is here? Please have a seat."

Lu Chen pulled out a chair and sat down.

"Mr. Han, Mr. Wang, I'm sorry, there was a traffic jam on the way."

Wang Changtian greeted him warmly, "It's alright, it's alright, President Han and I just arrived too." He said this while shaking hands with Lu Chen with a smile.

The three of them sat down again.

Han Shangping spoke first: "Xiao Lu, how about some white wine today?"

"Mr. Han, you know how much I can drink. I can easily have a couple of drinks with you."

"A straightforward person."

Han Shangping asked the waiter to bring him a bottle of Moutai.

Wang Changtian took the glass and poured one for each of Lao Han and Lu Chen, then filled his own glass.

"The food at this restaurant is pretty good." Han Shangping picked up a piece of braised pork with his chopsticks, chewed it a couple of times, and said, "You should try it."

Wang Changtian quickly replied, "President Han has excellent taste. I've been wanting to come to this restaurant for a long time, but I haven't had the chance yet."

Han Shangping took out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes, pulled one out, and handed it to Lu Chen.

Lu Chen took the cigarette, then took out a lighter from his shirt pocket and lit it for Han Shangping with a snap.

All three were heavy smokers, and it goes without saying that they were constantly puffing away in the room.

Han Shangping said that the braised pork at the restaurant in Dongsi was very authentic, Wang Changtian said that the hot pot at the restaurant in Xidan was good, and Lu Chen said that the crayfish at Guijie was alright.

Lu Chen's conversation was meticulous and thorough.

After several rounds of drinks, Han Shangping picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then put the cup down with a click.

The private room fell silent, and the other two knew he was about to get down to business.

Upon receiving the signal, Wang Changtian quickly asked, "President Lu, is Coordinate System going to shoot a new movie?"

Lu Chen did not deny it.

"Mr. Wang is really well-informed."

"How can you get by in this line of work if you're not well-informed?" Han Shangping said with a smile, turning to Wang Changtian. "Old Wang came to see me today, saying he wants to see if there's any opportunity for the project at Coordinates."

Wang Changtian quickly chimed in, "President Lu, Guangxian is very sincere."

Lu Chen picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The coordinate system planned to shoot four films in 2005, none of which were large investments, with a total budget of about 40 to 50 million.

But since Han Shangping and his group already know, it means the news has already leaked out. The circle is only so big; it can't be kept secret forever.

"President Han, President Wang." Lu Chen raised his glass. "You two are too kind. When I was filming 'Stone,' if it weren't for your help, I wouldn't be sitting here today."

Han Shangping raised an eyebrow and looked at Lu Chen.

Lu Chen continued, "We have four film projects planned, as you both know."

The two people opposite him nodded and listened to him continue.

"I will direct one of them and produce the other three. The directors of Coordinate System will not receive a salary, only a share of the profits."

"What about the proportions?"

"Ten to fifteen percent, in stages."

Han Shangping was stunned for a moment. "You little rascal, you started by getting something for nothing, and now you're directing without any investment."

Lu Chen looked at him: "Other companies pay directors a fixed salary, they get paid and leave after filming. Why should a director risk their life for you?"

Wang Changtian had something he was too embarrassed to say: "What if the movie loses money? Wouldn't the director end up with nothing?"

Lu Chen continued, "I want all the directors and artists in the coordinate system to feel that this is entrepreneurship, not just working for someone else."

Han Shangping nodded.

Lu Chen took out a piece of paper from his bag, on which was written a rough investment allocation plan for four projects.

He pushed it to the middle of the table.

Han Shangping looked down. "Don't talk about that yet, we'll have the legal department handle that later. Tell me first, what's going on with Shanghai Film Group?"

"President Ren from Shanghai Film Group also contacted me, wanting to make money together," Lu Chen said. "I thought this would allow us to share the risks."

If it weren't for societal rules prohibiting it, Lu Chen would never have allowed others to invest.

China Film Group is the biggest player; don't even think about the others.

Old Yang from Hong Kong should also tell him that since Boss Yang has helped him with so many things, he should be included when making money.

Only interests, and only interests, can make friendship last.

"Ren Zhonglun? He's quick on his feet."

Wang Changtian leaned over and looked at it for a long time.

"Director Lu, is my investment amount a bit too low?"

"That's quite a lot," Lu Chen said. "China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, Emperor Motion Pictures, Coordinates Media, and your Brilliant Media, let's make the pie bigger first."

Wang Changtian nodded. "Okay, no problem."

Lu Chen added, "Jiang Zhiqiang from Anle contacted me, wanting to get involved in the investment of 'Black Coal, Thin Ice.' But I refused; I only wanted his distribution channels."

Wang Changtian interjected, "Jiang Zhiqiang is very good at overseas distribution; he's the one who pushed 'Hero' out."

"That's why I let him participate in the distribution," Lu Chen said.

Han Shangping picked up his wine glass and clinked it against Lu Chen's.

"Xiao Lu, from the day you walked into my office with the script about stones, I knew you were different from everyone else."

"Of course! Mr. Han treated me to a meal, and I even managed to snag an investment opportunity from it."

The three of them burst into laughter.