Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

Li Xiang thought Chen Hong really wanted to ask him about the script, and was about to speak when he saw Chen Hong turn to Zhang Yu and smile:

"This kid just finished filming a movie before the Lunar New Year, and at the wrap party, Lao Chen already booked his next project, so it's a seamless transition."

These words were ostensibly just casual conversation with Zhang Yu, but Li Xiang understood their underlying meaning.

Indeed, even though Chen Jia appears in Vogue as often as it comes, with two or three appearances in 2010 alone, this kind of treatment is not something a newly popular newcomer like him would receive.

Chen Hong said this both to solidify his relationship with Chen Kaige and to generate exposure for "Caught in the Web"—

After all, the more famous the male lead is, the more attention the film will receive in the future.

Therefore, the means by which she can be Chen Kaige's capable wife and always keep him firmly in her grasp are naturally quite remarkable.

In just a few words, he took care of both personal feelings and interests, appearing both friendly and subtly helping Li Xiang.

Li Xiang admired him in his heart, but smiled and replied:

"It's all thanks to Uncle Chen's kindness that I had the opportunity to work with a director of your caliber. This is an opportunity that you would be begging for."

"You little rascal." Chen Kai was beaming with pride at being flattered, and as a respectable person, he naturally had to return the favor.

"That's too formal. We're not even sure who's benefiting from whom."

He then shifted his focus, returning to Venice, the topic he could most readily discuss:

"You should know who the president of the Venice jury is this year, right? Your Pietà... I think you have a pretty good chance of winning."

"Haha, Uncle Zhang said the same thing," Li Xiang's eyes gleamed.

"They said that as long as we could be shortlisted, we could at least win a decent award, which made my blood boil with excitement."

"Old Wang's award is definitely in the bag, after all, the filming is truly excellent." Chen Kaige nodded.

"As for your Best Actor award, the possibility is not small. Old Zhang was talking to me about it the other day. I'll lend him a hand and help you get it done."

So you don't need to worry about anything else, just focus on acting well. We've been around for so many years, we know our ways."

Li Xiang guessed that he was showing off his muscles, and quickly replied, "Thank you so much, Uncle Zhang."

Through their conversation, Zhang Yu finally understood what was going on.

It's important to understand that while the fashion industry appears sophisticated, it's actually like a vine, always needing to climb onto celebrities to expand its influence.

Even celebrities are divided into different levels. If you want to maintain a high level of expertise, knowledge, and sophistication, then movie stars have always been the first choice in the fashion world.

And the Venice Film Festival, the Grand Prize, and the Best Actor award that the two of them were just talking about—aren't they all very prestigious?

She immediately understood that this young man had probably made an extraordinary film, not only with a chance to win the Golden Lion, but also with a strong chance of winning Best Actor.

It's worth noting that there are only three Chinese people who have won the Best Actor award at the three major European film festivals, which shows just how prestigious that award is.

This young man has such a wide network of connections at such a young age, with Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou personally helping him operate. He's clearly a star descended from the heavens.

She immediately chimed in with a smile, "Now that you mention it, I'm really curious about what kind of film this is that could make two such great directors so interested."

Chen Kaige got excited at this moment. He was a bit of a show-off, so he immediately said loudly, "When 'Pieta' is released, you must go and see it."

We have similar tastes, so I figured you'd like it too. Besides, this guy wrote the script himself; it's clearly tailor-made for him.

Tell me, wouldn't you call this a prodigy? If he wins Best Actor, then our industry will truly have a worthy successor.

"Look at what you're saying," Li Xiang said with a smile, waving his hand.

"How can we actors compare to directors? Actors serve the director; we act wherever the director points."

Seeing his big, fat orange cat getting more and more animated with Li Xiang, the little fox, Chen Hong was afraid of praising him too much, lest he fall short at the end.

Instead of becoming a laughing stock, she quickly changed the subject with a smile, softly asking Li Xiang, "How's the handling of those news stories from a while back?"

Li Xiang didn't hide anything and told the others the important points.

Upon hearing this, Chen Kaige immediately snorted coldly: "Some people are just arrogant and don't know their own limitations."

Do you really think awards come easily? You're just parroting others, learning a little bit and then thinking too highly of yourself.

Such a person is not worth discussing anything with, much less deserving to associate with.

The contempt in his words was impossible to hide, and anyone who had seen the news could tell who he was talking about.

Li Xiang didn't know how to respond to Chen Kai's words, but he didn't hesitate to give a thumbs up. He picked up his wine glass, clinked it with Chen Kai's, smiled at each other, and then drank it all in one gulp.

This scene, seen by Zhang Yu, further enhanced her impression of her.

They are individualistic, courageous, and capable of handling things. They can withstand the support of elders without appearing frivolous by speaking rashly.

Combining all the information she had heard today, Zhang Yu gradually formed an idea in her mind.

But she is, after all, a godmother figure in China's fashion industry, and she would never deliberately try to please others.

When the group sat down to eat, they subtly steered the conversation toward their understanding and attitudes toward fashion.

It was only then that Li Xiang realized how sophisticated Chen Kaige's family was in terms of fashion sense—

Even when Chen Kaige talked about his insights on clothing tailoring, color, and texture, he was better able to keep up with Zhang Yu's conversation than Chen Hong.

"Last year I watched that Italian movie, and the male lead wore that tweed coat..."

The cut appears casual, but the shoulder line is exquisitely tailored, perfectly conveying the character's aloof pride amidst her destitution.

Chen Kai picked up a piece of food and casually remarked, "Costumes aren't just about looking good; they have to be like a second skin for the character."

"Director Kai has hit the nail on the head! Fashion is never about piling things up; it's about the expression hidden in the details."

Like the jacket Li Xiang is wearing today, it looks simple, but the washed and distressed texture gives it an effortlessly clean look.

So the conversation naturally turned to Li Xiang, who said, "Personally, I prefer clean cuts and the texture of the fabric."

"Intricate clothing is indeed a kind of beauty, and it can better show the craftsmanship, but when it comes to actually wearing it, I personally prefer a minimalist style."

Chen Hong chuckled and joked, "That's just how you boys are; you like clean lines."

But what girl doesn't love that intricate process, and the three-dimensional effect created by layers upon layers of dyeing?

"Auntie is right," Li Xiang nodded, "I'm just stating my preferences from my own perspective."

Actually, it's not that I'm against intricate designs. At least when I met Ms. Guo Pei recently and we talked about Chinese-style design, I really liked it.

"Oh? You've met Guo Pei?" Zhang Yu asked, intrigued. "When was that?"

"We met and chatted briefly during Fashion Week in November."

"Then you must have gone on the first day," Zhang Yu said suddenly. "I was delayed by something, and when I arrived on the second day, she had already flown to Hong Kong."

Speaking of Chinese designers, Guo Pei's designs are truly exceptional; he has given traditional patterns a fresh twist.

"What is national is also international," Li Xiang remarked.

"Many of the techniques that we consider outdated are actually loved by foreigners."

Just like Uncle Chen's "Farewell My Concubine," it's always in the top ten of those European and American film reviews. It shows they truly value this kind of core essence.

"Looks like you're also keen on going abroad. Actually, when it comes to professionalism, those international supermodels in our great nation aren't necessarily lacking."

The influence of fashion needs to be gradually infiltrated; ideally, it should eventually become a mutual influence, where each element is intertwined with the other.

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Yu suddenly stopped smiling and looked at Li Xiang:

"Xiao Xiang, Aunt Zhang is now formally inviting you to be the cover star of Vogue's March issue. What do you think?"