RBCT Chapter 132 Hong Kong Films: More Than Half a Mess
Chapter 132 Hong Kong Films: More Than Half a Mess
Chapter 132 Hong Kong Films: More Than Half the Story
On April 24th, the VIP entrance to the international departure level of Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport was already bustling like a vegetable market in the morning.
Reporters from more than twenty media outlets, carrying their cameras and microphones, stood like hunters waiting for their prey, their eyes fixed on every approaching vehicle.
"Here it comes!" someone shouted, and all the cameras turned to the slowly approaching black Mercedes-Benz van.
The car door opened, and Jiang Yu got out first.
He was dressed casually today, wearing a light gray linen suit jacket over a simple white crew neck T-shirt and dark casual pants.
She appears relaxed and casual, yet her inner and outer aura is impossible to ignore.
After getting out of the car, he naturally turned around and extended his hand.
A slender, fair hand rested on his as Liu Yifei stepped out of the car.
Liu Yifei impressed all the reporters today.
Instead of wearing a formal gown as she usually does for events, she opted for a white cotton dress that reached just to her knees, loosely layered with a light blue denim jacket.
Her hair was loosely braided into two braids that hung down to one side, and she wore only light makeup, looking as fresh as a college student who had just stepped out of the campus.
The two stood together, their height difference was just right, their temperaments matched, and the scene was so pleasing to the eye that it was hard to look away.
The flashes went off in a flurry, and the shutter clicks echoed incessantly.
Reporters swarmed around them like a tidal wave, bombarding them with questions: "Mr. Jiang, did you go to Hong Kong specifically to accompany Liu Yifei?"
"Yifei, are you nervous about your first Hollywood blockbuster?"
"Mr. Jiang, how is the collaboration between Light Chaser Pictures and director Luc Besson going?"
"Yifei, will this movie be a turning point in your career?"
"Mr. Jiang, when are you getting married?"
"Yifei, do you think President Jiang is good enough for you?"
The last question was jarring, and the room fell silent for a moment.
The question was asked by a Hong Kong reporter, whose Mandarin was heavily accented with Cantonese, and whose eyes held a defiant look.
Jiang Yu didn't even frown. He naturally put his arm around Liu Yifei's shoulder, faced the reporter, and smiled gently but with sharp eyes.
"My dear reporter, that's an interesting question. I believe in relationships, there's no such thing as being worthy of anyone, only compatibility and whether someone cherishes you. I cherish Yifei very much, and I'm very glad she chose me. As for whether she cherishes me—"
He turned to look at Liu Yifei, his eyes gentle, "You should ask her that question."
Liu Yifei naturally chimed in, raising her clasped hands: "I think this is the best kind of relationship."
Her answer was poised and appropriate, addressing the question while also showcasing their affection.
The Hong Kong reporter was speechless, and could only manage an awkward laugh.
Seeing this, the other reporters quickly steered the conversation back on track.
Jiang Yu was very cooperative and answered questions about the film: "Lucy is one of Light Chaser Pictures' most important projects this year, and we are honored to work with director Luc Besson. Yi Fei got the role through an audition, and her performance satisfied the director and the production team. I believe this film will become her signature work."
Liu Yifei also said, "This is my first time working with director Luc Besson, so I'm a little nervous, but mostly excited. This role is very challenging, and I will do my best to play it well."
The interview lasted fifteen minutes.
After the interview, the group entered the VIP passage.
Aside from Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei, the team was indeed impressive, including assistant Wang Wei and six bodyguards.
They were all retired special forces soldiers, all over 1.85 meters tall, dressed in suits and sunglasses, with an intimidating aura.
Jiang Xuerou, president of Light Chaser Pictures, and a production team.
The team leader was Wen Muye, who had previously been filming television dramas. Jiang Yu specifically brought him from "My Sunshine" for this project.
He was transferred out of the production team to learn from Luc Besson's team.
Wen Muye was very excited, but also a little nervous.
He leaned close to Jiang Xuerou and whispered, "Ms. Jiang, is director Luc Besson really that amazing? I've seen his 'Léon: The Professional,' it's incredible!"
Jiang Xuerou smiled: "Not just good, but master-level. What you learn from this is enough to benefit you for a lifetime. Remember, observe, ask questions, and take notes. Don't be afraid of making a fool of yourself."
"Understood!" Wen Muye nodded vigorously.
In addition to the team from Chasing the Light, Liu Yifei's own team from Red Star House also came.
Agent Sister Li, Assistant Xiao Chen, Stylist Sister Wang.
The two teams together comprised more than forty people, a truly impressive sight.
This time, Jiang Yu had Jiang Xuerou charter a Boeing 737.
This arrangement ensures both comfort and avoids causing disturbances on commercial aircraft.
After the plane took off, Wang Wei began to report on the itinerary.
Holding her laptop, she read aloud one by one: "Boss, Yinhuang, as the Hong Kong partner, has arranged a welcome banquet for tomorrow night. Mr. Yang Shoucheng will be hosting in person at Fook Lam Moon. In addition, Mr. Xiang Huaqiang of China Hsing, Mr. Lin Jianyue of Huanya, and Mr. Jiang Ziqiang of Anle have all made dinner appointments, with the times to be determined."
Jiang Xuerou continued, "Ms. Liu's mother, Mrs. Xiang, also contacted her, saying it had been a long time and she wanted to catch up. I inquired and found out that Mrs. Xiang and Ms. Liu's mother do know each other. Back then, Ms. Liu was still a child, and Mrs. Xiang held her."
Liu Yifei was looking at the sea of clouds outside the window when she heard this and turned her head: "Mrs. Xiang? I vaguely remember her. My mother said she's very powerful and a big shot in the Hong Kong entertainment industry."
"They are indeed formidable." Jiang Yu nodded. "The Xiang family has considerable influence in Hong Kong and connections in both the legal and illegal worlds. But don't be afraid, just maintain normal relations."
He looked at Jiang Xuerou: "What do you think of these invitations?"
"They all want to collaborate," Jiang Xuerou said frankly. "The Sound Emperor collaborated with us on 'Let the Bullets Fly' and 'The Man from Nowhere,' and even landed a supporting role for Nicholas Tse at Disney. It's normal for them to want to deepen their collaboration."
These are all bigwigs in the Hong Kong entertainment industry; they've got their eyes on our connections and resources in North America.
Jiang Yu thought for a moment, then looked at Liu Yifei: "Would you like to go to Mrs. Xiang's place?"
Liu Yifei hesitated for a moment: "I'm not very good at this kind of socializing. Besides, I'm not familiar with Mrs. Xiang; I've only met her once."
"Then let's cancel it." Jiang Yu said decisively. "Just say you have a tight schedule and need to prepare for the opening ceremony. Say that you'll treat her to dinner after the movie is finished."
"Okay." Liu Yifei breathed a sigh of relief.
"The others," Jiang Yu said to Jiang Xuerou, "you make arrangements. You should attend the welcome banquet hosted by Yin Huang, since they are business partners. The Xiang family, the Lin family, and the Jiang family—choose one and have lunch together sometime. There's no need to meet with them all; it would seem too eager of us."
"Understood." Jiang Xuerou nodded. "Then how about arranging for Mr. Lin Jianyue? Huanya is the strongest in Hong Kong, and they also have deep connections with Hollywood, so there may be room for cooperation in the future."
"Okay," Jiang Yu agreed. "Let's set the time for tomorrow noon."
1
"OK."
After arranging these things, Jiang Yu opened his laptop and began processing emails.
Liu Yifei leaned on his shoulder and gradually became sleepy.
Wen Muye took out his notebook and began to preview Luc Besson's works; he stayed up late last night to watch "Léon: The Professional" and "The Fifth Element," and took detailed notes on each one.
"Director Wen, are you working so hard?" Wang Wei asked with a smile.
"Absolutely." Wen Muye didn't even look up. "President Jiang gave me this opportunity, and I can't waste it. Luc Besson is also my idol, and being able to learn from him is something I never dreamed of."
Jiang Xuerou patted his shoulder: "It's good that you have the intention. Remember, when you get there, observe more and talk less, and don't hesitate to ask questions when necessary. Don't be afraid of embarrassment; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn."
"clear!"
The three-hour flight passed quickly, and at 11:00 a.m., the plane landed at Hong Kong International Airport.
As soon as Wang Wei turned on her phone, she received a message, and her expression changed slightly: "Boss, the Hong Kong and Taiwan media have all arrived. There are at least fifty media outlets at the airport exit, more than in Beijing. President Chen said the VIP exit is completely blocked."
Jiang Yu remained calm: "As expected, Hong Kong's paparazzi culture is even more pronounced than on the mainland. Has Chen Liang's team arrived as planned?"
"They're in position," Wang Wei said. "President Chen has brought more than ten security guards, two Rolls-Royce Phantoms, and ten Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars, and they're waiting at the VIP exit."
"Okay." Jiang Yu closed his laptop. "Get ready to log off."
Stepping out of the plane, the humid and warm sea breeze of Hong Kong hit me.
Hong Kong in April was already quite humid, with the air filled with the salty smell of the sea and the distinctive smell of fuel from the airport.
Chen Liang and his men were already waiting in the VIP passage.
He is Chen Jingming's younger brother, a graduate of Zhejiang University with a master's degree in finance, and was sent to Hong Kong last year to set up the office of Chasing Light Holdings.
He was 27 years old this year, wearing a well-fitting dark blue suit and gold-rimmed glasses. He looked very refined, but his eyes were sharp.
"Mr. Jiang, Ms. Liu, Mr. Jiang, welcome to Hong Kong." Chen Liang greeted them respectfully, "You must be tired from your journey."
"You've worked hard." Jiang Yu patted his shoulder. "How's the situation outside?"
"There are many media outlets, about fifty in total, and they have completely blocked the exit."
Chen Liang reported, "Security is in place, and the route has been planned. The car is right at the entrance; just get in. The hotel arrangements are also complete: two penthouse suites at the Peninsula Hotel, one for you and Ms. Liu, and one for General Manager Jiang. The rest of the team will stay downstairs."
"Okay, let's go."
As the group walked out of the airport building, they were indeed taken aback by the scene before them.
The exit was packed with reporters, their cameras and microphones flashing, and some were holding up signs.
Hong Kong media are more direct and ask more pointed questions than mainland media, using a mix of Mandarin and Cantonese.
"Jiang Sheng, when are you and Miss Liu Yifei getting married?"
"Ms. Jiang, will Light Chaser Pictures be listed in Hong Kong?"
"Miss Liu, do you think you're good enough for Jiang Sheng?"
"Ms. Jiang, what are your thoughts on Hong Kong films?"
"Ms. Liu, this is your first time acting in a Hollywood blockbuster. Aren't you worried people will say you got the role through connections?"
The questions were getting more and more pointed.
Jiang Yu remained expressionless, put his arm around Liu Yifei's shoulder, and walked towards the car under the protection of six bodyguards.
Chen Liang's security team formed a second human wall around the perimeter, separating the reporters.
Occasionally, Jiang Yu would answer one or two questions: "We'll let things happen naturally when it comes to marriage."
"Light Chaser has no plans to go public at the moment."
"Yifei got this role based on her talent."
Liu Yifei maintained a smile throughout and rarely spoke.
This is what Jiang Yu told him: in Hong Kong, the media environment is complex, so the less you say, the less likely you are to make a mistake.
After finally squeezing onto the vehicles, two Rolls-Royce Phantoms led the way, followed by twelve Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars, and the convoy drove out of the airport in a grand procession.
The reporters were still chasing after them taking pictures, but they were quickly left behind.
In the car, Liu Yifei let out a long sigh of relief and patted her chest: "My God, Hong Kong reporters are amazing. They seem even fiercer than those from the mainland."
"That's just how Hong Kong is," Jiang Yu laughed, handing her a bottle of water. "The paparazzi culture is so developed that celebrities have almost no privacy."
Liu Yifei took a sip of water and looked out the window.
The car was driving onto the Tsing Ma Bridge, with the azure sea and rolling green hills visible outside the window.
April in Hong Kong is beautiful, with bright sunshine, gentle sea breeze, and the castle spire of Disneyland visible in the distance.
"Oh right," Liu Yifei suddenly remembered something, "Mom said to call her when I get there."
"Go ahead and make the call." Jiang Yu handed her his phone. "Use mine; the international roaming signal is better."
Liu Yifei took the phone and dialed Liu Xiaoli's number.
The call was quickly answered, and Liu Xiaoli's concerned voice came through: "Feeding? Xiaoyu?"
"Mom, it's me, Yifei," Liu Yifei said. "I've arrived—yes, everything went smoothly—Jiang Yu is here—okay, I'll be careful—you take care of yourself too—yes, bye-bye."
After hanging up the phone, she looked out the window: "Hong Kong has changed so much. The last time I was here was when I was a child, probably—"
I was probably in my teens, attending an event with my mother. Back then, I thought Hong Kong was so prosperous, full of skyscrapers, and everyone on the street was dressed very fashionably.
"And now?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Now—" Liu Yifei thought for a moment, "It's still bustling, but it feels different. Maybe it's because I've grown up and my perspective has changed. Besides, the mainland is developing very fast now; Beijing and Shanghai are no less developed than Hong Kong."
Jiang Yu took her hand: "After the movie is finished, I'll show you around properly."
"Great!" Liu Yifei's eyes lit up. "I want to go to Victoria Peak to see the night view, I want to go to Lan Kwai Fong, and I want to eat snacks on Temple Street—"
"Go wherever you want," Jiang Yu smiled. "Whatever you like."
The convoy drove into Tsim Sha Tsui and stopped in front of the Peninsula Hotel.
The hotel doorman immediately stepped forward to open the door, his movements as precise as if he had received military training.
The lobby manager, a meticulously groomed British man in his forties, personally greeted us: "Mr..."
Jiang, Miss Liu, welcome to The Peninsula. Your suites are ready on
the top floor, with a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour.
"
He spoke English, and his accent was very authentic.
Jiang Yu responded naturally in English:
"Thank you. We appreciate your
arrangement.
"My pleasure." The lobby manager smiled. "Please follow me."
While checking in, Wang Wei and Jiang Xuerou's phones started ringing non-stop again.
The two stood next to the front desk, answering phone calls one after another, both looking helpless.
"Boss, we've got too many invitations." Wang Wei walked up to Jiang Yu and lowered her voice. "Besides the ones we already had, there's also Golden Harvest, Silver Plaza, and Mei Ah Entertainment—they've all invited us to dinner. There are also a few local tycoons who want to get to know you through their connections."
Jiang Yu thought for a moment: "Okay, the dinner with Yin Huang tonight will proceed as scheduled. Meet with Lin Jianyue tomorrow noon, and if there's still time in the evening, meet with Jiang Yindu's organization. Politely decline the other invitations, saying your schedule is too full and you can reschedule for another time. As for those wealthy people—I won't see them at all. I'm not here to make friends, I'm here to work."
"Understood." Wang Wei nodded. "What about the Xiang family?"
"The Xiang family—" Jiang Yu paused, "Mrs. Xiang made an appointment with Yifei, but Yifei declined. You apologize on her behalf, saying that her schedule is tight this time, and she will make a special trip to visit next time. Be polite, but be firm in your stance."
"OK."
After arranging these things, Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei went upstairs under the guidance of the lobby manager.
The suite is on the top floor and requires a private elevator.
The elevator is gold-colored, with a luxurious interior, and you can barely feel any vibration when it goes up.
"We've arrived." The lobby manager pushed open the heavy wooden door. "This is our Peninsula Suite, 320 square meters in size, with a living room, dining room, study, master bedroom, second bedroom, and this terrace..."
'
He pushed open the glass door, and a huge terrace appeared before him.
The panoramic view of Victoria Harbour is breathtaking, with towering buildings in Central on the opposite shore, ferries and yachts slowly passing by on the water, and seabirds soaring in the sky.
"So beautiful." Liu Yifei walked to the edge of the terrace and couldn't help but exclaim.
"Please feel free to contact the butler if you need anything." The lobby manager handed over two business cards. "These are the butler's contact details; they provide 24-hour service. We wish you a pleasant stay."
After he left, only Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei remained in the room.
Liu Yifei was still admiring the view on the terrace when Jiang Yu hugged her from behind: "Do you like it?"
"I like it." Liu Yifei leaned against him, "But it's too extravagant. How much does this room cost for a night?"
"Not much, enough for a third-tier star's movie," Jiang Yu joked.
"Huh?" Liu Yifei turned and glared at him. "So expensive? Let's go to another place then, it's such a waste. Filming is very tiring!"
"Just kidding," Jiang Yu laughed, pinching her cheek. "This is the company's negotiated rate, it's not that much. Besides, we're only staying for a few days, it's fine. You work hard filming, you should enjoy yourself when it's time to relax. Besides—"
He looked around the room. "It's safe and private here, perfect for discussing business. Why do you think those Hong Kong tycoons all live in The Peninsula? It's not just because it's luxurious, but also because it protects their privacy."
Liu Yifei nodded as if she understood, but still felt it was too extravagant.
She was taught by her mother to be frugal from a young age. Although she made a lot of money in the entertainment industry, she is still the simple and honest girl from Wuhan at heart.
"Alright, stop thinking about it." Jiang Yu pulled her back to the room. "Rest a bit. You have a makeup test this afternoon. I need to take care of some work."
The two sat down on the sofa in the living room.
Liu Yifei took out the script and started reading, while Jiang Yu opened his laptop.
Wang Wei and Jiang Xuerou arrived quickly and began to report the details.
"Boss, it's confirmed with Sound Entertainment. It'll be at 7 PM tonight at Fu Lin Men Restaurant. Mr. Yang Shoucheng will be hosting, and several senior executives from Sound Entertainment will be there, along with Nicholas Tse. He just finished filming 'Bodyguards and Assassins' and is currently resting in Hong Kong," Wang Wei said.
"Nicholas Tse?" Liu Yifei looked up. "I watched his shows when I was little, 'The Little Fish and the Flower Without Flaws'."
Jiang Yu nodded: "That's good. Are there any other arrangements?"
Wang Wei continued, "The Silver Metropolo Group has arranged to meet tomorrow evening at 10 PM, the location is yet to be determined. Mrs. Xiang—she called again."
Jiang Xuerou added, "Mrs. Xiang insisted, saying that we could just have afternoon tea in the hotel lobby and it wouldn't take up much time. From what I can tell, she was determined to see him."
Jiang Yu frowned: "Is she that persistent?"
"I suspect something's up," Jiang Xuerou said. "I've heard that the Xiang family has a project they're looking for investment in, but things aren't going smoothly. They might be trying to connect with you through Ms. Liu."
Jiang Yu thought for a moment and said, "Then let her come. Set the time for 3 PM in the hotel lobby. Xue Rou, you go with Yi Fei, and Wang Wei, you go too. Remember, just have tea, don't talk business. If she mentions projects, say you don't understand and tell her to contact me."
"clear."
"Also," Jiang Yu looked at Wen Muye, "Director Wen, this afternoon you take the team to scout locations. The main filming locations for 'Lucy' are all in Hong Kong. There are street chase scenes and indoor fight scenes, so you need to familiarize yourself with the locations beforehand. Take lots of photos, make some notes, and report back to me."
"Yes, Mr. Jiang!" Wen Muye exclaimed excitedly. "I'll definitely watch it closely!"
After arranging all this, it was already noon.
Jiang Yu ordered room service and lunch was delivered to the suite.
A simple Cantonese meal: steamed grouper, poached chicken, bok choy with oyster sauce, seafood congee, and a pot of Pu-erh tea.
The two sat down at a small round table in the restaurant, with a beautiful view of Victoria Harbour outside the window.
"Hong Kong food is so delicious." Liu Yifei sipped her congee. "This congee is so thick, the rice has dissolved."
"Eat more if you like." Jiang Yu placed a piece of fish on her plate. "Are you nervous about meeting Mrs. Xiang this afternoon?"
"A little," Liu Yifei said honestly. "I heard from my mother that Mrs. Xiang is very powerful and has the final say in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. Moreover, she speaks very directly and doesn't really give people much face."
"Don't be afraid," Jiang Yu comforted her. "You're my girlfriend, and you represent Zhuiguang. No matter how capable she is, she still has to give Zhuiguang face. Besides, Xue Rou and Wang Wei are here; they'll help you. Remember, stay polite, don't try to please her. Answer whatever she asks, and just smile if you don't want to answer. If she makes a request, just say you need to discuss it with me."
"Mm." Liu Yifei nodded, feeling a little more at ease.
After lunch, Liu Yifei went to her bedroom to rest for a while.
At 2:30 pm, she got up and changed her clothes.
When meeting Mrs. Xiang, one should neither be too casual nor too formal.
Finally, she chose a light pink long dress, tied her hair into a low ponytail, and wore light makeup, which looked appropriate without being too formal.
At 2:50, Jiang Xuerou and Wang Wei came up.
Jiang Xuerou changed into a proper suit, while Wang Wei wore a business suit. The three of them went downstairs together.
The tea table in the lobby was ready, but Mrs. Xiang had not yet arrived, so the three of them sat down first.
The waiter brought out tea and snacks, a three-tiered English pastry stand with sandwiches on the bottom, scones in the middle, and various small cakes on the top; there was also a pot of Darjeeling tea.
"Mrs. Xiang likes to put on a show," Jiang Xuerou said softly. "We should just be natural."
At exactly three o'clock, Xiang Tai appeared right on time.
Today she wore a Chanel suit, carried a Hermès bag, wore large sunglasses, and was followed by two assistants, exuding a powerful aura.
"Miss Liu! Long time no see!" Mrs. Xiang greeted her warmly as soon as she arrived, taking off her sunglasses. "Oh my, you've grown more and more beautiful! Even more beautiful than your mother when she was young!"
"Hello, Mrs. Xiang." Liu Yifei stood up, smiled politely, and said, "Thank you for your compliment."
"Sit down, sit down." Mrs. Xiang naturally took the seat of honor. "President Jiang, Assistant Wang, please sit down too. Oh dear, Miss Liu, the last time I saw you, you were only this tall..."
She gestured to waist height, "She was such a soft little bundle to hold in my arms. In the blink of an eye, she's grown into a young woman, and a big star at that!"
She speaks very quickly with a heavy Cantonese accent, but her Mandarin is fairly standard.
"Mrs. Xiang has such a good memory," Liu Yifei smiled. "I don't remember at all."
"I remember! I remember!" Mrs. Xiang laughed. "When your mother brought you to Hong Kong for an event, I immediately said, 'This little girl is going to be amazing, she'll definitely be a big star!' See, I was right, wasn't I?"
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Mrs. Xiang got down to business: "Ms. Liu, if you need anything while filming in Hong Kong, please don't hesitate to ask. China Hing still has some influence in Hong Kong, and we'll definitely help if we can."
"Thank you, Mrs. Xiang," Liu Yifei said. "Everything is arranged now, and there's nothing I need to trouble you with."
"No trouble at all," Mrs. Xiang waved her hand. "By the way, where's President Jiang? Why didn't he come down with us?"
"Jiang Yu is upstairs handling work," Liu Yifei said. "He has a very busy schedule in Hong Kong this time, with many meetings to attend."
"I understand, I understand. Everyone's a big boss, busy as a person," Mrs. Xiang laughed. "Actually, besides seeing you, I also have something I'd like to discuss with Mr. Jiang today. China Xing has a project we're looking for partners for. I wonder if Ms. Liu could help me put in a word with Mr. Jiang?"
"They've arrived," Jiang Xuerou and Wang Wei exchanged a glance.
Liu Yifei remained calm: "Mrs. Xiang, I don't know much about work-related matters. If you have any projects you'd like to discuss, you can contact Jiang Yu directly, or talk to General Manager Jiang. They will handle it."
This statement was perfectly worded, neither agreeing nor refusing.
Mrs. Xiang's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered: "That's right, that's right. Miss Liu is an actress, she doesn't concern herself with these things. And Mr. Jiang..."
She turned to Jiang Xuerou, "This project is really great. Directed by Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li, with an investment of HK$5 million, it's definitely a big-budget production. I wonder if Light Chaser Animation is interested?"
Jiang Xuerou smiled: "Mrs. Xiang, the project does sound very good. However, we need to see a detailed plan before we can evaluate it. You can send me the information, and I will forward it to President Jiang."
"I have the information!" Mrs. Xiang immediately had her assistant bring out a folder. "It's all here. Mr. Jiang, please take a look; it's definitely a great project!"
Jiang Xuerou took the folder and flipped through it casually: "Okay, I'll pass it on to President Jiang. I'll contact you if I get any news."
"That's wonderful!" Mrs. Xiang exclaimed happily. "I'll be waiting for your good news!"
After chatting for another ten minutes or so, Mrs. Xiang got up to say goodbye.
Before leaving, she held Liu Yifei's hand and said, "Ms. Liu, while you're filming in Hong Kong, please come visit me at home when you have time. I'll have the chef cook you some authentic Cantonese food."
"Thank you, Mrs. Heung."
After seeing Xiang Tai off, the three of them returned upstairs.
Liu Yifei breathed a sigh of relief: "It's finally over. Mrs. Xiang is so talkative, I almost couldn't keep up with her."
"You did very well," Jiang Xuerou smiled. "Neither humble nor arrogant, poised and graceful. A seasoned veteran like Mrs. Xiang knows exactly how to treat people differently. The weaker you are, the more she'll take advantage of you. If you keep your distance, she'll respect you more."
"Really?" Liu Yifei asked, somewhat uncertainly.
"Really," Wang Wei said. "Ms. Liu, your status is different now. You are Mr. Jiang's girlfriend, representing Chasing Light. You need to be firm when necessary."
Liu Yifei nodded, feeling more confident.
Back in the suite, Jiang Yu was on the terrace making a phone call.
Seeing them return, he hung up the phone: "How did it go?"
Jiang Xuerou handed him the folder: "It's a project by Mrs. Xiang, directed by Tsui Hark, starring Jet Li, with an investment of HK$5 million. Here are the details."
Jiang Yu took the folder, flipped through it, and smiled. It turned out to be "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate".
"There's too much exaggeration involved. A project worth 500 million might only have an actual cost of 200 million; the rest is just hype. Besides, it's common for Tsui Hark to go over budget when making films. We could invest in this project if we split the cost 50%."
"Then how should we reply?" Jiang Xuerou asked.
"Let's stall for time," Jiang Yu said. "Just say we're evaluating it and it takes time. When they get impatient, they'll naturally reveal their true colors."
By the time I finished dealing with all of this, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon.
Jiang Yu told Liu Yifei to rest, while he continued to handle his work.
At six o'clock in the evening, he began preparing for the welcoming banquet.
"Are you going to the Emperor of Music's banquet?" he asked Liu Yifei.
"Yes," Liu Yifei nodded. "It wouldn't be appropriate for me not to go since President Yang is hosting the event."
Jiang Yu smiled: "Okay, let's get ready. It doesn't need to be too formal, but it can't be too casual either."
Liu Yifei chose a light blue dress that reached her knees and had a simple and elegant design.
Her hair was styled in an updo, and she wore a simple pair of pearl earrings.
Jiang Yu changed into a dark blue suit and wore a light gray tie.
At 6:30, the two set off on time.
Fook Lam Moon Restaurant is located in Tsim Sha Tsui, not far from the Peninsula Hotel.
When the car arrived at the door, Yang Shoucheng was already waiting there.
"Mr. Jiang! Ms. Liu! Welcome, welcome!" Yang Shoucheng said warmly. "You must be tired from your journey! Please come in!"
"Mr. Yang, you're too kind." Jiang Yu shook hands. "Thank you for your arrangements."
"Of course, of course," Yang Shoucheng laughed. "Mr. Jiang is an important partner of our Music Emperor, and he's practically a Hong Konger!"
That was a well-chosen statement; it both flattered Jiang Yu and brought them closer.
The group entered the private room.
The private room was very large, seating twenty people, and luxuriously decorated with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists hanging on the walls.
Besides Yang Shoucheng, there were also several senior executives of Yinhuang, including Huo Wenxi, as well as Xie Tingfeng.
Nicholas Tse wore a black leather jacket today, his hair was neatly combed, he looked cool, and his smile was very sunny.
Upon seeing Liu Yifei, he took the initiative to greet her: "Hello, Ms. Liu. I've seen your performances; you acted very well."
"Hello, Mr. Xie." Liu Yifei said a little shyly, "I watched your plays when I was a child and I liked them very much."
"That's all in the past," Nicholas Tse laughed. "Now I'm an actor, and you're an actor too; we're colleagues."
That was a very tactful way of putting it; it was neither pretentious nor overly modest.
Everyone took their seats.
Yang Shoucheng deliberately arranged for Jiang Yu to sit in the main seat, while he himself sat next to him.
Liu Yifei sat on the other side of Jiang Yu, and Xie Tingfeng sat opposite her.
The food and drinks were served quickly.
Fu Lin Men is famous for its abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw. Today's table is even more luxurious, featuring South African abalone, Japanese Kanto sea cucumber, golden hook shark fin, fish maw, and various Cantonese delicacies.
"Mr. Jiang, let me toast you." Yang Shoucheng raised his glass. "Welcome to Hong Kong, and I wish 'Lucy' great success!"
"Thank you, Mr. Yang." Jiang Yu raised his glass in return.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually became lively.
Yang Shoucheng got down to business: "President Jiang, our collaboration between Sound Entertainment and Light Chaser Animation Studios has been very pleasant. Filming for 'Let the Bullets Fly' went smoothly, and 'The Lone Agent' is almost finished. I wonder what President Jiang's plans are for future collaborations?"
Jiang Yu put down his wine glass: "President Yang, the development strategy of Chasing Light is very clear: based in China, with a global reach. We need good stories, a good team, and good actors. Sound Emperor has strong resources in Hong Kong and even Asia, which is exactly what we need."
"That's great." Yang Shoucheng's eyes lit up. "We have a few projects we'd like to discuss with President Jiang."
One is a crime thriller directed by Benny Chan, with an investment of approximately HK$8000 million; the other is a romance film directed by Patrick Kong.
He introduced several projects, all of which are the focus of The Sound Emperor's work in the coming year.
Jiang Yu listened attentively, occasionally asking a few questions.
Finally, Yang Shoucheng said, "Mr. Jiang, what I really want to collaborate on is the North American market. As you know, the Hong Kong film market has shrunk significantly in recent years. We want to expand overseas, but we lack the channels. Light Chaser has its own company and distribution network in North America. If we could have a deeper collaboration—"
That was his real purpose.
Jiang Yu understood the situation but remained outwardly calm: "Mr. Yang, the North American market does offer opportunities, but the competition is fierce. Even Chasing Light is still figuring things out as we go. Here's what we'll do: send me the detailed project information, and I'll have my team evaluate it. If we find a suitable one, we can discuss cooperation."
"Great! Great!" Yang Shoucheng was very happy. "I'll have someone send the materials over as soon as filming for 'Lucy' starts."
The meal took more than two hours to finish.
At the end, Yang Shoucheng personally escorted Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei to the door, and even said to Liu Yifei, "Ms. Liu, if you need anything while filming in Hong Kong, just let us know. We at Yinhuang will definitely give you our full support."
"Thank you, Mr. Yang," Liu Yifei said politely.
On the way back to the hotel, Liu Yifei leaned on Jiang Yu's shoulder and said, "President Yang is a really nice person."
"That's how businessmen are," Jiang Yu laughed. "He's nice to you because you have value. If you were just an ordinary actor, he wouldn't even give you a second glance."
Liu Yifei thought for a moment and nodded: "That's true. That's just how realistic the entertainment industry is."
"But it's okay." Jiang Yu hugged her. "You have me. You don't need to please anyone, just be yourself."
"Mmm." Liu Yifei felt a warmth in her heart.
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