Chapter 289: Riding a Donkey and Reading a Songbook

Li Chen did not reject Mrs. Xiang's kindness on the spot.

Li Lianjie's eyes flickered, but he actually didn't want to come tonight.

But he could not change Xiang Huaqiang's attitude that would not tolerate rejection.

Given his current status in the Chinese film industry, only Xiang Huaqiong can speak to him in an imperative tone.

This is a debt of favor, so many people would rather owe money than owe favors.

Money is easy to pay back, but love is hard to repay.
Li Lianjie glanced at Liu Dehua opposite him again and sighed inexplicably in his heart.

They are both the same.
Xiang Huaqi took over his wife's words: "Director Li's big moves this year are dazzling and overwhelming."

"They acquired New Line, supported charity and the Olympics, and discussed cooperation with Zhejiang TV. I admire them very much."

Li Chen smiled and said, "Mr. Xiang is too polite. I just hang around in the entertainment industry."

"Mr. Xiang is an all-rounder. Not everyone can afford the Shama Apartments."

Xiang Huaqi smiled very restrainedly: "Director Li, thank you for your praise."

Liu Dehua also laughed and said, "Li Chen, don't be so modest. The box office revenue of The Warlords, which Li Lianjie and I have made together, is not even half of the box office revenue of The Bow."

Having said that, Li Lianjie's expression remained unchanged, but he pursed his lips.

His "The Mummy 3" was completely beaten by "Draw the Bow".

The box office of "Da Gong Ba" has exceeded 400 million, with about 11 million box office every day.

This is equivalent to the domestic first-day box office of his "The Mummy 3".

Li Chen has reaped the benefits of this wave of Olympic dividends.

Although the global box office of "Draw Your Bow" certainly cannot compare with his "The Mummy 3".

But the cost of "The Mummy 3" is $1.45 million.

When it comes to profits, "The Mummy 3" is still not as good as "Draw Your Bow, Dad"!
Yang Siwei also laughed and said, "Yes, Boss, don't be so modest. Excessive modesty is pride."

Mrs. Xiang took Yang Siwei's arm affectionately and said with a smile: "Siwei is still eloquent. Looking at the entire Chinese film industry now, if Director Li is second, who dares to claim to be first? Don't you think so?"

Li Lianjie just nodded and smiled, and Liu Dehua agreed very politely.

Li Chen looked at the people lifting the sedan so high and smiled without saying anything.

After more than half an hour, a waiter in a suit and tie came in and said, "Mr. Xiang, excuse me, the banquet is ready, and you can take your seats."

Xiang Huaqi stood up and said, "Director Li, please."

The restaurant is just opposite the reception room and is only a few steps away.

Xiang Huaqi asked Li Chen for his opinion and opened a bottle of red wine.

At the banquet, everyone talked about things in the film and television industry.

Xiang Zuo took the initiative to toast several glasses of wine to those present.

Li Lianjie and Hua Zai are both his elders.

One is a master and the other is an uncle.

Although Li Chen is not his elder, he is definitely his predecessor if we count the time of debut and fame.

Xiang Huaqi also drank several glasses of wine, and under the influence of alcohol, he said to Li Chen with a smile: "Director Li, do you think it is possible for my son to take over his master's job?"

Li Chen thought to himself, we are finally getting to the point.

Li Chen glanced at Xiang Zuo, who was sitting next to Li Lianjie with his head held high.

Everyone at the table focused their eyes on Li Chen's face.

"Take over? How do you take over?"

"If I just want to be a martial arts star, then there shouldn't be much of a problem."

"But if you want to become a kung fu superstar, that's almost impossible."

Yang Siwei drank a sip of orange juice as if nothing had happened, and thought to himself: "The boss really didn't give the father and son any face at all."

Xiang Huaqiong didn't expect Li Chen to say that.

The scene was awkward for a while, so Liu Dehua stepped in to smooth things over. "Zuo is still young. Li Chen meant that there is Xiang Sheng and Xiang Tai. Zuo doesn't need to compete with Cheng Long and Li Lian Jie."

Yang Siwei also smiled and said, "Brother Hua is right. In addition to their own talents, I personally think that they are heroes made by the times."

"But the situation is no longer the same as it was back then."

Xiang Zuo, who was young and full of energy, was a little unconvinced and asked Li Chen directly: "Director Li, do you think my kung fu is bad or is it because of something else?"

Li Chen chuckled: "I'm not saying this just for you. It's the environment that's causing them to become internationally renowned Kung Fu superstars."

"Time and fate are all important. The right time, right place and right people are all essential. No matter how good your kung fu is, it is limited to special effects."

Li Chen's words tonight were like a bucket of cold water directly covering Xiang Zuo's head.

Li Lianjie patted Xiang Zuo's shoulder and said with a smile: "I don't think so. You are still young and your golden fighting period still has 20 years."

"No one can predict what will happen in twenty years. Don't lose heart. The master has confidence in you."

Mrs. Xiang also patted her son on the shoulder and said with a smile: "Master Ni and Director Li both have a point."

"Don't lose heart, as long as you want to become a Kung Fu superstar like your master."

"Whether it's me, your father, your master, or even Director Li, we will all support you, don't you agree?"

Although Xiang Tai asked this question to everyone present, his eyes were fixed on Li Chen.

Li Chen did not comment, but Liu Dehua and Yang Siwei beside him smiled and said, "Mrs. Xiang is right, she is right."

Seeing that Li Chen didn't say anything, Xiang Huaqi changed the subject and said, "Excuse me, Director Li, do you have any action movies planned for your company's film list next year?"

"I like to speak directly, so I'll just say what I want to say. Director Li, please don't be offended."

Li Chen nodded: "President Xiang, please continue. I'm listening."

Xiang Huaqi said: "If there is, I hope Director Li can give my son a leading role."

"If not, I am willing to pay 5000 million to ask Director Li to write a script for Zuo."

Yang Siwei secretly swallowed his saliva and thought to himself: "5000 million is equivalent to twice the boss's screenwriter fee."

"He is really rich, but Mr. Xiang seems to have overlooked that the boss is not short of money at all."

Li Chen glanced at Xiang Huaqiong, and Li Lianjie wanted to say a few words to help.

But Xiang Huaqi raised his hand to stop him: "Director Li, don't misunderstand me. I'm offering 5000 million just to show my sincerity. I don't have any other intentions."

"If Director Li feels that my sincerity is not enough, then I can add more."

Li Chen smiled gently, picked up the red wine glass with his index and ring fingers and shook it: "Although Romanee-Conti is expensive, it is just a commodity. Commodities have prices."

"But my scripts are not commodities. I won't write scripts for money. Even if you add another zero, Mr. Xiang, I will still say this."

"Thank you Mr. Xiang for your sincerity and hospitality tonight. It's getting late. I think we should stop here today."

Li Lianjie looked at Li Chen with a sharp gaze and raised his voice: "Director Li, Xiang Sheng has never asked anyone for help before, can't you make an exception for once?"

Liu Dehua knew Li Chen very well, but he did not speak rashly like Li Lianjie, who was so self-important.

Li Chen smiled and said, "Mr. Li, if there is one, there will be two. I don't want to break my own rules."

Xiang Huaqiong raised his hand again to interrupt Li Lianjie who was about to say something but hesitated: "Okay, Director Li is right. It's unreasonable for you to break your own rules. I was presumptuous."

"However, if there are suitable roles or films like "The Holy Spirit" and "The Gunman" that are not suitable for the mainland, Director Li must give priority to our Chinese new films."

"We had a pleasant cooperation during the first two times and hope that it can continue in the future."

Mrs. Xiang also laughed and said, "My husband is right. It would be great if Rongchen Pictures could reach a comprehensive cooperation with China New Media."

After sending Li Chen and Yang Siwei to the car, Xiang Huaqiang and others returned to the reception room where they had been before.

As soon as Li Lianjie sat down, he smiled and said, "People in the circle say that Li Chen is crazy, but I didn't feel that way when I met him a few times before."

"Today I finally got a glimpse of the true face of Mount Lu."

Liu Dehua did not respond to Li Lianjie's words, but asked Xiang Huaqiong: "What does Xiang Sheng plan to do?"

Xiang Huaqi returned to his serious demeanor: "Don't worry about it, Huazai. I know what to do."

(End of this chapter)