Extracting skills from movies

Du Sheng took the magazine; Haders had already turned to the special report.

Ma Yaowei also leaned over to take a look, frowned, and said:

"This seems to be written correctly... but something looks off."

Haders sneered:
"On the surface, he was telling the truth, but between the lines, there were many hints."

To put it bluntly, they're labeling you: a relatively inexperienced Chinese actor who, at a young age, has won three major international awards—money makes you great.

Du Sheng nodded, seemingly referring to something:

"The average age of Oscar judges is over sixty, and many of them have worked their way up to that position over several decades."

Why was Tom Cruise ostracized back then?

It's simply because he was too young and became famous too quickly.

Haders continues his analysis:
"Although the Oscars have been trying to diversify in recent years, the more important awards, from the nomination list to the winners, still tend to favor mature, experienced, and senior middle-aged men."

Zhang Haolong sneered:
"So bringing up these 'old stories' at this time is a reminder to the judges: Brother Sheng, you are not qualified and you are tainted with scandals."

Ma Yaowei asked:

Can it be eliminated?

Haders replied:

"The Lighthouse Express is alright, after all, it's just a third-rate tabloid;
But *The Entertainer* is different; it's a professional film review publication with far greater influence.

Du Sheng pondered for a moment, then spoke:

"Then let's move the interview forward."

He said to Zhang Haolong:

"Find someone to investigate and find out who is behind this."

After saying that, he stood up and stretched his shoulders:

"Let's go, it's time to get to work."

With just one sentence from Du Sheng, his network of connections quickly sprang into action.

Haders began contacting television stations, trying to get Du Sheng to accept an exclusive interview with mainstream media as soon as possible to maintain her exposure and, incidentally, reverse public opinion.

Meanwhile, Zhang Haolong also began to mobilize resources to investigate the mastermind behind these two reports.

A covert battle for awards, reputation, and influence is underway.

This time, Du Sheng is prepared to confront them head-on.

In the studio, the Hearst sisters and Li Yixin are leading a team, working in shifts 24 hours a day to monitor every little thing happening online.

Du Sheng's reputation is in a sensitive period, and any slight mishap could affect his Oscar and Grammy nominations.

At the same time, Du Sheng personally dialed Greta's number.

Greta is one of the North American distributors of Taken, and the two parties have a close working relationship.

It just so happens that the other party is also one of the shareholders of "Entertainer" magazine, so we can exchange some information.

Meanwhile, in China, Zhong Zhen, who had almost finished recuperating, also began to take action.

As Du Sheng's key partner, she immediately mobilized resources to block related negative information and coordinated media statements to ensure that domestic public opinion was not swayed by overseas narratives.

When Du Sheng arrived at Greta's studio, the relevant videos and reports had already been compiled and sent over via encrypted email.

After obtaining some of the video footage, Ma Yaowei immediately went to ABC reporter Linda to prepare for the next step.

Du Sheng remained in his office, waiting leisurely.

Shortly after getting the information from the New York bureau of The Entertainer magazine, Greta went straight to her office.

After the two met, Greta took off her coat and began to speak:
"I found the source of that report."

The article was written by their editor, Coles, and he even met with Brad Pitt the night he wrote it.

"Brad Pitt?"

Du Sheng listened to the name with a slightly playful expression:

"Yes, we're old acquaintances."

Although Gretel wasn't quite sure what the conflict was between the two, he knew that Du Sheng had no shortage of gossip about Hollywood bigwigs.

From Jessica Alba and Charlize Theron to Angelina Jolie, Du Sheng's romantic history is more dramatic than a movie.

Greta patted Du Sheng's arm:
"Everything I could find is here."

Du Sheng smiled and took his hand:
"Thank you, this is enough."

After saying goodbye to Greta, Du Sheng returned to his car, leaned back in his chair, and fell into deep thought.

Although Brad Pitt recently missed out on the Venice Film Festival, he remains a top Hollywood star.
Although he may not be a national icon like Leonardo DiCaprio, his influence is not to be underestimated.

He has a well-established team of agents and bodyguards, investment companies, and even his own independent film studio.

If we use unconventional methods to deal with it, and if we can't do it silently, it could end up being a lose-lose situation.

Du Sheng then thought of the recently released film "Ocean's Journey," a big-budget production with a star-studded cast, in which Brad Pitt was the male lead.

Based on current reviews, this film is very likely to earn him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor next year.

Du Sheng suppressed his reverie and shook his head:
'Even someone as upright and kind as me has been smeared; it would be wrong not to fight back.'

At this moment, in front of ABC television station
Reporter Linda got out of a press vehicle, walked quickly to the passenger side of the Mercedes, and got into the car.

This wasn't the first time she and Ma Yaowei had met.

Previously, the other party would occasionally provide some exclusive news or gossip about Du Sheng, which made her one of the reporters in the industry who knew Du Sheng's situation better.

"What big news is it this time?"

Linda asked while fastening her seatbelt.

"It's much more sensational than a scandal."

Ma Yaowei handed her a stack of printed newspapers:
"check it out."

Linda took it and saw it was the latest issue of The Lighthouse Express.

The article mentioned above about Du Sheng's early entanglements with the Bay City gang is prominently featured.

"I read it this morning."

She raised an eyebrow and said:
"This is a difficult matter to handle. Although it's an old story being brought up again, the angle has changed, which can easily lead to misunderstandings."

Ma Yaowei nodded, then opened his laptop and started playing a video:
"This is the information and evidence we have collected."

The footage details Du Sheng's past before he became famous.
This includes his offense against the largest local gang, the Bamboo Leaf Gang, for filming "The Man from Nowhere".

It turns out that the villain in "The Man from Nowhere" was based on the real-life "Bamboo Leaf Gang".

The drama exposed their activities of selling drugs and narcotics, which directly led to hostility from the organization's higher-ups towards Du Sheng, and even attempts to harm him.

As for Yang Zengkui's death and the S sisters' mental breakdown, that's another matter entirely.

Another document was a set of photographs.

"Wow……"

Linda's eyes lit up after reading it:
"These are all bombshell revelations, right?"

Ma Yaowei nodded:
"If you're willing to cooperate with us, you can have all of these."

They have no reason to remain indifferent if the other party insists on using these things to smear China.

Linda looked at Ma Yaowei and couldn't help but scrutinize him again.

Although this guy is Asian, he's strong, shrewd, and capable of great things. She suddenly asked:
"I'd feel bad taking such important overseas scoops if you didn't charge me."

Ma Yaowei glanced at her obese figure; her waistline resembled a roadside trash can.

His lips twitched, and he reached out to take the DSLR camera from the other person's hand.

"This compensation is sufficient."

Linda clutched the USB drive tightly as she got out of the car. Watching the other car's taillights disappear around the corner, she couldn't help but sigh.

Why can't I handle this man?
It's not like I'm without charm.

But every time I try to get closer to the other person, they are as cold and restrained as a block of ice.

Are all Asian men averse to women?

Back at KABC-TV, Linda was still pondering:

If we can take down Ma Yaowei, it will be equivalent to gaining access to the most direct source of intelligence from Du Sheng's side!

What other path to advancement is faster than this?

With this in mind, she immediately reviewed the materials, edited the video, wrote the press release, and then published the full version on the TV station's official website and social media.

Meanwhile, in Du Sheng's studio, the Hearst sisters, having just seen the KABC-TV news go live, immediately gave an order:

"Spread across the entire internet!"

They directed their team to begin widely disseminating the news and contacted several familiar media friends:

"Look, the content is quite explosive, it'll help Du Sheng's image!"

The video was also uploaded to Du Sheng's YouTube and blog, the Bajiquan Association's official website, and several Chinese community forums.

The comments section quickly became lively:

"Gossip media just spread rumors! They even dig up old news and rehash it."

"What Du Sheng did back then was all for the good of the people, but they wrote it up as his dark history. It's disgusting!"

"No wonder 'The Man from Nowhere' was filmed so realistically; the details are amazing!"

"As ordinary people, we all know what it takes for Du Sheng to be so fearless in the face of power. I was inexplicably moved after reading this..."

While these comments had little impact on the Oscar judges, they sparked a small wave of support for Du Sheng both online and offline, making his international image more three-dimensional, authentic, and credible.

Haders wasn't idle either.

He immediately contacted several mainstream media outlets, including Sony TV and Fox News, to try and get the content broadcast on more platforms.

As soon as Du Sheng returned to his Miracle Pictures office, his secretary knocked on the door:
"Charlize Theron is here."

"Invite her in."

A moment later, Charlize Theron, looking incredibly stylish and wearing sunglasses, walked in.

She sat gracefully on the sofa, a slight smile playing on her lips:
"I heard you've been getting smeared lately?"

Du Sheng sat down next to her and responded with a smile:

"You're quite well-informed; you haven't been keeping an eye on things all this time, have you?"

Charlize Theron raised an eyebrow:
"Of course, after all, we're old friends who know each other inside and out."

She paused, then lowered her voice and asked:

"Who did it? Have you found out?"

Du Sheng said:

"Brad Pitt, there may be someone behind him, but right now we're only chasing after him."

Charlize moved a little closer, her tone carrying a hint of provocation and seduction:

"Pete?! Do you want to fight back?"

She whispered almost in Du Sheng's ear:
"Knowing Pitt as I do, if you could bring both me and Angelina into a public setting at the same time and create a slightly ambiguous atmosphere, he would go crazy."

Du Sheng smiled, a hint of mockery in his eyes:

"You'll probably be the one who breaks down first, won't you?"

A couple of years ago, Charlize was rumored to be having an affair with Pitt. One day, paparazzi photographed her with a bruise around her eye, supposedly because Pitt had hit her...

Charlize chuckled and said:
"Pitt does have a bit of a violent tendency, but his targets aren't Angelina, but rather the nannies."

She leaned back on the sofa, reminiscing about the past, her eyes somewhat unfocused:
“Angelina Jolie and Pitt have been having a lot of trouble lately. You could ask her out for a chat; you might find common ground.”

Angelina Jolie, who recently gave birth, had a major falling out with Brad Pitt.

She even complained in private that Brad Pitt was two-faced and that she particularly disliked the five internationally impoverished children he had adopted.

Although this matter was not made public, it did circulate to some extent.

It's worth mentioning that Angelina Jolie, in an effort to salvage her image, promoted her status as an international goodwill ambassador, adopting five orphaned children in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia.
She even made Brad Pitt her legal guardian to create the impression that she was not a third party who interfered in someone else's family, and that her family was harmonious and loving.

Unfortunately, the ideal is very full, and the reality is very skinny.

Pitt was not close to these orphans, and even used force against them in private.
Later, perhaps due to her agent's persuasion, she eventually directed her energy towards the childcare workers who raised orphans.

Du Sheng knew Hollywood was terrible, but he didn't expect there to be such experts. He chuckled.

"They're practically a couple, so I'd better not force it."

Although he wasn't very familiar with Angelina, they had met a few times.

For example, they met once during the audition for "Wanted" and later communicated on the set of "Inception".

Charlize's eyes darted around, and she stood up to leave.

"Since it's inconvenient for you to come forward, then wait for my message!"

Du Sheng didn't stop him, and stood up with a smile:

"I need to compete for the Oscars recently. You're an Oscar-winning actress, so why don't you give me a little praise?"

Charlize blinked, looking him up and down:
"What aspects should be covered?"

Du Sheng's lips twitched, and he said:
"Anything is fine, we can talk about it when you have time."

Charlize left with a smile, and Haders then pushed open the door and came in:

"I just got a call. Ellen DeGeneres wants to invite you to her show."

Du Sheng recalled the gay host in his mind and said calmly:

"Let's cancel it and just stick to the original plan of going on Sony's 'Eliza Show'."

When the school shooting occurred at the beginning of the year, Sony TV reporter Elisa became famous overnight for her outstanding on-site reporting, and her talk show was no less popular than The Ellen Show.

Haders nodded immediately:
"I'll contact them right now to discuss the process and the manuscript."

After saying that, he turned and went out to arrange the next promotional schedule.

The two parted ways at the company and went their separate ways.

The night breeze was a bit chilly, so Du Sheng wrapped his coat tighter around himself and headed toward Sony Pictures Studios.

He's attending an internal screening of "How to Train Your Dragon" tonight.

This is a key project for Interstellar Media and Sony, scheduled for release during the Spring Festival next year. It has garnered significant attention within the industry, with many industry professionals eagerly awaiting the final product.

Ma Yaowei followed behind, and when they reached the entrance of the Sony building, he stopped and said to Du Sheng:

“Ophiuchus has been traveling around North America lately, and I plan to go and meet him.”

…(End of this chapter)