Huayu: From charlatan to great entertainer

Chapter 166 Call Me Pretty Boy

The call was from Huo Wenxi.

"Hey, Sister Mani, this is Thunder Monkey, what do you want from me?"

Huo Wenxi listened to his poor Mandarin with a mixture of laughter and tears, and Mei Yanfang beside him couldn't help but rub her forehead.

"Hello, Mr. Lu, are you sorry to bother me?"

"Haha, Sister Mani, are you going to treat me to a meal?"

"I'll do it, I'll take care of this meal!"

Liu Yifei watched him coldly from the side, his face beaming with joy, his fingernails scratching the leather sofa in the chairman's office, making a hissing sound.

"That's right, Lu Sheng. I've been asked to invite you to attend the Bazaar Charity Night tomorrow night."

"I know I don't have that much face, but I can't help it, so I'll just overestimate my own abilities for once. Please don't be offended!"

Lu Kuan was stunned. Who is it? Qiu Ku Mang is so proud?

Concubine Liu Yi listened with her ears perked up, screaming in her heart, "Don't agree!"

I asked you to go but you didn't go, so you can just go if someone else asks you, right?
Lu Kuan pondered for a moment and smacked his lips: "Sister Mani, I actually have always had a wish."

"Hmm? Please speak, Lu Sheng."

"How about this, Sister Mani, I'll agree if you call me handsome."

Concubine Liu Yi was listening so hard that her eyes were about to roll to the sky.

If she knew that the antonym of "handsome" is "diao mou fu", she would give it to him without hesitation.

There was a giggle coming from the other end of the line, and Lu Kuan suddenly heard Mei Yanfang's voice.

"Handsome boy, do you want your sister to come to the company and invite you in person?"

Lu Kuan was stunned. "Sister? When did you arrive in Peking? Why didn't you tell me on the phone this morning?"

"You didn't even tell me you were going back home next week, so why should I tell you?"

Liu Yifei jumped up from the sofa and huddled close to Lu Kuan's hand. "Sister Mei, I'm Yifei! Have you arrived in Peking?"

Boss Lu watched helplessly as she snatched the phone and started chatting with Mei Yanfang.

When Liu Yifei was filming "Whiplash", Lu Kuan brought her to Hong Kong to meet her, and Mei Yanfang became her role model on her acting career.

Coupled with several trips to Hong Kong to record songs and participate in album release events, their relationship has become very close.

If Mei Yanfang was not a female star, according to the normal life trajectory of a person, the child should be about the same age as Liu Yifei.

Liu Yifei chatted with Mei Yanfang excitedly for a while, and then returned the phone to Lu Kuan.

"Hello? Sister, I'll ask Ah Fei to pick you up. You can stay at my house tonight."

Mei Yanfang smiled and said, "How big is your house? Is it big enough for you to live in?"

"It's huge! You can change bedrooms every hour. Send me the address. Oh, and invite Sister Mani to dinner too."

"Okay, I know."

Lu Kuan then called Ah Fei in and told him to pick up Mei Yanfang and others, and also notified the chef to be in place.

Every time she went to Hong Kong, she would stay at Mei Yanfang's Heng'an Pavilion. When she came to Peking, Lu Kuan of course had to do his best to entertain her.

He suddenly found that Liu Yifei was staring at him unkindly: "What are you doing? I'll treat you to dinner tonight, which is your birthday present."

Boss Lu smiled and said, "It's not that I treat you differently. Sister Mei has always been enthusiastic about charity. If she asked me to go, how could I refuse?"

Concubine Liu Yi ignored his sweet talk and hit the nail on the head.

"Sister Mei? I think it's because of that Mani?"

“Lu Kuan, are you a woman and you can’t help it?”

Boss Lu looked at her with disdain and said righteously: "Of course not!"

"Didn't I just hold back?"

Concubine Liu Yi was furious: "I will kill you!"

Boss Lu blocked her headbutt attack and said, "Stop it. Ask your driver to drive over. Ah Fei has gone to pick up Sister Mei. Let's go back and prepare first."

"I'm afraid you'll make my car dirty, so go back by yourself!"

Mei Yanfang and Huo Wenxi were currently studying at Eagle King's Zhongbei International Performing Arts School.

The name of this school is not very well-known in later generations, but in the Eagle King's northward strategy in 2003, Zhongbei once played the role of a bridgehead.

The school is jointly run by Xiangjiang Eagle Emperor Entertainment and the North China Television Art Center under the Beijing Broadcasting and Television.

This radio and television station is the Beijing Radio and Television Bureau, and Zhongbei Television is its subordinate institution.

The school officially opened in early July 2003, attracting countless young boys and girls who had dreams of entering the entertainment industry.

These days, only practitioners who have reached a certain level can see the decline of Hong Kong's entertainment industry and the gradual shift of its center to the mainland.

How could ordinary people see so far? They all want to raise their children to be like Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei.

Also, because it is so difficult to get into the Central Academy of Drama and the Beijing Film Academy, these kinds of private film and television schools have become very popular. They are run by major entertainment companies in Hong Kong, and their teachers are all big stars!
So they all rushed in.

However, there are no particularly outstanding artists who have come out of this place.

Those who are slightly famous include Li Mao from the group "Supreme L.E.G.A.C.Y.", Hong Chen, the runner-up of Super Girl 2011, and Li Fei'er, Huang Xiaoming's girlfriend.

There is another thing that book friends may not know, but wolf friends must know.

Wang Li Danni, the Danai masseuse Xiao Si in "Sex and Zen", is known as the mainland's Amy Yip.

(Here is a picture that has been reviewed and harmonized)
At the same time, because of his importance to Lu Kuan, Li Shoucheng decided to replace the person in charge of the northward affairs and send Huo Wenxi to take charge.

Mei Yanfang was invited by her to come for a visit and guidance. Before that, when the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the school was held, Fang Long, Zhou Runfa, Li Zongsheng, Feng Xiaogang and others came to show their support, giving the Eagle Emperor enough face.

"Mani, Mr. Li is very optimistic about my younger brother now?"

Huo Wenxi was stunned, knowing that his intentions had been discovered.

She had just called Lu Kuan in front of Mei Yanfang under the pretext of being asked by Su Mang, but in fact she wanted to contact Lu Kuan herself.

"Sister Mei, I can't hide this from you. My boss asked me to interact and learn more with young talents from mainland China like Director Lu, but I don't have that much face, so..."

Mei Yanfang laughed and said, "You two should have just cooperated properly in the beginning. Why did you have to do that?"

Huo Wenxi also secretly resented it in his heart.

Yes, why bother?

I'm talking about you, Nicholas Tse! Edison Chen!
He has now won the Venice Golden Lion and Cannes Best Director, what about you?
One by one, they have almost cleaned themselves of the dirty water. They have made quite a few movies. In December this year, there is another movie "Jade Guanyin" directed by Xu Anhua, with Nicholas Tse and Zhao Yanzi as the male and female protagonists.

It’s not bad to be honest, but who are you comparing it with?

If TEDFung hadn't quit Whiplash, then in Venice...

Alas, it’s all tears if I talk too much, especially for a typical Hong Kong-style agent like Huo Wenxi.

The relationship between them and their employers is no longer just a work relationship, but a relationship that is closely connected.

Just like Mei Yanfang's agent Wang Minhui, after Mei Yanfang passed away, she handed over her music company to her for full management.

"Sister Mei, you're the big sister in the circle, and you're so familiar with the boss, I won't hide it from you."

"This year, the company's focus will be tilted northward, looking for directors, actors and film and television companies in mainland China to collaborate with. Director Lu is the person the boss specifically mentioned."

Mei Yanfang sighed slowly, feeling proud of Lu Kuan as she watched him use his strength to convince the Hong Kong capital giants to offer him an olive branch.

I also feel sorry for the inevitable decline of Hong Kong's film and television industry. Times have changed, and the once glorious Eastern Hollywood is no longer in its heyday.

Just like herself.

"As long as you cooperate sincerely, I don't think Xiaolu will refuse."

"Hong Kong still has some resources that can radiate to Southeast Asia, and his movies also have box office value." Of course it has value. Boss Lu had just met Zou Wenhuai's daughter and he was already thinking about Golden Harvest.

Eagle King’s Zhongbei Film and Television School is located in Chaoyang District. Ah Fei arrived there quickly, picked up Mei Yanfang and Huo Wenxi, and headed straight to Gongjian Hutong.

"Director Lu, your place is really impressive!"

Huo Wenxi wasn't just flattering, she had seen many of the wealthy families' mansions in Hong Kong.

However, this noble mansion with a strong traditional cultural atmosphere, especially the wide road, made Xu Kaitong plan the three courtyards together and renovate them according to his later aesthetics and vision.

This is how we have this low-key, luxurious, and quiet Chinese-style mansion in front of us, covering a total area of ​​more than 1400 square meters.

The only drawback of Lukuan is that it is not as easy to secure as a villa and can be built into a turtle shell.

"Haha, just sit down, Sister Mani. Sister Mei will show you the room."

Concubine Liu Yi held Mei Yanfang's arm and said, "Xiaolu, have you prepared anything for me? I want to stay here tonight and keep Sister Mei company!"

"Your mother can't kill you!"

Lu Kuan's family has a part-time Huaiyang cuisine chef who is hired at a high salary. It is said that he has worked in state banquets before.

If you make a reservation half a day in advance, the labor fee for one table is 8000 yuan, and the raw materials are charged separately.

It was the hottest time of year in Beijing at the end of July, but the big locust tree in the courtyard provided shade during the day and coolness at night, so dinner was placed in the courtyard and no one felt hot.

Mei Yanfang had a small appetite and put down her chopsticks after a few bites: "Xiaolu, your yard is more comfortable to live in. It feels solid with my feet on the ground."

"There's a saying that describes the comfort of a courtyard house: ceiling, fish tank, pomegranate tree, husband, fat dog, fat girl."

"Sister Mei, this is called Chinese romance. It's completely different from the Westernized luxury of Hong Kong."

Huo Wenxi nodded in agreement: "My boss took me to the Zhongguohui in Xicheng District before. It's as beautiful as your courtyard. This is the history and culture of our country."

The fat girl ate a lot and felt full, then listened to their conversation.

"Sister Mei, my mother also bought a house. It's in the alley next door. When it's finished, can you come visit her?"

"And Sister Wenxi is here too."

The two smiled at each other, which was probably due to the width of the road.

"Sister Mei, why did you suddenly come to Peking?"

Huo Wenxi smiled and said, "Lu Sheng, let me answer for Sister Mei."

"Eagle King is having a charity concert to fight pneumonia in Peking next month, and we've invited Sister Mei to attend."

Mei Yanfang took over the conversation: "Some fashion magazine in mainland China invited me to a charity dinner and asked me to invite Fang Long. I agreed."

"Also, director Zhang Yimou's film House of Flying Daggers is about to start filming, and he invited me over to chat."

"If circumstances permit, I still want to play this role as scheduled."

Mei Yanfang passed away at the end of 2003. Jiang Zhiqiang had a good relationship with her during her lifetime, and Zhang Yimou also recognized the artistic life of this wandering singer.

The film ends with a tribute: This film is dedicated to the memory of Ms. Mei Yanfang.

Liu Yifei hesitated and said, "Sister Mei, your body."

"It's okay. All indicators are improving. Just have a thorough checkup at the end of next year."

Only then did Lu Kuan feel relieved.

Halfway through the meal, Liu Xiaoli arrived to pick up her daughter.

Let Xixi spend the night alone in the courtyard with a wide road?
Even if Mei Yanfang was there, what's the difference between that and pushing her daughter off a cliff?
Huo Wenxi and Lu Kuan drank a few glasses of wine, expressed the goodwill from the Eagle King’s top management in a very restrained manner, and then left.

When this whole family is eating, drinking and chatting, you should still be a little considerate.

She has always done things in a subtle and silent way, and she has never made friends or expanded her relationship with others at the first opportunity.

What's more, as the boss said, he is one of the smartest people in the world. As long as he sees the win-win situation, he will not care about the previous minor disagreements.

After seeing Huo Wenxi leave, Concubine Liu Yi quietly asked, "Lu Kuan, why is the Eagle Emperor being so arrogant at first but so flattering later? Did he send someone to curry your favor again?"

Liu Xiaoli patted her and said, "Don't talk nonsense. She's discussing cooperation with Xiaolu."

Mei Yanfang smiled and said, "In the business world, there are no eternal enemies. As long as you become strong enough, you will find that there are good people around you."

Liu Yifei asked, "Then will you still care about them? They were so against our mainland directors and crew before."

Lu Kuan glanced at her and said, "Toast me a glass of juice and I'll teach you."

The little girl raised the cup with a smile: "Come on, come on, we have deep feelings, let's drink it in one gulp!"

"Aunt Liu, would you like to drink something too?"

Liu Xiaoli's expression suddenly changed: "No, no! This kid, why does he always want to see your aunt make fun of him?"

Liu Yifei and Lu Kuan looked at each other and laughed with their hands covering their mouths.

Obviously, she was thinking of the embarrassing behavior of her mother who kept saying "I am so-and-so" after drinking during the New Year's celebration in New York.

Concubine Liu Yi urged Lu Kuan: "We've had our fill of wine, so why don't you tell me?"

Boss Lu put down his chopsticks.

"Sister Mei is here too. She knows full well that the Hong Kong film industry is actually divided into left and right factions."

"Speaking of this matter, it is also related to you, little Wang Yuyan."

"What do you mean?"

"The character you play, Wang Yuyan, is based on Xia Meng, the woman Jin Yong loved his entire life but could never get."

"This Ms. Xia Meng was once a popular actress at the Great Wall Film Studio in Hong Kong. She and two other actresses were known as the 'Three Princesses of the Great Wall' and were quite popular."

"After the mainland's Wen Ge movement began, Hong Kong's leftist film companies, Great Wall and Phoenix, were politically impacted. Xia Meng temporarily left the film industry and went to North America. It wasn't until the reform and opening up of China that she returned to Hong Kong and founded Bluebird Films."

"She was the one who brought the New Wave art movement to Hong Kong at the time. After films like 'Heroes of Youth' and 'Time Flies' became hits, she sold her film and television company to Jiang Zuyi, Jiang Zhiqiang's father."

"Do you know why Jiang Zhiqiang was able to integrate into the mainland film industry more down-to-earth than Eagle King, investing in "Hero" and "House of Flying Daggers" and embracing development opportunities in the mainland?"

"It's because Jiang Zhiqiang's father took over this film company. He has leftist blood flowing through his veins. His background determines his bottom, and his bottom determines his head!"

Concubine Liu Yi asked curiously, "What about the Eagle King?"

"Li Shoucheng built his empire on the sea, unlike Jiang Zhiqiang. But seeing Jiang Zhiqiang's success, and the official release of the Mainland's CEPA this year, they are even more urged to hurry north."

Lu Kuan turned to Mei Yanfang and said, "Sister Mei, I heard Ah Fei say that he picked you up from Eagle King's Zhongbei School. I believe you are also very clear about their movements and thoughts."

Mei Yanfang admired Lu Kuan's meticulous thinking. She could no longer tell whether this was a real supernatural power or an innate understanding of the world.

In short, all the complexities were quickly unraveled and dealt with fluently in his eyes.

Liu Xiaoli smiled and said, "Xiaolu is indeed capable. The Eagle King's artists were so arrogant back then. Now I'm afraid they have to be more respectful when they see you."

Everyone saw clearly Huo Wenxi's posture just now. He was only sitting halfway on the bench.

Boss Lu sneered and waved his hand.

"That's what Vanity Fair is all about."

"Peace can only be achieved through war. Only when you have strength can you avoid becoming a dispensable character."

Liu Xiaoli nodded in agreement, with a look of struggle on her face.

Today she and Cheng Jingfei went to meet Liu Zeyu. It was not because she wanted to go, but because Cheng Jingfei's business had problems and she couldn't just stand by and watch.

But now, seeing the courtesy that Eagle King treated Lu Kuan and Huo Wenxi's humility in person, she couldn't help but waver.

In her previous understanding, he was a big shot in the Hong Kong circle!
How could he be slapped on the left cheek by Lu Kuan and then smile and send someone to slap his right cheek as well?

The cleaning lady was cleaning up the mess when she saw her daughter and Mei Yanfang walking in the yard. Liu Xiaoli suddenly called out to the tipsy young director.

"Xiaolu, Auntie has something to tell you."

(End of this chapter)