Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 370 Reciprocity

Zhang Yimou was able to avoid it.

But Jiang Wen couldn't avoid it. Probably spurred on by the news of Zhang Yimou winning another award, she suddenly accelerated the process of submitting her film to Venice.

I received feedback a couple of days ago that the organizers thought the film was good—Jiang Wen herself said it was 'especially awesome'—and had great potential to win awards.

The problem is that Chinese films have already won major awards at Cannes, and last year at Venice, a Chinese film also won a major award. European filmmakers have already protested, hoping that European film festivals can provide more support for local films.

Although the organizers have not yet made a statement, no one is sure whether they will compromise.

So after receiving this news, Jiang Wen rushed to Tianjin overnight to find Zhang Yan to help her.

"That's an award from abroad, what can I do?"

As Zhang Yan spread his hands, he also secretly observed Jiang Wen's expression and actions, and found that this guy was just purely anxious, as if he had already forgotten about the matter of being of the same blood.

Those who are involved in the arts are known for their 'tolerance' in this respect.

Jiang Wen threw the cigarette in her mouth onto the ground and stomped it out, gritting her teeth as she said, "Isn't Zhang Yimou supposed to be filming here? Why don't we invite him along and try to stir up some public opinion too!"

Well, no matter how you go around in circles, you still can't avoid Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Yan said, "If you insist on doing it this way, I have no objection, but there is something I have to say first: Liu Xiaoqing's 'Wu Zetian' crew will also be coming to Tianjin in a couple of days."

"What is she here for?"

Jiang Wen asked in surprise, "Isn't she at the Summer Palace?"

“The palaces in the Summer Palace are nothing compared to the grandeur of our August 1st Film and Television Base,” Zhang Yan said, flipping through his schedule. “Besides, I don’t have much time to waste with you. In five days, regardless of whether Zhang Yimou agrees or not, I have to go to Shanghai to discuss some business.”

"What's so urgent?"

"Director Xie Jin is starting a new film. I heard it's a big project, and he plans to build a special filming base. I'm thinking it would be better to invite him to Tianjin and have him join our August 1st Film and Television Base."

"Can this work out?"

Jiang Wen wasn't very optimistic about this: "The Shanghai Film Studio is making such a big move, maybe it's aimed at your August 1st Film and Television Base—people in Shanghai have high aspirations, they'll definitely want to do the same thing that's available in the north."

"Whether it works or not, let's give it a try first."

Zhang Yan didn't have high hopes, but since he had heard about it, he definitely had to try his best. If he could really bring this investment to Tianjin, the August 1st Film and Television Base would be completely secure.

That evening, Zhang Yan originally planned to entertain Jiang Wen outside, but Jiang Wen insisted on going to his house, saying he wanted to visit Zhang Yan's parents.

Zhang Yan had no choice but to take Ya back to the small villa.

Zhang Yan called home in advance, but when he arrived at the door, he found his mother, Sun Xiaohong, eagerly waiting for him, while his father, Zhang Xingguo, stood by with a displeased expression.

"Oh my, it really is Jiang Wen!"

Sun Xiaohong said excitedly, "I really loved the movie 'Hibiscus Town' that you played. I never thought I'd actually have the chance to meet you in person!"

Zhang Xingguo muttered quietly to himself, "Gong Li also acted in it..."

Before he could finish speaking, his wife kicked him.

"Haha, I'm not the same as the character in the movie."

Jiang Wen was carrying a net bag of Wuliangye liquor, and her face was beaming with a kind and amiable smile.

Upon entering, I saw the dog cage in the corner, and I leaned over to take a look, praising, "This dog is really well cared for."

"Right, I'm usually the one walking the dog."

Sun Xiaohong couldn't stop smiling. In fact, Jiang Wen and Lao Zhang looked somewhat alike, which showed that her aesthetic sense was consistent.

"Brother Jiang is here! Please come in."

At this moment, Chen Hong came out of the house. Although she was only three months pregnant and her pregnancy was not yet fully visible, the pregnant woman's appearance was not forced but naturally revealed.

Jiang Wen shifted her gaze from the cage, carefully examined Chen Hong for a few moments, and shook her head with a sigh: "It's a bit of a pity that you're retiring from the film industry like this. Actually, after having a child, you've gained more insights, and your acting skills might improve significantly."

"Yeah."

Chen Hong covered her mouth and laughed, "Zhang Yan said you came to visit, but I don't think so. You're just here to wish people a Happy New Year—you're spouting auspicious words all over your mouth. It's completely different from when you were filming a movie."

When filming "In the Heat of the Sun," Chen Hong visited the set quite often, so she was quite familiar with Jiang Wen.

"Wasn't I under a lot of pressure back then?" Jiang Wen chuckled and followed Chen Hong into the room. The dining table had been set out with melon seeds, peanuts, fruit, and other snacks. Jiang Wen didn't stand on ceremony and grabbed a handful of melon seeds, cracking them open as she chatted.

One moment she's asking about the origins of the little Western-style building, the next she's giving everyone a lesson on the Republic of China era, showing absolutely no celebrity airs.

Before long, Zhang Xingguo put aside his half-true, half-false reservations and chatted with him quite congenially.

Once at the dinner table, this guy became even more talkative, able to turn black into white with his mouth. If Zhang Yan hadn't stopped him, he would have become sworn brothers with Zhang Xingguo.

This made Zhang Yan suspect that he was only there to take advantage of him.

Even after the family had seen Jiang Wen off outside the door and were walking back side by side, Zhang Xingguo was still praising Jiang Wen: "This little Jiang is really something. I've met quite a few celebrities lately thanks to you, but none of them are like her."

"He was actually behaving himself today."

Zhang Yan complained, "When we were filming together last year, I felt uneasy if he didn't cause some trouble every day."

As they were talking, they saw the hired nanny standing by the cage muttering something to herself. Zhang Yan called out, "Sister Xing, what's wrong?"

"It seems like one of these dogs is missing."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, the family members all gathered around the cage to look inside, only to find that there was only one dog sleeping in the kennel, while the other dog was nowhere to be seen.

The nanny, Sister Xing, muttered, "The cage isn't even open. If it was stolen, how come only one cage was stolen... Should we go out and look for it?"

"no need."

Zhang Yan took a deep breath and said, "I have a rough idea of ​​who did it."

He went inside to get his mobile phone, stomped up to the second floor, and called Jiang Wen: "Are you out of your mind?!"

"Yes, I have."

Jiang Wen replied in a nonchalant manner.

"So what's wrong with you?"

"A heartache! It's so suffocating!"

Jiang Wen said on the phone, "It's only polite to reciprocate. I can't feel at ease if I don't steal something from you—you should thank me, at least I didn't retaliate in kind."

Zhang Yan: "..."

Zhang Yan was initially quite angry, but when he thought that the only way the man could get revenge on him was by stealing dogs, he felt both amused and pitiful.

He said speechlessly, "How did you know we have a dog and even brought medicine with you?"

"How I know is none of your business, I just... Holy crap!"

Jiang Wen suddenly shouted halfway through her sentence, startling Zhang Yan, who quickly asked, "What's wrong? Jiang Wen, Jiang Wen?!"

After calling out several times without getting a response, upon closer listening, it turned out that the other end had already hung up.

Zhang Yan called again, but no one answered after it rang for a long time.

He immediately tensed up. Could it be that this guy was driving and talking on the phone and ended up having a car accident?

After thinking for a moment, he quickly called the traffic police brigade and asked them to contact him immediately if they received news of Jiang Wen's car accident.

After waiting for an hour, there was still no news.

Zhang Yan wanted to go out and look for her, but he didn't know which way Jiang Wen had gone.

So, as a last resort, he called Jiang Wen again, and this time the call was answered very quickly.

"What happened to you? Just now..."

Before Zhang Yan could ask clearly, Jiang Wen countered, "Has your other dog woken up yet?"

What is the problem?
Zhang Yan looked into the cage; the remaining dog was still lying motionless in its kennel, clearly not yet recovered from the effects of the drug.

After telling Jiang Wen, Jiang Wen said, word by word, "But my side has been awake for a long time."

A second later, Zhang Yan realized what he meant: "You got bitten by a dog?!"

(End of this chapter)