A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 182 Superstar
The time was 5:30 pm on August 2nd.

After getting out of the car, Lin Jianlu turned around, took Liang Yongqi's hand, and led her straight to the main entrance of the restaurant.

There were countless reporters and paparazzi gathered on the street, and it even seemed like there were TV cameras. Moreover, it seemed like there were quite a few foreign reporters with big noses.

Since Tommy Mottola, president of Columbia Records, one of the world's three major record companies, officially announced on July 26 that the global sales of "21" had exceeded 7 million copies, Lin Jianlu has taken a leap into superhuman status, which has attracted widespread reports and heated discussions around the world. Since he has gradually begun to be frequently mentioned in discussions with Michael Jackson, this is Lin Jianlu's first public appearance.

His image is no longer unfamiliar in Europe and America, and he is well known to many fans. Even many of his photos and reports in Hong Kong and Taiwan newspapers over the past year have been frequently sent to Europe and America. However, he has never made a public appearance in the Western world.

In the East, this was also his first time after being deified.

When he entered the restaurant that Zou Wenhuai had booked, there were dozens of people sitting or standing in the lobby. At this moment, they all subconsciously stopped talking. The noisy lobby was first filled with the sounds of tables and chairs being moved and people getting up, and then it quickly became completely quiet.

Liang Yongqi was still somewhat reluctant to leave the flashing lights outside, and Lin Jianlu was even unwilling to stand outside for even a short while, but at this moment she was completely stunned by the scene in the lobby.

Raymond Chow, a true bigwig who has dominated the Hong Kong film industry for over two decades, has personally come to greet us.

He must have been seventy years old, showing signs of aging, but he still seemed to be in good spirits.

"Ah Lu, thank you so much for recommending so many movies to Hollywood!"

"Mr. Zou, you're too kind!"

Lin Jianlu himself has no superstar airs at all. Just like the old him, he is neither humble nor arrogant with anyone. However, he will give Zou Wenhuai an extra bit of respect.

Back in the day, Shaw Brothers almost dominated the film industry. It was Raymond Chow's Golden Harvest that made Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung famous, and later Li Lianjie, who single-handedly challenged Shaw Brothers. This led to the rise of many other film companies, such as Cinema City and Win's Entertainment, which created more than a decade of prosperity for Hong Kong films.

This person's status in the martial arts world and his achievements in life deserve special respect.

“This is my girlfriend, Gigi, Leung Wing-ki.”

"I know, hello Miss Liang!"

"Hello, Mr. Zou!"

In an instant, Leung Wing-ki felt wonderful.

Then she obediently followed Lin Jianlu to socialize—all of them were familiar faces, but she herself rarely had the opportunity to speak face-to-face with such a powerful figure in the underworld.

"Hello Mr. Xiang, I didn't expect you to come too."

"I was thinking of treating you to a private meal, Ah Lu, to express my gratitude, but I was afraid I wouldn't have enough face, so I came over to mooch a drink from Mr. Zou! Luckily, Mr. Zou didn't mind... I wanted to thank you in person!"

"You're too kind! We're all Chinese, let's eat together!"

"Yes! Yes! We're all Chinese, let's help each other!"

There was a pot-bellied guy standing next to Xiang Huaqiang, so Lin Jianlu called out to him, "Hey, Brother Jing, it's not even six o'clock yet. Is the film set over yet? Why are you here drinking?"

"I didn't want to come either! Why should we be so polite with each other? But my boss was worried you wouldn't give me face, so he dragged me along to make up the numbers! Hey, you've delayed the filming, you owe me a favor!"

"Eat shit!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Then, Zhang Min smiled and extended his hand, "Hello, Mr. Lin!"

This was our first official meeting. To be honest, she wasn't exactly stunningly beautiful, especially compared to the likes of Brigitte Lin, Rosamund Kwan, and Wang Zuxian. She was definitely not on the same level. However, her beauty was still quite striking.

Hello, Ms. Zhang!

This woman was considered Boss Xiang's exclusive possession. Considering her own situation, Lin Jianlu gently shook hands with her and then let go.

Then it was Stephen Chow's turn. "Brother Xing! What are you doing here?"

He smiled and said, "You recommended my film 'From Beijing with Love'! Hollywood is so hard to get into, and you recommended it with just one sentence. Of course I have to thank you!"

"Hi!"

As the group was talking, there was a commotion at the door. Liang Yongqi gently tugged at Lin Jianlu's hand, and Lin Jianlu turned her head slightly, just in time to see Li Lianjie pulling Li Zhi in.

Upon seeing Lin Jianlu from afar, Li Lianjie had already reached out his hand.

It was actually their first meeting, but Lin Jianlu still laughed, let go of Liang Yongqi's hand, took two steps forward, shook hands, and then hugged each other. Among the northerners who came south to make it in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, he could be considered the most successful. But in fact, to some extent, he was also the most despised in Hong Kong.

Judging from the general evaluation of later generations, he should have had a perverse, ruthless and heartless side. In order to leave the Sports Bureau and go to Hong Kong to make films, he broke his own leg and was eventually approved to retire early. He divorced his wife of many years who had borne him children without hesitation or pity and remarried.

In fact, in order to gain a foothold in Hollywood, many of the films he made in America portrayed negative characters who were violent, ruthless, and fierce, even with a sense of evil. In later years, he was heavily criticized for his past actions and was widely regarded as a negative example compared to the image of Chinese people and Chinese kung fu that Jackie Chan portrayed.

Yes, there are others, but there is no official conclusion from the government, so it's hard to tell if they're true or false; they're just circulating online—but I advise you not to mention them even in the comments section!

Because they'll shut down the book! They'll shut down the book! They'll shut down the book!
Even disregarding his later move to Hollywood, Hong Kong media today look down on him. The series of grandmaster characters he portrayed on the big screen, such as Wong Fei-hung and Fong Sai-yuk, are considered classics. In terms of the elegance and beauty of his action scenes, as well as the grandmaster demeanor he exuded, he was truly irreplaceable and absolutely number one. However... his infatuation with Lee Chi ruined all of that.

Who is Li Zhi? She's the mistress of the gambling king!
At the time, she wasn't even considered a mistress; she was merely a kept woman. Moreover, she looked down on Li Lianjie at all. She desperately wanted to get into the arms of the gambling king, trying to become his fifth or sixth concubine, but she couldn't. She was just a plaything. However, Li Lianjie was infatuated with her. He could accept that Li Zhi was being kept by the gambling king while still being her devoted follower and backup. Later, he even divorced his wife for her.

That's despicable! It's contemptible!
The sarcastic remark, "A thousand pieces of affection are no match for four ounces of breasts," bluntly condemns his character, dragging him into the mud. This shows how unkind the Hong Kong media is to him. In contrast, even before Ge Fuhong's efforts to leverage various brands to influence the media, the Hong Kong media generally viewed Lin Jianlu, a playboy, as merely a "talented man with many romantic affairs."

No one questioned his character; on the contrary, it only highlighted his unparalleled talent, so he was not afraid of worldly gossip.

That's called being true to yourself.

One expressed disdain, the other envy.

Worlds apart.

Compared to their disdain for Li Lianjie's groveling before Li Zhi and abandoning his first wife, Hong Kong media were quite accepting of, and even praised, Lin Jianlu for being able to manipulate a group of beautiful women, making them all infatuated with him, even to the point of getting pregnant out of wedlock, living with several women for him, and paying for his financial support.

You're a man, a big star, and you're so infatuated with a gambling king's mistress? It's shameful!
However, regardless of the opinions of Hong Kong media or the opinions of future generations, at least for now, there are very few mainlanders who can gain a foothold in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. As long as they have not openly made any major statements that betray the motherland, we should still unite!
"I've wanted to meet you for a long time, but I haven't had the chance! I saw in the newspaper that you live in Nanluoguxiang? Haha, I used to go to Nanluoguxiang a lot when I was studying at Shichahai Sports School!"

"I know Shichahai Sports School well. I've led a group of people to fight against a bunch of people from your school!"

"Holy crap, is this for real? Did they win?"

"Half and half! We're definitely no match for one-on-one, but when it comes to throwing bricks, I don't care if you're good at fighting or not!"

"Hahaha! By the way, that kick with your knife was really cool! I tried it, it's quite difficult! Did Yuan Heping design it for you?"

"No, I designed it myself! Yuan Heping also said my design is very beautiful!"

"Wow, you also have a talent for martial arts choreography!"

They chatted quite well, both harboring goodwill and reminiscing about past connections, so they quickly became acquainted. Then they introduced their women to each other—well, to be honest, from a purely lecherous male perspective, Lin Jianlu could understand why Li Lianjie was so infatuated with Li Zhi.

As the old saying goes, first-class women are plump, fair-skinned, and tall.

Li Zhi is simply the perfect embodiment of the phrase "fat, fair-skinned, tall and strong".

While not exceptionally beautiful, she is undeniably tempting at first glance.

…………

"A superstar? A global one!"

Wang Zuxian, who was sitting alone in the corner smoking, turned his head, saw Shi Nansheng, smiled, and then turned his gaze back to the scene where Shi Nansheng was holding Liang Yongqi's hand and chatting and laughing with many bigwigs in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

Shi Nansheng sat down next to her, picked up a cigarette from the table, knocked it out, lit it, took a long drag, and exhaled. Suddenly, he sighed, "She is indeed exceptionally talented! Anyone who thinks they are presentable can really make people want to pounce on them."

Wang Zuxian smiled, flicking ash from his cigarette, "Alright, why are you making fun of me again!"

Shi Nansheng shrugged and took a drag on his cigarette. "What mockery! Why would I mock you! In all these years, this is the first Chinese person to truly become a global sensation, a top-tier star with established status. It's not just us women; men are obsessed with him too! Everyone jokes that he's from the Hong Kong gay scene, and it's not entirely a joke. Wu Zhenyu said the other day that he met Ah Lu once and was deeply impressed, 'Wow, so manly! So charming!' Hmm?"

Wang Zuxian smiled again, revealing his typical fox-like eyes—the inner corners of his eyes curving downwards and the outer corners slanting upwards. When he smiled, his eyes narrowed slightly, giving him an indescribable allure. "He wants to pursue her too?"

Shi Nansheng laughed heartily, "Maybe!"

Wang Zuxian chuckled, but before she could speak, Shi Nansheng suddenly asked, "Hey, you and Qingxia didn't have a fight, did you? Ever since Alu invested in Media Asia Films, she's been quite active lately, not hiding away to protect her pregnancy like before. She must know something... Did she say anything to you?"

"..."

"Tell me! Satisfy my curiosity!"

Wang Zuxian laughed again, thought for a moment, and then confessed, "She asked me directly if I had slept with him?"

Are you asleep yet?

"No, really! Please check his schedule! I haven't seen him in ages!"

"Sigh, that's how it is when you pursue someone! ...Hey, I heard he's really good at it. Qingxia and Aunt Thirteen both say he's amazing. Why don't you give it a try and let me know later?"

"What are you saying! Please, you want to try it too?"

"I definitely don't have a chance! I'm too old and ugly. But I'm just curious! Qingxia and Aunt Thirteen both said that he would make them unable to get out of bed. Think about it, I've only ever heard people brag like that before, but I've never heard of anyone actually having that ability! Well, if you have a chance to try it, share your experience!"

Wang Zuxian's face was getting redder and redder.

"You're so boring!"

"Tch! Don't give me that crap! You act like you're so innocent. That time when Qingxia and I were playing cards, you were sitting next to us, all blushing and looking all horny. And what's with all your arrogance? Why are you so subservient to her? So obediently offering her cigarettes and lighting them for her? You're just a lecher!"

"..."

"Oh right, I almost forgot. Everyone says he'll cast you as the female lead in his new movie. Has he told you that? Are you sure? Have you read the script?"

"No. He mentioned it once before, asking me if I would accept the role if he made a film and asked me to be the female lead. I said yes! But that was the last thing he said."

"Oh! Then you'd better work harder, you'll be famous all over the world! Look at Yu Feihong, she only accompanied him in a newspaper article and had a scandal, and so many people still remember her. This time she filmed his music video, wow, she's famous all over the world! I heard from Ge Fuhong that many companies in Hollywood are sending scripts to Zhang Aijia, wanting to invite Yu Feihong to act in their films! Hey..."

"Ok?"

"Go for it tonight! Things can get complicated if you wait!" "You're always talking nonsense! I do like him a little, and if you insist I seduced him, I can admit it, but what we really have is..."

He couldn't finish his sentence.

He had already walked over. Shi Nansheng immediately stood up, smiling broadly. Actually, she had already exchanged pleasantries with Xu Ke earlier, but since it wasn't a crowded scene like before, she reverted to her role as the older sister and joked, "Wow, he's definitely not here to see me! So, should I move aside?"

Wang Zuxian had already put out his cigarette and stood up.

Lin Jianlu smiled and walked closer, answering Shi Nansheng directly, "Okay! Please excuse me for a moment!"

Shi Nansheng laughed heartily, "Then I'm not leaving!"

Lin Jianlu smiled, picked up a cigarette from the table, knocked it out, and just as he put it in his mouth, a flame suddenly lit up and he offered it to her.

He leaned over and lit it.

"Playing cards tomorrow?"

"Okay!"—"You're such a global superstar now, and you still want to play cards with us?"

"To earn some pocket money!"

"Tch! It's not certain who will win or lose! I'm not some silly girl who only has eyes for you and wants to lose money to you! I'm ruthless, and this time I'll definitely win so much that Aunt Thirteen will feel the pinch!"

"Don't talk big! We'll see what you really do tomorrow!"

"It's settled then, I'll invite people tomorrow, but Ah Xian isn't allowed at the table, lest she keep giving you cards!"

"Whatever! I'll take your money, no questions asked!"

…………

It was crowded and noisy.

Zou Wenhuai had previously contacted Ge Fuhong, intending to host a banquet for Lin Jianlu as a way of expressing his gratitude. He probably only planned to have a simple meal and invite a few mutual friends, such as Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng, to sit down, have a meal, and drink some wine. However, once the matter was spread, it quickly spiraled out of control.

A super pop king with 2000 million global sales, a next-generation king on par with Michael Jackson!

Whether they're related or not, anyone who can find a way to come and freeload a drink is generally willing to come.

If you were just dabbling in the Hong Kong film industry, I wouldn't bother with you. No matter how famous you are, I have my own livelihood. I'm not going to fawn over you or flatter you. I'd be lucky if I didn't talk badly about you behind your back! But now you're in the American film industry, a global superstar. With just a few words, you can recommend films that Hong Kong has been unable to get into Hollywood for years. Columbia Pictures' acquisition specialists are practically walking in with their checkbooks to negotiate prices!

What's more, you're now even making your own films!
They invested in Media Asia Films, joined forces with Sammo Hung and Stanley Tong, and were even sought after by major Hollywood studios. It is said that they hired a top-notch team of photographers and invited Yuen Hop-ping to be the action choreographer. The planned investment is said to be over HK$100 million - a big production, aiming to make money in Hollywood!
If given the chance, I'd definitely like to hitch a ride like this!

Even if you don't get the chance this time, go and flatter them, get acquainted with them, and maybe one day they'll notice you and you'll have a chance—that's a chance to make a name for yourself in Hollywood and earn a living!
So, one table became three tables, and three tables became the entire venue.

Lin Jianlu is adept at navigating social situations and handles them with ease. Aside from being gently advised by Liang Yongqi to drink less, which everyone understands as "I'll drink it all, you can do whatever you want," his boldness basically dominates the entire scene.

Unlike the general praise he receives from Hong Kong media and the public, Lin Jianlu, who has been in the industry for a year and a half, has few friends in Hong Kong's entertainment circle. Those who have dealt with him within the industry generally do not have a good opinion of him—he is too tough and too difficult to deal with!

Male celebrities would hate him for being so dazzling from the start of his career and so good at picking up girls, having dated a whole bunch of beauties. Among female celebrities, quite a few also despise his womanizing ways. Although if you actually met him and interacted with him, few girls wouldn't be captivated by his charm and become infatuated with him, he has always only stayed in his circle of acquaintances in Hong Kong and has no need to expand his network. Therefore, not many people have actually met him.

In short, its reputation isn't particularly good.

However, since "21" became a huge hit in America and even globally, his reputation within the Hong Kong entertainment industry has begun to quietly turn around—please, no matter how bad, how promiscuous, or how stubborn and unruly he is, a genius is a true genius! If he were easy to please, would he still be called a genius? If he weren't a womanizer, would he still be called a talented man?
When the news broke that he had sold 2000 million copies worldwide, he was on par with Michael Jackson, and the title of the new generation of global super pop king was about to emerge. As the second generation, there were almost no negative reviews in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. There might still be some in private, but it was rare for anyone to say anything defamatory or negative about him, even in a slightly public setting.

I might need their help in the future!
Even without relying on his help, as colleagues, we should appreciate that a Chinese person has managed to make a name for himself in America, even reaching the top globally. He's bringing honor to all of us Chinese! In the future, when I travel to America, if I mention that I'm good friends with Lin from China, the Americans will look at me with respect!
Therefore, there were many people offering toasts.

Lin Jianlu is only 21 years old so far. No matter how young the people who come to toast him are, even those who are considered newcomers in Hong Kong are all a little older than him. Not to mention the group of big names in the industry, most of whom are in their late thirties to forties.

Everyone was very respectful.

In fact, it's an honor to have the opportunity to share a drink with today's top global superstars!
Eat, drink, and chat.

The banquet started around 6 PM, and from beginning to end, a large number of reporters gathered outside the restaurant. Around 8 PM, Lin Jianlu took the initiative to leave. Once the main guests left, the other guests also got up and departed. The flashbulbs outside became almost bright daytime, and reporters stopped almost every slightly famous person for a few questions. The reporters already knew the reason for the banquet; what they were more interested in now was whether Lin Jianlu, after becoming a global superstar, was arrogant and aloof in her first public appearance, whether she was putting on airs, and whether there was any gossip about the meal.
"Lu Zai is incredibly talented! I'm really impressed! I hope to have the opportunity to work with him in the future."

"Ah Lu is so generous! He downed three cups of soju with me in a row, wow, without even breaking a sweat! That's some serious generosity! And Gigi is so virtuous, such a young girl, so sensible! You media people, stop talking badly about her, she's such a wonderful girl, we at Win's Entertainment will definitely work with Gigi more in the future!"

"Lin Sheng is great! So handsome and charming!"

"No way! Although it was our first meeting, we had a great chat! We're from the same hometown and work in the same industry, so we appreciate each other. How could I possibly have any unpleasantness with him? You media outlets shouldn't sensationalize things like this!"

…………

A typhoon seems to be approaching; the night wind is quite strong.

It was only a little past eight o'clock, a perfect time when the city lights were just coming on and the night was fading.

Halfway there, after telling Liang Yongqi to go home obediently, Lin Jianlu asked the driver to find a slightly secluded street to stop the car. He got out of the car, put on his sunglasses, and was not very easy to see in the night.

He barely recognized the street, then made a phone call. After waiting on the street for about half an hour, a car finally found him, pulled up nearby, and rolled down its window.

Wang Zuxian's face was also revealed, and he was wearing sunglasses as well.

However, Lin Jianlu did not get into the car immediately. Instead, he leaned over the car window, lifted her sunglasses, and their eyes met. He smiled, then suddenly reached out and lifted Wang Zuxian's chin with one finger. He then climbed into the car with his entire upper body, kissed her on the lips, and then released her and stepped back.

"I'm free today, do you want to hit on me?"

Wang Zuxian, already leaning back in her seat from the kiss, looked at him with her eyebrows slightly raised. After a moment, she said, "An international superstar like you, just kisses girls like that?"

Lin Jianlu laughed, and she quickly smiled back.

Then he asked, "How can I get you?"

Lin Jianlu replied, "It's easy, like... buying me a cup of coffee?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Zuxian couldn't help but laugh. It was rare for him to make a witty remark since they met. "I thought I was going to give you a credit card to spend!"

"That's called being kept! It's too simple and crude! Aunt Thirteen likes that, but you might not."

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Wang Zuxian reached for his small bag on the passenger seat, pulled out his wallet, and handed over a HSBC credit card. "I can have that too. Everyone likes this simple and direct approach." — "Tch! You have no romance! I've decided I'd rather not let you woo me!"

After he finished speaking, he actually stood up straight, waving his hand with a look of disappointment, and walked towards the roadside.

The car window rolled up quickly, and Wang Zuxian got out, locked the car, and hurried after them. "Ah, I see it! There looks like a coffee shop around the corner. What would you like to drink?"

"The cappuccino is ready."

So the two of them took a walk over. The wind was quite strong, making her tank top cling tightly to her body. There weren't many pedestrians on the street, as if everyone knew that a storm was coming and most of them had already gone home to avoid it.

Lin Jianlu turned her head and glanced over, exclaiming in the light of the streetlamp, "Wow, it's huge! And so round!"

Wang Zuxian chuckled, turned her head to glance at him, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond. After taking several steps, she seemed to come to her senses and finally couldn't help but pat Lin Jianlu on the shoulder.

We soon arrived at the corner coffee shop. "Two cappuccinos, please!"

The shop owner was an old man with a pipe in his mouth, but his pipe was quite peculiar—it had a lid. The wind blew into the small shop, scattering the smoke everywhere, but he didn't seem to mind, exuding an indescribable sense of leisure and contentment.

Upon seeing the guests arrive, he put down his pipe and began processing.

It was done quickly. Wang Zuxian took out his wallet to pay, and everyone took a cup. Lin Jianlu turned around and walked back, so she followed. But she couldn't help herself and, in a sudden gust of wind, said, "Sister Qingxia's is so round too. I've touched it. And it's bigger than mine."

Lin Jianlu smiled and leaned closer, "It's a little bigger now, all swollen."

Wang Zuxian laughed out loud, a rare occurrence for her. Her voice wasn't very loud; she seemed to lack the boldness of Brigitte Lin and the unbridled nature of Rosamund Kwan.

Suddenly, Lin Jianlu stopped, and she stopped as well.

One of them was holding a cup of coffee, not having taken a sip yet, when Lin Jianlu suddenly took off his sunglasses, grabbed her chin, and even after he let go, she didn't move. The next moment, Lin Jianlu's arm slid down and wrapped around her waist, pressing his whole body against hers and capturing her lips.

What a long kiss.

When he released her, her eyes were already somewhat glazed, and Lin Jianlu's breathing was a little heavy. After a while, as she gradually calmed down, he couldn't help but reach out and stroke her delicate face, which was as tender as an eighteen-year-old girl's. "How could there be such a stupid girl like you in the world? Knowing that person is such a womanizer, you still still want to get close to him?"

She was wearing sunglasses, so her eyes couldn't be seen, but she was stunned and couldn't answer.

Just as Lin Jianlu was about to speak, she suddenly threw down her coffee, quickly took off her sunglasses, raised her arms, wrapped them around Lin Jianlu's neck, and the next moment, leaned in and kissed him fiercely.

They were far more greedy than Lin Jianlu.

She was tall, even taller than Brigitte Lin (168cm), and only a little shorter than Leung Wing-ki. She didn't need to stand on tiptoe much, but the arm she put around her neck was unusually strong.

It revealed an indescribable sense of madness.

As the wind grew stronger, fewer and fewer people were on the street. Occasionally, someone would pass by a couple kissing, but they all seemed to be in a hurry. However, the more hurried they were, the more unrestrained they became in their kissing.

She finally stopped, panting heavily, and then suddenly said, "I don't want to live in your house and compete with them for attention!"

Lin Jianlu laughed, and once again couldn't help but raise his hand to gently stroke her delicate face. "How could you possibly make such a decision?"

She was stunned for a moment, seemingly never expecting that a man could say something so blunt.

But the next moment, she felt a sense of relief.

It wasn't surprising at all—she had known him for quite some time, dating back to a chance encounter on a flight, though they hadn't interacted or met often. However, she knew him well; she knew many of his friends, acquaintances, and even his spouse.

Almost unanimously, this young man, who is actually only twenty-one years old this year, has always been tough and domineering in his actions and words, and almost never accepts being manipulated or threatened by anyone.

But if you don't provoke him, he will basically not embarrass you, and will even give you face. He is always friendly and generous to people - this is also well-known.

"But I'll give you face today, and for the sake of this cup of coffee, I'll come to your house!"

Wang Zuxian paused for a moment, then suddenly a happy look appeared on her face. This usually strong-willed, strong-willed, and somewhat arrogant beauty suddenly started to act coquettishly, "You said it! From now on, I'll treat you to a cup of coffee every day, and you can live in my house!"

"Dream on! Just this once!"

(End of this chapter)