1979: The child's mother is a celestial being.

Chapter 248 Chen Qian yawned: I'm not sleepy! (Please subscribe!)
"Warner Bros. held a global press conference for the Chinese film 'Die Hard,' which was attended by distributors from Europe, Australia, Asia and other regions."

"At yesterday's global press conference for 'Die Hard,' several Hollywood film companies extended offers to the up-and-coming Chinese director, Chen Dongfang!"

"Jackie Chen, who played 'Chen Jiaju,' said in an interview after the press conference: 'I am very grateful to Mr. Chen for giving me this opportunity...'"

"The 'Kung Fu Kid' Jet Li is actually China's National Wushu Champion!"

"..."

The following day, Hollywood entertainment news gave extensive coverage to the global launch of "Die Hard".

However, the people in the report had already arrived at Los Angeles International Airport and were about to board a plane to leave the United States.

Just like when they arrived, Chenglong wasn't on the same flight as them, so he was here today to see them off.

"Director Chen, Sister Lin, and everyone else, have a safe journey."

"Thank you, Ah Long. Aren't you in a hurry to go back?"

"Yes, I've taken on an advertising endorsement here, and I'll probably go back after filming is finished."

"Okay, then keep it up. Come to Beijing more often if you have the chance."

"Yes, Director Chen, and you all too. If you ever come to Hong Kong, remember to contact me. I'll definitely treat you all well."

After Chen Fusheng said goodbye to Chenglong, Li Lianjie couldn't resist his curiosity and leaned forward to ask in a low voice, "Brother Long, when did you take on this advertising endorsement? How come I didn't know?"

Chenglong glanced at Li Lianjie, who looked on with envy, and patted him on the shoulder with a smile, explaining, "My agency helped me get it; I only found out this morning."

"So, how much do you get paid for an advertisement? Can you tell me?"

"There's nothing I can't say, $50."

"So much?" Li Lianjie's eyes widened. He was already shocked when he heard that Chen Fusheng had earned $10 from patent fees.

I never expected that Jackie Chan could casually accept an endorsement here and earn half a million US dollars! That's US dollars!
"Given my current popularity and level of discussion, $50 for an endorsement isn't actually that high. It's just that my status here isn't stable yet, and I'm also Chinese, so advertisers don't dare to offer me a high price."

Hearing Cheng Long say that, Li Lianjie felt that he could do it too, so he asked, "Brother Long, do you think I can get advertising jobs if I want to? Even tens of thousands of dollars is fine."

“Your popularity is only slightly less than mine right now, and advertisers will definitely come to you if you want to, but aren’t you going back to China soon?”

"I……"

Chenglong's words instantly extinguished Li Lianjie's newly ignited dream of getting rich. He seemed to have all his energy drained away, and sighed helplessly:
"Ah, if only I could be as free as you, Brother Long."

Upon hearing Li Lianjie's heartfelt words, Chenglong was momentarily speechless.

Putting myself in his shoes, if it were him, I might have had the same thoughts as Jet Li.

But without a doubt, he still admired people like Mr. Chen even more.

Even after boarding the plane, Li Lianjie was still preoccupied.

Finally, he couldn't help but ask Chen Fusheng, "Director Chen..."

"Hmm? Something on your mind?"

"You saw through it."

Chen Fusheng laughed and said, "Your words are written all over your face. So, what is it?"

"I...I want to act in a movie with you, is that alright?"

"Want to act with me? Well, I'll only approach you if I have a suitable role for you."

“That’s not what I meant.” Li Lianjie gritted his teeth and finally asked directly, “I want to come to your Oriental Company. Can you transfer me from the martial arts team?”

"Why? Isn't the martial arts team good?" Chen Fusheng's smile vanished, and he asked instead of answering.

“The martial arts team isn’t bad, it’s just that my mind isn’t on martial arts anymore. I’d rather be an actor.” After saying that, Li Lianjie looked at Chen Fusheng with anticipation.

However, the result was destined to disappoint him.

Chen Fusheng said, "Dongfang Company has no plans to recruit actors for the time being. Li Lianjie, since you don't want to stay in the martial arts team, you might be able to apply to the Beijing Film Studio or other arts and culture organizations."

Upon hearing this answer, Li Lianjie's eyes darkened, and he said in a somewhat muffled voice, "I tried, but the martial arts team wouldn't release him."

"Since the martial arts team won't release you, why did you want to come to our Oriental Company just now?" Chen Fusheng asked in surprise.

"I...I think if Director Chen could step in and plead on my behalf, the martial arts team would most likely let me leave."

"You overestimate me. My martial arts team and your team are from completely different systems. Why would they give me face?"

Chen Fusheng's words were actually a polite refusal. If he truly wanted to remove Li Lianjie from the martial arts team, he certainly had the ability. However, the Oriental Film Company didn't even have an actors' department, so why should he bother doing someone a favor for that?

Li Lianjie naturally understood the polite refusal in Chen Fusheng's words. He opened his mouth, but ultimately decided against pressing the matter further.

……

Oriental Company.

"Hey, Sister Xiaoli, what are you doing here?"

Liu Xiaoli looked at Chen Xiaoxu in front of her and said with some surprise, "I came here for something. What are you doing here, Xiaoxu?"

"I am the actress who plays Jingqiu, and I have been attending training here for a while," Chen Xiaoxu explained.

"Oh, no wonder. That explains why I never saw you when I went to the set of 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

"Oh? Did Sister Xiaoli need something from me?"

"It's nothing." Liu Xiaoli shook her head, then asked with some curiosity, "Now that you've taken on 'Under the Hawthorn Tree,' have you given up on 'Dream of the Red Chamber'?"

"No, I talked to Director Wang, and he agreed to let me play Jingqiu first, so that I can gain some acting experience."

"Oh? So you got Lin Daiyu too?"

"Yes." Chen Xiaoxu nodded emphatically. "I also want to thank Sister Xiaoli."

"Thank me for what?"

"If Sister Xiaoli hadn't said I looked like Lin Daiyu, Director Wang wouldn't have cast me so quickly."

"That's because you were born to be..."

Liu Xiaoli then curiously inquired about the actor who played the third brother.

"The actor we found for the third son is Jiang Wen, who is a top student from the Central Academy of Drama," Chen Xiaoxu explained.

At this time, Jiang Wen had not yet acted, and Liu Xiaoli had naturally never heard of the name, so she quickly changed the subject.

However, during the ensuing conversation, she revealed her purpose to Chen Xiaoxu.

"Oh, Director Chen has already returned from the United States?"

"They haven't arrived yet; they're still on the plane."

"Oh, I see. I was just saying I didn't see Director Chen." Chen Xiaoxu smiled sheepishly, then asked, "What time is Director Chen's flight?"

It's 1:30 a.m.

"So, Sister Xiaoli, you're also going to wait until 1:30 AM to pick her up from the airport?"

Liu Xiaoli smiled and nodded at Chen Xiaoxu.

"I really envy your relationship... By the way, Sister Xiaoli, have you had dinner yet? If not, it seems the company cafeteria is still open."

"I've already eaten, I ate at home." Liu Xiaoli casually asked, "What about you?"

"I've already eaten, shall I wait with you for a bit?"

"Okay!"

……

Overseas Chinese Apartments, Chen Family Residence.

Late at night, after Yang Hongmei had put her grandson to sleep, she came out and saw that her granddaughter refused to go to sleep, so she asked:

"Sisi, it's almost ten o'clock, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I'm waiting for my mom and dad."

"Don't wait anymore. Your dad's flight is at 1 a.m., and he probably won't get home until 2 or 3 a.m. Go to sleep. When you wake up tomorrow, you'll naturally see your dad coming home."

"No, I'm not sleepy."

"You're sleepy."

After yawning, Chen Qian shook her head at her grandmother: "Not sleepy."

"..."

(End of this chapter)