Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 330, Section 328: The debt of gratitude is never fully repaid.

In mid-January 2001, the damp chill of winter in Shanghai was penetrating to the bone, a stark contrast to the bustling prosperity of the Bund.

Inside an executive suite at a high-end hotel in Puxi, the air conditioning and heating were turned up high, dispelling the chill outside the window.

Li Xiuxiu, wearing a silk bathrobe, had just finished enjoying breakfast brought to her by the hotel staff and was leisurely flipping through several major newspapers that had been airlifted that day.

As Cecilia Cheung's agent, she needs to keep a close eye on industry developments, especially any news or developments in Beijing that concern the "Shengying Group".

When the eye-catching headlines on the two front pages of Wenhui Daily caught her eye, Li Xiuxiu's hand holding the coffee cup trembled violently, and the dark brown liquid almost spilled.

"A groundbreaking move, a crowning achievement! 'The Proposal' grosses 1.05 million yuan in its first run..."

"The romance film storm is coming again! Fan Bingbing sweeps across Asia and becomes an international star!"

Her pupils contracted slightly, and she almost held her breath as she quickly scanned the details of the two reports.

She read the detailed analysis and data about "The Proposal" surpassing 100 million views twice to make sure she hadn't misread it.

An overwhelming surge of joy rushed to her head, causing her cheeks to flush.

"Ah Zhi! Ah Zhi!"

Li Xiuxiu disregarded her decorum, grabbed the newspaper, and hurried into the bedroom, her voice shrill with excitement, "Look! Great news! Huge news!"

Zhang Bozhi was leaning against the headboard applying a face mask when she was startled by Li Xiuxiu's flustered behavior. She lazily lifted a corner of the mask and asked, "Sister Xiuxiu, what's all the fuss about? Which brand has come knocking this time?"

"It's not a brand! It's a movie! 'The Proposal'! The one starring Bingbing, 'The Proposal'!"

Li Xiuxiu shoved the newspaper in front of Zhang Bozhi's eyes, excitedly pointing to the "1.05 million" mark. "It's broken 100 million! Director Wang has become a director with a 100 million yuan box office, and Bingbing is the female lead in this movie!"

Cecilia Cheung's casual gaze swept across the newspaper. When she saw the string of numbers and the headline, her face, covered by a face mask, showed no expression, but her eyes froze instantly, followed by a complex and unfathomable glint.

Over 100 million...

The female lead...

Li Bingbing...

These words swirled and collided in her mind.

The sour feeling, like tiny vines, quietly twines around my heart.

Also from the Sheng Ying Group, Gao Yuanyuan became "Asia's First Love" with "A Little Thing Called First Love," Fan Xiaopang soared to become an "international rising star," and now even Li Bingbing, who came from behind, has also reached the top with "The Proposal," unlocking an achievement that will be recorded in Chinese film history...

She, Cecilia Cheung, clearly debuted earlier, made her sexual advances earlier, and was quite famous, yet at this moment she seems to have been left far behind.

Isn't this right...

"Oh, really? Well then, congratulations, sister." Cecilia Cheung's voice came through the face mask, carrying a hint of dryness and a deliberately maintained calm.

She lay back down, smoothing out the face mask to conceal the fleeting disappointment and jealousy in her eyes.

Li Xiuxiu was immersed in excitement and didn't pay much attention to Zhang Bozhi's subtle emotional changes. Or rather, she did notice them, but thought it was normal, as there were more important things to do right now.

"No, I have to call Bingbing right now! This is fantastic news!" Li Xiuxiu said, immediately picking up her phone, walking to the French windows in the living room, and eagerly dialing Li Bingbing's number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered. Li Bingbing's voice, hoarse from just waking up but also a little nervous, came through: "Xiuxiu? So early, is something wrong?"

"Bingbing! Have you read today's newspaper?" Li Xiuxiu asked excitedly.

"Newspaper? Not yet... I'm a bit tired from running around doing commercial performances these past two days, I just woke up." Li Bingbing's voice was filled with confusion.

"The fake marriage has surpassed 100 million! The first run of box office is 1.05 million! It's headline news! Director Wang is the first commercial director in China to gross over 100 million yuan, and you are the female lead in this movie!" Li Xiuxiu practically shouted the news.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, with only slightly rapid breathing audible.

A few seconds later, Li Bingbing's voice trembled with disbelief, even sounding somewhat like a sob: "Really...really? Xiuxiu, you're not lying to me? It...it broke 100 million?" "Absolutely true! It's printed in black and white! Now the whole industry knows! Bingbing, you've succeeded! Your first starring film broke 100 million! This is an achievement that will be written into your resume and into the history of Chinese cinema!" Li Xiuxiu waved her arms excitedly, as if this glory could be transmitted through the airwaves.

"My God..." Li Bingbing seemed to cover her mouth on the other end, her voice choked with emotion, "I...I really don't know what to say...Xiuxiu, I...this feels like a dream..."

She was incoherent, overwhelmed with joy and shock, and momentarily speechless.

"You deserve all of this! Bingbing, you acted well!"

Li Xiuxiu was genuinely proud of her sister, but then her tone shifted to a deeper emotion, "However, in the end, the person we should thank the most is Director Wang. He gave you this opportunity, he single-handedly pushed you to this position. Without Director Wang, there would be no Li Bingbing today."

When Wang Sheng was mentioned, Li Bingbing seemed to calm down a bit, and her tone became extremely solemn and devout: "Yes, I will remember Director Wang's kindness for the rest of my life. Without his guidance and trust, I might still be running around as an extra in various film crews, or playing some insignificant little roles. He let me play Lin Yue, he taught me to act, he gave me all of this... Xiuxiu, you're right, Director Wang's kindness is greater than the sky."

Hearing the deep gratitude etched into her sister's words, Li Xiuxiu nodded vigorously, even though the other woman couldn't see her.

Looking out the window at the ships coming and going on the Huangpu River, her eyes hardened, and she lowered her voice as if making a vow: "Bingbing, don't worry. We sisters will remember Director Wang's kindness. I, Li Xiuxiu, may not be able to say much else in this line of work, but I understand the principle of repaying kindness."

From now on, whatever it is about Director Wang or Shengying Film Studio, I, Li Xiuxiu, will never utter a single 'no'! I will definitely find a way, to the best of my ability, to repay this kindness and support!"

……

At the same time, Beijing.

Inside the apartment where Wang Sheng lives.

Morning light streamed through the huge French windows, falling on the long dining table covered with a white linen tablecloth.

Gao Yuanyuan, dressed in comfortable loungewear, was sipping her milk and watching the man across from her flipping through documents.

She also saw the front page of today's China Film News, and a proud smile appeared on her face: "The fake marriage has surpassed 100 million yuan. Congratulations, Director Wang. Another milestone work."

Her tone was gentle, filled with genuine admiration.

"Yes, I saw it."

Looking at his nonchalant demeanor, Gao Yuanyuan couldn't help but ask, "You don't seem excited at all? This is over 100 million! The first of its kind in the Chinese film market! A feat that many directors can't achieve in their entire lives."

"well enough."

Wang Sheng said calmly, "Years from now, who will remember exactly how much money a certain movie made in a certain year and month? Box office figures are just a footnote to a certain stage of industry development, something for industry insiders to talk about, and a stepping stone for actors to enhance their industry experience."

He paused for a moment: "However, thanks to this drama, Li Bingbing's popularity has been completely boosted, and her status in the industry has also reached a solid level."

For her personally, this was indeed a pivotal step in her career, something to celebrate. But that's about it.

"That's all?" Gao Yuanyuan's eyes widened slightly, somewhat puzzled.

In her view, this is already one of the pinnacle achievements that actors dream of.

"Ah."

Wang Sheng picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth: "The industry is constantly evolving, and today's records will be broken tomorrow. The important thing is to take advantage of this momentum to reach higher places and see a wider view, or to build a ship that can withstand the storms. Getting caught up in short-term numbers is meaningless."

"So what do we do next?" she asked softly.

"Eat," Wang Sheng said succinctly, "and then, get to work."

"Then I'll go wash up..."

Wang Sheng looked at her speechlessly: "I was talking about work."

"Oh oh oh...hehehe..."

(End of this chapter)