Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

It was nearly midnight when the concert ended.

To avoid crazed fans and media, Jay Chou disguised himself and left through a special passage under the cover of his team.

He then drove directly to a private teahouse, where he had arranged to meet Liu Yuehua in advance.

Inside the private room on the second floor, as soon as Liu Yuehua, Liu Yifei, and Tang Yan sat down, his extraordinary senses immediately detected several unnatural, faint reflections across the street.

Reflections from the paparazzi's super telephoto lens.

Although Jay Chou's security is tight, in Beijing, seasoned paparazzi have a keen sense of smell, even more so than dogs.

A hint of a smile flashed in Liu Yuehua's eyes. Instead of reminding the security guard downstairs to drive them away, he stood up and walked to the window facing the street, seemingly unintentionally opening the blinds wide.

From this angle, the paparazzi's camera could just capture Tang Yan's cool and beautiful profile.

Liu Yifei sat obediently to the side, occasionally interjecting a few words. Her pretty and youthful appearance was also captured by the camera.

Celebrities avoid paparazzi like the plague, but in the eyes of someone like Liu Yuehua, every candid shot is a free spot worth millions.

Using the scandalous popularity of an Asian superstar to forcibly tie two newcomers under his wing is called parasitic marketing without bloodshed.

It's shameless, but very efficient.

"Congratulations, Director Liu! Winning the Venice Film Festival Grand Prize is awesome!"

After Zhou Jielun sat down, his tone was filled with sincere admiration.

"It's just a hollow reputation; I earn some money from foreigners to supplement my family's income." Liu Yuehua picked up his teacup and clinked it together.

"Jay Chou asked me out so late? He doesn't want me to film a music video, does he?"

"How could I dare? I certainly wouldn't be willing to spend 200 million US dollars."

"Director Liu, what's your thought about Initial D that we discussed when we were in Taiwan last time?"

Young people really do have no patience at all.

If it were Wu Zongxian, that old fox, or Jay Chou's manager Yang Junrong, they wouldn't have spoken up so easily.

The person who takes the initiative to speak will appear passive.

"I caught up on the comic, and it's pretty good. What about you guys? What's your decision?"

"Huanya invested tens of millions and attaches great importance to this project."

"This is my first time acting in a movie, so I'm not sure what to expect. I'm also looking for someone who is most compatible with me."

"Huanya also told me that if you, Director Liu, were to be the producer or director, there would be no problem at all. So let me communicate with you privately first to see how well you fit the role."

"Oh, right. This is the list of main creators proposed by Huanya. Director Liu, could you take a look at it?" Zhou Jielun handed over a document.

At this time, Hong Kong films held an absolute dominant position in the mainland film and television industry.

Back then, mainland actors were desperate to get a bit part in Hong Kong films and become familiar faces, but they could only play marginal roles that were beaten and killed, and they were practically groveling to Hong Kong capital.

Liu Yuehua pulled out the list and glanced at it casually.

Bunta Fujiwara: Huang Chusheng.

Amu: Poisonous mosquito.

Natsuki Mogi: A popular Japanese gravure idol.

This list represents the golden team that Hong Kong entertainment circles are proud of, and also their arrogance towards the mainland market.

After reading it, Liu Yuehua didn't hesitate for even a second. He simply threw the list, which represented the will of tens of millions of Hong Kong investors, onto the tea table as if it were a piece of waste paper.

His movements were casual, even carrying a hint of barely concealed disdain.

"This order is no good; it smells like cockroaches."

Liu Yuehua leaned back in his chair, his tone so dismissive it was appalling.

"I think most of the actors are pretty good, but some of them still need some minor adjustments."

"Mount Akina is not in Causeway Bay."

"Huang Chusheng's acting is too slick, and he can't handle Wen Tai's weathered and experienced temperament. Replace him."

"I'll arrange for someone, Yao Lu from the mainland."

Zhou Jielun was stunned for a moment. Who is this?

I doubt he'd even be considered a third-tier actor in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

Before Jay Chou could react, Liu Yuehua continued to give his opinions.

"And this poisonous mosquito, its acting is exaggerated, and its salary is expensive."

"Amu's prototype is Takeuchi Itsuki, right? I also have a Mr. Tree here."

"I have someone under my management who has a background in comedy."

After returning from Berlin, Wang Baoqiang was taken away to film "Blind Shaft," but the film never materialized, and the Golden Horse Award for Best Newcomer seemed a distant dream.

To outsiders, Wang Baoqiang still looks like the security guard who's boxing, or even just a low-level extra.

Liu Yuehua actually replaced the then-popular supporting actor, Poison Mosquito, with a low-level extra.

As for the female lead, Xia Shu, Liu Yuehua pointed to Tang Yan, who was refilling tea beside him.

"Why invite Japanese people? We should keep the profits in the family."

"The character Xia Shu looks innocent and naive on the outside, but she is very realistic on the inside. Tang Yan is quite suitable to play her."

"Oh, right, and that beautiful girl Amu likes, how about having Xixi make a cameo appearance for a few days?"

"Change the cast list as I suggested. If Huanya agrees, I'll take the director's role."

Zhou Jielun remained silent, looking sullen.

Although he is a superstar on stage, he is still somewhat introverted and shy in real life.

When I was in Taiwan, I was not too nervous because my older brother Wu Zongxian was there to guide me.

This time in Beijing, facing Liu Yuehua, who had just returned from Venice and was beginning to show his talent, he seemed a little nervous.

He felt a chill run down his spine at this direct overhaul of the investor team.

But he was so eager to work with Liu Yuehua that he immediately took out his phone and dialed a number in Hong Kong.

The arrogant Hong Kong investor on the other end of the phone was furious, but when he heard that it was Liu Yuehua who wanted to change the list, rather than Zhou Jielun acting on his own initiative, his previously haughty attitude instantly changed 180 degrees.

"We were just joking around."

"Jaylen, give the phone to Director Liu."

"Wow, Director Liu's eye for talent is absolutely top-notch." Lin's laughter came through the phone.

"Wang Baoqiang paired with Yao Lu, this is absolutely a collision of art!"

"Casting Ms. Tang Yan as the female lead was a stroke of genius; it'll definitely boost the box office in mainland China!"

"We at Huanya will follow Director Liu's arrangements without question."

The phone hangs up.

In this seemingly ordinary private teahouse room, Liu Yuehua leaned back in his chair, using several relatively unknown third-tier mainland actors and amateur extras.

They superficially and thoroughly humiliated the arrogant Hong Kong capital.

Jay Chou didn't understand this crazy move, but he was greatly shocked.

Even Li An and Hou Xiaoxian wouldn't receive this treatment, right?

He had no idea that Liu Yuehua's shady dealings in Hong Kong, which allowed him to make money out of thin air, had shown Hong Kong investors his shrewdness.

Upon hearing that he was going to personally provide guidance, they immediately agreed to replace him, and the replacement was someone that their Hong Kong-funded company had put forward itself.

The following morning, portal websites and entertainment headlines across Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau were once again abuzz with excitement.

Breaking News! Pop King Zhou Jielun Secretly Meets with Venice-Famous Director Liu Yuehua in Beijing

"A vicious female supporting character and a mysterious beauty by her side: Liu Yuehua's new film, with Zhou Jielun suspected as the lead actor."

In the accompanying photos, Tang Yan's cool and tall profile and Liu Yifei's pure and flawless face are vividly displayed under the paparazzi's high-definition lens.

Initial D became a hit online even before filming began.

Without firing a single shot or spending a penny on publicity, they not only successfully seized absolute control of a multi-million dollar Hong Kong-funded production, but also made their artists famous overnight and their popularity soar.