1RomanceEB Chapter 125 The Vanity Fair's Attitude Has Changed
Chapter 125 The Vanity Fair's Attitude Has Changed
Chapter 125 The Vanity Fair's Attitude Has Changed
On the second Monday of March, at 8:30 a.m., Jiang Yu was in the walk-in closet of his penthouse duplex apartment, looking at a whole row of suits and worrying.
"Wang Wei, what do you think I should wear today?" He picked up his phone and called his assistant. "Too formal would look like I'm going to ring a bell, too casual would seem disrespectful."
Wang Wei's suppressed laughter came from the other end of the phone: "Boss, even if you wore a burlap sack, they'd still praise your taste. But I suggest a casual business style. Luc Besson is French; dressing too formally would just make you look stiff."
Finally, Jiang Yu chose a light gray cashmere sweater, which Liu Yifei had just bought last week, the kind with the tags still on.
He wore a navy blue casual suit jacket over his clothes; it was from a niche Italian brand, ridiculously expensive but looked rather ordinary.
The trousers were dark gray twill, and the shoes were brown suede loafers.
"He looks like a rich young master going out for afternoon tea, not a billionaire." He turned around in front of the mirror, fairly satisfied.
When I left home at nine o'clock, there were already two reporters squatting downstairs.
Upon seeing Jiang Yu emerge, one of the young reporters was so excited his hands were trembling: "Mr. Jiang! Can I ask you a question? Just one!"
Jiang Yu stopped and gave a business-like smile: "Go on."
"Um—Chasing the Light Future Fund—I have a cousin who's starting an app business, can we invest?" The reporter blushed as soon as she asked the question.
Jiang Yu almost burst out laughing. This question was too honest: "Send your business plan to the official website email address. There's a dedicated team to review it. Good luck."
As he got into the car, the driver looked at him in the rearview mirror and said, "Mr. Jiang, there are quite a few reporters at Huamao today. Mr. Jiang said there are even people waiting in the underground parking garage."
"That's normal." Jiang Yu fastened his seatbelt. "I feel like a new panda at the zoo right now, everyone wants to take a picture of me."
As the car drove onto the East Third Ring Road, the Monday morning rush hour had not yet completely subsided.
Jiang Yu opened his phone; there were already 99+ text messages.
The pinned post was from Liu Yifei: "I've arrived, I'm getting my makeup done. What are you wearing today? Don't wear that wrinkled white shirt again [smirking]"
Jiang Yu took a selfie and sent it over: "How's this? You gave it to me."
"Not bad, you seem like a decent person now. [sticks out tongue]"
Next, Chen Jingming said: "Boss, the due diligence report for Spreadtrum is out. The technology is indeed good, but the finances are a complete mess."
I'll send it to you this afternoon.
Zhou Mu: "We've poached someone from Silicon Valley! An architect at Nvidia is asking for $80 a year plus stock options. Want to meet him?"
Mother Zhou Huiwen: "Son, is there a press conference for you on TV today? I asked your dad to hide the remote control so the neighbors won't come and watch again."
Jiang Yu replied to each one, his fingers flying across the screen.
He now understands why those big shots have several phones; one is simply not enough.
At 10:30, the car entered the underground parking garage of China World Trade Center.
Sure enough, seven or eight reporters had already gathered at the B2 elevator entrance, ready with their cameras and microphones.
"President Jiang is here!"
Instantly, the crowd surged.
When Jiang Yu pushed open the car door and got out, he felt like a loaf of bread that had fallen into a fishpond.
"Mr. Jiang! When will the fund be launched?"
"Mr. Jiang! Is it true that Huayi, which you invested in, is going public?"
"President Jiang! You and Liu Yifei—"
The questions came at us like a barrage of bullets.
Jiang Yu maintained his smile and walked towards the elevator, escorted by Wang Wei and security personnel.
A female reporter pushed too hard and twisted her high heels, almost falling. Jiang Yu instinctively helped her up.
"Be careful," he said.
The female reporter blushed instantly: "Th-thank you, Mr. Jiang."
The elevator doors closed, and the world finally became quiet.
Wang Wei breathed a sigh of relief: "Boss, the treatment you receive now is something even superstars and top celebrities can't match."
"Top celebrities don't attract this many financial reporters." Jiang Yu straightened his collar, which had been pulled askew. "Which floor?"
"19th Floor, Light Chaser Pictures."
As the elevator ascended, Jiang Yu suddenly remembered something: "By the way, which restaurant did we book for lunch?"
"On the 8th floor of the shopping mall next door, there's a two-Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant," Wang Wei said. "General Manager Jiang specifically instructed that Luc Besson likes Cantonese cuisine."
"Okay. Remember to remind me not to order dishes with bones. Last time I ate with foreigners, the way I was gnawing on ribs became a meme."
Wang Wei suppressed a laugh: "I've seen that meme. The caption is 'The simple life of a billionaire,' and it's been forwarded tens of thousands of times."
""
On the 19th floor, the reception area of Light Chaser Pictures is designed artistically, with a white color scheme and movie posters hanging on the walls.
The receptionist has changed again, and she stared wide-eyed when she saw Jiang Yu.
"Hello, Ms. Jiang!" She stood up, her voice trembling. "Mr. Jiang and the others are in the conference room. I'll take you there!"
Jiang Yu smiled at her: "No need, I'll go by myself. You go ahead with your work."
As I walked past, I could hear her whispering to her colleague, "My God, he's ten times more handsome in person than in the photos!"
The conference room has glass walls, offering a clear view of the interior.
Luc Besson is gesturing something; the French always have such expressive hand gestures.
Liu Yifei sat quietly to the side, looking down at the script. Her profile was as beautiful as a painting in the morning light.
Tony Leung Ka-fai and French actor Amor Wacoal were chatting. Although they couldn't speak the same language, they were able to have a lively conversation through gestures.
Jiang Xuerou was the first to see Jiang Yu and immediately stood up to greet him: "President Jiang is here!"
Instantly, everyone stood up.
"Ginger!" Luc Besson strode over and gave him a French hug; a kiss on the cheek on each side, the kind that makes a sound.
"My friend! Congratulations! When I was watching the news in France, my wife asked me: 'Is this the young Chinese man you were talking about who does special effects?' I said yes, but now he's conquered Wall Street!"
Jiang Yu was a little embarrassed by his enthusiasm: "Luc, you're exaggerating."
"No exaggeration!" Luke released him, looking him up and down. "You look more composed now. Is this the power of money?"
I wish I had that power too!
Jiang Xuerou smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "Director Luc, didn't you feel powerful when your new film broke box office records?"
"That's the power of art, it's different," Luc said earnestly. "Art moves people, money moves people—how do I put it, respect? Yes, respect!"
This was a very direct statement, and everyone present laughed. In the entertainment industry, sometimes being straightforward is actually quite endearing.
Jiang Yu turned to the others: "Teacher Liang, it's been a long time."
Tony Leung shook hands with him, his voice carrying the distinctive flavor of Hong Kong-accented Mandarin: "Mr. Jiang, you're a national idol now. My daughter even asked me if I could get your autograph for her."
"Teacher Liang is too kind," Jiang Yu said, turning to Amor. "Welcome to China."
Amor said in broken Chinese, "Mr. Jiang, you're amazing! Absolutely amazing! I saw the news in France too!"
Finally, Jiang Yu looked at Liu Yifei.
She wore a beige shirt today, her hair was loosely tied up, revealing her slender neck.
When their eyes met, her eyes visibly brightened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure and simply nodded politely: "Hello, Mr. Jiang."
"Yifei, long time no see." Jiang Yu maintained a perfectly appropriate distance, but in his mind he was thinking: This girl said she was going to wear a skirt today during our video call last night, why is she suddenly wearing jeans? And she's even wearing light makeup—
"Everyone's here, shall we sit down and chat?" Jiang Xuerou invited everyone to sit down.
The seating arrangement is quite interesting.
Jiang Yu naturally sat in the main seat, with Luc Besson on his left and Jiang Xuerou on his right.
Liu Yifei sat opposite him, with a wide conference table between them.
This avoids arousing suspicion by being too close, while allowing the two to see each other at any time.
At the start of the meeting, Jiang Xuerou reported on the progress of "Lucy".
Jiang Yu listened, occasionally asking a few questions.
His gaze mostly fell on the PPT behind Jiang Xuerou, but his peripheral vision would always catch a glimpse of Liu Yifei across from him.
She was taking notes diligently, occasionally brushing aside a stray strand of hair—a small gesture he knew all too well.
Around 11 o'clock, the meeting room door was pushed open again.
"Sorry, sorry! There was a traffic jam on Chang'an Avenue, and my old arms and legs are so weak—" Han Sanye from China Film Group walked in with a smile, followed by a string of people.
Goodness, half of the Chinese film industry has come.
Han Sanye, the head of China Film Group, always has a smiling face, but everyone in the industry knows he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Ren Zhonglun, the head of Shanghai Film Group, is a refined gentleman who speaks slowly and deliberately, but every word he utters is sharp and incisive.
Wang Zhonglei, the second-in-command of Huayi Brothers, is dressed like he's going to perform on the Spring Festival Gala today, wearing a floral shirt and a white suit, looking very flashy.
Wang Changtian, the leader of the light company, wears black-rimmed glasses and looks like a university professor.
Ye Ning, head of Wanda Pictures, is the youngest and also the most low-profile.
Third Master Han was the first to shake Jiang Yu's hand: "President Jiang! Oh dear, it's not easy to see you these days! I've tried to schedule a meeting three times, but your assistant always said they were in a meeting!"
Jiang Yu thought to himself: You didn't really invite me; you just want me to take China Film Group overseas.
But he said, "Third Master, you're joking. I'll be there anytime you call."
"You said it yourself!" Third Master Han pressed his advantage. "Then tomorrow? Tomorrow at noon? I'll book the place!"
Jiang Yu: "————" I was careless.
Ren Zhonglun stepped in to smooth things over: "Third Master, don't frighten President Jiang. President Jiang, congratulations! You are now the pride of Chinese enterprises."
Wang Zhonglei was the most exaggerated, immediately hugging Jiang Yu's shoulders: "President Jiang! You're Huayi's lucky star! My brother said that giving you shares was the wisest decision we ever made! Seriously, even wiser than signing Director Feng!"
The way he said that would infuriate Feng Xiaogang if he heard it.
Jiang Yu tried to keep smiling: "Mr. Wang, you're too kind. It's Huayi that's doing so well."
"Don't worry about the box office of 'The Great Earthquake'!" Wang Zhonglei patted his chest confidently. "We've calculated that this film is guaranteed to make at least 500 million!"
'
After exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Yu felt his face was almost frozen from smiling.
In the past, when these people saw him, they were polite, but that was the politeness between peers.
And now? The look in his eyes, the tone of his voice, the way he gestures—it's practically written all over his face: "President Jiang, please take me with you."
At 11:30, Jiang Xuerou announced at the opportune moment: "Everyone, lunch is ready, on the 8th floor of the shopping mall next to Huamao. Shall we move over there?"
"Let's go, let's go!" Third Master Han was the first to respond. "I haven't even had breakfast; I've been waiting for this meal!"
The private rooms at the restaurant "Qing" are very large, with a floor-to-ceiling window offering panoramic views of the CBD.
The decor is in a Chinese Zen style, with light wood tones and exquisite flower arrangements on the table.
Another silent battle ensued when they sat down.
The main seat naturally belongs to Jiang Yu.
To his left, Luc Besson sat down without hesitation: "I want to sit next to Jiang; we have a lot to talk about."
On the right, Han Sanye and Ren Zhonglun exchanged glances for three seconds, and in the end, Han Sanye won. He sat down directly and said, "Xue Rou, I'm going to talk to President Jiang. You can sit over there."
Jiang Xuerou smiled and shook her head, then sat down opposite her.
Liu Yifei was far from Jiang Yu, separated by Wang Zhonglei and Ye Ning.
She sat down quietly, took the hot towel offered by the waiter, and wiped her hands with an elegant gesture, as if she were taking a dump.
After sitting down, Wang Zhonglei started to make conversation: "Yifei, what have you been busy with lately? Are you available? We at Huayi have a big production—"
"Thank you, Mr. Wang. I'm currently preparing for training for 'Lucy'," Liu Yifei said with a polite smile. "The rest will depend on the company's arrangements."
"Red Star House's arrangements can't compare to the resources of Huayi—" Wang Zhonglei was about to say when Ye Ning interrupted him.
"Mr. Wang, the food is served. Please eat first."
The first course was lobster bisque, served in an exquisite white porcelain bowl.
Luc Besson scooped up a spoonful, his eyes widening: "This is—lobster? Why is it soup? Shouldn't lobster be grilled or fried?"
Jiang Yu explained to him, "Cantonese cuisine emphasizes preserving the original flavor, and lobster soup can retain the freshness to the greatest extent."
"Interesting." Luc took a sip, his expression shifting from skepticism to delight. "Mmm! Delicious! Lighter than French lobster bisque, but much fresher!"
The second dish was braised pork with abalone.
Black abalone paired with pork belly, in a rich, dark sauce, with an irresistible aroma.
Luc was puzzled again: "Abalone—and pork? This combination—"
"A fusion of East and West," Jiang Yu said. "Try it, it's not greasy."
Luke carefully cut a piece of abalone, put it in his mouth, chewed, and then fell silent.
"What's wrong? Does it not taste good?" Jiang Yu asked.
Luc looked up, his eyes a little red: "I remembered the dishes my grandmother used to make—although they were completely different, the feeling of treating ingredients with care was the same."
A meal brought tears to the eyes of a famous French director, which became quite a story.
The conversation naturally revolved around the movie "Lucy".
Han Sanye and Ren Zhonglun discussed the distribution plan, Wang Changtian and Ye Ning talked about film scheduling, and Wang Zhonglei took every opportunity to promote Huayi's projects.
Jiang Yu listened most of the time, occasionally interjecting with a few words, each one hitting the nail on the head.
"The summer movie season is highly competitive, but 'Lucy' has a differentiated advantage," he said. "A sci-fi action film, a female lead, and an international team—these elements combined make it unique in the domestic market."
"Mr. Jiang is right," Ren Zhonglun nodded. "Therefore, our plan is to focus on the concept of 'China's first internationally acclaimed sci-fi blockbuster.'"
"We can emphasize the special effects in the promotion," Wang Changtian suggested. "Guangying Digital is already well-known, which is also a selling point."
""
When it comes to special effects, Luc Besson gets excited: "I must say, the team at Light & Shadow Digital is the most efficient I've ever worked with!"
We went through seventeen versions of that brain evolution scene, and when the final version came out, the whole team applauded!
He turned to Jiang Yu: "Jiang, how did you cultivate such a team? In France, unions stipulate that working hours cannot exceed 8 hours a day, and overtime is paid at triple wages —"
Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Chinese engineers are relatively hardworking."
Actually, it was a roll, but he couldn't say it.
Halfway through the meal, the waiter brought out steamed grouper.
The fish was steamed to perfection, with tender flesh, and drizzled with special soy sauce.
Luc looked at the whole fish and was puzzled again: "Why the whole fish? In France, fish are usually deboned and cut into pieces."
"In China, it's customary to eat the whole fish," Jiang Yu explained, "symbolizing completeness and abundance. "Furthermore, the fish head should face the host and guests, showing respect."
"Who is the fish head facing?" Luke asked.
Everyone at the table looked at Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu: "————" The fish head was facing him.
Master Han laughed heartily, "This proves that Mr. Jiang is the guest of honor today! Come, Mr. Jiang, please start eating!"
During dessert at lunch, when the mango pomelo sago was served, Luc Besson suddenly looked at Liu Yifei and said, "Ms. Liu, you and Mr. Jiang, aren't you...?"
"Clatter".
Liu Yifei's spoon fell into the plate with a crisp sound.
All eyes were instantly drawn to them.
Jiang Yu's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm.
Luc blinked, then changed the subject: "—Is the collaboration between the companies going very well? I saw that your collaboration on 'Black Swan' went very well, and now you're collaborating again on 'Lucy'."
Old fox!
Liu Yifei breathed a sigh of relief and picked up the spoon again, but her fingers were still trembling slightly: "Yes, Light Chaser Pictures is very professional."
"Of course!" Luc laughed. "Jiang is one of the most professional producers I've ever met! And he's young and has ideas, unlike those old fogies in Hollywood. Oh, sorry, none of you here are old."
That's a nice way to put it, but anyone with eyes can see through it.
Master Han and Ren Zhonglun exchanged a glance, their eyes conveying a myriad of meanings.
Wang Zhonglei's eyes darted around, and it was unclear what he was thinking.
Wang Changtian and Ye Ning lowered their heads and ate mango pomelo sago, pretending they hadn't heard anything.
Which of the shrewd people in the entertainment industry isn't a master at reading people's expressions and moods?
But to see through something without saying it is a basic form of self-cultivation.
Lunch ended in a subtle atmosphere.
When leaving the hair salon, Third Master Han deliberately lagged behind a few steps and walked side by side with Jiang Yu.
"Mr. Jiang," he lowered his voice, "Yifei is a good girl, we've all watched her grow up. You—treat her well."
Jiang Yu was taken aback, then nodded: "Don't worry, Third Master."
"Don't worry, don't worry." Third Master Han patted his shoulder. "It's good to be young. When I was your age, I was still moving equipment at the film studio."
At 2 PM, at the press conference venue.
The hotel banquet hall was decorated in a science fiction style, with the main backdrop featuring concept art from the movie "Lucy".
Liu Yifei, who plays Lucy, stands atop the city, with the phantom of flowing data behind her.
The lighting was dimmed to create a sense of mystery.
The media area was packed.
Jiang Yu glanced out from the side curtain and saw that, wow, not only entertainment reporters, but also financial and technology reporters were there.
There were even a few fans in the back row holding up signs that read "Moonlight." His personal fan club is called "Moonlight," which is said to be an abbreviation of "Jiang Yu's Light."
"I'm really getting top-tier treatment now," Jiang Yu remarked to Jiang Xuerou.
"More than just top celebrities," Jiang Xuerou laughed. "Top celebrities don't get this many headlines in the financial section. Boss, today's questions might be a bit off-topic, so be prepared."
"clear."
At 2:00 PM sharp, the host came on stage to warm up the audience.
Then the main cast members entered in turn: Luc Besson, Jiang Yu, Liu Yifei, Tony Leung Ka-fai, and Amor Wakod.
As Jiang Yu walked onto the stage, a flurry of flashbulbs went off, and the clicking sounds were as dense as a downpour.
He sat down and adjusted the height of the microphone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liu Yifei next to me. She had just changed her clothes; she was wearing a light blue suit skirt and her hair was tied in a high ponytail, making her look capable and refreshing.
There was a Luc Besson between them, and Jiang Yu could smell the faint perfume on her, the "Silver Mountain Spring" he had given her.
The press conference proceeded according to schedule.
Luc Besson discusses his creative philosophy, Liu Yifei talks about her understanding of the characters, and Tony Leung Ka-fai and Amor Wakod share the characteristics of their respective characters.
When it was Jiang Yu's turn, he mainly talked about the production and special effects.
"Lucy is a film about the limits of human potential," he said. "And turning that imagination into visual reality requires cutting-edge technology. I'm proud that the team at Light Chaser Pictures and Lightscape Digital made it happen."
During the Q&A session, the first question was quite bold.
Reporter: "Director Luc, did you choose to collaborate with a Chinese team because of Mr. Jiang's financial strength?"
Luc shrugged: "No, when I choose partners, my first consideration is professional competence. Capital? Hollywood doesn't lack capital, it lacks capital that understands film. And Jiang has both film knowledge and capital; it's a perfect combination."
Applause erupted from the audience.
The second question was for Liu Yifei: "Yifei, this is your first time starring in an international blockbuster. Are you feeling a lot of pressure? What was it like working with director Luc Besson?"
Liu Yifei picked up the microphone, her voice clear: "There's definitely pressure, but more importantly, it's a learning opportunity. As for the feeling of collaborating—it's like attending a free six-month international acting masterclass; I've gained a lot."
The audience burst into laughter.
When the question turned to Jiang Yu, the tone suddenly changed.
"Mr. Jiang, now that you're worth billions, do you still personally participate in film production? Or has filmmaking become just a hobby?"
This was a bit of a provocative question, but Jiang Yu handled it with ease: "Filmmaking has never been a hobby for me, but rather one of my main professions. Light Chaser Animation started with film special effects; it's my foundation. Furthermore, I believe that technology and art are never contradictory. (Lucy)"
That will be the best proof.
Does the Light Chaser Foundation invest in film projects?
"No. The fund focuses on the technology sector. Film investments will be made through Light Chaser Pictures; these are two separate entities."
Just like someone can like both piano and basketball, but wouldn't use the same hand they use to play basketball to play the piano, professional tasks should be left to professional teams.
The metaphor was vivid, and the audience laughed again.
Finally, the question arose.
A reporter from an entertainment weekly stood up, looking excited: "Mr. Jiang and Ms. Liu Yifei, are there rumors that you two are dating?"
Instantly, the entire room fell silent.
All cameras and all eyes were focused on the two of them.
Liu Yifei's fingers tightened slightly under the table, but she maintained a smile on her face.
Jiang Yu picked up the microphone and paused for two seconds, which felt like two centuries.
Then he smiled, a relaxed and natural smile: "Today is the press conference for 'Lucy,' so let's focus on the movie. As for personal matters—I'd like to reserve some privacy. Thank you."
Neither admitted nor denied it.
This answer, on the contrary, excited the reporters even more. Not denying it! Wasn't that tantamount to admitting it?
After the press conference, the media tried to surround them, but the staff were prepared and quickly escorted the main cast backstage.
In the lounge, Luc Besson winked at Jiang Yu: "Jiang, wasn't I clever just now? I almost let it slip."
Jiang Yu poured him a glass of water: "Luc, are you trying to create suspense for me?"
"Love needs suspense!" Luc exclaimed confidently. "I'm the director, I understand dramatic tension! You two are like the male and female leads in a movie; everyone guesses you're together, but you just won't admit it. Isn't that interesting!"
Liu Yifei happened to walk in and, upon hearing this, blushed instantly: "Director Lü Ke!"
"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more." Luc raised his hands in surrender. "But Miss Liu, Jiang is a good man. You should hold on to him, or other women will snatch him away. Do you know how many women want to get to know him right now?"
Even Jiang Yu was embarrassed now.
Jiang Xuerou stepped in to defuse the situation: "Everyone, Third Master Han has arranged a gathering tonight at the Kunlun Hotel. Please rest for a bit, we'll depart at seven."
At 7 p.m., the private rooms at Kunlun Hotel are more private than at noon.
There were far fewer people: Han Sanye, Ren Zhonglun, Luc Besson, Jiang Yu, Jiang Xuerou, and Liu Yifei, who was specially invited.
The dishes are homemade; there is no menu, and the chef prepares them fresh based on seasonal ingredients.
The first dish was matsutake chicken soup, served in a purple clay teapot, and its aroma filled the air when it was poured out.
Master Han personally served soup to everyone: "These matsutake mushrooms were air-shipped from Yunnan and arrived this morning. Try them, they're so delicious they'll make your eyebrows fall off."
Luc Besson took a sip, his expression one of pure delight: "I've had truffles in France, but matsutake mushrooms—they're a different kind of deliciousness."
Fresher, more Eastern.
"Director Lu Ke knows how to eat," Ren Zhonglun laughed. "Matsutake mushrooms are something you have to eat in China. They're too expensive in Japan, and the ones in Europe don't taste the same."
After a few drinks, the atmosphere relaxed.
The conversation moved from movies to the industry, and from the industry to a broader perspective.
Third Master Han put down his wine glass and looked at Jiang Yu: "President Jiang, there are no outsiders here. To be honest, your current position is very special."
Jiang Yu smiled and nodded: "Please speak, Third Master."
"You have money, skills, an international perspective, and—" Master Han pointed to the ceiling, "the attention from above."
This is both an opportunity and a pressure.
That's very straightforward.
Jiang Yu poured Han Sanye a glass of wine: "Third Master is right. That's why I'm being very careful with every step I take now."
"Being cautious is the right thing to do, but we can't be too conservative either," Ren Zhonglun chimed in. "President Jiang, the Chinese film industry looks lively now, but it's actually very fragile. Box office revenue is slowly picking up, but core technologies, distribution channels, and international influence are still in the hands of others."
He paused. "We need our own Hollywood," he continued, "but this isn't something one company can do. China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group have resources, but their mechanisms aren't flexible enough; private enterprises have vitality, but their resources and scale are limited. If—"
"If we can combine them," Jiang Yu continued, "the resources of state-owned enterprises, the vitality of private enterprises, and an international perspective might really create something different."
Master Han's eyes lit up: "Is that what President Jiang thinks too?"
"I've always thought this way," Jiang Yu said. "But how to do it requires careful planning. Light Chaser Animation can provide the technology and even help build an international distribution network. But content creation, policy coordination, and resource integration still need guidance from senior figures like Third Master and President Ren."
That's a well-chosen statement. It expresses a willingness to cooperate while also indicating that Chasing Light doesn't want to be the first to stick around. In China, the biggest taboo when doing big things is to try to do everything alone.
Master Han and Ren Zhonglun exchanged a glance and both showed satisfied smiles.
"Then it's settled!" Master Han raised his glass. "With China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group taking the lead, let's build a truly comprehensive Chinese film industry system!"
"To Chinese cinema!" Everyone raised their glasses.
With this drink, an alliance that will influence China's film industry in the future will be born.
The dinner party didn't end until 10 PM.
As they went downstairs, Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei naturally walked together. Since those who were meant to see it had already seen it, hiding it would only seem pretentious.
In the underground parking garage, Liu Yifei's nanny van was already waiting.
"Shall I take you back?" Jiang Yu asked.
Liu Yifei shook her head: "No need, the driver is waiting. Besides—I have to get up early for the interview tomorrow."
As she spoke, a hint of disappointment flickered in her eyes.
It's a relationship in the same city, but it's being treated like a long-distance relationship.
Jiang Yu understood her feelings.
He stepped forward and gently hugged her, a brief but warm embrace.
"Give me a little more time," he said softly. "Once this wave of attention dies down, we'll go public. Then, I'll take you shopping, to the movies, to dinner—we'll be all lovey-dovey."
Liu Yifei chuckled at his words: "Who wants to be all lovey-dovey with you? But—you keep your word, don't you?"
"Keep your word."
"Pinky promise."
His two little fingers were hooked together, looking as childish as a high school student.
Liu Yifei turned and got into the car.
She rolled down the car window, waved to him, and the car slowly drove out of the garage.
Jiang Yu stood there until the car's taillights disappeared around the corner.
Wang Wei walked over: "Boss, shall we go too?"
"it is good."
Once inside the car, Jiang Yu leaned back in his seat and let out a long sigh of relief.
This day was more tiring than discussing ten investment projects.
My phone vibrated. Liu Yifei had sent me a text message: "I'm home. Let me know when you get there."
Jiang Yu replied, "Okay. Get some rest early, and remember to drink a glass of warm milk."