"Hahahahaha, Eric Cooper, my dear brother, I must thank you!"
As soon as the call connected, Joshua's arrogant laughter erupted from the other end.
"What do you want, Joshua?" Eric frowned.
"Hahaha, don't you get it? I saw the newspapers, and you actually got involved with Nicole Kidman, OMG! She's many people's dream girl."
"Those gossip papers are just making things up. Do you actually believe that? And even if Nicole Kidman and I were really together, what does that have to do with thanking me?"
Joshua said loudly, "Of course it does, my dear brother! This proves that I'm not the first one to mess around. You don't know how hard it was when Dad and Mom came to watch me play a few days ago!"
"Now I'm a starting player. Even though I'm not the quarterback, countless girls are at my disposal. You don't know how hard it is to hold back."
"So, if I get caught in the future, I can bring up your situation. If Mom doesn't punish you, then she has no reason to punish me. That's why I must thank you, my dear brother."
"Get lost!"
Eric hung up the phone directly. If only current cell phones had a recording function, he would have recorded that guy and played it back on a loudspeaker.
He and Nicole Kidman hadn't been caught in the act. He could just deny it to death.
Joshua had just admitted to messing around on the phone. His mom would definitely spank his butt and kick him out.
In the passenger seat, Chen Xing handed over the newspaper, then shook his head helplessly.
"A lot?"
"Yes, boss, and they're all front-page stories!"
"Shit!"
He flipped through it casually, and sure enough, the Oscar, which had dominated entertainment headlines two days ago, had been pushed to the corner, with him and Nicole taking the top spot.
However, since the two of them had almost no photos together, most newspapers chose those two classic moments—Eric's heroic rescue of Nicole at the Oscar, and Nicole leaning in to talk to Eric at Vanity Fair, almost kissing him.
The two photos appeared very ambiguous, inevitably making the public believe the rumor even more.
But there was one more thing that Eric found amusing, and that was Tom Cruise's interview.
He was also a target for paparazzi now, being the ex-husband.
In the photos, Tom Cruise was either expressionless, frowning deeply, or glaring with anger, his mood easily imagined.
Although he had started dating Penelope Cruz not long after his divorce from Nicole Kidman.
Still, for his ex-wife of 11 years to get involved with another man, especially one who was more excellent, younger, and more handsome than him, he must have felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Especially since Penelope Cruz was clearly no match for Nicole Kidman, which meant he had lost.
The media mercilessly dug up old wounds, stating directly that Tom Cruise had lost to Nicole Kidman, and that the Australian girl who once needed his protection had surpassed him to become a towering tree.
What was even funnier was that when Nicole Kidman was crowned, the media interviewed Tom Cruise, who had just offered his congratulations and even thanked Eric for his actions.
It had only been two days, and he was already being slapped in the face. It was truly a cruel blow.
Throwing the newspaper aside, Eric couldn't help but laugh. How to describe this feeling? It was even a little satisfying?
Everyone hated Cao Cao, but everyone wanted to be Cao Cao!
Next to him, the phone screen suddenly lit up, with a text message.
Neill Blomkamp: "Director, we all saw the reports. You need to be careful."
Subsequently, text messages from Ryan Reynolds, Patty Jenkins, Chris Evans, and others also came in.
"Sigh! Gadot is also miserable. The entire crew is backstabbing her. Even Patty Jenkins, that woman, chose to backstab her for more investment."
With a sigh, Eric simply called her proactively.
The transformers crew was currently filming scenes at Hoover Dam, though of course, it wasn't actually shot inside the dam.
They took some external shots, then set up a stage. The MGM prop team once again replicated a ten-meter-tall Megatron, even taller and more imposing than blackout.
"Cut!"
Patty Jenkins stood up from behind the monitor: "Gadot, your emotions aren't there, and you mispronounced your lines."
Gal Gadot's tone was a bit low: "Sorry, Director, I'll adjust."
Everyone naturally understood the reason for Gadot's state. It was their big boss's fault, and no one really blamed her.
"Ten-minute break, Gadot, find your focus." Patty Jenkins said.
"Okay, sorry!"
She returned to her chair and sat down. Soon, a crew member brought her phone: "Gadot, your phone."
"Thanks."
She glanced at the screen, then quickly stood up and walked to a corner alone.
"Eric."
"Hi! Gadot, what's wrong? Why is your tone so low?"
"Nothing, just didn't sleep well."
"Didn't sleep well because of those gossip reports?"
"Since you brought it up, yes! Tell me, are those reports true? You and Nicole Kidman."
Since it was brought up, with Gal Gadot's personality, she went straight to the point.
"Of course it's not true. I can tell you responsibly, it's completely nonsense. Those paparazzi love to fabricate scandals so that newspapers sell well. Don't you understand?"
Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years, Eric deeply understood one principle: as long as you're not caught in bed, never admit it.
Don't worry, there will always be brainless fans who believe you, and even more terrifying, some who will self-brainwash, reaching the highest realm of brainless fandom.
Once the hype dies down, they'll rise again!
"But why did you go to her house alone? Don't tell me it wasn't you, I recognize that car."
"Baby, it's just for a new movie. You can check the ABC reports; those major newspapers are relatively objective."
"la vie en rose?"
"Yes, if you don't believe me, I can show you the script when I go to the set in a few days."
"In a few days? Why in a few days? Can't it be now? You haven't appeared on set for half a month. The whole world can't find a director like you."
"Gadot, because I'm waiting for a flight and about to go abroad. There's a big project that needs my coordination, which is related to MGM's future development."
Hearing Eric say it so seriously, Gadot didn't feel right saying anything more.
After all, the two of them had never officially confirmed their relationship; it could only be considered a hazy romance. What right did she have to demand anything from him?
There was no sound from the phone. Eric's voice gently expressed his longing: "Gadot, I miss you!"
She paused for a moment before replying, "I miss you too, Eric. I really want to see you."
"Just bear with it for a few more days, baby. When I get back, I'll come see you immediately."
"Alright then."
Hearing no sound from the other end again, Eric was about to hang up.
Suddenly, Gadot's voice rang out again.
"Eric, can you answer me one question?"
"What?"
"What exactly are we? What do you consider me?" Gadot seemed to have gathered a lot of courage to ask.
After a moment of hesitation, Eric solemnly said, "Girlfriend."
"If you weren't in my heart, why would I specifically call to comfort you before getting on the plane? You can't use your phone on a plane, and I was worried you'd be upset. Is that answer satisfactory?"
In 2003, all countries worldwide prohibited the use of mobile phones on airplanes, requiring them to be turned off, because mobile phones could affect signal transmission.
This ban only began to be lifted in European and American countries in 2013.
"Not satisfied, hehe."
"You're not satisfied, yet you're laughing so happily, Gadot. Film well; I'll be back very soon."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
The woman's laughter could be heard from the other end of the phone, and then the call ended.
Eric nodded to himself. This definitely wouldn't affect the filming schedule now.
Just then, the car arrived at the airport. Eric stretched after getting out. Without the annoying paparazzi, the air felt much fresher.
"The law only specifies one wife, not only one girlfriend!"
Eric thought as he walked. Dealing with a naive young woman like her was simply too easy.
Around 8 PM, a plane slowly landed at Yanjing International Airport.
Stepping out of the waiting hall, Eric looked around. Returning to this land, that familiar feeling instantly welled up in his heart.
Looking at the sparse, hurried people around him, the yellow faces made him feel especially close.
A little girl of four or five, holding her mother's hand, blinked her big eyes at Eric.
Eric smiled at her, and the little girl returned the smile. Although he couldn't see it clearly because of the mask, Eric was sure the little girl had smiled.
On Eric's flight, he was the only foreign face left for the last leg of the journey.
Why did his dad say that coming to China to manage the branch company was a tough job? Firstly, because compared to the United States, China was indeed still a bit behind at that time.
Coupled with media sensationalism, many foreigners had misunderstandings. This point, with the change in the international situation, remained the same even 20 years later, and even showed a trend of intensifying.
Susan only accepted after much persuasion from his dad. It was said that her husband and children cried profusely when she left.
Even Eric only told his parents about it just before getting on the plane, a case of acting first and reporting later. He and Gadot only said they were going abroad.
He took the mask Chen Xing handed him and put it on. The two lined up to go through the inspection point, where several staff members in protective suits were performing their duties.
"Boss, the inspection seems very strict. Is it really that serious?"
Eric shook his head slightly: "Don't worry.
After passing the inspection, Chen Xing called Susan, and soon a white Passat appeared. The two got into the car.
Taking off his mask, Eric asked, "Susan, how is the branch company's progress?"
Susan adjusted her glasses: "It's going quite smoothly. After I arrived here, I used Xinghui Company's connections to meet Han Sanping of China Film Group Corporation."
"He gave me the impression of being quite pragmatic and welcomed our proposal to establish a branch company. However, he is only the Vice President of China Film Group Corporation, so he doesn't have the authority to make many decisions."
"Then he introduced me to Director Zhou of the Yanjing State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television. A week ago, I met with Director Zhou. His attitude was similar to Han's; he also expressed welcome."
"Later, I kept waiting for news. I inquired twice in between, and Director Zhou said he was asking for instructions from his superiors. Land issues are not something that can be resolved quickly."
"Yesterday, I informed Han Sanping and Director Zhou about your arrival. They have already set up a dinner, and should be waiting for us now."
Eric nodded. As a Chinese person in his previous life, he naturally knew that administrative processes take time.
Sure enough, just as Susan finished speaking, the phone rang. It was Han Sanping, asking if Eric had arrived.
The Passat sped along the road. Yanjing's lights were still on, even during this special period.
There were fewer pedestrians on the road, but not none; the pedestrians were just wearing masks.
Currently, Yanjing's policy was to fight SARS while also continuing life as normal, so targeted lockdowns were implemented, and non-special places without problems continued as usual.
The car finally arrived at the Fengze Garden restaurant, which was still operating as usual.
As it often hosted official receptions and foreign guests, it was considered an officially designated location.
After another round of inspections, Eric was led by a waiter to a private room.
The moment the door opened, Eric saw the four people sitting inside stand up—three men and one woman. Two of them he knew too well and recognized at a glance.
One was naturally Han Sanping, Vice President of China Film Group Corporation. Although he hadn't been officially promoted yet, China Film Group Corporation in 2003 was practically his domain.
He held real power within China Film Group Corporation, which was a well-known fact in the industry; he just lacked the official title.
He was currently presiding, and would soon become the abbot.
The other was Zhang Ziyi. Seeing her, Eric secretly shook his head, guessing she was brought along as company.
But today's dinner was for serious business; bringing a female celebrity seemed superfluous.
Han Sanping extended his hand with a smile: "Welcome, welcome, Mr. Eric. We've been looking forward to your arrival for a long time."
Next to him, Zhang Ziyi immediately translated in English. As soon as she spoke, Eric understood the reason for her presence.
He directly interrupted Zhang Ziyi's translation, and then, amidst her astonished gaze, Eric said, "No translation needed, I can speak Mandarin."
He then walked past Zhang Ziyi and directly shook hands with Han Sanping, Director Zhou, and a deputy director from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
"Chairman Han, Director Zhou, Director Chen, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Eric Cooper, you can just call me Eric."