In an apartment in the rich area of Yanjing.
Liu Yifei, who would turn 16 in two months, was nestled on the sofa, holding a large cup filled with a pyramid-shaped salad of various fruits like bananas, Apples, and papayas.
The TV screen was playing her first work, "the story of a noble family"—or, to be precise, her first film and television work.
After all, she had shot commercials before, specifically for her godfather Chen Jinfei's Jinfei Apartments, as a spokesperson.
Looking at Bai Xiuzhu on the screen, Liu Yifei couldn't help but smile, seemingly recalling things from the filming period, but soon after, her expression turned blank, just like Bai Xiuzhu's on screen.
"Mom, come here for a moment."
Hearing her daughter's voice, Liu Xiaoli walked out of the kitchen: "What's wrong?"
"Mom, you used to be an actress. I want to ask you, how important is acting skill for an actor?"
Liu Xiaoli was stunned: "Ah? Why are you asking this?"
"I just really want to know. Look at Bai Xiuzhu; many people online say she's beautiful, but many also say she's stiff, expressionless, and has no acting skills at all."
"Also, when filming demi-gods and semi-devils, Director Zhang first told me to study Li Ruotong, an actress from Hong Kong, but later, when filming started, he told me not to show expressions. Does he mean my acting is too poor?"
Her daughter's question left Liu Xiaoli at a loss for how to answer.
Seeing her mother remain silent, Liu Yifei wasn't stupid and naturally understood what it meant.
She said with some distress, "Mom, do you think I should study well at Beijing Film Academy for two years and really improve my acting knowledge?"
"You and godfather always tell me not to interact too much with classmates. Now I don't have many friends at school. After class, others gather in groups to discuss and socialize, while I can only return to the dorm or go home."
"I think I should integrate into this large collective. I don't want to be an outsider. This feeling is similar to studying in America, where the white and black kids didn't like to play with me."
Liu Xiaoli looked at her daughter strangely: "Feifei, what's wrong with you today? Why are you so strange? Don't think about these problems. You already have some fame now, and you will definitely become very popular when demi-gods and semi-devils is released."
"You are already different from those classmates at school. What are they? How many shows have they filmed? Even if they have filmed a few, have any of them become popular?"
"After the special period passes, let your godfather find some high-quality resources again. After filming one or two TV dramas, we will enter the big screen."
"Also, the music industry. Your godfather can contact Sony in Japan. Later, let Sony release your albums, and then we'll go to Hollywood. Columbia Pictures is controlled by Sony."
"Feifei, you will become a big Hollywood star, a global superstar. Your classmates, at most, will only make a living in the Chinese circle. What's there to communicate with them? Be obedient, don't worry about these things, just listen to my arrangements."
Liu Yifei hummed, and when Hollywood was mentioned, she thought of the foreigner she met at the Forbidden City that day. Although he was handsome, what he said was very annoying.
"Alright, alright, stop watching "the story of a noble family". It just makes you overthink. Mom will change the channel for you."
Liu Xiaoli said, pressing the remote control, and the TV screen switched to Yanjing Satellite TV. It was noon, and the midday news was playing.
This station reports: "At 9 AM, MGM Film Company of America officially settled in Yanjing, and will jointly establish Oriental MGM Company with China Film Group Corporation, embarking on a cultural journey."
"MGM Film Company, as a long-established film production company in America, has produced classic films such as "gone with the wind", "tom and jerry", "the silence of the lambs", and the "007" series, making it a highly powerful film company in Hollywood."
"The project is 51% controlled by the Chinese side and 49% by the American side. The first round of investment will reach 50 million US dollars, and the cooperation areas include film technology research and development, film production, copyright distribution, and derivative products."
"MGM Film Company will also establish a brand factory in Yanjing, with a first-phase investment of 40 million US dollars, expected to create 2,000 jobs."
"At the same time, MGM Film Company will also donate 2 million US dollars for China's anti-SARS efforts. This action reflects the social responsibility of a large company."
"Yanjing Municipal Party Secretary Li XX, Yanjing Mayor Qin XX, MGM Film Company Vice President Eric Cooper, and MGM China Head Susan Levin jointly pressed the project activation button!"
If it were before, Liu Xiaoli naturally wouldn't care about such news. She didn't even watch the news at all; it was too far removed from her life.
But now it was different. Hearing "MGM Film Company", as people who had lived in America for nearly ten years, both mother and daughter knew it represented one of the seven major Hollywood studios, so they both stared at the TV screen.
Then the screen jumped to Eric's interview, and Liu Yifei instantly pointed at the TV and shouted: "Mom, Mom, look, it's that person, the one we met at the Forbidden City."
Liu Xiaoli also widened her eyes and looked closely. The mother and daughter had unconsciously almost pressed themselves against the TV, only then confirming that they hadn't seen wrong.
"How could this be? This hateful guy is actually MGM's Vice President! How could it be such a coincidence?"
After the surprise, Liu Yifei suddenly covered her mouth and widened her eyes: "Wait, Mom, do you still remember what happened that day? This Eric Cooper said I couldn't go to Hollywood. Could what he said be true?"
Liu Xiaoli also looked embarrassed. After Eric left that day, she had cursed him with many unpleasant words behind his back, and she didn't expect to be proven wrong so soon.
"Hmm, don't worry about that. Maybe he just said it casually. You know some Americans just have a sense of superiority, as if they are superior, and Chinese, black, Indian, and Mexican people are all second-class citizens in their eyes."
Liu Yifei showed a forced expression: "Really? But he also helped us take pictures that day, and seemed quite friendly. And he suggested that if I want to go to Hollywood, I should practice kung fu and acting. Maybe what he said makes sense."
At this moment, Liu Xiaoli was no longer listening to what her daughter was saying. Her gaze fell on the TV, looking at Eric's young and handsome face, and some thoughts involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
Picking up her phone, Liu Xiaoli dialed a string of numbers. In the past two years, she had also followed Chen Jinfei to many dinner parties and social gatherings, and attending many of them naturally allowed her to accumulate some of her own connections.
At the same time, the past two years had also made Liu Xiaoli understand one thing: the entertainment industry and politics are the places where one can least afford to have a sense of shame.
Why is it that some people, after only having one meal with those in power, even if they aren't the main guest at the dinner, and the leader might not even remember their name, can still get things done?
The reason is that they dare to approach, even if it's just a fleeting acquaintance. These people dare to visit like old friends, then throw out large sums of money, and things often get done.
The key lies in whether one dares to take that first step, and whether one can be ruthless enough to achieve their goals.
Clearly, Liu Xiaoli was a woman who was very capable of being ruthless, and she was also a beautiful woman.
(PS: The author has indeed met such people.)
Fengze Garden, second-floor private room.
Han Sanping and Zhou Xiaopeng were smoking with satisfied expressions, both having drunk over one and a half catties of alcohol, their ears already red from the liquor.
As soon as the project launch ceremony was held in the morning, MGM's initial funds arrived, the general trend was set, the future was promising, and a thick stroke was added to the book of merits.
Originally, Eric had already had a farewell dinner with Secretary Li and the others at noon and was planning to fly back to America in the afternoon.
However, Han Sanping and Zhou Xiaopeng insisted on him staying, saying that there must be another round in the evening. As it was truly difficult to refuse their hospitality, Eric decided to stay one more day.
The result was the current situation. Even if it wasn't baijiu, Eric now felt a buzz and was a bit dizzy, let alone the two of them.
Especially Old Han, whose personality was inherently generous. He probably drank more than two catties, as evidenced by the empty bottles next to him.
Now, both of them had trembling lips and slurred speech, their hometown dialects constantly spilling out.
Eric stood up and looked at the two companions: "Alright, let's call it a day. Chairman Han and Director Zhou, I'll leave them to you. I've also had a lot to drink, so I'll rest early."
After speaking, he ignored Han Sanping, who was still trying to reach out and pull him back, and walked directly out of the private room, took the elevator, and returned to his room.
After a hot shower, he lay on the bed. Reports from America came daily about his and Nicole Kidman's scandal, which fewer media were tracking now.
After all, Nicole Kidman stayed indoors, and he was even more extreme, simply fleeing the country. Now new gossip had taken over the headlines.
For example, Halle Berry publicly admitted to the media that her husband cheated, and they were about to divorce. This gossip was now at the top of the entertainment section, pushing Eric and Nicole down.
The alcohol began to take effect, and Eric unconsciously drifted into sleep.
In a haze, he seemed to hear a knock at the door.
Eric opened his eyes and realized it wasn't a dream; someone was actually knocking.
He checked the time; it was past midnight, almost one in the morning.
"What's going on? Who's knocking at the door in the middle of the night? Has that bitch Zhang Ziyi not given up yet?"
Putting on his slippers, he walked to the door and looked through the peephole. He saw a woman wrapped tightly standing at the door, but from her figure, he knew it wasn't Zhang Ziyi.
"Madam, you've knocked on the wrong door. This isn't your room."
"No, I haven't knocked on the wrong door. You are Eric Cooper, the Vice President of MGM. You are the one I am looking for."
The woman at the door said, taking off her mask and glasses. Her familiar face, needless to say, was Liu Xiaoli.
Eric was a bit strange. How did this woman know he was staying here, and why did she come to his door?
"Oh, it's you. I say, Madam, I just said your daughter isn't suitable for Hollywood development, you don't need to come after me for revenge in the middle of the night, do you?"
"What do you want? To curse me a few times? Or beat me up? I warn you, this is a high-end establishment, and there are surveillance cameras."
Outside the door, Liu Xiaoli was speechless for a moment, thinking, "What are you talking about? How could a weak woman like me beat you? And alone in the middle of the night to seek revenge on a strong man like you?"
"Mr. Cooper, how could I possibly be seeking revenge on you? I saw your news on TV today, and Feifei and I only then recognized who you were."
"Connecting that to what you said that day, I specifically inquired about your hotel and wanted to ask you some questions."
"Some questions about Hollywood. I believe you can give perfect answers."
Eric then understood it was because of the news. However, based on just one meeting, this woman dared to come to his door alone in the middle of the night. She was indeed ruthless and daring enough. Such a person was naturally suited for the entertainment industry.
And her purpose was very clear to him. What kind of "asking questions" was she talking about? She was trying to fool a child.
"Madam, your timing isn't quite right. Please leave. If someone sees you, it will cause misunderstandings."
"Besides, I have to catch a flight tomorrow morning and need to rest now. If you don't leave, I'll call the front desk."
"Wait, I have a business deal I want to discuss with you, a big deal." Liu Xiaoli said urgently from outside the door.
Hearing "big deal," Eric perked up a bit and asked, "What kind of deal, and how much is it worth?"
"Sir, shouldn't you let me in first? Does anyone discuss business through a door?"
Click.
Eric unlocked the door and let Liu Xiaoli in.
The other party also took off her coat and hat, revealing an outfit similar to what Zhang Ziyi wore that night: a tight-fitting sweater that accentuated her figure.
Shaking her hair, Liu Xiaoli said, "First, let me introduce myself. My name is Liu Xiaoli, and the young woman is my daughter, Liu Yifei. Her English name is Crystal Liu."
"I want to thank you for what happened at the Forbidden City that day. You helped my daughter and me take pictures, and we haven't even had a chance to say thank you yet."
"You're welcome, it's nothing. I love helping people, especially beautiful women."
Liu Xiaoli immediately covered her mouth and laughed: "Are all American men so witty and humorous? It seems like everyone knows how to say things that make women happy."
Looking at her, a woman past her prime but with a radiant smile, her demeanor was completely different from her attitude at the Forbidden City that day.
"Ms. Liu, please get to the point quickly. It's really late. What project do you have?"
Seeing Eric about to rush her out again after only a few words, Liu Xiaoli cursed inwardly, "Damn it, how could this happen? He's flying back to America tomorrow!"
The purpose of her coming tonight was merely to entice Eric, to make this man covet her.
Late at night is when people's desires are strongest. Years of dance experience and a beautiful face made her very confident in her charm.
However, it was only limited to seduction; letting the other party "eat" was out of the question.
As long as she hooked him and strung him along for a while, a man, eager and impatient, would naturally offer benefits.
This tactic against men had always worked for her; she was very experienced. As for business, what business could she possibly have? Chen Jinfei's business wasn't hers, Liu Xiaoli's.
But with Eric leaving tomorrow, what good would stringing him along across the Pacific do? It was possible tonight was her last chance; by tomorrow morning, the moment would be long gone.
Gritting her teeth, Liu Xiaoli spoke: "Mr. Cooper, if Feifei wants to develop in Hollywood, can you help her?"
"As I said, if she practices kung fu and acting well, she can go." Eric said indifferently.
"No, I mean, can you give her some special treatment?"
"What do you mean? You're not suggesting she become the lead actress directly, are you? Or that a work be tailor-made for her?"
"Can that be done?" Liu Xiaoli's eyes lit up.
"Of course not! Hollywood isn't a charity. Based on her performance in "the story of a noble family", her acting skills can't even compare to many extras. She doesn't have the qualifications!"
"You!" Liu Xiaoli was furious.
"Ms. Liu, don't you think it's very abrupt to ask such a question on our second meeting? And I'm telling you, American men are not humorous at all; they are more realistic than China!"
"Furthermore, if you don't want your daughter to be an action star, there is another way to be accepted by Hollywood, and that is to be an adult film star. Are you willing to let her strip?"
Instantly, Liu Xiaoli felt as if struck by lightning.
"Don't look at me with such an ugly expression, Ms. Liu. That's just how realistic that place is. If this is the business you want to discuss, then I see no benefit in it for me. I really need to rest."
Eric issued an eviction order, but Liu Xiaoli didn't seem to want to leave just like that.
She stared intently at Eric and suddenly said, "I can strip too."
"What?!" This time, it was Eric who was surprised.
"But it's me who strips!"
It's being reviewed again.