diymy Chapter 95: What's a first-tier character? Little Liu is the real protagonist.
Chapter 95: What's a first-tier character? Little Liu is the real protagonist.
Chapter 94: What's a front-line position? Little Liu is the real protagonist.
On the evening of December 13, at the Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.
By 6:40 p.m., the hotel entrance had become a battlefield.
A 50-meter-long red carpet stretched from the hotel lobby all the way to the roadside. The media areas on both sides of the red carpet were densely packed with cameras, and the flashes were already flickering sporadically before the event even officially started, like fireflies on a summer night.
The security guards were on high alert, and twenty burly men formed a human wall, holding hands to keep the crazy fans outside.
There were an unusually large number of fans today, including not only fans of "Twilight" but also fans of various celebrities who came after hearing the news. The majority of them were young girls, many of whom had "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" painted on their faces.
"Christine! Robert!"
"Donnie! I love you!"
"Scarlett! Look this way!"
Screams erupted everywhere; the magic of Hollywood was on full display at this moment. This is a dream factory, and also a land of desire.
The first to arrive were the creative team behind "Twilight".
Kristen Stewart wore a Saint Laurent black suit jacket with shorts, sporting a neutral style and a cool expression, giving off an "I don't want to be here, but the contract requires me to" vibe.
Robert Pattinson, on the other hand, wore a Dior Homme dark blue suit, his blond hair neatly combed, looking so handsome that female fans at the scene almost fainted.
The two walked hand in hand down the red carpet, instantly igniting the entire audience.
"Christine! Look this way!"
"Robert! Smile! Please!"
The flashbulbs were as bright as day. The two young actors were clearly not used to such superstar treatment. Their smiles were a little stiff, but they still politely stood in front of the media wall for the allotted one minute and posed for a few photos.
Next up are director Catherine Hardwicke and the executive team at Summit Entertainment.
Rob Friedman walked at the front, beaming, waving to the media incessantly, looking like he had just been elected president, only short of shouting "God bless America."
"Rob! When will Twilight 2 start filming?"
Will the budget for the sequel be increased?
Have you considered incorporating Chinese elements?
The reporters bombarded him with questions.
Rob stopped and flashed a perfectly trained smile at the camera: "The second film is already in pre-production, and filming will begin after the New Year! As for Chinese elements—we value the Chinese market highly, anything is possible!"
That's a clever way to put it; it gives you hope without making any specific promises, and it also subtly hints at cooperation with Chinese capital—a triple win.
Then, Hollywood stars and directors began to enter, and the scene reached its climax.
The Nolans made a low-key entrance. Christopher Nolan maintained his usual British gentlemanly demeanor, wearing a black suit and a serious expression.
His wife, Emma Thomas, wore a simple black dress and held his arm.
The two walked quickly across the red carpet, only pausing for thirty seconds in front of the media wall, never wasting a moment.
"Director Nolan! When will Inception be released?"
"Was the collaboration with Light Chaser Animation enjoyable?"
Nolan, unusually, paused and addressed the camera, saying, "Inception is expected to begin filming next year. The collaboration with Light Chaser Animation Studios has been very pleasant; they are very professional partners."
Then came the first climax of the night, with Jon Favreau leading the cast of "Iron Man 2": Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Scarlett Janssen.
The moment this lineup appeared, the media area went wild, with the flashes going off three times faster.
Downey, wearing his signature sunglasses and a flamboyant burgundy suit, gave the camera a "peace" sign, which triggered even more frenzied screams.
Scarlett Johansson looked stunning in a red deep-V gown, exuding sexiness and charm as she smiled and waved. She was breathtakingly beautiful from every angle.
Gwyneth Paltrow maintained her usual elegance, her gold gown making her look like a true princess.
"Downey! How's Iron Man 2 going?"
"Scarlett! Look this way! Smile!"
This lineup stayed on the red carpet for a full five minutes, and director Favreau even spontaneously danced a short dance, eliciting bursts of laughter.
Next came the most moving moment of the evening: the Chinese actors entered the stage one after another.
Cheng Long and Gong Li arrived together.
Jackie Chan wore a dark purple suit without a tie, and with a broad smile, he greeted people with clasped hands as he walked, a unique blend of Chinese and Western greetings that drew much laughter and applause; he is indeed well-known in Hollywood.
Gong Li wore a dark green cheongsam-inspired modern gown, exuding elegance and power, making her look like she was walking the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.
When the two walked the red carpet, the reaction in the media area was noticeably colder.
Only a few Chinese and Asian media outlets were snapping photos like crazy; most Hollywood media simply pressed the shutter a few times as a matter of routine before turning around and waiting for the next star.
"Brother Jackie Chan! How's the filming of '2012' going?"
"Ms. Gong Li! How was your first time acting in a Hollywood blockbuster?"
Jackie Chan struck a kung fu pose for the camera and said in English, "Training went very smoothly, director Emmerich was fantastic! Looking forward to the movie's release!"
Gong Li simply said in English, "It was a great learning opportunity. Hollywood productions are very professional."
The two quickly walked across the red carpet and entered the hotel lobby.
Jackie Chan whispered to Gong Li, his tone tinged with self-deprecation, "See? We're just here to make up the numbers. If '2012' hadn't been filming, we wouldn't even have gotten these few shots."
Gong Li smiled, her smile elegant but her eyes indifferent: "I'm used to it. When you're on someone else's turf, you have to accept their rules."
""
Ge You and Li Binbin, the sisters, came together.
Ge You wore a Zhongshan suit today, while Li Binbin wore a light pink strapless dress, with exquisite makeup and an effort to maintain an elegant smile.
Li Xue was dressed in a smart black pantsuit, looking like a manager, and in fact, she was playing that role tonight.
The media's reaction was even more lukewarm as the three walked the red carpet.
Apart from a few Chinese media outlets shouting "Teacher Ge You, look this way!" and "Binbin, look here!", almost no one was taking pictures.
An American journalist whispered to his colleague, "Who's that?"
"The Chinese actor, the one who does comedies, seems to be quite famous."
"Who is that woman?"
"I don't know, maybe she's a Chinese celebrity."
Ge You waved with a smile, his expression calm and unconcerned about the cold reception.
Li Binbin tried hard to maintain a smile, but the disappointment in her eyes was undeniable; when she walks the red carpet in China, she is always the center of attention.
Li Xue calmly observed everything around her, deeply imprinting this scene in her mind, while whispering a reminder to her sister: "Smile, don't look down."
This is Hollywood—a harsh reality.
If you're not Tom Cruise or Angelina Jolie, you have to accept this kind of cold treatment. Unless—unless you have resources and connections like Jiang Yu.
As guests arrived one after another, the banquet hall became increasingly lively.
Warner Bros., Universal, Disney, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate—all six major Hollywood studios and key independent production companies sent executives over.
It was less of a celebration banquet and more of an industry gathering; everyone wanted to see what this suddenly rising star, Light Chaser, was all about, to test its strengths and see if they could get a piece of the pie.
David, as the on-site coordinator, was as busy as a spinning top, shuttling around the banquet hall, with fine beads of sweat already appearing on his forehead.
"David, congratulations!" Warner Bros.' Jeff Robinoff came over with a glass of champagne, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "The success of Twilight is amazing. You guys have really given Hollywood a surprise this time."
"Thanks, Jeff." David clinked glasses with him, trying to remain calm. "Luckily, we caught a good time."
""
"Luck?" Jeff chuckled, his eyes shrewd. "Once is luck, twice or three is skill. By the way, I heard you guys got the rights to 'The Hunger Games'? When did you start developing it? How come there wasn't a single word about it?"
David chuckled inwardly; they had come after all. But outwardly, he feigned innocence: "We bought it last year and have been developing it discreetly. You know, we like to do things thoroughly before announcing them."
"How is the development progressing? Do you need a partner? Warner is very interested and can offer the best terms."
"It's still in the script stage. I'll let you know as soon as there's any concrete progress," David replied flawlessly. "Enjoy the party tonight, we can talk about work another day, okay?"
"Of course, of course," Jeff said with a smile as he walked away.
Similar conversations continued to unfold throughout the banquet hall.
Everyone was trying to find out what the Light Chaser would do next, and behind every smile was a calculation: it would be best to cooperate, but if not, they still needed to know what the Light Chaser was up to, so as not to lose the initiative again.
That's Hollywood—always competing, always scheming.
By 7:30 p.m., the banquet hall was already packed.
The champagne tower sparkled, a band played soft jazz, and celebrities chatted in small groups.
Everyone was waiting for Jiang Yu.
At 7:40, a commotion broke out at the entrance of the banquet hall.
Jiang Yu has arrived.
He was wearing a dark gray custom-made suit, his posture was upright, his steps were composed, and he had a faint smile on his face.
The woman holding his arm was Liu Yifei, dressed in a silver dress.
The dress was a simple halter style, well-tailored, which accentuated her snow-white skin and beautiful collarbones.
She didn't wear much jewelry, just a pair of small diamond stud earrings, simple and elegant.
The moment Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei stepped into the banquet hall, it was as if the spotlight of the entire world was shining on them.
The once noisy hall fell silent instantly, then a murmur like ocean waves, or the wind blowing through a wheat field, filled the air.
"That's Jiang? She looks even younger than in the photo! I thought she was at least thirty-five!"
"Who's that next to you? Your girlfriend? She's quite pretty."
"Liu Yifei is a Chinese actress who starred in 'The Forbidden Kingdom' and is currently filming 'Black Swan'."
"What's their relationship? They seem very close."
"I heard that Light Chaser Animation Studios is heavily promoting her, and they brought her here today to network. This kind of treatment is something many A-list Hollywood actresses don't get."
.
Jiang Yu remained calm, seemingly oblivious to the stares and whispers, as composed as if he were in his own living room.
Liu Yifei seemed a little nervous, her fingers tightening slightly around his arm, while she maintained a polite smile, head held high, and eyes calm.
"Relax," Jiang Yu whispered, his voice only audible to her. "Just smile, follow me. You are the Black Swan."
The leading lady is qualified to stand here.
Liu Yifei took a deep breath and nodded.
Jiang Yu's words were like a reassurance, calming her down.
The first person to greet him was Rob Friedman, who was as excited as a child seeing candy.
"Jiang! You're finally here!" Robert gave Jiang Yu a bear hug, then looked at Liu Yifei, his eyes lighting up. "And this beautiful lady is... wait, let me guess—Miss Liu Yifei? I've seen you in stills from 'Black Swan,' you're even more beautiful than in the photos!"
"Hello, Mr. Friedman," Liu Yifei said in fluent English, extending her hand. "Congratulations on the great success of 'Twilight.' I've seen the movie and loved it."
"Thank you! You've seen it? Really?" Rob shook her hand warmly. "What did you think? Tell me the truth, don't be shy!"
"It's very captivating," Liu Yifei said with a smile, her tone sincere. "The emotions are genuine, the special effects are fantastic, especially the visual effects of the vampire's speed—it's truly breathtaking."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jiang Yu began to lead Liu Yifei around the venue.
Like a tour guide, he calmly introduced each important person to her, and those people were very respectful, not only responding enthusiastically but also taking the initiative to talk to Liu Yifei.
"This is Jeff Robinoff, CEO of Warner Bros. Jeff, this is Liu Yifei, the lead actress in 'Black Swan,' which our company invested in."
"Hello, Mr. Robinov."
"Ms. Liu, it's a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Jiang often mentions you, saying you have great potential. I've seen 'The Forbidden Kingdom,' and you were outstanding in it."
"This is Robert Iger, Chairman of Disney. Bob, this is Liu Yifei."
"Hello, Mr. Egger."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Liu. I heard you did a great job in 'Black Swan.' Director Darren has very high standards, and the fact that you earned his approval shows that you are very talented."
"This is Ron Meyer, Chairman of Universal Pictures. Ron, this is Liu Yifei."
"Hello, Mr. Meyer."
"Hello, Ms. Liu; I look forward to more collaborations in the future. By the way, Jackie Chan and Gong Li often mention you, saying you are a very promising young actress in China."
After a round of introductions, Liu Yifei had greeted all the heads of the six major Hollywood studios.
She was poised and confident, spoke fluent English, and was well-mannered, leaving a good impression on everyone.
More importantly, everyone gave Jiang Yu enough respect and attention.
This scene was witnessed by all the Chinese actors present, who felt a mix of emotions.
Jackie Chan and Gong Li stood by the champagne tower, holding wine glasses, watching from afar.
"See?" Jackie Chan said in a low voice, his tone tinged with emotion and a hint of envy. "Jiang Yu is paving the way for her. He introduced all six of the top executives, and each of them gave him a lot of face. This kind of treatment is something that many A-list stars in Hollywood don't get. I remember when I was filming 'Rush Hour,' I wanted to meet the executives at New Line Cinema, and I had to make an appointment through my agent and wait for two weeks."
Gong Li nodded, her eyes complex but calm: "This girl is really lucky. But then again, she's also very capable, has a great presence, and isn't shy at all. If it were someone else, even if Jiang Yu wanted to promote her, he might not have been able to. Look at how she was talking to Aiger just now, neither humble nor arrogant, very tactful."
"That's true," Jackie Chan remarked. "But honestly, even after all these years in Hollywood, we've never enjoyed this kind of treatment. At parties, we're lucky if we get to chat with one or two producers. Jiang Yu's move has elevated her to another level. Her future career in Hollywood will be much smoother."
"That's the power of resources," Gong Li said, taking a sip of champagne. "And it's also the power of the times. In our era, it was incredibly difficult for Chinese actors to gain a foothold in Hollywood. Now, with Chinese capital entering the market and the market expanding, things are different."
but----"
She paused, then continued, "This kind of heavy promotion is a double-edged sword. The higher you're promoted, the greater the expectations and the greater the pressure. If your subsequent works don't keep up, the fall will be even more painful."
On the other side, Ge You and Li Binbin stood in a corner, watching from afar as Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei were surrounded by a crowd.
Li Binbin's eyes were full of envy, and he gripped his wine glass tightly.
Li Xue observed calmly, her mind racing as she analyzed every detail.
"See that?" Li Xue whispered. "That's the difference. Jiang Yu personally introduced her to his network; it's obvious he's going to promote her. And look at the reactions of those big shots—they're not just going through the motions; they're genuinely having serious conversations. What does that mean? It means they're really considering her future potential because of Jiang Yu. Sis, if we can get on this bandwagon—"
"I know," Li Binbin interrupted his sister, his voice tinged with bitterness. "How can we get in? Look at how many people are surrounding Jiang Yu; we can't even squeeze in. I tried to go over and say hello to Ron Meyer just now, but he was surrounded by a bunch of people, and I couldn't get close at all."
Ge You took a sip of champagne and said slowly, "What's the rush? Go say hello when there are fewer people later. If you want people to flatter you, you have to show them what you're worth."
Li Binbin nodded, his expression serious: "I understand. I will try my best."
Halfway through the banquet, Jiang Yu finally had a moment of peace.
He went out onto the balcony to get some fresh air.
.
The nights in Los Angeles are beautiful, with the city lights glittering in the distance like diamonds scattered on the ground.
A cool evening breeze carries the faint scent of gardenias.
"Mr. Jiang, are you here all alone?"
Jiang Yu turned around and saw Li Binbin and Li Xue walking over, with Ge You beside them.
"Mr. Ge, Ms. Li." Jiang Yu nodded politely. "Congratulations, Ms. Li, on your performance in Inception. Director Nolan is very satisfied."
Li Binbin was somewhat surprised, his eyes widening slightly: "You've seen the sample footage?"
"I've seen a few test shots, and the acting is excellent," Jiang Yu said with a smile, his tone sincere.
"Thank you, Mr. Jiang," Li Binbin said sincerely. "Actually, besides congratulating 'Twilight' on its great success, I also wanted to thank you in person. If it weren't for the opportunity given to me by Light Chaser Animation Studios, I wouldn't have been able to participate in 'Inception' or receive guidance from director Christopher Nolan."
"You earned this yourself," Jiang Yu said, his tone gentle but objective. "Huayi recommended you, and Director Nolan thought you were suitable after the audition. It's that simple."
Li Xue interjected at the opportune moment, her timing impeccable: "President Jiang, my sister's contract expires at the end of next year. She's always admired Light Chaser's professionalism and vision, believing that Light Chaser makes films with a truly international perspective. I wonder—is there any opportunity for collaboration?"
This statement is direct yet tactful: it expresses the intention without forcing the issue.
Jiang Yu glanced at Li Binbin and thought for a few seconds.
His gaze was calm, but Li Binbin could sense the scrutiny and assessment within it. At that moment, time seemed to slow down.
"Light Chaser Animation Studios doesn't have many signed actors yet," Jiang Yu began slowly. "It's mainly because we're very careful in selecting actors; they need to meet the project's needs and have long-term development potential. However—"
He paused, and Li Binbin's heart leaped into his throat.
"We do have several projects in the pipeline that require actors of different ages. We will consider them if a suitable opportunity arises. Ms. Li's acting skills and dedication are evident to all."
This statement didn't promise anything, but it didn't completely shut the door either.
Li Binbin's eyes lit up, and he radiated confidence: "Thank you, President Jiang! I will continue to work hard! Regardless of whether there is an opportunity to cooperate, I will hold myself to even higher standards!"
"You're welcome," Jiang Yu smiled. "Enjoy tonight. Although this kind of occasion is tiring, it's also a great opportunity to learn about Hollywood."
After the two sisters left, Ge You stayed and stood on the balcony with Jiang Yu, looking at the night view in the distance.
"Young Jiang, you're a Hollywood star now," Ge You said with a smile, his tone carrying the kindness of an elder. "Just now, the scene was so grand, with the six masters surrounding you and reporters chasing after you to take pictures. Even this old man is envious."
As the two were chatting, Liu Yifei came over.
"So you're here." She held two glasses of champagne, handing him one. "I've been looking for you for ages. Rob said you'd be giving a speech later, and he asked me to remind you to get ready."
Ge You smiled knowingly and said, "You guys chat. I'll go in and get another drink, and maybe I can ask Jackie Chan for a few kung fu tips, although I'm too old to learn them anyway."
Only Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei remained on the balcony.
In the night, her silver dress shimmered softly, and her makeup was exquisite but not heavy, making her look fresh and elegant.
"What's wrong? Did someone give you a hard time?" Jiang Yu asked, taking the champagne.
"No, I'm just not quite used to it yet." Liu Yifei walked to his side, looking at the lights in the distance. "Everyone was laughing. A few actresses came over to chat with me just now, and they kept asking about my relationship with you, what projects the spotlight had, and what I was going to film next. Two agents even gave me their business cards, saying that if I wanted to change agencies, they could offer the best terms."
"That's Hollywood," Jiang Yu said calmly. "A world of fame and fortune, an arena where everyone is looking for opportunities and calculating profits. You've done a good job, and many people have a good impression of you."
"Really?" Liu Yifei turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling in the night. "I was so nervous just now, afraid of saying the wrong thing, afraid of doing the wrong thing."
"Really." Jiang Yu looked at her earnestly. "Aig told me privately that you have a unique charisma, are very photogenic, and have the potential to be an international star. Robinoff also said that your English is good and your speech is appropriate, unlike a newcomer attending this kind of event for the first time. These are all very important comments. More importantly—"
Liu Yifei smiled, a smile that shone brightly in the night, like fireworks suddenly bursting into bloom.
Looking at the city lights in the distance, she whispered, "Thank you, Jiang Yu. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here, I wouldn't know these people, I wouldn't have heard these comments. During the most exhausting time filming 'Black Swan,' you encouraged me to persevere. When I doubted myself, you gave me a chance. I—"
Before she finished speaking, Jiang Yu understood what she meant.
"It's because you have the ability," Jiang Yu said, his tone so gentle he didn't even realize it himself. "I just gave you the opportunity, opened the door. Whether you can walk through that door, and how far you can go, depends on you. You did it, and you did it very well."
Robert's voice came from the banquet hall; he was urging everyone to be quiet and prepare to raise their glasses.
The climax of the celebration banquet is about to begin.
"Let's go," Jiang Yu said. "It's time for the main character to take the stage."
When they returned to the banquet hall, Rob was standing on a makeshift stage, holding a microphone, his face already flushed from drinking.
"—So, let's raise a glass to celebrate the huge success of Twilight! Congratulations to Light Chaser Animation and Summit Entertainment for their excellent collaboration! More importantly, let's look forward to more great movies! Now, please welcome our protagonist today—Jiang Yu!"
The audience erupted in applause.
Jiang Yu walked onto the stage and took the microphone.
The entire room fell silent, and everyone stared at him; Hollywood bigwigs, stars, directors, and media.
At this moment, he was the absolute center.
"Thank you, Rob, thank you everyone." His voice resonated throughout the banquet hall through the sound system. "The success of Twilight is the success of the team. Thank you to our partners at Summit Entertainment, thank you to director Katharine, thank you to all the actors and crew. And thank you to everyone here, my colleagues in Hollywood. Without your support, this film would not have achieved such success."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.
At that moment, his gaze met that of Liu Yifei in the audience. She looked up at him, her eyes bright.
"Film is the art of creating dreams," Jiang Yu continued, his voice carrying a rare infectiousness. "We believe that good stories can transcend national borders, and good films can touch everyone."
"Tonight's celebration is just the beginning. In the future, there are many more great films waiting for us to create, and many more stories waiting for us to tell. Light Chaser is willing to work hand in hand with everyone here to create the next miracle."
"Finally, I'd like to announce two pieces of news." Jiang Yu's words drew everyone's attention, and reporters had already raised their recorders. "First, *Twilight Saga 2* has officially started development and is expected to be released next year. Second, our other IP, *The Hunger Games*, has also entered the development stage, and we look forward to more collaborations with everyone!"
The applause erupted again, even more enthusiastic than before.
Flashbulbs went off like crazy, recording this moment.
Jiang Yu stood in the center of the stage, the lights shining on him.
He is the star of the night, a representative of Hollywood's new force, and the one who ushered in a new era.
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