Chapter 35: A Chatting Genius?

“Finally, I’d like to give an advertisement for my alma mater. If it weren't for the support of the faculty and students at Central Academy of Drama, and the full assistance of President Xu Xiaozhong, I’m afraid this film would have struggled to be completed. I am grateful to Central Academy of Drama for nurturing me.”

*Clap, clap, clap!*

Cheng Sheng's seasoned words prompted a wave of applause from the media present.

He spoke beautifully, and more importantly, he helped promote Chinese history and culture to the world. Even official authorities would likely give him a thumbs-up for this.

Furthermore, Cheng Sheng knew how to show gratitude. Since the school had helped him, he knew how to give back.

He had promoted Central Academy of Drama on the global stage in Venice, and now, facing the media upon his return, he was still advertising for his alma mater.

What school wouldn't love a student like this? It was no wonder the faculty and students of Central Academy of Drama supported his filmmaking.

He deserved his fame.

“Director Cheng, I am from Xinlang News. We heard you have a very good relationship with last year's Venice Best Actress winner, Scarlett Johansson. Is there a romantic connection between you two?”

“Scarlett and I are just good friends; there is absolutely no romantic involvement. I ask everyone not to spread wild rumors. If this reaches America, people there might misunderstand us Chinese as being gossipy busybodies! Please don't bring negative attention to China.”

With this bit of moral kidnapping, Cheng Sheng effectively silenced the reporters who were looking for scandal.

They just wanted to write some gossip to boost their website traffic. Why did he have to elevate the issue to a national level? How were they supposed to report on celebrity scandals after this!

By shutting down every angle, he truly was a genius at handling interviews.

...

After about half an hour of interviews, Cheng Sheng finally left the airport under the escort of the long-delayed airport security.

“Shanzi, you’re so unreliable.”

Once in the car, Cheng Sheng began complaining to Qiao Shan, who had vanished immediately after getting off the plane.

“Haha, brother! It’s not that I didn't want to help. You saw what happened just now—there were hundreds of people. How was I supposed to help?” Qiao Shan said with a laugh.

As soon as he stepped out of the airport, he saw hundreds of reporters rushing toward them, so Qiao Shan had bolted on the spot. While it might have been disloyal, if he hadn't run, he would have been the one suffering in that situation.

“Cheng Sheng, how did the overseas distribution rights sell?” asked Zhang Yang, who had been sent by the school to pick him up at the airport.

“Higher than expected,” Cheng Sheng said with a slight smile.

“Really!” Zhang Yang exclaimed in surprise.

“Teacher Zhang, you underestimate us too much. Director Cheng’s films are classics; those foreigners are scrambling to buy the overseas distribution rights!” Qiao Shan said proudly.

“So, how much did it sell for?” Prompted by Qiao Shan, Zhang Yang became instantly curious.

“26.5 million USD.” Qiao Shan glanced at Cheng Sheng, and seeing him nod, immediately stated the figure.

*Screech!*

Shocked, Zhang Yang instinctively slammed on the brakes.

“Ouch! Teacher Zhang, that’s attempted murder!” Qiao Shan cried out, his face pale after hitting his head.

“I’m sorry, it’s just... sigh, I don't know how to express it. You know the movie *Hero*, right? Its overseas distribution rights were only 21 million USD,” Zhang Yang apologized hurriedly.

The price Qiao Shan mentioned was truly staggering. The overseas distribution rights for *The Great Tang Dynasty—Origins* were even higher than those for *Hero*. If word of this got out, there would be an enormous uproar.

“Teacher Zhang, be careful. I don't want to end up in the hospital the moment I get back,” Cheng Sheng said with a bitter smile, wiping the sweat from his forehead, equally shaken.

“I will, I will.” Zhang Yang was also quite rattled.

As the car resumed its journey, Zhang Yang didn't dare get distracted or ask any more questions. If he heard any more shocking news from Cheng Sheng or Qiao Shan, he might actually cause a car accident.

Soon, the car arrived back at the school.

The ten-meter-long banner at the entrance of Central Academy of Drama made Cheng Sheng gasp. This was far too grand; even a president's inauguration probably wouldn't be treated this way!

Cheng Sheng originally wanted to return to his dormitory to put away his luggage and the Golden Lion, but Zhang Yang instructed Qiao Shan to take the luggage back while he escorted Cheng Sheng and the Golden Lion to the President's office.

“Quick, quick, let me touch the Golden Lion!”

As soon as they entered the office, Yang Chao, who was waiting there, rushed forward.

Cheng Sheng smiled and handed the Golden Lion to Yang Chao. Holding it, Yang Chao's hands moved incessantly over the award, looking much like a man possessed.

“Xiao Cheng! Well done! Our school is proud of you!” President Xu Xiaozhong walked over to Cheng Sheng and patted him on the shoulder happily.

“President, my success is thanks to the school's help. Without the school's full support, I wouldn't have been able to win this award,” Cheng Sheng said modestly.

He was indeed very grateful. From the start of filming, the school had supported him fully. Once the film was completed, the school helped him pass the censorship process and helped send the film to Venice for exhibition.

“Haha, come, let's go to the conference room. The school leadership is waiting to hold a meeting with you!” Xu Xiaozhong said, very satisfied with Cheng Sheng's attitude.

Cheng Sheng was bewildered.

A meeting! What was going on?

Following Xu Xiaozhong to the conference room, he saw many unfamiliar faces. Under President Xu's introduction, Cheng Sheng finally realized who they were. They were indeed the school leadership. Usually, these people rarely visited the campus unless there was a major event, which was why Cheng Sheng had never met them.

The "meeting" was actually just several leaders wanting to meet Cheng Sheng to show the school's respect for him.

The leaders were very warm, showering Cheng Sheng with praise before discussing whether the film should be submitted to domestic film festivals. The leaders were quite obsessed with winning awards. One Venice win simply wasn't enough; winning more awards would be best for the school's reputation.

Cheng Sheng felt some hesitation. Currently, domestic awards were often about "dividing the spoils." Entering a film into those festivals often only served to add prestige to the festivals themselves. Even though his film had swept everything in Venice, there was no guarantee he could win awards domestically. He was well aware of the nature of those domestic film festivals.

However, seeing how enthusiastic the school leaders were, Cheng Sheng ultimately agreed. As for the awards, whether he won them or not wouldn't affect his film.

After chatting with the leaders for half an hour, Cheng Sheng followed Xu Xiaozhong back to the President's office.

Yang Chao and Zhang Yang were still in the office, obsessively holding the Golden Lion. Looking at them, they seemed like teenagers addicted to internet cafes—how could they be so infatuated with a trophy?

“Xiao Cheng, leave the Golden Lion with me for now. Once we have a replica made, I'll return the real one to you,” Xu Xiaozhong said to Cheng Sheng.

“Alright, President.” Cheng Sheng understood.

The school had an honor room where many trophies and awards were kept. These were honors earned by generations of faculty and students of Central Academy of Drama, displayed for the entire school to see. Cheng Sheng's Golden Lion would certainly be placed there. However, the real Golden Lion belonged to Cheng Sheng; the school would only display a replica for the students to see.

Cheng Sheng chatted with the President for another ten minutes before bidding him farewell and leaving.