Chapter 55: Meeting Brother Hua for the First Time

There was an electronic scrolling ticker on the Grand Hotel, continuously displaying a single sentence: 【Warmly celebrating the box office creative miracle of "The Great Tang Dynasty"; wishing for a future box office breakthrough of 1 billion.】

Before the victory banquet began, reporters waiting outside the Grand Hotel gathered in small groups. Their hands were busy and their mouths were non-stop as they chatted about various pieces of gossip.

"Zzz—Director Cheng Sheng is truly something else! The country's top three directors might just become the top four."

"Predicting a box office of one billion... if Cheng Sheng still can't become one of the top directors, then the rest of them might as well just die."

"『The Great Tang Dynasty: Origins』 has already secured its place as the highest-grossing film in domestic history."

"Those Japanese people are too ridiculous. They've sent hundreds of applications in a row, but the state just won't approve them."

"With the Japanese temperament, the state would have to be possessed to agree."

"Even if they exhibited them in their own country, there wouldn't be enough locals to see them! How could they possibly lease out national treasures for exhibition!"

"Who do you think is coming to the banquet today?"

"I heard China Film invited all the big shots in the industry; Hong Kong and Taiwan stars are also on the guest list."

"I really envy China Film. They've made a killing this time."

"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since we've seen any posts from 'Cannon Feng' online. Doesn't he look down on Cheng Sheng? He was cursing him online before; why has he gone quiet lately?"

"That guy who picks fights with everyone—he used to curse because he didn't know Cheng Sheng had donated the musical score of 『The Qin King's Battle Music』 to the state. If he dares to curse Cheng Sheng now, he shouldn't fear the state coming down to deal with him."

"True. Director Cheng made a selfless donation. CCTV even reported on it and praised him. Official media even called him a fine young man serving the country and the people in the Youth Daily."

"There used to be negative comments about Cheng Sheng online, but look how clean the internet is now. There isn't even a single piece of gossip about him."

"What do you mean 'not a single one'? It's because the media deleted them all. You guys don't know—our company used to post online that Cheng Sheng's movies were unreliable, but a few days ago, we received an official reprimand and had to pull the news down overnight."

"Us too..."

"Ahhh..."

As several acquainted reporters were engaged in heated discussion, a sudden scream erupted from the surroundings. The reporters looked over in bewilderment.

"Wait, is that... the Huayi Twin Ice!"

"I thought I heard they were on bad terms? How are they together?"

"What's the deal with Fan Shuangbing and Li Shuangbing? Could the rumors be false?"

"Forget the rumors, take pictures first! If there's no news, we'll make some."

"Right, right, take photos. The Twin Ice look so sexy today..."

Under the bright and magnificent lights, the Twin Ice walked down from their cars, arm in arm.

Both women looked stunning tonight, evoking a sense of restless excitement in anyone who saw them.

Fan Shuangbing wore a black, deep-V sheer dress, exuding a sense of dominance within her sexiness. The deep V-neck highlighted her cleavage, while the slit skirt showcased her slender legs. Paired with black high heels, her look was sexy and commanding, more than enough to captivate the crowd.

Dressed in a high-end custom black sheer suit paired with luxury jewelry, Fan Shuangbing's appearance was dazzling; her sparkling necklace and long tassel earrings shimmered in unison. Her dark hair fell in casual waves, and her posture was dignified and elegant. Although the black sheer design and deep V were sexy, the addition of black leggings and sky-high heels made her appear more poised and graceful.

Li Shuangbing had clearly also dressed with great care. She made a stunning entrance in a pure white backless long gown, looking like a swan stepped out of a fairy tale. The exquisitely tailored gown perfectly outlined her graceful curves, especially the bold backless design, which showcased the beautiful lines of her back to perfection.

Every movement Li Shuangbing made exuded elegance, and her bright eyes sparkled with confidence. As she raised her hand to greet the surrounding fans, her skirt fluttered gently with her movements, giving her an aura of purity and nobility.

Seeing this, Fan Shuangbing, who was holding Li Shuangbing's hand, frowned slightly, a hint of disgust flashing in her eyes. If not for the demands of the Wang brothers, she wouldn't have held hands with that cheap woman even if her life depended on it.

However, Fan Shuangbing still needed to maintain her public persona. Following the Wang brothers' instructions, she maintained the image of being "good sisters" with Li Shuangbing.

As the Twin Ice arrived, the remaining invited guests began to arrive one after another.

Watching the celebrities arrive one by one, the waiting reporters were not stingy with their cameras, their shutters clicking incessantly.

*Click-click-click-click!*

*Flash! Flash! Flash!*

"Ahhhhhhh!"

The screams of fans seeing their idols filled the entrance of the Beijing Grand Hotel.

"The main cast of *The Great Tang* is here!"

"Zeng Li!"

"Ah! Fu Dalong and Zheng Guolin!"

"Director Cheng is actually walking with Third Master Han."

"Who are the two girls next to Pingyang Zhao? They're quite pretty, though one has a slightly darker complexion."

"Who are those guys looking like nouveau riche landlords? They walk like crabs—they don't look like good people."

"Holy crap! You're so out of the loop, you don't know them? They're just those coal bosses from Xishan!"

"Damn, I'm so envious. I wonder how much they'll make from investing in 『The Great Tang Dynasty: Origins』."

"I'm not envious of their money; I'm envious that they actually keep such beautiful mistresses. I heard that the concubines in Emperor Yang Guang's harem in the movie were all played by the coal bosses' mistresses. They're clearly trying to promote them!"

"What's there to be envious of? If you're born a beauty in your next life, you can be envious too."

"Get lost."

The appearance of Cheng Sheng and the main cast immediately caused a commotion. Surrounding fans screamed, and some even shouted "I love you" toward beauties like Su Chang and Zeng Li.

Well, okay!

They were beauties, so people could love them, but someone shouting "I love you" to Fu Dalong? What the hell was that?

Fu Dalong looked like a middle-aged uncle; was there really someone out there who loved him?

Fans need to be rational when chasing idols!

"Hello there, Director Cheng!"

As the crew entered the Beijing Grand Hotel, a friendly voice greeted Cheng Sheng. A handsome middle-aged man strode forward and quickly reached Cheng Sheng's side.

"Teacher Liu Dehua, hello."

Seeing the handsome man before him, Cheng Sheng felt a surge of excitement.

After a brief hug from Liu Dehua, Cheng Sheng said with a smile, "Thank you, Teacher Liu Dehua, for coming to the victory banquet."

"Haha, don't be so formal. Just call me Hua-ge," Liu Dehua said with a smile.

*Shaolin Temple* had only recently finished filming, and he had originally planned to return to Hong Kong, but he suddenly received an invitation from Third Master Han to attend the victory banquet for 『The Great Tang Dynasty: Origins』.

Liu Dehua had accepted without a second thought.

He truly wanted to meet Cheng Sheng, the man who had created a box office miracle.

(End of Chapter)