Chapter 467: Chapter 466 Thorough to the Last Detail
If I had practiced martial arts, maybe I could have impressed him with my previous decent Yong Chun skills…
“No, I haven’t,” but unexpectedly, Li Chuang shook his head directly: “Master has openly admitted that he isn’t versed in much Kung Fu. So, to him, choreographing fight scenes is like designing works of art. His style feels agile and grand, expansive, perfectly blending the characteristics of our Heavenly People’s Republic’s thousands of years of martial arts and the aesthetic pleasure of visual sensation. Watching it is particularly addictive, the fights come out looking very natural and pleasing, without that artificial feel of added special effects. Every piece guided by Master is essentially a masterpiece, the entire fighting sequence flows like drifting clouds and flowing water.”
What I mean is to start from his hobbies, not asking about artworks…
“That being said, Mr. Li,” Wang Hao cautiously asked, “I mean, this Mr. Yuan must have some hobbies or interests, right? If we can’t move him with money, we could approach from the angle of his hobbies!”
“Do you think I don’t know that?” Li Chuang said helplessly: “Mr. Yuan likes calligraphy, which is well-known among our circles. For this reason, I’ve specially learned for several days, not to say I can write, but at least I can appreciate. But it’s no use…”
This is like water off a duck’s back…
During the conversation, Li Chuang directed Wang Hao to drive: “Here we are, this is the villa complex, turn left at the entrance… go straight… see the man-made lake up ahead? Villa number sixteen by the lake–that’s his place.”
Wang Hao looked around and could tell that Master Yuan’s circumstances were indeed not bad, living in such a scenic villa complex, he must be quite wealthy.
No wonder they’re unresponsive to money offers–they must have made plenty…
They soon arrived in front of the villa, where Li Chuang got out of the car and smiled: “Here we are, this is the place.”
Only then did Wang Hao have time to take a careful look.
It was a three-story villa, similar to a Ming Dynasty residential courtyard, surrounded by a wall about one meter high, with the house itself largely constructed of wood, grey tiles and eaves, decorative beams and painted rafters, a small bridge over running water in the courtyard, and rockery made of bluestone–quite a bit of classical style.
No wonder Mr. Li said he’s a calligraphy enthusiast, this house must be it!
By this time, three or four high-end cars were already parked at the villa’s entrance–Land Rovers, Jaguars, and the like. Li Chuang, clearly frustrated, scratched his head: “Looks like there’s no shortage of people trying to invite him today. Look at these cars–that Jaguar with the plate ‘Zhong B65444’ belongs to Zhang Baoguo, Director Zhang, and that ‘Zhe C87455’ over there is a producer from another crew, Mr. Li Xinghan–damn, even Director Deng Rongchang is here! He’s said to be the chief director of a big-budget martial arts film, investing 150 million renminbi…”
He listed several names offhandedly, his mood growing more depressed: “It’s over, it’s over, looks like we’re out of luck today. Even if Master Yuan were to come out of retirement, he wouldn’t choose our crew…”
Wang Hao felt Li Chuang’s spirits plummet in an instant; he deflated completely…
“Mr. Li, let’s not lose heart,” Wang Hao shrugged and said: “After all, we’ve come this far, shouldn’t we at least go in and try our luck?”
At that moment, thinking so, they saw a group being led out from inside, Li Chuang was stunned: “Director Zhang?! Why are you coming out?”
The people just so happened to be those Li Chuang knew–none other than the previously mentioned Director Zhang Baoguo!
“Ah, don’t even mention it,” said Director Zhang in the front, sounding resigned: “No use talking, offering three million and he didn’t even bat an eyelid! Mr. Li, not to discourage you, but you definitely wasted a trip here today.”
Quite impressive indeed!
“That bad!” Li Chuang was taken aback and asked: “What about Mr. Li Xinghan and Director Deng…”
“They’re still in there, soft-pedaling and hard selling,” Director Zhang shook his head: “This is looking tough, I have to go back now. If we can’t get Master Yuan, I’ll just have to find another martial arts choreographer.”
They got into their cars–one could tell they were quite dejected–and with a heavy stomp on the gas pedal, they disappeared in the blink of an eye.
“Look at that,” Li Chuang became even more troubled: “Even an offer of three million wasn’t enough. Let’s just do our best and leave the rest to fate today.”
Li Chuang promptly rang the doorbell, and soon after, the door opened with a “Ya–” a maid in her forties, wearing an apron, came out, frowned upon seeing Li Chuang, and said: “You’re back again?”
“I thought I’d give it another try today,” Li Chuang said with a smile: “Can you please notify them, let us in?”
“Well okay, he’s in the study,” the maid turned and went inside: “Please wait a moment, I will inform the master.”
She returned in less than a minute: “Please, follow me.”
The maid led the way, taking Wang Hao and Li Chuang straight to the study; upon reaching the door, she smiled and said: “The master is inside. Please come in.”
Upon entering the study, Wang Hao took a quick survey.
Firstly, there were two large bookshelves, with a lot of calligraphy hung on the wall–running script–which Wang Hao stared at for quite some time without deciphering what was written, utterly confused. However, the floor was neat and shining, clearly well-maintained.
At that moment, right in front of a large desk in the center of the room, an older gentleman with graying hair was engrossed in writing calligraphy.